Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance To Love ❯ Chapter 3

[ P - Pre-Teen ]
Introducing: -----------------------------------
__________________________________R anma ½ Fanfic Production:
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A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…

Part Three:

Akane bowed at the altar in the Tendo dojo after paying her respect
to the ancestors and her parents. She took a deep breath and turned
towards the pile of bricks she had set up earlier. A blue aura began
to surround her as she meditated. A minute of silence ensure as her
ki flared brighter than before. With a loud "kyaa", the high layer
of bricks were demolished into dust in an blink of an eye.

Ranma stood at the doorway of the dojo. He had been observing his
ex-iinazuke since she had entered the room. As Akane begun to start
on a series of simple kata, he mentally analysed on her ki control.

"She has definitely improved in her ki and speed," he silently noted.
Wondering how her kempo had improved, he snapped out out his reverie.
A few quick jabs to test her readiness, Akane started on a complex kata
that consist of blocking, dodging and attacking an imaginary opponent.

"So, she did get help on her speed as well," Ranma managed to catch
sight of the blows that are almost lightening quick. She could give
him some trouble in the past, but this will no longer be a challenge
to the speed he had brushed up over the years.

Perhaps Akane has made remarkable improvement on her detection skills
or she caught the words he muttered, she paused in a fake mid throw to
call out, "Ranma, stop hiding and come out of the shadows!"

The embarrassed boy came out of the shadows that blocked his body from
Akane's view and gave a weak cough. "Sorry."

A simple shrug from Akane hardly eased the tension that suddenly sprung
up. Ranma fidgeted and hurriedly searched his mind for something to say,
"How about if we spar a little?"

The dark brown eyes lit up at his suggestion but soon turned dark and
wary again. "Do you want to boost your ego by fighting with me. No thanks.
I won't be baited that easily."

Alarm flashed across Ranma's face as he tried to wave off any oncoming
temper from the woman. "No! I merely want to see your skill level now."

Suspicion lowered a little more, Akane smiled, "It's all right. I won't
hit you unneccessarily. I've learned to control my temper now. Shall we
commence?"

Ranma sighed in relief and bowed at the altar after a short pause. He
took a loose stance opposite Akane and waited for her to start the fight.

Akane clenched her fists tight and charged at him. Ranma saw this move
and anticipated her to attck his stomach. The start of this sparring was
rather similar to the ones they used to have, so he quickly flipped away
in mid air and prepared to land behind her.

He was given a surprise when a fast kick was aimed at his shoulder. A
quick turn was made in time to avoid the kick. Ranma landed a few steps
futher than his tended spot and he lifted his eyebrows in surprise and
admiration.

"It seems that you're much better. I'll pull no punches this time
round!" Ranma warned before going into his full chestnuts fist's speed
to block and counter-move against Akane in a far greater speed in
battles compared to eight years ago. Akane was defeated down in two
minutes.

Ranma waited as Akane rolled to a stop. She recovered faster than the
past and sat up shortly.

"Your defenses are much better than before! Did anyone teach you?" A
slight nod from Akane. Ranma asked, "Who was it?"

A moment of hesitation ensured for a while before she replied, "It's
none of your business."

Ranma was about to probe further when Akane ended the conversation
abruptly, "I'm going to take a bath, excuse me."

With that, she bowed once again at the small shrine and turned back
towards the Tendo residence. Ranma stared quietly at the retreating
figure and once again wondered at her hot and cold treatment.

Kasumi saw what happened at the dojo along with her two daughters.
A faint tug at Kasumi's apron broke her line of thoughts.

"Okaasan! Who's the new guest? Why did Akane-obasan ignore him?"
Natsumi demanded to know.

Yumi followed her sister in a whine, "Okaasan, why?"

The mother of two pleading children was spared the agony of answering
when Tofuu-sensei returned. "Otousan!" came the chorus as the two girls
threw themselves at him.

"Natsumi-chan, Yumi-chan! Tadaima," a wide grin shone on the doctors
face.

"Anata, welcome home," Kasumi greeted with a warm smile. A red hue
spreaded across his face as he still had not gotten used to the
affections of his wife.

"Kasumi-chan," He gave her a polite bow and she giggled at this display
of silliness.

Natsumi and Yumi remembered their task of digging out information
about the strange house guest. A curious glow on their face warned the
young mother of the ineviatable topic again, so she hushed their chatters
and promised to tell them the story of Ranma and Akane as their bedtime
tales.

~End of Part Three~