Chapter 34: The fun begins
While the Saotomes were out visiting, so was Ryouga as he walked by an old woman throwing water out on the street, turning him into his cursed form a little black piglet called P-chan. After a bit of wandering he ended up in the Tendo's yard and heard Akane say his name all excited as she grabbed him up in a scoop as she snuggled him. "Oh P-chan, I'm so glad!" She grumbled as she held him and started walking towards upstairs with him. " Ranka and Ranma don't know what they are talking about, do they? Because you did come back."
As they walked by he took notice that no one seemed to be around, which he found odd. Akane smiled at him as she went upstairs with him. " So P-chan I talked to P-chan 2 and he promised me, he wouldn't fight with you again and he wants to get along. So, you'll be a good boy too and get along with him too, right?" P-chan's eyes bugged out at hearing that as he tried to squirm free from her hold, squealing frantically. Akane griped him tighter as she went off to her room with him, shutting the door behind her. " Alright now remember your promised P-chan 2." The evil P-chan glared daggers at the real one for a split second and then smiled at Akane. Akane smiled as she set P-chan down on the bed with the other one. "There we go." Evil P-chan pushed a magazine off the bed, onto the floor, making Akane tend to it.
He then showed off a fanged smirk as he attacked a squealing P-chan, ripping his signature bandana off him. P-chan glared back at his clone, as he threw a punch of punches at him. Akane got back up with the magazine from the floor to see a fight cloud moving around on her bed and loud upset, angry pig noises. " Hey! I thought you two both promised me, you'd be good boys." She gasped as they both went tumbling off the bed and onto the floor, before the real P-chan squealed loudly as he sped out from the room and down the stairs, only for the evil one to be hot on his trail. Akane ran downstairs after them all upset. " Hey!"
P-chan 2 snapped his fangs down as he got the tippy end of real P-chan's tail, making him squeal even louder, as he ran as fast as he could, escaping off into the near by closet that was open just enough, so he could squeeze in. He held his breath as he heard angry snorting as his clone was closing in. Akane caught up to him as she grabbed him up into her arms. " P-chan 2, I can't believe you.." She looked around sadly for the real one and even called his name, after a few minutes she sighed and went off upstairs with P-chan 2 to her room, where she set him back down on her bed.
She sighed as she looked at him from where she was sitting at her desk chair. " You didn't mean to bite everyone at school, did you?" P-chan 2 just gave her big eyes and bweeted cutely, which made her scoop him up and hug him to her chest. " I'm sorry Ranka hurt you." She held him closer as she went on. "She's wrong.. you haven't hurt me, after all, right? I wish.. you could get along with P-chan though.." He was enjoying all the attention, before he was given a command from his master as his catalyst gem inside his body lit up and made him squeal, before his eyes flashed red as his fangs came out and he bit down on Akane's hand, making her yelp, as she let go of her hold on him, looking shocked as she staggered back against her bed, as well as the fear setting in and hearing in her mind, Ranka's warning. Her hand was shaking as her eyes teared up at being betrayed by him so easily and her heart racing as she could see her wrist with the bite mark, starting to turn purple.
Back at Kalu's, after finishing their game, Nodoka said they had to be going. They all said their thank you's and goodbye's before they departed and made their way back home. Time went by and it was getting closer to dinner. Nodoka put her hand to her face as she looked at the time. "I would've thought Ryouga would've come back by now." Ranma was playing one of the video games, while Ranka was getting ready to go help her mother in the kitchen. Ranma concentrated on the game. " He probably got lost." Ranka crossed her arms as she could see her mother was concerned. " Hey mom, can I go look a few places, really quick for him?" Nodoka smiled and nodded at her. " Make it quick, as he did seem like he wanted to come back before dinner." Ranma stopped playing his game, looking annoyed, as he didn't want Ryouga alone with his sister, if it could be helped. " I'll go look for him too." She felt a bit more at ease knowing Ranma was going with Ranka, as she watched them hurry off.
As they walked around looking, Ranma has his hands in his pockets. " I bet the porkers at the Tendo's." Ranka didn't disagree. "I guess we'd better check if he is, really quick." Ranma agreed as they made their way over there, as Ranma let himself in first, finding it odd that Kasumi hadn't come over. Ranka followed after him inside as she looked around at not seeing anyone, her red gem lighting up as it sensed danger. She took off upstairs in a flash, tossing Akane's door open as her sights set on the evil P-chan curled up on the bed next to her. Acting quickly she pulled out the small blessed knife, as she slashed him with it on his side, making him squeal out in pain.
He snarled at her as he launched himself at her with an attack, only to hit her defense barrier, which she had up. He cried out with more squeals before he threw himself out the open window. Ranka sighed as she put her knife away, going over to the bed where Akane was laying and looked out of it, as she could see she had been poisoned and it was spreading. She communicated with the gem as red light appeared around Akane, as she was starting to heal. Ranka looked annoyed at her. " So, what was that about "him" not hurting YOU? Never mind it looks like he probably poisoned everyone in the house." Akane teared up at seeing her, a mix of emotions.
A few minutes later an upset Ranma came into the room. " Looks like everyone got poisoned by the little bastard.." He crossed his arms as he gave Akane and upset look. " I can't believe you let that evil P-chan back in, I mean did you NOT see what it did to half our school, huh Akane?!" He was mad at her stupidity and not holding back. " Guess "he" didn't like you that much, since he hurt you too." Akane teared up more at being yelled at by him. Ranka shook her head at the whole thing. "And you got on me before about making her cry, but in all serious ness, try to save the lecturing for when she's feeling better. She may be a moron, but getting her more upset won't help." Ranma muttered as he slammed his fist against the wall in anger, before leaving the room.
Akane starred wide eyed at how Ranka had some what taken her side and it touched her. Ranka sighed as she gave her a serious look, with her arms crossed. " Once you're feeling better though, you're going to get it. There you're healed, now you have to let your body deal with healing and I have to go help everyone else." She got up and went off to Kasumi's room next, then going off downstairs to tend to Mr. Tendo. Ranma was with his dad in his room, having briefed him. Genma was laying in his futon looking more ill. " And.. what about me?" Was his reply when Ranma said that Ranka was healing everyone from the poison. Ranma shrugged. " Who knows, I guess you should've been nicer to her."
P-chan who had hid deep in the hallway closet, at hearing what sounded like Ranka, started squealing excitedly. He didn't try to get out as he wasn't sure if the evil P-chan wasn't still hunting for him. Ranka was about to go back upstairs but at hearing pig noises and knowing the clone was gone, that it was likely the real one, followed where the sound was coming from, as she slid open the closet door, picking him up gently by the scruff of his neck. She took him off to the bathroom, where she dropped him off into the hot bath, so he could change back, turning her back to him. " You okay, Ryouga?" Her red gem lit up as surrounded the tub in a red glow as it worked on healing him, if he was poisoned.
Ryouga surfaced as he changed back, staying down low enough. "Ranka, boy am I glad to see you. Ah.. yeah, I think so, but I hid.." Ranka nodded. " Right from you're evil pig clone.. that Akane let back in here.." Ryouga sighed with his head down. " Yeah.. I didn't know, or I wouldn't have come.. I meant to come back for dinner, well.. or try my best to." Ranka put her hand up to stop him. " Right, well I'd better go heal the old man." She said referring to Genma, as she left the bathroom area and went back upstairs to where he was, giving him a blank look as she had her gem heal him as well. Genma was sweet talking her or such, but she ignored him. He kept carrying on. " Ooh Ranka, you do care about your father, you wouldn't let me die." Ranma rolled his eyes at him. Ranka healed him just enough so it stopped spreading. " This is going to take awhile, so I'm going to call mom." Ranma nodded as Ranka went off back downstairs to do so.
After she got off the phone with her mother, she saw Ryouga, who was in his usual clothes. Ryouga looked around pensively. " Is that evil P-chan gone?" Ranka nodded. " He ran off, but he's gone and poisoned everyone here, including Akane." Ryouga's eyes widened at hearing that. " Oh no.. Akane.." Ranka crossed her arms. " I tried to warn her, but.." She sighed again. " Well Ranma's upstairs with the old man, and I was about to go check on Kasumi and then Akane. I guess Nabiki's not home, luckily for her and the old pervert too. Do you think you could tend to Mr. Tendo? My mom's on her way to help out too." Ryouga tried not to get nervous at how cute she looked and since she had asked he nodded. She smiled a tad at him and thanked him for his help in advance as she went back upstairs with two wet wash clothes.
She let herself into Kasumi's room and laid the cold wet wash cloth over her forehead. Kasumi smiled at her gently as she managed to take it off and slowly try to sit up in her bed. " That's.. not necessary, I.. still.." She started to feel the fever hit her brutally as she tried to fight through it. " dinner.." Ranka gave her a sad look as she helped her lay back down and set the wash cloth back over her head. " I'm sorry Kasumi but you're in no condition to do that, you need to rest. Don't worry my mom is coming and we'll make sure dinner gets made and that everyone get's taken care of." At hearing that she relaxed and shut her eyes. Ranka left the room, shutting the door gently behind her as she went off to Akane's room next, with a big sigh.
Akane yelped at feeling something wet and cold get plopped down on her head and was deviant as ever as she pulled it off, setting it down on the bed. " I.. don't need it, because.. I'm fine." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Oh yeah that's right, because you didn't get poisoned, right?" She said in a sarcastic tone, before turning to a more serious look. " But you did and you should be saving your strength by NOT talking, it's hard to, right." Akane pulled herself up into a sitting position, as she looked around, with her head feeling fuzzy as it started to come back to her. " You.. hurt him again, didn't you.." Ranka looked off with a distraught look on her face. " That's right, I did, because I had to.. YOU seem to think that I like to keep hurting him, well I don't.." She tightened her fist, with an upset look on her face. Akane had a serious and upset look on her face. " Then.. save him, please.. I know you can.." Before anything could be said, Nodoka opened the door, having arrived and at hearing Akane trying to guilt trip and endanger her daughter further, decided enough, was enough.
She stormed over to where Ranka was and grabbed her by her hand, as she pulled her out from the room. " Ranka dear, could you go get Kasumi some water, I'll tend to Akane." Ranka blinked and nodded as she went off downstairs to get some water as instructed. Nodoka wasn't smiling as she returned to dealing with Akane, with a stern look on her face. " Akane dear, that's enough of that. I will NOT have you endanger my daughter any further with your selfishness. You told me you cared about her, like you do my Ranma, yet you continue to endanger her.."
Akane teared up some at being lectured now by Nodoka. "I.. don't.." Nodoka held up her hand at her. " You don't understand, let me make it clear for you to understand then. Because of what happened at the school the other day for example, my daughter exhausted herself with dealing with the aftermath, so tired that she wouldn't wake for hours!" She said through anger as tears welled up in her eyes. "Not to mention with your harsh words, you continue to endanger Ranka's well being and growth. I cannot and will not allow such. Do YOU understand Akane.." She said with a cold and stern look. " Re evaluate what my daughter means to you, before seeking my approval again." She grabbed the wash cloth and motioned for her to lay down as she put it back on her. "Now rest and think of your actions."
After awhile Nodoka was cooking in the kitchen, and after getting some more water Ranka went back upstairs with it to Akane's room, seeing that the fever had hit her. " You'd better drink some water, it'll help." She helped her sit up and put the glass of water to her mouth, pouring a bit from the glass into her mouth. Akane coughed some before laying back down, feeling very out of it as she spouted off things. " Why.. won't you.. help him, he didn't mean to.. you were the same.." Ranka knew she wasn't thinking straight from her feverish state as she sat down at the desk chair. " Because I can't, I can't even communicate with him." She looked off the other way. " Because I didn't know any better, sadly that's not the case with this evil P-chan and he has no intention of wanting to know or care about his original." She sighed as she played with her gem necklace. "We" don't think the same, he can only do so much. I can't sense that he has much remorse for his actions. I've probably told you that before. I get that you care and it's nice of you but if he really cared about you Akane, he wouldn't have poisoned your family."
She leaned back in the chair some. " I'll always regret what I did.. and.. I didn't want to.." She fidgeted with her fingers some. " If I thought I could save P-chan 2, as you call him.. I would, but I can't over ride Satan's gem when it's attached inside his body, he has complete control of him. Just like.. how.. I can't save Ivory, she can never go back to being the same, her only salvation is to be able to rest in peace, and I'm sorry but.. that's probably what's best for P-chan 2 as well.." She got up from the chair. " I'll come check on you later, get some rest okay stupid." Akane would've retaliated but she was in no state to.
Ranma had been dealing with his dad, but his feverish ranting was annoying him as he kept repeating himself, crying about how he was dying. Ranma grumbled from where he was sitting on the ground. " Then die." He got up and went off downstairs to get the old man some more water, seeing how he was panting away from the fever. Nodoka looked up from what she was doing at seeing her son enter the kitchen. "Oh Ranma dear, how is your father doing?" Ranma looked annoyed as he got a glass and filled it up with some water from the faucet. " He's whining and carrying on like a baby about how he's dying." Nodoka laughed a bit. "He's so over dramatic." Ranma laughed some too. " Yeah huh I'd better give him some water, before he dies." Ranka went about to helping her mom with getting bowls for the rice porridge and getting one off to Ryouga for Mr. Tendo.
Nabiki came walking in from getting back from her outing, as she stuck her head in the kitchen. " Hey Ranma's mom and Ranka, what brings you here?" Ranka sweat dropped at her as she rubbed at the back of her head. " You're really lucky you weren't here, everyone's working,being poisoned, out of their systems.." Nabiki looked annoyed. " Oh jeez Akane.. you didn't.." Ranka sighed as she got a bowl of porridge ready. " She" did.." She looked upset as she mumbled under her breath, before noticing the bowl. " Hey, is that for Kasumi? I'll take it to her." She didn't wait for an answer as she grabbed the bowl from Ranka, and ran upstairs with it, with an upset look on her face. She was angry that Akane had endangered their lovely sister, as well as worried for her.
Ranka went upstairs with a tray, so she could hold two bowls. She gave Genma a blank look as she set the bowl down before taking her leave from the room, taking the other one off to Akane's room, knowing that Ranma would deal with helping the old man, as he could stomach him more than she could. She sat back down in the chair as she set the tray on the bed, after helping Akane sit up. " You should try to eat, it'll help you feel better some." Akane tried to move to no success. Ranka sighed as she blew on a spoonful of it a few times. " Say, ah." Akane blushed as she did so and got spoon fed. After a few more spoonfuls, she set the tray on the desk. Akane teared up as she chocked out the words. " I'm.. sorry.." Ranka ignored her as she didn't want to to argue with a sick person and also she knew she wasn't in a good state of mind.
Once everyone was downstairs, Nodoka served up the dinner she had prepared, since the sick had been taken care of. She smiled a little. " it's not really what I had planned for dinner, but circumstances being what they are… " Ranka waved her hand about. " It's fine, you're worrying too much." Ranma nodded in agreement as he had already dug into his. Ryouga smiled and thanked her for the food as he dug in as well. When Nabiki came back downstairs, Nodoka had a plate waiting for her as well. Nodoka having finished hers, dabbed her face with a napkin. "Since you're alright and here, we should be able to leave things to you Nabiki." Nabiki sighed as she sipped some of her drink. " Sure thing Mrs. Saotome, thank you very much for your help and I apologize for my sisters actions." The truth was she didn't want them leaving, and making her have to play nurse, as well as having the opportunity so close, to be able to have Ranka play dress up and get some more photos, but alas it'd have to wait.
After cleaning up they said their good byes as they made their way back to the house. Nabiki sighed heavily as she went about to checking up on all four of the sick, for the rest of the evening.
Much later a shadowy figure stood outside the gates of the Tendo's as she worked her magic, sending a manifest of a butterfly that flew through Akane's wall and disappeared after landing on her head. While this was a sneaky tactic, if it worked it would be well worth it. Akane tossed and turned in her sleep as she fell under the spell of the magic. She didn't know it but she was within a dream of memories, being put into Ranka's shoe's from the past.
Akane woke up within the dream to an alarm as she turned it off, getting up and going through the motions of the morning routine. As she finished dressing, her reflection from the mirror caught her eye, making her mouth hang open in awe at what she was seeing. It wasn't her reflection staring back at her, it was Ranka's. She also realized she was wearing the usual black and white sailor school uniform, that she did. She jumped as the door to the room opened and a long haired black woman stepped in and chided her. "Onna, hurry up or you'll be late for school." Akane in Ranka's form just blinked, standing there looking dumb. "Oh um, right." She got to experience things from Ranka's perspective, with the first couple of days going by with the woman known only as Alley, and with Ivory at school and then the fateful meeting between her and Ranma.
Then going further through the memories when Satan revealed things to her and the woman known as Alley, started to treat her differently, things she thought she knew were suddenly shattered. Akane grabbed her head as her mind was shattered and the slew of images of memories that flooded her completely, it was overwhelming. She yelped as she was pulled out from bed roughly, so she fell to the floor and trembled at seeing the giant red devil known as Satan sneering at her and yelling at her. " Get up, or do I have to hurt you again! You will refer to me as master from now on, and do whatever I tell YOU to do! Or else.." He pointed his clawed finger tip at the girls red gem necklace, making it light up with a black light. Akane screamed in pain seconds after. " Please.. stop.." Satan laughed as he turned to leave the room. " Listen to your master then, if you want it to stop."
She suddenly woke up to a different day, as she went through the motions again and found herself sitting at the kitchen table with Satan as he gave her stern look. " Why do you not look at your master!" Akane yelped as she got a slap to the face. She shut her eyes, hoping to wake up from this horrific nightmare, only to hear Satan yelling at her. When she opened her eyes again she seemed to be walking towards Ukyou's restaurant, even though she didn't want to be and heard Satan's commands, swimming through her head, making her yell in silence. She sobbed as she couldn't stop herself as she took the gas can that she was holding and started to toss gas all over. Her hand trembling and tears streaming down her face as she lit the match and tossed it, starting up the flames that engulfed the room and all around her. "Please.. make it stop!" She cried out.
Akane yelled out as she bolted up, jolted awake from the hideous nightmare she had experienced as she was panting and sweating heavily, her eyes darted around the room, as she noticed it was her own room. She exhaled deeply before laying back down.
The next time she opened her eyes, she jolted up suddenly as she saw Ranka, making her think she was stuck in that nightmare again, as she put her hands to the sides of her head gripping her skin. " Noo.. not again.." Ranka gave Akane an odd look, as she held out a glass of cold water for her. " You'd better drink some water." Akane looked hesitant as she took it and did so, figuring it was best to do what was said. Ranka took the empty glass from her and set it down on the desk, next to the bowl of rice porridge. " You should try to eat some breakfast, then I'll get you a fresh wash cloth." Akane blinked as she started to realize this wasn't part of the nightmare, causing her to do a double take. " I'm.. not still in that awful nightmare?" Ranka quirked and eyebrow at her and pinched her on her cheek, making Akane yelp at feeling it. Ranka gave her a dull look. " It hurt right? So yeah you're awake, must've been a really nasty nightmare huh, it was probably brought on by the fever. Anyways, we came by to check on everyone, since there's apparently no school today."
Akane teared up some. "It" was.. " Ranka leaned back in the chair some. " Eating will help, do you need help, or can you do it on your own? I have some time before I have to go practice." Akane got a bit flustered. " It's fine, I can do it myself." She tensed up a bit feeling guilty. " Ranka, I.. really am sorry.." Ranka had a dull look on her face. " Really? If you are, then loose P-chan 2 for good, it's only going to hurt you more, the more you hold on. That's my advice to you.. from what I've gone through with Ivory.. and it did, it hurt a hell of a lot, until I realized I was approaching things wrong. I should've realized that a lot sooner.."
Akane looked upset from where she was laying in bed. "He" didn't want to poison me or all the others.." Ranka gave her a sympathetic look. "Well.. he was fine with poisoning everyone else, it was planned out, after all." Akane sighed heavily, not wanting to believe it. " What.. would've happened if.. you hadn't healed everyone?" Ranka looked off the other way. " If I had to guess, whoever was poisoned would've likely become puppets, much like P-chan 2 is. Anyways I'm gonna get going, I'll try to stop by later." She got up from the chair and took her leave from the room.
Akane could hear what sounded like Ranma's voice and his fathers. Genma was ranting away again. " Just.. let me die, already.." Ranma mocked him. " Oh boo hoo hoo, you'll live pops." He shoved a hot spoonful of rice porridge into his mouth, making Genma yell out. " Hey! That's HOT, boy!" Ranma rolled his eyes at him, setting the spoon and bowl down, as he got up from where he had been sitting. " Yeah okay then, feed yourself old man." Genma pouted, looking even more pathetic.
Meanwhile, back downstairs Nodoka sent off Ranka and Ryouga, before she went back to finishing up what she was doing in the kitchen. Ryouga laughed nervously to himself as they walked towards their destination, an ice rink to go practice, since there wasn't any school, as repairs were still being done to the broken wall from evil P-chan. Of course it was more Ranka who was leading the way to the place, since Ryouga had no clue. "I thought you said Ranma didn't want you doing the challenge." He said looking confused. Ranka pulled him back onto the course when he would stray, as they made their way to the place. " He doesn't, but like I told him, I want to be prepared just in case, because there's no way I'm being that perverted kissers, prize." She said as she tightened her fist. " Even if I gotta learn how to ice skate.."
Upon getting there they got set up as they changed into the ice skates, putting away their things into one of the lockers, before heading out to the ice, to which they both promptly fell on their butts. Ryouga laughed nervously, while Ranka had an un amused look on her face. After he managed to get himself back up, he quickly helped her up, to where she clung to the side of the rink, trying to get her legs steady. " Ugh.. this is way worse than roller blades, why the hell did that douchebag have to be there.." Ryouga sweat dropped. " Well you heard him, he dabbles." Ranka huffed at that. "He better not show up to " dabble" here.." Ryouga was lost in one of his zone out dazes, as he "drank in", her annoyed but cute look in.
Once he snapped out of his daze, they practiced a bit more before calling it quits and heading back. They took a break at the park, snacking on some takoyaki and some tea. Ryouga enjoyed some but also looked a bit flustered. Ranka caught on to that fact. " Not a date, okay." Ryouga laughed a little before hanging his head down. " Still.." Ranka shrugged her shoulders. " Just shut up and enjoy it, it's my treat, deal with it." She took a sip of her tea before setting the cup down on the bench. "Or maybe you could ask Nabiki for a job." Ryouga sweat dropped and then got all frustrated. " Is that how you get money?" Ranka gave him an annoyed look. " Why shouldn't I and Ranma, when we're the un willing models for her secret photo's." Ryouga got all flustered again. " Yeah I'd rather not deal with Nabiki.." Ranka laughed a bit at hearing that. Ryouga got a serious look on his face. " Are you sure you're not tired like the other day?" Ranka tilted her head at him, before smirking. "Aww that's cute, but I'm good, that won't happen again, because I figured out a counter." She showed off both her wrists, with bracelet like necklace gems, before pulling her sleeve back down over them. " Well, we'd better get back." Ryouga nodded, though in truth he didn't want to, as he enjoyed being able to chat alone with Ranka.
When they got back to the Tendo's, Ranka found her mother in the kitchen, where she let her know she was back and set the bag with a box of takoyaki down on the counter. " I got some takoyaki for everyone." Nodoka beamed at how thoughtful her daughter was. " That's so sweet of you Ranka dear, but it's not a good thing for sick people to have." Nabiki helped herself to one. " Well I'm not, so thank you Ranka." Ranma came down from dealing with his dad. " Yeah, what Nabiki said." He popped one into his mouth as well. Nodoka smiled nervously as she had one as well. " Sadly so." She noted Ranka wasn't having any. " Don't you want some too?" Ranka shook her head. " I'm good." Nodoka sighed as she tried to help correct her grammar. " The better response would be, "No thank you." Ranka looked off a bit annoyed. Nodoka smiled some. " Did you and Ryouga have a nice time?" At hearing that Ranma started choking on one of the takoyaki's for a second.
Ranka shrugged her shoulders again. " It was just practice." Nodoka sighed. "Oh could you bring this upstairs to Akane." She said motioning to the food plate. She then asked Ryouga to do the same for Mr. Tendo, which he did. Nabiki took a plate up for Kasumi. Ranka let herself into Akane's room as she set the tray down on the desk, where she took a seat at the chair. Akane had heard her coming in and sat up in her bed, looking flustered. Ranka pointed to the plate of food. " You feeling ready for something a level up from rice porridge?" Akane still had that horrible nightmare swimming around in her minds eye, as she looked off the other way, feeling sheepish.
Ranka leaned back in the chair some. " Ooh I see, you want me to get Ranma instead then?" Akane got red in the face as she slapped her hand down on the bed. " Who said I want him, because I didn't!" Ranka had a smug look on her face. " Well it just seemed like you did." Akane huffed as she crossed her arms, looking annoyed. Ranka got up and moved the tray of food onto the bed for her. " Well I'm gonna go, you should start to feel better by tonight. See ya." She said as she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Over in the old mans room his eyes lit up at seeing the omelette rice that Ranma had brought him, until he spotted some seaweed bits on the side of his mouth. He pointed his finger with an angry look at his son. " Ranma! How dare you have takoyaki without your father!" He started weeping and carrying on. Ranma wiped his face on his sleeve looking annoyed. " Shut it, you're sick remember." Nabiki walked by as she popped another in her mouth. " Boy am I glad I'm not sick." She said before going off to her room. Genma had tears streaming from his eyes. " No fair!.." Ranma gave him a dull look. " Seriously old man, shut up and eat." He got up and took his leave from the room.
Later on after the Saotomes had left and Akane had finished eating enough for the time being. She tensed up at hearing something come in through her half open window, prompting her to slide out from her bed, as she grabbed her near by wooden kendo stick. She slowly turned the light on as she griped onto the wooden sword, ready to attack if needed, but what she saw when she did, made her drop it. "P-chan 2.." She also felt a mix of fear, since he had bitten her, but seeing him in his current condition, had her very concerned. The spots where he had been cut by the holy knife from Ranka, were glowing and the light was bringing him pain. Akane put her hand to her mouth. " Oh P-chan 2.." His eyes flashed red like they had before and a voice came from within him. " Akane Tendo, if you want to save P-chan 2 then listen carefully.." Satan said through using the P-chan clone as a catalyst to communicate through. Akane's eyes widened at hearing the voice, she knew who it belonged to, as she stepped back, her legs shaking, yet she couldn't stay away at hearing P-chan 2 could be saved, had Ranka lied to her? She needed to know. "How?"
Satan's voice carried through his communication device. "Simple, bring Ranka to an agreed meeting place, in exchange for my saving P-chan 2, you will give the girl to me, understood Akane Tendo." He told her the time and place to meet his messenger for the exchange and added one last thing. " He won't make it past the night, so you'd better decide fast." He said as she cut communication. Before she could touch P-chan 2 his eyes flashed purple again, as they went back to normal and he squealed in pain, as he jumped back out the window. Akane tightened her fist with angry tears in her eyes, she knew what she had to do.
Back at the Saotomes after getting back, Ranma was annoyed that Ryouga was still there. Ryouga tried to take his leave, only for Nodoka to sway him to stay put. " You should stay, you only have this week to practice for you and Ranka's ice skating challenge." Ranma grumbled in annoyance at hearing that. Nodoka smiled as she could see she had won, as she and Ranka went off into the kitchen to start working on dinner. Ranma gave Ryouga an annoyed look as he put on a video game and handed him the other controller. " You do know, that today wasn't a date, right?"
Ryouga ahahed nervously. " Ah yeah, Ranka pretty much told me the same thing and we just practiced skating a bit." Ranma huffed as he started the game and started beating up on Ryouga's character. Ryouga aahed. " Hey! No fair Ranma!" Ranma kept throwing combo moves on him without mercy. "Yeah so don't get any funny idea's."
After dinner at the Tendo's, which was take out ramen, since Nabiki was in charge, is when Akane took action after her last check in. As Ranka had said she was feeling well enough to get up and move, as she slipped out from her balcony, having thrown a jacket and shoes on as she walked off to the meeting spot at the park.
Ivory came out from the shadows near the wooden area with her arms crossed, as she looked at Akane. " Akane Tendo, where's Ranka hmm? You do want to save your precious little P-chan 2, don't you? That was the deal that you made with the master." She revealed that she was holding the evil P-chan in her arms. " He's fading fast, you know." Akane had her head down as she tightened her fists, as she teared up. " I know that.. but.. I.. choose Ranka.." Ivory curled her lip at her as she set P-chan 2 down on the ground and her purple gem lit up as Satan communicated through it. " Akane Tendo, how dare YOU waste MY time! Enjoy living with your guilt as punishment!" A zap of purple lightning from the gem, hit into her head, making her stagger backwards. Ivory's eyes flashed red for a second as she received her command. " Lucky you Akane Tendo, the master says since you came empty handed, that he'll take YOU instead!" She went to lunge at Akane, only for her to feel a blade slice through her neck, as her head separated from her body, making Akane scream.
Nodoka sheathed her katana at hearing the familiar scream. " Akane dear, what on earth are you doing out here?" Ranka crushed the fallen gem necklace under her boot, shattering it, as she looked up. " Akane? What the hell are you doing out here.." She thought on it for a second before giving her an annoyed look. " Don't tell me.." Nodoka noted the other demon writhing in pain on the ground, seeing the holy markings that wounded him and was killing him, as she un sheathed her sword, bringing it down on him as she purified him with a quick death blow. Akane teared up as she was holding her head. Nodoka sprang off at hearing something in the not too far off bushes.
Ranka gave her a stern but concerned look. " What, were you doing, Akane?" Akane started sobbing as she slumped down onto her knee's, with the crime of what she had done, was fresh in her mind. " I.. did that.. to Ranma.." It took Ranka a minute to understand what she was going on about. " You tried to make a deal with "him" didn't you?" Akane nodded as she held her head. " I didn't.. do it though.." She teared up more. " You.. were right about what I did to Ranma.. I didn't know.." Ranka held up her hand. " Because you were influenced and made to forget, so.. you angered "him" by defying him, so he punished you by letting you remember what you did. Okay so maybe you did do that, but it's because you were influenced through you're jealousy, a dark emotion."
Akane sniffled as she looked at where Pchan 2 had been. " She.. killed him.." Ranka sighed at her. " She let him rest in peace, he was suffering. So what, let me guess "he" promised that he would save him, right? Do you really think he would've done that, because if he could've saved him, he would've already." Akane tried wiping away at her tears as they kept coming. "Why are you out here?" Ranka twirled her sheathed katana around. " We're demon hunting. Anyways you shouldn't get yourself too worked up, you're just starting to feel better."
Nodoka came back over. " Ranka dear, you should bring Akane back home, I'll meet you back at the house." Ranka nodded as she helped Akane up from the ground and rubbed her back, trying to help calm her down enough. "Cmon, let's get you back home." After she calmed down enough, they started walking towards the Tendo dojo.
Akane wiped at her eyes as they did. Ranka kept walking as she let Akane lean on her some for support. " So, why didn't you do what "he" wanted?" Akane looked upset at being asked as she turned a bit red in the face. " I realized.. you were more important.." Ranka looked away some as she blushed a little. " Oh, well.. you should've said something, I could've come a long to try fool "him" better. Wow, so you actually listened to what I said huh." Akane sighed as they walked. " I did, but like you said it was hard to let go. I couldn't help but love another P-chan..just like.. how I can't help but.." She grew more red in the face. Ranka looked sympathetic. " Akane.. " She stopped as they were close enough to the Tendo's. " Do you need me to walk you in?"
Akane looked frazzled as she realized she'd get caught if they did that. " I uh.. I snuck out.." Ranka blinked. "Ooh, so you're a naughty girl then." She said with a smug look. Akane mumbled as she looked flustered. " Fine, yes I am.. Ranka picked her up into a princess hold, before jumping up onto the tree, to one of it's branches and then off to the balcony, where she set Akane down, who was ten shades of red in her face. Ranka then jumped back down as she waved off at her. " See ya." Before she disappeared off into a blur.
Akane went back inside with her hand to her heart as it was racing and how she couldn't stop her thoughts. There were so many things where she could see how Ranka acted very similar to Ranma, but also at the same time different. No matter how you looked at it, she wasn't half as rude as her brother could be when compared, though she also had her moments.
Nodoka smiled as she caught Ranka come in through the front door, pulling her hood down. "How did it go dear?" Ranka shrugged her shoulders. " She's back home." Nodoka nodded. " Very good." She went back to what she was doing in the kitchen. Ranma kept playing the game, that he was winning against Ryouga. "How was the demon hunting?" Ryouga grumbled in annoyance at being beat to it, putting in his two cents. " Yeah, are you okay, Ranka?"
Ranka sat down on the couch as she leaned back. "I'm fine, though I'm not sure that Akane is." Ranma sweat dropped as he finished off Ryouga's character on the game again. " Are you telling me, she was out there?" Ranka nodded. "She" was." Ranma grumbled. " She" was being stupid again, wasn't she?" Ryouga gave Ranma a jab with his elbow. " Don't call Akane stupid!" Ranma smacked him back over the head with his fist. " Butt out, bacon breath!" Nodoka came out from the kitchen with her arms crossed at seeing them fighting. " Ranma! and for shame Ryouga, on both of you."
Ryouga looked flustered as he rubbed at the back of his head. " Ah um.. I'm sorry Mrs. Saotome.." Ranma mumbled as he crossed his arms. Nodoka shook her head at them. " What brought this fighting on?" Ranka had a dull look on her face with a hand to her face. " Akane's stupidity did." Nodoka's mouth fell open. " Ranka!" Ranka didn't change her stance. " You asked and that's the truth." Nodoka sighed heavily. " We've gone over "this" before Ranka, there's a nicer way to say such things." Ranka sighed as she got up and excused herself as she went off upstairs to get ready for bed.
Ryouga looked distraught as he nervously excused himself, going off upstairs to go to bed. Ranma sighed as he rubbed at his head. " Mom, you really gotta stop doing that." He had decided to firmly speak his mind. Nodoka looked upset at hearing such intensity. Ranma sighed as he said good night to her, going off upstairs and off to the bathroom to take a bath.
Ryouga couldn't help but try to check in on Ranka as he looked through the slightly open the door. " Ah hey Ranka, is everything okay?" He waited for an answer for a few seconds before letting himself in out of concern, looking around the room, until he saw the window was open. He poked his head out the window, feeling a bit calmer as he spotted her sitting cross legged out on the roof. " Hey, are you okay?" She looked flustered at seeing him, motioning for him to come out there, which he did. He sat down near her. " Are you okay, Ranka?"
She looked off across the neighborhood with her hand to her face. " Yeah.." Ryouga sweat dropped. " Why are you out here?" Ranka kept her gaze ahead. " I just, wanted some fresh air.. I can't exactly just go and take a walk when I want to." Ryouga could sense she wasn't completely alright. " Is that because of your mom?" Ranka looked down as she bit her lip some. " Yeah.. she says she accepts me for me.. but then keeps getting on me, about being like Ranma.. and I can't help it.." She shuffled her feet some. " Just how I can't help always fighting.. It was.. really hard for me when Ranma was stuck being Ranko and I had to be the more proper twin, even then I couldn't keep up the act too long, because I'm not a prim and proper, perfect girl."
Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head nervously. " Well I think you are, you don't give yourself enough credit Ranka. You and Akane do just fine." Ranka's eyes widened some at hearing that, before looking away. " I appreciate that, I just wish it was good enough for her.." Ryouga had a dumb smile on his face. Ranka smiled a tad. " You should head back in first, you don't want to get caught in my room." Ryouga got all flustered. " Aahh umm no, that would bad, but you're coming in, right?" Ranka nodded. " After you do and get yourself out of my room. I've learned from before, so I know better, okay." Ryouga nodded as he headed back in first as he went back to the guest room just in time, as Ranma was done getting ready for bed.
Ranma caught the door to the guest room shutting, as he went off to his own room, where he laid back in his bed with a manga. Since he and Ranka had been practicing the telepathy through their link up, it came a lot easier. ("Hey, you doing okay?") He communicated through his mind to his sisters. Ranka replied back after getting back inside to her room and shutting the window. ("I'm fine.") Ranma flipped through his manga while they chatted. ( " Ryouga wasn't in there with you, was he?") Ranka sweat dropped as she looked through her magazine in her own room, laying back in her bed. She thought about if she should lie or not, but decided it was best to just say it, since he could find out easily if he wanted. ( " He was out on the roof with me for a minute or so and then I told him to leave.")
Ranma grumbled at hearing that, but wasn't going to get mad at her, since she explained things. ("Oh yeah you were saying before that Akane was stupid again.") Ranka nodded as she flipped through to another page. ( " She" really was, now.. try not to kill her, okay. She was trying to save P-chan2..") Ranma was silent for a second. (" Ugh I'll try.. and how did that go?") Ranka sighed as she continued on with the conversation. ( " Well not well obviously, she remembers what she did under the devil's influence to you, and mom killed P-chan 2 right in front of her.. but she did finally listen to some of what I told her, about letting go of him. Of course she's still upset.") Ranma sighed. ("She really is stupid.. but at least she finally listened.") They chatted a bit more before saying good night to each other for the night.
As they walked out the door, after being sent off by their mother, they chatted some. Ranka sighed as she looked around as they walked. " Be on guard and be sure to use your gem if you need to, which.. you likely will need to.. mom also killed Ivory again, last night, so she'll be gunning for us, most likely.." Ranma grumbled at hearing that. " Doesn't she have anything better to do?" Ranka gave him a blank look. " Apparently not.." Ranma growled some as he tightened his fist. " I'm sick of her bull and not being able to touch the real one." Ranka looked off some as they got closer to the school. " I get that, but "he's" made sure to keep the main one safe and hidden away in the depths of hell.." She sighed. " Which is probably my fault, I showed him how dangerous it is to have just one." Ranma noticed they had made it to school without being attacked. " Hey, she didn't attack us, after all." Ranka hmmed. " I guess she's probably still recovering."
Their conversation was stopped short as Kuno appeared with his usual rant, and the added thing as of late, but the usual throwing of a rose, which Ranka avoided as it whizzed by through the air and hit into the wall. "Ah my goddess Ranka, fear not, we shall elope." Ranka had an annoyed look on her face. " Go elope with an antelope already, I'm not interested." A bunch of the students laughed at hearing that. Kuno wouldn't take no for an answer easily. " Ah my love, I know you can't help yourself being under that tyrant's spell." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at him. " Uhuh.." He kept ranting till he was knocked unconscious by an angry Ranma. "Damn pervert.."
They went off inside after and off to their classroom. Ranka smiled at seeing Ukyou. "Good morning Ukyou, looks like you're feeling better today." Ukyou blushed a bit. " Well it's thanks to you and Ranma huney." Ranka looked off the other way and at seeing Akane had made it to school as well, so she must be feeling better enough. Thrista smiled as she greeted Ranka and the others before sitting at her desk. " It looks like everyone's feeling better huh. Though Akane-chan doesn't seem to look too well." Ranka gave her a look. " Huh, so you noticed that too." She then went over and greeted Akane and her friends, but more so to check on Sayuri as well, before returning to her desk.
Hiroshi and Daisuke we're thanking Ranma for his help the other day. Ranma waved his hands about. " Hey it's fine, you guys would've done the same for me." Hiroshi smiled back. " Of course, though I would've preferred if it had been Ranka." That little slip of the tongue earned him a kick to his leg from an annoyed Ranma. Daisuke shook his head at his friend. " I'm really sorry about the other day." Ranma waved him off
Soon class started and went by and before they knew it, it was gym time. The boys side was playing basket ball and the girls side was playing volley ball. Ranka jumped up and blocked the ball from hitting a zoned out Akane, who hadn't taken her cue to hit it, which snapped her out of it. Ranka gave her a stern but concerned look. " Listen if you're not up to playing then go sit this out." Akane deviant as ever shook her head. " I'm fine and I don't need you're help." Ranka shrugged her shoulders at her and went back to her spot, respecting what was said.
The next serve over the net that came at her however, she was once again zoning as the ball smacked her right in her face, making the boys side stop their game, as well as the girls side. Ranka ended up taking her off to the nurses office, where the nurse wasn't present at the time.
She rustled around the supplies as she found an ice pack, which she put on Akane's face, where she was hit. Akane groaned at how she had left herself wide open. Ranka sighed from the chair she was sitting in at the side of the bed that Akane was laying down on, she thought of saying some things but bit her tongue, knowing it wasn't the right time
Gym class ended and time went by till it was lunch time. Thrista noticed how sullen Akane looked. " Did you have a bad dream or something Akane-chan?" Ranka quirked an eyebrow questioningly at hearing that. Sayuri didn't really know what to say. Ukyou sipped her drink as she set it down on the desk. " Gee I wonder why." Ranma ignored the whole chat as he busy and happily eating his lunch, along with his two friends.
Classes went by pretty quickly after and it was soon time to go home. After Akane had left the room, Ranka stopped the others. " Hey so I think Akane's really sad about loosing that other P-chan, we should have like a quick little funeral, so she can send him off properly." Sayuri nodded in agreement. " I'm in, especially if it helps Akane feel better." Ukyou shrugged her shoulders. " Same." Thrista pipped in as well. " What a wonderful idea, you're so awesome Ranka." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Stop kissing up.." Ranma looked a bit annoyed at hearing what the girls were chattering on about. " Why do that, he was evil." Ranka sweat dropped at her brother. " Yeah but it might help Akane." Ranma grumbled with his arms crossed. " Yeah okay."
They all went outside and caught Akane before she had left, with Ranka presenting the idea to her, with the other girls behind her, backing her up on the idea. Akane started to get a little emotional as she agreed that she would like to do that. While they didn't have a body to bury, they had gotten a little box and put some flowers in it and tried to say something relatively nice about him, as they buried the little box. Akane had a good cry as she said her goodbye to the other P-chan. All the girls gave her a hug before they took their leave. Ranma and Ranka stayed with Akane till she calmed down and agreed to walk her back half way.
Akane wiped at her tears as they walked. Ranka pulled out her handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to Akane. Akane sniffled after dabbing her eyes with it. " "That" was.. really nice of you, Ranka.." Ranma had his arms crossed as he walking up on the fence and walls. " And YOU said she didn't care." Ranka looked off the other way as they kept walking. " I hope you got it all out of your system, and don't be surprised if another P-chan shows up. It's a possibility.. so just focus on the real one." They stopped a ways and said their goodbye's before heading back.
Upon getting back and having a quick snack, Ranka went right back out with Ryouga as they went back to the ice skating rink again to practice for a bit. The practice went a little better than the first day had, though they still keep falling a few times. After a bit more practice they called it for the day, as they started walking back.
She pulled him off with her into the bookstore, otherwise he'd likely wander off and get lost. After browsing the manga section and choose a few, as well as a magazine and purchasing them, they continued walking. Ryouga decided to break the silence. " Ah so how was Akane doing today?" Ranka got a serious look on her face. " Well she seems well enough that she was able to come to school today, but she's very upset about P-chan2. I didn't get a chance to tell you, but my mom ended his suffering last night and Akane saw." Ryouga's eyes widened some at what he was hearing. " Why.. was Akane out? And why were you out?" Ranka blinked at him for a second before realizing he likely didn't know about the demon hunting. " Ooh yeah I was helping my mom with demon hunting. There's a reason why Ranma and me both called Akane stupid the other night.. she went to make a deal with the devil, to save P-chan2.." Ryouga looked mortified at hearing that, before hanging his head, he didn't want to say that Akane was stupid though.
Ranka steered him back on course again. " Anyways, P-chan should go see Akane and give her lots of love, in her time of need." Ryouga looked confused at what he was hearing. " But what about our promise?" Ranka looked down at the ground and shuffled her feet some. "It's on pause, until Akane's over her loss." Ryouga blinked. " Yeah but we have a match in a few days." Ranka nodded, showing she understood what he was saying. " I get that, so just comfort her for like half an hour and I'll step in, since of course my mom expects you to come back." Ryouga nodded as well, before he went to where the old lady was tossing water, to get himself splashed with cold water, changing into his piglet form.
Ranka picked him up by his bandana. " Alright let's go see Akane then." P-chan nodded as they went off to the Tendo's. Kasumi greeted Ranka cheerfully. " Hello Ranka, it's so nice to see you, please come in. If it's Akane you're looking for she's upstairs in her room." Ranka nodded. "Thank you Kasumi." She went and said hello to Mr. Tendo, before going off upstairs and completely ignoring Genma as she knocked on Akane's door. " Hey Akane, it's Ranka." Akane opened her door looking surprised at the sudden visit, her eyes lit up at seeing P-chan in her arms. Ranka handed him over to Akane. " He's still healing but he really wanted to visit you for awhile." Akane teared up as she snuggled him. "Oh P-chan.. I'm so sorry.."
Downstairs Genma pouted at being completely ignored. Soun sipped his tea, that being the only sound heard. Kasumi shook her head as she took a sip of her own tea, before setting it down. "My Mr Saotome isn't it funny, before you were ignoring Ranka and fine with it, but you don't like it the other way around, do you?" Genma had tears streaming down his face. " Kasumi.." Soun nodded in agreement. " Well said, Kasumi dear."
Upstairs, Nabiki snagged Ranka at seeing her chance, pulling her off into her room. Ranka staggered back a bit from the sudden attack. " Hey.." Nabiki put a finger to her lips. " Hey yourself, if you want me to keep paying you, you have to up hold your end of the deal. Mama needs new material, for her customers." Ranka sighed. " You're going to dress me up like a doll, aren't you?" Nabiki had a been evil grin on her face. " You know me so well." She started putting together some outfits and directions on how she wanted her to look, or the way to pose. " You can't really blame me, I haven't had you to myself in quite awhile." While Ranka was getting changed into one of the outfits, Nabiki kept going on. " And I definitely can't miss you're ice skating match." Ranka finished changing as she looked frazzled. " How did you know?" Nabiki had a smug smile on her face. " I have my ways." She held up her camera and started snapping away, while she directed as well.
After awhile Ranka was able to escape from Nabiki's clutches as she knocked on Akane's door. Akane answered, holding P-chan. Ranka rubbed at her head. " Well I need to get back and like I said P-chan's still healing." Akane looked a little upset but gave him up, looking away flustered. "Thanks for letting him visit." She smiled a bit at P-chan. " and thank you for visiting, even though you're not all better yet.. I'll see you soon okay P-chan." Ranka nodded. " As soon as he's all healed up, I'll see you tomorrow then." Akane nodded back as she smiled some and waved as she watched them go off downstairs.
Ranka said goodbye to the others, as she started for the front door. Kasumi interrupted her. " Ranka, don't you want to stay for dinner?" Ranka smiled. " I appreciate the offer but my mom will kill me, if I did that." Kasumi giggled some. " Oh my." Genma at realizing he still hadn't fulfilled the masters request and also at trying to get on the girls good side, interrupted as well. " Ranka dear, you know my birthday is coming up, I'd love if you'd make me a cake. Here let your father walk you back home." Ranka gave him a deadly glare that stopped him in his tracks, as he froze in place, before she turned her back to him with a hmpf, as she took her leave. Kasumi had her hand to her mouth. " Oh me oh my." She said as she referred to Genma's tactics.
When they got back, she was questioned by her mother about how things went. Ranka sweat dropped. " A little better.." Nodoka smiled and patted her on her head. " Practice makes perfect and doesn't happen in a day." Ranma looked annoyed at seeing P-chan being held by Ranka, swiping him from her. " Looks like Ryouga needs a bath, I'll help him." He went off upstairs holding the pig by his bandana, as they went off to the bathroom. If it meant it stopped his sister from dealing with his rival, he would intervene. He wasn't as nice as her though as he tossed P-chan a ways into the air and off into the tub of hot water. " Enjoy." He then took his leave, going back downstairs.
Nodoka was fussing over Ranka. " You must be sore, you should take a bath after Ryouga's done." Ranka got all flustered at her mother figuring things out. " I didn't fall too much.." Nodoka just giggled in response. Ranma sweat dropped at the whole thing as he sat back down on the couch. "So, what were you and Ryouga up to?" Ranka put a hand to her face. " Practice and a quick visit to Akane, she needed her P-chan power up." That made Ranma laugh a bit. " So, nothing else?" Ranka gave him a dull look. "No but you know you can find out, anyways." She pulled out one of the manga's from her shopping bag as she handed it to him. Ranma's eyes sparkled as he held it. " Hey, wow this is the new issue." Ranka nodded. " I was browsing and knew you'd want the newest issue." Ranma had a big cheesy grin on his face. " Thanks Ranka, you're the best, it probably would've sold out before I could've gotten over there." Nodoka beamed at seeing her children getting along so well as she excused herself to go water the garden.
Ranma took notice that there was more in the bag. " Did you get some manga too?" Ranka nodded as she took them out. "They looked interesting, you can borrow them if you want." Ranma hmmed. " Yeah maybe later, looks kinda girly." Ranka shrugged her shoulders at him, before taking the bag and going off upstairs.
Back at the Tendo's a nervous Genma, first tried begging Kasumi to bake him a cake. She wanted no part and kindly declined. He then tried his hand with Nabiki but couldn't afford her fee, which left him to beg Akane. Akane agreed all excited. "I want you to try the first slice, okay Mr. Saotome." Genma shuddered as he nodded, not having much of a choice.
After dinner, she started her baking frenzy. Genma watched the clock nervously, hoping the cake would be done before the master made his appearance. To his relief the cake was finished before he had, but also to his displeasure he had to have the first slice as he fell backwards with foam coming out from his mouth. Soun shuddered from behind the newspaper he was reading, feeling sorry for his friend but also glad he wasn't the one in the pinch with the master.
Happosai finally came back from a long outing and a bit tipsy. " Genma, you'd better have that cake you promised me.." Genma recovered enough to respond as he pointed at the cake. Happosai's eyes sparkled, as he was drunk enough that the cake looked decent in his eyes. "Oh joy! I get to have Ranka's cake all to myself.." He did notice a piece was taken. " Genma.. you sneak, you stole a piece didn't you, well seeing as I'm in such a good mood, I'll let it pass." He grabbed a slice for himself as he devoured it, ending up in the same state as Genma a few minutes later as he also foamed at the mouth. He sprang back up as he grabbed the cake and smushed it into Genma's face. " LIAR! you lied to me! Akane made this, not Ranka! You'll be sorry!" He ran off into his room.
Genma recovered enough through his panic as he bowed and scrapped outside his masters room. " Master, please forgive me, I tried to get her to, but she hates me.." Happosai yelled through the door at him. " You'll be very sorry if you don't get me the cake, YOU promised me, Genma!" Genma kept his head bowed down on the ground, as he knew what he had to do.
It was another morning of walking to school, except for the sudden intrusion of Genma. He had a big cheesy grin as he held up a bento box. " Good morning Ranka dear, I made you lunch." Ranka glared at him, with her arms crossed. " I already have lunch." Genma laughed some. " Well yes but it never hurts to have another one, right?" Ranka gave him a blank look. " That's true but I have plenty, so I don't need or want ANYTHING from YOU, got it!" Her eyes flared as did her gem as it lit up brightly. Ranma rolled his eyes at his dad. " Pops what the hell have I told you, leave Ranka the hell alone!" Genma glared at Ranma. " How dare you talk to your father that way, Ranma. I taught you better then that." Ranma huffed and laughed at him. " Yeah right." It was too late as father and son squared off against each other. Ranka caught Ranma's book bag that he tossed aside and watched from the side lines with a dull look on her face.
Ranma and Genma moved around in their own little world as they kept throwing attacks back and forth at each other, ending with both of them getting caught in the old lady's water, that she tossed on the street. Both still fighting back and forth, not having noticed as they carried on their fight closer to the school, until Ranma-chan got a telepathic message that made her jump away from getting any closer from the school. It was too late as Kuno had spotted her and came running over to assist his pigtailed goddess at seeing the giant panda that was attacking her, he brought his kendo stick down in slash, that knocked Genma panda out. " That'll teach you foul beast, to attack my love." Before Ranma-chan knew it Kuno was holding her hands. " Ooh pigtailed girl, how I've missed you. Fear not I have saved you from the angry beast, now let us elope." Ranma-chan plowed her fist into his face. " Butt out!" She grumbled as she ran off really fast to doctor Tofu's clinic, having talked telepathically through their link with Ranka, letting her know she could go on ahead to class first.
Ranka took her brothers bag off to class with her. Thrista smiled and greeted her and looked at the bag she was holding. " Where's Ranma? Oh and I thought I just saw Ranko a few minutes ago." Ranka sweat dropped. " Maybe you were imagining it. He's running a little late." Thrista tilted her head. "Oh." A few minutes later Ranma came into the classroom and took his seat. Ranka went over and gave him his book bag and greeted his friends, before going back over to her own desk, just in time as the teacher came into the room.
Outside the school gates Genma in his panda form recovered from the blow as he had made up his mind, even it meant going to extreme's, as he walked into the school and off to the classroom. Students eyes went wide as well as the teachers as a giant panda came walking in, then bowing down in kneel with his head down on the ground and kept bowing and scraping near Ranka's desk. Ranka bristled in anger, as she snapped her pencil in half. Ranma almost fell out of his seat. Akane's eyes were wide in disbelief at what she was seeing and how far Mr. Saotome was going, she wondered for what.
The teacher was pensive as he wasn't sure if he should evacuate the classroom, or if that much excitement might anger the panda, so he figured since it wasn't being aggressive, he'd continue the lesson. Students were murmuring amongst themselves about the panda and Ranka. Hiroshi was one of them. " Wow that panda really likes Ranka huh." Daisuke sweat dropped. " Maybe but it looks like Ranka wants to kill that panda.." Ranma groaned as he chucked his eraser at his father, hitting him in the head with it. " Go home!" Hiroshi's eyes widened at seeing his friend lash out at the panda. " It looks like Ranma's had enough of this love sick panda, bothering his sister." He spoked like he was narrating.
Kuno was passing by in the hallway on an errand, as he heard the murmuring and only had to hear the words " panda" and "Ranka", as he sprang into action, throwing open the classroom door. " Foul beast, is it not enough you lash out at my pigtailed goddess, now you go after my other goddess Ranka as well! I shall smite thy!" He pulled out his kendo stick as he slashed it at the panda, earning screams from some other students. Genma panda made annoyed noises as he ran off, not wanting to deal with the kendoist again.
The teacher had his arms crossed. " Go to the principals office!" Kuno sweat dropped. " But sir.." The teacher cut him off as he pointed out the door. Ranka looked extremely annoyed and had not Kuno interfered she was seriously thinking of using teleportation on the old man. Ranma looked frazzled at the whole thing.
It didn't end there though, gym class was outside and there was Genma panda, bowing and scraping again. Ranka glared daggers at him, while the girls side was doing exercises. Ranma slapped his hand to his face at seeing his dad at it again, he was really annoying him.
He kept at it even when they were having lunch. Hiroshi had to inquire. " Hey Ranka, is that panda in love with you?" Ranka shrugged her shoulders. " Don't know, don't care, he's annoying…" She said in dead serious tone, which made Hiroshi shrink back and shut his mouth. He then whispered to Ranma. " Yikes, you're sister is not to messed with, when she's in a bad mood huh." That earned him a whack to the head from Ranma, who had a very annoyed look on his face. Daisuke on the other hand, stepped up, instead of question it. " Hey Ranka, if the panda is bothering you, I could try to shoo him." Hiroshi grumbled at getting one upped by his friend. Ranka sweat dropped and smiled some. " That means a lot but please don't do that, "it" is a wild animal after all." Daisuke smiled stupidly. " Yeah okay."
Thrista stood up from her seat. " Don't worry Ranka, let me handle this!" She then put on a super cute look as she addressed the panda. " Mr. Panda, Ranka doesn't like you, neither does the school. There's no animals allowed, okay. So if you leave, I'll give you the rest of my lunch, okay." Genma panda looked up at hearing about free food, all his bowing and scraping he had been doing, the food was looking very good to him as his hunger took over. Thrista smiled and baited him out from the classroom with her bento box. " Cmon, that's a good panda." She led him outside, where she put her lunch down on the ground and ran off back inside.
When she came back into the classroom, a bunch of students were clapping for her and cheering her. Thrista smiled. " Aww thanks, but it's not a big deal." Ranka blinked at how gutsy she was. " Wow, you got rid of him really easily." Thrista held up a V signal with her fingers. "Victory! Now the classroom is panda free and the panda is happy too."
The rest of school went by and before they knew it, it was time to go home. Ranma and Ranka almost face faulted at seeing Genma in panda form, bowing and scraping outside the gate. Ranka hmpfed as she walked by him. Ranma scratched at his head, before whacking the panda over the head with his fist. " Knock it off pops! You're going way too far!" Genma panda pouted as he ran off, disappearing in a blur.
They kept walking, only for Genma to reappear in his human form, taking up the apology stance again. " Pleassse Ranka! I'm begging you from the bottom of my soul! Bake me a cake, my life depends on this cake!" Ranka kept walking. " Not my problem, old man." Ranma had his arms crossed. " Jeez pops.. I'll make the stupid cake if it'll shut you the hell up!" Genma glared at him. " You'll do no such thing boy, it's bad enough I was forced to rely on Akane, sadly the master wasn't fooled.." Ranka hahed at him. " Boo hoo, why not go and buy a cake." Genma hung his head. " Please Ranka, that's just too much for me.." Ranma and Ranka gave him dull looks, knowing it was because he was a cheap skate.
Ranka grumbled to herself. "Give me an hour." Genma's eyes lit up. "Ooh thank you Ranka." Ranka glared at him. "It's not for YOU, remember." She went off ahead to the house, to get the whole thing over with. Ranma stayed behind a little longer. Genma sighed. " Why does she hate her father so much!" Ranma gave him a whack to his head with his fist. " Stop playing dumb old man, you know damn well WHY, she hates your guts, especially after what you did.." Genma looked dead serious as he adjusted his glasses. "We all make mistakes boy." Ranma gave him a dull look. " Uhuh.." Genma stood firm with his arms crossed. " The fact is that she is after all my daughter and I have come to terms with that." Ranma had an un sympathetic look on his face. " Right, but before you were calling her evil and hating on her, never mind you tried to sell her off, while selling out you're family.." Genma clasped his hands together. " I'm trying to repent boy! It was a mistake." Ranma glared at him. " Yeah, I'll bet.. well you're lucky she's taking pity on you, so come back in an hour like she said, or do you want to talk to mom?" He said with an evil grin. Genma shuddered as he waved his hands about. " Well I just remembered I have something to do." He ran off really fast.
An hour later Ranka came outside with Ryouga, as she shoved a small container off into Genma's arms, before walking off without a word. Genma was too over joyed as he ran back home to present it to Happosai, so he could avoid his wrath. He sat down at the ground table and opened the container, almost falling over at what he saw. Happosai came into the room at smelling the cake. " Genma, that'd better be my cake.." Genma bowed and scraped on the floor in front of the old master. " I'm sorry, I'm so sorry master.." Happosai rubbed at his chin, as he picked up the cupcake and swallowed it up whole. " Aah, well it's not exactly what i asked for, but it'll do, you're off the hook." He walked off as he savored the taste. Genma had tears streaming down his face, as he was hoping he could've stolen a slice, but what little pity he was given by his daughter, he wasn't allowed to.
Soun turned to the next page in his newspaper. " I'm so glad that my daughters don't hate me." He couldn't help but chuckle. Genma growled as he tightened his fists. " Is my pain funny to you Tendo?!" Soun set his newspaper down. " It is when you don't treat your daughter right, let alone your son barely respects you." Before Genma could protest, Soun talked over him. " Kasumi dear, I'd love some cake." Kasumi came out from the kitchen as she smiled at her father. " Alright father, I'll be sure to make some for dessert then." She went back into the kitchen, continuing what she was doing.
Soun grinned at Genma. " And that Saotome is what having a daughter who loves you, is like." Genma gave him an look. " Ah yes Tendo but you don't mention your other daughters now do you?" Soun cleared his throat. " They love me in their own ways." The two laughed at the same time.
Back at the Saotome's house hold Ranma was annoyed at the fact that once again Ryouga was alone with Ranka. Nodoka was sitting on the couch watching some tv with Ranma, as she took notice of how annoyed he looked. " They're just practicing and besides I for one trust Ryouga." Ranma looked flustered at how his mother had figured him out. " Yeah well.." Nodoka decided to try to change the subject some. " I wonder who that cupcake was for, though she kept saying it was a cake." Ranma had a dull look on his face. " Oh that, that was for pops because he wouldn't leave her alone all day at school.. it was ridiculous.. He's all how he's repenting and he made a mistake, blah blah blah." Nodoka furrowed her brow as she tightened her fist. "That may be, but I will NEVER trust him alone with Ranka, ever again.." Ranma nodded. " I'd say the feeling is mutual.
Not too much later Ranka came in with Ryouga and apparently Shampoo was with them as well, as she announced herself. "Nihao!" Nodoka smiled as she sweat dropped. " Hello Shampoo. Ranka dear, an explanation?" Ranka rubbed at the back of her head. " We, ran into Shampoo on the way back and she insisted.. on coming and bringing dinner.." Shampoo held up two metal take out boxes with a smile. " Mother I bring dinner." Nodoka smiled a tad. " I was just about to start making dinner.." Shampoo set the boxes down on the table. " Is okay, mother relax, leave it to Shampoo." She then greeted Ranma as she glomped onto him. " Woda airen." Ranma grumbled in annoyance but didn't put up a fight as he wanted her food.
A few minutes later everyone was sitting at the table, with Shampoo making up plates for everyone. She purposely made sure there were pork dumplings on Ryouga's. She then furthered her covert attack. " Shampoo could make nice fresh pork dumplings for everyone." Ryouga grit his teeth at the vicious-ness of the amazon girl. Nodoka cleared her throat. " Ahem, now now Shampoo, I will not have you trying to cook Ryouga while he is in my care.." She said sternly to the purple haired girl. Ryouga bristled at hearing that. " So.. that was what you were up to.." Shampoo just smiled as she offered him another pork dish. "But pork is so good and what obstacle deserve.." She said with an evil smirk. Ranka had a flustered look on her face. " Cmon Shampoo, you heard what my mom said, so stop tormenting Ryouga." Shampoo giggled and then glomped onto Ranka, right in front of Ryouga, making her point known to him without words, " back off, she's mine." "Aiya." Nodoka sighed as she could see Ryouga bristling in silent anger. "Shampoo dear, no flirting at the dinner table.." Shampoo let go of Ranka promptly, knowing better then to anger the dangerous woman before her. Ranma was too busy eating to care about Ryouga's struggle.
Then not too much later he was too into his game, missing the fact that Ranka gone off to bed and not much later so had Ryouga. Nodoka was reading a book. Ranka was on the way to her room for the night as her and Ryouga crossed paths in the hallway. She smiled a bit at him with a pumped fist. " Not much longer until the challenge, so hopefully all this practice pays off huh." Ryouga nodded. " I'm sure it will and we'll beat that "kissing pervert" Mikado." Ranka sweat dropped. " We'd better." She said good night as she went off to her room for the night.