CLOSED DOORS
A Ranma 1/2 Alternate Universe
Story by: Kristin-a-dette
Characters, trademark and inspiration by: Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2
Chapter 3: Stormy Temper
"When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you." Ephesians 4:26-27
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The next morning, Akane woke up to loud banging on the door from Nabiki. Her older sister was yelling for her to wake up, and Akane groaned and covered her ears with her pillow. Finally, Nabiki gave a one last bang and left. Akane peeked out from her pillow, let out a yawn, and sat up. She closed her eyes, doing a breathing exercise she learned a few years back, and glanced at her table.
Her journal was opened to yesterday's date, and her eyes strayed when she saw a familiar name.
"...I wanted to finally have the chance to talk to him, but Ukyou interrupted me. She had to go on talking about her old childhood friend, "Ranma". Honestly. Who would like him? He just moved here to Nerima a year ago, along with Dr. Gen and... Tofou, but yeah... from the moment they arrived at school they were popular already. Their family is really rich, and Ukyou said that they're all doctors frow waaaay back. Tofou is studying to be a doctor as well, and as for that Ranma guy, he's just a playboy who thinks he owns the whole world. How could Ukyou like him?...
I know I don't know much about boys, but he's hardly the type who will remain faithful to you. I heard that he slept with all the girls in his class from his old school, but that's probably a rumour. Ukyou doesn't know if it's true, anyhow. She just knows that when they were practicing martial arts together when they were little, every girl in their class were in love with him. She's crazy. Tofou is a more sensible one to like. He's nice and sweet. Didn't he came over to our house this afternoon to give Kasumi her homework?
I was going to talk to him, but that stupid Ukyou! I saw him walking ahead of that Ranma and his friend, Ryo-something, and I wanted to walk up to him, but I can't because Ukyou might find out and tease me that I like guys now. Honestly, does she think I'm a lesbian? I'm not. Guys can do whatever they want to you just because you're a girl. Now, I don't see Tofou doing that. I can see it in his eyes when he comes over with his dad. He's really kind, and wants to help out. But I think he likes Kasumi though... I..."
Akane stopped reading, and chewed on her nails. She wasn't in love with Tofou. She just has a tiny crush on him. That's normal, isn't it? She closed her journal and stuffed it under her bed. She stood up. She took a quick shower and prepared to go downstairs for breakfast. Another new day to endure. She sighed wearily.
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Akane arrived at her school, went to her locker, prepared her books for her classes, and went inside her first period class. She sat down at her normal spot, located near the door entrance, and took out her books from her locker. Ukyou appeared and sat down beside her.
"Hey, Akane."
"Hey, Ukyou. What's up? Wow, you sure look like you're having a nice morning." Akane said.
In fact, Ukyou seems like she IS having a nice morning. Her pretty face was glowing with happiness, her eyes sparkling, and she had the most enormous smile Akane had ever seen.
"Well, of course. Last night," Ukyou leaned in happily. "I was talking to Ranma!"
"Oh." Akane gave her a blank look. "And?"
"And... I talked to him!"
Akane rolled her eyes. "That's it?"
Ukyou looked shocked. "What do you mean that's it? Hel-lo? I saw him after school yesterday, and we weretotally flirting!" she laughed.
Akane gave a sarcastic laugh. Geez, why do girls go crazy when they talk to boys? Me, I don't go crazy. I just treat them like I treat any other people. Then Akane suddenly thought of Tofou. But he's an exception, she insisted to herself. He's a man!
Oh, yeah? He's only eighteen years old. Her mind replied. How can you consider him a "man"?
Well, he's not as stupid as guys my age. Akane argued. He's very mature.
Sure...
Her thoughts were interrupted when the first period bell rang and the teacher came in. Miss Hinako took out her whistle, and blew loudly on it, making her poor students sat up, their ears ringing.
Suddenly, Ranma ran inside the classroom, panting. His black pigtail hang limply on his side, his muscular chest filling out his shirt, and his aqua eyes grazed over the feminine occupants in the room. A few girls giggled. Akane rolled her eyes.
"Sorry, I was late." he gave Miss Hinako a charming smile.
Miss Hinako did not look amused. "I think I knew that, Mr. Saotome. Please take your seat, NOW." she turned her back at him and began writing on the board.
Ranma's smiled faltered a bit, but then he smirked. He smiled at the class, and every girl, except Akane, grinned back at him. Akane rolled her eyes in disgust as Ranma walked towards his desk. Which was, unfortunately, behind Ukyou's desk.
Ukyou gave Akane a small smile. Akane forced herself to smile, for her friend's sake. Stupid, thinks he's all that guy.
"Hey, Ukyou." Ranma drawled.
Ukyou blushed and turned around. "Hey, Ranma."
Akane focused her attention on Miss Hinako.
"Had a great time talking to you yesterday..." The insolent guy continued. He was talking so loud, that Akane wanted to pull his stupid pigtail and wrap it around his big head. How can she ever get good marks in this class when Ukyou and Ranma flirt with each other every day?
"I know..." Ukyou giggled.
"Next time, maybe we can talk on the phone..."
That's it. She had enough. She turned around, facing Ukyou and Ranma. "Can you two please take your flirting session somewhere else and shut up? Other people needs to pass this class, you know. Not everyone is rich like you two." Akane glared at them.
Ukyou looked hurt. "Akane..." Ranma looked amused.
"No, really." Akane continued. "You do this everyday. Every SINGLE day. Can't you two just calm your hormones for once? Honestly!" She growled with frustration, and realized she had spoken out loud.
"Miss Tendou, is there a problem?" Miss Hinako frowned at her.
"Uh, no." Akane blushed. She can't believe that she let her temper get the better out of her.
"Well, I hope you don't, because you're disturbing your fellow classmates' education when you yell like that." Miss Hinako scolded and continued with her lecture.
Akane seethed inside. She glared at Ukyou, who looked at her sadly, and could feel Ranma's amused eyes boring at her back. It's a really good thing that he doesn't come over with his father and brother when they come over for Father's daily check-up.
An hour later...
The period ended and the second period bell ranged. Akane stood up, and pushed in her chair and walked out the classroom. Ukyou followed her.
"Akane! Akane!"
"What!" Akane turned around.
Ukyou flushed. "Look, I'm sorry if we were bothering you. I didn't..."
Akane sighed and smiled at her. "Naw. Don't apologize. I didn't sleep well last night so I'm feeling quite grouchy today." She grinned.
Ukyou laughed. "Miss Grouchy..."
"He-he." They waved goodbye to each other and went to their next respective classes.
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At lunch, Akane held the lunch Kasumi made for her and looked around for her sisters. They usually sat under the big old oak tree in front of the front doors, but today, they were nowhere to be found. Ukyou doesn't have this lunch period, and Akane sighed. She decided to try sitting at the oak tree alone this time, and wait for her sisters to come. She plopped down on the grass, and smoothed her skirt over her legs.
She was about to take a bite out of her sandwich when she heard voices, male voices, talking from the other side of the tree.
"So Ranma, tell us how you did it. Making all these girls fall in love with you just like that." She heard fingers snapping. "Come on, tell us your secrets."
A deep voice laughed. "It's no secret at all. Just smile at them with a sexy smile like this, and all the girls would go ga-ga over you. Simple."
Akane frowned.
A new voice replied, "Well, then. Think of one girl who's really, really, really in love with you."
Ranma laughed again. He looked over at his friends and grinned at them. Ryouga and Mousse looked at him expectantly. "Well, this girl that I used to know from my old martial arts school. Her name is Ukyou."
Akane's ears perked up at the mention of her friend's name.
Ranma continued. "She's totally in love with me. I always see her staring at me, like she wants to eat me. Honestly," he laughs. "One word from me and she's eating out from my hands."
The trio of boys laughed, oblivious to the small gasp that was let out from their other side of the tree.
Why that... jerk... Akane stiffened. What does he think Ukyou is? A dog? She's not! Akane stuffed her uneaten sandwich back in her paper bag and stood up. The guy won't stop talking about her friend.
"... so what are you going to do once you ask her out?" Mousse asked.
"Well," Ranma grinned. "I'll probably do this, and do that..."
Akane had enough. She walked around the tree and stood facing them. She glared at them. The guys stared at her.
"How dare you!" She cried. "How dare you think Ukyou is like a lapdog just for you to play with! In case you didn't know, she's a real, live, breathing human girl! You stupid jerks!" she glared at them.
Ryouga and Mousse looked shocked, their eyes bugged out at her. Ranma grinned and stood up. "Well, well. If it isn't Miss Grouchy." he grinned at her.
Akane growled and stabbed at a finger at his chest. "I am not like those girls who swooned at your feet when you smile at them! You stupid boy!"
Ranma held up his hands in defence. "I didn't say that, Miss Grouchy."
She poked his chest harder. "Shut up, you jerk! You ego-maniac! You treat girls like toys! You don't deserve us! You're not even half the man your brother is! You're just a spoiled, little boy who thinks everything belongs to him!"
Ranma suddenly froze and now he was glaring at her. "How dare you..." he growled. He grabbed her arm. "Don't ever say that I'm not a man! I am one! Who do you think you are, harping on me like that!" he yelled at her.
Akane sputtered and glared at him. "SHUT UP WHY DON'T YOU! Stupid jerk!" She tried to pull her arm back, but his grip was strong.
Ryouga and Mousse looked at each other and stood up. "Look, miss..." Ryouga started. Akane's blazing eyes turned towards him, and he gulped in fear. "Shut up, you stupid pig!" Ryouga's face reddened, and suddenly he was angry.
"How dare you call me names!" He cried.
Mousse sneered at Akane. "Look who you're insulting, miss. You're insulting three of the most powerful boys in school. I'll watch my mouth if I were you."
Akane pulled at her arm again, but Ranma still held on. He was glaring at her. Akane laughed nervously. Now she was scared. Real scared. Why was she having a yelling match with the three most popular guys in school? Akane looked around her and saw students staring at them, wondering at the commotion. Akane gulped and cried out, "I DON'T CARE WHO YOU PEOPLE ARE! YOU ANIMALS! PLAYBOYS! LET GO OFF MY ARM OR ELSE!"
Ranma suddenly let go and Akane stumbled. She caught herself and glared at him. Darn it, her temper always, always gets the better of her. She should've known better. She would never engaged herself like this. But they were insulting her best friend! She turned her back on them and started walking away from them.
She frozed when she heard Ranma's words, "We're not done with you yet, Miss Grouchy..."
She shrugged and walked away.
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