COS10-15
"A Change of Scene"
1998, June Geraci
The characters from Ranma 1/2 in this fiction are the creations of Rumiko Takahashi, and borrowed
without her permission.
This story was written for non-commercial purposes only.
Chapter 10
Akane found her father waiting for her at the foot of the stairs when she came down to leave for
work. Ranma was standing beside him, looking rather uncomfortable, which she didn't understand
until her father spoke.
"Ranma will walk you to work, Akane. He has something to say to you."
Akane didn't object, and left the house with Ranma. They walked around the corner, and turned
around to look behind them before joining hands.
"What was that all about, Ranma?"
"Your father told me I had to apologize to you for calling you names this morning. I told him I
didn't want to, and let him yell at me for a while. Then I gave in."
Ranma paused, and squeezed Akane's hand.
"To tell you the truth, Akane, I don't like pretending to fight with you. It's fun to fight with
you, but not if it isn't real."
"Fighting with me is fun? Is that why you fight with me all the time?"
"Sure, Akane. That's one of the reasons why I love you--you're not afraid to disagree with me. The
other girls I know agree with every word I say, and they put on such a sweet act they're sickening.
They're also boring. You're always honest with me, Akane, even if it means we get into fights, and
you never bore me."
Akane was shocked into silence for a while, and then couldn't help laughing at her fiance.
"Ranma, I think I love you because you aggravated me into it, and you never bore me, either. But I
thought you said you weren't good at saying things. That wasn't bad. Thank you."
Ranma grinned.
"I'm learning."
"I'm glad you don't want to fake fights, Ranma. Daddy would figure it out sooner or later, and
Kasumi is already onto us."
"Kasumi? How did she find out?"
"We weren't cautious enough last night, I guess. Kasumi saw us kissing in the hallway. Don't
worry, she won't tell Daddy."
Ranma didn't comment, and Akane could tell that he was thinking something through, and let him.
"That's nice of Kasumi, but sooner or later your father is going to catch on. What if we try this -
we could gradually start getting along better, and let our families get used to it."
"I guess that would work, Ranma. Let's try it."
They continued walking, talking of many things, when Akane suddenly looked thoughtful.
"Ranma, I thought of something last night that I've been meaning to ask you--when did you take the
entrance exam for Sanna College? I didn't see you there when I took it."
Ranma's expression hardened, and Akane could tell that he was angry about something.
"I took it privately, about a week after everyone else. I nearly didn't get to take it at all."
"Why, Ranma?"
"When Mr. Makoto gave everyone's paperwork to Principal Kuno, he thought mine was some kind of a
joke. Akane, he just tossed it onto a corner of his desk, and left it there. When my name wasn't
on the list for the exam, Mr. Makoto found out what happened."
Akane's eyes widened in surprise.
"I know Principal Kuno doesn't like you, Ranma, but that was a rotten thing for him to do. What did
you say to him when you found out?"
"I didn't get to talk to him, Akane. Mr. Makoto wouldn't let me near him. I guess he was afraid
that I'd make things worse. Mr. Makoto had to get special permission to give me the exam late. I'm
glad he was on my side."
Akane stopped walking, and turned to take Ranma's other hand.
"Thank goodness he was, Ranma. Otherwise I'd be going away without you, and I don't know if I could
bear to leave you behind."
Ranma couldn't help laughing.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that, Akane."
They'd reached the day care center, and Akane went inside. Ranma continued on his way to work,
unaware that he was being followed.
Shampoo was steaming. Why had Ranma been holding Akane's hands? She would have followed him
further, but was due to start working herself, and vowed to keep a closer eye on the pair.
*****
That evening when Akane said her good nights to everyone, Ranma caught her eye, and pointed upward.
She gave a quick nod, and a few minutes later met him on the roof. This began a nightly ritual for
them. They met on the roof to talk, watch the stars, and kiss each other good night.
For the next few days, Ranma walked Akane to work every day. He felt it was a good way to get her
family accustomed to seeing them together, and they began to accept it. He was unaware, however,
that Shampoo was shadowing them.
One morning, Ranma put on his shoes and ran out of the house, Akane close behind. He took the
street beside the canal, and jumped onto the fence, running above Akane. She turned toward him, and
suddenly joined him on the fence, following him closely.
"I always meant to try this, Ranma."
Ranma grinned, and continued running.
"Just don't fall in, tomboy."
"Are you trying to pick a fight with me, pervert?
Sure, what else?"
Ranma stopped running, turned, and kissed Akane's cheek. She was startled, and began to lose her
balance, and Ranma caught her against him and steadied her, then kissed her again.
"Ranma, what if someone should see?"
"There's no one around, Akane."
As they continued on their way, Shampoo stayed where she was, watching them from her perch on a
nearby roof. Seeing Ranma holding Akane's hand every day was bad enough, but she was not about to
sit idly by and watch him kiss her.
Shampoo turned around, and hurried back to the Nekohanten, slipping upstairs to Cologne's room. She
opened the cupboard where her great-grandmother kept her herbs and tinctures, and began searching
for what she needed.
*****
Later that day, Shampoo climbed over the wall at the Tendo home, and sneaked in through the bathroom
window. She opened the cabinet, and took Ranma's after shave out. Shampoo removed a small vial
from her pocket, and carefully poured a few drops from it into the after shave, then replaced the
cap.
After putting the bottte back where she'd found it, Shampoo peeked out of the bathroom window. No
one was in sight. She quickly climbed out, turned, and ran into Mr. Tendo, who did not look pleased
to see her.
"What are you doing here, Shampoo?"
Shampoo tried to speak, but only one word came out clearly.
"Ranma."
"Is at work. You know you're not welcome at my home, Shampoo. Please leave."
Shampoo nodded, and retreated quickly. Soun watched her go, frowning.
"We're home!"
Akane entered the house with Ranma, and they called out together. Soun walked to them, and greeted
his daughter.
"Welcome home, Akane."
Ranma looked surprised to be omitted from the greeting, and then was even more surprised when Soun
glared at him.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes, Ranma. Shampoo was here today looking for you."
Ranma and Akane exchanged glances, extremely surprised. Shampoo hadn't been to the house since
she'd helped wreck their wedding.
"Excuse me, sir?"
"I caught her climbing out of the bathroom window. I'm getting sick and tired of this, Ranma.
You're engaged to my daughter, yet you persist in having your girlfriends here."
"Mr. Tendo, you should know by now that Shampoo isn't my girlfriend, and that I don't want her
here."
"Then don't encourage her."
Akane could see that the scene was going to deteriorate into a full-scale argument, and put her hand
on her father's arm.
"Daddy, Ranma is telling you the truth. I can't count how many times I've heard him tell Shampoo to
get lost. She's just stubborn."
Soun was so surprised to hear Akane defend Ranma that he stopped short. Then he turned to the hall
table, picked up an envelope, and tossed it at Ranma.
"I sent for this a few days ago, Ranma. The two of you have been getting along so well that I
thought... Well, maybe I was rushing things. Dinner is nearly ready, you should go upstairs and
change."
Ranma and Akane went upstairs, wondering what Soun was talking about. They changed clothes, and
Akane joined Ranma in his room.
Akane looked over Ranma's shoulder as he opened the envelope, which was from Sanna College, and
discovered an application for student housing.
"Student housing, Ranma? But we're waiting for dorm assignments."
Ranma looked at the top of the form again, and saw something Akane had missed.
"It's for married couples, Akane."
He quickly read the form and put it down.
"I guess your father was planning to have us marry before we left for school after all. This form
is for couples who want help finding apartments."
Akane took the form and tossed it into the wastebasket.
"Maybe Shampoo did us a favor by showing up today. Otherwise, we'd have to start fighting again,
and I don't want to fight with you."
Ranma looked at the form lying in the trash, and back at his fiancee.
"And you don't want to get married, either."
Akane flinched as if Ranma had slapped her; ran from his room, and he heard her footsteps going
downstairs. He took the form from the trash, put it in his bureau, then sat down with his head in
his hands. How could he have said something so stupid? Akane had asked for time, and he'd promised
to give it to her.
Ranma got up to follow her, and heard Kasumi calling him to dinner.
Chapter 11
When Akane got downstairs, she noticed that the dinner table was only set for four. She sat down,
and Kasumi handed her a bowl of rice.
"Thank you, Sis. Where's Nabiki?"
"She went out with Kuno again, Akane."
Ranma entered as Kasumi was speaking, and looked relieved. If Nabiki was out for the evening, he
wouldn't have to worry about her making remarks about how unhappy Akane looked. Ranma sat down
beside Akane, but she turned her head away, and picked up her chopsticks.
Ranma had endured uncomfortable meals before, but this one was one of the worst he could remember.
Akane barely ate a thing, and Ranma found himself losing his appetite. Kasumi looked at them with a
worried frown, but said nothing.
Soun was still quietly seething because of Shampoo's intrusion, and spent much of the meal glaring
at Ranma. The tension at the table finally became too much for Akane, and she got up.
"I'm not really hungry, Daddy. Please excuse me."
She'd only been gone a few seconds when Ranma excused himself, got up, and followed her. Akane's
door was closed, and he knocked on it.
"Akane ? May I come in, please?"
"No."
Ranma knocked again, but this time Akane did not respond. He went into his room and sat down to
think.
Akane undressed and got into bed. It was much too early to go to bed, but she turned out the lights
and closed her eyes. Akane found it impossible to relax, and regretted that she hadn't let Ranma
come in. She was considering getting up again to go see him when there was a knock on her window.
When she opened the curtain, Ranma was outside, looking very worried. Akane opened her window to
let him in.
"Please come up to the roof with me, Akane. There's something I need to say."
Akane turned without speaking, put on her bathrobe, and went up to the roof with Ranma. They sat
down, and Ranma took Akane's hand in both of his. Then he dropped it, and looked away.
"I'm sorry, Akane. Please forgive me--I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Then why did you say what you did, Ranma?"
"I saw the look in your eyes when you threw the form away. It felt like you were rejecting me."
Ranma had been sitting with his body turned from Akane, and she reached around him and turned him
toward her.
"No, Ranma, you misunderstood. I was angry at Daddy for trying to rush us. Are you worried that
I'll change my mind about marrying you?"
"A little."
Akane threw her arms around Ranma, and held onto him.
"I'm so sorry you got that idea, Ranma. Forgive me. "
Ranma's arms came up to embrace Akane, and they held each other silently for a few minutes. Then
Akane was surprised to feel Ranma shaking, and hear him laughing.
"What is it, Ranma?"
"We never can stop fighting, can we? But I can think of other things to do."
Ranma kissed Akane, then lay down on his back, pulling her down beside him, and resting her head on
his shoulder.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it, Akane?"
"Yes, it is."
"It would be perfect, except that I can't stop wondering why Shampoo was here today."
Akane sat up again, and looked at Ranma.
"Are you worried about that, Ranma? I'm not jealous, you know."
Ranma sat up, and put his arm around Akane.
"In that case come here and kiss me again."
"Ouch!"
"Ouch?"
Akane ran her hand along Ranma's jaw.
"You need a shave."
"Yeah, I guess it's been a few days. I'll take care of it in the morning. Does this mean you won't
kiss me?"
"I didn't say that."
*****
Some time later, Ranma and Akane climbed back through their windows, unlocked their doors, and met
in the hallway. They went downstairs, and raided the refrigerator. Akane turned to go upstairs,
and Ranma stopped her.
"Akane, will you go running with me tomorrow morning?"
Sure, I'll get up early and make you breakfast."
"Um, you don't have to do that."
Akane sighed.
"Ranma, if we're getting married you have to learn to eat my cooking sooner or later."
Ranma didn't reply, but looked apprehensive. Later, lying in bed, Akane wondered if she'd ever be
able to cook well enough to please him. Ranma had been spoiled by Kasumi's excellent cooking, and
by his mother's. Sanna College's brochure mentioned that it offered culinary arts classes. Perhaps
she'd better sign up for one.
As Akane drifted off to sleep, she smiled. If Ranma was going to shave in the morning, that meant
he'd be using his after shave, and she loved its scent.
*****
Ranma got up a little earlier than usual, and went downstairs to shave. He tooked in the mirror, and
realized that he'd have to start shaving more often, and that soon it would be a daily necessity.
After giving it some thought, he decided he didn't mind. He'd noticed that Akane tended to stay
close to him whenever he used his after shave. After he finished shaving, Ranma went to the
kitchen, and found Akane there making a pot of tea. Ranma leaned over to kiss Akane, and found
himself flying across the kitchen, and hitting the far wall. Akane had punched him as hard as she
could. Ranma sat up, rubbing his chin.
"What the heck! What did you do that for, Akane?"
Akane looked down at her fist, and back at Ranma, appearing very confused.
"I don't know. It just happened."
Ranma got off the floor, and left the kitchen.
"If that's how you're going to act, go running by yourself, Akane. I'm going back to bed."
"Ranma?"
Akane ran out of the kitchen, but Ranma continued walking away, and didn't look back, even after she
called him again.
Akane forgot the breakfast preparations and went for her run, wondering what had come over her.
She'd have to apologize to Ranma. When she got back, everyone was eating breakfast, and Ranma was
sitting across the table from her place, rather than beside her as he usually did. He was making it
obvious to her and everyone else that he was upset with her, and left the table quickly after he
finished eating.
Ranma wasn't the type of person to hold a grudge for long, and when Akane finally got him alone to
apologize, he gave in. Akane was relieved, but still wondered why she'd hit Ranma. He hadn't given
her a reason to.
Later in the day, Ranma was waiting for Akane in the hallway when she came out of her room to go to
work.
"Ready to go, Akane?"
Akane blushed, took Ranma's hand, and kissed his cheek. He didn't back away as she'd feared.
They took a different route that afternoon, passing by Ucchan's. Ranma stopped dead when he
reatized that there was a "Sold" banner across the window. He had heard rumors that Ukyo had the
shop up for sale, but hadn't believed them. He looked in the window, and saw Ukyo packing. She had
her back to them, and the door was locked, so Ranma tapped on the window. Ukyo turned, saw that
Akane was with Ranma, frowned, and turned away.
"Akane, she hasn't talked to me since the night of the senior party. Guess she's leaving for good."
It really bothers you, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does. Ukyo's been my friend since we were little. I don't want her to go away mad."
"She's not giving you a chance to change that, Ranma. I feel bad for both of you,"
Chapter 12
When Akane climbed onto the roof that night, she found Ranma with a flashlight in his hand, reading.
She sat down beside him, and tooked over his shoulder.
"What do you have there, Ranma?"
"The brochure from Sanna, Akane. Take a look--these are the classes I'm planning to take."
Akane took the list, and Ranma held the light for her.
"You're taking a lot of science classes, Ranma. Any particular reason?"
"I've always been interested in science, Akane. I thought you knew that. I applied to Sanna
because the research labs at the college and the hospital they're connected to are supposed to be
the best in the country. I'd love to be able to work in one of those labs."
Akane looked thoughtful, and Ranma waited for her to speak.
"Ranma, did you make those plans before or after we decided to get married?"
"Before, Akane."
"Does that mean you don't want to take over the dojo.?"
Ranma looked down at the brochure, and back at his fiancee.
"I don't know, Akane. It's what our fathers have planned for us, and it's what I know best, but..."
"But what?"
"Pop has never had many students, and neither has your father, What makes them think we'll do any
better?"
"I don't know, Ranma. We won't know unless we try."
"That's true, Akane, but I don't want to waste this opportunity. I have two years to learn all I
can, and I'm going to use them. What about you?"
Akane had been waiting for the question, but it still made her uncomfortable.
"To tell you the truth, Ranma, part of the reason I applied to college was to run away from you."
"I knew that, Akane. What else?"
Akane took the brochure, and turned a few pages.
"These are the courses I'm planning on, Ranma."
Ranma looked where she was pointing, and back at Akane.
"You want to teach, Akane? What kind of teaching?"
"You know how much I love small children, Ranma. I was thinking of teaching kindergarten."
"You can't qualify for that in just two years, Akane."
"I know. I was hoping for a four year scholarship."
Akane sighed, and leaned on Ranma.
"I'll probably end up using any teaching skills I learn to help teach in the dojo. I'm going to
take some business courses, too."
"Why, Akane?"
"Do you know how to run a business?"
"No, I don't."
"Well neither do I. One of us should learn how, don't you think?"
"No, both of us should. I'll come with you."
They sat talking until quite late, and Ranma finally stopped talking, and drew Akane into his arms
to kiss her good night.
"No punch this time, Akane? What came over you this morning?"
"I have no idea, Ranma. Please don't ask me."
*****
Ranma and Akane got along well over the next couple of days. There was no recurrence of Akane's
strange behavior, and they didn't talk about it, being more than willing to put it behind them.
On the third day, Akane had plans to help Kasumi clean the floor in the living room, and they were
going to move the furniture out to do so. Ranma came out of the bathroom after shaving, saw Akane
picking up a table, and came over to help.
"Here, let me give you a hand with that, Akane."
Akane nodded, and Ranma took a corner of the table. Their heads were close together, and Akane
caught a whiff of Ranma's after shave. She was overcome with a sense of pure rage, dropped her
corner of the table, and whacked Ranma across the face. He dropped the table and stood there in
shock.
"What did I do?"
Akane looked at at the hurt and confusion on Ranma's face, and covered her mouth with both hands.
"I don't know."
Ranma watched in concern as Akane ran out of the room, and up the stairs. Seconds later, he heard
her door slam shut.
Kasumi had observed the entire sequence, and when Ranma turned to her she shrugged her shoulders,
and held up both hands helplessly.
"You didn't do anything to make her angry, Ranma. I don't understand."
"Neither do I, Kasumi. There's something wrong with Akane. I'd better go talk to her."
Kasumi quickly reached out and caught Ranma's sleeve.
"Give her a little while to calm down, Ranma. Then talk to her. Meanwhile, let's move this table."
Kasumi and Ranma leaned over the table, and Ranma found himself being smacked again. Utterly
dumbfounded, he watched Kasumi, who was looking at her hand in shock. She wasn't used to seeing it
as a fist. Finally, she looked at Ranma, and apologized.
"Ranma, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."
Something clicked in Ranma's mind. If both Akane and Kasumi were hitting him, then there must be a
reason.
"Kasumi, can you tell me what happened just before you hit me?"
Kasumi wrinkled her brow as she thought.
"I leaned over to grab a corner of the table, and you did too. I smelled your after shave, and then
I just was so mad at you that I had to hit you. That doesn't make any sense."
Ranma held out a hand, to make Kasumi stop talking, and sat down to think. It was making sense,
after all. Akane had punched him three days ago just after he had finished shaving. Now Akane and
Kasumi had done so. This had started the day after Shampoo had come to the house. Ranma got up,
got the bottle of after shave, and went to see Soun, bringing Kasumi with him.
"Mr. Tendo, I need to try a little experiment. Would you put some of this on?"
Soun took the bottle, and looked at it.
"It's not my brand, Ranma. Isn't this yours?"
"Yes, sir. There's a reason. Please put on a little bit."
Soun put on the after shave, and looked at Ranma curiously.
"Now what?"
Ranma got close to Soun, and sniffed the after shave. Nothing happened.
"Ranma, you're getting a little weird, here."
Ranma turned to Kasumi.
"Maybe it only works on females. You try it."
Kasumi walked over to her father, and within seconds Soun had a huge hand print on his face.
"Kasumi? Why did you hit me?"
"I don't know, Father, I just had to. I'm sorry. "
Ranma smiled. He started toward Kasumi to hug her, but stopped short when he realized that the
after shave would have made her hit him again.
"I know why, Kasumi. Shampoo must have put something in the after shave that angers women. I'd
better get rid of this stuff, before Akane kills me. Mr. Tendo, I'd wash that off if I were you. "
Soun was still looking at his gentle daughter in amazement, unable to believe that she'd hit him.
Eventually, Ranma had to take him by the arm and lead him to the bathroom, where they both washed.
Then Ranma poured the after shave down the drain, and went to see Akane. Her door was locked, and
he knocked gently.
"Akane, please let me in."
"No, Ranma."
"Akane, I figured out what's wrong. Don't worry, it won't happen again."
Akane slowly opened the door. When Ranma saw her, he realized that she'd been crying. He quickly
went into the room. shutting the door behind him. Ranma led Akane to the bed, and sat down beside
her. Akane moved away from him, looking frightened.
"Don't come near me, Ranma. I'm afraid I'll hit you again."
"No you won't, Akane. I know why you did."
"What?"
"It was my after shave, Akane. Shampoo must have spiked it with something that makes women want to
hit you. After you came up here, Kasumi hit me, and that made me suspect something. I had your Dad
put some on, and she hit him, too."
Akane looked at Ranma in disbelief.
"But Ranma, Kasumi never hits anyone!"
"You'll believe it when you see the mark on your father's face. Don't feel bad, sweetheart. You
couldn't help it."
Akane threw her arms around Ranma, and held on tight. She began to cry again, and Ranma patiently
waited for her to calm down.
"I thought I was losing my mind, Ranma. That was a horrible thing for Shampoo to do."
Then Akane stopped short.
"What did you just call me? Say it again."
******
Kasumi decided to start working on the floor while waiting for Akane, and by the time she and Ranma
returned downstairs, was nearly done. When Kasumi saw how happy her sister looked, she didn't mind
having to do the work herself. Akane, though, felt that she'd let Kasumi down.
"But Sis, I wanted to help you. Is there anything else I can do?"
"Akane, if you and Ranma want to do the marketing for me, it would be helpful. I'Il give you a
list."
Shampoo got onto her bicycle, and started off. It was time to see how Ranma and Akane were getting
along. According to her calculations, they should be fighting tooth and nail by now.
Akane and Ranma were walking back with the groceries when they heard a familiar bicycle bell behind
them. Turning, they saw Shampoo racing toward them. Ranma's groceries hit the sidewalk when
Shampoo leaped off her bike and onto him.
"Ranma! Shampoo so happy to see you!"
Ranma removed Shampoo's hands from him, and stepped back.
"I'm not happy to see you, Shampoo. That was a dirty trick you played on us."
Shampoo put on an innocent act.
"Trick, Ranma? Shampoo no understand."
"We know what you did with the after shave. Enough, Shampoo--I want nothing more to do with you.
Go home."
Shampoo was devastated. She hadn't anticipated this reaction from Ranma. She stepped toward him,
holding out a hand.
"No, Ranma. Shampoo sorry. Please."
Ranma slapped Shampoo's hand away, and she gasped.
"Shampoo, go away!"
Shampoo burst into tears, jumped onto her bicycle, and sped off.
Ranma began to gather the dropped groceries together, with Akane's help. She could see that he
looked very upset, and he finally turned to her.
"Akane, I've done something terrible. I hit a girl. "
"Ranma, you didn't hit her hard enough to hurt her, not physically, anyway . If you upset her, she
deserved it."
"That's not the point, Akane. I don't believe in hitting women. You know that. Shampoo just
pushed me too far."
They resumed walking, and a minute later Ranma heard his name being called.
"Ranma, stop."
Ranma turned, and found Cologne behind him. She looked unusually solemn.
"Ranma, I need to confirm what Shampoo just told me. Did you hit her?"
"Er, um"
"I'm not going to attack you, Ranma. I just need the truth."
"Yes ma'am, I did. I'm sorry."
"Then you cannot marry my great-granddaughter."
Ranma's jaw dropped.
"Excuse me?"
"You broke Amazon law when you hit her. We do not allow wife-beating. Hitting a woman in battle is
permissible. At no other time may a man hit his fiancee, or his wife. Shampoo knows the law, and
now you do. Good bye, Ranma."
Cologne turned, and walked away, leaving two stunned people standing there.
"Ranma, I can't believe what I just heard!"
"Neither can I, Akane. Neither can I."
Chapter 13
Ranma thoroughly enjoyed the days of peace that followed. For years, he had been under a constant
barrage of attention from women he had no interest in. Shampoo had been forbidden to see him, and
to his amazement she was not defying Cologne. Ukyo was gone, and although Ranma was still disturbed
that they hadn't settled their differences before her departure, he had to admit that her absence
made his life less stressful.
Now that Ranma and Akane were able to leave the house without being harassed, they enjoyed being
able to go places together without looking over their shoulders. Without consciously thinking about
it, they had settled into a routine of spending as much time together as possible, and it wasn't
long before Akane's father began to notice. Strangely, he gave the credit to Shampoo. Kasumi was
surprised to hear this theory one morning after Akane left the house with Ranma to go running.
"Ever since Shampoo played that trick with Ranma's after shave, I've seen an improvement in the way
he gets along with Akane."
Kasumi knew better, but thought it best to agree with her father.
*****
Shampoo was miserable. Cologne had explained their tradition to her, and she understood it
intellectually, but her heart refused to listen. Ranma was still the great love of her life, and
she didn't want to let go of that love. Out of respect for Cologne, she had obeyed her and broken
off all contact with Ranma, but she was beginning to weaken. After a couple of weeks, it became too
much for her, and Shampoo decided that she had to see Ranma, even if was from a distance.
Shampoo had a free morning, and walked to the Tendo home. Knowing that she would not be welcome if
she knocked, she walked to the fence, and climbed up. When she got to the top, the first thing she
saw, to her great delight, was Ranma. Then she realized he wasn't alone.
Ranma was sweeping the walk and Akane was weeding the flower bed. They talked as they worked, but
Shampoo was unable to hear what they were talking about. Then Ranma stopped sweeping, and squatted
down next to Akane.
"Let's go out tonight, Akane. I'll take you to dinner."
Akane lit up.
"I'd love to go."
Then she stopped, and laughed.
"Daddy is going to pass out, you know."
"I doubt it, Akane. He's getting used to seeing us together."
Shampoo could see that whatever Ranma was saying to Akane was making her smile, and felt frustrated
at her inability to hear. Then she put her hand to her mouth, and quickly climbed back down and
went home, for she saw Ranma kiss Akane before he went back to sweeping.
"He does not love her, he does not love her."
Shampoo repeated this in her mind all the way home, but she no longer believed her own words.
Worried that Cologne would see her mental distress, Shampoo stopped before she entered the
Nekohanten, and pasted a smile on her face.
Cologne looked up from her cooking when Shampoo entered, wondering what she'd been doing.
"Where have you been, Shampoo?"
"Out for a walk, Grandmother."
Shampoo's telltale blush warned Cologne that she was up to more than she'd admitted, and she worried
about it. Shampoo was showing a rebellious streak lately, and they had a proud history of tradition
in their family. Cologne was not willing to allow Shampoo to be the first in the family to openly
break that tradition. She'd have to keep an eye on her.
*****
When Akane told Kasumi not to cook for her or Ranma that evening. she looked a little disappointed.
"Nabiki is bringing Kuno to dinner again, Akane. I'm sure they would like you and Ranma to be
there."
"I'm surprised you'd think so, Kasumi. You know Ranma and Kuno irritate each other."
"You may be right, Akane. Have a good time."
Ranma and Akane left before Kuno arrived. He was surprised to find out they'd gone out together,
and couldn't help saying so to Nabiki.
"They're going out together? Isn't that unusual?"
"It is, Kuno. They've been getting along rather well lately, and I keep waiting for something to
happen. It can't last."
*****
Ranma and Akane were enjoying their evening out, but after a while, conversation lagged, and Akane
wondered why Ranma was looking at her the way he was.
"What are you thinking, Ranma? Is something wrong?"
Ranma came to himself, and smiled at his fiancee.
"No, not at all. I was just wondering if our children will be as beautiful as you are."
Akane blushed fiery red, and reached for Ranma's hand.
"You never mentioned children before, Ranma. I wasn't sure if you wanted any."
"Of course I do, Akane! Just not right away. I want you to myself for a while, and we have college
to think of. We can get married while we're still in school, but a family would have to wait."
Akane looked down at her plate, and then back at her fiance.
"Ranma, Kasumi told me that our parents are talking about a wedding next summer. That sounds all
right to me. What do you think?"
"No, it doesn't sound all right. Akane, I meant it when I said I wouldn't wait beyond the end of
the year. Is there something holding you back that you're not telling me?"
Akane played with her wineglass, and thought about it.
"Ranma, I can't answer that question yet. There's something I have to do first."
Ranma was about to change the subject, to ease the look of tension on Akane's face, when he heard a
clap of thunder, and they both turned to the window. All of the stars were gone, and within a few
seconds, it was pouring.
"Oh no, Akane. We didn't bring an umbrella."
The restaurant had an awning, and the couple rushed into the taxi without getting more than a couple
of drops of rain on them. However, the run from the cab into the house was enough to transform
Ranma, and the two of them dripped all over the entryway as they removed their shoes. Ranma was not
happy to see that Kuno's shoes were still there, and wondered what his reaction would be to the
sight of his female self.
Kuno and Nabiki were sitting close together in the darkened living room, and Ranma and Akane tried
to tiptoe past them, but Kuno heard them and turned. When he spotted Ranma, his expression was
strange. It was plain that he was torn between delight in seeing his pigtailed princess, and worry
that Nabiki would notice it. Unfortunately, she did. Kuno stood up, and addressed himself to Akane.
"I thought you were out with Ranma, Akane."
"I was."
"Where is he, then?"
"He'll be along in a few minutes, Kuno. Good night. "
Akane started toward the kitchen, Ranma behind her, when Kuno spoke again.
"Pigtailed girl."
"Yes?"
"It is good to see you."
"Thank you. Excuse me."
Ranma turned and quickly followed Akane into the kitchen, where they heated some water for Ranma to
take upstairs with him. A few minutes later, when they left the kitchen, Kuno was talking with
Nabiki, and it was evident that Nabiki was more than a little upset with him.
Ranma took the hot water into his room, turned himself male again, and changed out of his wet
clothes. He then left his room, and knocked on Akane's door.
"Akane, may I come in?"
"Just a second."
Akane finished dressing, opened her door, and let Ranma in.
"I wanted to apologize, Akane. I got a little pushy tonight."
Akane sat on the bed, and Ranma sat beside her. Ranma was surprised when Akane shook her head, and
kissed his cheek.
"No you weren't, Ranma. You've been a lot more patient with me than I expected."
Akane opened her mouth to say something more, then blushed and looked away.
"Akane?"
"Yes?"
"What were you going to say?"
Akane gathered her courage, and tried again, although she found it impossible to look at Ranma as
she spoke.
"What you said before, Ranma. Did you really mean it?"
"When I said what, Akane?"
"That I was beautiful. You always told me I wasn't."
Ranma mentally kicked himself for all the times he'd called Akane uncute, and hastened to reassure
her.
"Well, you are beautiful."
"But Shampoo and Ukyo are much prettier than me, Ranma. And they have such lovely long hair,
and..."
Ranma put his hand to Akane's lips to stop her, and then stroked her hair.
"Stop it, Akane. I meant what I said. You are beautiful, and I think short hair is sexy."
"You do, Ranma?"
Ranmna began to prove his point with actions rather than words, and after a little while Akane had
to push him away.
"Ranma, stop. Please."
Ranma kissed Akane's forehead, and let her go.
"Any more doubts, sweetheart?"
"Not one, love."
Chapter 14
Ranma was dressing the next morning when he heard Akane's door open and close. When he peeked out
into the hall she was on her way downstairs, and Ranma was surprised to see what she was wearing.
He guessed her destination, and quickly found appropriate clothing so that he could follow her.
Akane made one stop on the way, and soon arrived at the cemetery. She visited the well, and brought
back some water for her mother's headstone, then placed the carnations she'd bought on the grave.
Akane sat looking at the grave for a while, and then began to speak softly.
"Mother, I came to say good bye for a while. I'll be leaving for college soon."
"I'm worried about something, Mom, and I wish I had someone to talk to. Ranma wants to marry me
before the end of the year, and I want to marry him, but I'm afraid to. I told Kasumi that I needed
time to be me, but that's not the whole truth."
"Mother, I don't know how to be a wife. I was so little when you left us, and there wasn't time for
you to teach me how a husband and wife should treat each other, or how a good wife takes care of her
husband. Kasumi got to learn some things from you, like how to cook, but I was too young, and I
must be the worst cook in Japan, because no one will touch what I make. I'm so afraid that Ranma
will be disappointed with me."
Akane stopped talking, and wiped away a few tears. She jumped when someone put a hand on her
shoulder, and looked up in surprise to see Ranma place another bouquet of carnations on the grave.
"I heard what you said, Akane, and you're wrong about not having learned anything from your mother.
I remember something you told me about her--that she was kind to you. Your mom did teach you
something. She taught you what love is."
Akane didn't respond, being too busy trying to hide her tears. She was also extremely embarrassed
that Ranma had overheard her express her self-doubt, and wondered what he was thinking. Ranma sat
down beside her, held her hand, and kept talking.
"Sweetheart, don't worry about what you don't know. What do I know about marriage? I grew up
traveling around with Pop. He never taught me how a husband should treat a wife, but I learned from
his example what not to do. It was wrong for him to desert Mom, and leave her alone all those years,
and it was wrong to take me away from her. Other than that, I'm as lost as you are, and we'll have
to learn together."
Ranma paused, and waited for Akane to say something. When she didn't, he continued.
"As far as your cooking is concerned, I don't know what to say."
"I'll take a class, Ranma. I have to learn."
"Okay sweetheart, if that's what you want to do, try it. It couldn't do any harm. But Akane, you
said something else just now that I don't understand at all."
"What's that, Ranma?"
"About being you. I never asked you to change, Akane. I love you the way you are."
"That's not exactly what I mean, Ranma. Here in Nerima I'm known as Soun Tendo's daughter, and
Ranma Saotome's fiancee--it's like wearing a label. At school I'd like to be just me, Akane Tendo,
for a while. Then I'd like to get another student housing form, fill it out, and find a place for
us to live, so that we can get married. I'm sorry I threw out the form Daddy sent for."
Akane could see before Ranma spoke that he was happy with what she'd said.
"Actually, Akane, I fished it out of the trash and kept it. When you're ready to fill it out, let
me know."
Ranma put his arms around Akane, and turned to her mother's grave.
"No disrespect intended, Mother Tendo, but I'm going to kiss your daughter now."
Chapter 15
That afternoon Akane took her mail off the hall table, and started waving one of the envelopes at
Ranma.
"Look, Ranma. I got my dorm assignment. Did you get yours?"
Ranma was looking at his mail, and shook his head negatively.
"No, it's not here. I wonder why."
They started up the stairs to their rooms, when Kasumi came out of the kitchen.
"Ranma, you got a call from Sanna College while you were at work. The number's by the phone."
Ranma ran to the phone, Akane close behind, and dialed.
"Ranma Saotome here. I understand you called for me."
"Yes, Saotome. We got a letter we don't quite understand. Supposedly, it's from you, saying that
you no longer want to attend, but my secretary tends to think it's a fake."
Ranma gasped, causing Akane to look at him with concern.
"It certainly is. I've been waiting for my dorm assignment."
"We'll mail it off tomorrow, Saotome. I'll thank my secretary for you. She was the one who thought
to compare the handwriting to your application, and they're nothing like each other. Also, when we
read the letter again, it was obvious that whoever wrote it uses Japanese as a second language."
"Please thank her for me, sir, and my thanks to you, too."
Ranma said good bye, and turned to Akane.
"I can't believe it, Akane. They got a letter with my name on it saying I wasn't coming. I think
Shampoo sent it."
"Why Shampoo, Ranma?"
"They said the letter seemed to be from someone who wasn't Japanese. Who else would try something
like that?"
"You're probably right, Ranma. I didn't think she'd give up on you, even if Cologne told her to."
*****
Over the next couple of days, Ranma and Akane noticed Shampoo following them. They kept ignoring
her, until she made it impossible for Ranma to do so by confronting him one day when Akane was not
with him.
"Ranma, you still leaving?"
"Yes I am, Shampoo. They didn't believe your letter."
Shampoo sighed, and moved closer to Ranma, who started to back away, holding out both palms.
"Shampoo will miss you. Will visit, okay?"
"No, Shampoo. It's not okay. Cologne wouldn't like it, and neither would I or Akane."
Shampoo could see that she'd lost the battle, but couldn't bring herself to admit it yet. Tears
began to slide down her face, which she quickly wiped away.
"Ranma, Shampoo cannot bear to have you far away. Must visit."
She turned and ran off, leaving Ranma feeling very guilty. Despite all the trouble Shampoo had
caused him, he did not like to see her cry.
*****
When Ranma got home, he and Akane sat outside by the pond while he told her about his encounter with
Shampoo. After a few minutes, Akane went in to get some lemonade for both of them, and when she
heard some strange noises, she hurried outside to investigate. When she got back to Ranma, Mousse
was sitting on top of him, pinning down both of his arms, and holding him by the throat. Mousse was
shouting at Ranma, and Akane caught the end of his speech.
"How dare you make my Shampoo cry! I know you hit her, Saotome, and now you're being deliberately
cruel. This is unforgivable!"
Ranma managed to croak out "I'm sorry, Mousse", but he was running out of air, and couldn't
continue. His sight began to dim, and then the pressure on his throat and the weight on his chest
vanished.
Girl-type Ranma sat up, choking, with a wet duck beside him. Akane, thinking fast, had poured both
glasses of lemonade on Mousse. Ranma grabbed the duck, and shook it.
"Mousse, for once in your life listen to me! I've told Shampoo again and again to give up, but she
doesn't listen. I know you want her, and you're welcome to her! You have no reason to be jealous
of me. Are you listening, Mousse?"
Mousse pecked Ranma's face, and flew off. Akane sat down next to Ranma, and put her hand on his
shoulder.
"I guess that means no, Ranma. When it comes to Shampoo, Mousse can't think straight."
"Akane, I'm glad we're leaving Nerima. We need a little sanity in our lives, and we can't get it
with those two around. Thanks for your help, sweetheart--l'd better go take a bath. Lemonade is
sticky."
Ranma kissed Akane's cheek, and she jumped. He'd never kissed her when he was a girl before, and it
felt unnatural to both of them. He saw the look on her face, and backed away.
"Sorry, Akane. I wasn't thinking. Excuse me."
Soaking in the tub, Ranma had time to think. Akane had agreed to marry him despite his curse, but
he wondered if it disturbed her. He wasn't afraid of much, but he was afraid to discuss it with
her.
Akane went into the house for a piece of bread and sat by the pond, crumbling it up, and feeding the
carp. She wished there was a way to free Ranma from his curse. She could live with it, but seeing
the pain on her fiance's face was something she found very difficult to bear.