A/N: Don’t own Ranma, Witch Hunter Robin, DBZ or Love Hina...but I DO own a new nifty set of Tenchi Muyo mugs :) And really, what more do ya need?

Revenge is a Beautiful Thing

Dr. Tofu frowned as he altered the ki paths that coursed through Akane’s unconscious body, shaking his head. ‘Something’s altered her natural progressions...’ he thought darkly.

He’d been pondering the strange trails that her ki had been following, noting that her aggression and anger had been heightened to the point of almost sociopathic levels.

“Not ‘ta worry, she’s gonna be alright, I ain’t lost my touch ya know,” Jules announced to the man, wiping her hands dry on a linen towel as she re-entered the room. Cocking her head to the side, she gave the man a curious look. “I’ve seen that look on far too many faces in my time; you can’t pull the wool over my mince pies. There’s something you aren’t telling me, isn’t there?” she asked him, standing next to him and observing her patient.

Tofu nodded slowly. “It seems something has altered her ki paths to make her more...violent, I guess,” he told the other doctor standing next to him. “I don’t sense another presence within her, though...I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he admitted finally, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Julia looked at him sympathetically. “I’m sure it’ll come t’ ya in time,” she told him quietly, knowing that she was out of her element when it came to the mystic body energies.

He smiled lightly at her reassurance, though both knew that it wasn’t as easily done as said. “How’d the surgery go anyways? She looks better,” he changed the subject with her.

Jules smiled at him, “You need ta’ ask?” she teased. “The damage looked worse than it was, the knives were incredibly sharp; so that was a plus. ‘Tis always easier to repair clean cuts rather than jagged patterns,” the woman said, pointing to the bandaged leg.

“She’ll make a full recovery given a bit of the ol’ bird and nest. No athletics for her though, at least fer a few weeks. Any chance ‘a keeping her from fightin’? That would definitely fall into my no-no category,” Julia told the doctor with a crooked smile, her green eyes flashing.

Tofu smiled at her, “I’ll make a suggestion to her about it, but she’s always been headstrong, ever since she’s been a little girl,” he told her with a wistful smile.

Jules looked at his expression and smiled, “She’s related to Kasumi isn’t she?” asked is friend with a knowing smile.

His glasses started to fog, stopped only by Julia snatching the end of his nose between her index and middle finger knuckles. “Nah ah, none of that now. Focus...focus,” she said, gently moving his head from side to side by his nose.

As his thoughts refocused, he tenderly removed her hand from his now very sore nose. “Thank you, I’m going to have to find a way to overcome that someday,” he told her, his face going downcast.

She smiled at him warmly. “Ya could always do what Jake did wit’ me,” she offered, mentioning her husband of many years.

He raised an eyebrow at her. “I don’t believe I’ve heard this story before,” the man admitted, not having seen either of them for some time.

She smiled wickedly at him. “Rather than tell me ‘ow he felt, we both got completely elephants and had our nasty litt’l way wit’ each other for about a day and a ‘alf. Saying ‘I love’ then was easy, no’ ‘a mention heartfelt as hell. After you’ve swapped that much body fluid with someone, being shy is kinda pointless,” she said brazenly, giggling lightly at the shocked and embarrassed expression Tofu had.

“I couldn’t...I mean, that...she and I, well,” he stammered out, trying vainly NOT to think of Kasumi in the context the woman had just described.

Her laughter was infectious and light. “I didn’t say it’d Cap’n Kirk that way wit’ you, only that you could do what Jake did. It was both fun AND enlightening...over and over and,” she told him, emphasizing the word.

Tofu held up his hand, convinced he couldn’t grow any redder, despite her rather blatant attempts to make him do so. “I really don’t need to know about that, thank you,” he said hastily.

“I’ll, uh, keep it in mind though,” the man said after catching her smirking expression.

Shrugging, “Suit yourself, but trust me DOCTOR,” she said sarcastically, though with good natured humor, “you’re gonna really miss out if you dun’ act bloody soon.”

He looked at her and nodded slowly, “I know, but things are...difficult, at times,” he allowed softly, turning his expression back to the girl on the bed.

Julia placed a hand on his shoulder. “It was the best thing that eva’ happened to both Jake and I. Tofu...even if we did go about it hay stackers. You deserve ta’ be happy, so dun’ wait too long alright?” she asked him softly, her mocking playful tone gone.

He patted her hand and smiled at her sentiments, “I know, and thank you. I’m sure I’ll find a way eventually,” he assured his friend. “So, what are you going to do now?” he asked her as they stepped from the room where Akane was recovering.

Smiling, “I was thinkin about stickin’ around fer a bit. Jake’s off saving the universe or some such bollocks again, you remember ‘ow he is, so I’ve got nut’ on for a bit,” she told him looking around the comfortable room.

He brought over a pot of tea and two cups. “I don’t remember how you take your tea,” he said, kneeling at the table and motioning for her to join him.

She smiled at him as she kneeled, “Don’t suppose you have any Jack around do you?” she teased, knowing that the man didn’t drink.

Before he could answer she laughed, “Don’t have a chicken curry over it, I’ll just drink it like you normal people do for a change,” Julia told him, picking the cup and sipping it.

Tofu smiled at her, remembering again her brash and brazen nature. “I could use some help around here, if tonight is any indication. It would seem that you and your friends are rather busy and it’s spilled over to here now,” he said, gently pushing for more information on the situation.

She smiled over the rim of the cup. “You’re not very good at probing for information, ya’ know,” she teased, but answered his unspoken question anyways.

“Yes, things are getting’ quite hairy but this is something we’d never expected. Ta’ ‘ave them actively try and remove people, it’s jus’ not happened before,” she told the man, her frustration easily read in her voice.

He waited for her to continue, not wanting to interrupt or break her chain of thought.

“Which is why I offered ta’ stay around ‘ere for a bit, ta save you from ‘aving to explain a rash of injuries and attacks from the local authorities. ‘Sides, it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to really get back into the fray so to speak,” Jules told him, smiling happily as she did.

“Jake is rather protective of you,” Tofu smiled at her, knowing exactly how much Jake doted on the woman, no matter how much it annoyed her, at least that was what she allowed people to believe.

She huffed at him but laughed, “He’s a sweet dear, but he worries for no good reason. If you remember correctly, it was always bloody ‘IM getting into trouble and ‘urt, while it was ME that had to save his attractive ass,” she joked, remembering past events with a smile that lit her eyes.

A knock at the door stopped their conversation. “Go on then, I’ve worked in the shadows enough to know when ta’ disappear,” she told him quietly with a wink.

He nodded at her thankfully and went to answer the door, secure in the knowledge of her discretion in matters that had to do with events of such a sensitive nature.

Nodoka’s smiling face greeted him beyond the door. “Good evening, Doctor Tofu, I trust everything is well with Akane,” she said as he escorted her into the building.

“Yes, the surgery went very well. It seems like the wound looked worse then it actually was. I was just about to call her father and give him the good news, but since you’re here I’ll let you relay the happy information,” he told her, walking with her towards where Akane was recovering.

“I was actually here with another purpose in mind as well. I was wondering if you still had those books describing the pressure points in regards to ki manipulations,” she asked, absently running her fingers through Akane’s hair.

The girl flinched at the touch though she were conscious, drawing a look of shock from both adults. They looked at each other. “Her ki patterns were altered by someone, in such a way that it was very difficult to tell and fix,” said the doctor, giving the woman a concerned look.

Nodoka looked back down at the girl. “So, THAT is why she was more aggressive then normal towards my son,” she said, beginning to see what led to her actions. “Is she going to be okay now?” she asked him.

Tofu nodded slowly. “She should be, though I’ll know more once she wakes up. The surgeon asked that she be sedated for at least the next day to allow her wounds the proper time to heal. I’ve also been asked to remind her that she shouldn’t partake of any physical activity for while as well. Perhaps you and Mr. Tendo could assist me in relaying how important that is to her, she’s a bit strong willed at times,” he said with a wry smile.

Nodoka smiled and nodded. “I will do my best,” she assured him, walking with him from the room to where he kept his library of rare books, tomes and scrolls. He spent only a few moments looking for the mentioned book and pulled it from its shelf.

“Ah, here we go. Take your time with it, I’ve memorized most of the techniques within,” he told her handing the book to the woman.

Her smile was light. “We’ll put this to good use,” she said distantly, thumbing through the pages.

He shook his head and smiled. ‘Sometimes it’s better if I just don’t know,’ he thought to himself.

They walked to the door, Tofu holding it open for the older lady. “I wanted to thank you as well for all the assistance and advice you’ve given my son. Despite the shortcomings of my husband, the Saotomes do appreciate a true friend,” she told him, bowing low at the waist to the surprised younger man.

He blushed slightly at the high praise from the Matriarch. “It’s okay, Ranma is a good man, he just needed someone to take his side more often,” he downplayed, remembering all too well the amount of times Ranma’d come to his clinic to hide from the latest catastrophe of his life.

“Be that as it may, you are hereby considered a clan ally in appreciation of your efforts for our family,” Nodoka told him, smiling broadly at him.

Tofu, realizing it wasn’t in his best interests nor longevity to argue with her, simply bowed his thanks at the honor bestowed on him.

The two adults smiled and waved as she walked back towards the Tendo home, leaving the doctor to try and figure out the implications of what befell his patient. He absently walked to his extensive library and began to research into what happened and what could have possibly caused it.

Meanwhile, in the recovery room...

Akane’s face and arms twitched slightly, as if fighting something unseen within the room. A thin sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead, giving the only indication of her internal struggles to the outside world.

Within her mind’s eye...

The world around her, from horizon to horizon, was nothing more than a shapeless and drifting grey haze. Her footsteps were muffled, her voice echoing around her as she called out.

“Hello? Ranma? Daddy?” she cupped her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice. She paused to listen for a response, only to find that silence was her constant companion.

Settling into a disturbed frown, she continued walking. This particular direction, if it really was a direction at all, seemed to pull her, as if something was speaking to her soul.

Her thoughts turned back to the fight, and the argument she’d had with Ranma and Nabiki only moments before it had happened. “Serves him right! Like SHE’S gonna do anything but take him for every last yen he has,” muttered the girl darkly, feeling more than a bit betrayed by the whole situation.

Akane kept playing the scene in her mind, watching his expressions and listening to his arguments over and over. “Oh, Ranma! Why?” she said quietly, releasing her anger as she began to truly worry about the boy.

“Maybe this ISN’T all your fault,” she allowed, wondering how often she’d not listened to him when he’d try to explain.

A sudden picture of him and Nabiki on the roof at night holding each other close forced its way into her mind, rudely interrupting her self doubt. Her face twisted in jealousy. “He’s still gotta bunch of things to explain, that jerk,” she growled once more, finding anger an easier refuge then guilt.

She paused in her musings, looking to the trackless grey skies above, remembering all the times he’d risked it all for her, only to step all over her feelings with his inconsiderate and thoughtless ways. Her heart was torn asunder, unsure of what to think or do about her now ex-fiancé.

“I’ll just have to sit down and talk with him when I get back, find out what’s going on for real this time,” she determined with a set look and nod.

Feeling as if she’d accomplished something, she began to walk once more, the fog thickening around her legs.

“Akane Tendo,” said a friendly voice from the edges of her vision. She stopped and dropped into her fighting stance, spinning slowly as her eyes searched for the owner of the voice.

“It would be pointless to fight here Akane, it IS your mind after all...don’t you remember? You were wounded because of the men that were trying to kill Ranma and you sister,” the voice reminded her, humor carrying on it.

She stopped and stood upright once more, a dark glare on her pretty face. “Yeah, I remember, so what?” she challenged, her hands still balled into fists.

A figure walked through the fog towards her, bowing when it became visible. “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Drake, at your service,” he said.

“Drake? You’re the guy that sent those idiots after Ranma and us,” she ground out to the man, once more taking up a fighting stance and beginning to close the distance towards him.

He waved his finger from side to side, “Now, now...please. Can’t we just have a civil conversation without all the hostility? I’m actually quite tired of the constant bickering and brawling. It’s so...barbaric,” he shuddered with the word, closing his eyes as he did.

His actions and words confused her, as did his demeanor. “What kinda game are you playing?” she accused, watching him warily.

“Me? A game? How uncouth. No my dear, you misunderstand the circumstances. I am here now BECAUSE of events beyond my control. I’m sure you’ve noticed the comings and goings of Ranma...events that he’s been MOST secretive of,” he told her, clasping hands behind his back.

He sighed and looked around, “Would you be so kind as to create us some chairs or some such? It does grow ever so wearisome to remain standing for a long story, and I assure my dear, this is going to be a LONG story,” he asked, waving his hands at the fog around him, making it roil and roll around him.

“Huh? Why me? I can’t control this stuff,” she said, a confused look on her face.

He gave her an incredulous look. “You mean to tell me that they’ve NEVER taught you to control your mindscape? Your dreamscape?” he asked her, obviously stunned at the news.

She made a rude noise, shaking her head. “No, nobody can! It’s impossible!” she said, now convinced this man was off his rocker.

He cocked a well groomed eyebrow at her. “Impossible you say? Nobody you say? My dear, dear, sweet child! You’ve so much to learn! Here, allow me to assist you,” he offered with a flourishing bow.

Akane took a step back from him with his movements, her hand coming up in a warning.

Drake sighed at her suspicion, “Please, no harm will come to you here. This is YOUR mind, yours alone. If you’ve no desire to be injured here, then you shan’t be,” he told her defensively, as if offended by her mistrust.

Her eyes narrowed slightly but she allowed her hands to drop. “Okay, but try anything funny...” she warned him, keeping a steady eye on him.

He shrugged but nodded, “As you wish, now then, where were we? Oh yes...” he said, interlocking his fingers and extending his arms, cracking his knuckles as he did.

“First, you must simply visualize a pair of seats. Once you’ve done this, examine them and try to discover how they would look, feel...everything,” he explained, closing his eyes as if doing so himself.

Akane, still unsure of the man, slowly did as she was asked. In her mind she saw a pair of sturdy wooden chairs that were normally in her school outside the principal’s office. She could easily remember the texture of the wood, the firm and stable base that she’d sit on, and the way they’d sound as she scooted them across the floor.

“Bravo, bloody good show I say!” came the happily excited voice of Drake, accompanied by his applause.

Opening her eyes she saw that the two chairs now existed where nothing was before. He was holding onto the back of one extending it in her direction. “Ladies first,” he told her gallantly.

She eyed the chairs with shock, taking a step back while her hand came up to her chest. “But...how?” she muttered, unable to take her eyes from the chair.

He sighed again with mild annoyance. “I’m sure I told you before, but in case you missed it then. Akane Tendo...this is YOUR mind. Here you are able to do ANYTHING! If you wanted, oh I don’t know, say a nice spot of tea along with a few cookies to boot with it, a FINE idea by the way,” he suggested with a hopeful expression.

“Then they’d simply appear, as real as you and I,” he told her, looking down to see if she’d taken his hint.

She hadn’t.

Instead she looked at the man before her. “Then what’re you doing here if this is MY mind, I’m sure I never dreamed you up before,” she asked him, still clutching to her views of reality.

Shaking his head, he took the seat next to the one he’d offered her. “That, my dear, is what I’m about to explain. If you’d be so kind as to join an old man for a tale, I would enjoy the company,” he said extending his hand to the chair nearby, a gentle smile on his face.

She slowly walked to the chair and took a seat, moving slowly as if believing that the chair would disappear from beneath her. When it didn’t, she placed hands on either side and wiggled it violently, smiling slowly as the chair easily withstood her test. “This is kinda cool,” she said quietly, angling her head around to view the chair.

“My dear, you haven’t seen ANYTHING yet,” he chuckled at her as she tested her own creation.

“Now then, as I was saying...” he said, clearing his throat theatrically to get her attention. When she was focused on him once more, he continued. “You see, Ranma and his little friends were ‘hired’, shall we say, by a business rival of mine. They were recruited to help stop a venture I’d been putting together to expand my influences,” he began, crossing his legs and folding his arms as he spoke.

“They were led to believe that their actions were noble and just, though the truth be told, they’re simply being used. When this little endeavor is said and done, they’ll be cast aside as so much trash,” Drake told her with an expression of distaste, waving his hand as if clearing a table.

“So why didn’t this guy ask me then? I’m a martial artist too,” she said with more than a hint of pain at the snub.

Drake smiled at her in sympathy, “You see, Ranma and Ryoga didn’t want you involved. Shampoo was invited solely for her knowledge of Amazonian magic and techniques. It was, after all, something that was rather profitable for all parties. The less members they had, the less they’d have to share. Simple mathematics on their part I would suppose,” tapping his finger to his chin as if contemplating their actions.

“But Ryoga is my friend, he wouldn’t just FORGET me like that!” she challenged, feeling betrayed and hurt by the news the man gave her.

“That is an interesting story, my dear, one that I’m not sure they’ve told you,” he said, the smile on his face slowly disappearing. “You know of his relationship with Akari Unryuu? I’m sure you have,” he dismissively waved off the notion before continuing.

“Well, it would appear that Akari has accepted Ryoga, no matter his shortcomings, including that of his curse,” he said, meeting her now shocked gaze with his steady one.

“Cu...curse? What are you talking about? The fact he’s always getting lost?” she asked, a sinking feeling forming in her stomach from the man’s gaze.

He shook his head sadly, “No, I’m afraid not my dear, though I wish it were so. You see, despite all their supposed claims to honor, both Ranma and Ryoga have held a rather vile secret from you,” he said, as if pained to share such information with her. “One that has been dishonoring you for some time.”

She blinked slowly at him, “What? What are you talking about?” she whispered, fearful and eager to find out what this treacherous secret could be.

“It would appear that Ryoga also has a Jusenkyo curse, Heituenniichuan or spring of drowned piglet, and has been living a double life as your ‘P-chan’ ever since,” he told her bluntly, watching her eyes widen in shock.

Akane’s head shook violently from side to side, her expression changing from shock to anger, “NO! That’s impossible! There’s no WAY Ryoga would do something like that!” she shouted at him.

“You’re wrong! You’re LYING!” she shot to her feet and pointed her finger into the man’s face, a glowing red aura springing into existence around her.

He looked nonplused by her actions and resulting battle aura, instead giving her an expression of infinite tenderness and sympathy. “I’m not lying, Akane, I’m TRYING to help you gain your honor back, something that has been taken from you for some time. Even your father knows of this and has said nothing,” he told the irate girl quietly.

She took a step back, her aura fading abruptly as her mind raced with images and scenes of all the times Ranma and her beloved pet had fought, the times Ranma would call Ryoga by her pet’s name and the sudden disappearance and reappearance of Ryoga that ALWAYS seemed to coincide with the appearance and disappearance of P-chan.

“N...No, this can’t be...” she said in a horrified whisper, her face burning with shame and humiliation at the thoughts of how many times she’d shared a bed with Ryoga. The private thoughts and dreams she confided in him, the BATHS she took with him.

Her face grew more and more grim, her countenance darkening. “And RANMA knew! He never said anything about it!” she spat, her anger exploding into white hot star bursts behind her eyes.

Drake nodded sagely. “You see, he PROMISED the lost one that he’d not say anything. I would guess that he just doesn’t consider your HONOR worth his, hmmm?” he asked her, adding fuel to the already considerable fire.

“I’LL KILL’M!” she screamed into the grey wastes of her mindscape.

“That wouldn’t do, not at all, my dear. You see, rather than help you with your art, the poor misguided youths,” he said sarcastically when mentioning them, “instead kept you weak, weaker than the other women in their lives; as if to convince themselves of their own superiority. Also making sure that you’d NEVER be a true threat to either of them,” he egged her on, examining his fingernails closely as he spoke.

She glared at the man and threw a vicious punch towards the man’s face, determined to show SOMEBODY exactly how weak she supposedly was. Her battle aura flashed into existence around her once more, adding power and speed to the punch.

He caught her hand with ease, not moving nor flinching from the attack. “I’m NOT your enemy, Akane; in fact, I’m the ONE person that is willing to help you prove to everyone that you’re not someone to take advantage of. Like they’ve been doing to you for so long,” he told her, moving his head to side, looking around their hands to her enraged face.

His simple yet effective hold stunned her, and drove her anger higher at how easily he defeated her punch. She listened to him, his words seeming to worm their way through the red haze of her anger and deep into her psyche.

Seeing that she was listening to him, he smiled at her. “I came here to this place, your mind, so that we might talk unimpeded by those who would wish you to NOT know the truth, to NOT become that which is destined for you. You see, we BOTH can achieve our ends if we work together my dear. I will teach you, show you how to defeat them and prove your strength once and for all. In return, I simply ask that you make sure that they are unsuccessful in helping out my rival...you know him as Bill; the one that has taken such pains to remove all of Ranma’s fiancées, including you. Delivering him gift wrapped into the lap of your very own sister,” Drake said slowly, making sure she fully grasped what he was saying.

Her growl and narrowed eyes showed him that he had her fully now. “Yes Akane, Nabiki was the one that arranged it so that Ranma is now engaged to her. Taking him from you, humiliating you just as the rest of your supposed friends have,” he revealed to her, playing on her sense of betrayal and jealousy, driving her further into the madness he’d helped to create within her while controlling the focus and direction of the rage.

“I KNEW it! She’s been planning this all along, since BEFORE the wedding!” she said aloud, no longer even truly aware of the man before her, or of the fact that he was still holding her hand, the red aura that once surrounded her flowing into him.

He nodded, a sinister and manipulating smile playing on his face. “They’ve all played you for a fool Akane Tendo, underestimated you, over looked you, belittled you, IGNORED you,” he emphasized, his smile widening as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Let me help you, let me show you how to beat them. All I ask is that you wait for the opportune moment to do so, destroying them utterly and completely. Then, you will have your revenge...and your freedom,” he whispered, slowly rising to his feet.

Akane’s eyes went distant as the lids rose up, revealing her vulnerable expression to him as she looked into his eyes. “Please...help me,” she asked; her voice barely audible as he took her hands into his.

He nodded to her, leaning forwards to her. “Of course my dear, of course,” he assured her, kissing his new student gently on the forehead.

In the recovery room...

Akane’s body stopped its restless movements, her face settling into an expression of peace. A light smile played on her beautiful face, as if everything was right once more within the troubled girl.

A few days later...

“Are you serious?” asked Ranma, almost dropping his chopsticks.

“Would I joke about something like this?” responded Nabiki, smiling at him in return.

“I thought for sure Kuno would’ve been gone longer than that after trying to molest the gym teacher an’ all,” he muttered, shivering despite himself at the horrific memory.

“Well, it appears that Kuno baby responded well to his medication and was released into the care of his family. Not that THAT is going to help his recovery much, but one of the conditions of his release was that he take his medication daily,” she elaborated, turning back to her meal.

The last few days had been quiet, almost to the point that it was an unnatural occurrence. With no fiancées arriving to fight bringing with them the rest of the NWC, no assassins dropping from trees, and even the schemes of both fathers to get Ranma and Nabiki married immediately fell apart at the seams, life at the Tendo dojo settled into something unheard of before, that of peace and tranquility.

Akane frowned into her rice, silently meditating past the anger and jealousy that seethed within her at the sight of Nabiki and Ranma being so comfortable with each other. They never argued, fought, or even gave each other threatening glances. It was everything she’d ever wanted from him, and here he was giving it to her sister as if to rub her nose in it.

Her arrival home from Tofu’s had been a tense affair, one that she had worked hard to alleviate, doing her utmost to put everyone at ease. The bile in her throat had threatened to choke her when she’d given her apology and blessing to both Ranma and Nabiki.

The strange man she’d seen in her dreams had been teaching her how to focus past her immediate anger, showing her the true power of control. She had learned how to meditate, concentrate her strength and power, and increase her speed and grace. She now practiced alone, out of the prying eyes of everyone in the household. Not that many went out of their way to discover what she was doing. All the attention seemed to be focused on the new happy couple and their plans.

Akane just managed not to sneer at the thought, finishing her rice and gently setting her bowl on the table. “I’m finished, may I be excused? I have some homework to do,” she asked her father with a smile, playing the role of obedient daughter to the hilt.

Soun nodded to her. “Of course, I’m sure that you’re still swamped from taking those days off school,” he said to her, waving at her to go.

She even kissed the backstabbing, lying, and emotional wreck of a man that called himself her father as she passed. ‘You knew, you lying bastard, you KNEW!’ her mind raged at the thought of how long he’d known about Ryoga’s curse.

Kasumi smiled as she left, though it was far from the normal expression she wore. ‘Something’s different there,’ she thought not for the first time; though she had little to go on to support this line of thinking.

Instead she began to clear the table, making sure to keep hands and fingers well away from the plate of Genma Saotome. Since the removal of his body cast, he’d been in a war with himself to catch up on all the eating he’d missed while injured.

Nodoka, absently slapping the hand trying to steal her last pickle, looked over at Kasumi. “Do you need any help dear?” she asked the girl.

Kasumi smiled happily at the offer, “Of course, Aunty, that would be wonderful,” she replied, handing the older lady some of the dirty dishes as they walked to the kitchen.

Nabiki frowned at the man that was currently trying to lick the enamel off the various serving dishes. “Ranma, maybe we should go upstairs and study too,” she offered, not voicing the fact she was actually grossed out by the display that had become a nightly ritual.

Even the normally unflappable Ranma nodded as he watched his father eat. “Um, yeah...that might be good idea,” he agreed, slowly backing away from the table with his fiancée.

Nabiki had been rather firm with him regarding his education, forcing him to acknowledge that it was in the best interests of the dojo and his future for him to do well in school.

The only drawback for her had been that she’d been forced to start taking martial arts lessons once more. ‘I knew he’d been paying attention, just never thought the jock would understand negotiations so well,’ she grumbled silently, though her thought held no heat, but rather a kind of pride that he’d learned something like that from her.

They reached her door and entered, Ranma taking up his now normal spot on the floor in front of her closet while she sat on her bed. He’d grown marginally more comfortable being in her room, especially after the wedding ambush the fathers had attempted when they’d tried to study in his room.

Pulling his books from his bag, he looked over to the pretty girl on the bed as she was already into her book, pencil in her mouth. “Hey, Nabs,” he started, smiling as her nose wrinkled with the nickname he’d given her.

Raising a lone eyebrow, she regarded him but didn’t correct him. ‘He takes too much pleasure in using it when he knows it annoys me,’ she gave a mental sigh. “Yes, Ranma?” she asked.

“You heard from Bill lately? I ain’t heard nothin’ from him and was getting kinda worried, ya know?” he asked, flipping open his book.

She shook her head. “No, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He can handle himself, besides its best if he kept a low profile for a bit with everything that’s gone on. If we’re going to pull off our plan on Happosai, it hinges on him being scarce. He’ll contact us when the time is right,” she assured him.

He nodded, not looking satisfied with the answer, but accepting it. They sat in comfortable silence as they studied; only speaking when one or the other had a question.

Finally, Ranma stood up and stretched his arms over his head. “I’m gonna go get something to drink, you want anything?” he asked her, crossing to the bed and looking down at the now smiling girl.

‘I do love to watch him move,’ she thought appreciatively, “Yeah, get me a soda if you would,” she answered, grasping a hand that trailed on her bed as he passed.

Ranma paused at her touch, waiting to see if there was anything else, only to find that she was simply smiling at him.

It had taken some time, but she was slowly getting him used to physical contact from a girl that didn’t involve pain and suffering for him. Whether it be a simple caress as she passed him or taking and holding his hand, it was wearing down his deeply ingrained reflexes to the point he had even initiated the contact with her once.

Smiling, Ranma left her to study as he walked down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen. He whistled a tuneless ditty as he did, waving to his mother and Kasumi when he entered the room with the two women. “Hey Kasumi, we got any soda’s left?” he asked, opening the fridge and poking his head in.

“I’m sure there’s some in there, Ranma,” she smiled at the boy. She had noticed the subtle yet noticeable changes over the boy since the attack. He was less jumpy, less prone to duck at the sound of every loud noise and more apt to actually stay home rather than seeking refuge elsewhere.

Moving aside the carton of milk, he found the remaining case of soda, pulling two of the cold cans from the box. He smiled at the women on his way out, carrying a can in each hand as he did. “Thanks Kasumi,” he called out, once more whistling slightly.

The doorbell rang as he reached the stairs. “I’ll get it,” he called, turning back to the door.

“Hey, Ran-chan! You busy?” asked a smiling Ukyo, surprised to see her former fiancé.

Ranma looked surprised. “Nope, just studying with Nabiki, wanna come in?” he asked, moving aside from the door frame.

Her face momentarily clouded with his casual admission, but she held her smile, “Nah, just stopped by to tell ya that we’re going to have a meeting at my restaurant in about an hour. Make sure you bring your mom too, okay?” she invited him.

His smile was wide and eager. “Okay, I’ll meetcha there!” he told his friend, looking forward to the meeting.

“Great, see ya there Ran-chan,” Ukyo said as she waved good bye, fighting the urge to grab the boy in a hug.

“See ya, Uc-chan,” he waved back, closing the door and bolting up the stairs past a surprised Kasumi.

“Sorry Kasumi gotta go get Nabs and mom, then we got ta go visit Uc-chan for a bit, talk to ya later okay?” he said in a blurred rush.

Kasumi, used to deciphering his speedy talk, nodded at him, “Okay, I’ll go tell Aunty Nodoka,” she said to the stairs, Ranma having long since gone. “Oh my, he’s very excited isn’t he?” she said to herself while she walked back to the kitchen.

At Uc-chan’s...

Ranma sat at a stool, looking bored as he waited for Bill to arrive. He looked around the restaurant, his head resting on his arms.

Mousse and Shampoo sat nearest to him and Nabiki, Mousse leaning quietly against the wall with Shampoo close by, her eyes on Nabiki. ‘I wonder if Nabiki knows...’ he thought idly, turning to look at his fiancée, finding her leaning against the counter next to him.

She smiled when she noticed his attention, leaning slightly closer to him so that her arm touched his shoulder. He could feel the tension from her at the looks she’d been getting, though she showed no outward signs of it. ‘Yep, she knows...hmmm, maybe showing her some of the Soul of Ice...’ he thought watching how well she played off her discomfort.

Ukyo’s voice lilted into the room from behind them, giving explicit directions to Konatsu about what to do while they were gone. He turned to watch the battle chef pointing to various ingredients and explaining what specials were going to be run later in the week.

He was always impressed with the young girl, her ability to run such a successful restaurant while attending school showing more organization then he thought he’d ever attain. She caught his eye and smiled faintly at him while wiping the sweat off her forehead with her arm.

Returning the smile he nodded at her, continuing her observation to his mother, who sat peacefully at a table sipping delicately from her cup or tea. She amazed him, in the purest sense of the word. One moment loving, the next frightening, but always making him feel loved and accepted. “The old man has it too good with her,” he said quietly, knowing that only Nabiki could hear him.

She nodded. “He mustn’t have always been the slob he is today, he must’ve been a decent guy or your mom never would’ve given him a second look,” she agreed, trying to mentally find some good from the panda, and failing yet again.

Ranma made a soft noise. “Yeah, I thought that too,” he said, having heard her own tone about his father.

The bell chimed as 4 more people walked into the restaurant. Cologne and Tsuruko smiled at everyone as they entered, followed closely by Ryoga and Akari. Akari had her hand tied to that of Ryoga with one of his bandana’s. The lost boy looked pale, but determined as he followed his girl friend to a booth. He sat down quickly, lest he find himself elsewhere before realizing it, taking Akari with him.

Ranma jumped up and crossed over to his friend. “RYOGA! Good to see ya up and around man!” he said, plopping into the seat opposite the couple.

Ryoga smiled at Ranma. “It’s good to be UP again Ranma, thought I was going to go nuts having to just sit around; especially when I heard that you guys were getting attacked,” he finished darkly, though a gentle squeezing of his hand by Akari lightened his mood.

“I see you managed to find Akari again,” said Nabiki, sliding into the booth next to Ranma, giving the girl a wide smile. “I’m Nabiki Tendo, good to meet you,” she introduced herself to the sumo pig breeder.

She blushed slightly but shook her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you...” she said, looking at the girl closely.

Nabiki gave her a wry smile. “It’s mostly true, I assure you. My reputation precedes me again it seems, eh Ryoga?” she asked the now sweating lost boy.

He gave an uncomfortable chuckle, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand, “Well, it’s funny Nabiki, it’s, well, like...um, kinda...” he stammered, not wanting to get on her bad side so soon after getting out of bed rest.

She waved him off. “Don’t worry about it or hurt yourself trying, tonight we’re all on the same side...I’ll just bill you later,” she finished with a wink that caused his head to sag while he groaned.

Akari, looking in amazement from Nabiki back to Ryoga. “Wow, you weren’t kidding that she could control someone with a look and couple of words. How do you DO that?” she asked the Ice Queen.

Ranma rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask, we ain’t ready for TWO like her,” he said with a smile, earning him a sharp narrow eyed glance from his fiancée.

“Is that so, Saotome? Then I’ll have to make sure you take me out to dinner to show me how unique I am, maybe dancing too,” she said coolly, making his head sag while he groaned as well.

Akari simply shook her. “You’re good,” she admitted, looking at the two toughest martial artists she’d heard of cow-towed in a matter of seconds.

Nabiki smiled and winked at her. “It’s a gift,” she said.

Tsuruko walked over to the table. “I take it the organizer hasn’t arrived yet?” she asked Ranma and Nabiki.

Ranma, clutching to this golden opportunity to get out of the conversation that involved him and dancing, nodded. “Nope, nothing yet anyways. He came in and told Uc-chan to get us all together, then nothing. We’ve been waiting for about an hour now,” he told her.

Looking up at the concerned face of Tsuruko, “Hey, where you been lately anyways? I ain’t seen ya around. Everything okay with Keitaro?” he asked after his friend.

She smiled and placed a hand on Ryoga’s shoulder. “I was attending to the defense of the young lady that has her sights set on our comrade. It would seem that Drake wasn’t exaggerating about attempting to ruin his happiness,” she told them.

“As far as Keitaro is doing, from what I hear, he’s exceptionally well. Motoko is training him as we speak in the art form of my family. He should be almost done by now, in fact after our little rendezvous with the old lecher, I’m returning there to gauge his progress,” she continued, her smile open while she spoke of the young man that had won her sisters heart.

Nabiki looked at Ranma. “That would be the man that’s indestructible, right?” she asked, wanting to make sure she knew who they were speaking of.

Ranma and Ryoga spent the next couple of moments describing his rather unorthodox yet effective fighting against the demons, drawing laughs from the women.

“It’s all true, I tell ya, the guy can take a punch better’n Ryoga here,” Ranma said, to which Ryoga reluctantly nodded.

“Yeah, I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s no where near as strong as Ranma and I, but we can’t take half the damage he can,” the lost boy admitted.

Cologne joined them along with the others in the restaurant, including Ukyo, her battle spatula once more strapped to her back. “I’ve seen some of the little creatures here, roaming the streets and causing chaos and discord,” Cologne said to Tsuruko as she approached.

Turning, Tsuruko frowned. “It’s been taken care of by some of our allies in this while we’ve been distracted. It was almost as if they were a ruse for us to focus on while the assassins struck into our midst,” she said quietly.

A trash can lid suddenly popped up, a black suited form bouncing to first the ceiling then to the floor, where it crouched. “That is not wholly true,” said the quiet voice of Sasuke, unaware that he’d almost been killed several times over by the highly strung collection of heroes.

When he looked up he froze in fear, EVERYONE in the room was looking at him with a murderous expression, all in a fighting stance. “It’s me, Sasuke!” he squeaked, looking over his shoulder and wondering if he could make the door before getting pulled limb from limb.

Ukyo stomped over to him and slapped him across the back of the head. “You JACKASS! Doncha know how jumpy we are right now! Are you stupid?” she fumed at him.

Nabiki, settling her heart rate back to normal, looked at the cowering ninja. “It’s okay, Sasuke, but next time DON’T jump out of things like that. Now, what have you got for us?” she asked, her tone never slipping from the disinterest she normally showed.

Sasuke swallowed hard, forcing his eyes from the frightening girl with the spatula. “I have spoken with our family and it would appear that a rival clan HAS taken on an unknown benefactor. It would seem that someone is willing to pay to have some of you eliminated, while only injuring others,” he explained, resting his eyes on Ranma as he finished.

“Me?” asked Ranma, looking over to Ryoga then Nabiki. “Why me?” he asked them, surprise on his face.

Sasuke shrugged. “I cannot say for certain, only that there were explicit instructions as to who was to be eliminated and who was to suffer. You were at the top of the list to be made to suffer,” the diminutive man told him.

Ranma growled. “They got another thing comin’ if they think I’m just gonna back down,” he said darkly, only slightly calmed by Nabiki’s hand on his arm.

“Anything else, Sasuke?” she asked the ninja, catching the look in his eyes and knowing something more wasn’t being said.

Sasuke swallowed as he met the cold eyes of Nabiki. “Yes, there is...” he said, hiding his face from her.

“My clan has also noticed a large increase of jobs recently, all to do with martial artists and their families. From what we can gather it would seem that they are using the clans to either hire or coerce many fighters into joining sides with the one that had hired the assassins that came after you,” he told her quietly.

Nabiki’s mind whirled with the news and Sasuke’s mannerisms when he’d told her. “That means,” she said, looking over to Ranma, a concerned expression.

“That I wasn’t the only one looking for heroes,” came the firm voice of Bill as he entered into the shop. His expression was dark as he crossed the room to stand next to Sasuke.

“Who joined them so far?” he asked the diminutive ninja, his hand resting on the man’s shoulder.

Sasuke looked up. “So far, only a few of the fighters have actually accepted the offer to actively participate, though many were convinced to stand aside to spare loved ones any harm,” he told the man.

Bill looked over at Tsuruko, her expression a match for his. “That ain’t all, seems like more than a few have been told about our friends here and are using that as an excuse to fight as well,” he told her.

Tsuruko nodded. “I will ensure Keitaro and Motoko are properly prepared before they rejoin us then. So long as they understand the nature of the combatants they’ll face, they should be fine,” the woman told him.

Nodoka and Ukyo stared hard at the swordswoman. “What’s going on here sugar? There’s something else that we ain’t being told isn’t there,” asked Ukyo, folding her arms across her chest.

Nabiki unconsciously placed a hand on Ranma’s, feeling a cold sense of dread at the way the two adults were acting as they spoke. “They’re coming after Ranma, aren’t they?” she asked, deducing what wasn’t said.

Bill hesitated before meeting the girl’s eyes. “Yeah, him and Keitaro. Drake ended up pulling in some ringers to fight for his side in this, and they’re all looking to make a name for themselves by taking out our boys,” he admitted finally.

Nodoka frowned at him. “Young man, what exactly is going on here?” she asked icily, taking a protective step towards Ranma, her hand straying to the Saotome Honor Blade that had seemed to materialize in her hand.

The effect the blade had on Ranma was immediate. His eyes bugged out, he began to sweat and the boy started to inch away from the woman. It was only her firm hand on his other arm that stopped his escape.

“Don’t worry, my manly son, this isn’t meant for you,” she assured him with a sweet smile. It did little to ease his fears of the blade or the contract that she held over him and his father.

Nabiki raised a threatening finger to Ranma’s nose, breaking him from the fear that gripped him as he instinctively covered himself from the incoming thwack.

“Ranma, she’s not going to have you commit suicide, okay? Calm down,” she told him calmly, forcing him to look in her eyes.

Bill shook his head. ‘Gotta take care of sleeps with sword over there too,’ he thought dismally. “Look, at the moment there’s nothing we can do about these guys. I’ll take care of it and let EVERYONE know what I find out, alright?” he asked, looking around the room and meeting everyone’s eyes.

Nodoka slowly nodded; her frown still in place. “I will expect an answer to my question,” she told him.

Tsuruko placed a gentle hand on Nodoka’s shoulder. “Do not worry, Mrs. Saotome, my sister is also involved in this and I can assure you that everything is being done to rectify the situation,” she added, pulling a thankful smile from Bill.

Cologne hopped forwards. “In the mean time, let us dispense with the matter at hand: the downfall of Happosai,” she told everyone, bringing them back to task.

Bill pulled a packet of photographs from his pocket and handed them to Ranma. “Pass these around, they’ll give you a reminder of why we’re doing this,” he told the boy.

Ranma snorted. “Like I need a reminder...HEY!” he shouted, clutching the photo close to his face, his eyes bugged out in shock and anger.

Nabiki looked over his shoulder, her eyes narrowing in anger at what she beheld.

The photo showed a familiarly clad figure in black handing a large satchel over to a smiling Happosai. The next showed a relaxing Happosai in the background while in the foreground the vicious and bloody battle was being fought by Ranma in the Tendo home.

“Yep, looks like he’s been bribed by them to NOT help us out,” Bill told everyone in a grim voice.

The battle aura’s flared around the room as they witnessed the photos, each remembering how difficult and dangerous the fight had been.

“Those are MY panties!” shouted a very upset Ukyo, snatching a photo from the stack, her eyes wide and face a brilliant crimson.

“Wow, Ukyo, didn’t think you liked that kinda stuff,” came the smug voice of Nabiki, smiling slyly at the girl. “I’d of thought you’d be more into something traditional,” she teased, her eyebrow raised.

Ukyo growled as her blush deepened, “Look, just because I dress like a guy on the OUTSIDE don’t mean that I ain’t got some girly stuff ya know,” she sulked at her.

Nabiki smiled and held up her hands, “Hey, don’t yell at me, I just never figured you the thong type is all, especially lacy,” she added, this time the three boys in the room blushing at the visual image of Ukyo in a lacy thong.

“SHADDUP NABIKI!” screeched Ukyo, taking a step towards the girl in an attempt to cover her mouth with her hands.

Thus began a quick game of ring around the Ranma, the pig tailed martial artist too stunned to move.

Tsuruko and Cologne stopped the girls by taking an arm on each of them. “That is quite enough of that, we have other matters at hand,” said Cologne with a wry smile. ‘Ah youth,’ she thought fondly.

“It good thing Shampoo no wear panties,” said the lavender haired beauty with a sultry smile.

Mousse promptly passed out as blood gushed from his nose.

Bill raised an eyebrow at him. “Well, looks like duck boy is out for the count,” he said dryly, though his face was beet red at the girl’s admission.

Ranma had placed fingers into both of his ears and was currently humming off key in an effort NOT to hear anymore.

Nabiki pulled a hand from his ear and whispered something into it. Her smile as his eyes rolled back into his head was wide and sent shivers running down the spines of people around them.

Bill glared over at her. “Do I even want know?” he asked her, bracing the limp legged boy up as best he could.

Her answering smile was innocent, “You probably don’t, Bill,” she told him. ‘I’ll be damned if Ranma is only going to think about them in their panties,’ she thought smugly, looking back at her fiancé and the silly smile he currently wore.

“Let’s go before anything else happens,” Bill sighed and motioned everyone towards the door.

As Tsuruko passed him, he tapped her arm. “We’ve got a problem,” he whispered to her, handing her three photos that he hadn’t shown the others.

Her eyes widened slightly as she quickly scanned them. “I see...” she told him quietly, locking onto the final picture, her eyes slowly turning to his. “Is this?” she asked.

His nod was slow and deliberate, “Yeah, it is. Can you handle this?” he asked her. “I can’t get involved like that, too many things could go horribly wrong,” he said.

Tsuruko nodded, “I will handle this, though I wonder if it is already too late,” she said with a resigned sigh.

Bill looked at the photo of Akane, her image blurred and the aura surrounding her a nimbus of black energies. “She may have made a deal, Tsuruko, if she did...” he said sadly, shaking his head.

“I will do what must be done, Bill, though after, I will not be welcomed within the Tendo residence again,” she told him firmly, knowing what she had to do.

“Don’t hurt her, Tsuruko, he may not be engaged to her anymore, but he still cares for her...and she does for him as well,” Bill sighed once more, realizing that he’d missed something significant in his rush to deal with the issues surrounding them all, and now an innocent was paying the price.

Her hand on his brought him from his guilty thoughts. “Nothing had given us warning for these events, Bill, you mustn’t blame yourself,” she told him.

He nodded but looked unconvinced, “Yeah, I know...” he muttered, then pulled another of the photos from the stack. “After this, you’re gonna get Keitaro and Motoko to take care of this thing? I’d feel better if they got involved again soon, it’s been centuries since one of them walked this plane,” he told her, holding up the photo of Legion that Gosenkugi had taken.

She frowned. “Yes, I will gather them and bring them here. I would also suggest you allow Ranma to help, his combat expertise would prove beneficial to them as well,” she offered.

Bill smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I was thinking of that too. He could use the chance to really cut loose on something after everything that’s happened. Besides, it’s best if we answer something like this with the maximum amount of force available; send the right message to them,” he said.

“HEY! You guys coming or what?” called Ranma from the street, looking eager to get going, while studiously avoiding looking at the still smiling Nabiki.

They walked from the restaurant and headed towards the women’s public baths, knowing that a certain pervert would already be there.

On of the roof of the women’s public bathhouse...

“See ya next week, ladies!” shouted a jubilant Happosai as he leapt out the window. His laughter was mocking as he started to run down the peak of the roof, his mind thinking of all the lacy darlings he’d found. ‘Must’ve been a sale at the hoity toity place in Tokyo,’ he thought, his eyes going starry at the memories of so much expensive lingerie.

A foot smashed into the back of his head, sending his over sized cranium into the ceramic roof tiles, his bundle of lingerie ripped from his back. “I don’t think so, ya old freak!” growled Ranma, tossing the bundle back into the window behind him. “Your days of perversion are over, old man!” he said, falling into a fighting stance.

Happosai’s aura flared up at the indignities he’d suffered. “Ranma! How dare you interfere with my training!” he snarled back, glaring at the arrogant boy before him.

“HA! Ya call that training? You wouldn’t know real training if it kill’d ya!” shot back Ranma, smiling at the old man with a cocky look.

“You’ll pay for this, Ranma! You’ll learn to respect your elders!” shouted Happosai, dashing towards the boy.

Ranma easily backflipped from him, avoiding the flurry of kicks and punches the man unleashed. His attack was halted as a flurry of small spatula slammed into his back, knocking him forwards.

“What’s the meaning of this?” he yelled, glancing over his shoulder to find Ukyo standing there with her battle spatula at the ready.

“Surprise, ya old letch!” she said with a dark smile.

Ranma took the opportunity to capitalize on his distraction, punting him off the roof and into the sidewalk below, creating a shallow crater from the impact.

Happosai pulled himself from the hole, glaring up at the boy and girl as they landed nimbly nearby. “I’m ashamed of you Ranma, having to use girls...” he said with disgust.

Twin bonburri’s slammed into his left shoulder and arm, Shampoo twisting away after striking him. “Nihao, pervert!” she smiled at him, facing him from a battle stance as she landed.

“We’re tired of you old man...it’s time to pay for your crimes!” said Ranma, his face losing its smile.

“You think you’ve got enough to beat me? I’ll show you...” he said, reaching into his tunic. “HAPPOFIRE BURST!” he cried pulling many of his ki bombs from within.

A sword flashed, severing the wicks from the bombs. “You have caused enough problems for my family,” said the cold voice of Nodoka as she brought her sword back for a repeat swing.

Happosai’s eyes widened at the sight of the Saotome Matriarch. “How could you? I’m just an innocent old man,” he pleaded with her, remembering how fearful Genma was of her and finally realizing why.

Ryoga burst from below the pleading pervert. “Bakusai Tenketsu!” he shouted as the ground exploded upwards, sending the old man sailing into the air above.

Ranma jumped up, smiling evilly as he did, “Way to go, Ryoga!” he called out to his friend. “Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken” he cried, his hands slamming into the man over and over in the blink of an eye.

Happosai’s body was pummeled and buffeted by the attacks. “How could you? What did I ever do to you?” he cried, summoning his ki and preparing to unleash the massive ki bomb on them all.

His hands weren’t moving as quickly as they normally did, coupled with the fact he couldn’t seem to control his mid air flight, he soon found himself arcing towards a large deserted warehouse.

The wall imploded as he slammed through it, accelerated by the vicious and highly accurate attacks from both Ranma and Ryoga. He rolled head over heels through the garbage and debris, finally coming to rest against the far wall.

He slowly stood, his face now a mask of pain and anger. “I’ll teach all of you to mess with me,” he growled, his aura flaring into existence around him.

“Happi, you’ve brought this on yourself,” came the calm and sympathetic voice of Cologne.

He turned and glared at her. “I can’t believe you’d be party to this, Cologne,” he said, oblivious to her own glare.

“I can’t let you get away this time, Happi, you’ve gone too far,” she told him, her aura rising to meet his, her staff twirling before.

Happosai laughed at her. “You’ve never been able to beat me, Cologne, why don’t you just give up now?” he taunted, watching as his aura began to dwarf hers.

“Möko Takabisha!” shouted Ranma, his ki attack slamming into the back of Happosai. The effect was negligible, the man’s aura only flickered slightly before shrinking about a quarter of its size.

“You fool! You should know that...ARGH!” he cried, falling to a knee.

Cologne smiled down at him, her staff still held out in the striking position. “You’re outmatched, Happi, surrender now and face justice,” she told the fallen man.

He shot to his feet. “You’re all ganging up on me! It’s no fair, I tell ya!” he cried, leaping upwards towards the roof of the building.

Both Cologne and Ranma followed him, all three landing almost at the same time. Happosai found his usual tremendous reserves of ki failing him, his body slowing down and his reflexes going lax. “What’ve you done to me?” he asked them, flexing his hands.

“We’re gonna finish you off old man, once and for all!” Ranma told him, leaping forwards to attack.

Happosai whirled his fingers, his pipe magically appearing to deflect Ranma’s attack and the follow up by Cologne. “I’ve still got a trick or two up my sleeve,” he said to them as he thunked Ranma on the head.

The bowl of the pipe began to grow red. “Maybe it’s time to show why I’m still the master!” he said, narrowing his eyes at Ranma.

“That ain’t gonna work this time, ya freak!” smiled Ranma, eyeing the coming moxibustion technique warily.

As Happosai launched himself forwards, a shot rang out in the night air, snapping his pipe into splinters and throwing the now shocked old man off the roof.

“It’s not nice to play with fire. You could hurt someone!” admonished a tall blonde man in a red trench coat, a gleaming silver pistol in hand.

“Thanks, Vash!” smiled Ranma to his friend, giving him thumbs up.

“No problem, Ranma, I really don’t like bullies,” he said with a happy smile, waving back at the boy.

Cologne looked at the man waving to Ranma, appraising him. ‘Hmmm, perhaps he would be a good candidate,’ she thought, nodding her approval before leaping off the roof to continue the battle with Happosai.

Vash shivered unconsciously, taking a sudden look over his shoulder. “That’s weird,” he noted, shrugging as he made his way down from the roof.

Looking at the stub of his former pipe, Happosai began to realize this wasn’t like a normal occurrence of the times he’d been accosted by Ranma and crew. He rose slowly to his feet, beginning to feel his body weaken, arms and legs no longer responding as they once did. Several points on his body ached and blazed, pulling his foggy mind to what had happened, his wrinkled face paling as he realized what they’d done.

“That’s impossible...it, it can’t be,” he whispered, hearing a foot scuffing stone behind him.

He turned to find Ranma, Ukyo, Ryoga, Shampoo, and Nodoka slowly walking towards him, all of them bearing expressions of distaste and driven purpose.

“You can’t do this to me! I’m the Grandmaster of the Anything Goes School! You wouldn’t have ANYTHING if it weren’t for me!” he yelled at them, backing away slowly as he tried to draw them in closer.

“You’re wrong, Happi, it’s your FAULT this is happening now, because of your actions in the past and the way you taught your students,” answered Cologne, pogoing into place with the rest of them.

He glared at all of them once more. “You’ll never beat me, never, do ya hear!” he yelled at them, shaking his fist. “I’ll show you! I’ll show ALL OF YOU!” he yelled, a massive ki bomb appearing behind him, it’s short fuse already sparking into life.

He pointed a finger at them and sent it rolling towards them, cackling manically as he did. The explosion was huge, deafening in it’s magnitude as the debris cloud obscured the surroundings and fell to the streets and houses below.

He walked forwards with a smug expression. “That’ll teach you young punks not to mess with me!” he said with vile satisfaction.

A swirling in the cloud attracted his attention as it began to separate the dust and debris, revealing a twin set of jet streams flowing around the holy nimbus that surrounded a floating swordswoman.

Her beautiful face was horrible to behold, eyes reversed as glowing white irises bore holes into him from where she hovered. Her sword was held before her, the traditional outfit flapping wildly in the winds she controlled. “You have touched that which does not belong to you, taken what is not yours, and defiled too many with your perversions. For this I shall punish you!” she intoned, slowly descending towards her.

“Aw c’mon, I wasn’t that bad,” scoffed Happosai, while taking more than a few steps backwards. Her power level was incredible, easily surpassing his in the weakened state he now found himself in.

Her feet lightly touched the ground and she began to approach him, each step slow and sure; driving fear deeper into the perverse old master.

“This isn’t fair! They used ki blocking pressure points on me, I’m not up to my strength, how can you pick on a defenseless old man like this?” he whined, eyes darting about as he sought to find a way to escape from Tsuruko.

A set of hands snatched him up, shaking him vigorously. “Now I gotcha old man! You’re gonna pay for everything you ever did to me!” smiled Ranma, tossing him into the air.

“Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken!” he called out, his fists completing the last of the pressure points that would lock the old man’s ki away. He sailed into the waiting arms of Ukyo, a devilish smile on the girl’s face.

“Well, looks like you’re about to take a trip, old letch,” she said to him, hoisting the paralyzed man up by the collar of his shirt.

“Just a second, I’ve got something special for him,” said Bill, emerging from the shadows behind them.

Ukyo looked over at him. “Here ya go, just make sure the old pervert doesn’t get away,” she told him with a smile, handing the man/statue to Bill.

Bill gripped him as if he was something detestable and stinky. “Right. Trust me, he’s gonna see a whole NEW outlook on life once I get done with him,” he promised.

He walked back down the alley way he’d come from, disappearing around the corner.

Ranma looked over at everyone, a tired smile on his face. “We did it!” he said, pumping his fist into the air.

Tsuruko walked over to him. “Yes, it would appear that the only thing stopping you from becoming the next true master of your style is the test. I would suggest you look into this, Ranma, you would bring honor back to the Anything Goes Style if you were head of it’s training,” she complimented him.

Ranma blushed under her praise, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, well...I still gotta lot to do an’ all, ya know, with school and such,” he said.

“Don’t worry, Ranma, I’m sure you’re going to do just fine,” said Nabiki, walking from the protection of the far building with Akari. She smiled at him even as she watched Akari rush to the heavily blushing Ryoga as she glomped onto him.

Shampoo smiled at the girl proudly. “She good,” she said pointing to the crushing embrace Ryoga found himself in.

Cologne chuckled. “Yes, young love,” the elder replied, sighing as she looked in the direction Bill had walked off in.

Ukyo and Shampoo wandered over closer to where Ranma was, now joined by Nabiki. “Uh, Ranma honey, I’ve gotta question for you,” stammered Ukyo, blushing slightly as she stood before them.

Nabiki looked at the girl’s face. ‘Uh oh, here it comes,’ she thought, knowing where this was headed.

“Yeah? What’s up Uc-chan?” he asked his friend, happily oblivious to her discomfort.

“I was wondering,” she started to say, then took a deep breath and spoke rapidly. “If you’d like to go see a movie sometime?” she said in a rush.

Nabiki’s eyes widened at the audacity of the girl, asking out Ranma right in front of her like that.

Ranma blinked at her several times, unsure of what to say but not wanting to hurt his friend. “I dunno Ukyo, I mean, I don’t want you ta get the wrong idea or nothin’,” he said, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

Nabiki could’ve done back flips as he turned her down, her heart beating furiously in her chest. ‘Thank you Ranma, thank you Ranma, thank you Ranma,’ her mind told her over and over.

Ukyo’s face fell. “I, I understand I guess. Maybe sometime we could just go out as friends? You know, like best friends?” she asked, trying hard to hide her disappointment.

He swallowed as he watched the pain playing out behind her eyes, then he looked over to Nabiki, taking a measure of strength from her. “I suppose we could Ukyo, you wouldn’t mind if Nabs came with us though? She don’t get much chance to go out an’ all,” he replied, his heart launching up at the sight of her pleasure of his offhanded date invitation.

Ukyo looked up at them, forcing back the tears, she smiled bravely. “Yeah, that’d be great,” she said, finding that she even meant it more then she thought she would. ‘I’ll take what I can get from ya...even if I gotta share ya with Nabiki,’ she thought darkly.

Shampoo’s face fell as she watched the small scene play out, realizing that Ranma was now truly beyond her reach as she watched him taking support from the Ice Queen. Before she could turn away, Nabiki stopped her. “Hey Shampoo, you and Mousse could come along too. It’d be fun to have everyone along without fighting for a change,” she offered the Amazon, her smile open and friendly rather than predatory.

Even Ranma looked over to Nabiki, surprise on his face though it was a pleasant one. “You sure about this, Nabs?” he asked her quietly, wanting to make sure it really was Nabiki he was talking to.

Nabiki smiled at him, nodding as she did. “Yeah I am Ranma. Just because they aren’t engaged to you anymore, doesn’t mean you can’t be friends with them, or me for that matter. You’ve all been through a lot together and it’d be a shame to throw that away just because everyone has been released from the forced engagements,” she explained to him, smiling even more broadly as his hand found hers.

His smile electrified her, warming her deeply and revealing just how much she’d come to appreciate his honest and open nature. “Thanks, Nabs,” he whispered back, turning back to the surprised Shampoo and Ukyo.

“C’mon guys, it’d be fun to just get out for a while instead of fightin’ all the time, whaddya say?” he asked, giving them a pleading look.

Both girls looked at one another, sometime allies in their pursuit of the boy, both now no longer in the running for his heart. “That sound like fun, Ranma, Shampoo go,” replied the buxom Amazon.

Ukyo nodded and smiled at her friend, before looking back at Ranma. “You got it, sugar, but we ain’t eating at my place or Shampoo’s afterwards. If we’re really gonna go out and relax, it’s gonna be outta here, okay?” she stipulated, cocking her head to the side.

Ranma’s smile wavered, but Nabiki answered for them. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. This way we can all relax...only, we DON’T tell his father or mine. They’ve caused enough problems for everyone,” the girl told, getting knowing nods from everyone.

Ryoga and Akari smiled at them, Akari finally having released Ryoga before he passed out. “You wouldn’t mind if Ryoga and I came along would you? I’ve not been out before with other people,” she asked timidly, still clutching the hand of her wayward boyfriend.

Ranma grinned at his long time rival and friend, “As long as you can keep Ryoga around long enough, that’d be great!” he said, teasing his friend.

Ryoga glowered at him, though he was silenced as Akari whipped off one of his bandana’s and promptly tied their hands together once more. “Don’t worry, I’m NEVER letting him out of my sight again,” she said happily, drawing a deep blush and goofy grin from the lost boy.

Nabiki glanced over at Ranma, a devilish smile playing on her face. “Hmmm, tying you to me? Sounds like fun, eh Saotome?” she said coyly, rubbing against a stammering and sweating Ranma.

He gulped several times, but was unable to come up with a rejoinder.

She grasped onto his arm with hers, leaning into as she did. “Tell ya what, Ranma. You walk me home and we’ll talk about, okay? You never know, you might LIKE it,” she said softly, walking with him from the scene.

Ukyo and Shampoo watched them walk away with mixed expressions, loss and regret along with slight jealousy.

Ryoga watched them as well. “Looks like Ranma may have finally met his match,” he told Akari as they walked away.

She looked up at him curiously. “What do you mean?” she asked him, turning her face back to the couple. “They look happy to me,”

He smiled. “Me an’ Ranma used to fight all the time over Akane, before I met you, that is...” he said quickly, fearing that she would be upset with him.

Akari smiled at him, interlocking her free arm with his. “That’s okay, Ryoga, you know that I’ll always love you, no matter what,” she told him, knowing that her love and acceptance of him was unconditional.

“But now, with him engaged to Nabiki again, only this time it looks like it’s for real...seems like he might have finally found someone that is going to be able to handle him,” he finished, thinking about the crazy paths their lives had taken for them to reach this point.

The couple walked past Tsuruko and Cologne, heading back towards the Cat Café. “We’ll see you back at your restaurant, Elder Cologne,” said Akari formally.

Tsuruko and Cologne watched them pass. “When will you return?” asked the elder Amazon as they moved towards the last remaining girls that were now standing near Nodoka.

“I have to evaluate my sister and her love. Provided they have met with the standards of my family, we will return directly. There is a named loose nearby,” she told Cologne.

Cologne sighed and nodded. “It would seem we are living in interesting times,” she said quietly as they reached the three women.

“Indeed we are, though I dare say, we are making times just as interesting for them as well,” smiled Tsuruko, bowing as she left the company of the women.

“Would you ladies care to join me for some tea?” asked Nodoka, once more securing the blade within its silk wrap.

Tsuruko shook her head. “No, thank you. I have much to do before I return home. I will call on you once I return with my sister and her beau, they are friends of Ranma’s,” she told the woman.

Nodoka smiled, looking fondly after her manly son and his fiancée. “I would like that, Tsuruko,” she said, having come to like the noble woman that had abused her husband. ‘Something that should have happened sooner,’ she thought with a mental wince, remembering the stories told her by so many regarding her husband’s lack of ethics and honor.

The women walked home, little talking was done between them as they left, all thoughts on what the future now held for them.

Tendo home...

Akane flipped through the pages of her notes that detailed her plans against Ranma and Nabiki, altering minor details here and there. Her smile was one of devious pleasure as she worked, beginning to feel a sense of accomplishment with herself and how far she’d come in her training.

“I’ll show you, Ranma. I’ll show you not to underestimate me,” she said darkly, her cheeks burning once more with the shame of the secret that had been kept from her for so long.

Finishing the last of her writing, she smiled. “Just wait till Nabiki and everyone find out how honor less and worthless you really are, especially after I kick you ass,” her words filled with venom and determination.

A temple within the Nerima District...

Bill dumped the ladle over the head of Happosai, or rather a beautiful and kind faced nun that used to be Happosai. “I beg your forgiveness, my good lady, but it was for the best due to the nature of your personality,” he said, carefully wrapping the ladle into a bag of silk.

The woman looked morose. “I cannot believe I committed such atrocities in the name of honor,” she told him, wringing her hands and looking up to the temple.

“Are you sure they’ll accept me, even with my crimes?” she asked the man that had taken such an interest in her future and very soul.

He smiled at her. “I’m very sure, the priestesses here are very understanding and accepting. Besides, I’m sure that you’ll do everything in your power to make amends. You mustn’t let anyone know of your past, however, magic isn’t as accepted as it once was,” Bill told her.

The woman walked slowly up the stairs, pulling the bell rope when she’d reached the top. The doors swung open silently and she entered, the doors silently closing behind her once she’d entered.

He turned and smiled as he walked back into the shadows once more, closing his eyes as he did. The familiar feeling of rushing filled him before the almost painful snap back sensation as he arrived. Opening his eyes, he was met by the smiling face of Chase. “Hey, boss lady, how they hanging?” he asked her.

“Fine, according to Turner, and he should know,” she teased back. “So, how’d it go?” she asked him as he fell into step next to her, walking back to the observation room.

“Worked like a charm. The old pervert didn’t have a clue it was happening until it was too late,” he said, handing her the silk wrapped ladle. “I’ll let you send this back to Herb, make sure to tell him thanks for me. Now I just gotta get a hold of Taro and I get free karma points,” he joked, his smile tired.

She set the ladle down and looked at him. “Ranma was able to seal the man’s ki?” she asked, wanting to make sure he was now harmless.

Bill nodded with a cocky look. “Oh yeah. It was easy to convince them to fight not to win, but to hit the points in succession. He never knew what hit him until too late. They even got him to drain the last of his reserves by making him use one of those big bombs he tosses around. He, well SHE now, has checked into the temple like we planned. I’m sure Bell will find something for her to do as well as help her with making amends with everyone,” he chuckled, thinking of the old Happosai, and how much his new curse locked body was different.

Chase chuckled as well, shaking her head. “That was mean. FUNNY, but mean. Using the water from the Spring of Drowned Beautiful Nun, then locking him with that ladle thingy and making him into something that was diametrically opposed to his previous nature,” she giggled.

He shrugged and smiled. “It’s a talent,” he said modestly, rubbing his nails on the front of his shirt. “Besides, it beats having Tsuruko kill the twerp. I’d much rather have her around then not, and killing would definitely fall into the no-no category for us good guys,” he added, remembering the last of his conversation with the beautiful swordswoman.

“Speaking of which, I’ve filled her in on what’s in the sewers. She’s gonna go grab Keitaro and Motoko before heading out after it. Between them and Ranma, it should go down quick. Now we just gotta figure out if Akane has made a deal,” he finished darkly, truly worrying about the young girl.

The woman nodded in understanding, “Let’s hope she didn’t. But if she did, well...we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” she told him, picking back up the ladle and placing it next to a matching kettle. “You sure you don’t want to hit Ranma with this before we send it back?” she asked, gesturing to the kettle.

Bill looked at the Chiisui-ton and Kaisui-fuu. “I don’t know, Chase. His girl form is pretty kick ass,” he answered with sigh, looking doubtful.

“I’ll discuss it with, Nabiki, it was part of our deal after all, I just don’t want to possibly hurt the kid’s chances by limiting his options, especially with what’s coming,” the man said, shaking his head.

Chase nodded in understanding. “Well, I trust your judgment, just make sure it’s what HE wants and NOT something he’s been led to believe is for the best,” she reiterated to him.

“I’ve also gotten a lock on some of the guys that have sided with Drake, they should be making an appearance in Nerima in a couple of days. Make sure you warn them and get the innocents out of the way,” she told him, handing him a file and a small data disk that glimmered in the pale lighting.

Rolling his eyes. “Ya know, the whole ‘Hell on Earth’ idea ain’t what it’s cracked up to be. I wish someone could explain to me WHY anyone in their RIGHT MIND would join up to destroy the world as they know it,” he grumbled, wondering at the insanity of the world.

She shrugged. “Hey, you figure that out, come and get me,” she told the man with a grin, turning back to her observations.

End of Chapter notes:

Gotta thank my best friend and fellow author APoggen for her help in this chapter. The character Julia Ward is actually hers, complete with Cockney accent! She’ll be helping me keep with the true flavor of the slang as well as staying true to what the character is. Julia, Chase and Bill are all OC’s from our writings over the last few years. They make great supporting cast without taking anything away from the main(and our favorite) characters. Thanks again for all the support and reviews everyone, they keep me going and make me smile :) Innortal, yet again I bow to you for your help and support in this fic, it’s truly appreciated. Going to update Immortality Sucks next, then bounce back and forth between the two stories, until the climax that is coming. Stay tuned, same pig tailed time, same pig tailed channel!