Sexuality: Happosai's Revenge
Chapter 8: The Nabiki Effect

Breakfast was an extraordinarily quiet affair. Soun and Genma talked but fell to silence as they felt the mood of the table. No one else was speaking, not even the usually chip Kasumi. Akane avoided eye contact with everyone at the table, choosing to stare at her food as she ate mechanically. Ranma kept stealing glances at Akane, hurt evident on his face every time looked. Kasumi and Nabiki exchanged concerned stares as they watched Ranma and Akane.

"Gochisosama." Akane said for no other reason than it was customary. The only two things she said all morning were that and "Itadakimasu."

Akane stood and walked off appearing indifferent to everything around her. It was odd to not hear her yell at Ranma to hurry up or they'll be late. After five minutes Nabiki said her thanks and stood, ready to leave.

"Come on Ranma," she said without any of her usual flair.

Kasumi felt briefly jealous that he would be walking to school with Nabiki, but smiled at Nabiki. The middle sibling returned a wan smile of her own. When Ranma took too long to get up as Nabiki paused to wait, she reached down and took his hand. She pulled Ranma up and forced him to follow her to school.

Kasumi stared at their joined hands as they moved out of sight. She was lost about what to do. She had committed herself to the idea that she and Ranma would be married. She wouldn't wait long either, probably within the next month she would wed him. But she didn't want to fight with her sister over him. She was tired of being a housewife without the joys of being one. She did everything a housewife did but she wasn't married. She didn't have a husband to kiss her hello and cheer her up. She didn't have a husband to make love to her. She didn't have children laughing and running around her feet. She knew if she married Ranma, however, he would appreciate her, and possibly make her life more exciting than it was now. Maybe she would get back into the arts. She had great potential but when mother died she gave it up to take on her duties. Nabiki, though, had also taken up financial duties. She wasn't locked in the home like Kasumi, though. They both had no true social life, a lover would be the best thing to ease their loneliness and brighten their day.

Kasumi had a dilemma. The dilemma was that they had chosen the same man. She didn't want to take happiness from her sister, but she didn't want to lose it herself. She could force her hand having the engagement, but that felt wrong. She couldn't rightfully share Ranma with Nabiki. It wasn't like one could be some concubine; they were sisters, it was scandalous. She loved her sister dearly and would share anything with her... but it wasn't right this way. In the end, she supposed, it would have to be Ranma's choice. She knew Ranma would marry one of them instead of one of the girls outside of the family; he had no interest in them. It should be Ranma's choice, but Ranma always had a hard time making a decision that would hurt someone. If he didn't, the whole engagement mess would have been settled long ago and he doesn't even want the other girls. She could hardly imagine how hard a time he would have choosing between her and Nabiki.

If Ranma chose Nabiki, she would be hurt but would get over it mostly. But if he chose her, then the Ice Queen would truly become ice, frozen from the inside out. Nabiki's coldness now was just a cover, a facade that she used to pay the bills. But if Nabiki got her heart broke, Kasumi couldn't imagine what would happen to her. She still couldn't find it in herself to let go. Ranma was already dominating her thoughts. Before she...slept with him, he was still in her thoughts a fourth of the time. Mostly it was from his antics, but some of her thoughts were about how much she loved him and he was a part of the family. He became the yin to the yang with the Wa of the house. It was his chaos verses my tranquility. He was the wind of a hurricane, and she was the calm eye.

Kasumi sighed. Perhaps it was best if they talked sometime, at least about the sleeping arrangements.

Ranma walked cautiously behind Nabiki. They had made it out of the house but she still hadn't let go of his hand. It was a bit unnerving. She was almost acting as if, as if... they were boyfriend and girlfriend. She had something Ranma hadn't seen on Nabiki's face ever: a genuine smile. He was glad to be making someone happy, and Nabiki must be damn happy to smile like that, but he was afraid of what this meant for him.

"Uh...Nabiki?"

"Mm?"

"You're still holding my hand."

"I know."

Ranma thought that telling her that would have made her let go. He hadn't planned past that. Then he just had to ask, "Why are you holding my hand?"

Nabiki actually had a hurt look cross her face before calming. She didn't hide all of the hurt from her voice, however.

"What's wrong with me holding your hand?"

Ranma tried to figure how he could put it into words. He was slightly uncomfortable at the thought someone would see him with her, and the chaos that would possibly cause. The other reason was that there was this annoying tick in the back of his mind yanking on his danger sense. Something told him it was probably too late. He knew it wasn't physical danger, or it would have been a lot more adamant about an immediate response. Right now he just got the sense that it was Nabiki that was setting it off.

"Um...that's something boyfriends and girlfriends do... We're not. We aren't even inazuke either from what I heard last night."

Brief jealousy passed over her features when he mentioned they weren't inazuke. Get a hold of yourself Nabiki! You never let anything bother you this much. She found she was suddenly touchy about Ranma.

"Ranma, we're more than girlfriend and boyfriend. We've skipped that all together. We're lovers. Holding hands is nothing compared to what we do behind closed doors."

Ranma squeaked, "Lovers?" He continued, "But that was just once...it won't happen again."

"And why not?"

Ranma stated what he thought was the obvious. "Because I'm better now..." Not to mention I was fine when you pounced me. I think that was more for you than for me.

"Ranma, I told you it takes a MONTH worth of sex to fix."

Ranma groaned. Only Ranma would object getting a month worth of sex. "What about Kasumi? She's decided to 'help' as well."

Nabiki's eyebrow twitched. "Well, now she doesn't have to. I'm here for you."

In the back of Ranma's mind he entertained the thought of no longer sleeping with Kasumi. He felt longing.

"Well, maybe you should let her know that... Because I think she's still going to try."

"Fine. I will."

"Um, you sure you want everyone to see you holding my hand? We're getting mighty close to the school..."

Nabiki paused, bringing them to a halt. She mused over the reaction of the school, and what impact it would have on her business. She was sure she could minimize damage to her reputation if she couldn't bend it to her benefit. But if word got out that they weren't inazuke, but him and her older sister were... The word scandal comes to mind. Also it wouldn't do to be seen so comfy with Ranma so shortly after his break up with Akane. That would make it seem that I stole him from her, her very own sister. Rumors would spread about how he cheated on Akane with her...even if they had no idea how close that was to the truth.

Nabiki turned and pulled Ranma towards her with their joined hands. She brought her other hand up behind his head, and pulled him in for Anything-Goes Martial Arts French Kissing. Nabiki won this bout, as she had taken Ranma by surprise. She gave Ranma's hand a squeeze before she let go and continued walking. Ranma's mouth remained the way Nabiki left it before her regained his senses a few seconds later. He continued walking quietly in her presence to school. They saw Akane reached the gates far up ahead when they turned onto the main street leading straight to the school.

Akane was walking in a steady stride towards the school doors when Kuno stepped from behind a tree.

"Ah, my Tigress of the Hunt. I see you've come without the foul sorcerer Saotome. Could it be that you've broken free of his bonds?"

Akane's head fell and her hair hid her expression of pain. She continued walking with her head down, hair obscuring her face. To the people who were well read, knew that Akane was not normal this morning, and most likely was upset. The school watched on from the windows and the courtyard as a cloud obscured the sun, casting shadow upon the scene.

"Do not worry yourself over that foul cretin, as I will take care of you! You will never have to worry again. I welcome you to my arms!"

Kuno stepped into her path and reached for her.

"Leave me ALONE," Akane shrieked as her fist cleaved into his jaw, breaking it. Her face was the definition of hurt and anger as tears trailed through the air after her motion. Everyone that saw this gasped, and the whispered rumors began.

"Was it true that Akane was no longer with Ranma? The way was she acted seems to confirm it. Why did they break up? Probably caught Ranma with one of his other girls. She probably hit him too much! Does this mean that Ranma's available? Maybe Akane's on the rebound; think I should talk to her? Poor girl, everyone knew she loved him. Ranma that jerk, I thought better of him! Hey man, would you put up with someone hitting you like that all the time? Maybe she decided to break it off because he was too much trouble. Even though he's a hunk, he might not be worth the trouble."

Kuno hit the ground looking in shock at his love, holding his jaw before moaning in great pain. He fell over clutching it. Maybe Kuno would get the hint. It was more likely everyone would just get a temporary respite from his ranting.

Ukyo faded out of view from the windows. It was about time.

Nabiki and Ranma flinched when they heard Akane's wretched shriek.

"Akane!" Ranma started to run, but Nabiki caught his arm. Ranma spat, "WHAT?!"

Nabiki shook her head. "She's hurt about you, Ranma. Seeing you right now is the worse thing that could happen."

Ranma looked desperately towards Akane.

"If you go to her now, She'll just hit you and she'll cry more. Everyone hurts when they lose someone they love, Ranma. Or do you not remember crying on Kasumi last night?"

Ranma's expression flickered with anguish at the memory of last night.

"I don't want to talk about that."

Nabiki put a hand on his shoulder. "Everyone needs a good cry, Ranma."

Ranma pulled his hand free and stalked off, looking reflective in his melancholy.

Nabiki shook her head and followed close behind.

Akane rested her head on her desk in her arms, hiding her expression. The teachers didn't even bother her because they heard about Tatewaki Kuno earlier. Akane didn't even raise her head when the lunch bell rung. She sat quietly, reflecting over her hurt with tears that soon ran dry.

Ranma kept looking at her, pain crossing his features every time he took in her countenance. He sprung out of the window and to the courtyard when the bell rung, wanting to get away. He found himself under a tree, picking at his bento. A shadow fell over him and the smell of Okonomiyaki filled his nose. He looked up to see Ukyo holding a fresh Okonomiyaki on a paper plate. When Ranma didn't take it she sat beside him.

"Is it true you and Akane are no longer engaged?"

Pain flickered across Ranma's face. He just nodded.

Ukyo was bubbling. "Now all you have to do is get rid of the Chinese bimbo and well be together!"

She latched onto his arm when Nabiki was approaching. She looked over them. The sight of Ukyo holding on to him made her jealous before she noticed that Ranma just continued eating, effectively ignoring her.

Nabiki continued approaching and sat down beside Ranma. She pulled out her own bento and ate while looking reflective.

She mused aloud, "Ya know now that I see it, I can't understand why Akane was jealous of Ukyo."

Ukyo heard her and divulged her own interpretation of those words. "She just couldn't accept that me and Ranma are meant to be together."

Nabiki looked across Ranma at Ukyo sadly. "No, Ukyo. It's because it's obvious Ranma shows no interest in you that way, and if anything is agitated by your holding him."

Ukyo immediately felt herself get defensive, shooting a fierce look at Nabiki. The look of absolute conviction and sympathy in the otherwise cold Nabiki's face made her falter. She glanced at Ranma to find him blissfully ignoring what was going on around him. She turned her gaze back to Nabiki to see her looking at Ranma and shaking her head. Ukyo felt her world about to shatter. Her internal voices shrieked in denial.

"Ranma," Ukyo began in a sugary voice that hid her fear of getting an answer she wouldn't like, "Tell Nabiki what she said isn't true."

Ranma looked like he just woke up when he heard his name.

Ukyo's voice got angry. "Tell Nabiki that what she said isn't true!"

"WHAT?" Ranma said irately.

"She said you don't have any interest in me and don't like me holding you. Tell her she's wrong."

"Ukyo...," Ranma began.

Ukyo felt fear when Ranma didn't immediately deny it. "Tell her she's WRONG!"

Ranma flinched. Nabiki put a sympathetic hand on Ranma's shoulder. Ukyo noticed this and was felt jealous at the intimate contact.

"How DARE you touch MY Ranchan!"

Nabiki looked at her again with that same damn sympathetic look. "He isn't yours, Ukyo. He isn't anybody's property."

Ukyo almost flinched when Nabiki made it sound like she treated Ranma like property. She took her spatula off her back, ready to attack.

"Ukyo." Ranma's cold voice made her flinch. Nabiki found herself echoing Ukyo's flinch. "Why are you about to hit Nabiki?"

There was silence before she answered. "She's touching my Ranchan."

"Ukyo, I determine who does and who doesn't touch me; Not you. I am quite capable of defending myself."

Ukyo was taken aback by Ranma's response. "B-But I'm your inazuke, not her!"

Ranma spoke sadly. "Ukyo, you're my best friend. You are my longest friend, who I was happy to see when you came. I thought that I would finally have a friend, but then you wanted to marry me like everyone else. Ukyo, I have plenty of people who want to marry me, but no one who just wants to be my friend. A friend is what I need Ukyo, not a inazuke."

"W-What are you saying Ranma?"

"That I want you as a friend Ukyo, not as an inazuke."

Ukyo felt her dream world shattering. She had dedicated so much time and effort towards snagging her Ranchan. What would she do now? She came all this way to get revenge, and then deciding instead to get married. Now she had no goal and no idea of what her future would be. She hadn't thought about a life without Ranma after the day of their fight. She came to Nerima and in the end it was all for naught. All because of stupid, stupid Ranma. Stupid Ranma.

"I-I HATE YOU!" Ukyo screamed. Ranma's expression broke to reveal a well of pain the deep as a trench at the bottom of the ocean. Ukyo began to swing at Ranma with her huge spatula, Ranma fearfully dodging. She wasn't swinging for blunt attacks, but for slicing. She didn't manage to hit Ranma before she collapsed in tears. Ranma came close, and reached to comfort her, but she responded in a cold voice.

"Get away from me."

Ranma looked shocked and took a step back. He turned to take off only to bump into Nabiki.

"Let me go Nabiki!"

Nabiki looked at him angrily. "Not without me, Ranma!" Ranma felt like a trapped animal. He kept glancing back at the sobbing Ukyo then at Nabiki. He dodged Nabiki and bounded off.

"Ranma..."

Ukyo didn't show at school the next day and the Ucchan wasn't open.