WarGiver said:
While Ranma is more then willing to use what he needs to, remember the yami/umi arcs. he has techniques he has and never uses again. and others he uses all the time. All I am saying is there should be some event, even if a minor demon he encounters that pushes him to make the choice to ignore his pride and just go all out on sight. I think it could be even off camera and illuded to. Have Ranma not want to talk about it after Akane asks.
She knows of the first time, she might ask what happened the second time. Him being evasive and ultimately the subject drops could indicate something happened to stregnthen the resolve.
Can include a news report about continuing mysterious deaths or allude to Ranma having shown up too late to find one or more people dead.
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Two days later
Akane’s cheeks tinged red as Nodoka complimented her finished look and Ranma’s supposed reaction to it. Turning her body in all different directions to see her reflection in the full length mirror mounted on the wall, she smirked confidently, knowing that she would catch not just Ranma’s eyes.
Grabbing some of the fabric near her hips and pulling it slightly away from her skin, she twisted side to side, enjoying the soft material as it slid across her legs. Nodoka had been generous enough to purchase it for her the day before. The saleswoman had said it was an empire waist evening dress. It was a simple light violet, shoulderless dress down to mid calf; the only decoration being a small border of ruffles around the top and a wide shimmering band that circled just under her breasts.
“I wonder if that nice Hotaru girl ever tries to get my Ranma’s attention.†Nodoka wondered absently, picking at some imaginary out of place fiber on Akane’s western style dress. “Does she spend a lot of time around him?â€
“I wouldn’t know.†She answered honestly, fuming silently over the possibility considering her new knowledge that Ranma had a life she was completely clueless about. “Didn’t you ever meet her when she was Chibi-Usa’s nanny?â€
“No I didn’t.†The Saotome woman answered slowly, looking away deeply in thought. “But she seems like a respectable young lady. Usa-chan certainly seems to like her.â€
“Waaa! My baby girl is going on a date!†Her father burst into the room and glomped onto her, nearly pulling down her shoulderless dress in the process.
“Dad.†She groaned, trying to pry him off.
“Please stop.†Nodoka shook her head in disgust and was able to pull him away by his ear. “You’ll ruin all the work we put into her look.â€
Soun sniffled before nodding. “Right! Akane do your best on your date with Ranma, make your father proud! And then we can have the wedding when you get back!â€
“As wonderful as that would be, that will not be happening tonight.†Nodoka corrected. “Unless Akane-chan wants too?â€
“No!†She answered quickly and shook her head vigorously side to side.
“Some other time then.†Nodoka began to shoo her from the room. “We’ve made my son wait long enough and you don’t want to actually be late.â€
Akane agreed with that sentiment, she wasn’t the type to spend endless hours on her appearance, and she had grown eager to finally get going. She had expected to find Ranma waiting impatiently somewhere around the living room or mooching food from Kasumi in the kitchen. But the only thing the two of them found was Genma casually lounging in the living room.
“Husband, where is Ranma?†Nodoka asked, obviously eager to show Akane off.
“Upstairs with Kasumi and Usagi.†He answered absently, sparing only a moment to notice their presence.
“I hope my hair isn’t messed up.†Ranma’s voice complained loudly as several footsteps were heard coming down the steps at the far end of the hall.
“It’s fine.†Kasumi responded in a tired voice, as though this had been a repetitive complaint.
“Can’t I at least put it back in a pigtail?â€
“No!†Chibi-Usa shouted in response.
“Didn’t you say you wore your hair like this before you at the dragon whisker?†Kasumi asked.
“Yea but--.â€
“It’s good to try new styles.†Chibi-Usa suggested.
“So says the girl who’s going to spend a millenia looking like a pink bunny.†Ranma replied sarcastically.
“If you make fun of my hair-- you’ll go bald!†Usagi threatened. “Momma will put a curse on your entire family! A thousand years of baldness!â€
“She’d get distracted by a shiny yen and forget what she was doing.â€
“That’s Usagi!â€
Akane glanced at her possible mother in law and shared a look of confusion at the banter between Ranma and a nine year old girl. “Do they usually act like this?â€
“I don’t know.†Nodoka answered with a small shrug of her shoulders before reaching up to wipe away an imaginary tear. “Usa-chan is a true Saotome just like my Ranma, it’s so wonderful that they are getting along so well.â€
The doorbell chimed and Kasumi announced that she would answer before she instructed Ranma to hurry up and see if Akane was ready. Planting her hands on her hips, Akane waited impatiently for Ranma to finally enter the room. He finally did, one hand outstretched to hold Chibi-Usa at bay as she struggled to punch and kick him in a comical fashion.
“Hope you weren’t waiting long.†He apologized before fully noticing her dress. “Hey not bad Akane.â€
“You too.†She answered his lazy compliment more timidly.
Ranma was wearing a tuxedo she remembered from that whole ordeal with Shampoo and the jewel that reversed a person’s feelings. It was nicely pressed and cleaned, something she didn’t know was possible with the usually pigtailed boy’s clothing. Inspecting his hair, it was no longer tied back into a pigtail but a simple ponytail. Ranma even looked like he had even had it trimmed. The only splash of color to his black and white ensemble was a tiny pin near his breast pocket that was gold, red, and blue.
“Picture!†Nodoka all but shouted. “I need to take a picture!†She expanded and looked around wildly to find a camera that was helpfully produced by Nabiki.
“Here you go.†Nabiki added.
“Hopefully it doesn’t break from the ugly.†Usa sneered and stuck out her tongue at Ranma.
‘What’s Nabiki up to?’ Akane thought suspiciously of her sister, being quickly herded to stand next to her fiance. “You do look nice.†She added under her breath, fidgeting as Nodoka excitedly posed both of them before stepping back to take the picture.
“That dress looks great on you.†He answered, blushing lightly from giving her a compliment.
A click and a flash alerted them to Nodoka taking her photograph. “One more, don’t move!†She ordered, lining up a second then a third picture.
Kasumi finally returned from answering the door to interrupt the impromptu photoshoot. “Your ride is here.â€
“Mom, we have to go.†Ranma groaned.
“Our ride?†Akane looked to her elder sister for an explanation but Kasumi wasn’t paying attention.
“Alright, okay-- just-- I think I have a good one.†The woman fidgeted with the camera, as though she would snap a quick shot.
“Better hurry.†He whispered and grabbed her hand to pull her towards the front door. Agreeing with him, she fell into step next to him. At the entrance, Ranma put on a pair of shiny black dress shoes while she donned a set of matching violet pumps. The heel was higher than she usually wore but she figured that she would be fine, even though she was tripping every couple of steps just getting to the front gate.
“Ranma, there’s a limo here.†She remarked, blinking repeatedly as the longer than normal black car waited with the driver already opening the door for them to get in.
“Hotaru’s family was able to set it up for us.†Ranma explained, waiting for her to get in first.
‘She has money, is cute, and Ranma gets along with her?’ Akane realized as she ducked her head down to hurriedly sit in the back seat. ‘How long has he been seeing her behind my back?’ She thought suspiciously with her fists tightly clenched.
“Think we lost em?†He asked with a friendly smile plastered on his face, almost casually placing his hand on her own as the limo slowly pulling away from Akane’s home.
“Uh-- yes.†She nodded, her anger evaporating, and a small blush spreading over her cheeks. Turning her hand over to lace her fingers together with his, she returned his smile.