Chapter 12 - Training Trip Revealed
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Nabiki walked alongside Ranma, still in female form, as the two made their way towards the Tendo compound. After the fight with Kodachi, Mousse had taken Ryoga with him back to the Cat Café for the night. Nabiki had asked Ranma to wait, and she’d returned the video camera to the appropriate room in the school.
As they walked, Nabiki kept glancing in the redhead’s direction. ‘I wonder what’s going on inside that thick skull of his,’ she mused. ‘Only one way to find out.’
“How you feeling, Ranma?” she asked subtly.
Ranma shook her head, as if clearing it. “Huh?” she asked.
Fighting a sigh, Nabiki indicated the cuts on the redhead’s face and body. “I asked how you’re feeling.”
“Oh,” Ranma replied. “I’m fine. The cuts sting a little, but I was able to get rid of the poison she used on this one.” She pointed to the slash on her face.
“Interesting,” Nabiki said, filing away the revelation of that ability for future analysis. “So what were you thinking about just then?”
After eyeing her suspiciously for a moment, Ranma simply shrugged. “Just worried 'bout how Kasumi’s gonna react, that’s all.”
‘He really cares what she’s feeling,’ Nabiki thought, mildly surprised. ‘And not just when he’s trying to recover from his foot in mouth disease. Very interesting.’
“So tell me,” Nabiki asked as innocently as she could. “What are your thoughts on being engaged to Kasumi?”
“Why?” Ranma asked with a wary expression.
“I’m curious,” Nabiki said in all honesty. “I’m not going to sell the information if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s just that I love my sister and I’d really like to know your thoughts on this.”
Ranma seemed to struggle with the idea for a minute, while the two continued walking. Finally she responded, “Well, I’m really glad she included that bit about us bein' able ta get outta the engagement. I don’t want her ta get stuck with having ta marry me. I... I think she deserves someone better.”
‘Wow!’ Nabiki thought, ‘I never thought I’d live to hear something like that come out of Ranma’s mouth.’
“Does that mean you don’t want to be engaged to her?” Nabiki asked.
“Well, before this whole thing happened, I never thought about her like that. I always thought she was nice and all, but that was it. It never occurred to me that somethin’ like this was even possible.”
“That doesn’t really answer my question.”
“The answer is no,” Ranma said after a moment’s contemplation.
“No?” Nabiki said, not quite understanding how he meant it.
“No, that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be engaged to her. The way she’s treated me and talked to me over the past few days has been awesome. None of the other girls listen ta what I say, or even try ta understand. Being engaged to Kasumi feels like... well... what it should feel like when two people are really engaged. On their own, I mean. Does that make any sense?”
“Surprisingly enough,” Nabiki responded sincerely, “it does.”
“It’s just...” Ranma started, struggling to find the words, “I just don’t see how it could ever work. I mean, how could Kasumi ever wanna be with someone like me?”
‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard him like this before,’ Nabiki thought. ‘He obviously hasn’t caught on that Kasumi is already starting to develop feelings for him. Of course, I’m not surprised with how thick he can be most of the time.’
“Let’s suppose for a minute,” Nabiki said, “that Kasumi does start to like you in that way. Would you have any interest in returning those feelings?”
Ranma rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Well, like I said, I never thought about it much before. And I really don’t wanna even think about marrying anyone right now. But...”
“But,” Nabiki prompted.
“I... wouldn’t mind... gettin' ta know Kasumi better,” Ranma said sheepishly. Then she added hastily, “But only if she wants ta.”
‘He really is interested,’ Nabiki thought in amazement. She couldn’t remember any time that Ranma had even remotely entertained the possibility of being with a girl, with the exception of Akane. ‘And it seems like the gods had it in for those two from the start. Still, I want to be one-hundred percent positive about this.’
“Just so I’m clear,” she said. “If Kasumi was interested, you wouldn’t mind pursuing a dating relationship with her.”
The pure shade of red that Ranma turned was enough of an answer for Nabiki. The small, hesitant nod from the red-head only confirmed it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
‘Well,’ Nabiki thought, reviewing the facts in her mind. ‘Kasumi has seemed more alive than she has in years, and it’s obvious that Ranma is the cause. And if anyone in our family deserves a little bit of joy, it’s her. Ranma, for his part, has a genuine interest in return. He’s not just stringing her along like he did with the other girls. I guess the question is, what in the hell should I do about it?’ Her mind continued to plague her with that question as they continued home.
 |
With dinner less than an hour away, Kasumi was in the kitchen. She couldn’t help but be slightly worried. ‘Where is Ranma?’ she asked herself for the hundredth time. Akane had arrived home at her normal time, and the only information she had was that Ranma had some type of errand after school. ‘It must be tied in with what he was doing this morning. Oh Ranma, please don’t do anything foolish.’ As she continued preparing the food, she wondered when it was she started to care for him so much. Kasumi knew that she’d always cared for Ranma, the same way she did for everyone else. However, at some point it had grown beyond that. First, with the probability that he and Akane would’ve married; and then, more recently, as she took over the engagement, her level of caring had taken on a new dimension. |
Before her conscience could torment her any further, she heard the front door open. Soon afterwards, Nabiki announced, “We’re home.” The fact that Akane and both fathers were already there meant that the ‘we’ could only mean one other person.
Rushing out into the foyer, Kasumi stopped cold as she beheld her fiancé. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the gash on Ranma’s fair-skinned face. Then Kasumi noticed the tears in Ranma’s clothing, and how the red shirt she was wearing had a slightly darker shade of red around them.
“K-Kasumi,” Ranma stuttered.
Kasumi noticed that Akane had just appeared at the top of the stairs and was watching the scene unfold. She didn’t pay her sister any mind though. Instead, she walked up to Ranma, grabbed her hand, and led her into the dining room.
“Sit,” Kasumi said in a calm voice. The manner in which Ranma complied without any hesitation almost made her smile. Almost. “I’m getting the first-aid kit,” she said. “Don’t move.”
After Ranma gave her a little nod, she went and retrieved the kit. As she walked, she couldn’t help but wonder what happened. ‘Ranma looked so worried. What in the world did he do?’ she wondered. Then she decided it didn’t matter at the moment. ‘Right now all I care about is making sure he’s okay.’
As she returned to the table, she found that Nabiki and Akane had seated themselves as well. Both fathers still sat at their game board, but their interest was held by Ranma at the moment. Both men, and Akane as well, were pelting the pig-tailed girl with questions about what happened. She was refusing to answer though.
“I’m waitin’ for Kasumi ta come back first,” Ranma insisted.
Kasumi made her way to Ranma and knelt down in front of her fiancé. She opened the kit and began cleaning the wound on Ranma’s face, not saying a word all the while. The tension, or possibly it was anticipation, was high in the room. After she’d finished with the face, she began to examine the other cuts. In addition, she finally spoke to Ranma.
“Okay Ranma,” she said as easily as she could manage. “Can you please explain to me what happened? And I’d also like to know about this morning as well.”
Rubbing the back of her head using the arm that Kasumi wasn’t currently examining, Ranma put on a nervous smile. “Well, both are kinda the same story actually. I left early this mornin’ to deliver a challenge to Kodachi.”
Stopping what she was doing for the moment, Kasumi looked into Ranma’s eyes, as if issuing him a challenge. “Please tell me you didn’t agree to any foolish conditions for this fight.”
Now that she had both arms free for the moment, Ranma leaned back slightly and began waving them in front of her. “N-no, nothin' like yesterday. Nabiki helped me word this one out. I only agreed that if I lost, that my girl form would promise not ta try ta date my male form.”
“Okay Ranma,” Kasumi said with a smile, making a mental note to thank Nabiki later. “Go ahead and tell us what happened next.” She took one of Ranma’s arm and began to clean the cut on it.
Over the next several minutes, Ranma detailed what had happened in the morning when he’d issued the challenge, as well as the details of the fight itself. Every once in a while Nabiki would interject something into the story as well. In addition, Kasumi found herself as surprised as everyone else at Mousse’s involvement. She could also tell by Ranma’s face that there was more to that part of the story then her fiancé was letting on, but she decided to ask him about it later.
By the time Ranma had finished spinning the tale, Kasumi had completed her cleaning of the wounds. The two sat there for a moment looking into each others eyes, while everyone else watched with interest.
“I... I’m sorry Kasumi,” Ranma finally said, looking away with a shamed expression. “I shoulda told you about it. I... understand if you’re... mad at me.”
Not really caring that everyone else was watching, Kasumi used one hand to gently take a hold of Ranma’s chin. She lightly turned the redheads face towards her so that they were making eye contact again. She softened her eyes as best she could as she began to speak.
“I’m not angry with you Ranma,” she said softly. “I feel bad that you have to fight on my behalf, especially since I know how you feel about fighting girls. The reason I’m not upset is that what you did today is nowhere near as bad as what happened with Shampoo and Ukyo. If things hadn’t turned out like you had hoped, at least I know something permanent wouldn’t have happened to you. Do you understand?”
“I... I think so,” Ranma responded hesitantly. Kasumi watched as her fiancé struggled with the idea, and possibly something else.
‘Is there something else?’ she couldn’t help but wonder. As Ranma continued to sit there thinking, Kasumi decided not to push the issue.
“Ranma,” she said. Once she had the redhead’s attention, she continued. “There’s still about 45 minutes until dinner. Why don’t you go soak beforehand? Then you can tell us anything else you need to afterwards. How does that sound?”
The look of relief on Ranma’s face validated her train of thought. “Thanks Kasumi,” she said. “I think I’ll do that.”
Kasumi watched as her fiancé sauntered off to the bathroom. She let out a small sigh and made her way into the kitchen to continue working on dinner.
| Ranma, once more in his male form, relaxed in the furo. Even after he’d spent a good deal of time scrubbing himself on the stool using soap and cold water, he couldn’t help but still feel a little dirty. ‘Dammit, even though I don’t like Kodachi, I still feel bad for havin' ta be so cruel to her. And Ukyo...’ He let out a small shudder. ‘How could I do that ta my best friend?’ As he continued to sit there and wallow in guilt and self-pity, Ranma was unsure of what to do. Despite repeated effort, he couldn’t see how he could have possibly done things any differently. A small knock at the bathroom door interrupted his reverie. “Ranma,” came Kasumi’s voice. “Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.” “Thanks Kasumi,” Ranma replied. He heard her light footsteps as the moved away from the door. He was about to allow his thinking process to continue |
 |
Deep pools of brown that seemed to have no bottom filled his mind; pools that contained no malice, no hatred. Instead, they contained nothing but love, love for him and everyone else in the Tendo home. They were also filled with compassion and understanding.
‘That’s why ya had ta do the things ya did,’ Ranma thought with conviction. ‘You had ta protect Kasumi. That’s your responsibility, even if ya never marry her.’ The thought that the light in those eyes could’ve been extinguished if he hadn’t acted bolstered his resolve.
‘Yer doin’ this for Kasumi,’ he mentally berated himself. ‘Never forget that.’ Suddenly feeling better, Ranma stood and got out of the furo. It only took a few minutes for him to dry off and get dressed. Making his way out to the kitchen, he found that Kasumi had just finished setting out the last of the food.
“Your timing is always perfect when food is concerned,” Kasumi said, stifling a giggle with her hand.
Letting out a small chuckle, Ranma took his place at the table. “I guess I can’t help it when yer cookin’s involved.” He was rewarded with a small blush from his fiancée.
Everyone else quickly took their places and soon the eating was underway. Genma attempted to steal food from Ranma’s plate as was his norm. While Ranma blocked, he noticed that Kasumi was watching him out of the corner of her eye with an expectant look.
‘She knows there’s more,’ he thought. Shoveling as much food into his mouth as fast as he could, Ranma managed to finish before everyone else. Since he didn’t have any more food to steal, his father began to ignore him. Steeling up his courage, Ranma cleared his throat.
When everyone turned his way, he spoke, “There’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned yet.” Everybody set down their food and chopsticks and waited for him to continue.
“There ain’t no easy way ta say this,” Ranma said cautiously, “so I’m just gonna come out and say it. I found out from Mousse that the old ghoul took Shampoo away for a month-long training trip. I know if we fought today that I could beat her without any problems. But even I hafta admit that I have no idea what the old ghoul might come up with between now and then. 'Cause of that, I’ve made decision.”
Taking a deep breath, he continued. “Tomorrow I’m leaving for a month to train too.”
“Tomorrow I’m leaving for a month to train too.”
Kasumi heard the words and found that she was having difficulty breathing. ‘He’s leaving me?’ she thought. Looking into Ranma’s eyes though, she couldn’t help but notice the anguish this decision was causing him. ‘He really doesn’t want to go. He’s doing this because he can’t afford to lose.”
The fact that Ranma had all but admitted it was a possibility that he might lose scared Kasumi. ‘He’s really worried. He doesn’t want to be with Shampoo. He needs to do this to be sure that he’ll win.’
She noticed that Ranma was watching her carefully for her reaction. His look now was almost pleading. ‘Ranma really cares what I think. He needs my approval, or else it’ll eat away at him the whole time he’s gone.’
Putting on a small smile, Kasumi gave him a silent nod.
“Tomorrow I’m leaving for a month to train too.”
Akane felt her jaw drop slightly. ‘H-He’s l-leaving?’ she thought despondently. ‘But... I thought he said we could start over? How can we do that if he’s not here?’
She then noticed the silent exchange happening between Ranma and Kasumi. ‘Damn! Damn! He’s already so concerned about what she thinks. Why can’t he care that way about me again?’ Suddenly a sickening thought came to her. ‘Did he ever care about me that much?’
When Kasumi gave Ranma her little smile and nod, and Akane witnessed the absolute relief that Ranma expressed, she’d had enough. ‘I... I can’t watch this anymore.’
“Excuse me,” she said quietly. Standing up, she turned and left the dining room, struggling her hardest not to run as she made her way towards her room.
 |
“Tomorrow I’m leaving for a month to train too.” ‘Most interesting,’ Nabiki thought. She too watched Kasumi and Ranma, but also directed some of her attention towards Akane. She was able to see the concern on Ranma’s face as he looked to Kasumi for approval. She also saw the understanding and acceptance that her older sister was coming to terms with. And the displeasure that Akane was feeling over this chain of events couldn’t have been plainer. When Kasumi finally nodded, and she saw Ranma nearly wilt with relief, she almost chuckled. She actually might have done so if it hadn’t been for Akane’s sudden departure. ‘Poor Akane,’ Nabiki thought. ‘Well, it might be a bitter pill to take, but it is of her own making.’ |
‘Actually,’ she mused, as a plan began to form in her mind. She reached into her notebook for her ever-present bankbook, and quickly began calculating what this idea was going to cost her.
‘It’ll be tight,’ she thought wickedly, ‘but it’ll be worth it. Now how do I make this a reality?’ Before she could come up with anything, the conversation around the table suddenly picked up again.
“If you’re really worried about that old ghoul,” Genma was saying, “then you should wait for the master to return.”
“I agree,” Soun piped in. “Surely he will be able to help you with a few techniques that will ensure your victory.”
The snort that Ranma let out mirrored Nabiki’s own thoughts. “Since when has that old pervert ever taught me anything?” Ranma demanded. “Sure I’ve had ta learn new techniques ta defend against him, but when did he ever actually train me?”
Neither father had an immediate answer, so Ranma continued. “Plus, he’s still away on that trip and we have no idea when he’ll get back. And even if he did return on time, and let’s say we did manage to get him to train me, then what? What’s he gonna teach me, huh? Some technique for how ta drain chi from Shampoo’s cleavage, or somethin' ridiculous like that?”
Both man had the good graces to look suitably chagrined. “Fine Ranma,” Genma said at last. “So when do we leave?”
“We?” Ranma scoffed. “Get real pop. What’re you gonna teach me anyhow? The ‘Cradle From Hell’ technique? Hah! I kinda doubt that’ll work on Shampoo.”
“B-But, but, but,” Genma stuttered.
“Besides, I’ve got Mousse and...” Ranma looked towards the stairs and then lowered his voice, “Ryoga are both going with me to train.”
“Ryoga!” Soun growled. “You’re going to train with that... that...”
“I’d think carefully before you let those words come out daddy,” Nabiki said sarcastically. “Unless you want me to go remind Akane of your involvement in that situation.”
Soun wisely shut his mouth without saying anything else. Genma, however, didn’t appear to be finished.
“You ungrateful boy!” he snapped. “You don’t seem to understand how much you still have to learn from me.”
“Oh please,” Ranma said, trying to maintain his laughter. “The best you could come up with ta try ta defeat me was that stupid ‘Cradle From Hell.’ And how about the time ya had ta get Ryoga to do your dirty work when I took that funeral pastry? You were too chicken ta do anything about it yourself.”
“Why you!” Genma yelled.
“End of discussion pop. I don’t need you along distractin’ me.”
‘Ranma’s seriousness appears to actually be getting through to the idiot,’ Nabiki thought. But it appeared Genma wasn’t quite finished yet.
“Fine, you miserable boy. Disrespect your father all you want. But what about your fiancée? Are you going to leave her here without any protection?”
“What’re you talking about? You guys will be here. And I already took care of the other girls, so it ain’t like there should be a problem.”
‘Perfect,’ Nabiki thought with a grin, deciding the time was right.
“Why not just take her along Ranma?” she asked innocently.
The way in which everyone gaped at her was rather amusing. They all simply stared for a while, and Nabiki was wondering who would finally break the silence. Her father decided to beat everyone to the punch.
“Absolutely not!” he barked. “I refuse to allow my daughter to travel out into the wilderness. I mean who would...” Sound wisely took that moment trail off.
‘Who would take care of your lazy ass?’ Nabiki finished mentally. She looked over at Ranma who was still in shock at the idea. ‘Better prod him a little.’
“Besides Ranma,” she said, “we still don’t know how Kodachi will react. Even after the agreement, when she finds out about Kasumi, who knows what she’ll do? If Kasumi were safely away for a month, that might help.”
“But, I...” Ranma said, looking confused. He shifted his gaze towards Kasumi, giving her a questioning look.
‘Go with him?’ Kasumi thought. ‘I’ve never been away from my family before.’ The idea was both terrifying and strangely intriguing at the same time.
Nabiki’s worry about Kodachi didn’t particularly bother her. ‘Maybe it should though. I really don’t know what the girl is capable of.’
She saw the questioning look that Ranma was giving her, and she didn’t know how to respond. The two just looked at each other for several moments, neither sure what to do. She heard Nabiki let out a small sigh as then speak.
“Besides, Ranma and the others will probably be training pretty hard. It will certainly help to have someone along to help them.”
“But what about...” Soun started, before breaking off at a stern look from Kasumi.
‘I’m sick of being taken advantage of,’ she thought. ‘Why is it that people only think of me like that?’
“Look,” Ranma said. “You may have a point about Kodachi. But I don’t want Kasumi ta hafta come along just ta take care of us. I already told her that I wanna help her around here 'cause I think she does way too much. I’m not gonna ask her ta come along just ta do the same damn thing!”
Kasumi felt like jumping over the table and grabbing Ranma up into a hug. She managed to restrain herself though. Instead, she stood up and walked around the table, kneeling next to her fiancé. When he turned to face her, she took his hands into her own.
“Ranma,” she said quietly. “I really appreciate what you’re saying. And I think it’ll be a bit scary being away from my family for the first time. But I... I think I would like to come with you.”
She watched as Ranma studied her intently. Finally he asked, “But why?”
“Well,” Kasumi answered, trying to collect her thoughts. “The whole reason you’re doing this is because of me. You issued that challenge to Shampoo to help protect me. Nabiki is right, I’m sure you guys will be training quite hard. I would be honored to help you as I’m able.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Kasumi saw that her father was about to say something else, but was shushed by Nabiki. The middle Tendo daughter then got up and went over to both fathers. She spoke too low for Kasumi to hear what she said, but she distinctly heard the phrase “able to spend time alone.” Both men nodded and put on goofy grins. Then Mr. Saotome said something, and Kasumi saw Nabiki pull out her bankbook and mention something about eating out.
Turning her full attention back to Ranma, she saw his expression change from contemplation to acceptance. “Alright Kasumi,” he said softly, sounding a little nervous. “I-If you really wanna...”
“I do,” Kasumi responded with a firm nod. “Also, I plan to stop by the school to pick up some lesson plans from your teachers. I know you’ll need some time off in the evenings, so I plan to make sure you don’t fall too far behind in your studies.”
Ranma let out a groan that caused Kasumi to giggle. “Now, now,” she chided. “I can’t have my fiancé falling behind in school, now can I?”
“Okay, fine,” Ranma said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. Then he smiled. He seemed about to say something else, when Soun cleared his throat to get their attention. They both turned to face him.
“Saotome and I have discussed it,” he began, trying to sound fatherly. “And we both feel that it would be in the best interest of everyone involved if Kasumi were to accompany Ranma on his training trip.”
“Gee thanks,” Ranma replied sarcastically. Kasumi squeezed his hand gently before letting go. She then addressed her father.
“Thank you father,” she said simply. Both men turned their attention back to their food, while Nabiki returned to her place. Kasumi stood to return to her place at the table as well, and caught Nabiki’s eye.
“Thank you,” she mouthed to her sister. Nabiki gave one of her little mischievous smiles and nodded in return.
As Kasumi sat down and resumed her meal, her mind began cataloguing everything she’d need to prepare. After a while though, the only thought she could really keep was...
‘This is going to be some adventure.’
Thank you for taking the time to read Aijou & Aitou. I hope you have enjoyed yourself. I would love to hear all feedback, positive or negative (as long as it’s constructive). Please take the time to leave a review on fanfiction.net or send me an email letting me know your opinion. Thanks.
