Disclaimer: I do not on Ranma. Enough said about that. This story is a collaboration effort between me and Drakuzz. We hope that you will enjoy this story of ours.
Twin Troubles
By David Knight and Drakuzz
Chapter Two: The Next Day
Dinner at the Tendo Dojo was different than usual. First was that Genma was not present. Second, Ranko, Ranma's twin sister whom no one had expected was sitting with them. Finally, and this was a surprise to all of the Tendos, although she was a Saotome she did not eat like her father or brother. She ate like a proper lady would.
"Are you sure you're a Saotome?" Nabiki asked in obvious amusement over the situation, and in a much better mood after making a few phone calls to get some much needed cash.
"Could I have some more rice please?" Ranko asked politely, holding her bowl out.
"Of course Ranko-chan," Kasumi nodded, giving her another bowl.
Akane's mind was boggling from this. Normally when seeing Ranko initially made her think of Ranma in his girl form but appearance was all they seemed to have in common.
Ranma was eating with his usual gusto for Kasumi's exquisite food, all the happier because Genma still wasn't home. "This food is great, Kasumi!" He complimented as he finished another bowl and offered back to the eldest Tendo sister for fifths.
"Leave some for the rest of us, Ranma-kun," Nabiki said dryly.
Ranko rolled her eyes her brother. "I'll assume that comes from father." She said, eating her rice.
Ranma blinked and turned to regard his sister. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Eating like that," Ranko replied. "Sorry if that sounded arrogant, but after how I've been raised, I pick up on stuff like that."
Ranma shrugged, not really interested, and took the bowl back from Kasumi. Giving her a thankful smile he started stuffing his face again.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow and asked of the redhead, "How you were raised? I take it you didn't grow up on the road, then?" That much was obvious, but getting more information never hurt.
"Three years with this guy," Ranko said, pointing to her brother. "Which he doesn't remember thanks to father." Note to self. Hurt father at first chance.
"How did Seijuro find you when you were..." Soun stopped himself, looking for the right word. "'separated' from Saotome?"
Ranko let out a sigh, grateful not to have to say what happened to her in between those times. "One of grandfather's people discovered me some time after father had 'lost' me. After that he took me in, and I got raised at a shrine by Shinto priestesses."
"That's unusual in this day and age," Nabiki commented. "So all your life after parting with your father you've been surrounded by priestesses?"
"Not all my life. I do go to school and train every day with grandfather," Ranko said. "I like my life."
"The training sounds great, but school sucks," Ranma commented after finished the fifth bowl and placing it down, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Why would it suck?" Ranko asked confused. "It's rather easy if you ask me. I have a solid 4.0 on my report card."
Nabiki blinked. "Okay, you're definitely not a Saotome."
Akane did a double take. "4.0? Ranma practically sleeps through his classes!"
"What?" Ranko asked, looking at her brother.
Ranma just shrugged. "Don't see what school is going to do for my martial arts." Just then Ranko started to realize the kind of person Ranma was, obsessed with martial arts over everything else.
"Well if you don't pass high school, how do you expect to own a dojo?" Ranko asked.
"Oh Ranma will inherit our Dojo once he marries Akane," Soun said proudly.
"Father!" Akane snapped.
"... marriage?" Ranko blinked.
"I ain't marrying the tomboy!" Ranma protested quite vocally.
"Don't they make the perfect couple," Soun said proudly.
Ranko stared in disbelief. Is he for real?
"Your father and our father decided to engage Ranma to one us, Ranko-chan," Kasumi said, trying to explain.
"It still ain't happening!" Ranma said and pointed at Akane. "I'm not marrying that graceless gorilla over there."
"RANMA NO BAKA!" Akane shouted, and Ranma saw him about to get malleted once more by Akane.
Except this time there was a clang.
Ranma blinked at the unexpected change in routine.
Nabiki nodded to herself, having expected Ranko to stand up for her brother. It seemed that even with the long separation and their differences she cared for him.
"What are you doing!" Akane shouted.
"That's my line," Ranko returned, her sword holding firm against Akane's mallet. "You were about to hit my brother with a large mallet."
"Well of course!" Akane said matter-of-factly. "He was being a jerk."
"And him being a tactless jerk gives you the right to hit him with a mallet?" Ranko asked incredulously.
"But... he's a jerk! You heard what he said!" Akane protested.
"Yeah I did, and my brother seems to be missing a lot of things, social niceties being one of them," Ranko said, rolling her eyes at her brother before looking back at Akane. "But he doesn't deserve to get hit with a mallet like that for it!"
"I do this all the time when that baka acts like that and no one said I am wrong!" Akane snapped.
"... excuse me?"
Akane stared Ranko and suddenly found herself unable to move.
"Nice one, sis," Nabiki mumbled under her breath.
Ranma just stared at Ranko. She was actually projecting quite the powerful anger aura.
"A martial artist would not attack someone over such a petty thing repeatedly," Ranko growled.
That got Akane mad. "Are you saying I am not a martial artist?"
"You haven't shown me anything to say otherwise," Ranko returned.
"Okay! Then let's go into dojo and see just how good you are!" Akane challenged. She caught Ranko's smirk. "What?"
"That's what a bully says in order to intimidate the weak," Ranko smirked. "Do you think of yourself as a bully to my brother or to others Tendo Akane?"
"Shut up!" Akane snapped. "I am a martial artist!"
Ranko looked at her with narrow eyes. "We'll see about that." She put her sword in its sheath and gave it to Ranma. "Hold this would you?" She asked as she followed Akane.
Ranma took the sword and stood up silently, wondering if he should stop this fight or not.
In the dojo, Akane was in a fighting stance while Ranko was simply relaxed. "Aren't you going to get ready?"
"I am ready," Ranko said simply.
Akane stared at her opponent for a moment before charging in and through the first punch.
A punch Ranko redirected into sending Akane down to the mat.
"I am sure my brother insults your fighting enough times so I will save you the pain of that," Ranko said.
Akane snarled, trying to sweep Ranko off her feet but the redhead avoided. She tried again to strike but again Ranko avoided the attack, redirecting the blow to send her into the wall.
Ranma frowned as he saw the fight progress, with Ranko calmly taking care of an enraged Akane.
Nabiki, who came to see her little sister wasn't hurt, matched his expression. Akane would be hurt over this, emotionally.
"Damn you! You are just like your brother!" Akane snarled. "Why don't you stop dodging and---"
Everyone stared and Akane stared in shock, trying to get her breath as Ranko had gotten through her last punch and landed a knee blow right into her chest.
"Unlike my brother, I don't have that crap about not hitting girls, especially since I am one," Ranko said seriously, eyes narrowed at the girl who looked afraid for a moment but then recovered moving back and getting ready to strike again yet Ranko kept her eyes on her. "Grandfather drilled this lesson into me." She then leapt up and delivered a jump kick to Akane's side, sending her into the wall. This time Akane fell and didn't get up. "Take every fight you are in seriously."
"That's enough, Ranko," Ranma said as he stepped forward, staring at the redhead seriously.
Ranko looked down at Akane who stared at her. "I don't know how many fights you have been in, but I'd say hardly any... any that really meant anything." She turned around, took her sword back from Ranma and walked out.
"Akane!" Soun cried, over his fallen daughter. "Oh my dear girl! Please be okay!"
Akane didn't say anything. She just stayed on the ground as she was.
Ranma sighed and left the dojo, jumping onto the roof to do some much needed thinking.
---
Ranko was sitting on the roof herself, looking at the stars when she heard someone end up on the rooftop. "Ranma?"
"This is my thinking spot," Ranma said casually as he plopped down next to her.
Ranko let out a slight laugh, getting her brother to look at her. "At the shrine, whenever I had a lot to think about, I climb to the top and stare at the stars. Helped me think better."
"I hate how the sky looks in the city," Ranma said as he gazed upwards. "During the trip I would always stare up at the stars. I think I even memorized them."
"I thought the same way. The shrine I've been at is away from the city," Ranko replied. She had a smile on her face. "The priestesses must be going nuts. By now they gotta know I am not there any more."
Ranma chuckled. "It runs in the blood I guess."
"What does?"
Ranma turned and gave her a roguish smirk. "Driving people nuts."
Ranko laughed at that. There was a silence between them before she spoke to break it. "You don't approve of what I did to that girl do you?"
Ranma turned back to the sky. "It's not right to hurt the weak."
"It's also not right to coddle those that think they are strong," Ranko replied. "Honestly, has that girl ever been in a serious fight?"
"Actually, she has," Ranma said. "She just seems to forget all about it and returns to how she is."
"Then maybe daily reminders will help rectify that," Ranko replied. She caught sight of her brother's look. "I don't intend on humiliating the girl, but her ego from what I can see is huge. She doesn't even have someone willing to train with her on her own level does she?"
Ranma snorted. "No one's on her level here."
"And you don't even try to help her?" Ranko asked. She stretched her arms out. "Just why is she so hung up about you?"
Ranma let out a breath of annoyance. "I don't know. For all her cries about not wanting me she just can't leave me alone."
Maybe I should ask Kasumi or Nabiki about that. Ranko thought after hearing his tone. She decided to change the subject. "... have you seen mother?"
Ranma remained silent for a while before answering. "I just found out about her today..."
"You mean, you haven't seen mother either?"
The pigtailed martial artist shook his head. "That stupid panda signed a pact. That if I wasn't a man amongst men we would both commit seppuku."
"WHAT!" Ranko whirled her head around, staring her brother in shock.
Ranma didn't even seem to notice, too busy feeling sick over the whole thing. "Not much of a man amongst men. Not with my curse."
Suddenly Ranko froze. "... oh no... oh kami-sama... no..."
Ranma turned sideways to regard her. "What's up with you now?"
"If the bastard made you sign a pact when he left on that trip..." Ranko said, looking fearfully at her brother. "Then what about me! What if father had me sign some sort of contract with you both so mother would allow him to take me with the two of you!"
Ranma hadn't thought of that. "... Let's hope not..."
Ranko nodded, feeling sick to her stomach with that thought. Is this something you knew Grandfather? Is this why you've kept me from seeing Mother?
---
Meanwhile, Akane was sitting in her room alone. Her body was perfectly fine.
Her mind was another matter all together. She was beaten. Beaten worse than she could remember. Sure, she wasn't the best martial artist in Nermia anymore. By now her mind had been able to accept, grudgingly, that Ranma was the best in Nermia. Ryoga was probably better than she was.
Even so, Akane thought she was still better than any other female martial artist. She thought she was better than all those other girls that hung around Ranma. That gave her something to be proud of.
Her fight with Ranko had the effect of a car crashing into a truck. It was almost like the first time she had met Ranma, when she thought Ranma was a girl. The beginning was almost so much like that time, she expected Ranko to be as arrogant and as much a show off as her twin brother.
Instead she actually hit her.
Twice.
When was the last time someone actually hit me in a fight? Akane asked herself, putting her hand over her left side, the side where Ranko had hit her with that jump kick that had effectively ended their fight. A part of her was angry, she wanted to lash out at Ranko, wanted to show her that she was better than her.
'Do you think of yourself as a bully to my brother or to others Tendo Akane?'
And then she heard that infuriating statement Ranko had said to her. She was a martial artist. Not a bully. She didn't prey on the weak. She didn't harm the helpless. She could defend herself. She was the heir to the Tendo Dojo.
Maybe I am not like you but there can't be that big of a gap between our skill... can there be? Akane asked herself. There had to be a way to show that she wasn't that outclassed.
And as if a bolt of lightning had struck her, Akane had her inspiration. ... of course! It's so simple! Why didn't I think of doing this before! Why have I allowed all of this to go on for so long! Resolve was firmly shown on her face. I know exactly what I have to do... and who I need to show.
---
The next morning Kasumi was preparing breakfast when she noticed a redhead walk down the stairs. "Good Morning Ranma-kun. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Sorry. Wrong twin, Kasumi-san."
Kasumi blinked, then shook her head. "I'm sorry Ranko-chan. Some times it's Ranma I see in his girl form in the morning."
"It's okay," Ranko assured her. "I'm still trying to get used to the fact that my twin brother sometimes turns into my twin sister now."
It was quite a peaceful morning in the Tendo Dojo, even if yesterday's new arrival did cause quite a ruckus. Genma still had not returned from wherever he was hiding, afraid of facing his daughter and, worse yet, his own father.
After talking for quite a while into the night the twins went to sleep in the guest room. Ranma saw no problem with sleeping with his sister. Somebody else, though, didn't take it so lightly.
"Hey!"
Ranko frowned, hearing Akane coming from behind her. "What now?"
"You slept with Ranma!" Akane snapped.
"Well yeah," Ranko rolled her eyes at the girl.
"But you're a girl!"
"No. I'm his twin sister. We shared a womb together for nine months, which is a lot more intimate than what happened last night." Ranko returned, leaving Akane speechless. "Geez, what is the problem, honestly." She walked over to the kitchen, leaving Akane alone.
The youngest Tendo had not taken well to her defeat the previous night, and even sought to take it out on Ranma, but Ranko being with him all the time served to give him some much needed peace. Even now he was still sleeping, instead of being woken up with a battle cry and a bucket filled with cold water.
"You know he's gotta wake up soon enough for school," Akane muttered.
"Oh Akane, you know how fast Ranma-kun eats," Kasumi said cheerfully. "Where's Nabiki?"
"On my way to school, sis," Nabiki said quickly as she snatched her bento from the counter. "Got some things to take care of."
"Does my brother wear a uniform to school, Kasumi-san?" Ranko asked.
"No he doesn't Ranko-chan," Kasumi replied. She noticed Ranko relax.
"Good. Glad to know I don't need to wear a uniform to go to his school," she smirked.
"You're what!" Akane shouted in disbelief.
"Well yeah," Ranko replied, rolling her eyes at the girl. "I haven't seen my twin in years. Don't you think it'd make sense for me to attend high school with him?"
Kasumi smiled. She thought that would be a great way for both twins to be able to get to know one another.
Nabiki stopped by the door and turned to give Ranko a glance. "You go to school without a uniform?"
"Yeah, why?"
Nabiki just smirked slightly. "Maybe you really are Ranma's sister, after all." And with that she was gone, heading to school with plenty of time.
"...what's that supposed to mean?" Ranko asked aloud. When no one answered, Ranko decided to have breakfast. From dinner last night, she could tell Kasumi was a great cook.
Akane however was picture how it could be to have Ranma AND Ranko at school together. Why do I know today is going to be a bad day?
She even thought she could hear the distinct sound of thunder outside, but the cloudless sky shot that idea right out the window.
---
"Why are you walking up there?" Ranko asked her brother, while she and Akane were walking on the road.
"Balance practice," Ranma answered casually, hands in his pockets, as he stared straight ahead. He was feeling very well this morning, maybe having something to do with the fact he actually got a full-night's sleep this time around, and was looking forward to getting some more practice with Kuno. He was going to beat some sense into the kendoist not to touch his sister.
"Doesn't bother either of you?" Akane asked.
"Does what bother us?" Ranko asked.
"Do you have any idea how many problems we are going to get with the both of you in school?" Akane grumbled. She could just feel the headache already and they weren't even at the school gates. "Especially since you look like Ranma."
Ranko was clueless. "What is she talking about?"
Ranma shrugged. "Beats me. School's pretty boring." For Ranma it was actually the low of his day, when less exciting things happened. For any sane person it was almost too much to bare.
Boring! That arrogant baka! Akane growled as they reached the gates. How can think life in this place is boring.
"Huh. Seems pretty normal to me," Ranko mused. "Just like my other high school." Save for the occasional apparition.
Ranma jumped down from the fence and smirked. "You fought a lot in that school, little sis?" He knew they were twins.
"Now and then," Ranko shrugged. "Some guys tried hitting on me for a date and just wouldn't say know." She gave a smirk. "So, I kind had to force the issue that I didn't want to go out with them."
"If someone bothers you here just give me the heads up," the overprotective Ranma said seriously.
"Thanks, but I can handle myself just fine brother," Ranko replied, just as serious. She hadn't need protection before and she wasn't going to have it now.
Well they are related after all, Akane thought to herself. There's that damn pride showing.
Not long after they entered the school grounds they heard a rather unwanted voice. Well... unwanted in Ranko's case. Ranma was actually looking forward to butting heads with the Blue Thunder. "My pigtailed goddess!"
"Not you again!" Ranko snapped. "Didn't you get the message yesterday!"
"How the heavens weep at such a tragedy!" Surely he did not, if only because of how he continued spouting senseless drivel. "That such a being of loveliness be deprived of her one true love!"
Ranma by now was started to become really pissed. Bad enough was to have that idiot bothering him, but to bother his little sister?
"You are really starting to annoy me." Ranko growled. She was debating whether or not to take out her sword.
It was then Kuno saw Ranma standing next to Ranko and his countenance darkened. "Vile sorcerer! Enslaver or women! I demand you release the pigtailed goddess and Tendo Akane from your vile clutches!"
"Bite me, Kuno!" Ranma snapped back, itching to beat Kuno into the ground.
"I shall show you Saotome Ranma. The most evil man that ever..."
Kuno's head met the earth as Ranko shoved it there, her face contorted in anger. "Who the hell do you think you are calling evil you jerk! What gives you the right to call my brother evil!"
Ranma blinked at that, not having expected the reaction. "Uh... sis?"
"What?" Ranko asked. "This guy is not only a moron but a jerk. Does he honestly go about doing this..."
"Every single day," Akane confirmed. "And you can guess who he meant before you came along."
Ranko was confused for a moment but then got the picture. ... I think I am going to be sick.
Ranma just shook his head and turned down to see Kuno was out like a light. Great, there went his morning workout... "Let's get inside..."
"Yeah. Let's," Ranko agreed.
---
All of the students in homeroom were staring at the sight before them. Even the teacher was staring hard. Akane had already taken her seat, not saying a word and just thought to ride out however they were going to do this.
"Um... I am not sure how to explain this..." the teacher said, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Ranko however pulled out a folder to him. "My transcripts just to prove my identity. I'll be taking them to the office later today."
The teacher just nodded, standing mutely after giving back the papers to Ranko, who addressed the class. "Hello. My name is Saotome Ranko. You all know my twin brother Ranma. Nice to meet you all." She said with a bow.
From her desk Ukyo blinked her eyes and ducked closer to Ranma. "Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"
Ranma shrugged in reply. "I didn't know. We're still trying to get my old man to talk."
The teacher asked Ranko to take her seat and she bowed, politely bowing and doing so. She could feel students looking at her yet she didn't mind. I think I should start getting used to this. Things are probably a lot weirder than they appear to be here.
The teacher went through his lesson plan and during the course of the lecture thought to quiz Ranko, who was looking almost as attentive as Ranma.
Unlike Ranma however, Ranko was able to give the exact answer to his question. He tried during the rest of class three more times, yet every time, Ranko answered correctly, without hesitation.
Ukyo was gazing at the redhead in wonder, with the rest of the class except for Ranma. The pigtailed martial artist was already snoring the school day away.
How could they possibly be twins? Akane wondered herself, though she had a good idea. Ranma was raised by their father, Ranko was raised by their grandfather. Even so, she couldn't help but feel she was showing off.
For Ranko, it was just that this lecture, the material was something that she had covered two years ago. Thus, it was easy to get through it. She could relax but still listen and do alright. This could be fun.
When the teacher was distracted writing something on the blackboard Ukyo hastily placed a piece of paper on Ranko's desk. She smiled in faint relief when the teacher turned, but found his class completely at ease and paying attention.
Except for Ranma, that is...
"Huh?" Ranko noticed the paper on her desk and saw writing on it.
Upon further inspection she saw a simple question on it. "Are you really Ranchan's sister?" It read.
The redhead looked around the class, wondering who sent this and saw a brunette looking at her. Him. She nodded her head to him, as if to answer her question.
The male-looking girl almost slapped herself for being stupid. Here was an exact copy of Ranma's cursed form and she was doubting they were siblings... She decided to have a talk with Ranko during lunch. It would do her good to start on the right foot with her future sister-in-law.
Akane noticed what Ukyo was doing as well. There she goes again, probably going to flirt with Ranma by 'being friendly' with Ranko.She gave Ukyo another look before her eyes turned to Ranko. I'll show you. I'll prove you wrong Saotome Ranko.
---
Lunch time was like a welcome relief for everyone. The twins got out of class together. Ranko thought she'd have to personally wake her brother up, except the bell did that for her.
"You really weren't kidding about sleeping," Ranko said to her brother.
Ranma yawned as they walked out the normal way. He decided he would accompany his sibling today. Tomorrow he could jump out the window as usual. "School's boring."
"I sorta have to agree. Everything he taught I learned two years ago," Ranko replied.
Ranma just had to blink at that. "Really?"
"Grandfather demands excellence. He sent me to one of the best schools in the country," Ranko explained. "And that will be reason number two he'll be upset with my unexpected arrival here."
The pigtailed boy frowned slightly at that. "Upset?"
"Well, he kind of told me NOT to come here until the time mentioned in the letter," Ranko said, head down a little. "It's just that, after not seeing you for so long, listening to grandfather over and over about staying where I was and not trying to see mother or try to find you..." she looked up to her twin. "When I finally did find out where you were and that grandfather was going to have us meet, I just... went to see you."
Ranma favored Ranko with a roguish smirk, the kind that made him so popular with girls. "Let the old man get angry. I'm glad you came."
He was treated with the sight of his sister blushing, and then giving him a hug. "Thank you, brother."
Ranma was a little uncomfortable with the hug, especially when he saw some of the other students staring at them, but the strangely warm feeling it elicited in him made him return it awkwardly.
Ranko did notice and, after a little bit disengaged the hug. "By the way, there was a boy with brown hair who passed me a note wondering if we were twins. He's a friend of yours right?"
Ranma blinked at that. "Who?"
"A guy in a school uniform with brown hair pulled in a ponytail," Ranko said, describing who it was that had given the note.
The pigtailed martial artist blinked again, this time in realization. "You mean, Ucchan? Yeah, she's my friend."
"Oh... she?" Ranko blinked.
"She's been my friend since we were five. Only that I thought she was a boy then."
"Does she enjoy dressing like a boy?" Ranko asked.
Ranma grimaced at that. "It's more like she has no other choice..." Now this he really didn't want to talk about. The whole yattai story was not something pleasant.
Ranko noticed the look. "Let me guess. Our father?"
"The old man's pissed off a lot of people," Ranma said and shook his head.
"I wonder when he'll actually show up again," Ranko mused. I still have to 'thank' him for what he did to me.
"Get in line," Ranma said with a smirk. "He's got a lot to answer for and I ain't done with him." He might not be able to read Ranko at all, but it was easy enough to guess what she was thinking. It was the usual line of thought where Saotome Genma was concerned.
"So what's for lunch?" Ranko asked, sheepishly. "I forgot to bring something today and I am not sure what the cafeterias her is like."
"You mean you didn't take the bento Kasumi prepared for you," Ranma asked in surprise. To him it was almost sacrilegious to leave Kasumi's food behind.
"That was for me?" Ranko blinked. "I thought it was for herself for wherever she might have gone. Wouldn't she be going to college since she looks too old for high school?"
Ranma instantly sobered at that. Even if others didn't think he cared, or even noticed, he knew the sacrifice Kasumi was making. "Yeah. She should..."
"You mean she doesn't go?" Ranko asked. "Did she graduate already..." The look on her brother's face told her no. "Never went at all?" A shake of the head told her. "Well, what does she do during the day? I mean she has a job right?"
"... She takes care of the family..." Ranma said quietly and sat down under the tree he picked for lunch. "It's been that way since before we arrived."
"Why wouldn't her mother take care of things?" Ranko asked. She got nothing but silence. "...oh." She slumped down to the ground. Here she was making assumptions without really knowing the family that she was staying with for the time being.
Ranma's stomach grumbled angrily, but for once he ignored it and only gulfed down half of the contents of the bento. "Here," he offered his sister.
"Thanks," Ranko said, taking the bento gratefully. "And no one else helps out in doing anything around the house? It's all Kasumi?"
Ranma shrugged. "That's just the way it is." Of course he didn't tell her he secretly helped Kasumi with some of her chores when no one was looking. If only Kasumi knew it would be harder for Genma to find out and spout his nonsense about it being a girl's job. In their travels Ranma had seen senseis that helped with the house chores, and not because of that were they any less talented in the Art.
"It's wrong," Ranko said firmly. "Everyone deserves to have a life. No one should have to sacrifice everything to make everyone else happy. What kind of happiness is that but a cheap one?"
Ranma didn't answer, knowing she was right. He just slumped a little until a familiar, and greatly unwanted, voice was heard. "HALT VILLAIN!"
He perked up at that. Kuno was here for his afternoon beatdown.
Ranko put her hand over her face. Not again. "Bro, I am eating. Could you please take care of the jerk?"
"Sure thing, sis!" Ranma cried, already up and jumping at the charging kendoist.
As the fight ensues, or rather Ranma jumping around Kuno's attacks and throwing insults his way, Ranko heard a female voice next to her. "Had your encounter with the Blue Thunder already, Ranko-chan?"
Ranko looked up and saw the boy, or rather girl, that had passed her the note earlier. "You must be Ukyo."
Ukyo smiled and sat down next to Ranko, staring at Ranma as he fought Kuno. "So you're Ranchan's twin sister. You look exactly like him."
"Of course I do. We are twins after all," Ranko giggled. She looked at Ukyo seriously. "My brother told me you were friends and that my 'father' has caused you grief. I sincerely apologize for the actions of that man. His stupidity truly knows no bounds."
Ukyo's lips formed a thin line. "Just be glad you were away from that jackass."
Not soon enough. Ranko thought. "So, you must be really good friends with my brother to follow him around or have you only been together recently?"
"I'm his fiancée, actually," Ukyo said in all seriousness.
"... his fiancée... but... I thought..." Ranko muttered, remembering that her brother had been engaged to Akane.
"I see you don't know much about Ranchan's life yet," Ukyo noted in slight surprise.
"Not really," Ranko admitted.
"It's all your father's fault. If he hadn't engaged Ranchan to all those other girls we would already be married," Ukyo said wistfully. Just thinking of being married to Ranma made her smile.
"Other girls?"
"That idiot engaged Ranchan to at least five different girls," Ukyo said and stared as Ranma actually delivered a wicked punch into Kuno's gut. He was fighting more seriously today.
Ranko felt her opinion of her father drop even further and she didn't think it could have gone any lower. Then again, it's only day two. Who knows what else is in store? She took a look to her brother, who was really taking it to the kendoist. She had a smirk on her face. "And here he was lecturing me about my fight with Akane last night."
Ukyo snorted in annoyance. "That's Ranchan for you. I take it you actually took her seriously?"
Ranko nodded. "Grandfather drilled one lesson above all others into my head. 'Take every fight you are in seriously.' Words to live by."
"I hear you," Ukyo agreed.
Just then Ranma finally got tired of the fight, or it seemed that way, and executed an impossible-looking move that ended with a snap kick while upside down and a headbutt. After that Kuno was out for the count while the pigtailed martial artist landed softly on his feet. "And stay away from my sister," Ranma growled quietly, even if his opponent was in no condition to hear him.
Ranko smirked, enjoying the sight of seeing Kuno eating dirt. She looked back to Ukyo, examining her a bit closer. "So are you a martial artist as well, right?"
Ukyo nodded. "My own family style," she said, still a bit impressed with Ranma's fight. Every time she thought he couldn't surprise her any more he came up with a new move on the fly.
"Mind if I ask what that style is?"
"Kuonji Okonomiyaki Style of Martial Arts," Ukyo said in all seriousness.
Ranko blinked for a while, not thinking she heard the girl right but saw her face. "... there's a lot of weirdness that goes on in this town isn't there?"
Ukyo didn't take offense to the question, she was used to it after all. "Ranko-chan, you have no idea."
"I don't know if I should be worried or not by that comment," Ranko said to Ukyo. She then noticed someone behind the chef. "Akane?"
Ukyo blinked and turned to regard the approaching girl. "Hey, sugar. What're you doing?"
Akane didn't say anything. Instead she slowly and diliberatly handed a letter to Ukyo and then left without saying a word.
Ranko had a bad feeling about this. Her bad feeling got confirmed as she watched Ukyo open the letter and read what it said.
'I challenge you to fight at the vacant lot behind the school at five pm. This is not a joke. I am serious, so should you. This is a matter of honor.'
"Well this is something new..." Ukyo muttered.
"Heya!" Ranma greeted as he returned, a satisfied smile on his face. Who would've thought standing up for his sister would feel even so good.
"Something new?" Ranko asked Ukyo.
"She challenged me to a fight," Ukyo said in wonder.
"What?" Ranma asked, forgetting all about fighting Kuno. Seeing Ukyo nod he cursed. "That stupid tomboy."
"What's so stupid about it?" Ranko asked.
"There's no way in hell she can beat Ucchan!" Ranma said quite verbally, which elicited a smile from Ukyo.
Ranko looked indifferent. "Let the girl have the fight." She looked to you Ukyo. "You don't mind fighting her seriously do you?"
"As long as Ranchan doesn't get upset..." Ukyo said and turned to Ranma, who had a scowl on his face.
Ranko noticed it and frowned. "You aren't willing to spar with her. What with your 'I don't fight girls' ideology and from what I hear, she rarely goes about challenging others. Let her have her fight. It just might do her some good."
Ranma continued to frown but said nothing.
"Well... I guess I should see about selling some okonomiyaki before the lunch period is over," Ukyo said when she felt the tension growing. "I'll see you guys later."
The twins said good bye to Ukyo without looking at her, both of them looking at each other. Ukyo took that as her cue to leave.
"You may not like how I handle things, but that's how it is for me," Ranko told Ranma.
"... It's different for girls," Ranma protested softly.
"Really?" Ranko asked. "I'm a girl, or you just forget that fact brother?" Ranko decided now was good a time as any to go back to the school as next class was going to start soon. Also, she wanted to let what she just said sink into brother's head.
Ranma sighed and followed after the redhead. Why couldn't she understand?
To Be Continued...