A.N.: Hey readers! Sorry this chapter is a little short- here starts the drama. The next chapter is named one step forward, two steps back. Interesting eh? Yay! Just try to figure out what happens! You don't really know if everyone's okay even until I'd say about half way through that chapter. Wow I'd say they aren't. But no fatalities! Never. How could I kill one of the main characters! No! There has to be babies! Haha sorry—I'm always saying that! Whenever someone asks me for ideas for plot twists I always say babies! I'm so weird… yeah but I write some good stuff… Coolio! Happy reading! I hope to deliver the next chapter soon!
Disclaimer: This story is 100 mine, but the characters and curse belong to Rumiko T.!
Chapter 13: Life is Back to Normal… Or is it?
Golden week ended, and school began again. Ranma and Akane were too tired to wake up so early every morning, so they stuck to their old morning schedules. Ranma still woke up early to train, and Akane did a little bit of jogging. She and Ranma decided to train together in the dojo starting that afternoon.
School was normal, and everyone only talked a little bit about the engagement party that took place the previous week. Ranma and Akane got home at the usual time, and decided to get some training done before dinner. It was pretty fun. Akane got her training in, and Ranma got some exercise, but they most enjoyed laughing and being together. At the end of the session, Akane gave one last kick, and Ranma grabbed her ankle and made her trip so she'd land on his chest, leaving her vulnerable for hugs.
"Enough training for one day. I'm hungry! Let's go see if my mom made some snacks." Ranma said getting up and pulling Akane to her feet. It was certainly different having a mother figure in the house. Akane didn't really know how to act because she'd been without a mother for so long. She hesitated a little, and Ranma picked up on what made her uncomfortable.
"Hey, it's okay. She's not here to replace your mom Akane. No one can do that, and she's not trying to take over. She's just someone who you can trust. Someone who can give you advice your dad can't." Ranma held out his hand. Akane grabbed it and smiled. "Yeah, you're right. It's just so new, but it's not bad. I'm just not used to it."
Nodoka Saotome was in the kitchen washing dishes when her son entered. "Hey mom, do you have any snacks handy?" He asked. "You're done training? I thought you and Akane might be hungry so I did make some food. Here you go." She smiled the sweet smile and handed over a plate of dumplings. "You're a life saver!" Ranma called as he ran out of the kitchen.
He and Akane brought the food up to her room to eat while they did some homework. "Akane, how can you allow me to take your bed away from you? You're sleeping with Kasumi and I have your bed. That isn't right." He said. "I know, but you've been kicked out of you room, and me being with Kasumi is way better than being with Nabiki. Besides, I'd rather you sleep in my bed than anyone else." She said. "Well what about Ryoga? Don't you find it odd he's in here too? Doesn't that bother you?" He asked. "Well, he's got no where else to go. I think he'd prefer sleeping with you rather than my father." She said. "I guess." Ranma said. "Well, I don't mind, because I'm with you every other minute of the day." She said. "Yeah, I guess, as long as you don't have a problem…."
The week passed quickly, and in no time, the weekend arrived. Ranma and Akane had an after school routine, where they'd train for an hour after they got home. Afterwards they'd eat and relax while doing their homework. It was a simple routine, but they got used to it.
Saturday after noon was very relaxing. Ranma and Akane finished school and had a very peaceful walk home. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and everything was great. "I can't believe how great the weather's been." Akane pointed out. "Yeah, but it may rain soon." Ranma said, seeing a few clouds. "Oh well. What are we going to do tomorrow?" Akane asked. "I have no idea. My mom probably has something she wants us to do, who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if she's got all of the next two weeks planned. She's just the kind of person to do that sort of thing." He said frowning a little. "But is it important stuff? Do you think she's started planning the wedding?" Akane asked. "I have no doubts about it. It might be something we can get out of. Or it could be something fun. I guess if it's for the wedding we don't have to skip it. She is doing this for us, and marriage to the person you absolutely love is a once in a lifetime event." He said. "Yeah." Akane agreed.
When they got home they double-checked with Nodoka to see if in fact she had planned something, which she did. It was something that required both of them, but she wasn't going to give any details. She implied that it was going to be fun and exciting, but what a mother finds fun and exciting, might be very dull to her child. They hoped it would be fun though, because it was the weekend, and there hadn't been too much excitement for a while.
They agreed and left the room to go to the dojo and train. Apparently the clouds had moved in faster than expected, and thunder started up in unison with Akane's punches. The rain was really coming down after about ten minutes.
There was a very loud boom of thunder. It distracted Akane from her training. For some reason she sensed that something was wrong. She prayed that it was just fear, but with the next loud boom, the dojo started to creak. There were snapping sounds from all around them. Ranma took hold of Akane and held her close. "We should get out of here before this place come crashing down around us." He said. She could actually hear anxiety in his voice. He would never fear for himself, but he feared for Akane, for the woman he loved.
Everything happened so fast. The next boom of thunder did bring the roof of the dojo down. Ranma was quick, but not quick enough. Akane felt the cold rain on her hands and legs. She was lying, and Ranma was in a push-up position over her, protecting her from the fallen roof. "Ranma!" She shouted. He was struggling. They were trapped. She was crying.
"I love you, Akane. I'll always be here to protect you. We're okay." He tried to reassure her. "Ranma-" She was too shocked to say anything. The only thing she could think about was her protector. He was struggling. How much longer could he hold out? There was a piece of wood that fell from the broken roof above them. It hit Ranma in the head, knocking him out. Akane tried to move to help, but she soon passed out too.
