Disclaimer: All characters herein belong to Rumiko Takahasi, and I am making no profit from their use in this story.
The Question
The question popped into Ranma’s mind just after breakfast and took hold of his thoughts like an annoying leech. Ryoga had shown up at the dojo that morning, to be promptly invited by Kasumi to share morning meal with the Tendos. Hungry after his long hike back from who knew where, Ryoga accepted gratefully. Then, while Akane was upstairs gathering her school books, Ranma and his rival participated in their usual face-off in the back yard. Everything ran just as it was suppose to; Ranma made an off-color comment about Ryoga, Ryoga over-reacted and attacked him, Ranma tossed Ryoga into the koi pond.
Then, as he watched a soggy little P-Chan pull himself out of the water, the question appeared out of nowhere and settled itself in Ranma’s head for the day.
All day. All damn day. It was the only thing he could think about.
Walking to school, during class, at lunch . . . the mystery dominated his thoughts and attention. Ranma couldn’t believe that he had never thought about this before, had never questioned the improbable problem. Becoming rather obsessed, he repeatedly came up with, and rejected, several unlikely theories and by afternoon he was feeling pretty frustrated. On the way home from school, he was so distracted that even Akane noticed and made comment.
"You’ve been really distant today, Ranma. You didn’t even seem to notice Kuno’s challenge. Or Shampoo bringing you lunch. Or Ukyo’s mention of her date last night. What’s on your mind?" she asked as they strolled towards the dojo, she on the sidewalk and he on the fence as usual. Lost in thought, he didn’t answer her.
"Ranma!"
"Hmm?" he looked down at her. "I’m sorry Akane. Did you say something?"
"Yes! I asked you what you’ve been thinking about all day?"
"Oh," he replied absently. "Ryoga."
Akane stopped and blinked. "Ryoga?"
"Uh-huh," Ranma continued along the fence, a scowl of irritation plastered on his face. He rolled another hypothesis over in his head. Maybe . . . nah, that was silly. But what if . . . ? No, that was even sillier.
"Why have you been thinking about Ryoga?" Akane hurried to catch up.
"Nnnnn, nevermind Akane. You wouldn’t understand." Perhaps . . . ?
An angry frown grew on Akane’s small round face. "What do you mean I wouldn’t understand?!"
Ranma didn’t even seem to hear her. He ground his teeth together and pressed his fists to his forehead. "Rrrrraaargh! This is driving me nuts! I can’t stand it anymore!" With that, he took off at a run, heading for the Tendo Dojo, growling lowly in his chest as he went. Akane stared for a moment, then hurried after him, calling his name and furiously demanding that he tell her what she wouldn’t understand.
Ranma skidded into the front entry of the Tendo residence, his dark blue eyes glittering hotly as they searched for the pig he knew would be waiting for Akane’s return. "P-Chan!" he bellowed, upending furniture and opening every door he could lay his hands on "I know you’re here, you little runt. Come out!"
"Ranma!" Akane tore in behind him. As soon as she was in the door, a black streak dashed out from beneath the dining room table. P-Chan squealed "Bweee! Bweee!" as he ran for his mistress.
"Oh no you don’t!" Ranma nailed P-Chan by the bandana just as he was making the leap for Akane’s waiting arms and, turning on his heel, thundered up the stairs with the pig securely in hand. P-Chan squeaked in fear all the way up to the second floor.
"Ranma! What are you doing?! Leave P-Chan alone!" Akane commanded, flying up the stairs after them. She saw Ranma disappear into the bath, sliding the door shut behind him. He quickly locked it and tossed P-Chan into the tub, jumping after him to turn the water on hot.
"Raaanmaaaa!" Akane pounded on the door edging.
"Go away Akane, I’m not hurting your dumb pig!" Ranma was quick to slap his hand over Ryoga’s mouth as soon as he had transformed, to prevent him from yelling in anger, as he was sure to do. Ryoga’s eyes first widened, then narrowed dangerously and he nipped at Ranma’s hand, puncturing with one of his fangs.
"Ow!" Ranma jerked his hand away. "You idiot! If this wasn’t so important, I’d turn on the cold water and punt kick you back out to Akane."
Ryoga sank back into the water of the tub, scowling fiercely. He kept his voice low so that Akane wouldn’t hear him over the sound of the running water. "What do you want?"
"I want a question answered, and I want it answered right now!" Ranma also quieted, but the tone of his voice was intense and serious. He rested his hands on the edges of the tub and leaned forward, leveling a cold look at his rival. "This has been driving me crazy all day!"
Blinking, Ryoga looked clearly puzzled. "What has?"
"I want to know . . . " Ranma grimaced. "What the hell happens to your clothes when you change into P-Chan?"
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