Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the wonderful
Romiko Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in North
America). This work is strictly for the non-profit enjoyment of fans.
No copyright infringement is intended.
============================
Toshi-chan Book II
(Lite version - less angst)
Chapter 2
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic by TeW
Last Update 2004-05-18
============================
After a week thing started to get normal. Of course what Ranma, now
called "Toshi", considered normal was most people's
oh-my-god-we-survived.
It started with Mr. Tendo licensing him to teach Tendo-style Anything
Goes.
"All right son, you're more than ready to teach Anything-Goes, and you
have a good grasp of the Tendo style. Of course you know that if the
Master shows up he could override me on this."
"Don't worry Mr. Tendo. Master Happosai threatened stuff like that a
few times, but never really followed through. He was just looking for a
heir."
Soun winced when Ranma mentioned the old man's name. Ranma ignored it
as he always did.
"Yes, well, I thought you might want to start as soon as the school
year is over. If you think you can handle it I'd like to have you teach
a beginners Kempo class two days a week in the late afternoon and a
children's class on Saturday afternoons. That way you can keep it up
after school restarts."
Ranma smiled. He was looking forward to teaching. "That would be great
Mr. Tendo."
"Now we should talk about the business arrangements..."
Ranma's danger sense gave him a light 'ping' and he spun around. A huge
hulk of a man entered the dojo wearing an old training gi and a set of
overlapping dojo signs like some sort of outsized neckless. Ranma
recognized him immediately, as he'd met him "before" about a year and a
half into the future. It was the Dojo Destroyer.
"This a working dojo?" The huge man asked.
"Why yes, we've just decided to start classes back up." Mr. Tendo said
in a rather strained voice. "However, we don't have any advanced
classes planned yet, and I'm not taking on any individual students."
The man gave him a nasty smile. "I want your sign, not lessons. I
challenge you Tendo."
Mr. Tendo gulped and nodded. "I see. Very well..."
It took Ranma a moment to realize that Mr. Tendo was going to accept
the challenge himself. He was always surprised at how much more
honorable and competent this version of Soun Tendo was over the
overemotional boob he'd become. Though he might be a better person than
the older man he'd met the first time around, he wasn't ready for a
fight like the dojo destroyer was about to give him.
"Hold it." Ranma said loudly. "Mr. Tendo, you and pop wanted to join
the families to teach both version's of the school, right?"
Soun looked over at him. "I see, so you and Akane should be considered
the heirs to both schools. In that case you can take the challenge." He
lowered his voice to a whisper. "Are you sure you want to do this son?"
Ranma nodded. "Me or Akane. Akane's not ready for this guy yet, though
she did a pretty good job against him in a few years."
Soun looked puzzled. "You'll have to explain that later. On second
thought, maybe I'd rather not know."
Ranma grinned at that. "All right. As one of the heirs to the Tendo and
Saotome school of Anything Goes Martial Arts, I accept your challenge."
"Is good. We fight now?" The huge man asked.
Soun broke in. "In a few minutes please. I want my other heir to see
this.
The Dojo Destroyer nodded. "I wait."
Ranma and the dojo destroyer waited while Mr. Tendo went to get Akane.
Soon the Tendo's were all standing by the door and Ranma and the Dojo
Destroyer faced off.
The huge man smiled. "I am the Dojo Destroyer. I have defeated
thirty-seven dojos, including the great Kushinara and Hibiki schools. I
look forward to adding the Anything-Goes school to my list. If you back
down now, I will not take in badly."
Ranma cracked his knuckles. He wasn't into the bragging before a fight
thing, but in this case he might be able to save the dojo. Besides, the
Destroyer had started it and it was only proper to continue.
"I am Toshi Saotome, once known as Ranma Saotome. I am a student of the
Neko-ken and holder of the Saotome secret techniques. As Ranma Saotome I
defeated both the Battle master of the Chinese Amazons and the God-King
Saffron in battle. Before I traveled back in time and became Toshi
Saotome, I defeated *you*, and will do so again."
The Dojo Destroyer's eyebrows went up. "You do not strike me as one to
lie, but I must test your claims myself."
Ranma nodded. He'd expected nothing less. He raced forward and hit the
Destroyer in the gut. It was a good blow, but only caused to huge man
to step back.
"You hit hard. Maybe you were not boasting. Now we fight."
The battle was fast and furious. They started by using fists and feet,
no special techniques. It was a lot like fighting Ryoga after his
Breaking Point training, normal hits didn't seem to phase the big man
much, but Ranma was a lot faster. After several minutes of intense
fighting they broke apart. Ranma was breathing deeply. The Dojo
Destroyer was sweating and panting.
The huge man nodded at him. "You are good, but now I show you real
power of Dojo Destroyer." The signs around his neck started glowing and
swirling as if they had a life of their own.
"If you start using ki techniques then I will have to as well." Ranma
warned.
"Ha! You are too young to know such."
Ranma grinned and a glowing ball of ki appeared in his hand.
The Dojo destroyer paused, then nodded. "You are winner. I will return
in a few years, maybe beat you then."
With that he lumbered out, not even looking back.
Once he was gone Ranma let the ball of ki dissipate. He was then
knocked off his feet by a flying Akane.
"Toshi! You were *wonderful*. Where did you learn all that!" Akane said
from on top of him.
"That was very impressive Toshi." Kasumi said, gently sliding her
sister off and helping Ranma up. She kissed his cheek. "I'm very happy
to have you as a little brother."
"I hate to admit it, but I *am* impressed Saotome." Nabiki said. She
kissed the other cheek. "Thank you big brother."
Ranma was blushing and stammering. Being kissed by the two older Tendo
sisters wasn't something he expected, even if it was on the cheek.
Akane stepped in front of Ranma and said. "Hmmph! Amateurs. Let *me*
show you how to thank a hero." Then she glomped him and gave him the
best kiss she'd managed yet.
When she stopped and pulled back, Ranma just stared at Akane's shining
eyes. Akane was grinning, but the grin was just a bit uncertain.
"Oh my."
"Wowza."
"Oh, my son is *so* manly."
"Hmmm..."
Ranma gulped and gently disengaged Akane's arms. Akane didn't fight it.
"I-I think I'll go wash up now." Ranma stumbled out of the dojo.
Nabiki smirked. "How much do you want to bet that his 'washing up' will
include a cold shower?"
* * *
After the dojo destroyer, things were calm for a day, then Ranma ran
into Hiroshi and Diasuke again. Without thinking he greeted them as old
friends.
"Hey guys."
"Ah..Saotome-sempei, how are you?" Diasuke said nervously. Hiroshi just
nodded.
Ranma almost slapped himself on the forehead. These guys had no idea
who he was, and he was much older than they were. Still, he wouldn't
mind having some guy friends again, and its not as if these two would
suffer from some guidance from someone older. In fact Hiroshi was
probably having serious problems right now after what happened between
him and Yuka at the party.
Ranma didn't consider himself much at giving advice. With these two
though, he'd gotten used to giving advice on women and fighting, mostly
at their insistence. He also gave them advice on honor, something they'd
begun to pay attention to after a year of Ranma harping on the subject.
If he started on them earlier he could turn them into something
resembling reasonable human beings. Maybe.
"I..was kinda hoping I'd run into you guys. I wanted to talk to you
about that party a week or so ago."
Hiroshi gulped and looked nervous.
Diasuke, on the other hand, grinned. "Some bash, huh? I saw you dancing
with Akane Tendo, she's in our class. There's a rumor going around that
you two are engaged."
Ranma felt a flash of anger. Even these two should have realized what a
disaster that party was. Diasuke face paled and he stepped back a bit.
"A so you're not engaged huh?" Diasuke babbled. "You know how silly
those rumors are."
"Shut up." Ranma said. "It's not that, I am engaged to her, it's that
damn party. Do either of you know who spiked the punch?"
The two shook their heads, though Diasuke didn't look to sure. Ranma
would talk to him again later, he didn't have a lot of time before he
had to be home for dinner, and he wanted to talk to Hiroshi about Yuka.
"Hiroshi, how about you and I go have a little talk?" Ranma said.
Hiroshi paled and nodded, following after Ranma as he waved him to
follow. They walked a few blocks to a park and Ranma sat down on a
bench. Hiroshi sat down on the far side and stared at his knees.
"Hiroshi, after the party I went back to pick up something I'd
forgotten. I saw you and Akane's friend Yuka through the window." Ranma
started.
Hiroshi closed his eyes and nodded. Ranma looked carefully at the pale,
sweating figure of his maybe-future-friend and sighed.
"Relax man, I'm not going to clobber you or nothin'" He said.
Hiroshi did relax some, but he still looked awfully scared.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Ranma asked.
Hiroshi looked up at him. Now he looked confused. "Huh?" he said.
"What are you going to do about it? What *have* you done about it so
far?"
Hiroshi kept looking at his face. "Umm...I guess I haven't done
anything yet."
"Not good man. Have you at least talked to her?"
"Umm...no not really. We've...kinda been avoiding each other." Hiroshi
said. "We were always kind of friends, but now we...I just can't seem
to talk to her. She's...not being very nice to me. Gods sempei, I wish
I'd never gone to that party!"
Ranma though about his own experience at the party. If he hadn't been
there, maybe Akane would have ended up with someone else.
"Maybe it's a good thing you were there. With that damn punch she might
have ended up with someone else. Someone who wasn't her friend. Maybe
someone who would have bragged about it and ruined her reputation."
HIroshi looked surprised. "I guess that's true."
"Cut her some slack, be nice to her, even if she's not nice to you.
Think about it from her side of things, she's worried she might be
pregnant." Ranma suggested. "And you're gonna have to talk to her
Hiroshi. She need to talk to *someone* and I don't think she's going to
even tell Akane."
Hiroshi sat up straighter. "You're right sempei. I'll be nice to her
and talk to her as soon as she'll let me. If she's...if she's going to
have my child I'll do whatever I have to."
Ranma looked over in surprise at the barely fifteen-year-old boy. This
was a lot more than he'd expected, Hiroshi had always been the better
of the 'dynamic duo', but he couldn't imagine the Hiroshi he knew being
this honorable and decisive. Maybe he just needed a little guidance.
"Great Hiroshi. Let me know if I can help. In the meantime I won't say
a word to anyone else."
"Thank you Saotome-sempei. I appreciate your help." Hiroshi really
sounded like he meant it.
"Gotta go. Remember, call me if you need anything."
Ranma got up and walked away. He felt good. He'd been able to help a
friend, and probably Akane's friend Yuka too. He actually felt pretty
good about the whole thing until the phone call that came late that
evening.
* * *
"Ranma dear, telephone!"
"Sure mom, who is it."
"Some boy named Hiroshi, he sounds rather out of breath."
Ranma took the phone. "Hey, Hiroshi, what's up?"
Hiroshi's voice was more than a little out of breath. "You said I could
call you if I had a problem, right sempei?"
Ranma hadn't exactly said that, but he was willing to help. "Sure,
Hiroshi."
"I talked to Yuka like you said. It worked great, but...well her
parents overheard part of it."
Ranma thought about it. He'd hardly met Yuka's parents, they were
always traveling on business, but he had always had the impression from
things Akane said that they were not great parents. "So what happened,
Yuka's father try to kill you?"
"Yeah, but I lost him. I'm more worried about Yuka. I...I think they
might hurt her."
"Crap. Okay, you go home. I'll go over there an make sure she's okay."
Ranma said.
"No way. I'm going too. I'll meet you there." Hiroshi said.
"Just don't get killed. See you there."
Ranma hung up and turned. His mother was sitting there with a
concerned look. "What's wrong dear?"
Ranma ran his hand through his hair, trying to remember exactly where
Yuka's house was from here. "Long story mom, not much time to talk. I
gotta go help out one of Akane's friends." He said in a distracted
voice.
"Can I help?"
Ranma looked up at his mother. She probably *could* help deal with
Yuka's parents, but they had to hurry.
"We're gonna go the fast way mom, you sure about this?"
His mother nodded. "What's the fast...OH MY!"
Ranma scooped his mother up and was out the door and onto the rooftops.
His mother gripped him around the neck with surprising strength for a
time, then slowly relaxed.
"I *do* wish you had warned me son." Nodoka said dryly. "It's been
years since your father carried me across the rooftops like this, I
used to find it quite thrilling. Have you carried Akane like this yet?"
Ranma rolled his eyes. His mother *quite* have a one-track mind, but it
came close. "Just after...after the party. She was asleep the whole
time."
His mother nodded. "Try it some time. Now what exactly am I helping
with?"
Ranma wanted to save his breath, but he really did need to explain if
he wanted her help. "Yuka, a friend of Akane's, was at the party. She
and Hiroshi, a friend of mine from a few years from now, had the
same...experience Akane and I did. Her parents overheard them talking
about it. Yuka's father tried to kill Hiroshi. Now he's worried they
might hurt her."
"Hmm...so we want to ensure her parents don't do anything rash. Well, I
have my katana if things get out of hand."
Ranma rolled his eyes again. That was not really the kind of help he
wanted. He was saved from any more comments by his arrival at Yuka's
house.
* * *
When Hiroshi got to the house the front door was open and there were
sounds of yelling and crying coming from upstairs. He stuck his head in
the door, then ran quietly up the stairs, hoping he wouldn't get chased
by Yuka's enraged father again. He was *not* prepared for the sight he
saw when he stepped into Yuka's room.
She was huddled on the bed, curled up and crying. Yuka's father was
down on the floor bleeding from a cut on his head with Ranma standing
over him. The fireplace poker that had been used to chase Hiroshi until
a little while ago was laying on the floor bent nearly in half. Then he
noticed that Ranma was holding one arm stiffly, and there was blood
starting to stain the sleeve of his red silk shirt. Yuka's mother was
trapped in the corner by a middle aged woman holding a bared katana.
He shook his head and went to Ranma first. "You okay Sempei?" He asked.
"Fine." Ranma growled. "Check Yuka."
That was fine by Hiroshi. He dashed over and kneeled next to the bed.
He spoke quietly to Yuka, and tentatively reached own to pat her
shoulder. He had no idea what he said, they were the kinds of
meaningless noises he used to use to quiet down his youngest sister,
whatever it was seemed to help Yuka.
Hiroshi continued until he heard her fathers voice again. The older
man's voice sounded dark and angry, but also wary.
"..you interfering in a family matter." The man was saying.
"That was a killing blow you bastard." Ranma snarled. "If I had been
two seconds later you would have killed your own daughter."
Yuka's father glared at Ranma. "She's only a girl, and a worthless one
at that."
Ranma made a half-animal noise in his throat, and Hiroshi realized he
was *angry*, just barely holding himself back from attacking. The woman
with the katana said a few words Hiroshi could not make out, calming
Ranma a little. Then raised her voice.
"Young man, I think you had best call the police. Tell them it is a
domestic dispute with attempted murder, and that it is temporarily
under control."
Hiroshi nodded, and started to edge between the two standoffs when Yuka
grabbed his arm.
"No! No police." Yuka said.
Nodoka spoke again. "I'm sorry Yuka-chan, it is not safe for you to
stay here, and if we simply take you away your parents could claim we
kidnapped you. We must call in the police to protect both you and
ourselves."
"I don't want the police involved." Yuka insisted.
Yuka's mother spoke for the first time that evening. Her voice was
cold. "Take her. We don't care, she's not my daughter, I have no
daughter."
Yuka's father snorted. "I agree. I think her actions invalidates my
promise to my mother. She's yours if you want her."
The woman with the katana spoke up again. "You will put that in
writing?"
"Why not?" The father asked.
"Get paper and a pen young man."
Hiroshi helped Yuka pack her while the paperwork was filled out. No one
but him left the room, and Saotome-sempei and the woman with the katana
kept a very careful watch over Yuka's parents. Yuka moved like an
automata, stiff and pale. She avoided looking at her parents.
"Yuka dear, we are leaving now. You have your things?" The woman with
the katana asked.
Yuka managed a muttered yes.
"Toshi, please escort them downstairs, I have one last point I need to
make with these two."
Saotome-sempei nodded and waved for them to precede him down the
stairs. He wasn't about to pass up a chance to leave that house. He
grabbed Yuka's luggage and staggered after her as she walked out of the
room. She still didn't look at her parents.
A few minutes later they were outside the house and the woman with the
katana joined them. This time her sword was, thankfully, wrapped up in
a silk bundle.
"Toshi, do you need to see the doctor?" She asked.
Saotome-sempei nodded. "'fraid so mom. Tofu's isn't far from here. Yuka
looks pretty bad too, maybe she should come with?"
So the woman was Saotome-sempei's mother. That made some sense.
"She will be fine. She's holding up very well. Young
man...Hiroshi...you will escort my son to the doctor's office and stay
with him until he's ready to come home. You will call your parents from
the doctor's clinic and tell them you will not be home until late. Then
you will come back to my house with Ranma. Give me your parent's phone
number."
Hiroshi nodded, and recited his house number. His parents should both
be home by now.
"Take the large bag. Yuka and I will manage the rest. Go."
Hiroshi nodded again, squeezed Yuka's hand, took the bag, and followed
after Saotome-sempei. He wasn't about the go against *this* woman's
wishes.
* * *
Akane was just getting into bed when her father knocked and immediately
opened the door.
"Akane? Toshi's mother just called. Your friend Yuka is in some kind of
trouble, and is over at the Saotome's. She wants you to come over and
help out. She said Toshi would be by in a few minutes to walk you to
the house.
"Huh? Yuka? What's wrong?"
"I don't have the details, but you have very little time. Get ready and
put a few things together for tonight."
"Okay, I'll be ready in five minutes."
Her father nodded and left, closing the door behind himself. Akane
stood in the middle of the room wondering why Yuka would be in trouble,
and why she would be at the *Saotome's* if she was. Maybe it had
something to do with Toshi's experience in the future. Maybe he knew
about a something that would happen to Yuka and tried to help her. She
shook her head and hurriedly began to dress. Whatever the reason she
needed to go help her friend.
* * *
Ranma shifted in his seat. School was normally boring, though he
usually managed to stay awake the recently, mostly because he was
getting more sleep than he had before he jumped back in time. Today was
different. He had been up *very* late dealing with Yuka's problems,
supporting Hiroshi when his father came over, and helping set up
temporary sleeping arrangements for Yuka, Akane, and Hiroshi.
The only reason he was able to stay awake at all was the pain, physical
and emotional. The physical pain came from the bad sprang from blocking
the fireplace poker that would have crushed Yuka's throat. The
emotional pain was from realizing that none of this would have happened
if he hadn't told Hiroshi to talk to Yuka. Despite knowing that the
situation was not *all* his fault, knowing it wouldn't have happened if
he hadn't messed around with his friends lives hurt. It hurt a lot worse
than his arm.
He had told some of this to Kasumi at lunch. She'd been a big help,
pointing out that Yuka had always had problems with her parents, and
getting her away from them could very well be the best thing that could
have happened. At least this way, Kasumi had pointed out, she was with
Hiroshi, Akane, and Ranma himself, who cared about what happened to
her. She could build up a new family, one that took care of her.
Ranma hoped it worked out that way.
Further introspection was interrupted by the last bell. He leapt up and
made his way out via the window and made a beeline for the Junior High
to meet Akane. Despite Akane's staying over they hadn't really had a
chance to talk since the incident. He really wanted to see what she had
to say about all this.
* * *
The table in the Saotome's tea room was crowded. Ranma sat to the right
of his mother at the head of the table, Yuka sat with Akane on their
left with Hiroshi and his mother on their right. Hiroshi's father sat
across from them. His mother and Akane had served everyone tea, and the
small talk between the adults went on for *way* to long as far as Ranma
was concerned. None of the younger people said anything. Yuka and
Hiroshi were both pale and did nothing but stare at their teacups.
Akane watched the two of them with a sad look in her eyes, and Ranma
was just plain bored.
Finally Ranma's mother raised her voice. "I believe everyone here knows
what happened, both between Hiroshi and Yuka, and the incident with
Yuka's parents. Yuka is now my charge and we all must discuss how to
deal with this situation."
"I agree Saotome-san." Hiroshi's mother said seriously, very different
from her usual cheerful and outgoing manner. "There are several
possibilities, and we must choose the best one for all concerned."
Ranma's mother took a sip of tea and looked over at Yuka. "Yuka-chan?
You went to the doctor today. You've already told me, but could you
please let everyone else know?"
Yuka cleared her throat. "I'm *not* pregnant."
Ranma's eyes opened up. Of course she wasn't! She hadn't had a child in
the future...of course he hadn't even known Akane had had a child until
recently...a few years from now...whatever. This time travel stuff sure
made it difficult.
Hiroshi's father spoke up. "Saotome-san, it has been less then two
weeks, how certain is the test that Yuka had?"
Yuka spoke up. "He...seemed very certain."
Ranma decided to check himself. "Yuka, did Doctor Tofu check you?"
"Yes, sempei. Akane recommended I go to him."
Ranma nodded. "There's no doubt then. Tofu-sensei would have done both
a normal test and checked Yuka's ki for signs of a child."
Hiroshi's father looked uncomfortable. "Saotome-san, I know you are a
martial artist and so do not agree with me on this. I have always
thought of ki as an idea--a useful way to explain things--but not a
real phenomena in and of itself. I would feel more comfortable
repeating the test in a week or so."
Ranma sighed. Hiroshi's father had had a lot of trouble believing his
curse existed until he demonstrated. Maybe a ki-ball? Ranma raised his
hand and drew ki to form a small, dense ki ball. Being so dense it was
very bright. Hiroshi's father stared at Ranma's hand in fascination.
"I...don't suppose that's a flashlight." He said.
Ranma shook his head, starting to sweat slightly from the effort of
controlling the ball. "Nope, a ball of ki. I learned to summon it as
part of a ki-blast technique. Ranma reabsorbed the ki and did his soul
of ice technique, dropping the temperature in the room considerably. He
held it until cold mist started rolling off his body.
"Another ki technique." He said. "My own ki cooled and pushed out of my
body just enough to cool the air around me. A variation of a *very*
dangerous technique that creates a whirlwind around an opponent."
Hiroshi's father sighed and rubbed his face. "Right, I'll take your
word for it Saotome-san. Ahhh...I bet that's useful in the hot part of
the summer." He added with a chuckle.
Ranma's mother cleared her throat. "We will assume Yuka is not with
child. I have a proposal to deal with this situation."
There were a few nods around the table, but no one spoke. Ranma's
mother smiled slightly and continued. "First, I think Yuka needs a
loving family. I have spoken with her at some length and would like to
suggest she join the Saotome family as Toshi's sister. I will have to
track down my husband--who is on a training trip right now--to finalize
such an arrangement, but there should be no problem."
Ranma's mother looked hard at Hiroshi. "I would also like to suggest we
arrange an engagement between Yuka and your son, with the understanding
that they may choose to marry or not once they are older. This is not a
requirement Yuka-chan, I will gladly accept you as my daughter
regardless of your choice in this matter."
Ranma had been watching Yuka, who was starting to look almost happy. He
snapped his head around when Hiroshi came suddenly to his feet. Ranma's
future friend walked stiffly around the table at knelt beside Yuka.
"Yuka? We don't need the families to arrange an engagement. I'll be
happy to...that is...what I mean is will you be my fiancee? Get married
when we're older? Please?" Hiroshi said.
Yuka stared blankly at Hiroshi for a moment, then looked up Ranma's
mother, then back at Hiroshi. She stared at him a bit more then glanced
quickly at Akane. After a few additional moments staring at Hiroshi
again she nodded. Hiroshi moved forward and put his arms around gently
around her. He whispered something in Yuka's ear that made her giggle,
then they broke apart both wearing somewhat weak smiles.
"Well, well." Hiroshi's mom said. "I must say I'm proud of you
Hiroshi-chan. I didn't think you would *ever* start to grow up. Of
course you are still grounded for your behavior at the party, except I
think I will let you have Yuka come over to visit while you're
grounded."
"If everyone agrees to my suggestion, with the change Hiroshi-chan just
made, shall we agree then? Yuka dear, you have first say in this."
Yuka pulled away from Hiroshi. "Yes, Saotome-san." She said, her voice
hoarse with emotion.
"It seems for the best." Hiroshi's mother said.
"I've never had a sister. Sounds like a good idea." Ranma put in.
Akane took Yuka's hand. "I'd love to have my best friend as my
sister-in-law."
Hiroshi's father smiled and stood up. "That's settled then. How do you
all feel about going out to eat to celebrate, my treat."
* * *
Akane plopped down next to Ranma on the couch with a sigh.
"Yuka's asleep. I think all this has really wiped her out." Akane
yawned hugely. "Me too I guess."
"Hmm...yeah. I was going to watch some TV, but I'm just too beat. At
least there's no homework due on Saturday's." Ranma said, fighting his
own yawn.
"You're lucky, we've often got homework for Saturday. I can't wait to
get into senior high like you Toshi, especially since you'll be a
senior when I start as a freshman."
Akane slid over so she was sitting against him. "I'd really love to be
with you at lunch time. Do you think we'll be able to sit together?"
Ranma swallowed hard. It was amazing what this young girl could do to
him just by sitting close and asking an innocent question. He swallowed
again. "You bet."
Akane leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder and pushing
him back against the arm of the couch. "Thank you." She whispered.
Ranma shifted to make her more comfortable and gingerly put an arm
around her. "'Thank you' for what?"
Akane kept her voice at a quiet whisper. "For saving Yuka. For coming
back in time to be with me. For making my life nicer."
Akane shifted around a bit, snuggling closer and closing her eyes.
Ranma held her, thinking about the ways this Akane was different from
the one he'd known before. They were equally sweet, but this one was
rarely angry. They were both cute, but this one rarely acted 'uncute'.
They were both very determined about martial arts, but this one didn't
have a chip on her shoulder about it. A pretty good exchange really. He
did sort of miss the arguments though. A little at least.
Ranma's own eyes began to droop, and soon they were both asleep. Nodoka
found them curled up on the couch together and slipped off. She had to
call the dojo and tell them Akane was staying one more night. She also
had to get a blanket for them. And a camera, mustn't forget the camera.
=== End Chapter 2===
Authors Note: Timing
I've thought hard about the timing of this story. I use Lord Archive's
estimates for birthdays for both Ranma and Akane (April 1 for Ranma,
about a week later for Akane). See his site for more information.
Ranma jumped back in time late in April of his second year of high
school. He and Akane had both recently turned 17. (Note that the
Japanese school year ends around the beginning of March with the next
school year starting early in April, so at this point Ranma has been a
Junior for only a month). He jumps back in time 27 months. This has him
meeting the younger Akane and going to the party at the end of January
or beginning of February. At this time Akane is still 14 and is at the
end of her second year of junior high. Nabiki is 16, and is in her
third year of Junior high (she was held back a year when she was much
younger).
I have not yet decided exactly how old Kasumi is. We could assume her
birthday is also in April, and that she is 17 and in her second
(Junior) year of senior high, or that she's 18 and in her third
(Senior) year of senior high. I'm leaning toward the later.
Although Ranma was 17 when he went back in time, his mother decided it
would work better if he said he was 16 and repeated the end of his
first year of senior high, rather than trying to handle the last few
months of his second year. 'Toshi's' paperwork will show him with the
same birthday (April 1), exactly two years older than 'Ranma'. Even
Ranma ought to do fairly well on his finals given that he's going
through the material for the second time. Maybe.
=== End Chapter 2 ===
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