COS94-96
A Change of Scene, Chapters 94-96
by June "KaraOhki" Geraci
July 10, 2002
Ranma 1/2 and its characters were borrowed from Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for noncommercial purposes only.
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Chapter 94
Nabiki left Ranma and Akane's bedroom and quietly closed the door. Her husband looked up from the book he was reading.
"Are they still sleeping?"
"Yes, and I think the fever is gone. Ranma stopped thrashing around." Nabiki laughed. "It's a wonder he hasn't given Akane a black eye with all the tossing and turning."
The telephone interrupted them. Nabiki grabbed it before the ringing could wake up her sister or her husband.
*****
Genma put his hand on the light switch and looked over his shoulder at the restaurant. The grill gleamed, there wasn't a speck of dust on the floor, and everything was in its place. He switched off the lights and walked over to the telephone. The restaurant was bathed in eerie orange lights that came in from the street, making the room seem even quieter as he dialed. Someone picked up rather quickly, and Genma was surprised to hear the voice on the other end.
"Hello, Saotome residence."
"Nabiki?"
"Uncle Saotome? Yes, it's me."
"May I speak to Ranma, please?"
"He's sleeping. He's got the flu, and so does Akane. Are you at home? I can ask him to call you back when he wakes up."
"No, I'm here in Ube. I'm staying at Ukyo's. Are you taking care of them?"
"Yes. They were pretty sick, but they're getting better."
"Konatsu's got it. He was so sick Ukyo had to close the restaurant until I got here."
"But why are you--"
"When Ranma's better, I'll explain it to him and his wife. Call me when they're up to company." Genma could hear Nabiki begin to protest, but he hung up the phone anyway and sat down at the counter. Evidently he would have to wait before he could talk to his son. The realization that he had been granted a reprieve gave Genma a short-lived sense of relief. Then he firmly suppressed it. He had come to Ube to tell Ranma the truth, and to bear any embarrassment that came with it.
*****
Nabiki found herself talking to dead air. She replaced the receiver in its cradle and sat down next to her husband. "I think Ranma and his father have some kind of a problem with each other."
"Really? What makes you say that?"
"The way he spoke to me just now. You know how Uncle Saotome is--always loud and forceful. Tonight he sounded almost meek."
"That does not sound like Mr. Saotome at all. I cannot think of him and meek in the same sentence. It does not fit."
Nabiki grinned wickedly. "Sort of like meek and Tatewaki Kuno?"
"I thought you said I had improved." The statement was accompanied by such a hurt look that Nabiki immediately repented.
"I'm sorry! It was just a joke!" Nabiki started to rise from her chair but her husband reached out and grabbed her. As he did, the expression on his face changed from hurt to gleeful.
"Got you!"
*****
"Did you hear something?"
Ranma opened one eye. "What?"
"I thought I heard something. I think it was the phone." Akane got up on one elbow and started to push the blanket aside. Ranma's hand grabbed the blanket and held it in place.
"Don't go out there."
"Why not?"
"Listen!"
Akane listened. Then she blushed. "I think I'll stay here."
Ranma gathered her into his arms. "Good. That's where I want you."
"I'm not arguing." Akane snuggled closer. "This feels too good."
A soft chuckle was Ranma's only response as he went back to sleep.
*****
"I do hope you enjoy this soup. It was Ranma's favorite when he was a little boy."
Kasumi smiled at Nodoka, and quietly poked her father's knee under the table. He was too absorbed in his paper to notice. She poked him again, and he lowered the paper to look at her curiously.
"Did you want something, Kasumi?"
"Nothing, Father!" Kasumi's words contradicted her actions. She glanced at the soup, and then looked back up at her father. Kasumi shook her head slightly and resumed her conversation with Nodoka.
"Really? I'll have to learn to make it for the next time he and Akane visit."
Soun put down the paper. "Excuse me. I forgot there was somewhere I needed to go."
"But Father, what about dinner?"
Soun picked up a piece of fruit. "This will do for now." As he withdrew his hand from the fruit bowl he knocked over Kasumi's soup, which landed in her lap. "Oh! Did I burn you?"
Kasumi was already dabbing at herself with a napkin. "No, no, it's mostly on my apron. Excuse me, I need to change." She was out of her seat and upstairs before Nodoka could blink. When she looked again, Soun was gone.
Nodoka sighed, and picked up her spoon. "I guess I'm eating alone again." One sip later, a woman with a rather green complexion was pouring all of the soup out.
Upstairs, Kasumi finished changing into a clean dress. "I do wish Auntie wouldn't try to cook while she's so upset," she murmured. "Her dishes are coming out as badly as Akane's once did."
*****
By Friday morning Ranma was feeling well enough to get out of bed, and immediately got into a friendly argument with Nabiki about sending her and her husband home.
"You're sure it's okay?"
Ranma laughed. "Nabiki, how many times are you going to ask? I'm a lot better, so you don't need to stay."
"But what about Akane?"
"I can handle it! Aren't you missing a lot of classes?"
"Ranma is right. It is time for us to return home."
Nabiki groaned and went into the bedroom. "Sis, those two are ganging up on me!"
"I heard. Does that mean you're leaving?"
"I guess." Nabiki knelt down next to the futon. "Are you sure you'll be all right?"
"Ranma will take good care of me. Don't worry."
"That's why I'm worrying! Ow! Don't hit!"
Akane grinned. "I'm too weak to hurt you!" Then she pulled her sister into a hug. "Thank you for taking care of us. We really needed you."
"Just hurry up and get better. I want you to come to Nerima when we break the news to Daddy."
"Deal."
*****
"The following announcement is for all students of Ube College. Classes will resume Monday morning. I repeat: Ube College will resume its normal schedule�."
Ranma's attention was drawn from the radio to the telephone when it began to ring.
"Hello? Nabiki? Did you forget something?"
"Yes! Your father called last night. He wanted you to call when you were feeling better."
"Thanks. I'll call home."
"He's not there. He's at Ukyo's place. Look, I've got to go, our train's here. Take good care of my little sister."
Ranma hung up the phone and turned off the radio. "Wonder what Pop's doing in town," he muttered as he walked into the bedroom. He needed to tell Akane about it.
*****
"Husband, school will start on Monday. Do you think you will be able to go?"
Shiro sat up and rubbed his eyes. "I think so. At least I�ll have the weekend to get myself back on my feet." With those words, he pushed the blankets aside and got up. "I'm going to take a shower. Would you like to take a walk after? I need some fresh air." Shiro's back was to Shampoo, so he didn't notice the hesitant look on her face before she responded.
"Yes, I would love to take a walk."
*****
�Who was on the phone, Ranma?�
�Nabiki. She forgot to tell me Pop was in town. He�s staying with Ukyo.�
That remark was enough to make Akane sit up. �Why?�
�I don�t know. He wants to talk to me.� Ranma squatted down next to the futon. "I thought I'd let you sleep and go over to see him."
Akane pushed back the blankets. "I'm coming with you."
"Why?
"Because I want to know what's going on, too. Your father went back to Nerima, and now that your mother is there he's come back here? Something weird is going on."
Ranma looked annoyed "Don�t you think I know that?"
His wife grinned impishly. "Sometimes I wonder."
"Hey!"
*****
"How's he doing?"
Genma stepped out into the hallway to talk to Ukyo. "He slept well. I was going downstairs to get him some breakfast."
Ukyo smiled. "You mean he's hungry?"
"Very. Go sit with him. I'll bring you both breakfast."
He turned toward the stairs but didn't get more than a step before Ukyo spoke.
"Thank you."
He turned around to see Ukyo standing with her hands clasped together, looking at the floor. She fidgeted a moment before looking up. "I wasn't glad to see you when you showed up the other day, but I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here. I'm sorry."
"You had every right to feel the way you did." Genma took a step closer, and held out one hand. "Truce?"
Ukyo hesitated a moment before taking Genma's hand. "Yeah, I think so. It's about time."
*****
"Are you sure you're well enough to come with me?"
Akane suppressed the urge to get violent. "I'm fine! Don't baby me!"
Ranma threw up his hands. "Okay, okay! Just don't blame ME if your fever comes back!"
"I won't." Akane paused, and smiled at her husband. The aftereffects of the flu were making the both of them very short-tempered. "Let's go."
*****
"Ukyo-sama, I really must get up and go back to work."
The young man had been sitting up but the next second he was flat on his back. Ukyo had pushed him over with very little effort.
"Really? You think you could handle it? I don't."
"But--"
"But nothing! You're going to stay right here until I say otherwise."
Konatsu beamed at her. "Thank you for caring." He reached out and stroked Ukyo's hand before wrapping his fingers around hers.
Ukyo looked down at the linked hands, and then into Konatsu's eyes. "Of course I care!"
When Genma came in with their breakfast, he found the two holding hands and smiling shyly at each other. He put the tray down, left the room quickly, and shut the door behind him. Perhaps this would be the beginning of happier times for Ukyo. The thought left him rather quickly when he returned downstairs and found his son at the door.
*****
"Where do you want to go?"
Shiro shrugged, and picked a direction at random. "I don't know. I just needed to get out."
"You were tired of being in bed." Shampoo smiled and squeezed her husband's hand. "Are you sure you are all right?"
"I'm fine. As long as we're out, do you want to do any shopping?" Shiro gestured down the next street, where there were several small shops. The fish market there was one of Shampoo's favorite destinations.
Just thinking about the smell of fish made Shampoo feel ill. "No thank you. We have plenty of food in the refrigerator."
Shiro looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"I'm just tired." To Shampoo's surprise, Shiro took her by the arm and reversed direction.
"You wore yourself out taking care of me. Let's go home."
*****
Genma unlocked the door and let Ranma in. Akane was right behind him, and Genma used the few seconds it took for him to re-lock the door to regain his emotional balance. He had not counted on his daughter-in-law's presence. Then he shrugged, and headed behind the counter to make a pot of tea. Akane would learn the truth sooner or later, so sooner would have to do.
"Sit down. Are you sure you should be out? The both of you are very pale."
Ranma brushed the remark aside. "We're fine, Pop. Nothing gets us down for long. Nabiki said you were looking for me."
Genma nodded and poured the tea. "It's about your mother."
"What's with her, Pop? She didn't have any business treating Akane the way she did, and putting ideas in Ukyo's head like that! Ukyo had enough problems before Mom came along, and she got her even worse!"
"I know, Son." Genma sipped his tea. "Your mother had a reason for what she did, and it was valid enough for her."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mother was in a hurry to have grandchildren, because it doesn't look like it will be possible for her and I to have any more children."
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A Change of Scene
Chapter 95
Ranma flinched. His parents were trying to have another child? For a moment all he could picture was what would be necessary for them to do in order to have one, and that concept kept him from speaking. That was all the opportunity his father needed to keep talking without interruption.
"Your mother has been wanting another child for a long time. She's always wanted a daughter. But, well, nothing happened."
Genma paused. He was looking at his lap, his hands clenched together. He glanced up. Akane nodded, and Ranma looked a little dazed. Genma punched his son in the arm to get his attention, and continued.
"Your mother went to see a doctor. She didn't tell me about it until afterwards, when she dragged me to see him, and he said--" Genma stopped short and turned extremely red. That gave Ranma a chance to return the punch.
"C'mon, Pop. Tell me."
"It's not your mother. It's me. I have no sperm count."
"You mean a low one?"
Genma shook his head. "No. I mean none." He glanced at Akane, who had turned bright red with embarrassment. "I didn't mean for Ranma to bring you along, daughter. I wanted to tell him, and let him tell you."
Akane reached across the counter and patted her father-in-law's hand. "It's my fault. I wanted to come. Would you like me to go home?"
"No. The next part involves you. You see, No-chan got it into her head that Ranma HAD to father a child while he was still young. When the two of you said you wanted to wait, she chose to believe that you, Akane, didn't want children."
"But that's not true!"
"I know, but No-chan just wouldn't listen."
Ranma grimaced. "So that's why she was pushing Ukyo at me. Poor Mom was pretty messed up, wasn't she?"
"She still is, Son. She believes you hate her."
"Hate her?"
Genma looked at his son for a long moment before responding. "Did you give her any reason to think otherwise? What happened the last time you saw her?"
Ranma thought back, and winced. "I threw her out." He felt Akane squeeze his hand, and clasped hers gratefully. "You know I don't hate her, Pop. I was--I was just--"
"Furious?"
"Yeah."
"I DID tell her that would happen." Genma got up and paced around. "She just wouldn't listen. Your mother can be like that, you know."
Ranma looked even more upset. "No. I don't know."
"Ranma, what are you talking about!"
It was Ranma's turn to get up. He pulled his hand out of Akane's and turned his back on his father for a minute. Then he turned back and looked his father in the eye. "I don't remember her from before our trip. You know that. Then I got stuck pretending I was a girl, so that's how she treated me! It was kinda nice when we all lived together at the Tendos' house, but after Jusendo you two moved out and I stayed there. I really wanted a chance to get to know Mom, but I never got it! I don't even know how to talk to her!"
As Ranma spoke he became more and more agitated, and his voice got louder and louder. Akane started to get up, but a gesture from Genma kept her at the counter. Instead, Ranma's father came around to his son, grasped his shoulders, and gave him a rough shake.
"Then learn! There isn't a thing that MY son can't learn!"
Ranma's expression grew determined. "Damn right there isn't! C'mon, Akane, let's go home. I've got a phone call to make."
"She's staying at the Tendos."
"Thanks, Pop." Ranma dragged Akane out of Ucchan's, barely allowing her time to say goodbye to his father. As the door closed behind them, Genma smiled.
"I guess I pushed the right button."
*****
Akane watched her husband's face as they walked. He still looked determined, and also a little nervous. She didn't blame him. Nodoka Saotome was a proud, determined woman, and not always easy to get along with.
That wasn't what was foremost in Akane's mind. Something Ranma said to his father was bothering her, and she couldn't rest before asking him about it. It was a sensitive subject, and she felt hesitant about discussing it in public, so she forced herself to keep her mouth shut, and she welcomed the appearance of Shiro and Shampoo as a distraction from her thoughts.
"So you're out of bed too," Shiro said by way of greeting. "I really needed some fresh air."
Akane nodded. "I was so tired of being inside. It feels good to be out in the sun."
"Yeah, but I've got to get Shampoo home. She's tired from taking care of me." As he spoke, Shiro took Shampoo's arm.
"I am fine, really."
Akane took a good look at her friend. Shampoo was pale. "I agree with Shiro. You look like you need some sleep."
"Two against one! I'm taking you home." Shiro dragged Shampoo off, but stopped after a few steps and turned around. "I'll call you later."
They were gone so quickly that the Saotomes barely had time to say goodbye.
*****
Ranma was in such a hurry to call his mother that he missed the hook in the closet when he put away his jacket, and it fell onto the floor. Akane retrieved it and put it back where it belonged before retreating into the bedroom. Ranma deserved to have some privacy while he spoke to Nodoka. She turned on the radio and got out a book, hoping to keep herself distracted, but neither tactic worked.
Then the bedroom door opened, and Ranma beckoned her into the kitchen. Ranma was listening intently to his mother, and the look he gave Akane told her that he was getting irritated at his mother.
"Mom, I understand how you feel, but there's something you've got to hear. You stuck me in the middle, between you and Akane. I know you're my Mom and all, but if you make me choose, Akane's always going to win."
Evidently Nodoka took exception to Ranma's statement, because he had to hold the phone several inches away from his ear.
"Mom! We're supposed to be making up, not fighting! I didn't say I don't love you, and I'm not saying I don't respect you, but Akane's always going to come first, and that's all there is to it! Yeah, I know it's not traditional--"
Akane tried to keep a neutral expression as Ranma listened to his mother again. She could hear Nodoka crying. Then Ranma put his hand over the phone's mouthpiece.
"You talk to her. She's got it in her head that you hate her. It took me all this time to convince her that I don't." Ranma put the phone back to his ear. "Mom? Akane wants to talk to you."
Akane took the phone, but had no idea how to start. "Hello?" she said hesitantly.
"Akane?"
"Yes, it's me. Are you all right?"
Akane heard some sniffling before Nodoka spoke again. "I've driven you away, haven't I? You hate me, don't you?"
"No, of course not! I was angry at you, but not now."
"Can you forgive me?"
Akane thought for a moment. What she said now would affect her relationship with her mother-in-law for the rest of their lives. "I can, but there's something I need from you first."
"Yes?"
"Trust. I want you to trust Ranma, and trust me. If we make a decision, support us instead of getting in between us. Can you do that?"
"I can try, daughter."
*****
Akane hung up the phone and just stared at it. Then she looked up at her husband, who seemed rather anxious. When she started to giggle, his expression changed from apprehension to confusion.
"What's so funny?"
"I thought moving to the other end of Japan was going to make our lives easier. Guess I was wrong."
Ranma began to chuckle. "With OUR families? I think if we went into outer space they'd track us down."
"And make us get into fights." Akane had the brief mental image of a panda in a space suit, but quickly suppressed it.
"Yeah." Ranma's expression grew serious again. "We don't fight a lot. Not the way we used to. Except when Mom interferes with us." He sighed. "I wish she'd stop. She said she would, but sooner or later she's gonna forget and start again."
Akane walked around the table and sat down in her husband's lap. "Have a little more faith in her. She said she would try."
Whatever Ranma was going to say was interrupted by the telephone. He lifted Akane off his lap and set her on her feet. "That's probably Shiro."
*****
Nabiki smiled happily as she followed her husband into their bedroom, where he put their suitcases on the bed and opened them. The two of them began to unpack.
"I missed this bed."
"You did not like sleeping on the floor?"
"Not really." Nabiki opened the hamper and began tossing dirty clothing into it. "I've always preferred a bed, ever since Mom got me one when I was little. That's probably one of the reasons I don't like camping. I like to be comfortable, and sleeping on the ground is something I've never gotten used to."
Tatewaki nodded. "That should not be difficult. If it is your desire to be comfortable, then I will make it my business to assure that you are." He finished unpacking as he spoke, and put his suitcase away in the closet. As he returned for Nabiki's suitcase, Tatewaki glanced at his bedside table. The light on the answering machine was on, and he pushed the play button.
"Brother? Brother, pick up the phone! I must talk to you!"
Nabiki winced at the sound of the phone being slammed down. Then the next message began to play.
"I do not see how avoiding me is going to solve this family crisis, Brother! This so-called marriage of yours is simply not acceptable, and I demand that you rectify the situation immediately!"
Tatewaki looked from the machine to his wife. She was pale, and he couldn't tell if it was anger or if she was upset by his sister's words. He quickly fast-forwarded the tape for a few seconds, and listened again. More of the same. It took him only a couple of minutes for him to ascertain that the balance of the tape was his sister's second message. She had gone into a rant, her words becoming more and more abusive and irrational. He erased the tape, walked around the bed, and gathered his trembling wife into his arms.
"Don't let her upset you. There is absolutely nothing my sister can do or say that will change my mind about you. Her opinion means nothing to me."
"I'm not upset, or at least not the way you think." Nabiki swallowed hard. "How dare she tell you what to do? You are the head of the Kuno clan, not Kodachi! She should be listening to you!"
Tatewaki chuckled and sat down on the bed, pulling his wife down beside him. "Technically, my father still holds that title, but--" he lifted a hand to stop the objection Nabiki was already starting to make--"he did give up any rights to the position when he ran back to Hawaii. It is now my responsibility to take care of my sister, and that is a very delicate situation. I will have to give a great deal of thought to the matter."
*****
Ranma shook his head when he heard Shiro's suggestion, even though his friend obviously couldn't see it. "Tomorrow morning? No, that won't work. We've got to head over to the gym tomorrow and see if we have any students show up."
"You're still teaching those martial arts students?"
"Yeah. That and some basic self-defense for an American girl who's over here teaching. We're trading--Allison's helping me with English, and I'm paying her by teaching the self-defense."
Shiro chuckled. "Trading goods and services. Sounds good to me! But don't change the subject. You want to go tomorrow afternoon instead?"
"Sure, sounds great. We'll meet you there around one. Are you sure Shampoo's up to it?"
"She's taking a nap. I think she wore herself out taking care of me, and just needs some rest."
"Okay. See you tomorrow then. We'll meet you there."
Ranma hung up the phone and turned around. Akane was standing there.
"Where are we going tomorrow?"
"Swimming."
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A Change of Scene
Chapter 96
Ranma sat watching his sleeping wife, debating whether or not to join her. After he'd told her about Shiro's invitation to join him and Shampoo on campus at the indoor pool, they'd had a minor argument. It seemed to Ranma that Akane was making excuses to avoid going to the pool, and he wasn't about to let her get away with it.
"You taught me to skate. I teach you to swim. We had a deal, remember?"
"Yes, but--"
"No buts! A deal's a deal."
"All right, but you have to promise something."
"Yeah?"
Akane blushed. "No teasing. No 'hammer girl' cracks. If you're not going to be serious about teaching me, then don't bother."
"Deal."
Once that was settled, Akane had decided to take a nap. Ranma wanted to tease her about how he'd told her not to come out with him because it would tire her out, but thought better of it. Nabiki had been quite right when she said that Akane was difficult to get along with when she wasn't feeling well. He had the feeling that something was bothering her besides weariness, and wondered what it could be.
The more Ranma watched Akane sleep, the more tempted he was to join her. Perhaps a nap was a good idea, after all.
*****
Ukyo had her back to the door of the shop when it opened, and quickly whirled to give her standard welcome. Her smile became brighter and the welcome warmer when she saw that her visitor was Shiro.
"Nice to see you, too, Ukyo." Then Shiro noticed someone unexpected behind the counter, busily chopping vegetables. "Mr. Saotome! I didn't expect to see you here."
"Ranma's father has been helping me out for a few days," Ukyo responded before Genma could. "It's a good thing, because Konatsu had a bad case of the flu. He's still in bed."
"Him too? I just got up today."
"I see." Ukyo gestured at the grill. "Is that why you're here? Is Shampoo too sick to cook?"
Shiro laughed. "No, she's worn out from taking care of me. Plus she insisted on making a huge pot of soup and bringing it up to Ranma and Akane. They had it bad. She came back with the weirdest news, though."
"Oh?"
"I figured she'd end up taking care of all of us, but Akane's sister Nabiki was there with her husband, and they had everything under control."
"HUSBAND?" All eyes turned to Genma, who had dropped his knife on the floor, barely missing his toes. "WHAT husband?"
"Oops!" said Shiro.
*****
"Ranma?"
"Mmm?"
"Ranma?"
Akane giggled as Ranma opened one eye and peered at her. "Huh?"
"You hungry?"
Both eyes opened. "Yeah. Want to go out?"
"I already cooked." Akane leaned down and kissed Ranma. "Besides, I can't talk to you if we're in a restaurant. Not the way I want to."
Ranma sat up and backed away. "What did I do now?"
"You didn't do anything. I'm just curious about something you said to your father today." Ranma opened his mouth, but Akane put a finger to his lips. "Go wash up. I'll set the table."
*****
"What's this about Nabiki having a husband?" Genma looked more than a little stunned as he asked the question.
"If you don't know about it, then I guess it was supposed to be a secret."
"Then Tendo doesn't know yet. Who is it?"
"That Kuno guy. The one who tried to break up Ranma and Akane's wedding." Shiro would have continued, but when Ukyo broke up into hysterical laughter he stopped talking and stared. It took a few minutes for Ukyo to come to herself.
"Let me get this straight. Nabiki Tendo is married to Tatewaki Kuno and nobody knew about it? She married one of the richest guys we know and didn't have a huge, fancy wedding?" Ukyo paused for a moment, deep in thought. Then her eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. "I've got it! She's HAS to be pregnant!"
*****
"Akane? I thought you wanted to talk to me."
"I'm not sure where to start."
"How about at the beginning?"
"Okay." Akane sat for a few seconds, and then put down her chopsticks and looked directly at Ranma. "After our first wedding got wrecked, your parents decided to move back to their house. Remember what Daddy did?"
Ranma chuckled. "Yeah, he told Pop I couldn't go with him. Something about him thinking Pop would find me another fiancee if I wasn't with you. Like I didn't have enough! But why are you asking me?"
"I need to know something." Akane hesitated, and looked away.
"What is it? Why are you afraid to ask me?"
"You told your father that you missed out on getting to know your mother because you had to stay behind. Were you angry? Did you want to go?"
"No."
"No?"
Ranma reached across the table and took Akane's hand. "No way was I going to leave you. I nearly lost you at Jusendo, and you could have been killed at the wedding! I wasn't letting you out of my sight."
"I had no idea. You didn't show it."
"Yeah. I was afraid to. But I kept having those nightmares, and I kept sneaking into your room to make sure you were okay. I spent a lot of nights watching you."
Akane stared. "You did?"
"Yeah." Ranma looked sheepish. "I felt better if I could see you."
"I was so worried! I thought you resented it because you didn't go with your parents. That's the way it sounded to me when you were talking to your father today."
That was too much for Ranma. He got up from the table, went around to Akane, and pulled her out of her chair and into his arms. "Never. I would never regret staying with you."
Akane pulled back enough to look up into Ranma's eyes. "You're sure? Even though you missed out on being with your mother?"
"I'm sure." Ranma took Akane's chair, and scooped her into his lap. He picked up her chopsticks and grabbed some noodles. "Eat."
*****
"I think I made a really big mistake," said Shiro as he walked in with dinner.
"Oh? Did you get the wrong order?" Shampoo reached for the boxes as she spoke, and Shiro handed them to her.
"I wish it was that simple. I happened to mention that Nabiki and her husband had been visiting here, and it seems nobody knew that they were married. Now Ukyo's convinced that Nabiki is pregnant."
Shampoo was utterly confused. "Why?"
Shiro shrugged. "She said Nabiki would have to be pregnant if she skipped a big fancy wedding, or something like that. It didn't make any sense to me."
"That makes sense to me. Perhaps Ukyo is right."
"I wish I understood how women think!"
Shampoo just laughed.
*****
To Ranma's surprise, there was only one person waiting at the gym the following morning. Allison was there, and she wasn't dressed for practice. She was also rather pale, and looked tired.
"You had it too, didn't you?" asked Akane.
"So did most of my students, and a lot of the teachers," Allison replied. She gestured at the empty gym. "I guess your students are taking the weekend off."
Ranma shrugged. "That'll give me and Akane the place to ourselves. We can get in a real workout. What about you?"
Allison blushed. "Actually, I came to say goodbye. I'm going home."
"Home? To California?"
"That's right. I'm so sorry about your tutoring. If you like, I could arrange for somebody else to take over, except I don't think anybody else would be willing to take martial arts lessons in exchange."
"Nah, I can manage on my own now. You helped a lot. But how come you're heading home so suddenly? I thought--OW!!" Akane had elbowed Ranma in the ribs.
"Mind your business!" she hissed.
"No, no that's okay!" Allison laughed at Ranma's embarrassed look. "I�m going home to get married."
That got Akane's full attention. "Really? What's he like?"
"Now who's being nosy?" demanded Ranma, but Allison wasn't listening. She was too busy digging in her purse.
"Here's a picture of the two of us," she said, and handed a photograph to Akane. When Akane looked at it, she saw a handsome oriental man standing beside Allison, with his arm around her.
"Oh, the two of you are CUTE!"
Ranma looked over Akane's shoulder. "Yup. You make a nice looking couple. Almost the nicest I've ever seen."
Allison grinned. "And I suppose the nicest are�?"
"Me and Akane, of course."
"I would have been disappointed if you didn't say that."
*****
Akane emerged from the locker room after showering, and found Ranma waiting for her. He looked a little impatient.
"I've gotta get to the store."
"What for?"
Ranma turned a little bit red. "I can't believe I forgot that I don't have a guy's bathing suit!"
"It didn't even occur to me!" Akane paused for a second, and then gave Ranma an evil look. "Does that mean I can have your old ones?"
"Yeah, but they looked better on me."
Akane socked her husband.
*****
Shiro and Shampoo were already in the pool by the time Ranma and Akane got there. Ranma immediately ran down to the deep end and plunged in, absolutely delighted to be able to swim without turning into a girl. He watched as Akane cautiously walked down the steps into the shallow end. She took several deep breaths, and walked forward until she was waist high in the water. Then she nodded at him. "I'm ready."
Ranma swam up to Akane, stood, and took her by the arms. They felt like stone. "This isn't gonna work if you don't relax." He brought one hand down to the small of her back and pushed gently, bringing Akane's feet off the bottom of the pool. She gasped and he had to catch her to keep her from going under.
"What are you doing?"
"Just loosen up! We're going to start with floating." Ranma adjusted his grip so that one arm was beneath Akane's back, and the other beneath her legs. "Pretend you're lying down on a bed. I'll be right here."
Akane nodded, closed her eyes, and Ranma felt her begin to loosen up. A few seconds later, he could feel that she was no longer being held up by him, but floating. Ranma let his hands drift slightly downward, so that they were not touching Akane but hovering just a bit below her. Her eyes flew open, she panicked, and sank.
Shiro winced. "They're not doing very well, are they?"
"Akane very bad swimmer. Very bad."
"Maybe we shouldn't stare. You want to get a soda?"
"I would like that."
*****
Akane felt Ranma patting her back as she clung to him, choking. He was murmuring something that sounded encouraging, so she suppressed the desire to hit him. That didn't mean she wasn't going to tell him what she thought of his behavior. "Why did you let go? Are you CRAZY?"
"You were floating on your own. My hands were right under you in case you needed me."
"I was?" Akane lifted her face from Ranma's chest and stared at him. He didn't look like he was joking. "You're sure?"
"Positive. You wanna try again?"
"Yes."
When the Hayasukas returned to the pool fifteen minutes later, they found the Saotomes floating in the shallow end of the pool, hand in hand. Unfortunately, their spontaneous applause caused Akane to pick up her head, and she sank.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to distract you!" Shiro put the sodas down on a nearby table and jumped into the pool to assist Akane. "I think you need to learn NOT to breathe underwater."
"I've been telling her that for years," muttered Ranma. "Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
"You promised not to tease!"
Ranma grabbed Akane and forced her to look at him. "I wasn't teasing. I was serious. Every time your face is in the water, you forget to hold your breath. So we're gonna stop floating now, and do something else."
Akane looked at Ranma suspiciously. "What?"
"Wait a sec." Ranma left the pool, rummaged around in his bag, and came up with a koosh ball. "How about a game of catch?" He looked at Shiro and Shampoo, who were seated at one of the tables with their sodas. "You two want to join us?"
"In a minute or two." Shiro gestured to the table. "I got sodas for the two of you, if you want them."
*****
Twenty minutes later a very exhausted Akane stretched out on one of the lounges and watched Ranma and Shiro roughhousing in the deep end. Shampoo was beside her on another lounge, half asleep. Akane was still a little angry at Ranma, but she was beginning to cool down. After all, he had meant well, even if his methods were not exactly nice.
The four-way game of catch started out nicely, with the koosh going back and forth in perfect arcs. Then Ranma's toss to Akane was slightly short, and she lunged for it. She nearly lost her balance, caught the ball, and tossed it to Shampoo.
A few throws later, Ranma was once again short, but even more so than the first time. Akane lunged again, and fell face-first into the water. She came up choking to find him beside her, not touching her, but close enough to help if she needed it.
"You okay?" he'd asked, and her nod made him return to his own position.
After this happened twice more, Akane remembered to hold her breath, but she also became very suspicious. It wasn't like Ranma to miss a throw, and the only ones he was missing were to her. He was making her fall into the water on purpose, and she was going to get him back.
"Hey, Tomboy! Heads up!" Once more the koosh was coming in short. This time Akane held her breath, and jumped in after it.
As he had every other time, Ranma hurried to Akane in case she needed help. For some reason, she hadn't surfaced. Then he felt a small hand grasp his ankle and pull. This time he was the one who came up spluttering. "What was that about?" he demanded.
"Look who's talking! YOU'RE the one who's been making me fall in!"
Ranma's angry looked softened. "Yeah. It was the only way I could think of to make you used to getting your face in the water. It's working, isn't it?"
"You could have warned me first!" Akane turned her back on Ranma and walked out of the pool. Her husband had apologized, and she had accepted the apology, but that was the end of going into the pool for the day. She had had enough.
Akane forced her thoughts away from her irritation at Ranma, and she glanced over at Shampoo. The girl was definitely sound asleep. That was unusual. Shampoo normally had the most energy of most of the people Akane knew, but today she had tired out very quickly.
Her attention was drawn next to the men in the pool. Ranma and Shiro were still fooling around in the deep end, throwing the koosh back and forth and jumping on each other. The two of them were having a wonderful time.
Akane watched Shiro, who was obviously outclassed by Ranma. He was by no means out of shape, or fat, but he simply wasn't a martial artist. That wasn't preventing Shiro from trying to outdo Ranma, though, and Akane admired his determination.
Then she found herself wondering what it was about Shiro that had attracted Shampoo to him. He was handsome enough, but Akane felt no pull toward him at all. She thought about it some more, and concluded that Shiro's looks probably weren't the answer. There was something about the man that made him easy to like. Then she realized what it was. Kindness. Shiro was the kindest person she'd met at Sanna College, and he had shown that part of himself to Shampoo the morning they met, when he handed her his orange juice. No wonder Shampoo had fallen for him. She'd received little enough kindness from anyone since her arrival in Japan.
Satisfied that the mystery was solved, Akane closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
*****
"Do the two of you have any plans for break?" Shiro looked at Ranma in the rear view mirror. "Please say no."
"Um, no?" replied Ranma.
"Good! Don't make any. We want you to come to the beach house with us."
"We would have a good time," added Shampoo. "Please come."
Akane smiled. "I love the beach!"
Ranma squeezed her hand. "Yeah, and I bet you could learn to swim easier there."
"Why?"
"Salt water makes you more buoyant, so that'll give you an advantage."
"I need all the advantages I can get," replied his wife.