Second Chances

By Lord Archive



The first chapter is sad and dark. The following chapters are not.

This story begins over six months after Manga volume 38.

Legal Babble: Characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Video,
etc..., and are used without permission. I'm only borrowing them. I'll
return them. I can't afford the overdue charge Nabiki insists on.



-------------------------------
Chapter 1 - The End of One Life
-------------------------------



Akane could not believe what she saw before her. Ranma had defeated
the monster Happosai had summoned, but he was wounded. Badly wounded.
She rushed to Ranma with tears filling her eyes.

This can't be happening. It can't! She kneeled at his side.
"R-Ranma?" she uttered, her voice shaking.

Ranma said weakly, "Akane. I'm s-sorry. I got... careless."

"Be quiet, save your strength." Please don't die. Please!

"I... I'm sorry, Akane... I wanted to... marry you... I'm sorry... I
hadn't told you that... I love you."

Her eyes lit up. He had finally admitted he loves her. Everything
would be all right now. Everything would be better.

"I do love y..." The fire of life in Ranma's eyes were extinguished as
his heart stopped. He now just laid there, dead.

"Ranma?" Akane cried. "Ranma, please don't leave me. Ranma, I love you,
don't leave me." She gathered his body into her arms and screamed,
"RRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The scream was heard for kilometers around.

-----------------------------------

Ukyou sat at the Tendo Dojo. She couldn't understand how some dopey
monster Happosai summoned could kill Ranma, but it had. She hadn't
stopped crying since she arrived at the place Ranma died, just after
hearing Akane's gut wrenching cry of his name. Now here she was at
Ranma's funeral days later. His casket in front of her, and she just
couldn't understand it.

Ukyou saw Kasumi lead Akane into the dojo. She noted with bitterness
that Akane didn't show any signs she had been crying. The bitterness
was short lived when she then noticed Akane didn't show signs of any
sort. Akane wasn't emotionally alive.

---------------------

Shampoo stared at the casket in front of her. She realized for some
time now that she had lost him, but continued to chase him in case...
anything unfortunate happened to Akane. Besides, she couldn't return
to her village unless Ranma was her husband or dead. She hoped and
prayed for the former, but it was to be the latter. Ranma was gone,
and no one gets to have him.

Shampoo saw Akane enter the dojo. Not surprised at her state. Shampoo
knew Akane loved Ranma more than she let anyone, including herself,
know. Shampoo thought Akane loved Ranma more than she did and perhaps
more than Ukyou did as the evidence showed.

The biggest surprise at the proceedings held for Shampoo was that
Mousse was not elating how she was free of Ranma. He just sat next to
her, mourning the passing of Ranma and only offered to comfort her in
her time pain. He did not force his presence on her.

She was unnerved at how little pain she actually did feel. Sure she
cried when she found out Ranma was dead and it does hurt, but even
Kodachi showed more reaction to his death. She guessed it was because
deep down she had given up on Ranma. So, alive or dead, it didn't
matter, he was already lost to her.

---------------------

Kodachi laughed, and laughed. Her fragile hold on sanity cracked when
she saw Ranma's dead body. When she went to attack the wretched Tendo
girl who took Ranma away from her, she had been stopped by a combined
attack from Ryoga, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Kuno.

Kodachi's injuries from the battle had sent her to the hospital. Her
actions there had her committed. She had severely hurt two orderlies
in an attempt to leave and hunt down Akane.

---------------------

Ryoga stood in the back of the dojo, tears streaming down his face.
Akari was next to him trying to give him emotional support. Ranma had
been the closest thing to a best friend to him, and his first love,
Akane, was obviously in great pain from Ranma's death.

"You know, that's how Ranma was when he thought Akane died at Jusendo.
He couldn't take the pain so he shut himself off, as Akane is now,"
Ryoga said in a low voice.

"Will she ever get better?" Akari asked, sadly.

"I-I think she may end up like her father, never able to go through a
day without crying. Either that or her anger will be such that she
will have to be restrained to prevent her from destroying everything
in sight."

"Oh." Akari looked at Akane. She now cried not really for Ranma, but
for the pain Akane felt and wondered if she would feel the same if
Ryoga died.

----------------------

Konatsu was above Ukyou, holding onto the ceiling. He worried about how
she was to fare after Ranma died. He was upset that Ranma had died,
Ranma had been his friend and he had precious few friends.

--------------------

Kuno stood like a stone statue on the other side of the dojo door from
Ryoga. It pained him to see how the spell that sorcerer Saotome had cast
on Akane hurt her after his passing. He wanted to comfort Akane, but
Nabiki threatened to make him a woman and send the Kuno clan to the poor
house if he even talked to her. For now he just honored his adversary,
as he was the only man to hold his own against his might.

--------------------

Nabiki was at a loss. She played peace keeper, not wanting to have the
insanity of Ranma's life to invade his funeral. She wished now she had
used her skills to end the insanity rather than fuel it. She purposely
delayed the marriage of Ranma to Akane because she felt her sister
wasn't ready. Now Akane had lost any chance to ever marry him, and it
was Nabiki's fault the wedding attempt had failed.

--------------------

Kasumi sat next to Akane. It troubled her greatly that Akane had
retreated so far into her own world that she may as well be dead. Kasumi
had seen it before, her father was like that when her mother died.
Kasumi knew Akane would come out of it eventually, but she won't be the
same person she was before.

-------------------

Soun cried, and cried. His daughter was hurting and his family line will
never be joined with the Saotomes.

-------------------

Nodoka sat on the other side of Akane. Nodoka cried at the lost of her
son so soon after finding him. He had proven to be a 'man amongst men'
to his dying breath and hated that the oath of Seppuku had kept him away
from her for so long. All she wanted now was her son, if he was truly a
man or not.

Nodoka looked down at Akane. She did not care that Akane never married
Ranma. She was going to help this girl who her son loved as if the girl
was her daughter.

------------------

It was a surprise to many guest when Genma walked into the dojo in human
form, crying with tears sorrow. He had screwed up so much when raising
Ranma, he was not going to make a mistake now. Genma knew his many
mistakes had hurt Ranma greatly, and his mistakes with Happosai had
caused the death of his only child.

-----------------

Cologne was next to Shampoo. She regretted that Shampoo would never get
to marry Ranma, but knew how hopeless that had become. This outcome
would work out for the best for Shampoo in the long run, but Cologne
never wanted it to happen.

-----------------

Happosai? Well, Happosai wasn't there. When he had arrived at the scene
of Ranma's death to see what his monster had done, he meet several angry
martial artist. He held his own against them. Actually he was winning,
despite fighting Genma, Soun, Ukyou, Ryoga, and Shampoo all at the same
time.

Ryoga and Genma laid into Happosai using chi attacks. Genma was even
using his forbidden moves to attack Happosai. Ukyou and Shampoo were
upset that their presence was only helping the lech.

It wasn't until Happosai touched Akane to regain his strength that the
battle ended. Akane looked at Happosai with such anger and rage she
glowed with a chi aura greater than Happosai ever produced. "You- you
killed him!" she shouted, her voice like gravel. "DIE!"

Akane grabbed onto his head in a death grip. He struggled trying to get
her to let go. He started to feel her gather her chi for a chi blast.
She was gathering it between her hands, which happened to also be where
his head was.

Akane let out a shriek of rage as she fired off her chi blast. A perfect
anger chi blast with the point of origin being between Happosai's ears.

Happosai exploded into gory little bits.

Some of those watching lost their lunch.

Akane stared at the corpse, well what passed for one. Only then did she
realize that she wasn't dreaming about what she'd do to Happosai. She
really had killed him. Her mind failed her looking at the sight. She
collapsed.

Now, the only people who thought of Happosai, did so angrily. No one
mourned his passing.

-----------------------------------

Ukyou kept her restaurant closed for the following week. She spent most
of the time crying. She tried to visit Akane once, but she was still
emotionally dead. Ukyou did see signs that Akane was coming out of it as
she mumbled a couple times. At one point Ukyou heard Akane say, "The
Baka died before I could tell him that I love him." Ukyou knew Akane
wasn't talking to her since Akane stared off into space while saying it.

Ukyou was upset by Akane's reaction. Ukyou always felt she deserved
Ranma the most, that she loved Ranma more. But, Akane proved that wrong.
Despite her insults and the number of times she hit Ranma, Akane was in
greater emotional pain over his death than anyone else.

Konatsu had spent those days as shoulder for Ukyou to cry on. He wanted
to help her in anyway he could.

-------------------

With Ranma's death, nothing held the Amazons to Japan, so they packed up
and left days after the funeral. Shampoo and Mousse stopped by the
Tendos before leaving to wish them better times and gave an offer of
help if they ever needed it.

-------------------

Kuno had visited his sister in psychiatric ward. When he started
spouting how the evil Saotome had bewitched his sister, he was given a
nice padded room for himself.

-------------------

Ryoga, seeing what Ranma and Akane had lost for waiting 'until the time
was right,' gathered his courage and proposed to Akari. She happily
accepted.

Ryoga was still upset and depressed at what had happened. He thought if
he was a little sooner in getting there, if he could have done more,
Ranma would be alive. The man whose existence he had cursed many times
over and attempted to kill on many occasions, and he would do anything
to bring him back.

Akari wanted to help Ryoga, she gave him the love that kept him from
going over the edge. But, Ryoga needed to release the feelings of
depression that built up in him and made a large pond at Akari's farm
from repeated Shi Shi Hokodan blasts he fired several times a day.

-------------------

Almost a week passed before Akane came out of her emotional death. She
spent the next several days crying. Nodoka was not going to let her
handle the pain alone, but she also knew, for what happened, Akane would
need professional help.

It was two weeks after the funeral when Akane first saw the
psychologist. It had to take some convincing that Akane wasn't
delusional when she talked about how Ranma died and mentioned his curse.
The doctor was upset that no one had come to see a psychologist before
then, especially about Ranma who undoubtedly had many mental scars that
should've been addressed.

Talking to the psychologist helped Akane greatly. She started to
function and three weeks after Ranma died she returned to school.
Everyone avoided her, which suited her find. She wished it had all been
a nightmare, one she'd wake up from. She wanted Ranma back. She wanted
to tell him that she loves him.

-------------------------------------

Akane stared out into the stormy night with eyes dried from having cried
too much, her thoughts drifted over the past two year since Ranma blew
into her life. Two years that afternoon, and he missed the anniversary
by four weeks.

Akane had been crying since she found Ranma's journal a couple days ago.
She only read the last couple entries and found out Ranma had actually
decided to deal with Ukyou and Shampoo and marry her today. Akane was
amazed that Ranma actually remembered the importance of the day let
alone planned to make it the most important one in their lives. And now
it'll never be.

Akane thought of all the mistakes she had made, from their first meeting
to their final moments. So many times she had gotten angry at him for
things that were not his fault. She wanted to take it all back. She
wanted him back.

Akane couldn't bear the pain any longer, she couldn't go on. A short
trip to the kitchen or the dojo to get a nice sharp blade, and she could
join him. She could see him again. She would... be dead. No! As much as
it hurts. Oh, Kami-Sama, how it hurts! She couldn't bring herself to
leave the world just yet as it would cheapen Ranma's death. He took some
of the injuries in the final battle saving her. He would want her to
live.

Akane decided to use the emergency number the psychologist had given.
She needed to talk to him some more. Akane was shaking as she went to
the phone and dialed the number.

On the third ring it was answered, "Goddess relief line. Hold on for one
moment."

What the hell? This isn't the psychologist, Akane thought, confused.
She then noticed the television suddenly turned on in the living room.
No one should be in there, it was three in the morning. She let the
phone drop, if this was a burglar, he would regret trying to rob her
home.

Akane stopped and was sort of amazed at a woman, who was cursing while
she tried to get out of the television.

"I don't know why my sister is in love with these stupid machines," the
woman said.

Akane came to senses and went into a battle stance. "Who are you, and
what are you doing to my TV?"

"I'm Urd. I am a goddess, and you've been granted a wish." She finished
by wrangling her foot out of the television, and sent it crashing into
the floor.

Akane lost it for a moment. Could this be true? Do I really get a
wish?

"Yes, you get one wish," Urd replied.

Akane blinked. I didn't say anything?

"You don't have to. For the time being, I can read your mind."

Akane became elated, saying excitedly, "I can get him back. I've
wished to get a second chance with Ranma..."

However, because of the way Akane blurted out her words, what Urd
heard was, 'I get him back? I wish to get second chance with Ranma...'
Urd then began to glow, and a beam of light shot skyward. "Granted."

"Granted what? I didn't make my wish yet," Akane said, getting upset.

"You wished for a second chance, and now you've got it?"

"Huh?" Akane questioned, suddenly growing tired.

"Now go to sleep, Akane. Tomorrow WON'T be a new day," Urd smirked, as
she faded from existence.

"What did she mean by that?" Akane yawned as she dragged herself to bed.
She grabbed Ranma's journal and hugged it tightly as she feel asleep.


--------------------------------
Chapter 2 - Beginning Again.
--------------------------------


Akane awoke. She felt different, her mind clouded. A hot bath was what
she felt she needed right now. She set Ranma's journal on her desk as
she wearily got out of bed. She then gathered her stuff and made her way
downstairs. She suspected Kasumi would have a bath ready. While Kasumi
didn't seem to notice things, she usually had things like that done for
you before you knew you wanted it.

Akane made her way to the bathing room, but the bath wasn't ready. Akane
shrugged it off, Kasumi had been having a hard time reading her since
Ranma... left. She decided to wash her face and prepare a bath for
herself. She approached the sink and looked at the mirror.

Akane nearly screamed at what she saw. Her hair was long. Her face
younger. She ran her hand through her hair and touched her face. This
can't be possible. She the remembered her encounter with the 'goddess'
last night and her wish for a second chance. She dared not believe the
implications before her, but she had to find out.

Akane ran out towards the dining room, as she guessed her father was
there. The shogi board and Genma, however, were nowhere in sight. "Dad?"

Soun quickly attempted to hide a postcard. His face tear-ridden. "Yes,
daughter."

"What day is today?" Akane asked meekly.

"Sunday, Dear."

Akane blinked, yesterday had been Tuesday. "Um, I meant the date."

"May tenth." Soun looked at her puzzled.

Akane's head began to spin. It was Sunday, May tenth, but yesterday was
Tuesday May tenth. Ranma arrived on May tenth... Sunday. "I-is the year
1992?"

"Of course, daughter. Are you all right? You don't look good."

"I'm fine... Great even." Akane smiled from ear to ear. Today was the
day. Ranma is coming, and she wasn't going to make the same mistakes
this time around. She would use this second chance wisely.

Soun looked at his daughter closely. She looks disheveled and up until
a moment ago looked quite sad and confused. Now she's happy. I've been
delaying telling them what's on this post card until the time was right.
Now appears to be a good time to tell them, because Akane is happy and
she will likely be the most violent in her rejection of this
information. "Akane, could you get your sisters? I have something I
need to discuss with all of you."

Akane paled. I need to get ready. I want to get a haircut. So much to
do before Ranma arrives. She noticed the time. Her father was going to
start earlier. She had a little more time, but she needed to delay
things. "Um, Dad, can I get cleaned up a little first?"

"Sure, but don't take too long."

Akane nodded. I don't have enough time to get a haircut, but I could at
least look presentable. I won't meet him as the uncute, sweaty, gi
wearing girl. She paused for a moment. Ranma loved me, but I'm the
uncute one. Ukyou and Shampoo were cute. Was that what he loved? My
uncuteness? Akane shook her head. Being a little cuter may not hurt.
Maybe his journal may shed some light on his feelings.

Akane went to her room to read the entry. She flipped past the first
several entries and found the one of his first day at the Tendos:

Today Pop took me to his old friends house. That baka actually
wants me to marry one of his old friend's daughters. They chose a
violent maniac for me. Shouldn't I get to choose. I don't care if she
was the one I would of chosen if forced to. It was my decision. After
she hit me with that table, I wanted to chose none of them.

I accidentally saw Akane, the girl I'm suppose marry, nude. One
word sums up what I saw: kawaii. I just hope she isn't as violent and
insulting as our first meeting indicates. She was so friendly up until
that accident. I really could use a friend right now, someone who
understands and accepts me. I really shouldn't have said I was better
looking, but it really hurt how insulting she was towards me.

This isn't the time for fiancees, I should get back to China and
find a cure. I'll give it some time though, this is about family honor,
and she does look cute. I'll write down what I think of the Tendos
later.

Tears ran down Akane's cheeks. She flipped ahead and found that a week
later he detailed what he felt about the various people he meet. She
only read hers.

Tendo Akane: A violent, uncute, macho chick. She is insulting,
prone to hitting you, and is also a pretty good fighter. If she had
trained since she could walk, she could probably wipe the floor with me.
I wish I knew how I really feel about her. A couple times I felt so
close to her it scared me, so I pushed her away. I don't want to be hurt
when I leave her. I know I will, as soon as Tendo gets fed up with Pop's
freeloading or when Pop decides he's had enough of this place and moves
on.

So that's why he did it. He was afraid he was going to get hurt. Akane
quickly dried her tears and got dressed in a nice red sun dress. It
wasn't the fanciest thing she had, but remembered Ranma did like it. She
also didn't want to give away she knew what was about to happen. As she
left, she grabbed her gi. She had about twenty minutes before Ranma
would show up.

Akane checked to see if Nabiki was in her room. She knocked on the door.

"It's open," Nabiki said through the door.

Akane opened the door and said, "Dad has something to tell us."

"Sure, whatever," Nabiki moaned, she rarely liked what her father had to
say. She noticed what Akane was wearing, and asked, "How come you're all
dressed up?"

"Oh, no reason," Akane smiled nervously.

Nabiki knew Akane was hiding something, maybe she knew what father had
to say. Nabiki got out of bed and followed Akane downstairs. Akane
tossed her gi into the changing room after she told Kasumi that their
father wanted to talk to them.

-------------------------------------

Soun sat in front of his daughters scared of how they'll react to this.
He then thought of the joy that would happen when his family line joined
with the Saotome clan. Smiling, he began, "I have wonderful news for you.
Soon we will have some visitors."

Nabiki rolled her eyes as she sipped some lemonade.

Kasumi smiled. Hopefully they'll stay for a meal, so she could hear them
compliment her cooking.

Akane tried to remain emotionless. Here it comes.

"One of them will be a fiance to one of you."

"FIANCE!?!" yelled the three Tendo girls. Akane hoped they bought her
acting.

"Yes, the son of a very good friend of mine. The son's name is Saotome
Ranma. If one of you three would marry him and carry on this training
center then the Tendo family legacy would be secure."

Nabiki resumed drinking her lemonade, thinking of how to turn this to
her advantage. From what her father said, marrying him means she would
inherit the Tendo home.

Akane wanted to say something, but didn't want to give away anything. If
Nabiki knew Akane could tell of the event for the next two years, there
would be trouble.

Kasumi was the first to speak, "Daddy, we don't even know who this Ranma
is."

Soun was surprised Kasumi seemed to be the most upset at this. "Then let
me tell you a little about him: Ranma and his father have been on a
voyage of training. Recently, it seems, they crossed into China."

"Wow! China!" Nabiki chirped in. Well traveled. Must have some serious
money.

"I bet they regretted it," Akane whispered.

"How old is he? Younger men bore me. What kind of guy is this Ranma?"
Kasumi asked, upset.

Soun laughed, and then deadpanned, "No idea."

"'No idea,'" Nabiki repeated.

"I've never met him." Soun began to sweat.

Suddenly the sound of a fight was heard outside. "Leggo, y'ol' fool!"
someone screamed.

"We have visitors!" Kasumi said.

"OOOO! It must be Ranma!" Nabiki said, racing to the door hoping he was
cute.

"Saotome, my friend! We've been waiting!" Soun yelled following Nabiki.

Oh, I hope he's older, Kasumi thought, straightening her hair.

Don't screw this up. Remember, he doesn't know me. He hates things
being forced on him. And most of all don't hit or insult him. Just be
his friend first, hopefully love will come later. Akane blinked. Ukyou
most of thought that, I've got to check if Ukyou lost because of what he
felt for me. I don't want to end up just his friend. Akane came out of
her thoughts as a Panda set down a person with red hair onto the floor.

"You wouldn't be..." Soun began.

"Saotome Ranma. Sorry `bout this." Ranma nervously said.

Akane heart ached at the sight of Ranma looking so vulnerable. She
wanted to hug him and make him feel welcomed, but that would probably be
a bad idea.

"At last! You've come!" Soun shouted for joy.

"OOOO! He's cute!" Nabiki elated.

Soun hugged Ranma tightly. "It's so good of you to come! So..." Soun
felt something wrong in his hug with his old friend's 'son.' He pushed
away Ranma and started sweating.

Nabiki looked closer at Ranma and saw he had a rather big chest for a
guy. She poked Ranma in 'his' chest.

"Um, could you stop that?"

"'He's' a girl," Nabiki said, upset at the lost of her meal ticket.

Soun fainted.

Akane was momentarily torn between helping her father or helping Ranma.
She decided to help her father to go along with their initial meeting as
best she remembered up until it went sour.

--------------------------

Soun awoke, crying.

"Oh, poor daddy. He's so disappointed." Kasumi said worried.

"HE'S disappointed! Some fiancee this is!" Nabiki shouted.

"Will you stop it! He... SHE is our guest!" Akane angrily replied.
Can't they see how hurt he is?

"This is all your fault, daddy! You should have made sure!" Nabiki
yelled.

"Well, he said he had a son!!" Soun shouted his reply.

"Do you see a son here? Hmm? Do you?" Nabiki squeezed Ranma's breast for
emphasis.

"Um, I really wish you'd stop that," Ranma said, embarrassed.

Akane remember now was the moment to introduce herself. "Hi. I'm Akane.
You want to be friends?"

"Ah, sure," Ranma replied.

Akane smiled. "What to join me in the dojo?"

Ranma smiled and nodded. At least she likes me.

"Wait here, I'll go change into my gi. Be right back" Akane said.
Got that great first impression.

Ranma nodded. She's cute. I wonder if she's really any good. Doubt it.
Wearing dresses and all.


Akane stepped into the changing room. She started to think about what
happened in their first encounter and what to do this time. First let
him win. That training we did in the months after that failed wedding
attempt has my skill level above what his is now. Thanks to his curse,
he won't be very confident until he beats Kuno into a pulp. No special
moves, as I don't like the idea of him knowing them until he's matured a
little. Challenge him to kempo, that is the style he's most familiar
with.

After changing, she rushed back to Ranma and then led her to the dojo.
"You do kempo, right?"

"A little," Ranma replied.

Akane shook her head. He's dan level in kempo. "Then let's have a little
match, okay?"

"Huh?" Ranma uttered. She can't be serious.

"Just for fun. I've been training most my life. I can stop myself from
hurting you." Emotionally and physically this time.

She asked for it. "If you say so."

Akane got into her battle stance while Ranma remained relaxed in her
position. Akane rushed Ranma, the battle nearly perfectly reflected
their first battle.

How can I be missing? Akane thought. I should at least be getting
closer, but I moving so slow... That's it! It's my body that's the
problem. My body hasn't been speed trained. Oh well, didn't want to win
this, but I do want to show him I have power. With a final punch, which
Ranma jumped over Akane as a response, she sent her fist into the wall.
Ranma tapped Akane on the back of her head.

Ranma started laughing, which Akane joined in.

She's good. She seemed to be trying to push her body a lot faster than
it would go though, Ranma thought.

"You're great! I hope whoever my fiance is..." Akane began.

"Huh?" Ranma looked at Akane quizzically.

"...can beat me."

Ranma wasn't sure how to respond to that so she left. I wonder how
she'll react when she finds out. How am I going to explain this?

----------------------------

"Akane! Bath's ready!" Nabiki called.

"Thanks," Akane replied. She remembered Ranma would be in there now,
debating if she should go in. He would get to see her nude, and better
yet, she'd get to see him. Akane cut the line of thought, she'd be a
hentai to do that. "I'll take it a little later."

"Suit yourself."

Akane went to her room and started to flip through Ranma's journal
trying to find Ukyou's arrival. After a moment she was interrupted by
Nabiki screaming, "Who the hell are you?!" Akane paled, hoping Nabiki
didn't give Ranma a free show.

Akane ran downstairs, towards the bath. She was relieved to see Nabiki
apparently saw Ranma walk out of the bath. Ranma was completely tongue
tied.

Kasumi, Soun and Genma entered the hallway.

"I'm waiting... Who are you?" Nabiki demanded.

"I'm Saotome Ranma. Sorry `bout this."

Kasumi stared at him in disbelief.

Nabiki replied, "No you're not. Ranma is a girl with red hair."

Soun interrupted, "Actually that is Ranma. He and his father will
explain this."

----------------------------

It was now after sunset. Genma and Ranma repeated their story several
times of how they became cursed.

Akane was quickly bored. She had heard and told the story hundreds of
times. She rarely took her eyes off Ranma, though, he was quite
attractive and she missed him.

Kasumi and Nabiki couldn't believe what they were being told, demanding
they explain it again and again. When they had demonstrated how the
curses worked, they thought the world had gone completely insane.
Neither of them wanted to be engaged to Ranma.

Ranma noticed Akane's attention, and was nervous. She wasn't looking at
him with fear and shock that Nabiki and Kasumi were giving. Akane was
looking at him with what seemed to be understanding, caring, and longing
all wrapped into one. It was the longing part of her gaze that made him
more nervous than the gazes from Nabiki and Kasumi.

"The legendary ground of accursed springs. It's true horror has always
been shrouded in mystery. But now..." Soun said.

"Whaddya mean 'true horror?'" Ranma interrupted, angrily. "Yo, old man.
What's the idea draggin' me to a place like that, anyway?"

Genma responded with another Judo throw into the koi pond. "You sound
like a woman! Were you not prepared to give your life for the sake of
your training?"

"My life, yes," Ranma answered. "My manhood is another story!" Ranma
dumped a bucket of water on his father and started fighting him.

"Oh, what a tragedy!" Soun cried.

"Stop that!" Kasumi demanded.

Akane kicked Genma into the pond. "How can you be that stupid?!"

"He makes Kuno look intelligent," Nabiki said angrily.

"Why did you do something so dangerous?" Kasumi demanded.

Nabiki noticed a pamphlet on the ground and picked it up. "It's Chinese.
A map... and a guide book? Something about 'training grounds.'"

"You can't read Chinese, can you?!" Kasumi asked.

"Correct," said a banner that came out of a confetti bomb held by Genma.
Ranma punched him.

Soun used a teakettle to turn Genma back into human form. "So, when
doused with hot water, you return to human form."

"Well, it needn't be quite that hot," Genma commented.

"When doused with cold water you become a girl..." Soun pointed at
Ranma, and then tried to pour the scolding hot water onto her, "...but
hot water turns you back into a boy!"

"Hot water! Not Boiling!" Ranma corrected, dodging the water.

"No sweat. Your problem isn't so terrible after all," Soun said, patting
Ranma on the back.

"Huh?" Ranma uttered. Who is he kidding?

"My daughter Kasumi, nineteen. And Nabiki, seventeen. And Akane,
sixteen. Pick the one you want. She's your fiancee."

"Oh, he wants Akane!" Kasumi suggested.

"Oh, definitely!" Nabiki confirmed.

"Wait! It is HIS decision!" Akane demanded.

Nabiki and Kasumi blinked.

"Well, Ranma, make your decision," Soun demanded.

"Do I have ta?" Ranma asked, very nervous.

"YES!" demanded Soun and Genma.

"None of them?" Ranma asked a little hopefully.

"That isn't an option, boy." Genma said flatly.

Why did he have to make this concern family honor? Ranma looked
at her feet. "I-I-I... c-choose... A-A-Akane," she said meekly.

Akane tried to repress her smile, but failed badly as it went from ear
to ear.

"It's settled then. Akane is your fiancee," Soun said.

"Um, Akane, you don't mind? Do ya?" Ranma asked nervously.

"I don't like being forced into this, but it'll probably help with my
boy problems. This might be a good thing for me," Akane answered,
blushing DEEP red.

"What boy problems?" Ranma asked.

"Every morning, I have to fight all the guys at school who want to date
me," Akane related.

"How many?"

"A couple dozen at least," Akane shrugged.

Ranma blinked. He didn't expect that many.

Kasumi breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't engaged to her.

Nabiki spied Akane suspiciously. Akane hadn't reacted violently to
getting engaged. She even appeared to like it. Something was wrong with
this picture. The girl who hates boys was actually to be forced into an
engagement with a half-girl freak. Was it because Akane is a lesbian and
she could hide it with him? Nabiki didn't think so, but the evidence
seemed to point towards it.

Soun was thankful that Akane seemed to accept her engagement already. He
thought if Akane was chosen, it'd take years before she'd accept it.

Genma was happy. He was at his old friends house and given full ability
to freeload.

Ranma was confused. His curse still fresh and uncertain in his mind, and
now he was engaged to a girl he hardly knew. She was cute at least. He
wanted to get cured, but family honor demanded he stay. Ranma didn't
know what to think. Once again, she felt like her life was sent through
a blender.

Akane was happy. Her Ranma was back, and this time she wouldn't make the
same mistakes.


-------------------------------
Chapter 3 - First Night
-------------------------------


Akane sat in the bath, and she was extremely happy. She had Ranma back.
To her, he died four weeks ago, but to everyone else he just arrived at
the Tendo home. By some cosmic twist of fate a goddess gave Akane a
wish, and she inadvertently wished for a second chance with Ranma. A
wish which sent her two years back in time to the day she first met
Ranma. She promised herself she wouldn't make the same mistakes this
time around.

Akane smiled to herself, replaying the events of the day. She hadn't
hit, insulted, or done anything which could be considered negative
towards Ranma. Everything was going perfectly so far. She would be his
friend, make him feel comfortable, make him feel at home, and hopefully
he would fall in love with her. Simple plan, she just had to make sure
why Ukyou didn't capture his heart using similar tactics.

----------------------------

Onna-Ranma was lost in thought. The day was really confusing for her.
She didn't know what to make of it all. Just over two weeks ago she got
cursed to turn into a girl with cold water, and today she got engage.
Akane seems nice, friendly, and cute. She also has some skill in
martial arts. Why is she so accepting of the engagement? She said it
would solve her excessive boy trouble, but being engaged means eventual
marriage. Wouldn't that be a bigger problem? I'd rather be chased around
by dozens of girls rather than get married before I'm ready, especially
if I don't really know the person. Ranma sighed. I guess soaking in
the bath might help me sort this out. At least it'll change me back into
a guy.

Ranma absentmindedly walked into the changing room. She quickly took off
her clothes, and then opened the door to the bathing room.

Ranma's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she saw Akane stepping out
of the bath. Ranma was frozen in shock.

Akane looked at Ranma. She didn't think he would accidentally walk in on
her this time. How could he do this? Couldn't he tell someone was in
here? What was he thinking? Akane looked down. Everything but what's
he's doing. She spotted the wash bucket. She grinned as she quickly
picked it up. She then scooped up some bath water into it and splashed
the red-head.

The splash of warm water woke up Ranma as he changed into a guy.
"Whaddya do that for?"

"You've seen what I got, so it's only fair I see what you got," Akane
said dryly.

"Oh, yeah." Ranma laughed nervously, blushing. "Sorry `bout walkin' in
on ya."

"It's all right. You just weren't thinking about what you were doing
as you've got too much on your mind. Considering the curse and all."
Akane started to blush.

"Right," Ranma said. He then turned away and tried to cover his
bleeding nose.

Seeing this, Akane grinned as she walked past Ranma and into the
changing room. "One thing, Ranma, if you ever walk in on me again, I
will pound you into the floor."

"Like you could do that?" Ranma laughed nervously.

Akane forcefully pushed Ranma into the bathing room. "You'd be
surprised." She shut the door as he slid into the wall, painfully.

"Ouch," Ranma uttered. He shook his head as he sat down and started to
clean himself. Gee, she's strong. Well, I guess I had that coming.
He then thought of what he just saw. Cute. Definitely cute. This
might not be so bad after all. But, what gives Pop the right to force
me to get engaged to a total stranger?

----------------------------

It was after three in the morning and Akane couldn't sleep. She was so
excited and happy, since everything was working out great so far.

Akane found and read the journal entry for when Ukyou first showed up
and a few following entries. Ranma did like Ukyou, but mentioned he
had trouble seeing her as someone besides his best 'male,' childhood
friend and he felt Akane's claim of being his fiancee was superior in
terms of honor. Knowing Ranma, Akane thought this was his way of
saying he liked her the best. Akane wondered what Ranma meant in one
of those entries about her not being able to know of Ryoga's curse,
like she didn't know of Ryoga's lack of direction curse.

Akane decided to get something to drink, and went downstairs to the
kitchen. She was surprised to see Ranma there, sitting at the kitchen
table. Apparently he was writing in his journal, and she really wanted
to know what he wrote this time around.

"Hi, Ranma. Couldn't sleep either. Huh?" Akane greeted.

"You could say that," Ranma answered.

"Is that a journal?"

"Um, yeah."

"I keep one too." Akane went to the cabinet for a glass. "I bet your
journal is different from mine though. I write down things about how
things happen at school, who likes who, who hates who, and other
personal kind of stuff. Where yours deals with places you've seen,
martial arts techniques you've picked up, and all sorts of odd little
adventures. Right?"

"Pretty much, but I do write some personal things in it though." Ranma
folded his arms over his journal.

Akane open the refrigerator and poured herself some juice. "I write down
some of my martial arts achievements in mine, so I guess they aren't so
different."

"Guess not."

Akane sat down across from him. "Ranma, why don't we talk?"

"I thought that's what we're doin'"

"No, I mean talk about ourselves, so we can get to know each other."

"Why should we?"

"We're engaged." Baka.

"For how long? Ya don't know Pop like I do. He's a freeloader. How long
do ya think it'll be before your old man throws us out?"

Akane smirked. "About two years, if we decide to break the engagement
after we turn eighteen, assuming they let us do that. Daddy holds onto
honor dearly. Nothing short of you becoming completely honorless will
cause him to throw you out. And my father has been friends with yours
for a long time, so he probably knows all about that."

"You're sure about that?"

"Positive. Face it, unless you decide to start killing people left and
right, your have a home, here, for two years."

"A home?"

"Yeah, a home." Akane sighed. "Never stayed at a place long enough to
call a home, did you?"

"Well, there were times we stayed at one place for a couple months at a
stretch. About a year ago, I lived in a neighboring ward for over six
months. It was the longest I've stayed at a place that I can remember."

"Hardly a way to have a childhood."

"It wasn't so bad. After all, I am one of the best martial artist in
the country. How many sixteen year olds can say that?"

"You'd be surprised. Until today, I was the best martial artist in my
school district. Which is an amazing feet considering one of my
opponents is Kuno, a first dan of kendo."

"Oh, and how do you defeat him?"

"You mean besides being a dan in kempo and have some training other
schools. He relies too much on form and rarely improvises. If he makes
one move, nine out of ten times, he will follow it with the same move
he followed it with last time. If you know his practice routines for
kendo, you know exactly how he'll fight you."

"Predictability is a pretty big weakness."

"Certainly is. That's what's makes our schools of martial arts so
dangerous, it attempts to teach improvisation. A skill which I still
need to develop better, along with speed, as you pointed out today."

"Yeah, speed will defeat strength."

"Unless you're all speed and not enough power to actually hurt your
opponent."

Ranma took her statement as a personal attack. "I'm strong enough."

"In your normal form, I believe so. But what about your girl form? How
strong are you in that form?"

"Stronger than an average guy, I'd say."

"If you say so." Akane sighed. He was never strong enough to hurt Ryoga
in his girl form. "What's it like being cursed?"

"It sucks," Ranma said firmly.

"Care to elaborate?"

"I turn into a girl with cold water, what more do ya want to know?"

"Well, how does it feel when you change?"

"I hardly feel the actual change unless I think about it, then it's like
your entire body falls asleep like your foot would. It doesn't even last
a second."

"Why don't you at least like your curse?"

"Why should I?"

"Well, you turn into a girl. It's like having your own secret identity.
You can hide from someone who doesn't know about it in plain sight. You
can experience things only girls are suppose to. And besides, it could
be worse. You could have fallen into a pool where your curse form
would've been worse, like say: duck, dog, panda, some hideous monster,
cat, or some other less desirable forms."

Ranma shuddered slightly at Akane's last example. "Well, I can be
thankful my curse form isn't really bad. But, I'm a guy. Do ya have any
idea what it's like to be brought up a 'man amongst men' and then poof
your manhood's gone?"

"No. Why don't you tell me?"

"Well, when I came out of the pool, I was deathly afraid I could never
change back into a guy. I had breasts and no... um... well ya know."
Ranma blushed. "It sorta meant my life was over. All my training was
done for nathin'"

"Just because your a girl doesn't mean you can't do martial arts."

"Sure it does. I'd have ta give it up as eventually as I'd be forced to
be a housewife."

"I doubt you could really be forced into that, and in case you haven't
noticed: I'm a girl, I know martial arts, and our fathers expect me to
be your housewife."

"Well, ya don't know martial arts very well."

Akane glared at Ranma. "Just because you're faster doesn't mean I'm not
skilled. I know I haven't hit my full potential yet, but I'll get there
eventually."

"Sure, sometime after you're a hundred maybe."

Akane was ready to punch him until she remember what he wrote in his
journal entry about pushing her away. "Ranma, I don't want to fight
with you over my skills. It already hurts me that you're better than
me. We should try to get along with each other. For at least the next
two years, we are engaged and this is your home."

"Why are you so accepting of being engaged?"

"As I said, boy problems."

"I'd think being engaged is a bigger problem than having a bunch of boys
chase after ya."

"In some ways it is, and other ways it isn't. There is no one I'm
interested in at school, but they chase after me anyway. With you there
I can at least stop some of them from chasing me. Also you are quite
attractive, and well... I'm attracted to you." Akane finished with a
blush.

"You hardly know me."

"I barely know most of the guys at my school, and I doubt they know
anything about me. Attraction starts at the physical level, more
develops as you learn about the person."

"Oh."

"Are you attracted to me?" Akane asked nervously, blushing

"Why would I be attracted to you?"

"It's just a question. You don't have to be so defensive. Can't you open
up a little?"

"Why should I?"

Akane sighed. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. But please
don't push me away. I can tell you need a friend right now. If you ever
want to talk, I'll be there."

Ranma remained silent for a long moment. "What chances do ya think we'll
end up married?"

"I don't know. If we do marry, I'd like it to happen because we love
each other and not for family honor. But who knows, maybe when it comes
to the time when we can break the engagement, we decide to walk down the
aisle. We have a long time before then, so anything could happen."

"I guess you're right. You're sure your old man won't throw us out?"

"Yes." Akane nodded. "We should try to get some sleep. We have school
tomorrow."

"School?" Ranma asked, surprised. It was the last thing he wanted to
think about.

"Yeah, you know, the place with books and learning."

"Glad I don't have to go."

"Sure you will. You'll be here for a while. Also, you may have learned
all about martial arts, but you'll probably need to learn how to
socialize with people."

"How does school help with that?"

"Because you are forced into an area with others the same age as you,
who are learning and maturing with you. By socializing with them, it'll
help you later when you deal with people, like students you'll have when
you start teaching martial arts."

"Never thought about that."

"There are a lot of things you never thought of because you've lived on
the road. Just like I wouldn't think of certain things you would as I
haven't lived life the way you have. Well, goodnight." Akane got up and
started to walk out of the kitchen.

"More like good morning. See ya in a couple hours," Ranma smirked. He
went back to writing in his journal after she left.

Today Pop took me to his old friends house. That baka actually
wants me to marry one of his old friend's daughters.

When forced, I chose Akane. She seems nice, friendly, cute, and has
a great (nude) body. She has a barely controlled anger I saw pop up a
couple times when I made a couple bad comments and when I accidentally
seen her naked. Akane insists we should get to know each other and is
trying to convince me this is my home for at least two years.

That'd be nice, a home. To know I can come back to this place
whenever I want. That I'll have food at meal times. That I never have to
leave here. I doubt it though. Pop and me have never stayed anywhere for
long.

I don't want to get to know Akane. I might end up actually liking
her, and then me and Pop will be forced to leave. I don't want to get
hurt by leaving a friend again.

I should try to get back to China and find a cure. But as Akane
just said to me, 'anything could happen,' so I'll give it some time. Pop
might actually care enough about family honor to stick this out. If we
stay here long enough, I might actually decide to marry and settle down
with her. Not likely, but there is a chance. I'll write down what I
think of the Tendos later.



--------------------------------
Chapter 4 - School is a Battle Field
--------------------------------


Ranma sat with Genma in the dining room. The younger Saotome was a
little nervous.

"Well, today you'll start school again," Genma said.

"I know. Akane mentioned it when I talked with her last night," Ranma
replied.

"It's good to see you two are getting along so well."

"That's sorta what bothers me. What happens when we leave."

"Leave? We're not leaving."

"Eventually we will. When you decide we had enough of this place, or
when Mr. Tendo gets upset at you and throws us out."

"Ranma, my boy, this is my retirement. There isn't much more I can teach
you. It is now your duty to fulfill your family obligations and marry
Akane. Besides, there is nothing I could possibly do that would cause my
old friend to throw me out. Even in the unlikely possibility it happens,
then you would still remain here."

"Ranma, ready to go to school?" Akane stepped into the room.

Ranma blinked, and blinked again. "Akane?"

"Yes," Akane said. She fingered her hair, her short hair. "Like my new
look?"

"Um, yeah." Ranma smiled nervously. "I guess I'm ready to go."

Akane smiled, "Come on then. I'll walk with you there."

-------------------------------

Ranma and Akane walked to school. She was a little disappointed Ranma
walked on the fence, as she had gotten use to him walking next to her in
the months following the failed wedding.

"How come you're walking on the fence?" Akane asked.

"Training to maintain my balance," Ranma replied.

Akane shook her head. She believed he was trying to keep his distance
from her. She thought for a while about how to convince him to walk next
to her, and failed.

"Let me handle the boys at school. I could use the work out. You can
deal with Kuno if you want," Akane said as they neared Furinkan High.

"The dan in kendo? How'll I know who's Kuno?"

"Trust me. You'll know who Kuno is." Akane smirked.

Ranma was surprised Akane wasn't exaggerating about her boy troubles. A
quick count of three dozen would be suitors rushed out and attacked her.
In just over a minute only Akane was standing.

"They're worse than I remember," Akane mumbled to herself.

Nabiki looked at Akane warily, noticing her new hair cut. Akane had been
growing it long to outdo Kasumi, and she just had it cut short. Nabiki
added this to her growing list of Akane's unusual behavior, along with
the fact that she had just beaten her previous record of suitor stomping
by almost a half a minute.

Ranma was impressed. Akane may not be fast, but she was skilled.

"Truly such a boorish lot. Evidently each of them intends to ask you out
Akane on the dawn that he finally defeats you," Kuno related.

"Good morning, sempai," Akane greeted dryly.

"And now Tendo Akane, might you fight with me?"

Ranma jumped next to Akane. "You really are popular."

"Didn't believe me?"

"I thought you were exaggerating."

"You there! You are being quite familiar with Akane."

"So?" Ranma returned.

"Kuno-sempai," Akane began. "This is Saotome Ranma. By family honor, he
is now my fiance. I respectfully ask that..."

"FIANCE!!!!!" Kuno screamed.

Kuno was immediately run over by a horde of students swarming around
Ranma and Akane.

"Fiance?!" "You said you despised men!" "How could you get engaged
first!?" "How dare you get engaged to Akane?!"

Ranma, uncomfortable with the attention he was suddenly receiving, tried
to escape. He only succeeded to jump out of the crowd as it started to
rain.

The various students failed to notice him change to a girl as they ran
into the school from the rain.

Akane shook her head, seeing Ranma change form and direction of retreat.
She knew Ranma would be late for class. She wasn't surprised to see
Genma-panda appear and chase after Ranma with a teakettle.

-------------------------------

Ranma and Akane stood in the hall, holding buckets filled with water.
Their punishment for being late to class.

"Why do you have to fight them?" Ranma asked.

"Kuno's idea. He vowed to permit no one to date me unless the person has
defeated me."

"Guess I got Kuno's permission to date you then," Ranma chuckled. "Um,
why did ya come after me? You coulda just went to class."

"I don't know. It just seemed the right thing to do."

"Never, Saotome Ranma! I shall never accept you're engagement to Akane!"
Kuno yelled.

Akane rolled her eyes.

"Our parents decided that!" Ranma retorted.

Kuno attacked, and with a mighty swing cut a bucket of water Ranma held
into two. Ranma barely dodged the water.

"Stand your ground!" Kuno bellowed.

"This is no place to fight! Follow me!!!" Ranma yelled, running down the
hall.

Kuno followed.

"Stop!" Akane yelled, but neither listened. She chased after them. She
turned around and ran towards the stairs as she saw Ranma jump out a
window. The one over the pool.

-------------------------------

"You should look before you leap," Akane greeted evenly.

Ranma was squeezing water out of her pants while sitting in a tree.
"Akane? What...?" she uttered.

"You should always find out what you're getting into before you act. If
you just looked out the window for a second before jumping, you would
have known about the pool."

"I didn't have time to check!"

"Excuses. Just try to remember to know what you're getting into before
acting."

Ranma grumbled. "Do ya have some hot water?"

"You mean this?" Akane asked, showing the teakettle she was holding
behind her back.

"Yeah, gimme."

Their attention was drawn to a sloshing kind of sound. There is my
cue. Akane grinned, remembering what she read in Ranma's journal
concerning this moment. Ranma had really liked it that she would defend
him despite appearances that she didn't like him. She meant to continue
replaying certain events he had liked. "Catch," Akane called, throwing
the kettle at Ranma.

Ranma caught it, but was slightly off balance.

"Kuno-sempai! I challenge you!"

"Akane, oh, Akane..." Kuno began. "Never did I dream that you would
challenge me! So be it! If you win..."

"Kuno-sempai!" Akane interrupted. "If I win, you will leave me and Ranma
alone, and if you win, you'll get a date. Agreed?"

"Oh, how the tigress calls her challenge. I shall indeed accept, full
well knowing you shall intentionally lose." Kuno attacked swinging down
with his bokken.

Ranma now balanced, poured the hot water on himself.

"Not in this lifetime." Akane caught the bokken in a ninja clap. She
rolled onto her back, bringing Kuno with her. She then kicked Kuno into
the tree, next to where Ranma was sitting.

"Ah, if it isn't the cowardly Saotome who runs from his fights," Kuno
said. "No doubt you fear my prowess."

"Ya wanna fight, Kuno? You got one," Ranma said, angrily. He jumped out
of the tree.

Kuno pried himself out of the tree trunk, and landed facing Ranma. "I
would fight you, but first I must complete my challenge from Tendo
Akane."

"Ranma will take up my challenge as my fiance and champion," Akane said.

"Sure," Ranma said.

"As is thy wish. It will be my honor to vanquish this foe for you!"

The battle lasted less than a minute. When over, Kuno laid on the ground
sucking dirt.

"Okay, let's go home," Ranma said to Akane.

Akane shrugged. Ranma couldn't really go back soaked, and it wasn't like
she would miss anything she didn't already know.

Kuno continued to lay there in shock. He had lost. He had lost to a
challenge that demanded he leave the one he loves alone. How could I
fail her so. It most pain her greatly to be trapped into that
engagement. By honor, now I am bound to leave her be. How can I? I most
free her!

Kuno sloshed back towards class. Passing the pool, he wondered, Who was
the water sprite who flung me mightily from the pool with such vigor?

-------------------------------

Soun sat, looking out the back of his home. He was thinking about
everything and nothing.

Ranma sat down next to him. "So, you're an old friend of Pop's."

"Yes. We trained in martial arts together. Ah, what glorious adventure
we had."

"How well do ya know Pop?"

"Like if he was a brother. Actually, I know him better than my brother."

"Do you really?"

"Of course."

"Do ya know of his... bad habits?"

"I know he is far from a perfect person. But we have been through much
together. Not only do I respect him, but I also owe him my life."

"He saved your life?"

"In a manner of speaking. We both had a mutual problem, from which he
came up with a novel solution to deal with." Soun looked at Ranma. "Why
do you ask me about your father?"

"It's just that I've lived my life on the road. I've never lived at a
place for longer than six months, but I'm being told now that I'll be
here for two years if not for the rest of my life."

"Are you not weary of your long travels?"

"I am, but I wonder for how long? Can I really just settle down after
living life the way I have?"

"Ranma, this is now your home. Undoubtedly, you will occasionally wonder
on training trips as I have in the past. Unlike before, you will have a
place to come back to when you're done. Besides, Akane would likely want
to accompany you on those trips. This place is your home now, and you'll
never have to leave it."

Genma walked into the room. "It is time for more training, boy."

-------------------------------

Akane sat at her desk, wanting Nabiki to leave so she could read more
from Ranma's journal. Nabiki was exercising, and wanted to use the
opportunity to talk with her sister.

"So, which form do you prefer?" Nabiki asked.

"What?" Akane asked, confused.

"Do you prefer Ranma as a guy or as a girl."

Akane's head smacked her desk when she face-faulted. "As a guy, of
course. Why do you ask?"

Nabiki looked closely at Akane, if this was her sister, she didn't lie.
"I was just wondering. Last Saturday you arrived at school screaming
your battle cry of 'I hate boys.' Yesterday, you get put into an
arranged marriage with a guy you don't know and you're happy about it.
It doesn't make since unless it's because you're a lesbian, and that you
could hide it with him because of his curse."

"I am not!" Akane screamed. "Can I help it if I'm attracted to someone
who just happens to turn into a girl? I'd like it better if he wasn't
cursed, but it could be worse. Is it really that bad if he's a she at
times?"

"Not really, but it just seems odd. You haven't been acting like
yourself since yesterday."

Akane knew this question would likely come up, and had planned her
reply. "Well, two days ago, I made a wish to meet my true love. The next
day, surprise here's a fiance. I didn't think wishing on a shooting star
would work, but it was too much of a coincidence for me to ignore. So,
I've decided to give it a chance."

"You should remember to be careful what you wish for. It often becomes
twisted to whatever joke Kami-sama wants to play with you."

"I hope not," Akane whispered.

-------------------------------

Ranma stood outside Akane's door. He heard them talk about him. He was
shocked at Nabiki's accusations Akane might prefer him to be a girl, but
the incident in the bathing room dispelled that idea along with Akane's
denial. He was a little unnerved that he seemed to fulfill Akane's wish.
But, if she was willing to give it a chance, why can't he?

Ranma knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Hi," Ranma said nervously as he entered. "I just wanna say thanks for
helpin' me at school today, and I was wondering if you... wanna... go
out Saturday?"

Akane blinked. She stammered, "S-sure. I'd love to." She didn't know
what to make of it, she never had an official date with Ranma before.
Here he was now, only knowing her for two days, asking her out.

"Great. Um, I guess I'll let you two go back to whatever you were
doin'."

Akane looked down at her desk. She was worried. Why would he ask me out
on a date this time? Why had he never asked me out before? I guess it
could be because of the others getting in the way. But, what if my
actions change this Ranma to someone so different, I don't love him? No!
It's still Ranma, and I can help make him the person I wanted him to be.
But what if the person I want him to be isn't the one I love?

Nabiki waved her hand in Akane's face. "Hey, what's wrong? I thought
you'd be happy to have a date with him."

Akane looked at Nabiki nervously. "I-it's just that... well... I am
happy... but I guess it just hit me... that I really might marry him."
Akane sighed. "I'm only ei... er, sixteen... and I'm engaged. It's just
a little scary, having a look into your future, unsure if you'll like
the outcome. I hope things work out great. Possibly being able to
marry not just for honor, but for love. I just got a little scared
when I realized we might get married, and not be in love."

"That is a risk you're going to have to take in any marriage. Arranged
or not."

-------------------------------

Ranma smiled as he leaned against the Akane's door. He didn't really
smile because she accepted to go on a date with him. He was smiling as
he had listened in again, hearing that Akane now realized what being
engaged really meant.

Ranma left, deciding to go outside and stare into the night's sky to
sort out his thoughts.

-------------------------------

Akane sat in bed, reading Ranma's journal. She had read a couple weeks
of entries starting from when he arrived. She read one paragraph. Not
believing it, she read it again. She dropped the journal in shock.

-------------------------------

Ranma was laying on the roof, watching the night sky. He was shocked and
his senses became alert as he heard Akane scream, "I'LL KILL HIM!!!"
He didn't who 'him' was, or what brought on the outburst. I hope she
doesn't mean me.


-----------------------------
Chapter 5 - Anger, Sorrow, and Regrets
-----------------------------


Everyone sat quietly at the Tendo household, eating breakfast. The reason
no one was talking was that Akane was angry. Actually she was more than
angry, she looked ready to kill. No one knew why she was angry. Sometime
last night she screamed, "I'll kill him!" but had said nothing since
then.

Akane sat there fuming. She wanted to tell the others why she was mad,
but she couldn't. To tell them would mean Akane would also have to
tell them she's from two years in the future. She'd have to deal with
her anger by herself. Akane could not believe what she read in
Ranma's journal she had brought from the future. She didn't want to
believe it, but thinking back to her previous life, she saw it was
probably true.

Akane shook her head to clear her thoughts. It was getting late and she
needed to get to school. "Come on, Ranma. Let's go." Her voice carried
the chill of an arctic wind.

"Ah... okay." Ranma got up nervously. He was a little afraid he was the
'him' she was going to kill.

Genma leaned over and whispered to Ranma, "What did you do to her, boy?"

"I don't know. I asked her for a date, that's it," Ranma whispered back,
before grabbing his book bag and chasing after Akane.

Genma shook his head. Why would she be angry about being asked for a
date? He then grinned. Ranma asked her out?!

---------------------------------

Ranma walked on the fence, a little further away from Akane than he had
walked the day before. "Um... Akane?"

"Yes?" Akane's tone still held the anger she felt.

"Who's the guy you're gonna kill?"

Akane turned and glared at Ranma. Seeing his concerned look, her anger
lessened. She realized she needed to say something to him.

Akane sighed. "He was a friend. Someone I trusted implicitly. I found out
he'd been lying to me. Worst than that he made me think... someone who
was a very close friend of mine was really a bad person a lot of the
time. I accused... that friend of being wrong about so many things that
were the fault of others. For that, I'm really sorry... to that friend."

"Well, you can apologize to that friend, and when you see that guy, you
can tell `em what you think of him."

A tear rolled down Akane's face. "I wish I could. That friend is gone
now, and that guy... well, is gone too. I will never get to say what I
want to say to them."

Ranma jumped down in front of Akane. "If you can never talk to them, then
forget `em. There's no point to thinkin' about things ya can't change."

Akane gave him a weak smile. "I guess you're right. I can at least make
sure not to repeat that mistake. Um... Ranma?"

"Yeah?"

"Kuno's mine to deal with today." Akane brought back her anger. It was so
much easier to deal with than her sorrow and regret.

"I thought we got him to stop chasing after you."

Akane laughed. "I hope he has, but I doubt it. He can be pretty
stubborn."

"He doesn't care about honor?"

"He does, but he'll try to warp it to fit his view of reality."

"Are you sure you want to fight him?"

"I'm sure. If he challenges either of us, I'll make him eat grass." A
predatory gleam was held in Akane's eyes as they approached the school.

Nabiki stepped out of hiding, trying to understand what Akane just
said. Akane never had any male friends, let alone one she trusted
implicitly. Unless she means Dr. Tofu, but I doubt that, he's still
here. And who was 'that friend' she was talking about? Something is
definitely not adding up.

------------------------

Akane shook her head at the sight of her assembled 'suitors.' They all
looked ready to fight, which meant no one had yet to inform them of
Kuno's defeat at Ranma's hands. They all shouted their 'love' for her
in their battle cries and were quickly mowed down.

Ranma leaned against the front gate. "When do they learn?" he mused.

Kuno strode towards Akane. "Ah fair goddess, it pains me to see your
fiancee does not seek to protect you from your attackers. For this I
must take it upon myself to URK!"

Akane held Kuno by the collar. "Kuno-sempai! I'm already in a bad
mood. I thought the challenge made it clear. Ranma defeated you, and
you leave us alone. He did and you apparently aren't. Where is your
honor?"

"My honor is to protect fair maidens."

"The person I need to be protected from is you! You will call off these
morning fights and you will leave us alone!"

"Let me save you from your unwanted engagement!"

"Who said it was unwanted? It may be forced, but we haven't made up our
minds if we want it or not."

"How can you want to be engaged to the foul cur?" Kuno demanded.

"You don't know him and you insult him?! Kuno die!" The next thirty
seconds was filled with completely mindless violence Akane enacted on
Kuno's personage.

Akane stomped off to class followed by Ranma.

Nabiki walked over to Kuno and tsked. "You are really pathetic." She
grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the nurse's station.

------------------------

Akane sat at her desk, ignoring her teacher. She had too much on her
mind. 'You don't know him and you insult him?!' Why can't I get that
out of my mind? She sighed. Because I remember how the insults had
started between Ranma and me. I called him a pervert because *I*
walked in on him. It might of eventually ended if I ever stopped
calling him a pervert, but I never did.

Akane glanced at Ranma, who had fallen asleep. Ryoga's appearance
had not helped. He appeared to be so innocent, so if he fought Ranma
it had to be Ranma's fault, ne? Wrong, Ryoga usually started it for
little or no reason. Ranma was a perverted sex-fiend by sneaking into
my room, ne? Wrong, he came in with a teakettle to protect me from
Ryoga. Why didn't I see it before? Why would Ranma come into my room
with a teakettle if he was a guy already? Why didn't I see the stupid
bandanna?

Akane noticed her text book started to get a couple drops of water
on it. No! Not here! I can't break down and cry here. Pay attention
to class, anything, but don't cry!

Akane looked at the board. Great, history of Feudal Japan. I got an
A in this class last time around, it's not likely I'll learn anything
more. Plan! That's it plan with how to deal with Shampoo and Ryoga.
I'll have to put up with Ryoga, just to make sure Ranma has an
adequate sparring partner. He definitely won't sleep in my bed.

Akane tapped her pencil on her lips. Shampoo will be a tough one. I
don't want her as Ranma's fiancee, but if Ranma is to ever fight anyone
like Tarou or even Saffron, he needs to be trained by Cologne. While
I know some of the moves, it's the challenge of learning them that
improved his skills. I have to lure Cologne here, but how do I do that?
Akane scribbled down some ideas. I wish I could get Nabiki's help on
this.

------------------------

"It's your fault we had detention," Akane said coldly.

"You didn't have to skip school with me," Ranma retorted.

"I know, but it's kind of fun to blame you," Akane giggled.

Surprised at this response Ranma turned around and saw her smiling.
"Well, ah, whatever."

Suddenly, water mysteriously fell from the sky onto Ranma. A voice from
above shouted, "Sorry, didn't think anyone was down there."

"How did that just happen?" onna-Ranma asked.

Akane laughed, "You have a water curse. You're going to have to expect
to find water inexplicably drawn to you. If someone tosses water out a
window, you'll be under it."

Ranma sighed. "Oh, joy."

"Ah, Tendo Akane, I see your cowardly fiancee is once again not by your
side," Kuno said.

"Just who are you calling cowardly?" Ranma snarled.

"If it isn't the fair maiden who mightily tossed me from the pool. Let me
introduce myself, I am the rising star in the Kendo world of martial
arts, known to my peers as the..."

"I know who you are, Kuno the true blunder."

"That's Blue Thunder, my Dear."

"We don't care Kuno, leave us alone," Akane said coldly.

"But how can I stay away and deprive you of your true love? I must stay
by your side and protect you from your unworthy fiance."

"Unworthy?! Who are you to say who's worthy? A cat would be more
acceptable than you!" Ranma retorted.

"You challenge my word?" Kuno drew out his bokken, holding it at the
ready.

"I challenge your word and your sanity!"

"If you win..."

Kuno said no more since before Ranma punched him in the jaw. They both
attacked, parried, and dodged. Ranma's inexperience in fighting in her
female body allowed Kuno to land a blow to her shoulder. Ranma returned
that blow two dozen fold, knocking Kuno to the ground.

What a fiery spirit, and a strength superior to Akane's! I must have
her! Kuno thought before fading into unconsciousness.

Akane looked at Ranma's shoulder. "You should get Dr. Tofu to see that."

"Who?"

"He's our family doctor and friend. He patches me up whenever I get
hurt."

"It's not that bad."

"Isn't it?" Akane tapped the wound.

Ranma crumpled onto the ground.

"Come on, he'll fix it up like you've never hurt it before. He is very
good."

"All right," Ranma grumbled.

------------------------

"Hello," Akane called, entering the clinic.

"Why hello, Akane. What brings you here today?" Dr. Tofu greeted
friendly.

"Ranma, here, decided to play pound the Kuno, and Kuno got a lucky hit
in," Akane answered.

Dr. Tofu raised an eyebrow. "She must be very good if Kuno could only
get a lucky hit in. And did you say her name was Ranma?"

Akane nodded. "Ranma's better than I am."

Dr. Tofu looked at them quizzically. "I thought I heard Ranma was your
fiance."

Akane blushed slightly. "Um... he is. Ever hear about Jusenkyo?"

"Akane?!" Ranma uttered.

"You can trust him, Ranma. He might even be able to help you," Akane
said reassuringly.

Ranma didn't answer, she just stared at the floor.

"I'm afraid I haven't heard about Jusenkyo," Dr. Tofu said, confused.

"They're a group of magical spring in China. If you fall into a spring
and you'll take the cursed form of whatever drowned there when splashed
with cold water. Hot water returns you to normal. In Ranma's case it
was spring of drowned girl," Akane informed him.

If it was anyone else besides Akane had said it, he would've thought
it a joke. "It must be difficult for you to adjust to the curse,"
Dr. Tofu said, concerned.

"That's an understatement. Getting engaged didn't help any," Ranma
grumbled.

"Well, let's take a look at your shoulder, and then I'll see what I
can find out about your curse."

------------------------
The next day-

"Hey Ranma, here," Nabiki said, handing Ranma a letter.

"This is to me?" Ranma asked.

"'To the girl side,' Kuno said. I don't think he believes you're the
same person."

Ranma opened the letter marked, "To the Water Sprite Girl." He read
aloud, "On Sunday, in the tenth hour meet me in the second field of
Furinkan High School."

Akane twitched as she heard this. "Sounds like either a duel or a
date."

"A date? Come on this is Kuno were talking about," Nabiki said flatly.
"The same guy who's obsessed with you."

"Yes we are. He only showed interest in me after I beat the crap
out of him. Seeing as Ranma has done the same in his girl form, he may
have 'fallen in love' with 'her.'"

"I can't just ignore this," Ranma said flatly. "If this is a
challenge, I have to fight. If it's a date he'll be sorry."



------------------------
Chapter 6 - Date With Me
------------------------


Akane fussed with her dress. She wanted everything to be perfect. She
had waited two years for this, even if Ranma had only waited less than
a week. She couldn't begrudge that. He just hadn't known her as long as
she had known him.

Today's the day of our first date. My first date with Ranma. I thought
I'd get married to him before that would happen. A tear rolled down her
cheek. And I nearly did. Why did he have to die? Why do I have to go
through all of this again? Why couldn't I be married to him now? He was
finally going to marry me and he died! Why did this happen? Why? Akane
stood there crying.

Come on, control yourself. You've got Ranma back. You can go through
this again without making the same damn mistakes. Akane wiped away her
tears. Just make sure you don't make a whole batch of new ones while
you're at it.

Akane gazed back into the mirror, checking, once again, that she looked
the way she wanted. It's show time. She walked out of her room and
greeted her somewhat nervous fiance. "Ready?"

Ranma nodded. "You look... cute."

"Thanks." Akane blushed. She wasn't about to compliment him on his
normal Chinese attire.

"Oh, you two make me so proud!" Soun cried.

Nabiki shook her head. "Have fun you two."

"Be sure to be back at a reasonable time," Kasumi advised.

"Sometime tomorrow is reasonable," Genma grinned.

"Mr. Saotome! They aren't even married yet!" Kasumi said,
scandalized.

Akane shook her head. "Bye." She dragged Ranma off before anyone could
say anything more.

Nabiki grinned as they left. Now to do a little spy work.

------------------------

Ranma and Akane stopped at Aires Family Restaurant for dinner. Ranma
talked about a couple of the saner adventures he had growing up, while
Akane talked about her mother and some of what it was like for her to
grow up.

Akane was a little dismayed at how Ranma played up how great it was
wandering around Japan and China. It looked like he was trying to say
he would never settle down. She did note the longing look to his eyes
when she described her somewhat stable childhood.

After dinner, they left for the movies. They stopped outside, looking at
the movie listings.

Ranma looked at the list with a puzzled expression.

"Why don't we see this Jackie Chan movie? It's sort of martial arts
action and comedy," Akane suggested, knowing he would like the movie and
didn't mind it much herself.

"Okay," Ranma shrugged. He didn't know too much about movies because of
how he was raised.

They were about to walk in when Kuno appeared. "Allow me to..."

Akane interrupted him with a LEO kick to the chin.

Ranma blinked at the kick. He never saw someone ever kick somebody that
way and with that result. "Cool," he said to himself.

------------------------

Akane and Ranma walked closely together as they walked home from the
movies.

Everything had gone perfectly as far as Akane was concerned. She felt
she only made one mistake, she had pointing out something of about the
movie that had only been released in Japan yesterday. She hoped Ranma
didn't notice that.

They stopped at the bridge for a moment, and looked at the
reflections of the moon and stars off the river.

"This night has been perfect," Akane said, turning towards Ranma.

"Yeah... it was." Ranma turned toward Akane thinking how good looking
she was. Before he knew it he was starting to lean towards her.

He... he's going to kiss me?! Akane couldn't believe it as she watched
Ranma ever so slowly lean towards her. She closed her eyes, waiting for
the final contact. She felt a strong breeze, and then nothing. She
opened her eyes. No. Ranma wasn't there. Why? Why did he just run
off? He was going to kiss me and he ran. Why?

After a long moment, Akane tearfully walked home, alone.

------------------------

Akane walked towards the dining room for breakfast, and could hear Genma
drilling Ranma about details of the date.

"Come now Ranma, did you kiss her?" Genma asked.

"NO! What's it matter anyway? There's no way I'm going to marry her!"
Ranma shouted.

No. He can't mean that, Akane thought sadly.

"You're not in a position to decide," Genma said firmly.

"Why should I have to marry someone as cold as Akane? Tell me that!"

Cold? Not uncute, tomboy, or sexless, but cold?! What have I done to be
thought of as cold? Akane started crying.

"Because family honor demands it!"

"Besides, she isn't cold. She's just got a good head on her shoulders,
and she is helping teach you," Soun added.

"She can't teach me nothin'. I'm way better than she is."

"There is more to martial arts than just knowing how to fight," Soun
said.

"Hmph. I still say there's no way I'm goin' to marry her!"

Akane couldn't listen anymore and ran back to her room. Ranma noticed
her running away and felt something. He wasn't sure what he was feeling,
but he didn't like it.

Akane wanted to know why. Why was he pushing her away? The only thing
she could think of was the near kiss. That they had moved too fast, too
soon. She hoped that was the case. She didn't want to think of the
alternative. That she was somehow too cold and unemotional for Ranma.
That he wouldn't love her...

------------------------

"So you have come, my Water Sprite Girl!" Kuno said, walking towards
onna-Ranma.

"You don't learn quick, do you pal? Well? Where's your sword?" Ranma
asked.

"Heh. I have no need of a sword."

"Yeah? Pretty confident, I guess."

"Confident enough to give you THIS!!!" In a flash of movement, Kuno
threw a bouquet of roses at Ranma, which she caught. "I love you."

Ranma stared at him in shock. Akane was right! This is a date! She saw
Kuno walking of into the sunset. "Kuno-sempai!" Ranma snarled.

My love calls to me? Kuno thought blissfully. He turned to see Ranma
running towards him.

"There is no way I'd ever even like you. If I want love, it'll be from a
woman." Ranma shoved the bouquet into Kuno's mouth. "Chew on that!"

Kuno spit out the flowers, watching Ranma's retreating form. "A
challenge. She will yet learn tis better for a woman to seek the love of
man. I will be that man!"

------------------------

Ranma and Akane ran to school. It was obvious Ranma was still pushing
her away, and the incident with Kuno had not helped. It made Ranma even
more upset. When they got to school, they plowed through the assembled
boys and Kuno.

------------------------

Akane stood watching the scene unfold as Kuno demanded to know Ranma's
connection to the 'Water Sprite Girl.' She decided to step in after
Nabiki poured hot water on Ranma while Kuno was hugging him in his girl
form. When she approached them, Kuno shouted, "Hold Saotome! Where have
you hidden my goddess?! I shall not be fooled by this trickery!"

"Listen... Kuno..." Ranma stammered, trying to figure out how Kuno could
be that dense.

"Kuno-sempai, Ranma has not hidden her..." Akane began, glaring at Kuno,
"because he is that girl."

Kuno looked at her strangely, "Excuse me fair, Tendo Akane, by what do
you mean by that?"

"I mean the red haired, 'Water Sprite Girl' and Ranma are one and the
same person. Splash him with cold water, and his body is female. Hot
water returns him to normal. That ability was picked up from a ancient
Chinese curse."

Kuno stood there for a moment. "Then I must splash him with cold water,
and prevent hot water from touching her. Then she shall be free!"

"What?!" Ranma screeched.

"Kuno-sempai! His body changes, not his mind."

Kuno stood there for another moment. "Curse?... Magic?! He's a foul
sorcerer and has cast a spell on thee. He makes you say such outrageous
lies!"

Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki face-faulted.

"Vile sorcerer, I swear by the honor of the glorious house of Kuno, I
shall destroy thee." Kuno attacked, striking at Ranma multiple times.

"How stupid can you get?" Ranma mused. He leapt over the bokken and
kicked Kuno in the chest, sending pictures flying.

Ranma caught one of the pictures. This... this is a picture of me?!
He was distracted enough for Kuno to hit him.

Ranma landed, pain flaring in his side. He then proceeded to start
catching all of the photos, despite Kuno's continued attacks.

"You look elsewhere in the midst of battle... YOU DON'T TAKE ME
SERIOUSLY!!"

Ranma flipped and rolled away from Kuno's attack. He ended up, upside
down, at Akane's feet.

"I think you should know, over confidence is a rather big weakness. You
should pay attention to the fight," Akane said flatly.

"And I think you should know, those panties are a little too flesh
colored. One might think..."

"Stop with the fashion statement, and finish the fight!" Akane shouted
angrily. She was more than a little tempted to punt him at Kuno.

"Fine," Ranma sighed. He got to his feet, and did a running jump kick at
the egotistical Kendoist.

"The game ends!" Kuno snarled. He attacked repeatedly.

Nabiki was amazed at the statue next to Akane was starting to crumble.
"Whoa. Just by air pressure..."

"Out of the way stupid!" Ranma shouted at Akane.

Akane stood firm. "Pay attention to the fight!"

With a flash of motion, Ranma kicked Kuno repeatedly. Kuno fell,
unconscious.

"How... how did you?" Nabiki stammered.

"He kicked Kuno multiple times. Each hit was at a vulnerable spot,"
Akane answered.

"You kicked him?! I never even saw it!" Nabiki flipped Kuno over and saw
several foot prints on his body.

"'Kuno-sempai' didn't have much, did he?" Ranma belittled his fallen
opponent.

"You still took a hit. What distracted you anyway?" Akane asked. Not
like I don't know. She grabbed a couple photos off him, and smiled.
"Oh! Pictures of me. Honestly Ranma, why were you concerned over
pictures, when you can get some from me by just asking?"

"HEY! Kuno had the pictures!"

Akane went to glare at Nabiki, but she was oddly absent. Where did she
go?

"You don't look good on photos. I, on the other hand, look great!" Ranma
smirked.

"Oh really," Akane said darkly. She really hated how Ranma kept pushing
her away like this.

"These pictures are a work of art," Ranma grinned.

What?! How could he say that about those perverted pictures?! Akane
angrily snatched the picture out of his hand and was shocked. The
picture was... was... tasteful, beautiful even. It was of onna-Ranma
doing a kata, capturing her in fluid motion. What the hell?! These
pictures aren't what Nabiki sold last time. Why the change?

Akane shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Let's go to Dr. Tofu, and
have him look at that hit you took."

"Uh, okay," Ranma shrugged.

"Ranma, this is a rather nice picture. Mind if I keep it?" Akane asked,
sweetly.

"I, ah, guess."

Nabiki stepped out of hiding. Now I'm sure of it.

------------------------

Akane, wanting to think of a way to get Ranma to stop pushing her away,
went to look through the journal she had brought from the future. Only
it wasn't where she left it. She started to search frantically. She had
to find it.

Akane heard a knock at her door and said, "Come in." Akane turned to see
Nabiki open the door and walk in.

"Akane, I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed a book from you." Akane's
eyes widened in shock and fright as she heard Nabiki's words and saw
what was in Nabiki's hands. "I found it a rather interesting read, don't
you think, OLDER sister."


-----------------------
Chapter 7 - About Time
-----------------------

"Akane, I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed a book from you." Akane's
eyes widened in shock and fright as she heard Nabiki's words and saw
what was in Nabiki's hands. "I found it a rather interesting read, don't
you think, OLDER sister."

$#*%!!! Akane closed her eyes. She tried to think of a way out of
this.

Nabiki shut the door. "Don't try to deny it. The incident with Kuno this
afternoon proved you're from the future. This journal had that event
written in some detail, and the only real difference was you. As added
proof, Ranma complained in here about me selling pictures of him,
however, he did not say what was on those photos. So, I resisted the
urge to take a few fast, candid shots and set Ranma up in order for me
to take those rather nice and tasteful pictures you saw. I doubt those
pictures could've shocked you like they had unless you knew what
should've been on those photos." Nabiki observed at Akane carefully,
wanting to see if her admittedly weak reasoning was true.

Akane looked at her sister nervously; she wasn't sure she could trust
Nabiki. She could not forget that her sister had ruined her wedding, but
in a way this wasn't really the same Nabiki. The Nabiki that had stopped
her wedding had kind of resented Ranma for several reasons, but the
Nabiki in front of her doesn't have any reason to resent him. Akane
decided she could explain some things to her, but would be careful to
not tell her too much. Nabiki might even be able to help her.

Akane collapsed into her desk chair. "I guess I've got some explaining
to do."

Nabiki sat down on the bed. "I would certainly say so."

"Where do I start?" Akane asked aloud.

I am right? You are from the future? Nabiki thought, surprised that
such an unlikely possibility was actually true. She hoped it didn't show
when she asked, "How far into the future are you from?"

"Two years." Akane felt strange talking about that.

Nabiki had kind of hoped she was wrong, because the contents of the
journal frightened her in many ways. If the events of the next two years
were known, though, they should be able to control the outcome.

The journal entries for the time that had already passed were very
similar to what had happened this time, except that the journal's
version of Akane depicted how Nabiki had thought she would act. The
journal also contained nearly two years of information written in
Ranma's handwriting. Some of that information included things about the
Tendo family's past which he could not possibly know yet.

There was no way the journal could have been written by the Ranma Nabiki
knew. There was simply too much stuff in it. Akane could've collaborated
with him and written it, but that wasn't likely considering they had no
reason to and that they hadn't had enough time to write this. As odd as
it sounded, the only explanation Nabiki could come up with was the
journal was from the future... and by how Akane had acted, so was she.

Nabiki had to admit that a lot of the stuff in it seemed far fetched.
But if Ranma could turn into a girl and Akane clearly acted as if she
lived this all before, it gave a certain credibility to it all.

There was some information missing that Nabiki wanted to know. She
decided to get it chronologically. "Okay, let's start with the day after
the final entry."

Akane hugged herself. "I wish I could forget that day." She shivered.
"That was the day Happosai summoned some monster because Ranma got him
upset. The monster..." Akane's voice cracked, "...was very powerful. I
tried to help Ranma fight it... but it was too strong... Maybe if I
stayed out of the way like Ranma wanted... he wouldn't have..." Akane
started crying, unable to say more.

Nabiki stared at Akane, asking dumbly, "He died?"

Akane looked at Nabiki with an unspeakable sadness and nodded. "In my
arms... He died in my arms just after he finally admitted he loved
me." She then started crying so hard her entire body shook.

Nabiki wasn't quite sure what to do to help comfort Akane. "Oh,
Akane..." she said hesitantly, hugging her sister because it seemed the
right thing to do. After a while, Akane's crying started to get to her.
She wanted to stop her sister from crying, so she somewhat jokingly
asked, "Did I really turn into such a bitch?"

"Huh?" Akane emitted through her tears.

"Did I really become so much of a cold-hearted bitch that I did some
of the stuff in that journal?"

Akane nodded. "You did."

"I ruined your wedding?" Nabiki asked, not quite believing she would
ever do that.

"Yes."

"Why would I do something like that?"

"Besides being able to make money off it, you mean?" Akane accused.

"Now Akane, I may... do some bad things for money... but that was way
too far."

"It certainly was." Akane's eyes narrowed, her fist clenched slightly.

Nabiki noticed Akane was starting to get angry. She backed away form her
'younger' sister. "Well, I promise to stop your wedding only if you ask
me to."

"I'll hold you to that."

Nabiki nodded. "Now Akane..." She stopped herself. Nabiki was about to
suggest making a deal with Akane to get certain sports results in
exchange for helping her. She knew this was not the time for that.
Nabiki decided to hold off trying to get that information until a
later time.

Akane looked at her sister, wondering what she was thinking. "Yes?"

Might as well help her, and maybe she'll volunteer that information,
Nabiki thought. "Um... perhaps I can help you rope in the love of your
life."

"What do you want for your 'help?'" Akane narrowed her eyes, regarding
her sister with suspicion.

Nabiki shook her head. "Nothing... Akane, you do realize I probably did
some of that stuff to get money to pay for the damages you and Ranma
caused. Our family may have money, but not enough to pay off all those
repair costs." She had cringed when she read several references of
damages caused to the house and dojo.

Akane nodded. "I knew that... but you had... will... er... whatever
went to extremes in getting money. You had to have gotten more money
than you needed to run this household despite... what I did."

"Don't you mean you and Ranma?"

Akane shook her head. "Let's face it, I did most of the damage.
Shampoo and Ryoga combined didn't do as much as I did, and Shampoo has
a strange tendency to make her own doors."

Akane sighed. "You know how easily I get angry. I caused so much
damage because I would just react violently to things I don't like. I
took everything out on Ranma because I was being forced to marry him.
I never tried to look at things from his perspective. I wouldn't let
myself see the truth of so many things despite having the evidence
right in front of me."

Akane turned and looked out the window. "I should've known Ryoga was
P-Chan. I should've realized Ranma was in love with me a long time ago.
I just kept denying the evidence. Why would Ranma get that jealous over
Mikado and shout to over a thousand people that I was his fiancee, if he
didn't love me? That happens next month! We spent nearly two years
hurting each other... and I could've stopped it if I would've just seen
some of his signals."

"What about the signals he missed?" Nabiki asked.

"Oh, you mean me trying to cook for him? Trying to be a good wife when
I don't have the first clue how?" Akane sighed. "He could've been more
appreciative about what I did for him... at least less insulting. But
looking back, besides being jealous, I didn't send all that many
signals to him. When I did send a non-violent signal, they were
somewhat acknowledged or I had botched up the attempt. Through it all,
I was rather good at hiding my true feelings to everyone, including
myself."

"Are you trying to tell me Ranma was blameless for all the bad things
in your relationship?"

"Hardly... but the problems with our direct relationship were largely
mine. Ranma should've done a better job of dealing with his excessive
number of suitors. I know now he never really wanted them, but he
should have done something about them. It's hard not to get jealous of
someone like Shampoo. She's every man's fantasy girl, and so much better
than me in so many things."

Akane clenched her fist. "I have to be careful in how I deal with her
when she arrives. I might end up fighting her... which would be bad.
I'll probably lose control of my anger and start unleashing some of my
special techniques."

"That's one of the things in the journal that still gets me. Can people
really do chi attacks?" Nabiki asked.

Akane nodded. She held her hands out and a mass of crimson red light
formed between them. She smiled at the result, and then frowned.
"A-another missed sign," she whispered, the chi dissipating. Tears
started to flow down Akane's face again.

Nabiki blinked at the light. She wanted to know more about it, but Akane
was crying again and she wanted to now why. "What do you mean?"

"Two months after the failed wedding attempt, Ranma's chi attacks
turned red and were stronger. He wouldn't tell me what emotion he was
using to fuel it, saying I had to figure it out." Akane started to cry
even harder. "Now I know... it's love."

Nabiki shook her head. She knew her sister could stubbornly refuse to
see things that could be uncomfortable. Akane's eyes had been ripped
open in a terrifying way. The man she loved had died in her arms, and
now she had to relive her life.

Nabiki wanted to ask more about the chi attacks, but she could ask that
later. She knew it would be better if Akane finished talking about the
future first. "Sis, what happened after Ranma died?"

"I can't tell you much about the following two weeks... I wasn't
exactly... alive. The China gang went home, Ukyou continued on, and
Ryoga proposed to Akari. Two weeks after the funeral, I went to a
psychologist. He was able to help me return to school. But a couple
days before the second anniversary of meeting Ranma, I found the
journal and read the final couple passages. The next thing I can
remember clearly was the night of the second anniversary of
meeting him... when I talked myself out of committing suicide."

Nabiki eyes widen in shock. "You weren't going to..."

"I would have been on my honeymoon then if he hadn't died! Four weeks! I
missed marrying him by four weeks!" Akane cried. "All I wanted to do was
to be with him again. I'd have done anything for that... but he wouldn't
have wanted me to kill myself. He died because he took some hits that
were meant for me! I wasn't about to tarnish his memory by killing
myself!"

"Good," Nabiki gave a relieved smile. "So how did you come back in
time?"

"I-I was still in bad shape, so I wanted to talk to the psychologist.
I went to call him, but I didn't get him but the... Goddess Relief
Office... I think. Anyway, a moment later this woman came out of the
television saying she was the goddess Urd and I had one wish. I ended
up wishing for a second chance with Ranma. When I woke up the next
morning, I was two years in the past."

A big sweat formed on Nabiki's head. "You didn't sell your soul or
something?"

Akane blinked. "I... ah... don't think so. I didn't sign anything at
least."

"I hope you didn't." Nabiki really wished she knew how to deal with this
kind of stuff. She sighed. "Now what are your plans?"

Akane decided to see if she could trust Nabiki by testing her with
Ryoga's appearance. "Well, Ryoga is going to show up in about a
week..."

------------------------

Akane entered the dining room with a teakettle filled with hot water.
She saw that onna-Ranma had just taken off her soaked shirt. "Ranma!"
she snapped.

Ranma looked at her quizzically. "What?"

"You have to learn feminine modesty. It's not acceptable to expose
yourself like that." Akane poured hot water onto Ranma's head.

"Why should I have 'feminine modesty'?" Ranma asked, wringing out his
shirt.

"Because you are part girl now."

"Not for long if I can help it."

"Ranma, Ranma," Nabiki began, shaking her head. "Something tells me
you CAN'T help it. What's the point of a curse if it can easily
undone? I believe you are stuck with it."

Akane smiled at her sister. "Nabiki's probably right. You really need
to learn more of what's it like being a girl."

"I don't want to know what it's like to be a girl!" Ranma shouted.

"I know you hate your curse, that you value your manhood, but you are
going to have to adjust to the curse. Fighting it will cause you more
harm than good. You must accept what you cannot change."

Nabiki thought this argument had gone on long enough. Akane fighting
with Ranma over him accepting his curse would only add more strain to
their still fragile relationship. She decided to change topics. "So,
Uncle Saotome, anything new with you?"

[Starting today, I have a part-time job,] read the sign held by the
panda.

Ranma blinked when he read that. His father rarely worked if he didn't
have to. "Part-time job? You working for a zoo, Pop?"

[WRO-O-O-ONG!]

Pop working?! He only works when he has to, and I don't see why he
would think that, Ranma thought.

"Akane, on the way home from school could you stop by Dr. Tofu's?"
Kasumi asked. "I borrowed this book from him, and I'd like you to return
it."

"Um, Kasumi, could you do that?" Akane asked. "There is... some stuff
going on today."

"Really? I guess I have to," she replied.

Ranma looked at Akane, confused. "What do you mean? Nothing's going on
today."

Akane scowled at Ranma. "There is too something." She glanced at the
time, noticing they should leave now. "Come on, Ranma. We have to go."

Ranma shrugged and inhaled the remaining part of his breakfast. He
followed Akane out of house, racing her to school. "What do you have
to do today?" he asked.

"Actually... there isn't anything. It's just that Dr. Tofu is in love
with Kasumi, and I want to help them get together."

"Oh," Ranma emitted, feeling he shouldn't be part of that.

They arrived at the school to see the would-be suitors gathered at the
gate. Ranma noticed this time they weren't preparing to attack, but
were... crying?

One of the suitors stepped forward. "Tendo Akane, we shall no longer
challenge you. Instead we shall swallow our sobs and give our approval
to your engagement to Ranma!!"

"What in the name of..." Ranma said, confused.

"It's about time you stopped," Akane said flatly.

"You have heard this rumor, this falsehood... that Saotome Ranma has
defeated me! Kuno-sempai does not admit defeat!" Kuno said, looking
like an Egyptian mummy wrapped in bandages.

"Kuno was the greatest fighter at Furinkan High," one guy said.

"Yeah. And the greatest pervert," another guy added.

"Pervert?!" Kuno snarled.

Akane shuddered, hugging herself. Kuno is nothing compared to
Happosai.

Ranma was confused by Akane's strange reaction.

"Kuno shall not give up. A hundred... two hundred kicks from a coward
like Ranma do not make me even itch!"

"Who are you calling a coward?" Ranma snapped. "Can't admit you
lost?!"

"You! I shall free Akane and the Water Sprite from your clutches!"
Kuno produced a bucket of water, throwing its contents at Ranma.

Ranma dodged it. "Hey! Watch it you idiot!" He kicked Kuno in the
face. The pain of the kick combined with the pain of the bruises from
the kicks he received the day before caused the kendoist to take a
nap.

"Well, we've said our peace," one guy said.

"Congratulations on the engagement you two!" another guy said.

"Err... whatever," Ranma grumbled.

Akane just smiled.

------------------------

"I'm sorry. Does it still hurt?" Akane asked, very concerned. How the
hell did I hit him with the baseball again? "What distracted you anyway?"

Ranma didn't answer. He didn't even look at Akane, he didn't want to
look at her. He couldn't help but replay the incident in his head. He
had been distracted because that Hiroshi guy said Akane was obviously in
love with him and that she never looked at anyone the way she looked
him.

Ranma shook his head. How can she be in love with me? I only met her
less than two weeks ago. There is no way she could be in love with
me. He glanced at Akane, seeing the worried expression written on her
face, and quickly looked away again. She just can't be in love with
me!

"Hello, Uncle Saotome," Akane greeted the panda sweeping the sidewalk
in front of Dr. Tofu's clinic.

"Pop! What are you doing here?" Ranma asked, surprised.

"Well, well! Ranma and Akane," Dr. Tofu greeted them friendly. "This
is Mr. Saotome. He started working for me today. Do you know each
other?"

"Well, yeah. He's my Pop," Ranma answered.

"You don't say," Dr. Tofu said. "Not much resemblance is there?"

"Thank Kami-sama, no," Ranma smirked.

The panda growled.

Dr. Tofu chuckled. "He was cursed at Jusenkyo, right?"

Ranma and Akane nodded.

"Ranma, what happened to your face?" Dr. Tofu asked.

"Little baseball accident."

"I have a balm that works wonders! Come inside and I'll fix that up,"
Dr. Tofu offered.

Ranma and Genma followed Dr. Tofu inside the clinic. Akane was a
little worried, knowing her sister would be arriving soon, but entered
the clinic anyway.

------------------------

Akane quickly tried to hide Ranma's journal when someone opened her
door. She sighed in relief when she saw it was Nabiki.

"So Sis, what happened to Uncle Saotome?" Nabiki asked.

Akane smiled, forcing back a giggle. "Well... my guess is that Dr. Tofu
thought Uncle Saotome was his patient when Kasumi showed up. I got Ranma
and myself out of there just as she showed up."



-----------------------
Chapter 8 - Lost
-----------------------



Onna-Ranma was cornered. There looked like no escape for her. All her
training meant nothing against this. There was just no kind of training
that would deal with what she was facing. "No WAY! I'm NOT wearing any
girls' clothing!" Ranma was clad in only her boxers and a towel.

"But Ranma, ALL your clothes are in the wash right now," Kasumi pleaded.

"You just can't run around naked you know," Nabiki said flatly.

"Come on, Ranma," Akane said. "I've got some clothes that aren't TOO
feminine."

Ranma sighed; she knew this was a lost cause and surrendered. "Fine,"
she grumbled.

Akane led Ranma to her room and pulled out a shirt and a pair of cover-
alls. They had 'China' written on the chest and on one of the knees.
"This should work."

Nabiki gave Akane a questioning look.

Ranma reluctantly grabbed the offered clothes, and slipped them on. Once
on, she said, "It doesn't fit. The chest is too tight."

Akane gritted her teeth slightly, but then relaxed. "Maybe it is a
little tight, but you haven't gotten used to something pressed against
your chest, have you?"

"Um, not really. Anyway, the waist is too big."

"Sorry you had to fall in the Jusenkyo spring of drown young super-
model," Akane said sarcastically. "Clothes aren't exactly designed for
someone with your figure."

"Huh?" Ranma questioned.

"Akane just means Jusenkyo gave you a body that most girls would kill to
have as their own," Nabiki said.

"Well, I'd kill to get rid of it," Ranma replied, sadly looking into the
mirror.

Akane placed her hand on Ranma's shoulder. "I know you hate the curse,
but it's part of you now. You're going to have to learn to accept it."

"But I don't want to accept it! It's NOT part of me!"

Akane sighed. "Ranma, you can accept the curse and still be a guy, a man
amongst men."

"Yeah right, I have such a great body for a man amongst men," Ranma said
sarcastically.

"The curse only changes how you look, it doesn't change who you are. You
don't act any different when you're a girl," Nabiki said.

"Well, I FEEL different, and that scares me. I'm a guy damn it! I don't
want this body! And I never want to wear women's clothes, EVER!" Ranma
ran out of the room.

"That went well," Nabiki said sarcastically.

Akane glared at Nabiki before running after Ranma. She found her in the
changing room, removing the last of her clothes.

"Leave me alone," Ranma snapped at Akane.

"Ranma... I'm sorry," Akane said as she hugged Ranma. "I-I didn't know
you felt different as a girl. I'm sorry I'm pushing you to accept this
before you're ready." You've never mentioned it before, and you didn't
even write in your journal that you felt different. Maybe ignoring the
problem was the better solution.

Ranma reluctantly hugged Akane back. "This isn't fair! Why did this
happen to me?"

"I don't know, Ranma. Maybe it was just REALLY bad luck, or maybe you've
got a role to play in fate that requires you being a girl. I wish I
could help you. I really want to help you. If I can help you with
anything, name it. I'm here for you."

Ranma let go of her hug. "Thanks for the offer. What I want right now is
to be alone. Okay?"

Akane nodded. "You go take a bath. Your clothes should be ready when you
get out." She turned and left the room.

Ranma went and filled the furo. She sighed as she looked in the mirror
at herself. I have the body of a girl that people would kill for. Why
did I have to get it? I'm a guy, and I DON'T want to accept this curse.
This isn't who I am. Why does Akane insist that I should? Why does she
think there isn't a cure? Why did she... hug me? Ranma smiled weakly,
remembering the hug. I may feel different, but I still like girls.

----------------------------

Ranma was overjoyed when the bell rang, ending school. He was quite
thankful Akane had said nothing about accepting the curse since the
clothing incident a couple days ago. He wasn't sure he liked that she
hadn't seemed as close to him since then, though.

Akane sighed in relief when the school bell rang. School was a bit
boring normally, but sitting through the class a second time, hearing
the same material over again, was EXTREMELY boring.

When Akane realized that she was forcing Ranma to accept his curse
before he was ready, she also thought about the other things she might
have been forcing without realizing it. In particular her acceptance
of their engagement and her instant closeness to Ranma might be causing
him to accept things before he was ready.

Ranma decided he had enough of school and said, "Come on, Akane. Race
ya home!"

Akane snapped out of her thoughts as she saw Ranma running out the
door, and realized something...

Akane ran after him, yelling, "Ranma, stop!"

"Come and get me," Ranma called back, exiting the school.

Akane saw the familiar form of someone whom she had thought was a
friend, charging at Ranma and preparing to attack. "Ranma! Watch out!"

Ranma looked up at the figure of someone above him with a strange
umbrella. The figure called out after committing to his attack, "Ranma,
Prepare to DIE!!!"

Ranma dodged the blow with reflexes honed by years of practice. The
ground under him exploded from the sheer force of the attack.

"You!" Ranma said, vaguely remembering his attacker.

"You haven't changed, Ranma. You're still good at running away," the
attacker sneered.

Akane glared at him with a look that could freeze blood. "Who are you,
and why did you attack my fiance?"

"Fiance?" the attacker questioned.

"Yes, my fiance. Now tell me who you are and why you attacked him?"
Akane snarled angrily.

"You have poor choice in men." He chuckled. "I'm Hibiki Ryoga, and I
shall have my revenge!"

A lightbulb turned on over Ranma's head as he remembered Ryoga, "Hey,
long time no see, buddy! How've you been?"

"How've I been?!" Ryoga snapped. "Have you no idea of the suffering
I've seen because of you? I will make you pay for running out on our
man to man duel!"

"What are you talking about? I waited three days at the appointed
spot."

"Oh sure, but when I showed up on the fourth day you had already run
away to China."

"Tell me," Ranma asked, "why did it take you four days to get to a
vacant lot that was just 500 yards down the street from your house?"

"You think I was out on an evening stroll?! I suffered trying to meet
up with you! You broke a vow between men when you ran off to China
with your father!" Ryoga yelled. He swung his umbrella at Ranma.

"Now listen here!" Akane growled, blocking the swing by grabbing the
end of the umbrella. She slid a couple inches before stopping it. "YOU
broke the vow between men when YOU didn't show up at the appointed
time for the duel. Don't blame him for something that's YOUR fault."

Ryoga stared dumbly at Akane, not just because of her words, but because
she had stopped his swing.

"Hey, keep out of this. This is between me and Ryoga," Ranma said.

"Right, this is between men," Ryoga confirmed. He turned to Ranma and
charged. "Ranma I will destroy your happiness!"

Ranma dodged the charge and Ryoga kept going.

"My happiness?" Ranma asked, watching Ryoga as he ran off into the
distance. "Am I happy?"

Akane glared at Ranma. "I hope you're happier now than you were before
coming to Nerima."

Ranma looked at Akane and shrugged. "I guess."

----------------------------

Akane was in the dojo, decimating the practice dummy with a flurry of
movements born of frustration, fear, anger, and years of martial arts
training. She ripped into the dummy with moves that could kill a man.
To almost everyone else she would be a force to be reckon with, but to
herself and Ranma she was way too slow. She continued her attack trying
to forget what happened after Ryoga left, and failed.

Nabiki entered the dojo and saw the Akane she knew, her angry little
sister. The only difference was that the Akane she remembered was raw
unfocused power, but the Akane before her was highly focused and far
more dangerous. Nabiki watched as Akane literally ripped her target to
shreds.

Akane stopped once the practice dummy was unrecognizable. She looked
down at the remains, and it brought back a memory, a memory of
Happosai's corpse at her feet. Akane became sick, barely able to stop
herself from vomiting. She ran outside the dojo to try to regain
control.

Nabiki looked at Akane with a questioning look. "Akane, are you all
right? You look like you were about to throw up back there."

Akane took a couple breaths and steadied herself. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"What just happened?"

Akane looked at Nabiki. "The dummy... brought back a rather bad
memory, that I'd rather not think about."

Nabiki thought Akane was probably referring to Ranma's death, and
decided to change the subject. "Now Akane, why did you, ah, practice
like you did?"

Akane sighed sadly. "I was upset at Ranma's response to Ryoga saying
he'd destroy his happiness. Ranma asked me if he was happy. And when I
said I hope he was happier now, all he said was, 'I guess.' Shouldn't
he be happy? He has a home and friends, and he still questioned if he
was happy!"

"You know better than anyone else the hard life Ranma had. He's never
had what he's got now. He doesn't know if he should be happy with this
or if he would be happier living on the road. He needs time to
understand his feelings. Try to remember what it was like for you when
Ranma first arrived and consider what it'd be like if the roles were
reversed and you were cursed and expected to follow him as he walked
all over Japan and China."

Akane sighed. "I know... but I guess I want my Ranma back now and I'm
getting a bit impatient. It's hard trying to keep my distance when I
love him so much it hurts. There are times I want to act like Shampoo
and throw myself at him. The only thing stopping me is that I know he
doesn't like that. Instead of bringing him closer to me, I'd be
chasing him away."

Nabiki smirked a little, remembering some of Shampoo's exploits that
she had read. "Somehow I don't see you acting like that."

"Well, maybe not exactly the same way... but I am more than a little
tempted to seduce him."

Nabiki shook her head. "Do try to keep your panties on. I'm not sure I
want to be an aunt anytime soon."

----------------------------

"Here Ranma, this just came for you," Kasumi said, handing a letter to
onna-Ranma and placing a teakettle next to her.

"A challenge letter from Ryoga," Ranma said reading over the letter.

"Will he make it in time for this one?" Akane joked.

"Nope, it's supposed to be yesterday."

"How bad of a direction sense could he have?" Nabiki asked.

"The worst. He can get lost in a room with one door," Ranma quipped.

Akane giggled. "Anyway, what started this feud?"

Ranma thought for a moment, coming up blank.

"Anything to deal with when you two went to the same school?" Nabiki
asked.

Ranma snapped her fingers. "That's it! It was back at the start of a
new semester, during lunch. The cafeteria lady threw out the last of
the curry bread and I caught it before Ryoga could get it. He seemed
upset about it. He was even crying tears of bitterness. Lunch was
always a war there. After all it was a boys' school."

"Boys' school?" Kasumi questioned.

"I was a boy all the time back then," Ranma said bitterly.

"All that for taking some bread. You sure there wasn't more to it?"
Akane asked.

As Kasumi poured hot water from the teakettle on Ranma, he remembered
more and said, "Well, there was also chow mein bread, and then
croquette bread, and melon bread, cutlet sandwich, meat bread, and
there was seaweed bread..."

"My, sounds like the straws that broke the camel's back," Kasumi said.

Nabiki whispered to Akane, "You sure you want him?"

Akane nodded slightly.



--------------------------
Chapter 9 - Ranma vs. Ryoga
--------------------------



Ranma watched his opponent carefully. The attacks were skillful. They
just didn't have much speed behind them. Fix that and his opponent
would become very dangerous.

"Come on, fight back!"

"Why?" Ranma replied.

"Do you think running away long enough will give you a victory?"

"I don't run away!" Ranma snapped.

"That's what it looks like to me."

"Oh, yeah?" Ranma did a foot sweep.

His opponent jumped over it. "A beginner could avoid that."

"Try this!" Ranma let a series of punches fly.

Akane smiled as she was pegged by half of them. "That's more like it,
but you don't have to soften them up, though, I need to know how to
take stronger hits."

"It's not right to hit girls," Ranma replied, going back to the game
of dodging Akane's attacks.

"Oh, really? Why is that?"

"Because girls are weaker!"

"So if you had to fight in your girl form, you'd lose because you're
weaker?"

"No way. Even though my girl form is weaker, it's better than any
other guy!"

"Then how come other girls can't be stronger than most guys? If your
female body is better than most guys, why can't I be better as well?"

"Girls just aren't!"

Ranma finally failed to avoid one of Akane's attacks. An uppercut to
the chin. He was imbedded in the ceiling.

Akane's eyes unsteadily looked at Ranma. "I'm sorry about losing my
control there... but you need to realize that girls aren't helpless
and weak."

Ranma pulled himself from the ceiling and landed next to Akane,
rubbing his chin. "I know not all girls are helpless and weak... it's
just I don't... well... Never mind." He turned and left the dojo.

"You don't feel right doing something that could hurt me," Akane
whispered hopefully as if to finish what he tried to say. I don't
mind that you were playing dodge with me right now. You need the
practice for when you face Ryoga.

----------------------

"Place your bets!" Nabiki called out. "Place your bets on the outcome
of a battle between old rivals. Once the best of friends, now
bitterest of enemies. Who shall win? Will it be the Furinkan High's
own Saotome Ranma, or will it be the Eternal Lost Boy, Hibiki Ryoga?"

"I was never his friend, and don't call me that!!" Ryoga shouted.

Akane sat by one of the exits to the soccer field watching as Ranma
and Ryoga stood in the field sizing each other up. She had refused to
comment on Nabiki's betting pool, but it didn't stop Nabiki from
passing off some information she acquired through 'research' that
Ryoga was a good match against Ranma.

Akane groaned when Ranma tried to stop Ryoga from fighting with bread.
She had hoped she had convinced him not to do that. She smiled a
little when she noticed that the bread wasn't past the expiration
date this time. Not that it stopped the fight.

Ranma and Ryoga started fighting and everyone was in awe (except
Akane) of the skill they showed. They watched in fascination as Ryoga
pulled off feats of strengths, and yet Ranma's speed prevented the
Lost Boy from landing a blow.

Akane grinned as the fight was almost exactly like she remembered it.
Now all that needed to happen was for... RRRRRIIIIPPPPP... Ranma's
shirt to tear. Akane quickly left for the fountains followed by
Nabiki.

YES!! Nabiki mentally cheered seeing Ryoga land to the side of the
fountains.

Ranma's enraged attack followed the lost boy right into the fountains,
shattering them. Ryoga quickly used his umbrella to block the water.

Unnoticed by the two combatants, Akane's right hand flared with red
chi. She sent a blast at the base of the water spout, causing water to
splash irregularly. Ryoga's legs became soaked.

Suddenly Ryoga's umbrella started to fall and his clothes washed away.
Ryoga was nowhere to be seen.

"I've been such a fool," Akane whispered.

Nabiki ran off in the direction of Ryoga's clothes, just as Ranma
jumped out of the water.

"Huh? Where did he go?" Ranma asked.

"The idiot got lost. I'm going to drag his ass back here to finish the
fight," Nabiki replied.

"You might want to wait until you're a guy before the next round,"
Akane added.

Ranma looked down, and blushed slightly. She readjusted her shirt so
it wasn't so revealing. "Oh, yeah."

"Where they go?" was the most coherent question of a mob of students.

"Ah, Ryoga got lost and Ranma went to follow, but I don't think he
went the same way," Akane answered them.

The students made some rather disgusted sounds. "Who won then?" was
asked by someone.

"I'd say it was a draw," Akane commented.

Ranma made a disgusted sound. The students moaned knowing Nabiki would
keep all the bets, since she had stated they were betting on the
outcome of the fight.

--------------------------

Nabiki smirked seeing the black piglet looking sadly at his clothes.
"Oh, look at the cute piggy!"

Ryoga looked up and saw a girl's dress twirling over his head and
could see the girl's panties...

Nabiki shook her head. I didn't think that would really work. She
grimaced noticing the blood from the pig's nose bleed on her left
sock and shoe. She then shrugged, and picked up the unconscious Ryoga
and his clothes.

Nabiki returned to the broken water fountain and placed Ryoga and his
clothes near his umbrella.

Akane arrived a minute later with half a cup of hot ramen. The girls
quickly left hoping that Ryoga would wake up and see the ramen, using
the hot water in it to transform back. If he did, he should make his
late night appointment at the Tendo home in a couple days.

Several minutes later the Ryoga woke up. He saw the ramen and ate
it. He then went to work setting up his portable stove, wishing for
an easier way to get hot water. He idly wonder what had happened to
the girl he saw, and why the coward, Saotome, had run off on him
again.

--------------------------

Akane stared out the window. She somehow found it impossible not to
cry. She tried to dry her tears when someone walked into the room.

"Sis, what's with the tears?" Nabiki asked. "Everything worked out
perfectly. I doubt either of them suspect anything."

"It-It's not that. It's just what happened after the fight is one of
my most important memories and now he'll never share it," Akane
sobbed.

"What do you mean?"

"When Ryoga's weapon cut my hair, Ranma was extremely concerned for
me. Even during the fight he was trying to protect me. Because I had
hurt my ankle during the fight I went to see Dr. Tofu after Kasumi
fixed my hair. When I was there Dr. Tofu said I looked cute. Do you
have any idea how long I had waited for him to say that?"

Nabiki shook her head.

"Years! And when he said it then, I didn't care! I started crying. I
didn't know what was wrong with me. Why hadn't I cared? Afterwards
something happened that scared me. I wish it hadn't, but it did. Ranma
said he liked how I looked and I couldn't have been happier! It
shocked the hell out of me, so I tried to hide it. It wouldn't do for
me to actually like the man I was being forced to marry. I've been
such a stupid bitch." Akane cried into her hands.

"So, that's why you got your hair cut," Nabiki said. She knew from
Ranma's 'other' journal that he liked Akane with short hair, but
didn't think it was enough for Akane to cut her hair like she had.

Akane nodded.

"Well, Sis, I don't see any way you could've made that event happen
even if your hair wasn't cut. You couldn't possibly stay in script
for your part of the battle, so you would've had to do something
pretty interesting to get your hair chopped."

"I know, but I still wi... wanted us to share that memory, and maybe
make it a better one." I won't say wish since it might just end up
being granted in a way I don't want.

"Well, let's not worry too much on the good memories he'll miss out
on. You can always make sure to have better ones with him."

"I can try."

Nabiki nodded. "Now, Akane, who do you think will win tomorrow's
soccer game?"

Akane scowled at Nabiki. "Not sure. Several of our school's players
had minor injuries the last time around."

Nabiki shrugged, and started to leave. "Akane, are you sure you can
go through with our plan for Ryoga's next appearance?"

Akane nodded. "I DO have some experience with what I have to do."

"Not a very good one according to the journal," Nabiki joked, and
quickly left the room.




------------------------------
Chapter 10 - Here Comes P-Chan
------------------------------



Akane glanced at the clock. It read three in the morning. It was
raining outside. She wondered what was wrong. She got out of bed for
the third time in the past hour and checked on Ranma. He was
sleeping peacefully without a care in the world.

Akane noticed a noise from downstairs. Finally! She then went back
to her room and waited. He better start fighting Ranma before it
stops raining.

It was almost four when Akane heard the shout of, "Wake up, DAMMIT!!!"
She went to her bed and waited for Kasumi to 'wake her up.'

-----------------------------

Ryoga and Ranma were flung out of the room by a disgruntled panda. The
lost boy landed to the side of the koi pond, carefully watching Ranma
as he landed in it.

"Wha? Wha?" a red-head stammered, trying to stand up in the pond.

Ryoga blinked at the girl in the pond. He saw Ranma fall into it, but
a girl came out. Could it be... "R-Ranma?"

"Ryoga!? It's the middle of the night! What the hell are you doing?!"

"So, you turn into a girl now." Ryoga smirked. "Anyway, I'm here for
my revenge!"

"Ugh. Ryoga. Would you stop this? What's with all this 'revenge'
stuff?" Why didn't he seem surprised that I turned into a girl?

"Before I send you to hell, I'll tell you this: When you ran away from
our duel, I followed you all the way to China!!!" Ryoga shouted
angrily.

"Don't tell me you went to Jusenkyo, and now you transform!" So
that's why he wasn't surprised.

"SILENCE! It is time for you to die!!!"

-----------------------------

"Akane, are you awake? There are noises outside. Do you think it's a
burglar?" Kasumi asked.

Akane said nothing. She walked out of her room and down stairs. Kasumi
shadowed her.

"It is a burglar! He has a pack of stolen goods!" Kasumi said in
fright.

Akane's face took a malevolent grin. "I'll beat the crap out of him."

"NO!! It's too dangerous!"

"What..."

"Here." Kasumi handed Akane a small stone statue.

"Huh?" Isn't this suppose to be a dumbbell? Akane shrugged and
pitched it at the head of the 'unknown man' fighting Ranma.
Bullseye!!

Ryoga's eyes widened in pain as the statue broke on his thick skull.
He dropped his umbrella and ran.

"Ryoga!" Ranma shouted watching his opponent disappear.

"Ryoga? He should find a better time to start a duel," Akane commented
dryly.

"Oh. It's only Ranma's friend." Kasumi sighed in relief.

Akane ignored her sister and watched as Ranma ran after Ryoga. "I'll
stay up and make sure there's a hot bath for Ranma. You can go back to
bed."

"Are you sure?" Kasumi asked.

Akane nodded. I really wish this wasn't a school night. I'm going to
fall asleep in class. She went to put a teakettle on the stove and
then went to the bath to fill it. That done, she went to her room for
something.

Akane sighed. I'm not going to like this, but I have to know. She
opened the door, and sensed another presence. "Whoever you are, come
on out!"

A black blur charged her and Akane slammed it to the floor, HARD. The
piglet landed and then scooted away from her.

Now to put on a good act. Akane called as sweetly as she could,
"Here, piggy."

The piglet backed away more.

Akane held out her hand to the pig. "Come on. I won't hurt you!"
Unless you do something stupid.

"Oh, your drenched. Must've been in the rain." She smiled. "Is that a
bump on your head?"

Akane walked downstairs and was surprised Ranma wasn't there. She
started to dry Ryoga while waiting. Where is he?

Several minutes later Ranma walked in alone. I give up. He's probably
in Hokkaido or somethin'. He then saw Akane. "Yo. What's with the
pig?"

The pig in question tried to jump out of Akane's arms and attack, but
was held in place.

"What wrong with you?" Akane asked the pig. "Hush now. I'll fix that
bump now." She could not hide her grimace when she pressed the pig to
her chest.

Ranma noticed Akane's reactions. "Is he groping ya? Hey, it's
blushing!"

"Pigs don't blush."

Ranma snatched the pig from Akane's hands. "Hentai pig. I knew it.
It's a guy."

"So it is." Akane grinned slightly at the pig's obvious discomfort.

Ranma gave the pig back after it attacked. "I'm going to take a bath."

"Could you warm up the piglet while you're at it?" Akane asked
sweetly.

"Quee?" the pig questioned.

Ranma took the pig in disgust. A couple minutes later Akane noticed
Genma walking to the bath.

Everything is happening as it's suppose to. Just two hours later than
it did, and without Yamane's dog. I wonder why? Akane thought. She
watched as Genma walked back down the hall. They'll be out in a
minute.

"Get back here, you disgusting pig!!" onna-Ranma shouted, chasing
after her porcine enemy.

After being hit in the back of the head by a wash bucket thrown by
Ranma, the pig dashed behind Akane.

"What are you doing?!" Akane shouted.

"Coward! Hiding behind Akane!"

The piglet took offense and attacked.

"Stupid pig! I wanted to talk this out!" Ranma snarled, slamming the
pig into the ground.

Akane stopped further action on Ranma's part by grabbing the red-
head's bare right breast.

"Gwah!" Ranma emitted.

"Are you okay?" Akane asked the crying piglet. "Oh, he's scared. Let's
go."

"What are you doing with that pig?" Ranma asked.

"Taking him to bed with me," Akane said, flatly.

"Wait! That pig is a..."

"Be a good boy, and don't cry." Akane rubbed her nose against P-Chan's
snout. I may remember kissing him, but THESE lips have never kissed a
guy except dad. Ranma will be the only one to ever feel them. I hope
this has the same effect.

"Ghaa!!!" Ranma shook in frustration.

Good, it worked. "What?"

"Go ahead! Sleep with that pig!" Ranma ran off.

Akane grinned. Maybe I should take up acting. He bought it all. Best
of all, he's jealous!

-----------------------------

Akane tried to remain awake, but failed with the final thought, Ranma
will wake me anyway.

A little while later Akane awoke to sight that had shocked and scared
her the first time she saw it, Ranma on top of her.

"Ah, ah... Akane it's not what it, ah..." Ranma stammered nervously.

"Just what are you doing in my room?" Akane asked him, trying to be
angry to continue the act. It came out a little hollow.

Ranma backed away from her. "Er... ah... well..."

"Are you here because you wanted to 'try me out' before the wedding?"

Ranma waved his hands in protest. "That's not it!!! It's Ryoga. He's
the..."

"He's what?" Akane glanced over at the teakettle. She grabbed it and
shook it threateningly. "What's with the teakettle? Thought you'd get
wet on the way here?"

"No! I was, ah..."

Akane shock the teakettle enough that the lid slid off. Some of the
hot water in it splashed the startled piglet.

"I, ah, can explain..." Ryoga stammered, desperately trying to cover
himself.

Akane eyes first widen 'in shock' and slowly her face took on a deadly
vision of anger. "Oh, yes. Explain to me why you did NOT resist being
held to my chest. Explain to me why you made NO effort to clue me in
that you're not a pig. Explain to me why you did NOT leave my bed as
soon as I fell asleep."

"Er, I know this, ah, looks bad, but it's not my fault! It wouldn't
have happened if Ranma hadn't cursed me!!"

"Oh, he dragged you all the way to China and dunked you in?" Akane
asked sarcastically.

Ranma was grinning, and it was obvious to Akane that he loved
watching Ryoga squirm.

"Not exactly. I followed him after he ran out on our duel..."

"Which would NOT have happened if you accepted your loss for not
showing up on time," Akane added.

Ryoga scowled at her. "When I arrived at Jusenkyo, he knocked me in."

"Did you?" Akane asked.

"It was an accident. I didn't now he was there. I was trying to kill
Pop at the time," Ranma answered.

"And how would you know that if you didn't know he was there?" Akane
asked.

"He said the girl was chasing after a panda all over Jusenkyo, which
only happened once."

"Oh." Akane then moved over to Ryoga. "So. It appears to me everything
you're blaming Ranma for is your fault." She grabbed the lost boy's
bandannas and forced him to stand. "If you want to challenge Ranma
later for a fight, fine. But you will NEVER attack him in the middle
of the night again!!" She then punched him out the window, and heard
the satisfying splash of the koi pond.

"Ah, well, I better get back to bed," Ranma said, moving towards the
door.

"Okay." Akane slipped back into her bed.

Ranma left her room. Why did she look disappointed? I guess she
wanted a pet. He wasn't sure why he couldn't entirely believe that
thought.

Akane smiled. He was jealous, and he came to protect my honor nearly
at the expense of his own. Ryoga might try to say Ranma broke his oath
for 'showing' me, but that just ensures they'll continue to 'spar.'
She sighed. But now all the future encounters with Ryoga will be
different. At least I won't have to break his heart.

-----------------------------

"Now Akane, why are you so tired and what was Ranma doing in your room
last night?" Nabiki asked smugly, while eating breakfast with her
family.

Ranma missed the question entirely as he inhaled breakfast.

Kasumi looked worried.

Soun and Genma decided to listen in.

Akane scowled at her sister. "I'm tired because Ryoga's attacks on
Ranma kept me up. And Ranma went into my room because he saw that
Ryoga had snuck in."

"So, Ranma was protecting you." Soun grinned, and then turned towards
Ranma. "But if you want to sneak into her room, go ahead."

"Dad!!" Akane screeched, blushing.

"They shouldn't. They're too young," Kasumi gasped.

"I'd never sneak in. Why would I want to do that with her?" Ranma
protested.

Akane glared at Ranma. It's not like he'd really have to sneak in.

-----------------------------

Author's notes:

Comment on some of the changes that occurred:
Some of the changes can be seen as directly being affected by Akane's
future knowledge - Ryoga being late. Other changes, may or may not be
affected: The stone statue will be left as a mystery for now:
Chaos Theory or does Kasumi know?

Thanks to the numerous pre-readers and those who sent C&C on this
series.


Happosai's death scene in the second version was more graphic, but less
believable. If you want to see Happy die a horrible death, here is the
altenate version:

Happosai? Well, Happosai wasn't there. When he had arrived at the scene
of Ranma's death to see what his monster had done, he meet several angry
martial artist. He held his own against them. Actually he was winning,
despite fighting Genma, Soun, Ukyou, Ryoga, and Shampoo all at the same
time.

Ryoga and Genma laid into Happosai using chi attacks. Genma was even
using his forbidden moves to attack Happosai. Ukyou and Shampoo were
upset that their presence was only helping the lech.

It wasn't until Happosai touched Akane to regain his strength that the
battle ended. Akane looked at Happosai with such anger and rage she
glowed with a chi aura greater than Happosai even produced. "You- you
killed him!" she shouted, her voice like gravel. "DIE!" Her chi aura
shot into him.

Happosai felt her chi wrapping around bones and internal organs. He
screamed in pain and horror as his manhood was ripped apart from him. He
was in shock. He could not move.

"You have taken away from me the man I love, and I will see you dead for
it," Akane said darkly. "I will see that you die painfully."

Several bones in Happosai's left hand were ripped out of his skin. Then
his right fore arm was crushed. He struggled, trying to free himself
from Akane's chi grasp. He still couldn't move.

The others assembled stared at Akane and Happosai in shock and fear.
Those who could think, didn't dare interfere in fear of Akane's possible
reprisal.

Happosai's right leg turned to powder. His kidneys flattened into
pancakes. His left leg shot into his body like spear, ripping intestines
and crushing lungs. The fact he was still alive was a testament to the
master of Anything Goes Martial Arts tenacity and struggle to live.

Akane's chi wrapped firmly around Happosai's body and head. With a
disgusting sound of flesh ripping and bones coming apart, Happosai was
decapitated.

Those gathered could no longer hold their lunch at the gruesome sight of
Happosai's death.

Akane stared at the corpse, only realizing then she wasn't dreaming
about what she'd do to Happosai. She had really killed him. Her mind
failed her looking at the sight. She collapsed. She would never be able
to remember what she just did.

Now, the only people who thought of Happosai, did so angrily. No one
mourned his passing.

(Just a note- this version Akane didn't remembet killing Happy. In the
perfect anger blast version- she does remember.)