Notes: I decided that I would let you the readers know of the changes that I made in the timeline as I go along, some will be explained, some will be flashbacks and sometimes Ranma will tell someone in a story. For the most part though I will try to keep many of the events within cannon. The moxibustion technique used by Happossi was different from the one Genma used. I did that because Ranma in cannon is a lot weaker than goku and piccolo, Ranma can take out a mountain, piccolo can destroy a moon. I plan to leave the nerimains behind in this story. In addition, I would appreciate it if some one gave me the correct spelling for Bulma's planet. I would watch my DBZ tapes but I need a new VCR, have not bought one since I got a DVD player Thanks.

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Ranma woke slowly to the sensation one could only get from traveling across the water on a ship. Uncertain of his surroundings he decided to play possum while he analyzed his situation. He was in a small room; he appeared to be laying on a bed. He heard muttering in the background, focusing on the noise he could tell that it was his father and he was rummaging through his pack looking for something. Figuring that it might be something important Ranma laid silently while he listened.

"Where is that blasted scroll. I can't let the boy regain all that strength."

At that Ranma's ears perked up, his father had done something to him causing him to lose a portion of his strength. Ranma racked his brain attempting to remember when that had happened. After a few moments of listening to genma curse as he emptied out his pack it came to him. Ranma thought, "That must be it. Back around the time when I turned ten pops took me to a moxibustion specialist. I remember feeling extremely week after that, I went from trashing pops to losing to him overnight. That stupid Panda he almost got every one killed, there is no way I am going to let him seal away my strength again. I think that I will just wait until he finds what he is looking for before I act. That way I can find somebody that can reverse it."

As genma rummaged through his pack he thought, "Where is that blasted scroll, I know it's here somewhere. The man warned me that once it started to wear off it would only be a matter of ten to twelve days before it wore off completely and it has already been nine day's. I had to wait until his wounds healed before I could do this again other wise I could have killed him and that would have been bad for my retirement. The boy is not ready for his strength to be returned, not until my retirement is secured and he marries Akane. Feh, even after that I might keep him that way, the boy is too powerful for my own good." Sweating profusely from his frantic search genma pulled off his bandanna to wipe the sweat from his brow. As he shook out his bandanna, he noticed writing on it, with a cry of, "Eureka!" He started to read it.

Ranma heard his fathers shout and was debating when he would end his little charade, he could probably do it now and get the scroll before his father had any time to read it, or he could wait until his pops was about to do it and then reveal himself. Unfortunately, his decision was made for him when Genma picked up a pipe and lit it, making the cheery get nice and hot as genma stalked over to his son.

Realizing that his baka panda of a father was going to attempt to use the technique now Ranma tensed in his bed and waited until his pops was right next to him before lasing out.

Genma was about to turn the boy on his side to do the technique when he found his wrist immobilized by a strong grip. Turning his attention to his son he nervously asked, "Now boy, what are you doing?"

Ranma snorted and said, "Funny I was about to ask you the same thing. So how bout it pops are you gonna tell me what you are doing."

Genma was panicking, he knew his son would probably be a little upset with him but it was for his own good. Letting out a nervous chuckle he said, "Boy, it's for your own good, after you marry Akane I might restore it, but in the mean time I have to do this otherwise you will be too strong."

Ranma became pissed, his father dared to hold his own strength hostage to get him to marry Akane. Ranma rose off the bed while he tightened his grip on his father's wrist.

Genma was whimpering in pain, he thought, "Perhaps I should have done this yesterday, the boy seems somewhat irritated today."

Once standing Ranma reached over with his free hand and crushed the pipe. With a snarl he said, "I don't think so pops. Your little stunt almost got everyone killed, and I am not going to let that happen again. As for marrying Akane, that will happen when we want it to happen if we want it. I am getting sick and tired of having you rule over my life."

Now genma was angry his boy was shirking his responsibilities, using his most authorative voice he said, "Boy, it is a matter of family honor that you marry Akane."

Ranma snorted and replied, "What about everyone else's honor, huh. What do you think is going to happen when I try to marry Akane?"

Genma switched over to his stoic sensei mode and said, "The others don't matter, the tendo agreement is the only one that counts."

Infuriated Ranma released his hold on his father's wrist and wrapped his hand around his father's neck. Growling he said, "NO, you listen pops. I have had just about enough of you. I am sick and tired about all your harping about honor when you only show the slightest interest when it suits you to do so." Ranma watched as his father started to wheeze and gasp in an attempt to bring air into his lungs before releasing him. After taking the scroll, Ranma turned and left the cabin to search for Akane.

----------------- On the deck of the ship ----------------

Ryouga was in heaven, he was standing at the bow of the ship, Akane was nestled into his arm, the moon was out and the stars were shining brightly down upon him. The only thing that would make this night better would be her confessing undying love to him.

Akane was deep in thought contemplating what she saw after being restored by Ryouga. "I can't believe that Ranma killed him." Thinking back she thought, "I just don't understand why he killed him, I was safe and he had won. Sure Saffron tried to blindside him in the end but Ranma could of just beat him senseless. I may not be the world's greatest martial artist but I know power and strength when I see it. From what Ryouga has told me, Ranma was not even the one who saved me. Doesn't he care about me?" Hanging her head sadly Akane thought, "I guess not, if it weren't for Ryouga here I probably would have died while Ranma was off getting his jollies from that fight."

Akane unconsciously snuggled in closer to Ryouga as she thought, "We may fight a lot but I always thought that he cared about me, I guess it just goes to show me what a pervert and jerk he really is. He was probably hoping I wouldn't make it so he could run off with one of his other hussies. Ranma is nothing like Ryouga here. These past several days Ryouga has been keeping me company while Mr. Saotome and Ranma just stay in their cabin, the panda even has the kitchen brining them their food. At first, I did not want to believe what happened but then Ryouga and shampoo told me the same story, why did Ranma have to play me like that. I may have always said he was a pervert but deep down I always thought that it was just my imagination getting away from me."

As much as what he was enjoying the situation Ryouga knew that he was in dangerous territory. Ranma had shown a completely new level of power when he faced Saffron, and Ryouga knew that there was no way that he could defeat Saotome now. He considered himself lucky that Shampoo had concocted this plan for him to gain Akane's favor over that of Ranma's. It was fairly easy, Akane had only been conscious for a few moments on phoenix mountain after that she had collapsed like Ranma had. Mouse had been watching in the distance and once he saw Saffron defeated he flew off and brought back several amazons that practically carried them to the port that they boarded the ship. Once Shampoo had fully recovered, she took notice that Akane was still out of it so she had gone over to him and discussed her plan. It was simple, all Ryouga had to do was tell her how Ranma had almost let her die and have Shampoo confirm everything. It got even easier once Akane woke up and asked why Ranma killed Saffron; he just made something up on the spot. It was almost too easy, and there was no way he was going to tell her that Saffron was reborn immediately afterwards.

There were some rocks in the road though, at first when Akane woke up, she had needed to be comforted and with his strength, he was afraid of crushing her. He had never really had good control, his martial arts style was intended to use overwhelming power instead of the skill that Ranma had always used to beat him. His control problems were no longer a threat though, Shampoo had shown him a pressure point that would relax the muscles in his entire body leaving him with slightly above average strength for two hours at a time. It was an easy point to use, and it made comforting Akane a lot easier than what it would have been without the technique.

Of course, Ryouga knew the real reason why he was making progress, Ranma's father had instructed him that his cabin was to be left alone until Ranma woke up. Since Mr. Saotome did not want to be disturbed, it made it easier for him to gain ground with Akane.

Ryouga was brought back to reality as he felt Akane move in closer to him. He was barely able to keep his excitement down. Looking over at her he asked, "Akane, is there something wrong? You seem troubled."

Akane was brought out of her musings when she heard Ryouga speaking to her. Turning her head so that she was looking into his eyes she said, "Oh, it's nothing Ryouga."

A slight frown decorated Ryouga's face as he asked, "Are you sure that it's nothing?"

As Akane looked at Ryouga she thought, "I can't believe how concerned he is. Ranma never treated me like this, oh, he had a jealous streak a mile wide but I don't remember him ever looking at me like this. Ryouga is so sweet, he was right here all this time and I never saw him for what he is. A kind noble man who is extremely sweet and brave."

Ryouga too her silence as an affirmation of distress and stepped away from Akane. Turning her reached out, grasped her hands and said, "Akane, I just want you to know that whatever is bothering you, you can tell me about it."

Akane was not certain on what she wanted to do. Ryouga had been so nice to her; he was the one responsible for her being alive at the moment. As she looked into his eyes, she could only see concern for her well-being. She thought, "I think that this is it, my first real kiss. Sure Ranma kissed me when he was in the neko ken but that doesn't count. Besides who would want to kiss a two timing perverted freak like him anyway, at least Ryouga isn't a half man macho jerk." Stepping forward Akane wrapped her arms around Ryouga while she tilted her head up.

Ryouga was struggling to keep his nose from erupting in a geyser of blood with the thoughts of, "Oh my god she is going to kiss me. I can't believe it, my plan actually worked. I might not be able to defeat Ranma in battle but he will be crushed once he finds out that Akane loves me more." Bringing himself back into the moment Ryouga started to meet Akane halfway. Closing his eyes, he felt her smooth lips bush up against his.

"Akane?"

--------------------- Minutes earlier below deck -----------------

Ranma had just left his quarters when he heard the ever so familiar bubbly voice of his so-called Amazon wife. Turning around before she could even get a chance to glomp on him he said, "Not now Shampoo, I need to go make sure Akane is alright.'

Shampoo stomped her foot angrily and said, "Why you want kitchen destroyer, wife right here. Stop being silly and go with me so we can make little amazons."

Ranma took a step closer and growled out angrily, "Listen, I ain't your husband. I don't want to make babies with you. I just want to go find Akane to make sure she is alright, now leave me alone."

Shampoo backed off and started to retreat down the corridor, looking back at him with her desire filled eyes as she entered her cabin.

Ranma shook his head in disgust and thought, "When will she understand that I don't like her like that. At most we could only ever be friends." Focusing on happier thoughts Ranma continued his search for his errant fiancée.

After searching, the passenger quarters for Akane Ranma headed out to the main deck. As he turned a corner, he felt his heart shatter. Right in front of him at the bow of the ship, he saw Akane kissing Ryouga. Stumbling forward he softly called out, "Akane?"

Akane broke from her kiss to look at Ranma. After seeing the weariness of his posture, she almost decided to deny what she had been doing. Instead, she reclaimed Ryouga's hand and coldly said, "What do you want?" She realized that she had to be firm, Ranma would go into a fit of rage over this and she knew it. He was a monster, uncaring about the lives he destroyed.

Ranma was awe struck at the coldness that Akane used to speak to him. Unsure of what to do he just stood there for a moment as his world crumbled around him.

Ryouga was a little afraid as to what Ranma might do; if he revealed his curse to Akane then she might realize that he is lying. He stepped slightly away from Akane so as not to press his luck. Akane just responded by pulling him closer to her as she said, "Well I am waiting."

Confused as to how this could be happening Ranma stuttered out, "Whhhy… I thouggghtt… and me… Foooor yyyyoouu… I lllloovveed yyyyoouu."

Akane almost faltered when Ranma said he loved her but her thoughts remained firm. She icily said, "Yeah right, as if you really love me." Her voice started to get louder with every word as she continued, "IF you loved me you would have saved me instead of playing around with Saffron. IF you loved me, you would have not spent the past several days hiding from me. Besides why would I want a SEX CHANGING PERVERTED MONSTER LIKE YOU?"

Ranma had never felt so hopeless in his life, he had just told Akane that he loved her and she practically said she hated him. His first thoughts were to pound Ryouga until he was a smear on the deck but he realized that that would only prove Akane's case. Unable to bear being in her presence anymore Ranma summoned his ki and took off into the skies.

-------------- In the skies ----------------

Ranma did not know what to do; the pain he felt was like any other that he had been through before. He wanted to crawl into a hole and die; he knew where he had to go now. Life was not going to be worth it with out Akane, he had done everything for her and she just dismisses him like some low level scumbag. He thought, "She called me a monster, and unlike all the other times this time everything she said, she meant. Why Dammit, it's not fair. What did I do, it wasn't my fault I used up too much of my ki. Pops is the one that sealed most of it away." As Ranma kept sinking into his depression, he failed to notice his form change as it started to rain.

--------------- A few hours later ------------------

Ranma pulled out of her misery just in time to notice that she was already over Japan. She focused her ki to quicken his pace as she flew to his mother's house.

--------------- Half hour later -------------------

Ranma landed noiselessly in his mother's back yard. Not wanting to disturb her yet he simply walked into the middle of the yard and kneeled down to watch the sunrise.

-------------- Inside the house --------------------

Inside the house, Nodoka Saotome was woken up by the internal sensors that all mothers have when their child is near and in need of assistance. After shrugging on a kimono, she made her way throughout the house to search for her son. As she went from room to room she thought, "I know he is here some where, but why wouldn't he call first? Genma called a few days ago and they were not expected back for a few more days. Genma said everything was fine, if that is the case then why do I feel like there is something really wrong."

As Nodoka searched the house, she caught a glimpse of movement coming from her backyard. Intent on checking it out she hurried downstairs and out to the porch. Immediately after stepping out side she was shell shocked at the image of seeing her son turned daughter kneeling in the middle of the yard as she rocked back and forth hugging herself. Unsure of what was going on Nodoka took silent slow steps toward her child, after getting within a few feet she could hear Ranma crying softly.

Ranma tensed as she felt someone approaching her, reaching out with her senses she realized that it was her mother. Immediately she composed herself and thought, "If I am going to do this as honor demands then I must calm myself out of respect to my mother."

When Nodoka arrived within arms distance of her child, she noticed that Ranma had quit crying and had stilled in her movements. Realizing that she had made her presence known Nodoka asked, "Ranma, what's wrong?"

Ranma unsure of what the exact tradition in what she was planning to do said, "Nothing mother, I just came to fulfill a pledge of honor."

Taken aback Nodoka faltered in mid-step as she thought, "What pledge could she be talking about?" Even as she asked herself, the question answered itself and her face paled. Not wanting to lose her only child she asked, "What makes you think that you need to fulfill this pledge when I have not asked you to?"

Still facing away from her mother Ranma simply said, "Akane."

Ranma's one word answer did not clear anything up for Nodoka, unsure of what had transpired she asked, "What about Akane? Is she hurt or worse?" Nodoka winced at her tone, it was early and she had just woken up, she had not meant to sound cold hearted.

Ranma bowed his head in shame and replied, "No mother Akane is fine, and I managed to handle Saffron so Ryouga could restore her."

Nodoka frowned; obviously, she was missing something important. Determined to get to the issue at hand she asked, "Ranma, why don't you come inside and explain to me why my only child is at my house asking me to assist in his death and answer as to what does Akane have to do with this."

Ranma sighed and composed herself quickly, rising to her feet she said, "Yes mother."

------------------- A few minutes later in the house ------------

After placing out some refreshments Nodoka asked, "Now Ranma, I know you rarely talk about your problems but I want to know exactly what happened to bring you here this morning."

Ranma frowned and begun her tale. She started with the fight against saffron, mentioning that she had been losing almost right off the bat until something inside of her snapped. She explained that at that moment she was able to grasp a portion of power that had been sealed within her. She then explained that while she was busy fighting she ordered Ryouga to take Akane to the spring so she could be restored. After explaining how she had collapsed Ranma brought her up to speed with the rest of what had happened, including her decision to carry out the pledge.

Nodoka sat quietly taking in all the information her son currently daughter told her and was uncertain on how to help deciding to buy some time she asked, "So you are telling me that you can fly?"

Ranma nearly sweat dropped but luckily, she was able to maintain her dignity. She responded nervously, "Well, I saw the technique awhile back but I lacked enough pure ki to do it, see I have been using emotional ki for the past year but it is not potent enough to actually fly. Some how I was able to tap into a portion of what pops sealed away when I was ten, and that purely consisted of pure ki."

Nodoka nodded and said absentmindedly, "So you're saying that because if Genma you were forced into a battle that would of killed you if you had not been lucky enough to regain what he took from you."

"Yes mother."

Nodoka stared at her son dreading her reaction to what she was going to say next. "Ranma, I want you to tell me everything that genma did to you on your training trip."

Ranma sighed; she failed to understand why her mother was stalling and not letting her fulfill the seppuku pledge. Bracing herself for a long monologue Ranma started.

As Nodoka listen she experienced several emotions ranging from pride to horror only to be back to feeling proud of her child. Though as her pride grew so did her shame at her husband's actions. As Ranma was nearing completion of her tale, Nodoka held up her hand to silence her. With her eyes shimmering from unshed tears, she grasped Ranma's smaller hands into her own and said, "Ranma, I am so sorry. It was not my intent to have you suffer so by yourself."

Ranma was about to protest but Nodoka shot her a look and said, "Let me finish what I am trying to say. With a sigh Nodoka started, "It all started back when I was about your age, my father had arranged a marriage for me. The man they wanted me to marry repulsed me, he had some strong points but had three major flaws. He was bald, sexist and I suspected was a thief, I was never positive on that though it was just on his initial visit to our house a few small things disappeared from my dresser. Of course now I know that they were merely offerings to his master, but I digress. After that man left, I waited until the middle of the night to leave… then when I awoke, I saw the most manliest of men that I have ever met… Over the course of a week we had the opportunity to get to know each other… sadly he had to leave to warn his king, but I was left with a constant reminder of the passion we shared."

Ranma was just sitting there in shock, her mother was saying that genma was not her father and she was an alien. Realization dawned on her and she asked bitterly, "Then why did you allow pops to bring me on that trip, I mean if I was so precious to you why send me away for who knew how long? And what about that Damm contract that you have been waving around?"

Hanging her head in shame Nodoka softly replied, "Ranma, you have to understand that you were in danger, should this Frieeza ever find you he would defiantly kill you. Yes he is that powerful, you father knew that he was forfeiting his life to go warn his people but he felt that that was what he needed to do. You are quite likely the last of your people, and as being that, you are a liability to Frieeza. That was why I sent you on that trip; I wanted you to become stronger so that you would stand a better chance at survival, it was the most difficult descition of my life. You have to admit whether you like it or not genma is one of the more powerful regular humans around. Bardock, your father took a reading of me right before he left and informed me that I was pregnant with you. After hearing that I did not have enough time to search the globe for other possible fathers for you so I returned to my home and married Genma. I know you must be angry with me but I needed to make sure you were strong enough to survive should anyone show up looking for you, I felt that the best way for you to do that was by going with genma. As far as the seppuku pledge went it was never meant for you per say, it had several purposes. First and for most it was too keep Genma from doing something extremely stupid. It appears that it failed in that regard. Secondly it was meant to instill some better morals on Genma's behalf that also appeared to be unsuccessful. The third reason was that I wanted you to be like your father, he was really manly." Nodoka continued to rattle off her reasons for excepting the seppuku pledge for a few more minutes but Ranma had tuned her out, after the first two reasons her mother just appeared to be rephrasing the first two.

After a few minutes Ranma had enough of her mothers ramblings. Irritated she said, "Mother, you are not telling me why you insisted on waving around that Damm contract."

Nodoka briefly wondered if she should chastise her child before shrugging it off, she knew Ranma had been through enough for one day and just decided to let it slide. Staring into her child's blood shot blue eyes Nodoka said, "I guess my reason for waving around that contract was part of my third reason to let you go on that trip. See, when your real father left me, he left a few things with me. Among these things was a scanner, this scanner had already been used on you so it recognized your bio-signature." With a sigh she continued, "Take in mind that I love you, but when I first arrived at the tendo's I was shocked to see a younger looking version of myself rather than a healthy young man. I first thought that you had yourself operated on, but that still left me in the dark as to why Genma was a panda and a female one to boot."

At the last part of her mother's statement Ranma could not help but fall into a giggle fit. She tried to stop it to no avail, even though she felt that it was unmanly. The past events were taking its toll on her.

Nodoka let Ranma unleash some of her pent up emotions before continuing with, "Yes, I think that it is rather amusing that Genma not only turns into a panda but a female one as well. I have noticed that Ryouga fellow turns into a female pig, though I don't know about the others."

Ranma's eyes shot up with her mother's confession of knowing P-chans secret. In a shaky voice she asked, "You knew?"

Nodoka nodded and replied, "Yes of course I knew. I thought every one knew, you make it completely obvious. I digress; we have managed to get off subject. You see while I knew it was you posing as Ranko, I was hurt that you did not come to me and explain why you did it. I also still wanted you to be manly like your father, but I think that your and mine definitions of manly do not coincide with each other. When I say manly, I want you to be able to stand on your two feet and fight for yourself, not just in the physical way. Your father Bardock knew deep down that he was going to die and left despite that. That is what I mean by manly, he stood up for himself against overwhelming odds and tried to fight and warn the other Sayians even though he knew he was doomed to fail. Do you understand me, I wanted you even though you thought that you would have to commit seppuku to confront me and stand up for yourself. Either way I was never going to ask you to forfeit your life."

Rampant thoughts waged war within Ranma's mind as she tried to sort out her thoughts. Her mother interrupted her.

Nodoka was getting worried for her child; she could see the exhaustion both mental and physical taking its toll on the young martial artist. With concern in her voice as she rose to her feet she said, "Ranma, I think that you should go lay down for awhile, it has been a long day for you and you need to rest. We will pick up where we left off after you get some rest and cleaned up a bit.