by LawOhki » Thu Feb 27, 2014 9:03 pm
The next morning
Walking to school with her sister Nabiki and Ranma, Akane paused to look down and keep stock of where the two cats were walking along next to her fiance. The grey kitten Diana was eagerly looking at everything with interest but was refraining from leaving her father, Artemis’ side. She didn’t know how to react to the cute image of the two felines but it seemed rude to treat them like normal cats.
Since she really didn’t know how to treat cats like people, Akane focused on the fact that her sister was changing her morning routine. She really did enjoy that her sister appeared to want to spend more time with her. But on this day it would have been nice for Nabiki to have left earlier so she could speak freely with Ranma.
It had been difficult for her fall asleep last night because she had been so excited by the trip to Sailor Theia’s castle. ‘Going into space, visiting a magical space castle, and meeting more senshi-- what a night!’ She giddily glanced in Ranma’s direction, the black haired boy walking next to her.
‘And since I still have to get back my other uniform, I can make him to take me again!’ Akane almost demanded that they take the day off so she could explore more but was able to control herself. ‘Maybe I can finally convince Ranma to tell me more about her life as Sailor Theia.’
The high pitched voice of Diana interrupted her staring at her oblivious fiance. “Akane-san, isn’t it impolite to stare at Ranma-sama so intently?”
Instantly Akane looked away as Ranma was alerted to gaze. “I wasn’t staring!” She protested loudly, too embarrassed to point out that Diana shouldn’t really be talking while out on the street, even if no one was really around to overhear.
“Oh? Was Akane making come hither glances at Ranma?” Nabiki asked teasingly, causing her to blush, and sputter out denials.
“No, more like how you were, as though you were a gull eagerly waiting for some food to drop.” Diana explained in complete seriousness. Akane’s jaw dropped along with her sisters at being described in that way.
“That’s normal for Nabiki.” Ranma shrugged, unconcerned by the kittens remark.
“Diana, it’s impolite to call your hosts, gulls.” Artemis gently chastised his daughter, the kitten immediately looking like she had just been chewed out for hours.
Stopping suddenly, Diana prostrating herself before Akane and Nabiki. “I apologize for my rude remark, please forgive me.”
“Aw! You’re so adorable!” Akane couldn’t contain herself anymore and gathered up the furry ball of cute to hold to her chest. “Of course you’re forgiven.”
“Yay!” Diana squeaked and nuzzled her cheek.
“Your kid’s a pretty good manipulator.” Nabiki told Artemis, sounding impressed.
“She makes friends so easily.” Artemis raised a paw to wipe away an imaginary tear.
Akane gave her sister a dark look. “Not everyone has an ulterior motive.”
“I’m pretty sure she has some motive.” Ranma crossed his arms. “Cuddles being one of them.”
“A dastardly plot that only a cat would perpatrate.” Nabiki joined in on the Senshi’s little joke about Diana having secret motives. “Most impressive.”
“Don’t you have school to get to?” Diana asked with a small purr to her voice. “It’s important to be on time.”
Akane nodded emphatically and put a little spring in her step to continue down the street. Her enthusiasm to get to school lasted only until she saw that a large moving truck was parked next to Doctor Tofu’s old clinic. “I didn’t know anyone was moving in.” She remarked, watching as a couple men were pulling a heavy oven out of the truck onto the liftgate in the back.
“Obol Cafe?” She asked, reading the english name printed on a decorative sign installed above the door. “What’s Obol mean?” She turned towards the rest of the group for an answer.
Ranma shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows?”
“I wonder where Doctor Tofu went to, he left so suddenly.” She squeezed Diana a little tighter. “Didn’t even tell anyone.”
“Yea that was weird, but it’s nice not getting maimed every time I walk by.” Ranma shivered at the memory of one such instance where Tofu’s obsession with Kasumi had resulted in severe bodily harm.
“No wonder you two are always late, you’ll stop and have conversations for anything you see.” Nabiki shook her head, ignoring the work being done.
‘I guess we do get distracted a lot.’ She admitted to herself, resuming her walk to school. Noticing the slight weight of Diana in her arms, she was reminded of her pet pig. “Ranma, when P-chan gets back you better not pick on him again.” She told her fiance suddenly.
“Huh? Where did that come from?” He asked in confusion.
“I’m just giving you fair warning that I don’t want to see you being mean to him.” She sniffed and turned up her nose. “I thought you were better than that, imagine being so petty as to pick on a little pig.”
“Alright, alright.” Ranma put his hands up in defeat before freezing in his tracks.
“Ranma, what are you doing?” She asked, noticing that her Senshi fiance wasn’t moving.
“Isn’t that Hotaru?” Artemis asked, making Akane also freeze up. Slowly turning back towards the school gates, her eyes confirmed that the dark violet haired girl who had threatened her last night was approaching them.
“Good morning.” Hotaru greeted cheerfully, wearing a Furinkan school uniform.
“Good morning, Hotaru-sama.” Diana happily leapt from Akane’s arms to pad over to stand near Hotaru.
“Good morning.” Ranma suddenly broke out of his shock to return the girl’s greeting with equal cheer. “What’s with the uniform?”
“Is that the one I left last night?” Akane asked accusingly while hiding behind Ranma for protection.
“Of course not, silly.” The dark violet haired girl giggled to herself. “I picked this up before the party last night so I’d be ready for class in the morning.” Hotaru grabbed the sides of her skirt and did a little curtsy. “Much more flattering colors than my first schools uniform.”
“You transferred?” Ranma asked with barely restrained glee.
“Setsuna-mama even managed to find a nice house near yours so I don’t have to commute so far.” Hotaru added.
“What?!” Akane exclaimed in shock.
“Well isn’t this interesting?” Nabiki’s voice purred in absolute delight.
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And this'll end the chapter.