Akane never expected to meet Ranko so soon. If that meeting ever occurred, she thought she'd have time to prepare, to brace herself, and come up with a reasonable backstory that wouldn't give anything important away. She thought she'd have days. But the moment they rode through the gates, there she was, dressed in a thin cloak and light slippers, and not looking affected by the cold one bit.
Even in the dim light, or no light at all, Akane would've recognized her best friend anywhere.
Just like she remembered, Ranko's fiery red hair was in a braid much like Ranma's own, but twice as long and much prettier as it glowed beneath the hanging lanterns she waited beneath.
Even if her hair hadn't given her away though, her posture surely would have. Just like when they were kids, Ranko stood scowling, her hands on her hips, looking extremely put upon; like she'd like nothing better than to strangle her twin brother.
How often had she leveled that same look on Akane whenever she did or said something foolish when they were kids?
It wasn't fair.
While the familiarity should have been comforting, it really, really wasn't.
Feeling self-conscious, Akane quickly lifted her hood and prayed she wouldn't be recognized. Just what in the world had she been thinking anyway? What if Ranma was just a fluke?! How could she trust her safety, the safety of her sisters, on someone as obtuse as RANMA?
This was a mistake!
The moment Ranko began to approach their horse, Akane quickly turned her head in the opposite direction, afraid the other girl would take one look at her, and just know.
"About time you showed up," Ranko said in greeting as she glared up at her brother. "I was about to tell Mom and Dad their beloved heir had gone off to elope with Kodachi."
"Thanks for that," he muttered back. "If you ever vanish and need a cover, I'll be sure to tell them you secretly ran away to become Kuno's concubine."
"Eww, gross," Ranko protested, and Akane fought back a laugh, knowing the sentiment well. Curious, she chanced a sly glance in the redhead's direction, amused to see her face scrunched up in distaste, just like she'd imagined.
But then Ranko's pretty blue eyes, so much like Ranma's own, shifted to meet Akane's, and even in the darkness, they seemed to glow brighter. "Oh, you're not Ukyo," she pointed out with sudden interest.
"Really? How'd you guess?" Ukyo replied with a laugh as she rode in behind them. She made a big show of patting the handle of her giant weapon—since it looked more like a spatula handle than a regular sword, it was hard to miss.
But Ranko barely spared her a second glance.
Stepping closer, she eyed Akane curiously, and with her heart thumping in fear and alarm, Akane gave an uncomfortable cough and quickly turned away again.
"Believe me," Ryoga said with a forced laugh as he handed the reigns of his tiny horse to the stable boy. "You'd most definitely know she's not Ukyo if you were in their presence for more than five minutes. Those two argue like an old married couple. It's sickening!"
"We do not!" They protested together, as if on cue.
"See?" He sniffed, waving a hand at them in disgust.
"Oh, like YOU'RE one to talk," Ranma said mockingly. "If you and Ukyo aren't already sleeping together, you sure as hell WILL be!"
"D-don't be s-silly, you old lug!" Ukyo replied, blushing like mad. "I'm not that kinda girl!"
"Y-yeah! Watch your mouth, Ranma! You cad," Ryoga echoed, blushing just as hard while sneaking sly glances at Ukyo.
Akane was so intrigued by their reaction, that she almost forgot all about her old friend. But unfortunately, Ranko wasn't paying the bodyguards any attention—her eyes were still locked on her.
Even facing the other way, Akane could feel the redhead's eyes boring straight into her back, like two tiny blue lasers. Then, without warning, the hellion grabbed hold of Akane's cloak and pulled, causing her to scream in surprise as she scrambled wildly for the mare's neck, narrowly avoiding a fall.
"Are you nuts?" Ranma snapped at his sister as he helped Akane right herself.
"Me?" Ranko exclaimed, scandalized. "You're the one who went missing for days and came back with a girlfriend!"
Two faces turned noticeably pinker, and Akane nearly fell off the horse again as they both launched mortified denials: "Don't be an idiot!" "N-no! I'm not—!"
"See!" Ryoga said again, pointing at them again. "I told you! Just watch—they finish each other's sentences too!"
"That's not true!" "Would you shut it already?!"
However, their flushed faces and impassioned rebuttals only seemed to convince her otherwise. "Yeah, sorry, I'm not buying it," Ranko told them and proceeded to tug again on Akane's cloak, determined to get a better look at her.
Ranma hurried to dismount. "Would you knock it off already?! You're going to hurt her or scare the damn horse!"
"Then tell her to look at me," Ranko complained as Akane now held on out of sheer stubbornness. "I just want to see my future sister-in-law's face!"
"I said I'm not!" She snapped once more, hanging on for dear life.
Fed up, Ranma finally grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her away from the horse, away from Akane.
Lucky for them both, the steed was tame and domesticated—any sane horse would've bolted by now.
"She's here to rest for a few days, maybe join the imperial guard if she stops being stubborn—but not to marry into the family, stupid. I'm not that desperate," he told her.
"Oh, like you're such a catch," Akane shot back as she finally dismounted. But she stayed close, using the mare as a shield.
Not looking even slightly convinced, Ranko shrugged off Ranma's hand and leaned towards Ukyo. "You sure they're not dating?"
"Not yet, anyway," she confirmed. "But I give 'em a month. Two months, tops!"
"Heh. If she was smart, she'd leave now and never look back," Ryoga said with a scoff. "Any girl that can handle a sword like THAT can do better than a dumb jerk like Ranma!"
"Like you're one to talk. Moron," Ranma mumbled.
"Sure am! Why, I bet Herb's got a better shot at dating her than you do!"
"Riiight. And you say I'M the dumb one."
They were BOTH dumb.
Akane stepped forward, and in her ire, didn't realize her hood had fallen back. She glared, tired of being talked about like she wasn't even there.
"Honestly," she muttered, putting her hands on her hips. "Of all the ridiculous things to argue about. I have no interest in dating anyone—got that? I'm only here for a few days, and even if I was here forever, I've no time or interest in BOYS! Understood?!"
Ukyo raised an eyebrow. "Girls then?"
"NO!"
At her little outburst, the two boys looked chastised, and Ranma even muttered a half-hearted, "Sorry. Guess I surround myself with idiots."
"See what I mean?" Ukyo whispered to Ranko. "In a week, he'll be putty in her—" Realizing the princess was no longer listening, she frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Akane noticed it too.
Ranko was staring at her with an intensity that was almost frightening as something indescribable lit up those expressive blue eyes.
Confusion? Suspicion?
She couldn't tell, but too late, Akane scrambled to push her hood back up.
Ranma, oblivious to the charged atmosphere, quickly flipped it back down. "Relax," he told her. "You're not that ugly."
As Akane turned to yell at him, Ranko smiled, shaking off whatever strangeness had possessed her.
"Hi," she said, kinder now as she moved closer, slowly, like Akane was a horse she was trying not to spook. "I'm Ranko. Ranma's prettier, smarter, better in all ways, other half."
Ranma rolled his eyes.
"Hi there," Akane greeted as she pulled anxiously at her hood, trying to hide herself. "I'm Ak—a friend of your brothers! Yes, just a friend," she quickly reiterated with a nervous chuckle that had her cringing. "We're not dating or engaged, or-or anything like that!" Not anymore. "I promise."
"Oh? I'm shocked Ranma even knows how to make friends," Ranko joked.
Akane laughed as Ranma turned on them. "Sure, sure," he complained, though the teasing grin on his face gave him away. "Insult the future king. See how far THAT gets ya."
"Don't remind me," Ranko exclaimed as she put a hand to her head and pretended to swoon. "Our kingdom is DOOMED!"
Ryoga leaned his head tiredly on Ukyo's shoulder. "I'LL tell you what's doomed—my stomach. Ranma, the bastard, ate all the provisions and left me to starve the whole way here! It's a miracle I haven't wasted away."
Ukyo patted him on the back consolingly, as Ranma complained, "Yeah well, if YOU weren't such a pig-headed idiot, we wouldn't have been captured so easily, P-Chan!"
"P-Chan?!"
"Yeah. It stands for pathetic porker!"
"WE ALL ATE THE PORK BUNS, RANMA!"
Akane put a hand to her head, exhausted already.
The two of them had been trading insults like this back and forth the entire way home. It was a wonder they'd made it back at all!
"While those two idiots are busy, might as well get your things," Ranko told her, and without waiting for a reply, began untying Akane's bag from off the horse.
"Thanks," she said as she tried to stop her, to reach around, "but I can do it myself."
"Don't be silly, I've got this," Ranko told her, and before she could argue more, the other girl had already unknotted the rope and secured her pack. Instead of returning it, however, the awful minx threw it over her thin shoulder and began to walk away. "I'll just go ahead and drop this off at Ranma's room for you. No biggie."
Akane froze, hesitating way longer than she should have, because—
RANMA'S ROOM?!
—What in the world was she talking about?!
"W-wait!"
Ranma was faster.
Moving quicker than she could track, he suddenly stood in front of Ranko, blocking her path. Then he smacked his sister right over the head. "I TOLD you we aren't like that, stupid!"
"Ouch! What's you do THAT for?!" Ranko complained, glaring up at him as she rubbed her aching head.
Akane used the distraction to yank her poor battered bag back and cradled it close to her chest. "Thanks for the help, but I can take it from here. I've got money and—"
"Don't be stupid," Ranma cut in. "One of the guest rooms should be open. You can stay there."
Akane shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't. I mean, I couldn't impose!"
"You're not," Ranko told her with a shrug and then tried to sneakily snatch back her pack. Akane had to twist and move out of the way just to keep it from her.
The dummy was persistent!
"Um, we have a million rooms," Ranma reminded her, raising an eyebrow. "Or were you planning to sleep in the stables with the horses instead?"
"Of course not!" She blustered.
There was just no way she was staying here. Akane had no intention of trapping herself inside the castle, in close quarters with everyone she knew. She had a plan, and that plan was to become a recluse; someone these people never saw or heard from again!
"I know! She can stay with me!" Ranko offered, raising her arm excitedly, and Akane's entire body froze in sharp, sudden panic.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?"
To her surprise and delight, the protest hadn't come from her.
"We hardly know anything about her," Ryoga reminded her, throwing his arms into the air out of frustration. "This could all be an elaborate ruse by Clarines, meant to lower our defenses and strike us while we're down. Why else would a pretty girl like her show interest in a dumb jerk like Ranma anyway?! And YOU want to let her into your room?" Nodding respectfully in Akane's direction, he added, "Err, sorry. No offense."
"None taken," she told him, honestly flattered. Did he seriously think she was capable of all that?
"Funny, coming from the first guy to pass out and be useless," Ranma told him, rolling his eyes. "Seriously, man, your defenses can't go any lower than that. . ."
"Jackass," Ukyo agreed with a sad shake of her head. "NOW you decide to do your job properly? After the danger's already passed?"
"You don't know that!" He insisted passionately, beginning to pace. "She could be a spy, a secret samurai, a—"
"Slayer of dragons?" Ranko suggested. "Destroyer of worlds?"
"Yes! I-I mean, no! Shut up, you!"
"Just trying to be helpful," she replied, tongue-in-cheek.
"Well, you're not!"
"You worry too much," Ranma told him and Akane found her bag plucked out of her hands once again. Like his sister, he slung it over his shoulder. "If Kuno or Clarines wanted to hurt us, they would've done it back when we were drugged and passed out at the cottage, Ryoga."
"Or prisoners in their castle," Ukyo added.
"Okay, fine. You've all made your point," he muttered, sheepishly slipping a hand behind his head. "It must be my hunger talking. I clearly can't think straight after being starved."
"Sure, P-Chan, that must be it."
"STOP CALLING ME P-CHAN!"
While Ranma stuck out his tongue and taunted the other boy, Ranko pouted. "It's not fair," she complained, stomping her foot. "You guys have all the fun! I mean, seriously? Poisonings? Kidnappings? Daring adventures? Next time you better take me with you!"
Fun?! Akane stared at her blankly, certain she'd misheard her.
"Trust me, hon. It wasn't as great as it sounds," Ukyo told her, though Akane still thought she was underselling it.
"Yeah, but it still beats being stuck here in the castle," Ranko complained as she kicked forlornly at a rock.
Akane had never heard anything more ridiculous—she only wished her biggest complaint was relaxing in a palace, safe and protected, while surrounded by people she loved!
If she could trade places with her friend, she'd do so in a heartbeat and then thank her for the privilege.
But Akane didn't have that luxury. And honestly, she wouldn't wish it on anyone else either.
Still, it was a sobering reminder that simply being here was dangerous. For all of them. It was the very reason they should part ways now.
"Thanks for the help and the offer," Akane told them as she snatched her bag back for the final time and skipped away before he could grab it back. "But I can go to an inn. I'll be more comfortable there."
"Good luck with that," Ryoga told her as he hefted a heavy sack of his own like it weighed nothing. "They're probably all full. Everyone's in the capital right now for the tournament."
"Oh."
Akane's heart fell to the floor and her gaze drifted.
The stables weren't looking half bad. Hay could be quite comfortable in a pinch.
"Don't worry, hon," Ukyo said cheerfully, misinterpreting her silence. "You won't be intruding. One room is nothing to them."
"Definitely," Ranma agreed, though his expression was strained as if he thought she might actually choose the stables after all.
With no other option in sight, Akane forced a smile. Refusing too much would be more suspicious than accepting, so it's not like she had much of a choice. "Alright, I guess I'll stay. For a few days, maybe. If that's alright with everyone."
"It's more than alright," Ranko assured her with a firm nod. "You could even say we insist!"
Akane smiled back, not entirely sincere. "Thanks," she replied as she shifted her pack and huffed out a breath.
Surely, one night wouldn't make much of a difference? She could always make more permanent plans in the morning.
Besides. After all those sleepless nights, all she wanted to do was collapse onto a bed, any bed at all, and sleep for a week. At least this bed would be closer.
"Great!" Said Ranma, all smiles again as he grabbed her hand, as if worried she'd disappear if he didn't. "I know the perfect room! Come on, Tomboy."
When Ranma's smile was turned on her, warm and bright, Akane almost felt her heart catch at the sight.
That's how she KNEW she was tired.
"I expect to hear all about how you two met in the morning!" Ranko reminded them as she waved enthusiastically and hurried on ahead. "Trust me, it'll come in handy at your wedding!"
"Leave it to me," Ukyo said with a wink. "I had front-row seats, remember?"
"You were passed out through most of it," Ryoga pointed out with a snort.
"Whose fault was THAT, you dingbat!?"
"Can't wait!" Ranko paused in her mad dash to briefly yell over her shoulder: "Night, you two. See you soon, Akane!"
And just like that, the princess headed inside without another word.
"Sorry about my sister," Ranma told her, scratching his head. "I wish I could say she's not normally like that, but . . . yeah. She's always like that."
"She's the absolute worst," Ryoga agreed as he followed Ukyo inside.
"Ahh, you two are ridiculous. She's great," Ukyo replied. "Anyway, I'll be seeing you tomorrow too, Akane! Don't let these two fools scare you away."
"I've got a pretty big tolerance for fools," she said with a wink. "I wouldn't worry."
"Gee, thanks," Ranma complained, though it was a token protest at best.
Akane waved goodbye to Ukyo and Ryoga as they too disappeared. If she remembered correctly, they were headed for the kitchens.
"The room's not far from here," Ranma told her as he led her past gorgeous stained-glassed windows, priceless artwork, and blazing torches that lined every corridor. Some of it she recognized, having walked these same halls as a child, but others were new.
But of course, it was hard to concentrate on anything, really—not with the dummy's hand still tightly holding hers.
She wasn't normally sentimental.
But even after all these years, she couldn't help but notice that Ranma's hand in hers still felt warm.
…
That night, all alone in her nice, quiet guest room, Akane found herself unable to sleep.
Her body was exhausted, but her mind wouldn't rest.
Something about earlier kept niggling at her. Teasing her. Batting at her like a playful kitten.
Again and again, her thoughts went back to Ranko. She replayed their reunion countless times, searching for that one moment, that one slip-up, she may have missed.
But as hard as she tried to recall it all, she couldn't remember. . .
Had she ever told Ranko her name?
…
Ranko ran through the palace, her slippers smacking soundly against the corridor floors. She didn't even care that it was late—her mind was racing and she knew this couldn't wait until morning.
Throwing open the door to her parent's living quarters, Ranko stalked right in. It wasn't until she was standing before their bedroom door that she hesitated. "Mom? Hello? Are you asleep?"
She faintly heard the sound of her father grumbling, and then immediately after, heard what she assumed was the sound of her mother climbing out of bed. The door opened soon after that and Nodoka Saotome emerged, wearing a heavy gown and a slight frown. "Ranko-dear, what in the world is so urgent that it couldn't wait until the morning?"
Afraid her father would overhear, Ranko quickly shut their bedroom door and led her mother toward the other side of the room. "I think I found Akane-chan," she said, speaking quietly for fear of being overheard. "I don't know what happened, but Ranma came back with her tonight! I don't think the dummy even realizes it's her!"
Nodoka gasped and put a hand to her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes. "A-are you sure?" she asked, her voice trembling. "How can you be positive, dear? Everyone we've sent—everyone said they died."
Ranko grabbed her arm. "I'd recognize her anywhere, mom. Her hair's shorter, and she's way too skinny, but it's her. I'm sure of it."
"If you're certain," Nodoka replied, firm and unwavering, her gaze like steel. "In any case, we mustn't allow Ranma or your father to find out quite yet. They're too bullheaded and impulsive for their own good. I fear they may do something rash and put poor Akane and her sisters in further danger."
"I know! I know! I'm not an idiot, Mom."
"What about dear Kasumi and Nabiki? Are they alive and well?"
Ranko could only shrug. "I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet—I tried, but I think she has her guard up around me. That's why I came to you first. I'll see what I can get out of her in the morning and go from there. Luckily, Ranma convinced her to stay in the castle for the night, so I know where she'll be."
"If they've been hiding all this time, I fear it may not be so easy," her mother fretted. "Otherwise, they would've come to us sooner."
Ranko nodded, a plan already taking shape; her mind had been racing the entire time she'd been in that courtyard. "I have a guard watching her room for now, so if she tries to slip away, I'll know."
"Good. That's a start."
It was a start alright, but Ranko was tired of living with so many terrifying and haunting questions.
She wanted answers, dammit!
"Don't worry, Mom," she assured her, taking her hands in hers. Though in truth, she suspected she was trying to convince herself more than anything. "We'll figure out what happened and help put things right."
"Of course we will," the Queen agreed, squeezing her daughter's hands in turn.
Of course, to do that, they needed to learn what happened all those years ago.
Why had King Soun died? What had driven the Tendos from Lumeria and their kingdom? And why hadn't they once sought them out?
Whatever the reason, Ranko knew one thing for sure . . . she was never letting Akane Tendo out of her sight again.
Sure, they may have only been eight at the time, but a blood oath was a blood oath, dammit, and Ranko was going to honor it whether Akane wanted her to or not!
…
It took a while, but at long last, Akane fell asleep and dreamed.
She dreamed that her entire family was still whole. Her mother and father were alive and well, and their family had been reunited with the Saotomes. In triumph, they'd been feasting and celebrating, like the past had never happened at all.
For some dream-logic reason, even her engagement to Ranma had been restored, and they weren't even fighting about it this time!
For once, things were back the way they should be.
When Akane finally stirred awake, it was accompanied by a happy, contented yawn. She lazily stretched and opened her eyes . . . and veered back immediately, nearly hitting her head on the headboard when she realized she wasn't alone.
In the corner of her room, sitting comfortably in a chair propped up against her door was Ranko.
Ranko, who looked like she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep all night.
She yawned before she even said a word, her hand covering her mouth. Then greeted tiredly, with just a spark of pep: "Good morning, Ranma's brand new friend."
Blinking slowly, Akane could only stare, trying and failing to figure out why she was in her room. "G-good morning. R-Ranko, was it?"
"Yup," she said as she stood up while remaining conspicuously close to the door. "But I'm sure you knew that already. I'm not the type people easily forget."
She winked at her, and Akane laughed.
She should be angry over the intrusion, any other time she would've been, but for some reason, she really, really wasn't.
Maybe it was the lingering aftereffects of her dream?
"Honestly, you're not wrong."
"Right? You'd be surprised how right I am about stuff, Akane."
Akane.
Hearing Ranko saying her name again sparked something uneasy in her. Concern? Alarm?
And all those happy, fuzzy feelings drifted away as she recalled why.
"My name?" She began uncertainly, picking at the blanket nervously with her fingers. "Um, how did you—? I mean, I'm pretty sure I never. . .?"
"Heard it, I guess," Ranko told her with an easy shrug, which eased her concerns a lot. If she knew who she was, she would've said so. "So, how did you meet my brother anyway?" She pressed again, leaning forward eagerly. "I don't think he's ever brought home a girl before!"
Thankful to be on a safe topic, at last, Akane shook her head. "It's not like that. Honest. We met by chance, and . . . and actually, it's a pretty funny story."
As Akane recounted the tale, she climbed out of bed, careful to remake the bed exactly as she'd found it. Naturally, her story grew into a rant about Kuno and their impromptu visit to Clarines.
"And that's about it," she finished, ending on her bout with Ranma in the clearing.
Once she was done, Ranko looked sympathetic and slightly ill. "Wow. Kuno is such a creep," she whined, shaking her head in disgust. "I'm sorry you had to endure that."
Akane nodded her head in solidarity. "Right? It took everything I had not to slug him!" To illustrate, she held up a hand and curled it into a menacing fist.
Ranko giggled, which made her happy. It was nice to have some good old-fashioned girl talk after so long. Akane loved her sisters dearly, but they weren't the type to indulge.
"So you didn't have any family?" She asked, sounding horrified. "No one to help you out?"
"Well, I mean, what could they do, really?" She asked with an innocent shrug. "They took a huge risk just letting me leave on my own."
Ranko nodded in sympathy. "Still, your sisters must have been worried. . ."
"They were," she said with a regretful, guilty sigh. "But they've always been . . . always, um . . ." too late, Akane realized the trap she'd fallen into. How had Ranko known she had sisters? She'd been careful to avoid any mention of them.
Feeling desperate, she quickly tried to correct herself, to recount the cover story she usually recited in her sleep. "I mean, my sisters-in-law, they're very protective of me. And since my bother gets called to the castle so often . . . he-he knows a lot about Kuno, and. . ."
Akane could tell she wasn't buying it.
"Yeah, I bet," Ranko responded with a nod. "I remember how over-protective Kasumi and Nabiki could be. How are they, anyway?"
Like a rabbit, trapped and cornered, Akane backed herself up against the wall, waving her arms in a nervous, anxious flutter. "I-I don't know who you're talking about. . ."
It was out of sheer reflex and panic that she was determined to die on this hill of lies.
But Ranko simply moved closer to the door, further blocking her exit. And just like that, barely a day after arriving, Akane watched as her cover story broke to pieces, shattering on this borrowed bedroom floor.
"Why are you still denying it?" Ranko demanded, her voice raised. "I know it's you, Akane! I've known since last night. Did you really think I wouldn't recognize my BEST FRIEND?!"
Akane spluttered, searching for the perfect reply but none would come. "Well, Ranma didn't!" she finished lamely, angrily, her voice raised just as high.
Although her anger was directed inward.
How could she be so irresponsible?! How could she ever think returning here was a good idea?! Now she had ruined everything!
"Yeah, well, Ranma's an idiot," Ranko reminded her bluntly.
"Tell me something I don't know," Akane muttered right as Ranko surged forward. And before she could even blink, the other girl had her in the tightest, warmest hug ever.
"Dummy," she whispered, tightening her grip. "I've missed you, Akane. You stupid, stubborn jerk."
At her touch, Akane's fight abruptly drained out of her. "That's my line," she whispered, tears burning behind her eyes. "I'm sorry, ko-chan. I've missed you too. All of you."
With obvious reluctance, her friend pulled away. "Where have you been?" She asked, her voice hoarse, and Akane could see her eyes were shining suspiciously too.
"Oh, you know. Around," she evaded, hoping to distract her from all the tough questions. "Kasumi and Nabiki are fine—Oh! Kasumi's pregnant, actually. I'm not sure if you remember him, but she married Ono Tofu. Our doctor's son. And Nabiki, she's okay too."
Well. Impoverished and bitter, but healthy at least.
"Well, you're here now. And safe. That's all that matters," Ranko assured her, her hands still grasping her arms. "I don't know what happened and why you didn't come to us sooner, but everything's going to be okay, Akachan. I promise."
Akane didn't doubt her sincerity one bit. How could she when she was looking at her with such firm resolve, her bright blue eyes practically aflame?
"I'm sorry," she told her, even though it pained her, she knew it needed to be said. Carefully, she took a step back. "But I can't stay here anymore, Ranko. It's not safe. For you or your family."
"And what about you?!" Ranko snapped, taking a step forward and reclaiming the distance she'd lost. "Things with you and your sisters AREN'T okay! Everyone thinks you're DEAD!"
"I know. And that's for the better."
"For the BETTER?" She repeated, incredulous. "Akane, what the HELL happened? Why are you guys even doing this?!"
Nervous and uncertain, Akane clutched at her medallion's chain, not sure where to begin—or if she was even capable.
To be fair, she'd never expected to see Ranko again, to have to explain things. Even on the trip here, she had planned to stay at an inn, to avoid this confrontation entirely. Before, they'd been so busy hiding and trying to stay alive, that she hadn't prepared any explanation or speech, not outside of their cover story.
And how could she?!
What could she even say?
How could she tell Ranko that the woman her mother had introduced to her family, to her father, had eventually KILLED him? That she'd been hunting for her and her sisters ever since? How could she possibly explain how immense and terrifying her reach was?!
Could she even explain the rest?
How that mad race to Wistalia all those years ago cost poor Tofu's parents their lives?
Honestly! It was a fluke she'd managed to make it here at all! Would Ranko even listen if she said she had no intention of staying?
If she left now, would she send people to track her down?!
Would that alert her stepmother?
Akane helplessly shook her head, not knowing where to begin.
As her hands shook, it came upon her fast. Panic, cold and terrifying, prickled and stabbed her all over, invading inside and spreading like a virus, until she could feel herself begin to hyperventilate.
Suddenly, she couldn't breathe.
"Oh my gosh! Akane!"
Acting quickly, Ranko grabbed her and sat her down on her bed, running her arms up and down in a soothing motion. "Hey! It's okay, it's okay. Just breathe, Akane. Slowly. Nice and deep. That's it. You don't have to tell me. I'm not gonna push. Just breathe, okay?"
It took time, but eventually, Akane's heart began to settle and her breathing returned to normal. Kind of.
When it was over, she was mostly left feeling mortified. "S-sorry," she told her, releasing another breath. "I-I don't know what came over me just now."
Ranko gave her a concerned look and stood. "Hey, it's all good. I know I dropped a lot on you just now but there's no rush. You can tell me when you're ready, okay? Just, don't leave. Please."
Akane wiped at her eyes, frustrated they were tearing up again. "Okay," she said, just as softly. "I promise. I won't leave without telling you. And I'll try to explain everything soon. I-I just need a little time, Ko-Chan. . ."
When I'm not so weak.
When speaking the words aloud no longer hurts so badly.
"Take all the time you need." Ranko gave her a warm, sincere smile. "I'm just glad you're here. Thanks for being alive, Aka-Chan. Even though I always knew you were too stubborn to die that easily. . ."
Akane snorted at the—err, was that a compliment? "It wasn't from lack of trying, that's for sure," she muttered darkly.
"If I'm being honest. I'm still reeling from the news that Kasumi's pregnant," Ranko said with an impressed whistle, respecting her request to change topics. "How far along is she? Is it safe to send for her and Nabiki?"
At the suggestion, Akane's heart nearly stopped all over again.
"No, it's not," she replied, leaving no room for doubt. "They're much safer where they are. It was honestly stupid of me to come here myself—they'd be furious if they knew. There are spies everywhere."
She could tell Ranko wanted to ask more, to ask who they were spying for—but she was biting her lip and her tongue as if forcing the words back. Mostly.
"But it's been so long," Ranko pointed out carefully. "How do you even know they're still looking for you?"
"Trust me," Akane muttered, knowing who started the rumor in the first place. "Not everyone believes we're dead."
"Yeah, but. . ."
"You know you can't tell anyone I'm here, right?" she added intensely. "You have to promise, Ranko! This is important."
"Yeah, yeah, of course I won't. My lips are sealed." She made the motion of zipping up her lips as proof, but then added sheepishly, "Although, um, I did sort of tell my mother also." At Akane's horrified expression, she went on hastily, "But don't worry! We're the only ones who know and she won't tell a soul! Fact is, she would've recognized you anyway, Akane. She's not as dense as my brother or our old man."
As she fingered her newly shortened locks, Akane frowned. "But even with my haircut? Really? It was supposed to make me look like a boy. . ."
Ranko laughed dryly. "Sorry to say, but you're not fooling anyone. Except maybe a moron like Ryoga," she added, and smirking, playfully ruffled her hair. "You've gotten really cute, Aka-chan."
"Dummy," Akane protested, lightly slapping her hand away. "That's the last thing I care about."
So far, being "cute" had gotten her nothing but trouble.
But before she could return the compliment, the door behind them opened, and Ukyo was there, looking surprised to find Akane wasn't alone.
"Oh. Am I interrupting something?" She asked, eyebrow raised, as I'd she'd stumbled across something scandalous.
"You did, actually," Ranko whined, stomping her foot and not easing her suspicions one bit. "Thanks a lot, Ucchan. Things were just getting good too!"
She knew she was just joking, but Akane blushed all the same. "She's kidding," she quickly corrected, her smile now strained as she shot a reproachful look at her friend.
Ranko, the minx, just gave her an innocent shrug in return and smiled brightly.
"Whatever you say, Hon," Ukyo replied, though from the tell-tale smirk on her face, she didn't look convinced one bit. "Anyway, I came to grab you for breakfast. I can't hold the human vacuums off forever, so if you want something to eat, you're gonna wanna hurry."
Akane internally scoffed.
They had several personal chefs and a pantry with enough food to last them years; just how much food could they possibly eat?
"Yeah, yeah. We'll meet you there soon," Ranko told her and then proceeded to push her out the door. Though Akane didn't miss the amused look Ukyo shot her right before the door closed in her face.
Honestly! Just what kind of person did she take her for?! With the way she spoke, did she SERIOUSLY think she was trying to seduce BOTH siblings?!
She didn't even want the other one!
"Sorry 'bout that! Just needed another minute to talk to you," Ranko told her once Ukyo was gone. "I have a million questions I'm dying to ask, and I know I said I'd wait, but my mother may not be so patient. She's DYING to meet you, Akane. Heck, it's a miracle she let me get to you first!"
At the mention of Aunt Nodoka, Akane couldn't help the mix of fear and excitement that twisted her insides around like a tight, nervous ball.
When her mother had passed away, it was Aunt Nodoka who had cradled her and let her cry in her arms; in a way, she'd been like a second mother to her.
Her opinion meant a lot.
And she knew it was incredibly silly . . . but she was no longer that polite, ladylike princess she probably remembered. Her edges had hardened, not softened, and the muscles and toned planes of her body from years of harshness and training only reflected what she'd lost.
She wasn't beautiful and confident like Ranko. So what if her beloved Auntie was disappointed in what she'd become?
Was it even right to meet her at all?
"I can read your face, dummy, and you're worrying over nothing," Ranko told her. "My mother will ADORE you, Akane."
Despite her reassurances, Akane wasn't sure she believed her. "You think so?"
"Absolutely," she replied with conviction. "It's just a shame you're determined to hide your identity—I bet mom's dying to reinstate your engagement to Ranma!"
"Please, no!" Akane begged, looking terrified. "I-I'm DEFINITELY not here for that!"
"I know. Don't worry," Ranko assured her, banishing her concerns with a wave of her hand. "She already gave me an earful, so she wouldn't risk your safety. Besides, it's not like we WANT to scare you away or have you bolt in the middle of the night!"
Though the words were said in jest, the watery look in her eyes seemed to plead: Please, don't even think about it!
She needn't have worried.
Running away now would only put Akane and her family in more danger, not less.
The Saotomes were as stubborn as they were honorable. Even if their families weren't connected by an ancient blood oath, they would've felt duty-bound to protect them on the merits of friendship alone. And this time, they'd succeed in tracking them down because they knew they were alive, and knew where to start looking.
And if they showed up in Clarines, it would create more gossip and questions; more attention her family didn't need.
And they'd never stop looking. Not once they learned the truth. So her original plan to stay for three days no longer seemed quite as plausible. . .
No. Akane was well and truly stuck.
"I'm not going anywhere," she told her again, just a little bitter because after all, being trapped here wasn't doing any of them any favors.
But of course, Ranko was too excited to care about any of that as Akane finished dressing and clasped on her cloak. "Yes! That's what I like to hear!" She cheered, clapping her hands together. "Then leave everything to us."
"Not everything, I hope," Akane replied, eyebrows raised. "I don't want to be treated any differently, remember?"
"Sure, I get it. You want to blend in and be normal. We can do that!"
"Uh-huh."
"Trust me, Akane. I've got your back! Especially with the tournament coming up. Not sure if you've heard, but lots of strangers are gonna be entering the castle soon, so you're gonna wanna be careful."
"Don't worry. I'm not afraid."
"Spoken like a true Saotome."
Akane rolled her eyes. It was only the two of them, but she instinctively lowered her voice to correct her. "I think you meant Tendo."
"Did I?" She asked with a disarming smile, and grabbing her hand, pulled her out the door. "Come on, sis! Let's go eat!"
"I'm not—!" Realizing that arguing was pointless, Akane closed her mouth with a huff and quietly followed.
But much less eagerly.
Despite Ranko's assurances, every step she took closer to her Aunt and Uncle felt like another step she was taking toward her inevitable doom.
She only hoped she didn't drag anyone down with her this time.
End of Chapter 4