For Every Action, Part 3
Most characters and situations in this story are the
property of Takahashi Rumiko and are used without consent
but without the desire to give offense.
"So, what's with your brother and Kunou?" Akane asked Yamazaki
Kouchi in the hall at the start of lunch. Ranma-chan's other
"fiance" was a delicate-looking boy whose appearance and rather
feminine mannerisms belied his considerable martial arts skills.
Ranma despised the younger Yamazaki for a variety of reasons,
but Akane rather liked him.
Kouchi looked up from the water fountain he'd stopped at, to
reply, "Oh, Nabiki said something that suggested her affections
were already engaged, so Ken-chan decided to find out with
whom. Apparently she and Kunou-sempai meet together fairly
regularly sooo-" Kouchi shrugged daintily.
"But thats just so she can sell him stuff!" Akane protested.
Kouchi smiled a little, "That's comforting to hear, but who
among us really knows what goes on behind Nabiki's eyes? It
is that mystery about her that fascinates me. My brother on
the other hand-why speak of the devil! Ken-chan you look-"
"Die, you sneaky underhanded little freak!" Kentaro braced
himself to attack the smaller boy. Having been tricked into
fighting Kuno just so Nabiki could manipulate the odds in the
school betting pool with Kouchi's help, Ken's fuse was burning
short.
Kouchi rolled his eyes, "You are in SUCH a mood today."
Kouchi was short on power and stamina but every bit as fast
as Ranma. In a blur of movement he zipped out of the way
and Kentaro's blow struck the water fountain, sending it
exploding apart in a spray of water.
"Now look what you did. You frightened Akane. You think
that's the way to impress Nabiki-san?" Both brothers looked
at a pale Akane, gasping for breath after just managing to
scramble out of the blast zone.
"Please forgive me Tendo-san. I did not mean to alarm you."
"And I apologise for having a brother who is a jerk."
"Who are you calling a jerk!"
Figuring that a little of the Yamazaki sibling rivalry went
a long way, particularly while water was still spraying, Akane
took advantage of their mutual distraction to leave.
"I'm not going to make it, Ranma," Akane moaned as they ate
lunch outside. "The day's only half-over, and I haven't been
to Home Economics yet. Somebody's going to spill something cold
on me, I just know it."
"Relax Akane, I can duck getting wet at school most of the time
and so can you. Just hold out for a couple of periods, then go
home before Home Eck. Tell the teacher you ate something you
cooked and she'll excuse you...." After she hit him she felt
better, not just because the frustration outlet, but
because if he was making jokes about her cooking, that probably
meant he was starting to feel comfortable around her again.
Two hours later, Akane was in agony. She'd taken Ranma's
advice, more or less, and headed home early, only to be caught
by another of those instant rain showers that had become so much
more common with Ranma's arrival. She'd taken the precaution of
switching into her gym shorts and top but her feet were killing her.
They'd almost been at Doctor Tofu's the first time she'd transformed
so she hadn't noticed much, but the walk back her house had made it
painfully obvious that her feet got larger with the rest of her.
She sat down to slip off her running shoes then sighed in relief
and wiggled her toes. Standing, her eyes met Yoiko's, a neighbour
and former classmate of Kasumi's who'd married straight out of high
school. Yoiko had apparently just come back from shopping, but the
look in her eyes and the direction of her gaze suggested something
other than domestic matters might be occupying her thoughts. Yoiko
blushed, giggled and scurried past. *She was checking me out!
That's disgusting! And she's a married woman too!* Akane suddenly
felt selfconscious again...and curious. She slowly looked down. A
muscular, partly bare midriff met her gaze, and a pair of shorts
that were tight enough to leave nothing to the imagination. *I
wonder what Ranma would think if I pointed out that I'm now the
better built one.* A vivid picture of Ranma crushing her with
the living room table popped into head. *At least I know how to
keep my mouth shut. I feel like such a pervert. I have to get
home and change back.*
Kasumi hummed quietly to herself. She loved her family, and
actually enjoyed observing their frenetic activity from a safe
distance, but she needed moments like these, just alone doing
some peaceful housework to help stay centred and calm. Her
father was in the dojo, Mr Saotome was at his part-time job,
and the rest of her excitable family were still in school. Done
for the moment. Perhaps she'd take a little walk before
everyone got home. She opened the door, looked at the startled
young man in front of her. *Oh my! I wonder how old he is?*.
Kasumi smiled and said, "Hello, are you one of Ranma's friends?"
The young man looked surprisingly nervous as he answered "Uhm, yes,
I'm...Ranma's friend."
-----
Part 3 ends here.
No. This not going to become a lemon. Just in case you
wondering. I dunno. About 4 K per segment just seems
to fit this story. Oh, and if you are bored by the
Yamazakis, don't worry, they make no further appearance
in this story. I resisted the temptation to have Makoto
show up and announce that Akane reminded her of her
boyfriend, so allow me my Yamazakis.
I'd like to thank ali Takavoli (I hope I have the name right)
for helping me name Kouchi.