"A Change of Scene"  Part 7  - chapters 32-38
Earlier chapters located at
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rothko/228

1988, June "KaraOhki" Geraci  (karaohki@snet.net)
The characters from Ranma 1/2 in this fiction are the creations of
Rumiko Takahashi, and borrowed without her permission. This story was
written for non-commercial purposes only.








Chapter 32

	Ranma and Akane walked up the porch steps of a three story house just
off campus.  Akane looked at the house, and felt doubtful.

	"Are you sure this is the right address, Ranma?  This looks much too
nice."

	Ranma handed her the letter.

	"This is it, Akane."

	Akane rang the bell on the porch, and they smiled at the older woman
who came to the door.

	"We're here to see the apartment, ma'am.  My name is Ranma Saotome, and
this is my fiancee, Akane Tendo."

	"Come in, come in.  The apartment is on the third floor.  My husband
converted the attic into rooms many years ago, and students have been
renting it ever since."

	They followed her up the stairs, and she unlocked the door and let them
go in first.  It was easy to tell the place had been an attic, for it
still had slanted ceilings, some of which Ranma had to duck under as
they walked through.  The apartment consisted of a large kitchen, a
small bedroom, and bath.   There were a table and chairs in the kitchen
in addition to the appliances, and a small bureau in the very tiny
bedroom.  The furniture was worn from many years of students living
there, but it would do.  They did notice that there was some damage to
the walls, and that some of the tatamis needed replacing.  The woman
noticed where they were looking, and nodded.

	"I�ll replace the mats, of course, and if you're willing to do the
painting yourselves, I�ll pay for the paint.  I made a mistake with my
last tenants."

	"What do you mean, ma'am?"

	"I�m sorry, I didn't introduce myself.  I am Mrs. Takai.  I've always
rented these rooms to married couples referred by student housing, but I
made the mistake of renting to people the college didn't send.  You can
see the damage they did, and the downstairs neighbor was always
complaining about the noise.  From now on, I�ll stick with the young
people the college sends me. They've always been quiet, well-behaved
couples."

	Ranma could see without asking that Akane wanted the rooms.  He did
too, but couldn�t help wondering if they would be able to live up to
Mrs. Takai�s expectations, since neither he or Akane had been
particularly quiet or well-behaved.  He pushed the thought aside, and
within a few minutes Mrs. Takai was on her way downstairs to get them
each a key.



	While she was downstairs, Ranma walked Akane to the window to enjoy the
view.

	"It's not very fancy, Akane, but I like this place."

*****

	Ranma pointed to the shop window, and turned to Akane.

	"What do you think of that one, Akane?  I think it's the perfect size
for our bedroom."

	Akane looked at the futon, and nodded.

	"I think you're right, Ranma.  So you prefer a futon to a bed?"

	"Do you want to drag a bed up two flights of stairs?�

	Akane's response was to take Ranma's arm and pull him into the store.
They didn't have a problem choosing a futon, but choosing a covering for
it and curtains to match was a different story, and they had to learn
rather quickly to compromise, especially after the argument they nearly
started had the salesman quivering at the other end of the store.  After
picking everything else they needed and arranging delivery, the couple
found a place to have lunch.

	"Akane, do you have paper in your bag?"

	"Yes, right here."

	"Okay, we need to make a list of everything else we need to do."

	They sat together making the list, and then reviewed it.

	�Akane, it looks like we can be ready by the time we break far the
holidays.  We can get married when we get home, right before the new
year.�

	Akane looked troubled, and Ranma wondered what she was thinking when
she didn�t reply.  Finally, she sighed.

	�No, Ranma.  I don�t want to get married at home.  Someone will find a
way to interfere with us again.  Can�t we find a way to get our folks up
here?�

	�Akane!  You�re getting paranoid about this!  If we tell my mother and
Kasumi what we're planning, and let them make very simple arrangements
at home, it will work out."

	�Then we can�t tell Daddy, Ranma.  He�d want to make a fuss."

	�So would Pop, sweetheart.  We�ll keep it a secret a little longer, but
eventually, we will have to tell them.�

*****

	Ranma had lost track of time, and left Akane at the restaurant door to
go to work.  Akane stopped off at the dormitory for her mail, which
included a letter from Kasumi, and returned to Mishi 's apartment.
Before she could change her mind, Akane sat down and answered her sister
�s letter, telling her about her wedding plans.

	Ranma got back to the dormitory late, and found Shiro studying. Shiro
greeted Ranma quietly, and listened while Ranma told him about the rooms
he and Akane had found, and their plans.  Ranma could see that something
was on his roommate's mind, and waited for him to speak up.

	"Ranma, I need a favor from you."

	"What�s up, Shiro?"

	"I went to see Shampoo today, and her great-grandmother threw me out.
She doesn't want me to see her."

	Ranma's eyes widened, and he sat down quickly.

	�Whoa!  Back up a minute.  You went all the way to Furinkan?�

	�Yes.�

	"And Shampoo wants to see you?"

	"She said as a friend only, for now.  But Ranma, I think she really
needs one.  I'd like to write to her, but I can't send letters to the
Nekohanten.  Who in Furinkan could hand deliver letters for me?"

	Ranma had an immediate answer.

	"Akane's sister, Kasumi.  No one would suspect a thing."

	"Why not?"

	"Because Kasumi is such a sweet thing that no one would imagine that
she could do something devious."

	Shiro saw a hole in Ranma's plan.

	"Then wouldn't she say no, Ranma?"

	"Kasumi is sweet, but she's also a romantic.  I think she�ll say yes if
we ask her.  You can put your letters to Shampoo into the ones Akane
sends to her sister.  We�ll talk to her."




Chapter 33

	Akane and Mishi sat up late that night, choosing which of Mishi's
designs Akane wanted for her kimono, while Mishi listened to Akane�s
concerns about the wisdom of having another wedding at home.  Having no
idea what had happened the previous year, Mishi was at a loss to
understand why Akane was so worried, but let her friend talk.

	Mishi was sleeping soundly when there was a soft knock on the apartment
door.  Akane heard it and quickly left the sofa bed to go to the door.

	"Ranma, what are you doing here so early?  Mishi is asleep. "

	"I�m sorry, Akane.   There's something I wanted to tell you.   Will you
go to breakfast with me?"

	Okay, Ranma.  Would you fold up the couch while I dress?"

	Akane retreated to the bathroom to dress, and soon she and Ranma left
for breakfast.  Akane waited until they were served before she asked
Ranma what was on his mind.

	"What was so important, Ranma?"

	"It's Shiro, Akane.  He went all the way to Furinkan yesterday to see
Shampoo.�

	Akane retrieved her dropped chopsticks, and listened wide-eyed as Ranma
told her the rest of the story, and asked her to call Kasumi.

	"I think she�ll help, Ranma.  But you have to admit I was right about
Shiro.  He was much more interested in Shampoo than you thought.�

	"Don't rub it in, Akane."

*****

	Kasumi was putting a load of clothes in the washer when the phone rang.

	"Hello?"

	�Hello, Sis.  How are you?"

	"Akane!  I'm fine, dear.  Is anything wrong?"

	"No, Kasumi..  But you�d better sit down."

	Kasumi sat down quickly.

	"All right, Akane.  Tell me. "

	"Ranma and I are getting married."

	Akane heard a gasp, and then there were a few moments of complete
silence.

	"Father will be so pleased when I tell him. "

	"No, Kasumi.  You mustn't tell Daddy."

	"Why not, Akane?  He 'll want to start planning your wedding. "

	"I wrote you a letter, Kasumi.  You should get it soon, and then you�ll
understand.  Let�s just say that Ranma and I want to keep things as
simple as possible.  But I called because I need you to do someone a
favor."

	"Who, Akane?"

	"Shampoo."

	This time Akane heard a squeak from her sister, and continued before
Kasumi could interrupt.

	"Just listen, Sis.  Ranma's roommate Shiro is very interested in her,
but Cologne doesn't approve.  If I sent you his letters, would you get
them to Shampoo for him?"

	Kasumi couldn't speak for a few moments, and then her first comment was
a question, as Akane had anticipated.

	"You want me to be a go-between?"

	"Right."

	Kasumi suddenly laughed.

	"I'd love to, Akane.  It sounds like fun.  I can't believe Shampoo
would be interested in someone other than Ranma, though."

	"She knows we're getting married, Sis.  Besides, she claims she just
wants Shiro as a friend.  I'm not sure whether or not to believe that."

	"We�ll have to wait and see, Akane.  But I want to talk about you and
Ranma.  Does his mother know?"

	"Not yet.  He's going to call her today."

                         				*****

	Nodoka hung up the phone and went back to what she was doing, which was
dusting the house.  Her hands worked automatically as she went over the
conversation she'd just had with her son.  It was about time he and
Akane got married.

	Genma walked into the living room, and found his wife smiling broadly
and humming to herself as she dusted.

	"Are you all right?"

	"Of course I am.  Why? "

	You don't usually look this happy when you're cleaning the house."

	�That's because I don't like cleaning up the fur you shed all over the
place."

*****

	�Why did I let you talk me into this, Akane?�

	Ranma wobbled onto the ice, and held Akane's hand, trying not to fall
down.

	�Just relax, Ranma.  You can learn to skate.�

	"I didn't last time."

	Akane looked exasperated.

	"That's because all you could think about was beating Sanzenin.  This
time it's just us."

	After Akane had dragged him around the rink a few times, Ranma felt
confident enough to try a few steps on his own.  He traveled a few feet
before falling, and Akane helped him up.

	"I don't get it, Ranma.  If you can balance on a fence, why can't you
balance on skates?"

	Akane had carefully worded her question to sting Ranma in a vulnerable
place - his pride - and he pulled his hands out of hers.

	"Just step back, Akane.  I�ll do it."

	Akane leaned on the wall, and watched Ranma concentrate.  She knew that
once he'd made up his mind to learn something, nothing would stop him.
Fifteen minutes later, they were skating together, hand in hand.

	�I knew you could do it,  Ranma. "

	"Akane, now that I've learned to skate, when will you learn to swim?"

	Akane shivered, and refused to meet Ranma's eyes.

	"Does it really frighten you that much?"

	Akane's response was almost too quiet to be heard.

	"Yes . "

	"Someday I�ll teach you, Akane, and then you won't have to be afraid of
the water."

	Akane was spared the task of replying when she heard her name being
called, and turned to see Toshi skating up.

	"Kodachi�s gone, Akane  She left this morning.�

	Akane smiled at her fianc�, and turned back to Toshi.

	"That's wonderful, Toshi.  I�ll move back this afternoon."

	Ranma helped Akane carry her belongings back to her dormitory, and she
slept well that night.  If she had known that more trouble was on that
way, she wouldn't have closed her eyes.





Chapter 34

	Akane climbed the stairs to the apartment, her arms full of packages.

	The door was open when Ranma arrived, to find Akane kneeling on the
kitchen counter re-lining the shelves.

	"Why did you leave the door open, Akane?"

	"I�m trying to air the room out, Ranma."

	Ranma sniffed, and wrinkled his nose. "What is that?"

	�It's the cleaner I had to use on the cabinets.  They looked like no
one�s cleaned them in a long time, and I'm not putting my new dishes in
a dirty cabinet."

	Ranma looked in the cabinets under the counter and reached for the
cleaner.

	"I see what you mean, Akane.  I�ll take care of these. "

	Before Ranma could start cleaning, the doorbell rang, and he ran
downstairs to answer it.  He came back upstairs a short time later with
the delivery people, who'd brought their futon and the other items
they'd purchased over the weekend.  Ranma left everything in the bedroom
and went back to work, only to be interrupted again when the paint Mrs.
Takai had ordered was delivered.

*****

	Shiro was in the middle of a letter to Shampoo, and was rather annoyed
when someone started knocking on his door.  Whoever was there was
pounding on it as if he meant to break it down.  Shiro put down his pen,
and opened the door to find a stranger standing there.

	"Where is Saotome?"

	"He and Akane are at their apartment."

	Shiro watched as the young man looked amazed, and then infuriated.  He
grabbed Shiro, and shook him.

	"Take me there, now!"

*****

	Toshi was on her way out when she noticed a young woman knocking on
Akane's door.

	"Akane isn't there.  I think she and Ranma are at their place."

	"Is this some kind of a joke?"

	"No, why should it be?"

	The young woman regained her composure.

	"Never mind.  Can you tell me how to get there?"

*****

	Akane opened the box of dishes, and began putting them into the
cabinet. She glanced down at Ranma, but all she could see was the lower
half of him protruding from the cabinet.  She smiled, enjoying the view,
and went back to work.  Shortly afterward, Ranma emerged from the
cabinet.

	"All done, Akane.  Do you want the pots and pans in here?"

	"Yes, Ranma.  I�ll help you."

	Ranma lifted Akane down from the counter and she turned to the table to
get the pots, but Ranma stopped her.

	"I think we need a break, Akane.  Did you pick up anything to drink?"

	Akane nodded, and pulled two bottles of beer from the refrigerator.
Ranma sat down, and Akane sat in his lap, handing him one of the
bottles.

	"There are more chairs, Akane."

	Akane looked disappointed, and started to get up, but Ranma restrained
her.

	"Just kidding, sweetheart. "

	Akane sipped her beer, glanced at Ranma, and giggled.

	"What's so funny?"

	"Your hair is full of dust, Ranma.  It must have been a real mess under
there."

	Akane brushed the dust out of Ranma's hair.  She began to withdraw her
hand, but changed her mind and put it behind his head, and drew him
closer to kiss him.  Ranma took both bottles and put them on the table
so that he could use both arms to hold Akane and kiss her again.
Neither of them heard the footsteps on the stairs, and it wasn't until
they opened their eyes that they realized they weren't alone.





Chapter 35

	Kuno and Nabiki stood in the doorway.  Nabiki looked utterly amazed,
and Kuno looked furious.

	Without asking for permission, Kuno walked in, glaring at Ranma.
Nabiki looked apologetic, and followed him inside.   Akane blushed, and
started to get up, but Ranma held her firmly, not allowing her to leave
his lap.  Akane stopped struggling, and greeted her sister.

	"Nabiki . "

	"Akane. "

	Kuno finally got his mouth working, and directed all of his attention
to Ranma.

	"What a scene of depravity I have walked in on, Saotome.  How could you
take advantage of a young girl's innocence like this!"

	Ranma exchanged glances with his fiancee, and sighed.  Trust Kuno to
jump to conclusions, as usual.

	"Just what do you mean by that remark, Kuno?"

	Kuno gestured at the beer.

	"Getting her alone up here, and plying her with alcohol.  You disgust
me, Saotome, and that's not the only reason."

	Kuno looked too furious to continue, and Ranma got impatient with him.

	"Do you have something else to say, Kuno?"

	"What did you do to my sister, Saotome?"

	"I didn't do anything to her, Kuno."

	"Don't lie to me.  Kodachi arrived in Morioka yesterday, saying that
she was transferring to my college.  When I asked her why, she became
hysterical, and said to ask you.  What have you done?"

	Ranma closed his eyes in exasperation, and opened them again to see
Akane looking at him.  There was no need for words between them.  Ranma
knew that sooner or later Kodachi would tell her brother what she'd
seen, and felt that it was time for the truth to come out.

	"Kuno, please sit down.  This may take some explaining.  Akane, we�ll
need the teakettle."

	Akane left Ranma's lap, put the kettle on the stove, and rejoined the
group sitting at the table.  Then Ranma began his story.

	"Kuno, your sister has been following me all over campus since I
arrived.  When I told her I wouldn't go out with her, she threatened
Akane."

	Kuno looked to Akane for confirmation, and she nodded.  He frowned, and
turned his attention back to Ranma.

	"The other night, Kodachi attacked Akane, and cut her with her ribbon."

	"How do you know?�

	"I was there. "

	Kuno rose from his chair in a fury.

	�Don�t tell me that you and Akane were. . .�

	Akane interrupted.

	"No, Kuno."

	Kuno sat again, and folded his arms.

	�What then, Saotome?  I suppose you hit my sister."

	"Absolutely not.   I don't hit girls.   Akane was able to handle your
sister by herself, but Kodachi saw something that upset her, and that's
why she left Sanna College."

	Kuno had been following everything Ranma related very closely, but
couldn�t understand his last statement.

	"What did she see?"

	"This . "

	Ranma got up, walked to the sink, and ran a glass of cold water.  Akane
had guessed what he intended, and was not surprised to see him pour it
over himself, but Nabiki gasped.

	Kuno blinked, and then got up.  He walked all around Ranma, unable to
believe what he was seeing.

	"Pigtailed girl?  Saotome, you are the pigtailed girl?  No, this is
some sort of an illusion."

	Akane picked up the steaming teakettle, and walked to Ranma's side.

	"No, Kuno.   What you see is real.   Watch."

	Akane poured the water, and Ranma yelped.

	"I�m sorry, honey.  Too hot?"

	Kuno's mouth fell open when Ranma changed back, and he said nothing.
Nabiki, however, was more interested in what she'd heard her sister call
Ranma, and repeated it.

	"Honey?"

	Kuno's expression changed, and it was obvious to the girls that Ranma
was in grave danger.

	"Saotome, you have deceived me all of these years!  You and my
pigtailed girl are one and the same person!  How many times did you
laugh at me behind my back? You even allowed me to tell you that I loved
you.  You are a monster that does not deserve to live--I will smite you
here and now!"

	Akane grabbed Kuno's arm, and made him look at her.

	"Please, Kuno, listen to me.  Ranma is under a curse--it's not his
fault.  Please don't hurt him."

	Kuno shook her off impatiently.

	"No, Akane.  You cannot even consider marrying this pervert.  It is bad
enough that he has taken advantage of you, but he is unnatural, a
monster!"

	He took a step toward Ranma, and stopped.  Ranma watched Kuno's
expression change, and wondered what he was thinking.  He was prepared
to fight him if necessary, but didn't like to think what the kitchen
would look like afterwards.  Then Kuno backed away, looking ill.

	"No.  I will not dirty my hands on you.  This is no place for a member
of the Kuno family.  Nabiki, get up.  We're leaving."

	�No.�

	"What? "

	"I said no."

	Kuno looked at Nabiki for a few seconds, and turned his back on her.

	"It's obvious to me that the two of you are sick, if you choose to
associate with this, with this thing!"

	He left without saying good bye, slamming the door behind him, and they
heard his steps going down the stairs.

	Nabiki gasped, and turned pale.  Akane quickly went to her side, and
put her arm around her.

*****

	Nabiki grabbed Akane's hand, and held it tightly for a few seconds.
Then she took a deep breath, and looked from Akane to Ranma.

	"Akane, Ranma, I had to make a choice.  I couldn�t side with Kuno if it
meant rejecting the two of you."

	Akane got her sister a glass of water, placing it into her hands.

	"Drink this, Sis.  You�ll feel better.  I'm so sorry Kuno treated you
so badly."

	Nabiki sipped her water, looking thoughtful.

	"Maybe I'm better off, Akane.  Could you imagine my having Kodachi as a
sister-in-law?

	Akane smiled.  If her sister's sense of humor had survived, she would
be all right.

	Ranma hadn't spoken in some time.  He'd stood there, and let Kuno abuse
him, and had only listened while Akane defended him.  Finally he put his
hand on Nabiki's shoulder.

	"Nabiki, thank you for sticking by us.  Are you sure you're all right?"

	"I�m fine, Ranma, just confused."

	"About what?"

	Nabiki put down her glass, and directed her eyes to Akane.

	"What's this 'honey' business, Akane, and why are the two of you living
together?"

	�Excuse me?"

	"No excuses, Akane.  I heard you.  You called Ranma 'honey', and it's
obvious that this apartment belongs to the both of you.   How long has
this been going on?

	"Since graduation day, Sis. "

	"WHAT?"

	Akane giggled, and moved closer to Ranma, who put his arm around her.

	"You insisted that we were putting on an act, Sis, so we let you think
so, but we're not living here, not yet anyway."

	Nabiki looked at Ranma and Akane in amazement.

	"I never thought you could fool me like that.  But would you explain
the
'not yet', please?"

	Ranma sat down next to Nabiki.

	"We�re getting married at the end of the month. "

	Nabiki looked hurt.

	"And when were you going to tell us?"

	"We weren't."

	"What? "

	Akane hurried to explain.

	"Kasumi and Auntie Saotome are making the arrangements at home, Sis.
Can you keep the secret with us?"

	"I don't understand why, but I will.  I can't say I approve.  After
all, Akane, the bigger the wedding, the better the gifts.  You�ll miss
out."




Chapter 36

	Shiro stood on the sidewalk, worrying.  He'd walked the young man to
Ranma's house, and they had just arrived when a girl came running up
behind them.

	"Kuno, wait for me!"

	The young man had turned, and looked at her coldly.

	"Did you know of this, Nabiki?"

	"No, nothing."

	The two had gone inside without speaking to Shiro, who remained on the
sidewalk, unwilling to go back to campus.  He'd caught the name Kuno,
and realized that Kodachi's brother had arrived in town.  He was also
positive that the young woman was a Tendo.  When Kuno came back down and
stormed past him, Shiro decided to go up and see what was going on.

	Ranma and Akane were showing Nabiki around the apartment when there was
a knock on the door.  Nabiki immediately turned around, looking hopeful.

	"Maybe Kuno calmed down and came back."

	When Ranma opened the door to find Shiro there, he welcomed him in.

	"What are you doing here, Shiro?  I thought you had a letter to write."

	"I've been downstairs for a while, Ranma.  I walked Kuno here."

	"Oh.  So that 's how he found us."

	Shiro opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but Ranma stopped him
with a look.

	"Shiro, this is Nabiki, Akane's sister.  Are you girls hungry?"

	Akane nodded.

	"I am.  What about you, Sis?"

	"Me too, Akane.  I haven't had anything since Kuno and I had lunch on
the train."

	"Come on Shiro, let's go get some takeout."

*****

	When they got downstairs, Ranma started talking.

	"Sorry to drag you out of there like that, Shiro, but I think Akane
needs some time alone with her sister."

	"What happened up there, Ranma?  Kuno looked like he was ready to kill
someone."

	As they walked, Ranma related the story to Shiro.

*****

     "Akane, I still don't get it.  Why are you and Ranma planning such
a quiet wedding?  Daddy would love to give you a big one, you know
that."

	"Yes, Nabiki, I know, and that's the problem.  You know what happened
last time.  Do you think Ranma and I want that kind of trouble?"

	Nabiki frowned, remembering the events of the previous year.

	�What makes you think it will happen again?"

	"I�m just worried it might.  The less people that know about it, the
less chance of someone interfering.  I tried to talk Ranma into getting
married here in Ube, just the two of us, but he wouldn't hear of it."

	�Why not, Akane?"

	"He didn't want to hurt our parents' feelings, and I guess he's right."

	Nabiki reached out her hand, and felt her sister's forehead.

	"No fever.  You must be serious.  Akane, when did you start listening
to Ranma?  Don't tell me you're going to be one of those obedient little
wives. You wouldn�t last a month."

	Akane couldn�t help laughing.

	"Who, me?  Trust me, Nabiki, Ranma and I still have our fights.  But do
you understand, Sis?  I can't bear the thought of going through what
happened last year again.  This time, Ranma and I don't intend to be
interfered with."

	"I�m not sure, Akane.  I think you're making too much of this."

	The door opened, and Ranma walked in with Shiro, carrying a couple of
pizzas.  Ranma looked at the clock, and then at Nabiki.

	"Are you going to stay over at the dorm with Akane, Nabiki?   It�s a
long ride back.�

	"I don't think so, Ranma.  I can get some sleep on the train.  There's
an early morning class I don't want to miss.  As it is, Kuno and I
skipped today's classes to come see you."

	Nabiki wanted to discuss the wedding, but chose to speak on neutral
subjects as they ate dinner.  After cleaning up, they locked the
apartment and went downstairs, where Shiro excused himself.

	"I�ve got to go, Ranma.  I want to finish that letter.  Good night."

	Ranma, Akane and Nabiki started the walk to the train station.  Nabiki
didn't wait long to start talking.

	"Ranma, I still can't agree with your plans for a small wedding.  You
only get married once, and I think you should go all out and have a big
reception."

	"Yeah, Nabiki, and then someone would blow it up.  Akane could have
been killed last time--doesn't that concern you a little?"

	Nabiki was furious at Ranma, and started to yell at him.

	"Of course I care, Ranma.  Akane is my sister!"

	Akane immediately got between them.

	"Stop it, you two!"

	She turned to Ranma, and took both of his hands.

	"Please, Ranma, don't fight with Nabiki."

	"Are you taking her side, Akane?"

	"Ranma!  Just listen, please?"

	Ranma restrained himself, and waited to see what Akane would say to her
sister.

	"Sis, you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd appreciate it if you
wouldn�t try to tell us what to do,  Ranma and I looked hard at our
options before we made this decision, and we made it together.  You
can't get between us, because we won't let you."

	Nabiki was silent, and watched as Ranma, who was still holding her
sister's hands, pulled her close.  Her expression softened, and she
finality smiled.

	"Okay Sis.  You win.  Ranma, I'm sorry.  But there's one thing I have
to say."

	"What�s that, Nabiki?"

	"You'd better tell Daddy before he finds out same other way, or he�ll
be very hurt."

	Akane sighed, and looked down at the sidewalk.  They'd gone another
block before she replied.

	"That's what Ranma says too, Sis.  I�ll call him soon."




Chapter 37

	Ranma breathed a sigh of relief when Nabiki's train pulled out of the
station.  Despite her agreement not to interfere in his and Akane's
business, she'd spent much of her visit giving them her opinions.

	Ranma had a Sci-Fi club meeting, and talked Akane into accompanying
him. She was tired, and would have preferred Ranma to skip the meeting
and spend some quiet time with her, but he especially wanted to see the
episodes of the X-Files they were going to show.  Everyone had settled
down, and they were about to play the tape, when Takashi came in.  He
too had brought a guest, and Akane stiffened when she saw Ukyo, and
whispered to Ranma.

	"I�m sorry we came, Ranma.  We had enough of our past haunting us
today."

	Takashi introduced Ukyo around, and watched curiously as she and Akane
greeted one another.

	"Do you two know each other?"

	Ukyo flushed.

	"Yes, we went to high school together."

	"Then you must know Ranma, too."

	Before Ukyo could respond, everyone started to shush them.

	"Talk later, the show's going on!"

	While they watched the program, Ranma and Akane kept glancing to the
side at Ukyo and Takashi.  They seemed intent on watching the program,
and weren't looking back.  After a while, Ranma was too interested in
watching the episode to look any more, and didn't glance over again
until they were changing tapes between episodes.  Then he poked Akane.

	"Akane, look at them."

	Akane glanced over quickly, and then her eyes met Ranma's.

	"They 're holding hands, Ranma."

	"That's what I wanted you to see, honey."

	Afterward, everyone sat around discussing what they'd watched, and
Takashi wandered over to where Ranma and Akane were sitting.  He sat
down next to them, making Akane look uncomfortable.  After hesitating
briefly, Ukyo quietly joined him.  Takashi smiled at Akane, and gestured
at the television.

	"What did you think of the program?"

	"Strange, I guess, but I liked it."

	Another club member sat down with them, to talk to Ranma.

	"Who's your guest, Ranma?"

	�This is my fiancee, Akane Tendo."

	Ranma waited for Ukyo to object, as she usually did, but nothing
happened.  In fact, she looked rather unconcerned. Ranma looked at his
watch, and got up.

	"We'd better go, it's getting late.  Good night."

	Takashi also rose, taking Ukyo's hand.

	"I�ll walk you home, Ukyo."

	"You don't have to, Takashi."

	Takashi looked at Ukyo, shaking his head.

	"It's late, Ukyo, and you shouldn't wander around alone.  I�ll walk
you.�

	They all went out the door together, and then the two couples
separated.

	"Ranma, Takashi is awfully possessive, isn't he?"

	"I'd say so, Akane, considering they just met the day we were all
running at the track."

	"How do you know that?"

	"I heard him say so to Ichiro. "

*****

	Ranma and Akane met the next morning to practice, but this time they
met on the soccer field instead of the gym.  Akane had nearly perfected
the technique Ranma was teaching her, and an outdoor practice area was
needed.  It wasn't light out yet when they met, and some time later the
students in nearby dormitories were awakened by a flash of light and the
sound of a small explosion.

	"Akane, you did it!"

	Akane looked at her hands, and at Ranma.

	"I�m glad you weren't in the way, Ranma.  How could you think I'd use
something like that on you?"

	"How can you ask, Akane?  The way we used to get along?"

	Akane laughed, and linked arms with her fianc�, walking toward the
cafeteria.

	"I suppose you're right."

	Ranma stopped walking to kiss Akane, and then pulled an envelope from
his pocket.

	"Would you get this to Kasumi, please?"

	�For Shampoo?"

	"Yes."

	Akane looked at the letter curiously.

	"I wonder what it's about."

	"That's none of our business, Akane."

	Akane nodded, and changed the subject.

	"You have to work this afternoon, don't you?"

	"Yes, why?"

	"So do I.  I guess we won't be able to start painting until Thursday."

	Ranma looked confused.

	"What's wrong with tomorrow evening, Akane?  We're both off."

	"I have rehearsal."

	"Damn, I forgot.  Maybe I�ll go up to the apartment and get started
without you."

	"You don't mind?"

	Ranma stopped walking, and Akane could see that he was little bit
disturbed.

	"Why should I mind?  Don't be uncute, Akane."

*****

	Ranma finished going over his notes from the day's classes, and got up
to put on his jacket.  Shiro looked up from his studying.

	"Where are you going, Ranma?"

	"To work."

	"Oh, it's a work night?  I thought you might be going to your place,
and I wanted to come along."

	"Why, Shiro?"

	�I noticed that the furniture in your apartment has seen better days.
I
wanted to see what kind of wood it is."

	"Well it is very old, Shiro.  What did you have in mind?"

	"Refinishing furniture is a hobby of mine.  Maybe we can strip it down
and re-stain it.�

	Ranma raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then smiled at his friend.

	"Can you come with me tomorrow, Shiro?  I'm going to start painting."

	"Sure, I�ll help."




Chapter 38

	Akane sat at the kitchen table, studying. She heard footsteps on the
stairs, and moments later Ranma entered the apartment.  He kissed Akane,
put his books on the table, and looked at the stove.

	"You made dinner?  I thought we were getting takeout."

	"My last class was canceled, so I had time to cook.  It's one of the
meals we learned in class, so it should be okay.�

	Ranma looked skeptical, until he spotted the checklist on the counter.

	"If you used this, it should be non-toxic."

	Akane made a face at Ranma, then laughed and changed the subject.

	"How did you get so much done last night, Ranma?  I can't believe you
painted the bathroom and the bedroom all by yourself."

	"I didn�t, Akane.  Shiro helped me."

	"Oh, I see."

	Akane got up, and pulled Ranma into the bedroom.

	"I wanted you to look at the bureau, Ranma.  Do you remember these
scrape marks being here before?  Some of the paint is gone."

	"Shiro did that, Akane.  He's going to re-finish the furniture for us."

	"But Ranma, he's already doing too much.  He's told me he wants to give
us our flowers, and he helped paint.  I feel like we're taking advantage
of him."

	Ranma held up both hands, and shrugged.

	"I tried to tell him that last night, but Shiro said it would be fun.
Working with wood is his hobby.  When his sister got married, Shiro made
her kitchen set as a gift."

	They walked back into the kitchen to set the table for dinner, and
Ranma spotted something he'd missed before.

	"The telephone's here! Now you can call your father."

	Akane hesitated, and started to take the dishes out of the cupboard.

	"After dinner."

	Ranma took the dishes from her, and pushed her toward the phone.

	"Now, Akane."

*****

	Akane hung up the phone, and reached for her purse.  She took out a
bottle of Tylenol�, and opened it.

	"I should have known, Ranma.  All Daddy can talk about is how his
little girl deserves the best wedding he can give her."

	"But Akane, I heard you tell him that Mom and Kasumi have everything
under control?�

	"Yes, Ranma, but he asked Kasumi for a copy of the guest list, and you
should have heard him when he read it.  It sounds like he wants to
invite at least three times as many people as we planned."

	"Well, don't worry about it, sweetheart.  This time we won't allow
anyone to interfere.  Hand me the phone, would you?  I have to call
Pop."

	Ranma ate quietly for a few minutes, while Akane watched him anxiously.

	"What's wrong, Ranma?  Don't you like it?"

	Ranma looked blank for a second, and then looked down at his plate.

	"It's not the dinner, Akane--you did a great job.  It's Pop.  He said
he was going to call your father and help with the plans.  He was
annoyed with Mom and Kasumi for not telling them.  I don't think either
of them will listen to us."

	"Then I'm glad we waited so long to tell them, Ranma.  How much can
they accomplish in just two weeks?�

*****

	Shampoo was feeling rather down.  She hadn't heard from Shiro, and
despite her statement that she would find a way to see him, hadn't
thought of how to do so.  She sighed, looked out the window, and
realized someone was looking in.  Kasumi smiled at Shampoo, and by a
tilt of her head made it plain that she wanted Shampoo to come outside.

	Shampoo didn't want her great-grandmother to know she was going
outside, and left without her coat, shivering a little in the cold.

	"Hello, Kasumi.  You looking for me?"

	Kasumi looked a little nervous, but still smiled.

	"Yes, Shampoo.  This is for you."

	She produced an envelope from her purse, which Shampoo quickly tucked
into her apron pocket.

	"From Shiro?"

	�Yes.�

	Shampoo's eyes shone.

	"Thank you, Kasumi.  How you get it?"

	"Akane sent it, dear."

	Shampoo's look indicated how amazed she was, and then the pain she
thought she'd conquered returned.  It wasn't as devastating as it had
been a few days ago, but it still hurt.

	"Shampoo go in now.  Tell Akane thank you."

	Shampoo had to wait until she could get up to her room to read the
letter from Shiro.  It was a short, casual letter, bringing her up to
date on what he was up to.  Shiro wasn't pushing anything further than
friendship, which surprised her.  Except for Ranma, who had never shown
her anything but disinterest, most of the men she'd met were very
aggressive, like Mousse.  The fact that Shiro was showing respect for
her desire for friendship only surprised her a great deal.

	Shiro wrote of Ranma and Akane's success in finding a place to live,
and their wedding plans.  Shampoo was surprised that he'd done so, and
felt a rush of gratitude.  It was good of Shiro to tell her rather than
allow her to find out through rumor, which would be more painful.

	Shiro concluded his letter expressing concern for her well-being, and
asking her to write him back.

	Friday morning, Shiro got a letter from Shampoo.  She thanked him for
writing to her, and assured him that she was well, despite having to put
up with Mousse's unwelcome attention.  Then she surprised him.

	"Shiro, Shampoo have Saturday off.  Am going into city, to visit
aquarium.  If Shiro can meet Shampoo there, would like that very much.
Will be there at 10:00."

	Shiro re-read the last paragraph of the letter several times.  He'd
have to get up very early to get into Tokyo for 10 a.m., but there was
no way he would disappoint Shampoo.

- - - - - - -

To be continued

Comments? send to karaohki@snet.net

For earlier sections of this story, see the library
at http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rothko/228