Too Close For Comfort
Ranma Fanfic by Seras4545
A/N: Wow! so many reviews! I'm touched, I had no idea this would be so popular. Also I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. I have been traveling a lot lately and haven't had the time to work on it. I will also be replying to reviews that I feel need some kind of public response. If you specificly want a response then put PR at the end of your review.
P.S: Ranma will be 17 in this fic and quite a bit more intelligent. Also, I will be making quite a few changes from here on out
Ecchi-Anbu: Yeah, sorry for not clarifying earlier. Ranma will be cursed early in the story, just not before he gets to the Tendo's. I felt that It would have a huge impact on the way the story develops, specifically his attitude and confidence and also he wont be dumped onto Akane. Nabiki will have enough time to get over her shock.
Xtor49: Sorry, but he will be cursed eventually, it just won't screw him up so badly. He will have support and someone who accepts ALL of what he is.
Citan: This will not be a RanmaXAkane pairing. Personally I think Akane is a character that stays rather static throughout the whole series and the fact she does not compromise but make others do so kinda pisses me off so, no she will be mostly in character(as much as I can make her) and will hate Ranma's guts for a good while.(I might make them friends, but I doubt her ego would allow it.) BTW: Love the name, from Xenogears right? URock! That is a great game and series.
No more... Ah well. On with the story then!
Chapter 1 Part One: Here's Ranma
Soun groaned, finally awake. He let his eyes stay closed for a moment. He had an awful dream where a panda claiming to be Genma had brought what it claimed to be Genma's son. He opened his eyes and saw four faces looking down at him. One was a familiar young lad with dark hair and blue eyes.
"Ah, he's finally awake. Guess pops scared him a bit too much." Said the familiar boy. Soun tried to place where he had seen him before, then the previous events came crashing down on him.
So it wasn't a dream? Where's the panda? Soun shot up much to everyones surprise and looked around wildly. Not finding him he looked at Ranma with a confused and worried look on his face.
Ranma, used to this kind of reaction, just shrugged. "If you're lookin' for pops, he should be in the furo."
Soun nodded his thanks and raced off to find Genma and demand to know what had happened.
After he left Ranma looked at Nabiki, who was currently looking at him with an appraising eye. Used to such scrutiny, Ranma stared right back, noticing that she had a great physique and was well endowed.
Not used to being scrutinized herself, Nabiki began to blush and quickly looked away.
Akane watched Ranma with increasing fury. How dare he? Here for not even two hours and he is already being perverted!
Ranma, happy with the result of their staring contest, got to his feet and stretched muscles stiff from the long wait. He looked at the three daughters and evaluated their martial arts capabilities. The eldest, he couldn't quite remember her name as pops had been drunk when he talked about her, was definitely not a practitioner, though she did have the grace and balance of one, so maybe she had practiced long ago. The middle daughter, Nabiki if he remembered right, was an enigma to him, seeming to both be and not be a martial artist. Hmm... Maybe she practices and excercises like one but her heart's not in it? He looked at the youngest, Akane, who was currently glaring at him. He noticed her stance and the fact that she wore a martial arts gi and knew instantly that she was a martial artist. She has seemingly no control over her emotions though.
Seeing Ranma look at her Akane was instantly incensed. "What are you looking at you pervert?" Ranma, confirming what he had observed, decided to put her in her place before she got out of hand.
"You're the martial artist in the family correct?" Ranma asked in a level tone, not betraying how angry she had made him by calling him what none have dared call him before. Everyone who knew him knew that he was an honorable person.
Off balance from his seemingly cool question, Akane simply nodded.
"Your name is Akane right?" Again, a nod, though he could tell she was getting angry again.
"Well then, how 'bout we spar for a bit? It will help blow off some of that steam that your holding in."
" Fine! Just don't blame me if you get hurt, pervert!" She shouted, obviously losing what emotional control she had left.
Beginning to lose his own control of his anger, he decided to vent it in a subtle way. "Rather confident aren't you? All right, lets make this match a little more interesting then. How 'bout if I win I become your teacher in martial arts and if I lose you may do whatever you wish with me?"
Her anger tempered by the sudden weight of this match, she nodded her agreement.
Ranma turned to Nabiki, who had been watching the event unfold in silence, and smiled at her.
"If I'm not mistaken your name is Nabiki right?"
Wow. He can manipulate Akane and not get angry so he is definitely smarter than a normal jock. Not to mention he is cute and has a great smile. Nabiki had been slightly angry that he had dismissed her as a martial artist but that smile had wiped it out. Trying to get control of her emotions, she tried in vain to reestablish her ice queen persona, she couldn't seem to fall for him too soon or she might accidently push him away.
" Yes, I'm Nabiki Tendo." She answered, thankful she didn't stutter or something foolish like that.
Ranma nodded, impressed that she retained such control. Most girls he met had either loved him or hated him on sight. Those who loved were too shallow and those who hated, much like Akane now, became completely unapproachable.
" Would you care to referee the match please?" She nodded, and he looked at Kasumi with a questioning look.
"Sorry, but I have to cook dinner. Maybe some other time Ranma-Kun." She had already decided that Ranma was a good person and thought he might be a good influence on Akane. She regretted not being able to watch the match but she really did need to start on dinner or it wouldn't be ready in time.
"C'mon Kasumi! Dinner can wait just this once, come watch Ranma's match with Akane!" Nabiki felt that she had to at least try, though she doubted Kasumi would change her mind.
To her surprise Kasumi nodded. "You're right. I'm sure father has much to speak about with his old friend. I guess I could watch this once."
Ranma smiled widely, glad that she changed her mind. He was also happy to learn her name without showing he hadn't known her's while knowing her sister's, thereby saving him from giving offense. He was especially grateful as she happened to be the one who cooks the meals in the family.
"Right then. Lead the way, Akane." He said her name with a mocking smile, causing her to nearly attack him right then and there, but she restrained herself somehow.
Good, so she can learn control with time and effort. She also has the honor of a martial artist, which will make it easier to train her.
Akane stomped off into the dojo and Ranma followed with an unusually smug Nabiki and anxious Kasumi trailing behind.
Once inside he and Akane took opposing sides of the room with Nabiki refereeing off to the side and Kasumi observing from the door with a worried look on her face.
Oh, I do hope neither of them gets hurt too badly! Especially Akane, though she could be so hopelessly violent at times.
Akane assumed a ready stance while Ranma simply stood where he was, seemingly completely relaxed and at ease, as if a very angry and irate martial artist weren't standing before him, ready to plaster his face to the floor.
Humph. He thinks he's so great. Hope he is ready to lose. After all, I am the best martial artist in Nerima. With that thought she smiled with anticipation and looked at Ranma and was instantly consumed with fury again. He didn't even look like he noticed her, as if he hadn't a care in the world, as if she was beneath his notice.
Nabiki raised her hand to call for attention. "Right. The rules are anything goes, a single touch to the head gains a victory. Fight!" With that she let her hand fall and quickly backed out of the way.
Ranma looked at Akane's face that was currently showing all of her anger. He smiled a carefree smile.
She smiled back. "I'm gonna wipe that smile off your face you jerk!" and she charged and opened with a right punch. She anticipated the feel of connection between her fist and his body, but it never came.
Ranma had simply disappeared from her vision.
Nabiki's jaw dropped, she had never seen anyone move so fast except for Kuno. He had simply disappeared and then reappeared right behind Akane without her noticing. She hadn't even seen him twitch.
"Slow and predictable. Far too slow. Also, did you mean to broadcast your intention to the entire world? I could see your move from a mile away!"
She jumped and spun around to deliver a spinning kick to his head but again connected only with air.
He stood off to her side, still in a relaxed stance.
So he's as good as he acts? Well, guess I'll have to get serious. Akane sped up her attacks and succeeded in hitting his side and was satisfied to hear a grunt of pain from him. Then she remembered that she was supposed to touch his head and cursed.
"My, my. Such language! Maybe I should wash your mouth with soap?" As she threw an uppercut at him he ducked and pulled a sliver of soap out of somewhere and shot up with eye watering speed. At the same time he shoved the soap in Akane's mouth he smacked her forehead hard enough to send her flying back into the wall.
" You need to learn control. If you let your anger rule you then you will never grow as a martial artist. Your lessons begin tomorrow morning, seito." He said the last with a smile, having won himself his first student.
Nabiki walked up to Ranma to ask him if they could talk in private when a look of sudden alarm passed over his face, then she heard the reason.
"Ranma, you Baka!" And suddenly everything became a blur as Ranma suddenly leapt forward and pushed her hard to the side. Then he succumbed to the caress of a large mallet wielded by a girl whose anger driven strength was legendary in school.
"Oh my! Poor Ranma!" was all Kasumi could say. She ran over to help as Nabiki got to her feet.
Seeing him unconscious on the floor, Nabiki wondered. Why would he do that for me?
As Akane stomped out of the room, still spitting bubbles from the soap, Nabiki knelt down next to Ranma and, with Kasumi's help, lifted him and took him to his room.
Sitting down in a chair to wait for him to wake up as Kasumi left to make dinner, she gazed at his face. It was so peaceful in sleep, almost childlike. She felt something for him, something she had never felt before. It was a wonderful feeling, making her feel warmer inside than she had felt in a long time.
She began to doze off after awhile and quickly shook herself awake. She decided to get a drink of water and left the room. As she passed the living room she noticed her dad and some bald guy in a bandanna and white gi she didn't recognize sitting across from each other looking very sad.
She went into the kitchen and got her cup of water. Then she decided to satisfy her curiosity.
"Kasumi. Who is that guy in the living room with dad?"
Kasumi looked up up from her cooking with her ever present smile. "It's dad's old friend. Thats Genma."
Nabiki was a little confused. "When did he get here?" At this Kasumi shrugged in ignorance and returned her attention to cooking again. Then, as if remembering something, she looked back at Nabiki.
"Oh, Nabiki, How's Ranma doing, is he awake yet?" She frowned with worry when Nabiki shook her head. "Oh dear. I hope Akane didn't hit him too hard. Well, when he wakes up can you give this to him? It just arrived a few minutes ago." Kasumi pulled out a small box and handed it to Nabiki.
Nabiki headed back to Ranma's room, wondering how Ranma could be getting mail already. It was anonymous mail too. It was simply labeled 'To Ranma from an old friend' with the address of the Tendo Dojo underneath.
She walked into the room and noticed that Ranma was now sitting up and rubbing the back of his head where the mallet had hit him.
" Still sore huh?" She asked. He looked up and with a pained expression nodded. She tossed the box at him and he caught it deftly and looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"What's this?" He asked after looking it over.
"Dunno, it just arrived a while ago. How are you getting mail here so quickly?"
"I have no idea. Me an' pops never told anyone where we were going, mainly because we didn't know exactly where we were going ourselves, but also a precaution. Hmm... Well, stranger stuff has happened before." He got to his feet and stretched, wincing in pain at muscles gone stiff from lack of a proper cool down.
Precautions? Stranger things? Just what has this poor guy been through? She peered closely at Ranma, as if she could somehow see the secrets he held.
Ranma saw her curious gaze and smiled. I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell her. I've been wanting to talk to someone about what pops puts me through for a long time. "If you want, I could tell you my story. But first, may I use the furo? I'm dirty from the journey still and now sweaty from my match with Akane and I feel the need to relax for a bit."
This shocked Nabiki out of her thoughts. She had forgotten that Ranma had traveled a long way to get here and hasn't had the chance to clean up yet. Determined not to forget her manners again, at least not with him, she smiled and nodded.
"Sure, I think Akane should be done by now. Here, I'll show you where it is."
Ranma smiled his gratitude and followed her out.
Akane had indeed just finished her bath and passed them on the stairs, giving Ranma a glare as she walked by.
Ranma ignored her for now, simply enjoying walking with Nabiki. He had never felt this way before, never was he so at ease and at peace with anyone else. He wasn't about to let anything ruin that feeling, not even Akane trying to goad him into a fight he would have enjoyed at any other time.
When they arrived at the furo he was disappointed to part with her. He walked into the changing room and began to undress and was getting to his pants when he felt someone watching him. He made a quick (And wishful) guess.
"You know Nabiki, peeping is not a very honorable pastime." He was rewarded with the sound of her cursing and stumbling to get away, though it was silent enough that he barely heard it. She was good at this sneaking around business, but he was better.
He finished undressing and walked into the bathroom, still holding the package. He took out his bathing essentials and noticed he was out of shampoo, and remembered that he had been for a long time.
Deciding to satisfy his curiosity now that he was in a private area, Ranma ripped open the box. It turned out to be a bottle of shampoo and two notes. Now who could have known that I would need shampoo at this particular time?
He looked at the two notes and noticed one said 'Read after use'. Well, guess I'll play along with them, whoever they are. He decided. He opened the other note, which said simply 'Take the chance to experience a magic few men have had the chance to enjoy!' (You can tell where this is going, right?)
He shook the bottle a bit and noticed the contents were a little watery. Hmm... Maybe it's some kind of new scented shampoo or somethin'. He took the top off and took a whif. Sure enough he could smell something, but couldn't tell what it was.
Now, normally he wouldn't use such stuff but he had a bit of pride in his hair and it was beginning to get a dirty greasy feeling to it. So he took the bottle and took his hair out of it's pigtail and wet his hair and sat down and poured some of the stuff in his hair and began to scrub. As he did he felt a tingly sensation all over his body and decided that it felt good and kept on going.
Little did he realize that he would come to deeply regret the decision to use it, but now it was too late.
Nabiki (I will now split the perspective of the story every so often.)
She walked alongside Ranma, leading him to the furo. She felt good with him around, not even Akane's glare when they passed her on the stairs could ruin the moment.
When he went inside, Nabiki had a sudden idea. She reached into her shirt and pulled out her trusty camera. If he's hot enough then I could make a fortune off him. I doubt he would mind. She opened the door a crack and peeked in, feeling a rush of excitement as she did. She saw him take off his shirt and her heart began pounding even faster. She managed to take one shot of his magnificently muscled upper body and knockout handsome face before he stiffened, as if listening to something far off.
After a couple of seconds he relaxed and Nabiki let out a silent sigh of relief. Then he spoke.
"You know Nabiki, peeping is not an honorable pastime." He said in a low voice.
Nabiki cursed and scrambled nas silently as she could to get out of there before he could catch her in the act. When she got to the top of the stairs she stopped to get her breath back. Man, I'm really out of shape. I should ask Ranma to train me too. And how did he know it was me peeking in on him? Lucky guess maybe, or do I just strike him as that kind of person? Or maybe it was something else...
She never finished that thought as she heard a scream from the furo. She rushed back downstairs, hoping that nothing bad had happened to Ranma.
She had failed to notice that the scream, while still sounding Ranma like, was too high pitched and woman like.
Nabiki reached the furo door and ripped it open. She was stunned into complete silence and immobility by what she saw.
Kasumi, having heard the scream, also came in and looked at Nabiki first. " Nabiki, what's wrong? What happened? Ranma, are you all right... Oh my!"
A/N: Sorry for cutting off so soon but I felt it was a good stopping point. Anyway guess most of you know what happened and if you don't then.. well... You will soon.
Hope you like it!
Seras out. Till next time!