Ranma Tales ½: Chapter 13- Kazuki's Date

Before I start this is one of the chapters that I knew going in would happen and it's one of the reasons I rated this series with an 'M'. It is somewhat dark, depending on exactly how you choose to define that term...

Part 1: Asking her out

Things were going fairly well for Akane and Ranma now that they had the battle with Kodachi and Kuno. Kodachi made it clear she wouldn't give up, but she was still plotting her next move. In the meantime they caught up on the other things that had been going on.

For instance on the more 'spiritual' front the amazons still couldn't find Shampoo. They hadn't even had a hint of her since the last attack on the dojo. It worried all the amazons. The current theory was that having been frightened off she had left Nerima, and possibly even all of Japan, to regroup and build herself up for another attack. Hoping of course they let down their guard. So everyone stayed on alert, waiting.

At school things were going fairly well. Though most of the girls were depressed since Kazuki seemed to have little interest in most of them. After possibly Ranma Kazuki was considered to most eligible (and attractive) bachelor at the school. They fact that he was the only one who could seem to keep up in phys ed with Ranma, just made him more attractive. Though he couldn't compare to Ranma in academics, which had made most of the girls happy till they found out he wouldn't let any of them help him with his schoolwork.

The biggest problem for the girls with Kazuki was that he only seemed to pay attention to one girl, who most felt already had enough male attention. While he would talk to most of them for only a minute or two, he would try to keep Akane talking with him as long as he could manage. Most would have taken this as a sign that they would have to wait until he confessed to her. In this case however everyone could tell she only had eyes for Ranma. This love triangle of sorts made most of the girls rather bitter about the whole thing.

Ranma and Akane however remained blissfully unaware. At least until one day almost a month after Kazuki's arrival...

Kazuki was talking with Akane, Ranma, Sayuri, and Yuka around the tree they favored, when he moves closer to Akane and asks her "Akane, would you like to go to an amusement park this next Sunday?"

Sayuri and Yuka were both stunned, how could Kazuki asked Akane out in front of Ranma? Ranma frowned, though he wasn't quite sure why. Akane looked confused and replied "Well I guess if we took everyone with us, it could be fun..."

Kazuki shakes his head and adds "No I meant just you and me."

Akane frowns as she thinks 'I have to come up with a gentle let down, I don't want to hurt him after all since he's a friend.' Eventually she says "I don't' think that would be such a good idea Kuzaki, I am engaged to Ranma after all even if it's delayed until after we finish school at least."

Sayuri and Yuka looked relieved. Thankfully they were some of the few to already know that technically Ranma and Akane are engaged. Ranma feels relieved and worried all at once.

Kuzaki smiles and looks at Ranma "You guys are just friends though and aren't dating , right? So It shouldn't matter if I go out on just one date with her. You don't want to be pushed into marriage just because your fathers agreed to it, do you? Shouldn't it be about finding the right person for yourselves? You wouldn't mind if I went on a single date with Akane would you Ranma?"

Shocking everyone else there Ranma says "Well I guess not... We aren't dating after all. We aren't guaranteed to marry after all, it's just our parents wish. I also wouldn't want to suggest she couldn't date someone, it is her life after all..."

Akane couldn't believe her ears. 'Ranma what are you saying? We might not be dating, but we are really close... I'd love it if you'd ask me on a real date. Instead your suggesting I should date Kazuki! Everything and everyone thinks we belong together!' Her thoughts continued along this anger fueled line until Kazuki spoke again.

Kazuki smiles and says "See he doesn't mind Akane, so let's go together."

Akane finally decides she should make Ranma jealous and take him up on the offer. "I guess that's ok. It would be nice to go on a date..." She pauses and adds "Sure lets go!" Sayuri and Yuka could tell Akane's smile was forced, but Kazuki and Ranma couldn't.

Just then however the bell rings and before anyone else can move Kazuki escorts Akane back to class. Leaving a distraught Sayuri and Yuka behind. As well as a confused Ranma.

Ranma thinks to himself 'Why does it hurt that she's going on a date with him? Aren't we just friends? Should I have stopped her from going with him?' He didn't have to long to think however as Sayuri and Yuka stand up and stare at him.

Sayuri almost snarls "How could you do that Ranma?"

Ranma looking puzzled replies "Do what?"

Yuka glares at him and answers "You know what! Akane didn't want to go until you made her angry?"

Continuing to look confused Ranma asks "How did I make her angry?"

Yuka and Sayuri grumble about 'Stupid Men' and stalk off leaving an even more confused Ranma behind. 'Akane was angry? What did I do...?'

Part 2: Discoveries

Reactions at home that night were mixed. Soun was furious at both Akane and Ranma insisting Akane tell the boy he'd have to forget their date as she was marrying Ranma so it wasn't right. This however just pushed Akane into more. Nabiki was feeling a potential business opportunity, which after her last failure she'd have to be far more careful about. Kasumi was worried. She knew beyond any doubt Ranma and Akane were meant for each other, yet both seemed to want to throw it away before it could blossom. Something needed to be done about it, but she wasn't sure how to fix it.

Saturday passed quickly at school and afterwards Akane went shopping for a new dress for her date the next day. This further annoyed Ranma as she just left him at home without telling him why she was skipping practice. When he found out he was even less pleased. However he didn't know what to do about everything. He wasn't even sure why this date bothered him so much.

So things went on as they were. The next day Akane left at ten in the morning to meet Kazuki. Life for the rest went as normal. Kasumi did laundry. Nabiki relaxed with a manga. Soun read the paper. Ranma practiced in the dojo.

Ranma was coming out of the dojo after a brief work out that hadn't helped his troubled mind the way he wanted it to. In fact he was less at ease than he had been when Akane left. This was when life decided to toss another curve ball at him.

A strange crinkling sound came from behind Ranma as his danger sense went off. His first thought was 'Wait, it feels way to close... How?' He spun toward the sound and the presence he now felt. Hardly a dozen feet from him was a spirit creature, another one born of pain and feeling of Shampoo's power. This one however was far more catlike than usual for Shampoo.

It sprang at Ranma with a hissing sound jaws extended. Ranma launches himself to the side only to realize that may have been a mistake. The creature lands not more than two springs away from where Kasumi was doing the laundry. He knew from earlier that show could see them, but seeing it and avoiding it if it choose to attack her instead were very different things. With a sick feeling in his stomach Ranma runs toward the cat just as it leaps closer to Kasumi.

Kasumi turns her head as it lands and sees the creature. It stares at her as Ranma starts to shout a warning. However seeming unconcerned Kasumi puts down her basket and looks back at the creature. Then the creature leaps forward again.

Ranma's second sight blurs for a moment as he feels a wave of power. Not from the creature as he half expected, but from Kasumi. With a gentle voice Kasumi says "Holy Ward" (This is in Japanese and could also be taken to mean 'Spirit Barrier' instead). A wall of white ki energy springs out of her to block the creatures path. It strike the barrier face first and bounces off. As quickly as the wall formed it was gone...

On the ground the creature howled, a sizable portion of it's face melting as it convulsed. Ranma just stares as Kasumi picks back up the laundry and goes back to hanging clothes on the line. Slowly he walks over to the creature and kicks it a bit with his foot. It just continues to fade away.

Ranma's thoughts swirl around. 'What in hell was that? First Kasumi tells us she has some sort of second sight as well, but while rare it can happen on it's own. Now she uses a defensive technique I've never seen to toast a creature. I only know one defensive technique and it can't even harm the opponent! I have attacks that can do that sort of thing sure, but a defense? How did Kasumi know how to do it? Who taught her? Why don't the other daughters seem to know anything about this?'

His thoughts are broken as Nabiki comes outside asking "What's all the noise about?" She looks around curiously.

Ranma walks toward the house and manages to say "Well one of Shampoo's creatures decided to attack again..."

Nabiki nods "That explains why I don't see anything wrong. Good thing it didn't attack in the dojo this time, even if the construction guys don't charge us it's not good to have to fix it every week. So I take it you dealt with it and their aren't' anymore coming?"

Before he can reply Nabiki's cellphone rings. She holds up her hand and flips her phone open. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end says "Nabiki we need you to pass a warning on to Ranma for us." Nabiki almost sighs and thinks 'Great now Ranma's helpful friends with money want me to act as some sort of messenger! Well it's not going to be free!'

She replies "I can do, but first you'll have to pay me."

The other voice replies "While we have no problem with that, this news should be just as important to you."

This perks up Nabiki's interests and she replies "So what could interest me?"

The voice replies "We have information that Shampoo has a accomplice now in Nerima and this person is targeting your sister Akane specifically." Nabiki's insides go cold.

She barely manages to say "Ok, what's the rest of the news?"

The voice replies "All we know right now is that it's a guy and we think he'll take action today. Other than that we have little information that is reliable right now. Please see that Ranma stays with Akane today." After a brief pauses it adds "We will contact you if we learn anything else." The call ends.

Nabiki looks around and sees Kasumi coming over as well as the call ends. She turns to Ranma and says "Ranma you idiot, what are you doing here?"

Ranma looks at Nabiki and says "What are you talking about?"

Nabiki sighs and says "Why aren't you out on a date with Akane instead of this Kazuki boy?"

Ranma almost scowls and says "He asked, I didn't have a reason to stop him."

Nabiki smacks Ranma upside the head and says "You do to you idiot, everyone else has been able to tell Akane likes you and not just as friends. From what I hear you said something completely stupid and she decided to go out with this guy instead."

Ranma looks upset, but Nabiki goes on "I just got some information that says Akane may be in danger. Do you trust this Kazuki guy enough to let him take on someone possibly as strong as Shampoo to protect Akane? I'll tell you right now I don't. Go keep an eye on her, idiot."

Ranma still looks confused, but rather than argue he walks off to his room to change.

Nabiki adds as he leaves "Might want to go as a girl so your not as easy to spot!" She leaves unsaid a message about what fate awaited him if he failed to protect her sister.

Kasumi walked by Nabiki, but stopped when they she came up beside Nabiki. "Thank you" was all she said before she continued inside. Nabiki just turned and stared after her older sister until long after she wasn't in sight anymore. Then shrugs and goes back inside.

Part 3: The Date

Ranma was not a happy camper. Not only was she worried about Akane after Nabiki's news, but she'd had to borrow some of Nabiki's clothes to complete her role. 'Why can't I buy some normal clothes for when I'm a girl? You'd think it would have occurred to me before...' Instead she was left pulling at her shirt that was slightly to tight across her chest. Sighing inwardly Ranma continues looking inside the park for Akane and Kazuki.

It was already one in the afternoon and since she's rushed out she hadn't eaten lunch. Akane was more important than food though. He trusted Akane could handle herself up to a certain point, but he knew she wasn't ready to handle someone like Shampoo. Heck if this guy had creatures like Shampoo did and enough time he'd be a match for Ranma and Akane together. This was defiantly not good.

He finally gets a break however as he spots Akane out of the area for a ride with a bunch of spider like arms. Taking a place behind some other people he sneaks closer. His heart nearly stops as he finds Akane laughing at something Kazuki said. Not for a bad reason, but just because her smiles lights up her face and makes her look incredible. 'Wow... I've seen her smile before, but I can't believe I never noticed how pretty it can make her look before...'

She continues to track them for the next five hours as they go from one ride to another. Various roller coasters, rides she found herself hard pressed to label, a haunted house, and even a trip inside an arcade. The arcade made things hard, before Ranma had hid in line with them never more than a few dozen feet away. Inside the arcade it was hard to stay out of their line of sight and keep a watch on them. Kazuki didn't help when he talked Akane into a dance game against him.

As Ranma watches Akane have fun she realizes she hasn't seen Akane have fun like this since they had gone out shopping as girls. From somewhere deep inside of herself she wishes she wasn't a girl right now and that she was the one Akane was smiling with. She was so lost in her own feelings in fact she almost gets caught as Akane walks of the platform laughing.

The two go into a quieter area with a food court and Akane sends Kazuki off to find some food while she sits down on a bench to wait. Ranma edges around the court trying to stay out of sight and move closer to Akane at the same time. When she gets within twenty feet, she stops and leans on a lamp post slightly behind the bench close to the tree line that borders the area.

She becomes preoccupied again when she suddenly notices Akane isn't where she sat down anymore. In something of a panic she starts looking around for Akane when she feels someone behind her. With a turn Ranma spins to face the person to see a angry Akane standing behind him.

"So Ranma exactly what do you think your doing following us on our date?" was all Akane said.

Ranma isn't sure how much to tell her, but decides on some of the truth. "Some information came in that you were a target for someone working with Shampoo. Probably trying to get you out of the way, so you couldn't help me next time Shampoo attacked."

Akane almost laughs at him "Oh come on Ranma! That's a pretty pathetic lie. Just admit your jealous because he had the nerve to ask me out!"

Ranma looks confused. This wasn't the reaction he expected at all. He tries again "No it's true. Nabiki's contact with sensei's clan called her. While I do trust you can take care of yourself, no one knows how dangerous this guy might be so I came to make sure you were ok."

Akane frowns and looks angrily at Ranma. "God you just can't admit what's really going on can you? You've been following us around for at least a couple hours now! That's hardly just 'checking to make sure I'm ok'! Your even dressed as a girl to make yourself harder to spot!"

Ranma frowns back and says "Sure, I didn't think you'd want me to explain what's going on to Kazuki! So I kept away, but it's only to keep you safe I swear!"

Akane looks disgusted and says "Just go Ranma, your only embarrassing yourself by doing this. I can't believe I've been wishing I was here with you. Go home and find something else to do until you can be honest with me again."

Ranma winces at the tone of voice Akane uses. But tries one last time "Akane, you really are in danger! I'm only here to help."

Akane just glares at Ranma and says "Go. I'm sure if something does happen Kazuki can help me. I don't trust you right now." She waves Ranma away with her hand.

Ranma would have said more, but Kazuki comes over with the food and says "I got the food Akane. Whose your friend?"

Akane continues to stare at Ranma and says "She's not a friend. I thought she was, but I guess I was wrong." She takes Kazuki's arm and says "Come on let's go over there to eat." and then leads him away.

Ranma is left staring at the ground. Kazuki glances back over his shoulder as Akane leads him away and he smiles an evil smile. Akane wasn't the only one to notice the trail after all.

Part 4: Attack

Another hour passes and as the sun sets Kazuki leads Akane to a nearly deserted area of the park away from the crowds. When they are finally alone they stand next to a wall each other holding hands. Or at least Kazuki pulls Akane close to him by holding her hand after having led here to that wall. As far as he's concerned it's the same thing. He the leans over toward Akane, his head coming toward hers.

Akane realizes he's trying to kiss her and pushes his head back gently. Or at least tries to. She says "I'm not ready to kiss you yet."

He almost growls back and says "But I'm more than ready to kiss you. You've been teasing me all day. Now we can do this the easy way..." He pauses then with an evil grin he adds "Or the hard way... Personally I like the hard way..."

Akane stares at Kazuki in shock and says "What are you talking about?"

Kazuki sighs and says "Don't play little miss innocent with me! You've teased me all day with glimpses here and there of what's underneath that dress... Then those hungry looks you've been giving me when you think I'm not looking... Now you owe me." As he says the last he shoves her into the wall behind her.

Akane yelps and says angrily "What do you think your doing Kazuki? Let go of me!" She tries to push him away, but his grip is to tight and she stays pinned to the wall. In fury she yells at him "Get away from me you pervert!" She tries to strike him with her foot, but he is way to close.

He grins and says "I love it when girls make me take the hard way..." He then switches his hold on her so one of his arms pins her down at the shoulders and brings his other hand over to grab her breast. Akane yelps again as he grabs her.

Akane continues to try to force him away and pleads "Kazuki, don't please... I don't want this..."

Now he does growl and yells back "Shut up bitch!"

Never having been more afraid in her life Akane screams and tries to call on her ki powers to help her escape. Kazuki just growls again and using his arm shoves her hard against the wall so that her head strikes the wall stunning her. The boy Akane knows as Kazuki smiles.

Part 5: Rescue

Ranma meanwhile hasn't left the park. She has been wondering the park in a daze. Conflicting emotions raging within. Did Akane really hate her as much as she'd said she did? Was she going to lose this very special person so easily? Could she actually live without Akane now?

Those thoughts were interrupted by twin bursts of ki nearby and a scream he felt rather than heard. All thoughts disappeared in a flash. Without even a moments notice she gathers ki and launches herself airborne with a burst of energy which startles those who had been nearby. Landing on a rooftop to a shop nearby she automatically takes another leap heading straight for the origin of both.

Kazuki hasn't taken a break and he reaches under Akane's skirt and roughly tears off her panties. He tosses the pieces on the ground next to her as he tries to kiss her again. Akane struggles, but it's not effective at all. Leaving her only option to cry.

Right about then is when Ranma finally leaps a stand of trees to see what caused her body to react so strongly. One look is more than enough to make her whole body go cold. On the other hand her emotions run hot. Very very hot. A red film covers her view as she draws in energy and bends it to her will.

Above the calm night sky darkened as clouds moved in. People all over Nerima felt the air change as a storm approached. Meteorologists where glad they didn't have to guarantee weather to people. As they would have sworn conditions were all wrong for a storm.

In Ranma's hands a swirling ball of air whips around building up more and more speed as he continues drawing energy in. Then with a yell she releases the ball of air and ki toward the boy that she wants to hurt more than anything else.

Hearing the yell the boy leaps to the side as the ground shatters right behind where he had been standing. In fact a hole four feet deep and ten feet wide is all that's left from that spot. The boy growls at the interruption of his 'fun'.

Akane however collapses to the ground holding herself. The small fragments that had pelted her weren't even something she felt. Tears run down her face in silence. She doesn't see anything around her. Relief at being released not even an option yet.

The boy's aura flares with a brown and white light in Ranma's senses, though Ranma ignores it. She gathers more energy and forms another ball of air. The boy in turn smiles cruelly and says "Maybe I should have some fun with you when I'm done kicking your ass! I can deal with more than one woman at a time without a problem!" At the words the ball in Ranma's hands doubles in size and she tosses it toward the boy.

The boy laughs and says "Earth Shield!" As the earth in front of him leaps up to form a block in front of him six feet thick. He however doesn't laugh long as the ball of air rips straight through the earthen shield and slams into his chest tossing him a dozen feet backwards.

The boy crawls back to his feet and growls before he calls out "Earthquake!" The ground in all directions around him cracks for more than a hundred feet. Then with a wave of his hand the earth underneath Ranma's feet erupts upwards. Having sensed the flow of ki however she leaps to the side just as it comes up. She hadn't however expected the flow of water coming from below as well. Not just water, but warm water.

A very wet male Ranma in a shirt way to tight shirt and a skirt stares at the boy. The other boy scowls and says "Your useless to me now, you should have stayed a girl!" And then after another pause he says "Rock Storm!" As several clumps of the ground shoot up into the air and collect with a fast moving wind before heading toward Ranma.

Ranma however ignores this attack entirely and stands his ground as he gathers his own energy. The rocks beat against him all over his body and the air tears at him, leaving the clothes a mess. However even with all the bleeding scratches he doesn't feel them and his concentration is unbroken. He reaches one hand toward the sky now covered in clouds and will a application of will a torrent of raw power tears into the other boy as lightning forms between heaven in earth where he stands.

The boy collapses to the ground in pain. Then pulling himself back to his feet he yells "Damn you Ranma Saotome! You haven't won yet! Just remember what I've done to your silly whore for next time!" Then with a leap and a somersault the figure disappears behind a building.

Ranma finally calms down some and takes a look around. When he sees Akane sitting on the ground holding herself with her arms, he rushes over. He drops to the ground next to her and sees a empty look in her eyes that practically makes his heart bleed. He reaches out a hand toward her slowly.

Then as if finally realizing who it is Akane's eyes show some of their normal light and with a cry that sounds sort of like "Ranma!" She latches onto him and starts to sob. Ranma just holds her gently rocking her slightly as if she were a child and makes soothing noises. Neither moves for a long time...

Part 6: In the dark

A figure storms into a rundown apartment startling the young woman within as he yells "That damn Ranma! He got in the way of my fun! Heck if he'd stayed a girl I'd even had a better time!"

The young woman shudders and looks up at a battered Ryoga before she says "So lost boy failed?"

Ryoga snarls at Shampoo and says "It was a strategic retreat! I'll just have to get Ranma another day!" Then he lowers his voice and adds "I did mess with that cute whore of his though, she probably won't be able to do anything for some time." He has an evil smile at this.

Shampoo shudders again and says "Then we can wait awhile longer before we continue attack." She pauses and says "He have advantage against one alone. We attack together next time and make sure he dies."

Ryoga shrugs "Whatever. That bastard is going to pay!"

A shadow darker than the others shifts slightly, as a pair of eyes that promise pain to these two, watches and waits. Neither of them seems to notice.

Author's Notes:

First I'll make a small (well large after I finished it) note about last chapter, as Innortal says in his review of last chapter this is one of those times were things are like the original story says... Or at least close. I happen to have a thing for truisms and this one calls for "The more things change, the more they stay the same". Even with things different some things remain the same... People minus some alteration for various back story reasons are similar to before, certain events still happen even if something else changed... Akane still encounters Ranma, Ranma still gets rid of the Hentai horde, Kuno still sees Ranma's girl side and obsesses over her/him, Nabiki still sells risque pictures to Kuno only to have Ranma find pictures of Akane on him as well, etc... Sure lots of other things are different, but that doesn't mean everything changed...

As this chapter shows things are definitely different. In case your wondering I still feel Ryoga is in character here, but this is a changed Ryoga. He much like Shampoo has his own 'fall from grace' (which is what I'm subtitling the sidestories whenever I get to them). This Ryoga just like the other ends up with an obsession for Akane (which is what I see from him in both manga and Anime), however here he isn't nearly as 'innocent' as he was written in canon so it takes on a very different twist. Both him and Shampoo though will soon have bit of a difficult time of things and will both be recalled for awhile, but knowing them don't expect them to stay down to long...

I'll also mention that to get in the mode to write this chapter I read "Do You Remember...?" by Bling G. However I didn't take anything from it, that would be awfully hard with a 17 year gap between eras after all. However it is a good story although I'm a hopeless romantic so reading stories that torture Ranma and Akane tends to make me feel awful. That is what I need to write a story like this chapter though, so...

In case your wondering, the 'names' of attacks are only used to focus on the desired effect. Ranma in the scenes above doesn't need any more focus at all, so he ignores the attack names and just lets lose.

Lastly, I actually hate what I had to write about in parts 4 and somewhat in part 5... I would never do something like that, and I'd rather like to think anyone reading this wouldn't either. I've know to many women how have gone through this though. And the situation above is based on things they have told me. One woman I know was a black belt in karate and considered herself immune to threats like these. I actually model Akane's reaction on her story the most. It can really happen to anyone, if the circumstances favor the other person... While Akane was saved, none of them were.

Oh and of course thanks again for continuing to read this and give me feedback! No matter how chaotic things get for me if you guys like it I'll keep writing it...