Locket
Thom Keehn
zinyadel@hotmail.com


Exclusive rights to all Ranma1/2 characters and places belong to
Rumiko Takahashi and are used herein without permission.  This
material is not to be used for commercial gain or in any other way
that is profitable.

This is intended to take place a month after the events in Oh Waiter
This will probably be classified as a WAFF fic as it is the first
fic I have ever written that deals with Akane and Ranma directly.

The stories of both the Cas series and Wedding Aftermaths are on my
homepage in formatted text files.

http://ravenhale.anifics.com/fiction.html

-----

With her ticket in hand, Nabiki regarded the train that would
finally save her from the insanity she was leaving behind.  Still,
knowing that the train would depart without her, she turned around
to face her family.  She would have to make this quick, Happousai
having already delayed their progress to the station long enough
with his childish antics.

She figured she'd say her farewells to her baggage carriers first.
Stepping towards the panda and the pig-tailed girl, she smiled,
reaching into the breast pocket of her blouse.  The panda and girl
were busy panting from the exertion of the long run to the station
made all the more difficult under the six suitcases of things she
had packed the night before.

"Hurry up, you two," she barked.  "Get my stuff on the train!"

"We have ten minutes," Ranma complained, mumbling around the handle
of one suitcase.

She pulled a wad of coupons from her pocket, handing them out to the
panda.  Genma, somehow having convinced Ranma to take the majority
of the baggage, took the proffered coupons, glancing at them
curiously.

"It's for a free carpet clean," Nabiki explained to the panda.  She
thumbed to the train.  "Hurry up!  I don't want to be late!"

The pair waddled past her, Ranma grumbling as he went.  She smiled
as she turned away from them to confront her family.  Kasumi was
comforting her father, whose tears were falling freely as he bawled
incoherently.  Akane smiled back to her, her foot grinding harder
against the top of Happousai's head.

"I'm going to make this quick as I want a good seat," Nabiki
declared, glancing around at the many other people crowding the
train station.  She paused for a moment, her eyes finding a familiar
pair further down the platform.  Two cars down stood Kunou Tatewaki,
his eyes weeping as he hugged a girl in a yellow jacket.

Shaking her head, Nabiki turned her eyes away from the sight.  She
slipped her hand into her dress pants pocket and pulled forth two
neatly folded pieces of paper.  She changed the first of the pair to
her other hand, holding the other out to her elder sister.

"This will be a list of things I need mailed to me concerning
business ties and anything else you may get asked in concerns of
me," she declared.  Her sister nodded, taking the list as if it were
something sacred with the hand that wasn't resting on her father's
shoulder.  "It also includes my new mailing address and I will be
calling with my phone number once I found out what it is.  Feel free
to mail me any foodstuffs.  You know what I like."

Satisfied with the subservient expression on her sister's face,
Nabiki turned to her father, holding out the other paper.  "This is
a bill for the financial services rendered while I lived under your
household.  I've already included my renting of a room in your
household, plus an approximate number of meals, as credits to your
account," she explained.

Her father's weeping ceased as he took the paper out of her hand.
He unfolded it quickly, his eyes bulging at the contents.  "How
could you!?"

"I'm simply basing my numbers around the average salary of a
financial advisor, tax accountant and investment broker.  I figure
as I was all three, it would only be fair to charge you under the
premise of how much you saved without having to employ any of said
services," she answered.

"B-b-b-but I raised you," he protested.

"Don't worry, daddy," she remarked offhandedly.  "If you can't pay
it, I'll simply make an account for you like all my other clients."
She hugged him, his shocked state disabling his ability to hug her
back.

"We got your bags... what happened to him?" Ranma asked.

Nabiki pulled away from her father, turning upon the martial artist.
She walked up to him, noting the sudden worried look that crossed
his girl-form's face.  She sighed, closing her eyes as she thrust
her hand out between them.

"A handshake?" came the confused inquiry.

She opened her eyes.  "What else do you want from me?" she asked,
slightly annoyed.  "You want a hug?"

"I could go for one of those!" cried Happousai in his usual perverse
glee.

Nabiki sidestepped the lunge, her outthrust hand turning to snag the
old man out of the air by the back of his maroon gi.  Casually she
spun about, whipping the old man around in a hard arc before
launching him into the air.  The old man sailed across the platform,
squawking in protest.  He would be gone for at least a minute.

"I suppose not," Ranma answered to her back.  "I... we just haven't
talked."

Nabiki turned back around, her eyes closed once again.  The gesture,
though meaning to give an uncaring expression towards Ranma, served
also to save her from the sight of him.  "Nor do we need to," she
countered, holding her hand out again.  "This is good bye, Ranma."

Ranma's slender hand gripped hers, warmth against her skin.  She
shook the hand once before releasing it.  It was over.

She turned about, taking a couple steps towards Akane before finally
opening her eyes.  "Akane, I need to give you something," she
declared.  "We should move down a car."  She pointed in the
direction of the sobbing Kunou and a frustrated girl that was rapping
a baton on the kendoist's head.

Akane nodded, accompanying her down the length of one car.  People
bustled about them, many getting on the trains after quick
farewells.  The time for departure was coming quickly, the available
seating diminishing by the second.

Stopping and glancing towards their family, Akane lowered her voice
asking, "What's up?"

Nabiki slipped both hands around her neck, fidgeting with a clasp
for a moment before it came free.  "I want to give you this," she
declared, pulling her hands about.  Slipping the small golden chain
into one hand, she pulled the golden-plated, heart-shaped locket
from beneath her blouse and held it out to her younger sibling.
"It's one of mother's trinkets I found a couple years ago in the
attic."

Akane stared at the locket, eyes softened with wetness.  "Nabiki,"
she said breathlessly.  "You should keep it."

Nabiki smiled, looking down at the bauble in her hands.  She turned
it over to rest in her palm.  Moving her other hand to the locket,
she pushed a small button on the side, causing the heart to split in
two.  She turned the item again in her hands to show Akane the small
photographs of mother and herself.

"I think you should have it, Akane," she said firmly, holding it
closer to her sister.  "I owe you at least this much."

Akane's hands came up, but still they refused to take the locket.
"Won't you want something to remember mother by?" Akane asked,
lifting her eyes from the locket to peer intently at Nabiki.

"I have my memories," Nabiki said.  "Please, take it.  I won't feel
right leaving without giving you something important to me."

She sighed as her sister's fingers closed about the locket.
Releasing her hold on it, Nabiki felt a heavy guilt finally passing
from her.  She was leaving at last.  Finally, Akane, Ranma and
herself could lead peaceful lives.  Stepping forwards, she brushed
the bangs aside from her sister's forehead and leaned in to place a
small kiss.  Arms slipped around her, holding her tightly.

"I'll miss you," Akane declared firmly.  "I'll keep the household
going, somehow.  I promise you."

Nabiki nodded, forcing herself out of Akane's clutches.  She
straightened her blouse and over jacket absently before glancing at
the others on the platform.  Her eyes rested on the pigtailed girl.

"Make sure you take care of Ranma," Nabiki ordered as she turned
about to board the train.  "We all know he can't do it himself."

She didn't wait to hear her sister's response, certain that it would
be either one of denial or anger.  Instead, she stepped into the
train and walked her way down the car's aisle.  She waved at her
family through the window, heading for wherever Ranma and Genma had
stored her luggage.  It was a short walk to the car ahead, and soon
she was seated at the window.

Akane and Ranma were still waving, the sight forcing a smile to her
lips.  She waved back one final time before pulling the window shade
down.  She had said her farewells.  It was time for her new life to
begin.

Turning away from the covered window, Nabiki sighed.  Her eyes
glanced aside to note the approach of Kuno, dressed in a simple
white shirt and black pants.  He nodded to her, silently taking a
seat across from her.

A voice over the speakers declared the time and destinations of the
train before the vehicle lurched into motion.  Nabiki offered her
companion a half-hearted smile, curious as to where her former
classmate was headed.

"Kunou-chan, did you finally get enrolled in some school worthy of
your presence?" she asked, remembering his original reason why he
had neglected in selecting a school only a couple months ago.

"She is very convincing," Kunou remarked, crossing his arms in
defiance.

Smiling again at the reference to Kunou's girlfriend, Nabiki crossed
her legs.  "How is Konjou-san?" she asked amiably.  "I understand
you two are getting along fairly well."

"As always, your information is accurate," Kunou remarked dryly.
"Mariko-san is doing well.  Her parents are decent people."

"Meeting the parents is always a good thing," Nabiki agreed.  "How
does she feel about your family?"

"Perhaps we should talk about something else."

*****

"In all my years, I knew it would happen but nothing could have
prepared me for the loss," moaned Soun as the Tendou patriarch
staggered down the sidewalk.  Kasumi walked aside her depressed
father, occasionally offering him a comforting hand.  Happousai
wanted to retch.

This was the very reason in all his years why he had never chosen to
have children.  He was certain had he wanted to, he could have had
them with one of many willing women, but the eventual separation was
not worth the investment.  It was for this same reason why he seldom
chose disciples.  His first two had proven to be pathetic excuses
for martial artists.

Still, he could not deny the prowess of his students.  Though
neither would carry on his school, he saw much potential in Genma's
son, and much to desire in any of Soun's three daughters.  When
Ranma was ready, he would pass his art to the boy.  If only the
stupid youth would realize the full potential of his abilities and
cast off that annoying shyness, he would have given the art over to
the boy.  He would then retire, settling down for a quiet life with
Akane as his bride.

"Who will take care of the household finances?" Soun demanded,
turning abruptly and shaking Kasumi by her shoulders.  "I haven't
had to do them in three years!  I don't know any of the shortcuts in
the system that Nabiki exploited.  We're doomed!"

Happousai grimaced.  He had no concern with family finances.  The
loss of Nabiki meant no more thong underwear in the household.  It
was a severe blow to the selection of panties available from the
Tendou girls.  Life was unfair at times.

"I could take over the job," Akane volunteered, interposing herself
between Kasumi and her father.  "Of course I would need my allowance
adjusted accordingly."

Happousai frowned, certain Nabiki had been the one to leave today.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he regarded the shorthaired girl
wearing the pink blouse.

Ranma, still in that luscious girl form, sidled up beside Akane.
"Hey, is it fair to charge family in their time of need?" the
martial artist asked dubiously.

Akane crossed her arms, turning to regard her erstwhile fianc� with
a nonchalant expression.  "Fair or not, business is business," she
remarked coldly.

"But they're your family," Ranma protested, his feminine face
betraying a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"Family business is still business," Akane countered evenly.

"Oh, Akane!" Soun cried out, hugging his youngest daughter.  "Does
this mean Nabiki has taught you all the shortcuts?"

"No," she replied, calmly detaching herself from her father, "but I
will find them in good time, I promise you."

Her father groveled at her feet, bowing and scraping.  "Thank you,
Akane, thank you!"

"Please, daddy," Akane remarked, glancing about the street.  "You
are embarrassing me."

Ranma, still frowning, pressed the back of his hand against Akane's
forehead.  "Akane, are you feeling well?" he asked.

To everyone's surprise, Akane took his hand in hers, pulling it down
to her side.  "That's so sweet of you to think about my health,
Ranma," Akane declared, pressing up against the smaller girl's side.

There was something definitely wrong with Akane.  Happousai pounced
in front of the close pair, peering up at them with his arms
outstretched towards Akane.

"I'm just as concerned," he declared.  "To prove it, how about a
hug!"  He sprung upwards, twisting to avoid the fist Ranma threw out
to intercept him.

Still despite his maneuver, he found himself caught by the back of
his shirt in Akane's hand.  Akane regarded him with a disgusted
look.  "I think not."

The world spun as Akane spun about, lifting him up.  The sight of
houses spinning ended as his face struck against the pavement, the
hardened rock cracking beneath him.  He groaned in protest before a
hand roughly yanked him back up.

"Dirty, old man," Ranma growled, the pigtailed visage scowling as it
came into focus.  "How about I punt you into next week!"

"There's no need for that, Ranma," Akane said, the old man's head
jerking about as he was roughly taken from the martial artist.

The old man thanked the stars.  He was being spared, by Akane no
less.  It truly was a miracle.  She smiled at him pleasantly,
causing his heart to soar.  His eyes wandered downwards, as they
always did, narrowing slightly as he noticed a small golden chain.
He followed the line down to a small heart shaped locket.

'No, it can't be!' he thought.  It was the locket he had given Soun
many years ago after one of their many training trips, a locket
supposedly lost.  'How did she get it?'

Glancing up, he saw through the sweet smile on Akane's lips, noting
the malevolent glint in her eyes.  "Uh oh."

*****

Ranma hazarded a look behind him, but kept his pace with his
fianc�e.  "Don't you think that was a little extreme?"

Akane continued down the street, glancing over her shoulder with a
sly smile.  "Not in the slightest," she replied.  "I'm just giving
him that hug that he wanted."

Ranma shuddered, not wanting to look back.  He could still hear
Happousai's strangled cries amongst a young girl's cooing voice.

"I'm not a tree squirrel!  Not so tight!  I can't breathe!"

"Yvette!  Yvette!" the girl cried out.  "You're so cute!"

"I'll get you for this, Ranma, if it's the last thing I do!"

*****

Sitting cross-legged at the table, Ranma leaned his cheek against a
palm, propping the elbow against his knee.  Kasumi and Akane were
smiling as together they cleared the table of emptied dishes.  Ranma
watched the two in mild interest, his thoughts more centered on the
strange events of the day since Nabiki's departure.

There was no doubt that something was wrong with Akane.  The Akane
he knew would never have possessed the calmness in which she
disposed of Happousai.  He wondered if they would ever see the old
goat again.

For that matter, he was wondering what had happened to Ryouga.  His
rival and oftimes friend had been absent for over a year.  He had
asked around a couple months ago, even paying Nabiki for information
concerning the whereabouts of Ryouga.  It had all come up blank.
Ryouga was gone.  He worried something terrible had befallen the
lost boy.  Maybe Azusa had found her Charlotte and Ryouga was now
being held hostage.

Ranma sighed, realizing there was little he could do in the
situation.  His suspicions on Ryouga's whereabouts were not
promising enough to warrant breaking in to the Shiratori residence.
Ryouga could be anywhere, maybe even dead.

"Pay attention, boy," barked his old man, slapping him in the back
of his head.

Ranma scowled at his father, lifting his head up from his palm to
pretend listening.

"Saotome, I understand your concerns, but she is my daughter," Soun
declared, nodding.

"I can't afford to stay here if she charges me every time I refill
the furo!" Genma growled, gesturing in the direction in which Akane
had disappeared.

Soun shook his head, eyes closed.  "I've already spoken to her about
this, and she has assured me that the cost is warranted," the Tendou
patriarch declared.  He reached inside his gi, withdrawing a piece
of paper that he set down on the table for Genma to look over.  "She
even broke down a cost estimate for me, outlining the exact
expenditures involved in you and your son's baths."

"But Tendou, think about how this change might affect our plans,"
Genma countered, his voice filled with concern.  "You must admit her
behavior is not normal."

"The change does not affect our plans," Soun replied simply.  The
patriarch laughed, nervously rubbing the back of his head.
"Actually, Akane told me just before dinner that she could always
depend upon my guidance."

Genma and Ranma both frowned at that.  "Meaning?" Genma asked.

"Well... she did say that the arranged marriage, though unwelcome,
was honestly the best thing that's ever happened to her," Soun
admitted, his voice lowering in volume.  "She even went so far as to
suggest I do the same for her sisters."

"We both know that isn't Akane speaking," Genma hissed back.
"Something must be done!"

"All you're worried about is that she'll kick you out when you don't
pay your debts to her," Ranma remarked offhandedly.

"That's besides the point, Ranma!" Genma growled.  "Do you want to
marry a girl that is possessed by an evil demon?"

Ranma frowned, mulling the thought over.  Why is it every time some
radical change in Akane's personality had to be the result of an
evil demon?  Even dinner, the ingredients of which Akane had somehow
managed to get free from the market when he went along, had been a
welcome surprise for the taste tester of Akane's cooking.  She had
even avoided a fight with him during the entire evening.  If she was
possessed, he didn't mind the change all that much.  But then, where
was the Akane he had grown to care about.

"I suppose not," he grudgingly admitted.  "But who said anything
about marriage?  I still have a say in this and I think we should
talk to her about this before dismissing this change as the work of
something evil."

"Son, if you are not willing to marry her in this condition than I
must beg you to find out what has caused this change!" Soun
demanded, leaning forwards.

"Yes, you must figure out what's wrong with Akane," Genma agreed,
clenching a fist.

Ranma sighed, getting up to his feet.  He started for the door,
pausing when he realized he was alone.  He glanced over his
shoulder, throwing a questioning glare at the two elders.  "Aren't
you going to back me up if this is some sort of evil demon?" he
asked.

Both men laughed, nervously rubbing the back of their heads.  "Of
course we will," Soun answered first, not making a move to get to
his feet.

"We'll stay here and... strategize for the time being," Genma
explained, nodding.

"Yes, strategize," Soun said in agreement.  "Can't fight demons
without a plan, can we?"

Ranma rolled his eyes as he took to the hall.

*****

Closing the door behind her, Akane sighed with contentment.  Dinner
had gone smoothly with only a little help from Kasumi.  It was so
surreal, the entire time in the kitchen her thoughts had been
focused solely on what she was doing instead of what she wanted to
do.  The meal had come together, her hands moving of their own
volition.  She felt she had done it thousands of times before,
though it had been her first attempt at one of her mother's recipes.

Absently, Akane raised a hand up to the locket Nabiki had given her
today.  Pressing the button, she gazed lovingly at the two pictures
inside.  They were both special people to her, people she loved.
Her heart sighed at the thought of both of them being so far away,
beyond her immediate means of contact.  She let the locket drop back
to her chest, turning about intent on finishing the chores that
remained for the day.

Before her hand could open the door, a knock sounded from the other
side, startling her.  Backing away a couple of steps, Akane scolding
her skittish behavior.

"Akane, it's me," the voice of her fianc� called through the door.
"We need to talk."

Her heart lurched at the sound of his voice.  A part of her wanted
to shrink away and tell Ranma to go away, the same part of her that
refused to admit its love for him.  However, two other parts of her
forced her a step forward, the two parts of her that had guided her
safely through this wondrous day that even the shy part of her
admitted was good.

Encouraging thoughts assured her that her father had chosen this
man, the son of a friend he trusted, and that she should trust her
father to never force her to something that truly was harmful
towards her.  These thoughts, emboldened by the many memories of
times Ranma had proven his worth of character, assured her that her
father's decision was a good one.

Another part of her was calm and assertive, telling her to go for
what she wanted.  It harmonized with the love of her shy
counterpart, livening up images of romance with Ranma that she would
never admit to having.  This persona, one that loved Ranma only
slightly different than her own, reached out her hand and opened the
door.

The door was opened and she lifted her eyes upon the man that stood
outside her door.  Her eyes swept over his body, noting the way his
silk clothes hung loosely upon him before resting upon his face.
She smiled softly, gazing into the murky blue depths of his eyes.

"C-can I come in?" Ranma asked, nervously glancing down the hall.

Akane quickly stood aside, gesturing into her room.  "Of course,"
she answered without further hesitation.  Her heart pounded faster
as he crossed into her room.  "Do you want me to close the door?"

"I s-suppose?" Ranma stammered, turning around once he got to the
middle of her room.

She shut the door, her eyes transfixed on the doorknob in her hands.
He was in her room, but she was scared of what to do next.  Again
her thoughts conspired within her, assuring her that the boy would
understand and that Ranma truly cared for her.  It was almost like
her mother and sister were in her head, encouraging her to bare her
heart before the man she loved.

"Ranma," she started, her voice harsh upon her ears.  She looked up,
straightening as she pressed her back against the door.  She
congratulated herself for the thought, knowing Ranma's only other
avenue of escape was her window.

"Akane," Ranma said, his face setting with determination.  "I know
today has been hard on you, but is there something wrong?  Pops and
your dad are worried about you?"

Akane's heart caught in her throat as she tried to think of what to
say against the torrent of emotions the thought of him alone in her
room with her inspired.  "Are you worried?"

Ranma frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.  "Of course I'm
worried," he replied.  "I need to know if you're okay."

"Ranma, I love you."

Akane's heart skipped at her own words, her mind racing with fear
that he would reject her.  Her hands came up, clasping around the
locket as she peered at him expectantly.

"I... what?" Ranma said, his mouth dropping open in shock.

"I love you," Akane repeated, stepping away from the door.  "Please
tell me you love me."

"I... Akane..." Ranma fumbled over his words, backpedaling away from
her.  "There's something wrong with you, Akane."  His face soured at
his statement.  "I mean, Akane would never admit that."

Akane's lower lip trembled as she crossed the room towards him.  Her
heart was crumbling at his inability to see this as her true
feelings, for him to dismiss it as a scam or some other nonsense.
Still, she drew closer to him, her thoughts consoling her that he
was simply too scared to admit his feelings.

"I know it's hard to understand," she stated in a hurt tone.  "But I
do love you.  Please don't turn me away."

Ranma's features hardened as he visibly came to a conclusion.  He
stepped forward, laying a hand on each of her shoulders as he gazed
intently into her eyes.  "Akane, we will find out what's wrong and
we shall fix it," he assured her.  "I promise you."

"What's wrong with me loving you?" she demanded, her anger finally
overcoming her grief from the rejection.  "You think it is easy for
me to tell you that I love you and know that you will probably throw
it back in my face!  What do you want me to do, Ranma?  How am I
ever going to say 'I love you' without you thinking it's the result
of something I ate or an illness or whatever else our parents
concluded to send you up here?"

"That's not fair, Akane!" Ranma growled, letting her shoulders go.
"You haven't exactly showed a wealth of affection towards me.   I'm
struggling with the belief that you can even tolerate my miserable
presence.  How am I supposed to know if you love me or not?  How am
I supposed to believe if this is real?"

"I started loving you years ago despite your clumsy attempts to
comfort me over Dr. Tofu's obsession with my sister," she declared,
remembering the incident vividly.  "Up to that point, you had shown
no interest in me whatsoever, except as a nuisance, even when I
tried to be your friend.  Then there was the skating match, where
you declared you were my fianc� and would kill him if he touched me.
I don't consider that an act of friendship.  That was possessiveness
and it's something that I've dwelt on many times."

"How do you know all this?" Ranma demanded angrily.  "You can't be
Akane, but how do you have her memories!"

"Please, take me seriously," she begged, her eyes wetting with
tears.  "I swear to you I'm not lying."  She dropped her head, eyes
gazing at his bare feet through cloudy tears.  "Can't you pretend
for a moment that what I say is true?"

Hands came down on her shoulders again and his feet shuffled closer
to hers.  "Akane," he muttered.  "I want to believe..."

Unable to bear the rejection, his words finally held a hint of
acceptance.  He wanted to believe.  She thrust her head up, tilting
slightly as her lips sought his.  Her arms found their way around
him, enfolding him in a tight embrace as her lips touched against
his at last.

Ranma's reaction was delayed, but her heart soared when it finally
did come.  His kiss came back with a passion that rocked her back on
her heels.  She allowed herself to be arched back in his arms,
slipping her hand from around his back up between them to cup at the
back of his neck.

She whimpered slightly, tears slipping out the corners of her
tightly closed eyes.  Something brushed against the back of her
neck, hardly noticeable among the feeling of relief washing over her
as he moved against her kiss.  Their lips parted for a moment,
hovering closely together, his breath tickling her lips.

"Please tell me this is real," Ranma whispered.

"It is," she assured him, touching her lips against his again.

Something tugged at her from behind and all the support in her mind
vanished, leaving only a scared version of herself to kiss the man
she loved.  Akane broke the kiss, swinging her head about, her eyes
panicked.

"What is it, Akane?" Ranma asked, his voice confused.

The hand cupping the back of his neck flew to her chest, noting the
absence immediately.  "My locket!" she cried, searching the room
frantically.  "Somebody took my locket!"

Ranma frowned, stepping away.  "Locket?" he echoed.

Akane gripped his shirt, glancing up at him pleadingly.  "I need my
locket, Ranma," she begged.  "Get it back for me!"

"Why?"

"Please, Ranma," she continued.  "I need it.  I need it for us!"

*****

Ranma darted out into the hall without the slightest clue what was
going on.  His head was still spinning from the kiss, he could
hardly think about anything else.  He only knew that a locket was
taken from Akane and he had to get it back.

'This can't be real!' screamed his thoughts in protest as he
searched both Nabiki's and Kasumi's rooms for signs of a thief.
'Akane would never kiss you of her own will.'

He growled, trampling the thought with his hopes.  Akane was right.
If he wanted her to love him, he was going to have to have faith in
it being real or it would never happen.  He wanted to believe.

'And when I find that little thief, I'll make him suffer for ruining
that moment!' he thought with a scowl as he threw open Happousai's
door.

"Well, look who's here," the old master remarked, standing in the
middle of the room.

"The old freak," Ranma muttered, the words coming without thought.
"How did you get away from Shiratori?"

"A grandmaster can always find his way out of a situation,"
Happousai remarked, crossing his arms with a superior look upon his
wizened face.  "Her hold, though admittingly better than my own, did
not last as she continually felt the need to pull me away and gawk
at me in awe.  As much as I adored the attention, I have more
pressing matters here."

Ranma's brow twitched.  He was about to retort how anybody could
ever adore a mangled wrinkle of flesh like him when Ranma noticed a
golden chain hanging out from between the pudgy fingers of the old
man.

"The locket!"

Happousai smirked, hopping back and holding the item in a closed
fist out between them.  "Looking for this, eh?" the old man taunted.
"See if I ever hand it over."

Ranma sprang forward, fist leading.  "That's Akane's!" Ranma
shouted.  "You give that back now!"

"Ha ha ha," the old man laughed, pouncing up onto his head and
launching out into the corridor behind him.  "You amateur!  Don't
think I'll let you have the Change of Heart Locket that easily!"

"The what?" Ranma growled, turning around and charging.

"The Change of Heart Locket," the old man repeated, dashing down the
hallway.  "With this locket, Akane will finally be able to express
her innermost feelings towards me!"

Akane stepped out into the hallway, scowling at the grandmaster as
she moved to block the path to the stairs.  Ranma picked up his
pace, noting the old man was not slowing.

"Akane, watch out!" he shouted, suspecting the old man was about to
spring upon Akane any moment now.

"Oh, no you don't," Akane growled, taking up a fighting stance.

To both their surprise, Happousai changed course suddenly, launching
up to the banister.

"Ranma, grab him!"

Ranma dove forwards, throwing his hand out towards the old man.  The
old man's hand touched down on the banister, swinging legs up and
over.  Just as it seemed the old man would get away, his fingers
found the scruff of Happousai's ragged squirrel outfit.  The old man
gurgled as he was held aloft by his throat.

"You give that back!" Ranma growled, shaking the old man.

The old man thrashed in Ranma's grasp, kicking and waving the arm
that bore the locket while the other hand tried to loosen the
strangling outfit away from his throat.  "No... way!" Happousai
gagged.  "It's mine!"

With a firm shake, the locket tumbled out of the old man's grasp.
It clattered on the floorboards below, eliciting a concerned squeak
from Akane.  This time, Ranma didn't hesitate to pull the
grandmaster around, aim and kick the old nuisance out the nearest
window.  Happousai sailed into the distance, issuing the usual
claims of vengeance.

"My locket!" Akane cried, hurrying down the stairs.

"Wait, Akane!" Ranma shouted, worried that his earlier thoughts had
been true.  If the locket was the source of Akane's newfound
courage, it would crush the small hope within him.  "Please!"

Akane paid him no attention, scurrying over to the locket.  She
hunched down beside it, picking it up and examining it for damages.

Vaulting over the banister, Ranma landed behind Akane.  He turned,
rushing over to Akane's side.  "Please, Akane!" he begged.  "Tell me
it was the real you!"

Akane nodded, clutching the locket in both hands.  "I swear, Ranma,"
Akane assured him in a soft voice.  "It isn't a trick."

"Then kiss me again!" he demanded, his thoughts panicking at his own
words but he needed to know.  He needed the proof.

In his worried state, he was unable to stop Akane before she had
slipped the locket over her head.  He sighed, his thoughts quickly
coming to the conclusion that the kiss was the result of the locket.
Happousai had said it did something like enhance the wearer's
emotions or something like that.  Though realizing this meant there
were feelings for him, it was disheartening to know they weren't
strong enough to come forth on their own.

His breath caught in his throat as he was crushed in a tight hold.
Akane rubbed against him, much to his confusion.  This was not the
same reaction he had got the last time Akane wore the locket.

"How sweet it is!"

Ranma's eyes bulged, realizing his fianc�e, not Happousai, had been
the source of those words.  He struggled in her grip, trying to pry
himself free as she brushed against him, the swell of her breasts
rubbing up his sides.

The sound of chortling down the hall got his attention, a thankful
distraction to his body's reaction to Akane's embrace.  Happousai
stood down the hall, a strand of garbage hanging from a mangled ear,
with his arms crossed and a smirk across his face.

"What did you do?" he demanded, trying his best to look more angry
than uncomfortable.

"I just helped Akane realize her true feelings," Happousai declared.
The old man thrust a finger towards them.  "The Change of Heart
Locket allows the personas of the people presented within the locket
to guide one's own persona through their life.  Akane will finally
be mine now that she can overcome the shyness that keeps her from
me!"

"Ranma, let's go someplace reclusive," Akane cooed, continuing her
affections to his cheek and side.

A shudder coursed through him at the words.  He wasn't sure what was
going on, but he suspected Happousai had rigged the locket somehow.
Trying to maneuver about in her grip, Ranma reached his hands out to
the locket's clasp.

"B-b-but, Akane!" the old man protested.  "How can you want him when
I'm right here?!  Share the love!"

Akane jerked away from Ranma, causing the martial artist to sprawl
aside on the floor.  Ranma managed to turn about to note a
contemptuous scowl upon Akane's face.  "Love you?  Ha!" his fianc�e
said with a harsh laugh.  "How could anybody love an ugly, wretched,
miserable old wart like you?"

Happousai shrunk back with each accusation, eyes welling with tears.
"How-how cruel!" he moaned.  "How dare you speak such mean things to
a poor old man like me!"

Ranma could not suppress the grin crossing his face at the harsh
rejection the master was being rewarded.  He looked up as a hand
patted the top of his head, noting Akane had stood up and was now
smiling down at him.

"Ranma, I promise I'll be back," she declared.  "I need to let the
world know I'm finally free!"

"What?"  His hand lifted up to stop her, but she was already
sprinting towards the door.  "Akane wait up!"

"No fair!" Happousai bawled.

Ranma spun upon the old man, easily grabbing the whining master in
his misery.  "What have you done to Akane?" he demanded.

"I thought for sure if I had slipped my picture in, she would love
me," Happousai muttered, fists drying the tears in his eyes.

"Your picture?!" Ranma echoed.  He then remembered the locket,
calling forth the image of the small heart.  It was possible a
picture could be contained in it.  "You don't mean she has your
personality?"

Happousai nodded dejectedly.

Ranma dropkicked the master for the second time of the day before
running out the door in pursuit of Akane.  He had to stop her before
she did anything... perverse.

*****

Waving a puff of smoke away from her, courtesy of the man sitting
next to her at the bar counter, Ukyou turned in her stool to gaze
through the murky haze of the club to her friends.  Mousse was
wandering through the crowd towards her, wearing tight, black pants
and a blue short sleeved dress shirt for the occasion.  She waved to
him, gesturing to the empty stool beside her.

Turning slightly to retrieve her drink from the counter, Ukyou
smiled despite the loud throbbing of music in the air.  It was not
anything she particularly liked, though she knew at least one girl
back in Osaka would love the music.  Anything with a lot of bass got
that redhead hopping.

Mousse brushed beside her as she turned back to the crowd, the act
almost causing her to spill her drink over herself.  Thankfully he
was unscathed as well, though he didn't seem to notice his luck as
he sat heavily down on the stool next to her and scowled back at the
crowd.

Crossing her legs absently, Ukyou wondered if it would have been
such a bad idea to wear the knee-length, black dress Kiten had
bought her four months ago.  It would have fit the atmosphere,
noting that several people in the club were dressed in semi-formal
attire.  As was, Ukyou sighed as she smoothed out a wrinkle that had
formed down her thigh in her black leggings.

"Why doesn't she ever dance with me?" Mousse growled over the music,
gesturing his soda in the direction of the crowd of dancers and
sloshing some of the contents onto the floor.  "Konatsu isn't the
only one who can dance."

Ukyou shrugged noncommittingly.  Through the haze and the flashing
lights, she could barely make out the forms of the two
aforementioned teens that had accompanied them to the club.  She
could only assume they were dancing, and trusted that to be the case
as she went back to her drink.

It was nice to be out of the restaurant for a change.  Konatsu had
surprised her with the suggestion earlier in the evening, surprising
her even more when he admitted it was Shampoo's idea to invite her
along.  Ukyou still suspected Shampoo's invitation had come in
knowledge that Konatsu would not have gone without her.  After all,
Shampoo had not spoken to her ever since she confessed her
involvement in the scandal of Shampoo's gratuitous pictures.

Business was good again, though not nearly as good as it could be.
Her year-long hiatus had dulled her edge in okonamiyaki serving, but
she was slowly getting it back.  She hoped, given another month, she
would be fully back on her feet.

"You'd think they were a couple or something, carrying on like
that," Mousse barked over the music, still scowling.

Choking on her water, Ukyou hastily set the glass aside, afraid she
would inadvertently end Mousse's evening at this rate.  She coughed,
clearing her throat as Mousse reached over to pat her back.

"You okay?" he asked, the ever-present scowl replaced with concern.

Ukyou nodded, pressing her hand against her chest as she coughed a
last time.  "I'll live," she assured him, though her soft words were
consumed in the ocean of sounds.

Mousse nodded, satisfied before sitting back up in his stool and
returning to his scowl.

Ukyou sat up also, taking a deep steadying breath.  Calmed, she
thought about his statement, quickly dismissing the possibility that
Konatsu was anything more than a friend to Shampoo.

"She's probably still mad about your pictures," she shouted.

Mousse's scowl deepened.  "Why?  She's forgiven you!" he countered.

Ukyou hardly considered herself forgiven.  Shrugging she stood up
out of her stool.  Her back was aching from sitting on the hard
wooden stool and she needed to do something other than stand at the
counter.  She grabbed Mousse's hand, tugging him off his stool.

"We should join them," she explained.

"I don't want to," Mousse growled, his eyes cast over her shoulder
at the pair.

Favoring his scowl with one of her own, she pulled him roughly,
dragging him by his hand.  "Too bad," she huffed.  "I'm not dancing
alone and I can't see them from there.  For that matter, I doubt you
can either."

She weaved her way through the crowd with Mousse in tow, kindly
apologizing to anybody she bumped into.  At last she found Konatsu,
his hair bouncing down the back of his black kimono as he danced
across from Shampoo.  Ukyou waved to the pair, casting a reproachful
glance at her partner when he stumbled onto the dance floor behind
her.

They exchanged unheard greetings, the music blaring far too loud to
actually hear what anybody was saying.  Releasing Mousse's hand,
Ukyou stood there for a moment, uncertain of what to do.  Eventually
she compromised her worry of somebody seeing how stupid she must
look, with bobbing her head slightly to the music.

Shampoo's eyes danced with mirth at her, causing Ukyou to even stop
that small effort to dance.  The Amazon smiled, holding out a
slender hand to her.  Ukyou stepped forward nervously, reaching out
to take Shampoo's hand.  Fingers closed about her hand and she was
pulled towards her former rival.

Shampoo spun her about, allowing her to gaze upon Konatsu.  Her
waitress appeared oblivious to the world, as he danced with eyes
closed.  He looked quite happy, perhaps more so than she had ever
seen him in her entire life.  Sighing, she glanced away from him,
noting that Mousse was doing a similar number, though his face was a
mask of concentration as if this was a training exercise of sorts.

Hands glided down to her waist and pushed them gently.  Ukyou
snapped her head about, nearly striking the Amazon's head behind
her.

"Move like so," Shampoo hissed into her ear.  "Is good exercise."

Obediently, Ukyou responded to the touch.  It was awkward at first,
but Shampoo's hands continued to guide her motions, slipping down to
her hips to give similar instruction.

"Close your eyes and try to move with the sound," Shampoo
instructed, pressing up against her from behind.  "Is like the waves
of the ocean, rolling in and out in a steady beat.  Move with them.
Don't fight it or you will surely lose."

Ukyou nodded, letting out a deep breath as she closed her eyes.  She
summoned the image of the ocean into her mind, remembering the many
times she had practiced along the jagged shores, dodging and
parrying the endless onslaught of the water.

Surrendering to the music, her head lolled to the side, resting
against the shoulder behind her.  Her hands slipped behind her
sides, resting against the girl behind her as she rocked against the
lull of the waves in her mind.  It was natural, something she had
trained for so long ago, that she wondered how she had ever worried
about her inability to dance.

A sharp ring of feedback cut through her senses, the music ceasing
immediately.  Her eyes flew open, confused and disappointed.  She
glanced about, searching for the source of the interruption as she
detached herself from Shampoo.

"Sham-sham-shampoo!" Mousse squealed suddenly.

Ukyou's gaze flew to the boy, noting a pair of arms wrapped around
the Amazon.  Shampoo sidled up next to her, equally confused at why
someone would be acting so familiar with the boy.

As Mousse turned about to hug the offender, Ukyou's eyes widened in
amazement.  "Shampoo!" Mousse cried.  "I knew you would love me!"

Ukyou could only gawk as Akane stepped into the boy's embrace,
hugging the Amazon back with earnest.  The sight of Shampoo snarling
beside her was not lost on her.

"Ooooo, how strong and supple!" Akane cooed, rubbing her cheek
against Mousse's shirt.  "You're the best looking guy in the club!"

The voice broke Mousse's spell.  His arms visibly relaxed, hands
flying up to lower glasses and peer at the girl still holding him
tightly.  "Akane?"

"Mmmmmm," Akane intoned, her grip tightening with an audible crack
of Mousse's back.  "How about we leave this place together for a
romantic picnic on the beach."

Mousse suddenly went limp in Akane's arms.  The youngest Tendou
frowned, releasing her hold to allow an unconscious Mousse to pool
at her feet.  Shrugging, Akane pounced over the fallen Amazon, using
his head as a springboard, to land in front of Konatsu.

"You're awfully cute, too," Akane remarked, leaning forward as she
peered at the kimono-clad waitress.  "Are you wearing anything
underneath that?  I've always wondered."

Konatsu flushed a bright red as he politely retreated into the crowd
away from Akane.  The girl looked as if she was about to pursue,
when she swung her head to regard the door cautiously.

"What is going on?" Ukyou demanded, finally breaking free of the
shock that had rooted her to the spot.

"Akane!" cried a familiar voice from outside.  "Come back here!"

Akane shook her head, favoring Ukyou with a resigned smile.  "He's
so possessive," the youngest Tendou remarked.  "Tell him I went that
way!"  Akane pointed across the room before bounding in the opposite
direction.

"I think Akane is the one possessed here," Shampoo muttered.

"I think it's best if we don't get involved," Ukyou stated, nodding.
"Somehow this will turn against us if we do."

*****

Ranma slammed the door to the gym storage behind him, quickly
locking it.  He knew she had come in here, and there was only one
way out.  He would stop the nonsense once and for all.

A course shuddered down his spine at the images of lechery he had
witnessed Akane perform today.  He was only thankful that it had not
involved anybody worthwhile of mention, Ryouga still missing and
Kunou safely elsewhere in Tokyo.  It was bad enough to know she had
groped several of their classmates.  School was going to be hell
this year.

"Finally alone together," cooed a voice from behind him.

Shivering from the sound, Ranma spun about.  Akane stood a mere five
paces from him, leering at him lustfully.  Ranma put one foot back
as he raised his hands up defensively.

"The locket's coming off, Akane!" he declared.

"No way!" Akane growled, taking up a fighting stance.  "I've never
felt so free in my life!  Nobody will ever call me a sexless tomboy
again!"

"But I'm the only one that called you that!" Ranma protested.  "I
promise I'll try to stop if you give me the locket."

"I don't think so," Akane said, smugly.

"You asked for it!"  Ranma charged forward, trying to formulate a
plan of action.  He could not hurt Akane, but he could not let this
continue.  He would have to rely on his speed to get the locket off.

Vaulting up, he was caught off guard when Akane darted beneath him
and grabbed up at his shirt.  He squawked in surprise as her fingers
seized the cloth and hefted him headlong into the far wall.
Crashing into an unceremonious heap, he groaned.

"You think you can best me?" Akane asked, voice confident.  "I'm the
best martial artist in the world."

"You were lucky, that's all," Ranma said, getting back to his feet.
Shaking his head to clear his vision, Ranma fell back into a
defensive posture.  "Why don't you come at me?"

"Why don't I just leave the premises?" Akane countered, thumbing
back over her shoulder.

Ranma charged forward again, stopping short to thrust his fists out
rapidly in attempt to grab the locket from her breast.

Akane twisted, her shoulders moving in a blur as she easily avoiding
his attempts.  Her She thrust a hand up, grabbing his by the wrist
and shot her foot straight into his gut.  Doubling over, Ranma
winced in pain as he tried to free himself from her grasp.

"Don't underestimate me, Ranma," Akane reprimanded him, releasing
his wrist.  "I don't want to hurt you."

Ranma peered up at her, realizing this could not be real.  Even the
usual battle aura that accompanied her usual aggressions towards him
was absent.  She was calmly defeating him.  She could not possibly
beat him in a fight.  Unless...

Desperate, Ranma stood up and snapped his shirt open, the buttons
snapping and bouncing to the far corners of the room.

"Sweet!" Akane cried out, diving to bury her cheek in his chest.

Ranma shuddered, finally understanding the full influence that
picture had over Akane.  He quickly reached his hands down and
unclasped the gold strand.  Almost instantly, Akane's head withdrew
from his bare chest.

"Akane?"

Ranma was crushed in a second hug as tears slowly began to stain his
skin.  "Oh, Ranma!  I'm so embarrassed.  I'll never hear the end of
this at school."

Ranma sighed, relieved.  Moving his hand to the back of her head, he
pressed her softly against him as her body continued to rack with
grief.

*****

Akane put the serving bowl down on the table, aware of the
distrustful glances the elders were giving her.  She smiled despite
this, filling the first bowl with a healthy portion of red rice.

"I'm so sorry about yesterday," she apologized.  "I promise I didn't
add a thing this time."

Genma nodded, pushing the first bowl in her fianc�'s direction.  "Do
your thing, boy," Genma ordered.

Ranma glanced at the bowl, frowning.  "Are... please... um..." the
boy whimpered indecisively.

"Please," Akane said, her eyes pleading towards him.

Taking a deep breath, Ranma leveled his chopsticks, poised for the
attack.  In a blur, they darted in and the morsels disappeared into
Ranma's mouth.  Chewing it with a thoughtful expression on his face,
Ranma swallowed.

"It's too spicy," he muttered.

"It's supposed to be spicy," Akane countered, rolling her eyes as
she retreated to the kitchen.  It was not the reaction she had hoped
for, but at least he had not ran for the bathroom to retch like
yesterday.

"It's a shame that the Change of Heart Locket was lost," Genma
declared, as he took a bowl from Kasumi.  Akane paused at the
hallway, deciding to listen in.

"Yes, I understood Nabiki had it all this time," Soun added, taking
his bowl and a bite.  Akane smiled as she noted their approval.

"Strange..." Genma remarked, devouring his food in a reasonable
pace.  "I wonder why it never affected her."

"That's because she had her picture in it," Akane explained,
gripping the door as she leaned against it.  "With two of her
personas, she easily overrode the influence of mother's picture."

Soun nodded.  "I see," he remarked.  "And when it was two different
pictures, you have three separate entities struggling for
dominance."

"Too bad we lost it," Genma said with a hearty laugh.  "We could
slip Kasumi's picture in and our families would be joined within
days."

To Akane's surprise, Kasumi's serving bowl got to the old man's head
before she could detach from the wall.

"That's a horrid thing to say," Kasumi scolded the Saotome elder.

Giggling, Akane made her way back to the kitchen to do the dishes
left behind from preparing dinner.  She had just ducked into the
kitchen when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her.

"Akane, wait up!" Ranma called after her.  "I'll help you."

Wistfully smiling, Akane turned on her heel, waiting for her fianc�.
He stepped into the kitchen, the expression on his face immediately
souring upon her.

"Akane, are you okay?" he asked.

Lifting her hand up to her neck, Akane slipped her fingers
underneath the gold chain, sliding forwards to pull the locket out
of her blouse.  It bobbed out, the sight of it causing Ranma to step
back in fear.

"It's okay," she assured him, stepping towards him.  She pushed the
button to open the locket, lifting it up in a palm for him to see
the pictures of her sister and mother.  "I'm only using this when I
need to."

Frowning, Ranma closed his hand over hers.  "Akane, you don't need
this with me," he told her.

"That's so sweet, Ranma," she whispered, stepping closer.  She
lifted her other hand up around him, sliding it up his back to his
neck.  He stiffened, but stayed put.

"Akane."

"Shut up, stupid," she said softly, standing up on her toes as she
lifted her lips to his.  "Trust me for once."

Their lips touched and her heart reveled in joy when his moved back.
-----

Disappointed?

Comments and criticism are always welcome.

zinyadel@hotmail.com

Ciaow






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