Cinders 5





Cinders
A Ranma 1/2 fanfiction by June "KaraOhki" Geraci

May 18, 2000



Ranma 1/2 and its universe was created by Rumiko Takahashi, and belongs to her. This work of fiction was written for entertainment only, and is not intended for commercial purposes.




Chapter 5

Akane reached for Ranma, and held onto his hand. It still hurt to do that, but she really needed to touch him.

�Where should we start?�

�I have a question to ask, and I want a completely honest answer,� replied Ranma.

It was impossible for Akane to miss Ranma�s serious tone. She met his gaze without wavering when she replied. �Go ahead. I�ll tell you the truth.�

Ranma gestured at his and Akane�s injuries. �What if all this hadn�t happened? What if there hadn�t been a fire? Would you have married me?�

�Yes.�

�Why?�

�Why? Do you have to ask? I love you, Ranma. I wanted to be your wife, to teach with you, to-to have your children.� Akane stopped short and blushed, then continued. �If I didn�t there�s no way anyone would have gotten me into that dress!� Akane looked down. The next part still hurt her. �I only wanted to hear you say you loved me, and you wouldn�t. So I have to ask you the same question. Would you have married me?�

�No.�

Akane pulled her hand out of Ranma�s. �WHAT?�

�I wanted you to be honest, so don�t you want me to be?� Ranma waited for Akane�s nod, then continued. �When I woke up in that suit, and Pop told me I was getting married, I couldn�t believe it. That�s why I came barging into your room. Then I saw you wearing that wedding gown. You looked so beautiful, and I felt so trapped!�

Akane turned away, and began to sniffle. �Well, if THAT�S the way you feel about it, just forget it!�

�No! I have more to say, and you�re going to listen! You�ve been chased enough to know how it feels to be hounded by guys you�re not interested in. Well, I�ve had that up to my eyebrows with girls! The only one I ever wanted was you, and I couldn�t think of a way to let you know without feeling like I�d lost some kind of battle.�

�This isn�t a war, Ranma.�

�Isn�t it? Think back and tell me that again.�

Akane thought about it. She could picture quiet, happy times with Ranma, but they were always overshadowed by threats from Kuno, Shampoo, Kodachi, Ukyo and many others. If she was going to be honest with herself, there was more fighting than romance in her memories.

�No. You�re right. It�s always been a war. How did we manage to fall in love through that?�

Ranma smiled faintly. �I don�t know. Luck?�

�Maybe.�

�There�s another reason I didn�t want to marry you that day, you know. I thought you were going along with it so I could get cured.� Akane�s shocked expression surprised Ranma. �You said you knew I loved you. You also said I�d regret it if I didn�t marry you. Did you say you loved me anywhere in there, or did I miss it? I kinda needed to hear it, you know!�

If Akane�s hands had hurt less, she would have slapped Ranma. �Well so did I!�

�So why didn�t you say something, Akane?�

�Well, why didn�t YOU?�

The two of them glared at each other for a few seconds. Then they began to laugh. Ranma took Akane into his arms and held her gently.

�We�re a couple of stubborn idiots, aren�t we?�

�Uh-huh.�

*****

It felt so good to have Akane in his arms that Ranma let her snuggle for a little while, but he knew they had to continue their talk. If they didn�t get things talked out now, while they had quiet time to spare, it would never get done. Kasumi had practically ordered him to talk to Akane. She had said their relationship depended on it. He loosened his grip and gently pushed Akane back.

�We need to keep going. Kasumi said so.�

�Kasumi said what?�

Ranma clenched his fists. It was a lot easier finding something or somebody to hit than it was to talk. �She said we have to talk to each other.�

�She said that to me, too.�

�So, now what?�

Akane began to look very nervous. �There�s been something bothering me. I�m almost afraid to ask you.�

�Is that why you cry at night?�

�I didn�t think you knew. Yes.�

Ranma looked disgusted. �I�m not deaf, y�know. If I�m right next to you, I can�t help hearing you cry. Tell me what�s wrong.�

�I need to know if you asked me to marry you in the ambulance because you felt sorry for me. Are we getting married because you really want to, or do you feel like you have to?�

�That�s kind of a two part question, isn�t it?�

�I guess so.�

�Okay, then I�ll answer it in two parts.� Ranma sat for a minute, trying to sort out his thoughts. �It�s my fault you got hurt. If I hadn�t been in so much of a hurry to get at that water, Shampoo and Ukyo wouldn�t have been able to throw those bombs at us. If I�d told you the truth about how I felt, maybe I wouldn�t have wanted to rush out and get the water. You tried to make me admit how I felt, and I was a coward. I decided right then not to be a coward anymore. I don�t feel sorry for you, Akane. I�m sorry you got hurt, and I hate seeing you in pain, but I know you�ll get better. You�re my strong tomboy, and you�re going to make it! You�ll come out of this better than ever, and we�ll have the best dojo in Japan!� Ranma paused to catch his breath. �Does that take care of your first question?�

�Yes, but I think whenever we left my room those bombs would have been thrown at us.�

�You�re probably right, but maybe you wouldn�t have gotten hurt.�

�Either way, it wasn�t your fault. They threw the bombs, not you.�

Ranma shook his head. �I still think it�s my fault. OW!� Akane had pulled a tray off her beside table and whacked him over the head with it. �Okay, I�ll drop it! You want me to answer your second question or not?�

The look Akane gave him convinced him that she was waiting for that answer.

�I want to marry you because, because I--I--love--you.�

Ranma�s face had gone totally red, and he had a terrible time getting through the sentence, but he persisted until he got the words out. Akane just sat there.

�Aren�t you going to say anything? Do you know how HARD that was for me?�

Akane leaned forward and kissed Ranma�s cheek. �Yes. I know. It�s hard for me, too. Everything is happening so fast! I convinced myself that you only asked me to marry you in the ambulance because you thought I was dying. I�m sorry, Ranma. I should have believed in you.�

By the time Akane was finished speaking, the tears were running down her cheeks. Ranma reached out and tried to wipe them away.

�Do you believe me now?�

Akane�s answer was to wrap her arms around Ranma and lay her head on his shoulder. That was a good enough answer for him. He knew that one talk wouldn�t get them past all their differences, but they were going in the right direction.

*****

Kasumi found her father sitting at the table, looking at Akane�s baby pictures. The album was open to a picture of a very small Akane sitting in her mother�s lap. In the picture Akane was looking up at Soun's late wife, laughing. He wiped away a tear and closed the album.

�Are you all right, Father?�

�No. I�m worried about my little girl. Is she going to be all right?�

�It will take time, but I�m sure Akane will be fine. She needs our help now. We have to encourage her.�

Soun stared at Kasumi. �How can you say she�ll be all right? Did you see what happened to her?�

�Father! I saw Akane this morning, and she looks much better! She was even out of bed and walking! Why haven�t you been back to see her?� Kasumi had the satisfaction of seeing her father look rather sheepish.

�I�m sorry. I couldn�t bear to see her that way. She must be in so much pain, and it makes me think of your..." Soun trailed off, but Kasumi didn't need him to finish. She remembered how much pain her mother was in just before her death. "Are you sure she�s getting better?�

�Yes, and she misses you. I promised that we would go see her later today.� Kasumi paused, and gave her father a stern look that made him look rather nervous. �There�s something you have to promise me first.�

�Yes?�

�You�re not to talk about the change of fiancees.�

When Soun answered, Kasumi was surprised at his tone of voice, which was rather bitter.

�That�s fine with me. I�m not very happy with it.�

�Father?�

�Kasumi, I�d rather we didn�t tell them unless we have to. I want to see if I can get Saotome and his wife to change their minds.�

*****

Two jars of freshly-made ointment sat on the table in the kitchen of the Nekohanten, but Shampoo was nowhere to be seen.

�Mousse! Have you seen Shampoo?�

Mousse stuck his head through the kitchen doorway. �She was putting the medicine in the jars a few minutes ago.�

�It�s here, but she isn�t. Maybe she went upstairs.�

�I�ll look for her. Owwww!� Mousse rubbed the lump on his head caused by Cologne�s staff.

�Get back to work! I�ll go upstairs.�

Cologne ran upstairs, a terrible premonition making her feel a little bit ill. As she suspected, Shampoo�s bed was made, and the room was tidy and mostly empty. The note on the bed confirmed her suspicions.

�Great-grandmother,

I�m going home.

I can�t keep going to the hospital, only to see the
distrust on Ranma�s face, and the anger on Akane�s.
She tries to hide it, but I don�t think she will ever
forgive me for what I did. Why should she?

When I apologized to them, I said I meant no harm.
I don�t think Akane truly believed me. Why should she
trust me? I nearly killed her in China.

Things can never be the same. There�s no reason
for me to stay here anymore.�

�No,� Cologne whispered. �There isn�t. As soon as I can, I�ll come home too.�

*****

Akane felt safe and warm in Ranma�s arms. She was also finally at peace. There was no reason for her to doubt Ranma�s reasons for marrying her. No matter what anyone said or did, he was hers and she was his. The combination of emotional and physical exhaustion soon sent her off to sleep.

�Akane. Akane, you�ve got to wake up.�

�What?� Akane opened her eyes. She wasn�t in Ranma�s arms anymore. Rather, she was tucked into her bed and he was leaning over her.

�There�s someone here to take a blood sample.�

Akane turned her head. There was a young man waiting by the side of the bed. �Why do you need another sample? You took one a couple of hours ago.�

�The doctor ordered it.�

Once the sample had been taken, the man thanked Akane and left the room.

�I wonder why they needed a second test.�

The worry in Akane�s eyes made Ranma grab her hand.

�I�m sure it�s nothing. We�ll wait for the doctor to tell us.�

They didn�t have to wait long. The doctor came in within the hour, accompanied by a nurse. The nurse was carrying a small IV bag, which she attached to the line already going into Akane�s arm. Akane squinted at the small print on the IV bag, and turned to the doctor.

�What�s going on? What's that stuff?�

The doctor patted her hand. �Don�t worry. Your white blood count is a little high, that�s all. You have a slight infection.� He pointed to the IV bag. �That�s an antibiotic. It should clear up the infection within a few days."

Ranma interrupted. �Wait a second! How could somebody get sick in a hospital?�

�Burn victims don�t have a lot of resistance to infection, and there have been too many people waltzing in and out of this room. We�re going to have to cut down on the number of visitors you�re allowed.�

�My family?� Akane looked like she was going to cry.

�They can visit, but I�m going to have to insist that they be gowned and masked until you�re much better.� The doctor paused, and looked at Ranma. �I was considering having you moved out of the room, but--�

�WHAT?� cried Ranma.

�NO!!!� yelled Akane. She grabbed Ranma and held onto him as if her life depended on it.

The doctor smiled. �As I was saying, I did consider it, but I knew that was how the two of you would react. Separating you would do more harm than good. Besides, Ranma�s tests were all negative, so having him here won�t put you in any danger. There is one catch, however.�

Akane looked at the doctor suspiciously. �What is it?�

�Ranma has to stay in the room. I can�t have him walking around in the hallways and possibly picking up something and bringing it in to you.�

Ranma gasped. �You don�t think that�s how Akane got sick, do you?�

�There�s no way to tell. Don�t start beating on yourself.�

�I�ll stay put. I promise.�

�Tell me that in three or four days when you get stir-crazy.�

*****

Fortunately for Shampoo, the doctor�s orders had not yet been written up, or she never would have been permitted upstairs. She entered Ranma and Akane�s room only minutes after the doctor departed. She was wearing a large pack, which she took off and set down on the floor before approaching the beds. They took one look at her reddened eyes and knew something was wrong.

�Shampoo, have you been crying?� asked Akane.

�No! Amazon women too strong to cry!� Shampoo�s voice broke as she spoke, and she turned away, scrubbing at her eyes furiously. �Maybe Shampoo not real Amazon any more,� she whispered. �Maybe Shampoo has become soft and weak living in Japan.�

"Don't be silly, Shampoo!" were the first words out of Ranma's mouth. "Of course you're an Amazon!"

"No! Listen to Shampoo, Ranma. If Shampoo real Amazon then Akane dead by now. Ranma dead or married to Shampoo by now. Shampoo would be home in village where she belongs!" Shampoo clenched her fists. "Shampoo hate Japan, where people treat her badly because she no born here!"

"How do you think I would have felt if I had to live in your village when I didn't want to?"

Ranma's question made Shampoo stop short. For a moment her emotions were plain on her face, but then her pride re-asserted itself. "Wishes of mere male not important! Tradition is only thing that matters."

"Then why are you giving up and going home?" Ranma would have said more, but Akane's elbow in his ribs made him think twice about it.

"Because Ranma most stubborn male Shampoo ever meet! Worse than stupid Mousse!" Shampoo gestured toward Akane. "Akane keep Ranma! Then Ranma give Akane headache, and not Shampoo!"

With those words, Shampoo picked up her pack and left. Ranma held his breath until the door closed.

*****

"She's really gone. OW! Hey, I'm burned there, ya know!"

"I'm sorry, Ranma, but you make me so mad! How could you ask her such a stupid question?"

"What question?"

Akane raised her eyes toward heaven, and prayed for patience. "You asked her why she was giving up and going home. That could have made her change her mind!"

"Ack!"

�Maybe you should lock the door.�

"Heh. She'd just make a new one."

*****

While the rest of her classmates rushed out of the classroom to have their lunch in the fresh air, Nabiki chose to remain at her desk. She pulled her checklist out of her bag and read it over while she ate. There was only one item missing from the list. Once that was taken care of, Ranma and Akane could be married.

Nabiki folded the list and put it away, laughing quietly at herself. Less than a week ago she had written up a list just as long as this one, with all of the items she considered necessary to prevent her sister�s marriage.

This was the easy part. The hard part would be keeping it a secret until Akane had recovered enough to be released from the hospital. Nabiki was afraid that Ranma would blurt it out sooner or later once he got home, and she expected he would be home very soon. How was she going to get him to keep his big mouth shut?

*****

Ranma watched Akane sleep. After the doctor left them, a gowned and masked nurse had brought them a snack. Akane tried to refuse it, but the nurse insisted that both Ranma and Akane needed the extra calories. Once the nurse explained that burn victims needed extra nutrition in order to recover Akane stopped protesting and ate. She complained of pain and weariness afterward, hit the button on her pump, and went to sleep.

The door opened, and a small figure in a gown and mask entered. Ranma tried hard not to laugh, but couldn�t suppress a chuckle.

�Do I look that silly to you, Ranma?�

�Why didn�t they give you a gown that wouldn�t drag on the floor?�

Cologne smiled, though Ranma couldn�t see it through the mask. �They gave me the smallest one they had. I nearly tripped over it.� She put two jars of salve on the table, and pulled a chair close to Ranma�s side. �Shampoo is gone.�

�We know. She came to say good-bye.�

�She did?�

�Yeah. Really surprised me.�

Ranma could feel Cologne�s eyes boring into him. �Did you really think she would stay here and watch the two of you together? She does have feelings, Ranma.�

�Yeah, I guess. Ow!� Ranma glared at Cologne. Her staff had gotten him again.

�Not so loud, Ranma. Let Akane sleep.� Cologne left her chair and walked over to Akane to get a better look. She stood watching her for a while, then leaned closer to listen to her breathing. �Her lungs sound clear. What did the doctor say?�

�He said she had a slight infection. That didn�t sound too bad, but they�re being awfully careful with her.� Ranma reached over and placed his hand over Akane�s. �They better be careful!� He continued to sit there looking at Akane until Cologne cleared her throat to get his attention.

�Mousse and I will be following Shampoo to China very soon.�

Ranma blinked. He couldn�t imagine life without the Amazons around. Then again, maybe he could. It would be a lot easier on him and Akane.

�I notice you�re not saying that you�ll miss us.�

Ranma tried to think of something to say that would prevent him from getting another lump on the head. Cologne waved her hands at him and laughed.

�Don�t bother, Ranma. You won�t miss us.� She pointed at the jars of salve. �Your doctor will be very happy with me.�

�Huh?�

�I�m going to sell him the formula for the salve. He�s been trying to reverse-engineer it for months.�

�Reverse-what?�

�He�s been trying to figure out what�s in it.�

�Oh. That sounds good.�

�More than good. One of the ingredients can only be found in China. To be specific, it can ONLY be found in the fields around Joketsuzoku. Our village is going to be quite wealthy. Go to sleep, Ranma. You look tired.�

Cologne tapped Ranma with her staff, and he was overwhelmed by a wave of weariness. He fought off sleep long enough to speak to Cologne before she could turn away.

�Come see us before you go, Cologne. Akane will want to say good-bye.� He was vaguely aware of Cologne�s departure as his eyes closed.

*****

�Nabiki Tendo!�

�Not him,� muttered Nabiki. Then she squared her shoulders and turned around to face Kuno. �Yes?�

�If you are going to the hospital, I would like to accompany you.�

�You�re not on the list of approved visitors, Kuno.�

�Alas, I am aware of that. Perhaps you might be persuaded to change that?�

�Why should I?� Kuno hesitated, and Nabiki wondered what was coming next.

�I mean no harm. I am concerned about your sister and her fiance, and I also wish to apologize to them for my sister�s behavior.�

Nabiki fought hard to keep the amazement from her face. Kuno was actually acknowledging her sister�s engagement. She was so surprised that for once in her life a quick retort was impossible. Kuno�s face fell, and he turned away.

�Your silence is enough, Nabiki. I will leave, since my presence obviously offends you.�

He hadn�t gone more than a step before Nabiki stopped him.

�Please come with me. I�ll see what I can do about getting you in.�

The pair left the school grounds together, ignoring the stares from their fellow students. Kuno insisted that they stop so he could buy Akane flowers, then they continued on to the hospital where Nabiki was informed of the new restrictions on visitors. Kuno dropped the flowers and grabbed her arm when she turned quite pale.

�Akane has an infection?� The room seemed to tilt, and Nabiki lost her balance. She heard a voice, but it seemed to be a great distance away.

�Nabiki? Are you all right?�

Nabiki fought for control, and opened her eyes. She was seated in a chair next to the reception desk, but she had no idea how she had gotten there. Kuno knelt beside her, looking quite concerned.

�I�m okay. Thank you.� She looked at the receptionist. �May I go up?�

�You may, but you�ll be required to wear a gown and mask when you go into the room.�

�I will.� Nabiki waved away Kuno�s offer of a hand up, got to her feet, and picked up her things. Then she found herself with an armload of flowers.

�Since I cannot go up, would you deliver these for me, and relay my message?� Kuno looked anxious, but his expression changed when Nabiki gave him a warm smile.

�Of course I will.�

*****

Nabiki took a firmer grip on the flowers and headed for the elevator. The smile she had forced onto her face for Kuno�s sake was gone. She wanted desperately to get somewhere quiet before she faced either Ranma or Akane. She also didn�t want Kuno to see how terrible she felt.

Akane was sick, and it was her fault. She was the one who invited too many people to the wedding, especially people guaranteed to cause trouble. It was her fault that Akane and Ranma ended up in the hospital, and now Akane had come down with an infection.

Nabiki wasn�t accustomed to feeling guilt for her actions. Normally, she was able to rationalize away any sort of misgivings she might have, but not this time. She walked into the visitors' lounge, put down her purse and the flowers, and curled up in a chair. She was not setting foot into that room until she had control of herself.

Then Nabiki started to laugh at herself. If she was going to be wearing a mask, that would effectively hide any distress on her face. She gathered up the flowers, grabbed her purse and school bag, and headed for the nurses� station.

�Hello. Would you have a vase I can borrow?�

She didn�t expect to find them sleeping. Nabiki took that as a blessing. This would give her more time to come to herself.

Soon the flowers were on Akane�s bedside table and Nabiki was settled in a chair near her sister, doing her homework. She felt hot and sticky with the mask and gown, but was determined to stay until Akane woke up.

A soft mutter made Nabiki look up from her work.

�Akane.� Ranma stirred, and turned over onto his side. Nabiki noted the anxious look on his face as he reached out and felt around until he found Akane. She was unable to keep from crying when she watched him pull her sister into his arms and hold her close. Then she forced herself to stop crying and calm down. Crying was NOT on the agenda.

That settled matters in Nabiki�s mind. She had to get that wedding arranged, and fast. She picked up the phone and called downstairs to Reception.

�Nabiki Tendo here. I wish to add another person to the list of family members allowed to visit. He�s a cousin of Ranma�s. Nakazawa. I expect him here tomorrow or the next day. Thank you!� She cut the connection, and dialed Mr. Nakazawa�s office. �Nabiki Tendo here. Yes, we�re nearly ready. Can you come tomorrow at one? Just tell them at the desk that you�re Ranma�s cousin. They�ll be expecting you.�

�Who�ll be expecting who?�

Nabiki looked up at Ranma, who was awake but looking a little groggy.

�Just getting things organized. You�re getting married tomorrow.�

�I am?�

�Don�t look so scared. From where I�m sitting, you look pretty comfortable. Anyone looking at the two of you would think you�d been married for months.�

Ranma took note of his position, turned beet red, and settled Akane back on her pillows. The movement woke her, giving Nabiki an opportunity to witness her sister's hand going to Ranma's cheek and caressing it.

�See what I mean, Ranma? She looks pretty comfortable too.� Nabiki dissolved into giggles when Akane gave Ranma a gentle hit, using the same hand she had just caressed him with.

�Why didn�t you tell me Nabiki was here?�

*****

Akane turned over. The first thing she saw after Nabiki�s face was the huge bouquet of flowers, which were completely wrapped in plastic.

�Wow! Thanks, Sis! Um, why the plastic?�

Nabiki stood, and picked up the vase. �That�s the only way they would let me bring them in so you could see them. I�ll be right back.� She walked out, leaving Akane staring.

�They�re really taking this isolation business seriously, aren�t they?�

�Yeah. You should have seen how Cologne looked in a gown when she was here before. She said that she�s going back to China. Mousse too.�

�I want to say good-bye first!�

Ranma smiled. �I told her you would.�

Nabiki�s return interrupted a kiss.

�Hey, don�t let me stop you.�

Akane blushed. �The flowers were really pretty, Nabiki. I�m sorry you spent all that money for nothing.�

Nabiki waved her hands. �Don�t give me the credit--Kuno bought them for you.�

Akane stared. �Kuno?�

�Yes. He also gave me a message for the two of you, because they wouldn�t let him up to visit. He said to tell you he�s concerned about you, and he wanted to apologize for the way Kodachi acted.�

�I can understand Kuno being concerned about me, but Ranma?� Akane turned around to look at her fiance, who looked as confused as she felt. �Did Kuno fall down and hit his head, or did you just not hear right?�

�There�s nothing wrong with my hearing, Akane.� Nabiki shrugged. �Maybe he�s finally growing up.� Then Nabiki put on what Akane thought of as her �business� manner. �I didn�t come here to talk about Kuno. We�ve got things to do. How would the two of you like to get married tomorrow?�

A pair of hands grasped Akane�s shoulders and gently turned her around. Her eyes met Ranma�s. He was smiling.

They answered Nabiki together. �Yes.�

Nabiki smiled. �Good. Nakazawa should be here tomorrow about 1:00 with the paperwork. Kasumi and I will come earlier to help you get ready. I just need one more thing and we�re set. Akane, where do you keep your hanko?�

�In my desk drawer. It�s in the blue velvet box Mom gave me.� Akane turned to Ranma. �Do you have one, Ranma?�

Ranma nodded. �Mom got it for me almost as soon as she figured out who I really was. She recorded it in the family register, too.�

�So it�s at your parents� house?�

�Nope. I didn�t want Pop getting his hands on MY seal and using it, so it�s still hidden in my old room at your place. Just unplug the lamp and take off the base. It�s in there.�

�Gotcha. There�s just one more thing I want to talk to you about. Kasumi said she told you about following your parents home. Isn�t that right, Ranma?�

Ranma nodded, and Nabiki watched his expression change.

�You�re really mad at your father, aren�t you?�

�Mad doesn�t begin to describe it. Wait until I see him!�

�Well, I have an idea you might want to hear.�

Ranma and Akane listened intently to Nabiki�s plans. By the time she was finished speaking, both of them were smiling broadly.

�Glad you like the idea. Just remember to do what I said the next time any of the family shows up.�

Nabiki stood, and reached for her school bag. �I brought your assignments from school.� She handed them to the couple, and headed for the door. �I�ll see you in the morning.�

Ranma watched Nabiki leave, then looked at Akane in amazement. �How are we supposed to concentrate on school work when we�re getting married tomorrow?�

Although Akane agreed wholeheartedly, she wasn�t about to say so aloud. �We�ve got to. We�re already so far behind because of the trip to China. I�m going to be stuck here for weeks, and--� The rest of Akane�s thoughts remained unsaid when she found herself in Ranma�s arms.

�Don�t remind me of that. I hate the idea of leaving you here.�

�Promise to come see me every day?�

�I promise.�

*****

Nodoka was cooking dinner when Genma came into the kitchen. He stole a tidbit from one of the pans, and stood watching his wife. She kept her eyes on the pans, and did not speak.

�After dinner I want to go see Ranma,� he stated.

�And Akane.�

Genma frowned. �And Akane. Can�t avoid it if she�s in the same room. I can�t understand why the hospital did that.�

Nodoka�s chin came up, and she glared at her husband. �Don�t you? Ranma refused to be separated from Akane. Doesn�t that tell you something, Husband?�

�It tells me he�s become soft and weak! As soon as that boy gets out of the hospital, I�m going to take him on a training trip.�

�You can�t.� The words had barely left Nodoka�s mouth before she cringed at her husband�s expression.

�Don�t you tell me what I can or can�t do! Remember what I told you before!�

�I do remember! Ranma needs the special medicine for his burns. He can�t leave Nerima right now.�

�We�ll just take a supply with us.� Genma grew even more irritated when his wife shook her head.

�No. It has to be made fresh every day. Didn�t you listen to the doctor?�

�Fine, then! We�ll wait until he can travel. But Ranma is coming with me, and that�s that! He has to be told what�s expected of him, and I can�t do that with Akane around to influence him.�

�Listen to yourself, Genma. You�re admitting that Akane has an influence over Ranma. Doesn�t that tell you something, perhaps that you shouldn�t try to separate them?�

Genma�s response was to growl at his wife and stomp toward the door. He whirled around and pointed a finger at Nodoka. �I will not have a cripple for a daughter-in-law!�

�Akane is not crippled! The doctor says she�ll recover!

�You may choose to believe him, but I don�t! Akane will never be the same, and my son deserves better!� Genma left the kitchen, leaving Nodoka still standing at the stove.

�Yes. My son deserves better than to be separated from the girl he loves,� she whispered.

*****

Ranma tried not to let Akane�s presence distract him from his schoolwork. He told himself to think of it as training, and refused to look at her.

This worked for about fifteen minutes. Then soft rustling sounds from Akane�s bed made him steal a peek. She was reading her English text, holding the book with one hand. The other hand was underneath her head scarf, and she was absently rubbing one of the burns on her scalp.

�Don�t rub that, Akane. Let me put some salve on it.�

�Excuse me?�

�You�re rubbing your scalp. The doctor said not to.�

�Oh! I guess I was studying too hard to notice.�

Ranma reached behind Akane, untied her scarf, and lifted it from her head. Akane winced.

�What�s wrong? Did I hurt you?�

�No. I...I feel so ugly without my hair. I don�t want you to see me like this.�

Ranma didn�t know what to say. He remembered too well how badly Akane had taken it when Ryoga accidentally chopped off her hair. This had to hurt a lot worse. Then instinct took over. Ranma leaned over and kissed Akane on top of her head.

�Don�t worry about it. Let�s get that medicine on so you stop itching.�

Akane just sat there. A tear rolled down her cheek, but Ranma couldn�t tell from her expression whether she was upset or if it was one of those cases where (to his complete confusion) girls cried when they were happy. That was a mystery he had yet to solve.

Rather than try to figure it out, Ranma grabbed one of the jars Cologne had dropped off and began to apply the medication to Akane�s head. Akane closed her eyes, a look of profound relief on her face.

�That feels SO good!�

�Want me to do your back?�

�Please.�

Ranma undid the back of Akane�s pajama top. As he applied the medicine, he looked closely at her burns.

�Your back looks a lot better. This stuff really works.�

�Really?� Akane sounded relieved. �I noticed that my legs look pretty good.�

�How about your chest?� Before Akane could reply or Ranma could think about what he was doing, he turned her around, pulled her top off her shoulders, and removed it. Akane turned quite red--her blush went all the way to her waistline--but she made no move to cover herself. After a minute she looked at him rather impatiently.

�Well?�

�I think you�re beautiful.�

�Oh, Ranma.�

The impatient look vanished from Akane�s face, and to Ranma�s dismay she looked like she was going to cry again.

The combination of Akane�s tone of voice and the tears in her eyes was too much for Ranma to withstand. He pulled Akane into his arms and began to kiss her. For a second Akane felt very stiff in his embrace, then she returned his kiss. He held her tighter, causing Akane to gasp and break the kiss.

�Hurts!�

The sound of someone knocking on the door caused them to fly apart.

�Damn!�

Ranma�s one-word comment didn�t help Akane at all. She looked positively panic-stricken, and struggled vainly to get her pajama top back on. Ranma solved the problem by pushing her down onto her pillow and pulling the sheet over her.

�Close your eyes! You�re sleeping!�

Ranma waited until his flushed and breathless fiancee closed her eyes and quieted down before he responded to the knock.

�Come in.�

A young woman opened the door, carrying a couple of trays. �Sorry to disturb you. I have your dinner.�

Once she was gone Ranma got up and closed the door.

�All clear, Akane.�

Akane had done more than close her eyes when Ranma threw the sheets over her. She had pulled them up over her forehead, and kept them there even after he gave her the all clear. When Ranma attempted to pull the sheet down from her face, she grabbed the edge with both hands.

�Hey, come out!�

�Nope!�

Akane lowered the sheet past her eyes, looked at Ranma, and ducked back underneath. He chuckled, and she began to giggle.

�Playing games, are you?�

A gentle tug on the sheet made Akane giggle harder, and she peeked out again. �Who, me?� she asked, in the most innocent voice she could manage.

The grin on Ranma�s face matched hers. Why hadn�t they learned to play like this a long time ago? Ranma couldn�t help laughing at Akane�s teasing. He couldn�t believe that she was smiling and laughing at him after he'd just hurt her.

�Yeah, you!� He leaned over to kiss Akane, but she yelped and ducked back under the covers. This time Ranma didn�t let her get away with it. He yanked them back down and put his palms on either side of her face.

�You won�t get away this time!�

Akane made no attempt to move. �Who says I want to get away?�

That was invitation enough. Ranma felt Akane�s arms enclose him as he leaned down to kiss her. He carefully kept his weight on his hands, having no intention of hurting her the way he had earlier. Evidently Akane had other ideas, because she began to tug at him. Ranma broke the kiss and opened his eyes. Akane was smiling at him. She stroked his cheek with her hand, and brought his lips back down to hers.

Ranma�s control crumbled. His arms went around Akane, lifting her up. In the process the sheets fell down to her waist, and Ranma re-experienced the intoxicating feeling of having a half-naked Akane in his arms.

He pulled Akane into his lap, being very careful to make sure that the IV lines came along with her. Unfortunately, Ranma was so busy worrying about whether or not he was hurting Akane and making sure that none of the lines were getting tangled that he forgot about the food trays. His elbow bumped the tray table, causing the tray to tilt.

�Look out!� Akane cried. Ranma let go of Akane with one hand and grabbed the tray just before it left the table. However, neither he nor Akane noticed that Ranma�s water pitcher was also sliding off the table, and it landed on both of them.

�This is not fun,� said girl-type Ranma.

�No, it�s not,� agreed his fiancee.

*****

Akane waited for Ranma to help her into her pajama top and retreat to the bathroom for hot water before she called the nurse.

�Could somebody come change the sheets on our beds? We had a little accident.�

She shifted uncomfortably in her wet clothes. Her IV tubing was threaded through her sleeve, so it had been in her lap when the cold water hit. Now she couldn�t wait to get changed. Besides that, she hurt. A lot.

Akane reached for the button on the IV pump and pressed it. How was she going to tell Ranma that whenever he held her it hurt?

�Some honeymoon this is going to be,� she whispered softly. She began to sob as the nurse opened the door.

�Don�t be upset! You don�t know how many people have spilled things.�

�I-I�m not crying because--.� Akane stopped short as Ranma emerged from the bathroom, still rather wet, but male. Akane saw his expression change at the sight of her tears.

�What�s the matter?�

�Noth-�

�She�s just upset because of the mess,� the nurse interrupted. �We�ll get the sheets changed, and I�ll bring you some dry things to put on.�

Akane kept sneaking sidelong glances at Ranma as the nurses got the sheets changed. Did he believe the story? As far as she could tell, Ranma had taken the nurse�s words at face value. He climbed back into his bed, took the covers off of their dinner trays, and began to eat. Akane followed his example.

*****

Yui knocked on Ranma and Akane�s door. �May I come in?� After getting a positive answer, she opened the door and brought a chair close to the beds.

�Don�t let me interrupt your dinner. I just wanted to see you for a few minutes. I heard about the infection, Akane. That means we have to put off our little trip.�

Akane looked blank. Ranma grinned at her.

�You forgot we were supposed to visit some other burn patients, didn�t you?�

�I did.�

Yui simply watched the exchange. Ranma seemed to be in a teasing mood, but something about Akane wasn�t quite right. Was she relieved that she didn�t have to leave the room? She had been rather nervous about it the previous day.

�It can wait, Akane. To be honest, your doctor wasn�t too happy with my idea to take you out. He thought it was too soon.�

�Oh.�

Akane didn�t look too inclined to talk. She pushed her food around on her plate, occasionally taking a small bite. Ranma continued eating for a few minutes. Yui could tell that the young man had something on his mind, and waited patiently for him to speak first. Eventually Ranma looked up from his plate and focused on her.

�Can I ask you something?�

Yui nodded. �Go right ahead.�

�You said you�ve been doing this job for a long time, right?�

�Yes, that�s right.�

�Can you tell me...can you tell me how long it usually takes for the pain to go away? Mine�s better. I was thinking about asking the doctor to take away my pump, or maybe switching me to something that�s not so strong.� Ranma paused, and looked sideways at Akane. She had stopped eating and was looking at him rather suspiciously. �I�m a little worried about Akane, though. She still hurts a lot. All I did was hug her and I thought she was going to cry.�

�Ranma!�

�Well it�s true, isn�t it? You know how bad that made me feel?�

Tears formed in Akane�s eyes. �Do you know how bad that makes ME feel?�

Yui jumped in before the situation could deteriorate any further.

�I realize the both of you feel terrible, but fighting about it won't help. I want you to stop sniping at each other and listen to me.�

Yui waited for a reaction to her statement. Both Ranma and Akane turned rather red, and Ranma reached out and touched Akane�s hand. A look passed between them that could only mean �I�m sorry,� although neither spoke.

�That�s better! First of all, I can�t give you definite times for a person to feel better. Every human being is different, and people heal at varying rates. Does that make sense to you?�

Both of Yui�s listeners nodded.

�I�ve looked at Ranma�s medical records, and it�s obvious he heals very quickly, so it's not surprising that he�s doing so well.� Ranma opened his mouth, but Yui gave him a look that made him close it again. When she resumed speaking, she looked directly at Ranma.

�That doesn�t mean Akane doesn�t heal quickly, but you do have to take into account that she had more burned areas on her body than you did, and that means a lot more pain. Severe, constant pain can wear a person down.�

�Is that why Akane sleeps so much? I thought it was the medicine.�

�It�s both, and right now sleep is good for her.� Yui transferred her attention to Akane. �If you�re tired, sleep.� Akane nodded, and Yui smiled.

�Ranma, as far as hugging Akane is concerned, I�m not going to tell you to stop.� Ranma�s incredulous expression made Yui laugh.

�I�m not playing games with you. This is between the two of you. Akane has to be able to tell you what hurts, and what doesn�t. You have to learn to listen, and adapt.�

�Ranma�s very good at adapting,� Akane volunteered. �When it comes to martial arts, he learns faster than anybody I know.�

�Then he can learn this, too.� Yui looked at her watch, and got up. �I have other patients to visit. I�ll see you soon.� She headed for the door, but turned around when Akane called her name.

�Yes, Akane?�

�Thank you.�

*****

�Wait for us, Tendo!�

Soun reached for the �Open Door� button and kept the elevator where it was until Genma and Nodoka got inside. He smiled at his friend, and acknowledged Nodoka�s greeting with a nod.

Kasumi noted her father�s cold greeting of Nodoka, and the hurt expression on her face. She immediately reached out and hugged Ranma�s mother.

�It�s good to see you, Auntie.� Kasumi noted that Nodoka held onto her for a few more seconds than she normally did. She would have to find a way to talk to her privately. Then the elevator stopped, and Kasumi was too busy helping her father into a gown and mask to think about how to talk to Nodoka.

The first thing Kasumi saw when she entered the room was that her sister was asleep. The next thing she noticed was the look on Ranma�s face. His gaze was fixed on his mother, with an expression she recognized from the past.

Before Nodoka discovered that �Ranko� was really Ranma, he would sit watching her when she was unaware of it, with such a look of longing on his face that it would cause Kasumi pain. That expression was back.

Kasumi got between Ranma and his mother, went directly to him, and gave him a gentle hug. �Smile, before your father notices how you look,� she whispered, and then continued in a voice everyone could hear. �You look even better than you did this morning!�

*****

Ranma�s face turned red. �Thanks,� he whispered.

Then Nodoka took Kasumi�s place. She gently hugged her son, regretting that the mask prevented her from kissing his cheek. She could feel Genma�s eyes boring through her back and began to pull away, but Ranma grabbed her and hugged her back.

�Mom,� he whispered. �Find a way to talk to me alone.�

She nodded once and pulled away. As she did so, Akane stirred and opened her eyes.

�Auntie!�

Ranma watched as his mother moved around to Akane�s bed and hugged her. He was the only one who was able to observe the look of nervousness in Nodoka�s eyes, and her reluctance to let go of Akane.

As far as Ranma was concerned, his mother was acting very strangely. He wasn�t used to seeing her look nervous or afraid, yet she was sitting stiffly in her chair, darting occasional fearful looks at Genma. Why would his mother have any reason to fear his father?

*****

Akane, for her part, gave no thought to Nodoka�s behavior. Once Ranma�s mother had left her side and taken a seat, Soun had come to sit beside her, and Akane's entire attention was fixed on her father. At first he seemed fearful of touching her, but Akane had reached out and patted her father�s hand. That seemed to reassure him, and he gave her a gentle hug.

�You�re all right, Akane?�

Ranma�s gentle grasp of her wrist reminded Akane that she had a part to play. That was enough to make her remember the instructions Nabiki had given her. Akane�s shoulders slumped as she shook her head at her father.

�I feel terrible, Daddy!� Akane looked down, and brought a hand to her eyes.

This was enough to set Soun off. He began to cry, and the tears soaked his mask. He turned to Kasumi, still sobbing. �I thought you said Akane was better!�

Kasumi glanced over at Akane before answering. �She was much worse before, Father. I thought you would be pleased.�

Akane suppressed a giggle. This was working better than she had anticipated. Just how long she would be able to put on the �poor, hurting, crippled Akane act� was yet to be determined, but for now she would play it for all it was worth. She pretended to wipe her eyes, and looked up. As she did so, she caught Ranma�s father gazing at her. She couldn�t tell much with the mask on, but when her eyes met his he looked away very quickly.

�Keep Mr. Saotome and Daddy guessing,� Nabiki had said. �They have to think you�re in much worse shape than you really are, or you�ll never be able to teach Ranma�s father the lesson he deserves.�

Akane felt a bit guilty about deceiving her father, but she knew that he was incapable of keeping a secret. Besides that, if he knew what his dearest friend thought of her he would be very hurt. It was best that he stay in the dark for now.

*****

Kasumi steered the conversation into safer waters. Rather than discuss Akane's supposed disabilities, they spoke of Shampoo's departure, and Cologne's plans to leave Japan.

As they spoke, Kasumi kept an eye on Ranma and Akane. She could see that both of them were tired, and realized with a bit of sadness that she had always considered Akane and her fiance indestructible. They always bounced back so quickly from any setbacks.

"Not this time," she whispered.

"Did you say something, Kasumi?" asked Nodoka.

"No, nothing."

*****

Nodoka saw everyone looking at Kasumi, and used the distraction to shove her purse underneath her chair, after which she used one foot to push it further back. She saw Kasumi looking at her, and shook her head.

"I think we should leave now," she said. "Visiting hours are nearly over, and Ranma looks very tired." Nodoka wanted to say that Akane looked tired as well, but didn't have the heart to. She had unwillingly stabbed the poor girl in the back enough by talking Soun into switching fiancees for Ranma.

Within seconds everyone was rising from their chairs and saying goodnight to the young couple. Soun hugged Akane again before heading for the door and was replaced by Nodoka, who did the same before going around to the other side of the beds to hug her son.

"I'll visit again soon," she said. She was nearly to the door when Kasumi pointed at the floor under Nodoka's chair and said "Auntie--"

"Let's go, Kasumi. We don't want to keep your father waiting." Nodoka stepped into the hallway, where Genma was already stripping off his gown.

"It's so hot in this damn thing! Almost as bad as being a panda in summer."

Kasumi was untying the back of her father's gown when she spoke to Nodoka. "Auntie, you left your purse in the room. I was trying to tell you before."

"Oh! I didn't notice. Thank you, Kasumi." She pointed down the hall. "There's the elevator! Why don't I meet you downstairs?"

*****

Nodoka looked behind her long enough to see everyone get on the elevator before re-entering Ranma and Akane�s room, just in time to see Ranma scoot closer to Akane and put his arm around her. When they saw her enter they jumped away from one another.

�Don�t worry. They�ve gone downstairs.�

�How did you manage that?�

Nodoka pointed to her purse. �I left my bag behind.�

Ranma grinned. �Smart move, Mom.�

The couple watched as Nodoka picked up her chair and moved it closer to Ranma�s side. �I don�t have much time. Why did you want to see me?�

�Do you think you could get away from Pop for a while tomorrow afternoon?�

�I can try. Why?�

Ranma put his arm back around his fiancee. �We�re getting married tomorrow afternoon.�

�You�re what? Who else knows about this?�

�Just my sisters, and now you,� responded Akane.

�But dear, shouldn�t you tell your father?�

Akane shook her head. �I wish I could, but you know what would happen.�

�He would tell my husband.�

Nodoka looked away, trying to hold back her tears. �I�m sorry. I don�t know why he�s acting this way.�

�Don�t you, Mom? We know what he said to you the other night. Kasumi was listening at your window. What I don�t get is why you�re going along with it.�

�I don�t have a lot of time.�

�Then talk fast, Mom.�

*****

Akane watched as Ranma�s mother closed her eyes, obviously trying to think of what to say.

�He�s threatening me. He said if I don�t agree to your marrying Nabiki he�ll take you away again. He said you have another fiancee, one who is also heir to a dojo, and he�ll make you marry her. He said...he said...�

Ranma grabbed a tissue and handed it to his mother. Nodoka wiped her eyes and tried to calm herself.

�What did he say?�

�Your father told me you would never come back, and that I would never see you again. I can�t lose you again, I can�t!�

Akane grabbed Ranma�s arm. �Neither of us are going to lose him!�

�Damn right, Akane! There�s no way I�d let Pop separate us! Don�t you know that, Mom?�

�But you�re hurt! You couldn�t fight him!�

�Heh, that�s what you think!�

Akane suppressed an urge to whack Ranma for the way he was talking to his mother, but then she realized that he was doing it on purpose. If he didn�t act like his usual confident self, his mother would never believe him. The tactic worked. Nodoka visibly relaxed, and got up to retrieve her purse.

�I should never have listened to him. I�d better go.� She had her hand on the doorknob and turned around. �I think I�ll send your father to visit Soun tomorrow. That should keep him busy. What time is the wedding?�

�One o�clock.�

�I�ll be here at noon.�

*****

Sleep was long in coming for Ranma. Once they had turned off the lights Akane had crept into his arms and gone to sleep almost immediately. That wasn�t surprising, considering that she was full of pain medication, but that left Ranma alone with his thoughts and doubts.

He didn�t doubt his love for Akane, or hers for him. What worried him was the trouble they would encounter. The only thing he knew for certain was that no one or nothing was ever going to hurt his Akane again.

Once Ranma had come to that conclusion he was able to relax, and sleep.

*****

�What do you think, Akane?�

Akane looked in the mirror Kasumi was holding up for her. She saw a girl in an embroidered jacket, wearing a pretty hat. The hat made it impossible to see that she had no hair.

�I like it!� She turned to Nabiki and gave her a grateful smile. �Thank you!�

�You already did that, Sis. Are you ready over there, Ranma?�

�I�ve been ready for more than a half hour,� growled Ranma. �You�ve gotta be kidding!�

The three Tendo girls giggled when they heard what Nodoka had to say. �Be patient, Ranma. Men have no idea how much trouble women go through to look good for them!�

�I think it�s dumb, that�s all.�

�Excuse me?� asked Akane. �It�s dumb to look nice?� Her voice held more than a hint of annoyance.

�Nah, it�s dumb to spend time trying to look nice when you already do!�

Akane�s response to that remark was made in a very small voice. �Oh,� was all she said.

*****

Nabiki looked at her watch. �It�s nearly one. Where is he?�

As she spoke the door opened and Mr. Nakazawa hurried in. �I�m not late, am I?�

�Right on time,� replied Nabiki. She got up and opened the curtain separating the beds. �Let�s get this done!"

*****

Neither Ranma nor Akane heard Nabiki. They simply stared at each other. Ranma reached out to pick up Akane�s hand, but couldn�t quite make it. The girls took that as a hint and pushed the beds back together.

Mr. Nakazawa opened his briefcase and took out a document. "I don't mean to rush you, but I'm due back in my office in 30 minutes."

From that point, time seemed to fly as Ranma and Akane read the certificate, and confirmed their marriage with their seals. Mr. Nakazawa took the certificate from them and replaced it in his suitcase.

"Congratulations, you're married."

Ranma looked skeptical. "We are?"

"Well, once I get back to my office and register this, you will be."

"Th-thank you."

Mr. Nakazawa stopped long enough for Nabiki to thank him, and was gone. Nabiki closed and locked the door, and smiled at Ranma.

"Come on, Ranma, are you going to kiss her or not?"