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A Fanfic inspired by the Anime Ranma 1/2 created by Rumiko Takahashi; their respective owners copyrighted all characters.

A project for the Fan Fiction Mailing List

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What could be possibly be worst than having that perverted troll Happousai placing a curse on me, I asked myself. No, actually I asked my identical other that question. This was supposed to be a wonderful day for me. My fiancée, Ranma Saotome, has finally asked me seriously out on a date. Mind you, a romantic evening out, as my other sweet-talking self compounded in my scandalous situation. With grim faces we, I mean, I contemplated my next move. I had to think of something, this night with my fiancée, well, I've been extremely looking forward to it. But that no good BAKA Ryouga had to spoil everything. Why couldn't he just leave us alone? I pondered for an answer with only a shy and dreary reply coming back.

I must have stayed inside my room for hours since Happsosai harrowing curse befell me. No one in the house has yet known what had happen to me. I looked at her, noticing her intense stare, sort of thinking. She was I, in a way. Happousai's deal with that...swine Ryouga Hibiki, split me into two. Now, unbelievable as it may seem, there where two Akane Tendo. Her, and me. What was I going to do? I started to cry, but her hand touching my shoulder startled me a bit. This wasn't the time to cry, and I agreed. There has to be a silver lining somewhere?

He finally woke up, though obviously not fully recovered from my thunderous wrath. I came close to killing him today, though. Ryouga seem confused as he at last rose from the floor. He saw us glare at him and he promptly fell back again. He's such a coward, though I knew that he wasn't that. My animosity towards him has just hit the roof, and he must find a way to correct my predicament. This, so called friend of mine has to come up of a way to still get me on that date with Ranma, no matter what.

After learning that the spell was a temporary one I sighed in relief. But waiting for tomorrow would be too late. I must find a way? Then she came up, no I mean; I came up with a brilliant plan. Not only will I get that date with my fiancée. It would also be the most, I guess perfect date we'll ever have. As I explained to myself, there might be a way to, go on a date with Ranma and make it an ideal date, keep this numbskull far away from interfering, and, if things just fall into place, so will all the other meddling friends of ours. 

At first Ryouga refused to cast the spell upon me again, but I quickly pointed it out, under the treat of force, that he's responsible for this mess. A quick calculation and I've now been split into further parts of myself. Each one I had to determine what her role was to play in this scheme of mine. We all agreed to proceed, with every part of me to slip out later in the evening quietly to meet with and possibly prevent that someone from intruding in my night out with Ranma.

As night fell I saw myself in a very nice and attractive dress, which my other selves confirmed. Ranma, too, was quite charming tonight. Though he was still a self-centered, ego driven, jerk...he never fails to amaze me, or make me smile with his crack jokes, or his less than often sweet talk. That's why I guess he's special, especially to me.

I watched how we walked under the moonlight. He felt so relax, so happy. I loved the flower he gave me, and how we held hands as we entered the theater. I was confident my plan would work; though Ryouga doubted it, but nothing he said was worth anything. I was having the greatest time.

As I slowly psyched myself for battle the bright neon sign announced that the Nekohanten was near. Shampoo, a Chinese amazon, was another fiancée of Ranma. But I knew she didn't mean anything to him. Try as she may, she'll not get past me, and disrupt my date with Ranma.

Along a different path I found myself peeking through the doors of Ukyou's restaurant. I've never been here this late, so naturally, I was carefully investigating her. She didn't seem to notice me, as the place itself was almost deserted. I saw the sad stare she had on as she slowly finished cleaning the last of the tables. The place was a bout to close-up I guess and she was alone. Somehow I felt sorry for her, even though she's another one Ranma's alleged fiancée. My thought distracted me a bit until I felt a hand shaking me. 

Ukyou was already standing beside me, apparently she was surprised that I was even there at her restaurant. She then asked me if something went wrong with our date. She knew, I guess that was expected, but to see her not even lifting a finger to interfere I had to change my approach. I asked her for a favor that almost shocked her. I never knew cooking would be such fun.

Ryouga learned of my date from Tatewaki Kuno. I guess his spy Sasuke has been up to no good and promptly alerted his master, and Kuno's hysterical sister, Kodachi. That's why I didn't come alone. I figured Kuno wouldn't dare fight me, and he'll be easy to knock down like before. But her sister was another story. Kodachi can be as dangerous as Shampoo's great grandmother with the tricks she could pull. Most of all, we'll be in their home turf. We hurried along down the dark alley and stopped only as we reached the gates of Kuno's mansion.

Shampoo was dragging Mousse out of the Nekohanten when I got there. Apparently she was coercing poor Mousse into helping her ruin my date with my fiancée. I saw their astonishment as they notice my arrival. She was looking for Ranma, and I retorted that he's on our date. Confusion then became a whimsical yet annoying cheer Shampoo made as she tried to understand what I had just said. I was quick enough to point it out to her that Ranma was still going on a date with me, and I've come to stop her plans. That instantly gained a shot of her bon bori, straight unto me. Though I didn't feel hurt, or anything, I quickly draw on the defensive. Mousse could only stand back and wonder. I guess he's contemplating the damage we've been doing to the place. I wasn't as quick as Shampoo; neither did I display the same amount of offensive tactics. But I could take it, what mattered most was keeping her away from Ranma and me.

I kept reminding Ukyou to stop gasping at me. I must have made an impression when I cooked a delicious okonomiyaki pancake on my first attempt. Even I'm surprising myself. I've so far been able to cook without many flaws. There is however that exception of boiling water, though it didn't matter. I discovered tonight, that somewhere within me is the capability to cook. I was so excited to tell Ranma that I almost left Ukyou. It was a good thing I remembered why I was initially there in the first place. I wonder if I could make curry? Even better, I wonder if I can really swim? Too bad I've got no way to know tonight.

I doubled back to the light post where I left Ryouga. It was a good thing he stayed put, or he would have gotten lost again. I told him that they were going back home, and that he should just ignore them. I hid behind the darkness; hopefully I could see how I was feeling about the date. They didn't disappoint me, as I saw that I was now really enjoying our walk back home, his arm around mine, my head leaning on him. I couldn't help but smile, I knew I was having a great night with Ranma. I held my breath when Ranma and I walked back to Ryouga. I whispered to Ryouga to get them going, but I saw Ranma's intuitive eyes looking straight at me. I don't suppose he can see me in the dark? Then I knew my cover was blown, as Ranma blinked and stepped backed in shock, uttering my name inquisitively. My fainting all the more made things worse. How was I going to explain this to him? 

I carefully let myself inside through the gates, hoping to chance upon the two before they notice that two Akane Tendos was after them. I told myself to split up and seek each one. I crept up towards the creepy house, following the sound of voices I immediately discerned as I started my approach. Kodachi came rushing out the door, wielding an assortment of flowers and ribbons. She froze as she gave notice to my intruding presence. I never really could take her malicious laughter. I glanced behind her and saw how her BAKA brother has started chasing me across the garden. Kodachi wistfully asked where Ranma was, and I naturally jested that my fiancée was on a date. I wasn't amused when she started to throw insults at me; I however liked how she responded when I finally told her that Ranma was still on a date with me. I grabbed the opportunity that she was dazed in confusion, sarcastically telling her that I was there to stop her from interfering. I couldn't allow her to do it to us again, to Ranma and me.

The walk back home was nerve wrecking. A couple of times Ranma glance at me, not really knowing what to make of me. He was carrying my unconscious form, while I stood beside him quietly walking with him. I wonder what Kasumi would say? Or Nabiki? My father would just break down and cry, I guess. Ryouga carefully kept his distance from us, although Ranma berated him for being with me tonight. I can still see in my fiancée eyes' that he still thinks I'm Akari, or some other woman. I can't blame him though. Even I would be shocked if I didn’t really know what really happened. I felt comfortable though, smiling at times when I saw Ranma's concern for me, the one he was still carrying. I guess he really does care for me. I wonder if he'll still feel the same after I tell him about my other selves running around Nerima.

Shampoo and I took the fight outside, since she already destroyed most of the tables inside. I valiantly tried to keep her at a safe distance. She really can wield her sword masterfully. I'm amazed how I could even keep avoiding her strikes. I guess I have to thank Mousse for his constant interruptions distracting my aggressor. I had to think though; I had to find water. In my moment of thinking, Shampoo successfully heaved me through the restaurant windows. It hurt this time, but I knew I could take some more. I stood back as Shampoo leapt through the path I flew out off and prepared for her. Fortunately Ranma came to my rescue, like so many times before. Though this also told me that my plan, and what has happened to me has been discovered.

I literally dug Kuno's grave. The impact my mallet made on his stubborn head must have been strong enough to crush a boulder. But the only thing it crushed was Tatewaki's huge ego. I didn't bother to see if he was alive or not, he's much stronger than anyone would give him credit. I guess that's why Ranma seems so eager to spar with him, he knows he can dish out most of his special kicks and punches at Kuno. I then realize my other self was nowhere in sight. I ran out the gates expecting to find her there. But to my surprise I met Ranma and myself. Apparently he has already been at the Nekohanten and the Uutchan before he dragged my other selves here.

I didn't really expected what has happened to me, so I guess I was not fully prepared to fight Kodachi. She's got so much going for her, the numerous ribbons and that deadly inflorescence. All that was going for me was my brute strength, but I still got pinned to a tree and was looking at a flurry of flowers heading towards me. Ranma then jumped into the scene and thwarted her attack. What a relief. He came again in the nick of time, and saved me. I couldn't even remember how many times he's done that for me. I always like that about him, his unselfish compassion, most especially towards me.

I tried to explain, but Ranma wasn't too receptive to my reason, nor did he even try to listen to what my other selves had to say and begging him to understand. I knew this would be confusing for my fiancée, but I didn't expect him to show animosity. I guess I overdid it this time. I really hurt him, though I never dreamed of doing this intentionally. I just hope that by the tomorrow, when that ghoul comes back, I'll be back together whole again. There wasn't anything else to do but wait. 

Although I didn't like the accommodations my family made for all six of me, I guess it can't be helped. The training hall was not built comfortably to be slept on, but at least Ranma would be keeping an eye on all of me. I was too tired to try talking to Ranma again. I even got a bit irritated at myself for allowing this predicament to happen to me. It got to a point when I nearly tried to hit myself. It was a good thing I stopped myself in time, though Ranma seemed amused at what I almost did to myself. I wanted to stay with him; Ranma just sat across the room and was looking at all of me. I guess its no use; he'll never forgive me until I'm cured. Though, it was comforting to know that, just before I truly felt sleep, my fiancée placed on each of our forehead, a goodnight kiss. I felt overjoyed, and I guess so did the rest of me.

Kasumi's breakfast always perked the morning for all of us. Although, Ryouga was so depressed he didn't even eat anything. I wonder if Ranma will ever forgive him, although, they haven’t fought since last night? I noticed the grin my sister Nabiki gave to me, and how she whispered something that made Ranma laugh. She must think that this curse of mine is quite amusing. Well, it won't be long now. As soon as I get back, I'll cook something special for Ranma, now that I know that I have what it takes to be a good cook like my eldest sister Kasumi. Then he arrived, my father and Ranma's dad had been waiting for him, and they successfully caught the perverted troll by surprise.

I didn't say anything; after all I'm back together again. Ranma just held me close to him. I couldn't tell from his smile if he was glad that Happousai cured me, or that we were all alone now again, sure of ourselves that no one will come up the roof and disturb this romantic moment. I knew he felt happy, or we wouldn't have kissed like that. I couldn't help but smile, as we stayed a bit longer up here. I guess neither one of us wanted to come down the roof while our fathers were desperately trying to run away from two new Happousais that suddenly appeared, just after they thought they kicked him out of Nerima. I guess things turned out for the best for the two of us.

-END-

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Note:

Of course, the first "Through the Looking Glass", was Ranma's account :)