Two weeks had passed since the fight with Xiadou and since Daisuke woke up. Ranma visited Daisuke several times in the hospital since that day and was relieved when he was pronounced well enough to come back to school just before the Fall semester started. Ranma had just come back from the hospital and sat down by the table in the living room. She was writing down some of her thoughts in the journal.

Glad Daisuke is going home. Still feel guilty for putting him into this.

Ranma began drawing crude figures in poses, trying to come up with a kata that could be beginner friendly but cover what she thought were the most important fundamentals of martial arts. She started a simple sketch of a man in dougi performing the start of a kempo form. She repeated the drawing in steps to make a diagram. .

Haven't told Hiro and Sayuri yet. When School starts on Monday I will get things in order.

The figure Ranma drew in the diagram began to change as the diagram moved from Kenpo to Northern Shaolin Style to Wing Chun stances. The figure's hair grew longer and the pant legs of the dougi grew wider with each successive drawing . It was slow going and Ranma wished she was a better artist.

We need to train: Basic forms, open hand, wing chun, conditioning. Not much time... condense?

Frustrated by her childish grasp of form, shape and anatomy, she distracted herself by doodling in the margins. A roundish blob that reminded her of the Mouko Takabisha or the Houhou Douhatsu Shouten. A gnarled oblong shape that could be Cologne's staff or, from another perspective, a Cheeto puff. After a break, she went back to her main task.

The form depicted in Ranma's drawing now incorporated circular movements of Taiqiquan, Ranma trying her best to incorporate arrows to indicate that motion on the page. A circular arrow she drew to show the figure in the diagram spin became a straw hat in the next drawing, which accompanied the back length long hair and hakama.

What if something else happens to them? Why is Xiadou trying to kill us? Why... why is it getting so hard just to live out here?

The forms movements now incorporated capoeira as the figure began jumping and twirling. The figure itself became distinctly curvy and detailed compared to the original, dougi clad figure.

Cried in front of Daisuke again without meaning to. He just reassured me. Dude is the one in the hospital and he reassured me . I don't get it.

The diagram of the form ended with the figure standing feets shoulder length apart, showing off the flowing skirt. The figure's slender arms were pressed together in front of her polkadot dress pushing out a large blob representing the visible ki she had used in the last major dream. Ranma even made sure to make the floppy straw hat get pushed back by the energy along with the long flowing hair.

Ranma chuckled to herself when she finished, satisfied at the full variety of movements and styles incorporated. As she thought of other training ideas, she began idly doodling the outfit her figure had worn on the margins as well.

"What's that, Saotome?" A voice behind Ranma asked. With a gasp she closed her journal and clasped it to her chest. She turned back and saw Akane's sister, Nabiki, behind her, looking down with a bare smile that Ranma couldn't decide if it was predatory or simply impish.

"Oh, uh, nothing. Notes," Ranma said.

"Looks like a diary to me."

Ranma shook her head. "No. These are training notes. Master Guo asked me to keep a record since he can't be here to oversee my training and Pops is too busy with his night job ta do so himself."

Nabiki sniffed the air and let out a low hum. "... I see. Well, I fail to see how a fashion illustration qualifies as training, but, you know, I'm not the jock here." Nabiki let out a small triumphant 'hah' and walked off. Ranma relaxed her arms and sighed.

She looked back into her journal and saw the doodle she was working on. The figure was now a crude sketch of herself, her dream self anyway, in a flowy sundress and floppy straw hat. "Ugh," Ranma muttered. "How freaking cliché can ya get?"


夢ばかりじゃない少女

Yume Bakari Jya Nai Shoujo 〜 Not Just a Dream Girl

Chapter 5

Understandable Fears, Untold Confessions


Ranma woke up from dreamless sleep. She found herself in an empty room. This wasn't unusual as Genma would probably not come in from his night shift job until after they had gone off to school.

Ranma took a deep breath and centered herself. It was barely six in the morning, the first day of the fall semester: there would be enough time to get a workout in, bathe, dress, and get breakfast before school. She looked at the winter uniform, the long sleeved shirt, black slacks and gakuran jacket.

She sighed. Not only would it be too hot to wear now in early September when it still sometimes got as warm as 32 degrees, but the thought of wearing it simply grated at her. Not the outfit itself, exactly. Sure, the fabric was a bit coarse and itchy, but in general Ranma preferred pants for moving around and fighting, anyway. The uniform wasn't really that much different going from Summer to Winter versions. She was the one that had changed over the break.

As Ranma stood and saw herself in the mirror, tall, a bit broad shouldered and with her long black hair pulled into a braid, she felt herself deflate as she sighed. It wasn't the clothes' fault... It was her. She was wrong. She wondered how she could alter herself the way one can alter a blazer.

She glanced back and saw that ten minutes had passed. Ranma put those thoughts aside, stood and stretched before changing into some shorts and a tank top and ran to the dojo.

She slid open the door to find Akane already there. From the looks of the kata she was practicing and the sweat that dripped from her short hair, she had been here a while. "Akane?" Ranma asked out loud.

The black haired girl stopped and waved. "Hey! Morning!"

"Yeah... Wow, you're up early."

Akane shrugged. "I dunno, I just sort of naturally got up and felt like practicing some moves." She ran to one end of the dojo, turned back and jumped high in the air. To Ranma's eyes, she seemed to fly as she contorted her body, going through a series of punches, strikes and kicks before landing on the other side of the dojo. She had landed on her feet, but the momentum was so great she couldn't stop herself until she slammed against the wall.

"Woah! Akane!" Ranma ran to meet her. "You okay?"

Akane steadied herself. "Yeah... I guess I need to learn some control."

Ranma let out a dry laugh. "Well you have that Phoenix Rage to contain. It..." Ranma took a step back and said, quietly. "It suits you."

Akane looked quizzically at Ranma for just a second, but she then gave Ranma a small smile. "Thanks." She rubbed her shoulder and added, "Hey, I should probably take it easy after running into the dojo like a bird and a freshly washed window. Let's spar after school in the club room, okay?"

Ranma nodded. "Maybe outside might be better, if we wanna..." She pointed towards the ceiling, twirling a finger in a spiral.

Akane thought for a second. "Yeah, maybe." She let out a laugh and gave Ranma a peace sign as she walked off back to the house.

Ranma walked back to the edge of the dojo, bowed to the small iroha plaque and then began a series of warmups before moving into a set of kata. She tried to clear her mind of the clutter around her and focus on doing her best, despite the handicap of this form.


Ranma and Akane walked together to school. It was still warm and the uniform felt stiff and too hot. She put it in the back of her mind until she saw the school gate. It was normal enough.

Akane went off to the club meeting. Ranma wandered down the hallway towards the new classroom for the semester. She stopped in her tracks when she saw a familiar, but unwelcome presence in front of her. He was in his uniform, though his gakuran was open. As usual, he let his bokken rest on his shoulder as he sauntered towards Ranma. He finally noticed her and stopped.

Tatewaki regarded Ranma with narrowed eyes before moving up to her. Ranma gritted her teeth behind a flat expression as the taller boy stood in front of her.

The boy nodded. "...hey, Saotome. Have a good summer?"

"What do you want?" Ranma fought back the urge to raise his arms defensively.

Kuno smirked at her. "Nothing, really." He bounced the bokken on his shoulder as he thought. "There is something different about you, though."

Ranma cricked her neck and wished she was wearing something a bit more conducive to fighting. "The Fall uniform, maybe?" she quipped.

Tatewaki took a step back, rubbing his eyes. "Just so y'know. I'd always be up for a rematch, Saotome." he quickly added, "friendly this time." Tatewaki smirked. "I mean, if you'd think it'd be untoward of me to ask you, it's no skin off—"

Ranma cut him off. "Okay. Maybe. If there's an opening in my schedule, Kuno. No promises, though." She let herself smile in a slightly cocky manner at the tall boy in front of her. "I won't hold back, so don't come crying about getting your ass kicked."

Tatewaki scoffed. "Ah, it's a date, then?" Ranma paled a bit at the word, slightly choking in shock. Tatewaki let out a bit of a haughty laugh. "Maybe after you've checked in with your 'better half'." He walked past Ranma and waved, yelling out, "You have a nice time now, little lady. Give Tendo my regards."

Ranma let out a disgusted groan and walked to class, tugging at the stiff sleeves of the gakuran.


The homeroom teacher went on a long rant about the next semester and how important the upcoming exams, cultural festival, and other milestones of the fall semester were.

Most of the students nodded along, or lolled their heads, half asleep from not being quite back on school time yet. For her part, Akane was similarly distracted, tuning out the teacher to note who was in their class this semester, since the classes were mixed up every term. Daisuke and Sayuri ended up in Class 2-B while she, Ranma, and Hiroshi were in Class 2-C. From the corner of her vision, Akane noticed Ranma fidgeting at his seat and looking nervous. She wondered if he was okay when a new, unwelcomed addition to the class whispered from behind.

"What's wrong, Akane?" Yuka whispered. "You finally decided you were just 'experimenting' after all? Is that why you never bothered answering my calls or saying hi to me all summer?"

Akane closed her eyes and silently counted to ten. She shook her head subtly and shushed Yuka.

"Decided to just accept your life with the creepy boy to make your family happy?"

"What are you talking about?" Akane whispered back, not turning to look at the voice.

"I see you looking at that freeloader who lives with 've given up on being yourself, haven't you?"

Akane felt the pencil in her hand crack a bit as she gripped it tightly. "I don't see how my life is any of your business anymore."

"Hmph. Figures I'm the only one who has the guts to be real. You're just a coward like your creep friend."

Akane despite herself spoke up loudly, "How dare you—"

"Ms. Tendo, if you are done interrupting me," The teacher interrupted. "go stand outside."

Akane groaned and went outside of the class. She noticed Ranma giving her a confused glance as she went out into the hallway.

After Akane heard a few choice words from the homeroom teacher after he stepped out, Akane walked out of class. She briefly noticed Ranma writing in a small book he'd been carrying around before looking back at Yuka.

"You wanna tell me what that was about?"

Yuka looked at Akane with a hurt expression, " I guess I just needed to know where your loyalties lie once and for all. I suppose I was stupid for thinking there were still any feelings between us. Maybe you're one of those 'Class S' bitches after all."

Akane's hand balled up into a fist and she felt herself shake a bit. However, before Akane could press Yuka, the English teacher walked in and Akane decided whatever Yuka was going on about could wait until after school at club practice.


After school, Ranma was mulling at her desk. She heard a dull metallic tapping on the floor and looked up to see Daisuke, walking with a cane along with Hiroshi and Sayuri.

"Hey guys. Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk today." Ranma looked sheepishly at her friends. "I needed some time alone. How are you feeling, Dai?"

Daisuke gave Ranma a searching look and said, "Better. Just exhausted. Never thought just sitting down would be tiring. The doctor says I should probably be back to my full strength in a month or so."

Ranma gave a sigh of relief at the news. Daisuke then motioned behind him. "We should find a place to talk."

"Well I was going to spar with Akane in the club room after their practice, so let's talk there?"

The four went out towards the karate club room and sat down on the floor in an otherwise quiet hallway just outside of the practice space.

"Why aren't you in there working out with them, Ranma?" Hiroshi asked.

"I... Well I wanted to be able to go all out when Akane and I spar. That n' Dai..." she felt a lump in her throat. "Dai thought we should talk now that we're all here again together." Ranma sighed. She looked up at Daisuke, who raised his cane and gave her a thumbs up.

"Yeah, I guess there's a few things we gotta get straight," Ranma reaffirmed.

"There's someone in the dreams... She goes by Xiadou. She knows Cologne and tried to capture her and Daisuke. That's why Daisuke was unconscious."

"Yes. She took me and the old biddy hostage. It was... bad. A cold and dark feeling." Daisuke shook his head. "It was like my mind or my soul had been grabbed by an eagle's talons and taken off somewhere... I didn't know where I was for the longest time. I thought I was dead, though I felt the time pass somehow. It felt like forever and... for a long time I honestly thought I was going to be lost forever."

Daisuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Sorry, I uh... I guess it was then I felt movement and noise, but it was still dark. Then there was a flash of blue and red light and pain and..." Daisuke choked out a laugh. "The pain sucked so much. But I felt something . Something had happened. The old ghoul and I were awake and ourselves and..." Daisuke looked up to Ranma, prompting the girl in the boys' uniform to blush a bit. "Ranma and Akane saved my life."

Ranma held up her hands in protest. "No way Dai, we only just..."

"You two did good. But that I think brings us to the next problem."

Ranma added, "Yeah. I don't think that's the last we're gonna see of Xiadou. And she ain't gonna stop at kidnappin' Daisuke. You guys could be next. That means we gotta get you up ta fightin' speed as soon as possible."

Hiroshi was taken aback as he blinked in surprise. "Fighting speed?"

Sayuri pointed at herself. "Us?"

"I'm sorry, guys. Ya shouldn't have ta deal with this, but if Daisuke got hurt, there's a good shot you're wrapped up in this mess, too. I wanna... no, it's my responsibility to give you a fighting chance." Ranma felt her eyes moisten and inwardly berated herself for getting overwhelmed.

Hiroshi and Sayuri looked at each other for a moment

"Okay," Sayuri answered. "I can do that."

"Yeah, same," Hiroshi added, "What about Dai though?"

Daisuke chuckled and grabbed his cane, holding it out like a sword. "I'm gonna have to do my best for now until I'm healthy again. I think training with Ranma and Akane will be better than physical therapy, though."

Ranma wiped her face and bowed to everyone, "Thanks guys. I'm gonna try real hard to be the best sensei I can be."

Daisuke motioned with his cane. Ranma blinked and said, "Oh! Yeah, there's somethin' else I need to say. It kinda has ta to do with what happened in the dream, but I figured out something about my—"

BAM! came a noise from inside the club room. Immediately, Ranma and the others' attention was focused towards the club room "What the hell is your problem, Yuka!?" they heard Akane yell out.

"My problem is you! I have to be the bad person because you're stuck on keeping your 'oh so proper' face for everyone. Everyone thinks you're so nice and kind and, and... you know what? Fuck it. I loved you, you know!"

Ranma and the others ran towards the door, opening them slightly and peeking through in time to see Yuka turned towards the confused club members, tears in her eyes.

"That's right. I was in love with school princess Akane Tendou. And you know what? So was she! We fucked! She's just as much a lesbo as I am, only I have the guts to not lie to myself and others. She just goes around acting like I never it was only about our relationship, that'd be one thing, but even here in Kenpo club, I'm just an afterthought, even though I'm the vice-president."

Yuka looked back haltingly at Akane for a second before storming out. A few steps after she left the room, Ranma stepped in and stood in front of her. "Wait a second! Why the hell did you do that!?" she asked.

Yuka wiped her face and theatrically rolled her eyes at Ranma for emphasis. "Oh, here we go. You playing the knight again, Galahad? You know she'll never be interested in a guy, let alone a creepy one like you."

Ranma gritted her teeth. "I'm n—That's not important. What the hell is your problem!? Why do that to her if ya care about her as much as you say ya do?"

"Because I could! I'm sick of her throwing me away and ignoring me. She's not better than me for staying in the closet!"

"You..." Ranma felt her body tense up. "She's better than you because she works hard, trains in the art more than anyone, and actually thinks about the consequences of her actions, you idiot!"

Yuka said, "Well what're you gonna do about it, Romeo? Fight me? It'd be unseemly for a guy to fight a girl for no reason."

Ranma was left flat footed by her remarks. She tightened her fists and her face grew red and she growled at Yuka. For her part, Yuka merely laughed and walked around Ranma before she was stopped again, this time by Sayuri who slapped Yuka on the cheek loudly, the sound echoing in the hallway outside the practice dojo.

"You know what, I actually felt some sympathy for you last semester when you broke up with Akane, but you're just a bully and a bitch."

Yuka rubbed her face and opened her mouth to say something, but instead teared up and ran further down and out of the building.

Ranma slumped down, collapsing in on herself.

"Woah, hey Ranma, you okay?" Hiroshi asked. Ranma didn't really make a sound or move much and Hiroshi was unsure of what was going on until the sound of Daisuke's cane altered him to his friend's presence. Daisuke walked around to the other side of Ranma and slowly, with a grimace of effort on his face, kneeled next to Ranma and whispered something.

Ranma slowly nodded and after a bit of back and forth, helped Daisuke stand back up as she got back on her feet.

By the time the quartet came back together, they noticed the crowd of Karate Club members walk out, whispering loudly amongst themselves. As soon as they trickled out, Ranma darted back inside, kicking off her shoes to walk on the training mats.

She found Akane, sitting in seiza and facing away from the door. Ranma slowed down and stood behind Akane. She was about to say something but stopped as she heard Akane sniffling back tears.

Ranma stood silent as Hiroshi and Sayuri ran past her and kneeled down to give her a hug. She wasn't aware she was trembling until she felt Daisuke's hand on her shoulder.

"Akane, we're here for you, okay?" Sayuri said through the hug.

"W-what am I going to do?"

"We got your back, Akane," Hiroshi said. "We're not going to let anyone push you around."


The last part of the walk home, after Hiroshi, Daisuke, and Sayuri split off, was more silent than normal. Akane walked slowly, her steps feeling more ponderous as she neared home. Ranma, for her part, was busy looking at her feet.

As they walked over the bridge crossing the canal, Ranma asked, "So, uh...

"Ranma," Akane cut her off. "I know what you wanna do. I appreciate it. I'm glad I have a friend like you who is trying to cheer me up. I'm not mad, but... you can't understand how this feels. You don't know how scared I am right now."

Ranma opened her mouth, but then closed it. "Sorry."

Akane sighed and walked further ahead of Ranma, mulling over things in silence until they got home..

As they entered and changed shoes, they found Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi gathered around the table in the washitsu, dinner already on the table.

"Well you all are rather late," Kasumi said. "You almost missed dinner."

Akane said in a quiet voice, "sorry, Sis." and moved to the washroom. Ranma sighed.

"Is there..."

Ranma put up her hands, "No! We're good. We lost track of time with Kenpo Club."

"Oh, it's good to hear you are joining a group."

"Y-Yeah..." Ranma gulped before she ran off to wash her hands as well.

When Ranma returned to the living room, she saw Kasumi, Nabiki, Soun, and Akane seated at the table. She was glad her father had already headed off to his night job. Ranma found a space next to Akane and sat down, slumping her shoulders as she pondered the rice and soup in front of her. In all honesty, she didn't feel hungry, despite the protesting coming from her stomach.

"Is something wrong with the food?" Kasumi asked.

Ranma peaked up and shook her head. "No, no," Ranma said, awkwardly picking up the bowl of rice and eating some of it. She looked to her right and saw Akane picking at her own food.

"Akane? Are you okay?" Kasumi asked.

"I'm fine, sis," Akane quickly replied in a small voice. "Everything's good."

"Oh?" Nabiki asked, the sly edge obvious in her tone. "A little birdie or three told me something different. Something about a bad breakup with your ex?"

"What?" Soun piped up, as he put the newspaper down.

"Nabiki," Akane hissed, "Drop it."

"Why?" Nabiki laughed as she set down her bowl, finishing up dinner. "I mean, given it was, you know... I mean nobody's that surprised. Especially with the quality of boys around here," she gave Ranma a withering glare as she stood and walked past the table back to her room. "Hell, I'd probably experiment too, if I wasn't going to college next year."

Ranma set her bowl and chopsticks down at the table. She looked down at the floor before shutting her eyes. She wanted so badly to smack the smirk out of Nabiki, but thought better of it. It'd just look like a guy beatin on a girl, no matter what... she thought to herself.

"What is the meaning of this, Nabiki! Nabiki!" Soun yelled as the middle sister got up sauntered upstairs. After Nabiki left, Soun turned to Akane.

"What was Nabiki getting at? What has been going on?"

Kasumi, looked towards the stairs before saying, "F-father, maybe you should-"

"I have a right to know if my daughter is doing anything untoward , especially behind her betrothed's back!"

"It's not like that! It's just-" Akane froze, unable to say anything else. Suddenly, she stood from the table looking frantic as Soun and Kasumi stared at her. Not knowing what else to do, she darted off.

Ranma opened her eyes, surprised by the sudden noise as the other members of the Tendo family erupted in bedlam, but before they could even put on their shoes, Akane had disappeared from the house and out of sight.

Ranma just sat there, dumbstruck. She almost felt like she wasn't even physically there, as though she was hearing someone else's nightmare scenario play out. She was frozen in shock and fear. After a bit, the overwhelming noise began to muffled in her head as Ranma imagined an even worse response to her own secrets. Ranma stood up and the room began to spin. She shut her eyes again, trying not to have the world take another step.

Please make this go away. Make this stop. I can't take this. It's too much for

"...Ranma..."

Gotta shut things out. This isn't about you. This isn't about you.

"Ranma..."

I can't help her. I don't know how to help myself. I'm all messed up and I can't I can't I

"Ranma!"

Ranma opened her eyes, she looked up and saw Kasumi, her eyes red with tears. "Please."

"What?"

"Please help me find Akane, Ranma. Father is livid and Nabiki just... went off somewhere to sulk and—and I don't know what to do. I just turned a blind eye to everything and I just... assumed things would sort themselves out."

"I... I don't know if I should, I don't— I don't even know where she could have gone exactly."

"You know her better than anyone else I can ask right now."

"But... But I'm just... I'm not anythin' that—"

"You're her friend, right? I should know but... I thought I understood my sister, but maybe not as well as I thought. Can you think of anywhere, anywhere she'd be... is she with someone? As in, I mean, romantically?"

Ranma shook her head, "Not that I know of. I mean, there was someone she dated, but like that was a while ago and it didn't go so good."

Kasumi looked dismayed, "Dated? I see..." She sighed, And this whole engagement business we found ourselves in... I'm sorry."

Ranma shook her head again and said, more forcefully, "Don't be. You've been— I'm glad I'm here." Finally she stood, coming eye to eye with Kasumi. "We'll figure somethin' out, okay?" Ranma turned, grabbed a light windbreaker, and ran out.


Akane stopped and finally caught her breath. There was no one nearby on the street corner she found herself at. It was at the edge of the shopping district and after a moment to compose herself, she felt a shiver as the brisk nighttime autumn air hit her. She rubbed her eyes, still wet from crying as she ran and wiped them off on her shirt.

"What the hell do I do now?" She mumbled to herself. "Dammit, I just needed a few more years. Why did Nabiki freaking push like that!?" She clicked her teeth as she saw a familiar business. Checking her pockets, she found a few coins.

Well, 200 yen is better than nothing, Akane thought as she walked down the street and into the terrace level coffee shop.

Before she could go to the counter to order a black coffee she heard a familiar haughty baritone voice.

"Kinda late for a school night, isn't it, Tendo? Or did time stop for you too?"

Akane blinked and turned to seeTatewaki Kuno, still in his kendo club uniform.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Winding down... or winding up, I guess?" He shrugged. "Get yourself something. On me." he raised his hands. "No strings attached or any bullshit. You Just look like you could use an ear."

Akane walked to the counter. She came back with a cappuccino.

"I didn't figure you for a coffee drinker."

"Not usually, but I have to admit, I haven't been getting much sleep. You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?"

Akane blinked and quickly shook her head.

Kuno sighed. "Frankly I've been feeling a bit loopy, but uh... I'm managing. Coffee helps."

"Yeah... coffee helps sometimes," Akane said.

"But not everything."

"Not really..."

"Why are you out here then?" Kuno asked. "Avoiding sleep or... something else?"

Akane froze. "I'm surprised you haven't heard."

"I mean I already know you're a dyke," Kuno raised a hand when Akane glared at him, "Okay, lesbian or girl lover or whatever the term is. I dunno... And I mean, if it's the school knowing... fuck 'em, you can kick most of their asses if they tried to start shit and you got a friend group."

Akane nodded along.

"Not to mention that girl, Saotome."

Akane sighed.

"Look, I'm not trying to be an asshole," Kuno defended himself, "Not really..." Akane gave him another glare. "Okay, yeah. I sometimes say it to push his buttons, but I mean... maybe it's the loopiness from not sleepin' but like your pal has a bit of a 'damsel in distress' aura. Y'know what I mean?"

"...no. Ranma is a better fighter than me. He's also a boy."

"Is he? I mean like, maybe it's the lack of sleep, but it's hard for me to tell a lot."

"Why do you have such a stick in his ass about messing with him?"

"I'm not, Tendo! Really! Half the time I see Saotome, she's got red hair and a loud mouth and the other half of the time, the only real difference is that the hair's dark brown and there's less tit, but if they're 100% guy, then I'm a highborn Samurai and not just a delinquent with Dad's credit card. I mean it'd be one thing if it was like Kuroda who is like himself, a different guy, and a pig or like that one old lady who I think smacked me with a baseball bat or something... was that last month or July?"

Akane looked at Kuno with something approaching concern. "Uh, are you okay?" Akane asked.

"Not really. Maybe I should get going before I pass out on a street corner like a freakin' salaryman. Probably catch a cold if I don't shower and put on regular clothes..." He stood and looked at Akane, "Just keep the stupid shit to the side and remember you got folks in your corner."

"You?"

"No... well maybe, I'll think about it. You already got the weird old lady, the cat, the pig, the duck, and your girl, Saotome. I'm just... I'm just sleepy." Kuno walked out, tripping on the stairs up to the sidewalk before stumbling down the street towards home.


Five kilometers of running around later, Ranma made a few phone calls from a corner payphone. She wasn't at Daisuke's, Hiroshi's, or Sayuri's place. School's closed for the evening so that's a wash . Ranma stopped and thought, Where'd be the place she'd go to be alone and think? and began walking a bit further down the commercial drag.

Distracted, Ranma bumped into a taller person. "Oh, sorry I... oh, Kuno-senpai?" Ranma asked.

"Oh! Right on time. Hey Saotome." Tatewaki said with a bit of playfulness. "You look well."

"Now ain't the time or place." Ranma said flatly.

"No, I'm guessing not. Close to my bedtime, anyway," Kuno said, pointing at a bank building that listed the time: 8:27PM. "See ya round, Saotome. For what it's worth, Tendo'll be fine. I'll keep the upperclassmen from starting shit, but you know it's not much fun if I can't be a bit of a douchebag to you two ladies, personally."

"Where's Akane!?"

"Ah, Yep. I think I'm smarter when I don't sleep for 48 hours at a time. I should keep it up, maybe ace the Todai entrance exam..." Kuno wobbled down the crosswalk by the nearby curb.

"Hey, Kuno, you're a real piece a crap!" Ranma yelled.

"Your girlfriend is thinking at her usual spot."

"She's not my—aw piss off." Ranma spat at the ground towards Kuno as she ran off.

She made it down the stairs to enter the basement level coffeeshop, practically jumping down the stairs in one jump. She sighed in relief as she found Akane seated at one of the stools facing the window, holding a wide cappuccino mug with both hands. Her eyes had widened upon Ranma suddenly landing in front of the door. She hastily looked down. Akane was still looking into her drink when Ranma approached

Ranma pinched her lips, unsure what to say at first. She approached Akane and sat at a neighboring stool. "Hey."

"Hey."

"Uh..." Ranma slumped her shoulders. She pulled at her black pigtail. "So, I wanna ask if you're okay, but, um... it really feels like a dumb question. But, um... how are you doing?" There was a brief pause before she added, raising her hands defensively. "I mean, if you don't wanna speak, that's cool too. I get not feelin' like talking and, uh, I think I'll shut up now if that's okay."

Akane looked at Ranma and gave her a strained smile. "I feel like crap and I wish I could run away forever."

"I feel you. The running away part, I mean. That is, I don't want to run away right now, but just the feeling exposed and wanting to run—" Ranma paused and lightly smacked her own face. "Man, I'm really bad at this..."

Akane let out a small laugh. "It's okay. Thank you for trying. You're a good friend, Ranma."

Ranma's face grew hot under her hand, but she said, "I mean, it's what anybody'd do right? Just happened to be the g..." she paused for a moment, "person who was around ta help."

They sat in silence a bit longer. Ranma was intently focused on her own hands as Akane looked out, swishing the last few drops of her drink around the bottom of her mug.

Ranma let out a sigh. "You wanna head back now or..."

Akane shook her head, "Not yet. I'd prefer never, but for now I need a bit of time. Did you bring any money?"

Ranma shook her head. Akane reached into her pockets and gave Ranma a few coins.

"Here you can get something."

"What can I get for 200 yen?"

"Black coffee."

Ranma stuck out her tongue. "Bleh."

Akane laughed a little, "That's not very mature of you."

Ranma shrugged. "What about you? That looks like you had a fancy drink."

"Ah. Kuno was around, treated me."

"That's why he was so smug when I ran into him. I go wanderin' around like an idiot and the even bigger idiot was already here."

Akane shook her head, "No it's fine. Kuno wasn't his usual jerk self. I think... well I don't know exactly, but I think he's been a bit confused by what's been going on."

"Confused, how?"

Akane shrugged. "I dunno. Probably nothing other than kind of remembering what's happening in the dreams, but not really."

Ranma shrugged, "Well, he already had a screw loose, if ya ask me. If the dreams fried his brain, it wouldn't surprise me."

Akane chuckled. "Well he seemed harmless enough. Nice even?"

Ranma conceded, "Yeah, the dope said not to worry about the upperclassmen. I guess I was more worried about you— you and the karate club, I mean. Or our class or the teachers or..."

Akane thought about that for a bit. "Yeah, those are things I'll need to worry about. Maybe that old saying about 40 days for rumors to pass will be true and by Christmas people will get over it."

Ranma looked thoughtful. "What about your Dad?"

Akane shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know how Dad or Kasumi will take it. I mean, if it comes to it and he wants to disown me, I can figure something out."

"If he tries it, I'll make him reconsider." Ranma tightened her hands. "With my fists if needed."

"Ranma, be serious," Akane replied, "Yeah my Dad's a regressive jerk, but he's not violent. I've never seen him attack anyone in anger." Akane let out a derisive sigh, "if anything he's good enough at hurting people with words. If he wants me out he'll just yell at me and throw my clothes out the door."

"But that's awful and—" Ranma sighed. "It's just so damn unfair , y'know? You gotta deal with the chance you get thrown out into the cold n' I—"

"You what?"

"I, uh... I mean, I-uh, did I say I? I meant we shouldn't be out here at 9:30 havin' ta hash out a game plan instead of.. I dunno, homework?"

Akane giggled. "But you hate homework."

"Yeah, but I get it done! It's like doing planks or burpees. Repetitive, boring, pointless, but it sure as hell works well for training." Ranma mindlessly pulled up the bottom shirt to show off her abs and froze as she looked down and saw her body and froze.

For what was perhaps a few seconds, Ranma's expression grew blank and she felt unsure if she was at the coffee shop with Akane or a thousand miles away looking down. She felt cold and confused.

"Ranma?" Akane said in a voice that seemed to echo in whatever headspace she was in. A split-second later, like a heartbeat the sound and heat of the coffeeshop snapped back into place and Ranma let go of her shirt and looked back up.

"Uh, huh... Oh, sorry."

"Ranma, are you okay?" Akane asked. "You zoned out. Did you forget something?"

Ranma felt her skin prickle and build up to shudder, but she balled a fist under the counter they sat at, out of eyesight and she shook her head.

I can't tell her now. I can't add ta her crap. Soon, when things calm down, I'll tell her.

"No, no. Nah. Just... maybe I guess? I'm tired."

"Are you sure?"

Ranma nods. "Yeah, just getting late... Been a long day."

Akane nodded. "Yeah, it has." She stood and gave a firm pat on Ranma's shoulder. "Let's go home and find out if I still have a place to stay."

They walked in silence back towards the Tendo home, save for their footsteps and the distant barks of dogs. Ranma looked up at the few stars she could make out in the washed out light of the Tokyo night sky. She remembered the glittering sea of stars when she was in China. She glanced at Akane who was staring at the ground.

Ranma stopped walking. "Hey Akane..." she began, "You remember when we saved Daisuke in the dream?"

Akane nodded.

"Remember the stars in that dream?"

Akane replied, "Yeah. I'd never seen anything like it outside of a movie."

"Yeah, you can't see stars like that here. Even out in China, ya gotta get pretty far from Xining before the sky opens up like it..."

"Do you want to go back?" Akane asked.

"Someday. Maybe after we figure out how to deal with Xiadou and that stuff. I need to thank Master Guo."

"You think I could come along?"

"Yeah if ya want. Master Guo'd love ta meet ya. He's a nice guy..." Ranma looked at Akane, "Hey, uh, I never really thanked you."

"For what?"

"For saving me." When Akane cocked her head, "In the dream, in the fight with Ryouga there... you really helped me."

"Well I was trying to find a way to channel energy to fight back and—" Akane began but stopped when Ranma shook her head.

"Nah, I mean, you helped figure out what mattered n' I... I'm not sure how ta say anything else 'cept... Thanks."

"You're... welcome?" Akane replied hesitantly.

As the two made it back to the house, Akane slid open the door and said, quietly, "we're back."

In a rush, Soun and Kasumi arrived at the entrance. "Ranma, Akane. Welcome back," Kasumi announced, the relief evident on her voice as she touched her chest and wiped her face.

"Sis..." Akane said.

"Oh, Akane! I'm sorry," Soun began. "I let my emotion get the better of me!" Akane blinked as her father continued, "I don't want you to think I'm some sort of monster who wants to control his daughters' lives."

Ranma cocker her head, confused. Akane, for her part, "Then you mean..."

"Nabiki explained to me that she was exaggerating. I thought some sort of unseemly behavior was happening, but your sister was quick to explain how dramatic friendships between young girls can be."

Akane's reaction fell flat as her father added, "I know it can be difficult to lose a long-time friend, and especially at your age. I hope you can forgive me for going overboard, but please don't give me and your family a scare like that again."

Akane replied in a flat tone, "Ah... No, I... I guess I was just in a sensitive mood. Sorry for running off, Dad."

"It's okay Akane. I'm just glad your fiancé is a dependable young man and was able to find you and set things straight. Anyway, It's getting late and there's school in the morning. Good night." There was a deathly quiet as Soun, satistisfied, went to his bedroom.

"That's just great," Ranma blurted out, rubbing her face, "Your old man is too dumb to disown ya."

"Ranma! Kasumi's here!"

"Ah, shi—" Ranma replied, just barely stopping herself.

Kasumi raised her hands in defense, "Now now. It's fine. Father may be easily swayed, but I gathered what was really happening... Oh, Akane." Kasumi let out a sigh. "How long has this been going on?"

"Uh, I mean well... Yuka and I were... together since 8th grade. But we broke up a while ago! She just decided today to blurt it out to the whole school because of some grudge she's nursing."

Kasumi reached out and gave Akane a hug. "I'm sorry you had to deal with this on your own."

"I.. My friends helped me deal with it. Ranma, especially."

Kasumi sighed, "I should have helped, too. I know father is... well father. But know that I support you no matter what happens in your life. You're my baby sister. I'm sorry if I made you feel like you couldn't come to me with your troubles."

"It's okay, Kasumi. I know now."

Kasumi let go of Akane and asked, "But what about Ranma?" Ranma blinked as she was not really expecting any of the attention to be on her.

Akane shook her head. "It's okay. I told him the day he came and he was okay with it. He kept my secret. As for what happens... we'll figure it out later, but ever since he came... he's been one of, no, he's my best friend right now."

Ranma strained to keep her face from twitching or her eyes from tearing. As Kasumi moved towards her, Ranma turned away, acting like she was heading upstairs. She froze when Kasumi hugged her.

"Thank you, Ranma. I knew I could rely on you. You're a good young man."

Ranma shuddered, swallowed quickly, and squeaked out a strained, "it's nothin'" and as soon as Kasumi released the hug, ran upstairs.

"Is he okay?" Kasumi asked aloud.

"I... I think he's just tired from worrying about things at school. Tatewaki keeps messing with him and then this... I'm sure I'm not helping either."

Kasumi replied, "I don't think that's it..."

Ranma got to her room and quickly shut the door, only just pulling back at the last minute to keep it from slamming and instead closing with an audible 'click'.

Ranma fell down onto herself and began tearing up. She grabbed her arms, gripping the skin with calloused hands, wishing she could tear off her skin and make things as obvious to everyone around her as it was to herself. She wished things weren't so complicated. She drew in a deep breath and, after a moment, wiped her face. There would be more to deal with tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Maybe, she thought, maybe I just need some shuteye . It was barely five minutes after rolling out the futon and turning off the lights she fell asleep.


It's been a while... Apologies for the long hiatus in chapters. I've written a doctoral dissertation, several one-shots, and pretty much spent the pandemic creatively drained. I've also been working behind the scenes on another story, though It's only about 2/3rd of the way done and I've gone to wanting to have the whole story at least 80% done before posting these days, if only because the long delays between chapters of my serialized works can be demoralizing for reader and writer alike.

That said, thank you so much to prise-en-passant and Unsurpassed Travesty for editing and making this get the last 10% of the way there. This was originally a longer (15k) chapter, but I have split it in two. Expect Chapter 6 in a few weeks while I work on the next and last set of chapters.