CLOSED DOORS
A Ranma 1/2 Alternate Universe
Story by:
Kristin-a-dette
Characters, trademark and inspiration by: Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma ½ & Meteor Garden (Boys Over Flowers) - mostly inspiration

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Chapter 6: Bold Actions

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'She gave out a sob and fell against him. Tofou caught her and said, "Akane? Tell me what happened."

"It's R-ranma..." she cried softly against his shirt.'

"Ranma? You mean my brother, Ranma?" Tofou looked down at Akane.

Akane's long, wavy hair was plastered against her skull; it was damp and so was her shirt. Tofou gingerly touched the bruise on Akane's cheek, and frowned at her. "Did he do this to you?" he demanded. "I swear if he did I'll kick his…"

She shook her head. Akane couldn't say a word because she was shocked at their closeness. She felt wonderful around Tofou's arms; she felt secured, and safe. She could smell his faint masculine cologne, and his broad chest and long arms completely engulfed her small frame. She was suddenly horrified at herself.

WHAT AM I DOING? I'M... hugging Tofou! OH MY... I'm so bold!

She slowly extracted herself from him. She wiped her tears and gave him a small smile. "N-no. I just had an argument with some girl, and uh, things got kinda rough." She trembled at the thought of her just grabbing him like that. She was too stressed and upset. Everything had happened too fast. Just yesterday morning, she was miffed at the fact that she couldn't talk to Tofou, and then she had a fight with his younger brother and now she's hugging him!

What's happening to me? I'm... becoming more... more aggressive... or something...

"...happened, Akane?" Tofou was saying.

She shook her head. "Uh, sorry. I didn't get that."

Tofou sighed. "What happened? Come here, we need to put some salve on your face."

She shook her head. She didn't like any sort of medication touching her skin. She hates them. Especially after Mother's death and Father's attack... "No, it's OK! It doesn't hurt that much!" She bit the inside of her cheek. She winced in pain. It was true. Even though Kodachi's slap had hurt enough, it wasn't that bad.

"Akane..." Tofou started. "Were you the one fighting with Ranma yesterday?" He looked worriedly at the youngest of the Tendous, and he was getting suspicious.

She bit her lip. "Um, maybe." she grimaced. I don't want him involved or even know about this... She looked up at him and gave him a reassuring smile. "It was me, but it's OK. It was a silly thing anyway." She shrugged.

Hmm, if it was, then why was Ranma acting weird yesterday? Tofou wondered. "Oh, well... I... are you sure you're OK? That looks really bad."

She winced. Oh great, now Tofou thinks she looks bad. She needs to get away from him, fast. She doesn't want to be confused about her feelings right now.

"I'm OK, now. Really." she assured him. She stared at him, and was half-surprised that his eyes had a faint shine to them, as if he was stunned at something. She looked down, hands clasped in front of her, as Tofou spoke.

"Akane, I know you're a strong girl, but if anything bad happens to you, tell me about it, OK? You're like my little sister, and I don't want to see you hurt, physically or emotionally, OK?"

She could feel tears prickling at the edges of her eyes. He only thinks of me as his little sister...

"...I know Kasumi would feel really sad if she finds out that you got hurt..."

It was getting harder to control her tears. What is wrong with me these days? I'm always crying and crying! And... Kuya Tofou really likes Ate Kasumi... I have to give up... have to get over him...

"...How's your father doing now? I think Dad might come visit again today. Maybe I'll come with him. Or not." He frowned.

She blinked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I'm going away for a doctors conference in the city in a couple of days. I have to pack my stuff. Mom's going to pick me up at home." He grinned at her.

Oh yeah... he told me once that his parents were divorced... Akane frowned. Everyone was getting divorced these days. She wondered what God feels about that.

She smiled at him. "Well, have a great time at your conference." The school bell rang. "I have to go now. Bye, Tofou." She started to walk away when Tofou gave her a half-hug. "Whatever's bothering you, 'Lil Akane, remember that you don't have to face them alone. And I'll talk to Ranma." He drew away and gave her a little wave as the throng of students rush past them.

That was so sweet... Akane gave a small laugh and savoured that wonderful moment for a while.

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When Ranma got home that day, Tofou pounced on him in an instant.

"Ranma, how could you?" his older brother demanded.

"How could I what?" Ranma frowned at him as Shampoo arrived to take his coat. "Hey, Shampoo." He grinned at her, and she gave him a flirty smile back. "Look, can we talk later? I had a long day."

"No, we're going to talk this out now." Tofou dragged him to the living room. "You know, I've seen you break a lot of girls' hearts before. I had even apologized to them on your behalf. But honestly, do you have to go so low as to fight with them? To top it off, I even know this girl!"

Ranma stared at him. "What are you talking about?" His eyes widened. "Oh, I get it. For crying out loud, Tofouyou weren't making such a big deal about it yesterday. It's my own dam-n business, OK? Stop it. Are you in love with this girl or something?" he glared at him, and suddenly mentally pictured his brother and Akane kissing. He suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Tofou replied icily, "Apologize to Akane Tendou and after that, stay away from her. I don't want you or your friends hurting her ever again." He had a sneaky feeling that Ranma was the cause of Akane's bruised face, and whether she was telling the truth or not, he was not going to let his spoiled little brother get away with it.

Ranma froze. He wanted to take Tofou's face and smashed it into the floor. Didn't he know that this… this Akane wasn't the vulnerable girl he's now making her out to be? She had the nerve to embarrass him in front of people, and slapped him for helping her out! With a steely voice, he replied, "Get over yourself. Don't make it such a big deal." He left the room, leaving Tofou frowning daggers at him.

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Days past. Tofou left for his conference in the city, and everyone in school was speculating over the way Ranma had grabbed Akane to the back of the school. New rumours began to escalate around the school, from Akane trying to drown Ranma in the school fountain to Kodachi slapping her because of a love triangle between the three of them. Of course, Akane had put up a brave front, holding her emotions in check, because she had promised herself that she wouldn't burst out like that anymore. On the other hand, Ranma and Kodachi didn't do anything to stop the rumours. If anything, it seems like they were the ones who started them.

Ranma watched from his little corner by the school doors as Akane walked out with her older sisters. She was laughing quietly with them, her hair flying all over the place, and her chocolate-brown eyes sparkling. He felt something catch his throat, and shook his head. There were alot of students whisking past him and waving goodbye to him, and as he waved back, big shadows pounced on him.

"H-hey, Ryouga! Mousse! Get offa me!" He yelled, as they tackled him to the ground.

"That's for tripping me up and giving me a bruise on my butt during Phys Ed!" Ryouga growled. Everyone stopped to look at their playfighting; people were smiling and giving them encouragements.

"And that's for flirting with my girlfriend at 4th period today!" Mousse socked his stomach.

"OW!" Ranma cried in pain. OK, it didn't really hurt that much, but he was getting a little uncomfortable from his position on the ground with people staring down at him. He saw Akane frowning, then she turned away, walking briskly past the spectators and caught up with her sisters. He cried back to his friends, "OK! OK! I'm sorry already! Now let go!"

Ryouga and Mousse gave him a final shove and stood up. "Sometimes, Ranma, I hate you." Ryouga declared dramatically.

"Yeah," Mousse agreed. "It gets annoying when you get all the girls. We're all good-looking and rich too."

Ranma snorted as he got up and dusted his shirt. "Yeah right. And who's the most richest and good-looking among us? Oh, and don't forget most powerful?" Heck, they were getting stronger everyday. He smiled inside. Thanks to his training.

"I'm the most richest, Ranma." Mousse said hotly. "My family owns the most biggest and famous hotels and restaurants in the country." Ranma snorted, and laughed at his huffy demeanor.

"Your ego sucks, Ranma. Someday, it will bring you trouble. You too, Mousse." Ryouga crossed his arms as people started to leave them. His wandering eyes appreciated several girls' behinds, but then he caught on a slightly familiar girl, who was walking away with two other girls.

"Hey, isn't that the girl who called me a pig?" He frowned. He couldn't quite forget what that girl had called him. What she didn't know was that her insult had hit him straight to his heart, remembering past incidents and hurt. It doesn't matter now anyways. He knew that there was no way the girl would probably know, and besides, she acted out of anger. Ryouga can be quite an understanding guy, if he may say so himself. He shook his head vehemently and turned towards his best friends.

Mousse sneered. "Pfft. Serves her right now that everyone is talking about her. In the negative way, I should add."

Ranma gave a lopsided smile. "They're dragging me into that too, Hair Mousse."

"Stop calling me that." Mousse flushed. "Anyways, everyone thinks that you're the victim, which is true because she's the one who lashed out at us in the first place."

Ryouga frowned at him. "That's not being fair, Mousse. She's only a girl who got upset because of Ranma's supersize ego."

"HEY! Why are you blaming everything on me?" Ranma protested.

Ryouga grinned as he swung his backpack over his shoulders. "It's always your fault, Ranma. Remember, I knew you way back from elementary school. Everytime something happens, it's YOUR fault." He started to walk.

"Are you walking again, Ryouga?" Mousse asked.

"Yeah, I need to exercise myself." He grinned broadly as he stretched his hand over his hard stomach. Mousse snorted as he took out a cellphone, dialed a number, and barked at it. "Besides," Ryouga continued. "I need to know my way around Nerima if I'm going to get a new car for my next birthday."

"Well," Ranma cracked his head. "You're such a directionless guy. You need a GPS if you really want a car." He grinned as Mousse's limo stopped in front of them. Several students who were loitering around gasped at the vehicle. Ranma stepped forward as the chauffeur got out and opened a door. "Come on, get in. Stop with the walking idea already. Your dad will freak if he finds out anyway."

Ryouga sighed and followed his friends and demanded, "Well, where's your own car, eh loser? The Porche one?"

"In the shop." Ranma replied as he settled himself on the soft, plush seats and took out a bottle. "Ew, why do you have whiskey in here?" He asked Mousse, who shrugged and replied, "Dunno. It's my dad's."

Ranma rolled his eyes and sniffed the bottle. He put it away in disgust. As the limo left the school, they passed Akane and her sisters. Ranma rolled down his window as Akane turned to look at him. He gave her a wink and a smile. She glared at him, but he didn't see it as the limo rode on past by her.

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Akane sighed as she and her sisters arrived at their home. She finally found out where her sisters were during lunch. Kasumi, studying in the library and had thought Akane knew about it already, and Nabiki, gambling with questionable people. Her sisters had frowned on that, and Nabiki replied that they don't own her and she could very well do whatever she wants. And it was helping their family, wasn't it?

Akane and Kasumi didn't answer. They had learned that Nabiki was too stubborn, and no matter what they say, she would never listen. Instead, they focused on Akane, whom both older sisters had been hearing a few rumours about. Akane protested that the rumours were not true, and that it would die out soon. Kasumi and Nabiki both warned her of her fight with Ranma, and Nabiki upsetting her again with her comment, "I told you so." Akane didn't talk the rest of the way home.

The sisters were putting up their coats when they sensed something was wrong. They looked at each other for a moment, and they scrambled towards their father's room.

Soun Tendou was clutching his heart in pain.

Kasumi screamed as she ran towards her father, while Nabiki and Akane started to panic. Nabiki screamed at Akane to call Dr. Gen right away, and Akane ran off towards the telephone. With tears streaming from her eyes, she dialed Dr. Gen's home phone. Someone picked up after the first ring.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Gen office." A Chinese-accented woman's voice said.

"H-hello. Um, is Dr. Gen in?" Akane asked anxiously.

"Yes, he is."

"C-can you tell him that it's Akane Tendou calling and it's an emergency, please?"

"Hold please."

Oh my gosh! Don't put me on hold! Akane screamed mentally. Her father was hurting, and they need to do something fast! But we don't have a car! We can't go to the hospital without Dr. Gen's help!

"Hello, Akane? What's wrong?"

"Dr. Gen, thank God! Please, Doctor, come quickly. My father just had another heart attack!"

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