After getting back to the Dojo, Nabiki saw to collecting the uniforms from the girls. Kasumi was a competent seamstress, and promised to take a look at the outfits, as well as get measurements from the girls (Riko's under protest) so she could adjust them as needed. She promised to help modify them if the Drama club wasn't agreeable, though she noted she wasn't nearly as skilled or creative as whoever had made the uniforms originally.
Her cell phone rang. She fished it out, and didn't recognize the number calling. Not a toll free number, not overseas. She had spent some time learning to differentiate the number blocks used by local telecoms. It was surprising what you could tell from a the first few digits of a phone number. Non-geographic area code. Mobile service. Not one of the number blocks used by the big carriers. Pay-per-minute phone maybe? "Hello, you've reached Nabiki Tendo. All consultations are 50 yen per minute. By continuing this call you agree to this service charge. How may I help you?"
"Very amusing Ms. Tendo." The voice on the line was male. Older. Gravelly, kept low and raspy to make it tougher to identify, most likely. "I think in this case it'd be in your best interests to waive the fee. For now, anyway. The information I'm here to provide you is worth considerably more."
"I'm willing to consider a partial refund if that's the case." She said, raising an eyebrow, somewhat bemused. "But I don't issue credit to unknowns."
"You know who we are, Ms. Tendo." The voice replied. "Look out your bedroom window, towards the street. You will see a black sedan there. Come outside, and get into the back seat, and we will talk."
Nabiki glanced out the window. Late model black sedan, with tinted windows and temporary plates.
"Uh huh. Or?" She sat back in her chair, propping her feet up on her desk.
"This isn't an 'or' situation, Ms. Tendo." The voice said sternly.
Nabiki chuckled with a confidence she didn't feel. Why did I let Ranma leave without me?! "And if I don't get in your carefully untraceable car after finishing this phone call on your disposable burner phone, I suppose something awful might happen to me, or my family? The one that's full of martial artists who shatter boulders with their fingers for fun? Either you are very new to Nerima, or you're bluffing."
The voice chuckled. "You're very astute… but you misunderstand me. I'm well aware of what your family is capable of. I have no intention of visiting any harm upon you or your family. We leave Nerima alone specifically because of people like your family. I am here to deliver information that I am not at liberty to discuss over the phone, and I am to remain until I deliver it. So when I say this is not an 'or' situation, I mean that I AM going to deliver my information, as that is my JOB. I'm not going to attempt to compel you in any way, but given the importance of what I have to say, I imagine you'd want this information sooner rather than later."
Nabiki's lips pressed into a thin line. She stared at the ceiling, considering. "All right." She said, sitting up and pulling out a notepad, quickly scribbling a message to Ranma or Akane, just in case. "I'll be right out." She hung up the phone, making a mental note to get a disposable prepaid phone of her own in the near future. Assuming I have one.
She made her way downstairs casually. "I'm just going to run to the corner grocery for a sec, Kasumi. Need anything?" She called.
"No thank you, Nabiki!" Kasumi called from the kitchen, engrossed in her meal preparation. Nabiki had half hoped Kasumi would ask her to pick something up, as it would mean she'd be missed that much sooner, but at least she had established where she should be, and where she wouldn't be should they come looking, hopefully tipping them off she was missing before she ended up at the bottom of the bay or worse.
She slipped on her shoes and took a final breath here, in her own home, where it was safe to show weakness. Everything beyond this point she had to assume would be watched and evaluated. She opened the door, stepped outside and, after closing it, strode confidently towards the gates and the car outside.
Part of her hoped Ranma, or even one of the other martial artists, would vault over the wall to interrupt her. This would be an excellent time for a challenger to come knocking on the Dojo door.
No such luck. Her feet carried her inevitably towards the black sedan. Almost featureless, she could smell the exhaust from the idling motor. She paused, caught her reflection in the shaded back window, and quickly schooled her expression to one of careful neutrality. She opened the door and slipped in.
The back seat was immaculate, and empty. She closed the door after her, eyes forward. She settled onto the leather upholstery and closed the door - she could see the man in the front, though his eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses despite the late hour. He was wearing a simple black business suit. He was neither large nor imposing, but there was something about his presence — an air of confidence and control.
"Thank you for coming so promptly, Ms. Tendo." He said. He put the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. "I'm just going to drive down the road to the corner store if you don't mind. It looks suspicious if a young woman gets into and then out of a car without it going anywhere."
"Of course." Nabiki sat back and crossed her legs, adopting a casual nonchalance she didn't feel. "I don't suppose I could convince you to give me a ride to the bank as well?"
He chuckled. "This won't take that long. I'm sure you're aware of who Himura Tanaka is. Or rather, who her grandfather is, yes?"
Nabiki raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I'm afraid I don't know much about Ms. Tanaka, actually. We hardly interact at school. Perhaps you could educate me?" She cocked her head and smiled sweetly.
He chuckled dryly. "If that were the case, you wouldn't be in this car. But all right. Nobu Tanaka is a very powerful man. While his granddaughter is primarily given free reign to manage her own affairs, he has taken a notice of your… conflict with her."
Nabiki narrowed her eyes. "I presume this is a warning, then? Seeing as there would be very little point in us having this conversation if he were intervening already?"
"No. This isn't an intimidation ploy, Ms. Tendo. Quite the opposite. Though, it would benefit you to be entirely aware of the situation you're in." He pulled the car into the parking lot, turning into a stall and stopping the car. "Himura has been known to… 'misappropriate' assets that shouldn't be used for personal situations. That's been her prerogative as Mr. Tanaka's heir apparent, but it's been a matter of concern. She was attempting to do so to deal with your challenge to her earlier today, before her grandfather intervened."
"You move quickly." Nabiki noted. "Though I am confused as to why Mr. Tanaka would intervene on my behalf against his granddaughter."
"We have been monitoring the situation since she first took an interest in your fiancé." He replied. "And… don't misunderstand. The intervention was purely to keep Tanaka Pharmaceuticals assets... as well as any other concerns Mr. Tanaka has outside of the company… from getting involved in what is obviously a personal matter. I am here to inform you that while Himura has 'connections', she will not be allowed to involve them in the dispute between the two of you."
"Himura's grandfather is cutting her off?" Nabiki asked, surprised.
"No. More he is forcing her to resolve this matter on her own recognizance, utilizing her own resources." The driver replied.
Nabiki's eyes narrowed. "That's extremely difficult to believe. Nobu Tanaka has never been one to leave family matters to another family member, much less step in on behalf of an outsider." She tapped her chin. "The Organization isn't happy, is it?"
She saw the driver's eyebrow raise in the rearview mirror. "Where did you hear that term?"
Nabiki sighed in frustration, tired of the game. "Oh please, that pseudonym is one of the Yakuza's worst kept secrets. I didn't even need to dig for that one. If you insist on pumping dread and fear into every term associated with you, it becomes a calling card as much as anything else." She crossed her arms. "Himura has abused the goodwill of her Grandfather's associates one too many times, and as she's the heir apparent, they're now demanding reassurances that she's not some spoiled princess who will compromise their operations on a whim. So, Mr. Tanaka has turned this into a test for her." She cocked her head, looking right at him in the rearview mirror. "Close?"
The driver was silent a moment, then burst out laughing. He pushed up his glasses to wipe his eyes, shaking his head. "Very astute, very astute. I like you, Ms. Tendo, so I will provide you a little more, since you so succinctly did my job for me. This isn't just a test for Himura." He looked at her over the rim of his shades, transfixing her with dark eyes. "You are being watched and evaluated."
"Evaluated? For what?" Nabiki felt a cold chill. Being of interest to the Yakuza was almost as bad as being on their hit list. At least with the latter you knew they had made up their minds what to do with you.
"That I'm not at liberty to say. If by some miracle Himura doesn't crush you like a bug? Then we can talk further."
He pressed a button on the dashboard, and Nabiki's door popped open of its own accord. She stared at it a moment, then at him, but he seemed to have lost interest in her. She stepped out of the car, and closed the door behind her. She watched her reflection in the dark windows as the car backed up and pulled away.
Once the car was out of sight, she leaned against a nearby lamp post and sighed heavily. Now Yakuza? Great. Just great. This was a lot less stressful when I just had to worry about someone KILLING me.
000
Mrs. Hibiki covered her mouth a moment, and then when she removed her hands she was wearing the biggest smile. "Ryouga!"
"You're… you're home!" Ryouga forgot about Ranma entirely as he rushed in and hugged his mother fiercely.
"Augh… Easy… easy Ryouga!" She laughed. "You'll crack one of my ribs yet doing that! I swear each time I see you you get stronger!" She pushed him back by the shoulders to look at him. "Oh my goodness… let me look at you! You've grown so much! You'll be taller than your father soon!" Ryouga winced visibly at that, but she didn't seem to notice.
"It's… it's been a while." Ryouga smiled weakly.
"How long has it been… three years?" Mrs. Hibiki bit her lip, looking to be on the verge of tears.
"Four…" Ryouga said, his voice choked.
"Did you get the meals I left you? Oh, I hope you didn't trip over my traps. Have you been eating well?" She released his shoulders. "I have so many pictures to show you!"
Ranma felt a lurch in her own chest. This was something she could sympathize with, and it was something she knew she was intruding on. She stepped back quietly, hoping to be able to simply slip away to leave Ryouga to his reunion with his mother and avoid any further awkward interactions.
Unfortunately for Ranma, while Ryouga's mother's sense of direction was faulty, her eyes were as sharp as ever. She looked up, spotted the redhead backing away and smiled. "Oh, I've been rude! Oh my, is this that Akari girl you've been writing and telling me about? Or is this Akane? Or… with that red hair… maybe Anna?"
"Uhh… no Mom…" Ryouga said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Another one?" She exclaimed, though there was nothing but playfulness in her voice. "I can hardly keep track of all your girlfriends! Well, at least I know the family legacy is safe for another generation." She stepped around her son and bowed. "Welcome to our home. What's your name?"
Best cover story is the truth, right Nabiki? Ranma took a deep breath. "Actually, my name is Ranma Saotome. Sorry about this."
She blinked, then glanced at Ryouga. "Ranma Saotome? That rival you keep writing about so often? She's a girl?" She looked back at Ranma, and the gears turning in her head were almost visible. "Well, that certainly puts a different spin on what you wrote…" A mischievous twinkle entered her eyes. "And explains a few things too."
Ranma could see the moment; that instant in time when something is misunderstood, and the wrong idea is crystallized, and all of the wreckage it would leave in her life until it was straightened out. Sometimes those moments caught her unawares. Sometimes they were directly her own fault. But this time, for the first time, she was ready for it.
'I have a curse. Bring me a tea kettle and I'll show you.' The words were already there, rehearsed and ready. She just had to speak them. She opened her mouth…
"She was raised as a boy by her father, I only found out recently!" Ryouga blurted out.
Ranma's mouth snapped shut.
She closed her eyes, breathed in through her nose, and out through her mouth, one purifying breath. She already knew how she was going to do it, and how to make it extra painful. The only question was how to dispose of the body. Not that doing so would be difficult; it was more that there were too many wonderful, wonderful ways to desecrate Ryouga's corpse available to her.
"Oh, I've heard of such things! I'm sorry you had to go through that growing up my dear!" Mrs. Hibiki stepped forward and gave Ranma a hug that she was completely unprepared for, as she was mentally debating the pros and cons of woodchippers.
"Ack!? I… uh…" Ranma was a little off-balance. The hug wasn't the typical glomp, but simply a regular gesture of reassurance. Mrs. Hibiki released her after a moment and looked her over. "Well, I must say, for only recently having reclaimed your womanhood, you have become the very picture of femininity!"
"Thank. You." Ranma said tightly, smiling weakly as her eyebrow twitched. No, a woodchipper is FAR too quick and painless a way for him to die.
Ryouga seemed to sense the aura of death coming from the redhead, and wisely (if belatedly) kept his mouth shut.
Mrs. Hibiki was looking her over, and her smile was one of such joy and relief that Ranma wasn't quite sure what to say next. She noticed the corners of Mrs. Hibiki's eyes had that crinkle that you saw with someone who smiled a lot.
"Come in, come in! I won't have my son and his very pretty rival standing in the doorway like some unwelcome salesmen! Come in, sit down, it's been so long, I want to hear everything!" Mrs. Hibiki turned and headed off down the hall, disappearing, only to come back into view headed in another direction, this time towards the kitchen.
The lights were on, but the house was cold. "I'm sorry it's a bit chilly in here, dears." Mrs. Hibiki called as she moved about in search of the kitchen. "I only just got the power turned back on."
"Do you have any hot water?" Ranma called, hoping to quickly dispel her misconception before it went any further, even if it meant having to be a guy in a dress for a bit.
"I'm afraid the gas is off too." She called back. "Don't worry, I have an electric kettle. We don't have much dears, but I can manage some hot cocoa and cookies. Make yourselves comfortable!" Mrs. Hibiki called from the kitchen. "Ryouga? Tell your father to call the gas company to get the service back on the next time he calls—the account is in his name. It was probably that awful woman from the real estate office again."
Ryouga winced, like he had been struck (Except he never actually winced when struck anymore). "I… Okay Mom." His face fell as he replied, falling into that resigned depressive look that usually signalled an impending Shi Shi Hokodan.
"Ryouga, are you okay?" Ranma asked, peering up at his face.
"I'm fine." He growled unconvincingly.
Shirokuro greeted them as they reached the living room. Her puppies were grown and gone by this point; Ranma was a bit curious what had happened to them, but didn't feel it was a good time to ask, given how unstable Ryouga was looking.
The lost boy seemed to brighten as he saw the reliable Hibiki family pet, kneeling and hugging the dog as her tail wagged. "Hey girl. Miss me?" He got a lick across the face in response.
Ranma sat on the couch a little awkwardly. "So… your Mom seems… interesting." Ranma started tentatively. "Is your Dad the same way?"
Ryouga froze. Shirokuro whined and licked his face.
"I'd rather not talk about it, Ranma." He said finally.
"Okay, okay… I'll just drink my cocoa and be on my way then." Ranma said, pulling her knees up to her chest. The whole situation was feeling uncomfortable.
"No!" Ryouga looked up suddenly, then his eyes fell. "Look, it's… I can't explain it right now, but… Can't you stick around for the night?"
"Ryouga, come on, I'm not here to tuck you in, man." Ranma sighed in exasperation. "I bailed on a bunch of friends from school to come spring your pork butt outta the hospital. Akane's coming home tonight and it's the first chance to talk to her and Nabiki about what we're gonna do about Himura and the Principal. Besides…" She glanced in the direction of the kitchen. "Your Mom being home makes this weird. She thinks I'm your girlfriend."
"Yeah, gee, with all the times you've used disguises to pose as my girlfriend or my fiancee or something, I'm not sure how anyone could get that idea…" Ryouga muttered.
"I was going to tell her before you opened your big fat stupid mouth!" Ranma snarled. "And you are literally the only person who is ever fooled by those stupid disguises! I pretended to be your sister, which was a really stupid plan, but it worked anyway."
Ryouga smirked. "So you're stupid, and I'm trusting. I can live with that."
"And you're weirdly obsessive about your kid sister!"
"You wouldn't understand, you don't have any siblings!"
"Neither do you!"
Mrs. Hibiki walked back in, a tray with several steaming mugs on it and a photo album tucked under her arm. "I'm afraid we're out of marshmallows. I'd run to the store to get some, but… you know about our family problem I assume?
Ranma eyed the mugs and sighed inwardly. She had missed her chance at the hot water because she'd been squabbling with Ryouga. For a moment she considered dumping the mug of hot cocoa over her head, but she liked this dress. Not that she would ever admit that out loud. "I'm pretty thoroughly acquainted with it, yes." She muttered. "I used to lead Ryouga home from school."
"Oh, that's right, Ryouga mentioned that." She said brightly. "A shame I missed you. It's so rare even two of us are at home at the same time. We tend to wander quite a bit. So, very early on, we all began taking pictures of our journeys. I've spent all day adding the pictures for my last four years into the book, and I see Ryouga has been keeping it up as well. Would you like to see?" She opened the book several pages back. Ranma could see the photographs were each marked with a date, and these were about four years old. "I guess all of this happened before you met my son. I wish I had been there for that."
"Y-yeah… a lot of stuff happened after that." Ranma said nervously. The photographs were of various landscapes, people… some looked like China, others might have been Korea. "Were you travelling with your husband?"
Ryouga winced again. He got up and settled on the couch on his mother's other side, looking a little hangdog.
"Oh, I used to. I hope I will be able to again soon." She flipped back a few more pages, and suddenly the pictures more often featured a middle aged man with sandy hair and pronounced fangs, and a small, sullen dark haired boy who shared his father's teeth. Some of them were of all three of them. "When we would go on vacation, we would set aside a few weeks, and just pick a direction and get lost." She got a distant look in her eyes as she looked through the pictures. "We had such adventures…"
"Where is he now? I thought you'd be together?" Ranma asked, though the way Ryouga was reacting was making her nervous.
"Oh, lost as usual." She scoffed. "I'm sure he'll turn up eventually." She smiled at Ranma. "So, my son has written a little of his own adventures, but words on paper are such a poor substitute. I was hoping you could both tell me about how things have been since I was gone?"
"Well, after middle school… did Ryouga write to you at all about a place called 'Jusenkyo'?" Ranma started, then noticed Ryouga frantically shaking his head and waving his arms. Oh for the love of… "... Could you excuse us a second?" She smiled at Mrs. Hibiki and got up off the couch. "Ryouga, could you come with me a minute?"
"Uhhh, sure, I…" Ryouga started, then yelped as Ranma walked past him, grabbed him by the earlobe and dragged him bodily off the couch. He thrashed and howled as Ranma calmly dragged him along the floor, down the hallway and into the kitchen.
"What was that for!?" Ryouga demanded once Ranma finally let him up.
"I haven't decided yet." Ranma said, distracted as she started scouring the cupboards. "Now help me find that electric kettle."
"What? Why?" Ryouga's brow knit in confusion.
Ranma whirled on him, and he reflexively took a step back at the glare she was giving him. "Because I'm not doing this, okay? I don't know what your deal is with not telling your parents about your curse, and I don't actually care, but I'm not going to pretend curses don't exist and play your girlfriend just to cover for you! I'm going to tell your Mom about Jusenkyo, I'm going to show her the curse, clear everything up up front, and just bypass all of the usual bull we go through."
"Okay, okay…" Ryouga made placating gestures, backing away a little more. "Fine, you're right. But… don't tell her I fell in at least? Mom gets really guilty whenever she finds out I got hurt when she wasn't around. Which is kind of a lot. So finding out I've got another curse on top of the family one…"
"Mhm… you have fun with that." Ranma returned to searching the cupboards. "Mrs. Hibiki?" She called out. "Where did you leave the kettle?"
"Oh! Um… I think it's out in the garage!"
Ranma paused, crouched by the sink. She slowly closed the cupboard door, straightened, and brushed her dress off stiffly. Her eyebrow was twitching the entire time.
"We… don't have a garage, do we?" Ryouga said nervously.
"No. No, you do not." Ranma replied tightly. "So… Let's go back in there, pretend that I'm a girl and have your mom get the wrong idea and start planning for the wedding. Maybe we can get her to call my mom so that she can chase me around with a katana bewailing the fact that I'm no longer manly, and in between we can surely find time to piss off everyone else so that by the end of it they all beat the crap out of me and it'll all be my fault." She laughed, but there was a hysterical edge to it.
"Maybe… we can just explain it?" Ryouga suggested weakly.
Ranma's laugh trailed off. She closed her eyes, drew in a deep, cleansing breath and exhaled. "No. You know what? I'll just own this one. But! You owe me for this, bacon-breath! I get another male suitor showing up on my doorstep, you gotta step up and defend my honor, got it?"
"What?!"
She crossed her arms and glared at him. "I'm serious! You tell them I'm taken, challenge 'em if you have to, and win. You can't just expect me to be your fake fiancee when it's convenient for you! This is a serious commitment!"
"I…" Ryouga opened his mouth, then closed it again. "... Actually? That sounds about as reasonable as any other agreement we've come up with."
Ranma nodded sharply, closing her eyes and raising a finger. "That's right! And I expect a big, fancy fake wedding!"
"Don't push it, Ranma."
"... But no more than three fake kids! I'm not a fake baby factory, you know!"
"Ranmaaaaa…."
"So what is the story then?" Ranma finished, raising an eyebrow. "You know, our past, the fiancees, Jusenkyo, all of it?"
Ryouga shrugged. "I don't know… pretty much the same? We just leave out the curses?"
Ranma's eyes narrowed. "So my parents are just delusional jerks then who engaged me to a bunch of girls and are using death threats to force me to conform to some insane standard that is physically impossible for me to meet?"
"See? You being a girl doesn't even really change that!" Ryouga said brightly.
"I…" Ranma started to protest, then stopped as her brain skidded to a halt. "That's not… It's… it's not that simple!" She finally managed weakly.
Ryouga held up his hands. "Hey, I'm not arguing, they're your parents. Explain it however you want, then."
Ranma was silent a moment. "We'll… uhh… Just skim over my parents. Focus on Pops anyway, he at least deserves it."
Ryouga nodded, but he looked unconvinced.
"My Mom means well." Ranma insisted.
"I didn't say anything." Ryouga replied.
Ranma sighed. "Speaking of which… what's up with your Dad? You keep looking like you're gonna cry every time she mentions him."
Ryouga froze. He seemed to struggle internally for a few minutes, then his shoulders slumped. "My Dad… he doesn't have the family curse, because he married into the family. He was never home because he was in the hospital all the time." Ryouga's jaw tightened. "He… died last year."
"Oh…" Ranma said softly. "I'm… I'm sorry…"
"Mom… pretends that he's just out wandering." Ryouga continued. "I thought from her letters it was a joke, a way to make-believe he was still around, but… She's acting like he's really gonna call or come home any minute." He shook his head. "We… we didn't make it back in time to… to be there. You know… when it was time. I'm worried she's not dealing with it."
"How do you deal with it?" Ranma asked softly.
"I get lost." Ryouga chuckled dryly. "I break stuff. 'Ranma, prepare to die'. The usual."
"Yeah, well, what about now, when you can't do any of that?" Ranma asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"I do it in my head." Ryouga admitted.
"Well… try and stay present for this?" She patted his arm and lead him back into the living room.
000
Mrs. Hibiki had one of those knowing smiles that told Ranma she had gotten entirely the wrong idea.
Ranma sat down next to her and sighed inwardly, steeling herself for a round of gushing about wedding plans and grandchildren and some variant of 'joining the families'.
"I do hope I haven't made things awkward?" Mrs. Hibiki asked, still smiling. "I expected my son had left out some details… I'm guessing something embarrassing happened at this 'Jusenkyo' place?"
Ranma quickly considered her options. The best cover stories are the truth, right? So, leave out the curse, but keep the rest the same as much as possible. "Well, Ryouga had been chasing me for who knows how long over that bread feud thing. Me n' Pops had been travelling to this old training ground in this region of China called Jusenkyo. There were a bunch of pools there, and Pops dunked me." She touched her hair. "I'd been dying my hair black the whole time Ryouga knew me, and the water washed it out. So when I chased Pops around after that, my hair was red, and I wasn't really pretending too hard to be a boy. So when we stumbled across Ryouga, all he saw was this crazy red-haired girl chasing her old man and knocking him into one of the ponds."
"Ooooohhhhh…" Mrs. Hibiki said, nodding, then shot her son a smile. "Yes, I can see a moment like that being enough to do it."
"Do what?" Ranma and Ryouga said in unison.
Mrs. Hibiki chuckled. "No, nevermind me. So… Ryouga has been following you? For this 'bread feud'? I remember him writing about his rivalry, but not the cause. Is that a euphemism?"
Ranma smirked. "No. It's literally about bread. When we were in junior high together, there was always a big scuffle over getting the last of the bread. Me'n Ryouga used to square off over it. I always won, so Ryouga decided we were rivals."
"You always cheated." Ryouga growled. "And you were so insufferably smug about it. Someone needed to take you down a few pegs."
"I cheated… or maybe you just let me win?" Ranma batted her eyelashes at him.
"It was a boy's school! I thought you were a boy! I hated your GUTS!" Ryouga snarled.
"And then you let me walk you home every day." Ranma replied with a smirk, enjoying the lost boy's discomfort. If she was going to get stuck as the girl in this story, she was going to make him squirm.
"Oh really?" Mrs. Hibiki raised an eyebrow, looking at her son.
"It… nnngh! No one else would do it!" Ryouga muttered, hunching his shoulders.
"Then he challenged me to a duel to finally settle things, near the end of the school year." Ranma continued.
"Which you ran away from!" Ryouga interjected angrily.
"Which I waited for three days for him to show up." Ranma corrected. "And then Pops said it was time to break camp and made me head off with him to China."
"Oh? Why did your father decide to leave right then?" Mrs. Hibiki asked curiously.
"He…" Ranma trailed off, eyes going unfocused as a forgotten memory bubbled to the surface.
"I gotta wait for Ryouga, Pops!" The Pig-tailed boy said stubbornly. "I promised him we'd have our duel! He'll be here, I know it!"
Genma adjusted his spectacles and sighed. "I'm disappointed in you, boy. You've been entirely too friendly with this Ryouga. It's made you soft, just like with Ukyou! This isn't how I taught you!"
Ranma scowled, folding his arms. "You told me I gotta uphold honor as a true martial artist…"
"You don't do that by coddling your opponent's weaknesses boy!" Genma took two strides forward and cuffed Ranma sharply across the head, knocking him to the ground. He loomed over the boy, hands on his hips. "Look at you! Mewling after Ryouga like some lovestruck GIRL! Is that what I raised? A girl!?"
"N-no! I just…" Ranma rubbed his cheek, choking back the tears. Tears just made it worse. "He's my friend, a-and…"
"A real man doesn't need friends!" Genma roared. "A real man only needs the Art! So, which are you? Am I leaving today with a man? Or am I leaving behind a little girl? Ryouga or the Art boy, choose now!"
Rain was starting to fall. Ranma shuddered, feeling the droplets on his head. He was thankful for the rain, it meant his father was less likely to notice his tears. "Th-The Art…"
"Then GET UP and help me pack!" Genma turned his back on him. "And if you so much as mention that Ryouga boy ever again, I will drop you in another pit of cats." He took a deep breath, then sighed and seemed to relax. His voice took on a gentler note. "Forget him, Ranma. Trust me, it's for your own good." He walked away, back to their little campsite to resume packing up.
"... He… Didn't like me hanging around Ryouga…" Ranma managed to finish. She cleared her throat, feeling a bit shaken. Why didn't I remember that before? "You… you know how it is." She laughed weakly. "He thought Ryouga was a bad influence. We moved a lot so I wouldn't get distracted from the Art by friends and stuff…" She fidgeted a bit, studying her hands.
"I'm sorry to hear that, sweetheart." Mrs. Hibiki said gently. She leaned a little closer, but didn't touch the red haired girl. "Are… you still living with your parents?"
"Kinda…" Ranma replied. "I mean, me and Pops landed at the Tendo Dojo a couple of years back, and I've been staying with the Tendos. Pops moved home with Mom after… well, it was complicated, but Pops had made this stupid promise to make me a 'Man amongst men' to her so she'd let him drag me all around Asia…"
"Your mother approved of this?" Mrs. Hibiki asked softly. Her voice was carefully neutral. "How do they feel now, about… Well…" She motioned towards Ranma.
Ranma winced. "She… she sorta tolerates it." Ranma said weakly. "She's been a lot cooler about it than I expected, but she gets upset if I do anything too girly." She plucked at her dress. "She'd freak if she saw me like this. Ummm…" She glanced sideways at the woman. "... Could… could you maybe not tell her, if you ever happen to meet her?"
Mrs. Hibiki nodded. "I promise." She gently took Ranma's hand. "For the record, though… I think you're very brave. To have accepted and even embraced this part of yourself despite your parent's disapproval."
Ranma blinked owlishly, then blushed and looked at the ground. "I.. accepted… maybe. I dunno about embraced…"
Mrs. Hibiki nodded and patted her hand. "I understand. When you travel as much as I have, you see all sorts. Believe it or not you're not the first person I've met in this situation. I have seen families place all manner of unreasonable demands on their children." She sighed. "Perhaps that's why my Ryouga chased you halfway around the continent, hmmm?" She turned and smiled at her son. "He knew."
"Knew? Knew what?" Ryouga repeated nervously. He glanced from the uncharacteristically subdued Ranma to his own mother.
Mrs. Hibiki clucked her tongue and patted his leg. "Ryouga… whenever you were bullied in the past, or faced opposition or conflict, if you couldn't win out right away you would just leave. You would turn around, shrug, and pretend you didn't care. Ever since you were a toddler." She chuckled. "Your father and I were always frantically chasing after you, lest you get lost in the crowd, like that time at the fair when you came across that carnival game you couldn't win."
"I hit the bottles squarely, and they didn't fall. It was rigged." Ryouga said, remembering. "The guy running the booth made fun of me."
"And you turned, waved and walked away." She replied, smiling fondly. "You never had time for that sort. Which is why it's so remarkable you were so determined to catch up to Ranma, isn't it?"
Ryouga squirmed. "Mom… I thought he was a guy. Really! It was an honor thing! It's not like that!"
"Of course not, sweetie." She tousled his hair. "Now, would you be a dear and go and get us some napkins from the kitchen? I'm afraid I forgot them."
"Uh… sure…" Ryouga stood and made a hasty retreat, relieved to have an escape from the awkward conversation.
Mrs. Hibiki watched him go, then sighed. "He's such a good boy. I wish I could have been there for him more often." She took a deep breath, folding her hands on her lap. "Now… there is something I need to discuss with you, Ms. Saotome, concerning my son."
"I… we're just friends!" Ranma waved frantically. "He's in love with Akari… and maybe Akane…"
"And there was that Anna girl." Mrs. Hibiki supplied helpfully.
Ranma scowled. "... Yeah, gonna need to ask him about that. He never mentioned her when he was mooning over Akane or asking me to help him get back to Akari's farm." She shook herself, realizing that her annoyance could be misconstrued as jealousy. "Not that I care! It's just that he's always hanging around, and half the time I gotta help him out."
Mrs. Hibiki just gave her that same exasperating smile. "He's always showing up wherever you happen to be, isn't he?"
"Yeah!" Ranma nodded, oblivious. "I mean, I'll be in the middle of nowhere and then suddenly he'll fall out of a tree, or pop out of the ground or something."
"Rather impressive for someone with no sense of direction, isn't it?" Mrs. Hibiki asked. She leaned over and whispered conspiratorially in Ranma's ear. "It's almost like you're linked, isn't it?"
"I… buhhhhhhhh…" Ranma's eyes widened. She backed away to the far side of the couch, frantically waving her hands. "No! Look, it's not like that!"
Mrs. Hibiki giggled. "I know, it's all right, Ranma." She leaned over and patted her hand. "Given your background? I imagine you need a friend far more than a confusing romance. Though I can see how awkward my son is around you. I suspect he's noticed you're no longer that young man he made friends with in middle school." She winked. "But… that's not the point. I'm not talking about a romantic link… though in many cases in our family it becomes one." She sat up straight, smoothing her skirt. "You know about our family curse. It's been with our bloodline for a very long time. Family legends say an ancestor of ours was cursed by an evil youkai for thwarting his attempts to steal a magical gem. We've made many attempts to cure this curse, to no avail, but we've learned a little more with each generation. We know it's some form of corruption of our ki… or vital essence. You practise martial arts, that makes sense to you, yes?" She glanced at Ranma to ensure that the girl was following her words, and nodded in satisfaction. "Well, this is what leads to the… distortion, is the best word I have for it. But it also means the curse is affected by emotion; changed by it. When a Hibiki forms a strong emotional attachment to someone or something… love, hate, obligation, it doesn't matter as long as it is strong… a link is formed. An 'anchor' that tethers us to it. Something that draws us back to it over and over." She sighed. "This only happens once in a lifetime. There are… so many stories of tragedies, where Hibikis have become anchored to mortal enemies, or some site of a great sorrow, or by a love that is unrequited. Doomed to be pulled back to it over and over again. It can be the cruellest aspect of our curse."
Ranma blanched. "You… you think Ryouga…"
"I know he has." She said, and smiled. "Perhaps it was truly as a rival. Or perhaps he sensed there was more to you. I don't know for sure. But it is good you are at least friends." She fixed Ranma with an imploring gaze. "I want to make sure you understand the import of this. Even if Ryouga isn't willing to accept it, and I sense he is not. You are forever going to be a central part of his life." She put a hand on Ranma's shoulder. "That's a burden, I know, especially if the two of you have chosen separate lives." She smiled wistfully. "It would be easier… and certainly poetic… if you two had chosen each other. But from his letters, my son's eye still roams." She squeezed Ranma's shoulder gently. "I hope that is not an additional burden for you? My Ryouga is a bit of a casanova, isn't he?"
Ranma choked a little, covering a smirk with her hand. "No… No, though I'd really be happier if he'd pick one."
"I deeply apologize for my son's indecisiveness." She shook her head. "But… I hope that you can forgive him? And… continue to be a friend? You are the only tether he has to a normal life. He has no choice but to depend on you, though his pride won't allow him to thank you for it."
Ranma pondered that. I always figured Ryouga was JUST after Akane… So even after all this, it's still that stupid bread feud? And that's just how it's gotta be? She shook her head. "I mean… Yeah, I'll help him if he needs it, but… We met a doctor. A neurosurgeon. He wants to run some tests on Ryouga. Has anyone ever done an MRI or whatever it's called on you?"
Mrs. Hibiki cocked her head. "No. I sought help from more spiritual sources. Chiropractors specializing in chi flows, vision quests in North America, Witches' Covens in Europe, ancient remedies from China… They knew there was a problem, but could never isolate or correct it." She beamed. "Maybe you will be the one to help our family find a cure at last? Modern medicine has… has come…" She closed her eyes.
Ranma had been considering how to broach the topic of her husband and finally spoke up. "Mrs. Hibiki… your husband…"
"He is my Anchor." She said softly. "And… as long as I can keep the hope alive that I will see him home again, I can find my way." She said sadly. "It… gets harder every day. When a Hibiki loses their Anchor…" She trailed off and took a deep breath. "I am sure I will see my husband soon." She smiled. "I know he would… will approve of you. For now, at least, I can still be here sometimes… to make sure my son has a home to return to when he needs it."
Ranma felt a sick knot in the pit of her stomach. What happens when you can't ever find your way home? "I'll look after Ryouga. Someone has to, right?"
Mrs. Hibiki smiled. "Right. Now… could you go find him? I expect he's gotten lost in the garage."
"You… don't have a garage, Mrs. Hibiki."
"We don't? Well… Then I wonder where my kettle is?"
000
Ranma eventually found Ryouga wandering around upstairs, in the dark, holding an electric teakettle.
"Oh, it's you." Ryouga said gruffly as she flicked the lightswitch. He held up the teakettle. "If, uh… you wanted to explain the curse thing to my Mom…"
"Yeah no, I think that ship has sailed." Ranma replied curtly. "I have to give you credit, P-chan, that was way more awkward and uncomfortable than I was prepared for, and this week has been nothing but." She folded her arms and leaned against the wall. "So… When were you gonna tell me about this 'Anchor' stuff?"
Ryouga scowled. "That's none of your business."
She raised an eyebrow. "Your Mom thinks it is."
Ryouga' immediately blushed and clenched a fist. "Listen you… Akane is my Anchor, okay? That's why I can always find her!"
"Except she's usually with me, and she wasn't there when you tracked me all the way to and from China." Ranma replied. "Look, your Mom explained it. You were pissed at me, so that made an emotional link. Why can't you just be honest about it?"
Ryouga walked up to her and stared her down, glaring coldly. "I grew up on stories about how my Mom met my Dad. How strong their connection was. All I ever wanted was to have a connection to someone like that, someone who I loved who I could always find, and who loved and cherished me back. And you screwed that up. Just like you've screwed up everything in my life."
"Hey, I didn't make the link, Pork-butt!" Ranma protested, poking him in the chest. "Why were you so mad at me anyway? I thought we were friends?"
"We were never friends!" Ryouga growled. "A friend would have waited for me!"
"I waited three days!"
"You knew I was coming! You should have waited as long as it took!" Ryouga snapped back. A flicker of old hurt passed through his eyes. "You were the first person I found that I thought would understand. Do you know what it's like to always be too late? To always be left behind and for it to always be your fault, but not be able to do anything about it? I thought you… You know what? Nevermind." He turned away. "Look, you did your job. I'm home. Thank you. Go back to Nabiki or whoever." He started to walk away.
"He would have left me."
Ryouga paused, turning and looking back at the redhead.
"Pops, I mean…" She said, looking away. "You're right, I knew you were coming, That's why I waited three days. I wanted to wait more." She looked up, her eyes hardening. "But you know what? I couldn't. Because sometimes it ain't about you, Ryouga. We were never friends? Maybe you were right. Because a friend would have understood that." She brushed past him, heading for the stairs. "I'm headed home. See you around, P-chan."
000
It was later than Ranma had hoped as she trudged home, the street lights flickering on as the sunset faded to dusk.
Very clearly past dinnertime.
Ranma's stomach growled in protest. She hadn't had as much as she would have liked from the barbecue. She hoped Kasumi had saved her something, but given her luck lately…
She reached the front door of the dojo and slid it open. "I'm home…" She called, kicking off her shoes.
Kasumi popped her head out from the kitchen and smiled. "Ranma! Welcome home!"
"I missed dinner, didn't I?" Ranma said sheepishly, hoping against hope that there was something left.
Kasumi beamed. "Yes, but Nabiki warned me. I saved some for you. Give me a moment to warm it up, and I'll bring it out to you."
Ranma sighed in relief. "Thanks Kasumi! You're the best!" She hurried to the living room. She really wanted to wash her face and take a very hot bath, but that could wait if there was food in it. She knelt at the table, unconsciously smoothing her dress.
Kasumi came out carrying a tray laden with food, setting it down in front of Ranma and settling across from her, pouring them each a cup of tea. "So how is Ryouga?"
"Stupid." Ranma muttered, digging into her food in a most unladylike manner, wolfing it down like someone was going to take it away… which with her father was a very real danger. "But he got to see his Mom today, and maybe we've got a start on fixing his directional problems."
"That's wonderful!" Kasumi beamed. "Ranma, I'm proud of you! I know you and Ryouga have your differences… It brings me joy to see you rising above them like this. To go to such lengths for him, you are a true friend."
Ranma paused her eating. "I… well, I dunno if we're 'friends' yet." She muttered. "He's still an ungrateful jerk. But… he's got a lot going on, so I guess I can understand." She sighed. "But Nabiki said it's really important if I wanna get my life straightened out that I gotta make peace where I can."
"I'm sure he'll come around." Kasumi said. "I do like what you've done with your hair, by the way. It looks good down."
"Oh, this?" Ranma self consciously touched her own unbound locks. "Well… I hadda make it look good for the doctors and stuff at the hospital."
"I noticed Nabiki bought you some new clothes for your male side too. It's good seeing you dress up a little, either way." She smiled. "It's good seeing you out with your friends, too."
"It's… a lot of girl side stuff going on lately." Ranma deflated a little. "Mom wouldn't approve, I know."
Kasumi's expression darkened. "Ranma…" She reached across the table and took her hand. "It doesn't matter what form you're in. There's no standard your friends or loved ones should have to meet, aside from that they make you happy. Everything has been rivals and challenges and fiancees with you for so long… I'm just glad to see you forging real bonds with people."
"Even if it's not 'manly'?" Ranma asked.
Kasumi winced, closing her eyes. "I… understand your Mother's position. But I don't agree with it." She opened her eyes and smiled again, her usual cheerful, reassuring smile. "Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right? I won't say anything."
Ranma didn't look reassured. "I wish… it wasn't so hard to be what she wants me to be." She said softly. "I wonder what's wrong with me sometimes. I'm such an imposter. Maybe that's why it's so easy for me to put on a dress and play the girl. It's not any more fake than the 'real' me."
"Ranma…" Kasumi looked shocked.
Ranma put her chopsticks down. She laughed dryly. "Heh. Listen to me. What am I even talking about? Been spending too much time as a girl. Is the furo free?"
"I… of course." Kasumi replied.
Ranma stood and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the meal, Kasumi. It was delicious." She walked off towards the furo without another word.
Kasumi watched her leave the room, then looked back down at the unfinished plate of food. Oh Ranma...
000
Ranma sighed in relief as she dumped the tub of hot water over herself, the change kicking in.
It didn't bring him the relief he had been seeking, however. This odd, gnawing sense of instability was still growing in his gut. He sighed, put the washtub down and swiped his hand across the mirror to clear away the steam. I thought I was off-balance from spending too much time as a girl… Looking into his own eyes, he didn't see the confident assurance staring back at him that he'd been hoping for.
His mind drifted back over the memory that had bubbled to the surface during the chat with Mrs. Hibiki. Ranma's childhood was mostly a blur; days of training mixed with random hijinks. But he couldn't even name half of the places they had been or people they had met. Sometimes, when needed, a memory would float out from the fog, but most of his past was a comfortable, numb blur. He had never really questioned it, nor wondered what else might be there in the fog.
Pops called me a girl even then. He thought, lathering up the washcloth and scrubbing himself brusquely, like he was hoping to cleanse himself of the uncertain feeling. Before the curse, before all the nonsense with the fiancees… how long has he been calling me that?
"No Daddy! Please don't put me back down there!"
"Quiet boy! This is for your own good! Stop crying like a little girl!"
Ranma shuddered, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to blot out the mental image before he remembered too much about the Neko-ken training. I guess… it was kinda his go-to when I wasn't behaving, huh?
He rinsed himself off with another bucket of hot water and stood up, stepped into the furo, and sank down into the bath with a sigh. He took the washcloth and folded it, laid it over his eyes as he leaned back against the side of the tub. Glad he's not here right now. Really don't think I could deal with his crap today.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he heard nothing until the door slid open. He yelped and yanked the cloth from his head down to cover his lap. I forgot to put the sign up!
His eyes immediately locked with those of the dark haired girl just stepping into the room, a small towel the only thing that preserved some semblance of modesty. He could see the rapid play of emotions through her eyes, from shock to embarrassment to rage.
His eyes snapped shut. He didn't even bother with his usual panicked denials. He had seen damn near everything, after all. "Sorry…!" He managed, waiting for the hammerfall.
Instead of a hammer, though, he heard the door slide closed again. He took a short breath. Did… did I dodge a bullet there?
Then he heard the sound of someone settling into the water next to him.
Nope! Gun to my head! He froze, not sure exactly what was going on, but expecting an attack any moment. "'Kane?" He squeaked nervously.
"I'm not going to hit you, Ranma." Akane said softly.
He was silent a moment, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. "What… what are you doing?" He asked, trying to keep his tone neutral to avoid triggering a mallet-induced death.
"Something that really really scares me." Akane replied in a small, soft voice.
Akane's quiet, almost timid tone overrode Ranma's fear for a moment, self-preservation instinct warring with the overwhelming urge to protect her. As usual, the latter won. He sat back in the furo carefully, putting a hand over his eyes. Not that that helped much; He could see her quite clearly in his mind's eye, sense her presence next to him, feel how she shifted the water, the way she affected the temperature of the water. He swallowed and licked his dry lips to moisten them. "Then… why are you doing it?" He asked.
"Because… What I've done… what I've always done when something scared me… is lash out at it. Attack it." She said. "And… when you came… you scared me. And you kept scaring me… You were too close, too… too real. You were fearless, and you could soar. Everyone seemed to want you and you made me feel so small." He felt her shift, and he could picture her drawing her legs up to her chest and hugging them. "And so I attacked you. Even though… even though the thing that scared me most was… was how much I…" Her voice hitched in her throat.
Ranma spread his fingers and peeked at her. Her dark hair was covering her face, making it hard to read her expression.
"... How much I wanted you to see me." She finished finally. "And so I pushed you away, and pushed and pushed, but you kept coming back… like… like there was something about me… and that scared me even more, so I pushed harder… and then I finally threw you away." She sniffed and brushed her hair away from her face. "And still you scare me, because that just made it worse. And now… even when I have no right, I… I just want you to see me." She turned her head and looked at him. Her eyes were misty, and her cheeks wet.
Ranma slowly moved his hand away. His self preservation instinct packed up its things and fled for someone who was less of a lost cause. "All right." He said finally. "I'm looking."
Akane laughed softly and shook her head. "That's not what I meant." She blushed as her eyes met his.
He clapped his hand quickly back over his eyes. "Then, I don't…"
She reached up, and gently pulled his hand away, shifting dangerously close. He could feel her body heat despite the warmth of the water. "I want you to see me. Not the uncute tomboy. Not the violent gorilla. Me. And I'm afraid… that when you do you won't like it…"
"I...Are you kidding?" Ranma said, shivering a bit. "I can always see you, 'Kane. Always. Even with my eyes closed, or when you're not here. I always could." His fingers tentatively curled around hers. "I… I know it didn't seem that way. When someone tells you something over and over, you believe it… and I've been saying lots of things about you that aren't true… and I know now that you probably believed that's what I saw, but… but… You scared me too." He took a breath. "'Cuz all of a sudden it wasn't just me when I got in a fight, or jumped off a roof, or was falling towards a magic pool. You were there too. And my life wasn't just today anymore. Now there was a future, and a home, and consequences for the stuff I did. And… And when you almost died at Jusendo…" He closed his eyes. "When you pushed me again after the wedding, I was relieved. Because… because I thought I could stop being scared."
"Did it work?" she asked softly.
He was conscious she had edged closer still. "No." he admitted.
He knew this was the time to make a dumb excuse, or say something stupid, or even just look away, but her eyes had him now. Dark, full of deep browns, but hints of green and hazel. He wondered why he was only noticing these details about them now.
Because she's close. Part of his mind supplied, a half second too late as her lips touched his.
Suddenly two years of tension, of uncertainty, of fear and longing and regret, all snapped like an overstretched rubber band. His arms were around her, pulling her to him, and hers were around him, and the kiss at once became passionate with an almost desperate intensity. One hand tangled in her hair, his other roaming her back, and everything that they had been holding back was happening all at once…
"Kasumi, did you wash my brown gi?" Soun's voice called as he rummaged around in the laundry room nearby.
"They're ALL brown, father." Kasumi's voice replied.
"Well… this one is more taupe, I guess…" His voice moved away as he continued his search elsewhere.
The two teens remained frozen for several minutes after Soun's voice faded, watching the door to the bath nervously. They strained to listen for a few more moments, then certain the danger had passed, they relaxed.
And became re-acquainted with exactly how entangled they were with each other.
Their eyes locked again. The urge to fling themselves apart warred with the urge to continue what they were doing, and for once, equilibrium was achieved.
Akane closed her eyes slowly and dropped her head to his chest. "Not yet… Not yet… Have to talk to d'Artagnan first…"
"What?" Ranma replied, confused.
Akane seemed to ignore him. "I'm sorry Ranma… that was too fast, wasn't it?" She smiled at him again.
Ranma gulped. He had been… and remained… inches away from losing his virginity. "A little…" He croaked.
"I love you." She said softly. "I want to do this with you so much. But I know it has to be the right time. I know you've got to think of my sister, and Ukyou and Shampoo, and that we need to find a solution to all of this that we can all live with, rather than just doing something impulsive…"
I'm good with impulsive! Ranma closed his eyes and shuddered, intensely aware of her. Every curve, the softness of her skin, her scent, the feel of her hair as it tickled his chest. "I'm not sure how much more of this I can handle, Akane…"
"It'll be worth the wait, Ranma." Akane smirked. "I promise. Though I have to admit, I am rather liking that you're getting more worked up about sharing a bath with me than you did with Shampoo." She shifted her arms to slip around his neck, her eyes half lidding.
Not helping! "It's… uhh… well…" He stammered. The tile started to crack under his fingers where he was gripping it. "It wasn't… you… you know?"
"You're making it very hard to be good, Ranma." She whispered, and planted a light kiss on his neck, near the hollow of his shoulder.
~Crack~ The tile had broken, and his fingers were digging into plaster now.
"Shampoo was right, this is much better than fighting over you." Akane purred. "I found out something interesting, but before I tell you…" She smiled at him. "Would you take me back now? Not choose me, you don't have to switch the engagement from Nabiki, but…"
Ranma opened his eyes. It's not like it made a difference at this point. "If that's what you really want, Akane. Anything… I just… I don't wanna hurt you again." He timidly moved his hand to cup her cheek.
She smiled at him, that smile that made him wonder how he ever could call her uncute, or anything other than stunning.
"Good." She said. "Because… Shampoo found a way to avoid having to give the Kiss of Death to me or Ukyou. She made us Amazons. So, since you've beaten me Ranma Saotome…" She gave him another quick kiss on the lips. "Wode Airen."
Ranma felt his tenuous grip on the situation slip. It was too much. His vision started to blur as he felt his deathgrip on the tub slacken, and his body start to slip down into the water.
"Ranma…?" Akane's voice was the last thing he heard as the darkness closed in from the edges of his vision.
000
"Ranma?"
"Mnnh…" Ranma reached up, feeling a cool cloth on his forehead. He was lying on his back on the cold tile of the floor, his head pillowed on something soft. The ceiling light was in his eyes, and his vision still blurry. "... 'Kane?"
Akane's head appeared at the top of his vision, upside down and looking down at him. "Are you okay? The furo must have been too hot, you got a nosebleed and passed out.
"I wha…?" He blinked as the fog receded, and he realized the softness cushioning his head was her lap. He quickly clapped a hand over his nose as he remembered what they had been doing just before he passed out. Oh god, now I'm Ryouga?! I'd rather have just drowned...
She giggled as he covered his nose. "You're safe, I'm wearing a towel. As are you."
'Safe' is relative! He closed his eyes and tried not to mentally picture that, squeezing his nose more firmly. There was also the matter of Akane having been the one to put the towel on him. "Uhh… Thanks Akane. Sorry…"
"It's okay. It's kind of flattering." Akane gently ran her fingers gently through his hair, nails lightly tracing over his scalp. "Kinda fun, too. I see why Shampoo does it. I'm a little sorry I didn't do this sooner."
We'd be MARRIED if you had! Ranma sighed, relaxing a little. Her fingers felt nice, at least. "I'd have said something stupid and ruined it." He murmured.
"And I'd have hit you, and said the engagement was off, and gone off to my room to cry." Akane finished. "And the next day my parents would make you apologize, even if they didn't know what you did, and then everything would go back to the way it was."
"While we slowly went nuts." Ranma finished.
"I think I did go nuts." Akane said, threading her fingers through his hair. She decided she rather liked it down and loose. "I mean, look at me. Here I am seducing my sister's fiance in the furo."
"Callin' me 'Airen' an' talking about Amazon marriage laws… Should I be worried about any other tricks you picked up from Shampoo?"
"Wo ai ni." Akane murmured, and was rewarded by another shiver from the dark haired boy. She smirked. "You like it when I do that, don't you?"
"It uh…" He resumed pinching his nose. "... Comes with certain mental imagery…"
"Hentai." She said playfully, tapping his nose with her finger. "You also have no idea. When you've recovered, ask Ukyou about Shampoo teaching her Mandarin."
"Oh yeah?" Ranma cracked an eye open and peeked up at her.
"Mmhmmm. Just be careful if she's drinking anything when you do."
"Sounds like you're getting along better with them now." He said a little muzzily. The events of the day were starting to catch up to him.
"We're trying. I think we're more alike than we thought." Akane said softly. "Ranma? Can I ask you a favor?"
"Mnnn."
"Could you spar with me tomorrow? I mean… really spar." she said.
"Uh… sure?" He cracked his eye open again. "You sure you wanna spar me, not Ukyou or Shampoo? I mean, they'd be more… uh…"
Akane huffed. "I know I'm not strong enough to really spar with you yet, Ranma. But I need someone I can go all-out against. Someone I know I won't hurt no matter how hard I try. So… I need you to take it seriously, okay? Even if I can't touch you. And I need you to be mean about it too. Call me names, taunt me. Get me mad."
Ranma closed his eye and was silent. "Akane… I don't…"
"Just trust me, Ranma." She said. "I know you don't mean any of it. Please?"
"All right." He sighed, resigned. "Anything for you, Akane."
000
Nabiki considered her corkboard. She chewed on her lower lip and adjusted some of the pictures.
It was lopsided, somehow. She had added in Sedan Man, and a blank card for The Organization, but they didn't really fit in her model. Mapping the Madness was only really possible because all the factors led back to Ranma Saotome, but now?
I expected some of this as we slackened the tension between the Fiancees, but… I thought it'd be more even. She shook her head. There was something obvious happening, but she was missing it so far.
She sighed and sat back down on her bed. At least I can eliminate one Kuno as a factor for a while, and Ryouga will hopefully be a bit subdued as long as Ranma is helping him. If everything went well with Akane and this 'Fiancee's Tea', we can hopefully start tackling Himura before her friends get any more 'interested' in me.
That was a new problem. Nabiki had always operated by flying under the radar. Being around people who could take boulders to the face and leap tall buildings in a single bound made that relatively easy. Nabiki was boring. Uninteresting. Worth noticing only when she chose, by waving some choice morsel in their faces.
Now she was being watched to see how well she handled a mob princess?
Don't let it distract you, Nabiki. It's not a relevant factor currently, and even if it IS… well, the Yakuza are a bit beyond my ability to deal with.
There was a gentle knock at her door.
"Come in." Nabiki stepped back from the corkboard and sat down on her bed, taking a quick breath and making sure her usual confident mask was in place.
The door opened, and Akane poked her head in. Nabiki noticed her hair was damp. "Hey sis."
"Hey Akane. How did the tea party go?" Nabiki folded her arms and crossed her legs, a smirk crossing her face. This should be good.
"Educational." Akane said, closing the door behind her. She took a deep breath. "Ummm… we actually might have a partial solution for the fiancee issue."
"Let me guess, you all decided to share him?" Nabiki quipped sarcastically, waiting for her little sister's blush and frantic angry denial.
"Ummm…" Akane looked at the floor, blushing as she twiddled her fingers.
Nabiki's smirk slipped. "No… seriously, Akane, what was the solution you came up with?"
Akane gave her a sheepish smile. "There's a loophole in the Amazon laws…"
Nabiki's eyes widened. She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward on the bed. "Akane…This is just about dating, right?"
"Amazon laws don't apply to dating." Akane said quietly.
Nabiki blew out a breath, leaning back and flopping spread eagled on her bed. "Little sister… Do you have any idea what you're getting into?"
Akane walked over and pulled the chair out from Nabiki's desk and sat down. "Something our parents will never agree to… well, except Cologne. Something that's taboo, and will get us called perverts and worse. Something that'll never be socially acceptable."
Nabiki sat up again and gave her sister an incredulous look. "Yes! So why on Earth…!?"
"Because who cares!?" Akane shot back. "Doing what our parents want, doing what's 'socially acceptable', doing what tradition says… None of that is working." She shook her head. "We all… we all have way too much of ourselves put into this. A year ago… maybe we could have walked away, but now?"
Nabiki sighed. "Little sister, you're seventeen…"
"You're eighteen." Akane replied. "Tell me you don't feel the same."
Nabiki paused, then looked away. "I'm not…"
"It's been a couple of weeks, Nabiki, and…" She gestured at the corkboard. "... You're going to war over Ranma. If there's a point you could walk away, it's now." She leaned in, examining her sister's face. "... Can you?"
"Why are you asking?" Nabiki asked, scowling at her. "I'm not part of…" She trailed off, her eyes widened. "... No. No, you are not serious…!"
"They want you to come to Fiancee's Tea tomorrow to talk about it." Akane said softly.
"YOU TOLD THEM!?" Nabiki yelped. She started pulling on her hair. "Aaaaugh! Akane, are you trying to get me killed?!"
"I talked them down, Nabiki." Akane tried to placate her. "I reminded them you're what got us this far…"
"That makes me feel lots better, thanks!" Nabiki stared at her with wild eyes. "'Hey Kasumi, guess what? I introduced our baby sister to the joys of polygamy! Wanna join us? Everyone can play!'" She shook her head, standing up to pace. "Not that I'll get the chance, once Cologne finds out I lied to her face, she'll wake me up in the middle of the night so I can watch her kill me in my sleep!"
"Nabiki, you're ranting." Akane crossed her arms and sat back in the chair.
"Yes I'm ranting!" Nabiki threw up her hands. "I think I'm entitled to rant! We were supposed to calm things down, not… not…"
"Solve your corkboard problem?" Akane smirked and gestured to the board behind her with her thumb.
"Don't get cute!" Nabiki growled. "Do you have any idea how hard a long-term commitment between two people is?" She sat back down on her bed heavily. "People are selfish. People want attention. People make demands of each other, and they resent when their demands are overlooked in favor of someone else's. Keeping you three from killing each other long enough to have tea together was hard enough! Trying to keep everyone happy and working together in a situation like that would take…"
"... Nabiki Tendo." Akane finished for her.
Nabiki stared at her.
"Nabiki, don't you get it? Nothing worked until you started trying to fix things!" Akane shook her head. "Ranma and I were done, Ukyou and Shampoo were resigned to give up. Ranma was miserable and probably close to just packing his bag and disappearing out into the wilderness. You added something… I don't know what, but things started to fall into place when you did."
"I don't know if I would call having the Yakuza involved 'falling into place'" Nabiki muttered. Something Akane said was starting to worry at the corners of her mind still worrying the whole problem of The Madness.
"But you've got us all facing it together." Akane replied. She smiled. "This is… scary, and… and different… and I know it means I have to change… really change, and that's hard and frustrating and forcing me to deal with things I…" She trailed off, taking a breath to gather her thoughts. "... But all of that is so much better than… than having to say goodbye. And if this going to work, we need someone who can see the whole picture, can see how it all fits, and guide us."
Nabiki put a hand over her eyes, flopping back on her bed limply.
"Ranma needs you, Nabiki." Akane said softly. "I need you… and Shampoo and Ukyou need you, whether they know that yet or not. You're the piece that makes all this work."
"Allegedly work." Nabiki corrected her. "You're talking about sharing one guy with three other girls, Akane, one of which is your own sister. Ranma is…" She sighed. "... Ranma is special. But… is he worth that?"
"I died for him, Nabiki." Akane said softly. "I was willing to fall in a magic spring and be stuck as a guy, just so he could find his cure. Whether he was worth it was never the question. I just didn't know how… Not until I had your lead to follow." She got up and sat on the edge of the bed. "So… I guess the question is… is he worth that much to you?"
Nabiki's brow furrowed. I was ready to steal him away from all of you. Then I was willing to give him back, and I've waffled back and forth between those two positions. I was okay with a truce to give him time to decide… but… "Does Ranma know yet?"
"He knows there's some stuff with the Amazon laws. I might have… overwhelmed him a little…" Akane admitted, blushing.
Nabiki moved her hand and cracked an eye, looking her over. The damp hair suddenly made sense. "You jumped him in the furo, didn't you?"
Akane ducked her head and fidgeted, going beet red.
Nabiki sighed. It's not like I'm not guilty of as much myself. "Did you and he…?"
"No!" Akane said, a little too quickly. "... Almost." She admitted. "We need to work this out before… before anyone takes that step."
Nabiki let her hand fall away from her eyes entirely and stared up at the ceiling. "We're going to end up killing him if we keep doing that to him." She chuckled weakly.
"Did you…" Akane asked nervously.
"Almost." Nabiki admitted. "Spent the night in the same bed a couple of times."
"I'd say not to tell the other fiancees… but Shampoo has already done everything we've done so far." Akane crossed her arms. "She's got no business being cross that we're playing catch up."
"Is she?" Nabiki asked, turning to look at Akane. "Cross, I mean?"
"I don't think so. She was too busy flirting with Ukyou." Akane replied, smirking.
Nabiki gaped. "... No. Do you mean that…?"
"Apparently after the wedding they got drunk and… Ukyou got a crash course in Mandarin." Akane replied, quirking an eyebrow. "And Shampoo wants to schedule another lesson."
"I thought Shampoo was just being her usual culture-shock self earlier when she was talking about Ranma being entitled to 'a concubine or two'." Nabiki giggled. "I didn't know she was actively pursuing this plan! So I'm guessing Ukyou is on board with this?"
Akane nodded.
Nabiki sighed and rubbed her eyes. She didn't have any trouble with Ranma's girl side, or with public perception, but knowing Shampoo she doubted the Amazon was going to limit her attentions to just one of her co-wives. This went a little further than some playful experimentation with her boyfriend's magical gender curse! "You realize Shampoo's not going to stop with Ukyou, right? Can you deal with that, little sister?" She gave Akane a searching look.
"You mean 'Akane the Boy Hater' proving them all right?" Akane scoffed, but her eyes were down.
Nabiki pillowed her head on her hand, searching her sister's face. "That's exactly what I mean, Akane. This was never something you were okay with."
"It's… tiring being afraid all the time." Akane said softly. "It's tiring being afraid of what other people think. I always envied you and Shampoo and even Ukyou your ability to not care. And then Ranma comes along… the perfect excuse… and that was worse because I felt like it was some kind of point of honor for me. Like I had to be hyper vigilant." She sniffed softly. "I… do you know how guilty I felt, when we found that Japanese Nannichuan spring, and she ran towards it, and all I wanted to do was scream 'No, don't!'?"
"It was never a problem with dealing with Ranma's girl side, was it?" Nabiki asked softly.
Akane shook her head slowly. "I like his guy side. I'm attracted to him, even, but… That's more because it's him, not because…" She squirmed a bit in her chair. "When she first came to us, with that ridiculous Panda, in those boy's clothes that were too big for her, and she was even more of a tomboy than I was, but she was still the most gorgeous person I had ever met…" She trailed off, biting her lower lip, wringing her hands in her lap. "It's hard to be in love with an illusion."
"Not as much of an illusion as you think." Nabiki said, thinking back to her conversation with Ranma. "It's not just Boy Ranma in a girl suit. The curse does stuff to his head when he changes. Perceptions change, the whole notion of 'normal' shifts involuntarily."
Akane sighed, then nodded slowly. "I know."
Nabiki sat up. "What do you mean 'I know'? I'm the first one to ask Ranma about it."
"You could see it… in how she changed in small ways. Little mannerisms, how she moved, how she talked…" She sighed. "... How she acted around boys."
"Is that why you used to get so outraged when she would vamp Kuno or act cutsey for free treats?" Nabiki raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, though Kuno was never really a big threat." Akane replied. "I was always worried about Ryouga, though."
Nabiki gave her sister an incredulous look. "... You were worried about competition for Ranma… from Ryouga?"
"Not always? But he was always so lonely and desperate for love, and I was worried one day Ranma might get curious and…" She blushed.
"You're kidding, right?" Nabiki shook her head. "Ranma would never… I mean, she was totally repulsed when Mikado kissed her."
"Well, that's because Mikado is repulsive." Akane snorted. "You haven't seen how risque Ranma gets around Ryouga. And it worries me that all she has to do is put on a pair of glasses and Ryouga is completely fooled. Then there was that whole thing with the koi rod…"
"Koi rod?"
Akane waved her hands. "Forget I said anything!" She sighed. "I never seriously thought there was anything there, but… Ranma doesn't seem to really understand the effect she has on people. I didn't… I didn't want poor Ryouga to go through what I was feeling."
Nabiki considered that. "... They'd actually be a cute couple…"
"Nabiki!"
"Hey, you brought up the idea." Nabiki closed her eyes and waved her off. "At least let me appreciate the aesthetics of it."
"Don't even joke about that!" Akane huffed.
"I guess Ranma's plate is a little full in that department, huh?" Nabiki said softly, suddenly subdued. She pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them. "There's so many ways this could go bad, little sister."
"It's better than not trying." Akane smiled weakly. "I don't think Ranma would ever be able to make a decision, knowing what it would do to the ones he didn't pick. Do you have a better idea?"
"Just because I don't doesn't mean this isn't a terrible plan." Nabiki muttered. She took a breath, holding it a moment, then blew it out, blowing her bangs up from her forehead. "Let me sleep on it. I've got a lot of stuff to think about today. I'll just add this to the queue."
"I need to know by tomorrow. They're expecting me to bring you." Akane replied.
"I'll have my answer then." Nabiki said. "But I need you to promise me something. Whichever way this goes, I need you to have my back, okay?"
Akane nodded. "Always, Nabiki."
000
The door to Ranma's room slid open silently. She had long practise doing this, after all, though for more nefarious purposes than she had now.
Ranma didn't stir. That was normal. Ranma tended to be incredibly difficult to wake, though he could be quite restless. She walked over and knelt next to his futon.
He looks exhausted. Nabiki thought sadly. She gently brushed a dark lock from his eyes. Is that new? Or did I just not notice before?
"I guess we wear you out, huh Saotome?" She said softly. "Three girls clamoring for your attention, your love. Then I made it four, and started trying to run your life. And now... what, in a week? I've made it so much more complicated."
"To any other guy this would be some sort of stupid fantasy wish fulfillment… But you get it, don't you?" She continued. "How much work it would be? How hard it would be to keep it from flying apart, every single day." She smiled sadly. "I was trying to cut you loose, to be free to make your own decisions, escape this place, maybe get to be normal now and then… and I just bound you to it more tightly."
She studied his face in the dim light from under his door and the starlight from the window. "You'll say 'yes', won't you, Ranma? Whether it's what you really want or not… because it'll make them… us… happy. And you'll probably even be happy with that, because it neatly solves the problem. But I keep wondering… about that boy on the beach… The one who was free of fiancees or parental obligations… who was just there for a clam bake and a weekend party. The one I fell in love with. And I can't help but wonder if I'm betraying him."
She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut, the image of his face in the moonlight bright in her mind. "I tried to rescue you… Because… because you deserve a chance… to be the person you could be without all these obligations that have been piled on you your whole life. To make the choices you'd make if it was just for you. Because…" She felt a tear run down her cheek. "Because… I wanted you to choose me. But everything I do just winds it all in tighter, and now it's got me too. And I could save myself if I just let you go… I could still have my normal life, and find another boy on the beach… and… and so I'm not going to save myself. Because there isn't another boy on the beach. Not like you. And I'm going to say 'yes' because it solves the problem. And I'm going to stay here in this mad world of yours because it's the only world that has you in it… but… I need you to forgive me… Because I couldn't save you from it."
She felt a gentle hand cup her cheek, and a thumb brush away her tear. She opened her eyes in surprise to see Ranma looking up at her, his hand stroking her cheek.
"Don't cry, Nabs…" He said softly. "Whatever it is… You 'n me can beat it. We can't always win the way we want… mebbe winning has a price, but… We can beat anything together. Just gotta find a way."
"How much…" Nabiki felt the heat rise in her cheeks.
"Most of it." He replied.
She sniffed and covered his hand with her own, closing her eyes. She smiled and leaned against it, even though more tears were running down her cheeks. "Sweet-talker…" She murmured. "Are you going to be able to say that ten years from now? Or twenty?" She opened her eyes to look at him again.
"Or fifty." He said softly. She could see the starlight reflected in his blue eyes. "Or a hundred. Whatever it takes, Nabiki Tendo. In whatever world we end up in."
She smiled. "Can I stay?" She asked softly. "I'm not trying to sleep with you, I just… I need to know you're here tonight."
He searched her face a moment, then pulled aside the blanket. She slipped in next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. She just looked at him in the dark for a moment. She felt his arm go around her, and she cuddled closer, draping her arm across his chest.
"I wish I had your confidence."
Ranma snorted. "You?! Nabs… you're the most confident person I know!"
"That's not confidence. It's planning." She replied. "It's making sure I know everything about everybody, so that there isn't any doubt. I don't actually like risks. I avoid them whenever I can."
"That wasn't what I saw today." Ranma countered. "That… that was the Art, pure and simple. Anything Goes School at it's best."
"I'm not a martial artist, Ranma."
"The Anything Goes School was originally created as a way to steal panties." Ranma said. "It has been adapted in I don't know how many ways, from dealing with foodies with mutant mouths to fending off dragonblooded princes. Who says this is any less valid? You said yourself you were following the philosophy of the school when you came out of nowhere and kicked Himura off her pedestal. Part of being confident is having good reason to be confident."
Nabiki opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it again and sighed. He's right. I DID invoke the Anything Goes School. "Maybe it's just I have less reason to be confident than you think."
He ran his fingers through her hair, smiling. "Look… I dunno about half the stuff you deal with. It goes over my head. I'm just barely learning the first katas, and you're a grand master. But… if it helps? I am that boy on the beach. And… I had fun pretending to be normal. Normal was a nice place to visit on vacation. But… it's not who I am. You don't need to rescue me from anything, Nabiki."
"Yes I do." Nabiki huffed. "Honestly, if it wasn't Himura, it'd be someone else taking advantage of you being too naive and too trusting, and… and too honorable for your own good! You need me to… to…" She trailed off, eyes widening. She sighed and slumped against him. "... To make my sister's point for her, apparently."
"Huh?" Ranma gave her a quizzical look.
"I'll explain it in the morning." She said softly. "But… I just wanna know… what would make you happy, Ranma? If you could have anything?"
"Anything?" He closed his eyes a moment. "Couple of years ago? I'd have said 'Warm place to sleep and three square meals'. And I got that. Coming to the Tendo Dojo was the best thing that ever happened to me. But then the answer changed, because what made other people happy became important. So… I guess… if I could find a way to make everyone happy, and get to enjoy it with them… That'd be the best answer." He chuckled. "I'm kinda learning that's not that simple, but… If I could have anything." His fingers lazily stroked her soft hair. He glanced at her, seeing her eyes had shut, her expression relaxed.
He gently kissed her forehead. "I know we'll figure it out." He closed his eyes and settled in to sleep.
000
Kasumi woke feeling tired, worn. The usual bright promise of morning was muddied and dull for her today as she slowly sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of her bed and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Kasumi had never been one to take her troubles to bed with her. Even when the pantry was empty, and the bills piled high, she had found a way to put it aside for the night, and greet each day as it came. Carrying worry was not something she did, because she always trusted things would work themselves out as long as she diligently did her best.
Lately, it had gotten harder and harder to leave her worries on her pillow.
It had been like a fun game at first, the craziness. Everyone seemed happy and was enjoying themselves, and she felt content to be on the sidelines as they had their adventures. She kept a warm bed and hot kettle waiting when they needed it, vicariously enjoying the drama without having to be part of it.
But then all of that playful conflict stopped being so playful. People started digging their heels in, and it began to show how desperate they are were to get their way. Cracks started showing, lines were crossed.
And in the middle of it all was someone who never asked for any of it.
Kasumi had the horrible feeling that she could have done something about it. She could have nudged things onto gentler path, or taken a more active role to guide and comfort - to mentor her sisters more effectively. Obvious things in hindsight.
It was bad even before Ranma came. She remembered that first awful day when Akane had come home after Tatewaki Kuno had declared that no one could date her unless they first defeated her in combat. Half the male population of the school had formed into what were essentially rape gangs to challenge her. Kasumi was still haunted by the dead look in Akane's eyes and the trembling way she had declared how much she hated boys…
Kasumi squeezed her eyes shut. She took a moment, took a few breaths, then opened them.
No. No more. She decided. She had waited for her father to resolve things, had accepted when he had declared it a challenge Akane needed to face on her own, had accepted it when Genma had arrived, and her father's tendency to abdicate his responsibilities had become even more pronounced as the Saotomes upended their lives. But she could no longer simply remain the dutiful daughter in the face of all of this - not with her sisters' happiness at stake.
Father wasn't like this when mother was alive. She thought as she opened her closet to select the day's clothes. She wished she better remembered how her mother and father had dealt with things; if she had been subtly nudging him out of his tendency towards apathy and complacency, or if that had arisen after her death.
She winced as she remembered the coldness in Nabiki's eyes as she ordered her from her room. I need to stop making excuses for people and leaving dealing with the problems to others. She decided. She took a deep breath. She wasn't strong or defiant like her sisters; disapproval was something that was honestly difficult for her to deal with. But… if her sisters could face down demons and princes and monsters, she could handle disappointing a family friend.
She would speak with Nodoka.
She dressed and started her daily routine. Laundry was taken from the laundry room in baskets out to the hanging lines in the backyard to take full advantage of the morning sun. There was a lot of washing, so typically she only had enough room on the lines for half of it at a time. The rest she would put up at noon. She made sure the uniforms Ranma and her friends had been wearing went up first.
She smiled, looking one over. Such a daring costume. I wish I had the nerve to wear such things. Truth be told, it was considerably less revealing than some of her own swimsuits, but if she understood correctly, it was going to be their uniform for playing as a team in front of large crowds. Kasumi had always taken comfort in anonymity, blending in and letting all of the attention fall on those who were flashier. It was… safe.
She headed back into the kitchen and put a kettle on to boil. Coffee for Father and Nabiki was first, then another kettle for the morning tea. She got out a pot and began laying out the ingredients for miso soup. Usually, the smells of breakfast were enough to get most of the family out of bed.
Sure enough, Soun was up almost as soon as she started brewing the coffee. She had his newspaper ready for him.
"Going over to the Satomes' to help them with the preparations for Nodoka's bridal interviews?" She asked as she placed the cup in front of him.
"Yes… well…" He cleared his throat nervously. "I am sure the matter is just a formality to help Ranma to dispense with residual claims."
"Father... I have been speaking with Nodoka. I don't believe this is as much of a 'mere formality' as you think. In fact, I had to plead with her to promise that she would not simply dismiss Akane's or Nabiki's claims out of hand." She wrung her hands. "Please, Father... I think you need to take this matter seriously, for Akane's and Nabiki's sakes."
"N-now Kasumi… I'm sure that Saotome would never… That the agreement between our families will…" He trembled, and then suddenly burst out crying. "Oh Kasumi! The families will never be joined now!"
Kasumi sighed. She patted his shoulder. "There there, Father. I'm sure if you made it clear how important this matter is to our family…"
"I tried, Kasumi! But I swear Nodoka is on a rampage!" He grabbed her hand in both of his. "Please, you have to promise me you'll help Akane to win this challenge! Nodoka is expecting the perfect housewife!"
Kasumi scowled. "And what about Nabiki?"
"Well…" He coughed nervously. "Nabiki's engagement was always just a placeholder until Akane came to her senses…"
Kasumi's lips pressed tightly together, and she pulled her hand from his grasp. "I'm disappointed in you, Father. You should be considering the feelings of both of your daughters equally in this." She folded her arms. "As well as the young man who has been given no say in this matter since the beginning!"
"K-Kasumi…" Soun stammered, unused to such shows of defiance from his eldest daughter. "Please, you must understand I am doing my best…"
Kasumi sighed. Her patience was deep - a well she had drawn from for many years - but she was finding even that was starting to run dry. "I will do what I can, Father. But promise me you will not be afraid to confront Nodoka if she seeks to change the terms of the agreement between our families!"
"I…" He looked like he was going to protest, but shrank back at the look she was giving him. "Yes, Kasumi."
She nodded and walked out of the room. She made it as far as the hallway before pausing to put a hand on the wall and steady herself. I must retain my composure! The others rely on me for that. If Father cannot do this, then I will just have to find another way. Maybe… maybe coaching Nabiki and Akane will be enough?
Speaking of which, Nabiki was usually drawn from her room, grumpy and bleary-eyed, by the smell of fresh coffee. But today there was no sign of her.
She must have stayed up late again. She has been working so hard lately. She walked up the stairs to Nabiki's room, knocking lightly at the door. "Nabiki?" She gave her sister a respectful few moments to respond, then opened the door and peeked inside.
Nabiki's bed was still made and didn't appear to have been slept in. Her school uniform was still hanging, which suggested she hadn't left early. Odd…
Kasumi closed the door and frowned. She walked over to Akane's door. Akane was usually up later than her sister, even more-so since Ranma had entered their lives. Usually she had just enough time to get ready for school, but not always. She knocked on Akane's door in the same fashion, giving her the same pause before peeking in.
Akane's bed, by contrast, was rumpled, with the covers tossed aside in a tangle, as if Akane had been tossing and turning. But again, there was no sign of the girl, and her uniform was still hung up. She closed the door again with another frown. She had a suspicion, but… it was beyond unlikely.
Still… She walked over to the guest room. She knew better than to knock, as Ranma would never wake up for such things. Though it was a breach of her personal rules, she slid the door open a crack and peeked in.
Oh my… Her eyes widened. She slid the door open a bit more and stepped into the room to crouch down next to the futon.
Ranma was fast asleep. He had a small smile on his face, and looked more relaxed than she had seen him in some time. Nestled against his right side was Nabiki, with his arm around her. She could see Nabiki was wearing her regular pajamas, and so doubted any sort of seduction had gone on. And then, on Ranma's left side…
Well… this was certainly NOT the solution I expected them to come to. Kasumi thought. She considered what to do next; It was a shame they lacked any real parental guidance to draw upon. Still… She smiled slightly, looking at them. I suppose if this is what they want, and it makes them happy, it's already better than any of the 'solutions' our parents have presented. Maybe I should trust them. A rare mischievous smile crossed her lips. But… not before teasing them a little, I think.
She reached out and poked Ranma's forehead. "Ranma. Wake up, please." She said softly.
No one else could get Ranma to wake up as effectively as Kasumi. There was something about her gentle requests that compelled even a sleeping mind to obey. His eyes flickered open, and he turned his head slightly, blinking to try and focus. "Kasumi? Mnnn… morning already?"
"Yes, Ranma. I was hoping you could explain something to me before breakfast, though." Kasumi gave him one of her most serene smiles, and gestured towards Nabiki.
Ranma turned his head, his eyes widening as the fog of sleep fled his brain, and he recalled what had happened the night before. "Uhhhh… I can explain!"
"Mmmhmm?" Kasumi inquired sweetly. "And… what about on your left?"
Ranma blinked, then became aware of a warmth pressed against his left side as well. He turned, and saw a bit of dark hair peeking up from under his duvet, nestled in just under his arm. Akane?!
He looked back at Kasumi, feeling an increasing need to panic, but completely unable to without disturbing one or both girls. His memory was being entirely unhelpful about when Akane had arrived, or if either girl was aware the other was there. "Okay, I lied…" He admitted. "I can't explain."
"I do hope you're using protection, Ranma." Kasumi said, maintaining the sweet, oblivious smile.
"What?! Nothing happened! Well…" He glanced to his left, and then to his right. "Something happened, but not that!"
"I'd suggest you carefully consider who to wake first. I'll have an ice pack ready." She straightened. "And I would like to talk with the three of you about this soon." She opened the door and slipped quietly out of the room, closing it again behind her.
I wonder what Auntie Saotome would think about that? Kasumi pondered. It would certainly fit her definition of 'manly', wouldn't it?
Despite her traditional leanings, Kasumi found it hard to be upset about the situation. It was… complicated, to say the least, but… there was a peace in Ranma's sleeping expression she had never seen before.
If they all manage to make it downstairs without one of them going out the window, I'll assume they're serious about this. She made her way back downstairs to continue breakfast preparations.
000
Ranma swallowed nervously as Kasumi closed the door. Well, I'm busted. He thought. He remembered clearly when Nabiki had crawled into bed with him, but Akane…?
He remembered a vague impression of her face in the dark. A whispered question from her, a mumbled assent from him. I must have been mostly asleep when she came in. But that means… He glanced at Akane. She came in second then? So… she saw Nabiki here and DIDN'T murder me? And she just curled up on my other side?
Something was definitely up. He was about ready to start looking for cursed dolls in Akane's closet.
Still, that suggested that logically Akane would be the safest to wake up first, as she was the last one in, and would be aware that Nabiki was there already. So, having confirmed that logic had failed him, he gently shook Nabiki awake.
"Mnnn?" Nabiki raised her head to look blearily at him. "... Ranma?"
"Morning Nabs." He said sheepishly.
"Nuh." She replied, closed her eyes and dropped her head back against him. "Warm now. Morning later."
"C'mon Nabs…" Ranma risked rocking her a little more forcefully, mindful of jostling the girl on his left too much. Akane was much easier to rouse and…
"Ranma?" A muffled voice came from his left. Akane lifted her head, her dark hair a ruffled mess.
Welp, that's it. I'm dead. Ranma thought with cold certainty. He smiled and laughed weakly. "Aheh… morning 'Kane…" Better to just accept it.
He was expecting a moment of rage, a mallet to appear, and then the sensation of temporary and uncontrolled flight as he soared bodily out the window.
Instead Akane leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Nothing like the kiss she had given him in the furo, but it was affectionate, familiar and playful, if brief.
"Hi." She said softly, beaming at him.
I should really stop being surprised by that. And start searching the house for evil totems or mind altering incense. "Umm… Hi…" He said nervously.
Nabiki lifted her head again and scowled. "Seriously, little sister? You couldn't wait for me to make my decision?"
"I had a bad dream." Akane replied. "You did the same thing!"
"He's my fiance. I'm allowed!" Nabiki growled back.
Akane smirked. "Well, technically he and I are already married, so…"
"If you were in the Joketsuzoku village." Nabiki shot back.
"Which we were, if you remember." Akane declared triumphantly.
"Oh my God, all of a day and Shampoo has already corrupted you." Nabiki muttered.
Ranma looked back and forth between them. He opened his mouth to interject several times, but they kept arguing over him. Finally, he put a hand over each of their mouths. "Excuse me, but could someone enlighten me as to what is going on?"
He removed his hand from Nabiki's mouth first. She didn't look terribly pleased to have been muffled. Whoops…
"Akane is being a little full of herself because Shampoo let her in on a bit of Amazon legal trickery that she engineered behind all of our backs." Nabiki began.
Akane ducked away from his hand. "Shampoo gave me and Ukyou the Kiss of Sisterhood, which is an invitation to become Amazons, and Cologne confirmed us. So we're Amazons, and actually have been for almost a year."
"With all the legal rights and responsibilities associated therewith." Nabiki continued. "Including requiring them to give the Kiss of Marriage to any male outsider who defeats them in combat…"
"Which we have." Akane grinned.
Nabiki gave her a sour look. "... Which means that by Joketsuzoku law, you are married to Ukyou and Akane the same way you are to Shampoo."
"Oh." Ranma's brow furrowed. "But, how does that change anything? I mean, it just adds another layer to the problem, right? I've still gotta pick one."
His confusion deepened as Akane's smile grew wider, and even Nabiki had a bemused look on her face.
"I'm missing something…" Ranma's gaze switched from one to the other.
"Congratulations, Saotome. You impressed the Joketsuzoku so much they're willing to bend traditions a little. Specifically the part where you only get one wife." She turned over, folding her arms on his shoulder and resting her chin on it. "Probably because bending the rules nets them a couple more skilled martial artists to add to the gene pool."
"Wait…" Akane blinked at looked at her sister. "What do you mean?"
Nabiki gave her an exasperated look. "Don't you get it, little sister? Cologne isn't stupid. Her goal has been to get Ranma back home to China to start making Amazon babies. This kind of solution would be an absolute bargain for her. Why do you think none of this came up until Ranma started showing interest in actually solving the stalemate? You would be going back to China too, along with Ukyou. It's not like Amazon laws apply here, do they?"
"I… didn't think of it like that." Akane said, her smile faded. Then, a smirk started to spread, taking its place. "It's almost like we need someone like you to catch these things for us so we're not taken advantage of by all the people with a stake in the outcome of all this, huh?"
Nabiki scowled. "You don't give up, do you little sister? I'd almost suspect you of having a cunning plan, if all your cunning plans didn't consist of perpetually being on the brink of disaster."
"Okay, now I'm more confused…" Ranma said uncertainly.
Nabiki groaned, thunking her forehead against Ranma's shoulder. "Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo have come up with the brilliant plan of you marrying all four of us."
Ranma blinked. Then he considered. "Is that what this is all about? But… that wouldn't work. I can only marry one person. Otherwise Pops woulda had a field day." He considered the horrible possibilities that suggested and shuddered. "I… I can't, right?"
"Not under Japanese law." Nabiki reassured him.
"By Amazon law you're already married to three of us." Akane countered.
"Yeah… but that's Amazon law. That don't count… right?" Ranma asked nervously.
"It does if you're in China." Nabiki replied dryly.
"It's something." Akane continued to press her point. "And… we're all willing to work with it. So… you marry Nabiki by Japanese law. That satisfies our parents, joins the schools, and fulfills the obligation of honor. Then then rest of us… Well, I'm sure there's some kind of Amazonian ceremony we can do. And then we go from there."
"Go from there." Ranma repeated. "Go from there how? How is that supposed to work?"
Nabiki smirked. "It means that when Akane or Shampoo or Ukyou… or me, I suppose, if I agree to this… jump you in the furo? We don't stop just when it starts getting interesting. It means your sleeping arrangements get very complicated, and your spare time and money are probably going to go to keeping four very demanding women happy. And it means you would likely have a lot of kids."
Ranma blanched. "Oh." He said softly. "You mean married married."
"To be fair, most of Furinkan is convinced you already have that sort of arrangement with us." Nabiki reached out and started to idly play with his pigtail. "I imagine there would probably be benefits to it beyond just the chauvinist male sexual fantasy, too. But it would basically require a stupid amount of work from everyone involved to keep it stable, not to mention managing all the egos involved."
"Which is why we need Nabiki." Akane finished proudly.
Nabiki sighed.
"And… you're… okay with this Akane?" Ranma asked nervously. "You haven't been feeling odd? Smelled any strange incense? Played with any weird dolls?"
Akane scowled. "I'm not possessed, baka!"
"It's a legitimate concern around here, Akane." Nabiki pointed out.
Akane huffed, pouting. "I thought you'd be happier I was trying a different approach."
"I am! I am!" Ranma said quickly. "It's just… I mean…" He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop, y'know?"
Akane smiled. "Maybe you're just really lucky this time?" She winked.
"I don't think anybody is this lucky." Ranma admitted, glancing at each of them. It was just starting to sink in that he was in bed with two very lovely women, who weren't immediately upset by the situation.
Akane kissed his cheek. "You were, it was just usually bad luck." She sat up and stretched. "We should get up. I still want to spar with you before school." She glanced at Nabiki. "And you are coming to Fiancee's Tea, right?"
Nabiki shifted onto her back, still resting her head against Ranma's shoulder. She held up one finger. "Only if Ranma comes as well."
"Fiancee's Tea?" Ranma asked, confused again.
"I… uhh…" Akane seemed momentarily unsure. She glanced at Ranma, then nodded. "All right. Sure. Ranma's a fiance too, right? It'll make it easier to work all this out anyway."
"Drat." Nabiki dropped her arm. "I was hoping that was a deal breaker."
"Nabiki!" Akane stomped and glared at her sister.
"I'm being ruthlessly manipulated by my little sister. You have to expect me to offer some resistance." Nabiki replied. She closed her eyes. "And now I'm exhausted. Ranma? Carry me to my room?"
"Uh… sure?" Ranma sat up and prepared to scoop her up.
Akane crossed her arms. "Don't let her take advantage of you like that, Ranma!" She stepped over Ranma and grabbed Nabiki's arm, hauling her up into a sitting position. "Come on Nabiki. We need to get you some coffee or we'll never get to school."
Nabiki rubbed her eyes. "Fine. I'm surrounded by treacherous morning people. When I conquer Japan and outlaw mornings, you'll get yours!" Despite her protests, she didn't resist as Akane led her out of the room.
000
Well, well, look at that. Kasumi noticed the three teens coming down the stairs together, remarkably sedate, and discussing something between them in a conspiratorial tone; A conversation that ended as soon as they presumed they were in earshot.
Akane and Ranma were wearing their training gi and Ranma was already in girl form. That probably meant Ranma and Akane were actually going to spar seriously; another minor miracle. They headed out to the dojo as Nabiki continued on her path towards the mug of hot coffee Kasumi already had prepared.
"Well, good morning Nabiki," Kasumi said brightly, holding out the mug to her.
"Uh huh. Gimme." Nabiki practically snatched the mug from her and took a long sip. Kasumi was moderately worried she'd burn her tongue.
Nabiki finally came up for air and sighed in relief. "God, I needed that." She stretched, her bleary eyes rapidly regaining the alertness that was practically Nabiki's defining feature.
"Good. I know you don't need to stop by Dr. Tofu's clinic today, but I'd appreciate if you would anyway." Kasumi pressed something into Nabiki's hand.
Nabiki looked at the object. It was a foil backed plastic disc with little blisters around the edge that had once held something. Days of the week were printed along an inner circle. It took her half a second to realize what it was. "Kasumi… you want me to get you a refill on your birth control pills?"
Kasumi closed Nabiki's hand over the disk. "No. I want you to get them."
Nabiki's eyes widened and she blushed, hastily checking to make sure their father wasn't looking. "Kasumi!" She hissed.
"I'm serious, Nabiki. And Akane as well." Kasumi crossed her arms. "You're too young to get pregnant, no matter what our parents might say."
Nabiki groaned. "I… already have some." She admitted finally.
"I know. You're out."
"Nnngh!" Nabiki clapped a hand over her face. "I don't want to have this conversation. I'll go see Dr. Tofu, but promise me we can pretend this conversation never happened?"
"As long as you don't run out again." Kasumi said, a decidedly Nabiki-like smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Good." Nabiki sighed, removed her hand and took another swig of her coffee, deciding there wasn't nearly enough caffeine in her system for this.
"Do you think Ranma should get them too?"
Apparently there was not enough caffeine on the wall, either.
000
Ranma bounced on the balls of her feet, shaking out the kinks as she warmed up in the dojo. She shot a few glances at Akane as she did the same. There was a kind of art to it, to watch Akane move without looking long enough for her to notice.
"Remember to take this seriously, Ranma." Akane said, not looking at her. "Even if you don't think I can hit you. I need to be sure you won't let me hurt you no matter how hard I go at it."
"C'mon Akane…" Ranma sighed, folding her hands behind her head. "I mean, I don't mind sparring with you, but you don't need to keep acting like you're gonna beat me up. Even if you've been training with Pops…"
Akane spun surprisingly fast, twisting and pushing off with her right foot as she threw her body weight into a punch that came much faster than Ranma had expected.
Ranma's reflexes took over and she let her legs go out from under her, dropping under the strike, which nevertheless was close enough to brush past her hair. She recovered, rolling backwards smoothly onto her feet.
Normally Akane would have pressed her attack recklessly, getting more and more off-balance as she continued to punch wildly. But this time she continued forward with her momentum, pushing into the air with her left into a somersault that instead took her up and over the likely response, and blocking Ranma from leaping herself as Akane came down with her right leg in an axe kick.
Ranma dodged to the left, into another roll and bounced back to her feet. "Not bad, Akane!"
"You're supposed to be insulting me!" Akane whirled in a roundhouse kick that Ranma leaned back to avoid.
"Yeah, but…" Ranma hopped back to get some distance. "I mean, you really are a lot better than the last time I saw you!"
"I… Akane paused, blushing, then scowled and and charged forward. "I asked you a simple favor!" She suddenly dropped into a sliding kick, forcing Ranma to hop back further out of the dojo proper. "Now insult me!"
Sayuri's voice passed through Ranma's mind. "I actually started to believe I DID have thunder thighs after a while. That's when I knew it was time to quit."
Ranma shook her head. "Akane… I really don't wanna do stuff like that anymore…"
Akane charged forward with a series of punches and kicks, driving Ranma back into the yard. "Arrrrgh! Why do you have to be such a jerk about this?!"
Ranma blocked the last hit. "Hey, nice combo, Akane!" She smirked playfully.
"You're making me angry!" Akane ducked in, feinting a backhand, then ducking down for a deep uppercut that Ranma backflipped away from.
Ranma landed lightly. This is kinda fun! "I like what you did with your hair yesterday, too. It was really cute!"
"Stop complimenting me!" Akane roared and started to chase the redhead, who hopped onto the wall and then onto a nearby roof as the sparring match spilled out into the neighborhood.
Soun looked up from his newspaper. "Nabiki… Did I just see Ranma and Akane fighting because Ranma was saying nice things to Akane?"
"Yes, Daddy," Nabiki replied, nursing her second cup of coffee.
"Ah." Soun sighed and folded his newspaper. "Tell Kasumi to skip setting a place for me. I'm going back to bed."
000
"Come on, Tomboy, catch me!" Ranma called as she started bouncing from rooftop to rooftop. She wanted to see how far Akane had come, to push her a little.
Given that Akane could barely get up onto a rooftop before she started training with Genma, her progress was impressive. She wasn't just following Ranma, she was darting onto alternate paths to try and get ahead and cut her off.
She actually did manage to catch up, making a swipe at Ranma. There was fury and some recklessness in her attacks, but a control and balance that she hadn't had before. She's not leaving herself as open as she used to. Pops never hesitated to take advantage of that, he musta beat that bad habit out of her. "You've gotten fast, Akane!"
"Rrrrrranma!"
Ranma giggled and darted out of reach. She spotted an empty construction site and altered her course towards it. Let's see how far Pop's speed training went.
She hopped down from the nearest roof and vaulted over the fence. She landed and spun, cocky grin on her face as Akane followed a half second behind her. "Alright, Tomboy, let's see how you handle this! Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken!"
Ranma started rapidly throwing punches. She modulated her speed, watching Akane carefully to see if she blocked and backed off, or tried to bull through.
To her surprise, Akane did neither. With frankly astonishing speed, Akane started parrying the attacks, brushing the punches to the side with her open palms and pressing until she had an opening to throw one of her own, forcing Ranma to block for once.
Ranma skidded back, eyes wide, her smile only getting wider.
Akane paused, panting hard, her stance wary as she dealt with the sudden change of Ranma attacking for once.
"Holy crap Akane! That was amazing!" Ranma gushed, dropping her guard. "How did you get so fast! It took Ryouga forever to pull something like that off!"
Akane drew back her fist, scowling. Her hand trembled, and then she laughed and dropped her arm with a sigh. "Damn it, Ranma…"
Ranma blinked. "... What?"
Akane glared at the redhead. "I needed you to be infuriating. I can't see if I can keep control of my anger if you insist on being nice!"
Ranma cocked her head and blinked again. "Why would you want to be angry?"
Akane's shoulders sagged. "Because… because I put Kuno in the hospital. I probably could have put him down with one punch, but I hit him hundreds of times. I put him through a fire door… I know I broke at least a couple of his ribs." She crossed her arms and looked away. "I needed… I needed to know that if I got really angry, that I could… control myself."
Comprehension slowly dawned in Ranma's eyes. "Oh?... Oh." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I… umm… sorry for… not being a jerk, I guess?"
Akane snickered, no longer able to hold onto any of her anger. After all, she had finally gotten Ranma to take her seriously as a martial artist. "Why were you so adamant about not insulting me, anyway?"
"Oh, uh… Well, Sayuri was telling me about how Himura would tear down the girls in the Volleyball squad who weren't her 'aces'... saying a bunch of untrue, nasty stuff to them day after day… and how after a while they would start to believe it." She hung her head guiltily. "The same kinda stuff I used to say to you all the time. And… I've just kinda been feeling like crap that you might actually believe all that stuff…"
Akane raised an eyebrow and started walking over to the redhead. "Oh? Are you saying you didn't mean any of those things? Like 'flat as a board', or 'arms like a gorilla', or 'thunder thighs'?"
"Well, yeah. I mean… pretty obviously." Ranma said sheepishly, not looking at her. "I never figured you'd actually listen to any of that crap from me, since I was literally the only person saying any of it."
"What about 'uncute'?" Akane stepped forward, near enough for Ranma to look up at her and realize just how close she had gotten. "Or 'unsexy'?" She said, her voice softer as she took another step closer.
Ranma's eyes went wide. "Ummm…" She stammered. "P-pretty much the opposite?" She saw the smile spread across Akane's face, though it had a more predatory edge to it than usual. "... Yeah… definitely the opposite…"
Akane slipped her arms around Ranma's neck. It was a little awkward with Ranma being shorter now, but she adjusted quickly. "Ranma? Can… Can I confess something?"
"Sure?" Ranma said uncertainly. There had been a lot confessions lately.
Akane closed her eyes. "Ranma, I… I've been attracted to you since the day you came to the Dojo."
"Oh?" Ranma smiled. "That's… I mean, I kinda always was too. Attracted to you, I mean…"
"... Before I knew about the curse." Akane finished quietly.
"... Oh." Ranma caught on a little faster this time, eyes widening.
Akane took a deep breath. "I never liked boys much. Dad… always assumed it would be something I'd grow out of. Kuno and the other guys at school didn't help much. But… as much as I hated boys because of them… I also didn't like boys. If that makes sense? I always thought that there was something wrong with me, that it was something I should understand…"
"But… you had that crush on Doc Tofu…" Ranma countered.
Akane laughed weakly. "Yeah. A guy almost twice my age who is obsessed with my sister. What better target for my affections when I didn't really ever want anything to come of them?" She sighed. "When you first came, I was really happy. You seemed like someone who would finally understand me. Someone who was a tomboy, who liked martial arts, who wasn't feminine or really any good at girl stuff. And then I saw you in the furo. I felt… betrayed."
"I had actually just decided to come clean when I was getting out." Ranma said, looking down herself. "I liked it when you asked me if I wanted to be friends. When you didn't get mad when I beat you. For a minute… I actually regretted being a guy." She looked up at Akane. "But… if you're not attracted to guys…"
Akane gave the redhead a half smile. "Attraction isn't a black or white thing, Ranma. I like you how you are. I've said that before. I know you're really a boy, and I don't have any qualms with being with you as a boy. I love you; the you I got to know over the past year and a half. That's why I helped however I could when you tried to find a cure, because I knew how much it meant to you."
"So that's why you were so nice whenever I was stuck as a girl." Ranma said softly. "Why you took responsibility for me when I hit my head and thought I was one."
"I never wanted you to be stuck, Ranma." Akane said softly. "Because I knew it would hurt you."
"But part of you wondered, didn't it?" Ranma gave her a dark look. She stepped back out of her embrace and turned away.
"No!" Akane insisted. "Ranma… on Togenkyo I would have fallen into that spring with you, just so you could be cured!"
"How would that have been better?!" Ranma half turned towards her. She hugged herself tightly. "Why didn't you ever tell me? Why did you cover it by calling me a pervert or a cross-dresser, when you knew I couldn't help what I was? When it was what you wanted me to be!?"
"Because…" Akane wrung her hands. "Because I was afraid. Because the things you made me feel scared me. Because I hated that my family forced us together just as a way to 'fix' their lesbian little sister!"
Ranma blinked at that last admission. Even Akane seemed a little surprised.
"'You hate boys, right, Akane? Well he's half girl, so that solves the problem!'" Akane scoffed. "Like it was that simple. Like that was fair to you. It was actually kind of comforting that you hated it too. Even if it was for different reasons."
Akane nudged the dirt with her foot. "And then… And then I really did start to fall for you. And it was so confusing, and frustrating, because I hated the idea of my sisters' stupid idea working, and I was afraid they were right, and at the same time I was hoping they were, and I felt guilty because I didn't know if what I was falling for was actually you… And I was so afraid if you found out how I felt you'd be repulsed… that you'd hate me… Because I wanted you as a girl..."
"I'd have given it to you, Akane."
Akane looked up in surprise at the redhead.
Ranma stood awkwardly, holding her arm. "If you had just told me… Just said… I would have given it to you." She looked up at her, her blue eyes almost pleading. "I would have been whatever you wanted me to be… if… if you had just said you wanted me…"
Akane swallowed nervously, then took a step forward and pulled the redhead into her arms, hugging her tightly.
"I want you Ranma." She said softly. "That means all of you. Boy-side, girl-side, complicated love life, crazy adventures… Everything." She loosened her grip a bit, looking into Ranma's eyes. "I just hope you can forgive me for not thinking this is a curse." She stroked her cheek gently.
Ranma closed her eyes, pressing her cheek into Akane's hand. "I can live with that." She said, smiling a little. "Let's face it, I was never gonna get rid of it anyway. Price is always too high whenever it comes up."
Akane touched her forehead to Ranma's, closing her eyes and relaxing a bit. "So… Next time we try the wedding thing, which of us is wearing the dress?"
Ranma giggled. Then she had a stray thought, of Akane wearing a magician's tuxedo, with fishnet stockings, cut close to her figure, and paused. "Ummm… Better be you, or Mom will have a fit, but… maybe for a costume party or something?"
"Well, if Nabiki is having the 'official' wedding…" Akane winked.
Ranma blushed. There was something charmingly illicit about the idea. "W-well… we can worry about it when we get to that point, I guess?"
"Right… No reason to skip ahead." Akane smiled, then leaned in and kissed the redhead gently on the lips. She took her time this time, the desperate urgency replaced with confidence now that she had confessed and been accepted. She gently explored the texture of those soft lips that she had wanted to kiss for so long, but been afraid to.
I won't be afraid of this anymore! She resolved. It might not have been the answer she had come out looking for today, but it was a start.
000
So, not a lot of action in this update. At least… not MARTIAL ARTS action.
Poor Ryouga. This whole thing with Ranma is so awkward. Well, at least his Mom hasn't enrolled him in Furinkan, requiring Ranma to come walk him to school every day (As a girl because she has to now) thereby feeding her fantasies.
Yes, that would be terrible.
It seems the Tendo girls have hashed out a working arrangement. I know Akane has made a rather dramatic about-face from some of her canonical attitudes: I'll cover that later, in flashbacks I think. She's had some off-screen stuff happen, not the least of which being put through Genma Saotome's accelerated training.
I also know some people might not agree with Kasumi being so understanding of the relationship situation, given she's very traditional. I figure tradition has more or less utterly failed at this point, and she's taken to prioritizing the happiness of her family. Unlike some.
