It wasn't so much the scrutiny that bothered him, really. He was used to being the centre of attention. It wasn't the fact that they had been obviously waiting for him either. It wasn't even the disturbing absence of Pop and Soun from the scene, though that nagged at him a bit. It was the sight of the three Tendo sisters, Ukyou, Shampoo, and even Kodachi sitting calmly, and not fighting at all that made him nervous.
"So," Ranma asked suspiciously. "Where's Pop?"
Kasumi was the one who answered. "It's all right, Ranma. They just decided to go on a training trip."
"Really." Even given Kasumi's calm voice, he wasn't willing to buy that one as it stood.
Ukyou nodded. "Admittedly, we encouraged it, but they agreed to it."
"We convinced them that for the next stage of your training," Nabiki put in, "It would be better if they stayed out of it."
Akane nodded. "I think it was that we all agreed that convinced them."
Shampoo snorted. "I think was threat of Tomboy cooking every night until panda and cry-baby left."
Akane glared at Shampoo, then sighed. "OK, I'll admit that might have had something to do with it."
Ranma blinked. "Um..." eyes swivelled towards him, all six girls focused on him, listening to what he had to say. It was, admittedly, bizarre. "This is all some messed up potion or something, right? Some mind controlling bad guy that I need to beat up so ya start actin' normal?"
Akane sighed, bowing her head. "Even if it isn't all your fault, Ranma, you're still a jerk, you know that?"
"Look, Ranma. We all just got a long, clear look at ourselves, and I don't think we liked what we saw." Nabiki paused, considering. "Actually, I just feel a need to refine my target list, and Kasumi seems the same as always. But anyway, we've been given a bit to think about."
"Yes," Kodachi agreed, and rose from the table. Ranma immediately stiffened somewhat, on the defensive, though somewhat confused. Kodachi looked to him, and smiled, a little less maniacally that normal, a smile that looked somewhat peaceful, actually.
"I see now, Ranma-sama, that you will never accept me as I am, and I do indeed need some help." She strode towards him slowly, arms lowered, but graceful in her movements. "And I know that you and the red-haired girl are one and the same." Ranma tensed for the attack as she came right up to him; he was shocked when she only bowed deeply.
His arms fell limply to his sides as Kodachi straightened. "I may be gone for a while, Ranma-sama, while the doctor's help me, but I have not given up on you. Nor do I mind that you are a girl part of the time. In fact, I find it-" her smile at this point brought blood rushing to Ranma's cheeks, though he wasn't exactly sure why. "-intriguing."
Before he could react, Kodachi leaned in an kissed his cheek. Ranma's eyes widened in shock as he stood there, dumbly. "And I am flattered," Kodachi purred, "that you think me dangerous." With that Kodachi leapt up onto the wall, and disappeared into the night.
As Ranma's thoughts began to resume their running as blood returned to his brain, quickly he dropped back into a defensive posture as he quickly scanned for the attack he knew must be coming...
Akane remained at the table, though. Still, her face was red, and you could almost see the steam rising from her ears. "You... You... YOU PERVERT!" she yelled, vibrating in her rage.
Ranma couldn't help it. The smile was on his face before he knew it, reassured by at last something familiar on this crazy night. Akane saw the smile, and her hands tightened, ready to lash out...
Then Nabiki snorted.
Her lips were pressed tightly together, her face pinched as she struggled. One look at her, and Ukyou let out just a little laugh, which set Nabiki off, giggling madly as Akane fumed. Ukyou joined her a moment later, then Shampoo, and Kasumi. Akane seemed to go purple as Ranma looked on in fear, the other four girls reduced to helpless laughter. Finally, Akane cracked, and she too began to giggle, then laugh.
Ranma stood in the backyard, puzzled as all heck as the five girls degenerated into helplessness, and finally he too broke down and joined in the laughter.
It took a while for everyone to calm down enough to breathe again, but finally they managed. As they recomposed themselves...
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Will McDuff
(Posted Tue, 16 Mar 2004 04:08)
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