CHAPTER 3
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All rights are of Rumiko Takahashi's
I would just like to clear up a few things,
1. Akane and Ranma are both 18 now.
2. Heishiro is 19 right now.
3. You might not see the other characters here because this fanfic will center around the Tendo's, the Saotome's, Heishiro and some other characters.
Well, that's about it. As you might expect, Chapter 4 will take a while because of school and everything. I hope you bear with me.
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Chapter 3-Home at Last
All out rage came out of Ranma and he approached the man slapping his hand away from Akane's. He faced the man, his aura a bright blue.
"Get away from her." Ranma said in a firm but strong voice. His concentration faltered a bit when he saw a blue aura surrounding the other man.
"Who are you to push me aside, away from my fiancée?" Heishiro said.
Ranma's blue aura faded and he said, "Fiancée?! But I'm Akane's fiancé!"
Heishiro's aura disappeared just as suddenly and he leaned closer to Ranma, his eyes narrowed. "I am Akane's fiancé!"
Ranma leaned closer too and said, "No, I am!"
"No I am!"
"No way, pal. I am!"
"I am not your pal, but I am Akane's fiancé!"
"Impossible, Akane will never choose someone like you!"
"Oh yeah?! Then what makes you think Akane will choose you over me!"
"DUH?! Isn't obvious?!"
"Oh yeah?!"
"Yeah!"
Both men kept on arguing and didn't notice a somewhat blue aura getting brighter and brighter.
"How dare you?" Akane said getting the two's attention. Her head was bent so they couldn't see her face.
Two big sweat drops appeared on each guy, as Akane loomed over them with two gigantic mallets in her hands.
"Uh, oh..." was all they could manage to get out.
* * *
Ryouga watched from the side as Akane pummeled both men into bruised pulps. Akane had stopped the pummeling when the Tendo's came out of the house accompanied by Mr. Saotome. Ryouga didn't bother to look at the two heaps on the ground to know that they're unconscious. He kept on looking at Akane. *Oh Akane, how much you've changed, but yet the same as I remembered.* He chuckled a bit at that. If it were years ago he would've been laughing at Ranma now, but now, a lot has changed. He ran up to Ranma and carried him in while Mr. Saotome carried the other heap in to.
* * *
(in Ranma's room. Soun, Genma, Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane, and Ryouga are sitting all around the two men.)
Both men stirred and said in almost the same time, "Akane..."
All eyes turned on Akane. She seemed oblivious to their attention. She had a far away look in her eyes. She snapped out of it and said, "Daddy, Ranma and Heishiro came back..." Akane said.
Soun looked at her and said, "Ranma came back! Well, that's great news! Who is this...Heishi--" words died at his mouth as everything came clear to him and old memories came back. Soun hastily glanced at Genma and tries to sneak away, but was easily caught.
Mr. Saotome looked Soun straight in the eyes and said, "Tendo, now who _is_ this Heishiro guy? Don't tell me you're keeping it as a secret from your best friend?"
"I, um, I--" Soun was cut off as Nabiki talked.
"It's like this," everyone turned to her, "Daddy engaged Akane since birth to Heishiro," that made Ryouga and Genma gasp, "Then, Heishiro came when he was about ten years old and met us. That would make Akane nine. Heishiro came with his father, but, his father left about five years later, coz' he and Heishiro had this big fight about staying, so Heishiro's dad left. When Heishiro first came, Daddy didn't make him choose. After some years passed by, Akane and him got closer because of martial arts and stuff. Heishiro was studying bushido. Hey, y'know I should be paid for this!" everyone stared at her, "Okay, okay, sheesh! Can't blame a girl for trying to make a little cash! Well, on with the story. When Akane was about fourteen, Heishiro announced that he wanted to be engaged to Akane. About a year passed by and something came up. Heishiro received a letter and then he said he had to leave and he wouldn't tell us the reason--" Nabiki was cut off by Akane.
"Not even me..." Akane said, a bewildered look in her eyes.
Nabiki looked at her and continued on, "Well, that's the shortest I could get."
Ryouga sighed. *Poor Ranma...*
Genma looked at Soun through narrowed eyes, "You mean you engaged your daughter to another?"
Soun looked at him thought up an answer, "Well, you did too!"
Genma turned from a glare to a huge smile, "I know! Now I know we're really pals! Now we're even!"
With that, the two broke into a happy dance.
"I can't believe this." Nabiki said while looking at her father and Mr. Saotome. She ignored them and turned to Akane, "Hey sis, what're you going to do with the both of them since they're both engaged to you?"
Everyone was silent and waited for Akane's answer.
"I-I-" Akane said, not sure what to say.
"Hmmm?" Everyone said.
"I don't know, I-" Akane's eyes glazed over and she said, "I don't know anymore." Tears welled up and she stood up running out into the night.
* * *
"Let me get this straight, this moron here," he said pointing his finger at Heishiro, "is Akane's _other_ fiancé. Now why wasn't I told that when I first came here?" Ranma asked.
Soun smiled at him and said, "Son, we didn't want to lie to you, but we didn't want any more conflict about the matter."
"You mean, everyone knew all along, but I didn't?" Ranma said.
"That's the reason Akane was so pissed off by boys." Nabiki mentioned.
Ranma faced Nabiki and said, "You didn't even tell me!"
Nabiki smirked at him and said, "You didn't ask."
"I should've expected that answer from you." Ranma muttered.
"Maybe you were just so blind to see." Heishiro put in.
"Haha. Very funny, I have no problem, Akane will surely choose me over you." Ranma wasn't sure if he really believed that.
"Like I told you a while ago, impossible! Akane and I have been together since we were ten. You've only been with her for a year!" Heishiro said smiling at Ranma.
"The length of time two people have been together isn't what's important, it's the strength of the love that they shared is what matters the most!" Ranma shouted back at Heishiro.
Everyone was impressed at what Ranma had said, except Heishiro.
"What book did you get that from?" Heishiro calmly said.
Ranma exploded at the samurai, "I didn't copy that from a book, you dolt!"
Heishiro erupted and said, "I am not a dolt! You idiot!" Heishiro said, shaking his fist at Ranma.
Ranma was about to say something when Kasumi appeared from nowhere and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Now, settle down you two. You have to find Akane so that all of us can have a quiet dinner tonight." The two of them couldn't say no to Kasumi's big beaming smile, "Now, off with the both of you, and no fighting okay?"
They both stood up still scowling at each other. They both left the dojo in search of their fiancée.
* * *
"Look what you've done! You made her go away!" Heishiro said, scolding Ranma.
Ranma looked at him indignantly and said, "What do you mean it's my fault? You're the one who started it!"
They were walking through the streets of Nerima looking for their fiancée. They both knew how Akane could get so careless when she's angry or confused. They were both worried. It's been more than an hour since Akane had fled into the night.
"If you hadn't come back, then everything would be fine right?" Heishiro said.
"I'll never leave Akane with you! And anyway, if _you_ hadn't come, then everything would be great!" Ranma answered.
A short silence descended and Heishiro finally spoke up.
"Okay, we split up and look in different directions. Deal?" Heishiro extended his hand for a shake.
Ranma obligingly held up his hand and shaked the other's.
* * *
Ranma ran on top of the roofs, his forehead creased with worries. *Akane, where could you have gone to? Hmmm, where would the places she'd be going to? Why is it she always makes me worry?* Ranma thought for a while then, "I got it!"
Ranma ran as fast as he could, hoping that he would be able to see Akane safe in his arms.
* * *
Heishiro hopped from roof to roof, thinking of where Akane would go to find peace. *Now, what would I do if I was Akane?* Heishiro smiled and thought, *If I were Akane I would dump that pig tailed guy, named Ranma and go with Heishiro!* He laughed, he caught sight of a cherry blossom tree and then, "I got it!"
Heishiro raced through the night sure that he would be the first to arrive.
* * *
Akane wept silently by a cherry blossom tree. She pulled her knees closer to her chest. The wind was gently playing with her hair, as if trying to brush away the worries-it wasn't working. She didn't know what to do. Both of her fiancé's left for a long time and then they come back after years! What _was_ she supposed to do? She had hit them with her large mallet, which she had always done in the past. *Why can't I think before I act? If I hadn't smacked them right away I could've gotten a clear answer.*
Akane felt a hand on her shoulder; she looked up, not to see Heishiro, nor Ranma. A kind face warmly smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder lightly. Ryouga looked down at her and sat down on the ground in an indian sit.
* * *
Ranma crawled behind a bush. He was on all fours when he saw someone already there with Akane. He wasn't surprised that Ryouga had quietly followed Akane when she ran off. He was barely in hearing range but he could make out the words clearly. He crawled closer into the bushes to hear them more clearly and was surprised when he bumped his head on something.
"Owww!" Ranma quietly hissed. He looked in front of him and glared at the face of Heishiro also on all fours trying to eavesdrop on Akane.
"What're you doing here?" Heishiro whispered.
"What're _you_ doing here?" Ranma answered.
They both stopped when they heard Akane's voice.
"Did you hear that?" Akane asked when she heard a rustling in the bushes.
Ryouga looked at her and said, "It was nothing. Don't mind it," Ryouga looked into the bushes and said in a much louder voice, "I'm sure that there won't be anymore _noises_ out there!" Ryouga knew that both Heishiro and Ranma were hiding in the bushes, he had sensed them when they first came.
Akane looked weirdly at Ryouga and asked, "Why are you shouting like that?"
Ryouga was caught off guard by the question and held his hand up to the back of his head saying, "Oh! Uh, nothing! Hehehe! Just...wanted to warm up my voice!" Only when he finished the sentence did he realize how stupid his excuse was. Luckily, Akane didn't press on the subject.
* * *
"Just wanted to warm up my voice? What a stupid friend you got Ranma." Heishiro whispered.
"I admit, he's thickheaded some times, but he's not stupid. Anyway, don't go on insulting my friends or somethin'." Ranma answered.
They both silenced when Akane and Ryouga resumed talking.
* * *
"Hey, thanks for coming out here to cheer me up." Akane was looking into the star filled night.
"It's nothin'. So why are you out here anyway?"
Akane looked at him and tried weak smile, "I dunno, I'm confused I guess. I just don't know what to do now that both of them are here. I just don't know who to choose, y'know, when the time comes."
Ryouga thought carefully for an answer, then said, "Akane, why don't you just spend time with both of them and see whom you love more." That was the simplest answer Ryouga could think of to give, he wasn't that good in this emotional talking and stuff.
Akane sighed and thought about the answer Ryouga gave. It was simple, but logical. She thought about it some more because she didn't want to make a mistake.
"Ok, Ryouga I'll try that." Akane said, some of her spirits lightening up.
"Great! Now, if you could just lead me back to the dojo, so that we could have dinner now, everything's gonna be fine." Ryouga said helping Akane up. He felt Ranma and Heishiro silently creep away.
"Maybe you're right. Everything will be fine." Akane wasn't sure if she could believe what she just said, but who knows?
(in the dojo...)
Everyone was waiting for Akane and Ryouga at the dinner table. Dinner was ready and waiting. Heishiro and Ranma had just arrived and settled down on their places. Ranma was seated in his normal place before he left. Heishiro was seated right in front of Akane's place.
Akane came in, a slight smile on her face, "Hey, I'm quite fine now. Has anyone seen Ryouga?"
Ranma answered without thinking, "Wasn't he with you?" Heishiro elbowed him when Akane had a questioning look in her face. Ranma continued, "I thought he went with you coz', um, coz', he's...uh...not here! That's right! I thought he was with you coz' he's not here!" Ranma was glad he could think up an excuse.
"Oh." Akane said, "Yeah, he was with me a while ago."
"What do you mean was?" Ranma asked.
"I had to go to the bathroom on the way home, and when I got out, he was nowhere to be seen." Akane answered.
"He probably got lost again." Ranma said yawning.
Heishiro stood up and held his hand to Akane, "Here, let me help you to your seat."
Ranma watched as Heishiro took Akane's hand and led her to her seat. He could hear Heishiro's silent victory cheer shouting at him.
Everyone was now starting to eat.
Heishiro, not backing up, took a piece of vegetable and placed it on Akane's bowl, "Here Akane, vegetables are much more healthier than meat." He said returning a grin of his own.
"Um, thanks Heishiro." Akane said.
Ranma took Akane's cup and poured tea in it, "Here's some tea." Ranma again smiled at Heishiro.
"Uh, yeah, I am a bit thirsty." Akane said reaching for the cup.
Before Akane could take the cup, Heishiro took it and handed Akane some water, "Here, Akane, water is much better than tea coz' it's pure." Heishiro said smiling triumphantly at his rival.
They resumed eating, then Akane finished her rice then Ranma took it from her and said, "Let me get you more rice Akane."
"No, I'm--" Akane was cut off by Heishiro.
The samurai grabbed the bowl from Ranma's hand and said, "No, let me get it for you Akane." He beamed at Akane.
Ranma took hold of the other side and said, "No, I will."
Heishiro pulled the bowl to him and said, "No, _I_ will."
"No way, man, I will." Ranma said.
Everyone except Genma who was eating his dinner, watched as the two boys both started pulling the rice bowl back and forth from each side of the table. The others watched as it turned into a grudge match of who'll get rice for Akane.
Nabiki rolled her eyes and said, "Gimme a break."
Kasumi just said, "Oh my."
Soun looked at the boys and proudly said, "That's the spirit you boys!"
Genma didn't even notice them.
All were surprised when Akane silently plucked the bowl from their hands and said, "No, let me get it myself."
The two both silenced and exchanged now-look-what-you've-done looks.
Dinner passed silently and they all helped with cleaning the table.
"I see you'll have to stay here Heishiro, you'll be sleeping with Ranma in his room." Soun told Heishiro.
"Whaddya mean my room!" Ranma exclaimed.
"I'm not thrilled either if you ask me." Heishiro mildly said.
"I'm really sorry Ranma, but Heishiro's old room is so dirty and your room is the only one with the space. Don't worry, you'll get along." Kasumi said smiling at Ranma.
"What do you mean dirty--" Ranma couldn't anyhting else out when Kasumi said,
"I'm sure you two will get along great!" Kasumi smiled and Ranma just sighed.
(in Ranma's room...)
Both Ranma and Heishiro eyed each other as they fixed their futons on the floor.
Ranma opened his backpack and took out his things. He was silently taking a look at Heishiro's things. *Vests, loose fitting pants like the one he has on, socks, boxers, of course, and many other things. Pretty normal guy.* "So, uh, where do you live?" Ranma asked breaking the silence.
Heishiro looked at Ranma and said, "I don't know where I was born. I was pretty much raised outdoors. Y'know, training. My dad brought me here when I was about ten, so I practically call this my home. How 'bout you?"
Ranma noticed how similar they were in being raised, so he answered, "Pretty much the same, I was also raised in training, I came here when I was 16." Ranma said.
"Oh, you're the same age of Akane." Heishiro voiced as he changed into his boxers and shirt.
"Um, yeah." Ranma answered. He was a bit uncomfortable talking to this guy knowing that he's also Akane's fiancé. He changed into his boxers and sat down on his futon.
"So, are you going to college here?" Heishiro asked.
"I think so, I'm going to where Akane studies."
"Yeah? I'll be going there too." The samurai answered.
"Oh."
They both quieted and resumed their nightly rituals.
After a while, they finished and went to their futons and slept.
* * *
Akane sat in her room, thinking about Ryouga's advice a while ago.
"He's right, everything's gonna be fine." Akane said talking to herself. *I hope.*
Akane waited for a while and thought, *I guess they're asleep by now, better go check at them.*
So she stood up and silently went to Ranma and Heishiro's room. She opened the door, went in, and closed it behind her, careful not to wake them up. Akane smiled at her thought. *A bulldozer through the house won't wake up these two.*
She looked down at them and smiled. They looked so calm and peaceful, as the moonlight shined through the window. Akane sat down between them while brushing a couple of strands of hair from Ranma's face and softly whispered, "I love you..." then she turned to Heishiro's sleeping body and pulled his blanket to his chin then added, "but I love you too..."
Akane stood up and gave each guy a kiss on the forehead. She looked at them and noticed Heishiro's face suddenly become serious and he looked like he was running from something. *Must be a nightmare.* Akane thought. She did the one thing Kasumi always did to her when she had nightmares when she was little. She kneeled down beside Heishiro and whispered softly into his ear,
"Shhh, I'm here. Don't be afraid." She held his hand for a while and when Heishiro's face calmed down, she stood up. She took one last look and smiled as she closed the door behind her.
{Heishiro stood in a room, surrounded by the dark. He didn't know where he was, but he knew something was there with him. He started to walk, and felt something following him. He felt it getting closer and he started to run. Faster he ran as beads of sweat dripped down his body. He felt his body becoming heavier and his legs were turning to stone. He continued to run and felt the shadow coming up to him. He struggled for safety and couldn't find it. Then there was this light ahead of him, a light that seemed to grow brighter by the second. He reached for it knowing it was the only thing that would keep him away from the shadow following him. He ran faster, ignoring the pain tearing at his limbs. He had to get to the light or he knew he would surely die. When he thought the shadow was upon him, he finally reached the source of the light and felt safe again. It was no longer dark, the shadow was nowhere to be seen or felt. He was lying on his bed, in Ranma's room. He looked around and saw the one thing that saved him from the shadow. The door closed behind Akane. It was Akane. It was Akane that had saved him from the shadow. It had always been Akane who saved him from the shadow right from the start when he had first had these nightmares. He closed his eyes and felt safe again, dreaming of his beloved Akane.}
When the door closed, the soft moonlight gently shone on two smiling faces.
*End Chapter 3
-Kiwi :C)
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