The Insanity Continues

Volume 2 - Reflections and Changes

Chapter 4 - Saturday Nights are for Dating.

This chapter might be considered Lemon-scented as it has some sexual 
references and innuendoes.

Legal Babble: Characters are copyrighted of Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Video, 
Shonen Sunday, ect.. and are used without permission. I'm only borrowing 
them. I'll return them... eventually.

-----------------------------------------

Ranma and Akane returned home, holding hands. 

"Hello, Ranma, Akane," Mousse greeted as he swept the sidewalk.

"Hi," Ranma and Akane returned.

"Akane, your sisters want to see you in Nabiki's room," Mousse informed.

"Thanks," Akane said as she left the guys and entered the house.

"Um, Mousse, I'm going on a date tonight with Akane, and I'd like some 
help in figuring out where to go," Ranma asked sheepishly.

"Well, sensei," Mousse said with an edge of sarcasism. "I could tell you 
some of the things I've overheard people say about their dates." 

Ranma nodded.

"First, take her someplace nice to eat.  Anywhere which serves good food 
and has friendly service will do, some place like the Ucchan's or the 
Neko-Hanten would do, though, for reasons which should be obvious, those 
two would NOT be a good idea right now..."

Ranma nodded, trying to think of a good place to go.

"Then, go and do something fun.  Movies are good, but only if you both 
like the same type of movie... OR if you plan on keeping each other too 
busy to watch it."  At the implications of that statement, Ranma flushed 
a bit. Mousse let him burn with embarrassment for a few seconds before 
taking some pity on him.  "You might try something like miniature gold.  
If you two decide to compete though... I'd suggest you let her win." 

"In Shampoo's case it's the opposite, though, she'd love it if her man 
is better than her." Ranma said, frowning a little at Mousse's last 
suggestion. He knew Akane would really like it if she defeated him in 
something, besides card games.

Mousse considered that for a second and then shrugged.  Ranma was 
probably correct, he had realized that himself some time ago, but that 
was something to be stored away for later.  Akane wouldn't appreciate 
being constantly reminded of Ranma's athletic superiority.  "But Akane 
wouldn't.  I suggest you finish off the date with something moderately 
romantic, some people like taking their dates out on boat rides, but 
with your curse, that's probably not a good idea.  Maybe a stroll 
through the park." 

Ranma nodded, "Thanks Mousse"

-----------------------------------------

Akane knocked at Nabiki's door and entered when she heard, "Come in." 
She saw that Nabiki and Kasumi were getting ready for a night on the 
town.

"What are you getting dressed up for, Nabiki?" Akane asked.

Nabiki smiled wryly as she tossed Akane a small card.

"He asked you out? Didn't take him long," Akane commented.

"Nope, but Kuno-chan is a bit of the impatient type," Nabiki replied.

"So, Akane, where is Ranma taking you out tonight?" Kasumi asked.

"Dinner and a movie, I think," Akane answered.

"Nothing fancy?" Nabiki asked.

"Well anything fancy would be a drain on our money supply, not to 
mention that he would probably embarrass the hell out of me."

"Two very good points, Sis," Nabiki said. "Though, if Kuno-chan doesn't 
do anything fancy, I'll be very disappointed."

"I wonder if he's going to take you someplace nice and private," Akane 
grinned.

"If he does, Nabiki, promise me you won't do anything improper," Kasumi 
added.

"Depends on whose view of proper you're talking about," Nabiki replied.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi said firmly. 

Akane giggled.

-----------------------------------------

Dr. Tofu nervously approached the Neko-Hanten. All of his plans to 
remain in control around Kasumi had, so far, failed. Now was the time to 
ask for help.

He arrived, seeing that Cologne was serving a few customers. 

"Hello, Doctor. What can I get for you?" Cologne greeted. 

"I was wondering if you could help me with a little problem I have?" Dr. 
Tofu asked nervously.

"Would this be your problem of wooing a certain girl," Cologne smirked.

"Yes. Whenever I see her, I can't think straight. It's been getting 
better... but I have a date with her tonight."

"Ah, but why should I help you? You've been an annoyance to me in the 
past, helping Ranma avoid marrying Shampoo."

"I'm a doctor and he needed help, so I helped. I could not, in good 
conscious, stand by and let anyone go through some of the things you put 
him through, even if I thought they were of good intention."  "I would consider this a big favor that I'd owe you."

"Oh, and what sort of limit would this 'big favor' have?"

"As long as it wouldn't hurt or kill anyone."

Cologne grinned, "What if the favor was to help the Amazon village if it 
was under attack?"

"I would help with the wounded and help defend them."

"Good enough. I'll see what I can do. Wait here," Cologne said as she 
began her search.

-----------------------------------------

Nabiki tapped her foot. She hated to wait, even if she was early. She 
thought maybe it was more than being impatient, she banished that 
thought. 

The sun set the sky aglow with shimmering red, orange, and yellow as it 
started to dip below the horizon.

"The beauty of the sky is a canvas painted by Kami, Himself. But, that 
is trivial to the wondrous creature before me."

 Nabiki cursed herself as her heart suddenly sped 
up. She took a second before calmly saying, "Hello, Kuno-chan."

"My heart, doth leap at your acceptance of meeting me."

"Well, I had nothing else to do tonight," Nabiki replied.

Kuno frowned as he asked, "Shall we go, your carriage awaits?"

"Certainly." Nabiki was led to a horse driven carriage.  she thought, smirking.

-----------------------------------------

Dr. Tofu arrived at the Tendo house in a form fitting suit, and roses in 
hand. Ranma sat outside the Tendo front door.

"Hey, Doc," Ranma greeted.

"Hello, Ranma. Do you know if Kasumi is ready?" Dr. Tofu asked.

Ranma raised an eyebrow, noticing the doctor did not stutter, nor were 
his glasses showing signs of fogging. "Aw, you know how girls are, they 
take their time to get anything done." 

The door of the Tendo opened, and Ranma felt the back of Akane's hand on 
his head. "We do not," she retorted. She wasn't surprised nor pleased 
that Ranma hadn't gotten dressed up for the date.

Ranma looked up at Akane. She was wearing a red dress with a matching 
jacket. "You actually look good," he commented.

"And I don't look good all the time?" Akane replied with a hint of 
anger.

"Er, of course you look good, ah, all the time. It's just you look 
better than usual," Ranma said, attempting to keep Akane from getting 
angry.

It worked. "You really think so?" she asked, doing a spin to show the 
entire dress.

"Yeah," Ranma said with a relieved expression.

Dr. Tofu watched with a grin on his face. His expression turned to awe 
as he saw Kasumi come into view. "You're beautiful," he said clearly.

Akane thought for a second he was talking to her until he saw that the 
doctor's eyes were not looking at her. She was surprised, as everyone 
else was, that Dr. Tofu hadn't shown his usual signs of love-sickness.

Kasumi exited the house with a long blue dress and a white jacket. 
"Thank you," she smiled. "And you look rather handsome yourself."

"Thank you. These are for you." Dr. Tofu handed Kasumi a bouquet of red 
roses.

"Oh thank you, I'll put these in a vase. I'll be right back," Kasumi 
said with an impossibly big smile.

"So Doc, how come you aren't acting... um..." Ranma asked.

"Goofy? Stupid? Out of control?" Dr. Tofu asked.

"Um... yeah," Ranma replied.

"Well, I asked Cologne for some help and got a potion that moves my 
reactions to someone a little more negative than normal. By loving 
Kasumi a little less, I can stay in control. But, if I run into someone 
I dislike, I'll hate them."

"Oh," replied Ranma and Akane, wondering who their friendly doctor could 
dislike.

-----------------------------------------

Nabiki had a smile on her face. While her smile looked normal enough, 
for those who knew her would say it was the biggest smile she ever had. 
This was not caused by her companion, though, which he hoped it was. She 
was smiling because he took her to a very exclusive restaurant that she 
couldn't hope to set foot inside. The restaurant was called, The North 
Wind, and it caterred only to rich nobility. While Nabiki could pass off 
as being rich, she wasn't a descendant of high enough nobility for this 
place.

Kuno was happier than he'd been in years. He was on a date with a 
beautiful girl who actually listens to him. While his heart still 
yearned for Akane and her physical prowess, her sister had an 
intellectual cunning greater than anyone else he knew. And for some 
reason that was what attracted him to the girls, they were better than 
him at something. While he held above them a social superiority, they 
had proven to be his better. So he felt it was his duty to make them 
socially superior to others through marriage.

They talked through dinner over various things, pointedly avoiding 
topics concerning Ranma and Akane. They didn't really speak about much 
of anything. Kuno spoke a lot about his favorite poetry and Nabiki 
talked a little of financial interests. 

-----------------------------------------

Kasumi was a little nervous. She was finally on a date, something she 
had denied herself so she could take her mother's place and raise Akane 
and Nabiki. She was nervous about Dr. Tofu. He was normally insane with 
happiness around her, but tonight he appeared to be in a constant state 
of a sane, sweet bliss.

Dr. Tofu led Kasumi to a French restaurant named, Chez Rie's. They 
talked about various things, and Dr. Tofu was surprised at just how much 
medical knowledge Kasumi apparently picked up from the books she 
borrowed. She could make an excellent nurse, if not a doctor.

-----------------------------------------

Ranma and Akane walked hand in hand to the restaurant section of 
Nerima's market district. They went pass Ucchan's, and were surprised to 
note that it was closed and the name taken down. They passed 
Neko-Hanten, much to Akane's relief. Eventually ending up at a small mom 
and pop style restaurant, called Auntie's.

Auntie's interior was similar to that of Ucchan's, in that it had a long 
counter with rows of seats and several booths lining the outer walls.

Akane liked the homey atmosphere the place seemed to give off. She 
really liked that the restaraunt wasn't associated with anything that 
happened in the past year and a half.

After being seated, a middle-aged waitress approached them. "So kids, 
what can Auntie get you?"

Akane's face showed her apparent dislike of being called 'kid.'

Ranma decided to order first and answered, "I'll have the number three 
special with a Coke."

Akane then ordered, "I'll have what my husband ordered, but with water."

"Husband? Aren't you two a little young to be married?" the waitress 
asked, surprised.

"Not if you've already faced death and come back," Akane replied, dryly.

The comment made the waitress uneasy. She proceeded to make sure they 
were well served, but avoided her usual small talk she normally would 
have with her customers.

Ranma and Akane talked mostly about school. Akane explained some of the 
things that occur in early stages of pregnancy.

-----------------------------------------

"Ah, to fly over the people as a kami, knowing full well the position 
you hold over them," Kuno said. Looking out the window of the helicopter 
he had rented for the night.

Nabiki shook her head. 

The pilot rolled his eyes, wondering how much trouble he'd be in if he 
accidentally lost the arrogant, rich idiot of a passenger somewhere over 
a thousand feet.

"Servant, take us over the Nerima ward. I wish to look down upon the 
dwelling of Saotome."

Nabiki glared at Kuno.

"N-N-Nerima?" the pilot stuttered. "That area is designated as a hazard 
fly zone."

"Do you need your hearing checked, servant? I told you where I wish our 
destination to be."

"But small, low-flying aircraft are not supposed to fly there, due to 
unidentified projectiles," the pilot replied, nervously.

"Don't worry about it. Only one of the three more common projectiles can 
be considered active and he hasn't been seen since last week. It is 
reasonably safe to fly over Nerima tonight," Nabiki said.

"If we crash, I'll lose my job, if not my life," the pilot replied.

"You will be properly compensated if something unfortunate happens. The 
heavens shall be generous to you if you adhere to my wishes, and frown 
greatly upon you if you do not."

It was not the words of Kuno that made the pilot obey, but the bokken 
Kuno held in his hands. He began to sweat as he changed directions to 
fly over Nerima. 

-----------------------------------------

To put it mildly, Kasumi was bored. While she was enjoying her date with 
Dr. Tofu so far, she really didn't like watching movies. She never 
really saw the point of wasting one's time watching a story that someone 
probably hacked apart when she could be doing something more 
constructive, like reading how the story was supposed to turn out, or 
cleaning.

Dr. Tofu was extremely happy. He wasn't really paying attention to the 
film, but enjoying the feeling of holding Kasumi's hand and not running 
around like some raving lunatic. He hoped he could maintain this control 
even after the potion wears off, whenever that was.

-----------------------------------------

Akane had a big grin on her face, while Ranma grumbled.

Akane stood still, bent over slightly, a golf putter in hand. She tapped 
the ball, sending it into seventeenth hole. "That's two strokes, and 
this will be your third."

"Don't remind me," Ranma grumbled, trying to forget the bad run-in with 
the water hazards on holes two and eleven, which fortunatly hadn't 
caused him to transform. 

Akane giggled, "Aw, does Ranma hate losing?"

Ranma nodded. "Yes." While Ranma decided he wasn't going to attempt to 
win, he wasn't going to intenially lose either. He was just going 
through the motions of playing. He still hated to lose, even if it 
actually wanted to. 

"Tough." 

Ranma tapped the ball into the hole.

They moved to the eighteenth hole. It was a set on a slant with a spiral 
shape. A ball hit into it would spin through the spiral and end up 
entering one of several holes. Each hole had a different effect to the 
score.

Akane went first, sending her ball into the minus two hole.

"That gives me thirty-five. In order for you to win, you have to get 
that minus ten hole."

 He thought to himself, sending the ball 
straight for that hole. "Hey, I got a free game!" Ranma elated, at least 
being able to claim he won something.

"Yeah, but I still beat you."

"You didn't have to remind me," Ranma pouted.

"Yes, I do," Akane smirked.

-----------------------------------------

Nabiki listened to Kuno babble on as he compared the view with his 
favorite poetry. She found it somewhat odd that she didn't exactly 
dislike it. In fact, she sort of liked it. 

The pilot wanted nothing more than have Kuno to shut up. He sat there, 
listening to the drivel about how great his family home was and how it 
pained him that some guy named Saotome forced himself into the Tendo 
family line. Even if he was paid a million yen, this job was not worth 
it.

"What the hell is that?" the pilot yelled as his fears of flying over 
Nerima were answered by what looked to be a flying minotaur.

"That is Pantyhose," Nabiki replied, and was startled as Pantyhose 
turned and looked at them. "Damn he has good hearing," she muttered.

"What foul demon is this? It must be one of Saotome's evil demon 
servants."

The pilot freaked as Pantyhose flew closer.

"Just land the helicopter," Nabiki said, trying to be a voice of reason.

The pilot didn't move he sat there, staring at it in fright.

Pantyhose flew up to the helicopter, grabbed a skid, and then ripped the 
door off. He then roared something that sounded suspiciously like 
Happosai.

"Get back foul..."

"Shut up, Kuno!" Nabiki screamed, putting her hand over his mouth. "Ah, 
Tarou, we don't know where Happosai is. We haven't seen him for almost 
week." She hoped she answered his question.

Pantyhose then roared something else, but received puzzled looks as a 
response. He roared again this time sounding like Ranma.

"Don't know where he is right now," Nabiki replied.

Pantyhose growled and left, but not before ripping the skid of the 
helicopter.

The helicopter wobbled in air as the pilot was frozen in shock.

Nabiki removed her hand from Kuno's mouth.

"Why did you prevent me from combating such a vile creature?" Kuno 
asked.

"That creature is the only person who has consistently beaten Ranma."

"That foul creature must be purged from this Earth. Servant, land now!"

The pilot nodded dumbly as he saw the Furinkan soccer field, and decided 
to land there.

"Kuno-chan, you don't want to fight him. He wouldn't care if he killed 
you! Believe me, he can."

"Such obscenities should not walk this Earth."

"Please, for once, don't be stupid. Pantyhose is dangerous, he can kill 
you as easily as you could kill Gosunkugi."

"It is my family honor to destroy demons. I most slay him!"

"He's not a demon, just a super powered, Jusenkyo cursed, martial 
artist. You should avoid fighting him."

They stopped arguing as the helicopter attempted to land. The pilot, 
having regained a sense of sanity from focusing on flying, hovered off 
ground for a moment and said, "I expect to be paid now."

Kuno tossed a large wad of cash at the pilot and jumped out. He ran in 
the direction Pantyhose flew. 

Nabiki muttered, "Baka." She then jumped out and ran away from the 
helicopter.

The pilot managed to land, the rotor blades barely missed touching the 
ground. He cursed himself for being stupid enough to be talked into 
flying there, until he noticed the money he was tossed had to total 
several million yen. 

-----------------------------------------

Dr. Tofu and Kasumi were walking, hand in hand, towards the 
Saotome-Tendo home on the suddenly vacant streets. She didn't wear her 
normal pleasant smile, but a smile of happiness.

Dr. Tofu was in sweet bliss, walking with the one he loved. He had 
dreamt of this on many occasions, but today it was reality. So lost in 
being together with Kasumi, he did not notice Pantyhose fly over head 
nor the Kendoist running up behind them.

"Part thy ways to let me pass, so I can do as family honor demands and 
destroy that foul demon!" Kuno yelled. He started speaking too late and 
ran between Kasumi and Dr. Tofu, violently causing them to let go of 
each others hands.

"Kasumi! Are you all right?" Dr. Tofu asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Kasumi replied.

Dr. Tofu examined her hand anyway, noting it was slightly bruised. 
"Kasumi, I-I'll make him pay for hurting you."

"Oh my," she uttered as Dr. Tofu ran off and full speed, with a look of 
anger she had never seen on him. She wondered why he reacted so 
strangely. This wasn't like the friendly doctor she thought she knew.

-----------------------------------------

Ranma and Akane walked through the park, holding each other closely. 

Akane sighed, "It is a nice night, even if it's a little cold out."

Ranma hugged her closer to his body. "I can think of a place that's nice 
and warm," he grinned.

"Later. For now let's just enjoy this, the things we should have done 
during our engagement."

"But that is over, we're married now. Why should we do this?"

"Because we were too stupid to do it then. We kept on arguing with each 
other so much we missed the obvious signs that we loved each other. If 
we had half a brain or half our pride, we would've known, or been able 
to admit, our feelings much sooner."

"When did you become so philosophical?"

Akane sighed. "After China. I looked at my life and started to see 
things as they really are. How you felt about me, and how stupid I was 
for not seeing it sooner, were the things I noticed most. Not to mention 
that I denied acts that indicated my love for you, because at the time, 
I didn't think I was. But, I'm not the only one to blame, though. You 
carry the same blame for not realizing it sooner."

They  remained quiet for a moment. Ranma sighed, "I guess I've done just 
that. To think about somethings you've done and not know that you love 
me seems pretty stupid now. I actually thought the only reason you 
agreed to marry me for that first attempt was because  you were bribed."

"Yeah, well, I should have told you the reason why I agreed to marry you 
had nothing to do with the Nanniichaun, not just that I knew you loved 
me, but because I love you too."

They stopped walking and Ranma bent his head down and kissed Akane, 
embracing her tightly. After several minutes and as they felt their 
necks starting to cramp, they stopped kissing and resumed walking.

"I'm surprised that nothing happened on the date. Something always 
happens around me, and yet this evening was perfect," Ranma commented.

"Enjoy while it lasts. I doubt it'll stay this way," Akane said.

They stopped when the heard some familiar sounds.

"Bwahahahahaha... What a haul!" Happosai gleefully laughed as he passed 
by them.

A roar was heard from the monster, Pantyhose, as he flew after Happosai.

"Get back here! You will pay for the damages you made to my restaurant," 
Cologne yelled, chasing after them.

"Shampoo no let lech touch. Shampoo kill!"

"Come back here with my undergarments you miserable troll!"

Shouted Shampoo and Kodachi, respectively, as they followed.

"I'm actually a spectator to one of these things," Ranma chuckled.

"My love! Let me help you!" Mousse elated, running after Shampoo.

"Happosai, prepare to DIE!" Ryoga snarled, also involved in the chase.

Ranma and Akane shook their heads, laughing.

"Come back here you foul creature. By my family honor, I SHALL DESTROY 
THEE! So, swears the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" Kuno bellowed, 
running after them.

Ranma and Akane blinked as an enraged Dr. Tofu followed in the chase.

"Ryoga... stop! Come... back! You... don't... have... to... do that." 
Akari tried to shout, stopping to regain her breath.

"Hi, Akari," Akane greeted. 

"Hi," Akari returned.

"I thought you and Ryoga were going to stay at your place," Ranma said.

"Ryoga and I decided come back for a visit. We were almost at his house 
when... that thing grabbed me," Akari answered, still a little winded.

"You can stay at our place for the night," Akane offered

"Thanks," Akari said, knowing it's too late to go anywhere else.

Akane looked at Ranma. "Why don't you chase after Ryoga and bring him to 
our home?"

Ranma sighed, "I guess I'll never really get to just watch." He started 
running in the direction that everyone went.

-----------------------------------------

Akane and Akari arrived at the Saotome-Tendo home to find Nabiki and 
Kasumi sitting in the kitchen, eating some left over wedding cake and 
ice cream. Akane tried to figure out where the left over cake came from, 
because she thought it was all eaten at the wedding reception. She also 
noticed neither of them were exactly happy.

"What happened on your dates?" Akane asked.

"Kuno decided Pantyhose was a demon, and that he must be destroyed," 
replied Nabiki.

"Dr. Tofu got upset at Kuno for running into us and chased after him," 
Kasumi answered, shaking her head.

"Guess Dr. Tofu doesn't like Kuno," Akane commented. "Any cake left for 
us?"

"Sure," Nabiki answered, pointing at a plate on the counter.

Akane got herself a piece and another one for Akari and sat at the 
table. They talked a little about their dates. Akane failed to mention 
that Dr. Tofu's strange reaction at the end of his date was probably due 
to Cologne's potion.

-----------------------------------------

Author's Note:
Thanks to David Tatum, Brent Neef, and The Rams for pre-reading this 
chapter.

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