Cologne gives instructions to her trainees, "For now, you will train separately. Mousse, you will be going to a course I have set up on the other side of the hill. Targets will appear at random. When I check on you, I expect every one of those to have at least one of your weapons in it, or wrapped around it. Get going."

Mousse nods and disappears into the trees.

"Ryoga." she says, "Yours will be more difficult because you will have to get control of something inside of you, your anger. Even if you are perfectly calm, you have to be able to call up the energy needed for the Battle Aura Blast without letting Ranma know you’re about to do it. The tell-tale sign of the Battle Aura Blast is the forming of a battle aura.

The revised Battle Aura Blast technique allows you to form the ball without surrounding youself with an aura first."

"Do I learn the Battle Aura Blast first?" he asks, "Then the revised Battle Aura Blast?"

"No, it would take too long to learn both of them." says Cologne, "We need to get you and Mousse trained to work together as soon as possible. No doubt the Son-in-law is already training to try to come up with some kind of counter to your move, but with Mousse’s help, well, we shall see."

"What do I do now?" he asks.

Cologne’s eyes narrow, "I want you to be able to bring up your battle aura without being angry. I know it’s easier if you are angry, but it’s one more sign that the Son-in-law could use to guess as to when you are getting ready to use it."

Ryoga sits on the ground, his face set in concentration. He closes his eyes.

Bring out my Battle Aura, without being angry? he thinks, That’s easy for her to say.

For long minutes, he sits there. He tries to remember how it felt whenever he had his aura around him. Always, it was when he was angry, and usually at Ranma.

Several more minutes go by and Ryoga is getting frustrated.

"Stay calm." Cologne reminds him, "You must be able to form an aura completely without anger."

Ryoga nods and tries to relax. Beads of sweat fall from his face. From somewhere inside him, he feels a spark. His eyes open in surprise, but no aura is seen.

"Almost, Ryoga, almost." advises Cologne, "Try again."

Ryoga nods and closes his eyes once more. That spark? he thinks, Where did it come from? Has it always been there and I’ve never noticed it before? I must focus on it. As if searching for his own soul, Ryoga looks inward. If there’s a spark, he thinks, I can feed it, turn it into a flame.

He senses the spark again and soon feeds it into a small flame. It sputters. In an attempt to keep it going, Ryoga focuses everything he has on it. There is a bright flash and then it goes out.

Cologne sighs in disappointment, "We will try again when you’ve recovered. Rest for now."

Physically drained, Ryoga falls onto his back, gulping for air.

Mousse walks along the trail. "This is almost too easy." he says as he throw a knife at a target. A twig snaps. Mousse looks up as a log falls on him. "UNGH!!"

He rolls the log to the side, "She didn’t tell me there would be any traps!"

Mousse stands, brushing himself off. He smiles, "Fine then, Old Woman, have it your way."

He leaves the trail to discover that most of the targets have triggers for traps attached to them. Some even have a backup on the traps if he tries to avoid or disable them. Being a master of hidden weapons, Mousse knows more about pitfalls and traps than most. He easily renders each one safe and plants a knife, a hatchet, or a throwing star into a target or wraps a weighted chain around it. When he finishes the course, he turns around, throws a single knife and sets off all of the traps Cologne had laid out for him. With a look of satisfaction, he turns around and runs right into a swinging mallet. BOOM!!

When he comes to, he looks at the mallet as it hangs there. It has some writing on it. He puts on his glasses to get a better look. It reads; "BAKA".

"That’s better, Ryoga." says Cologne as his aura pulsates around him. "Much better."

It has taken three days for him to get this far. To generate and maintain a battle aura without being angry has been one of the hardest things he has ever had to learn.

The aura flickers and fades out. Drenched with sweat, Ryoga lies down. His breathing is that of a marathon runner on his last mile.

"Get some rest, Ryoga." she says, "When you’re ready, you will learn to keep the aura inside of you so it can’t be seen. I have to check on Mousse." She disappears.

Ryoga rolls to his knees and crawls to his bedroll, "‘Get some rest’, she says. It’s taking everything I’ve got just to stay awake." His eyes soon close.

Cologne stands at the edge of the course she has laid out for Mousse’s training. The targets haven’t been stationary since the first day. Moving targets, triggered by one means of another have taken their place. Twice now, Mousse has tried to use her own traps against her. As good as he is, she is still much better. She listens for signs of Mousse’s training. Only bird calls and the faint rustlings of small animals come to her. She smiles. Once again he is waiting for her. Hoping to try out his newly honed skills against hers. Pausing only a moment more, she disappears.

"Ranma?"

He spins. Surprised, he says, "Oh. Hi Kasumi."

"My, you’re jumpy these days." she says and hands him a towel, "The bath is ready for you."

"Thanks." Ranma takes the towel and heads down the hall. He opens the outer door to the bathroom. As he removes his clothes, he can hear sounds of his father relaxing inside.

He opens the door and goes to the faucet. "Are you going to be done soon?" he asks, "If you’re in there, it don’t leave much room for me."

"Show some respect, Ranma." warns Genma as he leaves the bath, "You’ve still got a long way to go before you’re ready to..."

Splash! A bucket of cold water greets him.

"You were saying, Pops?" asks Ranma, "HEY?!"

The panda picks him up and throws him into the bath. The hot water, splashing back, returns Genma to normal.

"If hot and cold water is your answer to everything, Ranma," says Genma, "then your enemies have nothing to worry about." He leaves.

"GR-R-R, stupid old man." Ranma says, removing and wringing out his shirt and shorts.

In one swift motion, Mousse cuts through the rope lifting him up into the air. Grabbing the rope, he lets it throw him up to a ledge overlooking the new course laid out by Cologne. Not that he would admit it, but even he should have seen the last series of traps that got him caught, if only momentarily.

"Not bad, Old Woman." he says, "But I think it’s time to get serious. WHAT?!"

Snares secure his feet to the ledge as it gives way. Like a saucer on a snow hill, the ledge drags Mousse down with no control at all. Bouncing off the slope and pushing aside small trees, it pulls him deeper into the course. Mousse slices free of the snares and jumps off, just as the ledge crashes into a ravine.

Mousse rolls to his feet. "She’s trying to kill me!" he yells, "All of this talk of me teaming up with Ryoga was a lie! Fine then, if that’s the way she wants it, I’ll beat her and then I’ll kill Ranma! With or without Ryoga’s help!"

You think so? Do you Mousse? We shall see. thinks Cologne as she listens to him. Hidden by the bushes only a short distance away, she smiles as her plans slowly come together. Her eyes open wide as she feels a spark from the other side of the ridge. Her eyes narrow and she disappears.

In camp once more, she watches as Ryoga resumes his attempt to form his aura into a ball. The aura, concealed inside him, cannot be seen, but she knows it is there. Surprise shows on his face as he loses control and the aura fades. He falls to his knees, but remains conscious.

"You must stay in control at all times, Boy." she says, "You can’t let anything break your concentration. What was it that distracted you?"

Breathing hard, he says, "Your staff."

Lowering her staff, she removes the throwing star and knife embedded in it’s wood. She casually tosses them aside.

"It’s nothing." she says. Her words lie. Mousse’s throws had been more accurate than she’d ever seen before. He should not have heard her leave the bushes, but he did. Perhaps the harsh training has raised his skills more than just a notch or two.

Ukyo lowers the tea cup, "...and that’s where I left him, at the Cat Cafe. He said Shampoo’s Great-grandmother would be training him for something. Something that’s supposed to let him beat you, Ranma-Honey." She looks across the table at Ranma as he and Akane sit with her in the living room of the Tendo house.

Ranma’s eyes are angry as he concentrates on her words. "If there’s anyone who could teach Ryoga a technique that could win against me," he says, "it would have to be the old ghoul."

"I told you, Ranma." says Akane, "If Ryoga learns the Battle Aura Blast, you might not stand a chance."

"But, you said it yourself, Akane," he says, "the Battle Aura Blast is a one shot deal. If he uses it on me and misses, it’s over for him. Even if he does score with it, he’ll be as bad off as me."

Akane nods, "When Lonko used it on Grandfather Happosai, she collapsed. It was a while before she woke up again. Even then, she was too weak to stand, let alone fight."

"What is the ‘Battle Aura Blast’?" asks Ukyo, "Is it that powerful?"

"I only saw it once, Ukyo." says Akane, "When Lonko and Grandfather Happosai fought in the training hall. Grandfather Happosai’s battle aura surrounded him. So did Lonko’s. When Grandfather leaped into the air, she formed her aura into a ball and when he dove at her, she yelled, ‘Battle Aura Blast!’. The ball shot from her hands, through Happosai’s aura and sent him through the roof. Then, she fainted."

"So if Ryoga wants to beat me," says Ranma as he thinks, "he’ll have to wear me down or get so close, he can’t miss."

"Or," says Ukyo, "pin you down so you can’t move."

"Ryoga?" asks Ranma, "That’s not his style."

"Maybe not him, but what about Mousse?" asks Akane, "They’ve teamed up before?"

Ranma thinks back to when Ryoga and Mousse teamed up once before. Akane was almost caught in the blast of a massive time bomb that Mousse had meant for him.

"Akane," says Ranma, "Ryoga would rather kill Mousse than join up with him again."

"You heard me, Old Woman!" says Ryoga with fire in his eyes, "I’d kill Mousse before I teamed up with him again! Akane was almost hurt because of that near sighted loon! If I learn this Battle Aura Blast, I’ll use it on him first, not Ranma!"

"Calm down, Ryoga." says Cologne, "What’s done is done and you’re going to need a training partner for this. You think you can just walk up to Ranma, use the Battle Aura Blast and claim that you won?"

"You said I could defeat Ranma with only one blow!" says Ryoga, "If that’s true, why do I need Mousse!"

"Because the Battle Aura Blast requires all of your strength and battle aura." she explains, "If you and Mousse work together, and Ranma is defeated, you can both claim victory even if you are passed out."

"What do you mean, ‘Passed out’?" he asks.

Cologne’s eyes narrow, "The Battle Aura Blast is a desperation move. It should only be used as a last resort. If you try using it while Ranma is running and jumping about, you’ll miss and you will have no strength left to fight. I doubt you’ll even remain conscious."

"Even if I do hit Ranma," asks Ryoga, "what then?"

"You’ll still pass out," says Cologne, "but you should recover before Ranma does and you will win."

"Then, why do I need Mousse?" he asks.

"Both of you are two of the Son-in-law’s strongest opponents." she says, "But except when Ranma was weak from the Moxibustion, neither of you was strong enough to defeat him on your own. By training together, you can sharpen your fighting skills and maybe even learn something from one another. If the two of you fight together, you stand a better chance. Mousse can keep Ranma from getting away while you get ready to use the Battle Aura Blast."

"But what about Mousse?" asks Ryoga, "If we beat Ranma, doesn’t he win Shampoo?"

"You let me worry about that." says Cologne.

"Me?" asks Mousse, "Team up with him? Why should I have to join up with such a pathetic partner?"

"While I agree that a stone statue would make a pathetic partner..." says Cologne.

Mousse lowers his glasses to discover that he’d been looking at a stone statue and not Ryoga. His gaze quickly shifts to find the real Ryoga.

"...perhaps Ryoga here, might be a better choice."

"Do you see that, Granny?" asks Ryoga, "With his eyesight, Mousse is just as likely to attack me during the fight as Ranma!"

"Is that so?" asks Mousse, "At least I’ve learned to overcome my slight handicap. What about you, Ryoga?"

"I don’t have any handicaps!" yells Ryoga.

"Well then," sneers Mousse, "who was it who helped you find the Cafe? From what I understand, you could use a guide dog...umphf!"

Ryoga rebounds after landing feet first on Mousse’s face, "UKYO’S NO DOG, YOU HALF-BLIND DUCK!!"

Cologne’s eyes narrow as she watches the exchange.

"DUCK?! DUCK!!" screams Mousse as he readies his weapons, "I’ll show you who’s a duck, you PIG!" He leaps into the air.

Ryoga pulls out his umbrella and awaits Mousse’s attack. He does not wait long.

"HIYAAH!!!" screams Mousse as he throws stars and weighted chain at Ryoga.

Ryoga twists the handle of the umbrella and the spinning parasol deflects Mousse’s attack. Mousse throws down a smoke screen at Ryoga and follows it in. Ryoga leaps up before Mousse reaches him and gets clear of the smoke, leaving a coughing and confused opponent to find out where he went. Seeing the smoke start to clear and the silhouette of Mousse in the smoke, Ryoga leaps down, feet first to strike at him. Mousse rolls out of the way and Ryoga’s feet land in a patch of glue left by Mousse. While trying to free himself, he has to fend off Mousse’s attempts to get a chain around him and tie him up. Ryoga grabs the chain and uses it to pull himself free as Mousse tries to reel him in.

Move is followed by counter-move between the two combatants as they try to gain the upper hand. Cologne continues to watch as they begin to tire. Ryoga’s endurance training while learning the Bakusai Tenketsu Breaking Point, allows him to go on, but having to break free of Mousse’s traps and avoid his endless supply of knives takes it’s toll. Mousse is also near the end of his limit and as the two exhausted fighters collapse, Cologne decides to call a truce.

"Are you two quite finished?" she asks, "You’d better be, because I will not stand for it if you attack each other again without my permission during training! If you don’t work together, all Ranma has to do is sit back and wait for you to take each other out. Mousse! Ryoga!" She stares hard at each of them until they nod in agreement.

"That’s better." she says, "You are going to have to train, and I mean really train hard if you are to have any hope of besting Ranma. Both of you, more than almost anyone else, know what you’re facing. Ranma’s speed, power and agility alone are tough enough to go up against, but his fighting techniques and his desire to win no matter what, are almost impossible to overcome unless you use something he’s never seen before. Akane has probably told Ranma about the Battle Aura Blast, but Ryoga, if you can keep Ranma from guessing as to when you will use it and Mousse can keep Ranma in one place long enough for you to get ready, then it’s all over."

"Battle Aura Blast?" asks Mousse, "Great-Granny, why don’t you teach it to me? If I can pin Ranma down, I can beat him all by myself?"

Cologne stares him down, "You have all the tools you need to defeat the Son-in-law if you’d just use them right! Ranma would just get free of any trap you had him in before you could set up for it. Besides, Ryoga has a stronger battle aura and that’s where the Battle Aura Blast gets most of it’s power. You would do better to concentrate on what you know while I train Ryoga how to focus his battle aura. This isn’t going to be easy for either of you, but if you want to beat Ranma, you will do as I say!" Cologne’s eyes glow and her hair plays out behind her like feathery snakes. A deep chill passes over the two boys as she stands before them.

Boy-type Ranma stands in the center of the training hall, beads of sweat fall from his face as he finishes his warm up. Genma hurls a volleyball at his son’s back. Ranma spins to catch it. KLUNK!! Happosai’s pipe bounces off of his head.

"OWWW!! THAT HURT!!" complains Ranma.

"You’re not supposed to catch them!" yells Happosai, "You’re supposed to avoid them!"

"GR-R-R!" growls Ranma. He rubs his head and throws the ball back to his father.

"Batter up!" yells Ukyo as she tosses her ball up to strike it with her spatula. Ranma sets himself. Instead of hitting it, Ukyo catches it again. Surprised, Ranma stares at her.

BAP!! Ranma is knocked to the floor as Akane’s ball takes out his knees.

"HEY! That’s not fair!" he complains.

"Son!" yells Akane’s father, "You can’t depend on just one of your opponents attacking you at a time! You must be able to avoid two attacks at once!"

Ranma glares at him as he stands and returns the ball to Akane.

SPANG!! Ranma throws himself to the floor as Ukyo’s ball whizzes just over his head. Akane also leaps to the side to avoid it, "HEY! Ukyo, you’re supposed to go after Ranma, not me!"

The ball bounces off two walls before it returns to Ukyo’s hand. She smiles at Akane. Genma and Soun throw at once. Ranma leaps to avoid his father’s low one only to be knocked off balance by the high one. A third ball thrown by Happosai completes the job and Ranma is on the floor. He springs up again and Akane’s ball passes under him. He shifts his body in mid-air to get away from three at once. He lands on his feet. TAK!! One of Ukyo’s small spatulas nails his pants leg to the floor.

BAP!! BAP!! BAP!! SPANG!! POW!!

Splash!

"WHY’D JA DO THAT FOR?!!" demands a sputtering girl-type Ranma as he sits up. He shudders, "Th-that’s c-c-cold!"

The others stand around him. Akane says, "Because you were knocked out, Stupid!"

"Jeez! I don’t know why you all have to gang up on me like that." says Ranma, "We still don’t know for sure if Ryoga and Mousse are going to team up."

"Oh, no?" asks Nabiki as she stands in the doorway, "I just came from the Cat Cafe. The only one there is Shampoo."

"That doesn’t mean anything." says Ranma, "Mousse could have been out on a delivery and the old Ghoul could have..."

He stops as Nabiki shakes her head, "I asked. Shampoo told me that Cologne, Ryoga and Mousse have left to train somewhere in the mountains."

Soun nods, "Then, we’d better continue."

"Wait a minute!" yells girl-Ranma, "Can’t I at least change back first?!"

"Ranma!" yells Genma, "Don’t forget, boy. Both of your opponents know about your curse. Even if you are changed into a girl, do you think they’ll stop attacking you long enough for you to change back?"

Reluctantly, Ranma shakes his head.

Nabiki slides the door closed and walks back to the house as the sounds of training resume.

BAP!! BAP!! SPANG!! "UKYO!!" BAP!! BAP!! "RANMA!!" "HEY PERVERT, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO THROW THE BALL!!" BAP!! BAP!! BAP!! "HEY, NO FAIR USING ME AS YOUR SHIELD, RANMA!!" "THEN GO BACK TO YOUR CORNER, YOU LITTLE FREAK!!" "I’D RATHER GO BACK TO UKYO!!" SPANG!! "UGGH!!" "STAY OVER THERE, YOU LITTLE TURD!!" TAK!! TAK!! "WOO HOO, YOU CAN’T GET ME!!" SPANG!! POW!!

"Like I told you, Ryoga." says Ukyo, "You just sit tight and when I close up for the afternoon, I’ll take you to see Cologne."

"Thank-you, Ukyo." he says.

"Ryoga?" asks Ukyo as she wipes the counter.

"Yes?" he asks as he raises his eyes to look at her.

"Do you believe in dreams?" she asks.

"What do you mean?" he asks.

"Do you think they can predict the future?" she asks.

"I don’t know, Ukyo." he says, "I wish they did, but I think they are what we would like to happen, not what will happen. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." she says, trying to act as if the subject was not important to her. "So, if two people had the same dream, you’d think it was just a coincidence?"

"The same dream?" he asks, "I don’t know Ukyo. If they do, it might come true."

She asks, "What kind of dreams do you have?"

He scratches his head, "I don’t remember most of my dreams." He says as he tries to search for anything he might have dreamed of. "I think, I remember something about a chair. A... a rocking chair and a baby."

Inside, Ukyo is trembling. No! Please, no-o-o!

"Are you sure about this?" asks Ranma.

"You said you’d teach me any technique I asked you to!" Akane demands.

"I don’t think you can handle it." he answers.

"If you go back on your promise," Akane threatens, "then so will I!"

"Okay, Akane," Ranma says, giving in, "but you have to be calm to do this."

"I am calm!"

Bucket in hand, he stares at her until she does calm down. He takes a deep breath and pours the cold water on himself, turning him into his girl-half.

"Okay." says girl-type Ranma, "Face forward with your feet only far enough apart to keep your balance."

"Like this?" she asks.

Ranma nods, "With your left hand, reach forward and grip it at the end, using only your fingers." He waits until she complies. "With your right hand get a firm grip and use easy strokes. Your not chopping wood, you know."

Akane grasps the knife and begins to slice the carrot. "Like this?" she asks.

"Yes," says girl-Ranma, as he slices his own, "but try to keep the slices the same thickness so they will all cook evenly."

Concentrating hard, Akane nods.

Ryoga and Ukyo stand outside the Cat Cafe.

"Here you are, Sugar." she says, "Just like I promised. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Ryoga nods, "Yes, Ukyo. Defeating Ranma is the most important thing right now. Until I can do that, I can’t do anything else."

"But you don’t even know what she has in mind." says Ukyo, "The training could be ten times worse than what you told me you went through to learn the Bakusai Tenketsu Breaking Point."

"If that’s what it takes, Ukyo, then that’s what I’ll do." he says.

"You, Jackass! Is Akane that important to you?!" she demands.

"This isn’t about Akane. It never was." he pauses in shock. Did I just say that?

"Then what is it about, Ryoga?" she asks, trying to understand.

Ryoga, himself, finally begins to understand, "I’m a Martial Artist. If I know there’s someone out there who can defeat me, then I have to be willing to endure anything to make sure that does not happen."

"Every time one of you learns a new technique," says Ukyo trying to make a point, "so does the other. Ran-Chan’s Chestnut fist, your Breaking Point, his Heaven Blast of the Dragon, now this, and just who do you think has been teaching you both?!"

"My, my, my." says Cologne as she stands in the door of the restaurant, "It certainly is noisy out here. Ryoga, are you ready?"

Turning from Cologne to look back at Ukyo, Ryoga pauses. His eyes lower and he follows Cologne into the cafe.

Spinning away and stomping off, Ukyo mutters loudly, "Jackass!"

Aren’t you going to put something else in there?" asks Akane, "All you added to the water was the carrots and salt?"

"Akane," says girl-type Ranma, "we’re only making boiled carrots. What would you add?"

"I don’t know." she says looking around, "How about this?" She takes a bottle of dark liquid down from a high shelf.

"What is it?" asks Ranma.

"Soy sauce." she says.

"That’s a pretty small bottle, Akane." he says, "What does the label say?"

She turns it around, "Oh! It says, ‘Vanilla Extract’." She looks at Ranma as if she still intends to use it. A large tear of embarrassment forms over Ranma’s face.

"Put it back, Akane." says Ranma, "That’s for cakes, not carrots."

She returns it to the shelf and reaches for something else.

Girl-type Ranma walks over, grabs Akane’s shoulders and maneuvers her to the far side of the counter. "Akane, stand here and turn around."

"Why?" she asks.

"Just do it." he says. He waits until she turns around, then takes several small bottles, tins, and larger bottles from the cupboard and sets them on the counter, with the labels facing away from Akane.

"Okay, now look at me." he says.

She turns, looks at him and sees what he has on the counter. "What’s all this?"

"We’re going to have a guessing game, Akane." he says, "What is this?" He taps the cap of a white bottle with a clear liquid inside.

"Bottled water." she says firmly. He turns it around.

"Nope, White Vinegar. What’s this?" he points to a clear bottle with a dark liquid.

"That’s Soy Sauce." she says confidently.

"Sorry, it’s Molasses." he says and shows her the label. He opens the two tins. Both contain a white crystalline powder. Akane looks in and points.

"Salt and Sugar?" she asks, no longer sure of herself. Girl-Ranma shakes his head.

"Just the opposite." he says and turns them around, "See?"

Akane’s getting frustrated, "Keep going!" I’ve got to get at least one right! she thinks.

"Okay," says girl-Ranma, "We have three small bottles here. What’s in them?"

Akane looks at the bottles. All contain a white powder. Her eyes shift from one to the other. She points, "Salt, onion powder and garlic powder." She looks up at Ranma with a hopeful look in her eye.

Girl-type Ranma turns each one, "Powdered Wasabi, baking powder, baking soda."

Defeated, a tearful Akane sniffs, "You win, Ranma. I... I’ll never cook again."

Uh-oh, thinks Ranma. He walks around the counter and puts his hands on Akane’s shoulders, "That’s not the point I’m trying to make here, Akane."

"What, then?" she asks.

"Cooking is not a guessing game." he says, "You have to know what it is you’re adding and what kind of an effect it will have on the flavor and texture of what you’re cooking."

"Are you going to teach me about cooking, Ranma." she asks.

"I think Kasumi would be better at that, than I ever could." he says, then smiles. "Why don’t we go find her?"

Akane smiles, nods and turns to the door. Girl-type Ranma follows her.

He thinks, Boiled carrots and vanilla? A shudder runs throughout his body, EE-YUCK!

Fade out.

Lost in thought, as well as in life, Ryoga makes his way along a city street. The shoppers and shop keepers look up in wonder as the boy passes them for the third time in the last five minutes.

As Ryoga walks, mentally, he is writing a letter,

"Dearest Akane;" he starts.

"This past week, I’ve spent searching for Shampoo’s Great-grandmother. She’s promised that she will teach me something that even Ranma cannot stand up against. Please be patient, My Love. Once I learn this new technique, I will return and you shall be free of Ranma for good. Then, you and I can be together at last. Not, as Akane and P-Chan, but as Akane and Ryoga.

Signed; Ryoga"

Ryoga jerks to a stop. "I CAN’T WRITE THAT!!!"

"Banned for life?" asks Nabiki as she and the others walk home from the Public Baths.

"They can’t do this to me!" complains Happosai, "It’s age discrimination. I’ll sue! How can they get away with treating a Senior Citizen like that!"

"But, Master," pleads Soun, "all that damage?"

"Put a sock in it!" he says, "The wall didn’t need to be that high. There’s no reason for a wall dividing the men’s and women’s sides in the first place."

"All those women with the petition seemed to think that there was." says Kasumi.

"Where did they get that, I wonder." Happosai turns to look at Nabiki.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," says Nabiki trying to look innocent, "I only signed it."

"Yeah," says Happosai, "in three places."

"Maybe there were two other girls named ‘Nabiki’?" she asks.

"Uh-huh," says Happosai, "and all with the same handwriting, I suppose."

"How many does that make, Saotome?" asks Soun.

"Let’s see, that one was called the AQUA GARDEN," he says as he counts them off, "before that was the SEA OF TRANQUILLITY, the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, and the one that had to close for three months so it could be torn down and rebuilt. What was that one called, Tendo?"

"The TIDAL POOL, I believe, Saotome." he says, "Well, Master, it has been a busy year. Are there any Public Baths that you haven’t been banned from?"

Nabiki says, "We might have to open our own Public Baths, just so we can go there."

"Not a bad idea." says Happosai, "Maybe I’ll get a job there as a towel boy."

"We could call it," suggests Nabiki, gesturing grandly, "the HAPPOSAI HOT SPRINGS."

"I think that’s a wonderful idea, Nabiki." says Happosai, "I’m honored."

"The name alone," she says, "should warn any women who knew your name."

As Happosai looks at Nabiki in shock, Genma says, "A men’s only Public Baths, eh?"

While the others laugh at the idea, Happosai looks as if his dreams are crumbling around him.

"How..." he says crying, "How can you be so mean to me?"

"Thank-you, come again." says Ukyo as a customer leaves the restaurant. "Wait!" she calls, "You forgot your paper!" The customer does not return.

"Oh, well." says Ukyo as she takes it from the counter. She reads the headline for an article. "What’s this? ‘American women refer to single men as; Salvageable Males’?"

She laughs out loud, "I know at least two, ‘Salvageable Males’, Ran-Chan and Ryoga." Ukyo stops, surprised at her second choice. "Damn that Ryoga! I had the dream again last night." Her thoughts go back to the dream. The same one she had when Ryoga was helping her prepare for her match with Akane using the vests. She had dreamed of seeing Ryoga in a rocking chair with a baby, their baby. "If he shows up here, I’ll turn him into a ‘Salvageable Male’."

Ukyo looks up as someone walks in and asks, "Can you please tell me where the Cat Cafe is?"

"Be careful what you wish for..." says Ukyo as she stares at the boy. He stares back.

She recovers, "Ryoga, just who I’ve been wanting to see..." Her hand goes back to her big metal spatula to make sure it’s in easy reach. "You don’t have to go to the Cat Cafe, I’ll make you something special to eat right here."

He blinks, "Ukyo, what are you doing on Okinawa?"

Ukyo draws in and lets out a deep breath, "It’s gonna be a lo-o-ong day."

"Home at last." says Soun as they walk in the gate, "That was quite a stroll, eh Saotome?"

"I’ll say, Tendo." he says, "I’ve walked across islands that didn’t take as long."

"I guess that’s to be expected, Saotome." he says, "All of the closer ones have either banned the Master or have his picture up on the wall like a Wanted Poster."

"Don’t you mean, Un-Wanted Poster?" laughs Genma.

Happosai’s fist rings on Genma’s head. KLANG!!

"You two gripe too much." says Happosai as he jumps down from riding on Genma’s shoulder.

"I’ll have lunch ready soon." says Kasumi, "Nabiki, will you help me?"

"Sure, Kasumi." she says as she follows her older sister.

Kasumi looks around the kitchen, "It’s gone?"

"What is?" asks Nabiki.

"The soup I made for Dr. Tofu." she says, "I wonder if he stopped by to pick it up while we were away?"

"Well, there are two of us who were here at the time." Nabiki says, "Maybe we should ask them? They’re supposed to be studying, maybe they’re in Akane’s room?"

Kasumi nods, "If they had it for lunch, I’ll have to make some more." She and Nabiki leave the kitchen to go upstairs. Akane’s door is open as they reach it.

"Well, well." says Nabiki, "What’s going on in here, I wonder?"

Both Ranma and Akane turn to the door.

"You’re back." says Akane.

"And not a moment too soon, it appears." says Nabiki, with a smirk, "You in bed and Ranma right there next to you?"

"It’s not what you think!" says Akane, upset at her teasing.

"What’s wrong then, Akane?" asks Kasumi, "Aren’t you feeling well."

"She had a chill," says Ranma, "so I gave her some hot tea and soup."

Kasumi looks at the tray and sees the empty bowl, "So that’s where it is." She walks over to reclaim the tray. "Oh, did you use this Thermometer?" she asks as she lifts it up.

"Yes, but I think it’s broken." says Akane.

"It is. I should have thrown it away." she says, "We have a new one."

"You mean it is broken?" asks Ranma.

"Yes." says Kasumi, "I accidentally dropped it into some boiling water. Ever since then, it’s always read 94.5. No wonder you thought you had a chill, Akane."

Ranma and Akane stare at each other. Now they have no way of knowing just how cold she really was.

"How was the soup, Akane?" asks Kasumi.

"It was good, Kasumi." she says, "Thank-you."

"I’m glad, Akane." she says, "It was for one of Dr. Tofu’s patients. She’s on a very special diet. I wasn’t too sure how it would taste."

"What kind of special diet?" asks Akane, concerned about what she might have eaten.

"She needed something with a lot of fish oil in it," explains Kasumi, "but she doesn’t like the taste. Dr. Tofu asked me to come up with something."

"Fish oil?" asks Akane. Her eyes look down at the blankets. They open wide in shock and she throws the covers back. "I think it’s working!" she yells as she runs from the room.

Dressed in her training robe, Akane stands, feet apart, in the middle of the training hall. Before her is a cinder block supported by two more. She closes her eyes in concentration. Her face becomes angry. Her eyes open and "HYAAH!!" her fist smashes through the block, turning it into rubble. Standing, her face once more calm, she lets out a slow breath. She bends down, stacks the two remaining blocks and carries them to a corner. She then gets a broom and sweeps the rubble into a pan. The pan, in turn, is emptied into a bin holding the remains of several more cinder blocks. She looks back at the corner of the room. Only those two blocks are left.

"I guess I’ll have to get some more." she says. She unwraps the tape from her hands and flexes her fingers. Her face turns angry again, "Ranma keeps forgetting that I’m a Martial Artist, too. Well, if he can learn it, so can I." She pauses to think, "I’d need someone to help me with the first part. There’s no way I’m going to ask Ranma to help me."

Her face softens, "It’s too bad Ryoga’s not here. I’ll just start with the second part."

Akane sits on the floor and closes her eyes. Her face is locked in concentration.

"How did Ranma do it?" She thinks back to remember how Ranma was trained. "He had to keep his cool at all times." she says, "Just think ‘Cold’."

For long minutes, Akane remains seated, trying to duplicate Ranma’s effort. Around her, a pale blue aura begins to form.

Inside the house, Happosai is leading a strange parade down the hall. Behind him are Soun, Genma, Kasumi, Nabiki and Ranma. Everyone, but Ranma, appears to be enjoying themselves. Swinging a towel and carrying his toys, Happosai calls, "Yahoo! This way to the Public Baths! Come one, come all! All except you, Ranma!"

"I know there’s a leak in the tub, but why are you going so early?" Ranma asks, "It’s not even lunch time."

Happosai laughs, "This time of day, there’ll be a younger crowd."

"But why can’t I go?" complains Ranma.

Genma turns to his son, "Because both you and Akane have tests when you get to school on Monday, and when we get back, I expect to see you two studying. Together."

"If you and Akane get hungry," says Kasumi, "there’s some food in the kitchen."

"Ranma and Akane?" says Nabiki, teasing, "Together and alone? The mind boggles."

As they leave, Soun whispers to his friend, "Those two together, alone? Saotome, do you think anything will happen?"

Genma whispers back, "Those two? Tendo, we can only hope. But, I doubt it."

Later, Ranma is walking from the house to the training hall. He seems to be searching for someone.

"Now," he asks himself, "where did she go? All we have to do, is heat up the food Kasumi set out for our lunch and we can eat." He walks up the steps and opens the door of the training hall. He looks around. There by the side of the room is Akane. She is on the floor and curled up in a ball. She is also shaking.

"Akane?!" Ranma rushes to her side, "Are you okay?!" His hand goes to her shoulder.

"Akane!" he says, "You’re freezing!" He rolls her to her back so he can see her face.

Akane’s lips are blue and her teeth are chattering, "R-r-r-an-ma-a."

He thinks, She’s going into shock! Ranma turns to call for help, then remembers, "Damn! There’s no one else here!"

Ranma puts Akane’s arms around his neck, turns and then lifts her up for a piggy-back ride to the house. As he walks with her on his back, he can feel his own body heat being drawn from him to her.

"What were you trying to do, anyway?" he asks as he reaches the front door.

"S-s-soul of I-ice." she manages to say.

Ranma, stops. Instead of taking her down the hall to the bath, he turns to climb the stairs.

"There’s a leak in the tub." he says, "So there’s no hot water. I’ve got to get you under some blankets." He enters Akane’s room and throws back the blankets. He eases Akane to the bed and covers her up. He looks at her for a while. Her shaking continues.

"It’s not enough." he says. He rushes to his own room and returns with more. He lays the extra blankets on the bed and looks at Akane. She is still shaking and her eyes appear frightened.

Ranma draws in a deep breath and lets it out slow, "I’m sorry Akane, but I’m going to have to do this." Ranma pulls open the covers and slides in beside her. Facing away from her, he reaches behind and grabbing her hand, he pulls her in against his back. Her legs move and soon rest in contact with his. Once again, he can feel his body heat being absorbed by Akane. Before too long, he is starting to feel cold.

Thinking of anything that will make him mad, he lets his anger produce a different kind of heat. The heat of his Battle Aura. He thinks about his curse, his stupid father for dragging him to Jusenkyo in the first place, the fights with Ryoga, Mousse and Kuno, both brother and sister, Shampoo and her Great-grandmother putting him through ten kinds of Hell, the demented High School Principal, their pervert Master, Happosai, and finally, Akane trying to learn the Soul of Ice technique, one of the steps to learning the Heaven Blast of the Dragon, on her own.

Akane’s shaking is slow to subside. As Ranma concentrates on maintaining his anger, Akane’s hand grips the front of his shirt as she brings her body even tighter against his. Her forehead is now resting on the back of his neck. His hand moves to cover hers.

Her voice muffled by the blankets, she says, "I’m sorry, Ranma."

Despite his efforts, Ranma’s anger and the heat of his Battle Aura slowly fade away. Her breath, on his skin, had seemed frosty when he carried her from the training hall, now it is almost warm.

Sensing that the danger is over, he says, "I’d better get you some hot tea or something."

Akane’s hand pulls back and Ranma rolls from the bed. He looks back before he leaves the room. Only Akane’s eyes are visible. They seem to be smiling.

He smiles, "Pops once said that anyone who tries to teach themselves a dangerous technique, has an idiot for a student. I never really believed that, until now."

Her eyes open wide in sudden anger as Ranma leaves.

"Good." he says to himself, "That ought to help warm her up."

Minutes later, Ranma returns with a covered tray. Akane sits up. He sets the tray on the desk.

"How do you feel?" he asks.

"Better." she says, then a little timidly, "Thank-you Ranma."

"You’re welcome. Here." he says, then pulls a thermometer from the tray. He gives it to Akane. He turns back to the tray as her hand disappears inside the robe to put the thermometer under her arm. He pours the tea and hands her the cup.

"How’s the tea?" he asks after she takes a sip.

"Hot." she says, "And good. This is really nice of you, Ranma."

"Well," he says, "you’ve taken care of me sometimes. I just want to pay you back."

"What?" she asks, "When?"

"You remember." he says, "Like when I become a cat? You’re the one who brings me out of it. Or, when I got stuck in the snow? Both you and Ukyo stayed to keep me warm while Shampoo went to get help."

"I also seem to remember Shampoo’s lipstick..." The beeping of the thermometer interrupts her. Ranma takes the cup from her hand and returns it to the tray as she retrieves the thermometer. She gives it to Ranma.

He looks at it and swallows, "94.5 degrees?"

"Let me see that!" says Akane, not believing him. He holds it out for her to see. She swallows just as hard as he did.

"Akane," he says, "I don’t even want to think about how cold you must have been when I found you in the training hall."

A shiver runs through her, "Neither do I." she says.

He pours more tea into the cup, then pulls the napkin from a bowl of hot soup.

Akane blinks in surprise, "More pay back?" she asks.

"Don’t get too grateful." he says, "Kasumi had some made already. Don’t ask me why."

"Maybe it was for Dr. Tofu." she says, "She does that sometimes."

Ranma nods and lifts the bowl from the tray. "Careful." he warns.

"Thanks." she says with a little sarcasm as she takes the bowl, "Don’t worry, I know how to feed myself." She dips the spoon into the soup. She raises it to her mouth. She jerks the spoon away as it touches her lips. She glares at Ranma as she blows on it. He does his best to keep a straight face and fails miserably.

"Aren’t you hungry?" she asks, "It’s got to be lunch time by now."

Ranma smiles and removes the napkin from the rest of the tray. On it are two sandwiches and a second cup for tea. He fills the cup and takes one of the sandwiches.

After a few more spoonfuls of soup, Akane stops and stares at the bowl.

"Are..." she asks, then pauses, "are you going to tell anyone about this?"

Ranma pulls the sandwich away from his mouth before he takes a bite. He pauses to think.

She turns to look at him. "Well?" she asks, "Are you?"

"I think I should." he says, "Akane, you were going into shock. You could have died from this."

"I know that now and I’m sorry," she says, "but please, Ranma, don’t tell anyone."

Ranma is unhappy with this, but nods, "On one condition." he says.

"Anything." says Akane, hopeful, "You just name it. I’ll even do your homework for the next week."

"No, Akane." he says, "You’re not going to get off that easy."

Uncertain, Akane blinks, "What, then?"

"Akane." says Ranma, "You’re going to have to promise me that you will never try to learn such a dangerous technique, without me there with you, again."

"Okay." she says.

"Not good enough." he says.

"What do you mean, ‘not good enough’?" she asks.

Ranma puts the sandwich down and holds his hand out to her, pinkie extended.

"You’ve got to be joking, Ranma?" she asks, "We’re not little kids anymore?"

"Well...?" he asks. His hand does not move.

Akane swallows, "All right. Have it your way." She reaches out her hand and wraps her little finger around his. She closes her eyes and says, "I promise not to try to learn any dangerous techniques without you there with me." Her eyes open, "Satisfied?"

Ranma nods and pulls his hand away, but Akane does not let go. He looks at her.

She says, "I want you to promise me something."

"What?" he asks.

She says, "I want you to promise that you’ll teach me any technique that I ask you to."

Ranma stares at her for a moment, then nods. His eyes close, "I promise that I’ll teach you any technique you ask, that I know you can handle." His eyes open and stare firmly at her.

She studies his face, hoping to find any indication that he might give in a little on that condition. Seeing none, she nods and lets go.

Akane’s attention returns to the soup. After she finishes, she gives the bowl to Ranma, who returns it to the tray. He hands her the tea and she takes a few sips. She stops.

Her eyes narrow in concentration, "I wonder what went wrong?" she says.

"What happened in there?" asks Ranma.

She pauses to get her thoughts together, "I was just trying to do the same thing you did when you made the air cold for the spiral."

"Akane," says Ranma, "even I don’t know everything about the Heaven Blast of the Dragon. But, I think it’s your Aura that caused you to freeze. There must be two kinds of Auras. One that produces the heat of battle and the other that cools the air around you for the final blow. You’re only supposed to make the air cold, not yourself."

"I guess I was concentrating so hard," says Akane, "that I didn’t realize how cold I was getting until it was almost too late. I tried to crawl to the sunlight coming in the window."

"You made it." says Ranma, "That’s where I found you, by the window."

Akane nods, "When you put your hand to my shoulder, it felt like it was on fire. As you carried me on your back, it was as if I was being carried by a pot of boiling water. It was almost a relief when you put me in the bed, even though I was still cold. Then you got the other blankets and climbed in, I knew what you were trying to do and you were so warm. But, after a while you became hot, like a furnace. How did you do that?"

He says, "When I started to feel cold myself, I used my Battle Aura to keep us both warm."

Akane nods and returns to her tea.

The next morning, Lonko and Akane are walking from the market square to Lonko’s aunt and uncle’s house.

Akane thinks, How did I get talked into this? Her mind goes back to earlier that morning.

"Please, Akane?" begs Lonko.

"But, it’s not really my place." asks Akane, "Your aunt and uncle will be there. You don’t really need me, do you?"

"If you’re not there with me," pleads Lonko, "I don’t think I can go through with this."

Still uncertain, she agreed, "Okay, I’ll go."

"Thank-you, Akane." says Lonko, "You’re my best friend."

As she walks, Akane thinks, ...my best friend. She swallows and looks at Lonko.

"Lonko?" she asks, "Isn’t there some boy that you do like?"

Lonko tenses up, but she keeps walking. "There was." she says.

"Who was he?" Akane asks.

Lonko’s face clouds up. "Tetsuya." she says at last.

"Well," asks Akane, "where is he now?"

"I don’t know." she says, "We both were in Junior High at the time. One day, he didn’t show up for school. I went over to his house, but it was empty and for sale. I was told that Tetsuya’s father was needed to help out with their family’s business and that they had to leave."

"Oh." says Akane, "How long ago was that?"

"Three years." says Lonko.

"‘Three years’?!" asks Akane in surprise, "And, you still remember him?"

"There’s no way I can forget him." says Lonko, "I pass by his old house on the way to the High School. There’s a new couple living there now, but they don’t have any kids yet."

After they pass by a few more houses, Lonko looks up and stops.

"This is it, Akane." she says, "My aunt and uncle’s house."

"Good luck, Lonko." says Akane.

Lonko nods, "Thanks." They both go to the door. Lonko rings the bell.

A woman answers the door, "Hello, Lonko."

"Hello, Aunt Tsurumi." she says, "This is Akane Tendo."

"Hello, Ma’am." says Akane.

"Hello and welcome, Akane." she says. They go inside.

"You gave us quite a scare yesterday, Lonko." says her aunt, "For a while, we thought you weren’t going to show up at all."

"I’m sorry I made you worry, Aunt Tsurumi." she says, meekly.

"That’s all right, Dear." she says, "We have a young man here, we’d like you to meet."

Lonko looks at Akane and cringes a little. Akane can tell how nervous she is.

Lonko’s eyes are looking at the floor as they enter the living room. Lonko’s uncle and the boy stand up.

"Well, it looks like we have two possible fiancées today, young man." he says.

"Oh no, sir!" says Akane quickly, "I already have a fiancé."

The man smiles, "Well, in that case, Lonko, this is Tetsuya."

Lonko looks up, her eyes meet those of the young man, "Tetsuya?"

"Lonko?" he asks.

"Do you two know each other?" asks her uncle.

"Yes, Sir." says Tetsuya.

Too nervous to answer, Lonko gives a quick nod and a smile.

"I was told that I would be meeting a girl named ‘Lonko’," says Tetsuya to her, "I’m very glad that they were talking about you."

"If I knew I was going to be meeting you," she says, "I would have been here yesterday."

Surprised by her own boldness, Lonko blushes intensely.

"This seems to be going very well." says Lonko’s uncle, "Lonko, I take it that you have no objections to having this young man as your fiancé?"

"No objections, Uncle Hitoshi." she says.

"And how about you, Tetsuya?" he asks the boy, "Any objections to having Lonko as your fiancée?"

"None at all, Sir." he says.

Lonko’s Uncle says, "Well, I think we can do away with most of the other formalities. We’ll let your parents know as soon as possible."

"Congratulations, Lonko." says Akane.

She turns, "Thank-you, Akane."

"I wish you good luck." Akane says, "I should be going now."

"I’ll walk you to the door." says Lonko. She and Akane leave the living room and go down the hall to the door.

"You didn’t really have to." says Akane, "Don’t you want to be in there with Tetsuya?"

Lonko pulls out a handkerchief and looks at Akane. Her face is wet from tears and her makeup is starting to run. "I didn’t want him to see me like this." she says as she wipes her eyes and face. With her face now dry, it is only her eyes that betray the fact that she had been crying.

"Thank-you, Akane." she says, "Thank-you for everything."

"I’m glad it worked out for you after all." she says.

Lonko surprises her by giving Akane a quick embrace. When they part, they both smile. Akane opens the door and leaves.

As she walks back to the Dojo, Akane remembers Cologne’s words, "I would say that these things have a way of working themselves out, but, that is not always true."

To herself, she thinks, Maybe, this time, it is true.

Two days later, Akane walks by Ranma’s room to see him removing clothes from his back pack.

"When did you get here?" she asks.

"Just now." he says, "Did anything happen while we were gone?"

"Well, yes." she says, "I met a girl that looked just like you."

Ranma pauses, "Man, that must have been one homely chick."

"Not your boy half!" yells Akane, "She looked just like your girl half."

"Oh." says Ranma, "So where is she now?"

"She’s probably with her new fiancé." says Akane, "She just got engaged."

"Well, I feel sorry for her," he says, "getting engaged to a guy she just met."

"They didn’t just meet." says Akane, "They knew each other in Junior High."

"What was her name?" he asks.

"Lonko." she says.

Ranma’s head whips around, "Lon-ko?!"

"Lonko." she corrects him, "And no, your mother isn’t here."

He exhales, "Whew. Akane, don’t scare me like that."

"Did you learn anything on you training mission?" she asks.

Ranma frowns, "What a waste of time. That old man’s got nothing to teach me."

"Well then, you’re going to need some more training." she says.

"Akane," says Ranma, "right now, I’d say that there’s nothing that could convince me, that I need more training."

"Cologne plans to teach Ryoga something called the Battle Aura Blast." she says.

"Whatever it’s called," says Ranma, "I’ll deal with it as soon as he learns it."

"Well, I learned something while you were gone." she says.

"Oh, yeah?" he asks, "What was it?"

"It was a, uh, cooking tip." she says.

Ranma freezes. He quickly dumps the rest of the dirty clothes from the pack and goes to the closet to stuff fresh ones in.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

"If you’re cooking again," he says, "then I need more training."

"R-R-RANMA!!!"

Battered and bruised, Ranma sits on the ledge of the fish pond.

"Great." he says, "I’m not even home five minutes and she’s mad already. I wonder what the record is?"

From the front of the house, Ranma hears Kasumi’s voice, "Oh, we have a visitor."

Ranma watches as his father, in his panda form, rushes to the door leading to the pond. He throws a large chunk of bamboo at Ranma, knocking him into the pond.

Girl-type Ranma surfaces, "Why’d you do that for?!!"

His eyes bug out when he sees their visitor.

"Isn’t this an odd place for a bath, Dear?"

"A-A-AUNTIE SAOTOME?!!!"

Fade out.

One note before the story continues:

I'm using Notepad on a NetBook to post this entry because my main computer crashed yesterday. Lucky for me, most of my stories, jokes, etc... were saved to a memory card that this little machine accepts. The format of the post is different, with a space between each paragraph because of this.

Sorry.

 

Shampoo enters the door of the Cat Cafe, "Great-grandmother, I home! Look what Shampoo find in street!"

Cologne comes out of the kitchen, "What is it Shampoo, another tasty pig?"

"No can eat this one." says Shampoo as she lifts her hand to show Cologne.

"Happy?!" she says in shock. In Shampoo’s hand is the battered and burned Happosai.

"Who could have done this to him?" she asks.

"It must be Ranma." says Shampoo, "He so strong."

Happosai stirs, "N-not, r-ranma." He faints again.

"Not Ranma?" asks Cologne. Her eyes narrow, "Shampoo, take him in back and keep an eye on him. I’m going over to the Tendo Dojo to find out what this is all about."

"Thanks, Dad." says Akane as Soun lowers the unconscious girl to Akane’s bed, "I’ll take it from here."

"Are, are you sure this isn’t Ranma?" asks Soun.

"As sure as I can be, without splashing her with hot water, that is." she says.

Soun nods and leaves.

Akane thinks back on the fight between Lonko and Happosai.

"That, that blast!" she thinks, She must be who she says she is. I’ve never seen Ranma use that technique before.

She sits at the desk to think it through.

After a while, she hears a raspy voice, "Would you mind telling me what happened?"

Akane turns to the door, "Oh, Cologne!"

Cologne looks at the girl on the bed, "Happy was right. That is not the son-in-law."

"How can you tell?" asks Akane.

"I know my son-in-law, and you as well." she says, "If you had thought for even a second that she was Ranma, then she would not be in this room."

"You’re right." says Akane, "This is Lonko."

"She’s the one who did that to Happy?" she asks. Akane nods. Cologne asks, "How?"

"Well," says Akane, "first she kicked him through the window of the training hall, then she returned his service of the Happo-Fire-Burst, and then she used something she called the ‘Battle Aura Blast’."

"‘Battle Aura Blast’?" Cologne thinks for a moment, "Could you describe it to me?"

"Her battle aura surrounded her," Akane says as she recounts what she saw, "Then she formed it into a ball, yelled ‘Battle Aura Blast’ and the ball shot from her hands and hit Grandfather Happosai. Then she collapsed."

Cologne is puzzled, "Hmm, I know this move. A very powerful, but, very dangerous technique. All of your battle aura is concentrated into a single blast. It can devastate your opponent, but it will also leave you very weak and vulnerable if you are fighting more than one enemy."

"She probably thought she didn’t have a choice." says Akane, "Grandfather Happosai..."

"Yes." says Cologne, "I’m sure he had it coming." She pauses to think, "Yes, a powerful technique indeed. Perhaps I should teach it to Ryoga."

"Ryoga?!" asks Akane in shock, "Don’t you think you did enough to him when you taught him the Bakusai Tenketsu Breaking Point?"

"That was child’s play compared to this." says Cologne, "It will take me longer to teach it to him than the Breaking Point. But, I’d like to know who taught it to her?" Cologne’s eyes once again go to the girl.

Lonko moves. Her hand goes to her head.

"You’re awake?" asks Cologne, "How do you feel, Lonko?"

Her eyes are closed, but she smiles, "Thank-you for not calling me ‘Ranma’." She sits up slowly and lets out a painful breath. "Ooh. I guess I feel better. Thank-you Akane, for bringing me up here."

"My father did that." says Akane, "I just told him where to put you."

Lonko nods. Her eyes open and she looks at Cologne, "Oh, hello."

"Hello yourself, young lady." she says, "Would you mind telling me where you learned the Battle Aura Blast."

"Oh, that." says Lonko, "I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you."

"Why not?" asks Cologne.

Lonko lets out a deep breath, "Because, if my mother and father found out I was still studying Martial Arts, then they would make sure that the next boy that I met would become my fiancé."

"Is that so terrible?" asks Cologne.

"You haven’t seen the boys I’ve had to meet since this spring." she says, "None of them have any idea of what getting engaged is all about."

"Now that, I can believe." says Akane.

"Your parents are only concerned about your future." says Cologne.

"I wonder." says Lonko, "Are they really concerned for my future, or are they more interested in saving their reputations as parents. If they really wanted me to be happy, they’d let me pick my own fiancé."

Lonko’s words hammer at Akane. Her feelings are widely know amongst her family, but they all insist that she is the best choice for Ranma’s fiancée. Of course, hers and Ranma’s feelings were pushed aside in their fathers’ selfish interests in carrying on the training hall. But, now? If someone were to really ask her if she wanted to marry Ranma, could she honestly say, "No"?

"I would say that these things have a way of working themselves out," says Cologne, "but, that is not always true. Well, Akane, I have to get back to the Cat Cafe. If Happosai recovers as fast as your friend here, then by the time I get back, Shampoo will have her hands full."

Beside the Tendo house, is a fish pond. Standing by it is a young man.

Oh, Akane. thinks Ryoga, Is this the only way I can have any happiness with you? As P-Chan? Ranma’s away training with his father. Maybe I should just tell you how I feel and not... Ryoga pauses. A decision is made and he leaps. Instead of his feet breaking the surface of the water, Ryoga is surprised when he lands on something solid. Under his feet is a wooden staff. He looks over to see it’s owner.

"Before you do anything, Ryoga." says Cologne, "Maybe you’d like to join me for some special training."

Ryoga jumps to the shore, "Thanks Granny, but I’ve had just about enough of your ‘Special Training’."

"Is that so?" asks Cologne, "Then I guess you wouldn’t be interested in learning a technique even more powerful than the Son-in-law’s Heaven Blast of the Dragon?"

"M-more p-powerful?" stammers Ryoga, "Th-than the Heaven Blast of the Dragon?"

"With it," she says, "you can defeat Ranma with just one blow."

"This doesn’t have anything to do with shattering rocks, does it?" asks Ryoga, "I seem to remember you saying pretty much the same thing about the Breaking Point."

"You seem pretty eager to give up." says Cologne, her eyes narrow, "Are you?"

The conflict within him builds to a boil. "If I can defeat Ranma, I’ll learn any technique you can teach!"

"Then follow me!" she says as she disappears over the wall.

Grabbing his pack and umbrella, Ryoga is soon to follow...sort of.

Half an hour later, at the entrance to the Cat Cafe, Cologne shakes her head and goes in.

As she enters the back room she asks, "How’s our little delinquent, Shampoo?"

Happosai is laying on a bedroll. Shampoo looks up as she kneels by the door.

She says, "He still no move, Great-grandmother. Maybe is dead?"

"We shall see." she says as she opens a dresser drawer.

"What you doing, Great-grandmother?" asks Shampoo.

"I’m just going to borrow this." she says as she pulls out a brassiere. She waves it over Happosai’s face. His nose begins to twitch.

"100% Cotton." he says, "No padding. 36 C. Low cut and lacy! It must be SHAMPOO’S! AM I IN HEAVEN?!!" He sits up as Cologne tosses the bra back in it’s drawer. He looks at her. His eyes bug out, "AM I IN HELL?!! PLEASE DON’T PUNISH ME!! I’LL BE GOOD!!" His eyes roll up and he faints.

"Humph!" says Cologne, "Back to normal, I see."

Lonko finally has enough strength to get to her feet. As she steadies herself, her nose wrinkles. She pulls at her clothes, "Whew. Akane, I don’t know about you, but I could use a bath."

"Good idea." she says. Akane grabs some new clothes. "Let’s get you some fresh clothes from Ranma’s room and we’ll both go downstairs for a bath."

After the first cold rinse, followed by shampooing their hair and another cold rinse, they both get into the bath. Akane gets in first and watches as Lonko gets in. Lonko enters the hot water and settles in beside her. A few moments later, Akane lets out a sigh of relief.

"What?" asks Lonko, eyes closed, "You still thought I might be Ranma?"

"NO! I mean, no." she says nervously. "It’s just that this hot water is, um, very relaxing!"

Lonko smiles and chuckles to herself as if she already knew Akane’s answer. She stretches out to her full length, "You’re right, Akane. Very relaxing." She brings her arms down and back into the water.

Several minutes later, the outer door of the bath opens. Nabiki’s voice is heard through the inner door, "Akane? Kasumi said you might be in here." The inner door opens. Nabiki takes one look at the bath and stops. The shock on her face is soon replaced by amusement. "I never thought I’d live to see the day, when you two took a bath together." says Nabiki as she grins, "Although, since you’re both ‘girls’, I guess it doesn’t count."

Akane’s face turns a bright red, "This isn’t Ranma, Nabiki. Her name is Lonko."

"Lon-ko?" asks Nabiki, "What’s wrong? Is Mrs. Saotome here?"

"Do I have to explain it to everybody?!" yells Akane, "No, Nabiki. Mrs. Saotome is not here. Her name is Lonko." She turns to the girl next to her, "Tell her who you are!"

"Who, me?" asks the girl in perfect innocence, "I’m Ranma."

Akane sputters in shock, "WH-WHAT?!!!"

The girl holds up her hands, "Well, everybody else keeps calling me ‘Ranma’?"

Akane is fuming, "OOOHH!!"

"I’m sorry." she says and looks at Nabiki, "I’m not Ranma. My name really is Lonko."

Nabiki walks up and dips her hand into the water, "Hmm... It’s hot. Okay, ‘Lonko’."

Akane, still mad, sinks down into the water. What she says is muffled by the bubbles.

"When you’re done blowing bubbles, Akane," says Nabiki, "Kasumi would like to know if you’ll be joining us for dinner."

Akane sits up in the water with a splash, "How soon before it’s ready?"

"Kasumi says about ten minutes." says Nabiki.

"We’ll be right out." says Akane.

"See you then." says Nabiki as she leaves.

Akane and Lonko stand up in the tub and leave the water. After a cold rinse and drying themselves off, they get dressed and go to the living room to find the others already sitting and waiting for them. Kasumi serves them as they take their seats.

"Except for Mr. Saotome being gone," says Kasumi, "it seems like we’re having a normal meal. Having you eat with us, Lonko."

"Thank-you, Kasumi." says Lonko as she samples her food, "This is great! I wish I were as good a cook as you are, Kasumi."

"You’re not a good cook?" asks Akane.

"Well," says Lonko, "when I meet a potential fiancé, I’m expected to cook him a meal. I’ve been known to sabotage a dish or two to get out of it."

"How?" asks Akane.

"Oh," says Lonko as she pauses to think, "by adding vinegar instead of wine, salt instead of sugar, or cooking the meat too long. I’ve even left in pieces of Wasabi when you’re supposed to take them out once the dish is cooked."

"Oh, my!" says Kasumi, "That would certainly change the character of the dish."

"Y-you mean you’re supposed to take them out?!" asks Akane.

Kasumi, Nabiki, and Lonko look at Akane, stunned that she did not know.

"Why, yes." says Kasumi, "Wasabi is a long, white horse radish and very hot. Unless a recipe calls for just a little ground Wasabi, you’re supposed to remove the slices before you serve it, or it will be too hot for anyone who bites into a piece."

"Then, why don’t the recipes tell you that?" asks Akane.

Lonko says, "I think most of the people who write the recipes, take it for granted that you already knew that."

Akane thinks to herself, No wonder nobody likes my cooking. I thought Wasabi was just a big, white carrot.

Another of my favs.

 

Akane is walking back to the Dojo after shopping for Kasumi. She is carrying several bags of food. In the crowd ahead, she sees a familiar looking red-headed, pig-tailed girl strolling in her direction. The girl is wearing a dress and carrying a small suitcase. Akane stops and waits for the girl to approach. When the girl passes without stopping or even looking at her, Akane turns around.

“Ranma?” she calls. The girl looks to one side but walks on. “He... He didn’t even notice me.” she says confused. “The least he could do is help me get this stuff home. What’s with that suitcase and why’s he in a dress?” All thoughts of her errand are forgotten as she hurries to catch him. As she nears, she calls again, “Ranma!” The head of the girl in front of her turns to both sides this time, but she still goes on. “Ranma, stop!” says Akane, angrily. The girl in front of her finally stops and turns around. “Have you gone deaf, Ranma?” she asks, “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

“Ranma?” asks the girl. She frowns, “You know, I’ve been hearing that name all afternoon and I’m getting tired of it.”

“Well, that’s your name.” says Akane, “Isn’t it?”

The girl moves her head from side to side, “No. My name is Lonko.”

“Lon-ko?” asks Akane. She remembers that as the name used by Ranma whenever his mother visited her father’s Dojo. She asks, “What’s wrong, Ranma? Is your mother at the Dojo?”

The girl begins to become angry. She says, “My mother is at home. If you don’t mind, I’m on my way to see my aunt and uncle. And, my name is Lonko.” She turns away.

“Wait!” pleads Akane. The girl turns back.

“What is it now?” she asks.

“Are you sure you’re not Ranma?” asks Akane.

“Ranma, Ranma, Ranma!” she says, annoyed. “If I hear that name one more time, I’m going to scream!”

“I’m sorry!” apologizes Akane, “It’s just that the two of you look so much alike.”

“Are you saying that I’ve got a twin sister running around here somewhere?” asks Lonko.

“Not exactly.” says Akane, “He...” Lonko interrupts her.

“‘He’?” asks Lonko in surprise, “If you know a boy who looks just like me, then there’s something wrong with him.”

Akane takes a long look at Lonko. The dress with matching shoes are a perfect fit. Even the suitcase matches. She thinks, No way would Ranma go to all this trouble to look like a girl. “It’s a little hard to explain,” says Akane, “but, I think you two should meet.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m late.” she says. “I’m supposed to be at my aunt and uncle’s soon. I haven’t got time to meet your friend.”

“He’s not my friend, he’s my fiancé.” says Akane.

“There’s another word I don’t like, ‘Fiancé’.” says Lonko, “I’m meeting someone’s son when I get there. That makes three this month alone and I’m getting sick of it. Why can’t I pick my own fiancé? Shouldn’t I have some say in who I’m going to marry?”

“I know what you mean.” says Akane, “I felt just like that when I heard that a friend of my father was coming to visit to see which of us sisters would become his son’s fiancée.”

“I guess you didn’t put up much of a fight.” says Lonko. “I mean, you still got engaged, after all.”

“It wasn’t my idea.” says Akane, defensively, “I kind of got out voted. Look, if things don’t go well at your aunt and uncle’s, why don’t you stop by the Dojo?”

“What’s a ‘Dojo’?” asks Lonko.

Akane blinks in surprise. “You don’t know what a Dojo is?” she asks, “It’s the training hall for the Tendo School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts. I’m Akane Tendo.”

“Anything-Goes Martial Arts?” asks Lonko, “I used to study Freestyle Kenpo. It comes in real handy when one of these ‘Fiancés’ tries to get too fresh. Okay. Where is this Dojo?”

Akane looks around to get her bearings. “You see that street down there next to the fruit vender’s cart?”

Lonko nods, “Uh-huh.”

“The Dojo is four blocks straight down that street.” she says.

“I can’t promise anything. I might stop by on my way back.” Lonko says as she studies the street by the vender’s cart. “I also hope I don’t get lost.”

“Like Ryoga?” asks Akane.

“Who’s Ryoga?” asks Lonko.

“A guy I know who can’t tell his left from his right.” says Akane.

“You must not see him very often.” she says.

“Actually, for a guy who’s always getting lost, we seem to see him an awful lot.” laughs Akane. Over Lonko’s shoulder, Akane notices a small figure leaping on the heads of the crowd as he makes his way to them.

“Happosai?” wonders Akane.

“AKANE! RANMA!”

“GRR-R-R!” Akane hears from Lonko. She looks at her. A bright red battle aura forms around her.

“RANMA!” yells Happosai as he leaps toward what he thinks is his favorite target.

“Hee-EYAAH!” screams Lonko as she swings her suitcase. Ka-BOOM! Happosai is sent flying through the air and lands at a fish market. His shirt is caught on a hook. The sign above him says; “Catch of the Day!”

Lonko draws in and lets out a deep breath. “Now,” she says, smiling, “I feel better.”

“You handled him just like R...” Akane stops, “I mean, you handled Grandfather Happosai very well.”

“You know that old pervert?” asks Lonko.

“Not by choice, but yes, I do.” she says.

“Well, I’ve got to get going.” says Lonko.

“Yes. Me too.” says Akane as she shifts the load of bags. “Maybe I’ll see you at the Dojo?”

Lonko nods, “Maybe later. Good-bye, Akane.”

“Good-bye, Lonko.” she says. They both turn away.

As Akane makes her way through the crowd, she is bumped. “HEY!” she yells as one of the bags falls to the ground and spills it’s contents.

“Sor-ry!” calls out a young man as he disappears into the crowd.

“‘Sorry’ won’t pay for a bag of rice!” she yells in frustration. She looks down at it. “I can’t take that back to Kasumi. I’ll have to buy another bag.”

With a fresh bag of rice and the rest of her load, Akane makes her way back to the Dojo.

“Let me get the gate for you.” She hears. The front gate creaks open.

Surprised, she says, “Thank-you, R...” She shifts the load and gets a better look at who is opening the gate. The dress, shoes and suitcase tell her who this person really is.

“Lonko?” she asks. The red-haired pig-tailed girl smiles and nods. “What are you doing here?” Akane asks. “Weren’t you on your way to your aunt and uncle’s house?”

Lonko looks embarrassed, “I... I chickened out. I turned back to join you, but when I saw you stopping to buy a bag of rice, I decided to see if I could find this place without getting lost.”

“This is the place all right.” says Akane as she walks Lonko to the front door. Lonko opens the door. They remove their shoes and Lonko follows her into the main hall.

“Kasumi-i-i!” Akane calls, “I’ve got your groceries!”

Kasumi pops her head out of the kitchen, “Thank-you, Akane. Bring them in here and I’ll put them away.”

“Okay, Kasumi.” She and Lonko enter the kitchen.

“Oh! Ranma?” asks Kasumi, surprised, “I thought you and your father had left on a training mission.”

“Training mission?” asks Akane, as she puts the bags down, “Oh-h-h that’s right! I forgot that they were going to be gone for a few days. Kasumi, this isn’t Ranma, she’s Lonko.”

“Lon-ko?” asks Kasumi, puzzled, “Is you mother here today, Ranma?”

Akane can tell by looking at her that Lonko is trying to keep her temper in check.

“No, Kasumi.” she says, “Her name really is Lonko. I met her in the market square when she was on her way to her aunt and uncle’s house.”

“Then, what is she doing here?” Kasumi asks.

“Well-l-l...” Lonko says.

“They were trying to set her up with a fiancé and she didn’t want to give them the chance.” Akane explains.

Lonko cringes. “A little blunt, but accurate.” she says.

“If you’re not going to your aunt and uncle’s house,” suggests Kasumi, “then you should give them a call to tell them that you’re okay.”

“I guess you’re right, Kasumi.” says Lonko. “I’ll call them right now.”

“The phone is down this way.” says Akane as she leads Lonko out to the hall.

Lonko reluctantly picks up the phone and dials a number.

“Hello, Uncle Hitoshi?” she asks, “This is Lonko.” She pauses, “No. I won’t be over today. I’m staying at a friend’s house.” Akane smiles as she pauses again. “Yes, I’ll be spending the night with her.” She’s a little surprised, but Akane does not interrupt. “I’ll see you sometime tomorrow morning. Good-bye.”

Lonko hangs up. “I hope that won’t be a problem, Akane?” she asks.

“Oh, no. That’s fine.” says Akane, “I haven’t had a friend overnight in a long time.”

Lonko smiles. “Where should I put my suitcase?”

Akane pauses to think, “Well, Ranma and his father aren’t here, so you could stay in their room, but with Grandfather Happosai around, I think it would be safer if you stayed with me in my room tonight.”

Lonko smiles and nods. She follows Akane up to her room.

“I hope you don’t mind a bedroll,” says Akane, “my bed’s only big enough for one.”

“Well, a bedroll is what I usually sleep on when I visit my relatives,” she says, “so, I don’t really mind at all.”

“That’s good.” says Akane. She points to a spot near her desk. “You can leave your suitcase there. If it’s got a lock on it, I’d use it if I were you.”

“Why?” asks Lonko.

“Grandfather Happosai has a, well-l-l,” she pauses, “a talent for making certain items of clothing disappear.”

“You mean, like girl’s underwear?” asks Lonko.

Akane sighs in disgust, “Exactly.”

“Akane, if you don’t mind my saying this.” says Lonko, “You have one strange family. A pervert for a Grandfather and a fiancé that looks like a girl.”

“You’re right, and that’s not even half of it.” she says as she goes to the desk and pulls a photo album from a shelf. She opens it and shows it to Lonko.

“Well, I can see you, but who’s he?” she asks as she points to a photo.

“That’s Ranma.” says Akane.

“That’s him? I’m sorry, Akane,” she says, “but he doesn’t look like me at all.”

Akane turns the page and points to another photo.

“Th-that’s me!” Lonko says in shock. “How did you get my picture?”

“That’s not your picture.” says Akane, “That’s Ranma, too.”

“Wow.” says Lonko as she takes a closer look, “That’s some disguise.”

“It’s not a disguise,” says Akane, “it’s Ranma.”

“How did he do that?” asks Lonko.

“For him,” says Akane, “all it takes is cold water.”

Lonko blinks as she turns to look at Akane, “Cold water?”

Akane pulls out the desk chair and sits on the bed, “You may as well sit down, because this is going to take a while.” Lonko sits at the desk as Akane takes in a deep breath and begins to explain. When she is done, Lonko just sits there, stunned. Afraid she doesn’t believe her, Akane says, “It’s all true. You can ask almost anybody and they will tell you.”

“Oh, I believe you, Akane.” says Lonko. “That would explain why so many guys were calling me ‘Ranma’ this afternoon. One even called me ‘Pig-tailled Girl’. I really hate that.”

“By now, most of the people around here know about Ranma’s girl half.” says Akane, “Although, there are a few who wouldn’t believe you even if you told them.”

Lonko looks down at her dress, “Well, if I’m not going to meet my future fiancé today, I’d like to change out of this.”

“Sure,” says Akane, “but, if you’re going to change anyway, why don’t we both get dressed to practice in the training hall?”

“Training hall?” asks Lonko.

“You said you studied Kenpo.” Akane says.

“Yes,” says Lonko, “but I didn’t bring any clothes for that.”

“Let’s try in Ranma’s room.” suggests Akane, “I’m sure he has something that will fit you.”

“He has clothes for both his boy and girl halves?” asks Lonko.

“You might be surprised.” says Akane, “It kind of comes with the territory.”

Before long, Akane and Lonko are on their way to the training hall.

“You see?” asks Akane, “It’s a perfect fit.”

“You weren’t kidding, Akane.” says Lonko, “Ranma has almost as many girl’s clothes as I do. I really liked that dress of his.”

Akane laughs, “I bought that for Ranma when he hit his head and thought he really was a girl.”

“Is that so?” laughs Lonko, “I wonder if he still wants it?”

“I’ll ask him when he gets back.” says Akane, “If he doesn’t want it anymore, you can have it.”

“Thank-you, Akane.” she says. They enter the training hall. Akane’s father and Happosai are at the other end of the room.

“There’s that insolent whelp!” yells Happosai, “How dare you treat your Master like that!”

“You’re no Master of mine, you little pervert!” yells Lonko.

“Your behavior is inexcusable!” says Happosai as he leaps at her, “But, I’ll forgive you if you let me cry in your BOSOM!”

As he nears, she leans forward and Happosai lands high on Lonko’s chest. Caught off guard, he bounces off. Before he reaches the floor, Lonko brings her right foot forward and bounces Happosai back into the air. “What’s going on?!” he demands.

Shifting from foot to foot, Lonko keeps Happosai airborne. When she is ready, she bounces him a little higher and sets herself. On the way down, Lonko’s leg swings wide and “Hee-EYAAH!!”, Ka-BOOM! Happosai is sent flying through the air and Ke-RASH through the window.

“How did you do that?!” asks Akane.

Lonko looks back at her, “Varsity Soccer Team Captain, Minonomi High School For Girls”

“What are you talking about, Son?” asks Soun, “How could you do that to the Master?”

Before anyone can speak, they hear, “R-r-ranma! You’ve got this coming!” says Happsoai as he pulls himself to the window sill and reaches into his shirt. “Happo-Fire-Burst!” He launches the ball of lit fireworks at Lonko.

“Akane!” Lonko yells, “Set me up!” She bounces the ball at Akane. Akane is surprised, but puts her hands together and bounces it back in a high arc to Lonko.

Lonko leaps and “Hee-EYAAH, SPIKE!!”, drives the ball hard at Happosai, knocking him and the ball back through the window just before it explodes.

“Yeah! Right on target!” yells Lonko.

“Let me guess.” says Akane, “Varsity Volleyball Team Captain?”

“You’ve got it.” says Lonko.

“What are you two talking about?” asks Soun, “Ranma! The Master is going to be very upset with you! Have you any idea what that means?!”

“I’ll tell you what it means.” growls Happosai as he climbs through the window. “No mercy! You hear me, Ranma! Even if you’re a girl! NO MERCY!!” Happosai’s battle aura explodes and forms around him.

“Akane! Stay Back!” warns Lonko, she is soon surrounded by a battle aura of her own, “Okay, you little pervert, let’s see what you’ve got! And I’m NOT RANMA!!”

Inflamed by the challenge, Happosai leaps high into the air, his battle aura forming into a huge likeness of himself. Lonko’s battle aura becomes painfully bright as she concentrates it in her hands. Happosai dives at her.

She raises her hands to him, “BATTLE AURA BLAST!!” The ball of energy leaps from her hands, punches through Happosai’s aura and carries the little Master through the ceiling of the training hall and beyond.

“Ung-h-h...” Akane and Soun watch as Lonko collapses to the floor.

The dinner conversation mostly concerns the places Ryoga might have visited and the training he and “Lon-ko” receive at the Tendo Dojo.

“I’m not familiar with this form of Martial Arts.” says Mr. Hibiki, “What exactly is the basis for the Anything-Goes School?”

“It’s just like it says, Mr. Hibiki, anything goes.” says Ranma, “It doesn’t rely on any one technique or style. You can adapt it to any challenge you might face. We are taught to be flexible in our attacks and defenses. If you can win without hurting your opponent, fine, but if you have to put him, or her, down for the count, you do what you have to, to win.”

“Have you faced many challenges, Lon-ko?” asks Ryoga’s mother.

Girl-type Ranma nods.

“And do you always win?” she asks.

Ranma has to shake his head, “Anyone can be surprised by a new technique. It’s often the return match that decides, once and for all, who wins.”

“Who would you say is your toughest opponent?” asks Mr. Hibiki.

Girl-type Ranma smiles at the boy next to him, “That would have to be your son.”

Ryoga turns to Ranma in surprise, as his father looks on him with pride.

Mrs. Hibiki, however, is not pleased, “Ryoga, do you often fight with this young lady?”

Ranma comes to his defense, “It’s only training, Mrs. Hibiki. You never know if the one you have to face will be a boy or a girl.”

“You got that right.” says Ryoga. Ranma’s hand once more makes contact with Ryoga’s leg, but the fingers only squeeze once and release.

Ryoga, puzzled, glances at Ranma, he gives Ryoga a little smile.

After dinner, Ryoga and his parents escort them to the door as Ranma and his ‘Aunt’ prepare to leave.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” asks Mr. Hibiki.

Mrs. Saotome adjusts the cord on the cloth-wrapped object she is carrying.

“I think Lon-ko and I can handle anything that might happen on the way.” she says and smiles at her ‘Niece’.

Girl-type Ranma smiles back. Right now, he’d rather face anyone who might jump out at them, than experience having both mothers try to set him up with Ryoga, one more time.

They make their good-byes and leave. Ranma walks with his mother to their house.

As they pass under street lights that are just starting to blink on, Mrs. Saotome looks at her ‘Niece’.

“You like Ryoga, don’t you, Lon-ko?” she says, more like a statement than a question.

Alarm bells go off in Ranma’s mind. “He’s okay, sometimes.” he says, trying not to sound too anxious to avoid the question he knows is coming.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to be engaged to him?” she asks.

“I’m sure, Auntie Saotome.” he says. To get his mother off of the subject, he tries to explain, “While I’m not really happy with the way things are, I’m not ready to make any permanent changes right now.” Ranma smiles, “Besides, if I did, how would I explain to my present fiancés that I’m also going to be engaged to Ryoga?” Ranma begins to laugh.

“What’s so funny, Lon-ko?” his mother asks.

Girl-type Ranma looks at her, “I’m just trying to imagine what their faces would look like if I were to tell them that.” Ranma begins to laugh again. Ranma’s mother looks at him closely. As he laughs, her eyes widen in surprise, but, just as quickly she recovers. When they reach their house, Ranma offers his good-byes and turns to go to the Tendo Dojo.

“Lon-ko,” his mother says, “it’s pretty late. Would you like to stay here for the night?”

Girl-type Ranma stares at his mother as if the thought had never occurred to him.

“May I?” he asks.

“Of course, you may.” she says, “With Genma and Ranma both gone, the house is very empty. You can even have Ranma’s bed if you’d like?”

The idea of being able to sleep in his own bed, one more time, is too much for Ranma. He nods and follows his mother inside a house he hasn’t seen since he and his father went to Jusenkyo. The interior is just as he remembers. Every room and hall, clean and neat as a pin. Without thinking, girl-type Ranma slips off his shoes and places them where he always did before going to China. Nodoka smiles at him and leads her ‘Niece’ to the stairs. After a few steps, Ranma looks back at his ‘Aunt’.

“Ranma’s room is the first one to the right.” she says. “I’ll let the Tendo’s know that you are staying here for the night.”

“Thank-you, Auntie Saotome.” says Ranma. It wasn’t the question he was going to ask her, but he recovers, “Good-night.”

“Good-night, Dear. I’ll see you in the morning.” she says.

His mother’s response triggers so many memories that Ranma automatically turns, walks upstairs and into his room. His room is much the same as he left it. Except that it has been cleaned, the bed made, the clothes washed, folded, and put away, and the broken training equipment in the corner, replaced. Ranma looks through his clothes. Most are now too small for him to wear as a boy and the shirts too small to wear even as a girl. In the bottom drawer of the dresser, he finds three brown paper-wrapped bundles containing shirts, pants, and underwear that would fit him if he were in boy form.

Girl-type Ranma smiles, “Mom, you think of everything.”

Ranma looks up and closes the drawer as he hears steps approaching his door.

“Good-night, Lon-ko.” his mother says from the other side of the door.

Ranma swallows, “Good-night, Auntie Saotome.” The steps go down the hall.

Ranma prepares for bed and turns out the light.

In his own room and bed once again, Ranma is soon asleep.

 

As dawn breaks, girl-type Ranma goes downstairs and rushes through his morning bath, hoping to avoid what happens next. On leaving the hot bath, he hears the outer door to the bathroom open and close. Quickly, he makes his way to the faucet and pours a bucket of cold water on himself, just before the inner door opens. Ranma forces his eyes to remain on the bucket in his hands.

“Good-morning, Lon-ko.”

“G-good-morning, Auntie Saotome.”

“Finished already?” his mother asks.

Ranma nods.

“You look cold, Dear. Was the water hot enough?”

Ranma laughs nervously, “You know me, I can’t stand hot water. I had to cool off.”

“I see.” says his mother.

Ranma stands and makes his way around his mother with his eyes looking away all the time, “I-I’ll go m-make breakfast while you’re in here.”

“Thank-you, Lon-ko. I won’t be long.” she says.

Ranma hears his mother pour a bucket of cold water from the faucet as he closes the inner door. He quickly gathers his clothes and makes his way through the outer door.

After dressing, Ranma goes to the kitchen and prepares breakfast. One that he remembers his mother making many times. He also adds a few touches he learned from Kasumi. As a precaution, he opens several drawers and cupboards to make it look as if he has had to search through each one to find what he needed. He is setting the table when his mother, in a dressing gown, enters.

“Lon-ko,” she says as she looks around, “you didn’t have to go to all this trouble?”

“It’s no trouble at all, Auntie Saotome.” he says and makes a show of closing the drawers and cupboards, “I was just lucky to find what I needed so quickly.” and places the tray of food on the table.

“It looks delicious, Dear.” she says as Ranma serves her. Ranma serves himself and sits at the table to have breakfast with his mother for the first time in months. The scene becomes so familiar, that Ranma has to concentrate to make sure he doesn’t fall into old habits that might give him away to his mother.

“Can you stay after breakfast, Dear?” she asks.

Ranma looks at the kitchen clock, “I’m sorry. I have practice with Akane this morning.”

His mother smiles and nods, “Well then, we’ll have to do this again sometime, Lon-ko.”

Ranma smiles and nods.

When breakfast is done, girl-type Ranma clears the table as his mother returns upstairs.

Now dressed, Ranma watches as she descends the stairs. She is carrying three paper-wrapped bundles. When she reaches the bottom, she hands them to Ranma. Confused, he looks at his mother.

“I bought these clothes for my son,” she says, “but, I’m sure he has outgrown them by now. If you’d like, you can give them to Ryoga. I think they will fit him.”

“Thank-you, I will.” he says.

“You’re welcome, Dear.” she says and walks him to the door.

“Good-bye, Auntie Saotome.” he says.

“Good-bye, Ranma.” she says.

He is already out of the gate and part way down the street, when he realizes what she had said. He turns around, but his mother has gone back inside and the front door is closed.

At the corner, he looks in the direction of the path he would have to take to find Ryoga’s house. Ranma wonders if is he having breakfast with his own parents. Girl-type Ranma looks at the three bundles in his arms, and turns in the direction of the Tendo Dojo.

“I wonder if I should tell Pop, that maybe Mom knows?” Ranma thinks as he walks.

Then he says, “Nah, let the old man sweat it out.” Smiling, he picks up the pace.

 

Three days later, boy-type Ranma is walking back to the Dojo, when he sees a boy with a backpack and bamboo umbrella.

“Hey, Ryoga!” he calls. The boy turns to him.

“Hello, Ranma.” he says smiling.

“How are your parents?” Ranma asks.

“They’re great, Ranma.” he says, “Really great. How did it go with your Mother?”

Ranma smiles, “Better than I thought it would. I even slept in my own room again.”

Surprise shows on Ryoga’s face, “Are those new clothes, Ranma?”

“Yeah.” he says as he looks down at the new shirt and pants, “She told ‘Lon-ko’ that she bought them for me, but she thought I had outgrown them by now and that her ‘Niece’ might want to give them to you.”

A slight look of panic forms on Ryoga’s face, “Do you think she knows, Ranma?” he asks.

“Mothers always know, Ryoga.” says Ranma as he leads Ryoga through the Dojo gate, “Always.”

“Did you tell your father about what happened?” he asks.

“Not all of it.” says Ranma with a smile, “He was so afraid she’d show up, that he spent two whole days in his panda form. He even has buckets of water scattered around the Dojo, just in case.”

“Ryoga!” calls Akane as she leaves the house, “Where have you been? It’s been days.”

“Oh. Hi, Akane.” he says, smiling once more, “No place special.”

“Ranma, did you forget?” she asks, “We have practice this morning.”

“You go on ahead and get started, Akane.” says Ranma, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Akane looks puzzled, then a smile crosses her face as she heads for the training hall.

“I’m sorry, Ranma.” says Ryoga when Akane is gone.

“What about, Ryoga?” asks Ranma as he and Ryoga start towards the training hall.

“Nothing special, just, that I’m sorry.” he says as they stop by the door.

“Why don’t you wait here, Ryoga?” Ranma asks, “When I’m done practicing with Akane, we can talk?”

Ryoga nods, sets his pack and umbrella down, and sits on the training hall steps. Soon he can hear Ranma and Akane working out.

“Not this time, Ranma!” yells Akane.

“What are you going to do with that?!” yells Ranma, “No! Wait, Akane! Don’t!”

SPLASH!

A girl’s voice calls out, “Why’d you do that for! Give me that!”

Ryoga laughs and shakes his head. The door to the training hall slides open.

“Psst, hey, Ryoga!” A loud whisper, calls from behind him. He turns around to see girl-type Ranma looking at him from the door. A bucket appears and Ranma whispers again, “Think fast!” SPLASH!!!

Soon, an angry and snarling little black pig chases girl-type Ranma back into the training hall.

“P-CHAN?!?!”

 

Fade out.

On the streets, Ryoga’s walk is quick. A pace that eats up the miles, even if Ryoga himself has no idea of where he is going. His only thought is to leave behind the life he has come to know. With his umbrella and pack on his back, he also tries to get away. Away from a voice that has plagued him for too long. Male or female, he knows that voice. Right now, it is the female voice that calls out behind him.

“I said, ‘wait up’, Ryoga!” yells Ranma as he closes the gap, “Wait up, you JERK!”

Ryoga finally stops and turns, his hands tightening on the straps of his pack.

“Don’t try to stop me, Ranma!” he shouts. The bitterness in his words is aimed straight at girl-type Ranma, “I’m leaving! That’s what you want, isn’t it?!”

“It doesn’t do you any good to leave, Ryoga.” says girl-type Ranma as he reaches him, “We both know you’ll be back.” Ranma puts a hand to Ryoga’s shoulder.

Ryoga knocks the hand away, “It’s not something I can help! No matter how far I go, or how long I’m away, I always seem to end up back here.”

“Look, if you’re mad about something,” says Ranma, “I’m sorry, but you don’t have to leave.”

“One of us has to, Ranma.” says Ryoga, as he begins walking again, “Akane only has one fiancé, and so should you.”

“So that’s what this is all about!” says girl-type Ranma, as he keeps up with him, “I suppose you wanted Ukyo to win that match with Akane.”

“It would have made things a lot simpler, but,” says Ryoga, his face losing some of it’s anger, “I was more worried about Ukyo losing. I trained Akane using everything I learned from Ukyo to give her an even chance of winning. I guess I at least got that part right.”

Ranma gives Ryoga a questioning look. Ryoga looks at Ranma and stops. Ranma stops as well. The anger returns.

“You don’t understand anything, Ranma!” says Ryoga, “Just remember that!”

“Now what did I do?!” asks Ranma, defensively.

“You don’t care,” Ryoga accuses him, “about any of us! About me, or Akane, or Ukyo, or Shampoo! You only have time to worry about yourself!” With renewed hatred, Ryoga turns from Ranma and blindly walks away. When he opens his eyes, he stops and stares straight ahead.

“What is it Ryoga?” asks girl-type Ranma as he catches up. He looks around, the home in front of them looks familiar, “Isn’t this your...?”

“My house.” says Ryoga in disbelief. The sign at the gate says, “HIBIKI”.

The two just stand there for long moments. At last, Ranma asks, “How long has it been...?”

“I haven’t been home since we looked in on my dog, Checkers.” says Ryoga.

“Do you think your parents are home?” he asks.

Ryoga smiles, “Their sense of direction is as bad as mine. The chances of all three of us being home at the same time are pretty slim.”

Slowly, as if drawn, the two enter the gate and walk up to the door. Ryoga reaches for the knob, then pulls back. Ranma understands his reluctance at just walking in after being gone so long and rings the door bell. A dog’s bark is heard, “AWOO, AWOO!”, followed by the yips of much smaller dogs.

“That’ll be Checkers and her puppies.” says Ranma. Ryoga nods.

A few moments pass and the door is opened by a woman. Ryoga’s pack and umbrella fall from his shoulders to the ground.

“Ryoga!” the woman says, then turns to call inside, “Dear, it’s Ryoga! He’s home too!” Unable to restrain herself any longer, she wraps her arms around her son. The two are nearly mobbed by the dog and her puppies. Girl-type Ranma swallows hard as he watches the reunion. How long has it been, since he’s seen his own mother? The two separate as Ryoga’s father and another woman join them at the door.

Ryoga’s mother sees girl-type Ranma for the first time and asks, “Oh, Ryoga, who’s your little friend?”

Ryoga blinks, then looks at Ranma. “Mother, Father, this is...”

Ryoga is interrupted by the woman standing behind his mother, “Why, it’s Lon-ko.”

Ranma’s eyes bug out as he recognizes the woman. “Mmm, Mmm,” he stutters, “A-A-Auntie Saotome?!”

“Do you know this young lady, Nodoka?” asks Ryoga’s mother.

“Yes Noriko, I do.” she says, “You’re Akane Tendo’s cousin aren’t you?”

“Y-yes, that’s right!” says Ranma as he remembers the cover story he and his father worked out with the Tendos. Ranma’s mother does not know about the curse that changes her only child from a boy to a girl. Ranma and his father live in fear of her one day finding out. They are afraid that family pride may drive her to force them to commit Sepuku, a form of ritual suicide. She is known to carry a long sword wrapped in cloth. They have made an agreement with the Tendos that if she ever visits the Dojo, Genma becomes “Mr. Panda” and Ranma becomes “Lon-ko”, the country cousin of Akane.

“Please, come inside.” says Mrs. Hibiki.

Reluctantly, Ranma follows Ryoga as the two are brought into the house.

As fresh teas and rice cookies are set out, Ryoga and Ranma sit with his mother and Ryoga’s parents around the table. The dog and puppies make the rounds between them until Checkers is satisfied that they have seen everybody and shepherds her litter to another room.

“Ryoga,” says his mother, “you’ve grown so much since I last saw you. Where have you been?”

“It’s kind of hard to say. Here and there, I guess.” he says, still in a bit of a shock. “I’m surprised to see both of you here at the same time.”

Ryoga’s father says, “I was finally able to make that meeting on Hokkaido. One of the branch managers was able to get me back here only yesterday.”

Ryoga’s mother says, “Nodoka found me wandering and was kind enough to guide me back here today. Imagine my shock at seeing your father here as well.” She turns to Ranma, “Well, Lon-ko, how is it that you know our son?” Beads of sweat form on Ryoga’s forehead.

“Oh, he sometimes trains at the Tendo Dojo.” says girl-type Ranma.

“Do you train there as well?” asks Ryoga’s father.

“Yes, Sir.” girl-type Ranma says, “I hope to one day carry on the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts.”

“I thought Akane Tendo was going to do that, Dear?” asks Nodoka.

“Well,” says Ranma, “she can’t do it alone.”

Ryoga looks at him. Ranma doesn’t want to talk to him about that right now and gives him a quick shake of his head.

“My son, is also trained in the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts.” says Ranma’s mother to him as she moves a long, cloth-covered object beside her, “Have you ever met him? His name is Ranma.”

“Ranma?” he says, as beads of sweat now form on his brow, “Maybe. I’m not sure.”

“How about you, Ryoga?” she asks.

“We were in Junior High School together.” says Ryoga, “Do you know where he is now?”

Under the table, girl-type Ranma’s fingers jab into Ryoga’s leg. Ryoga has to squeeze Ranma’s wrist to make him stop.

“He and his father left some time ago on a training mission to China.” she says, “I hope they will be back soon. We are supposed to go over to the Tendo Dojo and arrange for Ranma’s engagement to one of Mr. Tendo’s daughters.”

“Akane?” asks Ryoga. The fingers return.

“Possibly,” says Nodoka, “they are the same age and both are trained in the same school of Martial Arts. How about you, Lon-ko?” The fingers release suddenly.

“Me, Auntie Saotome?” girl-type Ranma asks.

“Do you have a fiancé?” asks his mother.

“Oh, I’m just a country girl, Auntie Saotome.” he says, nervously, “My father’s already made the arrangements for me to have a fiancé.”

“Maybe even two.” says Ryoga. This time the fingers draw blood. Ryoga winces and clamps his hand around Ranma’s, tearing it away.

“Two?” asks Ryoga’s mother.

“Oh, I’m sure you know how it is, Mrs. Hibiki.” says Ranma, “Sometimes a girl has more than one suitor, and to keep the peace between the families...?” He tries to pull his hand from Ryoga’s, but Ryoga, wanting to prevent further damage, squeezes tighter.

“I suppose so, Dear,” she says, “but to have more than one fiancé? Doesn’t that cause problems?”

Girl-type Ranma, in pain, nods and thinks to himself, More than you’ll ever know.

“Since you’re all here,” asks Mrs. Hibiki, “won’t you please stay for dinner?”

“Thank-you, Noriko.” says Nodoka, “I’d love to stay for dinner.”

“Sure, Mrs. Hibiki.” says Ranma, “If it’s no trouble.”

“No trouble at all, Lon-ko.” says Mrs. Hibiki, “Would you like to help me in the kitchen?”

“Oh, yes, please!” he says getting up from the table. Ryoga has to break his grip or have it look as if he was holding Ranma’s hand under the table. Ranma works the stiffness out of it as he follows Mrs. Hibiki into the kitchen. Ryoga is left alone with his father and Ranma’s mother.

“She’s a lovely girl.” says Mr. Hibiki.

“Yes, she is,” says Nodoka, “and a wonderful cook, though a little skittish around hot water. So well behaved too.”

Ryoga chokes on the tea he was drinking.

Ryoga’s father says, “She doesn’t appear to be very happy with the arrangements her father has made.”

“Do you suppose that’s true, Ryoga?” asks Nodoka.

Ryoga, unable to speak, nods. He tries another drink of tea to clear his throat.

“If that’s the case,” says Nodoka, “maybe she’d rather be engaged to you, Ryoga.”

Once again the tea goes the wrong way down. His fist pounds on his chest.

“Was it something I said?” asks Nodoka.

After Ryoga finally gets his breath back, he says, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Saotome, but I know Lon-ko too well to even think of,” he coughs to clear his throat, “of her as a fiancée.”

“Why do you say that, Ryoga?” she asks.

“There are times when we don’t get along at all.” Ryoga says and tries to make up an example, “Like when we have to train against one another at the Tendo Dojo.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Ran-” Ryoga coughs again, “Lon-ko hates to lose. Sometimes it’s like having to fight two different people when you face her.”

Both Mr. Hibiki and Mrs. Saotome look in the direction of the kitchen.

Mrs. Saotome gets up, “I’ll go and see if they need any help.”

As she enters the kitchen, she sees girl-type Ranma draining the water from the vegetables he has just washed for the salad. Ranma sets the bowl down, picks up a sharp knife, tosses the vegetables into the air and with a, “HIYAA!!” slices them so that they land in a neat arrangement in the bowl. Nodoka smiles, as she has seen the red-haired, pig-tailed girl, she knows as ‘Lon-ko’, perform this same technique before.

“I see you’ve remembered to wash the vegetables first this time, Dear.” she says.

“Yes, Auntie Saotome. I remembered.” he says smiling.

“Very good, Lon-ko.” says Mrs. Hibiki as she looks at the salad. “I’m sure your future husband will appreciate what a good cook you are.”

“Future husband...” girl-type Ranma says weakly. He tries to make a show of accepting the complement gracefully.

“Speaking of a future husband,” says Nodoka as she slices the bread, “have you decided on which fiancé you wish to marry?”

“Ah... Ah...” Ranma stutters, “Not yet, Auntie Saotome.”

“You shouldn’t keep them hanging like this, Dear.” she says, “They might decide that you don’t want either of them.” Her eyes rise up to look at him. Ranma swallows and nods.

“If that is so,” offers Mrs. Hibiki, “would you like an alternative?”

Girl-type Ranma looks over at her.

“Perhaps you would like to be engaged to my Ryoga?” she asks.

Ranma loses his composure and forgets he’s in his girl form.

“I can’t marry Ryoga!” he yells.

“Why not, Dear?” asks his mother.

“Because I’m a...” he says, then looks at his mother and remembers where he is.

Both mothers are now looking directly at him. Ranma pauses to regroup his thoughts.

“B-because, I’m not ready to decide, and I’m sure Ryoga would much rather be engaged to someone else.” he struggles to say.

“Who would that be, Dear?” asks Ryoga’s mother.

“You’ll have to ask him.” says girl-type Ranma.

The three, more or less, finish dinner preparations in silence.

The next morning, after practicing with Ukyo, she and Ryoga are on their way to the Tendo Dojo. Ryoga is almost limping and a little unsteady from near exhaustion.

“Sorry about this morning, Ryoga,” apologizes Ukyo, “but, I wanted to make sure I was ready for the match tomorrow.”

“It’s okay, Ukyo.” he says, “I was a bit surprised. At the beginning, you seemed to be thinking about something else, but once we got into it, you acted as if you really wanted to win no matter what.”

“You did a lot better too.” says Ukyo, “Practicing with Akane must have helped.”

He watches Ukyo as they walk. A smile forms on his face.

She sees it. “What?” she asks.

Ryoga says, “I can’t get over the idea that you are part Amazon.”

She smiles and says, “Neither can I. Maybe I should go to Shampoo for lessons on how to act like an Amazon?”

They walk for a bit, then Ryoga comes to a sudden stop. Ukyo notices and stops as well.

“What’s wrong, Ryoga?” she asks.

“I just thought of something.” he says.

“What?” she asks.

“What if your Grandmother and Shampoo are from the same Amazon village?” he asks.

“I guess that’s possible.” she says, “So, what if it were true?”

His eyes are focused on his thoughts, not on Ukyo, “They could be sisters.” he says.

“My Grandmother and Shampoo?” she asks, confused.

“No.” says Ryoga, blinking, “Your Grandmother and Shampoo’s Great-grandmother.”

Ukyo pauses to think about it. “That would make Shampoo and I, what? Cousins?”

“Second or Third Cousins, I think.” says Ryoga.

Ukyo laughs, “It’s kind of strange to think that I may have to fight my own Cousin over Ran-Chan.” she says, “That is, if I don’t lose to Akane.”

Ryoga turns to Ukyo, his look and his tone are serious, “Ukyo, you have to win. I have to teach Akane what I learn from you, but you can’t lose the match tomorrow.”

“I’ll do my best, Ryoga.” she says, “I should win, but why do you say I can’t lose? I know you’re in love with Akane and if I win, she’s no longer engaged to Ran-Chan.”

He looks at her in the eyes and says, “It has something to do with being an Amazon and losing.” Without another word they continue to the Dojo. Ukyo drops him off and continues with her deliveries.

Ryoga’s words echo in her mind as Ukyo makes her way back to her restaurant, but soon other thoughts enter her mind, memories of a dream the night before.

She was sleeping and awoke to the sound of a soft gurgling. Her hand moved across the bed to find an empty pillow. Her eyes opened, and in the darkness she could make out a young man holding a baby. The two of them were sitting in a rocking chair. The man was giving the baby a bottle and it was the slurping noise of the baby feeding, that had awoken her. She knew that the baby was her daughter, correction, their daughter, but who was the man? Was it Ranma? No. Somehow, even though she couldn’t make out his face, she knew it was Ryoga.

RYOGA! That had woken her up for real.

As Ukyo reaches her restaurant, she tries to figure out if the dream has any real meaning. But why Ryoga? Why not Ranma? Could it be possible that she might lose tomorrow after all? Even if she did lose, why would she end up married to Ryoga? “We have been spending a lot of time together.” she says trying to puzzle it through, “That is, when he’s not lost. Or, with Akane.” Ukyo gets angry, “NO! I’m going to win tomorrow, Akane! When this is all over, Ran-Chan will still be mine!” Even after she says this, she thinks back on how she took her anger, over the dream, out on Ryoga. On how she deliberately tried to wear him down so he wouldn’t be able to train Akane. “Good thing I didn’t have my spatulas in there,” she says, “I probably would have killed him.”

 

On the day of the contest, Ukyo is on her way to the Dojo when she comes across Shampoo’s Great-grandmother.

“Good-afternoon, Child.” she says, “May I ask where you are going with that vest?”

“Hello, Cologne,” she says, “ I’m going to the Tendo Dojo for a challenge.”

“What on Earth made you decide to use that vest?” she asks.

“My father says that I’m part Amazon and told me of a contest between my Grandparents, on my mother’s side, using vests like this.” says Ukyo.

Cologne asks, “But why would you want to use only one vest in a challenge against Ranma, when you’re already engaged to my son-in-law?”

“I’m not challenging Ran-Chan.” says Ukyo, “I’m challenging Akane to see just who is his fiancée. She has a vest too and we’ve both been practicing with Ryoga.”

Cologne places her staff in front of Ukyo to bring her to a stop.

“If you are part Amazon,” she says, “then you should know that by using those vests, there is more at stake here than you realize.”

Ukyo pays close attention to Cologne as she describes the consequences of this contest and the importance of the vests.

“Those vests are rarely used,” says Cologne, “they are intended for a contest between a girl, and an outsider. It is for a rite of passage so that the girl can take her place as an Amazon woman in the village. If she wins, the outsider is sent away and the girl is recognized as a woman of the village. If she loses, she must leave the village.”

“So,” asks Ukyo, “what would happen if I defeated Akane?”

“The vests were never intended to be used in this manner.” Cologne pauses to think, “I believe that if you won this contest, you would be recognized as an Amazon woman and Ranma must leave the Tendo Dojo, as he would no longer be engaged to Akane.”

“YES!” says Ukyo, then pauses, “What happens if Akane wins?”

Cologne explains, “Amazon law says that; If an Amazon is defeated by an outsider and that outsider is a woman, the Amazon must give her the ‘Kiss of Death’ and kill her.”

Ukyo is taken aback, “You mean, that if I lost, I have to kill Akane!”

“An Amazon has no other choice.” says Cologne.

“B-but, Ran-Chan would hate me for the rest of my life!” cries Ukyo in dismay.

“That is possibly so.” says Cologne.

Cologne sets a ten minute time limit for the match. Ranma and Mousse keep time while Ryoga and Shampoo watch for fouls. Kasumi, Nabiki and Soun Tendo look on as Akane and Ukyo square off. Slowly at first, each try to grab a brass ring without letting the other grab one or try to twist their bodies to force the other to grab a steel ring by mistake. They also do what they can to avoid committing a foul. Ukyo gets ahead in the count and Akane tries to catch up. Ukyo makes a sweep across Akane’s vest and snags more rings. A quick look reveals that she has one brass and two steel rings in her hand. In disgust, she throws them away. Akane uses Ukyo’s inattention to dart in and out with her hands. Despite landing a light strike on Ukyo, she snares more brass than steel rings. Most of the remaining brass rings are, by now, on their backs and both make desperate attempts to get behind the other. Akane takes a quick jump back away from Ukyo and as Ukyo lunges forward, Akane leaps high in a roll and turns to grab brass rings from Ukyo’s back. Ukyo manages a back flip over Akane and grabs more rings.

“TIME!” calls first Ranma, then Mousse as the timer runs out.

Cologne steps between the two.

Ryoga and Shampoo agree as to how many fouls each one has committed.

“Akane has three fouls.” says Ryoga.

“Spatula-girl have one foul.” says Shampoo.

Cologne turns to count the rings on Ukyo’s vest, “One brass ring remains. That means Akane was able to pull nineteen brass rings. Sixteen steel rings are still on Ukyo’s vest so Akane pulled four steel rings. Minus the three fouls at three rings each, gives Akane a score of six brass rings.”

“Yes!” says Ukyo as a collective groan rises from the Tendo clan.

Cologne turns to Akane and counts the rings, “No brass rings, so that means Ukyo pulled all twenty rings from the vest. Only nine steel rings remain. Ukyo must have pulled eleven steel rings. Minus the one foul, gives Ukyo a score of six.”

“WHAT?!!” ask Ukyo and Akane. Both collapse to the floor of the training hall.

“IT’S A TIE?!!” asks Soun.

Ranma and Ryoga seem to be the only ones that are relieved at the result.

After the match, Cologne sends Mousse and Shampoo back to the Cat Cafe while she walks with Ukyo as she returns to her restaurant.

“Both you and Akane get too emotional when you meet a challenge.” says Cologne, “Such was not the case when your Grandparents had their match.”

“You were there?” asks Ukyo.

“I was the one who provided the vests.” says Cologne. “When the first two events ended in a tie, the vests were used to break that tie. But there is something that you should know.”

“What’s that?” asks Ukyo.

“The vests are only used in a rite of passage as I told you earlier,” says Cologne, “but not between an Amazon girl and a man who is an outsider. They are only for a girl who wishes to join an Amazon village. To join, she must defeat the first outsider to enter the village. The first two events were to see if your Grandmother was good enough to become an Amazon. When they ended in a tie, I brought out the vests. If she won, your Grandfather would have been sent away and she would be allowed to join our village. If she lost, she would have to leave the village. After your Grandmother lost, to save her from any loss of face, we told your Grandfather about Amazon law requiring an Amazon to marry the man who defeated her. He agreed with our laws and before they left, your Grandfather and Grandmother were given an Amazon wedding. So you see, Child, you are not actually part Amazon. But, if you’d like, I can train you in the ways of the Amazons?”

Ukyo laughs, “Thank-you Cologne, but I think four days as an Amazon is enough for me.”

“Your Grandparents were a perfect match for each other,” says Cologne as she opens her hand, “it would have been a shame if their last contest had ended in a tie, as yours did.”

Ukyo looks over and sees a steel ring in Cologne’s hand. Her eyes widen in shock, but only for a moment does she consider asking who’s vest Cologne had pulled it from. Instead they look at each other and share a laugh.

 

Fade out.

Ryoga wanders around town, deep in thought. Ukyo has to win. he thinks, But if Akane thought that I didn’t train her to win, and she lost, she would hate me forever. I’m sorry Ukyo, but everything I learn from you, I’ll have to teach to Akane.

Hours later, Ryoga finds himself standing in front of the Dojo gate. Only half surprised, he walks in.

“A challenge?” asks Akane. Ryoga nods.

“What’s this about a challenge?” says Ranma as he walks in. “Who is it this time? Is it you, Ryoga? I’m ready when you are.” Ranma cracks his knuckles.

“Shut up and sit down, Ranma!” says Akane, “I’m the one who’s being challenged!”

“Why would Ryoga want to challenge an ‘uncute’ girl like you?” he asks.

Akane turns on him. Between blows, she explains, THWACK!, “HE’S”, CRUNCH!, “ONLY”, PUNCH!, “DELIVERING”, POUND!, “IT!!!” CRASH! Ranma flies through the door, SPLASH!, and into the pond. Ryoga is pressed up against the wall with his arm in front of his face to protect himself as Akane’s rage is directed at Ranma.

“Why’d you do that for!” yells girl-type Ranma as he surfaces.

KLUNK! A wooden sandal bounces off his head and he sinks back underwater, leaving a trail of bubbles. Soon, girl-type Ranma rises only high enough in the water for his eyes and the lump on his head to be seen. When he is sure no more missiles are incoming, he gets out of the pond and cautiously approaches them. As she glares at him, Ranma quietly sits by Akane.

“Please go on, Ryoga.” says Akane as if nothing unusual has happened.

Ryoga slowly calms down and returns to a kneeling position in front of Akane.

“Instead of fighting,” he says, “this will be a contest of skill using speed and agility.”

“I can do that!” says girl-type Ranma, “Let me handle this challenge, Akane!”

“This is a contest between two girls, Ranma,” says Ryoga, “and you don’t qualify!”

“Oh yeah!” says Ranma. His hands grabs the front of his blouse, “What do you call these?!”

Before he can flash Ryoga, Akane reaches over, grabs girl-type Ranma’s hair and turns his head to look at her. Seeing the red haze of Akane’s battle aura forming around her again, Ranma swallows and releases his blouse. He opens his hands and slowly puts them on the table, while trying to smile at Akane. Looking through his fingers, Ryoga sees that Akane has Ranma under control and lowers his own hands as Akane relaxes her grip on Ranma.

Ryoga lets out a deep breath and looks at Ranma, “The person who’s challenging Akane, knows about your curse, Ranma. She won’t let you take Akane’s place, even if you try to do it as a girl.”

“Just who is challenging Akane, Ryoga?” asks Ranma.

Ryoga puts a box on the low table and opens it. There inside, is an Okonomiyaki with the challenge on it. “UKYO?!!” they both say in surprise.

“What kind of contest is it, Ryoga?” asks Akane.

“If it’s cooking,” says Ranma, “you haven’t got a chance, Aka-OOF!!” Ranma is cut off by an elbow to the ribs.

While girl-Ranma tries to get his breath back, Ryoga explains.

“Both of you will be wearing a vest. On each vest are twenty brass and twenty steel rings. You will have to grab the brass rings from Ukyo’s vest while trying to keep from having your own brass rings taken. If you grab a steel ring by mistake, it will cost you one brass ring. Any contact, other than to grab a ring, is considered a foul and will cost you three brass rings. The one with the most brass rings, wins.”

“What do they win?” asks girl-type Ranma as he holds his ribs.

“You.” says Ryoga.

“ME?!” asks Ranma.

“Some prize.” says Akane.

“Ukyo’s father,” says Ryoga, “has convinced her that the time has come for Ranma to have only one fiancée.”

Ranma says, “I suppose Ukyo’s already practicing for the match.”

“No.” says Ryoga, “She and I will practice tomorrow morning and then I will train with Akane tomorrow afternoon. The same will happen the day after tomorrow.”

“Why can’t I train Akane?” asks Ranma.

“Because after I train with Ukyo,” says Ryoga, “I can show Akane what I learn from her.”

 

Having spent the night at the Dojo as P-Chan, Ryoga takes a hot bath in the morning and waits for Ukyo. After she picks him up, she seems to be following a random course in leading Ryoga to the place that they will train. Even Ryoga, with his bad sense of direction, notices.

“Ukyo,” he asks, “why are we wandering around like this?”

“Just a precaution.” she says, “I want to make sure Ran-Chan isn’t following us.”

When they arrive, Ukyo produces a vest with brass and steel rings on it and holds it up to Ryoga.

“Here.” she says, “Try this on for size.”

“It’s a little small.” he says. The vest fits a bit tight, but the strings in the front allow some adjustment.

“I didn’t make the vest for you.” says Ukyo, “This ones for Akane.”

“What do we do now?” he asks.

“Let’s just go through the basics for now.” says Ukyo as she studies the vest and how the rings are placed on it.

 

Later, as promised, Ukyo drops Ryoga off at the Tendo Dojo as she makes her Noon deliveries. She is not happy with the way Ryoga behaved during that morning’s training.

“Do you want me to lose?” she asks, “You’re going to have to do better than that tomorrow, Ryoga.”

“I’m sorry, Ukyo.” says Ryoga, “This training is too different from what I’m used to.”

“Look, if you can’t reach in and grab a ring while I’m wearing the vest,” asks Ukyo, “how do you expect to train Akane while she’s wearing it?”

Ryoga just walks, his face still red from the training.

“How’s your nose?” she asks.

“It’s stopped bleeding.” he says after he removes the tissues.

“I told my father, I wouldn’t lose.” Ukyo says.

 

Akane and Ranma join Ryoga in the training hall. They watch as he puts on the vest.

“Are you ready, Akane?” asks Ryoga.

Akane nods.

“Aren’t there supposed to be two vests, Ryoga?” asks Ranma.

Ryoga covers for Ukyo by saying, “Ukyo only had time to make one vest. She’ll make the next one tonight.” Ukyo has asked Ryoga to keep her secret of being part Amazon from Ranma and Akane. Ryoga sets himself, “For now, Akane, we’ll keep it basic by trading the vest as we practice.”

Akane walks over to Ryoga to get a closer look at the vest. The strands of yarn holding the rings to the vest are knotted at one end.

“What’s that for, Ryoga?” asks Akane.

Ryoga looks down, “That’s so, that when the ring is pulled, only one end of the yarn comes free and it is easier to put the rings back on in the same place.” he says with a smile, “Ukyo got tired of trying to space the rings out evenly when we traded places.”

Ryoga remembers when it was Ukyo’s turn to wear the vest. It wouldn’t fit over Ukyo’s tunic and she had to put on a tight body wrap so that the vest would fit. It was very hard for Ryoga to concentrate on the training with Ukyo dressed like that.

Akane steps around Ryoga and looks at how the rings are spaced. The ones in front are in a pattern of four rings across and five down with brass and steel rings alternating. The rings in back are in the same arrangement of four across and five down, but the rings are random. There are as many as three brass or steel rings in each row.

After they begin, Ryoga tries to perform the same moves as when he wore the vest and had to dodge Ukyo’s efforts to grab a brass ring. Slowly at first, then as Akane is able to reach in and grab the brass rings, Ryoga speeds up his moves. Akane tries to keep up, but is just as likely to grab a steel ring as a brass one. From time to time, she also unintentionally strikes Ryoga in an attempt to grab a ring. When the last brass ring is removed from the vest, they both pause to cool down.

As Ryoga is about to pass the vest to Akane, Ranma reaches in and takes it from him.

“I’ll take care of getting the rings back on the vest.” he says. He scoops up the fallen rings and leaves the training hall.

“I’m sorry, Ryoga.” says Akane, as Ryoga rubs areas that will be bruises tomorrow.

“It’s okay, Akane.” says Ryoga, “Ukyo didn’t do much better the first time.”

After a few minutes, Ranma comes back. The vest once again has all of the rings back in place.

“That was quick.” says Akane.

“Yeah,” says Ranma, “Kasumi was able to get them back on in no time.”

“And here I thought you were going to take care of it yourself.” says Akane.

“If I did,” says Ranma, “more rings would have been sewn onto my shirt than the vest.”

Ranma hands the vest to Akane and she steps behind a screen to remove her loose Doki. She puts the vest on over her underblouse. When the strings in front are tied, she walks around the partition and faces Ryoga. Ryoga’s blood pounds in his ears at the sight, but thankfully, he does not have as strong a reaction as he did when he first saw Ukyo wearing the vest. He wipes a finger under his nose. No blood.

He thinks, I must be getting used to this.

This story concentrates on Ranma Saotome's other fiancee, Ukyo Kuonji.

 

Soun Tendo is in the training hall practicing with his youngest daughter and his Master. Happosai is soon bored and falls asleep. As Akane watches, her father appears to be leaping about at random. When he stops, he looks at Akane.

“A true Martial Artist tries to keep his opponent guessing as to when and where he will strike next.” he says, “You must be able to turn on your foe at any point while you maneuver to strike at him.”

After three more leaps that take him around the room, he bounces off a wall and heads straight for Happosai. As he nears, Happosai’s eyes open and Soun changes tactics. Instead of continuing with his thrust kick, he plants his feet in front of his Master and leaps back. Happosai lunges forward, pipe in hand. Soun jumps high in a forward tuck roll and lands behind his master. Happosai leaps backward and lands on his pupil’s head.

Happosai kicks off and forces Soun into a wall. With a thud, he hits face first and collapses to the floor.

“You’re getting slow, Soun old boy.” says Happosai laughing, “Maybe you should leave Martial Arts to the young.” The Master continues his laughing after he leaves.

Akane goes to her father’s side. “Dad, are you all right?” she asks.

“I’ll be fine, Akane.” Soun says as his face starts to swell up, “Go on with your practice.” When her father leaves, Akane tries a few leaps and moves she saw her father perform.

Before long, Ranma walks in.

“Hey, Akane.” he says as he watches her leap and tumble around the room, “Are you looking to join a tumbling act in a Circus or something? You might be better off in a side show as the ‘Worst Cook in the World’.”

Barely controlling her anger, Akane changes direction, bounces off the wall and heads feet first for Ranma. When Ranma takes a few steps back, she plants her feet and jumps back. Seeing an opening, Ranma lunges forward. Akane jumps high into a forward roll and as Ranma passes under her, she reaches down, grabs his shirt and as she lands, she throws him over her head. Ranma recovers and lands on his feet.

“Where did you learn that?” he asks. Akane is too out of breath to answer.

 

At Ukyo’s restaurant, a man is sitting at the counter. She is drinking tea, while he is sampling one of her pizzas.

“How is it, Pops?” she asks.

“It’s as good as any I’ve ever made.” he says between bites, “Ukyo, you do me proud. You’ve got a good restaurant, good food, and lots of customers. All you need now is...”

He leaves Ukyo to finish for him.

She nods, “It’s not that easy, Pops. Ran-Chan doesn’t have just me for a fiancée, but Akane Tendo too.”

“Well,” says her father, “Genma did say that his son already had a fiancée, but he still agreed to take you along with the cart.”

Ukyo’s knuckles turn white as she squeezes the tea cup in her hand.

Her father reaches over and pries her fingers loose.

“It’s best not to dwell too much on the past, Ukyo.” he says, “From what you’ve told me, Genma has admitted that you are his son’s fiancée.”

“That’s true,” she says, “but he is still living at the Tendo Dojo with his ‘uncute’ fiancée.”

“’Uncute’?” her father asks.

Ukyo smiles, “That’s what he calls her, but I think it’s just to make her mad more than anything else. I’m supposed to be Ran-Chan’s ‘cute’ fiancée.”

Mr. Kuonji looks at his daughter, “‘Cute’ huh? Maybe Ranma’s smarter than I remember.”

Ukyo blushes. “Pop!” she says in an embarrassed tone of voice. Her hands go to her face.

A boy walks into the restaurant. Ukyo is still too embarrassed to greet him. He sits down next to her father.

“Ukyo,” he says, “it sounds as if you and Akane will have to work out just who is Ranma’s fiancée.”

“Don’t forget about Shampoo.” says the boy.

“Oh! Hi Ryoga!” she says as she recovers, “That’s right, we can’t forget about her.”

“Ryoga, eh?” asks her father as he turns, “Are you a friend of Ranma’s?”

“I am no friend of Ranma’s! Mr…?” he says.

“Ryoga,” says Ukyo, “this is my father. Father, this is Ryoga Hibiki.”

“Nice to meet you, Ryoga.” he says.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kuonji.” says Ryoga.

“Ryoga’s a friend of Akane.” says Ukyo. Now it’s Ryoga who looks embarrassed.

Mr. Kuonji looks at the boy, “Hmm, does Akane know?”

“No... well... she... I...” Ryoga stutters. His face becomes even redder

Ukyo shakes her head, “You see, Pop. Ryoga just can’t work up the guts to tell her.”

Ryoga puts his hands on the counter and stands, “I can too! It’s just that,” he sits down, “there’s no need to rush it right now.”

“OH YEAH!” yells Ukyo, “What are you going to do if they get married?!”

Ryoga swallows, “I hope it doesn’t get that far.” He remembers a similar conversation he had with Mousse and pictures himself staying as P-Chan and acting as Ranma and Akane’s pet for the rest of his life. Ryoga shakes his head to clear the image.

“Who is this ‘Shampoo’?” her father asks.

Ukyo says, “Ran-Chan and his father went to China on a training mission and they came across her in an Amazon village. She’s been chasing poor Ran-Chan ever since.”

“An Amazon village, eh?” says Mr. Kuonji as he sips his tea, “Very much like your Grandmother.”

“Grandmother?!” Ukyo and Ryoga ask together.

Mr. Kuonji closes his eyes and nods. When his eyes open he says, “You may not know this Ukyo, but your mother’s mother challenged your Grandfather as he was trying to pass through an Amazon village. Instead of agreeing to fight her, he asked for a contest of skill. It was then, that an elder of the village, an old woman, described a contest of three events. If he lost, he would have to find another way through the mountains, but if he won...?” Mr. Kuonji pauses, “He agreed to the match without hearing what would happen if he won. The first event was Archery. A target, placed fifty yards down range, was set up and each of them had ten arrows with which to hit the center. Your Grandmother went first and hit the bullseye with her first arrow. Your Grandfather, examined each of his arrows and selected the two best ones, throwing the rest away. He let his first arrow fly and it hit so close to her arrow that they ended up side-by-side in the same crack in the wood. It was declared a tie.”

Both Ukyo and Ryoga are spellbound by this retelling.

Her father continues, “The next event was spear throwing. They not only had to worry about distance, but accuracy as well. A line down the center of the course was laid out and the distance from the center would be taken away from the distance from the launching point. They were offered ten spears each. Both selected only one. After the throws, your Grandfather’s spear went a little farther, but after the distance from the line was taken away, this event was also declared a tie.”

“What was the third event?” asks Ryoga. Ukyo looks as though she was going to ask the same question, then closes her mouth as her father goes on.

“With two ties, the old woman decided to use an event that neither one could have practiced. She went into her home and brought out with her, two brightly colored vests. Each vest had on them twenty brass and twenty steel rings fastened to the vest with strands of yarn that would pull free if the ring was pulled. She had each of them put on a vest and told them that the next event required them to pull the brass rings from one anothers’ vest without pulling a steel one. For each steel ring pulled, it would cost them one brass ring. As this was a test of skill, any contact, other than to grab a ring, was forbidden and would cost them three brass rings for each foul. The winner would be the one with the most brass rings pulled from their opponent. After they began, they lunged, leaped, and twisted their bodies to avoid having their brass rings taken or committing a foul and still grab a brass ring from the other. When it was all over, not one brass ring was left on their vests and no fouls were seen. At first it was thought that another tie had occurred, but one steel ring was found with the removed brass ones. A close check of the vests, showed that one steel ring was missing from your Grandfather’s vest and he was declared the winner.”

Her father takes another sip of tea.

“That’s it!” says Ukyo, “I know I could beat Akane that way. I can make the vests, no problem.” she turns to the boy, “How about it, Ryoga? Will you help me practice?”

Mr. Kuonji puts down his cup of tea, “You might not want to do that.”

They both look at him. “Why not, Pop?” asks Ukyo.

“When a man defeats an Amazon, she must marry him.” he says.

Ryoga speaks, “That’s why Shampoo is after Ranma. I was there when he defeated her.”

“It’s also why your Grandfather and Grandmother got married, Ukyo.” says Mr. Kuonji.

“What has that got to do with Ryoga helping me practice?” asks Ukyo.

Her father looks at her hard in the eyes, “Your Grandmother was from an Amazon village and you would also have to follow Amazon laws. If you, as you say, ‘practiced’, with Ryoga and he won, you would then be engaged to him.”

Both of them stare at him unable to speak. Finally, Ukyo breaks the silence.

“But, I’m already engaged to Ranma?”

“If you lost, Ukyo,” her father says, “your engagement to Ranma would be dissolved and under Amazon law, you would be required to marry Ryoga.”

Ryoga, speechless, looks at the father and his daughter. He wants to say something, but he cannot find the words. Ukyo, can only look down at the counter, her face blushing red.

“I wouldn’t lose.” she says at last.

“If this ‘practicing’ with Ryoga is to do you any good,” her father says, “he must behave as if he wants to win, and if he does...”

There is a pause. Finally, Ryoga thinks of something.

“What about Ranma?” says Ryoga, “He might try to compete in Akane’s place.”

“Would he interfere in a girl-girl challenge?” asks Mr. Kuonji.

Ryoga looks at Ukyo, “He doesn’t know?” he asks. She shakes her head.

“What don’t I know?” asks her father.

Ukyo explains about Ranma’s curse. Ryoga then tells about Ranma often changing into a girl to help Akane meet a challenge. Starting with their first encounter with Kodachi, the “twisted sister” of Tatewaki Kuno and describing the fight Ranma and Akane had with Natsumi and Karume. Two orphaned sisters who claimed that Soun Tendo was their long lost father and that it was up to them to carry on the Dojo.

When they finish, her father leans back on the stool.

“Sounds as if Ranma takes being Akane’s fiancé very seriously.”

“You wouldn’t say that if you’ve seen the way he treats her, like Ukyo and I have.” says Ryoga, “He just can’t stand to lose. He’ll do anything to win a fight.”

“I know about Ran-Chan’s curse,” says Ukyo, “it wouldn’t do him any good to change and try to take Akane’s place.”

“But without the practice,” says Mr. Kuonji, “you might be as likely to win as Akane.”

Ukyo thinks for a while, “Maybe we could break it down.”

“What do you mean, Ukyo?” asks her father.

“What if we only used one vest? If Ryoga wore the vest first, and tried to keep me from grabbing the brass rings.” she says, trying to think it through. “Then we could switch and I would try to keep him from getting the brass rings. Then it would be training. Would that be okay?” she asks her father.

“That would keep it from being a direct contest of skills.” he nods, “Yes, I think it would be okay.”

“How about it, Ryoga?” she asks.

“I’m sorry Ukyo,” says Ryoga, “but if I trained you, I’d have to train Akane too.”

“WHAT?!” demands Ukyo, “Who’s side are you on?!”

“I won’t do anything to hurt Akane.” he says, “She must have the same chance to win as you do.”

Ukyo gets angry, then calms down, “I guess it wouldn’t be fair of me to practice and not allow Akane to do the same.” says Ukyo, “But, couldn’t you train her to lose?”

He shakes his head.

“I didn’t think so.” she says and takes a deep breath, “Okay Ryoga, I’ll make the vests. First, you’ll train with me, then you can train with Akane. Do you think you can be here tomorrow morning?”

“I can try, but...” he looks down. They both know about the likelihood of his being there.

“Forget it, I’ll pick you up. Where will you be staying tonight?” she asks.

Ryoga blushes, “Probably at the Tendo Dojo.”

Ukyo looks confused, “You’re sharing a room with Ran-Chan? I thought you two hated each other?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that, Ukyo.” he says looking away. Ukyo does not know about Ryoga’s relationship to P-Chan.

“Nevermind, I don’t want to know.” she says, “I’ll pick you up after breakfast.”

Ryoga gets up.

“Didn’t you want something to eat?” asks Ukyo.

“Sorry, Ukyo,” he says, “I’m not hungry right now.”

“Wait, Ryoga!” she says. He pauses as she makes something, puts it in a box, and hands it to him. “Would you give this to Akane when you see her?”

Ryoga nods. He leaves the restaurant.

Mr. Kuonji looks at his daughter, “Ukyo, you shouldn’t upset your customers like that.”

She looks at her father, “It’s just Ryoga, Pop. It’s not like I was going to marry him.”

Her father smiles and stands, “Well, Ukyo, good luck. I wish I could stay and find out what happens, but I’ve got to get to the station and catch a train so I can get back to my own restaurant. The last thing I want, is to make your mother mad at me for being so late. She’s half-Amazon, you know.”

“I do now.” says Ukyo with a laugh.

O-oh! say, was that your dog, taking a dump on my lawn,

that I caught in my yard at sunset last evening,

Whose long face and sharp teeth gave a terrible yawn?

From my back porch I watched, while she did landscaping.

And her nostrils did flare, roses flew through the air,

And I have proof that last night, your dog was still here;

 

O! say has that Grass-stain’d Basset been spayed,

If not I know a vet, who will do it for a fee!

*Got a couple of characters for ya.*

 

T.B.: “Hiya Folks! I’m T.B. Which does not stand for Tuberculosis. With me is S.B.”

S.B.: “Are we on yet?”

T.B.: “We just started. Weren’t you paying attention?”

S.B.: “I can’t afford to pay attention. I have to get it for free.”

T.B.: “It’s a good thing he’s housebroken, Folks. S.B. why is your hair so messy? I’ve never seen it combed or washed?”

S.B.: “That’s because of the Naugachomps, sometimes just called Naugas. They live in my hair. They’re very tiny, but there is another reason you can’t see them.”

T.B.: “Why is that?”

S.B.: “The reason that you can’t see the Naugachomps is that the Naugas hide.”

T.B.: “If you had a brain, I’d smack you with it.”

S.B.: “Then, it’s a good thing I’m not wearing one today.”

T.B.: “We should stop by the quarry on the way home. I wanna rock you to sleep.”

S.B.: “Are we done yet?”

T.B.: “No. The mikes are still o...”

After the final bell, the students either go home or wander the grounds to find after school activities. On the Soccer field, members of the Kendo club set up for their tournament. Directing the action, is their leader, Tatewaki Kuno. Ranma and Shusu settle down in the grass among the other students who have gathered to watch.

“Yoo-hoo, Kuno!” calls girl-type Ranma, “I’ll be cheering for you!”

In a moment, he stands before them. He bows to them both.

“I thank-you for your words of encouragement, my Pig-tailed Goddess,” he says, “but sadly, I am not in this tournament. I must stand aside and let others compete. As the head of the local Kendo club, it falls upon me to officiate. However, rest assured that if any one of these, ‘Cretins’ wish to claim the Prize, they will most certainly have to face me.”

Kuno returns to the now finished platform. He turns to the gathered participants and spectators. He calls out in a loud voice.

“The rules that apply to this tournament, are the same that are used in practice!” he shouts for all to hear, “To win the match, you must disarm your opponent! Any attempt to permanently injure your opponent will result in disqualification! You have all drawn numbers to see which match you are in! Will those who have drawn number ‘ONE’ please approach the platform!”

Two young men step forward, one dressed in the Kendo outfit of the Furinkan club, the other, in the garb of another school.

“Hey, that’s Daitan!” says Ranma, “GO FOR IT, DAITAN!!”

Daitan smiles, but not at Ranma, before he turns to face his opponent.

The match starts with the two men trying to gauge the skill of the other.

TAK! TAK! TAK! TAK-TAK!! The sound of wood striking wood fills the air. TAK! TAK-TAK! CRACK!! Daitan blocks a vicious strike and knocks the sword from his opponents hands.

“DONE!!” shouts Kuno as he calls the match to an end. The two young men bow to him and leave the platform.

“He’s even better than I thought.” says Ranma to Shusu.

“I think I know why.” she says and points to Daitan. He is laughing and blushing as he accepts unexpected praise from a school girl.

“Well, I’ll be.” says Ranma, “I guess Kurumi does like him after all.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma catches movement. He turns to see Shusu’s Chauffeur, standing not too far away. Behind him, some men have gathered. He turns the other way and sees Akane and Kitsuni sitting and watching the tournament. He catches Kitsuni’s eye, but she frowns and turns back to the action of the next match. He turns again to look at the men behind the Chauffeur.

They might be the fathers of the boys in the other kendo clubs, he thinks, but I doubt it.

Girl-type Ranma’s attention is drawn back to the ring as the third match starts. The slow and methodical strike/counter-strike pattern of the earlier matches, is soon replaced by a rapid-fire thrusting by the opponent of one of the local club members. Forced to give ground, the local boy is soon against the ropes. He barely parries a thrust at his ribs. His opponent uses the parry to spin, bringing his sword around to his foe’s unprotected side.

KRACK!! His sword goes flying as Kuno steps in and knocks it away.

“Disqualified!” calls Kuno. The sword flies through the air and is caught by Ranma.

The disarmed boy holds his injured hand, regains his composure and bows to Kuno before leaving the ring.

The matches go on until the first round is complete. Six members of the school’s Kendo club, including Daitan, make it to the next round. Kuno leaves the ring as numbers are drawn for the next set of matches.

Girl-type Ranma looks over at Akane. He sees Kitsuni looking his way with a smile that is less than friendly. He looks back over his shoulder to find that the Chauffeur is no longer in sight. The men that had been gathered at the back, are now slowly moving their way. He turns back to face the platform. Forcing himself to remain calm, Ranma picks up the wooden Kendo sword and holds it loosely, almost as if playing with it. Soon, he can feel the men behind him. One of them kneels down to talk to Shusu.

“Please come with us, Miss.” he says. Ranma’s grip on the Bok-to tightens up.

“Where’s my Driver?” Shusu asks, concerned.

“We sent him home.” the man says, “You’ll be leaving with us now.”

“And what if she doesn’t want to go with you?” asks Ranma.

The man looks over at Ranma, “Stay out of this, Girlie, and you won’t get hurt.”

Girl-type Ranma looks over at the platform and calls, “Yoo-hoo! Kuno! Could you come over here, please?” Before he finishes, Kuno is already on his way.

“Yes, my Goddess in Pig-tails.” he says, “What is your desire?”

Ranma smiles at him and says, “Kuno, Dear. These bad men say they want to hurt Shusu and I.”

Kuno’s blood rises to an immediate boil, “Such a thing shall not be allowed!” He raises his sword to the en garde position.

The men behind Ranma, open their coats to reveal nun-chucks and steel knives.

Kuno smiles at the display and shouts, “TO ME, MY MEN!!” The entire Kendo clubs of three schools, soon surround Kuno and the men who face him.

Girl-type Ranma slips Shusu away from the men and watches the stand off.

Though surrounded, the men are professionals and do not give ground. They sneer at the wooden swords and draw their own weapons. At an unknown signal from their leader, they begin their attack on the club members. Freed from the restrictions of the tournament, the club members thrust and parry with wild abandon. Kuno, with Daitan guarding his back, is in the midst of the melee.

Akane runs up to him, “Ranma?! What’s going on?!” Kitsuni follows Akane over, school bag in her hand.

“Akane!” he shouts above the noise, “Stay next to Shusu and make sure no one else gets near her!”

Not sure of what else to do, Akane takes up a position next to Shusu, but ignores Kitsuni. Girl-type Ranma, however, does not. As Kitsuni reaches into her school bag, he points the wooden sword at Kitsuni, bringing her to a stop. Her face is furious.

“What are you doing, Ranma?” Akane asks.

“I told you to make sure no one gets near Shusu!” he says, “Especially her!”

Sirens announce the arrival of the local police. Squad cars drive over to the field and form a circle around the scene.

“ARREST ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN!!” announces a bull horn.

Police wade into the crowd and disarm the few men that are still fighting the members of the Kendo clubs. Thugs and students alike are checked for injuries.

“OFFICER!” calls Ranma to the man with the bull horn, “Could you come over here please?”

The man walks over and finds Ranma holding Kitsuni at sword point.

“What’s going on here?” he asks.

“Sir,” says girl-Ranma, “you might want to check her bag.”

Kitsuni tightens her grip on the bag, but Ranma taps her cheek with the tip of the sword and shakes his head ‘No.’ Staring fiercely at Ranma, she almost throws the bag at the officer. He grabs the bag and opens it. He looks inside, then reaches in and pulls out a flat rectangular object with metal points at one end.

“Is that a stun gun?!” asks Akane as she identifies it.

The officer puts it back in the bag and takes Kitsuni by the arm. “You’ll have to come with me, Miss.” He leads her away.

Girl-type Ranma lowers the sword. He lets out a long slow breath.

“Ranma!” Akane demands, “Why did she have a stun gun?”

Ranma uses the sword to point at the men being led away. “They were here to try to kidnap Shusu.” he says, “Kitsuni was here as part of the plot.”

As Akane looks at those being led away, Shusu nervously steps closer to him.

“Are you all right, Shusu?” he asks.

Her eyes are wet as she forces a smile. “I am now. Thank-you, Ranma.” she says and lets out a laugh that is almost a cry, “It’s funny. If you were that boy named Ranma, I’d kiss you. But since you’re a girl, I don’t know what to do.”

Ranma clears his throat as Akane glares at him, “I think that a simple ‘thank-you’, will have to do.”

Making his way through the police and students, Ranma can see the Chauffeur limping toward them. From the blood on his face and hands, Ranma can see that he did not leave on his own.

“I’m sorry, Miss.” he says to Shusu, “Are you all right.”

“Yes, Toshio, but you’re hurt.” she says. She takes a handkerchief and wipes the man’s face and hands.

“Just a scratch, Miss.” he says, still apologizing, “We should go now.”

“In a moment.” she says and turns back to Ranma and Akane. “I guess I won’t be coming to school here any more.”

“Why not?” asks Ranma.

“I wasn’t here as a student.” she says, “My father was aware of a plan to kidnap me. He wanted me to come here to keep me safe. Someone must have told Kitsuni’s family and they had her transferred here to keep an eye on me in case something went wrong.”

“That’s why she was trying to keep you from making any friends.” says Ranma, “She was hoping that no one would come to help you when you needed it.”

Akane stands there with her head lowered and her fists at her side, “And I fell for it completely. She had all of the girls so worried about you stealing their boyfriends, we didn’t even think that she might be lying to us.”

“It’s all right, Akane.” says Shusu, “You didn’t know.”

“But you knew, didn’t you, Ranma?” Akane asks.

“I had my suspicions.” he says, “But hey, compared to Nabiki, Kitsuni’s an amateur.”

 

The next morning, Akane stands after finishing breakfast. She grabs a pail of water.

“Time to wake up Ranma.” she says and walks upstairs. She pauses at his door. Carefully, she slides it open and looks in. BLOOSH!! A pail, balanced above the door, tips and empties it’s contents on her.

“EEYYAAHH!!”

Ranma leaves the kitchen. “Thanks for breakfast and the ice, Kasumi!” he calls as he runs out the door.

 

At lunchtime, Ranma and Akane sit together at a table. They both notice that the number of boy/girl pairs has dropped. One notable exception is that Daitan and Kurumi are sitting very close together.

“How do you like that, Akane?” Ranma asks her, “From ‘Zero’ to ‘Hero’ in twenty-four hours.”

“It was probably the only good thing Kitsuni did while she was here.” says Akane.

“Why do you say that?” he asks.

“It was when Daitan sat down to eat with you and Shusu.” she explains, “Kitsuni knew that Kurumi liked Daitan a little and convinced her that if she didn’t get him away from Shusu, she might steal him from her.”

“Oh.” he says, “That’s why Kurumi dragged him away. I was wondering what brought that on.”

Akane smiles and nods, “Did you see the papers this morning? The headlines read ‘Local Students Thwart Kidnapping Attempt’.”

“Yeah,” says Ranma, “but they didn’t bother to get any of our names. There were enough pictures though.”

“Nabiki must have been able to charge a small fortune for them.” she says, “She was the only one with a camera.”

 

Later in the week, after school, boy-type Ranma and his father are working out when Kasumi interrupts them.

“Ranma, you have a visitor.” she calls to him.

“Who is it?” he asks as he walks over, “It’s not my mother, is it?”

“No.” says Kasumi, “It’s a young woman. She’s out by the gate.”

Who could that be? he wonders as he walks out to the front gate.

There, standing beside a large car, is Shusu and her Chauffeur.

“Hi Shusu,” he says as he sees her, “I’m glad you’re okay. I heard about what happened. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there.”

“It’s nice to see you too, Ranma.” she says and smiles, “I was hoping that the girl called Ranma would be here as well.”

“I’m sorry, but you missed her.” he says, “She was only here for a few days. She’s back with her parents near Okayama.”

“That’s too bad.” says Shusu, “I wanted to thank you both for making me feel welcome at the school.”

“We were glad to do it.” he says and asks, “Will you be going back to Furinkan?”

“Unfortunately, no.” she says, “My father is enrolling me in a private school.”

“I can understand why.” he says.

Shusu bows, “Would you please express my gratitude to the girl named Ranma and say good-bye to Akane for me?”

Unsure of what else to do, Ranma bows in return. “I will. Good-bye Shusu.”

“Good-bye, boy named Ranma.” she says with a smile.

The driver opens the door and Shusu gets in. The Chauffeur closes her door, opens his own, tips his hat to Ranma, then climbs in, closes his door and drives away.

Ranma’s father walks up behind him and puts a hand to his shoulder, then spins him around.

“FOOLISH BOY!” he yells, “WITH A CAR THAT EXPENSIVE, HER PARENTS MUST BE RICH! WHY DIDN’T YOU TRY TO GET ANY MONEY FROM HER?!!”

“POP!” shouts Ranma, then he calms down, “Trust me. That is one Family you don’t want to get involved with.” Without another word, Ranma turns and walks back inside.

 

Fade Out.

In the morning, girl-type Ranma is once again running to school.

“What is it with Akane and cold water?!” he yells, “She didn’t have to put ice in it!”

Ranma makes it to school with little time to spare. He stops at a Janitor’s closet only to find a sign on the faucet. ‘Do not use. No Hot Water.’ it says.

“NO HOT WATER!?” he cries as the bell starts to sound. He rushes off to class. He enters his Homeroom to find the only open seat, is the one next to Shusu.

“Good morning, I’m Shusu Keikaku.” she says as Ranma sits down, “You must be the ‘Pig-tailed Girl’ I heard about yesterday.”

“That’s me.” he says cheerfully and thinks, That’s right, she doesn’t know who I really am. This could be fun. She and Kitsuni aren’t the only ones who know how to come up with a ‘Scheme’.

The students settle in as Mr. Kage enters. He takes a seat and begins to call the roll.

“...Ranma Saotome?”

Girl-type Ranma stands, raises his hand and says, “I’m here, Mr. Kage.”

“So I see.” says Mr. Kage as he goes on.

Ranma sits and smiles at Shusu, who is staring at him in disbelief.

When the roll is done, Mr. Kage gives out the announcements.

“As at least one more of you is now aware of,” he says without looking at Ranma, “the school’s boilers are being worked on today, so there is no hot water except for the cooks in the Cafeteria. But, you all would have known this, if that person had been here yesterday.”

GAAA!! thinks Ranma, Akane knew it and she still...!

 

After the class ends, girl-Ranma walks Shusu to their next class.

“Is your name really Ranma Saotome?” she asks.

“It sure is.” he says.

“But that’s the same name as the boy who was here yesterday.” says Shusu, “I thought he would be here today as well.”

“Don’t worry about that.” says Ranma, “We’re pretty close, he and I. Two sides of the same coin, you might say.”

“It must be confusing for the teachers,” she asks, “having two students with the same name?”

“They’re used to it by now.” he says, “But since he’s not here today, I’ll be happy to keep you company.”

“Thank-you.” she says, “Most of the other students seem to be avoiding me.”

“Why do you think that is?” he asks, hoping she’ll tell him more as a girl than she did as a boy the day before.

“There’s a girl here that was also at my last school, Kitsuni.” she says as she frowns, “Her parents and mine are rivals on the Board of Schools, but it goes beyond that. You see, our Families are not the best of friends.”

Girl-type Ranma gets a chill down his spine. The way she had said ‘Families’, gives Ranma a very serious clue as to just what kind of ‘Families’, she is referring to.

He asks, “So you’re saying that Kitsuni is trying to make sure that you don’t make any friends while you’re here?”

Shusu nods, “Um-hmm.”

What a...! thinks Ranma as they enter their next class.

 

At lunchtime, Shusu sits at a table, while girl-Ranma goes to grab something for them to eat. From a far table, Kitsuni gets up and joins him at the edge of the crowd. As Ranma snatches various breads for his and Shusu’s lunch, Kitsuni turns to speak to him.

“If I were you,” she says, “I wouldn’t stay too close to Shusu. It could be bad for your health.”

Eyes narrowing, Ranma looks at her, “Thanks, but I pick my own friends and the last time I checked the list, you weren’t on it.”

Rebuffed, Kitsuni turns and walks angrily back to her table.

Girl-type Ranma rejoins Shusu and they eat as they compare notes. After a few minutes, a boy sits down with them. They look up.

“Hey, Ranma, ain’t you lucky.” he says. On his plate is one mangled piece of melon bread.

“Hi, Daitan.” says Ranma, “It’s all in the timing.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asks, “Well, I wouldn’t know. Hey! Did ya hear? The Kendo club is holding a tournament this afternoon.”

“Are you going to be in it?” Ranma asks, “I’ve seen you practice. You’re not bad.”

“I’ll try.” he says, “But, I don’t know. There are guys that are a lot better than me. There’s even going to be a prize for the winner.”

“A ‘prize’?” Ranma asks between bites, “What kind of ‘prize’?”

Daitan begins to chuckle, “I guess you haven’t heard, then. Kuno says that the prize will be a date with you.”

Girl-type Ranma chokes. “ME?” yells Ranma as he recovers from the shock. “We’ll see about that!”

“Then, you’re going?” he asks.

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it!” Ranma says and turns to Shusu, “How about you, Shusu? Do you want to see a bunch of guys beat each other up with wooden swords?”

“If you’re going,” she says with a smile, “I guess I’ll go too.”

“Daitan?” asks a girl with a tray, “Didn’t you say you’d like to have lunch with me one of these days?”

“I did?” he asks, stunned.

“Well, come on.” she says, “Let’s go.”

Daitan gets up, “See you, Ranma.” He follows her to another table.

“That was odd.” says Ranma, “Kurumi never talks to someone like Daitan.”

Shusu looks over at Kitsuni, who smiles back.

On their tour, Ranma and Shusu pass by the windows of his and Akane’s homeroom.

Kitsuni tosses a wad of paper at Akane to get her attention. She points out the window. Akane looks and sees them, then looks back at Kitsuni, who’s nodding at the piece of paper. Akane opens it and reads. “She’s He-ere!” it says. She looks out the window again, but Ranma and Shusu are no longer in sight.

The boys in the class, despite the presence of the teacher, begin to grumble about Ranma’s unbroken string of luck. The girls start to make plans to have words with their boyfriends during the next class change. SNAP!! The sound of the teacher’s pointer striking his desk brings the noise to a stop.

During the next class, Akane refuses to sit by Ranma. She grabs her books and moves away when he tries to find a desk close to her. In the process, she accidentally opens a spot right next to Ranma for Shusu, who gracefully accepts when Ranma offers it to her.

Would you look at those two! she fumes. Why’s he being so nice to her?!

Throughout the class, Ranma can feel Akane’s stare boring a hole in the back of his head.

 

After the next class, Ranma and Shusu are on their way to the cafeteria, when they see Happosai running down the next hall, pursued by an angry mob of girls. When they reach the hall, they see Happosai coming back. The girls are not far behind, with Ukyo leading the way. Happosai sees Shusu and makes a beeline for her.

“SATIN!!” he yells, “MY FAVORITE!!” He leaps at her.

Shusu steps back in fear at this unexpected attack.

Ranma steps between them and snags Happosai by the collar. “Sorry Gramps!” he says as he throws him back, “This one’s off limits!”

Ukyo takes aim. “BATTER UP!!” she yells. SP-KANG!! CRASH!! Through the window goes Happosai. Ukyo puts her spatula away and walks up to them.

“Why were you after the old Freak, Ukyo?” Ranma asks.

“That little turd must have gotten tired, having all the girls chasing him.” she says, “I’ll give you one guess as to who he picked for a recharge.”

“Thank-you for saving me, Ranma, but who was that?” asks Shusu, a little shaken, “He isn’t a teacher, is he?”

“Nah.” says Ranma, “He’s just the world’s oldest pervert.”

“And who is this, Ran-Chan?” asks Ukyo, “Why isn’t Akane with you?”

“Akane’s mad, as usual.” he says, “This is Shusu. She’s the new transfer student.”

“Yes,” says Shusu, “but I’ll only be here for the week.”

“Just the week?” asks Ukyo as she visibly relaxes, “That’s a relief. I’ve got enough competition for Ran-Chan as it is.”

“Competition?” asks Shusu.

“Ranma-honey’s got a fiancée for almost every day of the week.” says Ukyo.

“I’ve only got two and you know it, Ukyo.” he says, “You and Akane.”

“Oh yeah? What about Shampoo?” she points out, “And Kodachi? And probably a few other girls I don’t know about?”

“It’s not my fault!” complains Ranma, “It was my old man...”

Ukyo interrupts him, “If you’ll recall, Ran-Chan, it was your father who arranged our engagement as well as yours and Akane’s? Shampoo and Kodachi, on the other hand...”

Ranma cringes as Ukyo drives her point home. His defeating Shampoo, first in girl form, then as a boy, caused her to lay claim to him. While Kodachi fell for him on the night she first saw him as a boy.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” he says trying to take back what he said.

Ukyo turns away.

“Where are you going?” asks Ranma.

“Before I was interrupted,” says Ukyo as she looks back, “I was enjoying my lunch of Okonomiyaki. You might like what passes for food here, but I don’t.”

When Ukyo disappears into the crowd of students, Ranma turns around, only to be confronted by a wooden sword.

“Ranma Saotome.” says Tatewaki Kuno, “My patience with you grows shorter every day. If you will not tell me where I can find the Pig-tailed Girl, I shall...?” His eyes shift to Shusu. He immediately falls to one knee and presents a bouquet of red roses to her.

“Forgive me Mon Cherie!” he says to her, “I, Tatewaki Kuno, would sooner die than give offence to one as beauteous as thou! Please allow me to...”

“If your looking for the ‘Pig-tailed Girl’, Kuno,” Ranma says as he interrupts him, “the last I heard was that she was going for a swim in the pool before lunch.”

“A swim?” asks Kuno, his full attention now back on Ranma, “BUT, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT SHE’S ONLY WEARING A SWIM SUIT!”

“Yeah, Kuno.” says Ranma, “I think she might be ready for a towel right about now.”

“A TOWEL?” shouts an over excited Kuno as he runs off, “BE PATIENT, MY LOVE! I SHALL BRING YOU THE FINEST TOWEL THAT THIS SCHOOL HAS!!”

“This has got to be,” observes Shusu, “one of the strangest schools in the system.”

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” says Ranma, “Just wait till you see the Cafeteria.”

“Who’s this ‘Pig-tailed Girl’?” she asks.

“That’s right.” says Ranma, “You don’t know. Well, you’ll probably see her before you leave.”

As they head for the Cafeteria, they pass two boys walking the other way.

“There goes Ranma with that cute new girl.” one says.

“Yeah.” grumbles the other, “Too bad I don’t have a bucket of cold water on me.”

As Ranma and Shusu enter the Cafeteria, they can hear the cooks calling out the various breads being offered. A mob of students crowd the counter, hoping to snag their favorite.

“MELON BREAD!”, “CROQUETTE BREAD!”, “CUTLET SANDWICH!”, “CHICKEN SALAD!”

Hands thrust high into the air to catch whatever is thrown.

“Feeding time at the zoo.” explains Ranma as Shusu gapes at the scene.

“Wait here a sec.” he cautions. He grabs a tray and uses it to deflect a few items his way. When he is done, he joins Shusu at a table and sets the tray down, complete with drinks.

“You’re pretty good.” says Shusu, impressed.

“This is nothin’ compared to the Junior High I went to.” he says as he opens a wrapper, “Over there, it was strictly survival of the fittest.”

As Ranma and Shusu eat, they compare notes from the morning classes. Boys, heading for their table, are quickly intercepted by girls and led away. Other girls, including Kitsuni, surround Akane and offer sympathy as she broods.

“Even I didn’t think she’d move this fast.” says Kitsuni.

“Doesn’t she know that Ranma is your fiancé, Akane?” asks another girl.

“I don’t care who he goes out with.” Akane says through clenched teeth. The empty tray in her hands, groans under the strain and buckles, folding nearly in half.

As lunchtime comes to an end, the students begin to file out of the Cafeteria.

“And there go the animals, two by two.” observes Shusu and asks, “Ranma, did it seem like there were a lot of boy/girl pairs here today?”

“Now that you mention it,” says Ranma, “it looked like most of the boys were sitting with ‘girlfriends’ they didn’t even know they had.”

As they get up and start to walk to their next class, Shusu asks, “Did you happen to notice the three girls that were sitting at that far table?”

“You mean, Akane, Kurumi and that other girl?” he asks.

She nods and says, “That ‘other girl’, is named Kitsuni Kuwadate. She must have transferred here from the school I normally go to.”

“Doesn’t ‘Kitsuni’ mean ‘Fox’?” he asks.

“Yes.” says Shusu, “She’s a sly one all right. She’s also something of a ‘Matchmaker’. She just hates to see a boy or girl sitting alone. She’s probably told the girls that if they’re not careful, I just might steal their boyfriends.”

 

The remainder of the day goes on quietly and Ranma says ‘Good-bye’ to Shusu, then runs to catch up to Akane. “Wait up, Akane!” he calls. She walks on. As he pulls up even with her, he looks at her face. “What’s wrong with you?” he asks.

“Do I know you?” she asks coldly, “I never forget a face, no matter how big a Jerk, you are.”

“Now what did I do?” he asks.

She turns on him. “Why are you here?” she asks, “Why aren’t you walking her home?”

“Her?” asks Ranma, then tries to explain, “Akane, she didn’t walk home, she was driven.

You should have seen the car that came for her. It even had a Chauffeur.”

“A Chauffeur?” asks Akane, “Her parents must be important.”

Ranma nods and thinks, I’ll bet that no one else on the Board of Schools has one. He then says,  “That’s probably why the Principal wants me to keep an eye on her. That’s why he called me into his office this morning.”

“Well, that explains a few things.” says Akane.

 

With a school bag on his back, girl-type Ranma runs to make it to school.

“I’m late!” he complains, “Why does Akane have to wait so long before she wakes me up?! And why always with a bucket of cold water?!”

Ding, Ding, Ding...

“AAAHH!!” he screams, “There’s the bell! Don’t close the gates!”

Ding, Ding, Ding...

The gates to the school are just closing as Ranma makes his final turn.

“NOT YET!! NOT YET!!”

Ding, Ding, CLANK!!

“I DIDN’T MAKE IT!!” he cries as he reaches them. His hands grab the bars and he shouts,  “STUPID AKANE!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!”

“My fault?” asks Akane as she steps into view on the other side of the gate. In her hand is a key.

“GAAA!!” shouts Ranma in surprise. He looks at her, puzzled, “Are...? Are you going to let me in?”

“Not because I want to.” she says as she unlocks it, “The principal wants to see you.”

The school’s P.A. system squeals as it is keyed.

“RANMA SAOTOME, FRESHMON, HOMEROOM 1-F. SO NICE OF YOU TO JOIN US. BUT FIRST, KEIKI, COME SEE BIG KAHUNA IN HIS OFFICE, YA?”

“Oh, man!” girl-Ranma says as he walks in the gate, “Now what’s he want, more rules?”

On his way to the principal’s office, Ranma pauses just long enough to change back.

Boy-type Ranma opens the door. Inside is the Principal and a school girl. She is wearing a dress much less plain than the school dresses of the other female students.

“Ranma Saotome,” says the Principal, “since you be late today, normally as punishment, you be standing in the hall with buckets of water in your hands. Today only, I give you big break. This week, we have temporary transfer student, Miss Shusu Keikaku.”

She smiles and bows to Ranma. “Please don’t judge me by my name alone,” she says, “I’m really quite nice.”

Shusu Keikaku? wonders Ranma, Satin Scheme?

The Principal goes on. “Since you are Big Keiki On Campus,” he says, “you be the one I pick to show Miss Keikaku around the school. Do a good job, and the Big Kahuna strike that late mark from this morning. You take first period off and show Miss Keikaku the school grounds. After that, she be in same classes as you. Anything she want, Keiki, you take care of, okay?”

“Sure, fine with me.” he says and thinks, Why the special treatment?

 

Akane takes her seat in her homeroom. The other students are chatting and the teacher is absent. Some of the girls go over to Akane.

“You’re lucky, Akane.” says one girl, “The teacher hasn’t come in yet to call the roll.”

“I’m only late because of Ranma.” she says, “The principal had me wait by the gate to let him in.”

A second girl asks, “Did you hear, Akane? We have another girl transferring in.”

“Another one?” asks Akane, then she looks over at a third girl, “I guess your not the ‘New Girl’ anymore, Kitsuni.”

“That’s fine by me.” she says and asks, “Did anyone get a look at her yet?”

“I did.” says a fourth girl, “She had a blue and white dress on, but nothing like ours.”

“How so?” asks Kitsuni, “What was so different about it?”

The fourth girl tugs at her own dress. “For one thing,” she says, “it was a lot nicer. The material looked so soft and smooth, almost shiny.”

“Like velvet?” asks Akane.

“No.” she says, “More like satin.”

Kitsuni recoils in shock, then recovers. She advises, “You’d better hang onto your boyfriends, girls.”

“Oh, I do!” says one girl, blushing and giggling.

“What do you mean, Kitsuni?” asks Akane, ignoring the other girl.

“If it’s who I think it is,” she says, “then it’s the same girl that was at my last school.”

“Who do you think it is?” asks Akane.

“Shusu Keikaku,” she says, “a.k.a. ‘Satin Schemer’.”

“‘Satin Schemer’?” asks Akane, “You can’t always go by someone’s name.”

“Believe me, Akane,” says Kitsuni, “her name suits her to a ‘T’.”

 

As Ranma shows Shusu around the school, a teacher comes running down the hall. As he sees them, he screeches to a halt.

“Mr. Saotome!” he demands, “What are you doing outside of class?”

Ranma grins and shows him a slip of paper. “Hall Pass.” he says, “Signed by the Principal.”

The teacher grabs the paper, takes a quick look and hands it back. “Very well!” he says, “But I expect to see you in your class at the start of the next period!” The teacher rushes off.

“Who was that?” asks Shusu.

“My homeroom teacher, Mr. Kage.” he says, “He’s running later than I am.”

“There’s one...” she says, almost to herself.

Ranma looks at her. “What do you mean by that?”

Her hand jerks to cover her mouth. “Oops! I’m not supposed to say.”

Ranma looks down the hall, looks back at her, puts two and two together, and a smile forms on his face. “You’re not here as a student, are you?” he asks.

“I’m here to learn, same as you.” she says.

“Yeah, but not the same things, I bet.” he says, “You’re here to check up on the teachers.”

Shusu cringes, “Yes, but you didn’t hear it from me, okay?”

“That’s why you’re only here for a week. Don’t worry.” he says, “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Now that you know,” she says, “I’m going to need your help.”

“Oh yeah?” he asks, “How so?”

Shusu looks around slyly, as if checking for anyone eavesdropping. Ranma finds himself doing the same.

“My father,” she almost whispers, “is on the Board of Schools. Since I’m so far ahead of my own class, he asked me if I’d like some time off. Then he asked me if I would spend a week at this and a few other schools to give him a student’s eye view of how the teaching methods differ at each school. I want you to help me, by letting me know if the teachers or students are acting any differently than normal. If they are, then they might know why I’m here and I’ll have to rely on you to give me a good idea of what really goes on here.”

Ranma goes cold inside. Satin Scheme is right! No wonder the Principal... he thinks.

“If that’s the case, then I think the Principal knows why you’re here.” he says.

“Not really.” says Shusu, “He just knows that my father is on the Board. He might tell the teachers to be on their best behavior, but he doesn’t know why I’m here.”

 

In the cave hours have passed.

“Akane, how did you meet Ranma?” asks Ukyo.

Akane thinks for a while, “One day my father got a post card from a man he studied martial arts with. It said he and his son would be coming to visit and to see which of us girls would become his son’s fiancée.”

“What happened?”

“We were expecting a man with a boy, instead, a girl and a panda showed up. The girl said she was Ranma Saotome.” she says, “Actually, I was relieved, I didn’t want to become engaged to some guy I didn’t know.”

“Wasn’t my idea.” Girl-Ranma says weakly. They look at him. Akane shakes her head.

“He’s still out cold.” she says, “He’s probably dreaming.”

“So you thought that since Ranma was a girl, you didn’t have to get engaged?” asks Ukyo.

“Yes.” says Akane, “Anyway, when we found out about the curse, my sisters decided I would be the best choice for Ranma’s fiancée.”

“Why was that?” asks Ukyo.

“I was having trouble with the boys at school, and my sisters thought that since I hated boys, I would be the best choice because Ranma was half girl.” says Akane.

Ukyo says, “We have some fiancée, Akane. A boy that, when splashed with cold water, turns into a girl.”

Ranma mumbles, “Old man’s fault.”

Akane nods, “His father took him to China on some training mission. Even though he doesn’t speak Chinese, he brought Ranma to a place called ‘Training Ground of Cursed Springs’ or ‘Jusenkyo’. It was there that each of them fell into a different spring.”

Ukyo continues, “Now when he’s hit with cold water, because of the curse, Ranma turns into a girl.”

Akane finishes, “And his father turns into a panda.”

 

At the lodge, Shampoo opens her eyes, “Ranma.” she says softly.

“Where are they, Shampoo?” says Soun, “Have you seen Akane?”

Shampoo sits up, “They in ice cave. Ranma hit by avalanche. He out cold. Shampoo go get help. Akane and Ukyo there too.” Shampoo tries to get up. Cologne pushes her down.

“Lie still child.” says Cologne. “Nobody’s going anywhere until morning.”

“Shampoo,” says Kasumi, “Akane has had winter survival training. She knows what to do in an emergency.”

 

In the cave, Ukyo moves her hands around inside the parkas.

“What are you doing?” asks Akane.

“I bought a chocolate bar when we were getting skis, I put it in an inside pocket of my parka.” says Ukyo and pulls out a thick candy bar.

“Ukyo, that’s a high-calorie survival bar!” says Akane, “If you were a guy I’d kiss you!”

Girl-Ranma stirs, “That’s something I’d like to see.” his hand goes to his head.

“You were listening?!” asks Akane.

“Didn’t have much choice.” he says and slowly opens his eyes. “Akane, where are we?”

“You were hit by a small avalanche. Ukyo, Shampoo, and I dug you out. We’re in an ice cave with Ukyo.” says Akane.

“W-where’s Shampoo?” he asks.

“Shampoo’s gone for help.” Akane says.

Ranma turns his head to look at each of them and smiles, “Close quarters.”

Akane says, “Without a fire, we have to keep you warm somehow.”

Ranma takes a deep breath and chokes on the cold air, “How long was I out?” he asks.

“About two, maybe three hours.” she says and takes Ukyo’s candy bar and breaks it in two, she takes one of the halves and breaks it again. Giving one quarter to Ukyo, she breaks the remaining half into smaller pieces and feeds it to Ranma. After she’s done, she eats her quarter piece.

“Ran-Chan,” says Ukyo, “How do you feel?”

“Like something that’s been in a freezer for a year and is now being thawed out.” he says.

“Can you move your fingers and toes?” asks Akane.

After a while he nods, “I guess that means I’m all here.”

Ukyo rests her head on girl-Ranma’s shoulder, “Thank-you Ran-Chan.”

“What for?” he asks.

“You kept me from getting buried by knocking me down, you jackass.” she says worried.

“It was the only thing I could think of.” he says and looks at the, now, much smaller mouth of the cave. The wind is blowing and snow mixed with rain is falling, “It’s almost dark. Why did you send Shampoo?”

Akane says, “There was enough light out for her to get back to the lodge. Besides, I wasn’t going to leave her with you and Ukyo.” Ranma closes his eyes.

After a while, Ukyo asks, “Why was that, Akane?”

Akane looks at Ukyo and says, “She’s not one of Ranma’s fiancées”

Ukyo looks at Ranma, “Maybe so, Akane, but as far as I know, she’s the only one of us who has told him, she loves him, without being asked.”

Once more Ranma open his eyes, “Shampoo loves Mousse, not me.”

“Why do you say that, Ran-Chan?” asks Ukyo.

“Her sister explained it to me. Amazon law says she has to marry me.” he says, “Amazon pride is forcing her to say she loves me. She has to do anything she can to make me marry her. That same Amazon pride won’t allow her to admit she loves Mousse. Just because you don’t tell someone, doesn’t mean you don’t love them.”

“I’ve told you that I... that I...” says Akane as she forces her eyes closed.

“Didn’t count.” he says shaking his head, “You were wearing the Reversal Jewel at the time. When it was taken off, you knocked me through the Cat Cafe door.”

“You were about to tell Shampoo that you loved her.” says Akane.

“That was pride too, but I couldn’t.” he says, “When I tried...” his eyes close again.

“If he knows that, Akane,” says Ukyo, “Shampoo doesn’t have a chance of getting him to marry her. Shouldn’t we tell her.”

“I don’t think she’d believe us.” says Akane, “She’ll probably have to learn on her own.”

“Doesn’t she deserve to know the truth?” asks Ukyo.

“She deserves something, but that’s not up to us.” says Akane looking at girl-Ranma.

“I hope you’re not mad, Akane.” says Ukyo.

“Mad at what, Ukyo?” Akane asks.

“That I’m his fiancée too.” she answers.

“I’m not mad at you,” says Akane, “besides, with his father arranging marriages just so he can have something to eat, Ranma could have a hundred fiancées for all we know.”

“Doesn’t sound like a very exclusive club, does it?” says Ukyo.

“Usually, you’re asked if you want to join a club.” says Akane, “We didn’t even have the chance to say no.”

“Actually, Akane,” says Ukyo, “I did have that chance.”

“When was that?” Akane asks.

“When Ran-Chan and I were kids,” Ukyo says, “before my father made the agreement with his father, he asked me if I would like to marry Ranma some day. I said ‘Why should I be married to a jackass like him?’. We talked it over and, I knew that my parents were happy with their marriage, so, I thought that if Ranma and I were married, maybe we could be happy too. I told my father, yes.”

Akane asks, “Ukyo, do you love him?”

Ukyo looks away, “Please don’t ask me that, Akane.” she says.

“Why, not?” she asks.

“Because, if I answered,” Ukyo says as she turns back, “I’d have to ask you the same question and I don’t think either of us is ready to hear the answers.”

Akane winces in the last glow of evening.

Ukyo looks at girl-Ranma, she asks, “What are we going to do with him, Akane?”

“Don’t you mean, ‘her’?” Akane says and settles in for the night.

Ukyo looks at the two of them in the fading light, then lies down and goes to sleep.

Later, Akane, wearing a hip length ski parka, skis over to where Ranma and Ukyo have just finished their snowman, “When are you going to learn to ski, Ranma?”

“And who’s going to teach me?” he says.

“I will.” says Akane.

“No thanks, Akane,” he says, “I’ll stick to snowshoes.”

“Oh, come on, Ran-Chan,” says Ukyo, “I always wanted to learn to ski.”

“A guy taking ski lessons from a girl looks like a geek.” he says.

Akane takes the head from the snowman and throws it in Ranma’s face. The melting snow turns him into a girl.

“Well?” says Akane. They go to the lodge to rent skis and boots, and buy parkas for Ranma and Ukyo. Ukyo and Akane pick up a few extra things.

Outside, snow is falling in small crystals. “Let’s go over to the beginners slope.” she says.  Akane skis over to the slope, Ranma and Ukyo carry their skis. Akane shows them how to snowplow and how to fall if they go too fast.

Girl-type Ranma says laughing, “I think I got the snowplow Akane, but could you show us how to fall again?”

After a quick snowball, Akane shows them how to get into and out of their skis. After learning to snowplow and making slow turns, Ranma and Ukyo are getting the hang of skiing, when Shampoo comes charging between Ranma and Akane. Ranma swerves, Ukyo has to turn to avoid him and finds herself on a much steeper slope. Soon she is out of control and calling for help.

Shampoo says, “That one down.”

Girl-Ranma says, “I hate skiing.” and goes after Ukyo.

Akane turns on Shampoo, “If they get hurt, Shampoo, it will be all your fault!” and takes after them.

“Nyaah!” Shampoo sticks her tongue out at Akane’s back, and follows.

Ukyo is in a panic and is now on an unmarked trail. Girl-type Ranma, barely under control, is not far behind. Akane and Shampoo follow their tracks and branches broken by their passage. Ahead of Ranma and Ukyo, a snow ledge breaks loose. Ranma sees it and catching up to Ukyo, he pushes her down, but he can’t stop and is soon covered by a pile of snow.

“Ran-Chan!” Ukyo cries and starts to dig. Akane and Shampoo are soon there and help pull Ranma out. Girl-type Ranma is unconscious and cold. As large snowflakes begin to fall, the girls drag him to an ice cave.

Akane turns to Shampoo, “Shampoo, you have to go for help.”

Shampoo turns on Akane, “Why Shampoo, why not you or spatula-girl?”

“Because, this is your fault!” Akane reminds her, “Besides, you’re a better skier and you’ve got the best chance of getting to the lodge and bringing help.”

Shampoo looks at girl-Ranma shivering in Ukyo’s arms. She nods and leaves.

Akane unwraps her red scarf and ties it to a bush outside the cave. She looks at Ranma, “We have to get him warm.” she checks her pockets, “Ukyo, do you have any matches?”

“No, Akane.” she says, “If we can’t start a fire, how are we going to keep her, I mean him, warm?”

Akane looks around but the cave is empty.

“We’ll have to keep him warm Ukyo, you and me.” she says unzipping her parka.

“What are you doing, Akane?” Ukyo asks. Akane takes her parka off and pulls the sleeves inside it. She does the same to Ranma’s.

“Do you remember when we went shopping for parkas?” she asks.

“Yeah, you made sure the zippers matched, but why?” Ukyo asks.

“My ski instructor said, that if you go in a group to buy coats for skiing, always make sure the zippers match, in case you get stranded without a fire.” she says and puts one of her parka’s zippers to one of Ranma’s and zips it up, “Ukyo, I’ll need your parka too.”

Ukyo nods and takes her parka off and, like Akane, pulls the sleeves inside the parka. She hands it to Akane. Akane fastens Ukyo’s parka to Ranma’s. She pulls something from one of her pockets. It is a thin thermal blanket, a plastic sheet with an aluminum coating on one side.

“We can sure use this.” she says. She unfolds it and lays it down, aluminum side up. Next she lays the parkas down and Ukyo helps her lay Ranma on the center parka. She removes the hoods of the parkas, puts the gloves inside the hoods, and lays them down as pillows. She gets on one side of Ranma, Ukyo on the other, Akane rolls the thermal blanket around their legs and zips the parkas shut.

“Do you think he’ll be all right, Akane?” asks Ukyo, “He feels so cold.”

Girl-type Ranma moves, “So would you be if you were buried under a ton of snow.”

“Ranma, are you awake?” Akane asks. She gets no response.

“At least he’s alive.” says Ukyo. “How long do you think before Shampoo gets back?”

“It’ll be getting dark soon,” Akane says, “they may not come for us until tomorrow.”

“Do you think we can last that long?” asks Ukyo.

“I’ll let you know in the morning.” says Akane.

 

Back at the lodge, Soun Tendo and the others become concerned.

“It’s getting really bad out there.” says Ryoga coming in the door. Heavy snow blows in until he closes it. Wet snow falls from his scarf as he unwraps it from his face and removes his goggles. “There’s no sign of them.” He goes over to the fire to warm up.

“Where can she be?” Soun cries, “Akane!”

“Maybe they’ve taken shelter at the cafe, Father.” says Kasumi as she comforts him.

All eyes turn as the door opens. Cologne shuts the door behind her and looks around.

“Shampoo is not here?” she asks. They shake their heads in response. “Mousse is out looking for her, I could not stop him. Are others missing as well?”

“Akane, Ukyo, and Ranma.” says Ryoga, “With this new snow, I couldn’t find any tracks.”

“Then we will have to wait until Mousse returns or morning comes.” she says.

“I’ll go out again in a few minutes.” says Ryoga.

“It is warming up outside, the falling snow is mixing with freezing rain, you won’t get very far.” she says.

Ryoga thinks, She’s right. If I get soaked by the freezing rain, I’ll turn into P-Chan for sure.

 

Shampoo has abandoned her skis and is climbing back up the trail left by their passage.

“Skiing no help now, Shampoo should have stayed with Ranma.” but she continues up the slope. As she climbs, the heavy falling snow begins to mix with freezing rain.

“Hiya...Meow!” she says as she turns into a cat. She frees herself from the clothes and continues up the trail.

 

Everyone turns to the door as a tapping sound is heard. Cologne rushes to the door and opens it. There she finds Mu-Mu Chan. Nestled beneath his wings, under a blanket of feathers, Shampoo, in cat form lies curled up on his back. Cologne brings them inside and takes charge of the efforts to warm them up. Robes are provided for them when the warm water returns them to normal. Kasumi and Nabiki help Cologne take care of Shampoo, while Ryoga, Soun, and Genma look after Mousse.

Mousse recovers first, “I found her just beyond the trees by the lodge. She had already changed by the time she got there. I didn’t get far before I had changed too.” he says as he shivers.

“What about Akane and the others?” asks Soun.

“I didn’t see them.” he answers.

Took a couple of days off to add to the "Hero In Training" story. It won't be ready for posting for a while, so here is the next Ranma 1/2 chapter: Cold Comfort.

 

 

The Saotomes and the Tendos are at Japan's Snow Mountain ski resort. It is evening and everyone is relaxing in the lobby after a day in the snow. As Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome play Shogi, a board game, Ryoga and Ukyo play a game of Go. Kasumi and Nabiki sit by the fire. Ranma and Akane are at a window looking at the snow shining in the moonlight outside.

Akane turns to him, “Ranma, do you remember the last time we were here?”

“Not everything.” he says, “I had to fight the old ghoul to get the Phoenix pill. I remember asking for Shampoo’s help, but after we went into the cold water, I don’t remember a thing. It must have worked, I got the pill and was finally able to change back to a guy.”

“I wish I could tell you everything that happened,” says Akane, “but you were so fast. You really got the best of Cologne that day.”

“I’m just glad they’re not here again.” he says, “I could use some peace and quiet.”

“What about Shampoo’s sister?” she asks with a smile, “Are you sorry she’s gone?”

Ranma smiles at the thought of little Dye, “You know, I actually miss her trying to kill me. But, we came to an agreement. She won’t try to kill me and I won’t agree to marry Shampoo.”

“Sounds like you both got what you wanted.” she says.

“It was almost too much for me to stand,” he says, smiling at the memory, “watching Cologne and Shampoo at dinner that night, trying to pretend they weren’t disappointed that she couldn’t help them talk me into marrying Shampoo.”

“What are you talking about,” says Akane, “Dye had everyone fooled. She made all of us believe that she wanted to kill your girl half and get your boy half to marry her sister. We all thought she didn’t know you were one and the same.”

Ranma nods, “And all along, what she really wanted, was to kill me or help Mousse defeat me, so he could marry her sister.”

Ranma and Akane walk over to where Ukyo and Ryoga are playing. From the looks of the board, Ukyo is winning. Ryoga is carefully studying the board while trying to decide his next move. He places his stone and blocks Ukyo from gaining an even bigger lead. Ukyo leans back and puts her hands to her hips, “Ryoga, how could you?” she says sarcastically and places her stone taking one of the few open spaces left on the board. Ranma whispers to Akane, “I never knew she could play so well.” As Ryoga looks for his next move, Ukyo glances up at Ranma and smiles.

Ryoga leans back, “The game is yours, Ukyo,” he says, “I can’t win.”

She smiles and they begin to put the stones back into their bowls. “Another game?” she asks Ryoga.

“Thanks, Ukyo, maybe tomorrow.” he says as he gets up and stretches, “I have to get ready for bed.”

“Going to ‘change’, Ryoga?” Ranma asks.

Ryoga just ignores him and walks upstairs.

 

Later, Akane is going to her room with P-chan close behind. Ranma comes down the hall with a cup of hot tea, “Oops.” the tea spills as he passes Akane.

P-Chan leaps back to avoid the hot tea and snarls at Ranma. “Sorry, P-Chan.” he says.

THWACK!! Akane backhands Ranma down the hall, “Stop picking on him, Ranma!”

“It was an accident, Akane!” he says rubbing the back of his head.

“So was my fist, Ranma.” she says picking up P-Chan and carries him to her room.

Ukyo comes down the hall, “Ranma honey, what is it with you and P-Chan?”

Ranma gets up off the floor, “It’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you some other time.”

“I guess Ryoga did go to bed.” she says, “I knocked on his door, but there was no answer.”

Ranma looks down the hall, “Oh yes, he’s gone to bed all right.”

“That’s too bad,” Ukyo says, “I couldn’t sleep right now even if I wanted to.”

He looks at her, “I can’t sleep right now either. Shall we play a game of Go?”

Smiling, she nods at him, but she is thinking, YES!

They walk down to the lobby and set the bowls by the board. Ukyo gets white and Ranma takes black.

As they play, Ranma has to concentrate harder and harder just to keep up with Ukyo.

“Ran-Chan?” asks Ukyo, “When are you going to choose?”

He places a stone and says, “I just did.” pointing to the stone.

“No.” she says. “When are you going to choose who will be your... your...”

He looks at her, “As I recall, I wasn’t really given a choice.”

“Well,” she says placing a stone, “someday you will have to make a choice, or once again it will be made for you.”

“I know,” he says, “I just hope, that when that day comes, nobody gets hurt.”

“Including you?” she says.

“Yes,” he says placing his next stone, “but until then, I’ll settle for some peace and quiet.”

 

Ranma’s peace is short lived, for the next day at noon, while Akane and her sisters are skiing, Shampoo is making deliveries on skis and uses every opportunity to show up Akane. Ranma resigns himself to her presence when he learns that the Snow Mountain branch of the Cat Cafe is once again open for business. He and Ukyo are on snowshoes. Ranma, trying to ignore Shampoo, asks Ukyo if she would like to build a snowman. Ukyo, eager for any time alone with Ranma, agrees.

Genma, Soun, and Ryoga relax in an outdoor hot tub commenting on the peaceful surroundings.

As the girls ski closer to the lodge, Shampoo sees them and weaves her way through the girls. Turning her skis, she comes to a stop, spraying snow into the hot tub. With a grin she takes off for the cafe.

“Showoff.” says Akane.

“You have to admit Akane,” says Nabiki, “she is good.”

“Oh my,” says Kasumi, “she could hurt someone skiing like that.”

Soun, in the hot tub, is turning blue. Genma is now a panda, teeth chattering. P-Chan rushes inside.

The sisters go inside the lodge to warm up. Ryoga is coming down from upstairs.

“Ryoga?” asks Akane, “I thought you were in the hot tub?”

Ryoga laughs and says, “There’s, um, just some things you don’t do in a hot tub.”

Akane looks embarrassed, “Sorry I asked.”

The girls take off their ski jackets and go to the fire.

“It’s really cold out there, Akane,” says Kasumi. “if we go back out, we’re going to need heavier coats.” Akane and Nabiki rubbing their hands, nod.

“They say it’s supposed to warm up tonight,” says Nabiki, “but I doubt it.”