Chapter 1 - Well, um, whos that?

[Akane]

 

"Tadaimasu!" I called from the doorway.

After taking off my shoes, I walked down the hall and into the den. All eyes were on me as soon as I stepped in. Well, not exactly, it was what was on my back really

"Okaeri, Akane-chan," Kasumi onee-chan greeted as I entered the den.

"Oh, so youve brought your little friend for the weekend." She smiled at me while the rest of my family looked at me.

"Yes," I answered back.

"But are you sure, youll be all right, Akane?" My big sister gave me a look with concern.

"Im sure Ill be fine," I assured her while patting the bundle on my back.

Ranma gave me a strange look. Whats a kid doin on your back?

"My friends little brother."

"Yes, the Sadamotos asked Akane to take care of him." Dad came over to play with the baby. "What a healthy boy."

Ranma still held that strange look on his face.

I adjusted the baby to now be in front of me. Then, I smiled and looked down at him. "Youre so cute, Ryusuke."

"Yes, he is, Akane." Kasumi patted his head gently.

"So what do you plan to do with him, Akane?" Nabiki asked as she was coming into the den. "Are you sure you know what youre doing?"

"Thats what Ive been thinkin all along," Ranma commented. "Geh!"

I had thrown something at him and the baby giggled in delight.

"Ill be fine,"I answered.

During the evening, Kasumi and Nabiki were putting on their shoes and held their bags firmly.

"Are you sure youll be okay, Akane?" Kasumi was even more worried.

"Ill be fine, I said." I continued to pat the baby.

"Okay. But in case, I left the number of where were staying. And I stacked up as much you would need during the weekend." She then touched the baby on the chin. "Bye, Little Ryusuke. Youre sister Akane will take good care of you."

"Come on, Sis." Nabiki said, "Dr. Tofu is waiting."

"Bye, everyone." they both said.

"Bye!" we all said back.

Everyone else went back inside after waving goodbye. Ranma closed the door and he stood there a moment looking at Ryusuke and me.

I finally looked up at him. "What?"

He shook his head as he put his hands in his pocket. "Nothin."

We entered the den and I put Ryusuke in the playpen that had been set up for him by the men of the house that afternoon.

"You stay there for a moment." I smiled down at him again. "I have to get your bottle."

Dad came over and started clinging the rattler to his face. They were laughing all that time until I came back from the kitchen.

"Mr. Tendou, youre really good at this," Ranma commented.

"A martial artist must know what to do at all times."

"Thats right, Ranma." Mr. Saotome replied right after.

"Then, what arent you doing anything, Pops? Hmm?"

"I already had a boy." He pointed at my dad. "See? Tendous having fun."

Then, Ranma looked over to me. "Hey, what are you doing, Akane?"

"Well, I have to set up where Im going to sleep."

"Youre sleeping down here?"

"Well, obviously, dummy." I set up my futon next to the playpen.

"Isnt that right, Ryusuke?" I picked him up from my dads arms and walked over to Ranma. "By the way, you havent even so much as played with Ryusuke. Why?"

"Nothing, I-Hey!"

Ryusuke was reaching out his hands to Ranma. I looked up and down at both of them. I couldnt help but start to giggle.

"Whats so funny?"

"You two." I held Ryusuke out to Ranma. "Why dont you hold him?"

"No thanks. I dont know anything about kids."

Ryusuke finally crawled out of my lap and into Ranmas.

"Hey, kid." Ranma looked down at him. "Hey!"

"Akane, I dont know anything about children. Help me out here." Ranma looked at me with a worried expression. "Hey, Akane!"

"This coming from the martial artist who says he can do anything. Honestly." I got up and smiled at both of them. "Seriously, would you please take care of him for a while? I need to bring more stuff down. And I need to make sure if everythings locked because Kasumi isnt here to do it. Besides, Ive been carrying taking care of him all this time"

"Okay, okay." Ranma looked up at me with this stupid expression that I had to keep smiling or else I would laugh in his face. I needed to avoid fighting with him, at least for right now

Then, he looked down at Ryusuke, who started to giggle in delight as he tried to reach out and pull Ranmas bangs.

"Hey kid!"

I laughed again as I walked out of the den..

I had to admit: It was kind of cute.

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Authors note: Just inspired. I love children, so I might as well make that the stimulus for this story. ^_^ * hee hee *