The Disaster Sisters: Celestial Interference

Side story: I'll be home

By Kalio

A/n: Hee... okay, just for fun, a short little side story that goes on sometime between the last chapter and the epilogue. If you haven't read the epilogue, this is a double post, so you aren't confused. You could read either one first, but since this is a side story, you may be itching for the ending. Anyhoo, this is between the last chapter and the epilogue, basically, after Tatsuya, before Ayato and Mizuki. Ranma and Akane are in college, and both are about 19.

***

Akane grinned from ear to ear as she bought the tickets. It was only late November, but really, she wanted Ranma to have his gift and be back for Christmas, instead of leaving during the rest of the break. That wouldn't be ideal since they went to different schools, and break was the longest amount of time they had together. Sure, they saw each other almost every weekend, but it was still tough. So she didn't want him to be gone right before she had to go back.

She held the tickets to her heart. Please let him like this, she thought, that's all I want.

***

Akane looked at Kasumi with and excited smile. Everything was set, and they were the only two to know what was going on. Kasumi gave her a conspiratorial wink from across the table, with a nod. Akane bit her lip, and then cleared her throat. 'Everyone, I have an announcement.'

Ranma stopped mid-gulp, and stared at her. He swallowed, and looked at her curiously. 'Akane?' She took a deep breath.

'I know it's early, but I it can't wait.' Nabiki perked up.

'What is it? Are you pregnant or somethin`?' Akane's cheeks burned, Ranma looked at his plate avoiding all eye contact with his father, and Kasumi just gave her a disapproving stare.

'Uh, No. I absolutely sure that's not an issue, sister. What I wanted to say was that I have a gift to give.' Everyone stared at her hoping it was for them (except for Kasumi, mind you). She reached in her pocket. and took out a box. 'In order for the gift to be had by Christmas, I have to give it today. Ranma?' He gulped and stared at her.

'Yea?'

'This is for you.' She held out the box. Ranma carefully took it with a cautious hand. He certainly didn't expect a surprise, nor was he terribly fond of really nice gifts. They made him feel uncomfortable since he was always broke.

Nevertheless, he took the box and opened the lid. The family sat in expectation as they tried to see what it was. Inside, he found four tickets. Two were for the round trip to China, and the other two her bus tickets to a certain accursed training ground. His brain took a few minutes to process.

'This... This is?'

'Yup! A trip to China, so you can get you're cure. Oh, and I'm giving you some cash I saved up so you can mail some cures home for a few people you know. I'm sure that you're father will be most appreciative. You have to mail it from the airport, otherwise, I would send the guide money for the cure, but I couldn't arrange that. I thought you might like to go see it one last time, anyway. Also, I called the guide and he's going to let you rest up at his place that night because another bus won't be there the next day. I needed to give it to you before break because that's when the tickets are for. You should be home the 23rd so you won't miss Christmas Eve.'

Ranma stared at her for a few moments, numbly. 'How? Money?' He babbled in disbelief.

'Yea,' Nabiki ask, curiously, 'where did you get the money for that? If I knew you were loaded, I wouldn't have taken it easy on you.' Akane smiled.

'I was working two jobs since the summer. Kasumi didn't tell you since I asked her not to, but really, Nabiki, you're slipping if you didn't know.' Nabiki scowled.

'I should have known. It's okay, but I assume that you're done with the two job thing?'

'Yup, I just had a goal. I thought it was the only really good gift I could get him.'

'I could think of a few others...' Nabiki mumbled under her breath. Akane's eyes flashed.

'What did you say?'

'Oh, nothing...' Akane ignored her, and looked at Ranma, who was still in a drunken stupor.

'Uh... do you like it?' Ranma stared at her for a moment. He lunged at her and hugged her, cutting off her air supply.

'Are you KIDDING?! I love it!' Akane's face turned blue and she started hitting his arm. Eventually he got the hint when Kasumi told him that Akane couldn't breathe.

'Oh... sorry. I'm just so excited! I can't believe I'm going to be a man again.' Akane regained her breath and smiled.

'Oh good.' Ranma started dancing.

***

Akane walked up to her room with some coco. It wasn't often that she couldn't sleep when she was at home. Everyone was there, and it was always easier to sleep when she knew Ranma was right in the next room.

Things had been much different from them ever since the 'Tatsuya Incident', as it was so referred to. However hard it is to believe, they actually got along. It was a little crazy when the rest of the world found out, but everything was sorted out, now and the Saotome and Tendo families would just have to live with their children being in just a relationship for now. But after everything settled down, Ranma and Akane were actually affectionate, and as normal a couple as they could ever be. Hence, a feeling of safety when they were both home.

Except, Akane couldn't sleep because of something else. It was the night before he left, and she wasn't so sure she wanted him to go, anymore, for more than one reason.

She quietly shut the door and sat on her bed, sipping at the warm liquid, hoping that it would help her out, when she turned toward the window. She could always tell when he was there. It was something that he taught her to do: read ki, distinguish the different types, and know how different people's ki felt. But it always surprised her when she felt him before she heard or saw him. He tapped on the window, and she let him in.

'What's wrong?'

'Oh. Nothing, I can't sleep. What are you doing up?'

'I heard someone get up, and I can tell that something's bugging you. Is it the trip?'

'Yea, sorta.' She looked at her coco, it wasn't a good time to get nervous about it.

'You wanna talk about it?'

'Well... I'm gonna miss you.'

'That's not it, is it?' Akane looked at him, wondering how he could read her mind.

'Er... I think... I dunno...'

'Com'on. You can tell me.' She thought for a minute.

'I guess I'm going to miss you having your curse. I know you don't like it, but I never really minded it.'

'It's going to be weird for a while, I suppose, yea.'

'I dunno. I guess that I'll have to get used to it. I mean, it will be nice to have a boyfriend who is male 100% of the time, but it's weird to think that you're losing a side of yourself. It's silly, I know, but in a way, it's like losing a friend.' Ranma smiled.

'Actually, I know how you feel. I want to be free of the curse, but it was sort of fun to see how the other half lives, ya know? I'll miss that.'

'Yea.' She was quiet for a while, then she leaned against his shoulder. 'I'm gonna miss you.'

'I'm gonna miss you, too, my little Tomboy.'

***

'I can't believe it, Akane! I'm cured!' Akane smiled into the receiver.

'Neither can I. Did you get the extra water in the mail?'

'Yup, it's on it's way. Just like me.'

'So you're still at the airport?'

'Yea, we just got delayed a half an hour for snow, but I should be home in no time.'

'Great!'

'Hey, Tell everyone I said hi for me.'

'Sure.'

'And Akane?'

'Yea?'

'I love you.'

'I love you, too, Ranma. Have a safe trip.'

'Will do. Goodbye.'

'Bye.' Akane hung up the phone. She was starting to get antsy. Christmas was just a few days away, and Ranma was still in China.

'Hey guys, that was Ranma!' She said, putting on her best face. No need to worry the rest of the family with her worries. 'He's still at the airport, but he's all male, now!'

The family seemed thrilled... especially Genma.

***

Akane rolled out of bed to answer the phone. 'M'ello?'

'Bad news, babe.' Her eyes snapped open.

'Ranma?'

'I'm still in China.'

'You are? What happened? Are you okay?'

'Yea, yea. I'm fine. But there's a snow storm out here and the airport's closed up for now. I don't know when they can get the runway cleared for any takeoffs, so I may be stuck here for a while. By the way, thanks for all that extra cash, it's been really handy since I didn't plan on extra meals.'

'Oh, man! I knew it!'

'What? That I'd be hungry?'

'No, dummy. You're not going to make it home for Christmas.'

'Hey, don't say that. I'll be home, I promise.'

'Hm... Don't make promises you can't keep, Ranma.'

'No. I will. I give you my word. If I have to swim back, I'll be there, if it's important to you.'

'However sweet that is, it's just a day on a Calender, if you're not here, it's okay.'

'Okay, but I'll still be there. After all, it's letting up out here, and as far as I know, it won't take two days to clear it up. Don't worry, I'll be home for Christmas.'

'Well, I hope so. Have you gotten any sleep?'

'Not much. I just keep waiting for them to say that it's clear, so I can come home. It's no fun going by myself. I wish that you had enough money to come with me, but that would have been difficult, huh?'

'Yea, I got about an hour of sleep at night between the two jobs and classes.'

'Man... Oh, hey, I'm running out of time and I don't have an extra quarter, so I have to go, for now. Take care.'

'Love you.'

'You, too. I'll be there. I promise.'

***

Akane was up bright and early on Christmas. Everything would be great, the water had come in the mail and all of Nerima's cursed were enjoying their newfound freedom. There were presents to be given and received, and best of all, Ranma was promising to be there.

She grinned at herself in the mirror. She and her sisters decided to wear matching dresses today, and they were really cute. They were basically santa suits, only they were mini skirts and jackets with the traditional white trim. They even came with little red elvish, pointed shoes. She adjusted her hat, and walked down the stairs, crossing her fingers that he would get there.

***

There were still a few gifts left, but Ranma wasn't home, yet to open them. Akane sighed, but decided that it wasn't worth stressing over. They could celebrate the holiday later.

'Hey, Akane, you coming?' Akane looked at Kasumi.

'Where are you going?'

'Oh, were going to go see a movie. Did you want to go see it with us?'

'I'd rather not, Ranma said he might be home today, and I wanted to be here.' Kasumi's eyes twinkled.

'I understand, perfectly. Well, I guess we'll be off, then.'

'Bye guys.'

***

Akane sat in the dark, by the glowing Christmas tree. Everyone had come home, but it was getting late, and so she was the only one left up.

She ran her fingers through her hair, tiredly. "11:00," she thought, " I guess I shouldn't have hoped..." But she stayed in the chair, anyway, nodding off after a few minutes.

***

The door creaked open, and softly shut. A soft thud sounded as Ranma put his pack down. He crept into the living room, but when he saw Akane sleeping, his heart broke. 'Psst... Sleepyhead!' He called from across the room. Akane stirred, and rubbed her eyes open. She saw him, and looked at the clock.

'Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare.' A tear trailed down her cheek and she stood up, quickly, and charge at him. She tackled him in a mega-glomp that would have left many bruises on a lesser man.

'I missed you.' she whispered in his ear.

'Ugh, I can tell.' He smiled at her and kissed her. 'You look cute. Are you supposed to be a feisty Mrs. Claus?' Akane choked back tears in a laugh.

'You never quit, do you?'

'Nope. But I would like to give you your present, if you would just get up a sec.'

'Oh, yea, sorry.' Akane got up and wiped her tears away. Ranma pulled out a medium box.

'Here ya go. Open it.' Akane started to carefully unwrap it, but Ranma stopped her.

'Che! You gotta rip the paper! That's all it's good for!' Akane smiled and tore into it. When she opened it up, she found lots of packets, with Chinese characters on them.

'What do they say?'

'They say, Instant spring of Drowned girl.' Akane stared at him.

'Hey, just cuz I'm cured doesn't mean they won't be useful. Plus, I thought that you missed "Ranko", so they're all for you. Whenever you want them, ok? Well, with some exceptions, of course.'

'Thanks, Ranma. I don't know what to say.'

'Hmm... I know what you should say.' Akane grinned.

'Oh, really? Do you, now?'

'Yup.'

'And what would that be? Hm?'

'Say you'll marry me.' He pulled out another box.

'Eh?' Her eyes went wide.

'You heard me. Well?'

'Of course, Dummy!'

'Good, then this thing won't go to waste.' He opened the box and too the ring out. It was a simple silver ring with a small Diamond, but she loved it as he slipped it on her finger. 'Won't Nabiki be surprised when she finds out we were both working two jobs, huh?'

'Y-yea...' She said numbly.

'Hey, too bad it isn't Christmas anymore, huh?'

'I still have to say this is the best Christmas, ever.'

'I think you're right, love, I think you're right.'

*~Owari~*

A/n: Ha! I'm such a cheeseball!!! I know what you're thinking, though. Why didn't she pick him up from the airport and all those logical questions. Well, because he was picking up the ring, first of all, and second of all, because it would have been inconvenient for me, that's why. Anyway, I like it. It's sort of heartwarming... if not a little too waffy for comfort. But, whatever. Anyway, I would appreciate a review for this one, too. Thanks! Until the next update! Ja ne!