The next morning the fight was getting louder. It had been going on for several minutes and now Ranma was sailing through the air towards the koi pond. He hit with a familiar splash and transformed to his girl side. He barely took notice anymore, and as such he was out and charging back to the table immediately. He could hear Akane's voice above all the others. "How will I ever get my strength back if I don't train?" She was sick of rest, of being bored and worse yet she was sick and tired of seeing the looks on everyone's face around her. She wanted to get back to normal. Kasumi thought she needed more rest and good gracious more tea. Nabiki was switching sides to whoever she could provoke the most. Genma blamed Ranma for spending so much time in the dojo and ignoring his fiancé. Ranma sat quickly down next to Akane again and she felt the slightest touch of his, well actually her, hand and then it was gone. Fights at the Tendo residence were normal but this one was new. Akane and Ranma were on the same side although no one really seemed to figure it out yet. As soon as Akane had mentioned training the yelling started.

Ranma leaned back with her hands behind her head. "I am going to train her. I am going to teach her better alertness, speed and defense. Maybe if she had been taught more than basics she would have been able to defend herself better when trouble came for her." Akane glared at him, even though they had planned this she still hated to hear it.

The night before in the dojo they had continued talking. Talking came a little easier once they both realized that they were trying to say the same thing. If Akane could better defend herself against attackers, would be suitors and even his other fiancés, then both of them would feel better.

Soun stared wide-eyed at Ranma while Genma shouted "No way. You can't train her without hurting her."

"Gee Pop all I have to do is not train her the way you trained me." Turning to Mr. Tendo, "I can keep her safe while we train. I figure if I can keep her safe in the middle of a battle I can keep her safe while training."

Akane started to lay out a training plan that would gradually get harder over the weeks to come. She had hated to admit the night before that Ranma was right. She needed to start over with basics. But she was sure she would get back on track quickly and be able to start working on mastering her skills.

"My son, as your master I cannot allow you to take on this student." Genma closed his eyes as if it were settled.

"Gee Pop considering I defeated Saffron, who was basically some kind of God. I think I have surpassed you and don't really need your approval." Ranma quickly grabbed the front of his father's shirt and pitched him into the pond. At least now it would be easier to ignore his father.

This was the first time the battle had been spoken of in front of the family. Genma had traveled to Jusenkyo with the others but had become enslaved by Shampoo early in the fight. He didn't really know what had happened. The table was very quiet while Akane's father and sisters processed this new information. Akane quickly explained, "I don't know if he was really a god but he was immortal. He could be reborn and was able to control fire. Except Ranma and the others interrupted his regeneration and he couldn't control the heat. Ranma fought so hard to save me. Maybe instead of arguing with us on this you could trust our judgment."

Ranme leaned over and whisper to Akane, "I am not sure if that helped or hurt our case."

Soun Tendo say quietly for several minutes and when he finally spoke it was with sadness. "You may train Akane, however you can only use those training methods that can be done in the dojo. I don't want her far away in the mountains training some nearly impossible new move."

Ranma quickly agreed and Akane looked frustrated. Nabiki calmly looked at her and said, "Take what you can little sister. Prove yourself in the dojo and maybe he will let you out play with the other little kids." Akane glowered at her sister. But Nabiki had a point, if they followed the rules then they could negotiate new rules later.

Akane stood up and left to get a kettle of hot water for Ranma. While she waited for the water to warm she thought about the plan they had made. The only thing she hadn't quite gotten Ranma to agree to was sparing with her. He still wouldn't consign to actually trying to land a punch on her. Hopefully over the next few weeks she could find a way to convince him that she needed to be taken seriously by him as well as those who might try to pick a fight.

Akane returned with the hot water and poured some on Ranma, since she was still mad at Genma she casually handed the kettle to Ranma and didn't bother returning Genma to his human state.

The panda held up a sign that read "Hand it over!"

Ranma's response was to stand and walk away with it into the yard. "If you want it, come and get it from me. If you can't get it from me within 10 minutes then you give up your argument against me training Akane."

Another sign appeared out of nowhere. "Don't be so cocky."

The panda charged first and Ranma jumped high over it. "One miss old man" The panda had already jumped to attack again and Ranma simply brought his fist up in the air and punched, resulting in a black and white blur that flew over the wall. "Second miss, man you seem slower than usual"

Akane was watching closely, as always. Genma was not slower, Ranma was faster. He was also calmer than usual. Typically he would rush in to attack as well. It was more like he was toying with his father. Had the fights at Jesenkyo and all his training afterwards actually made him stronger than his father? Akane had witnessed so many fights between Ranma and various challengers that she was used to his looks of anger and concentration. This new look hadn't lost the concentration, he was absolutely focused but he just didn't look angry. He look confident and not a false confidence like Kuno. This was the face of a man who had beaten much harder opponents. I don't think Genma has notice yet, but he will soon.

Genma sat on the other side of the wall for a few seconds, something was different. There had been no growl, no yell, no nothing. Ranma just punched him. Could this fight actually be that boring for him? It was time to find out. Allowing his battle aura to fill him he began to enlarge.

Ranma heard the battle cry. He watched the wall closely and quickly realized that his father (in giant panda form) was starting to become visible beyond the wall. His eyes widen in shock. "Shit" His father had not used his enlargement aura against him before. Narrowing his focus he prepared to take on what was probably the most ridiculous thing this town had ever seen, a towering panda.

"6 mins left" cried Akane. She saw Ranma nod and then jump to the roof.

(Giant sign) "You still have a lot to learn…" Then swung at Ranma with the sign. Ranma evaded the attack and looked for a way to cancel the aura. Normally he would use cold water but water wasn't an option this time. Ranma had seen the aura several times before and knew it was only an illusion, which didn't make it much less difficult to deal with, but it did mean that his father couldn't really move much while using it. It also meant this was a test. Genma wasn't going to hold back. Continuing to evade the various attacks Ranma gradually made his way towards the wall where he suspected his father was hiding. He broke into a run and moved faster than the giant panda could track. Finally flipping off of the wall to the other side Ranma landed on his father's real body and using his legs flipped him over onto his back. Then quickly he bounce off landing on one hand and push himself further back.

The brat has seen me use that too many times. He just isn't scared of it anymore. The panda again jumped at Ranma claws out ready to strike. Ducking, Ranma brought his leg up to hit vulnerable spots. This only was effective at stopping Genma's attack. It didn't incapacitate him like it might a human. There was just too much fluff in the way. Pivoting and using the kettle as a weapon, he struck his father on the side of the head knocking him over.

Somersaulting over the wall back into the yard, Ranma looked at Akane. "2 minutes left" she yelled at his unasked question. Nabiki cast a glance sideways at her sister. Man those two seem to be in sync today. Better keep my camera in my pocket all the time. Who knows what I might catch. Smiling Nabiki returned to watching the fight.

The panda came flying over the wall and objects were embedding themselves in the ground around Ranma. Giving them a sideways glance he realized they were all signs. Pop should join the circus. Doubt they have a literate panda in their act.

Signs started flying at Ranma in quick succession.

"How could you do this to your father?"

"I sacrificed everything for you"

"Don't you love me?"

"How can you not honor me as your master?"

Ranma took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "Pop that has nothing to do with it. I just want to train Akane. Mr. Tendo would not push her to be faster and stronger than she already is and you would THROW HER IN A DAMN PIT OF HUNGRY CATS."

"AHHHHHHHHHH… stop trying to use guilt against me." Ranma ran at his father and the two traded kicks and punches until Ranma landed one to his chin, sending the panda several blocks away. "By the time he gets back time will be up." With that he sat the kettle down on the patio and walked toward Akane. "Get ready to go running."

"Yup, I'll go change into my jogging outfit."

Ranma climbed the stairs too so he could get his sweats. Akane could hear him breathing a little heavy behind her. "Are you sure you want to start training right now? Maybe you should rest for a little while."

"Questioning your sensei already?" Ranma replied with feigned disgust. Akane didn't quite catch the sarcasm in his voice. "Idiot! Fine, like I care if you are too tired from already fighting. Just hope you can keep up with me."

Ranma reached up and grabbed her arm stopping her on the top step. "I am fine. A short fight and a jog is nothing compared to what I have been doing recently; but if you decide to push yourself too hard I will stop training you."

Since Ranma was a step lower than her, Akane was looking right at his face. Blushing and looking around quickly, she leaned in timidly and touched her lips to Ranma's. Ranma was pleasantly surprised by her actions and returned the brief kiss. "I really am fine, pop has never felt so easy to beat." Ranma said while at the same time Akane spoke too. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have questioned you. I really do want you to train me."

"Akane, I was just teasing you when I made that comment about questioning me. I wasn't teasing though about pushing yourself too hard. You agreed to let me determine when you should move forward."

"I know, I trust you Ranma."

"And I promise to get only a little mad when you question me… which I figure will be constantly." Ranma winked at Akane and Akane glared back. "That face is perfect Akane, it has been a while since I have seen your angry look. Oh wait I saw it just this morning at breakfast." He stuck his tongue out at her and walked past her and to his room.

"Gah! He is so cocky." Akane turned to head to her room and get ready.

She met him downstairs at the front door within about 5 minutes. He looked over her outfit, it certainly was put together with more care then his own. Her headband matched her shirt and her little running shorts were showing off an enjoyable amount of leg. "Ready to start?" asked Ranma.

"Yes, sensei" replied Akane with a sneer. Akane only made it half the distance she normally would have run but that didn't diminish her happiness at all. She felt exhilarated just to be active again and shortly after she had started running the small bit of anger at Ranma for his comments had faded completely. This was a small piece of normalcy that she had regained for herself. Akane was smiling as they turned back on the street leading to the Tendo residence.

She really is cute when she smiles. Ranma jogged ahead of Akane and took a "wrong" turn down an alley. "Ranma, where are you… wha..?" Ranma had pulled her to him and captured her mouth. She was hot and sweaty and tried to push away but he didn't let go. He smelled of sweat but it was smell that Akane was used to after all this time. She relaxed into the kiss and Ranma deeped it, pulling her closer yet.

The kiss ended and both of them smiled at each other. "You looked cute smiling there at the end of the jog, and I wanted to return the favor from earlier on the stairs." Ranma was blushing at the confession.

"That was really nice but we should probably get going before one of your many other fiancés show up and cause trouble." With that Akane smiled again and casually jogged toward the house.

Ranma followed behind. He hated that she threw the other girls at him. Why did she have to ruin it? Arg, no she didn't really ruin it, she's right. Shampoo and Kodachi, and as much as he hated to admit it Ukyo, were all part of the reason he was training her. If they caught them kissing things would get bad. He had seen other couples go out on dates without having to worry about jealous fiancés, crazy wooded sword wielding upperclassmen, or intruding family showing up. Out of the four girls who claimed to be his fiancé, Shampoo and Kodachi were the most dangerous to Akane. Ukyo wouldn't really hurt her he didn't think but her cross-dressing friend was crazy enough to do something stupid.