But she wasn't there to pass judgement on the lifestyles of others. She liked to think that she was an open minded girl, and she knew that people could have reasons for staying in a dreary place like this. Just imagining some adventurer or, in this case, secretive and kind genius living there helped her to push aside the creepy feeling that she got from the place.
So she brushed off the skirt of her sundress and walked into the building, trying to ignore the fact that the only sound was that of the heels of her sandals on the floor. She headed over to the elevator and took it up to the proper floor, certain that once she got going, she'd be able to ignore the loneliness around her.
After all, she'd come to thank the boy who was doing so much to help them, and not to complain about his living conditions, even if she had only been in worse places a few times in her life.
All Akane wanted was the chance to relax, which was becoming more elusive each day, or so it seemed. It wasn't that classes had become harder or that she was having trouble in the Art. What her problem was had a source with a name, which was Kuno.
Life was so much easier before Kuno made that stupid announcement before the whole school. He had no right to make such a declaration, but it didn't seem to matter. Every one of the boys who'd let their hormones rule their heads seemed to be out to get her. Of course, it was all disgusting and not something that she'd ever agree to, but then, no one had stopped to ask her. Instead, they'd just taken her attempts to defend herself as an affirmation of what they wanted to do.
Home was a haven so long as she didn't get around Nabiki too much. Her sister was having way too much fun with the situation, and didn't seem to want to stop. And ever since she'd had to deal with that stuff with Kodachi, the other girl had seen her as some sort of rival.
However, she was in her own furo room having washed herself of the sweat worked up from the latest in a long series of days, and sat down in the heated waters of the furo. She let the warmth seep into her bones as she stretched her arms out and leaned back against the side of the tub. Tipping her head back, she closed her eyes and sighed, allowing herself to sit there without the burden of having to worry so much. This was one place that even Kuno wouldn't enter, and she hoped that he never would, as she needed this sort of refuge.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at the ceiling and wondered if there was any way to stop the stupidity. At this point, she'd even take some help in getting rid of the jerks who were bothering her. But just the concept made her snort in derision, as she was sure that anyone who would appear would be just more trouble. The only one who could handle this mess was her, and she didn't plan on whining to anyone else to solve it for her.
Moving her head back forwards, she pressed her lips together in a small frown.
At that point, she saw the little old man looking rather slack jawed at her as he stood on the edge of the tub... HOLDING THE BRA AND PANTIES THAT SHE'D TAKEN OFF FOR HER BATH A FEW MINUTES EARLIER!
"Hotcha!" declared the perverted geezer, "I was hoping that Tendo's daughters would be beauties, but I never expected this! And to give a poor old man such a welcome..!"
There was only one thing that she could do in response.
"EEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!" she screeched at the top of her lungs as she simulataneously smash the pervert and cover up her nudity.
Ranma made certain not to allow the girl to notice the fact that he was paying attention to everything that she was doing. As far as he was concerned, she was to think that he couldn't care less about her presence. That was essentially the truth, as he really wasn't big on company, but he was also aware of the trouble that a single person could bring. So he knew that he had to keep a watch on what his pretty visitor was doing.
"Hello, whomever you are," he said simply. "As I know that I wasn't expecting any visitors, you'll excuse me for not knowing who you are."
She blushed heavily and bowed towards him. "My name's Minako Aino, and I'm a friend of Hotaru's."
"Are you now? Come to see who else she spends her time with?"
"Only a little. She talks about you a lot, but what she just told us made me really want to see you."
"Oh? And what did she tell you?"
"That you're making backup Senshi."
"She did? Why... Ahh... Well, you don't have a problem if I help you, do you?"
"Of course not," Minako protested.
"So why are you here? I did do it for her, you know."
"I came to thank you. Even if you were thinking of her first, you were really nice to do this for us."
"You're welcome. Is that all?"
"No! I don't want to just tell you thank you. I would like to return the favor."
Suspicion came across his mind at that moment. "What does that mean?"
"I'd like to help you out. I mean, you're all alone in this... place. It's all quiet."
"I like quiet."
"But this is oppressive. I mean, how can you stand it. And it's chilly in here. Why don't you take this blanket here and..."
"Hey, hey... HEY!" he barked as he found himself with a pretty blonde trying to bend over his lap to put a blanket onto it. "First off, that's a little foward, don't you think? And second, that thing gets in my way, leaves lint balls in my work, and always leaves me too warm to do much."
"Oh, sorry... I didn't know."
"That's right. And you didn't ask."
"I'm sorry. How's about I give you the iced coffee I brought you? It's here in my bag. I can open it if you like..."
"I can open a can by myself! I might be in a wheelchair, but I don't need to be treated like some sort of invalid! Stop feeling sorry for me!"
A crestfallen look came across her features. "I didn't mean to seem like I was thinking that way. I... I just wanted to be nice."
"By trying to do everything for me?"
"Well... I did it for my other friends. Of course, they were down with the flu at the time, but I figured that I'd help them out. I'm still not sure how I blew up Rei's stereo though..."
"So you're not trying to treat me as some sort of... cripple?"
"To be honest... I didn't really think about it. I just thought I'd be as nice as I could. You're helping us, so why shouldn't I help you out?"
"By doing what you were doing?" he asked.
"Yeah... I mean, you're one of those science guys, right? By what I know, they're always working, never really paying attention to what's around them. And it seems that you are like them. I mean, look at this place. It's so... dead. There isn't anything that says it's a home."
"I live here, that's all. There isn't really much need for a home for me."
"Everyone needs a home. I know! How's about some pictures, and maybe a plant!"
"A plant."
"Yeah. Plants are alive, and that'd be good to have around this cold place."
"Just why are you planning the decoration of the apartment of a person you just met?"
"You're helping us," she said simply, "And besides, Hotaru seems to like you. And if she does, that means that you have to have something worthwhile about you."
He gave the blonde a dubious look, while:
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(Posted Wed, 13 Oct 2004 23:00)
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