CHAPTER 03

-"RAN'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! BATTLE AT FURINKAN HIGH - RANMA VS. R!"-

It's been two days since Ran stayed with Ranma and the Tendos, Ranma began to like Ran, not as a fiancé or anything, but as a fighter. She knew almost everything about Saotome-ryuu Anything-Goes-Martial Arts, something that Ranma –(and especially Genma)- wanted to know 'how' she learned. But as time went on, that almost didn't matter to Ranma. He was having a great time with Ran. For somehow, she almost had similar attitudes to Ranma.

Ranma liked it a lot when he and Ran would spar in the mornings. She was almost his equal. Ranma found someone who could 'fight' like him, and she DID fight like him. Sometimes Ranma would win, and sometimes Ran would win. But, unlike his other rivals, he didn't mind losing to her. Why, he didn't even know.

Soun and Genma decided that Ran should go to school. So, that night they talk it over with Ran at dinner:

"Ran, starting tomorrow, you'll go to school with Ranma and Akane." Soun says.

Ran blinks. "Um, school Mr. Tendo?"

Genma adds, "Yes, a true martial artist must also have a great education. That's why you're gonna go to school tomorrow."

"Um… Okay." Ran obendiently says.

Ranma thinks his father has a good idea (for once!). "Hey, that's a good idea. Say Ran, you could join Akane and me in the same classes."

Of course, Akane was still mad at Ran for beating her the last time, so that idea of her going to school with Ranma and her was not a good idea. "WHAT?" she yells. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND DAD? SHE CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL!"

"And why not Akane, she must learn and school is the best way to learn, right Tendo?"

Soun nods in agreement with Genma. "Right, Saotome."

"Come on Akane, don't tell me that you're still mad at Ran for winning against you the other day, aren't you?" Ranma asks his fiancée.

"FINE, SEE IF I CARE, I'M OUTTA HERE!" Akane stomps away angrily and goes to her room, leaving the whole crew speechless:

Ran turns to Ranma and asks, "What's her problem?"

Ranma shrugs, "Nothing, it's just that Akane doesn't like to lose to anybody, and if she loses, she'll deny it and say that they cheated."

"Boy, I never knew someone who could be such a poor loser."

"Well Ran, you just met someone."

Then, they went to bed. The next day, Ran wakes up Ranma. Unlike Akane, she didn't dump a bucket of cold water on him, she gently moves him around until he wakes up. Once up and dressed, they go to the kitchen where Kasumi serves their breakfast. Of course, they eat while running to school.

In the middle of the road, while on the way to school, Ranma decides to talk to Ran about how she learned Saotome-ryuu Anything-Goes. "Say Ran, I'm still curious, how did you learn my fighting style?"

"I just don't know. I just know how to fight." Ran tells him.

"And, you say you don't remember anything from your past? That's creepy and yet weird."

"Tell me about it. I just wish I could learn more about my past, where did I come from, or, why I even came to Nerima."

Ranma puts his arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry Ran, you'll learn it. I'll help you."

Ran responds to Ranma's touch, which lights a small spark within Ran's heart. Neither one of them knew it right then, but a connection between them was made. She blushes, "Thanks, Ranma. That means a lot to me."

He smiles back, "Well, we better hustle before we're late for school. Race you to it."

Ran laughs, "You're on! You're gonna eat my dust Ranma!"

And they run toward school at top speed. Without noticing, someone was watching Ranma from a distance; it was R. "I've found you at last Ranma Saotome. Soon, I'll destroy you…" Then he notices Ran. "Say, who the hell is that girl? She looks a lot like Ranma. Bah, the hell with her. Ranma… be prepared."

Then, Ranma takes Ran to the office so she can get registered, then he takes her to her classes. Akane didn't like it very much that Ranma was being very polite to the girl who beat her.

At recess, Ranma and Ran were going to the cafeteria to have some lunch, unaware of the problem that was waiting for them.

Tatewaki Kuno, the self-proclaimed "Blue Thunder" of Furinkan High was in his usual idiom, walking around like he was a prince, carrying his bokken. Then, he notices that Ranma was with a girl. But when he sees the girl… She looks very much like Ranma's female-side, with the exception of her hair being purple.

Kuno, being Kuno (of course, what did you expect!), concludes that this girl was none other than his –"Pig-Tailed Girl"-

Kuno gasps, "It's her! The "Pig-Tailed Girl"… and she's with that cursed Foul Sorcerer Saotome! Today I'll free her from his evil hand! Oh, wait for me my goddess!"

Ranma and Ran were having a good time talking about school. When they hear someone running toward them, they turn around and someone grabs Ran in a VERY passionate embrace. Ran's eyes go wide as she sees her target. It was Kuno:

"Oh Pig-Tailed Girl, I have come to set you free my love!", Kuno eloquently declares.

Her eyes already wide in surprise, the first thing Ran says is "WHA…? HEY!! WHO THE HECK ARE YOU? LET ME GO!"

Ranma groans, "Oh man, it's Kuno."

Ran points to Kuno, "You know this wacko Ranma?"

"Unfortunately I do Ran. This jerk is Kuno Tatewaki, the one I told you about."

"Oh, I see…" Ran glares at Kuno, "LISTEN JERK, YOU'D BETTER RELEASE ME OR ELSE!"

"Don't be frightened my Pig-Tailed Girl, for I Tatewaki Kuno shall set you free from the clutches of the Evil Sorcerer Saotome!"

"FIRST OF ALL, I'M NOT THE –"WHATCHAMACALLIT GIRL"- MY NAME'S RAN! SECOND GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"

Kuno lets her go, then he glares at Ranma. "Foul Sorcerer… What kind of Spell have you cast over my Pig-Tailed Girl! I demand you release her at once!"

Exasperated, Ranma says, "Kuno, why don't you take a hike and leave, we're not in the mood for your lousy attitude."

"Yeah, that's right! Leave now, or I'll make you leave" Ran says.

Kuno gasps, "Pig-Tailed Girl…" How, how after all this time, does she still continue to reject his advances? Didn't she know how much he adored her? Hurt by the object of his affections yet again (for the billionth time!), he angrily turns to Ranma, ready to attack. "Why you… I shall destroy you Saotome and free her from you… En garde!!"

"Fine, have it your way Kuno." Ranma gets into his fighting stance. "Guess I'll have to shut you up."

Then Ran stops Ranma. "Wait Ranma, let me fight him"

Ranma blinks, "You?, Are you sure Ran?"

"Yeah. That jerk grabbed me and I don't like that"

"Very well, Ran." Smiling, Ranma stands aside. "He's all yours."

"Thanks Ranma"

Kuno is shocked by this. "Wha… Pig-Tailed Girl? Why do you want to fight your savior… ? That sorcerer must be controlling you… ! Very well, if I must fight you to release you from his spell so be it. I promise that I won't hurt you too much, my love."

Ran snorts, "Please… I wouldn't worry too much about myself…" She waves her hand in a "come and get it" gesture. "Come on jerk, let's rumble!"

Then Kuno rushes toward Ran with his bokken, swinging it at full strength yelling…-"MULTI STRIKE! AT TA TA TA TA TA"-…but to everyone's surprise, Ran dodges them all just like Ranma when he fights him. All the students were in awe at her, not just because of her beautiful body, but because of her fighting skills.

Hiroshi excitedly comments, "Wow! She fights awesome, doesn't she?"

His friend Daisuke agrees, "Yeah. She fights almost like Ranma. You think she's related to him?"

Sayuri, one of Akane's friends, adds "Man, that Ran girl fights like a pro, like Ranma!"

Her other friend Yuka observes, "You'd think she's his sister; they look so much alike."

Kuno was getting angry at his failing. Ran was getting tired of the fight, so she decides to end it. "Okay, it's time to finish this…", Ran says to Kuno. Then to everyone's surprise, Ran begins to concentrate and an orange-red flame begins to form in her right hand. Hmm… somebody's been taking lessons from the Kusanagis. Then she yells…-"HEAT TRIGGER! KYAAAAA!!"-… unleashing a blast of fire (similar to Ranma's Mouko Takabisha – but with flames!) at Kuno. On impact, Kuno goes flying away screaming…-"CURSE YOU FOUL SORCERER SAOTOMEEEEEEEEE"-…then he disappears into the sky.

After that, Ran clenches her fist, snuffing out her flame, then dusts off her hands. "Well, that sure took care of him. How's about if we go to the cafeteria Ranma? I'm hungry, you know."

Ranma chuckles, "Sure Ran, I'm hungry myself. Let's go."

After classes were over, Ranma and Ran went home to relax. Later that afternoon, Ryoga (as P-chan) wanders into the Tendo Dojo. Akane is happy to see him. "P-chan! Oh, where have you been? I missed you! Come on, little one, you're probably hungry!"

And she picks him up. Of course Ryoga was happy, being with Akane – (and nestled on her chest!) - made him happy to be back home. When they enter the living room to sit down Ran and Ranma enter. Ryoga sees the girl that beat him up a while ago. Then without warning, he angrily jumps toward Ran! Ran moves away.

Ran's confused. "Hey, what the heck is this little pig? Why is it attacking me?"

Why is Ryoga attacking Ran…? Ranma thinks. Then, out loud, "Hey Akane, why don't you control that crazy piglet!"

Akane's angry at Ran. "Stop picking on P-chan you mean girl!"

Ran objects. "WHAT, PICKING ON THAT!? THAT WALKING SLAB OF BACON SUDDENLY TRIED TO ATTACK ME!"

Akane counters back, "YOU PROBALY DID SOMETHING TO HIM LIKE RANMA DOES! HE ALWAYS PICKS ON HIM!"

"First of all Akane, I've never even seen it before. Second he just jumped against me for no good reason!"

Akane cuddles P-chan. "There, there P-chan, did that big bad girl hurt you?" Looking at Ran angrily, she says, "Honestly, you sometimes act just like that jerk Ranma!"

Ran gives up, saying, "You're hopeless. Hey Ranma, does she act like that all the time?"

Ranma nods, "Oh yeah, all the time."

Ran rolls her eyes. "Why am I not surprised. Hey Ranma I'm gonna go to the Dojo to train, wanna come whit me to spar?"

"Yeah, you bet! Come on."

Then they leave to spar in the Dojo. Once there Ranma decides to ask Ran about that special technique she used against Kuno today: "Say Ran, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Ranma, what is it?"

"Where did you learn how to do that special technique, you know, that ball of fire? It was similar to my –"Mouko Takabisha"-"

"Geez Ranma, I really would like to know, but I don't. I just know it. It's like I already knew how to do it, but where did I learn it or from who, that's the mysteries that I would like to know."

"Too bad, I wanna learn it. It sure was something interesting to see."

"I'm flattered, Ranma."

"And you say that you don't know why you came here in the first place?" Ran shakes her head no. "You think you suffer from amnesia?"

"Maybe, but I'm not sure. Oh I don't know, my life is something like a puzzle. Wish I knew."

Seeing that this was making Ran sad, Ranma decided to change the topic, so he starts attacking Ran to fight. They fought for an hour. After that they had dinner and it was off to bed.

Ran was having a nightmare. In her dream, she's inside some sort of crystal-like structure, and in front of her was a stranger covered by light, only his shadow is seen. This unknown individual was talking to Ran:

"Ran, you know your mission, now it's time to put it in action!"

"No, I won't do it!" Ran refuses.

"You WILL do it! I command you to do it!"

"No, you can't make me, I refuse!"

The stranger laughs, "Ha ha ha haaa, you cannot refuse, it is what you were made for… it is your destiny… you will go to Nerima and find Ranma Saotome… and you'll… KILL HIM… ! KILL RANMA SAOTOME! HA HA HAAAA!!"

Ran wakes up screaming " NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"-… Bolting upright, she's covered in her sweat. The whole family wakes up and rushes to Ran's room. Ranma arrives and sees Ran all scared and sweating. "Ran, what's wrong?"

Kasumi puts her arms around Ran shoulders, comforting her. "There, there Ran. It's all right; you were only having a bad dream."

"It… it wasn't any bad dream. It was the same one I had the other night." Ran says while breathing heavily.

"What are you talking about…what was the other one about?" Ranma asks.

After they gave Ran a mug of hot cocoa, Ran explains about her nightmare. "I've been having this strange dream… nightmares…. where this strange man, who is covered by the lights, tells me that I have to go Nerima to find Ranma… to… to…" She begins to tremble.

Ranma's wondering what next. "To…what Ran?"

"To kill him." Ran whispers.

"WHAAAAAAAAAT?", everybody gasps.

"To kill me?" Ranma says in a "oh, is that all?" kind of way. Besides, it hasn't been the first time somebody's tried to kill him; many opponents, including his rivals on several occasions, have tried – and failed – to do just that. Yet, after listening to Ran's explanation of her dream, this time around – well, it's different. But he shakes it off anyway (for now), saying, "Oh, come on Ran that was probably just a dream. It means nothing."

Kasumi reassures her. "Ranma's right Ran, you shouldn't be worried about that. Now why don't you go back to bed, I'm sure everything will be all right in the morning."

"Well, maybe you're right Kasumi-san." Ran accepts, although some part of her is not convinced.

"Darn right," Ranma says. "Now let's go back to sleep; we got school tomorrow."

Then, when everyone went to sleep, Ranma looks after Ran. Akane was totally angry that Ranma was staying with Ran, calling him a pervert – needless to say she's still stiff with Ran. Ranma is worried about Ran's dream, as well as her origins. He didn't know where she came from, or why she was here in Nerima…-

Ran… who are you really, and, is Ran your real name? So many questions I have, but, she doesn't even know them herself. But, I don't care, I know we'll findout all about her. And, I don't know, but when I'm around her, I feel like I'm somehow connected to her. Why, I don't know, as if, she's part of me. Ranma thinks as he watches over Ran while she was sleeping.

A while back – it was only a chapter ago, y'know! - R… the formerly-mysterious white haired stranger was planning how to get close to Ranma, and when he finds out what school he goes to, he decides to enter, posing as a transfer student -(with the help of his creator Dr. Wily who, with his genius of computers and hacking, was able to register him)-, then, he would wait for the right moment for his strike.

R was sitting in the living room of his apartment, when his cell phone rang. "Hello, what do you want?"

It was Bass on the other end of the line. Hey, better lay off that rude communication Dog-Boy!

Irritated, R says, "Hey, I already told you hunk of metals! My name is R, not Dog-Boy!"

Whatever. Just calling to let you know that Dr. Wily as well as the Big Cat are getting desperate. You better finish up your mission ASAP!

"Don't worry, I will finish it, over and out… one more thing, stop calling me, I'll call you when the mission is over you hear me, piece of scrap?" Then R hangs up.

In the Secret Fortress, Bass is pissed off at the rude talk with R. "That miserable dog! Who the heck does he think he is?" He looks down to his wolf companion Treble and continues, "I'm telling you Treble, if it weren't for the fact that he's an important element for the REAL mission I would have blown him away long time ago…-!" He calms down. "But, his time will come, after Dr. Wily and the Big Cat get the real prize, he will be at our mercy! Ha ha ha haaaaaaa!"-

The next morning, R got up, got dressed, then he rushes toward Furinkan High School. Being his first day, he tries to study the scene. While on the way he spots Ranma, Ran, and Akane running toward school:

R thinks, There he is… Ranma Saotome, but wait, who's that girl with him? –(Ran)- She seems very familiar, but from where? Nah, I'll worry about that later.

As usual, Akane scolds Ranma for 'being' late for school. "Dammit Ranma, because of you we'll be late for school!"

"Ex-cu-se me? Why are you blaming me, it isn't my fault you take so long to get dressed Akane!"

Akane gets angry. "Are you saying that it's MY fault you jerk?"

" If the shoe fits…"

"RANMA YOU JERK!" Akane then unleashes her mallet trying to hit Ranma, but misses, because Ranma jumps out of the way. This gets Akane irritated, then while running toward school:

"Geez Ranma, your fiancée sure has a lousy temper and a dangerous one as well!" Ran points out.

"Don't I know it Ran, we'd better run faster before the bells ring!"

R, after seeing this little scene between Ranma and Akane, blinks. "Damn, that girl has some serious issues. Hope she doesn't kill Ranma before I do, or I'll have to kill her too."

And R follows them, when he arrives at Furinkan High he looks around to see the place, then, after he's introduced to the class he began to make his plans to eliminate Ranma. Unfortunately, the teacher looks at R distraction. "Excuse me R, I know that you love to dream and stuff, but I will not tolerate that in my classroom, now pay attention!"

Irritated, R just shrugs, "Yeah, whatever…" Stupid teacher! I have to take these stupid classes in order to finish Ranma! Boy, how I hate it!

Then, when it was time to go home, R went to look for Ranma. Spotting him heading for the school gates, he rushes toward him:

Ranma and Ran –(minus Akane, she didn't want to go with them)- were heading home, when a stranger jumps in front of Ranma "So I finally found you, Ranma Saotome."

"Who the heck are you?"

" The name's R, and I'm here to destroy you!"

Ranma blinks. "Destroy me? Why? I don't even know you! Why do you want to do that…unless, don't tell me…my stupid father Genma owes you some money, or did he engage me to your sister or something?"

R's not trying to hear that. "Listen, I don't know who this Genma person is, and I don't care! What I want is to fight you and destroy you, so prepare yourself!"

"But why? Listen Carl…"

R angrily corrects Ranma, "IT'S R, YOU MORON! NOT CARL!"

"Yeah, whatever, listen, I will not fight you cause I don't know you, so if you excuse me I gotta go home, be seein' you. Let's go, Ran."

"Right behind you." Ran says.

As Ranma begins to walk away R charges against him, throwing a punch. Ranma feels the incoming blow then quickly turns around and catches R fist. R's impressed. "You're good, just like they told me."

Ranma tells R, "Listen here, I will not fight you without a reason okay? So why don't you go home and leave me alone."

R smirks. "Then how about this; if you don't fight me, I'll kill you! How's that for a reason?"

"You're a stubborn person aren't you? But if you want it, then you'll have it…" Ranma assumes his fighting pose.

R gets into his own fighting stance. "Good…then prepare yourself!"

Then, when they were to start the fight, Kuno appears out of nowhere and charges against Ranma in his usual idiom. "FOUL SORCERER, RELEASE MY PIG-TAILED GIRL AT ONCE OR FACE THE WRATH OF TATEWAKI KUNO!… EN GARDE!"-

R sees this moron coming and decides to stop him. "Who the heck are you? We were in the middle of a battle here buster!"

"I am Tatewaki Kuno, the star of Furinkan High, and I'm here to destroy that vile sorcerer Saotome so that I can free my beloved Pig-Tailed Girl from his evil clutches!"

R wags his finger in a no-no gesture. "Sorry moron, I'm the one who will destroy him, not some stupid jerk in silly robes, so be gone!"

Kuno can't believe the nerve of this peasant. "WHA… YOU DARE INSULT THE GREAT TATEWAKI KUNO?… IF SO, THEN YOU'RE ALSO MY ENEMY! PREPARE YOURSELF TO BE CREAMED BY MY WRATH!"

R laughs, "Ha, you don't say, so be it…" To Ranma, he says, "Don't go away Ranma, I'm just gonna take a couple of minutes to take care of this moron."

Then Kuno charge toward R with his bokken. But, with a minimal amount of skill, R punches Kuno and sends him airborne.

"There, what a jerk, now…" He walks toward Ranma. "…that's taken care off, we can resume our fight Saotome…wha…? Saotome…?" He looks everywhere. R sees that Ranma wasn't there anymore. "What the…where'd Saotome go?"

A student passing by says, "Um, Ranma went home with that girl."

Furious, R exclaims, "WHAT! AW, SON OF A #&… HE GOT AWAY…!!"

R begins to shout angrily, when a little girl passes by and hears him curse, she gets close and sees him shouting…-" Hey you, cursing is prohibited here in this school! Don't make me angry, or I'll have to punish you!"-…R hears her and turns around to see a little girl staring at him:

R laughs, "Ha! Listen here, little girl, I have no time to deal with babies like you. I have a fight to attend to, so… adieu!"

Unfortunately for R, the little girl was none other then the Ki-sucking teacher, Hinako Ninomiya. Ms. Hinako, after hearing this, gets mad at him. "Why you…you…DELINQUENT! NOW I'LL HAVE TO TEACH YOU A LESSON!"

R mocks her, "Oooh, what are you gonna do? Bore me to death with your crying…?" He laughs "I'm outta here."

When R begins to walk away, Miss. Hinako pulls out her 'coin' and yells …-" HAPPO-50 YEN SATSU!!"-… the next thing he knows, R is surrounded by a golden halo, then he feels as if all his energy was being taken away! Finally, he collapses onto the floor, weak, while Miss. Hinako grows into her tall and devastatingly beautiful Adult Form. She hmphs, "That will teach you a lesson you delinquent."

She walks away, leaving R still flat on the ground:

R weakly says, "Wha…What happened here? I must find out about that…weird looking girl, or woman! Curse you…Saotome…next time, you won't get away…!"

Then, his cell phone rings, he tries to pick it up. "He..hello?"

It's Bass again. Dr Wily would like a report of your mission, did you dispose of Ranma?

"Not yet, he got away…but don't worry, I'll get him next time."

You'd better. Dr. Wily and that huge Cat are getting… He sees R on the floor. …Why are you on the floor?

R sweatdrops. " Um…I…got tired…yeah…! I just got tired and decided to relax a little bit."

Bass snickers, ON the dirt…ha hahaaa, makes sense, being the dog you are!"

Even in his weakened condition, R can still get angry. "Hey…don't push it okay…over and out!"

After he hangs up…

"Saotome, I swear that next time you won't get away from me…but first…sleepy time ughn…" R just falls out unconscious.

TO BE CONTINUED…