You Can Keep Him: Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Ranma and characters used are the creation of Rumiko Takahashi and owned by her and Shogagukan, Kitty and Viz Communications.

C&C appreciated

Homeroom is so useless, five minutes to take roll and make announcements. I can't believe this deserves a special place in our lives. Anyway I was reminiscing about the craziness that eventually drove my friend away from Nerima. The rumors about their disappearance are still going strong. I wonder if Nabiki had escaped the date like she planned if any of this would have happened. I like to think that fate would have granted the same result, but we'll never know. I'm sure there are many points in history that if you changed one little one it's repercussions could be enormous.

Their first date seems as good a point to begin as any. I couldn't decide if Nabiki was more shocked or worried when he asked her out Sunday afternoon. Either way she had decided to use the date as a way out of the unwanted Engagement. Using the opportunity to pass Ranma back to her sister like the proverbial 'Hot Potato'.

I was actually a witness to the escapades in the park. I had arrived early, to make sure I didn't miss anything. I never said I was above watching the chaos that always surrounded the residents of the Tendo Dojo, it was always very enjoyable. Nabiki and I often did things like this, spying on each other. It was a fun game we played that allowed us to see outside impressions and make fun of the dim-witted third party. It was one of the main reasons we didn't advertise our friendship.

I took a seat on one of the park benches that gave me a good view of the entrance and the rest of the park. Akane had already arrived, just as Nabiki had planned. She was wearing a short dress with flowers on it. It was supposed to be cute but the pattern bothered me. It looked too much like something a ten-year-old would wear.

We didn't have to wait much longer for Nabiki and Ranma's entrance. Nabiki's s arrival on a bicycle wasn't all that spectacular, but the fact that Ranma was sitting on the back of the bicycle was immediately noted. He had a bunch of roses in one had and the other was placed lightly on her shoulder. I saw them talking but couldn't make out what was being said.

The most impressive thing about their arrival was the fact that Ranma was balancing on a moving bicycle, only using one had to steady himself behind Nabiki. I marveled at the balance that must have required.

All of a sudden Ranma started jerking his head around when Nabiki ducked under a low hanging branch, dislodging her apparently unwanted passenger.

Ranma was dazed for a few moments before he righted himself and sped off after Nabiki. He didn't even bother to dust himself off or check to see that he was in one piece before he took flight after the elusive Tendo. Nabiki had taken that opportunity to escape into the garden maze that was the focal point of this park. Ranma rushed in after her, neither noticing Akane sitting on the bench as they sped past her.

Ranma chased Nabiki through the maze for a few minutes. Ranma was proving to be an exceptional tracker, surprising Nabiki with his ability to hear her through the bushes, even when she wasn't moving. Nabiki had barely escaped his attempted grabs twice, but then the third times the charm.

Pushing his arms through the bush that made up one of the walls in the maze he yelled, "Gottcha!", as he wrapped his arms around Nabiki pulling her into a tight embrace. Nabiki squirmed, trying to break free of his grasp, a wild look in her eyes. Ranma lifted her off the ground to prevent her from gaining any leverage with her legs. He held her tightly to him as he stepped through the bush shouting, "I love you Nabiki!"

Their was a moment of silence as the fear and desperation in Nabiki's face drained away to become one of annoyance and disappointment as his words sank in. In contrast, his face was glowing with triumph and self-congratulation after accomplishing his goal. I know I was shocked and amused at hearing his words.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" The silence was broken by that heartbreaking scream. We all turned to witness Akane standing still, a good twenty feet away. Upon her face was a look of horror as she took in the scene of her erstwhile fiancee embracing and declaring his love for her sister.

A sadness came over her face and it looked like she was about to burst into tears. After one of those agonizing moments where time seems to stop she turned and fled.

Ranma took an involuntary step forward as he dropped Nabiki to the ground. When he didn't run to follow Nabiki turn back to him.

"Aren't you going to go after her?" She looked questioningly at him. She was obviously as surprised as I was at his lack of movement.

The sad expression on his faced vanished as he assumed a cocky expression. "Hey, you're my fiancee, if she don't like it, she shouldn't a given me to you."

Nabiki just blinked at him, surprise and disbelief apparent. She waited a few moments before speaking. "Well, so you love me then?"

"What?"

"You just yelled that you loved me, in front of Akane of all people. So if you love me you can kiss me now. In fact, if you love me so much, I insist that you kiss me now." She almost growled the last part out. Their was something disconcerting between the fact that her voice was low and dangerous, her face was hard and serious, while she maintained a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Ranma just looked blankly back at her.

"Well are you going to kiss your fiancee or are you going to go running after Akane and beg her to take you back?"

Ranma shook his head slightly, you could tell he looked slightly scared, before forcing a look of determination upon his face. "I ain't begging her, she's gotta come take me back." With those words he leaned in a planted a quick chaste kiss upon Nabiki's lips.

After contact was broken Nabiki turned her head away from Ranma for a moment and rolled her eyes. "Well, Okay I guess. So what have you planned for us this afternoon?" The question clearly caught him off guard, he shuffled his feet for a moment before remembering the poor brutalized roses that he had brought.

"Here, brought these for you."

She accepted the roses and looked at them with a frown. "A little beat up aren't they Ranma?"

"They sorta got beat up when I was chasing you." He replied defiantly.

"You should learn to take better care of gifts, especially if they're for girls. I just couldn't keep these poor excuses for Roses now. What would people think of your feelings for me if they saw me with such a poor gift?" She examined the bunch closely, running a finger over one that's stem wasn't broken while she talked. She removed one of the roses before throwing the rest of the bunch in a nearby trash receptacle. "At least there are no thorns. Ranma will you break this stem here?" She handed him the rose indicating where the stem should be broken.

"Ah, ya sure." He returned the shortened rose to her and she examined it again before fastening it to her blouse. It fit nicely into the opening just between her breasts, although it did look a little strange sitting there.

"So where to?"

"I dunno, movie maybe?"

"Sure Ranma, lead the way." She took his arm and looped it in hers. After a moment's indecision Ranma took the hint and started walking towards the cinema center.

They both left the park after that on their way to the movies. As interesting as that encounter was I decided to go home, I had things to take care and the details of their evening together could wait.

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I was home studying when my mother called me. "Sara, phone call."

"Coming Mom. Who is it?"

"It's your friend Nabiki."

"K. Be there in a sec."

I marked my place in the history book I was studying and headed down to the phone in the kitchen. It was a cordless that I could take back to my room.

"Hello. Nabiki?" I asked into the phone.

"Yes, Hi Sara." I heard my friend's familiar voice answer.

"Mom I got it." I yelled out to my mother.

"OK honey."

I listened for the click signifying my mother had put down the phone before I spoke.

"So how was your date?" I emphasized the word date. I knew she would be unhappy because of the outcome of her plot in the park.

"Funny, funny." I heard her sigh before she continued. "I saw you leaving, how much did you hear?"

"Up until he said he was taking you to a movie." I closed the door to my room and went to lie on my bed waiting for Nabiki's response.

"I see, well you didn't miss much afterwards."

"Well what happened?" I prompted her. Nabiki had an infuriating habit of needing information dragged out of her. Sometime when we talked I couldn't get her to shut-up. Times like these when it involved herself directly, especially if it concerned something that she found displeasing, she could be quite tight-lipped.

"He took me to see 'The object of my affection." God it was stupid."

"I would have thought he would have taken you to some martial arts flick, or at least something with action."

"No, He was trying to impress me. It was quite funny, actually, except sitting through that stupid movie definitely wasn't worth needling Ranma. I hate romantic movies, especially stupid American romantic comedies. They're so stupid, the plot is unbelievable, the acting so melodramatic or just laugh out loud silly. At least an action film doesn't usually to pretend to be more than it is. I mean come, how corny and contrived a story can you make up."

"They're all not that bad."

"What's the last one you watched?" Nabiki replied.

"I can't remember."

"Exactly, it was so memorable!"

"Hey, you're changing topics! Did he kiss you again?"

"No. Of course not. That spine-less idiot, I think he's non-sexual."

"That would be a shame."

"Why, are you interested?"

"He does have a great body, you know that. How often does he go topless at the Dojo?"

"Not as often as she does?"

"Who, Akane?" I heard Nabiki chuckling through the other end before she continued.

"No, he him. Ranma when he's female."

"He still does that?"

"Not all that often anymore. But he does work out in a sleeveless t-shirt on occasion."

"OK. So why don't you just take him. I know you could have your way with him if you wanted."

"Hmmm. It might be fun, but no. Akane does like him, and I'm not that heartless. Besides waaay too much work."

"Your dad would go ballistic if he ever found out, wouldn't he."

"You know that. Ranma is breeding stock for all my dad cares, and his is even worse."

"So what else happened?" I pressed for more details.

"It was pretty boring. I tried explaining to him why I thought the movie was horrible. I don't think he appreciated my honesty."

"Why what'd you say?"

"We left the theater and he asked me if I liked it. I told him I thought it sucked. He said he though I'd like it. "Don't all chicks like these romance movies?" He asked. I told him I don't really care what most women like, I thought this movie was stupid. I told him maybe he should find out something about me before choosing things for me."

I laughed at that. "You didn't need to be quite so mean."

"You know it wasn't that mean, maybe a little rude. If he's trying to impress me some stupid movie won't do the trick."

"Maybe he can be trained?" I asked. It was a topic we discussed a couple times when discussing Ranma and or Akane.

"Too much effort. He either gets it or he doesn't. I don't have the desire or the time to train him. Besides, that would be too close to giving my father his wishes and that would be too out of character."

"I don't know, he is sweet and he is gorgeous and I know you don't care one way or the other about what your father wants you to do."

"That's just it, If dad showed any interest in actually wanting something for me maybe, but he just cares about his stupid school."

I knew better than to follow this line of conversation. When I first met Nabiki she wouldn't talk much about her family, except Kasumi. Now I realized if she was forced to talk about them for any amount of time the bitterness she felt towards her father and sister would eventually come out.

"So what are you going to do about Ranma now?"

"Not sure. I spent most of the last couple day trying to get him to go back to my sister. Maybe I'll just ignore him and he and Akane will work it out for themselves."

"I still think you should seduce him." I said in the most teasing voice I could muster.

"OK. I'll go get the condoms tomorrow."

"Ah..ah. I was just joking Nabiki."

"Get real Sara, so was I. Anyway, what did you do after you left the park?" I allowed Nabiki to finally change the subject. She definitely didn't want to talk about Ranma or her family. She'll talk more later, of that I was sure.

"Went shopping, I needed an outfit for Saturday. Came home for dinner and studying. Do you know what you're wearing?" I inquired.

"Not yet. I'll see how I feel. It also depends on what we have in the house. Probably not much."

"If you want I can get my mom to take us shopping Saturday. "

"No that's allright. It's not worth a new outfit."

"Aww come on, my mom will pay. She's always paying for my friends. She thinks I don't have enough and that she can buy their affection."

"You have friends?" I could almost see the smirk on her face.

"Ya two. One more than you." We can be a little rough verbally to each other. Sometimes we'd go too far but mostly it was in plain fun. We knew the topics that we couldn't tease each other about, but other than those everything was fair game.

"I can't have your mom paying."

"Come on, If it was anyone else you'd do it in a second and compliment yourself on getting them to pay for it."

"OK fine, I'll meet you at your house Saturday after school."

"Good."

"Listen, I have to go do some stuff. I'll talk to you later in the week."

"K. Bye Nabs"

"Bye Sarally."

We chuckled at the stupid names we had for each other and hung up.

I found out later what was bothering her. After their date they returned to the Dojo separately. Neither one had wanted to face the fathers or Akane if they came back as a couple. Nabiki had returned first and was greeted by almost absolute silence. The only one that had greeted her was Kasumi. Akane had purposely ignored her giving the occasional glance of death from her perch in front of the television. The two fathers were playing their board game. The looked displeased as she entered the house but didn't utter a word.

I think Nabiki might have bolted without her elder sister. Although, Kasumi's unconcern wasn't the same as acceptance. I do fell sorry for Nabiki. I guess I can see everyone else's point, but she is a human being She could do more to be friendly and outgoing but that's not really her. Family is supposed to be about love, support, and trust. Especially when you disagree with other family members. I know it's much easier said than done.

That should be especially true for a parent. Isn't there some inherent responsibility that a parent has that that says they should help their children attain their dreams, not impose their dreams on their children. I definitely don't want to dwell on her dysfunctional family.

Ranma came home about thirty minutes later. Where they had ignored Nabiki without hiding their feelings, they openly attacked Ranma. Nabiki listened from her room as her father castigated Ranma for his treatment of his true fiancée Akane. Mr. Saotome jumped in demanding that Ranma straighten this mess up, apologize too, and then marry Akane to assure the continuation of the schools, a sentiment that was seconded by Mr. Tendo. Ranma retorted something about not doing anything wrong before adding a few insults towards the fathers and Akane. A few hits and thuds were followed by silence and Akane's door slamming.

The episode might have been unique, but the sentiments weren't. The house revolved around martial-arts and the continuation of Mr. Tendo's school.

There was a lot of gossip going around Monday about the about Ranma and Nabiki's date. I know Nabiki wasn't happy with people talking about her personnel life. I don't
remember seeing anyone else in the park, but I was focusing on the action not possible school spy's. I wouldn't be surprised if the source was Akane herself. She wouldn't start a rumor intentionally, but the girl had trouble controlling her volume, especially when Ranma was concerned. None of this was really my concern. Nabiki could handle anything if it bothered her enough.

Most of the rumors were pretty inaccurate, while always humorous. Ranging from Ranma taking both Tendo sisters out on a date, to Akane catching Ranma making out with Nabiki. There was even the one where Akane caught Ranma and Nabiki in bed together while he was in his girl form. That particular rumor wasn't all that sensational because it was frequently speculated that he had sex in his girl form.

Counter rumors started after both Tendo sisters arrived to school Monday morning separately, neither with Ranma. Akane made quick work of her suitors, who had delusions that one-day they would miraculously overcome the fury that was Akane.

Nothing much happened until Wednesday. Ranma and Akane had apparently not spoken except to exchange heated words that anyone watching would wonder could pass for anything except gibberish. I think Nabiki was fed up on the whole situation and her information displayed them in a very unfavorable light.

For her part Nabiki was trying to ignore the whole situation. She even went so far as to stop renting Ranma out in hopes that everyone would just forget the whole thing. It might have worked except for the clueless and stubborn mindset of all the affected participants, Nabiki included.

Wednesday morning the various boys had all gathered for the daily get beat up by Akane when Ranma strolled through the gates earlier than was normal for him.

"What a bunch of losers." I don't think he intended to say it so loud, but the crowd had heard him.

"Hey what are you talking about?  You gave up Akane, it's our shot." One of the boys shouted. The others nodded their heads in agreement.

"Hmmm. You can have the stupid tomboy. I just think what you're doing is stupid. I mean she is strong as an ox. Who'd want to date her anyway?"

What the pig-tailed boy didn't realize was that Akane had come up behind him.

"What if you do beat her. Then you gotta date her. Trust me, she's violent, never
listens, can't cook or do anything a girls supposed ta. You should be happy she keeps beaten you. It's better than actually havin to date such an un-feminine, un-cute tomboy."

"RANMA!"  Akane had begun to glow visibly before she ran up and kicked Ranma over the school. I think the shock of the situation allowed Akane a free pass that day. I don't know what's so shocking it was a common occurrence and quite amusing in my mind.

Thursday and Friday Ranma actually showed up with Nabiki at school. Nabiki was under the assumption Ranma was trying to make Akane jealous.

"He's really quite transparent." She relayed to me Friday night. "He made a big production after breakfast about it was time for us to go to school. I could see him looking at Akane out of the corner of my eye."

I could hear the annoyance in her voice.

"So, what did you talk about?"

"He told me training stories."

"Training stories?"

"Yah, Some idiotic torture his pops put him through on the road."

"Huh"

I quickly changed the topic after that.

Nabiki had left extra early on Saturday to avoid going with Ranma. It had really been a surreal week. In Nerima the quite and lack of action counts as surreal. No real property damage, nor any juicy rumors after Monday. No one had come close to defeating Akane. Ukyo and Shampoo had made pests of themselves around Ranma but that was to be expected. I assume they were hoping to take advantage of the situation. Considering past actions they were really quite behaved. They only fought against each other once.

The week ended quite quietly. The half-day of school on Saturday passed without incident. Nabiki had canceled the shopping trip, as I knew she would. I was home picking out outfits for the evening. Some black slacks and a long sleeved black blouse that was almost see-through. I covered it with a dark suit-coat. I looked in the mirror noting the mannish affect. I was wearing a pair of loafers that were actually a male's style. They were a little uncomfortable but I liked the look with the slacks. If I had worn a skirt or a dress, I would have worn heals. My hair was short and black, in a modified pageboy cut. I wasn't very well endowed but hopefully I'd fill out as I grew a little older.

I heard the door knock and knew it must be Nabiki. Mom was home so I let her answer the door. As I suspected, a minute later Nabiki casually walked into my room.

"Hi Sara."  She greeted.

"Hey." I replied with a small smirk. She was wearing a blue blouse and blue pants that only went down to her calves. I waited a second before she asked the inevitable question.

"Listen, I couldn't find anything I felt like wearing. Can I borrow your black mini and purple blouse?"

"Sure, they should be in the closet."  Nabiki had mentioned before how she couldn't justify buying certain clothing for herself. She occasionally found something she liked in the discount bins, but she was pretty comfortable borrowing from her sisters.

I sat down and started applying my make-up.

"So..... Did you invite Ranma?"

Nabiki chuckled as she sifter through my closet. "Funny. You know he'd hate it."

"You never know. What's he doing tonight anyway?"

"He has no plans. I assume Shampoo and/or Ukyo will come bye and wreck the
house per usual. I'm sure I'll hear about it later. Akane griping about it. I just hope she doesn't take her temper out on the house or Dojo."

"Your sister has some serious control problems."

"She takes after my dad."

"I see you ditched Ranma this morning." I made the observation.

"I failed in my duty to wake him up."  She chuckled. "He was late for class
as usual." 

"You have any more photos?"

"Sorry Sara, I forgot. I got a great one with him topless after he got wet this week. I'm keeping a copy for myself as well." She always parceled out the best photo's for myself and her. I justified it as he was hot, and they might be worth a lot someday, if he ever became famous. Nabiki doubted that would happen. He apparently had no interest in fame or fortune.

"Since you're putting on your make-up I assume we're not eating here." I heard her say from behind me.

"Yup, I heard of this great little Sukiyaki place that opened up not far from Nobuyaki's. How's that sound."  Nobuyaki's was where we hung out on Saturday nights. It's actually where we met. We were both with other friends who had hated the place. Ever since then it was our weekly Saturday night hang-out.

"Sukiyaki sounds good. So how do I look?"

I turned to my friend and let out a low whistle. I had always thought she was attractive and she knew how to dress to kill when she wanted. The skirt was silken with a short slit in the side that not only allowed her more flexibility in movements but also exposed extra leg when she walked. The blouse, which was big on me, was small on her. It was a metallic dark purple that I we both thought looked very sexy. She had a couple buttons on top undone showing an amble amount of cleavage.

"Hot date tonight?"

"You never know, when Mr. right now will pop up"

I chuckled at our little joke. Neither one of us ever believed we'd meet someone worthwhile at Nobuyaki's, or even Japan, but the attention the other patrons paid us pretty girls was always flattering.

We talked a little about the past week, catching each other up on the school gossip. Who started dating, who stopped dating, whom cheated on whom, the usually pre-evening chatter.

We left shortly after for another night of unbridled fun. OK, I exaggerate. Sue me. We did have fun that night. The Sukiyaki was wonderful and Nobuyaki's was fun as always. We met some boys and I might go out with the one I met. Nabiki seemed less than impressed.

That was how the second week of their engagement ended. Not the making's of
a legendary love story. Don't worry it gets better. Or at least more interesting.

Well it's lunchtime and I need to check my cell phone. I turn it off during school for obvious reasons. One message. I get a little annoyed at the automated voice message system the phone has. Finally I get it to play.

"Hey Sara. It's us. Everything's going well so don't worry. Ranma says hi. We'll call when we get settled. The train is taking longer than we expected and we went a ways out of our ways to avoid pursuit. Anyway, Take care."

Hearing her voice and her words didn't have the effect I had hoped. I did feel happiness and relief at hearing that they were good. Unfortunately, it also brought home the fact that my friend was gone. Intellectually I know this to before, but emotionally it just creeps up on me.

A commotion across the schoolyard drew my attention. I looked over at a large mass of people huddled around something or someone. I walked over and elbowed my way into the circle of people yelling questions at Akane. I watched for a few minutes as Akane yelled out indignities at those questions she could catch. I think that if boys had surrounded her, she would have started swinging. As it was, she looked like she was barely in control as it was.

I waited a second before yelling. "Stop it!  Give the girl a break, she just lost her fiancee for god's sake! Have some consideration!" I'm not sure what possessed me to get involved. The scene that I interrupted really didn't concern me. I saw the frustration in Akane's eyes and had taken pity on her. I think she had liked Ranma, had wanted to be with him. Maybe she would learn and grow from this ordeal like the three of us had.

Grow may be the wrong word. Growth implies improvement, and I can't actually say that the Nabiki and Ranma who left are actually better people. They both changed; they aren't the same people they were when they became engaged, all those months ago. I do believe they are happier.

Akane looked at me gratefully. I could see the relief and surprise on her face.

"Are you OK Akane?  You don't look so good."

"Ah, I'm fine. Thanks. Umm..."  I figured she was struggling for a name so I supplied it.

"Sara."

"Oh thanks Sara." She grinned weakly.

I wondered if she realized how much I knew. I wondered if she realized how much I knew about her. The difference between the sisters was that Nabiki knew when she was lying, Nabiki knew when she was being mean, she understood for the most part how her actions were perceived by others. I don't think Akane ever realized that. If she had, maybe I would be cheering up Nabiki instead of delaying the verbal lynching of her sister.

I left Akane as she scrambled back inside to the relative safety of the school. I'll tell you guys more later. Right now I'm hungry and I really don't want to rush through any of the story.

Ja

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Author's notes:

A little slow in the beginning I know. I would appreciate any and all comments. I am trying to set a certain mood and tone from the perspective I'm using and want to know how it's coming across.

Ken

E-mail me at "mailto:kpjam@worldnet.att.net"