Prologue

Ranma sat on the porch of his mothers house. He and his father had moved there before the incident with Saffron, and after the failed wedding, he still stayed there. They had all agreed that it would be better to gain some distance of each other after that disaster, although Ranma and Akane still saw each other in school. Nabiki wasn't there anymore. She had graduated and went now to college, but she still stayed at home. College wasn't that far away, and since Nabiki didn't want to spend too much money in an apartment, she stayed at home.

So now Ranma stared at the pond while thinking, 'Something's wrong...', he said to himself with a frown. 'I'm sure I'm missing something. A detail, something important, but what? Hmm... Lets see... Shampoo? No, she STILL didn't stop glomping me...

The old ghoul? Nah, she's still alive, so that can't be it...

Mousse? Probably still searching his glasses after our fight. Heh, this will teach him, attacking me! Well, that never stopped him before, but I can still hope, can't I?

Ryoga? Probably still searching his way to Japan. No sense of direction, that guy!

Ukyo? No, I just ate an okonomyiaki some minutes ago, so this can't be it either...

The Kunos? I already fought them today, so that excludes them too... Wait! I didn't change into a girl yet! Yes, that's... No, I did change! I forgot that old woman...

Sparring with pops? As if he would forget such a thing! Wait, did I see mom today? Oh, no, I couldn't have possibly missed my mother! No, I remember now, I saw her at breakfast today! Puh!

So, what could it then be? Nabiki? I haven't seen her yet. But she still has enough pictures of my girl-side, so this can't be it either...

Kasumi? No, she and Mr. Tendo were the same as ever today.

So what is it? Arrgh, I'm going insane! What's this weird feeling? Did I forget someone, while making my list? Hmm... lets see...'

Ranma closed his eyes while pondering about that question. Could he have possibly forgotten someone? One of his rivals? A family member? A suitor? The Tendos? Akane?

'That's it! Akane! I completely forgot about her!', he remembered excitedly. 'But is she the one, who gives me this weird feeling? As if something's missing? That can't be! I mean, she's only gone for one day now! This can't be it! Am I already missing her? Why would I feel such a thing? I never really missed someone except mom, and Akane will only be gone during the holidays! Only two months! Not that big of a deal! I shouldn't be missing her, I should be partying about the fact, that there won't be any tomboy around, and that I can't get hammered for two months!'

As Ranma concluded this thoughts, he remembered where she went to, with whom and why. And as he thought about these things, a tiny little voice spoke to him in his head.

'She's gone to a training trip! She could get hurt! What if something happens to her?'

'Ah, shut up!', said Ranma to the voice, 'She's a tomboy! What could possibly happen to her? Besides, she isn't alone!

'So? does this make you feel better? You don't even know that person she's with!'

'That's not true! She's called Ayumi, and I met her once!'

'Oh... ', the voice drawled, 'so you met her once! Yes, now I know why you feel better!', replied the voice sarcastically. 'You don't know how good she is! What if she can't help her? What if she isn't strong enough? Ever thought about that?'

'Now come on', replied Ranma slightly annoyed, 'Do you really think, they could get into serious problems? They aren't going to get into any danger. They're smarter than that! Besides, who are you anyway?'

The voice didn't say anything, and as Ranma concentrated, and began to think, that this was all a dream, he heard a soft murmur, a whisper, but he wasn't sure...

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. It does belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

I am not a native English, so, if you find any grave mistakes, please tell me, and I will correct them!