But it wasn't like she minded the activities. Her mother had taught her to take pride in any accomplishments she made, and had always prided herself on teaching her daughter the traditional feminine arts so well. Strangely for someone who'd also been trained to kick butt with speed and skill, the redhead found that she felt rather good that she'd managed to keep her home so well.
This day was a bit different though, as she was happy for another reason. Soon her brother would be returning from school, and she'd be able to see how things went. Sure, she'd disliked having to send him off on his first day, but it wasn't like he'd be gone for another ten years. He'd be coming back soon enough, and would be starting a routine, which would mean that he'd be having something that would solidify his life there. They'd be a family again.
"We're home!" called out Nabiki's voice.
And now she could see how the three of them were doing. Smiling, she headed over to the front entrance. "Welcome home."
"It's good to be back. Nice day?"
"Quiet. Your father is relaxing with his paper, and Kasumi's got her own things to do."
Ranma frowned in confusion and stopped in the middle of pulling off his shoes. "What 'bout Pop?"
"Oh, him," his sister grumbled, letting a sour look cross her face. "He up and decided that he had something to do, and just went out. He did say that he planned on being back for dinner, but I don't know if that means that he actually wants to come back, or is just hungry."
"Probably both. What about your day? Did the three of you get along?"
"Having him around the school wasn't quite what we expected," Nabiki admitted.
"That's the truth," the youngest Tendo sister muttered. "Of course, he is perfectly fine. It's the girls that I have to wonder about."
"Oh? Was there some sort of trouble?" her step-mother asked.
"Not exactly."
"I don't see what's the big deal, though I do gotta admit that it's kinda weird. I mean, all the girls seem ta like me," Ranma put in with a confused look.
"Eh? Am I hearing what I think I'm hearing?"
"Whadda ya mean?"
"I mean, do the girls really like you?" the elder Saotome sibling asked with a sly smile, poking him a little with her elbow.
"I guess...."
"He thinks that they want to be friends," Akane clarified.
Nabiki gave a rueful nod. "It's true. But it's probably what you think, Mom."
"I see...." Ranko replied, giggling a bit.
"Dunno what's with all ya guys," Ranma muttered. "I mean, Akane's got situations with the opposite sex. 'Course, the girls are nice, and those jerks are definitely not."
"What 'jerks' are you talking about?"
"There's these guys who come from a bunch of different schools ta try ta beat up on Akane. The way that they think, she's a trophy or somethin', and if they can beat her, they can keep her. Probably all 'cause of what that big jackass with the stick said."
"'With a stick'? Wait, would this 'jackass' be a tall boy, with brown hair, not a lot of brains, and a seat in Nabiki's classroom?"
"That's Kuno alright. Ya did meet him, right?"
"Oh, we've met," his sister ground out, her eyes narrowing in a clear show of displeasure.
"Well, I've met him too now. He got all uptight 'bout me talkin' ta Akane, but once we got him ta understand that I'm her uncle, he didn't mind so much. 'Course, now he thinks that he can impress me, and, from there, get ta Akane."
"I hope that you made sure to give him a proper response."
"Knocked him out real quick."
"That's my brother."
A cross between a smile and a smirk stretched across the younger Saotome's lips. "Thanks. 'Xcept...."
"What?"
"He saw me when I was in girl form."
"And when he did...."
"He up and decided that my girl side is your 'sister', and since he can't have ya, he wants ta have me."
"So, not only has he tried to get around my order not to bring about groups to harass my little Akane...."
"Mom...." the named girl moaned in embarrassment.
Ranko merely continued without even seeming to notice the word. "But he's actually trying to get to be with my brother's girl side?"
"You forgot to mention the fact that he's infatuated with you," Nabiki drawled.
"I guess that he didn't learn his lesson the last time. That means that...."
"Ya can leave it 'lone," her brother told her.
"Why should I?"
"'Cause he's a moron? The guy doesn't seem to wanna actually touch reality. With him bein' that way, he won't let himself learn anythin' he don't wanna."
"That is true enough."
"'Sides, I can take care of things."
"I can handle it myself," Akane and Ranko chorused.
"Yeah, but why should ya? If he's gonna bother me, then I'll just deal with him. He ain't a big deal, ya know."
"He makes a big nuisance of himself, you know," Nabiki observed.
"So? That means that he's just a bigger target. I can help."
The three females looked at him, and then at each other, before giving small nods of appreciation, while:
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(Posted Sun, 15 Jan 2006 07:24)
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