** I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi. **
** Thanks for the feedback. I deal with a lot of mental health issues in my profession. This story has been in my mind for a while.**
The next day, Ranma sparred, bathed, and got dressed in record time before running down the stairs of the Tendo household heading for the door before he found himself face to face with his mother.
Ranma came to a full stop. "Uh, mom? What's up?"
"Where are you going?" Nodoka eyed her son.
"Oh, common. You guys aren't going to hold me prisoner are you? Watch my every move? I'm fine, I swear!" Ranma pleaded, putting up a hand as if taking an oath.
"You haven't eaten yet. You haven't eaten since before we confronted you about not eating. When are you planning on eating, Son?" Nodoka said sternly.
Ranma lowered his head. "I'll grab some breakfast. Okay?"
"I want to see it." Nodoka crossed her arms.
Ranma let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Then I can go?"
Nodoka didn't move. "Where are you trying to go?"
"Please mom. Please don't supervise my every move," Ranma pleaded.
"Where?" Nodoka pressed.
"I'm going to meet Miyuki," Ranma forfeited.
"Your girlfriend?" Nodoka raised an eyebrow.
"She's not my girlfriend, I promise. Honestly, I don't know what she is. I've only known her a couple days. Please let me go, mom." Ranma explained.
"Ranma, you need to remember that you are betrothed. You have a fiancé. Just because you aren't married yet, doesn't mean you should be disrespecting her by dating another woman." Nodoka watched her son.
"Mom, it's not what it looks like. I swear she's just a friend." Ranma put his hands up in defense.
"Then why did you tell Akane that you were dating this girl?" Nodoka asked.
Ranma blinked. There was no getting around this. Was he dating this girl? It's only been a couple days since he met her and they have spent most of their spare time together. She even kissed him! Granted, they were drinking sake both nights, but it still happened. He couldn't tell his mother that he wasn't sure about his engagement to Akane anymore- not with the constant threat to her safety. He wasn't even sure what the truth was in order to answer his mother honestly.
Ranma's face dropped. He didn't know what else to say. "I guess.. because.. maybe I am?"
Nodoka frowned. "Sounds like you have a lot to sort out, son. You will be meeting with Dr. Sato tomorrow after school."
"What? Why? What kind of doctor?!" Ranma felt trapped.
Nodoka kept her stern look. "He's a psychiatrist. We will get to the bottom of this behaviour and these panic attacks. Now, let's find some food for you to eat."
Ranma scoffed. A doctor? Common! They are all overreacting. I'm fine.
Akane walked into Ucchan's and smiled at Ukyo.
"Hey, Akane! What can I get you?" Ukyo asked.
"Oh, nothing for me, thanks. I was just coming by to talk." Akane smiled.
"Oh. How is Ran-chan? That was pretty intense last night. I had no idea how much he was suffering. I don't really know what happened at Jusendo, but I do know it shook his whole world." Ukyo asked.
"I haven't seen him yet today. His mother is sending him to see a doctor tomorrow. Ukyo, Jusendo was pretty scary. Long story short, he thought I died. Twice. He killed a God-like creature to save me, well kind of. He's not taking any of that well, it seems. It's a combination of a lot of trauma rolled into one event." Akane lowered her eyes.
Ukyo blinked. "Wow. I didn't know. No wonder you finally agreed to marry him after."
"Yeah, but I don't know if that was the right move. He was still being forced without his consent. He said he would have gone through with it, but now he doesn't seem to be able to stand being around me. Then this girl comes out of nowhere and he's smiling again? It just sucks that we went through this crazy traumatic experience together and he is bonding with someone else and avoiding me." Akane admitted.
"Akane, you know I love Ranma and just want his happiness. If it can't be with me, it better be with you. It really better not be Shampoo, Kodachi or some random blonde girl we've never heard of. I'm not going to lie, I still hope it's with me. However, my expectations of that have dramatically decreased." Ukyo scoffed.
Akane giggled. "Thanks, Ukyo. I don't know what I want anymore. I can't condone the way he's been treating me. Any girl deserves better than this."
Ukyo nodded. "Right. He better wake up and smell the roses soon."
Ranma, after appeasing his mother by eating a very light breakfast, took off toward the park where he was to meet Miyuki.
Ranma arrived, but didn't see her. She must be running late. He sat down on the park bench.
Moments later he felt two hands cover his eyes and a female voice say, "Guess who?"
"Uh.. Dad?" Ranma joked.
Miyuki giggled and released his eyes as he smiled up at her. Miyuki sat next to Ranma and placed her hand on his. "What's going on, handsome?"
Ranma sighed. "Well, when I got home last night, I found Akane, her sister and Ukyo seated at the table with my mother discussing me."
Miyuki's jaw dropped. "No way!"
"Way. It was horrible. Then I had a panic attack right in front of them, which just made everything much worse." Ranma recounted, frustrated.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear you had such a rough night after you left." Miyuki looked at him concerned.
"Miyuki, I have to ask because everyone keeps asking me. Are we dating?" Ranma asked.
Miyuki giggled. "I don't think so? I mean, I only just met you and, if we were, you would probably let me kiss you again."
"Oh." Ranma said, still confused.
Miyuki smirked. "Do you want to date me?"
Ranma looked at her. He no longer had any idea how to navigate this conversation. On one hand, he loved Akane. He loved her so much that he fought Saffron and, against all odds, killed him. However, he is also still grossly aware that being with Akane puts her in constant danger. On the other hand, he really liked Miyuki so far and didn't want to stop hanging out. His mother wouldn't approve while he had a commitment hanging over his head to marry into the Tendo family and join the schools. "Ugh." Ranma scoffed.
"Wow, Ranma. Tell me how you really feel." Miyuki cocked an eyebrow up at Ranma.
"Sorry, Miyuki. My mind went haywire for a minute. I don't know how to answer you right now. I do know I like hanging out with you. I feel normal when we're together. Relaxed." Ranma smiled at her.
"I like hanging out with you, too." Miyuki smiled, "but there's nothing wrong with a little kissing sometimes is there?"
Ranma blushed, "I.. uh.. guess not? I haven't really kissed anyone before. Not really."
Miyuki smiled before grabbing Ranma's face and planting a hard kiss on his lips. Ranma was slightly stunned, but relaxed quickly into the kiss and deepened it. They both opened their mouths slightly, their tongues meeting in the middle, playing with each other. Miyuki grabbed Ranma's hair with one hand and pulled him closer to her by his shirt with the other. After a few moments, Ranma pulled away to look at Miyuki, "Wow," he said, looking into her big green eyes leaning back in for more.
Where am I now? Ryoga looked around. I know I'm in Nerima. Oh, there's the park. About time I got any kind of bearings. Ryoga walked over to the park and dropped his bag on the ground, looking for a place to rest. He looked around and saw the two figures kissing on the bench. Geez, people need to learn how to get a room. Ryoga scoffed. Hold on a second. Is that.. Ranma?!
Ranma tensed. What am I doing? I need to stop. Ranma broke the kiss. "Miyuki-" Ranma started.
"Hey, do you want to go have a little fun?" Miyuki smirked at him.
Ranma smiled. I barely know Miyuki. She's not like any of the fiancés. "What did you have in mind?"
"Ranma!" Ryoga yelled at him.
Oh no. "Hi, Ryoga. What's happening?" Ranma laughed nervously.
"Ranma! What is going on? What about Akane? I've never even seen you kiss your own fiancé and now you're locking lips with some girl I've never even seen before?" Ryoga's head was about to explode. "I saw you at Jusendo. I saw how devastated you were when we thought Akane had died. What are you doing?"
"Ryoga, calm down." Ranma winced. That was stupid.
"Calm down?! Who is this girl?!" Ryoga cried.
Miyuki smiled brightly at Ryoga. "I'm Miyuki Takagi. Who are you, handsome?"
Ryoga blinked. Handsome? She thinks I'm handsome? "I, uh, I'm Ryoga Hibiki." Ryoga bowed to Miyuki.
"Well, pleased to meet you, Ryoga Hibiki. Would you like to come have a drink with us?" Miyuki flirted.
"A drink? Like alcohol?" Ryoga shook his head, "I don't drink. Ranma, you don't drink, either," he said, looking at Ranma questioningly.
"Ranma drinks like a champ." Miyuki beamed. "Common, let's go back to the club and show Ryoga how much fun we have!"
Ryoga kept blinking, "Club? Ranma, What is going on?"
Ranma chuckled nervously. "Why don't you come and see, Ryoga? Miyuki can get us in no problem."
Ryoga followed Ranma and Miyuki to Circus, still very much confused. Miyuki grabbed Ranma's hand as they were walking, causing Ryoga's eyes to almost pop right out of his head. The sound of the bass coming from Circus flooded the street while they approached the club. Miyuki led the two boys to the top of the line where she cupped her hand to talk into the security guard's ear who waved them in, stamping their hands as they entered.
Ryoga's brain was about to explode. Ranma and some random girl? He drinks now? Why is this club so loud?!
After a few drinks, Miyuki pulled Ranma to the dance floor and started dancing very suggestively with him. Ryoga's jaw dropped. What the heck is going on here? This isn't like Ranma. Where's Akane? I feel so out of place.
Akane stretched her arms above her head and yawned. It was getting late and still no sign of Ranma. She was starting to worry. I hope he's okay. Ugh.
**Riiinngg**
Who would be calling at this hour? Akane thought as she answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Akane?! It's Ryoga. I don't know what's going on, but I'm just outside this club Ranma and some girl brought me to. They started drinking pretty heavily and took off. I don't know where they went, but I'm.. concerned about him."
Akane's heart sank. Oh, Ranma. "Thanks for calling, Ryoga. Can you stay where you are? I'll come to you. We need to find him before he does something stupid."
"Sure Akane. I'll stay right here." Ryoga told her.
Akane found Ryoga by the phone booth. "Ryoga!" Akane called to him.
Ryoga smiled and waved to her. "Hey Akane."
"No idea where they went off to? Did they mention anything?" Akane asked frantically.
"Nothing. I've never seen Ranma like this before. I've never seen him drinking, for that matter." Ryoga felt weird feeling concerned about Ranma like this.
Akane walked into the phone booth and grabbed the phone book.
"What are you doing?" Ryoga asked.
Akane focused, "Takagi, Takagi.. There it is! There's only one so it must be her. Let's go check out this address."
Ryoga nodded.
Akane and Ryoga approached the address they found listed in the phone book. It was a very big house. If Miyuki lived here, she definitely had some money.
Akane approached the house, but Ryoga grabbed her arm to stop her. "Akane, it's really late. What if it's not her house and we are disturbing other people?"
Just then, they heard Miyuki and Ranma laughing.
"Something tells me we have the right house, Ryoga." Akane sighed and continued the walk to the door.
**DING DONG**
The laughter got louder as Miyuki approached the door from the other side and opened it wearing a housecoat. "Akane! Ranma, Akane's here!" she laughed, "Oh, and Ryoga, too! We thought we lost you, handsome!"
"Hi, Miyuki. Is he okay?" Akane asked.
"Is who okay?" Miyuki looked puzzled.
Akane deadpanned. "Ranma. Is Ranma okay?"
Miyuki laughed harder, "Oh! Right! He's more than okay. He's amazing! Come in!" Miyuki stumbled back over to her living room.
Akane and Ryoga cautiously entered the house and into Miyuki's living room. The living room was torn apart and it appears that they had decided to build a fort in front of the television. Miyuki kept laughing and disappeared into the fort.
Akane looked at Ryoga with wide eyes. "Wow." she said to him. "Yeah." he answered.
Miyuki popped her head back out of the fort. "Uh, guys. He fell asleep."
Akane and Ryoga sighed. Ryoga looked at Akane, "I'll get him."
Miyuki frowned. "You're going to take him?!"
Akane looked at Miyuki, "He needs to go home to bed, Miyuki. His parents will be worried."
Miyuki gave a sour look to Akane, then nodded. "Alright. Fine. Get him to call me tomorrow!"
Ryoga pulled the fort apart to find Ranma laying on pillows, dead asleep, a bottle of sake 3/4 of the way empty laying beside him, with no shirt on. Ryoga looked at Miyuki, "Where's his shirt?"
Miyuki giggled and opened her housecoat revealing Ranma's shirt. She started to undo the shirt to give it back. Ryoga blushed, but let out a sigh of relief when he realized she was wearing another shirt underneath.
Miyuki pulled the shirt off. Akane was unphased. "Thanks, Miyuki."
Miyuki smiled brightly at her, "Next time, you should come with us, Akane! We could have lots of fun together!"
Akane forced a fake smile back to Miyuki, "Yeah, we'll see." Akane turned to Ryoga and nodded.
Ryoga picked up Ranma and threw him over his shoulder. "Let's go." Ranma grunted.
Nodoka tapped her fingers on the table, waiting for her son to come home. Where is he?
Just then, she heard the door open. Akane and Ryoga entered, with Ranma still over Ryoga's shoulder.
"What happened?! Is he hurt?!" Nodoka ran to her son's side.
Akane sighed. "Nope. Just drunk. We found him with Miyuki again."
"That's three nights in a row, each one worse than the one before." Nodoka said with growing concern for her son. "You're grounded, young man!" She told the unconscious boy. "Thank you, Akane. Thank you, Ryoga. Could you please go put him in his bed."
Ryoga nodded and looked to Akane to lead the way.
"Ryoga, it's pretty late so you should take the guest room tonight." Nodoka called over to them.
"Thank you, Mrs. Saotome," Ryoga nodded and followed Akane.
The next morning, Ranma awoke to direct sunlight declaring war on his pounding head. "Ugh!" He grabbed his head in utter misery.
"How does it feel, son?" Nodoka looked down at her son, as she finished drawing the curtains.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I feel like death. Please don't yell at me right now. I know, I screwed up. Big time. I don't even know how I got home. Trust me, I never want to drink again. Please yell at me later." he cried.
"You will be lucky if I ever let you out of this house long enough to get into any trouble again. Ryoga and Akane brought you home. You owe them both an apology and some gratitude." Nodoka turned to leave the room, "You still have school today. I expect you to go and attend your appointment after."
Ranma groaned and rolled over, grabbing his head.
"Remember this next time you even look at alcohol, son." Nodoka smirked and left the room.
Ranma walked out of the house, ahead of Akane, with a small breakfast in his hand he had no intention of eating, but took to appease his mother.
Akane ran up behind him. "Man, you look like death!"
"Thanks. I feel like it, too." Ranma groaned.
"Ranma, don't you think you're overdoing it lately? Does Miyuki have anything to do with this? You never drank before," Akane asked.
"She has nothing to do with it!" Ranma barked at her.
"Okay then. She just really seems to enjoy drinking, too." Akane cautiously observed.
"Listen, Akane. I'm sorry I've been such a jerk lately. I've got a lot going on. Miyuki has been a big distraction for me. She's a lot of fun to be around. Give her a chance." Ranma smiled weakly at Akane.
Akane nodded. "If she makes you happy, Ranma."
Ranma sighed. "It's not like that, Akane. I don't know what it's like, but it's not like that. She's not another suitor. She's.. a friend, I guess."
Akane raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't make out with my friends on park benches."
Ranma froze. "He told you about that?"
Akane shook her head. "Of course he did, Ranma. Ryoga is just as concerned with your behaviour as everyone else is. This isn't you."
Ranma's face dropped. "I know. I'm sorry. I don't really know what I'm doing." He looked over at her, "Hey Akane?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for getting me last night. I'm sorry I ruined your night." Ranma apologized.
"Don't let it happen again." Akane asserted.