By Bing

Part Two - Partners

Chapter 10 - The Visit

The warmth of his mother’s arms made Hikaru feel at home. He smiled and then put Akane at arms’ length.

"Welcome home, Hikaru," said Akane.

"Thanks, Mom. It’s great to see you."

"Same here. Well, shall we go in?"

"Sure."

Arm in arm, they went inside the house where Akane made him some tea. The two of them sat at the tearoom where they had their usual mother-son talks.

"I’m so glad that you’re here," said Akane. "I missed you so much."

"Well, we have a one week break, so I’ll be here quite awhile." Shyly, he admitted, "I hope I get to see Yi Ping."

Akane had to laugh. "Yi Ping, huh?"

Hikaru blushed. "I just think she’s cute."

His mother laughed again, and she tried to picture her son with Shampoo’s daughter. "That’s alright, Hikaru."

Hikaru took a sip of his tea. "Say, how are things with you, Saotome-sensei? And the school?"

"Oh, fine. We’re opening a school at Utsunomiya. We might go there sometime after you leave. He wanted to go there this week, but I told him that I wanted to spend time with you as much as I can. I made it clear that you are my number one priority."

Hikaru smiled. He was lucky to have such a caring and loving mother. However, it saddened him that his mother had no social life. Sure, she had her work, her friends, and her family, but Akane had no one special.

"Mom, why don’t you ever get married again?"

Akane was astonished at his suggestion. "Hikaru!"

"Come on, Mom. Why don’t you? I mean you’re still young and very beautiful. You’ve got a real nice personality."

"Hikaru, the last thing I need right now is another man. I mean I have you. That’s enough."

Hikaru sighed and got quiet. Then he said, "Oh, I get it. You don’t want to love another man like you loved my father, right?"

Akane felt the hairs at the back of her neck rise. When Hikaru said, "my father." She knew that there was so much truth in his statement. "Yes. I loved your father very much."

Hikaru detected the sadness in her voice. "I miss Dad, too, Mom. I wish he never left us."

She looked at her son. Oh, Hikaru…if only you knew the truth!

"He went on. "There was so much I wanted to say to him. He wasn’t around very much because of his job. I understood, but I wish I had gotten to know him better."

Akane smiled. "Oh, Hikaru. Your father loved you very much. He was always so proud of you."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Mm-hmm."

Her son gazed at her. "Mom, I know you were young when you married Dad. You guys were still in college. How did he take it when he found out that you were about to have me?"

"I…uh…"

"Come on, Mom. Tell me. I mean, this is one way of getting to know him, right?"

"Well," Akane began carefully, "your father was shocked, but he took the news well…"

***

(Flashback)

Twenty-two year old Kouhei Sato wondered what was wrong with his good friend Akane Tendo. He had not been seeing her at school, and whenever he called her place, no one answered the phone. Finally, he had had enough and paid her a visit.

Knocking on her door, he called out, "Akane? Akane? It’s me. Kouhei."

No reply.

He tried again. "Akane! Akane! I know you’re in there." He banged on the door. "AKANE!"

Kouhei frowned. Then he reached for the knob. To his surprise, he found it open. Slowly, he let himself in.

"Akane?"

The room was dark except for the light that was coming from the window where he found Akane sitting by and staring outside.

"Akane?"

Slowly, Akane turned to face him. "Oh, hi, Kouhei."

What Kouhei saw gave him a shock. This girl before him was not the bright and beautiful Akane he knew. This girl who had an empty look in her eyes and a sad mouth suddenly replaced her.

"Akane, I haven’t been seeing you around. I was concerned which was why I came. I’m glad I did. Akane, what’s wrong?" As Akane slowly turned back to her window, Kouhei knelt down before her. "Akane, what is it? Please tell me. I want to help you."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Looking at Kouhei, her lower lip trembled as she spoke, "Oh, Kouhei, I’m pregnant!"

Pregnant? The word registered in Kouhei’s mind.

Carefully, he asked, "Akane, are you sure?"

"Yes. I already went to the doctor. He said that I was a month along."

"Does the father know?"

"No."

Kouhei took her hands into his. "Akane, you have to tell him."

She shook her head. "No, Kouhei! You don’t understand! Ranma is already in America!"

"So? Haul his ass back here in Japan!"

"No! I can’t! He’s already married!"

Kouhei closed his eyes in resignation. "Oh, Akane."

"Kouhei, I don’t know what to do. I can’t depend on this baby’s father. If I told my own father what happened, I will surely be a disgrace. Oh, Kouhei, I’m so scared!"

Kouhei quickly put his arms around her. He felt sorry for Akane. She was so young…only nineteen years old. He wanted to say that she should have been more careful, but he held his breath. Akane was not perfect, and neither was he.

Suddenly, his mind started to work. With all his problems, Akane’s problem just might be the answer to his. A smile spread across his face.

Kouhei drew away from her and held her by the shoulders. "Akane, I have an idea."

Two days later, Kouhei Sato and Akane Tendo exchanged vows.

***

"So, you and dad were only married for a month when you found out you were going to have me," said Hikaru. "Right during college. Wasn’t that tough?"

Akane nodded. "Yes, but it didn’t matter. He was very happy. He promised to be there for me…no matter what…even when I was in labor…"

***

(Flashback)

"Push, Akane-chan! Push!"

Akane was on the bed surrounded by doctors and nurses. Beside her was Kouhei who was holding her hand and was wearing scrubs.

Akane started to cry. The pain was just so unbearable. "I…can’t. Oh, Kouhei, it hurts so much."

"Akane-chan, please. You’ve got to get the baby out."

"He’s right, Mrs. Sato," said the obstetrician. "Do you want this baby out?"

"Y…yes…" She managed to reply in a weak voice.

"Then you have to work with me."

Pain shot through Akane, and she screamed.

"Akane!" Kouhei called out.

She stopped screaming, but started to sob. "Oh, Kouhei…I’m so scared."

Kouhei ran his hand through her hair. "Come on, Akane. You’ve got to work with us. I’m here. I’ll always be here."

"You…you’ll never leave me…"

He kissed her sweaty forehead. "Never. Never, Akane-chan."

The contractions began again. Above her screams, she heard the doctor ordering her to push. She closed her eyes. Oh, Kami-sama, give me strength. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of one man she loved and she’ll probably never see again. Oh, Ranma, where are you when I need you?

The thought of Ranma suddenly gave her strength. I may not have you, Ranma, but I will have your child.

"Push, Akane. Come on. You can do it."

Akane shouted in pain as she pushed hard. I’ll have a part of you, Ranma.

"Good…good, Akane! One more hard push."

With all her strength, Akane gave one more push…and suddenly she heard a baby’s cry.

***

"When I first held you, you were this small." Akane held out her hands apart smaller than a foot. "You were so tiny in my arms." Then she smiled. "Now here you are."

"A huge gorilla with an appetite big enough for two people, " replied Hikaru.

Akane laughed and hugged him. "Oh, you big goof." Then she reached out for the tea set to clean up. "Well, enough of that."

Hikaru stopped her. "Oh, no, Mom. Let me take that. You just sit down and relax. Besides, I gotta stretch my legs."

"Alright."

Akane continued to smile as her son cleaned up. Once she was alone, however, she frowned. One day, I’m going to have to tell him the truth.

***

"What’s for dinner, Mom? Was the first question Ranma asked when he came in Nodoka’s kitchen.

"Sweet and sour pork, "replied Nodoka.

"Good enough. I’ll stay."

"So, how was class today?"

"Alright. I told Akane that I wanted to go and check out the construction of the school in Utsunomiya, but she wanted to spend time with her son."

"Oh, that’s right. Hikaru’s in town."

"Yeah." A pause. "You know Hikaru?"

"Of course, dear. I’ve met him at Akane’s homecoming party. Such a nice young lad. I’m so glad that he decided to spend the week with his mother."

"How did you know that he was going to be here for a week?"

"Simple, dear. Akane told me over tea yesterday."

Ranma stared at his mother. "Wait a minute. You invited Akane over for tea?"

"That’s correct."

Miffed, Ranma pointed out. "You never invited Michiko over for tea."

"I would if she was around more often."

"Mom," warned Ranma.

Nodoka turned to her son. "Now that we are in the subject of Michiko, have you spoken to her about having a child?"

"Well…"

"Yes or no, Ranma."

"Mom, Michiko and I talked it over, and we think that it’s best for us to wait. Right now is not the time for us to have a baby."

"Well, if now is not the time, when is? For goodness’ sakes, Ranma! You’re almost thirty-seven years old! You’ll be too old to start teaching your own child the art!"

"Oh, man! Don’t go through this again, Mom!"

"Oh, I will go through this again! You’re always making excuses for that vain, self-centered wife of yours. I have no idea what you see in her."

Ranma stared at her in shock. He never heard his mom say an ill word about his wife. "Mom, what is your problem?"

"Nothing. I am just sick of you making excuses for her. She’s selfish. All she ever thinks about is herself. She steps all over you. Honestly, the last thing I ever expected is for my son to be held on leash by someone like her…and all because she’s the reason why you’re a full man. I’m telling you right now that cure certainly did you no justice."

"Alright, Mom. You are way out of line on that one."

"Am I? I just told you the truth, my son."

Ranma took a deep breath and turned around to leave.

"Where are you going?" Nodoka demanded.

"Anywhere but here," replied Ranma in clenched teeth.

***

The exchange he had with his mother made Ranma go straight for the dojo. Why was it everytime he went to his mother’s, they would get into an argument about Michiko? And why was it that everytime they did, his mother always made perfect sense? All this thinking is driving absolutely crazy! Maybe I just need to blow off steam.

The dojo was not empty when he arrived there. Ranma found Hikaru doing some kata.

Hikaru stopped immediately. "Oh…hello, Saotome-sensei."

"Hi." Ranma greeted back. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt."

"Nonsense. This is your dojo, too."

Ranma nodded. "So, how’s school?"

"Alright. My marks are good so I can’t complain."

"That’s good, Hikaru. Keep it up."

"Thanks. I will." Hikaru smiled.

"Well, I better go."

As Ranma turned, Hikaru called out, "Saotome-sensei, wait!"

Ranma looked at him. "Yes?"

"I probably have a lot of nerve, but could we spar?"

Ranma was surprised. "Spar?"

"Please."

"Well…" Ranma hesitated. He did need to keep his mind busy. "Well, okay."

***

Akane had gone to the market to buy ingredients for dinner. When she came home, she immediately began to prepare the dish, but then realized that she was had only a few contents soy sauce left in the bottle.

"Darn," she said. "Maybe I’ll ask Hikaru to make a quick trip to the store."

She wandered around the house, calling out his name. When he didn’t come, Akane automatically went outside and headed for the training hall. She could hear voices as if they were in a struggle, and Akane wondered whom Hikaru was sparring with.

As she entered, she was surprised to see, Hikaru sparring with Ranma. "What in the…Hikaru."

Distracted, Hikaru turned to her, and Ranma gave him a kick across the belly. Hikaru, who was completely unprepared for his attack, collapsed on the floor.

Ranma looked down at his opponent. "Looks like it’s a point for Saotome."

"Aw! No fair! My mom called me."

Ranma turned to Akane. "Oh, hey, Akane." He looked at Hikaru and helped him up. "Not bad, kid."

Hikaru looked at him with wide eyes. "Really?"

"Sure."

Hikaru smiled at his mom. "She taught me well."

Ranma nodded towards her. "Good job, Akane."

She shrugged. "I did my best."

He turned back towards Hikaru. "Hikaru, have you ever heard of Tenshin Amaguriken?"

The younger man shook his head. "No. What is that?"

"It’s a technique where you give someone punches over a hundred times in the same spot, but you have to do this in a few seconds," Ranma replied. Then he smiled. "How would you like me to teach you?"

"Would I!" Hikaru’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Oh, wow! Mom, did you hear that? Saotome-sensei is gonna teach me a technique! Isn’t that cool?"

"It will be much cooler if you buy me soy sauce," said Akane.

"Oh, sure, Mom. Anything for you." As Akane was giving him the money, Hikaru suggested, "Oh, Saotome-sensei, why don’t you join us for dinner?"

"Dinner?" Ranma blinked. "Well..."

Akane crossed her arms as she gave him the evil eye. "Afraid to taste my cooking, Ranma?"

"I didn’t say that."

"You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face."

Hikaru said, "Mom makes a very good stir-fry."

"Really?" Ranma eyed Akane suspiciously.

"Please, Saotome-sensei. We’d be delighted to have you over for dinner."

Well, he was hungry, and he didn’t really feel like cooking dinner himself after his incident with his mother. "Well…okay."

"Cool! I better get going!"

When Hikaru left, Ranma said, "He’s an amazing kid, Akane."

Akane nodded. "Yes, he is."

"You don’t mind, do you? That I teach him?"

Akane shook his head. "No, of course not. I’m just a little surprised by the offer. That’s all. Tenshin amagurikenren is one of your special techniques."

"Well, he will be the heir of Anything Goes Martial Arts," pointed out Ranma. "I mean he’s going to take over this dojo someday, and of course…your half of the partnership since, well, we are going to break up the partnership."

Why do I feel so sad when I hear myself say that? What’s a matter with me? We made an agreement.

Why did it feel like the way he said it that it’s a death sentence?

"Well, I appreciate it," Akane told him. "Thank you."

There was a silence that came between them until Ranma cleared his throat. "Well, why don’t I help you out in the kitchen? And it’s not that I don’t trust you…or…"

Akane had to smile. "I don’t mind. I just hope we don’t turn the kitchen into a battlefield again."

Ranma laughed and followed her into the house.

***

Hikaru was right. The stir-fry Akane made was good. Ranma found himself having seconds as well as the other dish she cooked. The dinner topic was mostly about Hikaru’s training. After getting consent from Akane, Hikaru agreed to go on a camping trip that weekend with Ranma. The two were excited and began making plans.

After dinner, Ranma went home in good spirits. He arrived in his room just in time to hear the phone ringing.

He picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Ranma, sweetheart! It’s me!"

Ranma smiled. "Oh, hi, Michiko! How was your day?"

"Wonderful! You’ll never believe what happened today!"

"What?"

"My deal with the Meiji Corporation went through. Mr. Meiji will be coming over to sign the contract. The problem is that he’s going to Taiwan next week, and he wants to settle this deal as soon as possible. He and his executives are coming over this Saturday."

"Saturday?"

"Yes, so I won’t be home this weekend." Her voice sounded wistful. "Oh, darling, I’m sorry."

"It’s alright. I understand. I have plans this weekend, too."

There was a pause at Michiko’s end. "What kind of plans?"

"Well, I’m taking Hikaru Sato on a camping trip."

There was a tinge of anger in Michiko’s voice. "Why? What for?"

"I’m going to teach him this technique I learned a long time ago, and help him out in his training." Ranma’s voice was ecstatic. "You should see this kid, Michiko. He’s fantastic. He’s fast and strong."

"Shouldn’t his mother be doing that?"

"Well, yeah, she’s been training hi for years, but the boy needs to learn more." Akane agrees with me. We all talked about it during dinner."

"Dinner? You had dinner with Akane? So what else have you been doing with Akane while I was gone?"

Ranma’s voice was tight. "You actually think that we’ve been doing something else other than dinner?"

"You said it, Ranma. Not me."

Ranma was irritated. "You wouldn’t know. You’re never around."

"Don’t you dare drag my job into this, Ranma!"

"Well, don’t accuse of something I haven’t even done. For your information, Hikaru was right there during dinner. As a matter of fact, he was the one who invited me to dinner. Not Akane."

"I don’t want you hanging around that family!"

"Why are you being so uptight about this?"

"It’s not your business to teach Hikaru!"

"Michiko, I am a teacher. It’s my duty to teach."

"Yes, it is your duty, but I think you have other intentions than that, and so does Akane."

"You’re wrong about Akane. Our relationship is strictly business."

"Oh, sure. And you just had dinner with her!"

"Yes, I did! I won’t deny that." Ranma closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to calm down somehow. "Look, this whole thing is ridiculous. I don’t even know why we’re arguing."

"Fine. You do your job while I do mine."

Both were quiet, and the tension between them was thick that not even a knife could cut it. Finally, Ranma made the first move.

"I guess I’ll see you next weekend then."

"Yes."

"I love you."

"I love you, too." Michiko’s voice was abrupt.

Ranma heard a click on the phone. The line went dead, and he wondered if his marriage was too.