"Of Loss, Life, & Love"
Chapter 5
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by Luna12
Ranma stared at Akane's retreating form. 'What exactly happened back there? I didn't almost kiss her... did I?' Ranma tried to imagine the disastrous result of that course of action. He wasn't in the mood to be pummeled through the roof. Then again, Akane had leaned in rather closely to him as well. Could it be that she wanted him to, to... His mind started to overload.
Wanting some fresh air to clear his head, he left the dojo to go outside. There, sitting out on the porch like a serene statue, was his mother. The sun had set and fireflies were dancing in the summer night air.
He didn't want to disturb her, but he didn't want to leave her sight, either. He had only recently found his mother again and he valued the time he spent with her.
Sensing her son's presence, Nodoka turned and gave him a smile he had never seen from her before; it was motherly, but also intent and a little sad.
"Come here, Ranma. Share a moment with your mother."
Ranma swallowed hard and obeyed. He felt happy and nervous at the same time, still a little unsure of himself when near her.
Nodoka let out a small sigh. "I didn't know Soun well, Ranma, but he was a good man... a good father. He'll be missed."
Ranma, unsure of what to say, simply nodded in response.
Nodoka continued, her voice sounding distant and wise as she watched the fireflies. "Life is precious, Ranma." She broke her gaze away from the yard and touched her son's shoulder. "Never forget that. Never take for granted the people you love."
Ranma's eyes widened. She didn't think he took her for granted, did she? "I'd never take you for granted, Mom. I just found you."
Nodoka gave a small smile, pleased. "I know that, son, but I wasn't talking about me."
She turned to look back at the firefly dance. "If you love someone, don't hesitate to tell them. Learn from Soun: Life is short. You may never get a second chance to tell them."
Ranma could sense beyond his mother's general advice to the real issue she was trying to convey: confessing his feelings to Akane. Memories of Jusendo filled his mind. Akane, saving his life at the Phoenix water tap, only to nearly kill herself in the process. The long, agonizing race against time as he battled Saffron for the life saving water. Ranma was already living his second chance; it began the moment Akane came back to life in his arms in Jusendo. Ranma fidgeted in his seat.
Nodoka sensed his discomfort, and in an instant her mysterious, wise air disappeared to be replaced with her usual motherly attitude.
As she rose she rested her hand on Ranma's shoulder. "Good night, son."
The Tendo daughters were gathered on the floor of Nabiki's room. Kasumi sat serenly, her hands folded on her lap in the prefect portrayal of feminine patience. In complete contrast, her youngest sister sat wearing a rumpled, sweaty gi. Her fingers tapped anxiously against her side.
"So, what's so urgent?" Akane asked, still slightly annoyed by Nabiki's interruption in the dojo.
For once, Nabiki didn't look smug or confident. If anything, she seemed slightly embarrassed. "We have some ... financial problems."
"Oh, but I'm sure we'll manage," Kasumi chimed. "We always have before."
Nabiki shook her head. "I'm not talking about some slight debt from Shampoo barging through the wall or a monster crashing our home."
Akane turned her head in puzzlement. "How much debt are you talking about? Why are we in such financial straights?"
"Too many bills, not enough income. We just managed to pay off the reconstruction of the dojo after the, ahem, wedding attempt. Then there were the hospital bills and funeral costs. Not to mention, we're housing and feeding the Saotomes. Ranma and Genma aren't exactly light-eaters."
"What about the money from the wedding guests? Or the funeral guests?" Kasumi asked.
Nabiki shot a sharp glare Akane's way. "Thank our youngest sister. She made me give the wedding money back."
Akane crossed her arms defensively. "There never was a wedding. I wasn't about to accept the money you swindled out of every person in Nerima!"
"Hmph," Nabiki scoffed. "And now we're broke because you had overly righteous morals."
"Better to be broke than a swindling thief!" Akane countered, voice rising.
"Sisters, please!" Kasumi raised her hands.
Akane bowed her head. "Sorry, Onee-chan."
Nabiki simply rolled her eyes. "Well, at least we have the funeral gifts, but they're not enough to keep us afloat."
Akane could tell by Nabiki's tone that she had something up her sleeve. "So, what do you suggest we do?"
Nabiki smirked. "We're going to re-open the dojo. Lessons start tomorrow."
Akane's eyes opened wide, an eager smile forming on her face. "You mean, I'll be teaching?"
Nabiki shook her head with an evil grin. "Not just you. Ranma will be the main teacher. I've already sent out flyers. We have 20 students enrolled already."
"What!" Akane cried.
"Don't sound so surprised. Dad always planned on it - and advertising lessons by the infamous Ranma was a sure-win."
Akane's face still looked appalled. "What, you don't think I'm good enough to teach?"
"Hey, it's nothing like that. I advertised you, too. All it took was some photos of you working out and we got quite a few drooling males enrolled."
If anything, Akane's anger only inflamed more. "So I'm nothing more than a sex symbol!" She was on her feet, ready to take Nabiki down a peg or two.
"Calm down, Akane. I'm sure Nabiki doesn't think that, does she?"Kasumi's voice almost sounded threatening.
"It was business, not personal, Akane," Nabiki defended. "Ranma's the best advertisement, you got to admit. People will come in swarms to be taught to do the things Ranma can do. You may be a black-belt, but Ranma's skills are almost inhuman."
Akane knew her words were the truth, but her pride was still badly stung.
Nabiki continued. "Akane, we need the money," she reasoned, her voice matter-of-fact. "That means, we need the students any way we can get them."
Akane sighed. Her sister had a point, regardless of how much she disagreed with her methods.
"Now all we need to do is convince Ranma."
Both sisters looked at the youngest Tendo, the same look in their eyes as when they volunteered her to marry the Saotome heir.
Akane groaned. 'Yup,' she thought to herself. 'The day did get worse.'
Ranma cocked his head at his fiancée, curious. "So, why did you call me out to the dojo?"
Akane took a deep, nervous breath. She hoped her plan would work.
"Here," she shoved a mop and bucket in Ranma's direction.
"Eh?"
"I need you to help clean the dojo. We start teaching tomorrow." Akane crossed her fingers, praying the direct approach would work best.
Ranma's eyes raised. "Teach?"
Akane nodded. A slight shift from her normal posture told Ranma she was nervous, as if Akane was about to ask him a favor.
"You don't mind helping out, right?" Akane asked, her voice unsuccessfully masking her doubt. She did not want to sound like she was begging, but she needed him to agree.
Ranma rubbed the back of his head in his typical bashful gesture. "Sure, I don't mind... but why now, all of a sudden?"
Akane's face turned an embarrassed shade of pink and her eyes lowered. "We're having some financial problems. We really need the money."
"Oh," was Ranma's initial response.
She raised her eyes to meet his. "I'd like you to teach with me, so how 'bout it?"
Ranma couldn't believe his ears. Akane wanted to teach along side him? Sure, that was the plan their fathers had set out, but it all seemed so soon.
"Uh, sure. But I could do all the teaching myself, you know." He flashed her a cocky smile. "I am the best martial artist."
Akane's eyes rolled in frustration, but she wasn't surprised by his arrogant reaction.
"No," she said firmly and her eyes grew serious. "This is the Tendo dojo, and I am the last Tendo to know the Art. I will be teaching here, as my father wished."
Ranma nodded in understanding. There was no arguing that position.
"Guess we better get started, huh?"
Ranma bent down to pick up the bucket and was stopped by a small, warm hand on his shoulder. Brown velvet eyes met his.
"Thanks, Ranma."
He was as helpless as a turtle on its back. Her smile - real, genuine and utterly cute - shinned from Akane's face.
Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
A/N: I know. Another horribly short chapter. Sorry. More on the way as Ranma and Akane engage in their biggest challenge yet: teaching! What about the rival fiancées? And Nabiki? Let's just say the time Ranma's spending with Akane is making them desperate... plots will unfold!
