Akane smiled at Ranma wickedly and inched away from him slightly. He looked at her nervously and prepared to flee.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said. He stiffened. Akane’s smile widened and Ranma found him--herself dripping wet.
“What’d you do that for?” she shouted, jumping to her feet. Akane laughed.
“Because I wanted to, baka.” Ranma growled at her and leapt toward her. Akane jumped to her feet and fled into the yard. Ranma chased her, making mock threats. Akane laughed and teased him back. She finally got caught, but unfortunately for Ranma, Akane was taller than she was, and their sizes didn’t quite work with her revenge. Akane grinned down at the redhead and turned on her. Ranma inched backward, waving her off.
“No, Akane. Don’t.”
“I don’t think you get it, Ranma. It’s my turn now.” She lunged and the two girls, well, one girl and one psudogirl, fell to the ground. Akane managed to pin Ranma and was leaning down to kiss her when Ranma jerked away.
“What are you doing, Akane?” Akane didn’t answer but instead let go of Ranma and stood.
“Nothing. Sorry.” Akane turned away from Ranma to hide her blazing face, and headed into the dojo.
“Did you say that Ukyo and Ryoga were coming to dinner?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why?” Ranma hesitated.
“Ukyo has something to tell you.” She expected Akane to turn around, but instead she just murmured a reply and headed into the house.
~~
Akane spread herself across her bed and stared at the wall. Ranma’s question echoed in her mind. What had she been doing? Ranma had been in his female form.
‘Yeah,’ her mind whispered, ‘but does that matter? You knew him first in his female form, but you weren’t attracted to him until the bathroom.
‘Yeah, but I don’t like girls like that.
‘But Ranma isn’t a girl.
‘He has the body of one though.
‘So? It’s still him. You accepted it long ago. You knew that when you two finally got married that, if he wanted you to, you’d be with his female side.
‘But what does that say about me? He didn’t ask me to kiss him when he was a girl.
‘No, but you don’t care. It’s still Ranma.
‘But what does it say about me?
‘That you love him.’ She couldn’t argue with that. She did love him, and she had accepted the fact that Ranma was half girl and that he might want her to be intimate with his female side. Akane sighed. So, she had been wrong. Ranma didn’t want her to be comfortable with his female side. For some reason, that hurt. If she was honest with herself, she was curious about his female side. She wondered what it would be like to.... Akane sighed and pounded her fist into her pillow. Damn it. Why did this have to be so damn confusing? Why did *he* have to be so damn confusing?
~~
Ranma was about to go after Akane when Ukyo and Ryoga appeared in the yard. She stared at her oldest friend and ex-rival. She couldn’t remember why they were there at first. ‘Oh, yeah.’ She sighed.
“You guys wanna do this now or later?”
“Now,” Ryoga said softly. He didn’t look at Ranma, staring instead at the ground. Ranma nodded and went to fetch Akane. Ukyo watched them as they entered the dojo together. She could see a tension between the two. Against her will, hope fluttered to life in her heart. Akane smiled brightly at Ryoga when she caught sight of him.
“Ryoga! Hi. It’s good to see you.” Ryoga didn’t meet her gaze. Akane felt herself wither. She wanted desperately to go back to her room and hide under the covers until tomorrow. With a sigh, she sank to the floor.
“What did you want to tell me, Ukyo?”
“Actually, Akane, I am the one who has something to tell you.”
“Ryoga?”
“Um, I-I...” he trailed off and heaved a sigh. “I guess it’d be easier to show you.” He glanced at Ranma and she bounded off to the kitchen to return with a cup of water and a kettle. Akane felt herself wither further. Maybe she’d stay in bed for a year. ‘A year sounds good,’ she thought as Ryoga splashed himself and changed. Akane closed her eyes against the sight of P-Chan looking at her. Tears fell from beneath her closed eyes. Ranma reached out and touched her arm.
“Akane?” She was really worried. Akane should be angry. She should be shouting and trying to hit Ryoga, to smash him flat, but she wasn’t. She was just sitting there crying. Ranma felt panic well up inside her.
“Akane? Please, Akane, say something.” The girl gave a shuddering sigh and wiped tears from her cheeks. She opened her eyes and looked at everyone in the dojo with her.
“Excuse me,” she whispered. “I think I need to lie down.”
“Akane?” Ranma watched her worriedly as she slowly stood up and started to go to her room. She began to run before she was out the door. Ranma jumped to her feet.
“Stay here,” she ordered and went after Akane. She was in her room with the door locked. Ranma pounded on the door.
“Akane, it’s me, Ranma. Let me in.”
“Go away,” she sobbed. “Go away.”
“Damn it, Akane. I’m worried.”
“I said go away. I don’t need this. Not now.”
“Let me in.”
“No. Please, Ranma. I-I can’t.”
“Can’t what? Rely on me? Let me comfort you because I’m a girl?” Her bitterness was obvious. She didn’t expect the door to whip open or to see the unbridled anger on Akane’s face.
“Don’t you dare pull that! Don’t you dare! I wasn’t the one who pulled away! I have no problem with you being a girl, Ranma. I accepted it long ago. You’re the one who has a problem with it. So, fuck off.” Akane turned and started to slam the door in Ranma’s face, but she stuck her foot in the way.
“Get your foot out of my door or you’ll lose it.”
She didn’t budge.
“I’m warning you, Ranma. Don’t test me right now.”
“You need to vent. You need to let someone be there for you.”
“I don’t want you to be there for me!” she cried. “The last time I needed you, you weren’t there. The only one this past year who has been there for me was P-Chan and he-he-he’s Ryoga!” she wailed. Ranma watched Akane curl in on herself and sink to the floor. She slowly moved to wrap his arms around Akane as she sobbed.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Akane,” she whispered into her ear. “You don’t know how sorry, but I’m here for you now and I will be here for you whenever you need me. I promise.” Akane held onto herself as she cried. Ranma’s despair was beginning to overwhelm her when Akane uncurled slightly and reached out for Ranma. The psudogirl willing pulled Akane into her embrace.
~~
Ukyo and Ryoga stood staring at Ranma and Akane. They both stood there nursing their broken hearts.
“They really do love each other,” Ryoga said quietly. He looked at Akane clutching to Ranma, holding onto her as if she were her salvation. He looked at Ranma with her face buried in the crook of Akane’s neck. He could hear the whispered words of comfort above the tears. He found himself wondering who was comforting whom.
“They do. I hadn’t seen them together, but, kami, they love each other so much.” She was ashamed to hear the tears in her voice. She jumped when Ryoga reached out and took hold of her hand.
“I think we should go back to the dojo.”
“Yes. He did say to stay there.” She led him silently back to the dojo. They sat not talking, waiting for Ranma and Akane to return.
They returned together, holding hands. Akane seemed to almost hide behind Ranma, her eyes hurt and weary. They stood in the doorway. Ryoga couldn’t meet her gaze.
“I think that, um, it might be best if you didn’t come around for a while, Ryoga. I-I think I might be able to forgive you, but I need time.” Her voice was soft. He looked up at her.
“I am sorry, Akane. I didn’t mean to. I just....” He trailed off. Akane bit her lip and readjusted her grip on Ranma’s hand.
“Ranma told me--he told me your reasons and-and--” She stopped and shook her head to clear it of the tears that were forming.
“Just give me time, Ryoga. Please,” she whispered. He nodded and stood. Ukyo looked up at him. She hesitated and then reached up and grabbed his hand. He looked down at her, his dark eyes thick with tears. She stood.
“We’ll see you guys later, Ranma, Akane,” Ukyo said. Ranma smiled slightly and waved. Akane looked down at the ground. Ukyo wanted to say something to comfort her, but didn’t know what. So, she just left, taking Ryoga with her. Akane watched them and then turned to Ranma. Her head fell to Ranma’s shoulder and she was once again crying.
~~~~~~
He didn’t know how long he’d been wandering. He had left Ukyo’s the day after he confessed to Akane, having spent the night. Time had disappeared and he had no idea where he was or what the date was. He stood in a park, by a small lake, looking out over the water, wondering if he would ever be welcome in the Tendo Dojo again. He felt someone walk up next to him and was vaguely startled to see that it was Ranma. He stifled the instinct to hit the martial artist.
“Ranma.”
“Ryoga.”
“How’s Akane?” Ranma grinned wryly.
“She’s doing okay. Better than she was after you told her, but still sad. Her first impulse is to search out P-Chan when she’s upset and it’s thrown her off balance.”
“Oh.” Ranma looked over at Ryoga. He wanted to say more but didn’t, and instead returned his gaze to the water.
“You should go visit Ucchan, Ryoga. She’s been worried about you.”
“Why would she worry about me?” Ryoga asked surprised. Ranma winced slightly.
“She said its cause you’re in the same boat as her.”
“Same boat?”
“Yeah. Me an’ Akane.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess we are,” he said softly. Ranma reached over and grabbed his arm.
“Here. I’ll walk you.” Ryoga nodded and they walked together in silence for a while. Finally, Ryoga sighed.
“So, you two are really gonna get married, huh?”
“Yeah. We decided on after high school, but before college.”
“Have you told Shampoo?” Ranma frowned and cast a worried glance in the direction of the Nekohanten.
“She isn’t here right now. She, the old ghoul and duck boy went to China a while ago. We expect them to be back next week, I guess.”
“Oh. What about Kodachi?” Ranma shuddered.
“I have no idea. I don’t think she’s gonna accept it. Kuno either. He reacted badly when Akane hugged me the other day.”
“She hugged you in public?”
“Yeah, at school. Why?” Ryoga shrugged.
“I just figured that PDAs would get you married.”
“Pop and Mr. Tendo don’t know yet. We’ve been payin’ Nabiki to keep quiet to them.”
“So, when are you going to tell them?”
“Tonight actually. That’s why I was in the park. Taking time to get my bearings together. Well, here we are. Tell Ucchan I said hi. I got to get back.” Ryoga nodded and entered Ucchan’s before Ranma could disappear down the street.
Ukyo looked up as the bells on her door chimed. She smiled widely as she caught sight of who her latest customer was.
“Ryoga, honey! How are you, sugar?” Ryoga grinned back widely, pleased to see a cheerful face.
“I’m okay, Ucchan.” He didn’t even register the use of her nickname. She did, but she didn’t say anything. She liked how Ryoga said it.
“Sit, sit. I’ll whip up some okonomiyaki.” Ryoga grinned again, flashing his fangs.
“That’d be great.”
Ukyo blushed.
~~~~~~
Ranma sat next to Akane, her hand tucked firmly in his. He glanced at her, caught her slight nod, and looked over at his mother. She too nodded. Ranma took a deep breath. Now was the time.
“Pop. Mr. Tendo. Akane and I have an announcement.” Immediately, both fathers were at attention.
“Well, son, what is it?” Ranma fidgeted nervously.
“Um, Akane and I have decided to get married--” Cheers interrupted him and he frowned. Soun wailed even as he waved around flags of celebration. Genma pulled out a phone book and began looking up priests. Ranma tried to get their attention. He failed. The sound of a katana being pulled from its sheath, however, paused both men immediately. Nadoka smiled lazily.
“I believe our children were not through yet.” The men nodded wildly. Nadoka smiled at them and then gestured for Ranma to continue.
“As I was saying, Akane and I have decided to get married, but it will not be until we’ve graduated from high school.” Nadoka frowned.
“I thought you were planning on after Akane graduates from college.” Akane blushed.
“Well, um, Ranma and I discussed it and decided we were willing to move the date forward a bit.” Nadoka looked between her son and Akane. Both had cheeks the color of apples and seemed to be very uncomfortable. Understanding dawned. She smiled and nodded.
“I see. Well.” She turned to her husband and his best friend, leaving Akane and Ranma to their embarrassment. “You see. They have everything under control. You two need no longer interfere.” Genma opened his mouth to protest, but a sharp glare from Nadoka silenced him.
“If you two decide that interference is warranted, I might decided that a little...ceremony is warranted. Are we clear?” Soun and Genma nodded wildly again. They didn’t relax until the katana was once again tucked safely away. Akane and Ranma sagged with relief.
~~~~~~
Ranma stared up at the ceiling above him and marveled. He was on Akane’s bed with Akane in his arms. She had her head resting on his chest, her arms around him, and his around her. He could hear her soft breathing and knew she was asleep. How the hell had he ended up here? Not only that, but how had he ended up so comfortable that his own bed seemed foreign to him? He sighed and shook his head. Kasumi opened the door and peeked in.
“How is she?” she said softly. Ranma looked down at Akane.
“Tired. She’s doin’ better than she was a few days ago.” Kasumi nodded and came into Akane’s room all the way. Hesitantly, she sat down in Akane’s desk chair.
“Ranma, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. What’s up?” Kasumi flushed and looked down at her hands.
“Um, are you and Akane sleeping together?”
“What?” Kasumi huffed and turned even redder.
“I mean--”
“No, no. I know what you mean but why are you asking?”
“Because you shouldn’t be.”
“We’re not. We decided to wait.” Kasumi let out a sigh of relief and looked up at Ranma. He had stiffened slightly and his face was also red, but she could see the desire that he fought with in his eyes. He continued to gaze down at Akane, stroking her hair with one hand. Kasumi felt envy rise in her slightly. Her little sister was lucky to have found someone to love her the way Ranma loved her. Some times she wondered if she would ever have that kind of love. Shaking her head, Kasumi pursed her lips together.
“Have you two worked things out between you?” Ranma looked up at her confused.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you told me that you had some growing up to do. There are things you two need to discuss, such as your curse. Have you?” Ranma flushed again and looked away. He’d been avoiding this discussion with Akane, more so since the day she’d tried to kiss him in his female form.
“No,” he mumbled.
“Ranma,” Kasumi said exasperated.
“What?” he asked with a frown. “We will. Things just have been...complicated...and busy.”
“No excuses, Ranma. Do it and do it soon.”
“Yes, Mom,” Ranma huffed. Kasumi giggled and stood.
“I’ll be starting dinner soon.”
“All right. Thanks, Kasumi.” She smiled and left them alone. Ranma stared up at the ceiling again, his amusement gone this time. He and Akane did need to talk, but he was dreading this talk. It had crossed his mind that he might want to...experiment...with his female side, but he wasn’t sure how to take Akane making the first move. Truthfully, he was terrified that she would say that his male side was not the side she really wanted. Being a man was important to him. He didn’t know if he could take it if Akane said she was attracted to his female side first. Unconsciously, he shivered. In his arms, Akane stirred.
Chapter3