**Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2. That masterpiece is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.**
The light of dawn seeped through the district of Nerima and into the Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The quiet of the morning was gently interrupted by the sounds of birds waking to sing their chorus.
Akane stretched her arms above her head, yawning as her one hand came down to scratch her head. Her hair was a mess from her night of tossing and turning. She put her arms down and turned her head to look around her room. It's so quiet. Why is it so quiet?
It had been two weeks since the failed wedding after their return from China. Akane still wasn't too sure how she felt about everything that happened. Ranma had been avoiding her and pretty much everyone since. She wasn't thrilled about it, but she knew Ranma had a lot to work out and tried not to take it personally. Her father instructed them to deal with their other suitors before they attempted to plan another wedding, which was fair. She still wasn't completely certain that Ranma was on board with the wedding and was almost thankful it was stopped, although the damage caused was almost enough to ruin them financially. Thankfully, Akane had a very savvy sister helping with financing the repairs.
Akane stepped out of her bed, grabbing her towel from her closet. She stepped lightly out of her room, as she didn't want to disturb the unnatural quiet state of the house. Just as Akane finished opening her door, she found herself face to face with Genma, Ranma's father. "Mr. Saotome?" she looked at him questioningly.
"Akane. Do you know where Ranma is?" Genma asked, "I woke up for our morning spar and he was missing."
"No, I just woke up and haven't seen or heard anyone yet." Akane raised an eyebrow at him. This is odd. Where is he?
"Please let me know if you find him. I need to have a word with my son about skipping out on his training." Genma asked and then left Akane to her morning toilette.
Akane pondered for a moment, then headed to the bath. Where would Ranma go so early in the morning?
Later at breakfast, Akane sat, dressed for school, at the table with her family and Mr. and Mrs. Saotome. Ranma was still noticeably absent. Everyone continued eating and chatting away, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
"I'll help clear the dishes, Kasumi," Akane smiled at her sister. Where is he? He never misses a chance to eat.
"Oh, thank you, Akane! That's very sweet of you,"
Moments later, Ranma finally walked into the Tendo household, his head sunk staring at the floor. He was in his regular red Chinese silk shirt and black pants. Other than the solemn look on his face, he appeared normal and unharmed.
"Ranma! Where have you been? Your father is looking for you and you missed breakfast!" Akane smiled at him, placing a plate back down on the table.
Ranma looked up at Akane. "Sorry."
Akane blinked. "Sorry? For what?"
Ranma looked away, his eyes lowered with what could only be described as despair. "I'm going upstairs."
Akane watched after him. I don't understand. He's been so distant. Did I push him too hard by agreeing to the wedding? I could have sworn he said he loved me.. But then again, he denied it. I mean.. I should have spoken to him before going through with everything. I wish he would just talk to me. Does he hate me now? Was I imagining what he was saying to me before I woke up?
Ranma threw himself on his futon, rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Flashes of Jusendo appeared in his mind. Ranma tensed up, remembering Akane's dehydrated doll form and when he held her in his arms when he thought she had died. Ranma grabbed his chest with his right hand and started breathing quickly and hard. He thought of the moment he killed Saffron. These thoughts and images have been haunting him since they happened. What am I doing here? I can't stay here, but I have nowhere else to go right now. She deserves so much better than this. I can't tell her how I feel. If we are together, she stays in danger. I want nothing more than to hold her and tell her how much I love her, but I can't risk the danger I'm always putting her in. She almost died! I killed for her- which was necessary, right? I can't even deal with either of those facts right now. This is killing me. I don't know -
Knock, knock.
Ranma sighed, forcing his breathing to slow down. "Yes?" Dammit. You can hear my anxiety in my voice. I wish this would stop.
Akane slowly opened the door. "Ranma? Can I come in?"
Ranma looked away. "Yeah, but I don't have a lot to say right now."
Akane slowly walked over to where Ranma laid and carefully kneeled down beside him, placing her hand on his arm. Ranma pulled his arm away. Akane sighed. "Ranma, are you okay?" She mentally kicked herself for such a stupid question. She knew he wasn't okay, but she didn't know how else to check in with him.
Ranma didn't look back at Akane, "I'm fine. Just leave me alone. I'll be fine."
"You're either fine or you're going to be fine. Which is it?" Akane argued.
Ranma finally looked at Akane, his eyebrows lowered. "Great, Akane. Can you get out now?"
Akane lowered her head. That could have gone better. "Idiot." She got up and left his room, looking back at him once more. "We have to get going to school soon, so you might want to pull yourself together." She closed the door behind her.
Ranma sighed. The last thing he cared about right now was school, but he knew his mother would have a thing or two to say about his attendance if he didn't get moving. If there was one thing he did care about, it was invoking the wrath of his katana carrying mother.
Nabiki sat with two of her friends at a table in the cafeteria at school.
"So, we will all meet up after dinner and head to the new all ages club that opened downtown- what was its name again?" Nabiki's friend, Maki, asked.
"Circus." Nabiki slurped her cafeteria bought ramen. Nabiki shifted her eyes to see her younger sister walking past. She noticed Akane seemed down lately and, although she isn't well known for her caring nature, didn't like seeing her sister so unhappy. "Girls, I'm going to invite my sister to come with us."
"Sure! We will meet you at your place at 7!" Nabiki's other friend, Akira, exclaimed.
Later that evening, Nabiki approached Akane while Akane was engrossed in her homework at her desk in her bedroom.
"You're coming with Maki, Akari and I tonight to Circus." Nabiki informed her.
"What? Isn't that the new club? Why would I want to go there?" Akane looked at her sister, surprised at the attempt at an invitation.
"To have some fun and cheer up a little! Common, Akane. You'll like it. Promise. No tricks." Nabiki winked at her.
"If anyone needs cheering up lately, it's Ranma. I'm fine. I can't figure out what exactly his issue is, though. He won't talk to me. You should invite him." Akane turned back to her schoolwork. She did have a few ideas about what was eating at Ranma, but with his lack of any kind of communication, she couldn't quite pinpoint the exact cause of his glum demeanor or how to help him.
"That's okay with me! The more the merrier- but, you're still coming along, too." Nabiki left before Akane could protest and walked straight over to Ranma's room. Akane turned to see Nabiki leaving. "Ugh. Whatever. Maybe it'll be fun."
"Knock, knock!" Nabiki called cheerfully into the partially opened door to see her future brother in law laying face up in his futon with his left arm slung across his eyes and his other arm across his chest, clenching his shirt above his chest with a clearly tensed body.
Ranma was breathing heavily, trying to breathe through what looked to Nabiki like a panic attack.
"Hey, are you okay?" Nabiki's eyebrows lowered with growing concern as she slowly approached him.
Ranma removed his arm from his face to look up at Nabiki, his face flushed. "What?"
"Okay. Rude. I'm just asking because you look like you're having a panic attack." Nabiki said.
"I'm fine. What do you want?" Ranma barked at her.
"I'm inviting you to come to Circus with Akane, me and a couple friends tonight. Get out of this house and actually have some fun. Remember fun? Something you used to have lots of until recently?"
"No thanks." Ranma looked away.
"Why not?" Nabiki placed her hands on her hips.
"I.. I don't want to." Ranma scoffed and looked away.
"I'm taking that as a yes. Be ready at 7! Tah-tah!" Nabiki waved as she quickly left the room to avoid further protest. Damn. Akane wasn't kidding. What a load of gloom and doom. Why did it look like he was freaking out when I first went in? What the hell is going on?
Ranma looked at his now closed door. Ugh! That girl. I have no idea what I want, but a club isn't it.
Ranma took a deep breath and sat up. Maybe it'll be an escape from this self torment for a little while. What's the worst that can happen?
"Is that what you're wearing?" Nabiki looked her younger sister up and down.
"What's wrong with it?" Akane furrowed her eyebrows.
"Nothing.. if you're a nun. Let's see what else you have. Those are not club clothes!" Nabiki started going through Akane's closet.
Akane sighed. "Fine. It doesn't really matter what I wear. Did Ranma say he would come?"
"I didn't really give him a choice. You two both need to get out of this house and cut loose." Nabiki pulled out a few more articles. "Wow, Akane. There's not much here for a club. I'm going to get one of my shirts."
Nabiki was dressed in a tan, skin tight, sleeveless shirt, hoop earrings and super low cut black leggings. Nabiki waited impatiently for her sister and future brother in law to come downstairs.
Akane descended the staircase. She sported low cut jeans and a black halter top, showing off her midriff and slight cleavage. "Nabiki, I feel ridiculous."
"You will feel more ridiculous if you show up in anything from your closet. You'll fit in just fine now." Nabiki looked over her work and smiled. "Ranma!" She called up.
Ranma slowly made his way to the top of the stairs, his hands in his pockets and started to head down. Ranma was wearing exactly what he wore all day long- his normal attire.
Akane cooked at eyebrow at Nabiki, "You're not going to make him change like you did me?"
"No time! I see Maki and Akari walking up now! Ranma, perk up a little, will ya?" Nabiki smiled gleefully. "I'm so excited to check this place out. I've heard a lot of great things so far."
Ranma followed the girls out the door to meet Nabiki's friends, no change to his demeanor or facial expression.
The gang approached the club. The bass from the music could be heard from down the street.
Nabiki smiled at her group. "Follow me." Nabiki led them to the front of the line of people and whispered something into the security guard's ear. The guard nodded. Nabiki held out her hand and the guard stamped it. He then proceeded to stamp the hands of the rest of the group's hands then let them in ahead of the line up. Groans and protest could be heard from the people waiting.
Akane looked down at her hand. "Nabiki, these stamps say we are of legal drinking age."
Nabiki smiled and nodded happily. "You're welcome." She led them inside and found a booth for them to sit in.
The music was very loud, but they were still able to hear each other as long as they raised their voices quite a bit. A waitress approached their table. Nabiki smiled at the waitress and ordered a round of sake. Akane looked at her sister. "I don't know about drinking, Nabiki. I've never drank alcohol before."
Nabiki looked at her friends. "Let's go dance!" Nabiki got up and pulled her sister to her feet. Akane looked over to Ranma. "You coming?" Ranma shook his head. Akane sighed and followed her sister. Whatever. I'm not going to let him ruin this little bit of fun.
Ranma sat in the booth watching the girls enter the dance floor and start moving with the music. The waitress approached with their drinks and winked at him. "Thanks," he said.
Ranma looked at the drinks in front of him. Why not? He took a sip. Not.. good, but not the worst. He polished off his drink quickly. He looked at the rest of the drinks and then at the girls. Akane didn't want hers anyway, right? He drank Akane's.
A young girl with bright green eyes and long, blonde straight hair, a very short black dress with a red halter top and a seductive look in her eye approached Ranma and his table. "Hey there, handsome." She smiled, sitting herself down directly beside him.
Ranma sat stunned. "Hello. Do I know you?" He asked.
"No, but I'm hoping we could change that. I saw you sitting here by yourself and had to come over to talk to you. You look so glum! What can I do to help you with that?" She flirted with him.
"Oh, I'm not really sure. It's okay, I'm fine. I'm Ranma Saotome. What's your name?" Ranma introduced.
The girl smiled brightly at him. "Miyuki Takagi. Pleased to make your acquaintance!" She touched his arm with her hand. "So, how can we make this night better for you?"
Ranma looked at the girl. Man, she's cute.
The waitress approached and looked at the two finished glasses. "Another?" She asked.
Ranma nodded. "Better make it two." He looked at Miyuki, "want anything?"
Miyuki smiled at him mischievously. "Absolutely. I'll have a sake, as well. Thank you."
The waitress nodded and left to get their drinks.
Miyuki smiled at Ranma. "So, you didn't answer me."
Ranma sighed. "Well, let's drink these drinks then we will see." He smiled at her.
Akane looked over to the table and saw Ranma smiling at some girl. Who is that? He's actually smiling! She turned to Nabiki, "Nabiki, who is that girl?" She asked.
Nabiki looked over, "I'm not sure. Do you want to go find out?"
Akane thought for a moment. "Not yet."
The waitress returned to the table with their drinks. Ranma thanked the waitress and downed one of his two drinks.
"Wow!" Miyuki laughed at Ranma. "You must be a pro!"
Ranma hiccuped. "Actually, I've never drank before. I think I like the feeling it's giving me, though." He grabbed his second drink, feeling his emotions get numb with each drink.
Miyuki sipped her drink. "I like you, Ranma. You're fun." She laughed.
Ranma smiled. No one has accused him of being fun in quite some time.
Miyuki smiled at his suggestively. "You wanna get out of here?" She asked.
Ranma, naively, nodded his head. It was pretty loud in the club and he couldn't imagine another drink at this point. Miyuki grabbed him by the hand and started to lead him out of the club.
Akane glanced over at the table again and saw Ranma was gone. Where is he?
Ranma and Miyuki walked outside and started walking down the street. "Wow, that music really leaves a ringing in your ears," Ranma observed.
Miyuki held Ranma's hand. Ranma smiled at the girl. Wait, what am I doing? He looked down at his hand. I should pull away. Akane would kill - wait. Could this be the way I get Akane to move on from me, so she can be safe? Ugh, I'm such an idiot. Is that really what I want?
Miyuki pulled him along and ducked into an alley. She pulled Ranma in with her and pushed him up against the wall of the building. Ranma stood shocked. Miyuki didn't waste a single second and immediately pressed her lips to Ranma's. Ranma was stunned, but slowly returned the kiss. Miyuki moaned, her hands exploring Ranma's body with one hand pressing down his chest and the other up his back, enjoying the muscle structure of the martial artist. Ranma's hands slowly and cautiously wrapped around her back.
Ranma snapped back to reality. He had too many drinks to be thinking this through properly. He broke the kiss and looked at the gorgeous girl. "I'm sorry. I can't."
Miyuki smiled at him. "Hey. It's just a little fun. Don't you find me attractive?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
Ranma took the situation in. "Yeah, I do. I'm not really in a good space right now, though. I was almost married a couple weeks ago."
"I'm not looking to marry you, Ranma." She took his hand and wrote her phone number in his palm with a pen she had pulled from her purse. Miyuki smiled up at Ranma. "Let's just go for a walk. You can tell me more about it. If you want to meet up again another time, you have my number."
Ranma scratched his head. "Yeah, okay. I can do that." Sort of. Maybe.
Akane was getting worried. Ranma didn't come back. The girls were all sitting at the booth, three of them drinking their sake. Akane noticed the five empty glasses left on the table before the waitress cleared them.
Nabiki looked at her sister. "I'm sure he's fine."
Akane sighed. "I know this is going to make me sound jealous, but he was smiling at a really pretty girl the last time I spotted him. I haven't seen him smile in weeks. Maybe I should go look for him?"
Nabiki smiled at Akane. "I'm sure there's nothing to be worried about, but if it will make you feel better then maybe you should."
"Thanks, Nabiki." Akane got up.
"Oh, and Akane?" Akane turned to look at her sister, "I'll send you the bill for your drinks when I get home with an added premium for covering it for you."
Akane laughed. "I wouldn't expect anything less." Akane walked around the club, trying to spot Ranma. When that failed, she left the club and started walking down the street.
After a few minutes, Akane spotted Ranma and that same girl he was smiling at sitting on the curb of the road rather close to each other. Akane tensed. Are they laughing?!
Akane approached the two of them. "Ranma?"
Ranma looked up at Akane. "Oh, hey there Akane." He smiled.
Akane smiled back. "Where have you been? I was worried."
Ranma looked at Miyuki, then back at Akane. "I've been with Miyuki. We are just hanging out."
Miyuki smiled at Akane. "Is this her, Ranma?" Ranma nodded. "She's beautiful. Hello, I'm Miyuki Takagi."
Akane raised an eyebrow at the blonde girl. "Akane Tendo."
Ranma could sense the tension and rose rose his feet. "We should probably head home. I'll see you tomorrow, Miyuki?"
"It's a date!" Miyuki smiled up at Ranma before rising to her feet, as well. She then pulled Ranma into a hug and kissed him on the cheek before saying goodbye and heading back to the club to meet back up with her own friends.
Akane stood shocked. "Ranma? Who was that?"
Ranma looked at Akane. "Miyuki. We told you."
Akane sighed. "I know that much, Ranma. How come I've never met her or seen her before? Is she a friend of yours?"
Ranma smirked at Akane. "Why? Are you jealous?"
"No!" Akane blushed.
Ranma turned around. "I'm heading home. You coming?"
Akane felt uncertain about what she had just witnessed. She would have to ask Ranma about this tomorrow. She could tell he's had a bit to drink and didn't want to push him while in this state. He did seem more relaxed, though. She nodded and started to follow Ranma home.
Akane reached for Ranma's hand. Ranma pulled away. Akane's heart sank. What is going on with him?