Sexuality: Happosai's Revenge

Chapter 6: Broken and Forged Engagements

Everyone sat at the table for the first time in a week. Everything seemed back to normal. Kasumi had even more sunshine than usual, and Nabiki smirked like someone who has an awesome secret. This went unnoticed by the other people of the table. Ranma gobbled down his food while taking alternating glances at Nabiki and Kasumi. Every time he accidentally made eye contact, they gave him: the look. Ranma shuddered and decided to keep his eyes on his food and his food away from the Panda.

Akane looked at Ranma accusingly. "So how did you cure your problem, Ranma?" Her words were coated in enough sugar in them to melt enamel.

Ranma was at a loss of words for a moment. Kasumi and Nabiki coughed, choking on their food in panic. That bought Ranma time to think while everyone was distracted.

"Well, you know that I can overcome ANYTHING!"

Akane cocked her head. "That so? So you weren't faking?"

"Of course not tomboy."

Akane started to get angry when she caught Kasumi's eye. She visibly calmed down.

"None of your floozies helped you?"

"Floozies? What are you talking about?"

"Shampoo, Ukyo, – Kodachi."

"Ucchan's a friend, not a floozy' "

Akane's jealous rage started building up again. How DARE he defend her!

Kasumi chose that moment to speak up. "Yes, Akane. Why would you call a friend that? What has Ukyo done to deserve to be called that?"

Now Kasumi defended her! Akane couldn't understand why everyone started turning against her. Akane looked for some reason to call Ukyo that and she got frustrated as she couldn't find one.

"No, she hasn't. But answer the question Ranma. You didn't get help from them, did you?"

"No. Why would you think that?"

Akane spat, "Because you always go to them."

"No, I usually get SENT to them via a mallet for being accused of something I didn't do! That or they chase me! I have no control over them!"

"Liar! You're always groping them!"

Ranma stood angrily. "They are always groping me. So jealous you can't even see straight!"

"I'm not jealous of your floozies! You can screw them for all I care, if you haven't already! As far as I'm concerned our engagement is through!"

"W-What!"

"You heard me!"

Soun suddenly jumped up. "What? Sweetheart, you can't do that! The future of the schools are at stake!"

"I won't marry a cheating jerk!"

Genma piped up, "Son, be a man and do something about your inazuke!"

"There is nothing he can do, because I MEAN IT!" Akane stomped out of the room.

Ranma gaped at her retreating form. What did he do? He did nothing (that she knew of) and she just stomped off. He must deserve it.

Ranma had been so used to Akane's emotional abuse that he had begun to believe that he deserved the way she treated him. While it used to be sweet that when Akane got mad he'd think it was his fault and apologize, now it was painful and pathetic. It hurt him to see her walk away from him.

"A-Akane!"

She stopped for a moment, before continuing off to school.

Soun was crying and Genma trying to cheer up his old friend, plotting in the process. Nabiki gawked at the retreated Akane. She couldn't believe the girl just up and accused, taking anything said and twisting it to fuel her anger. Kasumi was beyond right about it being time to trim her little red wagon. Only problem was that Akane's red wagon was the size of a school bus.

Kasumi stood fuming at her immature sister. She may love him, but Ranma didn't deserve this. The heavens shook and Hitler was having a snowball fight with Satan as Kasumi did something that was thought to be impossible and unnatural – she frowned.

Ranma walked to school alone and Akane avoided him for the whole day. He refused to eat Ukyo's welcome back okonomiyaki at lunch when she made it for him. He wasn't hungry and didn't feel like talking to anyone but Akane. Ranma trudged home through the rain after Akane took off quickly from school to avoid him.

Everyone was gathered around the table eating, but Ranma who said he wasn't hungry (gasp), in a tense silence when Soun spoke up.

"Akane, I beg you to reconsider. This is a matter of honor, and the school. You have to marry Ranma."

"I will not marry that perverted jerk!"

Kasumi decided enough was enough. She would have to teach Akane the hard way the cost of her anger and pride. In the end all she will have to blame is herself. Kasumi spoke the words to get the wheels in motion.

"What if you lost Ranma forever if you gave up the engagement this time? Are you sure would still want to do this?"

Fear flickered across her face before she hardened her expression again. "Hmph. As if anyone else would marry that baka!"

Nabiki spoke in a droll tone. "Last count I took without you was three; possibly more. That isn't including the loads of girls I sell Ranma's pictures to..."

Fear flicked again before Akane steeled herself. "He can marry all them for all I care!"

Soun whined. "Akane, dear daughter, please reconsider!"

Kasumi suddenly stood with elegance eerily similar to an angel of vengeance. "Fine Akane. You don't deserve Ranma with the way you treat him. He practically worships the ground you walk on, but all you do is take advantage of him and hit him for things he didn't do. I hope you learn a lesson from all this. Pride and anger will be your downfall." Kasumi took I breath before hardening her resolve. "I will take over the engagement." Kasumi looked over at Akane with sad eyes. "And I will marry him. That means you won't get him back, little sister."

Everyone stared in shock at Kasumi. Nabiki's face alternated between jealousy and shock.

Akane's face was the definition of mute horror. She would never, ever be able to get Ranma back from Kasumi. Kasumi was perfect.

That was when they heard someone take off down the hall.

Everyone, but Akane who was still absorbing what happened, had the good graces to look shamed.

Kasumi moved quickly around the table and down the hall. She came to the front door to find Ranma no where in sight. Kasumi looked off into the night with a worried expression as the rain continued to pour.

"Ranma..."

Ranma came in his room from the window, very late at night. He landed softly one the floor. He kicked off his clothes, leaving only his boxers and undershirt. He crawled into his futon only to feel someone else already in there. He turned over to see Kasumi's deep brown eyes in the faint light, looking at him with deep concern.

Ranma was tensing to jump to his feet and take back off into the night when Kasumi wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. She held his head to her shoulder, using her long unused motherly technique to comfort him. She held him just the right way, caressing his head. Ranma felt himself tearing up and tried half-heartedly to push away from Kasumi. She just tightened her hold and pressed his face back to her shoulder. He finally gave in and wrapped his arms around her. He let a few choked sobs out.

"Why can't she trust me Kasumi? Why?"

Kasumi rocked him gently as she answered. "Because she's too insecure. She couldn't believe that you wanted just her. She isn't ready for a relationship. She still has a lot of growing up to do. It has nothing to do with you."

"But it's always me Kasumi. I had to have done something wrong. It's always my fault."

Hearing Ranma's words, she felt like her heart left a gaping hole in her chest when it collapsed on itself.

"No, Ranma. It isn't. You aren't perfect, but way too many times your blamed for something that isn't your fault."

"Kasumi, I can't make you marry me. I'm just some freak pervert. You deserve better. You have Tofu."

Kasumi had to keep herself from getting cross. Ranma needed comforting words, not a scolding. "Ranma, you are so much better than you let yourself believe. You are kinder and more courageous than anyone I've ever known is. You're very sweet in your own insensitive way. You help friends and enemies alike and you never judge people. You're quick to forgive. If there's anything that's bad about you is that you're too kind and forgiving." Kasumi paused. "Why did you mention Dr. Tofu?"

"Everyone knows he likes you. He goes crazy when you're around or your name is mentioned."

"Doesn't he act silly all the time?"

"No. Just when you're around."

Kasumi stored that knowledge away for later. Either way, it was too late to take back what she's done. "He doesn't matter right now. You do. You need me, and I want you."

"You don't want me."

Kasumi moved her hand from stroking his head to pulling his chin up to look her in the eye.

"Ranma Saotome. I. Want. You." Kasumi brushed her lips against his suddenly realized the position they were in. Tears flowed from Ranma's eyes at Kasumi's statement.