Authors Notes: Eek! After much planning from the publishing of Ch. 9 for Against the Odds, I've finally done it. Here is the third book!

Let Me Know

Chapter One

"Aiko!" Ranma called up the stairs, "Will you please come down?"

"NO!" She screamed back.

"Aiko! Let's talk about it!"

"I don't want to, Daddy!" Aiko appeared at the top of the stairs. She was close to five foot tall. She had Ranma's black hair. It was oddly curly, sort of like Nodoka's. She was skinny for her age and had great balance. She actually turned out a little pale for being Japanese. Aiko always wore her hair up in a pony tail with a bow to finish it off. She also had bangs that fell over her right eye. Her eyes belonged to Akane, her nose as well. She had the true Saotome look, though.

"Sweetie, it couldn't of been that bad," Ranma told her. She narrowed her eyes in on her father. "How bad was it? Come down and tell me all about it." Ranma offered. Aiko shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't want to talk about it!" Aiko told him again, "I'm going to go train." She stormed off and slammed the door to her room. He heard her stomping around like she did when she was angry. Ranma learned from previous expirences that when Aiko was pissed, it was wise to stay out of her way like Akane. Ranma sighed and ran his hands through his black hair.

"She's going to make my hair turn grey eventually," Ranma mumbled. Twelve years had passed. Ranma didn't know where all the time had gone. He heard a loud thud and looked up, "BE CAREFUL!" He shouted toards the roof. "I hope Akane is home soon." He mumbled. She had recently taken up assisting Dr. Tofu at the doctor's office. Jobs like cleaning, sterlyzing, and filing.

Drager padded down the stairs, book under his arms. He had indeed gone to college when Aiko was two and got a degree in animal science. He was now an assitant in animal surgery at the vet. "What's wrong with Aiko now?" Ranma sighed and looked over his shoulder at him.

"I think she got embarassed at school again," Ranma told him, "I don't know why she's been having so much trouble fitting in. She's a good little girl." They heard a door slam. Aiko stomped down the stairs. She stopped to look at her father and uncle, "Aiko, honey, are you ready to talk about it?"

"No." Aiko said shortly and began for the yard in her workout clothes.

"Aiko, did you take your inhaler?" Ranma followed her out the door. She heaved a big sigh, "I'm just being safe. You know how scary those asthma attacks are. It's better to be safe than sorry."

"I knew I forgot something..." Aiko muttered and brushed past her father and back into the house. She grabbed her inhaler from the dining table where she left it, much to Akane's disapproval. Akane often told her that was not the proper place for it. Aiko gave it a good shake before she puffed the medicine into her mouth.

"Alright, Young Lady." Ranma leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. "Spill. What exactly happened today at school?" Aiko sighed and put her inhaler back onto the table.

"Nothing, Daddy." Aiko told him and began back for the door. Ranma pressed a hand to her shoulder, though, and made her back pedal, "Daddy, really. I want to go training. Alright?" She tried again, but Ranma backed her up, "You're going to make me really angry." Aiko told him, trying her best to hold her temper down. Ranma sighed and knelt down before the girl.

"I'm just making sure you're alright," Ranma told her softly, "I don't want you to be unhappy, Aiko. Is something that Mom can talk to you about?" He asked. Aiko crossed her arms over her chest and looked away, "Hey, look at me." She didn't make a move to do it, "Aiko Saotome."

"Daddy, really..." She looked over at him with big sappy brown eyes, "It's... it's nothing." She heaved a sigh, her bangs falling into her eyes, "I'm okay." She looked into Ranma's eyes now and it reminded him of Akane, whom she was very similar to.

"I'm not so sure," Ranma shook his head.

"Just... leave me alone." She brushed past her father and crossed out towards the dojo. Ranma watched as his little girl slid the door harshly close after her and disappear for probably a rigourus training routine. She often worked herself harder when she was angry. Just like Akane.

"Something is definetly wrong," Drager commented, snacking on an apple. "When's Akane going to be home?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow up.

"No idea..." Ranma shook his head. He looked over at his brother who had not yet moved out. He claimed he was going to soon and he was saving up money to buy an awesome house but it had yet to happened. "I hope it's soon."

"Me too," Drager agreed, "She gets pretty scary when she's angry."

...

"I'm home!" Akane called, slipping out of her shoes. She padded down the hallway to see Ranma sitting at the table propped up on his elbows, "Hey." She said, kissing him. There was something wrong. She could tell through the kiss, "What's wrong?" She asked, cocking her eyebrow up, "Where's Aiko?"

"Training," Ranma mumbled. Akane glanced at the clock.

"It's close to eight. Why hasn't she taken her bath yet? She has school tomorrow, Ranma."

"I know." He replied, looking over at her, "You need to go talk to her, though."

"Why?" Akane asked, "What's wrong with her?"

"She's been upset since she's got home from school. I think someone did something to her again." It wouldn't be the first time someone voiced the thought that Aiko Saotome was lame. They often made fun of her family. She told her parents they made fun of her mother's short hair and Ranma's braid. (She left out that kids knew that Ranma could turn into a girl. They had learned through their parents.) They also teased that her hair was frizzy. Sometimes it did frizz, but only in humidity like other kids. She was also made fun of because she had asthma. The girls teased her in athletics because she was one of the only girls who hadn't developed breasts. (She hadn't told her parents that either.)

"Oh no..." Akane gently touched her cheek, "I'll go see her." Akane crossed to the dojo and heard Aiko's pained cries from pushing herself hard. "She'll give herself an attack doing that..." Akane entered to see Aiko doing high kicks across the dojo, "Aiko..."

"Hi... Mom..." She panted, throwing a punch forward. Her face was a tender red from fatigue. She did more high kicks and even a jump kick. She had Ranma's lightness, giving her the ability to jump high very easily.

"Honey, please stop training." Akane said.

"I'm in the zone, Mom."

"You have school tomorrow, Young Lady. I demand you stop now." Aiko sighed and stopped. Akane tossed a sweat towel at her, which she thanked her for. "You and I need to have a talk." Akane sat criss cross on the floor and patted a spot across from her on the hardwood floor.

"Daddy already tried the same thing," Aiko shook her head, backing up slightly. "I really don't need a talk, Mom, but thanks for the concern." Akane gave her a warning look, "Okay... sorry..." Aiko crossed and sat before her mother.

"Aiko, Sweetie, what's wrong?" Akane asked, softly. Aiko sighed and looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"Mommy..." She croaked. Akane took her hands into her's, "I heard Natsuki saying I was a burden on the gymnastics team..." Aiko lowered her head, "It's probably because they're all seventh graders and I'm only a six grader. They're all thirteen. Teenagers, Mom! I'm just twelve..."

"Aiko, listen to me." Akane tilted her chin up, "Don't listen to what this Natsuki is saying. Maybe she is jealous of your surperior talent in gymnastics. I wouldn't doubt you're a natural. Your father and I are both natural gymnasts. You're going to rock at that meet next week."

"Natsuki... jealous?" Aiko furrowed her brow, "She's so good, Mom! She's way better than I am..." Aiko shook her and looked away.

"Aiko, you're a Saotome." Akane told her, "Do you know what that means?"

"It means that I'm the biggest loser on this planet!" Aiko huffed.

"No, Sweetie," Akane said, surpressed a chuckle about Ranma when he was sixteen. He could of been the biggest loser to her. But that was close to eighteen years ago, to Akane's shock. "It means you're very talented. You're fit, well balanced, and have a wonderful personality. Don't let Natsuki or anybody else tell you differently, alright?" Aiko stared back at her mom and saw how serious she was.

"Okay, Mom." Aiko replied and after a moment of thought, she offered a smile. Akane leaned forward and laid a kiss on her daughter's sweaty forehead.

"Alright, Sweetheart. Go take a bath."

...

"So what was that all about?" Ranma asked, shrugging into his pajama shirt. He began buttoning it up and looked over his shoulder at Akane. She was looking in the mirror, carefully trimming her bob cut.

"Some girl was saying that Aiko was a burden to the gymnastics team." Akane replied, "Can you believe how cruel some kids are?"

"Can you believe my own daughter couldn't tell me that." Ranma mumbled.

"Sometimes a daughter just needs her mother." Akane teased. Ranma leaned over her shoulder and they looked into the mirror. Akane gently touched her cheek, "I need to start using something on my face. I'm getting crow's feet."

"I think you look beautiful," Ranma whispered, gently pressing a kiss to her cheekbone, "Just the same as you did eighteen years ago." His moving mouth ticked and sent chills down Akane.

"I love you..." She whispered, melting against him.

"And I love you."

...

The morning came too soon for Aiko. She arose with her wailing alarm at six thirty. Aiko quickly showered, put her hair up, and dressed in her school uniform. At seven she decided to go down for breakfast. Her mother was up, reading a book and eating something premade from the store, since it has long been proven that her mother never learned to cook properly. Sometimes Aiko wished her Aunt Kasumi lived here as full time chef.

"Good morning," Akane smiled over her magazine, "How did you sleep."

"Fine," Aiko replied, entering the kitchen. Ranma was there making himself coffee. Aiko grabbed an apple and shined it on the skirt of Japanese Sailor uniform. She took a crunchy bite into the fruit.

"Mornin'," Ranma said, leaning against the counter and stirring his coffee, "Ready for school?" Aiko meerly shrugged and hopped up onto the counter.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Aiko simply said. After she finished her apple, Aiko went out to the backyard. She felt as peace when she looked up at the cherry blossom tree in her back yard. Since there was an approaching cold season ahead of them, the tree was losing it's beautiful pink flowers. She took in a deep breath.

"This tree is my favorite out of the entire yard!" Aiko smiled, pointing her chubby finger at it. She was four at the time. Ranma knelt beside her with a big smile. But Aiko could see some sorrow in the smile.

"Your grandmother said the same thing," Ranma told her, "She loved this tree the most because it reminded her of freedom and the ability to do great things. I want you to feel the same way your grandmother did about the tree, Aiko." Ranma looked up at the big tree.

"Grandma's soul is in that tree, Daddy." Aiko said to his surprise, "I can feel her."

Aiko opened her eyes to the calling of her mother tell her that she'd better get a move on so she wasn't late. Aiko murmered a small prayer to her grandmother that she never met before she went racing for the house. She slung her leather book bag over her shoulders, bade her parents for well, and began her walk to school alone.

Junior High was nothing like Aiko imagined it. In grade school they made it seem like the coolest thing ever, but in all truth it sucked. The kids were rude and obnoxious and only cared for their social status. Aiko mainly just focused on becoming the greatest martial artist she could become, just like her parents. But even that posed as a challenge for Aiko with all the interupttions.

Aiko often found it fun to balance on the fence. (She was never aware her father did the same thing when he was in school.) She'd scrambled up as fast as possible and hold her arms out as balance. She got better at it every week, but her biggest fear was falling into the water. The only thing she couldn't do was swim. She hated the water ever since she was little and nothing her parents said would make her change her mind. A brick wall finally ended the fence and Aiko leapt onto it, now able to freely walk and thank the unknowns for another beautiful day.

Aiko watched the junior high come into view and she couldn't help but feel disappointed by the end of her walk. She wanted to stay away from the school grounds, but atleast it was a half day since it was Saturday. Aiko leapt onto the ground and entered through the rather large gates. Everyone was in their own cliques. Some glanced over at Aiko as she strolled in, hands clamped over her backpack straps.

"Look, it's Miss Half-Boy," Someone murmered out of earshot of Aiko. The group began sniggering and jabbering over how funny it was that she had a father that could turn into a female.

"She's on the gymnastics team, right?" One of the students asked.

"Yeah. I heard she sucks."

"There's a meet next week, y'know." Another said with a devious smile.

"Sh, sh...! She's coming."

"Hi, Guys." Aiko said, stepping into the group, "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing," A girl told her, "We were just talking about the gymnastics meet next week. Are you competing, Aiko?" Aiko shuffled her feet for a moment.

"Of course I am," Aiko told her confidently, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I'm sure you'll do great, Aiko." A girl gave her a clap on the arm.

"Thanks, Mai." Aiko shot her a smile. The bell rang, "Well... I'll see you guys later." Aiko did a small wave before she turned on her heels and began up the school. As soon as she was gone, the group girls broke into laughs.

"We should so sabotage her at the meet! Let's make her look like an idiot!"

"We should," A girl agreed.

"She's so weird," One shook her head, tapping her chin, "Why doesn't she have boobs yet like everyone else?"

"I'm tellin' you, Yumi, she's a half-boy." The group broke into guffaws after that comment.

...

Aiko had trouble focusing in English. It was her favorite class since she was so extremely fascinated in the English language and wished one day to travel to America. Aiko's mind kept wondering back to the girl group from earlier. They were all oddly nice to her, almost in a mocking way. She tried to push it to the back of her mind, but it remained right infront.

Aiko sighed and pressed her head into the nook of her arm, giving up on writing the paragraph in english. She groaned into her arm and tapped her pencil against the desk. Many students shot annoyed looks at the disruptive student.

"Miss Saotome," The teacher, Mr. Dasako said, "is something the matter?"

"No, sir." Aiko sat up straight now.

...

Aiko slowly pulled her leotard on. All the girls around her in the dressing room were busy chattering away. They were all dressing for their different sports. Volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball. Aiko was the only sixth grader taking gymnastics since it was usually reserved for upper classmen, but she got special admission.

Aiko couldn't help but notice all the girls had breasts. Even if they were small, they were something. She looked down to see nothing but a flat chest. It made her feel a little self-conscious, but she quickly rushed out to the gym mats to stretch. She stretched alone while the seventh grade girls cooed over a cute boy they all admired.

She also couldn't help but over hear about a birthday party coming up. It was for Miu Uemasu's birthday party and they'd all been invited. She was a seventh grader on the gymnastics team. She was still in the dress out room, though. Aiko couldn't help but feel left out. She sighed and rubbed her hands through the chalk. She did some upwards stretches before she leapt for the the low bar. She did her spins and felt in her own world. The high and low bars were her favorites and she also seemed to have a special talent for it and her coach saw it. The coach was very excited to have Aiko on the team, since she remembered Akane's time served on the team when she was in middle school and highschool. There was even a plaque engraved with Akane Tendo: District Tournament AAA Winner 1982 - 1983.

Aiko did a double flip as she flew through the air and stuck right to the mat without take a small hesitent stagger. She stood there a moment after contact on the mat and stared at the empty bleachers. She could imagine a crowd of people standing and giving her a healthy ovation. Aiko did a small bow.

"SAOTOME!" The coach blew her whistle, snapping her back to reality, "HUSTLE!" Aiko turned to go join her group over by the coach.

"Sorry, Coach," Aiko replied, "Didn't hear you."

...

After practice was over, Aiko was out the door. All the girls in her gymnastics groups were linking arms with their boyfriends who were just getting off of their practice. Aiko trailed behind them, clutching her backpack straps.

"Watch out, Half-Boy!" Two girls roughly shoved her on her arms and rounded past her, laughing. Aiko furrowed her brow, not knowing why they were so rude to her. Aiko gritted her teeth together, not standing to be treated like that.

"HEY!" Aiko barked, her temper getting the best of her, "GOT SOMETHING TO SAY TO MY FACE?" The girls stopped and looked at each other, then turned to a fuming Aiko.

"What'd you say to me?" The girl named Kaori growled.

"I said, are you gonna be real and say it to my face. What's your problem?"

"Hah," Kaori looked at her friend, Yuki who was sniggering as well, "You've got a lot of guts, Saotome. I called you a Half-Boy, Misfit. Got a problem with that?"

"Yeah," Aiko clenched her hands together, "I kind of do."

"Well, if my father turned into a girl, I'd be a little ashamed as well. I mean, does he have no pride? Does that make your mom a bisexual?" Aiko's face turned red from anger and embarassment.

"TAKE THAT BACK!" Aiko screamed.

"Make me!" Kaori hissed, leaning further in. The next Aiko knew, teachers were pulling her off of a screaming and crying Kaori.

...

"Hello?" Akane said into the phone. She cocked it between her shoulder and ear as she washed the dishes, "Hello Principal Takahashi, how can I help you?" She smiled pleasently as she dipped the dish into the suddy water and handed it to Ranma to dry off. "SHE DID WHAT?" Akane gasped, dropping a cup into the sink, making water splash everywhere. "I'll be right there!"

...

"This is completely unacceptable, Miss Saotome," Principal Takahashi was saying. She was leaned forward with a sympathetic facial expression. He looked over at Kaori who had a bloody nose and a swelling bruise on her cheek. "Your parents will be here momentarily, Aiko. We'll then discuss your punishment. Kaori, you are dismissed." The preppy girl slid out of her chair and stalked for the door, "Oh and Miss Satamato... please stop pushing people around. You've brought this among yourself as well." Kaori turned bright red before she darted out the door.

There was an awkward silence that hung in the room thickly like fog. Aiko kept her head lowered, knowing she had done wrong. What Kaori had said, though, was infuriating. How could she speak so ill of her family? The family she loved so much. They didn't even know her is what the most upsetting part of it was. Aiko was sure she was a good person who had a great personality, but apprently she wasn't.

They don't know me, Aiko thought, slowly kicking her feet back and forth nervously in the chair. She listened to the ticking of the clock, knowing that any moment her parents would be crossing the threshold. Principal Takahashi was busy scribbling away on a peice of paper. Most likely a punishment slip for Aiko. Maybe if they tried to get to know me, they'd like me. Aiko only had one true friend. She had recently gotten moved to a new school, but they saw each other on occasional weekends and holidays. Not to mention they talked over the phone. Other than Emi, Aiko had no friends.

The door opened and Aiko bowed her head further. Principal Takahashi rose and shook hands with Ranma and Akane. The couple then seated themselves in the chairs on either side of a silent Aiko.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Saotome," Principal Takahashi folded her hands together in a business manner, "I'm sure we all know we've gathered. Aiko, would you like to say why."

"No, ma'am..." Aiko muttered.

"Excuse me?" Principal Takahashi leaned forward. Aiko now lifted her head.

"I said no ma'am," Aiko told her.

"Very well," Principal Takahashi sat up very straight now and made eye contact with Akane and Ranma, who were both sick with worry, "Aiko attacked another student. She only had a bloody nose and bruised cheek..."

"It wasn't my fault," Aiko interuppted. Akane set a hand on Aiko's hand to silence her, but Aiko shook her head, "No, really. It wasn't my fault."

"How so, Miss Saotome?"

"Kaori was making fun of me," Aiko replied, "I had to stand up for myself, Principal Takahashi. The schools have always taught us to never let someone put you down because of who are and where you come from. Why am I getting in trouble for a principle you taught me?"

"How was she making fun of you?" The principal questioned. Aiko shrank back now. "Miss Saotome?"

"I'd rather not say," Aiko muttered, "She was just calling me names and making fun of my family name... everything she said, though, was very rude and upsetting. It's not my fault."

"Aiko, what was she saying?" Ranma asked.

"It's not important," Aiko whispered. She looked back up at the principal, "Just give me my punishment, please. I'll be on my way afterwards."

"Alright," Principal Takahashi agreed, "Two days of morning detention at eight a.m. sharp. You'll be working for the teachers until third period. Be prepared to have make up work from your first two periods." She held the punishment slip out to Aiko who glumly accepted it, "Have a nice day."

...

"THIS SUCKS!" Aiko brought her hand down, breaking through the one brick she had set up. That's all her parents allowed her at the moment because Akane had broken her wrist so many times break multiple ones at a time when she was younger, "EVERYONE IS AGAINST ME!" She set another up and broke it.

Aiko turned away from the bricks and wiped away the smallest tear, not sure if she could handle anymore bricks. She heaved a sigh and hunched over a little, "Those girls don't even know me." She began doing punches and kicks. After a little of that, Aiko decided it'd be best if she did laps from the dojo to the cherry blossom tree. She made herself run fast, trying to beat her records each time.

Aiko pushed herself harder, though her muscles begged for a break. Aiko wasn't finished punishing herself, though. She tagged the tree and began back, but quickly came to a haulting stop when she felt a sharp pain in her chest. That's when her breathing shallowed worst and she began gasping for breath. Aiko began across the yard, knowing where her inhaler was. When she made it to the hallway, her heart was thudding harder. Aiko lunged for her inhaler and took a quick puff. After a few moments, it was clear to Aiko the inhaler wasn't going to work.

Tears formed in her eyes from the lack of oxygen. It felt like someone was setting bricks on her chest. With shakey hands she began assembling her nebulizer to get a treatment running. Akane appeared in the doorway and raced to Aiko's side, who by now was flooding the room with her tears.

"It's alright, Aiko..." Akane soothed as she squirted the medicine into the nebulizer. She flicked the switch on and passed it to Aiko. She attatched the oxygen mask to her face and took in the mist. The pain still was causing her to cry, but she was hopeful the nebulizer would do something for her, "You're okay, sweetheart." Akane gently rubbed her back as Aiko continued gasping for air.

"I'm back!" Ranma called, entering with the groceries, "Oh. Aiko, are you alright?" Ranma set the groceries on the table and knelt infront of her. Her gasps got deeper and she shook her head. Her face turned slightly red for a moment before it paled, "Let me get you a paper bag." Ranma reappeared moments later folding the bag over. Akane flicked the nebulizer off and removed the mask. With shakey hands Aiko pressed it to her face and began trying to catch her breath. After a few minutes of this, her breathing began to relax. "See?" Ranma gently flicked a tear from Aiko's face, "It's going to be alright..."

Aiko wished she could believe her father.