Author note: It has been a bit since my last post on this story I had to do some cleaning up on the chapter to prepare it.
Hopefully, this will be to your liking. -Zeltronica
U.F. Chapter:14
Akane and her sister Kasumi cleared off the dining room table, while Hikaru still sat in place, passed out sitting up. They carefully removed the chopsticks from his hand, while Nodoka sat at the table sipping her tea and watching her daughter waving her hands in front of the brown-haired man's face.
"Dear, I don't think you're going to wake him like that," Nodoka said with a motherly lilt and a slight giggle, as the scene was rather humorous.
Nox sighed as she studied her love interest. "Maybe if I splash him with some cold water?" she asked aloud to no one in particular. Snapping her fingers, she caused water to pour from seemingly nowhere over Hikaru's head which caused the young man finally sputter awake.
"Ah! *cough, cough* W-what t-the h-heck w-was t-that f-for!? Y-you t-trying t-to g-give m-me a-a c-cold!?" Hikaru exclaimed through chattering teeth, giving Chaos an exasperated look as he shivered from his cold, damp clothing.
Nox smiled as she wrapped her arms around Hikaru, hugging him tightly. "Yay, it worked! He's awake!" she exclaimed happily.
Nodoka just sipped her tea quietly as she watched the exchange, while Hikaru tried to pry himself out of her daughter's iron grip.
"Hikaru, please clean up the mess you made," Kasumi called as she walked to the kitchen, carrying some dirty plates.
"But I didn't! It was…Mrs. Saotome? Akane-san? Say something!" Hikaru exclaimed as he struggled against Nox's grip.
'They're practically made for each other,' Akane thought, shrugging her shoulders at Hikaru as she headed for her room upstairs.
"You both look so cute together!" Nodoka cooed as thoughts of grandbabies danced in her head.
Later that afternoon Hikaru had gone to work, while Nox sat watching in boredom as her two charges played a game of chess. 'So different a game from the shogi of my mistress's memories…almost looks easier,' she thought dully. "Guys, wouldn't you rather be outside playin' or somethin'?" she asked casually.
"Not really. It's getting dark, Nox-sama…and, well, I and my sis are probably going to bed early tonight," Jinan explained as he moved his rook forward one space.
Iris watched her brother's move carefully, as she then moved her queen back diagonally three squares and out of harm's way. "It sounds like you're bored, Nox-sama. You could go out to that place they call a 'dojo' and maybe find something to do there if you don't like chess," she suggested.
Nox stretched some as she stood up, her hands moving to straighten out the blue kimono she was wearing. She turned to leave but quickly stopped. "Don't go anywhere without tellin' me, 'kay?"
"Don't worry, Nox-sama…if we are thinking of going somewhere, we'll report directly to you," Jinan said without looking up at his older friend who was serving as their surrogate mom.
Hearing the young boy's reply, Nox once again turned to leave. 'I swear, kids need so much watchin' it ain't funny…' she thought as images of one of the twins accidentally knocking over the neighbor's favorite flowerpot earlier that day and her mother scolding her over it flashed before her eyes. 'Still don't get why she scolded me…I mean, I ain't the only one here that could've watched the kids. I was just hangin' out with Hikaru 'cause he's so cute,' she thought as she made her way to the guest room. Opening the door, she walked over and picked up her snow globe. Everything flashed around her, and the next thing she knew she was standing before her mistress in a rice paddy field.
"Hey, you! How're things goin', Sis?" Ranma asked as she inspected her sister, the light wind causing her hair to sway.
Nox looked to her mistress a moment. "It's goin'…are you finally ready to take over, Mistress?"
"Yeah, I'm ready. Is life that bad?" Ranma asked as she could see her sister was troubled.
Nox thought on what all to tell her mistress. "Well, I got scolded by Mom for not watchin' the kids…they knocked over the neighbor's favorite flowerpot and it broke—what they called 'a year's worth of work and research,'" she said glumly.
"Ah, Jinan, and Iris. Thanks for savin' 'em. You didn't have to, but that's what I am about…helpin' those who can't fend for themselves," Ranma said simply as she walked over and gave her sister a hug, which Nox returned.
Pulling back from the hug, Nox shrugged her shoulders. "Actually, I wasn't going to save 'em at first…not sure what came over me. I guess I just wanted to make you happy is all…Mistress."
"Sis, cut the 'mistress' crap, 'kay? Just call me sis or sister. There's no need for 'mistress' or anything like that since we are of the same body," Ranma stated simply, as she looked to the water in which she and her sister were standing.
Nox smiled at her sister. "Hai, I will call you sister from now on," she stated in a casual tone. Thinking some more, she added, "Sister, there is something I should tell you."
"Oh? What is it, Sis?" Ranma asked as she turned her gaze back to her twin.
Nox thought on what just to say as she kicked at the mud at the bottom of the rice pond. Deciding for the direct route, she said, "I found someone I liked and kissed him."
"Whoa, Sis! You actually like someone and kissed them?" Ranma asked, wanting to make sure she heard correctly.
"I found I like the mortal realm…I also found that I love someone. I kissed them and it felt so wonderful!" Nox exclaimed.
"Oh, you're…WHAT!?" Ranma shouted, her voice echoing off into the distance as she clenched her fist. 'Now I've done it…give a mouse a cookie, now she wants milk! Good going, girl,' she chided herself, clenching her fists, anger crossing her features.
Nox cringed watching a byplay of anger cross her sister's features. "I've fallen in love, Sister. What's wrong with that? Am I not allowed to kiss the one I love?" she asked, slumping her shoulders.
"Sis, there's nothin' wrong with falling in love…but remember, this isn't just your body; it's mine. You need to talk to me 'bout this stuff. So, who is it that's caught your fancy?" Ranma asked in a calm voice, though her temper was rising.
Nox gave her sister a smile. "Well, he's very awkward but very cute. He wields dark magic, which is a plus. He's tall, though not too strong…but that doesn't matter. He's so adorable!" she explained happily.
"Does this boy have a name, Sis?" Ranma asked once again, her tone lowering even though she was trying to stay calm.
Nox cooed with images of Hikaru in her mind. "It's Gosunkugi Hikaru. He's a hunk and I kissed him!" she exclaimed for the umpteenth time.
Too stunned to reply, Ranma shifted her feet while trying to wrap her head around what she'd been told. She stared at her sister, her eyes blinking a few times. 'Of all the strong guys out there like Herb, Taro, and others like them, she had to choose a weakling…and kiss him with my lips! Ugh!' she complained to herself as she started feeling sick to her stomach.
"You okay, Sister? You're looking a Lil peaked?" Nox both asked and noted, drawing from her sister's memories.
Ranma straightened her posture, giving her sister a hard look. "Nox…Sis, I forbid you from dating him. You understand?"
"But why? Why can't I date him? I don't understand…he's a nice guy!" Nox shouted as she fixed a glare on her sister.
Ranma growled lowly. "'Cause this is my body and I'm going to decide who I date or not!" she shouted back, her eyes turning to a fluorescent blue.
"This is my body too and, and I am going to date Hikaru…with or without your permission! So there!" Nox snapped back, her temper flaring and her voided eyes seeming to swirl with a vivid black.
Ranma took two menacing steps toward her sister, her fists clenched tightly. "You are not going to date 'Kugi and that is final! Understand? 'Sides that, you can't fall in love with someone just like that. You don't even know what love is," she stated, exasperation evident in her voice.
"I do too know what love is. Momma and Akane taught me earlier!" Nox argued back as she also clenched her fists, ready to fight over it.
Ranma softened her features somewhat. "Nox, I don't approve of this. We can fight about this all day, but come hell or high water my decision stands. I am not letting you date 'Kugi and that is final. He ain't good for you, Sis."
"How do you know he isn't good for me? Who are you to make that judgment!? He is a funny guy and makes me laugh. And they say I have no humor…it's you who's a stick in the mud, Sister!" Nox exclaimed as she raised her right hand, slapping her twin. The echo of flesh-on-flesh contact reverberated in the distance.
Ranma looked to the side as she raised her hand and rubbed her cheek, her left eye closed. 'Damn it, she just doesn't get it. This is my body we're talking about here!' she thought in frustration. Deciding she'd had enough, she snapped her fingers and vanished.
"I will date Hikaru, you meanie!" Nox shouted as she watched her sister vanish.
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The dojo, some thirty minutes later
The dojo had clearly seen better days. There were many holes in the ceiling due to disrepair. The lights that lit up the training hall were all covered in cobwebs. The motto for the dojo was also dust-covered, with cobwebs strewn over it as if they had fallen there from the rafters.
The only thing in the room that seemed to be in excellent condition and well maintained was the family shrine honoring the Tendo matriarch, late wife of Soun and mother to the Tendo sisters.
Ranma looked around the training hall, shaking her head. 'They sure let it go over the years. If it rained I'd be soaked,' she thought sadly as she kicked at a loose piece of wood that had fallen from the ceiling.
She then looked down into the snow globe she was holding in her right hand, observing her sister sitting by a pond throwing rocks into it. 'What am I going to do with her? I can't watch her when she's out here and she'll probably still date Hikaru no matter what I say,' she concluded with a frown, which slowly turned to a look of mischievousness.
'Well, I can fix that, can't I? All I gotta do is make 'Kugi hate us and that's that!' she exclaimed to herself over her freshly-hatched plan. After some time had passed as the blue-and-red-haired girl continued to look around the dojo, a figure appeared at the door and watched her for a few minutes.
"Ranma, dear, is that you?" Nodoka called out to her child, as she could feel the aura was different than the one she felt from Nox.
Ranma turned her gaze to the door, giving a nod the auburn-haired woman who was her mother (and who was dressed in an outfit similar to the one she was currently wearing). "Yeah, it's me, Mom. Sis went home…how ya been?" she asked as her mother crossed the distance between them, wrapping her in a loving embrace which she happily returned.
"I am doing well, though I have been worried about you…it's good to be speaking to you finally," Nodoka said in a warm tone.
Ranma gave her mother a thoughtful expression. "Well, it's good to see you too. Has Sis' been a burden on ya?"
"No, not at all. Actually, she is wonderful. Though awkward, she's actually much kinder than I expected her to be," Nodoka answered as she sat down on the dusty floor without care, her child being her only focus, with Ranma did the same.
Ranma smiled at hearing that her sister wasn't a problem. "Yeah, she is kinda like a child. She doesn't know any better, basically. This is the first time she's actually existed on this plain for such a long period."
"Did she tell you she wishes to date young Hikaru, honey?" Nodoka probed, as she was curious to know her daughter's thoughts on the matter.
Ranma bit her lip as she thought on how to talk about that development. "Yeah, she told me…I don't really want her dating Hikaru. I ain't attracted to him…at all…and if she's with him, that means I have to be with him as well. I would rather have someone more suited to my likin', ya know?"
"Will, you not even consider humoring your sister's request before rushing off on some half-baked scheme to make young Hikaru hate you both?" Nodoka asked as she knew quite a bit about how her daughter's mind worked.
Ranma bit her lip again, as her mother clearly was already onto her. 'She is good…she always seems to know when I am up to somethin'!' she exclaimed to herself. "Momma, I don't know 'bout this. 'Sides, me and 'Kug- Hikaru-san have never gotten along... I tried to be his friend, but he always seemed to have it in for me 'cause of Akane…so I finally gave up on it. I don't hate him, but I really don't think I could spend my life with him. He isn't very confident, he can't challenge me in a spar…he doesn't even know martial arts! Just what would we have in common?"
"Well, he is a voodoo priest of sorts…from what I could tell, he is rather fluent in the dark magics. That's something you have in common, given your nature. As for not knowing martial arts, you could teach him. And as for his confidence, well, maybe you and Nox could both help him with that," Nodoka offered as she placed her arms around her daughter, giving her a warm hug that Ranma returned.
Ranma thought on her mother's words a moment. "I really don't know, Mom. If he's anythin' like he was from youth, teachin' him the Art may not prove too fruitful. I mean, back then he was quite hopeless," she said with a slight chuckle as she remembered Hikaru's ridiculous schemes against her, which all failed miserably.
"Well, from what I have heard from the Tendos, he works a steady job and is a big help around the house. Akane-chan says he's matured quite a bit from your high school days. I do hope you will consider this carefully, dear. Your sister isn't one to be trifled with…if she is as childlike as you say, well, children can have tantrums," Nodoka warned as she and her daughter finally broke their embrace.
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Later that night
The hour was fast approaching eight as the creatures of the night began to sing their songs. The streets that earlier bustled with life soon thinned out with the exception of two young women who walked up the sidewalk, their hair brightly shown due to the streetlight overhead. Nearby, the damage from the rampage of the night before was cordoned off with caution tape and beacon lights.
Dressed in the same kimono she wore earlier, Ranma didn't look to her friend, instead keeping her gaze forward. "So Akane, how goes y'all's relationship?" she asked in a casual tone.
Akane was currently wearing blue jeans, a red blouse, and sunglasses. "It's going well…Ryoga has been taking good care of me if that's what you want to know," she assured.
Ranma turned a sideways glance to her former fiancée. "That's good to hear…sorry, I kinda left in a hurry-up on the mountain," she said in a somber tone.
"Oh, it's okay, Ranma…I'm sure you had your reasons," Akane said as she looked to her right, noting a vending machine that sat against the wall they were walking by. "Say, you want something to drink?"
Ranma came to a stop, looking to the vending machine a moment. "I would…however, I don't have any money."
"Oh, that's okay. I have money for both of us. What would you like?" Akane asked as she retrieved some yen from her pocket.
Ranma looked over the selection. "How 'bout some of that grape-flavored soda, please?" she asked as she pointed to the selector button.
"Sure thing," Akane said as she placed a few yen into the coin slot and pressed the button for the grape soda. The machine made a humming noise as the can then fell down into the pickup tray. The blue-haired teen reached down, retrieved the can, and handed it to her friend.
Ranma took the can in hand, popping the tab quickly and taking a drink, as Akane then bought herself a soda. "Thanks, Akane. I was pretty thirsty."
"Oh, it's no problem, Ranma…anytime," Akane stated simply as she popped the tab of her own can of orange soda and took a sip.
Ranma pondered as she took another sip of her drink, while she and Akane started walking once again toward their destination. "Still don't know why I'm doin' this…ya know, walkin' to Ucchan's."
"Well, you didn't have to…I would have walked by myself. But I'm glad you decided to come with me," Akane said as she took a sip of her own beverage.
Ranma looked to her friend's pale skin, grimacing. "So…look, sorry I was too late to save you from getting bitten. I feel it's my fault…I should've been much faster," she said with a sigh.
"I don't blame you, Ranma. It isn't your fault, so you shouldn't beat yourself up over my condition. Besides, because of you and your sister Nox, I am still free to make my own choices. I still have my husband, my family, and my friends…and someone who is very special to me who's walking at my side right now," Akane reassured with a slim smile.
Ranma thought on her former fiancée's words, feeling a little better. "Well, I'm glad to still be able to talk to ya, tomboy. Thank you…I appreciate your kind words."
Akane's thoughts fell on their destination. 'I wonder if she knows yet?' she asked herself. "Hey, Ranma…um, you know what? Forget it," she started to ask, but quickly changed her mind.
"What is it, Akane?" Ranma asked as she could tell her friend was worried about prying into something.
Akane shrugged her shoulders a moment. "It's nothing, really…I was just going to ask if you and my husband made up is all," she lied, as one can of worms was better than the other.
"Ryoga and I buried the hatchet a while back, Akane. Remember, I was his best man despite my 'gender,'" Ranma emphasized the last, as they continued their forward motion.
Akane gave her friend a smile. "Well, I thought I would make sure. You were drinking rather heavily at our wedding, you know."
"I won't say I wasn't upset then, Akane…but for what it's worth, he's the only one I feel deserved you and I gave him my blessing," Ranma answered, looking to her friend.
Soon, Ranma and Akane were able to see the sign for Ukyo's restaurant, which from what they could see was in the process of closing. A few moments later, both girls were now standing at the door. The blue-haired girl reached up, knocking on the door since it was already locked.
Konatsu stood by the cooking counter as he wrote down some notes on a yellow pad of paper he was holding. He looked up to the entrance upon hearing knocking, taking note of Akane and another girl at her side. He gave her a smile as he placed his pad and pen down on the counter and walked over casually, unlocking the door and opening it for the unexpected guests. "Come on in, please. Is there anything you would like? We have some extra Okonomiyaki left over," he offered.
Akane and her friend stepped past the threshold of the restaurant as Konatsu shut the door, re-locking it. "I'm not really hungry, but maybe Ranma would like something," she replied.
Konatsu looked to the blue-and-red-haired young woman he learned was named Nox, though she appeared different as her eyes were currently blue. "Oh, Ranma-sama! You're back?"
"Yeah, Konatsu…um, it's been a while," Ranma stated as she looked to the male kunoichi, noting he looked a bit older. He was still quite beautiful, however, and Ranma almost forgot for a moment that it was a man who stood before her.
Konatsu gave his former acquaintance a smile. "Well, if you would like something to eat, you can help yourself, Ranma-sama," he stated simply as he gestured to a table where a delivery box sat.
"Thanks!" Ranma exclaimed as she wasted no time in crossing the distance, taking a seat. Opening the box, she then started devouring its contents as if it were the best thing on the planet.
Akane watched her friend with a fond smile as the scene reminded her of their youth. 'She still hasn't changed…still loves to eat,' she noted. "Is Hikaru-kun almost done with his work?" Akane inquired.
"We had a rather busy night, so he is still in the process of closing down," Konatsu answered as he walked back over to the cooking counter, picking up his pad and pen and started calculating the day's earnings. As he did that, Ryoko appeared from seemingly nowhere, dressed in a pair of blue silk pants and a yellow sleeveless shirt. Her snow-white hair shimmered in the light as she rested her gaze on her wife, giving the blue-haired demoness a smile which was returned.
"Akane, I'm glad I caught up with you. The room is all straightened out to what I hope is both our liking," Ryoko said as she crossed the distance to embrace her lover.
Akane held her husband—currently wife—and gave her a pleasant smile. "Thanks…you know I would have helped if you wanted, dear," she said with a slight giggle at the end.
"Well, that would have ruined the surprise, love," Ryoko said as she (despite Konatsu and Ranma being in the same room) kissed her precious wife, Akane responding in kind. The kiss lingered for two minutes before they finally broke away, both of them panting a frosty breath.
Ranma watching the exchange as she finished the last bite from the box, closed its lid, picked it up, and then without looking, casually tossed it into the waste bin. "Well, I'll be damned. You sure liked my gift, didn't ya, Ryoga?" she called with an air of sarcasm.
"I never said I enjoyed it, Ranma, but thank you…she has been a big help. Speaking of, I didn't know you were back in control. You could have said hello, you know," Ryoko observed as she turned to look at her friend. Meanwhile, her wife wrapped her arms around her waist, leaning against her.
Ranma shrugged. "Sorry, kinda slipped my mind. I have a lot on my plate, 'specially with what I just learned today," she stated in a deadpan.
"Ah…well, pal, I think you'll be just fine. He's actually a nice fella," Ryoko teased, giving her friend a fang-toothed smirk.
Akane let go of her wife, stepping back a few feet as she heard the all too familiar sound of Ranma snapping her fingers. Instantly, water poured down, soaking the white-haired girl. Then, instead of pooling on the floor, it instantly disappeared as if it were never there.
"T-t-t-hat i-isn't f-fair, Ranma!" Ryoko exclaimed through chattering teeth, shivering. She was thoroughly soaked and feeling as cold as the Arctic Sea, water dripping from her hair onto the floor and immediately vanishing.
Ranma gave her friend a wicked smirk. "Sorry…just figured you were a little hot, so I cooled you down," she said with a giggle as Ryoko glared daggers in her direction.
Akane looked to her soaked wife with a sigh. Raising her right hand, she took her sunglasses off, and then with her left hand, she held it out towards the white-haired girl. Though it took some concentration, she quickly managed to dry off her spouse. Once done, she replaced her sunglasses.
"Very nice, Aka-chan. You seem to be developing your magics well," Ranma observed with a fond smile as she enjoyed watching her former fiancée improve. Even her failures sometimes warmed her heart.
Ryoko felt better now that she wasn't soaked as she crossed the distance between herself and Ranma, raising her right hand into a fist. She then brought it down, but then opened her hand, ruffling the blue-and-red-haired goddess's hair and causing a look of surprise to cross the poor woman's features. "You think you're pretty cute, don't ya?" she asked with a grin.
"Hey, stop it! Dammit, you're messin' up my hair, Ryoga!" Ranma stated through giggles, as she pushed her friend's hand off a sly smile on her lips.
Akane smiled at the exchange as she heard footsteps approaching them. Turning her head, she noted that Hikaru had joined them in the dining room.
"I finished closing everything down in the kitchen, Konatsu-sama. Is there anything you need to be done out here?" Hikaru asked as he took note of the girl who had expressed her love for him and who was now sitting and chatting with Ryoko.
Konatsu thought on the question a moment and then shook his head at his friend and employee. "No, Hikaru-san. I don't have anything up here that I need done. If you're finished in the back, go ahead and clock out. I'll see you the day after tomorrow," he said in a cheerful tone.
Hikaru went to the back, clocking out. He then returned to join his friends, giving a casual glance to the blue-and-red-haired girl. 'So…after this morning, I guess that means we're together?' he asked himself as he watched his love interest stand, along with his friend's spouse.
Akane looked between her two friends momentarily. 'Does he know that's not Nox?' she asked herself as she took hold of Ryoko's arm, leading her out of the store through the exit that Konatsu had just opened.
Ranma followed suit after her two friends as Hikaru followed behind her, looking to her back and taking in her petite figure. 'And I was thinking she would have glomped me again. Though I'm happy she didn't, I kinda wished she did at the same time,' he thought with a look of content.
Akane leaned in close to her spouse. "I don't think Hikaru realizes that's not Nox. Should we warn him?" she asked in a whisper only they could hear.
"Nah. Where would the fun be if we told him?" Ryoko whispered back. She couldn't help but giggle, her wife following suit.
Ranma looked to her two friends, a look of irritation apparent on her features as she listened to their giggles. 'Wonder what has them so entertained?' she asked herself, her annoyance growing with every thought that came to mind of what could have them so amused.
Hikaru looked around as he walked, noting the damage from the behemoth that had been chasing his friend the previous night. 'So much damage and destruction…I wonder how long it will take for them to repair all of this?' he asked himself as he finally was in step with his girlfriend. "So, Nox-chan… you're unusually quiet. How was your day? Eventful?" he asked in a kind tone.
"It was peachy," Ranma stated in a deadpan tone as she kept her gaze forward. 'Does he really not know I ain't Nox…do I tell him?' she wondered. She thought about the question for a few minutes, still not sure what she should do. 'Damn it, this sucks. If I tell him to go fly a kite, my sister will be really upset with me. What do I do, damn it? Come on brain, think of something!' she exclaimed to herself.
Looking to her friends in hopes they would help her out. She came to an abrupt stop when Hikaru placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her brow to twitch as her temper threatened to escape.
"Hey, Nox-chan…what do you think of the stars?" Hikaru asked as he pointed up to the sky.
Ranma turned her gaze to where he was pointing, her brow twitching even more rapidly. "They're nice, I s'ppose…now can ya get your damn hand offa me?" she asked gruffly as she walked away.
"Did I do something wrong?" Hikaru asked with concern as he started walking briskly in order to catch up, soon coming back in step with the woman he knew as Nox.
Ranma stopped her forward movement once again and stared hard at Hikaru, causing him to stop as well. "I'm not my sister, Hikaru. I am Ranma."
Hikaru's eyes went wide as he quickly backed away from her. "Oh! I didn't know. I, well, that is…sorry," he trailed as he finally got a good look at the girl's eyes, noting they were a deep blue.
Ranma let a sigh escape her lips as she looked to Hikaru. 'Damn it…what do I say now? Do I tell him he can't see my sister…or do I let them do what they want, knowin' full well I'll regret it later when I end up in some hospital birthing a brat?' she asked herself, as this was a very touchy subject for her. She already knew she would be dealing with a lot, considering the rigorous schedule she would have to keep to get her shape back and her skills sharpened after such an ordeal.
"Look, I didn't think you would let me date your sister…I tried telling her that, but she wouldn't listen. And in my defense, she kissed me…I tried to stop her," Hikaru defended, waving his hands in a warding fashion.
Ranma snapped from her thoughts at Hikaru's words, remembering the kiss her sister talked about and gave him a piercing glare. "Baka hentai!" she yelled out as she ran forward and punted Hikaru with a swift kick, sending him flying upward to disappear in the distance.
Akane and Ryoko turned, noting their fuming friend, whose leg was still extended from the kick. They heard Hikaru's screams grow fainter the farther away he sailed.
"Ranma, he isn't a martial artist like us! He might really be hurt," Akane chided her friend and former love interest.
Ranma looked at her friend. "So what? You're not the one whose lips kissed Hikaru, you tomboy! And if it had been you, I guarantee you would've sent him farther!" she exclaimed defiantly.
Ryoko kept her mouth shut as she watched Ranma stomp away. 'Damn, she's mad!' she noted.
"I can't say I wouldn't," Akane admitted aloud as she looked on, watching her friend storm off in the direction of their home before Ranma disappeared into a frosty mist.
Hikaru gulped as he soared through the sky, the land below him looking like one big green blotch and people and cars looked like mere ants. The wind was heavy and cold, whipping through his clothes. "No, please! I don't wanna die like this!" he screamed.
Suddenly finding himself enveloped in a blinding flash of light. He then found himself landing on the floor of the Tendo dojo rather roughly with a loud thud, the dust rising up and then settling back down to the wooden floor. He rose to his feet, checking himself out as he looked around in surprise. His eyes finally came to rest on Ranma, who was sitting by the family shrine. "How?" he gasped.
"You really think I'm going to just let you die, Hikaru?" Ranma said through sniffles, as she looked to the raven-haired boy through her bangs.
Hikaru was taken aback, as he could tell the young woman before him was crying. "I really didn't know. Maybe…maybe not. I just want to know why you like to torture me?"
"I don't like to torture you! I tried to be a friend…you're the one who brushed it aside, Hikaru; not me. Even when you tried all those stupid schemes I still grinned and bore it!" Ranma exclaimed as she gave a frigid glare to the brown-haired boy.
Hikaru started to fume. "Damn it. You're always in my way…you were in the way when I was in love with Akane, and now you're standing between me and Nox! Tell me how you don't love to torture me! Tell me how you don't enjoy making me miserable, Miss Has-Everything-She-Could-Possibly-Want! How many fiancées did you have, how many friends did you have?" he shouted back causing the Jusenkyo Goddess to flinch.
"I only had maybe three friends, and one of 'em was questionable. An' I didn't want any of those other girls as fiancées. It took me a long while to realize I actually loved the one I was truly engaged to…too long. I wish I lived this life of happiness you're talkin' about," Ranma stated in a downcast tone as her gaze fell to the floor and she shuffled her feet.
Hikaru stared at the blue-and-red-haired girl in disbelief. "How can you say you weren't happy?"
"'Cause if I was so fuckin' happy as you say, I wouldn't have slit my wrists, you bastard!" Ranma shouted out in fury as she lifted both her arms so he could see the undersides of her wrists, the red scars plain to see.
Hikaru was stunned, as he hadn't noticed the scars before. They were usually covered by the long-sleeve shirts and kimono she wore. "You- when did you try to-"
"A while back. Didn't ya wonder why I disappeared for a year an' then came back the following year to finish up that school year as a girl? Didn't ya wonder why my hair color changed?" Ranma interrupted, bringing her gaze back to the room's other occupant.
"Well, no…I actually had stopped concerning myself with you since you had dumped Akane. Well, that and you seemed to have turned a lot colder after that when it came to people who messed with you," Hikaru stated truthfully, his eyes still locked on the girl's wrists. Surprising himself, his heart genuinely ached for her in that moment.
Ranma dropped her arms into her lap, pulling her sleeves back into place to cover her scars. "Well, now you know I wasn't so fuckin' happy…but I ain't quite bitter anymore either. Hikaru, I can't allow you to be with Nox. I mean I- well, given our past, it wouldn't work."
"So that's that? You have made your decision? I can't speak for Nox, but I think you're being selfish. I love her…and if that means taking care of you, I would gladly do so. She is very special to me," Hikaru declared as he then turned to leave, sliding the dojo door shut behind him.
Though it slid shut softly, the sound made the red-and-blue-haired goddess jump.
After a few moments, Ranko stood up from her spot, looking to her surroundings as she felt a draft from one of the many holes that were in the roof. She then held her right hand out to her side, forming her frost blade. Its tip touched the dojo floor, frustration, and pain written on her features.
"Frost, heed my command…Frost of Winter, Frost of the North, come into this dwelling and restore it to that of my youth," she chanted as a storm of frosty wind and ice formed within the dojo, circling around its caster until it enveloped the entire inside of the dojo in snow. It then vanished just as quickly as it came, revealing the dojo in the condition Ranma had left it in her youth. Gone were the cobwebs and holes, everything seeming almost pristine as if brand new.
The task complete, Ranma heard the sound of clapping behind her. Turning around, she saw her mother watching her with a pleased expression. "Very nice, sweetheart. I see you have learned a new spell," Nodoka said as she walked over to her daughter, inspecting her child's work.
"Yeah, was kinda venting frustration," Ranma stated simply as she settled her gaze on her mother.
Nodoka gave her child a thoughtful look. "Would you like to talk about it, honey?" she asked with concern.
"Not right now, Momma…can I ask where I sleep?" Ranko asked as she wanted to get some rest after a nice bath.
"In the guest room, honey. You'll be sharing a room with Hikaru until we head home tomorrow…will that be fine for now?" Nodoka asked.
Ranma considered what she'd just been told, surprised her mother would allow her to be staying in a boy's room. 'Don't tell me she is…' she started, suddenly struck by an image of her mother dancing with victory fans in her hands, much to her annoyance. "Eh, that's fine, I s'ppose… well I am gonna go take a bath. See ya in the mornin', Momma," she stated in a depressed tone as she shuffled off towards the house through the open door.
Nodoka watched her daughter leave, noting the blackish-green aura that surrounded her child. 'What is eating at her this time?' she asked herself as her child disappeared around the corner.
Upon entering the house, Ranma spotted Hikaru sitting at the dining room table. She continued past without a word as she walked down the hall into the guest room, taking note of all its contents before finally settling her gaze on her snow globe. She bent down to pick it up and then headed for the furo. 'You know you're a pain in the ass right, Sis?' she complained to her sibling.
~And you're any different, Sister?~ Nox asked as she glared upwardly at her twin.
Ranma looked down at the globe, sliding the furo door open with her free hand. She then stepped across the threshold and slid the door shut behind her. Setting the globe down, she then stripped her clothes and tossed them into the hamper. 'You had to complicate things for me with this damn obsession of yours with Hikaru.'
~I don't really understand what your problem is. Are you just afraid of love?~ Nox asked as she softened her glare.
Ranma thought on her sister's words, grimacing. 'No, I'm not afraid of love in the slightest…Nox, you said Jinan and Iris are a handful. You got yourself scolded by our mother, correct?'
~Y-yes, but I don't understand where you're going with this…what does that have to do with Hikaru and me?~ Nox questioned, trying to understand better.
Ranma gave a slight smile and a sigh at her sister's naïveté. 'With love, Sis', comes responsibility. This love you feel for Hikaru can turn into more…which brings 'bout kids. We together are currently one woman, so what you do affects me as well. If you and him were to make love, we could become pregnant—which means we together would have another to be responsible for besides the two kids we are already taking care of. Can you say you're ready for that responsibility so soon? Not to mention he's a mortal…doesn't that bother you?' she asked, trying to drive some sense into her sister.
~Oh…I hadn't thought 'bout having children. But that doesn't change my mind! I want to be with Hikaru. He is a wonderful guy…who cares if he's mortal? You could grant him your blessing. Can't you at least give it a chance? I'll be careful, I promise! Please, Sister, let me date Hikaru,~ Nox begged as she looked to her sister with puppy dog eyes.
Ranma sighed to herself as she picked up her snow globe and walked into the furo, sliding the door shut. She then set her globe down on the edge of the tub, sitting down on a stool. She ran some water into a bucket while she soaped herself up thoroughly. Turning the water off, she lifted the bucket over her head and dumped its contents over herself to rinse off. 'Fine…but I'll probably regret this later. You can date him, but I ain't granting my blessing unless I deem him worthy. And no funny stuff, understand?'
~Yay! Wahooo! Thank you, Sister! Yay!~ Nox exclaimed, jumping for joy as if she were a kid in a candy store—which quickly became literal as a candy store did indeed appear inside the globe.
Ranma set the bucket aside as she then stood up and stepped into the tub, lowering herself into the water. 'You understand, Sis? No funny stuff, right?' she asked once again, as she had yet to hear an answer.
~I understand, Sister. No funny stuff, I swear!~ Nox assured, cheer evident in her voice.
Ranma then leaned her head against the tub as she looked to the ceiling, noting its familiar white shade. As she sat there, her cheeks flushed due to thinking about her sister and the brown-haired boy. "The things I do to clear my conscience," she muttered quietly to herself, noting that the alternative meant she would have had to deal with her sister's wrath for all eternity if she didn't give in.
Half an hour later, after most of the household was already asleep, Ranma left the kitchen. Snacking on a pickle she held in her left hand while holding her snow globe in her right hand, she headed straight for Hikaru's room. Once at the door she finished her snack, licking her fingers clean.
She then closed her eyes for a moment. When they re-opened, they revealed eyes of voided night. Nox opened the door, entering and shutting it behind her. Looking down to the globe, she gave a warm smile as her sister was lying down on a fluffy bed. 'Thank you, Sister. I love you,' she stated, as the more she used the word the more she began to understand it.
~Love ya too, Sis. Don't make me regret this,~ Ranma muttered as she drifted off to sleep.
Hikaru lay on his futon reading a book as he heard the door open and close. Looking up, he noted Nox putting her globe down on the floor next to the altar he used for his rituals. "You can set up a futon on the far wall over there if you'd like, Ranma," he explained, gesturing to the wall across from him by the closet.
Ignoring what her love interest had just said, Nox crossed the distance between them. Kneeling down until she was sitting on her knees, she looked up at the young man adoringly. "Sister said I can date you, Hikaru!" she said in a cheerful voice.
"S-she what?" Hikaru asked, startled, as he looked into familiar eyes he had come to love. He scooted back a bit as Nox moved closer onto his futon.
Nox gave the boy who'd come to mean so much to her a loving smile. "Sister said I could be with you, Hikaru," she said once again as she embraced him. Hikaru reluctantly placed his arms around her in return as she laid her head against his chest.
Hikaru looked down at the top of his new girlfriend's head. 'I don't know what to say…did I affect Ranma that much with what I said?' he asked himself as he relaxed, leaning against the wall. 'I guess I owe Ranma an apology next time I see her,' he thought remorsefully, regretting his harsh words, as he slid his hand along Nox's arm until he could feel the rougher flesh of her scars.
"I love you, Hikaru-chan," Nox said simply as she felt her boyfriend rubbing her wrist.
Hikaru didn't speak as he was too deep in thought over his past with the pigtailed boy from his youth, seeing the truth that he had ignored time and time again. He finally broke from his thoughts and spoke softly, "I love you too, Nox…you're so beautiful."
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The following morning
The kitchen was busy as Kasumi plied her trade, the family gathered around the dining room table chatting while they waited. The Saotome matriarch looked around the table, noting her daughter and Hikaru were absent. Just then, she turned to see Jinan and his sister Iris walking down the stairs to take their seats at the table.
Nodoka stood up from the table and made her way towards Hikaru's room. Once arriving, she knocked a couple of times. "Hikaru-san? Ranma, honey, it's time for breakfast," she called, only to still receive no answer. Knocking a few more times, she finally gave up and headed back to the dining room.
Five hours later, Ranma lay on her side as she let out a small yawn. Opening her eyes, she noted a tall bookcase with several dusty books on it most. They were likely old tomes of lore and magic, she concluded. Atop the shelf sat a skull with a blue candle mounted on its cranium. Looking down, she realized with some confusion that she held a plush panda in her arms.
But what really caught her eye was the fact that two masculine arms were wrapped around her waist. She tensed up immediately, as clearly she was spooned up against the room's other occupant. 'Oh, good grief…well, I did tell her she could have her relationship. I guess it's only natural I would wake up next to him. And since I'm still wearin' my boxers and tank that means she didn't go too far,' she thought to herself thankfully. She then willed herself to relax into the embrace, as she wasn't quite ready to get out of bed yet nor ready to exert herself in prying her way out of Hikaru's arms.
"You awake, Nox-chan?" Hikaru whispered into his girlfriend's ear as he gave her a loving squeeze.
Ranma bit her lip momentarily, fighting off the urge to say something negative. "I'm awake, though I'm not my Sis. Can ya let go, please?" she asked nervously.
"Oh! Er, yeah, sure. No problem, Ranma," Hikaru said simply as he moved his left arm, at which point Ranma sat up. She brought her knees up to her chest while crossing her arms over them.
Ranma thought on the decision she had made as she looked to the floor, her two longest crimson bangs framing her face.
"Ranma, I am sorry for what I said last night. It was mean of me and I would be lying to myself if I said you were to blame for everything. Do you think you could forgive me and that we could try to be friends?" Hikaru asked.
Ranma turned her gaze to Hikaru, giving him a sideways glance. "I s'ppose I'll forgive you. I'm sorry too for some of the things I said in the past. As for being friends, that's kind of a moot point considerin' the fact you're datin' my sister…and me, on a technicality."
"Fair enough," Hikaru said as he looked to the clock, noting it was already around two in the afternoon. "Well, we seem to have slept past breakfast and lunch. Would you like to accompany me to get a bite to eat?" he offered kindly.
Never one to turn down an offer of food, Ranma simply nodded. "Any ideas on where you want to go?" she asked as she scanned her surroundings for her shirt and pants, finding them clean and folded neatly on top of a dresser.
"Not sure yet, though there is a nice restaurant about a thirty-minute walk from here," Hikaru offered, standing up to find some clean clothes as well.
A few minutes had passed and the martial artist and the voodoo priest were well on their way. It was quickly approaching one forty-five in the afternoon and traffic was sparse since they were on a side street. Ranma took note of five children playing a game of tag together, while Hikaru looked up to watch some birds flying overhead. The engines of an aircraft roared in the distance.
Hikaru turned his attention to his companion. "So…uh, well, what do you, like…you know, do these days, Ranma-san?" he asked while keeping in step with the blue-and-red-head haired young woman.
"I really don't have any ambitions right now…I guess I still love martial arts, since, after all, I grew up on it," Ranma stated casually while turning her attention from the children, as the view was blocked by some hedges. Hopping onto a chain-link fence, she continued her forward motion.
Hikaru considered another question that came to mind. "Well, do you like being a witch? I mean, that is, I like to complete rituals. It's an accomplishment when things go right, you know?" he asked.
"I guess it's a feat to be proud of for a voodoo priest such as yourself, Hikaru-san. However, you're wrong about one thing. I am no witch; I am a water goddess…the Jusenkyo goddess, to be precise," Ranma corrected, giving her sister's new boyfriend a slight smile.
Turning an upward sideways glance at Ranma, Hikaru chuckled as he noted something he rarely saw from the girl on the fence beside him. "Your smile…that's something I rarely see from you," he observed as the goddess jumped down from the fence since her path was blocked by a red brick wall.
"What, you never have seen me smile before?" Ranma asked while getting back in step with her new friend, as, unbeknownst to her, they neared their destination.
Hikaru shrugged his shoulders at the young goddess. "Well, I have to admit, if you smiled before I didn't notice…however, I am noticing now. Ah, we are here,"
"Are you sure we can afford this?" the red-and-blue-haired girl asked as she looked across the street, noting a rather large building in the style of old feudal Japan architecture. It had several windows that gave the restaurant's patrons a view of the street; the sign that stood over the two double doors read "Miyamoto Bar and Grill."
"I'm sure," Hikaru replied simply as he offered his right arm to his companion. Ranma slipped her left in, and the couple crossed the street to their dining destination.
Note: Well I'll be working on the next chapter soon, but I need to focus on something else for a bit so I'll try to get back to this very soon.