The sun blazed down in the quiet streets of Nerima. Clear skies were a welcome presence for the local members of the city, the summer weather warm but comfortable. Kids were out playing with each other and playing music on their Walkman or on the small stereos they were taking to the park to get away from their homes, their parents, their chores. A particular couple of kids were making their way to the neighborhood park, a pop song with heavy bass playing out of their handheld radio as they cheered and sang along. Not paying attention, a boy no older than 8 or 9 was singing and playing with a baseball, tossing it up in the air and catching it, never tearing his eyes from it. Making his way from his friends, he didn't hear as they yelled at him to notice a car. Crying out to get his attention, they saw him yanked away by a large hand back onto the sidewalk, immediately running up to see what had happened. The kid pulled out of the street stood motionless gripping his ball he looked up at who had saved him. He squinted up towards the figure in front of him but facing the sun he couldn't make the guy out well.
"Gotta pay attention when you're playin' in the street kid. People drive terrible around here." The voice was deep but friendly, didn't sound like it was from around here. The kid nodded as his friends ran to him checking that he was alright, patting his back and shoulders. The stranger gave a hand and turned away to continue his own walk. The kid never made out his face but noted the worn knapsack and large frame as he walked into the more residential area.
XxXxXxXxXxX
He looked down at his sports watch, a fancy one he'd bought once he'd gotten back into Japan. Something that kept time and date on the face since he knew it'd be imperative that he was on time. No way he was going to start being late now. The trip going east from Fukuoka had taken a couple days but taking a ferry helped at least in part. Honestly, he knew he could've just paid to take a train or something but the cost would've been pretty high and he didn't need to dip too much into his savings at this point. Plus, he'd have time to think and daydream of what was to come, good eating, reunions with the people that meant the most to him. He had considered buying her a gift along the way but he didn't want to be like him, even though she did always seem to enjoy those gifts. Camping and walking his way across the country, he was happy to be back, the mountains, the towns, the familiarity of home. He had managed to stop at a bathhouse once he'd reached the city limits that morning, so he could wash up and shave, having a bit of a worn look with his days grown out beard. Feeling refreshed and presentable he made his way to his destination. Checking his watch again he stared and smiled at the date, the pivotal date he had confirmed those long months ago, June 15th. He'd been looking forward to this date since he'd sent the letter confirming he was returning. A wide smile on his face he began recognizing some of the sights around him, it had been a while but a lot of the small restaurants and shops were still standing. A couple new store fronts and some new apartment buildings but otherwise like a warm hug he was back to where he was meant to be.
Picking up the pace, he leapt through the streets, onto the fence he'd balance daily on, the cool breeze blowing over his face as he ran. He felt giddy, stupid and like he was 16 again as he laughed out loud at how unlike himself he was acting in the moment. As he ran, he caught sight of the wall and gate and felt his grin grew even deeper across his face.
He made it to the gate, listened in and heard what seemed like music and talking from the house. There must've been a couple people over, maybe everyone still lived there, definitely his parents, maybe a few guests? Even better he could smell the food cooking outside, like some kind of grilled meats, some fish and vegetables? His stomach rumbled and he knew he couldn't wait any longer. Tossing his bag over the top of the gate onto the lawn, he leapt up and went over. Nerves and excitement took him over, unable to believe he was here.
He grabbed the bag and moved towards the back of the house, nothing had changed, still needed work here and there, nothing had been updated. It was perfect. He could hear that they must've been all inside but the shoji was open and he made his way to the opening. He moved quietly, having gotten even better at sneaking than when he'd last seen them. A laugh was heard, his mother's, some talking between male voices. He was nearly there when she came out from the family room.
Her hair was still on the short side but had grown out from the last he'd seen her, it curled around her neck. She was talking to someone as she brushed something from her clothes onto the grass. She was in a pair of shorts that went to her thighs, her legs still toned and long, a white halter that showed off her womanly curves, she had a more grown-up look to her now. After all she was a woman now. But her laugh and smile, it was enough to make him stop in his tracks, bright and tinkling, how many times had he dreamed of hearing it again, seeing it again in front of him instead of relying on memories. She was right there, only feet from him, who he had been thinking of since he left. The one he came back for, the one he dreamt of all these years away, the one he'd given his heart to. His bag dropped into the soft of the grass.
Akane thought she heard some rustling on the lawn when she felt sturdy arms come around her, dipping her backwards as warm hands cradled her neck and back. Before she could get her bearings, a pair of lips were on hers, crushing their mouths and pressing their bodies together. Momentarily she was in shock, who could be assaulting her in her own home?! Those hands began to grip her lower back and neck harshly, needful but careful. She was taken aback by how large they were, feeling up on the arms that held her as they reached the shoulders, she attempted to push them up and off her as she felt a smile grow from this creep. She felt him lift himself up as he kept her pressed to his chest.
"Hiya, tomboy." Her eyes went wide and she could've screamed.
So, she did.
"RANMA?!" She shrieked, feeling her own body drop in shock at the individual in front of her. Those cerulean eyes, vivid and beaming as they bore down at her. That boyish smile that turned into a cocky grin as she heard a deeper than she remembered chuckle come out of him, less pitch-y, less annoying. Her eyes ran all over his face, breathing faster and less controlled, she gripped his shoulders harder unsure if she'd fallen off the porch, knocked herself out and was now hallucinating. He took her unsteady breathing and strong grip on his arms as a completely different sign and bounced her upper body back closer to his as he leant back down to kiss her again.
"What the FUCK are you doing to my girlfriend?!"
Ranma's eyes shot up and over to the tall brunette man standing on the porch, rage spread across his face as he hopped down to make his way over to the two of them. Soon behind him came the curious Tendou sisters. Kasumi gasped loudly as Nabiki cursed out herself, out of disbelief and to stifle a laugh. Akane was quickly lifted back up, carried in a way she hadn't been for several years as he held her knees with one arm and the other across her back, keeping her pressed to his chest. He glared and scoffed at the man in front of him as her sisters and family spilled into the backyard.
"Look bud I don't really care who ya are, but this is my fiancée, so try one of the other two for a girlfriend." The other guy moved closer ready to strike when Akane flailed and dropped herself out of Ranma's arms, putting herself between the two men.
"W-wait, hold on!"
Before she could get more out Genma and Nodoka came running up and grabbed their son, wailing over his return home.
"SON! We had no idea you'd be returning home!"
"My brave boy! He's grown into such a man! Let me take a look at you!" Overwhelmed by his parents' reaction, Ranma lost some of his anger but noticed the new guy turning towards Akane with a questionable look on his face. Soun and girls soon moved in closer to him, shocked that he was in front of them. They began asking him several questions as well while reaching for hugs and a chance to look at him, grabbing his chin to see how he'd grown. He was answering the rapid questions and trying to get a look as this new guy whispered something to Akane who turned back to look at Ranma, smiling lightly and replying. The guy's eyes went wide and shifted over the different figures in front of him. Akane was biting her lip and trying not to go too red, out of embarrassment or rage one couldn't be sure. She placed a hand on the other guy's chest as means to turn him away.
"Wait, did you say 'son'?"
The guy's voice cut through everyone's continued welcomes as he pointed the question to the Saotome's. Nodoka blushed slightly and let her husband go ahead and answer.
"Yes Shingo, this is our son returned from his travels. Ranma." The group could nearly hear the crack as Shingo's jaw clenched. He turned himself towards Akane.
"You've been living...with your ex-boyfriend's parents?" He asked trying to comprehend. "I thought you said they were your aunt and uncle." Akane looked down and away, suddenly put on the spot.
"Well...I mean they are like my aunt and uncle...they're like family." She was trying to put this growing fire out as soon as possible, if he'd just let her explain.
"And this guy...your ex-boyfriend? He's family too?" Ranma didn't like being spoken about while he was only feet away.
"Shingo...could we talk about this inside?" She tried pushing him back into the house for some privacy when the subject of their issue spoke up.
"I ain't an ex-boyfriend, she's my fiancée. Has been for a while now." They both turned to him as he gave a smirk and a quipped eyebrow as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Shingo turned back to Akane.
"Excuse me! Your ex-fiancée!? You've been living with your ex-fiancée's parents."
"Shingo, could we just for a sec-"
"I forgot. I had some things I needed to take care of today. I seem to have lost track of the time. I'll see myself out. Have a good night Mr. Tendou, Nabiki, Kasumi." He paused for a moment as he looked quickly over. "Mr. And Mrs. Saotome." His demeanor was chilly as he went inside, Akane huffed and cursed chasing behind him. As she went inside, Tofu happened to be walking out, a bottle of liquor in hand.
"Oh, hello Shingo, Akane – are you on your way out?" No reply as they rushed by him. He smiled tightly, nodding and looked out to the group in the backyard.
"Ah Saotomes, Nabiki, Kasumi, Mr. Tendou, Ranma. How are you?" He was just as cheerful as ever as it quickly dawned on him. "Ranma?! You've come back!" He did a double take from Ranma to Akane and Shingo. Ranma put a hand up as a wave as he turned his head slightly after hearing some loud talking from Akane and that guy responding just as loudly. His eyes went to search where it was when he felt a hand on his arm, looking down into a familiar tan face framed by a brunette bob.
"Don't bother...better to just stay out of that one for right now, yeah?" She whispered.
"Sure..." He looked down and away. Suddenly, very unsure of what was going on. None of this was supposed to be happening, it didn't make sense. He'd told her how he felt, asked her to wait for him, even for just a little bit. Sure, a little bit had ended up being nearly two years but he promised her his return on the 15th of June. He'd be back and they could finally be together like they were supposed to.
So why did she have a boyfriend? Why was she so shocked to see him?
Kasumi moved away from the family and took the liquor bottle from Tofu, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek as he blushed. Ranma stood dumbfounded.
"Wha-what's...?"
"Oh Ranma, Tofu and I are engaged. The wedding is in a few weeks." She patted her hand on his chest, her engagement ring shimmering in the sun.
"Congrats!" Ranma cheered for the couple, it was fairly well known how the doctor felt about the eldest Tendou and to see that he had finally gotten over his severe nerves around her was a relief to see. "When'd you get engaged?"
"Oh, about a year and a half ago. During the winter." Kasumi nodded politely. "I'll go put this inside to chill, we have lots to celebrate today." She left Tofu to go into the kitchen but also to look for her youngest sister. She found her at the front door, biting her lip while her trying to collect her thoughts.
"Akane?" She saw her quickly wipe her face with her palm, careful to not smudge makeup or give herself away. A large sniff followed.
"Oh, I'm sorry Kasumi. I didn't mean for that big...show. You know my and Shingo's tempers sometimes." Her voice was a little shaky, but she was holding up okay. "I didn't mean to put a damper on your party. I know you're stressed with the wedding." She ran her hand through her thick, blue hair. Kasumi was glad she'd gone back to her natural look a couple months back. It suited her better.
"Akane, it's fine. Are you okay?" She put her hand on Akane's arm and she searched her face, worried, that's when she saw the cracking of the mask begin. Kasumi softened her face and pulled her in for a hug, Akane turned her face away and hugged her back. She wouldn't let herself cry, not again. Not more, she'd done that enough for today and for a lifetime.
"He came back, Kasumi. Why would he ever do that?" She whispered into her sister's shoulder. Kasumi just shook her head and kissed the top of her sister's.
"I don't know Akane. Maybe if we go back inside we can ask and find out together, okay?" Her sister nodded into her shoulder.
"Can we stay like this for an extra second?"
"Of course.
Returning back to the backyard calmer and smiling, the two girls joined with the rest of the group. Nodoka was in near tears around her son, pulling him into extra hugs as Genma asked more about how his travels had been. Akane made the mistake of looking into Ranma's face as he was answering to take a moment to look at him. He was taller than when he'd left, still athletic but larger for sure, tan from traveling most likely, that same god damn braid. His white sleeveless top didn't hide much of his physique from the world, he was an egomaniac after all, it made sense. But still it seemed he had really taken the whole 'man among men' thing to his head. While she looked at him, he met her eyes, smiling softly back at her. The start of that handsome grin that always had gotten to her, she forced a smile and turned to look away, over to Tofu and her father talking. Certainly after a few drinks tonight, he of all people would have something to say.
After a few drinks tonight, she'd have something to say too.
"You're just in time for dinner, come in we made plenty!" Nodoka pulled him by his arm inside towards the house. He allowed himself to be dragged inside, shrugging at Akane and Kasumi as they watched. Both sisters looked at each other as Kasumi put her arm around Akane as they followed behind.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Sitting around the Tendou/Saotome dining room table, they shared in dishes of grilled fish and meats, vegetables and rice. Ranma hadn't had a real homemade meal in way too long, so he was lucky enough to enjoy not only cooking from his mother but Kasumi as well. Taking his previous spot when he still lived there, he was surprised when Akane had stopped to take her own previous spot, only to move further down the table while Kasumi made the decision to sit closest to him instead. He couldn't help but feel a strange combination of happiness and confusion being there, dejection but welcomed. Akane sat next to Nabiki, the two infinitely quieter than he thought he'd ever heard them. But with the several questions coming from his parents, Kasumi and Tofu Ranma couldn't really concentrate on the two other sisters.
"Ranma, where are you coming from?" Nodoka inquired over their food. Her son was trying to chew and eat as quickly as possible, staring upwards.
"Uhm, well I'm coming from central South Korea, but more recently I was in Hong Kong and Thailand..." He coughed slightly and looked up briefly at Akane who was moving more food around her bowl than she was eating. "I was in Thailand when I decided to come home." No reaction from her.
"Amazing! And China before that?" She inquired.
"A couple places before that but yeah China as well."
Akane continued to stir around food, finally deciding on some fish to eat while she stared at the table. Quiet Akanes where usually a bad sign. He took a sip from the miso soup in front of him, having grown tired of the powdered instant stuff while he traveled. It was good, not exactly how he remembered Kasumi's but it was still pretty good.
"Akane actually made the soup tonight." Kasumi chimed in.
Both Ranma and Akane coughed on their soup and water respectively, spitting up slightly.
"That right?" Ranma spoke as if something was caught in his throat. Akane frowned slightly into her food as she took another bite.
"I doubt Ranma is interested in my cooking, Kasumi." She offered up, trying to quickly change the subject. She looked as Nodoka smiled lightly at her as she turned her attention back to her food.
"It's uh...it's good." He answered, sipping the rest of it. She smiled back, polite.
"Thank you." Polite. Unfamiliar and polite.
Looking over at her father and younger sister, Kasumi felt the need to help break some tension and ideally get to enjoy her small party for the upcoming wedding.
"Akane." Her sister looked up immediately with eager eyes. "Would you mind grabbing the drinks that Tofu and father bought, along with glasses." She turned towards the man to her left. "Do you drink, Ranma?"
"Oh sure!" He looked up to see his mother's face. "On...on the occasion."
Akane nodded and headed to the kitchen, Ranma shifted as if to stand to help when Kasumi caught him immediately. She patted his knee and smiled, cocking her head towards Nabiki who had a large bite of food in her mouth. Nabiki picked up on the message immediately.
"Akane! I'll come help!" In an instant, the middle sister was up, smoothing her silk summer dress. She caught up with her quickly.
The youngest sister was going through the highest cabinet in the kitchen, pulling down enough glasses and putting them on a carrier to walk out easier. She was caught up in her thoughts, mindlessly tucking a stubborn hair behind her ear she was pretending to count but really was replaying earlier events of the day in her mind.
Shingo's furious. I can't blame him but...if he'd just let me explain everything, he'd... probably still be furious. Maybe I should try calling him? I shouldn't have lied about the Saotomes but who would've seen this coming. It's been four years, who would've thought he'd ever just come back like that. She soured pulling the last glass down. Of course, he'd be back like this. Just insert himself back into EVERYTHING like it was when he left it. When he just LEFT. She closed the cabinet door to find her older sister's satin-y made up face looking at her, a smug smile on her face. Akane was taken aback and pulled away. The two sisters shared a look for a few seconds that seemed to speak the words they couldn't start.
"Akane. First, are you okay?"
"I wish everyone would stop asking if I'm okay."
"Alright" She sighed. She immediately perked back up, Akane seemed to be done being so down, so maybe another old familiar route. "Second. Can you believe it?" Nabiki gushed slightly, turning to the refrigerator as Akane arranged the glasses on the carrier. She fumed quietly but thought back to her anger management classes she'd taken for free at the university and took a breath.
"No, it seems strange but it is what it is, I guess." She bit back as much as possible. Nabiki pulled one bottle of sake out and held it against herself and exaggeratingly flung her hand to her head against the door.
"I think this is the first time I've ever been jealous you were engaged, oh my god. His body!" She sneered, jokingly. Akane went red and looked at her sister, turning her lips up into a mocking smile. Nabiki put the bottle by her as she pulled the second out as well. Akane put both her hands on the counter and took a breath.
"Can I stay with you tonight?"
"Absolutely not." Her sister scoffed.
"Please, I'm still here for the summer and I doubt he's going anywhere else. No one else is gonna take him in. Nabiki, it's just for a night." Her sister put the second sake bottle by her while she grabbed the tray with glasses on it. Akane was in no shape to carry this out, she may have gotten somethings in order since high school but balance wasn't one of them.
"Chisa is coming by tonight and I haven't seen her in three weeks."
"Can't I just stay on the couch? You won't even notice."
"Akane. I have not seen my girlfriend in three weeks. You're not coming over."
"Maybe I should tell Chisa about your sudden admiration of the male anatomy?" Akane offered up as she picked up the two sake bottles in both hands, Nabiki picked up the tray with the glasses without issue, turning back to look her sister up and down, pouting.
"I'm sure I wasn't the only one admiring, you and I both can appreciate a good-looking man." Nabiki turned and started off.
"NABIKI!" Akane sneered and tried to teasingly kick her sister as they made their way back into the family room. In a turn of events after graduating high school Nabiki had come to her younger sister about some personal things. Knowing Akane was engaged to a boy who was half girl, she felt if anyone could understand attraction to the same sex, then perhaps Akane would. After an embarrassingly long chat on Akane's end, she'd admitted yes, she was attracted to both sides but more so due to the fact that it was Ranma. So, when her sister admitted feelings of attraction for both boys and girls, Akane had understood and accepted the concept a bit faster than the rest of Nabiki's friends or certainly their family. Over the last few years, she'd been on and off with both male and female partners, typically finding more peace and enjoyment with women overall.
The sisters entered the room with glasses and drinks, passing out and pouring as everyone prepared to have their first drink of the night.
"To Ranma!" Kasumi offered up.
"To Kasumi and Tofu's marriage, may you have many joyful years and plentiful children!" Nodoka cheered back to the blush of the bride to be. Everyone began sharing more and more cheers to reunions and joining of families. The liquor seemed to be working, people loosening up and getting easier going. Ranma looked up at one point at Akane and Nabiki joking about something between the two of them, giggling and poking the other. Kasumi even joined in the jokes, as Akane swatted her sister's hand away.
"Akane, remember when that ladies wrestling promotion saw you at the university and asked you to try out? They followed you home to beg father to let you join and train!" She covered her hand daintily as she giggled while her sister tsked from the table.
"Sis! They weren't all that serious, they were just looking for more talent. It wasn't serious."
"What was the name they wanted? 'Cutie Akane'?" Nabiki laughed out.
"No, no, no. It was just some other made-up thing. It was stupid." Akane smiled at the memory. Ranma finished his glass and laughed along.
"You were gonna be a lady wrestler Akane?" He gave her a lopsided smile, the most direct he'd been with her since he'd kissed her earlier. She smiled and poured herself another drink.
"No... I didn't think I was gonna do that. It was years ago now. I had school to focus on." She offered up a smile and turned away to sip her drink. Her eyes connected with her father's now seeing his growing emotions. She straightened up and nudged her sister to the side who tried getting the attention of her other sister. Of all of them, Kasumi was the lightest of light weights so she didn't see Nabiki's gestures immediately but turning to see their father, seemed to deflate. She rubbed Tofu's arm who immediately put it around her as she prepared for her father's response.
"So. Ranma."
Soun's voice was thick with liquor and questions. His daughters looked up towards him, levels of worry across their faces as they prepared for his line of questioning. Kasumi had been out of the house for a bit, as had Nabiki but the lingering questions that hung in the house weren't lost on them. While Soun had insisted, even begged for his longtime friend and wife to stay in his home, that didn't wash away the sins of their son. And now with the both of the former fiancées under his roof, that tension had rebuilt itself. At the end of the day, he was looking out for his daughter and the future of the dojo.
"Daddy, c'mon." Nabiki offered up first. "We're just having a good time."
"What? I can't ask my former son in law why he decided to leave and break his engagement to my daughter?"
The table went quiet, the Saotomes gravely silent as they stared down at their drinks. They knew Soun would be eventually asking for a reason if not Akane. Tofu wrapped his arm around his soon to be wife as Nabiki placed a hand on her sister's knee.
"Dad. Let's not." Akane offered up, reaching for her father's hand. But before he could continue on for her or grasp her hand, Ranma had stood up and made his way over to Soun. Bringing himself down to a single knee, then to both he pressed his palms into the floor his fingers in a triangle above his head nearly letting it touch the ground. The daughter's watched wide eyed and silent as their father watched in a similar fashion.
"Tendou-san, you're right I left without answers but I hope you accept my apology for leaving how I did and the repercussions of those actions. In due time I hope you understand my reasons. I am hoping we can get back to where we were before and I may be allowed to stay in your home along with my parents." He stayed low to the ground, waiting for a response.
"Ah...Ranma, I mean. You know how I feel for your family..."
"Tendou-san, I hope you don't mind my interruption. Nabiki." She perked up. "Can you pass me my bag?" She grabbed his pack and tossed it as he gripped it from the floor, sifting through it as he grabbed the bundle out and presented it to him. "Here is what I calculated the costs of my living expenses were when I was here and potential living costs for a few months."
Akane's stomach dropped at the thought of months here but she peered over the table along with her sister. They both were shocked but Nabiki spoke up first.
"Holy SHIT. How much is that?!"
"Nabiki!" Kasumi reprimanded, herself taken aback by his generous donation.
"Ranma... I don't know if I can take this?" Soun was apprehensive.
"Please. I wanted to pay back all you provided for me before and anything in the future. I'm hopin' we can be on better terms now that I'm back." He kept his head down, feeling the sweat roll down his face. This had not been the full intention of the money, but after the events of earlier, he needed to course correct for the time being. Soun took the money and thumbed through it, went bug eyed and tried to hold his resolve. He coughed.
"Ranma!" The man lifted himself from his kneeling position. "Of course, you're welcome back, my son! How could I turn you away?" The rest of the room released a breath but Ranma sat up and thanked him. He was once again embraced by his parents along with Soun this time as he looked up and saw Akane. She took another sip from her glass as she cheers him.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
As the night wound down, the drinks stopped pouring as easily except between Soun and Genma, now delighted at the return of Ranma. Nodoka had excused herself from the table and gone to bed early on, giving a squeeze to the shoulder of Kasumi on her way out as well as Akane's. Kasumi and Tofu thanked everyone for the visit, closing up the door to the backyard. Kasumi asked for help with dishes, pointedly towards Ranma who offered up immediately. She left everything by the sink knowing one of those living there would take care of it. She turned away from the sink and smiled.
"Why don't I make you up somewhere to sleep?"
"Ah...Kasumi you ain't gotta do that. I'm sure I can do it."
"I insist, let's go."
Quickly they headed upstairs, away from the rest of the family as she led him upstairs and he got to smile to himself remembering when he had lived here. She led him into a familiar bedroom and he was taken aback.
"This...is your room." He turned to her and she smiled softly and looked into the room.
"Yes, but I don't need it anymore." She entered and straightened the bed out for him. "You don't mind something a bit more Western, do you?" He shook his head and she smiled. "Consider it yours then. You'll probably be in need a bit of privacy after all this time, hm?" She nodded before heading down.
"Kasumi."
She stopped, looking at him he was much more of a man than she remembered, though when she'd last seen him he had been only 18. Still his face showed he had so many more questions, questions she was not the one to ask.
"Ranma, it's wonderful to have you. It brings new life to the dojo." She placed her hand on his shoulder. She leaned in closer. "Deep down I know we are all happy to see you safe and back home." She patted him once on the shoulder and headed downstairs to leave with her own fiancée. He followed soon after to grab his pack as his watched his father and Soun continue to drink, laughing and playing shogi together. Nabiki was looking at her watch as she was talking to Akane. She stood up and her younger sister followed. Maybe they were leaving together?
He stood down from the door as Akane walked her sister to the gate. She hugged her as Nabiki fully embraced her sister wrapping her arms around her as she looked up and saw him from the front of the house. She waved and whispered something to Akane. She seemed to balk and opened the gate to her sister walking her to her cab. Waving her off, she turned around and held herself, the weather growing chillier than she had anticipated. Ranma had already moved into the kitchen, trying to busy himself now that they hadn't many distractions and he was left with only his thoughts. She walked in and stopped at the door.
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were cleaning." She was nervous and still a little tipsy it seemed.
"No, you're fine. I just wanted to help...my mom? Does she do dishes?"
"Ah. Yeah sometimes, but I try to split chores with her." She gave a half smile. "I'm...heading to bed. Did you get-"?
"Kasumi showed me to her room and told me I could use it."
"Ah." Akane half remarked, half laughed. "Better than Nabiki's right?" She was tense but trying, he could tell.
"Yeah, definitely."
They stood feet from each other, breathing the same air in a room for the first time in four years. Shifting eyes and silence, they seemed to square the other up as they looked at the other. Ranma was a man now, Akane a woman. They shared in the uncomfortable quiet, dotted with the laugher of their fathers. She breathed out and answered.
"I should get to sleep. I have work in the morning." She turned and left before she could hear an answer. Walking up the stairs, she felt a haziness over her, claustrophobic nostalgia. She looked at her hand on the railing and for a moment remembered how it felt under her silk bridal gloves. She pulled her hand up as if shocked and continued upstairs. She made it to her room, sanctuary, a place to fully breathe. She placed her whole body against the door and stared into the open window. Blinking she felt rumblings, those feelings knocking around, trying to exhume themselves. She placed a hand over her chest as if to catch them, like catching fireflies inside your ribs. She focused and held. And held. And hold it.
She breathed out.
And the knock.
And it caught in her throat. The pattering of her heart, she closed her eyes. She opened the door. She knew what was there.
Who was there.
"Yes?" She asked, opening, half hidden behind the door. A large form stood behind the frame.
"Akane." Deep. A questioning statement. Sickeningly wistful.
She was petrified.
"Ah...yeah. What is it?" She peered into deep sea eyes, dark, familiar. She held the knob of the door as hard as she could for stability.
"We should talk." He moved forward as if to get inside. No. No. She held still.
"What's there to talk about." She leaned against her door now, putting herself between him and the only form of solace she had. No way was that going to be broken again. His eyes grew steely.
"What's with the boyfriend?"
She stood stonelike. Three and a half years of help with her anger came rushing through her chest as she gathered thoughts, gathered responses. She found herself looking at his own chest, wide, inviting. She bet that it would've been the warmest thing she'd ever thrown herself onto. That didn't matter.
It doesn't matter.
"I... I wanted a boyfriend."
"Why?"
She stared, what kind of question was that?
"Because I didn't have a fiancée anymore." She said it so obviously that it could've come off as rude. But she was trying to reign in, trying not to get mad, throw herself into anger.
"Who ever said that?"
She stood, unsure how to answer. It had been months. No over a year now.
"You did." She looked him up and down, trying to figure out what was this game. "You sent the letter. You called the engagement off."
She watched him release a breath he was holding but also as he looked for something else in those answers.
"But, my letter..."
"Ranma. We got your letter." He was solely focused on her lips. "You sent it to dad and your parents. You said you wished to end the engagement." She licked her lower lip and bit it lightly. Hold it, reign it in. "You said it was over." He was quickly calculating something in his head.
"Akane! Listen, there's..." She held her hand up.
"Ranma." She focused herself, this was a long time coming. "I know what you said. Had it read to me by my father. Read the words myself. I know what was on that letter. And I accepted your wishes." She leant her weight into the door, feeling like she was going to break the knob off if she gripped any harder. She looked away from him, trying to find the words she'd used a thousand times in her mind in this same scenario. But they weren't there, nothing was there.
"Akane!" He hissed, he was trying to get in, into her room. Under her skin. She found her pride, her anger, her self-respect.
"Ranma." She said pointedly, holding her neck high and snobbish. He looked to her. "I was not going to pine for someone who wanted nothing to do with me. I'm not a fool like your other suitors were. I couldn't live my life like that." She watched him deflate partially, unsure. "I don't know your reasons to end it but whatever they were I respected that. And conceded." She spit out. She looked up to him, eyes shiny and searching. Too much. Too much.
Not allowing herself to see or consider the pain she saw, she placed a hand on his, squeezing for the sake of comradery, for their friendship, for forgiveness, for unspoken apologizes. He was never hers anyways. She was exhausted, he had to be as well.
"You should get some sleep." Warm around his wrist, his hand. Like that last night.
AN: Hey guys! Back already with something new. I'm trying my hand at something a bit more serious so please just try to follow me on this weird trip. Just wanted to give a couple heads up, I'm giving a specific time to this piece, I'm setting this in the summer five years after the last published chapter of the manga, which was in March of 1996. In future chapters I'll specify in certain spots in flashbacks as the month/year as necessary to hopefully keep things straight.
I am also marking this as M with the intention of it actually being a Mature read. I do intend on writing some scenes that could potentially enter smutty territory. And by that, I mean there will almost definitely have some smut. I will not be posting when it's in a chapter, so this is just a general head up if you're not into that.
I'm going to try my best at keeping things from getting too OOC but I also feel there may be a need to mature them up a bit from teenagers putting them in their early 20's, that being said I still want them to feel like themselves. But I think a lot could be said about how complicated people's personalities and feelings can be and I am trying to explore that a little bit.
Reviews and advice always appreciated, thank you so much for reading my work! It means the world to me!