I really enjoyed writing this chapter. So many feelings, so much growth.
I do warn that there is an altercation. But this chapter feels really good, I don't know why.
In any case, enjoy reading and share your thoughts about this chapter!
" Why are you doing that?! You old dirty bastard! " Ranma-chan shouted and punched Happosai in the stomach.
"But Ranma, I don't have long to live..." Happosai said in a pathetic voice that Ranma didn't buy into.
"Then watch me train Akane and perform Anything Goes martial art together." Ranma said and Happosai narrowed his eyes and looked closely at Ranma.
" So it's true what I heard from Cologne. Your sense of happiness and joy is gone. " Happosai said and Ranma looked at his fist.
Crap, soon everyone will think he is depressed too.
Soun and Genma looked at Ranma as Genma takes a step forward.
"That's why Master, Ranma and Akane are training hard to prepare. We don't know what's to come." Genma said and Soun nodded along that Genma was right about that.
"Hhhmmmm, then I'll be watching too. The future of Anthing Goes is at stake." Happosai said and Genma and Soun looked at each other in surprise.
Why was the master suddenly serious?
Ranma-chan sighed and turned around when he saw Akane with the kettle.
He gives her a soft look from his eyes that he is grateful.
Akane smiled as she let the warm water slide over Ranma, turning back into a man.
After drying off, Ranma begins training Akane again.
Happosai keeps a close eye on Ranma and Akane and makes a note of some things in his head.
After an hour of training, Ranma and Akane start sparring and from that fight Happosai pulled out a lot of punches.
When Ranma and Akane are finished and bow politely to each other, Happosai stands up.
"Master..." Soun said as he saw Happosai walking towards Ranma and Akane.
''Ranma, you're on the right track but...be more patient when it comes to teaching. There will be students who pick it up quickly, other students will take longer. Also use more terms like ''Cat stance'' or ''Reversed double step'' instead of ''Forefoot support'' or ''two steps back''. Do you understand?'' Happosai asked.
Ranma leaned slightly and replied, "Yes, Sensei."
''As for you Akane-chan... The basics are good, but you need to build up more stamina. And that also applies to your balance sheet. You must be able to stand firmly on the ground but also be able to move deftly. Ranma can teach you all about balance.'' Happosai said to Akane who also bowed and thanked him.
''Cologne told me it could take another year before there was an answer. Make good use of that time.'' Happosai said as he turned to look at Soun and Genma. "You two are coming with me."
As Happosai, Genma and Soun leave the dojo, Ranma and Akane look at each other. A tiny smile appeared on Ranma's face for 2 seconds and then disappeared. Akane smiled back, Ranma tried but it took a lot of effort.
"Ranma, will you teach me to balance better?"
"Yes, Akane."
"Today of all days I overslept!" Ukyo grunted as she prepared to open her restaurant.
Konatsu, who was laying out all the crockery and cutlery on the tables, looked at her.
''Ukyo-sama, sometimes a day of rest is good.'' Kotatsu said.
He knew that Ukyo went jogging with Akane every morning.
Even though Kotastu herself was a claimed 'woman', sometimes the friendships between the girls went so far that he no longer understood anything.
Sometimes they hit each other and other times they help each other.
''By the way, Ukyo-sama, you have a delivery of okinomiyaki. One deluxe and one with extra shrimp.'' Kotatsu said.
Ukyo looked at the address, it was near the Tendo's. A good excuse to drop in afterwards.
''Okido! Two okinomiyakis coming soon!''
When Ukyo has delivered her order and walked towards the dojo, she cannot stop singing softly.
Even though she saw Ranma almost every day now, it still brought butterflies to her stomach. Yes, she knew she had to leave him alone and did so as much as possible.
What?! She even helped Akane because Ranma wanted her to. Like everyone else, Ukyo wanted to make Ranma happy if only for a moment!
As she walks around the corner towards the river, Ukyo suddenly stops. In the distance she sees Ranma standing on the fence.
Ukyo's face lights up until she looks doubtful, Ranma walking in his gi instead of his usual Chinese clothes.
His arms are extended forward and he slowly walks backwards. What is Ranma doing now?
Her question is answered when she sees Akane emerge. She also walks in her gi but is blindfolded and also walks on the fence but with difficulty.
Akane struggles to keep balance and Ranma guides her through it. Ukyo watches the two stand on the fence when Akane missteps and threatens to fall down.
Ranma lunges forward and catches her, his arms around her waist, her hands on his shoulders. Akane's blindfold had slipped off her eyes and was hanging around her neck.
Ranma and Akane stare at each other. Ukyo immediately recognized the look as Akane's. Ukyo also had that look when she looked at Ranma.
Akane had a crush on Ranma. The sparkle in the eyes, the soft blushing cheeks, her mouth slightly open and the light touch on his shoulders. Ukyo took a step forward.
This was not the intention with training.
Yes, they were getting married but the wedding had failed. Which meant Ukyo still had a chance.
That didn't mean Akane had to take advantage of the situation. When Ukyo slows down and looks at Ranma, she is startled by his look at Akane.
His eyes were filled with a look Ukyo had never seen before. Passion and desire, that's what Ranma's eyes said.
Ukyo bit her lower lip as she took a breath and shouted:
''Ran Chan! Akane-chan!''
Ranma and Akane looked up and turned their heads towards the voice they heard and saw Ukyo walking towards them with a playpen.
"Ucchan!" Ranma shouted and carefully let go of Akane and jumped off the fence. He landed on the ground and looked at Akane, who also jumped off the fence.
Less gallant than Ranma, but she did it without losing her poise.
"Hey Ukyo!" Akane shouted as she removed the blindfold from her neck.
''Hey! What are you doing?'' Ukyo asked, she wanted to know more.
"Happosai screened us this morning and told us what to look out for," Ranma said.
''He said my balance was bad and that Ranma had to train me.'' Akane said.
''Aaah I get it. Then walking on the edge of the fence is a good idea.'' said Ukyo.
"Ucchan, shouldn't you deliver that before it gets cold?" Ranma asked as he points to the delivery box.
''Ooh, I made this for you. All that training doesn't make you guys hungry?'' Ukyo asked and at that moment Ranma's stomach goes off.
Even though he couldn't be happy, there was nothing wrong with Ranma's stomach, Ukyo thought.
Training, training and more training. How many weeks had passed, Ranma and Akane didn't know.
Well, the training became more and more serious for Ranma and Akane. In the morning Ranma trained Akane for school.
After school, Ranma was taken care of by Genma and Soun, a 2 vs 1 training.
Ranma could anticipate his father, Ranma knew that bag of tricks all too well.
Soun was a different story and Ranma started to learn about the Tendo techniques or Anything Goes.
The Tendo founding was based on weapons, ground combat and agility. While the Saotome foundation was based on anticipation, blocking, reflection and mid-air combat.
The first few days Ranma really struggled but little by little he was able to read Soun.
It was Thursday evening and Akane was walking to the supermarket.
She had found a recipe in a magazine that she really wanted to try. So she was on her way to buy the ingredients.
Along the way she met no less than Kodachi in her school uniform. Kodachi was staring at a store window where new leopards were being sold.
Kodachi looked up and saw Akane.
''Tendo Akane, a real pleasure to see you. Where's Ranma-sama?'' Kodachi asked formally and Akane fisted her hand.
''Kodachi... That's none of your business. Have a nice evening.'' Akane replied and walks past Kodachi when Akane suddenly receives a warning and dodges an attack from Kodachi's ribbon.
Akane turns to see Kodachi enjoying her sudden attack.
''Huahahahaha! I'll make Ranma-sama feel his happiest by getting rid of you!'' Kodachi laughs.
Akane braces herself. Of all 3 Ranma's suitors, Kodachi was not the strongest but was the most cunning with her weapons and poison.
Akane wondered if her training was going to pay off. She had no idea since she had only trained with Ranma.
Ranma was serious about her training but in sparring she had only hit Ranma if he used some of his usual strength.
So Akane really didn't know how far she had come, but perhaps this was the moment to experience it and so Akane continued her best.
''Kodachi! You stay away from Ranma! He's my fiancée!'' Akane shouted angrily. '' Control your anger, control your anger...'' Akane thought meanwhile.
That was her only obstacle, her anger.
"Not anymore after tonight!" Kodachi shouted and lashed out with her ribbon.
Akane dodged again and sprinted towards Kodachi.
Akane didn't notice it, but she was many times faster and Kodachi struggled to avoid Akane as she lashed out with punches and kicks.
Kodachi took a big jump and landed on the top of a mailbox and gasped a little.
What was this? Kodachi, the Black Rose had trouble keeping up with Tendo Akane?
That was never possible! Kodachi used one of her special techniques with her ribbon and lashed out again.
Akane thought, what did Ranma say again? Oh yeah! Take advantage of your opponent's power and make their weapon your weapon.
The ribbon wrapped around Akane's wrist and she was pulled forward towards Kodachi who stood ready with a fist. But Akane was faster and shouted:
''Anything Goes Martial Art: Double Tiger Palm Heel Strike...!''
Akane lashed out with both hands, fingers together, a flat palm, her fingers half closed like a kind of claw, and struck several times in a row at a speed that Kodachi couldn't keep up with.
Kodachi is beaten in several places on her body. The energy behind the blows is many times greater than the physical blow.
Kodachi falls to the ground and can barely get up. With difficulty, she leans on one hand and watches Akane take a few steps back.
"... of Ellegance..." Akane said, a little out of breath. She had found this technique in a notebook in the attic of the dojo.
Her father had once received this book from a monk who was passing through Korea. All techniques included were based on the symbolic power and energy of the Tiger.
For some reason, these techniques appealed to Akane and she decided to learn them. And with success!
"How can I lose the Black Rose?" Kodachi groaned in pain. Akane, now full of courage, walked a few steps forward.
''Kuno Kodachi, you lost. Stay away from Ranma.'' Akane said as she walks back to her shopping bag and continues to the supermarket.
Kodachi sees her image slowly blur and eventually she closes her eyes and falls unconscious.
"Is this such a smart idea?" Nabiki asked.
''Akane-chan was very excited about this recipe.'' Kasumi said.
The Tendo family and Saotome sat in the living room, waiting for Akane who had gathered everyone together for her cooking.
Not that people were really expecting that since Akane's cooking was really not good, although it slowly got better.
''Akane-chan is gradually making better and better dishes. Let's taste it before we judge.'' Nodoka said.
Soun and Genma really weren't looking for something that would torture their taste buds.
Ranma said nothing. His mother was right, in a way. Akane could now make Japanese curry, tamagoyaki, fried rice, onigiri and tonkatsu.
It wasn't much but it was a start. Akane walked in and placed on the table something the families had never seen before.
''Akane-kun, what is this?'' Genma asked, pointing to an oblong thing on a cutting board.
''Uncle, this is an applestrudle. The recipe comes from Germany. It's puff pastry with apples in it.'' Akane explained.
''It looks delicious, Akane-chan.'' Nodoka said and Akane smiled as she started cutting the strudle into pieces.
Once she has given everyone a piece and hands the last piece to Ranma, Ranma takes her arm and stretches it forward.
He recognizes the welt on Akane's wrist. She was attacked by Kodachi! Why was Akane happy?
''Akane...did Kodachi attack you?'' Ranma asks seriously and Akane looks at him.
''Yes, she attacked me on my way to the supermarket.'' Akane said.
''Why didn't you tell me when you got back?'' Ranma asked a little angrily. That bitch, Ranma hated Kodachi so much.
''I wanted to surprise you, Ranma. The training is paying off. I defeated Kodachi in battle.'' Akane laughed.
Ranma was surprised. Akane had defeated Kodachi? The Black Rose? Akane's laugh made Ranma feel warm inside and what possessed him to do this Ranma didn't know either but he gently pulled Akane forward with the arm he was still holding and placed his other hand on her cheek and his forehead on her forehead and sighed deeply.
The family froze at this action and Akane's eyes went very wide.
''Ran...ma?..''
''Akane...next time, tell me. I'm not mad, just tell me..." Ranma said.
Akane looked at Ranma with pity. And she wasn't the only one, so was the family.
And then out of nowhere, Ranma lightly places his lips over Akane's in a very soft light kiss.
The kiss lasted a very short time so Akane didn't have the chance to react but looked in amazement with blushing cheeks at Ranma who was also blushing himself.
He looked down at his strudle and muttered, ''For your first victory.''
Akane nodded and touched her lips. When everyone has finished their treat and thanked Akane for the tasty snack,
Ryoga aka P-Chan walks in, much to Ranma's annoyance.
''P-Chan!'' Akane shouted happily.
P-Chan made soft grunting noises and Akane hugged the little black piglet, who had blushes on his face near him.
Ranma got very irritated and wanted to make several comments but he didn't want to upset Akane.
She was very happy that she defeated Kodachi. And he couldn't express his happiness for Akane.
That's why he quickly gave a light kiss to show that he was happy for her.
Damn! All the feelings he felt were not his feelings! Ranma made a fist under the table to control his anger and dug his nails into his skin.
Fear, sadness, irritation, anger, confused, emptiness… but right now there was a lot of anger in Ranma.
He pressed his nails even further into his skin, causing it to bleed. It felt so safe a few moments ago until black cursed pig showed up.
Akane cuddles P-Chan on the head, making him make soft sounds.
''You're such a handsome boy, P-Chan.'' Akane smiles. Ranma gets up, he couldn't take it anymore and walks away before he explodes.
Everyone reacts in surprise at Ranma's attitude.
Of course they knew Ranma was jealous when it came to P-Chan and Akane but Ranma had never given such a reaction.
''What's his problem?'' Akane asked with a slight irritation in her voice.
Before Nabiki could answer, P-chan started making loud squeaking noises and jumped out of Akane's arms and walked to where Ranma had been sitting.
Akane looked at P-chan and next to him was a small puddle of blood that was dripping down the hallway...
''Ranma!'' Akane shouted as she quickly got up and went after Ranma with P-chan following behind her.
She found Ranma in the dojo bandaging his hand. Ranma had already sensed her presence but he didn't turn around.
He was still very angry. Akane walked into the dojo. Ryoga stayed behind the door and watched Ranma and Akane from there.
Akane walked towards Ranma, his back facing the doorway. He stood up and Akane stood still. "Ranma, are you okay?" she asked carefully.
''No!'' Ranma said angrily as he stared at the wall. Akane flinched slightly at the tone in his voice.
'' Ranma... tell me...'' Akane said, using his exact words that Ranma had spoken at the table.
Ryoga aka P-Chan continued to watch. He had only seen Ranma like that when he was in China. Although, without anger.
Suddenly, Ryoga is startled by Ranma's raised voice.
'' DAMN IT AKANE! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU!? STOP FOOTING WITH THAT BACON!''
''HE'S MY PET! HE DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER!''
''HE KNOWS MORE THAN YOU THINK! WHICH PIG BLASHES AT ATTENTION?!
'' JEALOUS ABOUT A PIGGY? NOW YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW I FEEL WHEN SHAMPOO IS AROUND YOUR NECK!''
''YOU KNOW MY FEELINGS I HAVE FOR YOU! I JUST KISSED YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR VICTORY!"
''Huh? Kissed? Ranma kissed Akane? Again?'' Ryoga thought but was quickly taken out of his thoughts by the argument.
'' YOU CALL THAT A KISS?! ''
''SORRY I CAN'T BE HAPPY FOR YOU! WHY WAS THAT AGAIN? BECAUSE I GAVE EVERYTHING FOR YOU! EVEN MY HAPPINESS! ''
Akane and Ranma were now standing close to each other arguing.
Ryoga actually wanted the fighting to stop. This was not good for either of them but was distracted by Genma and Soun who was standing behind him.
They had come towards the shouting and looked along the edge of the door frame.
They let Ranma and Akane rant for a moment, but Soun and Genma came to a conclusion.
Perhaps now the tensions that Ranma and Akane had been keeping to themselves all this time were coming out.
"I'M STILL GRATEFUL TO YOU BUT I MADE A PROMISE TO MYSELF THAT I CANNOT BREAK!"
" PROMISE?! WHAT KIND OF PROMISE?!"
Tears ran down Akane's cheeks but she stood firm.
'' TO MAKE MY FEELINGS KNOWN AFTER I HAVE DEFEATED ALL THREE OF YOUR SUITORS! I WANT TO STAND NEXT TO YOU WITH PRIDE!"
"OH FOR FUCK SAKE AKANE! YOU ARE MY PRIDE!"
Out of nowhere, Akane pulled Ranma to her and placed her lips on his in a full passionate kiss.
And now, imagine the faces of Genma, Soun and Ryoga... XD
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