In My Life

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by Florencio B. de la Merced, Jr. (fmerced@pworld.net.ph)
Web: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/3641/index.html

A Fanfic inspired by the Anime Ranma 1/2 created and copyrighted by Rumiko
Takahashi

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EPISODE FOUR

Dreams



The stars up in the evening sky were in full display that night. Not a
cloud in sight and only the moon rivaled the glowing brilliance offered by
the heavenly bodies. If you were a romantic, like the four women standing
outside the porch of the Tendo dojo, you'd also be looking out for a
falling star on such a clear night.

"I used to do this for days. I'd stay up and tent on the highest hill near
our village. I'd stay there until either great-grandmother or my mother
would fetch for me," Shampoo happily pointed to a broad group of stars
near the horizon, "I once even memorized most of the tales behind these
constellations."

"Really? I used to like Astronomy," Nabiki gazed at the expanse of space
just above the rooftops and then glanced back at Shampoo, "but that was a
long time ago."

Shampoo stared for a minute, looking for some particular group of stars.
Ukyou and Kasumi then joined the two. "What are you looking for, Shampoo?"
Ukyou sat besides her friend while Kasumi kneeled down too.

"I'm looking for my star." Both Nabiki and Kasumi looked strangely at the
purple-headed girl. Ukyou, though, was not surprised by Shampoo's answer.

"What star?" Ukyou looked up in the sky, the other two girls were
undecided but gave in. Nabiki saw several clusters just above her
neighbor's house and tried to recall what its name was, but failed.

"What are we looking for anyway?" Kasumi glanced in another direction
before slowly bringing her head down in slight embarrassment.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Shampoo giggled a bit, not realizing the glares upon her,
"I was looking for the constellation of Gemini." Ukyou tapped her shoulder
for her attention.

"It's over there." Ukyou pointed to the same group of stars Nabiki gazed
at a while ago. Nabiki was surprised she easily forgot those stars were
the constellation of the twins.

"Thanks, Ukyou." Shampoo smiled before turning her attention towards the
brightest star in that direction. She closed her eyes and made a silent
prayer.

"What's so special about those stars?" Nabiki was unimpressed. Kasumi,
though, was innocently smiling for Shampoo.

"Well," Ukyou glanced at Shampoo before continuing, "when she was younger,
Shampoo saw an alien spaceship from those stars..." She winced in pain as
Shampoo had slapped her on the back, "Ack! Ok, OK. Well," Ukyou again
allowed Shampoo to return to her solemn meditation, "that's really where
she was born." Both Nabiki and Kasumi blinked in surprise.

"Not funny!" Shampoo was slapping Ukyou silly on the back and demanded
that Ukyou retract her false statement. Ukyou, though, was ignoring
Shampoo. She continued her tall tale, much to Shampoo's protest.

"You two are really funny." Kasumi jested in the middle of Ukyou's story
and Shampoo's word war with Ukyou. "Are you sure you're not sisters or
something?"

"Us? Naah...We just grew up with each other, that's all." Ukyou nudged
Shampoo, who was pulling her hair to annoy her. "She can be violent at
times."

"Speak for yourself, Ucchan." Shampoo crossed her arms across her chest
and finally turned away from Ukyou. "Shampoo is never violent."

"Ucchan? Is that what Ranma calls you too?" Nabiki waited for Ukyou to
answer before asking her next question. "Speaking of which. What do you
suppose the two are doing right now?" She raised her brow a few times for
her new friends to realize what's on her mind.

"Ranma is a descent human being, Nabiki." Ukyou confidently said in a
straight face. Nabiki sighed as her plans to arouse their curiosity failed
anew. "I don't think he'll pull something stupid with your sister, Nabiki.
He had learned his lesson about these things before." Both Nabiki and
Shampoo looked at Ukyou with curiosity.

"What do you mean by that, Ucchan?" Nabiki had the same question as
Shampoo's.

"Well, " Ukyou motioned the two to come a bit closer to her, "Ranma is
actually," Nabiki and Shampoo held their breath when Ukyou paused, "he's
actually gay." The surprised in both their faces was too much for Ukyou.
She finally burst out laughing when she couldn't hold her serious face any
longer. "Oh...that was good...man, I never laughed like that in years."

"Ucchan! Ranma is not gay!" Shampoo raised herself up and glared down on
Ukyou. "You should know better!"

"Hey, calm down. Do you want them to hear us?" Shampoo did calm down but
continued to gripe silently. Nabiki, though, took a longer time to realize
she was had.

"So Ranma is not gay?" Nabiki had to ask even it was embarrassing.

"Ranma? There's no a chance for that happening. He's far too romantic to
not to give any attention to women," Ukyou glanced at Shampoo, "Right?"
Shampoo happily nodded.

"Shampoo knows that perfectly well." Nabiki now turned to Shampoo and
asked what she meant by her statement. "Oh, that means I was once Ranma's
girl." Nabiki brow rose in her disbelief. "You don't think Ranma can fall
for me?"

"Well, you are pretty attractive," Nabiki didn't have to lie about that
but she still can't believe Shampoo's claim, "and quite a personality
too." Shampoo smiled and thanked for the flattering remarks.

"Don't get your hopes up too much Shampoo." Ukyou remembered this time to
avoid most of Shampoo's slaps. "Oh, come on. Ranma had a small crush on
you, that's all." Shampoo stopped immediately.

"True, but doesn't he always have them with women he likes?" Ukyou nodded.

"In fact," Ukyou turned to Kasumi, "he even has a crush on you, Kasumi."
That surprised both Tendos.

"Really? Oh, dear."

"Well, oneechan. I guess it might not be that remote an idea for an
arranged marriage after all." Nabiki was only joking, but everyone else
fell dead silent all of a sudden.

"Gosh. Isn't it a tad too old fashion for our parents to arrange
marriages?" Ukyou turned to Shampoo, Nabiki, and then Kasumi but got
mostly silent replies. "Come on! It's the nineties for goodness sake."

"Tell that to my mother," Nabiki looked towards the dinning room where
they had left their parents talking, "and your mother."

"Good thing Mr. Saotome is not here. He'll surely won't approve with any
of this." Ukyou agreed with Shampoo.

"I don't know, Shampoo. My mother and Mrs. Saotome seemed intent and
serious about the whole thing." Nabiki turned to Kasumi, but she already
knew what she was feeling.

"I wonder what Ranma will say if he finds out?"

Everyone stared at the dinning room hoping that their parents would see
the foolishness in their discussion, but the lively atmosphere happening
between the two sides only darkened their future even more. Nabiki was
about to say something when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Looks like we'll find out sooner that we expected." Ukyou and Shampoo
heard the footsteps too and gasped at the confrontation that was about to
happen.

"But they all ready know." All three other women stared at Kasumi. "I
already told mother that it was Ranma who was Akane's guest." Everyone
else flinched at the news.

-----

"Hi, Mom." Akane appeared from the stairwell and approached the conversing
parents. "Is there some food left? Ranma is a bit hungry."

"Are you sure he doesn't want to come down and eat here instead?" Akane
nodded. Kimiko and Nodoka led Akane towards the kitchen, leaving Soun at
the table. "So how is everything with your schoolwork, Akane?"

"It's both tiring and fun, Mom. Ranma is such a big help, and he's great
company too." Nadoka smiled at Kimiko, who giggled in reply. "Though he's
quite annoying at times." Both older women were surprised to hear that.

"What made you say that?" Nodoka asked.

"Oh, nothing, Mrs. Saotome. He's...I mean your son is so competitive at
times. He..." Nodoka calmed down, her worst fear was over, "won't admit he
was wrong in his solution with a math problem we were working on." Kimiko
grinned knowing full well her own daughter.

"Well, was he?" Akane blinked to that question. "Was he wrong, Akane?"

Akane sighed, "Well, no. He was right. As usual!" The display of
distraught from Akane only made the two mothers even happier. "Arrgh!"

-----

"Psst. Ranma." Ukyou called out for her brother through the crack of the
door of Akane's room. Ranma, on the other hand, had his back towards her
and it seems he didn't hear his own sister. "Psst."

"What is that on his head?" Shampoo was also looking through the crack and
was just above Ukyou's head. "Aren't those earphones?"

Ukyou realized the futility in her callings, and promptly entered the room
and tapped Ranma on the shoulder. "Ranma."

"Huh?" Ranma turned around, hoping it was Akane. "Ucchan? What are you
doing here? Shampoo? Is the dinner party over?"

"Good question, Ranma." Shampoo stared at Ukyou before continuing. "So,
how is your school work?"

"Oh, this," Ranma held up a notepad filled with a lot of numbers and
letters, "We're still stuck in this one problem." Ranma handed it over to
her sister while Shampoo looked around the room.

"Nice room. I like the wallpaper. Don't you think, Ukyou?" Shampoo waited
for an answer but Ukyou was busy looking at the notepad.

"Hmm. Have you looked at the textbook?" Ranma nodded.

"I thought it was just the equation that was wrong," Ranma handed a large
book that was parted halfway, "but it's also here in this textbook exactly
as written."

"Shampoo loves her figurines. This tiny piglet doll is so cute!" No one
paid attention to her.

"It says here, there's a solution on the back. Have you checked that?"

Ranma frowned. "You're suppose to solve it first, then check your answer
at the key, remember." Ukyou thought nothing of it and quickly browsed at
the back pages.

"Ah...dimwit. See," Ukyou handed the book back, "the equation on the back
is slightly different. The book must have a typo or something." Ranma
groaned a bit, failing to check himself if the equation was valid. But
later he smiled realizing his first suspicion was confirmed.

"Thanks, sis." Ranma retreated back into writing the correct equation on
his notepad and starting over. Shampoo finished her mini-tour of Akane's
room, noting one particular thing that caught her attention.

"Say, Ranma. Don't you also have a pet white bird at home?" Ukyou glanced
at the birdcage hanging in one corner and realize the bird was quite
similar to a bird she tried to catch on the roof of her home. Ranma turned
to Shampoo, removing the earphones off once again.

"Yup, but that one is called B-chan." Ranma smiled not knowing if her
companions got what he meant. "B-chan, you know. Bird-chan. Ah, never
mind." He was about to put his earphones again but was stopped by Ukyou.

"So, how did you know we were here?"

"Akane told me you were downstairs. Actually I was surprised at first."

Shampoo sat beside Ranma on the bed. "And, how did she know we knew you?"

Ranma stared at both his sister and Shampoo. "I told her about you guys."

Ukyou and Shampoo stared for a moment at each other. "And she told mom
that you were up here with her?"

"No, I came downstairs and got introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Tendo. That's when
I saw Mom and she was a bit surprised to see me here. It was just a
coincidence that Mom's friend is also Akane's mother. But, I didn't see
you two there."

"Must be when we were on the porch." Ukyou agreed.

"What's with the 20 questions?" Ranma turned to Ukyou, then to Shampoo.

"You mean you don't know?" Ukyou gasped.

"Know what?"

-----

In the business district of town, a noodle shop was closing up for the
night. A tall man was putting up the steel shutters that protected the
front of the small ramen house, while a girl sat at the footsteps as if
waiting for something.

"Kaori. Why don't you go inside now? I'll finish this." The man graciously
asked the young woman in waiting.

"I can't Daddy. I know he'll pass here. Give me a few more minutes." The
angelic face and pleasant and pleading smile of Kaori was hard to turn
down, even for a father that's only thinking of her safety.

"All right. A few minutes," Kaori jumped up and hugged her father in
jubilation, "but after I close up you'll have to come inside." Kaori
didn't hesitate agreeing to her father's conditions.

She retreated back to her spot in front of their noodle house while her
father disappeared inside the restaurant. She tapped her toes for a while.
She stood up and walked up toward the middle of the road and squinted down
the dimly lit street towards Dr. Tofu's clinic. When she saw nothing she
crept back on the stairs, still hoping a sign of Hikaru would show.

"What are you still doing out? It's already late in the evening?" Kaori
looked up surprisingly and saw Hikaru Gosunkugi standing there in front of
her. "Kaori? Is everything..." Hikaru didn’t get a chance to complete his
question. Kaori had already jumped up towards him and gave him a huge hug.
Huge, that Hikaru never expected it.

"Oh, Hikaru. I just knew you'll drop by." Gosunkugi tried to break free.
But the warmness and happiness that overflowed from Kaori almost swept him
off his feet. Well, Kaori was a bit taller than he was and that provided
an uncomfortable hugging position for him. Good thing the lights of a
passing truck broke her momentum. "So...Hikaru. What brings you here?"
Modesty aside, Kaori tried to put a serious face in front of Hikaru even
after that slight hugging incident.

"I came by to return these bowls you lent to Tofu-sensei." Hikaru wanted
to laugh right there and then, seeing the flush red expression and
reaction on Kaori. "Thanks for the ramen, by the way. They were good."
Kaori brow shot right up.

"Good?!"

"Fantastic and tasty." That calmed her down. Hikaru told himself, "nice
recovery". After that, however, both stood poignant silent and both stared
most of the passing time looking down on the pavement. Hikaru knew he had
to say something, hoping it was intelligent enough. "So, I heard you're
trying to learn some magic tricks. Are you?" Her eyes lit up in delight.

"Oh, Hikaru. I can never be as good as you," Kaori had successfully
clasped her arms around Hikaru's in one sweeping motion that accompanied
her patronizing eloquence, "but I'm trying. Really, I am." Hikaru felt he
was standing at a fork in a road. Here was one of the most beautiful girls
he knew. She's a great cook, and quite charming at that. And she was
flirting at him, not that she needed to, but he was not that kind of guy.
"Hikaru, will you teach me? Please." That iced the decision for him.

"Of course." Kaori heart leapt in pure joy to the news. She hadn't noticed
but she was again tightly embracing Hikaru and she was mumbling her esteem
thanks for taking her in as his student. Hikaru, on the other hand, lost
it. He threw away all the years of control he had instilled in himself. He
returned the hug as warmly as he felt it. He stroked Kaori's long dark
hair and knew instantly how he really feels about her. In one brief
moment, Kaori had not expected it either, Hikaru kissed her. When the two
parted, Kaori still had her eyes closed and was still reaching for that
warmth that clashed with the cold evening air. "See ya tomorrow." Hikaru
calmly walked away.

"Hikaru?" Kaori saw the retreating figure, the man she knew she had
feelings for. She only suspected it for a few years since she had known
him, but what happened that dreamy night changed everything. You could
say, it was sealed with a kiss. She waved at Hikaru.

"Kaori?!!"

Kaori winced as the loud shouting of her name woke her up from her dreamy
world. "Huh? What is it, Daddy?" Her father saw everything and looked more
displeased that she had anticipated.

"Come inside at once! You and I need to talk, young lady!" Kaori yelled in
pain, as her father's pinching of her ear was too unbearable to tolerate.

"Oww! That hurts, Daddy! Owww!"

-----

"Don't be ridiculous. Mom would never make such arrangements." Ranma tried
to dismiss the thought but he failed to convince both Ukyou and Shampoo.

"Ok. But if you are wrong," Ukyou shot a glare back at her brother, "don't
go running to me for help. Got it?" Ranma confidently nodded.

"Gee. Shampoo thought Ranma would take this a little bit more seriously."
Ukyou wondered what Shampoo was getting at. "Unless?" Shampoo displayed a
wistful smirk at Ranma hoping to get the response she needed.

"Unless what?" Ranma lean back, away from the Shampoo's doubtful stare.

Ukyou finally realized where Shampoo was going with her question and
advances. "I see. Ranma you should be ashamed of yourself." Ranma was
sweating now, two women were bearing down on him. For reasons he still did
not fully understand.

"Hey, wait a sec. What are you two talking about?" He found himself in a
corner, a situation he's not totally accustomed to. "Hey, stop it Ucchan!"
Ukyou beamed with so much sarcastic confidence it scared him. And with
Shampoo showing the same, that was terrifying at best.

It was either perfect timing, or just plain coincidence that Akane came
into the room carrying a whole tray of food. Nabiki was following closely
behind with regret written on her face. "Hi guys. Um...Ranma, I've got
some food here." Ranma didn't know what else to say.

"Um, here...let me help you." Ukyou and Shampoo both took cue from Ranma's
jumping off the bed to make a hasty retreat.

"Hi Ukyou, Shampoo." Both women smiled and waved embarrassingly back at
Akane. They were caught with their hands inside the cookie jar, and both
knew it. "Came to check up on Ranma?" That was putting it bluntly, Ukyou
thought.

"I...I thought you guys may need my help." That sounded right, Ukyou said
to herself. "With me having the brains...Oops." Now, that wasn't
necessary, Ukyou realized. "Anyway, I...I mean we just wanted to
see...your room." Yeah, that sounds right. Where did I hear that before?

Shampoo then took her cue and exclaimed her admiration for many things
inside Akane's room. Ukyou frowned realizing who it was that put words in
her mouth. "Aiya! I love those figurines, too." Ukyou didn't hesitate to
pull Shampoo back towards the doorway where Nabiki was waiting.

"Come on Shampoo. They need to work alone." Shampoo bowed before leaving.
That surprised both Ranma and Akane. When the door finally closed Ukyou
and Shampoo took turns glaring at each other and at Nabiki. "What ever
happened to that signal?"

"Yes. Shampoo almost lost composure back there."

"Gee. What was I supposed to do? She came up the stairs carrying food. So
she had already asked me to get the door before I could have said
anything." Nabiki led the two down the stairs. "Besides, with that tray,
how could I possibly had distracted her?"

"She has a point, Ucchan." Ukyou said nothing.

"So, what happened in there?" Nabiki got no reply. "That bad, eh?"

"Lets just put it this way." Ukyou sat first on the soft couch. "He's
going to get the shock of his life when he hears that Mom was really
serious about that engagement thing." Ukyou stared at her companions who
also took refuge on the couch. She then looked at the other end of the
long sofa where Kasumi was sitting. Kasumi had been crying ever since
dinner, but she was too strong to let any tears to fall, Ukyou thought.
Kasumi was quiet and unreserved all night, something she wished she could
do when faced with such dilemmas.

"So what do we do now? We can't go along with this." Nabiki looked at her
sister in grief. But Kasumi didn't need her pity right now. Kasumi needed
a hug. "What about your father, Ukyou?"

"What about him?"

"You have to convince your father not to go along with this arrange
marriage thing." Ukyou and Shampoo glanced at each other again, then
towards Nabiki and finally to Kasumi. For once, Kasumi looked happy and
hoping.

"Ok. I'll talk to my father." Ukyou stood up and scouted around the room.
"Um, where's the phone?" Nabiki showed her the way.

-----

"Guess what?" Ranma proudly smirked at Akane while handing to her his
notepad. "I solved our little problem." Akane took his notes with her free
hand, while she snacked on a sandwich.

"So tell me." Akane browsed through Ranma's solution, hoping that it
wasn't very far from her own attempt to solve that particular problem.
Ranma hesitated answering. He earnestly hoped Akane would discover it
herself. "Hey, this equation is wrong." Akane finished off her sandwich,
threw the sheet of paper back at Ranma and reached for her glass of juice
for a quick sip before grinning back at her partner. "Looks like you made
a mistake this time, Ranma."

"No. I did not." Ranma challenged her remarks, although he was obviously
being lighthearted with that protest. "See for yourself." He tried to give
Akane the textbook, but Akane was feasting on her side of the bed. "Hmm.
Looks delicious." Akane stopped chewing and faced Ranma timidly.

She cleared her throat with another drink of juice. "Sure is." Akane
presented her plate to him. "This is a stir-fried pork and shrimp combo.
Kasumi cooked this. While this," Akane happily pointed to another dish on
her tray, "is Nabiki's special vegetable ramen." Ranma smelled the
sumptuous dishes and was easily captivated by the great food. "Want some?"

"Sure." Akane was about to get him a plate but was surprised when he
reached for some food on her own tray instead. She stared at him while he
tasted some pork and shrimp, then when he smiled and reached for another
serving she smiled happily. Ranma tasted some noodles, expecting a treat
from it as well. However, his taste buds flared up in an instant, and he
had not expected this. Akane, though, was and was ready with a glass of
juice in hand. "Hot! Hot!" Ranma rushed to put the fire out from his
burning lips and tongue. Akane only laughed while he guzzled down his
mouth the contents of the glass offered to him.

"That'll teach you not to eat from someone else's plate, Ranma." He nodded
as if he learned something important from his experience. "Here, this
should make you feel better." Akane offered dessert to him. "I made that
myself."

"Wow, devil's food cake. I haven't had one in..." Akane immediately
retracted her offer. "Huh?"

"This is not Devil's food cake." Ranma stared confused. The cake was a
dark lush chocolate treat, just like a devil's food cake. The triple layer
of chocolate icing was a devil's food cake trademark, Ranma swore to
himself. "This is a special chocolate dessert, I made it." Ranma thought
she was pulling his chain or something. "And I don't label anything I bake
with a cruel name like devil or something as bad." Ranma grinned realizing
her reason.

"Taste like devils' food cake," Akane shot a glare at him, "of course it's
not devil's food cake." Ranma admitted there was no justice if her cake
was even named after the devil. "Why not call it angel's food cake?"

"That's a totally different cake, Ranma." Akane smiled discovering Ranma's
insights in one of her own interest, baking.

"So? Call it an angel's food cake-turned bad," Ranma saw the surprise in
Akane's reaction, "but still tastes as sweet." An excellent recovery,
Ranma thought. But Akane had other ideas. Ranma was not able to finish his
dessert as it was wickedly tipped and knocked into his face. That ended
him up with a chocolate smeared face and lots of chuckles and giggles from
Akane. "Very funny." Akane, in a gesture of sports of sorts, went over her
dresser to get Ranma a towel.



"Sorry about that. I," Ranma received the towel and promptly wiped the
chocolate off his face, "don't know what came over me." Ranma knew the
reason, but it was childish to continue.

"I'll forgive you," Ranma finished cleaning up and helped Akane straighten
out the dishes they used, "if..."

"If what?"

Ranma thought this was a perfect chance to ask her out, but something
distracted him. "Wow, you brought a lot of food up here." Ranma noted the
sundry of food that was left untouched.

"I told our moms that you were hungry, even if it was really me that
was..." Akane was caught off guard when Ranma reached for her hand and
raised it in front of her, "me." Akane felt a tingly sensation from her
hand that was quickly rushing down her slowly numbing limbs. She had to
break away, she thought. But the two stared endlessly into each other's
eyes and were lost in the vastness of emotions that was stirring inside
them.

"Um. Hi guys!" The two snapped out of the momentary trance and
discomfiting situation almost immediately by the intrusion. "Sorry to
disturb you guys, but...Ranma we're leaving now, and..." Ukyou stopped all
of a sudden when she realized what she had just stepped into, "Oops...I'm
sorry...where you guys doing...?" Neither Ranma nor Akane was up to
answering that open-ended question. "Sorry, again. We still got five
minutes, Ranma." The door closed hurriedly.

Akane turned to the dishes and food tray, she had no clue what to say or
do. Ranma too was disappointed by the sudden turn of events. He did what
he thought was the easy way to go about things, especially after an
abrupt, almost monumental intimate moment for both of them. He changed the
subject, of course. "I'll see you tomorrow then?" Akane sighed, but
eventually smiled with some effort.

"Of course, Ranma. We still have to report in Math class tomorrow." Ranma
slapped his head.

"Oh, yeah." He collected his things and helped open the door as Akane
walked out the room carrying the food tray. "I've got the solution right
here." Ranma was handing over his notepad, but it was fairly obvious that
Akane would not be able to receive it. "I'll lend this to you, and just
call me if you have problems with it." Akane reached the kitchen and laid
down the tray on a nearby table.

"Like your penmanship, perhaps?" She smiled, though the night was coming
to an end and that made her sad in a way.

"Touché." Ranma and Akane stopped by the dinning room, but only Akane's
father was still there.

-----

"Dumb! Ukyou! How could you be so stupid!" Ukyou ranted like she was
really displeased with herself. "Knock! For goodness sake! Ranma had for a
thousand times reminded you to knock before you enter a room! God! How
could I be so stupid!" Shampoo was getting alarmed for her friend.

"Um, Ucchan? Are you all right?" Shampoo only got an irked Ukyou glare at
her even more. "Eeps."

"No, of course not! Do I look like I'm all right?!" Ukyou was really
pissed off, though Shampoo still had no idea why. "Arrgh! Shampoo! I'm a
total klutz!" She broke into tears and hugged Shampoo tightly.


"Well, if it will make you feel any better, Ucchan." Shampoo held her
depressed friend up, "I know some cousins of mine who are clumsier than
you." That didn't help Ukyou one bit. "Huh? You want Shampoo to name
names?"

-----

"Dad, Ranma is leaving now." Soun looked up and saw the two teens bowing
to him. Somehow seeing Genma's son this well mannered almost made him feel
the bright side of something he had never dreamt of doing. He knew his old
friend would not accept such a ridiculous arrangement, especially since it
was their wives that had thought of it. Now, if it was them that had
arranged the engagement, that was another question, Soun believed.

"Ranma, will you stay for a minute. I need to talk to you." That got both
teens a bit surprised. Akane was nervous, and so was Ranma. Both recalled
what had happened a few minutes ago. "Please, Ranma Saotome." Ranma
obliged. Akane looked on from a distance, she thought she could stay, but
was immediately dismissed by her father.

"Um. What did you want to talk about, Mr. Tendo?" Ranma asked as he took
an empty seat near Akane's father.

"Tell me, Ranma." Soun stared at the young lad before him. When he first
saw Ranma that evening, he was almost surprised to realize this boy was
his old friend's son. He didn't look at all like Genma when he was young,
Soun had concluded. Though his own recollection of his best friend was
only a vivid memory now to him. "How is your father?"

"My father? Oh, I see." Ranma grew calm. He was relieved that this
conversation was going to deal with his father, and not him or his
acquaintance with Akane. "He's doing fine, Mr. Tendo. I realize you and my
father were best friends once. But I guess the two of you have not spoken
for many years now. It’s a pity, though. He wasn't here with my mother."

Soun was impressed. Ranma was more mature than he had thought. He was
passing the age where men knew when to speak out, and boys only hid under
the cover of their mother's skirts. Ranma spoke like a man, and he spoke
the truth. "Yes, it’s a pity." Soun stared at the doorway, her youngest
daughter was peeking at them. She was only concerned, Soun thought. "So,
you are a martial artist?"

"Yes, like my father before me." Both men heard the gasp that came from
the doorway. Bu both ignored it. "Is that what you wanted to ask of me?"
Soun didn't really know what to ask. It was only natural to ask about
Ranma's training.

"You are learned in the art of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts,
are you?" Ranma blinked at the question.

"Come again? The what?" Another gasp, this time a bit louder than before,
interrupted their conversation. This time, however, the youngest of the
Tendo sisters had learned her lesson. She quickly retreated up the stairs.

"Ranma, you mean to tell me..." Then it struck Soun. The reason why Ranma
could say he had not heard of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts was
traced in the past.

"Ranma. Did your father ever teach you martial arts?" Ranma only
enumerated some basic and fundamental techniques, which would be part of
any martial arts style or fighting style for that matter. But what was
missing where the special training from the style Soun assumed his friend
would have imparted to his own son. He was wrong. The mere fact that Ranma
never heard of the Anything Goes style of Martial Arts was a testament of
honor of his friend. That touched him, and almost made him cry.

"Um, Mr. Tendo. I need to go now. My Mom is waiting..." Soun dismissed him
with a flick of his hand as he desperately tried to control his emotion.
Ranma bowed before leaving the room. Soun, though, had a message for Ranma
to give to his father.

"Ranma. Tell your father, I'm more than honored to have you as a
son-in-law. Will you tell him that?" Ranma jerked as he heard "son" and
was dumbfounded by the rest of the message. He stared awestruck but he
only knew one decent thing to do. "Of course, Mr. Tendo." He bowed again
in retreat.

-----

"Goodnight, Ranma. I hope you had a wonderful stay?" Ranma walked past
Nabiki without even saying a word. "Huh? What's eating him?" Ukyou was
hiding behind her mother when Ranma finally appeared through the gates.
Shampoo happily greeted him, but Ranma too failed to respond. Nabiki
realized something must have shaken him. "Well, have a safe journey home."
Nabiki waved as the guest finally went on their way. "Something definitely
happened, but what?" Nabiki finally closed the gates.

-----

"Listen, Ranma," Ukyou apologetically talked from the right side of her
mother, "I didn't mean to intrude into your..." She had to be careful what
she had to say, Ukyou thought. "Um, let's just talk about it later." Ranma
stared at Ukyou but had an even sorrier look. "Huh? What's gotten into
you?"

"Shampoo thinks he's in love." Her giggles cheered everyone, especially
Nodoka, who understood perfectly well what Shampoo was really trying to
say. Ukyou tried to hide her discomfort by laughing as well, but Ranma
stayed emotionless, and quite deep in his thoughts.

"Ranma, is something wrong?" This time it was his mother who was asking
Ranma, and he dare not ignore her too.

"Um, nothing Mom. I was just thinking." Ranma looked farther beneath his
feet, on the road that they were walking on was were his concentration
was.

"Is it about the engagement?" Ukyou was surprised that her mother would be
so bold and frank about a sensitive situation. Ranma, though, knew her
mother well.

"Yeah, it's..." Ranma stared up the night sky hoping to finds answers
there, but not tonight, "a bit daunting that's all." Ukyou looked
surprised at her brother's description.

"I know, Ranma," Nodoka's sweet motherly voice knew exactly how to calm an
endangered and smitten spirit, "it's quite a shock. But you have to trust
us, your father and I..." Nodoka never got to finish her explanation as
she was stunned to find Genma running up towards them. "Genma?" Ukyou,
Shampoo and Ranma too were surprised, but somehow Ukyou felt nervousness
run down her spine.

"Oh, oh." Ukyou quickly hid again behind her mother as Genma finally
reached them, gasping for air.

"Nodoka." Genma was catching his breath. "Nodoka."

"Gee. Pop, you really need the exercise." Ranma was amused at the sight of
his father finally doing some serious running. It was just funny that he
would have thought of doing it in the middle of the night.

"Why did you come all the way here, Mr. Saotome?" Shampoo asked. Nodoka
had the same question in mind.

"Nodoka, is it true? Did you arrange an engagement with Kimiko?" Nodoka
was shocked to hear that Genma already knew. She had planned on telling
him, in a more demure and provocative manner, but it was too late. "I
can't believe it, how could you?"

"It was for the best of our two families." Genma feared something like
this would have happened. But to hear it clearly from his own wife, made
it too hard for him to understand.

"You do realize I still have to agree on it?" Nodoka nodded. "And that, I
still have to talk to Soun about it." Nodoka happily announced that they
would be doing just that tomorrow. Genma was startled a bit but regained
his composure. "So you have planned on everything?" This time Nodoka had
no answers to that one.

"Um, Pop." Genma turned to Ranma. "Mr. Tendo did ask me to tell you
something." Genma was all ears, asking Ranma first if he already talked
with his old friend. "He wanted to tell you that..." Ranma's chest was
resisting, and his heart was crying, but he had to tell the truth, "that
he'll be honored to have...me...as a son-in-law." Ranma head ducked in an
instant, the slate gray ground was the reflection of what he was feeling
right now. Everyone was shocked.

"He did? Why, that's great!" Nodoka was relieved to hear her husband's
response. On the other hand, Ukyou's brow shot right up, not expecting her
father's excited reaction.

"Hey! What do you mean by that, father?! I thought you're supposed to
oppose this thing!" Shampoo agreed with Ukyou. Ranma too was expecting his
father to save him, but it seems that was not the case.

-----

Ranma jumped right into bed upon entering his room. He didn't bother to
change into his sleeping clothes since he had a lot on his mind. The day
ahead was going to be an auspicious one, and he had to prepare himself.
"What exactly do they want from me?" Ranma asked himself again and again,
but couldn't actually get a straight answer from the imaginary people in
his head. "Arranged marriage was unheard of!" At least to him it was, and
he swore he'd stick to that. "But how?" That was his problem, both his
parents and the Tendos were pretty serious about it. Ranma knew he should
have listened to his sister. But even she didn't have the answers to save
him. "Did I actually need saving?" That question came somewhere from the
back of his mind. Ranma thought long and hard on what to answer. "He
wasn't sure. Was Ukyou and Shampoo right all along?" The new day was
coming, only hours away, and Ranma was still lost in the void of his own
uncertainties.

He did know one thing. He had to get back at his sister for spoiling that
moment with Akane. "Damn, Ucchan. Why don't you ever knock?!" He slowly
receded into sleep.

-----

End of Episode

-----

C&C is deeply appreciated.

If you guessed I haven't slept in the last 20 hours while writing this
one, well you're right.

Thanks to everyone who have waited for me to do this...and please don't
kill me on the FFIRC. ^_^