COS6-9
"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 6
The cab driver wondered about the young couple he was driving home. They sat in the back seat, looking out their respective windows, and did not speak. Had they had some sort of argument?
No one was downstairs when they got in, but a light had been left on, and as she was removing her shoes, Akane noticed a new pair in the hallway.
"Look, Ranma. Nabiki is home."
Nabiki had been away in Morioka, attending college, and had promised to get home in time for their graduation.
"That's good, Akane."
"Ranma, there's something you should know before you see her in the morning."
Akane had been almost silent since their dance, and Ranma was glad to have her talking again, no matter what it was about.
"What, Akane?"
"She's probably going to give you a hard time about going to college with me. I got the impression from her last letter that she thinks it's funny. Also, she told me something else that I'm having a hard time believing. "
Akane paused, Ranma saw a wicked gleam in her eyes, and she giggled.
"My sister is dating Kuno. "
Ranma's jaw dropped.
"No way, Akane. How did this start?"
Akane walked into the living room and sat down, Ranma beside her.
"Nabiki's letter said that he'd been following her around campus, the way he used to follow me in high school. After a while, she agreed to go out with him just out of curiosity. I guess she likes him, after all."
"You know, Akane, this might be a very good thing. If Kuno is busy with Nabiki, maybe he won't look for his pigtailed girl."
Before Akane could reply, the light over the stairs went on, and a voice called down.
"Ranma, Akane, are you down there?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Okay."
His footsteps retreated, and Akane got up.
"It's late, Ranma. I'd better go up. Good night."
Ranma followed Akane up the stairs, and watched her enter her room. They'd gotten along better that evening that they had in a long time. Too bad it couldn't last.
*****
When Akane got to the breakfast table the nezt morning, Ranma was missing. She smiled at her father, and sat down.
"Good morning, Daddy. Welcome home, Nabiki."
Nabiki put down her teacup, and smiled at her sister.
"Thanks, Sis. How was the dinner last night?"
Akane thought about dancing with Ranma, and blushed.
"We had a good time, Nabiki."
"I guess you did. Where's Ranma?"
"He said something about going into the city today. He'll be back later."
"I wanted to warn him in advance, Akane. Kuno is coming to dinner tonight. Do you think they can spend an evening together without killing each other?"
Akane looked at the ceiling, and sighed.
"He'll just have to deal with it, Sis. I'll warn him."
*****
When Ranma returned a few hours later, Akane took him aside and told him about their dinner guest. As expected, he wasn't thrilled about it.
"I guess with Kuno going out with your sister, we'll be seeing more of him than we want."
"Please don't get into a fight with him, Ranma."
Ranma looked annoyed.
"If we do fight, Akane, it won't be because I started it. Don't worry, I'll try to get along with him."
Akane decided to change the subject.
"What were you doing in the city today?"
"Visiting jewelry stores."
Akane was sorry she'd asked the question, reddened, and excused herself. Ranma watched her walk away, his expression darkening.
*****
When Kuno walked into the house that evening and kissed Nabiki's cheek, Akane instinctively turned to Ranma, who looked as sick as she felt. Every time Kuno had tried to come near Akane, she had clobbered him, and watching him kiss her sister was very disturbing to her.
Kuno greeted Akane with friendliness, but without the overblown expressions of affection he once used when speaking to her. He and Ranma were civil to one another, but it would be impossible to characterize their conversation as a friendly one. After filling the family in on what was happening in Morioka, Nabiki changed the subject.
"I'm really glad you're going away to college, Akane. I think it will be good for you."
"I can't wait, Sis."
Kuno had been listening quietly, and turned to Ranma.
"What about your plans, Saotome? I assume you will be teaching martial arts after you graduate."
"Not yet, Kuno. I'm going to Sanna College also."
Kuno looked at Ranma, and his eyes narrowed. He looked at Akane, and back at Ranma again.
"I'm not certain whether or not I approve."
Akane felt her face getting hot.
"It's none of your business, Kuno."
She began to get up, but Nabiki motioned to her, and stood up herself, pulling on Kuno's arm.
"Let's go for a little walk."
"Nabiki?"
"I said, let's go, Kuno-baby."
Everyone watched in amazement as Kuno got up and walked away with Nabiki.
Kasumi stared after them, and turned to her father.
"How does she do that, Father?"
"I'm not sure I want to know."
Chapter 7
The next few days flew by, as graduation day approached. Ranma was spending as much time as he could in the house, when he wasn't at work or in school. Shampoo was still annoying him every chance she got, and he was finding it increasingly difficult to deal with her. Ukyo wasn't speaking to him at all, which was a great relief. Ranma had been treating her coldly for the past year, since she helped wreck his wedding, although he was very much aware that she still cared for him.
As far as Ranma could tell, Akane was avoiding him. Every time he opened his bureau drawer and saw the little box sitting there, he knew why. If she felt as uncomfortable about the little act they would have to put on as he did, then he couldn't blame her.
Akane was becoming increasingly unhappy. She was putting up with a lot of teasing at school because of going to college with Ranma, and the dance they'd shared at the party. Ukyo was being as unpleasant as she could, and Akane had a strong suspicion that she was up to something. As far as Ranma was concerned, Akane was trying to stay as far away from him as she could. She was afraid that she would not be able to play the part she was expected to, and was beginning to regret that she'd made the agreement with Ranma.
*****
The day before graduation, Nodoka arrived at the house to help Kasumi prepare the food for the party they were giving Ranma and Akane after graduation exercises. Akane was eager to help, but her offer was turned down. Nodoka tried to soften the blow by explaining that it was Akane's party, and she shouldn't have to do any of the work, but Akane knew better. No one was willing to eat anything she cooked, and they were keeping her out of the kitchen.
At the graduation, it was difficult to tell who was crying harder: Soun or Nodoka. Akane's father was crying because his daughter had graduated and would be leaving home, and Ranma's mother was crying because she was so proud of him. After the ceremonies were over, the families walked back to the Tendo home together.
The feast Nodoka and Kasumi had prepared was wonderful, and everyone surprised the graduates with small presents. Ranma had just opened his mother's present when his father sat beside him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"When are you going to give Akane her present, Ranma?"
"In a little while, Pop."
"Well then, why don't you go get it?"
Ranma's eyebrows went up into his hairline.
"Are you nuts, Pop? This is not some kind of a show for everyone to watch. This is between me and Akane."
Ranma gave his father another look of disgust, got up, and walked to Akane's side. She stopped talking to Kasumi, and looked up.
"Can you come with me now, Akane?"
"Okay, Ranma."
*****
Akane followed Ranma up the stairs, feeling very apprehensive, She stopped in her room for his gift, and joined him in his room. Ranma was sitting on the futon, waiting for her.
Akane sat down and handed Ranma a gift wrapped box. When Ranma opened it and found his watch, he immediately put it on, smiling at Akane.
"Thanks, Akane. I really like it."
Ranma handed Akane a small box. She took off the bow, and then sat there with the box in her hand.
"Aren't you going to open it, Akane?"
Akane lifted the lid, and caught her breath. She was looking at a delicate gold ring, set with a small sapphire.
"Did you pick this out yourself, Ranma?"
"Yes I did. Do you like it?"
"It's lovely."
Akane removed the ring from the box and sat looking at it. Ranma took it from her, and picked up her hand.
"I guess I'm supposed to do this."
He hesitated, and looked into Akane's eyes.
"This is the strangest way of saying good bye to someone that I ever heard of, but I guess that's what we're doing. "
Ranma was about to place the ring on Akane's finger when he heard a sob, and looked up quickly, to see tears rolling down her face. Ranma dropped the ring and pulled Akane into his arms, letting her cry on his shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't Ranma, I can't ..."
Akane was unable to continue speaking, and Ranma patted her back awkardly, trying to calm her.
"Akane, if you can't do this, then don't. It's not fair to force you. You stay here, and I'll go tell Pop we changed our minds."
Akane cried harder, and lifted her head to look at Ranma.
"No, Ranma, you don't understand what I'm trying to tell you."
"Try again, Akane. I'm listening."
"I can't say good bye to you, Ranma. Please don't say good bye to me."
Akane buried her face in Ranma's shirt, and held on to him. Ranma held her tighter, unable to believe what he'd heard. Akane had been pushing him away for weeks, and now she wanted him to stay? She was the most contradictory girl he'd ever met, but he loved her, and it was about time he did something about it.
Akane felt Ranma let go of her, and loosened her hold on him. She was too embarrassed about what she'd said and done to take her head from his chest, didn't know what to expect when he put both hands on her face to raise it up, and was totally taken by surprise when he gently kissed her.
Chapter 8
Ranma's kiss, being something in the way of an experiment, was extremely short, and he quickly released Akane and sat back, resting his hands on his knees. Akane sat there with her hand to her lips, eyes wide, tooking totally confused. Ranma was very surprised when Akane leaned forward, placed both of her hands over his, and whispered only two words.
"Ranma, why?"
"Because I love you, Akane. I don't want to say good bye, either."
Akane let go of Ranma's hands, and she sat back again. Ranma watched as Akane's expression changed from confusion to one he'd never seen before, and she began to cry again. He was beginning to worry that he'd said the wrong thing when she smiled through her tears, and said what he wanted to hear.
"I love you, Ranma."
Ranma pulled Akane into his arms and kissed her again, not quite so gently, and this time she returned his kiss. Ranma wanted to go on kissing Akane forever, but the knowledge that his father was waiting for him downstairs made him let go after a few minutes, and retrieve the ring from the bed.
"Akane, you know that I'm not good at saying things, but if you let me give this to you, it will be for real. Our fathers are expecting us to keep their promise."
Akane hesitated, and then responded softly.
"No, Ranma."
Ranma looked at Akane, the hurt plain to see.
"What? I don't understand."
"Ranma, are you asking me because of that promise? I can't marry you if that's the reason."
"Suddenly, Ranma understood.
"No, no, Akane. If I didn't want you, my father couldn't make me marry you if he held a gun to my head. I need you, Akane. Please don't say no again."
Akane shook her head, and placed her hand in Ranma's.
"I couldn't if I tried, Ranma. It hurt too much to say it once."
Ranma quickly slipped Akane's ring onto her finger, and held her so tightly that she found breathing difficult. He kissed her once more, then released her, and got up.
"Ready to face the family?"
"Not yet, Ranma. I need to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Would you mind if we waited a while to get married? I'm not ready yet."
Ranma sat down again, taking his fiancee's hands.
"Would you explain that?"
Akane reddened, and looked down.
"I'd like some time to be on my own, Ranma. One of the reasons I wanted to go away to college was to be independent."
Akane watched Ranma's face, waiting for him to answer. He finally opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, was interrupted by his father's voice, which was coming from the other side of the closed door.
"When are you coming out? We're waiting"
"Just a second, Pop!"
As Genma's footsteps retreated, Ranma got to his feet, puling Akane up with him.
"We'll have to talk later, Akane. If we don't go downstairs, our fathers will come up and drag us down."
*****
When Ranma walked Akane downstairs, he found his father waiting at the bottom. His eyes went immediately to Akane's hand, and he smiled in satisfaction and brought them to the rest of the family.
"Our children have finally decided to make their engagement official. Now we have another reason to celebrate tonight."
Ranma and Akane stood there, hand in hand, and watched the faces of their families. Nodoka immediately jumped to her feet, and embraced them, followed by Kasumi. Nabiki sat there watching, skepticism obvious in her expression.
"I don't know who you two think you're fooling, but there's no way I'll believe this is real."
Genma was taken aback, and looked closely at his son. As far as he could tell, Ranma looked very happy with Akane's hand in his, and she looked equally as happy, but Nabiki's words had succeeded in shaking his confidence.
Soun, who was weeping with happiness, missed the entire exchange. He finally wiped his eyes and got up, hugging his daughter.
"You have made your father so happy tonight, Akane."
Nodoka and Kasumi began to gather the dishes together, and took them into the kitchen for washing. Akane followed them in, and chased them out of the kitchen.
"You did all the cooking. At least let me clean up."
Later, Nodoka came back in with Genma to say good night before they left, and were surprised to find Ranma helping Akane. Genma raised his eyebrows, but for once said nothing, and they soon went home. Ranma waited until he was sure they were gone before turning to his fiancee, and speaking to her softly.
"There's isn't enough privacy here, Akane. I'll have to think of a place for us to talk."
*****
Kasumi stood outside the kitchen, listening to Ranma. She went upstairs to get ready for bed, and sat there, waiting for Ranma and Akane to come up.
Ranma stopped outside Akane's door, and looked all around. Seeing no one, he embraced her, and kissed her good night. Neither of them heard Kasumi quietly open her door, observe them, and close the door again. She smiled, and got into bed. She'd been right about Ranma and Akane, but had no intention of telling anyone about it. They were entitled to find their own way.
Chapter 9
Akane sat in bed, looking at her ring. She hadn't noticed before that the color of the stone was the same shade of blue as her fiance's eyes. Akane sighed, wondering what Ranma thought of her request for time. He hadn't looked very happy.
A tap on the window made Akane jump, and she quickly got up to open the curtain. Ranma was outside, and Akane slid the window open.
"What are you doing out there, Ranma?"
"Looking for you, Akane. Let's talk on the roof."
Akane quickly put on her bathrobe, climbed onto her desk, and went through the window. She and Ranma went up to the roof, and sat down. The moonlight made it possible for Akane to see Ranma's face, and she was relieved to see that although he looked serious, he did not look angry.
"I've been thinking about our engagement, Akane. You can look at it three ways--we've either been engaged for eighteen years, two years, or two hours."
Akane moved closer to Ranma, and held his hand.
"I couldn't agree with the eighteen years, Ranma. We didn't meet until two years ago. But two years sounds right to me. What are you getting at?"
"Two years should be long enough for you to know if you want to marry me or not."
"That's not the point, Ranma. I do want to marry you. I just want to be on my own for a while. I was looking forward to it."
Ranma frowned, and looked down. After a few minutes, he looked at Akane, and squeezed her hand.
"I guess I understand, Akane. I made the same kind of plans myself, especially since I didn't think you wanted me. I suppose six months would be long enough."
"Six months?"
Ranma reached over to pick Akane up, and set her down in his lap.
"We're getting married before the year is over, Akane. I won't wait any longer than that."
As Ranma began to kiss her, Akane wondered if six months would be too long.
*****
Akane rose early the next morning, and went to the dojo to practice.
Ranma was already there, and he looked up with a smile when she slid the door open. They practiced together, and went back to the house for breakfast, where Soun was waiting for them.
"What do the two of you have planned for today?"
Akane looked surprised.
"I have to go to work this morning, Daddy. So does Ranma."
"But Akane, I thought the two of you would want to be together today."
Akane frowned at her father, and inched away from Ranma. She'd thought that accepting Ranma's ring would keep her father out of her hair for a few days, at least, but she'd been wrong. She was trying to find something to say when Ranma spoke up.
"What for, Mr. Tendo? You wouldn't let Akane leave home unless she was wearing an engagement ring, right? Well we did what you wanted, didn't we? That doesn't mean we're happy about it."
Ranma picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, ignoring Akane and her father. Nabiki had observed the entire exchange, and smiled knowingly.
"I thought something was fishy last night, Sis."
Akane stared at Ranma in shock for a few seconds, and then began eating her breakfast. His play-acting was very convincing, almost convincing enough to fool her.
Soun watched Ranma for a while, and then looked at Akane. She was quietly eating her breakfast, not looking at her fiance. Soun sighed, and wondered if his daughter would ever accept her engagement. Akane had looked so happy the previous night, but now it was apparent to him that she and Ranma had been putting on a show for them, one that had only lasted a couple of hours.
After she finished eating, Akane carried her breakfast dishes into the kitchen, Ranma following behind with his. He looked behind him quickly before whispering to Akane.
"Do you think I was laying it on a little too thick out there?"
Akane giggled.
"With Daddy, you have to. Just as long as I don't believe what you said."
"You'd better not. It looks like I'll have to pick a few fights with you."
"What about?"
"I don't know. Maybe you could do something uncute."
Akane grinned at Ranma, and raised her voice a few decibels.
"WHO'S UNCUTE?"
"YOU are, you tomboy!"
Soun came running into the kitchen, and got between them.
"Do you two have to fight all the time?"
Akane stomped out of the kitchen.
"It's his fault, Daddy."
Ranma stuck his head out of the kitchen as Akane retreated.
"Says who?"
Akane ran upstairs and managed to get her bedroom door shut before she began laughing. Downstairs, Soun grabbed Ranma by the collar and dragged him into the dojo.
"My daughter is probably upstairs crying her eyes out. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
*****
Akane was dressing for work when there was a knock on her bedroom door.
"Yes?"
"It's me, Akane. May I come in?"
Akane opened her door to let Kasumi in. Her sister closed the door behind her, and sat down on the bed.
"Akane dear, you have to be careful."
"Excuse me, Sis?"
"This game you and Ranma are playing. How long do you think you can keep fooling Father?"
Akane sank down into her chair.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw the two of you in the hallway last night. You can't convince me that you hate Ranma when I saw the way you kissed him. Why are you pretending to fight?"
"I'm not ready to get married yet, Kasumi. Daddy wouldn't understand that."
"What about Ranma, dear? Does he understand?"
"He promised to give me time."
Kasumi looked very confused.
"I just don't understand you, Akane. If you love Ranma, and he loves you, why won't you marry him?"
Akane looked as confused as Kasumi, and shook her head.
"I'm not sure, Sis. Maybe I just want some time to be me, and I can do that in college. I won't be Soun Tendo's daughter, or Ranma Saotome's wife, but just me, Akane Tendo."
But Akane, people will know you're Ranma's fiancee."
"Not if I don't tell them."