Tender Loving Care
"We're home!" Ranma called out cheerfully, as he and Akane removed their shoes.
"Oh, hello Ranma, how was your first day?" Kasumi asked cheerfully, drinking a glass of milk.
"It wasn't half bad. I don't think I wouldn't mind going tomorrow. Is Pop around?"
"I haven't seen your father in a while, I think he went out with ours."
"Ah, okay," Ranma replied with slight disappointment, "Hey, 'Kane, you wanted to spar?"
"Sure, but first, you said you were gonna change into a guy?" Akane reminded, she didn't want the redhead girl getting out of this.
"Fine, I did promise, didn't I? Kasumi, got any hot water around?" Kasumi went into the kitchen and came back with a kettle.
"Your father told me that it would be best to keep one at ready."
"Well, I guess he is good for something," Ranma commented, upending the kettle onto her head. Kasumi and Akane gasped at the sight of the handsome young man that now stood before them. As if just noticing the attention, he posed, "So, how do I look?"
Akane managed to get her jaw realigned before the feeling of disappointment hit her; he really was a guy, "Hmph you said you wanted to spar?" Akane didn't even wait for an answer, as she started up the stairs.
Ranma blinked at the sudden change in the girl's attitude, "Uh, sure."
"Well, I think you look nice, Ranma-kun," Kasumi complimented towards the retreating boy.
Ranma turned back, and blinked a couple of times, "Uh, thanks."
________________________________________
In the bushes within the Tendou yard, a pair of red eyes looked towards the house, its master was there, and so was the other one. It's nose twitched in irritation, the other one would pay for trying to abandon it, oh yes... the other one will.
With a mighty bound, the creature leapt towards the porch; first it had to find its master.
________________________________________
"STAND STILL AND FIGHT ME!!!!" Akane was already angry, her new friend turned out indeed to be a perverted boy, and now the perverted boy was trying to make a fool of her, the greatest in Nerima. And that blue stuff on her lips STILL hasn't come off!
"I am fighting you," Ranma stated calmly, giving minimal effort to evade Akane's attacks, "I'm seeing how you fight, and trying to find openings that I can take advantage of."
Akane grinned to herself, that must have meant that he just couldn't find any flaw in her fighting style. If she kept it up, she would wear him down eventually. Her assessment was proven flawed, as Ranma suddenly shifted in stance and became the aggressor. Akane's eyes went wide as she was suddenly forced to backpedal and block the sudden rush of attacks. Ranma seemed to have a contemplative and concentrating expression, as he broke through the other girl's guard, delivering light but lightning fast taps to his opponent.
Then, after a few moments, Ranma broke away, "You're not too bad, but you're a bit slow." He panted a bit, feigning slight exertion.
Akane blinked once, and begrudgingly accepted the compliment, "Thanks... I guess."
"Well, 'Kane, I don't suppose you wouldn't mind sparring with me often then? Pop's kinda predictable now and he's getting kinda dull."
"Sure!" Akane chirped, next time she'll show this boy who was better, now that she had faced him once.
"Okay then, why don't you go and get washed up, I'll follow after you're done."
"You're not gonna peep on me, are you?" Akane asked warily.
"Huh?" Ranma knew a loaded question when he saw one, "It wouldn't be right to invade on your privacy."
Akane wasn't so sure, and pressed forward, "So, you don't think the fact that I may be your fiancée gives you any right?"
"No it wouldn't give me any WHAT?!?" Ranma screeched the last part, "Whaddya mean by that?"
Akane was taken aback by Ranma's shout, "What do you mean 'what do I mean by that'? I'm pretty sure a perverted boy like you is salivating over being engaged to either me or one of my sisters. Just to let you know, it isn't going to happen."
"Please, can you tell me how we came to be engaged?" Ranma asked with a strained voice through gritted teeth.
"Okay, if you want to play the moron, fine. Our fathers apparently engaged you to one of us for some stupid reason. I don't want to disappoint my Dad, but I'm afraid I won't let that happen, or let him decide who we're going to marry." Satisfied, Akane went to wash up and soak.
Ranma stood in the dojo fuming several minutes after the raven haired girl left, breaking the marker he had in his hand in irritation, "Oh, Pop, just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and find a way of ticking me off again." Ranma started to consider his options, when the answer ran into his leg.
________________________________________
Akane let her guard down once she was in the furo. Ranma had definitely thrown her for a loop. He didn't SEEM like the perverted boys in school, but he definitely wasn't a Dr. Tofu. She sighed and dunked her head, dribbling a few bubbles to the surface, why was she even considering Ranma? It wasn't like he was going to marry anyone in her family, much less her. She did admit that he was okay, for a boy, but that didn't mean she trusted him as far as she could throw him. He did seem sincere when he acted like he didn't know anything about the engagement. She would have to check on this further.
Akane got out of the tub and scrubbed herself dry. She looked in the mirror, and was slightly pleased that blue on and around her lips was starting to slightly fade. She got dressed and went down stairs.
________________________________________
"Oh, how cute!" Kasumi exclaimed while drinking from her glass of milk, looking at what Ranma was holding. Ranma smirked to himself, pretty sure that the eldest Tendou girl didn't usually drink this much milk.
"Yeah, his name's Bunny," Ranma stated proudly, will cradling the white rabbit in one arm while petting it in the other, "I found him when I was in China, thought I lost him there too," Ranma said the second part with no little bit of irritation.
"May I hold him?" Kasumi asked, reaching out her hands, just then the front door opened.
"We're back, what has the boy done while we were gone?" Genma called out, already braced for whatever headaches would be thrown his way.
"Hey Pop! Guess what?" Genma knew now to tread cautiously.
"What... boy?" Genma looked around, scanning for any traps.
"You remember that tragic accident when we were training on that snow covered peak?"
"Yeah, what about it?" the boy was beating around the bush; this was definitely a five alarmer.
"Well, I guess it wasn't so tragic after all!" Ranma called out happily, cradling his pet as he met with his father.
Genma went absolutely pale.
"Oh, so this is what Ranma looks like in his guy form?" Soun enquired, assessing the young man visually, his daughters shouldn't have any qualms about marrying the young man.
"Bunny apparently managed to survive the fall! Isn't that great? I guess that gust of 'wind' didn't throw him that far off the side," Ranma narrowed his eyes at his father, "Your pitching arm ain't what it used to be, Pop."
Genma turned to stone.
"Um, a rabbit?" Mr. Tendou enquired, "That doesn't seem like a pet a young man would have."
"Well, Bunny's different from other rabbits," Ranma stated, stroking the fur of the white rabbit that sat docile in the nook of his arm.
Only noticed by Genma, the rabbit glared at him sideways, in a way that stated untold agony and torment. He should have thrown the damn fur ball farther.
"Oh? A bunny?" Akane enquired as she came out of the bathroom, "How cute!" Akane went to pet it before Genma could snap out of his trance he went into from staring at the thing eye to eye and warn the girl.
The bunny suddenly turned on the approaching girl, and *roared*. Akane let out a blood-curdling scream as she jerked her hand back in time from being bitten off. Soun seemed calm, though his hair was sticking straight out, while Kasumi let out a surprised 'oh my'.
"That's an awfully... big... sound that rabbit makes," Soun stated calmly, before falling backwards.
"Gu-gu-gu-gu...." Akane babbled, holding her hand as far away from the again seemingly docile bunny as she could.
"Slow...poke," Akane blinked from her gut wrenching terror and turned towards her sister.
"What did you say, Kasumi?"
"Too... slow," Kasumi said slowly, as if she was reading something, while facing Akane. Akane started to grow red in the face, she wasn't sure if she could take being insulted by her eldest sister.
Ranma tried to control his snicker; it was about time someone noticed.
"Um, maybe we should put him out back, we still have the pet carrier until we can get him a cage," Kasumi stated as she approached Ranma and his pet. Bunny turned towards Kasumi and let out a deep growl, which caused the girl to jump back.
"Or maybe not. I think it's best that it stays with Ranma."
What stays with Ranma?" Nabiki asked, as she approached everyone. She caught a good look at Ranma, "Who's the hunk?"
"Oh, you haven't seen Ranma's guy form yet," Kasumi stated sweetly, gesturing to the pigtailed boy.
"Yo," Ranma greeted, waving his free hand.
"You... have a bunny?" Nabiki asked, staring at the fur ball, which stared back with undisguised malice.
"It's as good as any pet!" Ranma exclaimed indignantly.
"Uh, Nabiki, how come your lips aren't...?" Kasumi asked, still shielding her mouth with a glass of milk.
"You've been nursing that glass for a long time," Ranma commented casually, "pretty sure that milk's pretty warm by now."
"Oh, I like it warm," Kasumi stated serenely.
"What? Something wrong with my lips?" Nabiki started to lick them in concern.
"Kasumi, what about her lips?" Akane asked, staring intently at her older sister. Kasumi seemed to hold the glass much more firm against her mouth.
"Well, I've never known Kasumi to act so..." Nabiki stopped once she got a good look at her sister; it took all her will to keep her face emotionless.
Akane 'eeped', and covered her lips with her hand. Nabiki's eyes went wide as she stared at what was on Akane's hands, and she couldn't hold it in any longer. Genma became curious, and then looked at Akane. His martial arts discipline was taken to great lengths to keep from joining the middle Tendou daughter.
"You guys are just *so* rude!" Akane growled menacingly, which was undermined by the muffled sound of her voice under her hands.
"Um, Ranma, could I speak to you in the kitchen?" Kasumi asked over Nabiki's gut roaring laughter.
"Sure," Ranma commented, "Take him for me, will ya?" Ranma passed off the rabbit to Akane. The girl 'eeped', as she held the growling bunny at arms length.
"Ranma," Kasumi started, "I recall you were the only one in the kitchen this morning other than me."
"Um, yeah," Ranma replied a bit nervously.
"I don't mind assistance with cooking, but next time, I ask that you tell me first, so that there won't be any more problems," Kasumi leaned up against the counter, staring hard at Ranma.
Ranma's eyebrows rose as he took a step back, "Um, s-sure."
"I'm glad that we agree," Kasumi stated, with a stern tone, "You can go now." Ranma quickly scurried out of the kitchen.
Kasumi sighed, she had thought the boy was pretty mature, but...
The eldest Tendou Daughter was brought out of her musing by a knock at the door, "I'll get it!"
A smiling Kasumi opened to door, to greet a small army of Chinese women in leather breastplates, brandishing weapons.
"Where Ranma?" The lavender haired girl who was carrying two colorful and heavy looking maces enquired.
"Ranma, it's for you," Kasumi stated a bit nervously.
"We're home!" Ranma called out cheerfully, as he and Akane removed their shoes.
"Oh, hello Ranma, how was your first day?" Kasumi asked cheerfully, drinking a glass of milk.
"It wasn't half bad. I don't think I wouldn't mind going tomorrow. Is Pop around?"
"I haven't seen your father in a while, I think he went out with ours."
"Ah, okay," Ranma replied with slight disappointment, "Hey, 'Kane, you wanted to spar?"
"Sure, but first, you said you were gonna change into a guy?" Akane reminded, she didn't want the redhead girl getting out of this.
"Fine, I did promise, didn't I? Kasumi, got any hot water around?" Kasumi went into the kitchen and came back with a kettle.
"Your father told me that it would be best to keep one at ready."
"Well, I guess he is good for something," Ranma commented, upending the kettle onto her head. Kasumi and Akane gasped at the sight of the handsome young man that now stood before them. As if just noticing the attention, he posed, "So, how do I look?"
Akane managed to get her jaw realigned before the feeling of disappointment hit her; he really was a guy, "Hmph you said you wanted to spar?" Akane didn't even wait for an answer, as she started up the stairs.
Ranma blinked at the sudden change in the girl's attitude, "Uh, sure."
"Well, I think you look nice, Ranma-kun," Kasumi complimented towards the retreating boy.
Ranma turned back, and blinked a couple of times, "Uh, thanks."
________________________________________
In the bushes within the Tendou yard, a pair of red eyes looked towards the house, its master was there, and so was the other one. It's nose twitched in irritation, the other one would pay for trying to abandon it, oh yes... the other one will.
With a mighty bound, the creature leapt towards the porch; first it had to find its master.
________________________________________
"STAND STILL AND FIGHT ME!!!!" Akane was already angry, her new friend turned out indeed to be a perverted boy, and now the perverted boy was trying to make a fool of her, the greatest in Nerima. And that blue stuff on her lips STILL hasn't come off!
"I am fighting you," Ranma stated calmly, giving minimal effort to evade Akane's attacks, "I'm seeing how you fight, and trying to find openings that I can take advantage of."
Akane grinned to herself, that must have meant that he just couldn't find any flaw in her fighting style. If she kept it up, she would wear him down eventually. Her assessment was proven flawed, as Ranma suddenly shifted in stance and became the aggressor. Akane's eyes went wide as she was suddenly forced to backpedal and block the sudden rush of attacks. Ranma seemed to have a contemplative and concentrating expression, as he broke through the other girl's guard, delivering light but lightning fast taps to his opponent.
Then, after a few moments, Ranma broke away, "You're not too bad, but you're a bit slow." He panted a bit, feigning slight exertion.
Akane blinked once, and begrudgingly accepted the compliment, "Thanks... I guess."
"Well, 'Kane, I don't suppose you wouldn't mind sparring with me often then? Pop's kinda predictable now and he's getting kinda dull."
"Sure!" Akane chirped, next time she'll show this boy who was better, now that she had faced him once.
"Okay then, why don't you go and get washed up, I'll follow after you're done."
"You're not gonna peep on me, are you?" Akane asked warily.
"Huh?" Ranma knew a loaded question when he saw one, "It wouldn't be right to invade on your privacy."
Akane wasn't so sure, and pressed forward, "So, you don't think the fact that I may be your fiancée gives you any right?"
"No it wouldn't give me any WHAT?!?" Ranma screeched the last part, "Whaddya mean by that?"
Akane was taken aback by Ranma's shout, "What do you mean 'what do I mean by that'? I'm pretty sure a perverted boy like you is salivating over being engaged to either me or one of my sisters. Just to let you know, it isn't going to happen."
"Please, can you tell me how we came to be engaged?" Ranma asked with a strained voice through gritted teeth.
"Okay, if you want to play the moron, fine. Our fathers apparently engaged you to one of us for some stupid reason. I don't want to disappoint my Dad, but I'm afraid I won't let that happen, or let him decide who we're going to marry." Satisfied, Akane went to wash up and soak.
Ranma stood in the dojo fuming several minutes after the raven haired girl left, breaking the marker he had in his hand in irritation, "Oh, Pop, just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and find a way of ticking me off again." Ranma started to consider his options, when the answer ran into his leg.
________________________________________
Akane let her guard down once she was in the furo. Ranma had definitely thrown her for a loop. He didn't SEEM like the perverted boys in school, but he definitely wasn't a Dr. Tofu. She sighed and dunked her head, dribbling a few bubbles to the surface, why was she even considering Ranma? It wasn't like he was going to marry anyone in her family, much less her. She did admit that he was okay, for a boy, but that didn't mean she trusted him as far as she could throw him. He did seem sincere when he acted like he didn't know anything about the engagement. She would have to check on this further.
Akane got out of the tub and scrubbed herself dry. She looked in the mirror, and was slightly pleased that blue on and around her lips was starting to slightly fade. She got dressed and went down stairs.
________________________________________
"Oh, how cute!" Kasumi exclaimed while drinking from her glass of milk, looking at what Ranma was holding. Ranma smirked to himself, pretty sure that the eldest Tendou girl didn't usually drink this much milk.
"Yeah, his name's Bunny," Ranma stated proudly, will cradling the white rabbit in one arm while petting it in the other, "I found him when I was in China, thought I lost him there too," Ranma said the second part with no little bit of irritation.
"May I hold him?" Kasumi asked, reaching out her hands, just then the front door opened.
"We're back, what has the boy done while we were gone?" Genma called out, already braced for whatever headaches would be thrown his way.
"Hey Pop! Guess what?" Genma knew now to tread cautiously.
"What... boy?" Genma looked around, scanning for any traps.
"You remember that tragic accident when we were training on that snow covered peak?"
"Yeah, what about it?" the boy was beating around the bush; this was definitely a five alarmer.
"Well, I guess it wasn't so tragic after all!" Ranma called out happily, cradling his pet as he met with his father.
Genma went absolutely pale.
"Oh, so this is what Ranma looks like in his guy form?" Soun enquired, assessing the young man visually, his daughters shouldn't have any qualms about marrying the young man.
"Bunny apparently managed to survive the fall! Isn't that great? I guess that gust of 'wind' didn't throw him that far off the side," Ranma narrowed his eyes at his father, "Your pitching arm ain't what it used to be, Pop."
Genma turned to stone.
"Um, a rabbit?" Mr. Tendou enquired, "That doesn't seem like a pet a young man would have."
"Well, Bunny's different from other rabbits," Ranma stated, stroking the fur of the white rabbit that sat docile in the nook of his arm.
Only noticed by Genma, the rabbit glared at him sideways, in a way that stated untold agony and torment. He should have thrown the damn fur ball farther.
"Oh? A bunny?" Akane enquired as she came out of the bathroom, "How cute!" Akane went to pet it before Genma could snap out of his trance he went into from staring at the thing eye to eye and warn the girl.
The bunny suddenly turned on the approaching girl, and *roared*. Akane let out a blood-curdling scream as she jerked her hand back in time from being bitten off. Soun seemed calm, though his hair was sticking straight out, while Kasumi let out a surprised 'oh my'.
"That's an awfully... big... sound that rabbit makes," Soun stated calmly, before falling backwards.
"Gu-gu-gu-gu...." Akane babbled, holding her hand as far away from the again seemingly docile bunny as she could.
"Slow...poke," Akane blinked from her gut wrenching terror and turned towards her sister.
"What did you say, Kasumi?"
"Too... slow," Kasumi said slowly, as if she was reading something, while facing Akane. Akane started to grow red in the face, she wasn't sure if she could take being insulted by her eldest sister.
Ranma tried to control his snicker; it was about time someone noticed.
"Um, maybe we should put him out back, we still have the pet carrier until we can get him a cage," Kasumi stated as she approached Ranma and his pet. Bunny turned towards Kasumi and let out a deep growl, which caused the girl to jump back.
"Or maybe not. I think it's best that it stays with Ranma."
What stays with Ranma?" Nabiki asked, as she approached everyone. She caught a good look at Ranma, "Who's the hunk?"
"Oh, you haven't seen Ranma's guy form yet," Kasumi stated sweetly, gesturing to the pigtailed boy.
"Yo," Ranma greeted, waving his free hand.
"You... have a bunny?" Nabiki asked, staring at the fur ball, which stared back with undisguised malice.
"It's as good as any pet!" Ranma exclaimed indignantly.
"Uh, Nabiki, how come your lips aren't...?" Kasumi asked, still shielding her mouth with a glass of milk.
"You've been nursing that glass for a long time," Ranma commented casually, "pretty sure that milk's pretty warm by now."
"Oh, I like it warm," Kasumi stated serenely.
"What? Something wrong with my lips?" Nabiki started to lick them in concern.
"Kasumi, what about her lips?" Akane asked, staring intently at her older sister. Kasumi seemed to hold the glass much more firm against her mouth.
"Well, I've never known Kasumi to act so..." Nabiki stopped once she got a good look at her sister; it took all her will to keep her face emotionless.
Akane 'eeped', and covered her lips with her hand. Nabiki's eyes went wide as she stared at what was on Akane's hands, and she couldn't hold it in any longer. Genma became curious, and then looked at Akane. His martial arts discipline was taken to great lengths to keep from joining the middle Tendou daughter.
"You guys are just *so* rude!" Akane growled menacingly, which was undermined by the muffled sound of her voice under her hands.
"Um, Ranma, could I speak to you in the kitchen?" Kasumi asked over Nabiki's gut roaring laughter.
"Sure," Ranma commented, "Take him for me, will ya?" Ranma passed off the rabbit to Akane. The girl 'eeped', as she held the growling bunny at arms length.
"Ranma," Kasumi started, "I recall you were the only one in the kitchen this morning other than me."
"Um, yeah," Ranma replied a bit nervously.
"I don't mind assistance with cooking, but next time, I ask that you tell me first, so that there won't be any more problems," Kasumi leaned up against the counter, staring hard at Ranma.
Ranma's eyebrows rose as he took a step back, "Um, s-sure."
"I'm glad that we agree," Kasumi stated, with a stern tone, "You can go now." Ranma quickly scurried out of the kitchen.
Kasumi sighed, she had thought the boy was pretty mature, but...
The eldest Tendou Daughter was brought out of her musing by a knock at the door, "I'll get it!"
A smiling Kasumi opened to door, to greet a small army of Chinese women in leather breastplates, brandishing weapons.
"Where Ranma?" The lavender haired girl who was carrying two colorful and heavy looking maces enquired.
"Ranma, it's for you," Kasumi stated a bit nervously.