Chapter 32 A Talk at Ucchan's
Ryoga looked up from where he was washing dishes when Shampoo walked into the kitchen at Ucchan's. He said, "Hi Shampoo. How was the rest of school today? I got lost going to lunch, and somehow ended up here."
"Nihao, Ryoga. It was interesting. Everyone found out about Ranma and Akane getting engaged. That idiot Kuno didn't want to believe it, so he attacked Ranma with a real sword and cut him pretty good. Akane didn't like that one bit, so she hit with a ki blast that did some pretty good damage. Kuno's in the hospital with a broken arm and a couple of cracked ribs," Shampoo replied.
Ryoga snickered and said, "Serves that baka right. Is Ranma okay?"
Shampoo replied, "Yeah, Tofu stitched him up and set him home to rest."
Ryoga hesitated, took a deep breath, and asked, "Shampoo, I don't have a chance with you, do I?"
Shampoo stared at the floor for a while and answered, "Ryoga, I like ya. I think of ya as a friend, but that's it. I just don't know any way ta say it. I'll never be more that a friend." She was surprised when his countenance lit up. "Hey, I thought you'd be depressed when I told ya that, not happy," Shampoo protested.
"I'm just glad you're being honest with me, Shampoo. I needed to hear that from you," Ryoga said as he walked over and kissed her.
"Aiyee, what did ya do that for?" Shampoo sputtered in shock.
Ryoga said cheerfully, "I just wanted to kiss you once before I let you go. I'll see you later." He walked into the main room to find Ukyo. Shampoo watched him go, satisfaction in her eyes.
"Hi, sugar. Did Shampoo tell you about Kuno attacking Ranma?" Ukyo asked.
Ryoga replied, "Yeah, she did. Stupid Kuno, doesn't he ever learn?"
"Apparently not. I thought the two of us could go check on him and then maybe catch a movie," Ukyo said, blushing slightly.
Ryoga's eyes lit up and he said, "That sounds like fun, Ucchan. I haven't been to a movie in a long time. When do you want to go?"
"I thought we could close up around six, and head on over there. That way they'll be done with dinner. Shampoo is going to leave early so she can be there for dinner," Ukyo replied.
Ryoga continued working in the kitchen, trying not to watch the clock. Finally, it reached six and Ukyo walked outside and took her sign down. Ryoga walked into his room and changed his clothing. He put on his best pair of slacks and a nice dress shirt. He wanted to look nice for his first real date with Ukyo. He went into the main room and waited impatiently for Ukyo to come back down. Finally, she came back downstairs, wearing a short skirt and a tight blouse. He stared at her and said, "You look wonderful, Ucchan." She smiled as she took his hand and led him to the Tendo home.
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Tofu cleared his throat after they finished eating dinner, and said, "Akane, could I talk to you." She looked up startled, and then nodded. "Why don't we walk outside for a few minutes?" he continued. They walked off and once they got far enough away for some privacy, he said, "Kasumi talked to me when I got home, about what she walked in on. You two are only seventeen. While you think it may be early, you need to make a decision soon. Eventually, you and Ranma may want to get intimate, so you need to take a few precautions."
Akane began blushing, and said, "We're planning on waiting until we're married before that happens."
"I'm glad to hear that, Akane, but sometimes passions run high, and things happen. You may not plan on it happening, but it can," Tofu said.
Akane looked down at the ground. Then she sighed and said, "I guess you're talking about some sort of birth control, right?" She thought to herself, 'He's right. If Kasumi hadn't walked in on us, who knows how far we would have gone.'
"Yes, there's a old joke about that. What do they call people who don't use birth control?" he said. He waited a few seconds and then said the punch line, "They're called parents. You just need to decide what method you want to use. Come by the clinic tomorrow, and I can give you some pamphlets to help you decide."
Akane just nodded, too embarrassed to say anything. Fortunately for Akane, at that moment, Ukyo and Ryoga walked into the yard. She had never been so happy to see someone in all her life.
As Ukyo and Ryoga entered through the gate into the front yard of the Tendo home, they saw Tofu talking to Akane. Akane's face was red, with embarrassment. Ukyo wondered what they could have been talking about.
Ryoga called, "Hi, Akane, Dr. Ono. Where's Ranma? We thought we'd come by to see how he was doing."
"That's awfully nice of you. He's probably still in the dining room. Ukyo, you sure look nice," Akane said. She had noticed that they were holding hands as they walked in. "Are you two going out on a date, or something?"
Ukyo smiled shyly, and said, "Yes, we are. We're on our way to catch a movie. Hey, do you and Ranma want to come?"
"We can ask him, I guess," Akane answered as they walked into the house.
"Hey, sugar, how'd you let Kuno get you?" Ukyo teased.
"Oh man," Ranma said, "I had my arms full and I didn't move quick enough. He just got lucky is all. Akane took care of him before I had a chance."
Ryoga said, "How're you feeling, Ranma? You don't look too bad."
"Oh, I'm fine. Kasumi and Akane took good care of me this afternoon. In fact, my biggest problem right now is boredom. I can't do any exercises until Tofu takes out my stitches," Ranma replied.
"Ukyo and Ryoga are going to the movies. They invited us to come with them," Akane said.
"Sure, that's a great idea. It's been a while since we've had a chance to go to one," Ranma said, "Go let Kasumi know she's off the hook for tonight's training session and then we can go." Akane left to find Kasumi, giggling.
"What was that all about, sugar?" Ukyo asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just a private joke," Ranma said, laughing.
Akane came back from the kitchen, her face red, still giggling. She finally got herself under control enough to say, "Ranchan, you should have seen the look of relief that was on her face. She must have really been worried. Of course, she did have one or two comments."
"Well, you did look really angry with her this afternoon, Acchan," Ranma replied.
"We'd better go," Akane said as she grabbed his hand. The two couples headed toward the movie theater. Once they reached it, they bought the tickets for the show they head selected. After making a stop at the concession stand, and getting drinks and popcorn, they made their way to the correct theater. They found four seats together and sat down to enjoy the show, with the two girls in the middle. Akane soon found herself leaning against Ranma, with his arm around her.
Ukyo looked over at Akane and saw her snuggled up to Ranma. She felt a small twinge of jealousy which she beat down, telling herself, 'Ranma belongs to her, now. Besides you're here with Ryo-chan, sugar.' She snuggled up next to Ryoga and felt contentment as he put his arm around her and pulled her close. As she watched the trailers for the upcoming movies, she thought about how her life had changed. While she knew that she would always care for Ranma, she had to admit to herself that she had grown increasingly fond of Ryoga. She was content to let the relationship go at its own pace. The wound to her heart that she had received from Ranma's rejection of her love had healed but it was still tender. She didn't want to run the risk of having her heart broken again.
Ryoga looked down at the gorgeous girl, no the gorgeous young woman snuggled up next to him and felt his heart jump as she smiled up at him. He gazed at her oh so kissable lips and leaned down and kissed them, not caring who saw them. As they parted, he heard a sigh of contentment escape from her. As the movie began, he reluctantly tore his eyes aware from gazing at her face and turned to watch the screen.
Ranma watched Ryoga and Ukyo out of the corner of his eye. He was glad to see that Ukyo appeared to like Ryoga. Even though their initial reunion had been difficult, with the insistence of Shampoo and Akane, he and Ryoga had managed to patch up their relationship. He thought to himself, 'Ucchan deserves happiness. I hope Ryoga can provide her some. She can certainly do a lot worse than falling in love with him.'
After the movie was over, the two couples separated, Ukyo and Ryoga heading back toward Ucchan's and Ranma and Akane going home. Ranma and Akane walked slowly home, savoring the peacefulness around them. Akane said, finally, "It looks like Ryoga and Ukyo are becoming an item. I think that's pretty neat."
Ranma smiled and replied, "From the amount of time they spent kissing in there, I think you're probably right. They spent less time watching the movie than you and I did."
Akane blushed and said, "Hey, I didn't see you objecting any. Besides you kissed me just as often as I kissed you."
He teased, "Oh, you're keeping score now, are you?" She laughed as they entered the home. The rest of the household was already asleep, so they quietly got ready for bed themselves. Ranma kissed Akane as she went into her bedroom to change. Ranma got some cold water and changed forms. After she dried herself off, she headed upstairs to her room and got ready for bed. As usual, Akane joined her in her room and they cuddled together on the futon. Soon, the two of them were asleep.
Late that night, outside of the Tendo home, a shadowy figure jumped over the wall separating the street from the Tendo property. As the figure approached the house, the full moon came out from behind the clouds that it had been cowering behind to reveal the Black Rose of St. Hebereke High School, Kodachi Kuno, dressed in her skintight green leotard. She was muttering to herself, saying, "First that trollop has the audacity to proclaim herself the fiancée of my Ranma darling and then to brutally attack Brother dear. Of course, he deserved it for hitting Ranma darling with his sword. I will have my vengeance, Akane Tendo. And when I am done, Ranma darling will declare his love for me and take me to new heights of passion!" She laughed her manic laugh and then jumped to Akane's windowsill. She opened the window and then sprang to attack the figure sleeping in the bed. She let out her evil laugh again as her ribbons wrapped around the figure. She moved closer to gloat before maiming her rival only to freeze when she saw that she had attacked a stuffed pig.
"She's not here!" Kodachi said in anguish." Where can she be! No matter, I'll check on Ranma darling and take him away from this prison." She crept silently down the hallway to the guest room and slowly opened the door. In the dim moonlight coming in through the windows, she saw three figures sleeping, two of them near each other and the other one by itself. She walked over to that figure, only to recoil as it rolled over to reveal that it was a giant panda. 'Why would they allow their pet to sleep in the guest room,' Kodachi wondered to herself, 'Peasants!' The other two figures were obviously female. One was her beloved's mother and the other was that Chinese bimbo.
Kodachi cursed and left the guest room. 'Maybe he's in the dojo,' she thought. Then she heard a noise from above her. Suddenly she recalled what her faithful ninja Sasuke had told her. She crept up the stairs to the small attic room, ready to spirit her beloved away.
As she slowly opened the door to the room, she gasped to see Akane Tendo sleeping in the same futon as her Ranma. She was holding him tightly in an embrace. Suddenly seeing red, and intending on gaining her revenge, she started forward to attack Akane.
Her Ranma darling rolled over onto his back, thrusting two large mounds into the air and suddenly Kodachi realized that this was not Ranma. This was the pigtailed girl of her brother's dreams. She began laughing uncontrollably as she realized that both of her brother's loves were in bed together. 'Another one of her brother's dreams, except he's not here to join them,' she thought.
As she slowly regained control, she suddenly realized her danger. The Tendo slattern had sat up and was glaring at her. Akane said angrily, "What the hell are you doing here, Kodachi? Didn't what happened to your brother teach you anything?"
"How can you lay there in the arms of another woman and say that you are worthy to be the fiancée of my Ranma darling!" Kodachi exclaimed.
The other figure sat up. With a voice as cold as ice, she said, "Kodachi, I'm tired of this. I'm not your Ranma darling. I don't even like you. I think you're disgusting and in serious need of help."
"What do you mean? Of course you're not my Ranma darling. You're a girl!" Kodachi said.
"That's right Kodachi. I'm a girl, right now. In the morning, though, I'll be the man you know as Ranma Saotome," Ranma replied.
"No, you lie!!" Kodachi said angrily as she attacked. Ranma hit her with a small ki blast, knocking her out. Akane quickly tied her up with her own ribbon.
"What are we going to do with her?" Akane asked, anxiously.
Ranma thought for a second and then smiled wickedly. "What do you think the police would do if she started babbling about a guy who turns into a girl?" she asked with a smirk.
"Probably temporarily commit her, I would think," Nabiki responded from the doorway. She continued, "That stupid bitch woke me up. That sounds like an interesting idea. How do plan on setting it up?"
"Watch and learn, Biki-chan, watch and learn," Ranma said with a smirk.
Kodachi woke up from her faint to see Ranma staring at her angrily. He said to her, "Kodachi, you aren't welcome in this house. Who I marry is none of your business. I happen to love Akane. She is my fiancée. You on the other hand disgust me." He picked up a glass of cold water.
"She's not worthy of your love. I caught her sleeping with another woman," Kodachi screeched.
"That's not really what you saw, Kodachi," Ranma said, as he poured the cold water over his head. Kodachi's eyes grew wide as she saw the red-haired pig-tailed girl now sitting in front of her.
"What kind of joke is this? This can't be happening!" Kodachi protested. Ranma picked up the cup of warm water, and poured it over her head.
"It's no joke, Kodachi. I'm the same person. I just change from girl to boy and back again," Ranma said. He repeated the process several times.
Finally, Kodachi said, "Enough, Ranma. I believe you. I don't know how it happened or why, but I can't deny what I have seen. However, I don't care. I love you so it doesn't matter to me."
"As I told you, I don't even like you Kodachi. If you believe anything other than that I am going to wed Akane Tendo, then you're suffering from delusions," Ranma said. He excused himself and went into the bathroom. As he returned, the police showed up in response to Nabiki's phone call. Ranma went to meet them outside and said, "Thanks for coming. I don't know what all Nabiki has told you. Kodachi Kuno attacked my fiancée and me this evening. She has this delusion that I love her. When I rejected her, she became even more delusional. Now she thinks I turn into a girl."
"Is she related to Tatewaki Kuno?" one of the officers asked.
Nabiki replied, "Yes, she is his sister, and she's crazier than he is."
"That's the guy that attacked you today, isn't it?" the officer asked.
Ranma replied, "Yes. He's been stalking my fiancée and refused to take her seriously when she said no. He attacked me with his sword, and she defended me." As they walked in, they found Kodachi glaring at Akane.
Kodachi was speaking incoherently, she was so angry with Akane. Finally, she regained control, and said, "Ranma darling, unless you come with me, I'll tell the whole world your secret."
"What secret would that be, Kodachi?" Ranma said sadly.
Kodachi laughed wickedly, and said, "That you turn into a girl when water is poured over you!" Ranma shook his head sadly at that.
"You poor deluded girl," he said. Akane brought him a glass of water, which he poured over his head. Kodachi screamed, as Ranma didn't change. "See what I mean, officers? I'm afraid she's lost touch with reality. I mean really, next she'll be saying people turn into animals when they get splashed with water."
Kodachi babbled as the officers took her away. After they drove away, Nabiki returned to the living room and said, "Nicely done, Ranma. I don't see how they can keep from committing her for a while. Now that this is over with, I'm going back to sleep." Nabiki left the two of them and headed off to bed.
Ranma looked at his fiancée, and said, "Akane, this is kinda the last straw. This isn't going to stop until you and I are married. After what nearly happened this afternoon, do you think we can last until the school break in August?"
Akane stood lost in thought, and said, "I think so. So are you wanting to get married then?"
"At least in August, we would both nearly be eighteen. While that's still young, it's not too young, anymore," Ranma said, "If that's okay with you, we need to talk to Mom tomorrow."
Akane said, "That's sounds good to me. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. After this afternoon, since you've got to stay in this body until the soap wears off, I think it would be safer if tonight we were in our own beds, is that okay with you?"
Ranma yawned and agreed. He kissed her goodnight as they headed back to bed.
The next morning, Nodoka noticed the bandage on Ranma's arm while they were sitting around the table eating breakfast. She asked, "Ranma, what happened to your arm?"
Ranma looked guiltily at his mother. He had forgotten to tell his parents about the attack. "Uh, Mom, that's the stitches Tofu put in my arm to close up the cut from Kuno's sword. He took exception to our engagement. Akane took care of him, though, he's in the hospital with a broken arm and two cracked ribs," Ranma said finally.
Nodoka grew angry. "So that is how he honors his sworn word to leave the two of you alone. Our clan will see to his demise," Nodoka snarled. Ranma grew pale at the rage he saw on his mother's face.
Nabiki suggested, "Auntie, instead of calling out a blood feud against the Kuno clan, let us handle it. Akane is already pressing assault charges against him. Kodachi was here last night, and Ranma tricked her. My sources say that she has already been committed. I've already had Father charge her with breaking and entering and trespass, as well. I'm planning on going after the family fortune. Now, if you would like to help with that, I could use the assistance."
"Hmm," Nodoka mused, "That might be a better revenge anyway. I can call on the clan to ensure that they don't escape justice. And Kodachi really is crazy, so in a way this might even be seen as an honorable way to help her." She continued thinking. After several minutes, she smiled coldly and said, ice dripping from her voice, "Kuno however has insulted both our clans. Our honor demands that he pay. Since he is so lacking in honor that he would come between the engagement, I think it is fitting that we remove what little honor he has left."
Nabiki's eyes narrowed as she realized what Nodoka was suggesting, "Having him convicted of assault would destroy his honor, Auntie. That's all that we need to do. Once that happens, his own family will disown him to remove the shame."
Gemna had been sitting there in silence stewing on something. Finally, he spouted off, "Oh the shame of it, that my weakling son had to be defended by a mere girl. Have you no pride, Ranma? How could my son sink so low?"
"What was that about a mere girl," Akane growled.
"Don't insult my fiancée like that Pop, we're going to be partners, after all!" Ranma said, angrily.
"Yeah, like a woman could ever be your equal, my boy," Gemna began to laugh, missing the ice forming next to him from the chill coming off his wife.
"Gemna, that's enough of your garbage about women being weaker," Nodoka said, icily, "There's no call for you to insult us all of the time. Your sneering attitude is beginning to make me angry!"
"Yeah, Pop. I agree with the women," Ranma began, only to be interrupted by his father.
"That's what I would expect from someone who's a woman at heart like you," Gemna said angrily.
"Pop, that's enough. Every single woman at this table could beat you in a match, well, maybe not Nabiki, but even she'd make you hurt. As for me, I've been kicking your lazy ass all over the yard since I was fifteen. Turning into a girl didn't change that," Ranma growled.
"That's enough, Saotome. I won't sit back and let you insult my wonderful daughters, Nodoka or Shampoo. They are not weaker, just different," Soun said, surprising everyone, "If you can't keep your ill-founded opinions to yourself, then you can just leave!"
The remainder of the dinner passed in silence as everyone glared at Gemna. At the end of the dinner, Ranma said, "Mom, there's something else that we need to talk to you about. Could you come with Akane and I to the dojo?" His mother looked puzzled, but then nodded. The three of them got up and walked into the dojo. Ranma stood at the door to ensure their privacy.
Akane said, "Auntie Nodoka, we need your help. Ranma and I would like to get married in August, but we still have the problem with your husband. We'll still be underage, and we're still worried that he might try to take control of the property because of that."
Nodoka smiled happily at hearing that news. "Akane, at least in private, why don't you call me Mom. I'm so glad you two set a date. As far as Gemna is concerned, I have a plan about that. If you two want to get married in August, I just need to accelerate what I was planning." She hugged Akane and said, "Go ahead and make your plans. Let's keep this a secret for a while, though, dear, until he is gone."