Little Angel Lost

A Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction by Ryo Oki

ryo_oki@pacbell.net

Disclaimer: All characters and places not created by me

are probably owned by someone else.

Authors Note: This story is an alternative universe / crossover story

set roughly 4 months after the wedding. Ranma and Akane are now juniors

in high school.

**********

Chapter 8 Remembrances and Awakenings

Kasumi sat at the living room table with her hands in held in a triangle

shape under her chin, a classic 'Gendo Ikari pose'. Hild-sama had just sent her

a copy of the memories that Ranma and Hinako experienced from their

respective pasts. Kasumi was half tempted to look up some recipes for various

panda dishes when she saw how Genma treated his son when Ranma was young. That

would not be satisfactory though. For some reason Ranma still liked his worthless

father, so another punishment must be devised.

Kasumi thought about the samples of Jusenkyo water that she had brought

back from the pool filled valley. Perhaps she could use it to punish two people

'with one stone', so to speak. Kasumi giggled 'evilly' or at least mischievously

attracting the attention of her father, who was walking by.

"Is everything alright, Kasumi-dear?", Soun asked his daughter.

"Oh, everything is just fine now father. I was just thinking of a way to

solve a certain problem.", Kasumi said.

"That's nice, I am glad to hear that you are alright.", Soun said while

walking off and wondering why the expression on his daughter's face was making

him so nervous.

Ranko came into the room, took one look at Kasumi's face and left the way

that he had come from.

"Nope, I don't want to know and I will not ask. It is much safer that

way.", Ranko thought as he decided that perhaps he should spend some time out

of the house for a while. Perhaps he could find that 'pig-boy' that Kasumi had

told him about. From the way the boy had abused the trust of his friends he

deserved a little 'teasing' of his own.

Ranko explored the town for an hour, before deciding to give up looking

for Ryoga for a while. For all he knew Ryoga could in Zimbabwe at the

moment, annoying the natives there with his presence.

Smelling something quite pleasing to his sensitive nose, Ranko stopped

in front of a popular restaurant.

"The Cat Cafe... Ah yes that is where the Amazons live. I suppose I should

stop in and introduce myself. After all it is only the polite thing to do.",

Ranko thought to himself.

As he opened the door to the cafe, he was greeted by a familiar pink-

haired waitress.

"Oh dear, I forget that she was working at this establishment.",

Ranko thought to himself.

(Glomp)

"Wai, Wai, Ranko here to see Nuku Nuku?", the hyper catgirl said.

"Actually, I was just passing by when I smelled the delicious aroma

of your cafe's fine cuisine.", Ranko said while managing to push the amorous

catgirl android off of him.

"Well it is nice to see you again dear boy.", Cologne said as she

hopped over to Ranko.

"The pleasure is mine Elder Cologne.", Ranko said with a smile on his

face.

"My aren't you the polite one.", Cologne said as escorted Ranko to a

nearby table.

"Shampoo bring out 2 bowls of deluxe ramen for our guest.", Cologne

shouted towards the kitchen.

Ranko ate the two bowls that Shampoo had first brought out, and two

bowls after that, showing that he and Ranma shared at least one trait in

common. After all lunch was only a few hours ago and he was quite hungry.

"Thank you for the food, Elder Cologne. How much do I owe you?",

Ranko asked Cologne.

"There is no charge, after all you are friends with my latest

waitress.", Cologne cackled as Nuku Nuku smiled prettily at Ranko and

Shampoo muttered unkind things about nosy great grandmothers from her

place in the kitchen.

"Oh I insist. It would not be proper to take advantage of your

hospitality, besides, Nuku Nuku and I are just acquaintances. There is

someone else that I am close to.", Ranko said, blushing slightly.

"That would be Miss. Nabiki Tendo would it not?", Cologne asked as

she noticed Ranko's blush increasing.

"She is a wonderful girl. Very intelligent and kind, with the most

beautiful cream colored fur you have ever seen.", Ranko said.

"Did you say fur?", Cologne asked.

"Shampoo already tell great grandmother that. Shampoo already see

Nabiki at school.", Shampoo said in a huff from the kitchen.

"Well let us just say that you have a tendency to exaggerate great

granddaughter.", Cologne said to Shampoo.

"Maybe if Ranko-chan no want free food, he maybe tell us a little

about himself.", Nuku Nuku said.

"People say Shampoo no talk proper Japanese.", Shampoo grumbled.

"Well I suppose there would be no harm in that.", Ranko said.

Ranko told the Amazons and Nuku Nuku about how Kasumi had found him

in an alley, where he was hiding after being chased by the Akane of that

particular dimension.

"Just what universe need, another violent pervert girl.", Shampoo

snorted in disgust.

"So is the Akane Tendo of this world different from the Akane of your

home world?", Cologne asked.

"Well it is quite obvious that they are both quite short-tempered and

quick to judge. She was most upset when she found out that Nabiki-chan is now

a catgirl. She thought that I had taken advantage of Nabiki. Beyond that I can

not say that I know too much about the girl. I see no reason to spend time

around one such as her. She spends most of her time away from her home

lately. I believe she meets her 'friend' Akari someplace and they spend some

'quality time' together.", Ranko said in an amused tone of voice.

"That not very big surprise considering how much violent girl always say

that she hates boys.", Shampoo stated.

"Does Ranko-chan have family?", Nuku Nuku asked.

"Well I have my sister Kasumi and my mother Ukyo.", Ranko replied as

Shampoo fell over.

"Spatula girl is catboy's mother?!?! Who father?", Shampoo said in an

excited tone of voice.

"Shampoo do not be rude.", Cologne chided Shampoo.

"That is alright, Cologne-san, Nabiki and others acted the same way

when I told them.

"To answer your question though. I do not remember who my birth

parents were. I have been on my own, living in various alleys and vacant

building in my Tokyo since I was eight years old. Before that time I have no

memory of my past life.", Ranko said.

"You have never been able to recover your memories?", Cologne asked.

"No, even Kasumi-chan was not able to help. It is if the memories had

never existed at all. There should be some traces of them in my mind, even if

they were 'erased' but their isn't. It is quite strange and frustrating at

times. I try to not worry about it too much though. It is better to concentrate

on building a future for myself and others, instead of thinking about what may

or may not have happened in the past.", Ranko said.

"So what about your mother?", Nuku Nuku asked politely, not wanting to

offend her 'not yet' boyfriend.

"Well you see it all started when Kasumi-chan and I arrived in England

after leaving my home dimension...", Ranko trailed off.

(Begin wavy flashback sequence.)



Rain clouds were forming overhead for the fourth time in two days. With the

sun now almost completed hidden behind the clouds, the residents of Brinshire

once again found the countryside around their small town, turning various

shades of grey. They were quite used to it though. One did not live in

Southern England and not be familiar with the cold foggy weather that often

seeped into every crevice of ones town and home. A loud thunderclap

echoed overhead, causing many residents to seek shelter from the rapidly

approaching storm. As it began to rain, the streets became deserted, thereby

allowed two very 'strange' people to step out of a glowing portal without

anyone noticing their arrival.

One of the new visitors to the town was a young woman of about 18

years, with long brown hair and brown eyes. The appeared to be of Asian

decent, and was quite beautiful. She appeared to be dressed in a light

camisole top and a pair of jeans. Her companion was a young boy of about

12 years, with bright red hair down to his waist. He was dressed in a

pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a picture of Lina and Amelia from Slayers,

on the front of it. He appeared to be a perfectly normal young Asian boy,

well normal that is if one ignored the cat's ears on top of his head, and the

large tail that was gently swishing behind him.

Both of them did not appear to be bothered by the rain in the slightest.

If one were to look closely at them one would notice that the rain was not

even striking them, but instead appeared to be hitting some sort of

clear barrier that surround the two.

"Kasumi-chan, why are we here?", the young catboy asked.

"Why we are here so that you could attend school, of course.",

Kasumi smiled.

"School, way out here in the middle of nowhere?", Ranko said in

shock.

"You are exaggerating, Ranko-chan. We are only about 10 miles from

London.", Kasumi said innocently.

London?, as in England? Why do I have to go to school in England?",

Ranko replied.

"Kami-sama sent us here to help someone, and maybe help ourselves, a little

as well.", Kasumi stated cryptically.

*************

As Ranko and Kasumi started to make their way towards the school, in which

Ranko was going to attend, they were startled by a scream from a nearby street.

Running around the corner, they saw a young blond girl, in a very short

'sailor' style uniform facing off against two very tall dog faced humanoids with

four arms, two of which ended in large pincers. The remains of what was left of

two other people lay between the girl and the creatures.

"Glabrezu.", Kasumi hissed in disgust as she changed to her goddess form.

"What are they?", Ranko asked.

"They are demons from the abyssal planes. Stay back, you can not fight

these creatures yet, Ranko.", Kasumi said as she leapt up into the air and landed

between the girl and the demons.

"What is this, some sort of Aasimar come to save our morsel.", one of the

demons said.

"You are not welcome on this plane, demon. Return from whence you can.",

Kasumi ordered the creature.

"We can not leave until our service to our master is complete. Allow us

to kill the young human and we will gladly leave this retched place.", the second

demon said.

"If that is the case then I will just have to send back to the abyss

myself.", Kasumi replied as a bright blue ball of energy began to form around

her hands.

"What! a holy spell, how can you....", the demon tried to say as the

ball of energy struck it in the chest, vaporizing the entire torso. What was

left quickly dissolved into ashes and blew away on the winds.

The other demon, seeing his companion vaporized so easily had little choice

but to charge the strange Aasimar?, hoping that she was vulnerable to physical

attacks.

Kasumi ducked to the side, just as one of the creature's claws made a small

cut on her left arm.

"I am impressed. You are quite skilled for a lesser demon.", Kasumi said

as the cut healed over almost instantly, much to the demon's annoyance.

"You might be able to defeat me, but not the one who summoned me.", the

demon hissed.

"And who might this summoner be?", Kasumi asked as she pulled out a large

black glowing sword from out her own subspace pocket.

"I will tell you nothing. Kill me if you must. I will simply return later

for my revenge.", the demon gloated.

"Hild-sama might have something to say about that.", Kasumi said as her

bisected the creature in half.

"How do you know...", the creature actually managed to say as his torso

fell away from his legs, before he turned to dust.

"Well that wasn't so hard, now was it.", Kasumi said as she changed back to

her human form and turned to face the young girl.

"Who...What are you?", the young girl asked while collapsing into

Kasumi's arms.

"Is she going to be alright, Kasumi-chan.", Ranko asks as the girl

looks at him and begins to shiver in fear.

"No, not another one.", she whispers, as she finds herself clinging

closely to the 'angel' that just rescued her.

"Poor girl is in shock. Why don't you rest for a while?", Kasumi

said as she then began to chant a quick spell causing the girl to fall

asleep.

Kasumi hands the girl to Ranko as she examines the bodies of the

two people on the ground for any clue as to what might be going on.

Finding nothing of interest Kasumi heads to the nearest pay phone to call

the local authorities to tell them about two bodies being in an alley. By

the time the local police arrive, Kasumi, Ranko, and the girl are long gone.

"So who is she Kasumi-chan and why is she dressed so strangely?", Ranko

asked as they decide to head for a small 'flat' that was prepared ahead of time

for them. The visit to the school would have to wait for a little while.

"Her name is Minako Aino, and believe it or not she is a local magical

girl who is known as, Sailor V.", Kasumi said as they neared their new home.

"You mean like in the manga?", Ranko asked.

"Exactly.", Kasumi said while noticing Ranko holding the girl close to

him.

They entered the flat, and Ranko sat Minako down on the couch.

"Cute isn't she.", Kasumi asked Ranko who was still holding the young

girl's hand.

"I guess.", Ranko said while blushing.

A few minutes later, Sailor V woke up with a 'start', to find a young

woman with long brown hair looking at her.

"What happened, where am I?", Sailor V asked.

"You are in my home. Ranko and I carried you here after you fainted

earlier.

"Fainted.... Oh my, the demons...", Sailor V said in a panic.

"Do not worry about them, they have been destroyed.", Kasumi said

softly.

"I saw an angel, then this strange cat boy came up behind me and...",

she tried to say.

"That was Ranko, and he is with me. You have nothing to fear from

either of us, Sailor V, or should I say Minako Aino.", Kasumi said to a

stunned Minako.

"You know who I am?", Minako replied nervously.

"Of course, it would be quite silly to not know the name of the person

we were sent here to help.", Kasumi said.

"Who sent you?", Minako asked.

"Why Kami-sama of course.", Kasumi replied.

"You are joking, right?", Minako stated.

"No, Ranko and I will be here for quite some time to help you when you

need it.", Kasumi stated.

"I don't have to fight alone anymore?", Minako asked with some hope in

her voice.

"No you do not.", Ranko said as he came into the room, but stayed away

from Minako for fear of upsetting the still shocked girl.

"There is not need to be frightened of Ranko. He carried you here and

helped heal your wounds.", Kasumi said to Minako.

"He did?", Minako asked as she looked at the catboy, who was blushing

for some reason.

"Oh don't mind Ranko, he is blushing because he thinks that you are

a cute young lady.", Kasumi said while noticing the confused look Minako

was giving Ranko.

"He thinks what?", Minako asked in confusion as Ranko facefaulted

into the carpet.

"Oww...Rug burn.", Ranko replied as he rolled over and stood up.

Kasumi hoped her comment would help lighten the mood temporarily, for

she had to ask Minako an important question, and she believed that it might

upset the girl some.

"Minako, I know this may be hard for you to answer, but where are your

guardians. You were supposed to have been guarded by your 'aunt' and 'uncle'.",

Kasumi said.

"They.....died. (sniffle) (whimper) It all happened so fast. They were

killed yesterday by some strange man in black robes. When I came home from

school, I found them dead, and this man standing over them. He said that I was

next. I panicked and ran away. I should have tried to fight him, but I felt

so scared for some reason.", Minako shivered.

"It's alright. If he can summon demons like the one I just fought, he

must be quite powerful. You can not blame yourself.", Kasumi said.

"I have too.....If I had fought maybe those two people today would not

have died. I was so intend on running away I did not think of what would

happen if someone got in the way of the demons as they were chasing me.",

Minako said.

Against his better judgment Ranko found himself approaching the girl

and taking her hand in his, hoping to calm her down. She was not the girl who

he had met in his dreams, but something about Minako still seemed to call to

him.

Minako at first tried to pull away from Ranko, but when she looked in

his eyes, she could only see concern. She relaxed a little, but she had no

urge to transform back to her normal form.

"Perhaps it would be best if you do not go home for a while. This

'wizard' might still be looking for you. You can stay here for a while, if

you like.", Kasumi stated.

Minako debated what might happen if she stayed with these two strange

people, but she really didn't have much choice in the matter. If she went home

the man in the black robes might be waiting for her, and these people did not

harm her while she was unconscious.

"I suppose I can stay with you for a little while.", Minako said

hesitantly.

"We can even change your school, if you like. A 'friend' in this world

runs a school for 'Gifted Children'. You will be safe there, as Ranko will

also being joining the student boy there.", Kasumi said.

Kasumi managed to convince Minako to change back to her normal form, as

it would be quite strange to see a local 'superhero' walking down the street

along side two 'normal' people. Well at least as normal as a catboy and a

disguised goddess could be.



************

As they approached the building, Ranko noticed that it resembled some sort

of large hotel, or public office building.

"Here we are.", Kasumi said in a cheerful manner.

A sign outside the building read, "Ukyo's School for Gifted Children."

"Gifted children? Why do I have the strange feeling that there is more to

it than that.", Ranko asked in a cautious tone of voice.

"Well some of the students are a little unusual.", Kasumi replied.

"How unusual, Minako asked cautiously.

"Some of them are not human. In fact their are representatives of many

different races. There is no need to be nervous though. All of the students

are basically good at heart. They are not perfect, but no one is truly evil.",

Kasumi said.

As they entered the front courtyard of the building, the front door opened

seemingly on its own. As they drew nearer to the door though, both Ranko and Kasumi

noticed that two small winged fairies?, were hovering just inside the door. Both

of the fairies were about 18 inches tall, with long brown hair and blue eyes.

They were wearing, of all things, two miniature Chinese style dresses.

"Ah good, you is here?", one fairies said.

"Yes, is quite good. Mistress Ukyo is waiting for you.", the other fairy

said.

"I am sorry, but who are you?", Ranko asked shyly from behind Kasumi, with

Minako hiding behind him.

Ranko thought that the two fairies were kind of cute, but at the same

time they were a little strange, so he stayed close to Kasumi just in case

something might happen.

"I am Lin-Lin.", one fairy said.

"And I am Ran-Ran.", the other fairy said.

"Queen Titania tell us that you would come, and we tell Mistress

Ukyo. She is very excited to see you. We is too. Not get too many chances

to see cute cat boy.", both of the fairies said at once, causing Ranko

to lightly blush.

"Oh, he very shy.", Lin-Lin giggled.

"Can't be too shy, since he have cute girl behind him.", Ran-Ran

giggled as well.

"Maybe they want to play later?", Lin-Lin said.

"Could be, they look like fun.", Ran-Ran replied.

"Now that is enough of that you two. There is no need to embarrass

one of our future students.", a voice said from behind the doorway.

A young woman of about 30 stepped out in front of Ranko and Kasumi

and smiled kindly at them.

"My name is Ukyo Kuonji, the headmistress of this school, and I bid

you welcome.", Ukyo said as she escorted everyone into the building.

"Thank you for allowing Ranko to join the school so late in the year. I

was afraid that he would have to wait till next year to enroll.", Kasumi said.

"Nonsense, I never turn down students in need. Besides Ranko's presence

here will make this old school a lot more lively. Most of the students here are

female, and they will be thrilled that such a cute young man is now going to

be attending classes here.", Ukyo said as Ranma began to notice several girls

looking at him in a 'funny' way from the top of the stairs in the entry hall.

"But who is the young lady hiding behind him. I do not recall ever

hearing anything about her.", Ukyo said.

"This is Minako, she will be staying with Ranko and I, but I was hoping

that you would not mind one more student enrolling this late in the semester.",

Kasumi asked.

As Kasumi was talking to Ukyo about Minako, Ranko and Minako began to

take a closer look at all of the girls looking at Ranko.

Ranko noticed that most of the girls seemed to be human, more or less,

but their were some that were a little different. One girl looked like an angel,

with long bluish green birds wings growing out of her back. Ranko noticed that

she seemed to freeze in place and smile in glee when she saw Kasumi. Another girl

looked like some sort of little demon. She had very tan skin with a spiked tail

curled up behind her and two large black bat wings growing out of her back. The

demon girl took one look at Kasumi and seemed to be trying to slink away quietly,

with a look of fear in her eyes. There was also a ,(shudder), dog girl of some

kind with long white hair and holding what looked like an old rusted Katana.

Most of the girls appeared to be a little older than he was. Probably about

14 or so, he guessed.

One girl in particular though, caught Ranko's attention. She stood almost

seven feet in height, with light blue skin and long golden hair. Her bright

green eyes seemed to sparkle as she noticed Ranko looking at her. The smile that

she gave Ranko, caused the boy to suddenly look at the ground by his feet, for

some reason.

"Well now aren't you an interesting sight.", a voice said from right in

front of Ranko, who upon looking up noticed that the girl with blue skin, who

he was just staring at had somehow just appeared right in front of him. The girl

was definitely older than the rest, at least 18 years old, and her closeness to him

seemed to annoy the younger girls for some reason.

"Bloody hell, the spooky girl finally speaks.", the demon girl said from

the top of the stairs.

"Asuka, watch your language! It is not proper to speak in such a course

manner, especially in front of guests.", the 'angel' girl said to the demon

girl, who was standing next to her.

"You are one to talk. It was not I who had those pictures of a certain

soccer player hidden under her mattress.", Asuka said as the angel girl

sputtered indignantly.

"Asuka, Rei, stop your arguing this instant. We are here to welcome two

new students.", Ukyo said in disgust as several of the schoolgirls giggled at

the antics of their fellow students.

"My apologies if I caused a disturbance.", the blue skinned girl said.

"It is not your fault Llewellen. Everyone is just surprised that is all.

You have not spoken to anyone except for me since you first came here.", Ukyo

said.

"I have not had reason to speak to anyone until now.", Llewellen said in

in a casual tone of voice.

"Well excuse us.", Asuka snorted.

"Mistress, with your permission, I would like to begin your young

ward's education in the arcane arts.", Llewellen said as she bowed to

Kasumi, surprising many of the girls present.

"And the surprises continue to mount.", Asuka said.

"You want to teach me magic? Why?", Ranko said while looking up

at Llewellen.

"You have great potential, as I am sure your guardian has noticed.",

Llewellen replied to Ranko.

"Can I think about it?", Ranko asked.

"You may, but do not take to long to reach a decision. I do not know

how much longer I will choose to remain on this world and it would be a

shame to let your skills go to waste.", Llewellen said.

"You look as if all of you have had a hard day. Would you care to spend

the night?", Ukyo asked.

"Well I guess that would be alright. It will give Ranko and Minako a

chance to meet some of the students.", Kasumi said as she noticed Minako still

staying quite close to Ranko, much to her satisfaction.

"Well now that, that is settled I will show Ranko to his room. You will

be in a private room. It would not be proper for you to share a room with one of

the girls.", Ukyo stated.

"A private room will be fine.", Ranko said as he noticed the demon girl

Asuka winking at him and licking her lips.

Ukyo began to lead Ranko up to his room, with Kasumi and Minako following

when the front door to the school slammed open and a panicked looking foxgirl

ran in and stopped just short of slamming into Llewellen.

"Mistress Ukyo, come quick!", the foxgirl shouted as loud as she could.

"What is it Hinako? Why are you so excited and where is Kirinka?", Ukyo

said to the panicked foxgirl.

"We were getting the supplies like you asked us, but as we walking

back a man and some 'thing' pulled us into an alley. I managed to get free,

but Kirinka was trapped. I ran back here as quick as I could to get help.

We must hurry. I do not know what the creature was, but it and the man

reeked of black magic.", Hinako said.

"Are monster attacks common around here?", Kasumi asked Ukyo.

"Well there have been some sightings lately, but they are usually

taken care of by a young girl calling herself, Sailor V. Quite an interesting

girl, but the outfit she wears is simply scandalous.", Ukyo said as Minako

shifted on her feet back and forth nervously.

"Can you show us where you were attacked?", Ukyo asked the foxgirl

Hinako, who nodded in response.

"I will go with you. If the creatures are magic, I should be able

to defeat them.", Llewellen said.

"I will come as well.", Kasumi said as she changed to her goddess form,

causing Rei to look at her with stars in her eyes and Asuka to hide behind

Rei, much to the angel girl's amusement.

"I believe Ranko should come as well. I would like to see if he has any

latent talents that may emerge, if he is exposed to hostile magic.", Llewellen

said as Kasumi eyed her skeptically.

"As long as he is not exposed to danger. I will not let anything

harm him.", Kasumi said while pulling Ranko close to her.

"Heh, quite close aren't they.", Ran-Ran said.

"Is so.", Lin-Lin giggled.

"May I come along?", Minako asked.

"I do not think that is a good idea. You have not been feeling well

lately, remember.", Kasumi said to Minako

"I will take care of her, while all of you are away.", Rei said to

Minako.

Minako saw the 'angel' girl smiling at her and felt that she could

trust Rei. She reminded her someone, from her past, but she couldn't

remember who that might be.

**************

Hinako led Kasumi, Ranko, Ukyo, and Llewellen to the alley in which

they were attacked. No one was present when they arrived, but there was a

strong lingering presence of magic leading off deeper into the city.

The small group followed the 'trail' to an old abandoned movie

theater in the center of town. The entire block seemed deserted as an evil

presence seemed to hang over the neighborhood.

Ukyo pulled out small throwing spatula and through at the side door of

the theater. The spatula imbedded itself in the door, then exploded, blowing

the door of its hinges.

"So much for the stealthy approach.", Llewellen sighed.

"Someone has one of my students and might be doing something horrible

to her. Best way to get rid of the menace is to hurt it as fast and hard

as possible.", Ukyo said as she charged though the door.

The others reluctantly followed the impulsive school headmistress.

As everyone rushed in, Llewellen stop short, causing everyone to pile up behind her.

"What's the problem?", Hinako asked.

"There is the lingering stench of death magic in the air. Our opponent is

more than likely a necromancer, which means we will probably fighting more than

one type of undead creature.", Llewellen said as she began to weave a spell

that would make everyone present immune to the life draining abilities of

some undead creatures.

As the exited a side hallway and entered in the auditorium portion of

the theater, they were practically blown over by the horrible stench of

death and decay.

"I think I am going to be sick.", Ranko said as his very sensitive

nose almost burned in irritation from the smells emanating from the room.

Kasumi was the first to locate Ukyo, who was in the process of slicing

up several zombies with a very large, silver?, spatula. Behind the zombies

were several animated skeletons, what looked like five ghouls and a vampire

of all things, bringing up the rear.

On the stage of the auditorium, a young brunette girl was laid out on

what looked like an old French guillotine. Next to her was a man in black

robes chanting softly as a 'thing' stood next to him standing guard. The

unknown creature might have once been human, but several parts seemed

to have been added to it. The creature had two additional shell encrusted

arms, ending in lobster style claws. Two torn black bat wings hung limply

from the creatures back, and a second head, resembling some sort of

reptile, sat right next to the creature's human head.

Kasumi stepped up in front of Llewellen, pulled a large black

sword from out of nowhere, raised the sword above her head and said,

"Return to the dust from whence you came, mockeries of nature."

(Turn Undead)

As Kasumi's words rang out, the zombies and skeletons collapsed into

dust, just as one zombie was about to thrust a rusty dagger into Ukyo's

unprotected back.

With the death of the lesser undead, their more powerful 'brothers'

began to rush forward.

"Now it is my turn.", Llewellen said with a look of glee on her face.

"Chain Lightning!", Llewellen yelled out of arcs of blue electricity

appeared from nowhere and began to strike each of the ghouls present.

"Fools, you will not take me that easily.", the man in the black robes

said, as a fireball flew forward from his hands.

"Scatter!", Kasumi yelled out as everyone tried to dodge out of the way

to lesson the force of the blast.

Ranko, seeing the foxgirl Hinako, frozen in fear, tackled the girl

to the ground, just as the fireball exploded over him. He let out a loud

shriek as he was burned by the spell.

"How dare you harm a child!", Ukyo yelled out as several silver

mini spatulas flew towards the necromancer. They were stopped short when

the previously mentioned vampire stepped into their path, causing the

spatulas to strike some sort of glowing energy shield.

"A protection barrier. So that is how he wants to play it.",

Llewellen said as she began to chant.

Kasumi meanwhile had rushed over to Ranko. The boy was badly burned

and Kasumi began to chant a healing spell as Hinako looked at the burnt

catboy in shock.

"He saved me.", Hinako said as tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Spell strike!", Llewellen yelled out as a black beam of energy

flew out and struck the shield. The shield instantly collapsed as well

as 3 more magic barriers that had surrounded the vampire and the

necromancer.

"Hinako watch over Ranko as I deal with the wizard.", Kasumi said

as Hinako reached over and pulled, the now only slightly injured, Ranko

close to her.

Llewellen pulled out a large sword, resembling a basket hilt

claymore and was rushing the strange composite monster on the stage. She

was about to be assaulted by the vampire when a loud 'twang' was heard and

the vampire felt himself forced back slightly. On the ground was a large wooden

bolt, that would have pierce his heart if his 'master' had not provided him

with a 'coat' of mithral chain mail.

Across the auditorium, Ukyo dropped that crossbow, and looked on in shock.

It was not fair, undead are not supposed to wear armor. Oh look, why are the

vampire's hands now glowing.

A stream of bluish white missiles struck Ukyo in the chest, sending her

flying back, just missing landing on Ranko.

"Great a vampire mage. Can this become any more complicated.", Ukyo

grumbled to herself.

Llewellen leapt away from the strange monster zombie, that she was

fighting, and drew forth, several black beads that she was carrying in her

pocket. She threw the beads at the vampire before he could get off another

spell. The beads exploded into blackish energy bolts that send the vampire

rebounding off one of the overhead rafters, bouncing off the stage, and into

the auditorium seats.

With the vampire now quite close to her, Ukyo pulled out a large glowing

mace and charged the creature. The vampire pulled out what looked like an

eastern style scimitar and parried Ukyo's weapon strike, but was momentarily

stunned by the secondary effects of the mace.

"Mace of disruption? Such an item will not save you.", the vampire

hissed as he quickly threw off the effects of the stunning and began to attack

Ukyo with a series of quick thrusts, striking a glancing blow on Ukyo's left

arm.

Ukyo hissed as a green liquid from the weapon burned her skin. An acid

weapon, how Ukyo hated those things.

Ukyo ducked under the vampire's slashing attack and swung her mace into

the vampire's unarmored legs. A 'crunching' sound was heart as the holy weapon

shattered the vampire's left leg below the knee. The vampire growled in pain as

he collapsed to the ground.

Seeing the fallen vampire, Hinako pulled out a large mallet and tossed it

to Ukyo, who caught it and pulled out a large wooden stake. The mail armor

may have stopped her previous attack, but it would not stop the stake, made

from the wood of a millennium tree.

The mallet came down, causing the vampire to convulse, then start to

fall in upon itself, eventually fading into dust.

Ranko managed to sit up and looked over the carnage taking place on

stage. The strange creature was now missing its two crab-like limbs and

one of its wings was just sliced off by Llewellen.

The necromancer took one looked at the now, glowing and winged

Kasumi and began to back up in fear.

"What are you?", the necromancer hissed.

"My name is Katrina Saotome, Goddess third class unlimited of nature

and fertility.", Kasumi said as spheres of bluish white energy began to

form in her hands.

As everyone on stage was already occupied with an opponent, they failed

to notice a skeletal figure dressed in wizards robes appear next to Kirinka.

Well everyone that is except for Hinako, who was quite frankly not the best

equipped to deal with such a creature.

The figure let off a chromatic sphere spell, which Hinako managed to

avoid by leaping upwards and landing back near Ranma.

"We have to save her.", Ranko said to Hinako.

"That's a lich.", Hinako said while beginning to shake in fear.

"A what?", Ranko asked.

"A very powerful undead wizard. We can do nothing to harm it.", Hinako

said from her new hiding place behind Ranma. She wasn't a coward by a long shot,

but she was definitely not stupid either.

"We have to try, we can not just let that creature harm her.", Ranko said

as he leapt forward, covering the 50 foot distance to the stage in one leap.

Ranko tried to catch the lich by surprise, but as he tried to strike out at the

creature, its arm shot forward and grabbed Ranko by the throat.

"Ah, how quaint. A hero come to save the damsel in distress. Absolutely

pathetic.", the Lich hissed at Ranko was trying to break grip on his neck.

Seeing the zombie chimera collapse into dust and the foolish wizard, who

summoned him, backing up in fear, the lich dragged Ranko over to the guillotine

and put his skeletal hand on the release level.

"Cease your fighting or the little girl and the animal will die!", the

lich's voice boomed out.

"Let them go or I will kill you.", Kasumi said in the 'coldest'

voice that she had ever used.

"Yes you could kill me, godling, but I can always regenerate my form,

can you say the same for your little pets.", the lich said as he tightened

his grip on Ranko, and pushed the level on the guillotine slightly

forward, causing the blade to slip a little.

"Good work ,my slave, kill them and we shall be off.", the wizard

said to the lich.

"I am not your slave, foolish little necromancer, and I do not

require anything more from you.", the lich growled.

Ranko's vision began to blur and he began to feel faint from

lack of oxygen.

"Can't fail....must save girl...", he thought in a daze.

As he tried to free himself neither he, nor the lich noticed

short 'blades' of blue energy begin to form in Ranko's right hand.

As Ranko swung at the lich he was surprised to see the lich's arm

and a good section of his torso fall away from the rest of his body

causing blackish colored blood and other things to spray out.

As the body of the lich began to fall, his hand pushed forward on the

lever, causing the blade to start to fall towards Kirinka's neck. Ranko

swiped at the air causing not only the blade, but the entire top section

of the guillotine to fly apart.

The wizard, seeing that all of his minions were defeated, began

to flee towards the back door. As he stopped to turn the handle a loud

whistling sound was approaching him from behind. Foolishly taking time

to see what it was, he noticed a large metal blade approaching him. He

had 3 seconds to realize what it was, before the blade of the destroyed

guillotine removed his head from his body. Who says the universe doesn't

have a sense of irony.

Seeing the wizard die, Ranko stumbles forward once and collapses

on top on Kirinka, who chooses that moment to wake and shrieks at seeing

some sort of 'monster' obviously trying to take advantage of her.

Kirinka tries to hit the 'perverted' monster but finds her punch

intercepted by Hinako who had finally overcome her fear and was running

towards the stage as the lich finally died.

"You leave him alone Kirinka. He save not only your life, but mine as

well.", Hinako said while glaring at Kirinka.

Kasumi felt a strange sense of deja vu, while watching Kirinka and

Hinako arguing over an unconscious Ranko. It reminded her of something, but

she wasn't quite sure what.

Once all of the undead had been destroyed, Llewellen started to

strip the bodies of the necromancer and lich of any valuables, much to the

surprise of some of her companions.

"Isn't that a little crude, Llewellen dear?", Ukyo asked.

"Not particularly. It is part of the adventurers' credo that

states, 'Once you defeat thine enemy you are entitled to their worldly

goods.' So I fail to see the problem. After all they certainly do not

need any material goods anymore.", Llewellen said as she pulled a rather

nice diamond bracelet from within the robes of the lich.

"If you say so, dear.", Ukyo replied.

As everyone was leaving, Hinako offered to carry Ranko back to the school,

despite the fact that she was the smallest member of the group. She refused all

offers of help, saying that since Ranko had risked his life to save her, the

least she could do was help carry him back. The fact that she had a blush on

her face as she held him close was purely a coincidence. After all, she couldn't

have any other motive. She was a quiet and demure foxgirl after all.

Upon entering Ukyo's school, Hinako put Ranko down on a nearby loveseat and

stretched out her arms and shoulders, causing crackling and popping noises to

echo throughout the entrance hall. She was younger than some of the girls at the

school, being only 12, but she was strong for her age and didn't mind the effort

it took to carry Ranko ,(Blush), so close to her.

"Are you alright little one?", Kasumi asked Hinako as she shifted back to

her human form.

"I'll be alright. I am just a little sore.", Hinako said.

Kasumi saw Llewellen looking at her with a quizzical look on her face

as if she wanted to ask the goddess a question.

"Did you wish to asked me something, Llewellen-san?", Kasumi asked.

"I was just wondering, while you referred to yourself as Katrina

Saotome earlier. It that your real name?", Llewellen asked.

"No, I have found it best to not use my real name. I have spent five

years, before I met Ranko visiting different worlds, on some of which, a

dimensional counterpart of mine lived. If people heard me refer to myself

as Kasumi, they might start asking too many questions.", Kasumi replied.

"Phewwww, smells like burnt cat hair down here. What's going on?",

Asuka asked as she came down the stairs then considering running back up

them as she noticed everyone glaring at her.

Rei and Minako came down the stairs to see why Asuka was being so

nosy. Minako saw Ranko laying on the loveseat unconscious and practically

leapt down the stairs to see if he was alright.

Kasumi told Minako a brief recount of what had happened. Minako felt a

little guilty for not being there for the fight. After all the wizard had

killed her guardians, she should have done something, but perhaps taking

care of the person who helped end the wizard's threat would be enough. She

was a little mad at the girl who tried to hit Ranko, but it past quickly

when she realized that she did not trust him earlier either.

"Well if no one objects I will carry Ranko up to his room. Llewellen

would be so kind as to show Kasumi and Minako to one of the guest rooms.",

Ukyo said.

Kasumi was about to say that she would carry Ranko, when she noticed

a wistful look on Ukyo's face. Ukyo appeared to be carrying Ranko like

one would carry an infant across there chest.

"I do not mind Ukyo-san, just inform me what room Ranko is done

afterwards.", Kasumi replied.

"That will not be a problem.", Ukyo said.

***********

Ukyo carried Ranko up to large bedroom covered in thick green carpeting

and dark wood paneling, in the manner of a Victorian era lounge. She pulled

back the covers of a large oak four poster bed and laid Ranko down. She

got up to leave, but stopped at the doorway. Ukyo pulled out a chair from

a desk that was in the room, and sat it next to the bed, where she watched

Ranko sleep for a few minutes. Ukyo sighed quietly and pulled out a locket

from behind her shirt. Opening it, she saw the picture of a young fanged

boy, wearing a bandanna around his head.

"Oh Ryoga, you fool. Why did you have to try and learn that martial

technique? Was being the best and defeating that idiot Taro really so

important to you. If you had just let it go, today we might have a child.",

Ukyo thought as she looked up at Ranko.

As she continued to look at Ranko, Ukyo began to feel her eyelids

'growing heavy'. She tried to get up and leave, but the fight earlier had

taken' a lot out of her. It had been more than a few years, since she had

fought a monster. Perhaps she should practice more often, she thought

as she fell asleep.

Ukyo awoke a few hours later to the sound of Ranko quietly talking

in his sleep.

"Momma, please don't leave me. I promise I will be good from now

on. I don't like being trapped in here.", Ranko whimpered in his sleep.

Ukyo got up from her chair, even more stiff that she was before

and sat down on the bed and pulled Ranko close, which cause the catboy

to jerk awake with a panicked look in his eyes.

"Momma?", he said unconsciously.

Ukyo knew that he wasn't referring to her, but to here someone

say that to her anyway, caused a warm feeling to splash across her body.

"Shhh, there is no need to be upset little one. You are safe now.",

Ukyo whispered to him.

"Where am I? What happened to that monster that tried to choke me?",

Ranko asked groggily.

"The monster is dead. You killed it and saved Kirinka's life. You

did a very brave thing little one.", Ukyo said.

"I killed the monster?", Ranko asked in confusion.

"Yes you did, but you fainted afterwards and Hinako carried you

back to the school, then I carried you up to this room so that you

could sleep.", Ukyo said.

"Was I dreaming? Is that why you are here holding me?", Ranko

asked, not really minding being held.

"You had a nightmare, I believe. You were calling out to your

mother. Do you remember the dream?", Ukyo asked.

"No, Kasumi said that I have had dreams like that before, but I can

never remember what happened, when I woke up.

"Well you seem to be alright now. I'll let you sleep. You shouldn't have

anymore dreams tonight.", Ukyo said as she started to get off the bed.

"Who is that?", Ranko asked as he noticed the open locket on Ukyo's

chest when she pulled away from him.

"That is someone who was very special to me. Maybe later I will tell

you about him.", Ukyo said to Ranko, as she opened to door to the room

and left Ranko so that he could sleep.

A couple hours later the door to Ranko's room open again and in stepped

a young girl with long brown hair, wearing a long nightgown.

"So you actually save me? I am not sure how such a scrawny little

fur ball could do something like that, but Ukyo said that you did.", Kirinka

thought as she looked at Ranko snuggling against his pillow.

Kirinka reached out began to scratch Ranko behind the ears. As he began

to purr, she had to stifle a giggle.

"I suppose I should reward you my 'prince' for saving me.", Kirinka

thought as she leaned over and kissed Ranko on the cheek.

Kirinka, shocked at what she had just done, pulled back quickly and

ran out of the room, closing the door behind her. When the door closed

Ranko opened one eye and smiled at what had just happened.

"I think I might like to stay here for a while. Everyone seems

to be so much nicer to me, then in my own world.", Ranko thought as

he snuggled tighter against his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the door to his room, Kirinka bumped into Minako, who had also

decided to pay a visit to Ranko.

"So you were worried about him as well?", Minako asked Kirinka.

"You make it sound as if I have some sort of feelings for that little

fuzz ball.", Kirinka said.

"Well then, if that is the case, then I guess I will just watch over him

for the night to see that everything is alright. Besides he said earlier that I

was cute.", Minako said to Kirinka, who was glaring at her.

"Well then I might just decide to stay as well. After all if something

were to happen, then two people could take care of the problem twice as

easily as two people.", Kirinka said as she sat down on a chair next to the

bed. Minako, not to be outdone, actually laid down on the bed, next to Ranko

with Kirinka following shortly thereafter.

In the room next door, a pair of bright emerald green eyes, stared out

of a cracked open doorway, and observed the two girls entering Ranko's room.

"Somebody is planning to have some fun.", Asuka says as she moves

back into her room.

"What are you talking about, you annoying demon?", Rei said to her

cu..., er rather bothersome roommate.

"It appears that two of our fellow students have decided to visit a

certain catboy in his room.", Asuka said while licking her lips.

"They can not do that, it's improper, it's indecent. I must put a stop to

this disgraceful behavior.", Rei said as she got up out of bed and exited the

room, with Asuka following closely behind.

Further down the hallway, Lin-Lin and Ran-Ran were hovering and midair

and had just watched a total of four 'girls' enter the catboy's room.

"Wonder what going on?", Lin-Lin said.

"Maybe is slumber party?", Ran-Ran replied.

"Could be. Perhaps we go join then.", Lin-Lin said back.

"Sounds like good plan.", Ran-Ran said as the two fairy girls flew

quickly back to their room, and returned holding two small pillows and one

blanket each.

**********

The next morning Kasumi came down the stairs and into the dining room,

where Ukyo was sitting with a concerned looked on her face.

"Is something wrong, Ukyo-san?", Kasumi asked.

"Several of my students are missing. Even Ran-Ran and Lin-Lin are gone,

and it is definitely not like them to skip breakfast.

"Hmm, I wonder.", Kasumi said with mischievous glint in her eye.

"You know where they are?", Ukyo asked.

"Oh, I have and idea.", Kasumi said as she led Ukyo back to the

upstairs bedrooms.

Kasumi opened the door to Ranko's room and stepped in, along with

Ukyo, who promptly fell over at the sight in front of her. In the bed, in

which Ranko was sleeping, were four girls and two fairies. Kasumi noticed

Minako and Kirinka were under the covers with him, while Rei and Asuka

were just covers by one of the blankets. Lin-Lin and Ran-Ran were curled

up in their own blankets near Ranko's pillow.

"Yes, he is definitely one of Ranma's analogs. He has been here only a

day and Ranko has already collected a 'harem'.", Kasumi thought while

accidentally snickering out loud.

"What is going on here!", Ukyo shouted at the top of her lungs,

causing Rei and Asuka to jerk awake and roll out of the bed with a thud.

Ranko was awakened by the shout and noticed that two girls were now

curled up next to him, (blush), while two there were on the floor, while

the two fairies were sleeping next to his head.



"I have the feeling that I am missing something here?", he mumbled

in confusion.

"You girls know the rules, you are not allowed to have any boys in your

room, and especially in the same bed.", Ukyo almost shrieked.

"But he is not our room, we are in his room.", Asuka said as Ukyo began

to twitch.

"Perhaps it would be best if all of you girls left for now. You can see

Ranko later.", Kasumi said calmly.

"Aren't you concerned about what might have happened?", Ukyo said from

the hallway, after all of the girls had left Ranko's room.

"Nothing happened. They just slept together.", Kasumi said.

"You are sure of this?", Ukyo asked.

"Quite sure.", Kasumi stated.

"Good, because the last thing I need to worry about is my girls fooling

around with someone.", Ukyo said.

"That is why, Ranko and I will not be living here, along with Minako.

Although I can not see why you are so upset, you did say earlier that you

hoped Ranko's presence would make your school more lively.", Kasumi said.

"I meant in the classroom, not in the bedroom.", Ukyo said.

"There is no need to worry about that. Ranko will be sleeping in his

own room from now on.", Kasumi said.

"That would be for the best, well as long as the other girls do not

find out that Minako will be living with you and Ranko.", Ukyo said.

"I do not believe that it will be a problem, but Ranko does seem to have

the same 'ability' that Ranma has in my world.", Kasumi said.

"What ability is this?", Ukyo asked.

"Well both Ranma and Ranko, for some reason, seem to constantly attract

young women to them. It might have something to do with their auras. They both

seem to bring out feelings of love and protectiveness in the girls near them.

This unfortunately, also turns to jealousy at times, when one girl is ignored

or slighted in some way. I have almost removed this 'curse' from Ranko. He might,

well..... probably will still attract some of your students, but hopefully

the violence that my...er rather Ranma has experienced in the past will not

be present.", Kasumi said.

"You were going to say, 'your Ranma', weren't you.", Ukyo smiled.

"Maybe...", Kasumi blushed.

"Looks like you may have to help out your Ranma when you return to

your own homeland.", Ukyo said.

************

From behind his bedroom door, Ranko heard Ukyo and Kasumi talking about

where Minako was going to live. Truth be told, he kind of liked being around

the little fox girl, Hinako, but he supposed Minako wouldn't be a bad person,

if he came to know her better. None of them seemed as nice as that girl

Nabiki, that he dreamed about, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a few

close friends.

Ranko went to the closet to retrieve his clothes. He found everything

there except for his shoes. Looking around he did not see them, so he decided

to look under the bed. As he bent down to look, he noticed two very large eyes

staring back at him.

"Ack!", he eloquently replied as he stumbled back and fell on his rear.

"That was funny.", a voice said from under the bed.

Ranko was going to ask who was under there, when he saw the young

foxgirl Hinako slide out from under the bed, wearing a nightgown and covered

with some of the dust that was under the bed.

"What were you doing under there?", Ranko asked.

"I came in last night to see how you were, but as I was trying to leave

the room, I saw the door begin to open and Kirinka entering. I jumped under

the bed as fast as I could. I didn't want to get into trouble with anyone

again.", Hinako said, obviously embarrassed about the whole thing.

"Weren't you cold under there?", Ranko asked?

"No, not really. The carpeting in here is very thick, and so is my fur.

Besides my nighty also keeps me warm. Are you mad that I snuck in here?",

Hinako asked as she wiped some of the dust off of her nightgown.

"I guess not. After all everyone else seemed to want to be in here

for some reason.", Ranko

"You are surprised by this?", Hinako asked.

"Back in my own world, nobody wanted me around. I was always

different from anybody else. Everyone around me was human. When I was younger

some people thought that I was cute and would make a good pet, but as I got

older, they couldn't deal with an 'intelligent animal', so I was left out

on the street, several times. I couldn't even work for food. I had to either

take what I could find from the garbage cans around the neighborhood, or

sometimes take food without asking.", Ranko said as Hinako stared at him.

"That is very strange, I thought their were various hybrids all over

the world, even since the portals opened a long time ago.

"Portals? Hybrids? Hinako I should tell you that Kasumi and I do not

come from this world, we just arrived here.", Ranko said.

"Really, then you are like Llewellen, she doesn't come from here either.",

Hinako said in an excited tone of voice.

"Where is she from?", Ranko asked.

"I forget the name, but it is some world with three moons that is

supposed to be very hard to get to.", Hinako said.

"I don't know if she likes it here, but I am glad to be some place where

I do not have to worry about someone trying to hurt me or think that I am

some sort of monster.", Ranko said.

"So you were truly alone on your world.", Hinako asked as she took Ranko's

hand in her own and squeezed to try and show that she felt sympathy for him.

"There were rumors of some sort of cat or other animal people in

China that I heard a man mention once, but I don't know if this was true

or not.", Ranko said.

"Here you will not have to worry about that. There are not a lot of

nonhumans is this town, but we have been on this world for over 400 years. Later

on I will tell you how this came to be, if you would like me to.", Hinako said.

"I would like that. Since I am going to be going to this school, we will

be able to spend some time talking together.", Ranko said.

"I should go now, so that you can get dressed, but if you want to talk, I

will listen. I maybe younger than the other girls, but they tell me that I am

good at helping people with their problems.", Hinako said as she opened the

window and jumped out, much to Ranko's shock.

He rushed to the window to see Hinako hit the ground and immediately

jump back up to the window above his, smiling as she passed by him.

"I wonder if Kasumi-chan can teach me to do that?", Ranko thought as he

closed the window.

(End Flashback Sequence)

"Well that pretty much describes my first day at Ukyo's school.

So was my story worth the price of a meal.", Ranko asked his very

attentive audience.

"That was quite a story my boy. Were all of your days, so busy?",

Cologne asked Ranko.

"No, most were quiet, well except for some of the fights the girls

tended to get into, but that's another story altogether.", Ranko said.

"Shampoo thinks that the girls were fighting over Ranko.", Shampoo

said in a teasing voice as Ranko looked down at the floor.



"I would be willing to wager that several of the girls, perhaps, tried

to pay you some late night visits at your home.", Cologne cackled.

"Maybe a few times.", Ranko said quietly.

"Those three girls; Minako, Kirinka, and Hinako seemed particularly

interested in you my boy. Did you end up with any of them.", Cologne asked.

"I was with Minako for quite a while, but it would take a long time

to explain how that came about.", Ranko said.

"Nuku Nuku no mind, if Ranko tells another story.", the catgirl

android said.

"Perhaps later, it is getting late, and I should head back to the

dojo to help Kasumi with dinner. If I do not Akane may try and 'help' her

sister again.", Ranko said as Shampoo looked disgusted.

"If violent girl try and poison family again, Ranko can come eat here,

can even bring mercenary girl.", Shampoo said as Cologne looked at her

great granddaughter with a raised eyebrow.

"Well that is very kind of you, but I would not like to abuse your

hospitality.", Ranko said as he looked at Nuku Nuku, who seemed excited

at the prospect of seeing him again.

Ranko left the cafe and started to head towards home.

"Home....., yes I guess the dojo is my home now, at least as long

and Kasumi and Nabiki wish me to stay.", Ranko thought.

***************

As Ranko entered the courtyard to the dojo, he saw the object of his

earlier hunt. A small black pick was trying to climb into an open window

which appeared to lead to the furo on the first floor.

"Well perhaps I could have a little fun after all.", Ranko said just

as he noticed a furred hand strike the pig from the front causing it to fly

back out the window with a bloody nose of all things.

A few minutes later, a haphazardly dressed Neko-Nabiki came out of the

house, looking quite annoyed at the unconscious pig.

"What happened Nabiki-chan?", Ranko asked as he saw Nabiki about to

kick the little pig as if it were a soccer ball.

"The little pig surprised me by trying to jump into the furo. I caught

him before he could make it though, then I hit the little peeping bastard

out of the window.", Nabiki said as she drew her leg back to punt the little

pervert pig to the horizon.

"He saw you nude?", Ranko twitched.

Nabiki nodded.

"Nabiki-chan I know that the foul little beast has taken too many liberties

with yourself and your family, but I wonder if I may be so bold as to offer to

punish him properly.", Ranko stated.

"What do you have in mind?", Nabiki asked, as Ranko pulled our a very large

golf club.

"It's has been quite some time since I have had a chance to practice my

swing. Would you mind....", Ranko trailed off as Nabiki grinned evilly.

"Four!!!!!!!!!"

(Wham)

Ryoga once again woke to find himself flying through the air. He had been

doing a lot of that lately. He knew it was all somehow Ranma's fault. He

recently found out that his dear shy, quiet, and kind, Akane was now a lesbian.

Ranma, the fiend, had evidently treated her so badly that she had to find comfort

in a woman's arms. Those strange cat creatures also had to Ranma's fault some

how. Ranma knew the Neko-ken. These cats had to be related to that somehow. Now

all he had to do was find out where the coward was hiding.

Ryoga was broken out of his melancholy, by the sight of a rapidly

approaching building. Odd, it strangely smelled like pork. As Ryoga flew closer

he saw a banner on the building that said, "Welcome Third Annual Pork Lover's

Cookout."

"Ranma this is all your fault!", Ryoga tried to say. Of course since he

was still a pig, all that came out was, "Bwee, Bwee, Bwee".

A little girl, hearing a strange noise above her looked up and saw a small

pig falling from the sky.

"Look daddy, an appetizer.", the girl said.

************

Back at the dojo, Nabiki had gone up to her room, to straighten out her

clothes, and Ranko had gone into the kitchen to retrieve a certain tomboy,

that had snuck in earlier to try and cook her 'wonderful' food for her family.

Ranko had to admire the girl's persistence, but he was continually surprised

by how dense she was when it came to her cooking, especially when he saw

several blowfish sitting on the kitchen counter.

"I mean really, the girl should know better than that.", Ranko thought

as he carried the struggling girl away and tossed her on the couch.

"You stupid #^$&## cat, what the &#*$& do you think you are doing?",

Akane yelled.

"My, my, such language. Kasumi should wash her mouth out with soap

for saying that.", Ranko thought as he grinned at Akane, then stuck his

tongue out and pulled down his lower eyelid at Akane. He wasn't quite

sure what it meant, but he had seen Nabiki do it before to annoy a certain

pathetic excuse for a kendoist.

Akane, upon seeing the insult from the catboy, leapt at him. Ranko

dodged out of the way and ran into the front yard, with Akane close behind.

After several dozen high speed laps of the yard, Akane began to slow and

eventually collapsed on the ground.

"Poor girl really needs to work on her endurance.", Ranko thought as

he reluctantly picked up the heavy girl and plopped her on the couch again.

"How can such a small girl weigh so much.", Ranko thought as he

loosened the muscles in his shoulders and arms.

***********

Ryoga managed to get away from the little girl, that wanted to cook

him. He wasn't sure what was worse, being mistaken for an appetizer, or

forced to wear those annoying collars when that crazy ice skater girl

found him.

Ryoga sighed, the whole day had been a complete mess, as far as he was

concerned. Even his poor sweet Akane did not even realize how brainwashed she

had become when he spoke to her earlier.

(Brief Flashback)

Ryoga was wandering through the Jubaan district of Tokyo when he passed

a rather large house. He stopped when he heard a familiar voice coming

from inside the house as the front door opened. Outside stepped Akane,

holding the hands of another girl?!?!, and blushing. It disgusted him what

that fiend Ranma had done to such a sweet innocent girl.

"Hi, Akane.", Ryoga said shyly.

"Oh, Ryoga, what brings you here?", Akane said as she smiled at her

'friend', who blushed in response.

"I'm just...your know... wandering by.", Ryoga said sadly.

"Lost again?, Akane asked.

Ryoga nodded in shame. At least Akane always was sympathetic to his

plight in life and didn't make fun of him like Ranma and that evil sister

of Akane's.

"Akane, I think you should know that there is a bad rumor about you

going around.", Ryoga said.

"What is it?", Akane asked.



"People are saying that you had left Ranma and were now dating a girl.",

Ryoga replied to Akane.

"That is not a rumor. I am seeing another girl.", Akane said as she put

her arm around Akari's waist, causing Ryoga to stare in surprise.

"But how? Why? You used to always call Ranma a pervert whenever he was near

you in girl form. Especially that time when he tried to hold your hand at your

school.", Ryoga said as Akane now had a shamed expression on her face.

"Ryoga, I didn't know it at the time, but the reason that I hit Ranma, was

not due to the fact that he was a girl at the time, it was due to something else

entirely.", Akane said.

"Did Ranma do something to you?", Ryoga asked, starting to get angry.

"It is sweet of you to ask, but I am afraid it was something that was

my fault.", Akane said to a shocked Ryoga.

"Your fault?", Ryoga managed to squeak out.

"A couple years before I met Ranma, I had a very good friend, but I was

confused at how I felt about her at times. I liked her....a lot. I thought that I

was strange liking a girl, the same way that the boys did. I was ashamed of

myself for thinking of her in that way, so I tried to ignore it. When Akari

left I felt numb inside for a while, but tried to get over it.", Akane said

as she looked at Akari.

"Go on Akane.", Ryoga said, not feeling very well at the moment.

"When Ranma first arrived at my home he was in girl form. He looked

so innocent and cute. I thought that perhaps I could have another chance

at getting close to someone. When I found out that he was a boy, I was

angry. I thought he had tried to trick me into doing something perverted.

He was a boy 'pretending' to be a girl. I was mad at him not for being

able to change sexes, but for being something that I thought he wasn't.",

Akane said sadly.

"Akane it is not your fault, it is Ranma's. He did something to you I

know it. Don't worry though, I will take care of him for hurting you, I

promise!", Ryoga yelled out as he charged off into the distance.

"Poor Ryoga, he doesn't need to defend me so often. It's a little

strange though. Sometimes I think that he may like me more than as a

friend, but that is just silly isn't it?", Akane asked Akari, who tried

very hard not to roll her eyes at her girlfriend's obliviousness at times.

Ryoga stopped his brief run, when he heard something falling from

above. Looking up he saw a boy in a Kendo uniform, looking somewhat

burnt, hit the ground near by.

"Oh him.", Ryoga snorted in disgust.

"Ah the vibrant pigtailed girl, her strikes of love are quite

invigorating.", the idiot kendoist said.

"Pigtailed girl? Ranma....", Ryoga growled as he noticed a flash of

her down the street. A young redheaded girl with a pigtail was walking

down the street. Even worse she was wearing a skirt.

"I shall make that pervert pay for his crimes.", Ryoga growled.

The young red haired girl stopped walking when she heard a voice

yell out, "Ranma, prepare to die.

She turned around quickly and just avoided being hit by a very

large umbrella of all things.

"Who are you, and what do you want?", the girl asked, while

pulling out a small silver sword from out of no where.

"You won't fool me this time Ranma. I can see through that silly

disguise of yours.

"What are you talking about fool?", the girl said.

"I must admit though, it is a lot better than your other ones. You

even made that oversize chest of yours look smaller.", Ryoga teased. He

knew how vain Ranma was about his girl form. "Let's see how he likes being

teased for once.", Ryoga thought.

"There is nothing wrong with my chest. I am still young.", the girl

growled out as a red fireball began to form in front of her.

(Boom) (Splat)

Ryoga was now shocked to find himself at the bottom of a crater,

somewhat more crispy than he was before.

"Hikaru, are you alright?", a tall blue haired girl, and a shorter

blond girl, said as they ran up to the red head.

"Umi, Fuu, yes I am alright, I just wished I knew why all these

weirdoes were attacking me today. First it was some weird boy in a kendo

outfit, now it is this lunatic.", Hikaru said.

"You will not get rid of me that easily!", Ryoga yelled out, as he

lunged at Hikaru with his umbrella, striking a glance blow across her

cheek.

"You cut me?", Hikaru said in shock, feeling a few drops of blood

run down her face.

"You dare hurt Hikaru-chan, you will pay for that.", Umi, the tall

blue haired girl said.

"Hikaru-chan?", Fuu mouthed.

"Water-spout!", Umi yelled out as a large column of water shot towards

Ryoga and carried him high into the air and slammed him into a nearby

building.

The three girls ran to where Ryoga was supposed to be, but all they

could find was a pile of clothes, and a small black pig, who ran off

dragging a large backpack behind him, when he saw them.

(End Flashback)

Yes Ryoga was definitely having a very bad day, but he swore, that Ranma

would pay for all that had happened to him, when they next met.

************

Back at the Tendo dojo, Ranko was preparing dinner, along with Nabiki,

who he had managed to persuade to help. Kasumi was up in her room filling a very

large squirt gun, or perhaps water cannon would be a better term, with water

from two wooden casks.

"Yes tomorrow morning shall be very interesting. I can not wait to see

the look on their faces, when they receive their punishments.", Kasumi

thought to herself, then put down the cannon and made her way downstairs

when she detected that the dinner being made could use a little more salt.

Once in the kitchen, Kasumi had expected to see Ranko cooking, with Nabiki

probably looking over his shoulder in order to see how the various dishes

were prepared. What she saw though, was Nabiki actually preparing something from

one of the older cookbooks in the kitchen, while Ranko looked over her shoulder

to see if everything was being prepared properly. Even more surprising, was that

she seemed to be enjoying herself.

"I am surprised to see you cooking Nabiki. Are you trying to make something

special for Ranko?", Kasumi teased.

"I just felt like cooking that is all.", Nabiki said quietly.

"Now don't let elder sister's teasing get to you Nabiki-chan. Kami-sama knows

how much I had endure during our travels together.", Ranko said Kasumi giggled.

"Either way, I am glad you are trying something new. Perhaps later, Ranko could

show you some of the magic that I had taught him. You should be a quick study. I

could even show you some of the martial arts techniques that I learned from

mother.", Kasumi said as Nabiki dropped the lid to a pot, that she was

holding.

"Could you tell me a little more about mom, later on. You told Akane and

I a little about her earlier, but I would like to here more.", Nabiki said.

***********

Meanwhile down at U-Chan's, Ukyo had decided to close the restaurant

down early for the evening. Her heart just wasn't into cooking today. She

kept thinking of Ranma, and what he said to her a few days ago at school.

Did he really just see her as a friend? Wasn't he interested in her as a

fiancée. After all he did call her cute once. He never called either Akane

or Shampoo anything like that, as far as she knew.

Ranma seemed so happy just to have his friend back. While he was happy,

she was not. She wanted more. She always told him that she loved him, but if

that was so why did she always put her needs first above his. She began to

rub her temples. Thinking about their 'relationship', always gave her a

headache, perhaps that is why she just preferred to act on her feelings

without considering the consequences.

The wedding, all those months ago was a complete mess. Ranma had

forgiven her, much to her surprise. She wasn't so sure that she could be

as generous, if it was she who was marrying Ranma and someone had

interrupted their wedding.

Akane was now with someone else, and Ukyo knew Ranma couldn't

care less about Kodachi. That left Shampoo as the only other fiancee, but

Ranma didn't seem to be that interested in her either. Was he even interested

in anyone. Most boys his eyes tended to like girls, sometimes with a little

too much enthusiasm, like Akane's little 'fan club'.

"If he doesn't choose me, then what. Could I be happy with someone

else?", Ukyo mumbled to herself.

Ukyo finished cleaning up the restaurant and went upstairs to relax.

Perhaps a nice hot bath was just the thing to help her sort out her

feelings towards Ranma.

************

Everyone at the Tendo Dojo was surprised to find out that Nabiki

at actually cooked dinner, with just a little help. Soun was pleased with

his daughter for trying something new. He just wished though, that her new

fondness for it wasn't because she wanted to impress her 'pet'. Akane

wasn't very impressed with the food, but she said nothing. A few of the

dishes were too salty. She obviously didn't knew how to use spices in the

proper way like she did.

That night Ranko found himself in his room alone. On one hand he was

pleased that Nabiki was recovering from her transformation and didn't

feel the need to be so 'clingy'. On the other hand, sleeping next to

someone was very pleasant, and not just in a sexual sense. Neither of

them had do nothing more that kiss so far after all. No, what he seemed to

be missing at the moment was just the pleasant feeling he got from being

near her and being about to hold her close and feel her heart beat along

with his. It made him feel special to be next to such a young woman, who

cared about him.

"Sigh, there will be plenty of time for us to be close to each other

in the future.", Ranko sighed as he fell asleep thinking of Nabiki.

Later that night, the door to Ranko's room opened and a familiar

catgirl walked into the room. She walked softly over to his bed and smiled

at the sight of him curled up with a teddy bear. She had to cover her mouth

to prevent herself from giggling. In some ways, Ranko was quite mature. In

others though he stilled seemed to be kid, just enjoying life.

She leaned over him and kissed him lightly on the cheek, causing him

to mumble her name in his sleep much to Nabiki's embarrassment. She was

quite tempted to stay with him then, but she needed to be her own person,

not just a silly love struck schoolgirl.

"It is going to take a while to get used to these feelings. I have

spent so much time alone. I wonder if this is how Kasumi felt about Ranma

when she was 'away'?", Nabiki thought as she left the room.

As the door to the room closed, Ranko opened one eye and smiled. He

was glad that Nabiki had chosen to show more independence. It should take

only one or two more days, before her emotions returned to normal. When that

happened, then they could see about having a 'real' relationship.

The next morning, everyone was surprised to find out that Kasumi had

left a note saying that she would not be back until well after everyone had

left for school. Everyone was one their own in regards to breakfast, a fact

that did not seem to sit well with Soun, and to a lesser part Akane. Ranko

was helping Nabiki cook a small breakfast for themselves only initially.

These plans were changed though when Akane wandered into the kitchen and

started pulling out some very unusual food items for breakfast. She was quickly

chased out. There was one surprise that took place this morning. The school had

called with a message that Akane and Akari would be allowed to attend school

this day as long as they quote, "Learned to control their emotions in a manner

benefiting the school's high standards". What 'high standards' these could be

though, was anyone's guess.

Kasumi, in her goddess form, followed Kuno invisibly as he made his way

to school in search of his 'pig-tailed goddess'. Listening to the boy rant

was more than a little disturbing. He seemed to consider any girl that met

his fancy to be almost his property, since he was of 'noble' birth and

there fore superior to anyone else. He was going to have a rude awakening

this day.

Kuno took up his usual place behind a tree near the entrance to the

school, in hopes that at least one of his two 'loves' would make an

appearance at the school today. It was about a half an hour later that the

majority of the students started to arrive, including Nabiki, being escorted

by Ranko, and much to Kasumi's surprise, Akane walking in Holding Akari's

hand.

"Hmm, I wonder why her suspension was ended early.", Kasumi thought as

she then saw the principal exit the school with a disturbing smile on his face.

"Now what is that fool up to?", Kasumi mumbled quietly.

Akane saw a rose approaching her at high speed and grabbed it out of the

air, before crushing it and throwing it to the ground.

"My fierce tigress has returned, no doubt hoping that this day she might

be able to leap into my arms so that we could show our love to each other.",

Kuno said as Akane began to turn green at the thought of ever being with him.

"Leave now, or you will get hurt Kuno.", Akane growled as she stood

in front of Akari.

"I do not think so keiki. You will be a good student and be with my

boy instead of this naughty girl.", the principal said.

"You do not have any authority to tell us who we may or may not

choose to be close with.", Ranko said as he and Nabiki stepped up

close to Akane, much to the girl's surprise.

"Two more bad little keikis. If you wish to be on the school grounds

you will have to wear leashes.", the principal said as he pulled out two

collars.

"I don't think so.", Nabiki hissed as the fur on her tail stood on

end.

"You will obey the rules or you will be punished.", the principal said

as he and his foolish son advanced on the others.

After taking only two steps though, there was a bright flash and Kuno

and his father found themselves in the bottom of a crater, somewhat crispy

with small amounts of electricity arcing around them.

"The only punishment that shall be dealt out, will be to a perverted

school administrator and his equally perverted son.", Kasumi said as she

faded into sight, above the two fried fools.

"What is this? Has the foul demon Saotome and the witch Nabiki

Tendo perverted a warrior of the heavens. Such villainy must be punished.",

Kuno said as he tried to leap out of the crater, but found himself frozen

in place along with his father.

"Tatewaki Kuno, for crimes against your fellow students and teachers,

including assault and many cases of attempted rape, both you and your father

are to be cursed.", Kasumi said as Shampoo, and Cologne, who had earlier

felt the goddess's presence at the school, arrived in the courtyard.

They along with everyone else in the school yard, saw the goddess point

a rather large barreled weapon at the frozen Kunos. A geyser of water shot out soaking the two. A split second later, everyone was treated to a very strange

sight. Where once the two 'men' stood, now were two very different beings. Both

appeared to young women, except for the fact that they were now covered with

black and white short fur, with two little black and white ears atop their heads

and a small white 'powder-puff' tail behind them. They were in fact now two

panda girl furries.

"Oh, look at all the cute boys.", both panda girls seemed to say as they

looked around lustfully, causing many of the morning 'hentai squad' to back

up in shock.

"Now girls, why waste your time with these little boys, when there is a

large male panda just down the road, waiting for you.", Kasumi said with a

rather large smile on her face.

"Really?", the two panda girls said with stars in their eyes.

"Of course.", Kasumi said as she told the 'girls' exactly where they could

find a certain panda.

The panda girls quickly thanked Kasumi and took off towards the new

Saotome home.

"This should be interesting. That fool Genma deserves to have the same

attention visited upon him, that he forced Ranma to endure, and 'aunty'

Nodoka deserves a little 'excitement' in her life for threatening Ranma with

that idiotic man among men belief of hers.", Kasumi thought as she landed in

front of a stunned Ranko, Nabiki, Akane, and Akari.

"Poetic justice I must say.", Ranko said, being the first one to overcome

his shock of seeing the two new Jusenkyo victims.

"Kasumi was that Jusenkyo water that you used on those two fools.",

Nabiki asked.

"Well a combination of water. One part spring of drowned panda and one

part spring of drowned bihoujo bride. Mix well and you have a very horny

panda girl just looking to find a mate.", Kasumi snickered.

"Remind me never to make Kasumi angry.", Akari said to Akane, who

nodded her head slowly in response.

"What have you done, Miss Tendo. It is a high crime among the amazons to use

the waters without our permission. Only the gods can...", Cologne trailed off as

Kasumi glared at her, causing the old women to back up.

"You seem to forget, 'elder' I am one of the gods now. The goddess of nature

and fertility to be exact. Jusenkyo is well within the sphere of influence. The

waters our mine to use to deal punishments to those who deserve it. You also do

not have the right to claim Jusenkyo as your own. No one owns the waters.",

Kasumi lectured Cologne, much to Shampoo's amusement.

"About time somewhat put the old witch in her place.", Shampoo thought.

"I should curse you as well, Elder Cologne. You had no right throw your

own great granddaughter into Jusenkyo, despite what your laws might say. I will

not do that though, for you have helped Ranma in the past, even though it did

benefit your tribe as well.", Kasumi said while point the barrel of the

'cannon' at Cologne, much to her discomfort.

"Honored one, you said that you could control Jusenkyo. Does that mean

that you can remove its curse.", Shampoo said in a surprisingly eloquent

tone of voice.

"Yes I can, but if I do I will not you to make a promise to me.",

Kasumi said.

"What is it?", Shampoo asked.

"I want you to give up your claim to Ranma. If you wish to pursue him

first as friend, then as a girlfriend, I will not interfere, if he agrees

as well. But you must end the kiss of marriage.", Kasumi stated.

"I can not do that, only an elder can.", Shampoo said.

"I so no reason to break the kiss.", Cologne said defiantly.

"I could force you, but Kami-sama might frown on that. What I could

do though is remind that if it were not for Ranma, your village would now

be a smoking hole in the ground, courtesy of the phoenix 'god'. You owe

Ranma for saving your lives.", Kasumi said.

"Nice girl goddess is right, great grandmother. Hero who save village

allowed to make any request of village.", Shampoo said as Cologne glared at

her in disappointment.

"So you do not wish to be with him anymore?", Cologne asked Shampoo.

"Of course, Shampoo want to be with Ranma. He very brave, no treat

Shampoo like object, like boys in village do, but he no respond to Shampoo's

affection. Maybe if Shampoo just be nice, he start to think better of me.",

Shampoo said.

"Well elder, what is your decision?", Kasumi asked Cologne.

"You will remove Shampoo's curse?", Cologne asked.

"Yes I will.", Kasumi replied.

"Sigh......Very well the kiss of marriage and death is abolished.",

Cologne said in a defeated tone of voice.

"No need to be sad elder, after all do you not want your great

granddaughter to marry for love, like you did years ago.", Kasumi said.

"How do you know about that?", Cologne said.

"For part of my training I visiting many different eras, both

in the past and in many of the possible futures. One time in the past I

came upon a young girl, desperately in love with a young man, but because

he was not a warrior, he could not defeat you in combat. Also at that time,

I saw a wise elder by the name of Soap, bend some of the rules so that her

great granddaughter could marry the one that she loved. Do you wish for your

great granddaughter to have the same opportunity.", Kasumi said as Cologne

looked down at the ground.

"Brush......It has been so long since we were together. Ten years was

far too short a time, but that accursed plague took him from me and none

of the healers in the village could cure it. I never remarried after that.

Both of us knew that we were meant to be together. As he lay dying we made

a promise to each other. If our time in this world was to be so short, then

we would see each other in the next world. There we would spend the rest of

our immortal lives together.", Cologne said sadly.

"Would you like to speak with him?", Kasumi asked as Cologne almost

fell off her staff in shock.

"What did you say?", Cologne said quietly.

A young man in his late twenties seemed to step out a sunbeam near a

cheery blossom tree. Shampoo was surprised to see her great grandmother almost

teleport over to the boy's side. She didn't think even Ranma could move that

fast. She was even more surprised that her great grandmother's glomp, didn't

knock the boy over. Instead he swung around in place pulling Cologne close

to him.

"My dear Cologne.", the boy said as he move away from Cologne to

get a better look at her.

"I should not have held you so close. I am an old woman now, what

would people think.", Cologne teased.

"They would think that, they were seeing two people who loved each

other deeply. Besides I still see the same young, beautiful woman that I

married all those years ago.", Brush said as tears began to fall from

Cologne's eyes much to Shampoo's surprise.

"Lets leave them alone to talk.", Kasumi said as she led everyone well

away from the long separated couple.

"I am very proud of you Cologne. I have been watching you for many years

and I was starting to wonder if you had forgotten what it meant to be in love.

But, by letting that boy free of the kiss of marriage, you have allowed our

great granddaughter to eventually find her own true love.", Brush said.

"Who will that be?", Cologne asked.

"I can not tell you that. It is different in each future that I have

seen. I can tell you though, that it will not be that annoying boy Mousse.",

Brush said.

"Shampoo will be glad to hear that. Can you stay long, there is so much

I want to say.", Cologne said.

"I can only stay for an hour, but that will give us some time to catch

up on our lives.", Brush said.

************

Meanwhile across the courtyard:

"That was a very nice thing for you to do for the old woman. I am

surprised, after from how you told me that she had treated Ranma, that you

would allow her to see her husband.", Ranko said.

"She is not an evil woman. She simply has made the same mistakes that

all of us do from time to time. The mistake being that the way our culture

does things is the only correct way to do something. I was the same way before

Hild-sama took me to Asgard. I suppose in some ways I still cling to some old

traditions, but I try and maintain a broader outlook on life.", Kasumi said.

"Now if you could only convince your father to be a little more open

minded. It would be nice someday to be accepted as a member of the family. It

isn't necessary, but if Nabiki-chan and I ever get married it would make it

far easier on our children if we visit him.", Ranko stated, somehow forgetting

that Nabiki was standing right next to him.

"Married....children...", Nabiki thought as she blushed.

"I bet your children would simply be adorable.", Akari said as Akane

looked at her in surprise.

"Shampoo are you ready for your curse to be removed?", Kasumi asked.

"Shampoo ready, but this no hurt right?", Shampoo asked.

Kasumi only smiled and reached towards Shampoo, who was quite

shocked when Kasumi's hand seemed to pass right through her. Kasumi removed

her hand a few seconds later, holding a small white and purple ghostly

kitten in it. The kitten then seemed to phase into reality. It shuddered

briefly, opened its eyes and 'mewed' softly.

"What is that?", Shampoo asked.

"This is the kitten whose spirit, once inhabited the pool, that you

were dunked in. She is now free to live out the rest of her life, but she

requires one more thing to do so.", Kasumi said.

"What kitten need?", Shampoo asked.

"She needs a good home, perhaps with someone experience with cats.",

Kasumi said.

"Shampoo could take care of kitten. Might be nice to have pet. Maybe

Shampoo teach kitten to chase annoying duck.", Shampoo snickered.

"As long as she doesn't get hurt.", Kasumi said.

"Don't worry, Shampoo turn Mousse into lunch special if he hurt little

Snowball.", Shampoo said as Kasumi handed the kitten to her.

"That's good, now if you will excuse me, I should check up and see how a

pair of panda girls are doing in the hunt for their 'airen'.", Kasumi laughed

as she took off into the air.

"I sure hope she has a camera. I would love to see the expression on that

fool panda's face as those two glomp onto him.", Nabiki said as the others

nodded in agreement.

************

Genma had spent the better part of the morning listening to his wife

berate him for not doing the things she wanted him to do. What was he, her slave.

"Wash the dishes, rake the leaves, clean the house. What am I a maid. That

woman should be happy she has such a fine martial like myself for a husband.

Kami-sama knows she is far from perfect.", Genma thought as he snuck out of the

house in panda form.

It was much safer this way, rather than complaining to his wife. He

wasn't scared of her. Not at all, but sometimes it is just better to avoid a

confrontation, that is all.

Genma was just outside the gate to his home when he heard two loud

voices yell out, "Panda-chan!"

(Glomp) (Tackle)

"!?!?!?", read the panda sign as Genma now found himself laying on the

ground with two female.....somethings on top of him.

"Genma, don't you dare try sneak off again, you lazy......", Nodoka's

voice trailed off as she came out of the house and saw her husband on the

group with two very furry girls?, on top of him.

"Oh #*(@(#&!!", a panda sign said as Genma saw his 'loving' wife

approaching him, looking somewhat annoyed.

"What is the meaning of this, husband?", Nodoka growled.

"I have not idea, really.", the sign said as Genma managed to roll

out from under the girls.

"Panda-chan, who is this nasty old woman?", the younger of the panda

girls asked as Nodoka began to twitch, and Genma started looking for a quick

escape route.

"And who might I ask, are you?", Nodoka managed to growl out.

"I am Mandy.", the younger of the panda girls said.

"And I am Candy.", the older of the panda girls replied.

"Why are you here?", Nodoka asked, trying to remain civil.

"A very nice girl at the high school, told us that there was a

positively hunky panda bear here that would love to meet us.", Mandy said

as she glomped onto Genma-panda's arm.

"Do you know who this girl was?", Nodoka asked.

"She never said her name, but she was very pretty and very tall.",

Mandy said.

"She had long red hair and large black and white wings.", Candy said.

"Wings?, Red Hair?, Uh oh!!", Genma panda thought.

"Well wasn't that sweet of her, but unfortunately you will be unable to

be with your 'panda-chan'.", Nodoka said.

"Why not?", both of the panda girls said at once.

"Because, for better or worse, he is already married to me.", Nodoka

stated in resignation.

"Ewww!, but your a human. You can't be with him.", Mandy said,

somewhat disgusted at the idea of this old woman being with 'her' panda.

"Believe it or not he is human to, as you will observe.",

Nodoka said while pulling a kettle from out of nowhere.

Hot water not only hit Genma, but the two 'girls' as well, changing

them back to their original forms.

"What sorcery is this. Unhand me sir, I am not interested in that sort

of relationship.", Kuno said indignantly.

"It was you, who was hanging on to me boy!", Genma yelled as he knocked

Kuno into the air and into a dumpster in a nearby construction yard.

"Bad Juju going on here. Last thing big Kahuna remember is trying to

punish delinquent students for being improper and bad cat people for not

wearing leashes.", the demented principal said.

"Well it appears you angered a certain goddess, who needs a good

talking too.", Nodoka growled as Genma hoped his 'loving' wife was not

planning to do anything stupid.

"Goddess?!?!, definitely bad juju. Perhaps long vacation in islands

in order.", the principal said as she remembered what happed last time

he angered one of the local Tiki gods in Fiji. Damn palm tree still

couldn't be removed from his head.

"Before you leave for your vacation, it might be best to retrieve

your wayward son.", Nodoka said as she pointed to the large dumpster

which Kuno landed in.

"The boy has to be taught that is not proper to grab onto strange

men.", the principal said.

"And, Genma is definitely strange.", Nodoka mumbled as the principal

left to go retrieve his son.

"See, no-chan it wasn't my fault at all.", Genma said, perhaps

forgetting all of the reasons why a certain goddess might be mad at him.

************

Kasumi watched the events at the Saotome home unfold. She expected

the two 'girls' to cause a little more chaos than they did. She thought it

odd that she was enjoying causing a little trouble for some people. After

all, it wasn't really a 'nice' thing to do, but after being exposed to her

mother's teachings, and especially her 'aunt' Lilith and Hild, it was not

unexpected that her outlook on life to be a little different than before.

Maybe once Ranma woke up, she would be less anxious all the time. She

had too much energy now, and nothing to use it on.

"Perhaps Ranma would like to spar each day, like he used to do with

that annoying pig boy, Ryoga. Why I could even 'accidentally' fall or trip

during the sparring. Ranma would of course try and help me up, and I could

take it from there.", Kasumi blushed.

Back at the high school, Akari and Akane were the subject of many

whispered conversations in the class. From what little she could hear, Akane

was not very thrilled to here some of the things her fellow students said

about her. Not that she really cared of course. She had Akari and her

friends Yuka and Sayuri, while somewhat shocked by Akane's new girlfriend,

were not hostile or even cold towards her.

One of the boys in the class leaned over and whispered something into

Akari's ear, causing her to first blush in embarrassment, then frown in

anger at the boy.

"Pervert!", her voice rang out as she flattened the boy into the floor

with a rather large mallet.

"What is wrong Akari-chan?", Akane whispered to Akari who in turn told

her what the boy asked her.

Akane growled, got up from her desk, pull the boy out of the floor, and

into the air, shaking him violently.

"It is none of your business, you little hentai, what Akari does with her

tongue.", Akane said angrily, then slamming her hands over her mouth,

dropping the boy in the process, in shock of she had just said.

The whole class went silent and stared at Akane, except for Ukyo, who

wasn't even in the class at the moment, and Shampoo, who was too busy

playing with her new kitten, to pay any attention at what Akane was

babbling about.

Downstairs in their classroom, Nabiki and Ranko watched a lot of plaster

fall from the ceiling as a pair of legs were now sticking through a hole. They

heard some muffled yelling, before the legs were suddenly jerked upwards and

everyone below heard Akane's 'tongue' comment. Nabiki tried to stop herself

from laughing, but she was the only one. Everyone in the class, including

Ranko as laughing. As for the teachers of each class respectively, well they

decided to follow the fine Furinkan high tradition, of ignoring and incident

that could be considered strange or unusual.

************

Kasumi grew tired of listening to Genma begging his wife to forgive him

so she flew home and change back into her human form. She had a feeling that

Mrs. Saotome might be paying her a visit later and it would, of course, be

quite rude not to have tea prepared to say the least.

Almost two hours after she had returned home, Kasumi heard someone

knocking on the door. It wasn't much of a surprise to find Nodoka standing

there, looking quite frustrated and more than a little angry.

"Why Nodoka-san, what brings you here this morning?", Kasumi asked in her,

'I am so sweet and innocent, chocolate wouldn't melt in my mouth', tone of voice.

"I am here to talk about what you did to my husband, Kasumi-chan.", Nodoka

said.

"I have not even seen your husband, recently. What are you referring to?",

Kasumi asked with a straight face.

"You know what I am talking about. It was you who sent those two 'girls'

over to my home to harass my husband.", Nodoka said.

"True I did send the two girls to your home, but it was only to 'reward'

your husband for all that he has done to Ranma.", Kasumi said.

"What are you saying?", Nodoka replied, not entirely sure what Kasumi was

talking about.

"Well since Genma was so 'kind' as to provide Ranma with so many fiancee's

to choose from, I decided to return the favor. After all you had mentioned before

how manly it was from Ranma to not only be married but to take a mistress as well.

I simply decided that your husband should have the 'pleasure' of having those

two girls interested in him as well.", Kasumi said while smiling.

"That might, and I repeat, might be true if those girls were even human.

They are nothing but cursed men, and not very desirable ones at that. Since

you cursed them to begin with, you must be able to remove the curses as well.

If you remove the curse from Genma, then those girls will lose interest in my

husband, and I might decide to forgive you for how you have been acting

lately.", Nodoka lectured.

"You are too kind aunty, but I am afraid I will not be removing your

husband's or the Kunos' curse anytime soon. Besides they do not even need my

assistance to remove their curses. They can do it themselves.", Kasumi said in

a voice with just a trace of sarcasm in it.

"How can they do that?", Nodoka half asked and half ordered.

"Why it is quite simple actually. They are cursed because of all the

bad karma, that they had built up in their lives. If they make amends for

all the wrongs that they had done the curses will simply fade away.

Certainly a man of your husband's 'character' should be able to accomplish

such a task.", Kasumi said.

Nodoka sighed out loud at that statement. Her husband was many things,

but having the ability or even want to atone for his past actions was not

part of his character. Maybe in the future he could change, but not yet.

"What about my son, certainly he has made amends for any past deeds.

After all he save is fiancee from death and is even helping to save his

teacher at this moment.", Nodoka said.

"Ranma was originally cursed with his girl form, because of his

outdated attitudes towards women. Admittedly he was taught by Genma, that

this was how women should be treated and thought of, but he was still

responsible for how his words and actions had hurt several girls. This

was in the past though. He is improving and his curse should have been

fading by now, but.....", Kasumi's voice trailed off.

"What are you trying to say?", Nodoka asked.

"When Ranma awakens I could offer him the chance to remove his curse, but

it might be needed in the future, if Ranma chooses to accept someone into his

life. Beside aunty there is nothing wrong with Ranma being both female and

male. Despite what 'you' may believe it doesn't affect his 'manliness' in

the slightest. You really must overcome these outdated ideas of yours.

Besides what I told you earlier still holds true. If you threaten to hurt

him in any way, especially with that ridiculous suicide pledge, I will take

him to Asgard with me and you will never see him again.

Nodoka left shortly there after, still annoyed at how Kasumi had

treated he husband, and by how vague she was regarding her son. She could

not see any reason why Ranma needed his girl form. It was simply not manly.

She half suspected that maybe her son even liked his girl form. Perhaps

that was it. If this were so, it would simply not do. Of course there was one

other reason Nodoka thought of, which she did not approve of, and that being

that Kasumi liked both of her son's forms in a sexual sense. That definitely

is not proper in her mind. No a man and woman had very separate roles in life

according to Nodoka. There was no need for those roles to blend together. It

was not part of 'tradition' therefore it would not be done.

***********

A couple of miles away from the Tendo Dojo, a both burnt, and soggy pig

found itself wandering down the alley next to doctor Tofu's office. The pig

noticed a strange glowing blue and yellow light coming from an open window.

Hopping up on a crate to see what it was, the little pig growled, when he

saw his enemy laying still on a table, with a young girl cuddled up to him.

"The fiend, how dare he seduce such a young girl. He deserved to die

for being such a pervert.", the pig thought to itself.

As P-chan was about to leap through the window, to punish his

evil rival, the doctor came into the room and the pig was forced to hop

down back into the alley, to avoid being seen. When he tried to jump back

up he noticed that not only were the crates gone, but the building was as

well. Wait a minute why was he in a forest and what is that heavy breathing

sound, the pig wondered.

Turning around the little big noticed a large black wolf staring at him

and licking its chops. P-chan knew what wolves did to little pigs, so he took

off running, with the wolf in pursuit.

"Damn you Ranma, you shall pay for this.", P-chan squealed as he

managed to run up a tree to avoid the wolf.

Unfortunately this particular tree was inhabited by a rather large and

somewhat hungry puma. Ryoga was off once again trying to avoid being turned

into a snack.

************

During lunch that day at school, Akane and Akari were sitting next to

each other under a tree, with a somewhat nervous Yuka and Sayuri sitting

nearby. Both girls still seemed to be somewhat uncomfortable with Akane's new

lifestyle, but they did not want to abandon their friend as a few

acquaintances of Akane's did.

"So Akane what did you do during your time away from school?", Yuka

asked.

"Well I did a little studying, some shopping, but I suppose Akari and

I spent most of the time getting to know each other.", Akane said,

while blushing a little.

"So, both of you are a couple now?", Sayuri asked.

"Yes, we are quite close now.", Akari said before Akane could answer.

"Have you kissed each other yet?", Yuka asked as Sayuri looked at her

friend in disbelief for asking such a personal question.

"Yes we have.", Akane said shyly.

"So what was it like?", Yuka said.

"Why are you thinking of crossing over?", Akari said.

"No, it's just that neither Sayuri nor I have ever had a serious

relationship and I was wondering what it was like.", Yuka said while

looking at the ground.

"Well, first off we had to friends with each other. We couldn't just

concentrate on being intimate, that would not be a good basis for a

relationship. Akane and I trust and respect each other. We also have

several things in common. Our relationship starts from there.", Akari

said, somewhat uncomfortable at trying to describe her feelings.

"Intimate?", Sayuri thought as she turned bright red.

"Oh, someone is thinking naughty thoughts.", Akari teased Sayuri.

"Akari stop that.", Akane said.

"It's ok, I well..... never mind, it's not important.", Sayuri

tried to say to Akane.

"So now that you are seeing Akari, is Ranma now going to be dating

someone else?", Yuka asked Akane.

"That's hard to say. He said that he wanted nothing to do with any

more fiancee's, but he did go out with Kasumi, and I think that they may

like each other.", Akane said to a disappointed Yuka.

"I suppose it would be safer not to ask him then, I don't want to make

Kasumi angry at me and turn me into something.", Yuka replied.

"She would never do that to you, at least I don't think so? She only

did it to Kuno and his idiot father for all the times that they had harassed

the students here, but she would not do anything to you out of jealousy.",

Akane stated.

Across the courtyard Nabiki was sitting on Ranko's lap and trying to

feed him, much to the catboy's surprise. He was wondering why she was still

being so affectionate, not that it bothered him in the slightest, but

it was still a little strange. Looking over his shoulder though, he found the

reason for Nabiki's territorial behavior. A couple girls holding pink

envelopes sat nearby and were looking quite disappointed. With his keen

eyesight he could see his name written on the outside of the envelopes.

"I seem to recall something similar happening when Minako and I started

seeing each other exclusively, when I was attending Ukyo's school.", Ranko

thought to himself, as Nabiki feed him a couple of grapes.

"Ok Nabiki-chan I think they get the message now, besides it is my turn

to feed you.", Ranko said to Nabiki, who blushed only half-way realizing how

she was acting.

"Sorry, I guess I overreacted a little.", Nabiki replied.

"It's alright. You didn't hiss at them, like you did that one girl

the other day, so you are calming down. Still, I should go over and at least

talk to them. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings after all.", Ranko said.

"That sounds like something Ranma would do. Just make sure that you don't

end up with a few fiancee's.", Nabiki teased.

"Heaven forbid, that would happen. I will simply thank them for their

notes, but explain to them that I am already with you and I have not

intension of seeing someone else.", Ranko said.

"Alright, I guess that is ok.", Nabiki said as she got off of Ranko's

Lap and sat down on the grass next to him.

The three school girls, freshmen by the looks of them, were surprised

to see Ranko walking towards them

"Are those for me?", Ranko asked while pointing at the envelopes

that the girls held in their hands.

The girls nodded shyly and looked at the ground as they handed him

their notes.

"I am flattered that you are interested in me, but it is only fair

to warn you that I am seeing someone else, and it would not be proper to

see other girls as well.", Ranko said to the three freshman after he looked

over their notes.

"I guess we were just hoping that you were not in a serious

relationship.", one of the girls said.

"There are other boys in this school that are single. I was told that

most of them used to chase after Akane Tendo, but the freshmen boys this year

probably do not even know her. You could find someone in your own class to

date. Perhaps even those three boys over there.", Ranko said as he pointed

to a groups of boys watching him talk to the three freshman girls.

"Do you think that they would be interested.", the girls seemed to

say at once.

"Of course they would. The three of you are quite cute, and not every

boy in this school, as I said before, is an "Akaneopath". Now just go over to

them and start up a conversation. It's really not a hard thing to do.", Ranko

said to the girls.

Ranko watched as the girls went over to the boys and started to talk

to them.

"They should be alright now. I remember what is was like to be too

shy to talk to a girl. Not that I had much choice.", Ranko snickered as he

remembered how forward some of the girls at Ukyo's school were.

Ranko made his way back to Nabiki and sat down beside her. Nabiki

quickly resumed her past position of sitting on Ranko's Lap.

"There we go all finished, and you don't have to worry about me seeing

someone else.", Ranko teased Nabiki, as he began to scratch her behind her

ears, calming her down.

"So what do you think of what Kasumi did to Kuno and the principal.",

Nabiki said, hoping to change the subject.

"Well it was a little bit more elaborate than her usual punishments.

When we were traveling together and someone threatened either Minako and I

she usually just hit them with a lightening bolt or something similar. She

must have a special dislike for that Kuno boy in order to curse him so.",

Ranko said.

"I think she did it partly to get back at Mr. Saotome mainly. His

treatment of Ranma over the years was pretty bad, and Kasumi probably

wanted to show him what it was like to be hounded by a bunch of girls

he did not anything to do with.", Nabiki stated.

"That is probably it. A lot of the times, when Kasumi and I were

alone together at night, she would talk about Ranma with hearts in her

eye, like a schoolgirl.", Ranko said.

"Alone together.", Nabiki sighed.

"Now I already explained that, besides if you are a 'good girl' today

I could let you sleep at the foot of my bed, like you did the first night.",

Ranko teased Nabiki.

"So what happens, if I decide to be a 'bad girl'?", Nabiki teased

Ranko back as she leaned over and bit Ranko lightly on the ear, causing

his eyes to cross and several of the nearby girls to gasp.

"We'll have to see about that later on.", Ranko said nervously,

while playing with his ponytail in a Ranma like fashion, much to Nabiki's

amusement.

Walking back to class, Nabiki heard Ranko humming a tune, that she

did not recognize. It sounded as if it could be part of some opera or

other stage play.

"What song are you humming?", Nabiki asked.

"What?...Oh it's, "Music of the Night", from the Phantom of the

Opera musical.", Ranko said.

"Can you sing the song as well?", Nabiki asked.

"I can, and actually played the character of the Phantom, during

one of the plays that was held at Ukyo's school. Does that surprise you

Nabiki-chan?", Ranko asked.

"Well a little I guess. You said that you are a version of Ranma, and

I just can't picture our Ranma singing.", Nabiki said.

"We have let different lives. He knows far more about martial arts ,ki,

chi, and things of that nature. I learned to fight to defend myself, but

Kasumi, and Minako thought I should have a more well rounded education.",

Ranko said.

"Could Minako sing.", Nabiki said.

"Yes she had a very beautiful voice, like an angel.", Ranko said

with a definite fondness in his voice for the girl.

"Oh.. I see..", Nabiki said quietly.

"I used to have nightmares when I was younger. The first couple

of months just after Kasumi found me were the worst, but I also had them

when Minako and I started to 'officially' date each other. I had spent so

much time alone, that I convinced myself that my good luck would run out

and I would be on my own again. Many times I questioned whether or not I

even deserved to be with anyone at all. When I would wake from these horrid

dreams I would often find Kasumi, Minako, or sometimes both sitting by my

bed singing softly to me. I believe that Kasumi was teaching Minako to use

her voice as a form of magic. On more than one occasion I saw her heal

minor wounds and even calm down Rei and Asuka, when their 'debates' with

each other got a little too heated.", Ranko said.

"You are not alone anymore.", Nabiki said.

"No I am not, and I don't have to worry about the nightmares coming

back, I hope. If they do though, you could also sing to me. I bet you

would have a beautiful voice if you practiced.", Ranko said.

"I don't know about that, but I might consider it if I had the

right teacher.", Nabiki said, trying to imagine herself singing on stage

in front of a lot of people.

"It is something to consider, after all, I wouldn't be a proper

English Gentleman, if I did not show some interest in the theater, Milady

Nabiki.", Ranko said melodramatically as he winked at Nabiki, much to her

embarrassment.

"You know Akane is the actress in the family. Last year she and Ranma

were in Romeo and Juliet together. Maybe this year, you and she could play

the title roles.", Nabiki teased as Ranko turned somewhat green.

"I'll pass on that experience thank you very much.", Ranko replied.

Later that day, after everyone had returned from school, Kasumi showed

Nabiki the alterations that she had made to Nabiki's school uniform. The

typical Furinkan uniform was a horrible bluish gray, almost ankle length

jumper with a white shirt underneath it, Kasumi's design was a little

different. The skirt was a bluish green with a white petticoat underneath it,

both of which came down to mid-thigh. The upper part of the uniform was also

bluish green, but it also had a white 'vest like' section held in place by a

red ribbon. The white vest covered the upper arms and formed a v-neck collar.

Kasumi said that she had gotten the idea when she noticed a new student named

Kuzuha wearing something like it earlier.

The only modifications that she had to make for the outfit was hole for

Nabiki's tail to fit through. Kasumi told Nabiki to go upstairs and try it on.

She wanted to see the finished work on someone, and Kasumi was more than a

little interested on what Ranko would think of the outfit.

"So what do you think?", Nabiki asked Kasumi and Ranko when she

returned from her room, wearing the new uniform.

"You look very pretty Nabiki-chan.", Kasumi said.

Ranko just stared for a moment before singing softly a line he once

heard from an American pop song.

"Hold on tight, you know she's a little bit dangerous.", Ranko sung

softly.

"I like the sound of that.", Nabiki said as she twirled in place,

showing off her outfit, that was worn a little tighter than most of the other

girls at school wore theirs. This fact, though, did not seem to bother Ranko

that much. Of course if anyone tried to take advantage of Nabiki, because

of the short skirt that she was wearing, well they would be in for a nasty

surprise. Anyone who tried to fondle that particular catgirl would be in for

a lot of pain, and probably a lawsuit as well.

***************

That night a tall redheaded, demon princess appeared in Dr. Tofu's

office and looked at Ranma and Ranko sleeping next to each other. She had

come to deliver Hild's present for Ranma. She pulled out a small vial

containing a silvery liquid. She was about to pour the liquid on the barrier

surrounding the 'couple' when she stopped and frowned.

"This will never do. I have a much better idea.", Lilith thought as she

spoke a few words, in the language of demons, causing the liquid to turn

blood red. She tossed the liquid onto the barrier and watched as the magic

in the liquid caused a small arc of magic to strike Ranma.

A casual observer, would not notice anything new about Ranma, but if

one were to look closer, they would see a few dark red streaks had now

appeared in Ranma's hair.

"There, now that should make things far more interesting than what they

had already planned for the dear boy and girl. They will thank me for this.",

Lilith smiled, excited at the change she had made, before disappearing from

the room and reappearing back in her home in Niflheim.

In the dream world, in which Ranma and Hinako were playing, Ranma briefly

shifted from that of a little boy, to that of a familiar little red-headed

girl, before returning to his male form.

"What happened?", Hinako asked, while looking Ranma over to see if

he was hurt.

"I don't know, I just changed for some reason.", Ranma said.

"Well if you're ok then we can go flying again.", Hinako smiled.

"Alright.", Ranma said as the two 'children' took off into the air.

Back at the dojo, Kasumi felt a strange tingling sensation coming

from her link with Ranma and Hinako.

"Oh dear, aunty Lilith is being naughty again. Hopefully she will

show more restraint this time, then she did with me.", Kasumi thought as

she blushed, remembering some of the things her 'aunt' had taught her.

Meanwhile a small black pig had finally made his way back to Japan,

from his brief vacation in the American wilderness. It might take him a

couple more days to find his foe, but he would destroy his happiness

when next they met.

*************

A day later a familiar battle cry was heard outside of the Tendo

Dojo. Ranko was sitting alone in the living room when he heard the sound

of glass and wood breaking. Turning around he saw a teenage boy, with a

large umbrella charging him.

Yawning, Ranko casually swiped at the umbrella, causing it to fall

into small pieces. The sudden shift in weight caused the intruder, one

Ryoga Hibiki, to stumble and fall flat on his face. Ryoga was surprised to

see a red headed catboy staring at him, as he picked himself off the floor.

"What is going on here?", Kasumi said, while coming down the stairs.

"I am afraid another one of Ranma's 'friends', mistook me for him and

to attack me from surprise and with a weapon. Quite a cowardly if you ask

me.", Ranko said to Kasumi.

"You were warned never to return here. Perhaps it is time for

someone to find out who you are.", Kasumi said to a very surprised Ryoga,

who was now being held off the floor, with one hand, by Kasumi.

Kasumi, what is all the noise. Is that stupid cat misbehaving

himself again?", Akane said as she came into the room and saw her sister

holding a struggling Ryoga up in the air.

"I am glad you are here Akane. This 'boy' has something to tell you.",

Kasumi said to a rapidly paling, Ryoga.

"Kasumi why are you hurting Ryoga?", Akane said as Ryoga began to turn

blue, just before she dropped him on the ground.

"Well speak up, or she will find out the quick way.", Kasumi ordered

Ryoga as she pulled a full water bucket from out of nowhere.

Ryoga seeing the bucket began to run for it, but he wasn't quite fast

enough.

"So you choose the coward's way out then. Very well....", Kasumi trailed

off as she through the bucket at him.

(Splash)

"Bweee, Bweee!", when the little black pig.

"P-chan... How did you get here?", Akane asked.

"Come now Akane, you can not be that dense. I refuse to believe that a

sister of mine could be like that.", Kasumi said.

"Look closely. Your little P-Chan is now wearing Ryoga's clothes, who was

just hit with cold water. Do you understand what I am saying?", Kasumi said.

"Ryoga is P-Chan?", Akane replied.

"Well, by George, I think she finally gets it.", Ranko said.

"You... You..... How could you?", Akane yelled at the trembling

black little pig.

"He was using you to get back at Ranma. Remember all of the times

Ranma would call Ryoga P-chan, and all the times he tried to remove the pig

from your bedroom, but you wouldn't listen.", Kasumi said as Akane began

to glow very brightly.

"Ryoga no hentai!", Akane yelled out as a large mallet squashed the

little porker into the floor.

(Splat)

"Hmm... Frisbee anyone?", Ranko asked as he peeled Ryoga off the

floor and threw his back out the door, from whence he came.

A particularly strong gust of wind, caught the little porcine

Frisbee, causing him to sail off into the distance.

Meanwhile back inside the house, Akane had run back up to her room with

tears in her eyes. She slammed the door to her room shut, and curled up on the

floor, near the foot of her bed and began to think about what Kasumi had just

said about Ryoga taking advantage of her to get back at Ranma, and how she

believed him over her own....ex-fiancee.

"I am surprised that he is still alive after that hit.", Ranko said

to Kasumi.

"He underwent a type of training from the Amazons that makes one very

resistant to physical blows.", Kasumi said.

"Oh yes, the breaking point training. We saw some examples of that

during our travels.", Ranko said.

"That's right, we did. I almost forgot. We have been to so many

places that they tend to blur after a while.", Kasumi replied.

"If he ever shows up here again, then what will you do, kill him?",

Ranko said to Kasumi.

"No, that will not be necessary. Ryoga's eventual fate will be

his own fault.", Kasumi said.

"How do you know?", Ranko asked.

"I've spent some time with Setsuna, a few dimensions over, remember?",

Kasumi replied to Ranko.

"Oh yes, I remember. I wonder how she and her new husband are doing?",

Ranko asked out loud.

"Well if what I last heard from her is right, she is quite fine, her

husband though is really going to need to stock up on his vitamins. She

has been quite affectionate and is wearing the poor boy out.", Kasumi said

while giggling.

Up in her room, Akane was rapidly switching between her two most

dominant emotions, anger and sadness. On one hand she was angry with Ryoga

for pretending to be her friend for so long. Why did he keep sneaking into

her room? Was he as big of pervert as Ranma was. Not that she was any better

at times though. Some of her most recent dreams were quite confusing and

played into her sad, melancholy moods, that she was going through recently.

In her dreams she imagined herself with both Akari and Ranma's female

form, much to her shock. It was quite perverted. But if that was so, why did she

get a very pleasant tingle throughout her body, every time she thought of it?

She couldn't go back to Ranma now though, even if she did want to

'experiment' a little. Maybe they could be friends, but Akane believed that

Ranma now liked Kasumi, despite the fact that he hasn't admitted it to

anyone yet.

*************

It had been two days since Ryoga had last been seen. Inside Dr. Tofu's

office, Hinako now looked like a ten year old, both in the dreamscape she

was sharing with Ranma, and in reality.

"I don't think that we will be here much longer.", Ranma said to Hinako

as they continued to play together in the dreamscape.

"I look older now, don't I?", Hinako asked.

"Yes you do. Older and cuter now.", Ranma teased as Hinako blushed.

Ranma took a look at the blushing girl and couldn't help begin to

blush himself.

"It must be this ten year old body I now have. Why else would I think

that she is so cute?", Ranma thought to himself.

"You know once we get out, I won't be this young forever.", Hinako

said while looking at Ranma with a nervous expression on her face.

"You should be getting a little older each week, at least that is

what the old ghoul and the 'doc' said.", Ranma replied, not quite getting what

Hinako was hinting at.

"Ranma, what I mean is that when I am finally grown up again, I will be

able to do the things that adults do, including dating. I... well... when that

happens.....there is someone I would like to spend some time with. Do you

know who I am talking about?", Hinako asked Ranma.

"True, but Kasumi and I, well.....", Ranma trailed off.

Hinako frowned a little and said, "I'm sorry Ranma, you are right, I

shouldn't be saying such things. I just...well, I have enjoyed the time

we have spent in here. I hope we will at least see each other when we

wake up.", Hinako stated.

"Of course we will. We can still train together. I promised both

you and Kasumi that I would, but as for dating.... I am still nervous

about the one time I went out with Kasumi. I do like her, but I am not

sure where to go from there. She said that we could and should see other

people, but I think she may like me more that she says she does.", Ranma

said to a surprised Hinako.

"Kami-sama, he actually is showing some intuition for once.", Hinako

thought, then reprimanded herself for making fun or Ranma.

"I wonder what Kasumi is doing now? Probably the same old thing, but I

just have the weirdest feeling that something may have happened to her.",

Ranma stated.

"I am sure that she is fine. After all what could have happened?

We have only been here for five days.", Hinako replied.

"Yeah, I guess so.", Ranma said.

Hinako and Ranma were about to continue playing when they both felt

a chill pass through them.

"Something is wrong.", Hinako said.

"You can feel it too?", Ranma asked.

"Yes and it scares me.", Hinako said as she moved up to Ranma and took

him by the arm.

They both began to notice that their normally bright and sunny

dreamscape had begun to grow quite dark. Clouds were forming overhead and

strong wind began to blow. A few seconds later a dark funnel cloud began

to form above them. The landscape itself began to grow black and faded away.

Soon, despite their best efforts, Ranma and Hinako were sucked up into the

cloud. The force of its winds, caused them to be pulled apart, as they

screamed each other's names.

Ranma watched Hinako fly up higher than himself, then disappear in a flash

of light. As he began to rise higher, he could only hope that Hinako was safe,

because unlike her, he appeared to be nearing the end of the vortex, which

appeared to be a large black hole, with several long limbs ending with claws

protruding from it. He wasn't sure what that 'hole' was, but he had a feeling

that it was something he would rather avoid.

*********

A little earlier in the real world, Ryoga once again found himself

outside the window to Dr. Tofu's office. He saw his enemy still holding a

young girl close to him and vowed to destroy Ranma.

The back wall exploded, just as Cologne came though the door to see

whose presence she had felt.

"Don't you fool!", Cologne ordered just as Ryoga's new umbrella

slammed into the barrier surrounding Ranma and Hinako.

There was a bright flash and Ryoga was thrown across the room, slamming

head first into a large metal cabinet. Ranma and Hinako began to convulse

and Cologne could feel their chi growing weaker.

"I will not let this happen.", she said.

At then Tendo Dojo, Kasumi began to feel a cold chill pass through her.

She felt something approaching through the link she shared with Ranma. It

was the 'scent' of death. Something was very wrong. She jolted sharply,

dropping the serving tray she was carrying. She cried out Ranma's name, and

changed to her goddess form. The rest of the dojo's residents came racing

into the kitchen just in time to see Kasumi disappear with a horrified

expression on her face.

At Belldandy's and Keiichi's home, Urd suddenly felt her

granddaughter's life began to slip away.

"There is something wrong with Hinako, I have to leave now.",

Urd said to her sisters as she disappeared leaving them and a

confused Mara sitting there wondering what is happening.

One other person, felt Hinako and Ranma's life force slipping

away, and it was a being no sane creature would ever make angry. Hild

let out a growl that even had H-sama himself briefly shivering, before

she teleported to Midgard.

Cologne was more than a little shocked to find three very

powerful beings suddenly 'pop' into the doctor's office. Hild and Urd

immediately rushed over to Hinako and Ranma. Kasumi found herself

briefly delayed though.

"Why Kasumi what brings you here?", a twitching Dr. Tofu said.

"I don't have time for this. Get out of my way fool!", Kasumi

ordered as she stormed passed the doctor, pushing him aside, in the

process.

"No question now... She really does feel something for the boy.

Sorry great granddaughter, but if you wish to have him, I can no longer

help you.", Cologne thought as she watched the two goddesses and one

demon princess trying frantically to heal the two patients.

"I have managed to pull back Hinako's soul, but Ranma's is too

close to the void now. We need another source of soul energy to

stabilize him.", Urd said while trying to remain calm.

"I know where we can find a 'volunteer'.", Hild growled as she

picked up the unconscious Ryoga and dragged him over to where Hinako

and Ranma were.

Hild told Kasumi to hold onto the boy, while she 'prepared' him

for the 'operation'.

"Oh dear, you aren't...", Kasumi tried to say as she saw Hild pull

out her rune sword. The sword shrunk down to the size of a dagger and

was immediately plunged into Ryoga's chest.

Cologne and Kasumi watched in shock as a ghostly form of Ryoga

seemed to enter the dagger. At the same time Ryoga's body suddenly

shifted to his cursed form. The unconscious pig was quickly thrown to the

side by Hild.

Hild raised her dagger, causing its normal blackish glow to change

to a yellow one. She then plunged the dagger into Ranma's chest, almost

giving everyone else a heart attack in the process. A short while later

both Ranma's and Hinako's body's were no longer convulsing, but their life

signs were still very low.

"Kasumi, my daughter and I have stabilized both of their physical

forms, but it up to you to re-awaken their souls from the dreamscape. Do

you understand what I am asking of you?", Hild said to Kasumi.

"Yes, Hild-sama, I believe that I do.", Kasumi said as she held

onto both Ranma's and Hinako's hand, before fading from sight.

"It should take her the remaining two days to reawaken them. Both of

us will have to remain here in order to guard their bodies. Are you up to

the task Urd.", Hild asked a stunned Urd.

"Many will feel your presence here other, including more than a

few demon-hunters.", Urd.

"Let them try and disturb me.", Hild said in a voice that almost

caused Cologne to run in fear for the first time in centuries.

"I am sorry I let this happen, elder ones. I falsely assumed that with

the death of Happosai, that Ranma and Hinako would be safe. I let myself

grow lax in my duties.", Cologne said humbly.

"They will live, but the boy came very close to entering the void.

If it were not for that 'pig' taking his place, Ranma's soul would have been

destroyed.", Hild said.

"So the boy, Ryoga, his soul is destroyed?", Cologne asked.

"No, that would have been the usual way to satisfy the void's hunger,

but since he boy had such strong life energy, his body only had to be

sacrificed. His soul is still their in the pig's body, but he will remain

that way forever. Not even the pools of Jusenkyo will be able to alter his

form anymore.", Hild said.

"The bastard still got off far too easy. I thought I had lost Hinako

the same way that I lost Nanase so many years ago. I am not sure that I

would want to go through that again.", Urd said while starting to shake

and looked at her mother with tears in her eyes.

Hild was unsure of what to do. She could deal with annoyed demons,

violent archangels, but how do you deal with a crying daughter. It had been

so long since they had any prolonged contact with each other. She moved

closer to Urd and pulled her close as Urd hugged her back and began to cry

into the elder demon's shoulder.

"Sigh, sister dear said I should take the time to get to know my

child again. I suppose this is a start.", Hild thought as she began to rock

her daughter back and forth.

Cologne was frozen in place. She wanted to leave the two in order

for them to have some privacy, but the sight of a goddess needing to be

comforted by her mother, a demoness of all things, was almost just too

much to handle.

***********

Kasumi left 'reality' and found herself in a large white expanse, that

was neither here nor there, past or future. Ranma and Hinako's souls would be

here until she could revive them. Looking around she saw two small forms off in

the distance. As she approached them she saw that they were the child forms of

Ranma and Hinako. They were about 100 feet apart, but they seemed to be

unconsciously drifting towards each other.

"They look so cute like that.", Kasumi said while looking at Chibi Ranma

and Hinako.

****************

Ranma saw someone fly past him and strike the end of the vortex.

There was a horrible scream, as those hands seemed to rip the person's

body apart. He closed his eyes and waited for the end to come. Ranma

felt himself strike something, but instead of feeling pain, he felt

warm and comforted. Opening his eyes, he found out that he was being

held in someone's arms. Looking up, he almost fainted to find out that it

was Kasumi that was holding him. She lowered him down the ground. They

were in a grassy field that extended for miles. He was about to ask what

was going on when he heard a groan next to him. Ms. Hinako, who he

thought might have been killed, sat up, looked at him in shock, and hugged

him for all she was worth.

"The two of them are so close already. Lilith was right, this will

work out alright in the end, unless someone interferes of course.",

Kasumi thought.

"We aren't dead?", Hinako asked.

"I don't think so.", Ranma replied while looking at Kasumi.

"No, you came very close to dying, but thankfully you will live.",

Kasumi said to Ranma and Hinako.

"What happened? Was there something wrong with the spell?", Ranma

asked.

"The spell was interfered with. That little bastard Ryoga attacked both

you and Hinako as you slept. His attack disrupted the energy field

surrounding you, filling it with the hatred he possessed for you. This

hatred perverted the spell's energies, causing it to drain you, instead

of supporting you.", Kasumi said.

"He hated us?", Hinako and Ranma said at the same time.

"Yes he did. Ranma, I know you thought of him as your friend, but

his behavior towards you and others grew worse over the past few days.

A lot happened in the outside world, to me and to others.", Kasumi said.

"What happened?", Ranma asked with more than a little concern in his

voice.

"Well for one thing, I am no longer the same Kasumi, you knew when

you and Hinako first 'fell asleep'.", Kasumi replied.

"I don't understand. You are not the same Kasumi?", Ranma said.

Kasumi began to glow and assumed her goddess form. Both Ranma and

Hinako were looking at her with wide eyes, then smiles as they both

glomped onto her, much to Kasumi's surprise.

"You are not upset or angry at me?", Kasumi stated.

"No, when Hinako's grandmother was here, she said that both Hinako and

I were changing. That we were no longer like anyone else. She said that we

were not even really human anymore. We both thought that no one would want

to have us around, and I thought, that you and I could.....not longer see

each other.", Ranma said.

"Ranma, even if you and I turned out to be totally different, that

does not mean that I would abandon you or anyone else for that matter. Both

you and Hinako's friendship mean a lot to me. Remember we are linked

together. Urd told you that much, I would guess.", Kasumi stated.

"Um... Kasumi-san...if you don't mind could you tell us what you are

right now.", Hinako said shyly.

"Your grandmother and I are now somewhat similar Hinako-chan. She

and I are now both half goddess and half demon, but where as she chose

to embrace her goddess side, I chose to embrace both, so now I am what is

called a daemon. More specifically, my title is Daemon Second Class,

unlimited of nature and fertility. I also go by the name of Katrina

Saotome, when I am in this form.", Kasumi said.

"Saotome?", Ranma said in confusion.

"I chose that name to honor and remember someone I care deeply about

when I was training all those years.", Kasumi said kissing Ranma on the

forehead.

"But Kasumi-san we just saw you five days ago.", Hinako said.

"We have two days to spend together in here. I will try and tell you

as much as I can about where I have been and what I have been seen. How

does that sound.", Kasumi said to Ranma and Hinako.

"It sounds like, we have a lot of catching up to do.", Ranma said

as he and Hinako snuggled up to Kasumi, waiting for her to start her tales.

***********

Back in reality, Hild had actually managed to comfort her daughter, much

to the surprise of the elder demon.

"Do you feel better now?", Hild asked Urd.

"I do. You have not held me in ages. I missed it.", Urd said.

"Perhaps we can change that in the future.", Hild said.

"Ahem, please pardon the interruption, but what is do be done about

him?", Cologne asked Hild, while pointing to P-Chan's unconscious form.

"I have a suggestion.", Urd said while grinning evilly and holding

up a collar, with a name tag on it saying, "Charlotte".

"Won't the boy just escape.", Cologne said.

"That will not happen. His form no longer has access to the chi

enhanced speed and strength it once had. He only has the physical abilities

a pig of his size had. The only difference is that he still has his human

memories and intelligence, such as that is.", Hild said.

"Then that only leaves us with just one problem left.", Urd said as she

gestured towards the large hole Ryoga left in the wall.

Hild gestured towards the wall, and the concrete and metal seemed to

reform and restore the wall instantly. A bright red light then seemed to

skim across the entire building before fading.

"That should solve that problem. Not only has the building been

repaired, but the surface has been molecularly bonded. You would need one

of your nuclear weapons to damage the walls now.", Hild said.

Urd pulled out a cell phone and called Belldandy back at the temple

to inform her what had just happened, and that she would be staying at the

doctor's office until Hinako woke up.

Cologne reached down to pick the pig off the floor. She slapped it

sharply causing P-Chan to awaken, who was not exactly happy to see so many

people staring at him, like they wanted to kill him.

"You are fortunate that Ranma and the girl Hinako are still alive,

foolish boy. If they had died, not only would your physical body have

been killed, but I would hazard a guess that your spirit would also be

tortured for quite a long time.", Cologne said to P-Chan.

P-Chan looked over at Ranma and growled.

"Curse you Ranma just wait till next time.", P-Chan thought.

"There will not be a next time, foolish pig!", a voice yelled in

P-Chan's mind.

P-Chan looked around and saw two very scary looking silver haired

women looking at him, the tallest had eyes that glowed with an inner fire.

"You will now forever more be nothing but a pig. A pathetic little

pet for someone, or perhaps an appetizer at a nearby restaurant. You will

never be able to return to human form.", Hild growled at Ryoga who now

seemed frozen in shock.

P-Chan saw the other 'demon' holding a collar with a very familiar

name on it and began to shake.

"Yes you will now be given to a certain young girl that seemed

quite interested in you earlier.", Urd said as both P-Chan and his new

collar disappeared from the doctor's office and reappeared in the

bedroom of a certain hyperactive, kleptomaniac, ice skater.

Cologne grabbed the doctor and dragged him into the front office

when she felt several people approaching the building. Entering through

the front door, were Genma, Nodoka, Soun, Nabiki, Ranko, Akane, and Akari.

"I heard that something had happened to my son. How is he?",

Nodoka asked Cologne.

"He is fine at the moment, but both he and the girl Hinako, came

very close to dying.", Cologne said.

"What happened?", several people asked at once.

"Ryoga broke in through the back wall and disrupted the spell

surrounding Ranma and Hinako. This caused the spell to feed on the

energies of the two patients. If it were not for Kasumi and Hinako's

family, both she and Ranma would be lost forever.", Cologne stated.

"Where is that pig now?", Akane growled.

"He has been taken care of, permanently.", Cologne stated.

"So he is dead.", Nodoka said, sounding disappointed for some

reason or another.

"There are far worse things than death. Poor Ryoga is now no doubt

experiencing one of them.", Cologne cackled as several of the people

present let their imaginations cause them to think of several very nasty

things that might have happened to the boy.

"So the boy is going to be alright, and should wake up soon.", Genma

asked, trying to not sound too concerned. It wouldn't be proper for a man

to do so after all.

"He shall awaken in two days, after Kasumi-san finishes retrieving

Ranma's and Hinako's souls from the 'dreamscape'.", Cologne said to a stunned

audience.

"So Kasumi-chan entered the dreamscape physically to retrieve them?",

Ranko asked as several people looked at him.

"You know of the place?", Cologne asked.

"I learned a lot about magic and of other realms while traveling

with Kasumi.", Ranko stated casually.

"Impressive. I do not suppose you would be interested in marrying an

Amazon.", Cologne half-joked as Nabiki growled.

"I will pass on that 'honor'. I already have someone that I care

deeply about.", Ranko said while holding Nabiki's hand.

"Now that you know that Ranma and Hinako are going to live, it would

be best if all of you left for the time being.", Cologne.

"Can I not see my son?", Nodoka asked.

"That would not be a good idea.", Urd said as she came through the door

from the back room.

"You are the one who killed that horrible little troll Happosai.",

Nodoka said.

"Yes I did, and I am now staying here to ensure that no further harm

befalls Ranma and my granddaughter.", Urd said.

"Your granddaughter?", Nodoka asked.

"Why my little Hinako-chan, of course.", Urd said.

(Wham)

Several people proceeded to remove themselves from the floor after

face faulting at hearing that little piece of information.

Closing his eyes, Ranko extended his senses and tried to 'feel' where

Kasumi was. He was surprised by what he felt.

"Interesting, Kasumi-chan is soul bonded to both Ranma and the young

immortal girl.", Ranko thought to himself before shaking himself awake.

"Is something wrong Ranko-san?", Akari asked the catboy.

"Everything is fine Akari-san. In fact things couldn't be better at

the moment.", Ranko said as he turned and looked at Urd with a knowing glace.

"You are correct on that assumption.", Urd's voice spoke in Ranko's

mind.

Nodoka still seemed reluctant to leave until Dr. Tofu promised her

that she would be one of the first ones called to the office, when Ranma

woke up. The doctor's words seemed to carry more authority in Nodoka's

mind, after all he was considered quite manly by her for some reason

or another.

***********

Meanwhile back in the dream world, Kasumi had just finished telling

Ranma and Hinako about the first time she met her mother after leaving

Midgard with Hild.

"Your mother sounds like she is very nice, Kasumi-san.", Ms. Hinako

stated.

"Yes, she does, but I guess I imagined her to be a little different,

no offense, Kasumi-chan.", Ranma said.

"You thought she would be more traditional?", Kasumi said.

"Yes, but I am glad she isn't.", Ranma said as Kasumi noticed a hint

of sadness in his voice.

"What's wrong Ranma?", Kasumi asked.

"This may sound strange, but I wish my mother was a little more like

yours seems to be.", Ranma said.

"What do you mean?", Kasumi asked.

"I try my best to please mom, but she never seems to be happy. She

still wants me to uphold her weird sense of 'manliness'. I can not even go

near her in girl form without her reaching, or at least looking at that damn

katana of hers. Sometimes I just want to grab on to that thing and smash it

to pieces in front of her.", Ranma replied.

"She does love you.", Kasumi said.

"Maybe, but she still doesn't respect me or even trust me to make my own

decisions in life. Her and Akane share that in common. I am trying to become

a better person. I have you and Hinako-chan to thank for that.", Ranma stated

as Ms. Hinako smiled.

"If you want to make your own decisions, simply tell your parents that,

in the same way that I told my father and your mother. I know that it will be

hard for you to do so, but part of growing up is working your way through

conflicts, and not just those that can be solved with your fists.", Kasumi

replied to Ranma.

"I guess so, but what if she refuses to accept me for who I am. You know

how stubborn she is. I don't think that she will back down so easily like your

father did.", Ranma said.

"If she doesn't accept you then she is a fool. You have much to be proud of

in your life. You have always fought for what you believed is right, you have

risked your life on many occasions, including your fight with Saffron. As far as

I am concerned you are a better person than she will ever be.", Kasumi said.

"If your mother doesn't accept, I will still be your friend.", Chibi-

Hinako said to Chibi-Ranma as took one of his hands and held it in hers.

"What about honor though? Is it honorable to still into a girl, because

of the pledge I signed? What about my responsibility to my family that mom

and pops are always talking about?", Ranma asked.

"Ranma, as hard as this might be for you to believe, part of my goddess

training was to wander from world to world, trying to help people. I did this

for over ten years, even though only a few days past in our home world. I have

seen many examples of what people say is honorable behavior, and more often than

not, there actions were mainly self-serving. They simply used honor as an excuse

to justify their actions. What is honorable, varies, from person to person and

culture to culture.", Kasumi said.

"That's true Ranma, besides do you think that your father is so honorable,

considering the way he acts?", Hinako asked Ranma.

"No, but still...", Ranma's voice trailed off.

"The first day I returned home, Ranma, I told Akane that if she chooses to

be with Akari, or anyone else, she should do so, because she loves them, not

because of some 'honor' promise between families. The same thing applies to you.

Feel free to date, or get engaged to someone, because you love them, regardless

of what your father or mother might say. Besides, you know that your mother has

abolished the promise between our families. I believe in time that she could

be convinced to alter her views about your two forms.", Kasumi said.

"That would be like breaking a promise. I did 'sign' that contract,

even though I really didn't know what I was doing. Ignoring everything, seems

like something pop would do.", Ranma said.

"Ranma, even though you are nothing like your father, you still follow

the path that he and your mother consider honorable. They are wrong, Ranma,

especially that 'pledge' you made when you were six. That is not honorable,

that is simply sick and disgusting. The final path you chose to follow is

your own though. I will not ever force you to do something that you feel

wrong or are uncomfortable with. Please, though, think very carefully

at what I have just said, especially the 'manliness' of your girl form.

Besides I will miss 'her' if she goes away forever.", Kasumi said, than

slapped her hand over her mouth, not meaning to say the last part out loud.

"Kasumi?", Ranma asked with large eyes shining at her.

"I shouldn't have said that...yet... When this is over and you are

your normal age again, we can talk about it further.", Kasumi said in

embarrassment.

Ranma was trying to think of something to say about what Kasumi

had just said, but he began to feel tired and yawned widely.

"You are still tired from your experience in the void. Why don't

you sleep for a while.", Kasumi said as both Ranma and Hinako laid down,

with their heads in Kasumi's lap.

After Ranma and Hinako had been asleep for a while, Kasumi phased her

hand through Ranma's body and pulled out a small black kitten. The kitten

began to hiss and yowl as it remembered what it had been through. It

calmed down quite quickly, when Kasumi began to pet it.

"Well now, we couldn't have left you in there after all. If I did, how

would Ranma react to Ranko and Nabiki-chan's new form.", Kasumi giggled as the

kitten began to 'bat' at some of the feathers on Kasumi's wings.

A short while later, Kasumi noticed Ranma, begin to twitch in his

'sleep'.

"A dream within the dreamscape. He must be tired, or he is still

thinking about his honor.", Kasumi thought to herself.

************

Ranma looked around and was surprised to find himself in the Tendo

Dojo. He was back to his proper age, but somehow he felt a little 'empty'

for some reason. The house appeared to empty, and very cold. As he made his way

downstairs, Ranma began to cough. An almost indescribable smell permeated the

house. Drops of blood littered the floor, becoming more plentiful as he neared

the kitchen. Carefully moving aside the curtain, he came across a sight that

caused him to freeze in his tracks. On the kitchen counter, near a large stew

pot sat his father's head, or rather a large panda's head. Blood was still

pouring from the neck, pooling on the floor.

"Foolish boy now look what you have done. Because of your lack of honor,

your mother decided to carry out her pledge.", the panda head spoke to Ranma,

much to his horror and disgust.

"It wasn't my fault, you made the promise. I had nothing to do with it.

I never wanted anything to do with the pledges, the fiancées, or any of the

crap that you put me through.", Ranma said.

"It doesn't matter what you want, because you failed to follow the path

that was laid out for you, you shall soon die, just as I had to.", the

panda head said as it turned on its own to look at a disturbing scene now

occurring outside the back door.

Ranma exited the house and found himself in a thick fog. The smell of

rotted meat and decay filled the air. Ranma could barely make out the dojo

next to the house. It looked abandoned, boards falling off, and tiles

missing from the roof. A large form appeared in the fog surprising Ranma.

It was the body of his father's panda form, and it was moving on its own.

Ranma shrieked and fired off a large ki blast a the monster. As the dust

from the explosion settled, a new scene seemed to unfold in front of him.

He was now standing on a large chopping block, like the one in those

old horror movies. A black cloaked and hooded figure stood over a young

girl with bright red hair and a yellow sun dress. Ranma realized that the

young girl, was an exact duplicate of his girl form.

"So my dishonorable son has come to meet his fate.", the black cloaked

figure said to Ranma as it turned to face him.

"Who are you? What are you talking about?", Ranma demanded of the

cloaked figure.

In response to Ranma's question, the figure removed its cloak and hood,

revealing the form of Ranma's mother, Nodoka.

"Mother?!?", Ranma asked in shock.

"You no longer have to the right the call me that. My son is dead to me.

All that is left is a dishonorable little girl, who will soon face her father's

well deserved fate. Maybe in death you will find some honor.", the form of

Nodoka said to Ranma as the figure of his girl form sighed and turned around

to face him.

Ranma gasped when she turned around and looked at him with a desperate

forlorn expression on her face. It reminded him of how he must have looked

when he thought that Akane had been killed by Saffron so many months ago.

As his girl form turned back around she tilted her head downward, as

Nodoka seemed to pull her Katana out of nowhere. Before he could move the

sword came down. Ranma wanted to scream but couldn't. The head was severed

completely from 'his' girl form's body. He just about ran in terror as the

head rolled back towards him and its eyes opened, staring at him with an

expression of disgust and sadness.

"Are you happy now. Because of you I have been destroyed, despite

the many times that I have helped you.", the disembodied head said much

to Ranma's horror.

"But I had an honor pledge to fulfill. I couldn't be a girl.", Ranma

said in shock.

"You were never a girl. What you were was an individual who was lucky

to experience was it was to be fully human. You had the opportunity to be

both male and female, but the twisted sense of honor your father and mother

instilled in you, didn't allow you to realize this until it was too late.",

the girl's head said to him.

"It is the only honor I know. What choice do I have but to follow it",

Ranma said.

"Would you like to see where this 'honor' will lead you.", she said

as the landscape began to blur and Ranma now found himself standing in a

cemetery with his girl form, now in one piece, standing next to him.

"Come with me, there is something that you must see.", onna-Ranma

said to her 'brother' with anger and disgust still in her voice.

Ranma followed his girl form through a series of twisting pathways,

ending up in front of a large grave marker. The marker bore his name and

a small inscription that said, "Here rests a man of honor, may he find the

peace in death, that he could not find in life."

Ranma watched as several people approached the grave and kneeled in

front of it. He recognize Kasumi, and Ms. Hinako in he adult form

immediately, but it took a few moments to identify the others. He saw Akane

and Akari, but they looked so much older. He also saw two, (shiver), cat

people, one of which looked like an older Nabiki.

"Hello love, I am sorry I can not be with you yet, but Kami-sama

still has so much more work for me to accomplish. Ranko and Nabiki have

been a great help as always, and their deeds, might enable them to become

immortals now. No one could take your place though. I just wish....that...

you would have listened to what I told you.....so many years ago.",

Kasumi said as she began to cry, first lightly, then she collapsed in

wracking sobs into Ms. Hinako's arms.

"It's alright Kasumi-chan, let it all out.", Hinako said quietly.

"You would think that after 20 years, it wouldn't hurt as much,

but it still does.", Kasumi sniffled.

"I never got the chance to know you lad, but from Nabiki-chan told me you

were a good man.", Ranko said while laying several orchids on Ranma's grave.

"Yes he was, to prideful and arrogant at times, but he had a good heart.",

Nabiki said sadly.

"Baka, see what you have done. You broke Kasumi's heart.", Akane said

as she looked at Ranma's grave with tears in her eyes as well.

Akari stood silent at Akane's side, holding her hand, and trying to be

supportive of her wife.

This proved to be too much for Ranma to take. It was hard enough

to watch how sad Hinako was when he saw her past life. To see Kasumi

like this, was far more horrible. She was one of the few people who ever

treated him with respect and compassion. He collapsed to the ground and

began to sob along with the image of Kasumi.

"It doesn't have to end like this.", Ranma's girl form said as he

looked up at her standing over him.

"What do I have to do?", he asked with a look of despair in his eyes.

"Chose to live your life, not surrender it because of the twisted

sense of honor, that others expect you to follow.", she said as Ranma

now found himself back in the Tendo Dojo yard, viewing his mother

once again standing over his girl form, with her katana about to strike.

Ranma shot forward as the katana came down. He knocked it out of

his mother's hand and snapped the sword in two, throwing the pieces to

the four winds.

"What do you think that you are doing?", the image of his mother

hissed at him.

"Saving something that I was too foolish to see how precious it

was to me.", Ranma said as his girl form looked up at him in shock.

"So are you a girl? You are supposed to be a man amongst men.",

Nodoka said

"What I am is for me to choose, no one else. For better or worse,

'Ranko' is part of who I am. I may not like being a girl at times, but

'she' has helped me improve myself, from the horrible job that you and

pops tried to raise me.", Ranma growled at the image of his mother, who

seemed to step back in fear.

"So you are abandoning the honor pledge that you had made to me?", the

image of Nodoka said to Ranma.

"No for once, I am doing the honorable thing, by taking responsibility

for my own life instead of letting others do it for me. That is what being a

man is about, nor whether or not I change sexes when splashed with water.",

Ranma replied.

Ranma picked his girl form off of the ground and stood her on her

feet. He then surprised her by bowing deeply in apology.

"Would you please forgive me, for how I have treated you in the

past.", Ranma said.

"I will forgive you if you promise never to give up on living. Life

is too short and too precious to consider killing yourself. Besides there

are those that love you. You have just seen that for yourself.", 'Ranko'

said to Ranma.

"I promise I will be there for others, and for myself as long as

I am needed or wanted.", Ranma said.

"That's close enough for now I suppose.", Ranko said while moving

close to Ranma and phasing into his, disappearing from sight.

"You will regret this choice boy.", his father's voice rang out

though the air.

"No, for once I will regret nothing, except having you as a father!",

Ranma shouted out, as everything seemed to fade into blackness.

**************

Holding Ranma's sleeping form, Kasumi was surprised to see him

briefly change to his girl form, then back again to a ten year old boy.

Ranma came awake with a quiet whimper shortly after that.

"Are you alright, Ranma-chan?", Kasumi asked.

Ranma responded by glomping on tight to Kasumi, while shivering

slightly.

"Ranma?", Kasumi stated nervously.

"I'll be ok Kasumi-chan, as long as you are here with me.", Ranma

said as Kasumi smiled and hugged the boy close to her.

"Did you have a bad dream?", Kasumi asked.

"The worst, but I don't think I will ever have that dream again as

long as you are near me.", Ranma said.

"What's going on?", Hinako said as she sat up yawning, then staring

wide eyed at Ranma hugged her.

Hinako looked at Kasumi with a confused expression on her face. Kasumi

just smiled and shrugged her shoulders in response.

Ranma gently moved away from Hinako, somewhat embarrassed by how he

was clinging to her. In his experience suddenly touching a woman or even

a girl, tended to end in the girl inflicting vast amounts of pain on him.

"Ranma if this dream bothered you, perhaps you should tell us what it

was about.", Kasumi said, while noticing how jumpy Ranma seemed to be.

"It's kind of personal.", Ranma said as Kasumi and Hinako felt

Ranma's emotions through the link that they shared.

"We won't embarrass you, or say anything to belittle you. If you have a

problem you can share it with us.", Kasumi said.

"Mew, mew.", the little kitten that was next to Kasumi meowed.

"Cat!!!!", Ranma screeched as he jumped backwards.

"There is no need to be afraid anymore Ranma. I removed the neko-ken

spirit from you, and this is she.", Kasumi said holding up the kitten to

Ranma, who while still nervous, did not feel the terror that he usually

felt when seeing a cat.

"That was the neko-ken?", Ranma said, moving a little closer to the

kitten in order to get a closer look at it.

"Yes it is, and now that it's spirit is free, you will no longer be

subject to 'going cat' if you will.", Kasumi replied.

"That's a relief, it was bad enough seeing those large cats in my dream,

even if one did look like Nabiki for some reason.", Ranma stated as Kasumi

raised an eyebrow.

"Can you please tell us of this dream.", Kasumi asked again.

Ranma told Kasumi and Hinako as much of the dream as he could remember,

including him seeing the two cat people standing over his grave.

"Ranma, that sound more a prophetic dream of a possible future. That

might actually come to pass if you were to commit suicide.", Kasumi said.

"You wouldn't really kill yourself would you Ranma-chan.", Hinako said

while looking at Ranma with her lower lip trembling and her eyes starting

to water.

"No, not anymore. I wouldn't like to make you and Kasumi sad.",

Ranma said to Hinako.

"Good, because I would miss you a lot, and if your stupid father or

anyone else tries to hurt you I will give them a "Kapowie", they will never

forget.", Hinako said while trying to sound fierce.

"One thing though, if I did see the future, why were there cat people

in it?", Ranma asked in confusion.

"The cat people that you saw Ranma, was Nabiki and her almost

fiancee, Ranko. They are both living at the dojo now, so I had to remove

your curse now, or it would be quite difficult for everyone to live

together to say the least.

"Where did 'Ranko' come from and what happened to Nabiki?", Ranma

asked Kasumi.

"That will take a while to explain. For now let me say that, while

I was traveling all those years, one of the first people that I was

assigned to help was Ranko. He lived in a world much like ours, but

in that world, he was your analog. The Ranma that was native to that

world. Some how he and out Nabiki shared a dream that spanned the

dimensions separating them. Kami-sama himself sent me to help and train

the boy, as well as introduce him to Nabiki eventually.", Kasumi said.

"So he came back here to live with everyone. I got it, but how did

Nabiki get turned into a catgirl.", Ranma said, while finding the idea

of a Neko-Nabiki to be not that unusual for some reason.

"That was my fault. Ranko used to have the ability to turn someone into

a catboy or catgirl, by biting them. I 'fixed' that problem, if you pardon

the pun, after he accidentally bit Nabiki. Now neither of them can turn

others into cat people.", Kasumi said as the little kitten spirit went over

to Ranma and began to purr against his legs.

Ranma, remarkably though, while nervous, didn't seemed to be freaking

out anymore.

"I think that she likes you.", Kasumi said, as Hinako reached down to

pet the kitten.

"She does?", Ranma asked.

"Of course why else would she have been looking out for you for all

these years.", Kasumi said.

"She did?", Ranma looked at Kasumi in confusion.

"Ranma the neko-ken is a form of ki and adrenalin based insanity. If

this little kitten's spirit did not enter you, you would have most likely

become permanently insane.

"So now what happens to her?", Ranma ask while starting to wonder what

happened to all the other cats that died when he first learned the neko-ken.

"She is now free to join her brothers and sisters, or I can bring her

back to life, if someone would be willing to give her a home.", Kasumi

replied as Ranma bent over and picked up the kitten spirit.

"See, now that isn't so bad, right?", Kasumi said as the kitten licked

Ranma on the face.

"I guess not.", Ranma said.

"Good, then when the time comes, for you to awaken, both she and I

will be waiting for you on the other side.

"You are not leaving now are you?", Hinako asked Kasumi.

"No I will be here with you, until the night before you are to

awaken.", Kasumi replied.

*************

Back in Dr. Tofu's office, Hild noticed marks briefly appearing

on both Ranma's and Hinako's cheeks and forehead, before fading from sight.

"Very interesting.", Hild said.

"What is?", Urd asked.

"It appears your dear aunt has been meddling again.", Hild said

critically as she pointed at the two patients.

"Sigh, you think she would learn to leave well enough alone as it

is.", Urd said.

**********

While Ranma and Hinako were dreaming, a certain panda was wishing

that he was dreaming. Somehow Genma had gotten splashed on the way to

perform yet another menial task, in his opinion, for his wife when he

was accosted by a certain panda girl.

At least it's only one this time.", Genma-panda grumbled as he

tried to run away.

"Come back to your little Mandy, panda-chan.", the panda girl

said as she hopped and skipped after Genma, somehow managing to keep up

despite the fact that he was running as fast as he could.

"Go away, I already have a wife.", a panda sign said.

"But I could do so much more for you.", Mandy said as she then further

stated quite explicitly what she could and would do to Genma when she caught

him.

People were shocked to here someone saying such things in public and

at the sight of a panda blushing a deep crimson, through its thick,

normally black and white fur.

Genma, not paying attention to where he was going, was surprised when

he slammed into a strangely cat like pink-haired girl. The girl quickly swung

herself out of Genma-panda's arms and onto his back.

"Wai... Wai....Giddy-up panda.", Nuku Nuku said in excitement.

"Get off my panda-chan you hussy.", Mandy yelled out.

"What a revolting development this is!", a panda sign said as

Genma-panda continued to run through Nerima.

Back at the cat cafe, Shampoo was growing increasingly impatient,

with the annoying catgirl waitress that she was forced to work with. The

girl had been gone for far too long for such a simple delivery. She was

probably goofing off, chasing butterflies or something, while Shampoo was

stuck watching the cafe with that idiot 'duck boy'.

"Shampoo getting bored. Wish something interesting would happen.",

Shampoo said as she heard a loud noise approaching the cafe.

Looking outside the window, Shampoo saw the catgirl riding on the back

of Ranma's stupid father in panda form, while they were being chased by a

panda girl. Following behind them was Ranma's mother, Katana drawn, swearing

at her husband as explosions seemed to rain down on all of them from a small,

but very heavily armed helicopter that was either trying to kill the stupid

panda or Nuku Nuku.

"Hmmm, perhaps Shampoo stay inside where it boring instead. Too much

excitement not good for growing Amazons.", Shampoo said.

Author's Note:

Well another chapter done in a story that seems to continually get

large and more complex than I originally intended it too. Next Chapter

Ranma and Hinako will be waking up and moving on with their lives as

they get used to all of the changes that happened to the Nerima

residents when they were asleep. Ms. Hinako will continue to grow until

she reaches her proper age. How that will affect her relationship with

Ranma and Kasumi remains to be seen. Although I hesitate to mention this

I might actually now find to time to talk more about Urd's past, but we

will have to wait and see what develops.

On another note, I decided after focusing so much on Ranma and Hinako

last chapter, that I would cover a little bit of everything including Kunos'

rather unique punishment, and a little of Ranko's and Kasumi's adventures

together, which by the way are going to fill up a lot of side stories, that I

will eventually get around to writing sometime in the future. Well that's about

it for this author's note. If you have any comments or constructive criticism to

make you can contact me at ryo_oki@pacbell.net

Ryo Oki