Ranma ½ When It Happens To You! 'Chapter II: Deals and Dates' A fanfiction based on Ranma ½ By Kris Thompson This is a work of fiction based on Rumiko Takahashi's 'Ranma Nibun no Ichi' a.k.a. Ranma ½ and was created for the author's personal enjoyment. ____________________________ "Okay, let movie night… BEGIN!!!" Shampoo cried out and stumbled slightly. Luckily, Mousse caught her. "Really, Shampoo," he said, chastising her. "You really need to know your limit when it comes to drinking." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Shampoo never hear Muu-muu complain about it after." She giggled. Mousse's face went white. "Shampoo! Please don't call me that. At least not in public." Akane and Sakura laughed good-naturedly. "Yeah, come on 'Muu-muu'! Lighten up a bit!" Akane said as she turned the key in the lock to her apartment. The door opened and Akane and the others could do nothing but gape. There, in Akane's small apartment, were literally *thousands* of bouquets of flowers, all kinds imaginable. Roses, of all colours. Red, white, pink, orange yellow… Akane dropped everything she was holding. "Who…?" She snatched up the first poor plant that she could reach and looked at the tag. 'I'm sorry to get you upset today. I hope you will forgive me. ~Ranma Saotome' She threw the plant across the room where it smashed into the wall and picked up another one and read the card. Exactly the same. "Who are they from, Akane?" Sakura asked. "That Jackass!" She shrieked. "Who is 'jackass'?" Mousse asked. "A Mr. Ranma Saotome. A young business man who Akane sent packing today." Sakura informed them all. Akane walked over to her answering machine. The red light blinked that she had several messages. "How the hell did he get into my apartment?!" She yelled as the first few played through. On the last one, Ranma's voice played over the speaker. "Miss Tendo," he said her name with slight sarcasm. "I hope you will accept my apology and have dinner with me day after tomorrow, at seven thirty. Thanks." There was a slight pause. "And your land lady let me into the apartment, if that's what you're wondering. Bye." She jabbed a finger at the DELETE button angrily. "Hiiya! Look like Akane have date Friday! *hicup*" An overly-cheery Shampoo said. Akane slumped to the floor once more. ____________________________ The next day… *Ring!* Sakura picked the phone up with a carefree "Nermia District Children's Home. This is Sakura speaking, how can I help you?" "Miss Hitomi, Sakura, this is Ranma Saotome." Came the voice over the speaker. Sakura nearly fell out of her seat. "M-M-Mr. Saotome! Um, how can I help you?" "Could you tell me if Miss Tendo is there? I need to speak with her." "Um…" Sakura was still shocked. Akane entered from the large staircase into the large landing that served as a waiting area and Sakura's desk area. She carried several manila folders filled with papers. Sakura clamped her hand over the receiver. "Akane, there's a phone call for you from-" "Okay, thanks Sakura." Akane said, not paying much attention. "I'll get it in my office." "But Akane!" Sakura said, but it was too late. Akane had picked the phone up already. "Hello, Akane speaking." She said still rifling through the folders. " 'Akane'? So informal are we now?" Akane's eyes went wide with surprise. She looked over at Sakura who gave her a face that said 'I-tried-to-tell-you'. "You! What do you want Mr. Saotome?" She asked. "Please, call me Ranma. I wanted to call to make sure you knew the dress code for tomorrow night." "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there's not going to *be* a tomorrow night." Akane told him as she turned her back to the door. "I think that there will be." He sounded as if he were smirking. "Now, if you have a ball gown that is somewhat up-to-date, I suggest you go with that. If not, I will send an… 'employee' of mine over to take you dress shopping. Though I must say, you look stunning just as you are now in your grey sweatshirt." Her eyes went wide then down to glance at the colour of her shirt. Grey. She turned one hundred and eighty degrees to see him there, in the doorway of her office smiling away with his cell phone next to his ear. She slammed the phone down and walked over to him. "You! I can not believe that you have the gall to come in here and demand that I-" He placed a finger against her lips to silence her. "I think you should listen to my plan here." He whispered to her. He glanced over at Sakura and leaned away from Akane. "Please, let us talk outside, hm?" Akane lead the way down the large elegant staircase to the double doors and outside. "Why?" She turned to face him. " 'Why' what?" He asked her. "Why are you doing this? Why won't you leave me be?!" Akane could feel her heart beat faster. "Maybe it's because I think I have a deal you might like. My company donating money to your children's home." He said. "And for exchange…" Akane trailed off. "And for exchange, a date with me, tomorrow at seven." He folded his arms, looking very smug. Akane shifted her weight to the other leg and set her hands on her hips. "So, let me see if I understand this: you will not destroy the children's home and even donate money to keep it running if I go out on one date with you?" "Yep." Ranma answered intelligently. "Fine." She started to turn when he caught her arm. "Wha-" "Seven thirty. Tomorrow night." He told her. She jerked her arm away from him. "Thank you." She said angrily and stalked back toward the doors. "Do you need a dress? Any other items?" He called to her. She turned. "I *am* just a poor girl. I will need a dress, unless you want to be embarrassed." Ranma smiled that lady-killing smile of his. "Of course. I'll send my page, a Ms. Umi Shiratori, here tomorrow. Be as extravagant as you wish. I'll be picking up the tab, so I suggest you live it up." "Good." She turned her back to him and threw open the door and entered in. When she got back to the safety of her office, Akane collapsed into her chair. She wished to God that her heart would stop beating so hard… why was she *feeling* this way, and about him? She shouldn't even waste her time with a jackass like him. 'But the home…' She closed her eyes and sighed. ____________________________ Author's Notes Well, here's chapter two. I've been an absolute writing maniac over Spring Break. It's been insane around here. Well, I hope you like this chapter. Chapter 3 will be coming soon. Signin' off! Krissy cartoonaperclips@email.com www.geocities.com/kuroi_hoshi