ReArranging an Arrangement Episode 4 Fanfiction by Targhan targhan_aga@yahoo.com ================================================================== Part 4: Enter The Pig ================================================================== Doc Tofu's in the Morning ++++++++++++++++++++ "Thanks for the hot water, Doc," Ranma stated with a smile. He hadn't been in here long, but the ladle skit was already getting old. This was only the third time he had been here--in a week's time. "It's a good thing that Dr. Tofu is between us and the school. He's had to patch up Akane more than once," Nabiki added casually. "Well, she does have a habit of scraping up her knees," Tofu added in a light tone. Ranma's left eyebrow raised up just a hair at Akane. Then, he leaned over to his wife, "What's wrong with her? She looks like she's got a fever or sum'tin." The hair on Nabiki's neck just stood on end, when Ranma suddenly leaned over and whispered into her ear. It was such an odd feeling for her; someone was there that just shared everything with her. Her face fell back into its disinterested expression, as she said, "You know, maybe she has a crush on the doctor." Ranma just smirked. The girl with the soul of granite had a crush on someone! Somehow, the fact just tickled Ranma. He started to chuckle, when he felt a sudden pain in his right leg, "Ow!" "Can it, smarty. We've got to get to school," Nabiki said in a serious tone. Then, in a lower voice, she continued, "We can tease imouto-chan later." +++++ The morning routine had finally started to settle in for the red shirted martial artst. Ranma shows up, and Kuno gives him dirty looks; while, Ranma passes by. Ranma could read that Kuno wanted to fight him, but was more concerned with his daily deal with Akane--for now. Akane's fight would begin while Ranma walked into the school, and he would wave to Nabiki as she made her various deals to make some money for the dojo. Nabiki's morning patterns changed the moment she woke up next to her new husband. The mornings at school are what didn't change too much, save for a few new betting pools. After completing her morning rounds of betting and collecting, she maneuvered her way to class. On the way there, she tried to gather herself for class. Unfortunately, one of her many daily worries was weighing on her, "I've got more people to plan the budget around. I hope that we can find a new source of income; otherwise, I'll have to start some betting pools elsewhere." The day, which was about the same as the day before it, was moving slowly for Ranma. He was trying to stay awake in class, as Nabiki promised to help him if he took notes. He wasn't sure if she was really going to enforce it or not, but the whole school thing seemed important to her. His father had told him that if something was important to his wife; it should be important to him. So it was that Ranma would have to survive the morning classes. By the time lunch finally come around, Ranma was exhausted. He, the great Ranma Saotome, was absolutely slipshod just due to sitting at a desk. He had a standard lunch practice now too; he would sit with Akane until Nabiki finished her business. As he was sitting with Akane, a sudden swing at the back of his head caught his attention. "Hey, don't I know you," Ranma asked as he flipped backwards away from an umbrella jab from his unknown assailant. "Don't you mock me, Saotome. You know very well who I am. I've seen Hell because of you," came the reply packaged with two punches and a roundhouse kick. "Wait! You're... You're Hibiki Ryoga! Hiya, Ryoga. How are you," replied Ranma as he swerved between the punches then flipped over Ryoga's head. "Aaaargh! Because of you, my life has been nothing but misery," came the cold reply, accompanied by a few shots of razor sharp cloth daggers. Ranma ducked and wove his way closer to his assailant; then, he just asked, "What's bugging you, buddy?" By this time, Nabiki and her associates noticed the exchange; then, Nabiki began to worry uncharacteristically. A few of her closer associates could see it in her eyes; the others thought that maybe she was critiquing the battle for the betting pools. "That guy is ticked at Ranma, and he can fight. Don't go getting your fool self killed now, Ranma," Nabiki thought to herself. Sayuka noticed the look on Nabiki's face, and tried to cheer her up, "Ranma is a great fighter. I'm sure that he'll be OK." "What are you talking about? I'm not worried," was the reply that Nabiki gave with an icy tone. Nabiki noticed that Sayuka's eyes rolled when Nabiki gave her response. "OK, I'm a little worried. That guy seems to have a major grudge against Ranma, and he's fighting like he will not see tomorrow's sunrise," Nabiki whispered to her friend. Silently, Nabiki noted that she needs to find out more about this Ryoga; since, she needed to keep tabs on the fighting arrangements. "Yes," she thought, "I have to be able to keep the betting pools straight." The fighting continued for several more minutes. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, Ryoga disappeared. Nabiki didn't know how this lull came about, and she cornered Ranma about the situation. Ranma began explaining about the bread-feud and the missed duel, "So, basically I missed the feud because he came a day later than Pops was willing to wait." "Let me get this straight, husband," Nabiki was going off, "this guy shows up all ticked off, and he looks like he wants to kill you. He says his life has been hell, and you say it's over a damned loaf of bread?" Ranma's answer was about as simple as they come, "Yup, that's about it." Nabiki's facade of cool was completely gone at this point; she was utterly confused. Bread. A near life and death fight was fought--over bread. As she listened to Ranma name off the different kinds of lunch bread, she just wanted to reach out and strangle both Ranma and his attacker. Normal people just don't do this kind of thing. Finally, lunch was over. Ranma reluctantly went back to class, as his wife looked a little out of sorts. She just didn't seem to believe Ranma when he told her that Ryoga was perfectly capable of getting lost in the middle of a fight. Heck, she didn't believe him when he said that Ryoga might not find his way back for hours--if not days. Ranma just didn't like leaving anyone in distress; he particularly, didn't want to leave Nabiki like that. In class, Nabiki tried to sort out what was going on, and not with the fight. No, she was confused about her own feelings. She knew that she should be and would be concerned about Ranma; he was her husband, after all. Still, the feelings were just so strong. What could have happened to her in a few day's time that would make her this concerned about Ranma? "Damn," she thought, "with the strange dream the other night, I wonder if there isn't something wrong with me. That dream was strange; hmm, I wonder if there is anything to it. Note to self, poke around photo-albums and talk to Kasumi. This is just too strange to be a coincidence." After School ++++++++++ Ryoga was not having fun, "Damn that Ranma. He knew I'de get turned around. This is all his fault." Nope, Ryoga was trying his best not to get too far away, so that he could give that jerk what he had coming to him. In the distance, Ryoga saw what appeared to be a school. Hoping that the school was the correct one, he waited. After some time, he heard voices in the distance. "Akane, didn't I tell you that I didn't do nuthin?" "Don't use double negatives, husband. Sister, you should not be so quick to pass judgment." "Grrr. Ranma had to do something to that Ryoga, or whoever he was. People don't just get that angry over something that small." That was all Ryoga needed. He burst into action, not unlike a comic book superhero. Jumping into the air, he set out to right the wrongs that were done to him. Almost in a blur he threw several bandannas towards Ranma, the fiend. The fool was dodging his attacks, and trying to ask him why he was angry. The nerve of that punk! As if, Ranma didn't know! All of the hell, the pain, and the fear that he had to endure due to Ranma. Swinging, thrusting, ducking, and tossing more bandannas was the general philosophy of attack Ryoga used. He knew he was stronger than Ranma, all he had to do was get a few good licks in. Unfortunately, his eternal tormentor was too fast for him to exact his revenge. "Gyah," Ryoga screamed as he let another bandanna fly. From a distance, the two combatants heard, "Ranma, NO!" Ranma ducked, and turned just in time to see Nabiki holding on to Akane's ankles. Akane fell forward, and the last bandanna sliced her hair off at the neckline. Ranma only had enough time left to roll with the earth-shattering punch impaling his stomach. Both Ranma and Ryoga rolled across the field, trying to untangle themselves from each other. In this they managed to fall into a nearby creek. Nabiki forgot all about her sister's hair, as Ranma and his assailant splashed into the water of the creek. She was rewarded by the sight of Ranma breaking the surface of the water with a loud gasp for air. Reaching over the side, she said, "Ranma, Ranma are you OK? Grab my hand and let me get you out of there, ho.. Ranma." Akane ran after her sister, to find her holding the redhead's arm over her shoulder, and walking back to meet her. Akane would have found the sight funny, if it hadn't been for her hair. She had grown it out for such a long time to impress the doctor. As if willed by magic, Nabiki told her that they should go to the doctor. "I'm fine, Nabiki," Ranma tried to reassure his prudent wife. Nabiki wasn't having any macho show; she then let Ranma know about it, "Husband... Dear, I think you should have that rib looked at. Besides, we don't know when your lost friend will show back up." Akane decided to add her own comment, "Nobody is that lost, Nabiki. I don't care, I think Ranma is full of it." Somewhere else, a little black pig found himself washed up on the banks of the creek. Moaning softly, the pig muttered its desire for retribution, "Bweeeee!" Doc Tofu's +++++++++ "That Doctor is so silly," exclaimed Kasumi to the trio in front of her. While she smiled happily at them, screams of torture escaped from the building behind her. "Uhm, Nabiki... What is going on?" Ranma asked. His confusion was very apparent. Rolling her eyes, Nabiki supplied, "Well, whenever Kasumi visits Tofu--he goes a little crazy." Smartly, Ranma added, "Oh. I guess he's head over heels for her then, huh?" Akane's head slowly dropped from the upright position, so she could stare at the bit of cement between her shoes. She suddenly felt awfully depressed, and said, "I'll follow Kasumi home. I, uhm, need to get to work on my homework, bye." Then, Akane, with her fresh haircut, ran off leaving the newlyweds alone in front of the doctor's office. "Why did that tomboy run off like that?" Ranma asked of no one in particular. "You really don't understand girls at all do you?" Nabiki countered with another question. Back at the Dojo +++++++++++++ Nabiki asked Kasumi to speak to her privately, as Ranma and his father sparred in the back yard. As Nabiki and Kasumi made their way to her room they passed Akane, who told them that she was going to meet one of her girlfriends to study. The fighting sounds from the backyard were only a hair louder than normal, as Genma wanted to make a point to remind Ranma of his bruised ribs. The sisterly meeting began with an unusual statement from Nabiki, "Big sister, I'm confused. I don't like being confused. Confused is something that just isn't me. I'm married, and I can't make heads or tails of the relationship." Smiling, Kasumi just asked, "What is it that bothers you about feeling confused?" Her smile beamed comfort towards her younger sister, and she put her hand on Nabiki's shoulder. Placing her chin into her palms, Nabiki continued, "It sounds weird, but I feel as somehow I was expecting Ranma, almost as if a weight has been lifted. Then, today I was genuinely worried about him when he got into a scuffle with some vagrant." "It's natural to feel concern for your loved ones, Nabiki," Kasumi said with more than a little bit of concern. Then she added, "Now tell me, why do you think that you might have already known Ranma." "Ah, ignore it," Nabiki began, "it isn't anything. Thanks for your help." "Wait," Kasumi said as she grabbed her little sister's arm. Then, she continued, "Don't walk away from this, please?" Nabiki looked down to Kasumi, who was still sitting on the edge of her bed. Then her sister continued to tell her that it was very important to talk this through. Nabiki slowly sat back down, and asked, "Why?" Kasumi patted the bed next to her, and added, "You don't remember a whole lot from the time before mother went to the other side, do you?' Rolling her eyes, Nabiki answered, "That was a long time ago, sis. I was small, and I shouldn't remember much from when I was small." "I bet Ranma remembers the day he left to go on the training trip with his father. Maybe, he remembers some other events before then. Well, if he sat down and tried to, that is," Kasumi chided ever so softly. Intelligently, Nabiki responded with, "Huh?" Kasumi then proceeded to pull out a piece of wood out of her desk, "Do you know what that is, Nabiki?" Looking at the object, Nabiki said, "What do you know, this does seem familiar somehow." "Good," Kasumi responded. Then she added, "Now, tell me about why you think you may have that weight lifted." Nabiki told her sister about her dream, and added that she felt attached to Ranma in some way that had nothing to do with just being married. "Although," she admitted, "I think I may like this married business. At least, I get to skip all of the frustration of shopping around for a mate." Smiling, Kasumi handed Nabiki some pictures that she had been holding on to. Next, she put her arm around Nabiki's back, and asked, "Do you recognize the little boy in that picture?" Wide eyed, Nabiki responded, "That's the little boy from my dream. Is...," she paused for a moment, "Is that Ranma?" Then she looked up at her elder sister. Kasumi replied with a single word, "Yes." "But, why? Why do we have pictures of Ranma?" Nabiki asked confused. "Our families were close, Nabiki-chan," stated Kasumi with a very warm face. Kasumi's expression gave Nabiki the impression that she had been waiting to do this, and the fact didn't sit to well with Nabiki. She did not like the way that her elder sister was flipping another picture in her hand. "Let me see that one, dear sister," Nabiki virtually demanded. Kasumi did as requested of her, and smiled a very rarely seen Kasumi-wicked-special. Nabiki gasped, as she saw the photograph in her hand. The picture was in the backyard next to an old stump that was finally burnt out of the ground a year or two ago. It was a picture of her and Ranma in oversized clothes. Looking over to Kasumi, Nabiki said, "This was why it was me wasn't it? That dream wasn't a dream was it?" Pulling her sister closer, Kasumi started weaving her tale, "When Ranma left for his training trip, you had mother and father really worried. You were impossible for them. You didn't play with us as much either, I'm afraid. Anytime we asked you to play, you would demand that Uncle Saotome bring your best friend back. When kids would pick on you at school, you made me write their names down to give to Ranma when he got back. You began to alienate some of your schoolmates, but mother was sick. When Mother finally passed, you just gave up. You closed yourself off, and you refused to mention anything about Mother or Ranma." Accepting the hug she was in; Nabiki added, "Ranma remembers me, doesn't he? He just didn't say anything. He didn't want to remind me that he left." "Well, maybe," Kasumi started, "although, I think he remembers very little about it himself. He *is* a year younger than you. I don't want you to have a breakdown; it's not a good way to start off a marriage. I do know he cares for you." With a tear in her eye, Nabiki muttered something about her mom, and leaned onto Kasumi's shoulder. Then, she straightened up, and added, "I'm glad we've had this talk. I may want to talk to you more often, big sister." Kasumi said, "Oh My. I'm so happy that you will. Now, I want to know about these feelings for your husband. I want details, Nabiki-chan, all the juicy details!" "KASUMI," Nabiki exclaimed as she jumped back. "I don't believe you! I swear! That stuff is PRIVATE!" When Nabiki looked down at Kasumi, she saw that her sister had fallen into a giggle-fit. "Ooh, just you wait, big sister," Nabiki added. Finally, She left her sister's room still holding the little piece of wood tightly in her hand. --- Ranma felt terrible. His whole body ached. It hurt to move anything on his body. "This is the best workout I've had in a while, but the old man didn't have to remind of the curse so often," he thought as he bumped into Nabiki on the stairs. "Ranma," Nabiki questioned, "what's wrong with you?" She hid her own insecurities to find out what was wrong with her husband. Well currently Ranma was a she, but as far as she was concerned Ranma was still her husband. Ranma just looked up, "It's nothing Nabiki. I've been reminded that no girl deserves to be married to another girl. I gotta take a bath, and you cheer up too." Ranma walked off; he paid no attention to the fact that Nabiki just stood there with her mouth agape. --- When Akane got home, she found Nabiki waiting on her. Akane looked at her sister and asked, "What? I wasn't gone but about an hour at the most. Why are you looking at me like that?" "Dear little sister, may I use your mallet for a moment?" asked Nabiki in a completely neutral tone. The question she asked stumped her little sister, as she observed that she was standing in shock. "What?" "I need to pound some sense into my Baka-in-law," replied Nabiki with the neutrality never leaving her face. Akane handed over the said weapon, and watched her elder sister walk out of the living room towards the back of the house. She could only think one thing, "What is a Baka-in-law?!" Later that Same Evening +++++++++++++++++++ Ranma found that the sleeping arrangement had just changed. Apparently, Nabiki decided to lay her head on his stomach instead of his chest. "Must be thinking about that rib, I guess," Ranma thought, although he was still confused at where she had gotten that hammer/mallet-thing to hit Pops with. Outside, things were shaping up differently. Ryoga had finally found where Ranma had been staying. He stood outside the home, and tried to guess which room was Ranma's. In doing so, he never saw the black-haired girl in a leotard falling towards him. When she crashed into him, Ryoga instinctively caught her. The girl, introduced herself as Kodachi, and continued, "You are my brave knight! To save me from such a terrible fall, you must be my love!" Ryoga's eyes grew wide as the lights inside the home lit up after this girl had fallen on him. The noise from inside the house wasn't promising, as he wanted to only fight Ranma. Not the poor girl who got in the way; he didn't want to get her caught up in things again. Then he realized that he never let the girl he was holding down, "Oh, gomen... I'm Ryoga, but I have to run, bye!" He ran around the other side of the house, and heard the scariest laugh he had ever witnessed. Too bad it made him look around; he fell right into the koi pond. Now he was lost. He had wondered inside a house, and hoped that he wouldn't end up on the dinner plate. He desperately tried to find his way out, only to nudge open a door he shouldn't have. For inside the room, he heard and saw things that little piglets shouldn't see. Not noticing the pig, Nabiki reached up and touched Ranma's chest, as he made his way to bed. Ranma didn't notice the pig either; he was sidetracked when Nabiki pulled him back into the bed. Ranma's senses were lost when Nabiki reached up around his neck to kiss him. Nope, the little pig was completely overlooked. Well, until The girl with his rival began to disrobe--P-chan eeped, sported a piggy nosebleed, and promptly passed out. The next feeling Ryoga felt was being flung down a hall. The thumping sound he made against the wall must have awoken the youngest of the Tendo girls, as he found himself being scooped up and carried somewhere... ================================================================== End Part 4 ================================================================== Notes: Again, as always, please direct any comments to targhan_aga@yahoo.com, I will try to answer any mail I receive. Special Thanks for my prereaders. You guys are the best! Mr. N&R: ( Finds those last minute errors! ) Aleh: ( Hammers bad punctuation/spelling. ) Morgion: ( Repairs broken characterizations. )