COS91-93
A Change of Scene, Chapters 91-93
by June "KaraOhki" Geraci
May 28, 2001
Ranma 1/2 and its characters were borrowed from Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for noncommercial purposes only.
-----
Chapter 91
Ryoga sat on the floor of his room, a newspaper in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. The pile of unread papers beside him was finally lower than the pile of read ones. His mother always saved the Sunday paper for him when he was "traveling," as she termed it, and the pile had grown quite a lot.
He was opening up another paper when his mother came into the room with a plate of cookies.
"Thanks, Mom."
"I thought you might like a break," she replied.
Ryoga had a cookie halfway to his mouth when his eyes took in the picture on the page in front of him. Then the cookie dropped from his fingers and landed on the floor. Ryoga didn't notice. His mother did, and walked around him to see what he was looking at. Her son's eyes seemed to be fixed on a photograph.
"Do you know those people, dear?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Hibiki took another look. The page was entitled "Weddings," and the picture her son was focused on was labeled "Saotome/Tendo."
"And?" she prompted.
"I met Ranma in junior high, and Akane later. He - she - well..." Ryoga cleared his throat and tried again. "I liked her a lot."
Mrs. Hibiki smiled. "Only liked, dear? I get the idea it was more than that."
Her son grew even more agitated. "Well...yeah...but she was already engaged to Ranma! And he didn't deserve her!"
"What makes you say that?"
"He was such a jerk! He never treated her right!"
"Then why did she marry him?"
"Well, it was an arranged marriage, Mom. Their fathers planned it before they were born, and - " Ryoga knew that his mother wouldn't believe him before he finished talking.
"Is that so?"
"Well, no. Akane loves him. He - he loves her too, and um..."
"Yes?"
Ryoga sighed. "He's not as much of a jerk as he used to be."
Mrs. Hibiki nodded. "I see. He grew up, then. Have you?"
"Mom?"
"Think about it, Son." She rose as she spoke, leaving Ryoga alone with his thoughts.
Five minutes later she was back.
"What was the name of that girl again? Was it Akari?
"No. It was Akane."
"Then who is Akari? She calls every couple of days looking for you."
*****
"Akane, aren't you getting up?" Ranma was surprised when Akane pulled the quilt over her head and whimpered. "You okay?"
"No."
"You gonna stay home today?"
Instead of replying Akane threw back the quilts and fled into the bathroom, where Ranma could hear her being very ill. He stood outside the door listening to the sound of Akane running the water in the sink, wondering if he should go inside. He had his hand on the doorknob when it turned and Akane emerged. She was very pale and seemed unsteady on her feet.
"Hey, watch it!" Ranma cried as Akane swayed and bumped into the doorframe. He caught her and carried her back to their futon, but never got a chance to tuck her in. Akane put her hand over her mouth and waved her other hand frantically. He ran back to the bathroom just in time.
*****
Akane rinsed out her mouth for the second time and stood trembling at the sink. Ranma tried to pick her up again but she shook her head, instead taking his arm.
"I can walk."
She leaned on Ranma and made it back to the bedroom, where she watched her husband pace back and forth. It was making her dizzy. Akane was about to complain when Ranma stopped and knelt down next to her.
"We gotta get to the clinic."
"What?"
"You know - you gotta see if - " He pointed at the bathroom. "I don't understand how you could be - I thought we were being careful!"
As understanding came to Akane, she experienced another wave of nausea. Ranma reached for her but she waved him away.
"Not that careful. What about when we were in Nerima? You know - that time on the dojo floor?"
This time it was Ranma who turned pale. "Oh, boy."
Ranma helped Akane dress and carried her downstairs.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call a taxi?"
"The fresh air will do me good. Put me down, I can walk."
"Nope."
"Ranma!"
The only reply Akane got was a short laugh from her husband as he broke into a run. She gasped and held onto him tightly as the movement made her dizzy and a little bit nauseous, and she was very grateful when he slowed down and entered the clinic.
Ranma set Akane on her feet and walked her to the desk. Although the waiting room seemed rather crowded it wasn't long before Akane was brought into an examining room. Ranma followed, and the nurse objected.
"Sir, you'll have to stay in the waiting room."
"But - "
Akane grabbed Ranma's arm. "Please. I want my husband to stay with me."
Once Akane explained her symptoms the nurse took her away to run a few tests. When she returned, Ranma was pacing around the examining room.
"You okay?"
"I still feel sick."
"When will they know?"
"Soon."
Ranma waved at the examining table. "You should lie down. The doctor came in while you were out and he said he'd be right back."
Akane curled up on the examining table, and Ranma covered her with a blanket. He put his hand on her cheek and Akane saw his expression change. His hand moved to her forehead, and then he touched her forehead with his lips.
"You're hot. You weren't hot before."
Within five minutes Akane was shivering, and Ranma put another blanket over her.
"You're getting hotter. Where is that doctor?"
As he spoke the door opened. Akane was relieved to see the doctor enter. He went right up to her and smiled reassuringly.
"Sorry for the delay, Mrs. Saotome. I was waiting for the results of your tests."
"Yes?"
"You're not pregnant."
Akane felt relieved, yet extremely sad, and to her embarrassment she began to cry. She also felt miserably ill. The doctor had her sit up, and began to examine her.
"Don't cry. Let's see what's wrong." The doctor took Akane's temperature and blood pressure, and examined her carefully. Ranma stood to one side, watching everything the doctor did.
"Does this hurt? Yes? How about here?" The doctor put the blankets back around Akane and made a couple of notes.
"You've got the flu."
Akane was very surprised. "I do? But I had the flu shot, and so did Ranma!"
"That's not surprising. A new strain came out, and it's going right through the campus."
*****
Ten minutes later Ranma was walking Akane back across campus. He was carrying a small bag, which contained medicine for the body aches that had already started to affect his wife, as well as syrup to relieve the nausea.
"You're sure you want to walk?"
Akane nodded. "I got really dizzy when you carried me. I'll make it."
By the time they got home and up the stairs to their apartment Akane was drenched in sweat and totally exhausted. Ranma undressed her, gave her the medicine, and tucked her into bed. As he did, Ranma saw Akane looking at the clock.
"You should go to class."
"No way. I'm not leaving you when you're this sick."
"I'll be okay!"
"Be quiet and go to sleep."
When Akane didn't hit him but instead closed her eyes, Ranma knew that she had to be extremely sick. He watched her for a few minutes and then went into the kitchen to get some breakfast for himself. Once he had it ready he turned the radio on and sat down. The campus station was giving the morning news, which included a short announcement.
"Campus administration reports that the clinic is overrun with students suffering from the flu. Classes have been temporarily suspended, and students are asked to stay in their dormitories or apartments and to avoid congregating together in large groups. If you have flu symptoms, please seek medical assistance promptly."
"Heh. I guess I'm not missing class after all." He took a bite of his breakfast and made a face. "Ew. This tastes awful."
*****
Akane dreamed.
She was running through thick mist. Her bare feet hurt as she stumbled over the uneven ground, forcing her to slow down.
"Ranma? RANMA?"
Her voice dried up in her throat, making what should have been a shout turn into a whisper. "Where are you?" she whimpered.
She tried to run again, but her legs felt leaden. She forced herself to take another step, but instead of touching the ground she began to float. The mist cleared.
Below her was a green field, with a figure lying in the center of it. She floated down and hovered over it.
Ranma lay there, sightless blue eyes staring up from a face whiter than chalk. She tried to reach down to touch him, but her flailing arms just made her float higher.
Then she saw that Ranma was not alone. She lay beside him, just as white, just as still, just as dead.
"NO!" Akane sat up, gasping for air. Her hand touched something hot, and she realized Ranma was asleep beside her. He was flushed and sweaty, and she gently placed her palm against his forehead to find that he was burning up.
"Oh, wonderful," she muttered. "Both of us." Then the rapidly-fading dream made her shudder. "At least we're still alive." Her stomach turned over and she struggled to her feet, wondering how she could be so nauseous when she hadn't eaten a thing since the night before.
She dragged herself to the bathroom, and then into the kitchen for more medication. She was running a pitcher of water when Ranma emerged from the bedroom, looking rather green. He headed straight for the bathroom and Akane could hear him being sick. She had the nausea medicine ready for him when he came out.
"Thank you. The doctor gave us twice as much medicine 'cause he said I was gonna catch this. Good thing he did."
"Good thing you didn't listen to me and go to class."
Ranma shrugged. "Couldn't. So many students are sick that they cancelled classes."
"I need to go back to bed." Akane picked up the tray she had prepared. It held a pitcher of water, a couple of glasses, and some fresh fruit. Ranma took it from her and they returned to the bedroom.
A few minutes later, they were asleep.
*****
Things went from bad to worse. Neither of them could tolerate the fruit, and the canned broth they tried next didn't stay down either. The couple decided to just sleep, but sleep evaded them because of the body aches they were experiencing. After a while they fell asleep from exhaustion.
Ranma slowly came to consciousness. There wasn't a bone in his body that wasn't aching, and the last thing he wanted to do was move, but the sound of whimpering beside him made him open his eyes and sit up. Akane was curled up in a fetal position, murmuring something he couldn't understand.
"Akane?"
Akane whimpered again, and Ranma bent closer to listen to her.
"Ranma? Ranma!"
"I'm right here!"
The whimpering continued, and then Akane opened her eyes. She didn't seem to see Ranma, and she continued to call him. He felt her forehead, and it was much hotter than it had been earlier. Ranma took Akane into his arms and tried to comfort her, but she began thrashing around and calling his name.
"Ranma!"
"Akane! Wake up! I'm here!"
His delirious wife didn't hear him. Ranma lay Akane back down and crawled out of the futon. He rummaged through the bureau drawers and found a sweatshirt and sweat pants. Then he went into the kitchen for some cool water, a sponge, and a towel. Ranma then removed his wife's nightgown, not without some difficulty. Akane continued calling him, and hampered his efforts to get the sweat-soaked nightgown off. Then when he attempted to give her a sponge bath she fought him furiously, calling for him the entire time.
"Damn it, Akane! I'm right here!"
The only response he got was wailing. Ranma persisted until he'd managed to cool Akane off a little bit, and then he wrestled her into the sweatshirt and pants. By the time he was done the two of them were exhausted, and he lay down and gathered his wife into his arms. She whimpered a little bit but soon settled down, holding him tightly.
"It'll be okay, sweetheart. Just rest."
*****
Ucchan's was nearly empty, and the few people there talked about nothing but how sick all of their friends were. Ukyo was able to handle all of the orders on her own, which was good because Konatsu had gone up to his room complaining of a headache.
Once the last customer left, Ukyo hung up the "closed" sign and cleaned up the grill and counter. Then she headed upstairs to check on Konatsu.
She found him wrapped up in every blanket available, coughing violently, and looking positively miserable.
"You need to get to the doctor," Ukyo said as she knelt down to feel his forehead.
"No. I don't want to be a bother," Konatsu began, but he didn't say anything further because a large spatula materialized in Ukyo's hand.
"Did I give you a choice?"
*****
Akane opened one eye and squinted at the sunlight. Then she looked at the clock. Her eyes opened fully and she crawled out of the futon and went into the kitchen. She looked up a number and made a phone call.
"Hello. Mr. Nagata please."
"Speaking. May I help you?"
"Good afternoon. This is Akane Saotome. I wanted to let you know that Ranma won't be able to come to work. He has the flu."
"I'm not surprised, Mrs. Saotome. Half the people in the department are out. Tell him not to come back until he's up to it. Does he have a bad case?"
"Yes, he has a very high fever."
There was a slight pause before Mr. Nagata spoke again. "You don't sound very well yourself."
"We both have it."
The next phone call was to the day care center, which was in the process of being shut down until the flu crisis ended. Akane hung up the phone and for the first time noticed what she was wearing.
[These are Ranma's.] Then Akane saw the bowl of water, towel, and sponge on the kitchen counter, and concluded that Ranma must have been trying to get her fever down. Funny that she couldn�t remember his doing so.
Akane didn't take the thought any further because she became aware of a faint voice from the next room. It was calling her name.
She found Ranma tossing around in the futon and knelt down to feel his head. It was a lot hotter than hers.
"Ranma? I'm right here."
Evidently Ranma heard her because she found herself in a grip that would have been impossible to escape from if Ranma hadn't been so ill. When Akane wriggled out of his grasp and got up he protested.
"I'll be right back!"
Akane refilled the bowl and found sweats for Ranma. He had gone to bed in his shorts and a t-shirt, and they were soaked. Over his protests, she got him out of them and gave him a sponge bath.
"Don't complain! You did it for me, and I'm doing it for you!"
"Uncute tomboy," Ranma muttered, and Akane ignored it. It had to be the fever talking. She had never seen Ranma so ill before, not even when Happosai had given him his cold.
She got Ranma to cooperate with her long enough to get him into the fresh clothes, and covered him while she went after their medicine. Once they were medicated again, she crawled into his arms and tried to sleep.
*****
"I said to stop calling!" Tatewaki slammed the phone down and then disconnected it. "She doesn't give up, does she?"
His wife smiled. "Did you think she would? I knew Kodachi didn't like me, but I had no idea how deep it went. What was her problem this time?
Tatewaki chuckled, making Nabiki wonder what he was up to. "Kodachi's in Nerima. She went home to get the family register so I couldn't have your name added to it."
Nabiki stopped smiling. How could her husband be taking this so lightly? "And?"
Her husband left the room, and came back with a large book. "She couldn't find it, because I took it when I decided to ask you to marry me." He handed the book to Nabiki. "You are its caretaker now. Go ahead and record our marriage."
Nabiki opened the book, glancing briefly at the records in it, and noting how many years they went back. Her husband's family line was impressive indeed. Then she made a new entry in it. Tatewaki stood behind her and watched, one hand resting on her shoulder.
"You haven't told your family of our marriage yet. Isn't it time we did?"
"I think so. Would you like to take a trip to Ube? I'd like to tell Akane and Ranma first." Nabiki stood as she spoke, and moved into her husband's arms.
"I'll call Ranma and tell him we're coming, then."
"No." Nabiki stood on her toes and kissed her husband's cheek. "I want to surprise them."
*****
Ryoga bundled up the newspapers and carried them downstairs for disposal. His mother was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
"Mom, did Akari leave her number?"
Mrs. Hibiki handed Ryoga a small stack of notes. "More times than I can count."
Ryoga began to look through the notes. He couldn't believe how many times Akari had called him. That made him feel very guilty. He put his hand on the phone and it began to ring.
"Hello, Hibiki residence." Ryoga's eyes went wide, and his mother just smiled at him. She knew.
"Akari? I was just about to call you!"
Chapter 92
Shampoo looked up from the stove and saw Shiro standing in the doorway. He was leaning heavily on the doorframe, and looked positively miserable.
"Why are you out of bed, Husband?"
"I need something to drink."
"You should have called me." Shampoo pushed her husband into a chair and poured him a glass of juice. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
Shiro just shrugged, and sipped the juice. "I hurt too much. Feels like all my bones are broken."
"When you - " Shampoo grimaced and corrected herself. "When did you take your last pills?" She glanced over at the notes she'd attached to the refrigerator. "Six hours. Time for more." She got Shiro his medicine, and walked him back to bed. "Go to sleep. The soup I am making will be ready for lunch, and maybe it will make you feel better."
"Oh, no. Lunch!"
"What?" Shampoo looked very confused. "What is wrong with lunch?"
"Remember? We invited Ranma and Akane to lunch today!"
"Go to sleep. I will call them and explain."
*****
Ranma sat on the bathroom floor shivering. He had dragged himself out of bed to be sick, and was trying to motivate himself enough to get off the floor and back into bed. It almost seemed like too much trouble. Then the phone rang, and the sound of it went right through him. That was enough to get him off the floor and into the kitchen.
"Hello?"
"Hello Ranma! Airen sick!"
"I ain't your - " Ranma cut himself off abruptly. "Shiro's sick?"
"Yes. Very sick with flu. So it would not be a good idea to have lunch with us today."
"Lunch? I forgot!" Ranma pulled a chair closer to the phone and collapsed into it. "We couldn't have come anyway. I have the flu, and Akane does too."
"You too? I am only one without flu?"
"Yeah. Guess so."
"I am making soup for Shiro, to make him feel better. Will bring some for you and Akane."
"Shampoo? Don't bother, really. Shampoo? Damn, she's already gone."
"Ranma? Who was that?"
"Shampoo. Shiro has the flu, too." Ranma poured Akane a glass of juice, returned to the bedroom, and handed it to her. She took the glass and looked at it suspiciously.
"I hope I can keep this down. Come lie down, Ranma. You look awful."
"Thanks. So do you." Ranma ignored the face Akane made at him and crawled back into the futon. "On top of that, we're getting company. Shampoo said she's bringing soup."
Akane sipped some juice and put it down. "Tell her not to bother."
"I did. When did she EVER listen to ME?" Ranma waited for Akane to hit him, but instead she lay down and buried herself in the blankets.
"Never. I guess we're stuck."
*****
A young couple exited the Ube train station.
"Do you think we should find a hotel first, or go see Akane first?"
"Let us go see your sister first. Perhaps she or Ranma can recommend a place to stay."
The newly married pair strolled through town hand in hand, paying more attention to their surroundings than they had on their previous visit.
"Don't you think it's a little quiet?" Nabiki commented.
"Quiet?" replied her husband.
"There aren't enough people out on the streets. Where are all the students?"
"I don't know. That is quite unusual."
At that point the pair reached the house. They rang the doorbell, but got no answer.
"Do you think they're in class?" asked Nabiki.
"I don't know." Tatewaki tried looking through the window in the porch door, and jumped back slightly when it began to open and an old woman came out.
"Hello. What can I do for you?"
Nabiki smiled. "Hello. You must be Mrs. Takai. I am Nabiki Kuno, Akane's sister, and this is my husband, Tatewaki. I guess Akane isn't home."
"I believe she is. She and Ranma haven't left the house for a couple of days."
Nabiki suppressed a giggle. Mrs. Takai kept close tabs on who went in and out of her house. "Then I wonder why they didn't answer the bell. Do you think we should go up and knock?"
Mrs. Takai nodded, and led the way up the stairs. She stopped halfway up, looking rather worried. "I certainly hope they're not sick. So many of our young people have the flu."
*****
Akane opened her eyes and listened. Was that a knock? She took Ranma by the arm and shook him gently.
"Ranma? I think someone's at the door."
"It's gotta be Shampoo. You want me to get up?"
"Can you make it?"
"Yeah, I'd better. Otherwise she'll just come THROUGH the door."
*****
Nabiki listened for signs of life inside the apartment, and prepared to knock again. Then she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and the door opened. Ranma stood there, looking positively awful. He was pale, unshaven, and had shadows under his eyes. He also looked extremely irritated.
"Shampoo! I thought I told - Nabiki?"
"That's me. You look like hell, Ranma."
"Yeah. Nice to see you too." Ranma glanced up at Kuno, looked momentarily confused, and then shrugged. "Come on in."
"I'll be going downstairs now," said Mrs. Takai, and she retreated.
Tatewaki entered the apartment behind Nabiki, put down his and Nabiki's bags, and closed the door. "Is Akane sick as well?"
"Yes. She's trying to sleep." Ranma paused and looked toward the bedroom. "She's got it really bad. I'm worried about her."
Nabiki reached out and felt Ranma's forehead. "What about you? Shouldn't you be in bed?"
Ranma pushed Nabiki's hand away. "I WAS in bed!" he snapped. "But somebody knocked at the door!"
"Ranma?" a weak call from the other room saved Ranma from a slap. Nabiki forgave her brother-in-law very quickly when she saw his expression change from annoyance to concern before he hurried into the bedroom.
*****
Akane shivered. Why was she so cold when her fever was so high? And where was Ranma? Surely he must have let Shampoo in by now.
"Ranma?"
"Coming!"
Akane got up on one elbow as Ranma re-entered the bedroom. He looked more than a little rattled.
"Is something wrong?"
"We have company."
*****
"Cured?"
Ryoga nodded emphatically. "Cured."
"That's amazing! You must be so happy!" Akari put down her teacup and reached across the table to grasp Ryoga's hand. "What are you going to do now?"
"To start? I'm going back to school." Ryoga paused, and looked slightly embarrassed. "That is, if you can help me."
"Oh, Ryoga! I'd do anything for you!"
That was enough to cause Ryoga to go beet red and make him completely incoherent for quite some time. When he finally came to himself Akari was still sitting there smiling at him.
"You really meant that?"
Akari nodded.
"I want to go back to school, but I can't get there on my own. Would you - would you walk me there, and walk me home?"
"Of course I will!"
Ryoga looked down at their linked hands. Perhaps his life was finally getting better. No more curse, a chance to finish school, and a pretty girl who cared for him.
Yes. Life definitely looked better.
*****
"Company? You let somebody IN?"
Nabiki heard the annoyance in her sister's tone and was heading for the bedroom when Akane came flying out and nearly knocked her over in her haste to get to the bathroom. Ranma started in after her, but Nabiki put her hand on his arm.
"Go back to bed. I'll take care of her."
"You sure? She's not too easy to get along with right now."
Nabiki just laughed. "I know. Akane can be bitchy when she doesn't feel well. Go lie down."
"Thanks."
Ranma disappeared into the bedroom, and Nabiki opened the bathroom door and went inside.
*****
Tatewaki watched as his wife walked into the bathroom and closed the door, leaving him alone in the kitchen. He hesitated momentarily before opening the bedroom door. Ranma was just crawling into the futon. He waved one arm at him in a dismissive way.
"Sorry, Kuno. It's not a good time for company."
"I can see that, Ranma. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I don't think so. Shampoo's supposed to be bringing us some soup. I hope we can eat it."
Tatewaki frowned. "You cannot eat?"
"Neither of us can. Everything makes us - " Ranma didn't finish his sentence, and seemed to be staring intently at Kuno.
"Is something wrong?"
"What's that on your hand?"
Tatewaki held up his hand and looked at it. "I don't see anything."
"Your LEFT hand!"
"Oh! Are you referring to my wedding band?"
Ranma sat up and put his head in his hands. "Don't tell me you're my brother-in-law. Don't tell me."
It was no more than Tatewaki had expected. After all, there had never been anything approaching a friendship between the two men. It was time to make the attempt to change that. He came forward into the room and knelt down beside the futon.
"I was afraid of this, and yet I cannot blame you. Our past is regrettable, yet I would hope we could put it behind us and leave it there." As he spoke, Tatewaki held out his hand.
Ranma looked at the proffered hand for just a few seconds, and it was impossible for Tatewaki to guess what was going through his brother-in-law's mind. Then Ranma reached out and grasped Kuno's forearm.
"Welcome to the family."
Tatewaki allowed himself to breathe. "Thank you."
*****
A pair of arms encircled Akane and helped her off the floor - arms that weren't Ranma's.
"Shampoo, don't - "
"What makes you think I'm Shampoo?"
Akane whirled around. "Sis?"
Nabiki smiled at her. "I told Ranma he looked like hell. You're a matched pair."
Akane burst into tears, and Nabiki looked stricken.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She turned Akane to the sink and helped her wash her face. "I had NO idea you were that sick!"
Moments later Akane found herself seated at the kitchen table, watching her sister prepare a pot of tea. "How long have the two of you been like this?"
"I lost track. Two days, maybe? I really don't know."
"Well we're not going home until the two of you are better, and that's that!"
"We? Who else is here?"
Nabiki held up her left hand and waggled her diamonds in front of her sister's face. "My husband, that's who!"
Akane stared. There was only one person who could afford jewelry that expensive. She began laughing, but it came out more like a strangled shriek.
*****
The sound of knocking brought Ukyo out of a light doze. She had been sitting beside Konatsu's futon, watching him sleep, when her weariness overtook her.
[Stupid people! Can't they see the CLOSED sign?] Ukyo decided to ignore the knocking, but it soon began again. She dragged herself off the floor and made her way downstairs, muttering angrily. When she saw who was standing at the door it didn't improve her mood. Genma backed up a step or two when she opened the door and glared at him.
"You'd better have a damn good reason for being here!"
"I do. Will you give me a chance to tell you?"
Genma's humble response shocked Ukyo so much that she opened the door wide enough for him to enter.
"Tell me later. Konatsu's sick and I've been taking care of him." Ukyo started to close the door but a customer put his hand on it.
"Are you opening up?"
"Go ahead, Ukyo. I'll take care of Konatsu."
Ukyo hesitated. Every day the shop stayed closed she lost money, and she'd already spent a lot on Konatsu's medication.
"Sure. Come on in."
*****
"Mom, where are you going?"
"Shopping. Your father is coming home tonight, and I want to make him something special."
"You've got to be kidding, Mom! Dad never shows up when he's expected, and if you go shopping you won't come back for weeks!"
Mrs. Hibiki just laughed. "I don't get lost anymore, dear. Neither does your father."
"You WHAT? HOW?"
Ryoga's mother picked up her purse and walked to the door. "I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with getting older. I remember your grandparents didn't get lost much when they got to be my age. Are you coming with me?"
"Just don't let go of my hand, Mom!"
Chapter 93
"Akane!" Ranma came charging out of the bedroom, followed closely by Tatewaki. "What's going on? Why are you crying?"
"I'm not! I'm laughing!" Ranma stared at his wife as she went into a fit of uncontrolled giggling.
"What's funny? These two getting married?" Ranma noted that his new brother-in-law looked rather hurt. "I kinda like it!"
"So do I! But I was SO sure Nabiki would have a big, fancy wedding. Especially after what she said before our wedding." Akane gasped, and put both hands over her mouth.
"What did she say?" demanded Ranma.
Akane just sat there and looked at Nabiki.
"Go ahead and tell him, Sis. It's too late now."
"Well�when Nabiki found out we were getting married, she tried to talk me into having a bigger wedding. She said we'd get better gifts."
To Ranma's amazement, Tatewaki began to laugh. His laughter was infectious, and soon everyone in the room began to laugh. Unfortunately, laughing had a bad effect on Ranma, and he hastily started to push past his brother-in-law, who was blocking the bathroom door. He didn't make it.
Tatewaki looked down at the mess all over himself and the floor and back at Ranma, who wanted to die of embarrassment.
"I am certain you have wanted to do that for years."
Akane and Nabiki nearly died laughing. So did Tatewaki.
*****
Ryoga followed his mother around the marketplace, trying hard to resist the urge to hang onto her like a little kid. She seemed so sure of herself, and he was scared to death that he would lose her. He was extremely relieved when his mother finished shopping and walked him back home.
"What time is Dad coming?"
"He should be here in time for dinner." Ryoga's mother looked up from her cutting board and smiled at him. "Would you like to invite your young lady to join us? I'm sure your father would like to meet her."
"S-sure!" Ryoga tried to cover his nervousness with a smile. All he could think of was the time he had Akane and Akari in the house at the same time. If his father ever found out about that�"I'll call and invite her."
"The phone is that way, dear."
"Oh."
Akari was as enthusiastic about Ryoga's invitation to dinner as she had been about the prospect of walking him to school. She asked him three times if there was anything she could bring, and he hung up feeling a little dazed. There had been so many changes in his life that he didn't quite know how to handle them. His curse was gone, he was home safe with his mother, and he had a girlfriend of his very own. Somehow, Ryoga couldn't help feeling that it might be too much of a good thing.
*****
Genma placed a cool cloth on Konatsu's head, and pulled the covers up to the young man's chin. Konatsu shivered, and mumbled Ukyo's name.
"She's downstairs, Son. She'll be up to see you later."
Konatsu didn't reply, and Genma got up to stretch his legs. He had been sitting beside Konatsu's bed for hours, caring for him. It reminded him of a time many years ago when Ranma was ill and he cared for him through a very high fever. He wondered how his son and daughter-in-law were. Would they even want to see him? Genma pushed the thought aside. He would wait until Konatsu was well before he tried to see his son. He didn't want to bring the flu to him.
"How's he doing?" Genma jumped. Ukyo had come up the stairs so quietly that he hadn't heard her.
"Sleeping. His fever is still pretty high."
"I just locked up. Are you hungry?"
"A little."
Ukyo smiled a tight little smile. "I'm sure it's more than that. Come on downstairs and I'll fix something for both of us. Then you're going to explain to me why you're here."
*****
Shampoo smiled at Mrs. Takai when she opened the porch door. "Hello! I have soup for my friends. They are sick."
"I know they are, dear. Akane's sister is upstairs." Mrs. Takai stepped aside and waved at the staircase. "Go ahead up."
The young woman hurried up the stairs, wondering which of Akane's sisters was there. When she got to the top she was trying to figure out how to knock on the door without putting down the pot she was carrying when it opened and someone very unexpected emerged. Tatewaki stopped just short of bumping into Shampoo. She noted that he looked rather harried, and a little damp.
"What you--I mean--what are you doing here?"
Tatewaki opened the door wider and waved Shampoo inside. "I will let my wife explain that. Pardon me, but I have errands to run." Shampoo simply gaped at him as he walked past her and down the stairs.
The sight that greeted her when she walked inside made her mouth drop open wider. Nabiki was leaning out the kitchen window hanging clothes on the line, the washer was chugging away on what was evidently another load, and Ranma was sitting at the kitchen table with Akane in his lap. The two of them were wrapped in a blanket, and Akane had her eyes closed as she leaned against her husband.
Shampoo kicked the apartment door shut. "Why are you out of bed?"
Akane opened her eyes and smiled weakly at her friend. "Nabiki mentioned that our bedroom smelled funny, so I told her if she thought so she should wash the sheets for us. She's going to wash the blankets, too."
Nabiki made a face. "Me and my big mouth. How was I to know you guys didn't have any spare blankets?" She turned to Shampoo and shrugged. "I had to send my husband out to buy more, plus he's getting us something to sleep in. I can't leave these two until they're better."
Ranma scowled at his sister-in-law. "I told you, we can take care of ourselves!"
"Of course you can. That's why you haven't eaten in two days."
That was too much for Shampoo. She laughed uncontrollably as she placed the soup on the stove and turned on the gas. "Nabiki will be very good nurse! Will scold you until you are better." Then she stopped giggling and gestured at the pot. "This will help. Husband had some and it did not come back up again. He is sleeping now."
"I don't think I can handle it." Shampoo looked at Ranma indignantly but it didn't seem to work on him. "Honestly. Even the smell is--" The rest of the sentence went unfinished because Ranma stood up, placed Akane in the chair, and disappeared into the bathroom. Retching sounds soon followed. A short time later Ranma returned. He looked pale and exhausted, and was soon sitting at the table holding Akane's hand.
"I don't understand. There's nothing in me to come up!"
"That is why you need the soup!"
"If I say yes, will you at least stop talking? My head hurts!"
Shampoo suppressed a grin. Ranma was still easy to manipulate. "Of course."
*****
Ukyo toyed with her teacup, avoiding Genma's eyes. He had stumbled through his story very slowly, sometimes unable to complete his sentences. It was painfully obvious how embarrassed he was, and she didn't know what to say.
"So you see," Genma concluded, "my wife had her reasons for what she did, but that still doesn't make it right. She hurt you, and she hurt my son and Akane. She also hurt herself." He sighed, and put his head in his hands. "I don't know if I can ever make it right. I told No-chan I would try. In the meantime I intend to pay my debt to you. I still owe you."
"Ranma said the same thing," Ukyo murmured. Then she laughed softly. "That's funny, you know. The two of you want to pay me back, and all I really care about is that I didn't lose him. He's still my friend." Tears unexpectedly filled her eyes, and she reached for a napkin to dry them. "I don't know what I would have done if�if he--"
Ukyo suddenly found her hand gripped in one of Genma's large ones. "He didn't."
*****
Mrs. Hibiki hovered over Ryoga.
"Would you like some more, dear?"
"No thanks, Mom. I'm stuffed!"
Mrs. Hibiki beamed at her family. The table was piled high with so many of their favorite dishes that some of them were virtually untouched.
"I'll bring the dessert in."
Akari waited for Mrs. Hibiki to leave before she whispered in Ryoga's ear. "Do you eat like this ALL the time?"
Ryoga grinned. "Only when we can find the table."
Akari was still laughing when Mrs. Hibiki emerged from the kitchen with dessert. She looked curiously at her husband, but he just shrugged.
After dinner, Akari walked Ryoga to the school, where he signed up for classes and picked up his books. They were silent nearly all the way back home. It was impossible for Ryoga to tell what Akari was thinking. He wished that he had some sort of clue. Girls were such a mystery to him.
"Here we are." Akari's quiet statement made Ryoga jump. Then he realized that they were indeed back at his home.
"Th-thank you. I'm sorry I'm putting you to all this trouble for me. I -"
Akari's finger was on Ryoga's lips, preventing him from going further. "It's not any trouble at all." She paused, and Ryoga could see her blush in the dim light cast from the street lamps. "It's a good excuse, you see."
"An excuse?"
"To see you more often."
"Oh. Good." Ryoga half turned away. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
Akari didn't move. Ryoga felt himself drawn back, and stared at her. She wasn't saying anything, and she wasn't doing anything, but there was some sort of invitation in her eyes. He gulped, and set the books down on the front steps.
Ryoga hesitated still, and the look in Akari's eyes changed. He could feel a sort of crackling in the air between them, and then he recognized the look. It was the same sort of look Ranma had when he was ready for a fight, or Ukyo had when she was about to swing at someone with her spatula. It even reminded him of the way Akane would look at Ranma when she wanted him to eat something she'd prepared for him.
Challenge. It was a challenge. So, Akari was challenging him? No one would ever be able to say that a Hibiki would back down from one.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and took Akari in his arms.
*****
Shampoo tiptoed into the bedroom and went to Shiro's side. He was still sound asleep. She put her lips to his forehead, and smiled to find that his fever had gone down. Her therapeutic soup was very effective.
Shiro stirred, opened his eyes, and smiled at Shampoo. "Hi. I thought you were going to see Ranma and Akane."
"I did."
"How long have I been sleeping?" Shiro sat up and looked at the window.
"A couple of hours. You want something to eat?"
"Yes. A little more soup, please."
*****
"She owes me, you know. They both owe me," Nabiki groused, as she and Tatewaki fixed up Ranma and Akane's futon with fresh sheets and blankets. The other couple was in the shower, freshening up.
"I don't believe you mean that."
"Damn it, I can't fool you, can I?" Nabiki straightened up and kissed her husband's cheek. "It's just that this isn't what I had planned for the next few days. This was supposed to be an extension of our honeymoon!"
"I'll take you away the next time we have a break from classes. Right now we're needed here."
The sound of the shower stopped, and soon Nabiki could hear the voices of her sister and her husband as they dressed.
"They sound a little bit better. I wonder what Shampoo puts in that soup of hers."
Tatewaki frowned thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is best that she didn't tell us. It is effective, and that is sufficient."
"It's also good."
Shampoo had insisted that Nabiki and Tatewaki also have some soup. "Will keep flu away from you!" had been her words, and that had been enough to make them sit down and serve themselves. Neither of them wanted the flu.
The bathroom door opened and Ranma and Akane emerged. They both still looked pale, but there was something about them that made the Kunos certain that they were on the mend. Nabiki stepped to one side and gestured at the futon.
"Back in bed, both of you!"
"Bossy woman," muttered Ranma, but the twinkle in his eye took the sting out of his words. The pair was soon tucked in, and sound asleep.