Guardian One-Half

by TheDevian

While being chased through town one day, Ranma somehow managed to avoid the walkway washer woman, and his fate subtly changed. My apologies to anyone who has been waiting on the next chapter of my first story, Nodoka 2/1, my editor got sidetracked, and while I was waiting on him to catch up, I started this "short story" idea that grew well out of hand.

10. Chapter 10

Sorry it took me so long on this one, it needed a lot more rewrites than usual. It had missing sections, unfinished sentences ...it was bad.

Nothing about this story is intended to infringe upon the rights or lefts of anyone.

Chapter 10 - The Big Picture

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Ranma had been surprised to see Hinako had still been in adult form when he had come down from the roof, once again in his cursed form. She had accurately stated that she occasionally drained animals in her sleep, and they let the matter drop as she went to run their bath while Ranma made their breakfast. Hinako did not want to explain to Ranma why she would need to take a bowl of fish to school with her, and opted to leave them at home. She mainly wanted them so she could be a better tutor for him for the time being ...and traveling at the speed of the Ranma-express was just too convenient. She was surprised to see she reverted to her younger body almost as soon as she closed the door to the apartment, unlike her normal draining, it was minor but steady, so the moment she was cut off from them, she reverted. She foresaw that they could be quite helpful, just being near them allowed her to remain in adult form indefinitely, and even after firing a blast, she had remained an adult, it was incredible! However she was hoping that having Ranma working with her, instead of against her, she would not need it as badly at school, and she wanted him to have the chance to prove himself.

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After seeing that Ranma had been learning from her lunches, Kasumi had decided that she would keep making them for him, even though he was no longer living with her ...in order to thank him for the lessons, yes, that was the reason! She had spent close to an hour on the design, showing Ranma-kun in three positions performing a forward rolling kick, and in the end, she was quite proud of her work. She had brought it, along with a lunch for her to share with Hinako, and showed up early to make sure that she could find him before he had gotten away.

She had gotten delayed by an old woman who had stopped her, asking directions, but could not seem to grasp them, and Kasumi felt it would be faster to just show the woman the way. The bell had just rung when she had arrived and Kasumi had to hurry to make sure she caught Ranma before he bought a lunch!

The crowds were pouring out of the building as she neared the it and saw Ranma exiting with Ukyo clinging to his arm in a way that reminded her of her friend, Shampoo, and looking happier than she had ever seen the girl. How nice for her. Kasumi smiled and waved, hoping to get their attention while briskly walking over to them.

"Kasumi-san! What're ya doin' here?" Ranma looked puzzled, while Ukyo tried not to let the interruption phase her good mood.

"Well, Ranma-kun, I wanted to thank you ...for your help. I could not do this without you, and I wanted to help you in return, in any way that I could." Kasumi bowed, offering him the bento upon which she had worked so hard preparing.

Ukyo just stared at the older women for a moment before looking at Ranma, and then quickly turning her head back and forth between them, not wanting to see what she thought she was seeing. "Oh, ya ain't gotta do that, Ah'm happy ta make Ranchan lunch-." The look Ukyo got from Kasumi shocked her to the core, and she quickly moved away, feeling like a kicked dog with her tail between her legs. All she could do was whimper in response. "Waaaan..."

Not really sure what he missed when he blinked, Ranma just bowed, and accepted the lunchbox. "Thanks, Kasumi-san, yer bentos're always th' best!"

Kasumi blushed while Ukyo looked as if she had just been struck with an arrow. "Thank you , Ranma-kun. I have things I need to do, however, I will see you soon." The eldest Tendo daughter bowed once more, before turning to run into the school...

Ukyo was practically in tears, almost crawling back over to Ranma as Kasumi left. "RANCHAN! How could ja lie ta meh? Ya said mah okonomiyaki was th' best!"

"It IS! Nobody makes okonomiyaki as good as Ucchan! Don't nobody come close!" Ukyo looked confused, not sure how to that that. "Look, next ta Ucchan's, everybody else's okonomiyaki is bad, but okonomiyaki ain't a bento." Ranma looked as if he had just said the most profound, and yet obvious, thing in the world.

"Why'd ya want somethin' other 'an okonomiyaki fer?"

"Hey, cookin' ain't just making food, it's an art, I thought ya a' all people, should know that, an' with Kasumi-san's bento, that's literally true. Check this out." Ranma opened the lunchbox and showed Ukyo the contents. The scene inside was far more elaborate than the last bento she had seen, she almost felt as if she had a controller, should could play Street Fighter as Ranma 'on' the lunch. "I ain't sure what these numbers an' bars are fer up here, but I can see what I gotta do here. Hold this a second, would ya?"

Ukyo nodded as she watched as Ranma bounced on the balls of his feet, contemplating what he was about to do, when Mousse hopped over the wall, lobbing chains, and various other oddities his direction. "Saotome, what have you been doing to Shampoo? I don't what, but that smile and bouncy step means it must be bad! Your suffering will be legendary, I will make you pay!"

Sensing the attack, Ranma leapt into the air, curling into a ball, quickly spinning toward his foe. He extended his body just before impact, striking Mousse in the chest with both feet, sending the optically challenged Chinese man back over the wall and out of sight.

"Well, that was easier ta figure out than I expected, now fer th' best part." Ranma rushed over to share his bento with his friend. "Ya really should try some a' this, it's great!" Ranma tried to feed Ukyo a bite with his chopsticks. She was perplexed, on the one hand, she could not believe that even Ranma could be so callous, on the other hand, he was feeding her, with his own his own chopsticks. She may have gotten to kiss him the night before, but it was all still too new of an experience for her to pass up on that opportunity, even if it was some other woman's food...

"Okay, Ranchan, but ya gotta let meh feed ya next." Ukyo hated to admit it, even to herself, but Ranma was right, the bento was incredible. While it would not be her first choice, not flat enough, she could see what Ranma had meant. She had tried some people's bento in the past, and it had never really appealed to her, mostly just sticky rice and fish sausages, nothing to write home about, even if they were cute. She had always had to make the effort to avoid cute things to maintain her cover anyway. To her, nothing could really beat something she made hot and fresh, right on the spot, and it gave her the perfect excuse to boost her income by selling them to the other students, something she always needed as a girl living on her own. However, there was just something appealing about this one, the subtle hint of flavors from the seasonings blended together all highlighting the main dishes, without overpowering them, and ingredients all seemed to perfectly complement one another. It was a masterpiece of flavor!

Ranma grinned broadly with a hungry look in his eyes. "Ucchan, I'll eat as many as ya want ta make me!"

Ukyo had lost most of her annoyance, and was basking in the tastes dancing in her mouth and the presence of the man around which almost her entire world revolved. Though, it was because of this, she had been able to hold onto some of her earlier misgivings. "So, Ranchan, ya mind tellin' meh what th' hell happened? Did Tendo-han switch th' engagement ta Kasumi-han, er what?"

"What? No! What er ya crazy?"

"Then what happened between ya? What's goin' on, Ranchan?"

"After th' kidnappin', Kasumi-san wanted ta train, ta be safer."

"Trainin'? Really? That's it?"

"A' course! Don't ya trust me, Ucchan?"

"Well, sure Ah do, but ya shore do make it hard some days..."

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After a long lunchtime talk with Hinako, Kasumi moved on to her next stop, the Nekohanten, the voices getting louder as she approached. "Stupid Mousse! Always fly off when needed! If no was member of tribe..."

"But my sweet Shampoo...!"

"Shampoo no like Mousse, no care if live or die, do what want, but leave Shampoo alone! If no help, stay gone!"

Kasumi managed to jump back in time to avoid the duck that flew past her as she neared the front of the establishment. She had not been sure why beforehand, she had just felt it was a good time to step aside, and she had listened to her instincts. She had always tended to trust her gut feelings, but this was not exactly like her normal intuition, a more urgent pull to action. Her intuition yelled and her body moved, she barely even registered that it had happened until after the fact.

Not really giving it much thought, she entered the small restaurant to see a frantic Shampoo running around cleaning the dining area, while Cologne worked in the kitchen. "Oh my!"

"Onee-chan! Shampoo is glad to see, but is very busy. Please, have seat, Shampoo bring tea." Shampoo indicated one of the clean tables and turned to head into the back when Kasumi interrupted.

"May I help?"

"What … did say?"

"Would you like some help? I know a thing or two about cleaning, and I have some free time."

Kasumi saw the hopeful look that flashed across the young gaijin woman's face, and found it adorable, but was saddened as it was crushed as quickly as it appeared. "Shampoo no can ask that, sit, bring tea."

"Oh nonsense. Let me clean in here, and you go help your grandmother in the kitchen. Just hand me an apron and let me do my thing." The young domestic's warm smile radiated a stern confidence that reminded the warrior princess enough of an elder, that she snapped to obey like one of Pavlov's dogs.

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Even Cologne had been impressed by the efficiency at which the young Japanese woman worked, she had the dining area sparkling, and had joined them in the kitchen, helping to prepare for the dinner rush in no time at all. Thanks to her assistance, they had easily finished their work with plenty of time to spare before they normally opened for the evening rush.

"If Onee-chan see Airen, tell that shirt be cleaned soon. Shampoo no is quite done."

"What shirt?"

Shampoo felt guilty for her small part, as she explained how Ranma's shirt had gotten stained the night before, and how she had taken responsibility to get it cleaned. Unfortunately, when Mousse had heard her gushing about his shirt, he stormed off, leaving them with more work than they had time.

She was taken off guard by the flash of emotion she saw on her friend's face, that seemed incredibly out of place on the kind young woman's face. It made her feel so uncomfortable, Shampoo almost wished she had blinked and missed it, and was quite worried that it had been directed at her for their make-out session. She knew that Kasumi was what the Japanese called 'old fashioned', not that the expression made any sense to her, in Shampoo's experience, it was the elders who got the most excited about such things. She repressed a few memories about gossiping elders, before Kasumi had spoken.

"Please then, allow me to aid you in that endeavor ...I would not forgive myself if that shirt got ruined and I could do something about it!" Shampoo realized that there was time to work on it after all, and the two young women unrolled the wet towel, and got to work.

Between Kasumi's knowledge of cleaning, and Shampoo's knowledge of the fabric, they had the shirt clean and drying in no time at all. "Oh, thank goodness, and thank you, Shampoo-chan. Ranma-kun certainly does look handsome in this shirt."

"Aaiiyaaaa! Onee-chan think so too?"

They giggled together for a moment before a cackling Cologne had finally brought in the tea she had promised, happy to see them getting along. Shampoo had too few friends in her life, and they had too few allies in this land. "Here you are, thank you again. I don't suppose you would be interested in a job, would you? Unlike our other ...employee, you would be worth paying!"

Kasumi looked surprised for a moment. "Oh my, you do not pay Mousse-san?"

"Oh, technically we do, but we also deduct for damages since they are all due to personal neglect which could have been easily avoided, and so far the debt grows more quickly than the fool's pay. Though I do not believe you would have those same issues... It is amazing what one can accomplish when one is here to work, and not ogle one's fellow co-workers."

"Oh my..."

"I promise, we would pay you what you are worth, which is to say, quite well."

"Oh dear... I am terribly sorry, but I am afraid I just could not spare the time these days. I am just so very busy most of the time these days..."

"Well, at least allow me to pay you for your assistance, I don't think we would have been completely ready to go by opening time, if not for you."

"That is not necessary, Honored Elder, I am happy to help." Kasumi bowed and then a thought occurred to her. "However, if you would like to return the favor, perhaps, if it would not be too much trouble, when you are not too busy, you could deliver a somewhat large meal for three, here, to Ranma-kun's new address?"

Shampoo perked up quickly, grabbing the small piece of paper, as a sly grin slowly formed on her lips. "So, this where husband live now?"

Kasumi smiled, she felt good about repaying the favor of helping save Ranma's shirt. It would give her friend a slight advantage over her rival, and help level the field with 'The Shirt Ruiner' being in his class. "I need to hurry, but thank you both for your assistance." The young Japanese woman bowed. "Perhaps you could deliver the shirt as well, once it is dry."

"I believe that's our line... That is two we owe you, Tendo-san, would you like us to also deliver food to your family?"

"That will not be needed, I left something out for them..."

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"Thank you for the food!"

The Tendo household started serving themselves, acting less rowdy than they had when Ranma was there, yet still with a gusto that betrayed their eagerness to consume the large quantity of food they had been provided. The portions had been larger of late, however it seemed less fresh then they had grown accustomed. "Kasumi-chan, is this supposed to be this cold?"

"I don't think Onee-chan is home, Daddy."

"Well, of course Kasumi-chan is here! Who else could have done this?"

After a moment's thought, they all turned as one toward Akane with a look of horror on their faces. "IT WASN'T ME!" The collective sight of relief upset the youthful martial artist, who turned away with a huff.

"Of course it wasn't you, Akane-chan, nobody died."

"FINE! BE THAT WAY! I will be eating in my room!" Akane picked up her plate and stormed off.

"Maybe it was your mother... HAHAHA! But don't be silly, Kasumi-chan was just here."

"Are you sure?"

"Certainly!"

Nabiki looked skeptical, but with everyone else so sure, she relented...

"Well, no one brought me the sake I asked for earlier..."

That's because you drink too much, and it is way too early to do so! Especially for someone who has not held a job in a long time, isn't that right ...Pa-n-da-o-ji-san?"

"Urk!"

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Ukyo and Konatsu were rushing around, almost ready to start their after school rush, when the phone rang. It was unusual for them to get phone calls unless there was a problem with a delivery or something else unpleasant, so she rushed to answer. "Hai, thank ya fer callin' Ucchan's Okonomiyaki, What can Ah do fer ya?"

"I'd like to place a delivery order for later this evening..."

"Ah'm sorry, but we don't do delivery, ya'd have ta ...wait, ya sound familiar, who is this-?"

"Your teacher, Kuonji-san, Saotome-san and I will be needing-"

"JUS' TELL MEH WER TA GO, AN' WHEN! Ah'll be thur ta make as many as ya want, fresh, an' free!"

She double checked the address, before hanging up the phone. "So THAT's where Ranchan's been hidin'!" It DID explain, to her way of thinking, how all the rumors of Ranma and their teacher had gotten started, trying her best to ignore anything that seemed contrary to that line of thought or any possible implications that those rumors could possibly be true.

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"NANI! Ranma-sama chose that wench over me, when that Ukyo is only slightly prettier than before?"

"Yes ...well, that is not 'exactly' what I said, Ojou-sama!"

"That is an outrage! I am Ranma-sama's only true sweetheart!"

"Truly, that man is a disgrace to all men."

"How DARE you say such things about my Ranma-sama?" Kodachi spun on her heel, lowering an accusatory glare at her miniature man-servant. "You, Sasuke, will go without food, until you find where they are hiding my precious Ranma-sama! Go, now."

"Yes, Ojou-sama, it shall be as you ask!" Sasuke vanished in the blink of an eye, stopping just long enough to check on the young master of the house, who had been brought home to recover from his injuries ...again. His sister kept him medicated, and free from pain, or coherent thought, though it was left to him to change the young man's bandages, bed pan, clothing, making sure the feeding tube was working, and all of the other, more disgusting aspects, of his recovery... At least he would not have any desire for a meal any time soon, while he looked into his mission.

Finding one lone boy in the city, an impossible task to be sure, luckily, he had been hearing rumors, he supposed it was time to see if they were true.

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Ranma was rather impressed with Kasumi's continued progress with her meditation, he had even pulled out one of Hinako's long, foam floatation tubes, and lightly swung it near her head only to see her naturally dodge it without seeming to even notice. Ranma's emotions were mixed, he was proud of his student, she had developed her senses even more quickly than he had himself ...of course he WAS only a child at the time... and she did not learn other techniques near as quickly he could. Managing to keep his fragile ego intact, he decided that it was time to end their practice and choose what to do about their dinner... "Kasumi-san, will ya be joinin' us fer dinner tonight?"

"Thank you, yes, if it is not too much trouble."

"Not at all, what ya like?"

"Well, I hope it is not an imposition, but I took the liberty of placing a delivery order..."

"You did? Oh, well I hope you are hungry then, because so did I..."

As if right on cue, they heard a commotion on the other side of the door. "What're YA doin' here?"

"Shampoo asked to bring food for Onee-chan and husband! What Flatcake-Girl do here?"

"Sensei invited meh ta cook fer 'em! Anyone'd would want a fresh, crispy okonomiyaki over your old, soggy noodles!"

"Shampoo no bring noodles, is for husband, so made with love! Shampoo bring seven course meal! Start with egg drop soup, dim sum, shrimp shumai, sweet sour pork, five spice roast duck, finish with eight treasures dish, and candied banana in cinnamon coconut sauce for dessert!"

"Ya made Happosai? Eeeeeeewwww!" Ukyo was desperately trying to think of any other way to make that sound bad, but even she was tempted by the sound of that dessert! She did not get sweet things very often, but it was a guilty pleasure. Before she had been able to form a comeback, the door opened to reveal an annoyed Hinako and Kasumi, and a drooling Ranma, who was looking forward to all of the food he had heard described.

Shampoo and Ukyo looked at each other, while Kasumi and Hinako did the same. "This is all your fault!"

Ranma was pulled out of his hungry stupor, and did a double take, he expected such reactions from most of them, but from Kasumi, it was surprising. "Mmmmmmmm, fooood... Wait, what now? What's wrong? Can't we talk about it over this eight course meal?"

"But, Shampoo only bring seven..."

"That means mah okonomiyaki, a' course!"

"Hey, now, ain't no reason ta fight, 'sides, shouldn't bother th' neighbors, an' no sense lettin' all this good food get cold..." Glancing at Kasumi, he belatedly added, "And thank ya both fer doin' this..." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but his desire for good food overrode any annoyance he might have felt at having his location disclosed.

They both jumped in, shouting. "Glad to!" Then glanced at each other, and looked embarrassed.

Ukyo carried her gear inside as her voice dropped to a more hushed tone, yet retained her pride as a chef. "Yer okonomiyaki won't get cold Ranchan, Ah'll make um fresh fer ya every time." Seeing him look back and smile made everything she had gone through for this worthwhile. She would have to thank Konatsu for once again closing down the restaurant alone, so she could escape early, and not come home to a mess. Her new assistant might have a long way to go before becoming an okonomiyaki chef, but as a waitress, few could compare.

Kasumi admired the many varied dishes, and the skill with which they had been delivered without spilling a drop, while Hinako was amazed by the flashy show Ukyo put on while cooking up her specialty. Ranma happily ate whatever had been placed before him, and enjoyed an enormous meal, while having the presence of mind to politely refuse Shampoo's offer to feed him, despite her disappointment. Kasumi's smile lessened slightly toward him as well, which confused him a bit, though it had only been for an instant, so he decided he must have imagined it.

The rest of dinner had gone more smoothly than Ranma had expected, considering the company, until the dishes were all cleaned up and put away, when Shampoo made an announcement! "Also have other gift for Airen!"

Ranma accepted the small package, and upon unwrapping it, he found his shirt, clean, and neatly folded. "Hey, thanks Shampoo, I really liked that shirt!"

The violet streak jumped at the opportunity to bowl Ranma over, glomping him tightly. "Airen thank Shampoo, make soooooo happy!"

Ukyo's guilt resurfaced, glad that it was not ruined, but upset to have caused it, and to have not been able to do much to help clean it. She certainly felt out of her element and could only think to prostrate herself and ask for forgiveness, she was panicking, and it showed. "Ah'm sorry, Ranchan. It was all mah fault!"

"Come on, Ucchan, don't be like that, it wasn't 'all' yer fault, but I ain't got many friends, so I do wish ya could get along... I mean, yer rivals, I get that, and there's nuthin' wrong with competin' an' all, but I don' know..." Ranma just slumped his head, unable to find the words he needed. "That much anger ain't good fer ya."

"What about ya an' Ryoga?"

"It ain't like I don't try! I might taunt, but I don't hate th' guy, even if that 'P-Chan' thing was really low... That's a good example though, ya wanna be like Ryoga? That th' kind a' life ya wanna live, runnin' 'round depressed all th' time? I think most of us have tried it at some point, ain't fun! I mean, maybe if we weren't all havin' ta worry 'bout someone gettin' mad about everything all th' time, we could work this out..."

Kasumi was somewhat disappointed, not only had her plan not worked out as well as she had hoped, but she had honestly thought that once Ranma and her sister had some time apart, things would calm down, and there would be less fighting. Not only had Akane not calmed down, but she was still seeing fighting wherever she looked ...although she had to admit, she had never interacted with everyone so often before, so she may have just not noticed it before. Another wave of disappointment washed over her, this time focused internally, not externally. That idea that so much abuse had gone on around her while she ignored it, so much harm had befallen one of their guests, while she was in charge. It was no wonder her mother was telling her to grow up, be a woman, and stop acting like such a child! Her gifts had continued even after Ranma had left, thus it could not have been his doing, and she did so want to live up to her mother's expectations! To do so, she had vowed to help Ranma find the happiness he was unable to find while under their roof. She had come to love the young man, like the little brother she had always wanted, and it pained her to watch him suffer.

"Oh poor Ranma-kun..." Kasumi turned her loving, motherly gaze to the two younger women. "Would It not be nice if the two of you could learn to play nice, share or, perhaps, take turns...?" The suggestion both screamed at her as being improper and yet, the only fair way to do things at the same time... On top of this confusion, there were other feelings mixed in that she was unable to identify. Trying for a moment, the closest feeling she could attach to it would have been 'loneliness', but that could not be correct, for was she not surrounded by friends and family? However none of the other emotions to which she was familiar felt right either, to be honest, they 'fit' even less.

The reactions to Kasumi's simple request varied somewhat, Ranma was grateful for the assistance, having never been good with dealing with 'emotional stuff', Shampoo was happy, she was always willing to 'play nice' with Ranma, Ukyo was embarrassed, unable to believe what she had heard, and Hinako was quite impressed with the young woman, she did not expect that level of practicality out of Kasumi. All three of the other women started rethinking their plans based on what they had assumed Kasumi, the one they had all considered the most prudish of the group, had seemingly suggested.

Ukyo's mind was racing, this was going to require her to step up her game once again, she had always planned to wait until they were married, but if that was what it would take to get them married, she would not object ...much. She expected that sort of thing from the uninhibited Shampoo, but to hear it from Kasumi of all people, she really felt like a prude! Was she THAT old fashioned? What she needed was a plan! She did not have many allies in this, but perhaps she could get some advice ...from somewhere. At least she always had Konatsu's help.

Grateful that the small war had been prevented, Ranma looked to Kasumi and Hinako, skeptical of the situation. "Not sure what ya were tryin' ta do, but ya don't know how close ya came ta losing yer apartment."

Hinako glared at Shampoo's delivery container. "Well, I did not know about that, but I know my cooking stinks, and I felt bad about you always cooking..."

"Oh, was that wrong of me? I was not aware that this was a secret..." Kasumi could not have looked more innocent had she tried.

"Wait, Ranchan ...cookin'?"

"Well, it's not a problem, not really, I just didn't want Sensei's place ta get trashed ...again, it's hard enough keepin' this place clean without fights breakin' out, it ain't like this place is that big..."

Ukyo gave him a strange look, she had never really taken Ranma as a 'neat freak'. 'Why didn't Ah know that? Wait-a-minute! This IS a small place, where is Ranchan sleeping?' Glancing around the small room, she saw only the one bed ...and panicked. 'NO! It can't be!'

Looking to Kasumi, the young warrior woman smiled. "Airen learn cleaning from best, is too too good husband training! Ranma teach Shampoo more soon, yes?"

'SHAMPOO KNEW? HOW? WHAT? KUSO! What ELSE don't Ah know?' Ukyo felt as if she had entered the Twilight Zone, or she would have, had she ever heard of the program.

"It doesn't matter if it gets messy, you can just use your magic to fix it again!" Hinako got excited, the child-like glee looking somewhat out of place.

"I told ya, I ain't magic!" Ranma almost jumped up, as he shouted, before he fell back, and his tone defeated. "...well, not personally."

"Aiyaaaa! No is true, Husband give Shampoo magic tingles whenever is near!"

An image of herself being held or carried by Ranma flashed through the minds of each of the women present, causing them to blush and be reminded of similar feelings in herself, getting lost in their own thoughts. Kasumi certainly had to admit, he proved to her that magic was real, and Ranma certainly could pull off what was seemingly impossible on a regular basis, none of which had to do with his curse. She had never felt anything similar to being held by the young man either, she did not even feel that safe and protected when she had been held by her father as a small child. "Oh my..."

He was not really sure what she was talking about, though Ranma did get the distinct impression that his 'manly' self was to blame, and his ego started to swell along with his growing blush. He had always known that he was too much of a good thing, however before he could reach the point of maniacally laughing out loud, Shampoo called something to their attention that none of them had previously registered.

"We talky magic, how Sensei stay big? If draining Ranma, Shampoo have words to say! Is okay, Airen?" She and Ukyo both interposed themselves between Ranma and his teacher, eying her carefully, and planning to use their bodies as a shield if they were needed.

"I'm fine, if I'm bein' drained, I ain't feelin' nuthin'..." 'But it had ta come from somewhere...' Everyone eyed Hinako cautiously, unsure what to expect. 'It can't be from Kasumi-san ...can it?'

Though she was embarrassed to talk about it, Hinako figured she did not have a choice, she would have to explain, it just would not do for them to think she was secretly draining them. If she wanted to make progress with Ranma, she needed to build up his trust, he had just started to open up a bit for her, and she did not want to lose that progress. "No, I am not draining any of you, though I do have Saotome-kun to thank for it. You might remember winning a pair of fish for me last night..."

Ranma raised an eyebrow curiously as he and Ukyo slowly nodded.

Hinako retrieved the small fishbowl, and placed it on the table before them. Everyone stared at the two fish squaring off with each other, Ranma was the first to make the connection. "So you are draining the ki from these fish, through the hole in the top of the fishbowl?"

"And you call yourself 'dumb'." She gave Ranma a warm smile. "Yes, exactly. These are-"

"Siamese Fighting Fish, is bred only to fight. Have too too much qi, one is equal three war dog, seven fighting cock, or even young Nujie Zu warrior!"

Her flash of annoyance from being interrupted by the poorly spoken Chinese girl faded just as quickly as it came, allowing her to recover her usual aloofness. "Um, yes, well, just so. I did this in order to be a better tutor for you..." Blushing, she turned away, acting a bit like a schoolgirl herself. "We both know I am ...easily distracted when I am not in this body, and I certainly couldn't keep draining you, and expect you to study effectively ...that would not work out well."

'TUTORING RANCHAN! ...AS AN ADULT!' "What kinds a' things are ya teaching?" The sultry look on the instructor's features unintentionally gave off as she leaned into respond to the chef's query, really threw Ukyo off her rocker! She had already been picturing some rather tantalizing things between the pair, a few of which even involved a bit of nudity, now her latest vision had the two of them going into the small changing room, and turning the 'occupied' sign over as the door closed, revealing an eighteen or older rating, effectively shutting her out of her own imagination spot!

"Everything I can!" The smile upon her lips sent steam shooting out of Ukyo's ears before the young entrepreneur deflated to the floor in a puddle. "Saotome-kun's education was certainly lacking, due to the frequent travels, and we have a lot of ground to cover!" She turned her attention toward Ranma. "I intended to make sure that you not only graduate, but as one of the top students in your class! You see, I have a dream, that people will respect me as a teacher, and not just fear my discipline! I want to teach eager young minds, and fill them with my vast knowledge, and all of that starts with you, Saotome-kun! If I can earn your respect as a teacher, and get you to behave in my class, the rest of them are sure to follow! We can help each other, and then together, we can help so many others!" A light seemed to shine on her from above and smaller lights sparkled around her as she completed her passionate proclamation!

Kasumi quietly applauded, silently wishing the instructor good luck in her achieving her goals.

"Sensei, that might have more impact if ya weren't playing with a paddle ball..." Hinako quickly tried to hide her toy behind her back, not sure when she had even picked it up.

Ranma's present paramours tuned the woman out part way through her monologue, and Shampoo had begun arguing with a recently reconstituted Ukyo, before they inevitably turned their attention back on Ranma himself. "Why no come to Shampoo? Teach, everything Airen need know!"

"Oh yeah, 'Shampoo help Airen learn Japanese, too too good!' ...yeah right!" Ukyo chuckled, giving her rival a superior look.

"And Pancake-girl accent is so much better? Shampoo have Great-Grandmother to help where lacking, who help have?"

Ukyo's face dropped, realizing her error, she did still have trouble with the Tokyo dialect, preferring the 'more friendly' and comfortable Osaka-ben, nor did she have any grand-master elder to call upon for aid. She had a kunoichi, but she preferred a less deceitful path. She had seen how most of Shampoo and Kodachi's plans, and even a few of her own, involving tricks, or magic, tended to backfire... The hurt looks she had seen on Ranma's face in those moments when he learned what they had done, she would rather die that to see that again. "Naw, ya right, Ah got nobody..."

Hinako could not stand to see one of her students suffering, and clearly so hurt. She wanted to support her in any way she could. "You do share a class, and know the current material, most of your scores are well above average. We are talking about the very basics for now anyway..." She spared a glance at Ranma, who winced a bit at the 'basic' comment, but said nothing.

Ukyo was not sure she wanted to trust help coming from the largest temptation to Ranma's chastity, especially in light of these new revelations! The two of them spending so much time together, and now she can be in that body, wearing outfits that seem even skimpier than Shampoo on occasion! Showering together, sleeping together, oh why could it not have been her place he stayed at this time...? However, she was desperate, and growing worse with each new bit of information she learned, she was grasping for any straw she could grab. What else could she do? Being from Osaka, she could not turn down a free gift! "Yeah, an' we can work together almost every day!" Even if she would still get evil glares from Akane, but at least she had prevented her nominal friend from attacking her Ranchan ever since they broke up, and he seemed to appreciate it. She had to take her victories where she could.

"Oh, then no mind if Shampoo take nights then..."

"That seems fair... HEY! Now just ya wait-a-minute!" This brought her out of her daze, and refocused her attention back onto her nemesis. "This an' that ain't th' same thing. Don't cha go tryin' none a' that! It took meh too long ta get a date! Ah waited more 'an ten years! Ain't mah fault ya can't go ta school!" Ukyo was leaning in, getting up in Shampoo's face, her aura blazing.

"UCCHAN! Please calm down... I get some say in this, don't I?"

Shampoo did her best to keep her calm, wanting to show that SHE was not the one starting the fights. "Was just joke!"

Ranma glanced at Kasumi and Hinako after Ukyo calmed a bit after being scolded. "Well, I hope yer pleased, I'm goin' ta my room..."

Everyone looked at Ranma with a confused expression. "You have a room?"

Ukyo let out a huge sigh of relief. 'Oh thank the kami!' "Where, where're ya stayin'?" The question earned her a couple of accusatory glares, as Shampoo looked to Ranma, curiously, eagerly awaiting his response.

"On th' roof!" With that, he hopped out of the window.

Kasumi did not like to see people fighting in anger at all, however the look of hurt and desperation of Ranma's face called out to her, and she felt the need to act. She jumped up, to try and stop their fight, but ended up tripping over a cord, and landing on the bed, her skirt flipped over her head.

The reactions from the other three women were sharp, even Shampoo was surprised to see the sexy, pastel blue, lacy panties and matching garter and stockings set that she was wearing. Though it DID confirm in their minds that Kasumi had meant what they had thought earlier in the evening, it seemed she really was more promiscuous than any of them would have ever guessed!

Kasumi did her best to recover, glad that Ranma had not seen her embarrassing moment, they were all girls, so it was all right. "I am sorry you had to see that, pardon me. However, Kuonji-san, this is not a productive direction, perhaps the two of you could find a less destructive way to settle your arguments..."

Noticing what the cord Kasumi had tripped over was attached to out of the corner of her eye she saw her chance and pointed to Hinako's game console. "Shampoo have idea, said play, so challenge at game!"

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Once things had calmed down, the only fighting was on the game, and over who would get to play next, Kasumi walked to the front of the building and called out toward the roof. "Oh Ranma-kun, could you come down here for a moment please?"

She immediately heard a light scuffle and Ranma landed before her, causing her to almost lose her balance. Luckily, Ranma was quick, and held her to prevent her falling. It had reminded her of a day soon after he arrived when they ran into each other on the stairs, except this time, she instinctively wrapped her own arms around the boy as well. She was quite glad that she did, though it caused her to lose her train of thought momentarily.

"Uh, are ya, okay, Kasumi-san? Did ya need somethin'?"

Ranma's soft breath on her ear was almost too much for the young woman, and she quivered in his arms, her knees almost buckling. Kasumi's mind raced, remembering all of the times he had carried her before, and the feelings that came with them. She did not completely understand them, but she knew she did not want them to end. "Cou-Could y-y-you take me home, please...?"

"Sure." Not hesitating, Ranma lifted the eldest Tendo daughter into his arms, and leapt into the sky, glad to have an excuse not to be near the building that, if he was lucky, would still be standing when he returned.

They had traveled nearly a kilometer before she had recovered enough to remember she had need to talk to the young man she was starting to have trouble thinking of as her younger brother. "Ranma-kun?"

"Hai?"

"Ninomiya-sensei and I were talking, and something has us concerned, especially in light of the recent morning showers. We do not wish to see you sleeping on the roof any longer, and are afraid that you might get sick."

"Oh ain't nuthin' ta worry 'bout, I don't get sick."

"You say that, but we would both feel much better, if you were not to take that unnecessary risk."

"Did sensei put ya up ta this?"

"Not exactly, it was more my idea, though, your teacher agrees with me. I was horrified when I found out you had been sleeping up there, without a tent or anything, that's even worse than camping where you were!"

"Well, I got facilities, an' can cook an' stuff easier, so it's better, but I can't, it just ain't right, I'm a guy. There's only the one bed, and there ain't exactly any other rooms..."

The pleading look on Kasumi's face when he glanced down at her made him feel guilty, and he almost stumbled as they bounced off of the next roof. "Please, Ranma-kun, for me? If you are going to get rained on anyway, you could just change into a girl first, and sleep where it is warm! It is okay if you are both girls, isn't it?"

"Not really, 'cause, just 'cause I look like a girl, don't make me one where it matters." Kasumi's large, sad eyes looked as if they were about to start crying at any second, and Ranma's resistance crumbled. "Okay, okay, if it means that much ta ya, I'll figure sometin' out... I promise, jus', don't cry!"

"Oh, thank you, Ranma-kun!" Kasumi was overjoyed, and without thinking, she leaned in and kissed the young man on the cheek. She felt their angle shift slightly, and then panicked as Ranma's forehead slammed into a tree branch causing them to stumble. Ranma recovered quickly, and managed to take the fall himself, preventing Kasumi from getting a scratch, however he was unable to say the same thing about himself... "RANMA-KUN! Are you all right? Oh my!"

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Once Shampoo realized that Kasumi was gone, and Ranma was not coming back any time soon either, she decided that she had beaten the chef enough times in Street Fighter Two, and it was time to head home. After all, she had to get ready for her plan later that night...

Ukyo was surprised Shampoo obviously let her instructor win, and left the two of them to battle it out as she left, but was determined to practice more, so she could put in a better showing next time. There was no way she would let that brazen hussy get the better of her!

"Kuonji-kun, we should talk."

Ukyo stopped packing up her gear, and gave her teacher an incredulous look, wondering what she had in mind. "About what?"

"Saotome-kun, of course. I would like to help you. You are also one of my students, and I am compelled to assist you both..."

"Hinako-sensei!"

"Kuonji-kun!" The two women shared a bonding hug, before they started making plans.

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Ukyo was starting to feel desperate, the closer she got to the man to whom she pledged her life, the further away from him she felt. She had worked with Hinako for a bit of time, but neither of them had come up with many ideas, and the one she had, was not one that she was willing to share, since the 'guardian' of her target, may well object and warn him. She had left instructions with Konatsu, in case she did not return that night, and with any luck, she would be able to practice that game on her own after school!

In the meantime, she had a goal to meet, if Ranma was sleeping on the roof, alone, then it was her duty as his bride to be, to keep him warm! Dressing in her yukata, the sexiest thing she owned, she leapt out and into the night. Unfortunately, when she landed on the roof of her destination, she was not alone! "What're ya doin' here?"

Shampoo was wearing a pink negligee of almost transparent silk, her silhouette easily seen with the moonlight behind her. "Come keep husband warm, what loser do?"

Kodachi had already dropped her trench coat, and reveled her own lacy black lingerie. "Ohohohohohoho! If the two of you are here, then is seems as though Sasuke's information was correct!"

Both of them turned to face the gymnast with an accusatory tone. "You!"

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Ranma woke to noises from above, and being on the top floor, he had a sneaking suspicion he know what it was. Barely managing to squeeze his curvier body through the smaller window in the bathing room, so as not to wake his host. Climbing up onto the roof, Ranma saw Ukyo, Shampoo, and Kodachi in a three-way stand-off, each one throwing taunts, but waiting for the others to make the first move.

"What th' heck-?"

"The red-headed harlot! You are here too? Now I am positive I am in the right place, I will not let the three of you prevent me from getting to my Ranma-sama!" Kodachi launched herself toward Ranma, with a snarl of rage warping her lovely features.

Turning as one, the three teens sent the gymnast flying into the horizon. "Now, ya' mind tellin' me what yer doin' here? As if I have ta ask.." He just then noticed the dropped coat and the lack of covering on Shampoo, and quickly turned away from them with a blush on his face.

"Loving wife, come keep husband warm on cold night!"

"Ranchan, ya lied ta us! Are ya really sleeping with th' teacher?"

"NO, a' course not! Until today, I did sleep up here, but Kasumi-san made me promise ta stop sleepin' out here every night in th' cold an' rain, so I turned inta a girl, an' slept in th' changin' room, er I was, 'til ya three started makin' a racket up here..."

As the two women started to close in on him, he started to panic. "Come on Ranchan, yer wet, ya must be cold..."

"Let us keep Ranma warm, make sure no regret. Trust Shampoo."

"Oh like that's supposed ta help, who'd trust ya?"

"What, did say?"

"Quick, Ranchan's gettin' away!" They quickly forgot their fight, and chased after the roof-hopping red-head.

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Ukyo arrived home, her yukata torn apart, the belt long ago snagged by a tree branch, her hair was a mess, her bow also long gone, and she was missing a sandal. She quickly regretted going traditional, and not wearing her underwear... Konatsu saw her enter the building, shortly after dawn, and ever the optimist, hoped for the best. "Ukyo-sama, you look quite ...disheveled. Did you have a successful night?"

The look of death on her face told the kunoichi everything. "Hell NO! An' didn' git no sleep neither!"

Konatsu quickly ran a head to prepare her outfit, knowing she would need to go to the public baths before school.

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Cologne was enjoying a smoke, along with a hot cup of tea, to warm her old bones, when she saw her almost completely naked great-granddaughter, draped in the taters of her nightie, enter the empty building, thankful that Mousse was still asleep. "So, are you trying out a new hobby, or did your night go well?"

"Shampoo no want talk about!"

Setting down her cup, the ancient matriarch hopped over, and began picking twigs out of Shampoo's hair. "Calm yourself dear, let us get you cleaned up and you can tell me all about it."

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"So, even after chasing off that Kuno girl wearing underwear, the son-in-law still ran away from you, and lost you both? Well I am sure the three of you certainly gave anyone else out last night an interesting show! I have to say, I am disappointed. What would your mother think? Do you even want to catch the boy?"

Shampoo jumped up, jiggling provocatively, not that there had been anyone around who cared about such things to bare witness. "More than anything! Shampoo do whatever takes!"

The old woman cracked a smile. "Fine then, that is good. Get dressed, we are going to do some research to see what we can learn about Japanese mating rituals ...and replace this poor thing. Was it foolish to think that anyone connected to Happosai, would not be willing to jump at the chance to bed you? That boy never ceases to amaze me... Well, not unless... naaaahhh."

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Having slept in the one place he figured no one would ever look for him, Ranma got up from his desk, and stumbled toward the locker room, to get clean and change back out of his gym uniform. Hinako had made him promise not to sleep in his regular classes anymore, and he wasn't going to miss out on lunch, so he did what he could to make up for his lost sleep that morning, but now it was time for practice.

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He hated to admit it, but he almost missed having Genma around, at least in the mornings to spar, he had not even seen Ryoga for a while, and Kuno was still out 'sick', he was starting to think he might need to go back to the Tendo's just to have someone to practice with!

Ranma's grumbling hike back to the lockers was interrupted by his nominal guardian. "Did I hear you correctly Saotome-kun? Did you just say you missed your father and wanted to go back? Is living with me SO dissatisfactory?"

"Well, yeah, I mean, no, but... I mean, I'm grateful an' all, but ya ain't got no room, an' it ain't right for a guy an' a pretty girl ta live together in such a small place, but I was just sayin' I miss havin' th' old panda ta beat on, er I mean spar with, yeah... I ain't had a good sparing partner in a while, maybe I need ta go find th' old ghoul, or th' pervert..."

"So you are NOT trying to run away again?"

"Well, I would go back ta campin', but I promised Kasumi-san I'd stick it out a while, an' once given, Ranma Saotome's word is always kept!"

"Then where were you this morning? I thought you had also promised to not sleep on the roof any more..."

"I didn't! I was sleepin' in th' changin' room, an there was a lot of noise, so I went up ta see what it was an' th' three girls were arguin'."

"Three? Tendo-san was there as well?"

"Oh no, Akane'd never get up there without help, it was Kodachi."

"Kodachi?"

"Kuno. You've met, it's that crazy gymnast, the principal's daughter."

"Oh..."

"Yeah, so, when I went ta stop th' fight, they all came after me, only neither Kuno sibling understands me when I try ta explain the curse, so Kodachi hates my girl side, cause I'm tryin' ta keep 'em apart, which is true, an' attacks me. After dealing with that, th' others are tryin' ta do stuff ta me, an' so I had ta run er I dunno what would a' happened ta me..."

"You don't know?"

"Well, I mean, I got an idea, I ain't dumb, but..."

"What do you mean, 'you have an idea'? How old are you again?"

"Hey, hey! No need ta get personal! So I ran off, an' eventually came here, and slept in my gym uniform, here in the classroom, didn't figure anyone'd look fer me here..."

Hinako made a mental note of one more topic she was going to need to cover in her tutoring... She had planned to give Ranma an ear full about going off to play all night, but she had nothing left, he had complied as best he could, given the situation. "Saotome-kun, I am sorry the place is so small, I never expected to have company there, well, not that kind anyway, but there is not a lot I can do about that right now, although the rents are not too bad in this part of town, the waiting lists are long, even then the turnover is fast. So finding another place is not going to be easy, especially on my income, however-"

"See, that's another reason I shouldn't be there! I don't wanna cost ya money! It was bad enough with the Tendos, but I didn't have no say in that, but this I do!"

"I am not complaining, I just hope you can be understanding in this situation. You are not costing me anything more than I want to spend, do not trouble yourself over that, it is not what I meant. I only mean that it would be difficult to find another place, if you can stand it, you are welcome to stay with me as long as you want, it is no burden. I want you here. Besides, you gave me your word you would study with me, and I intend to hold you to it!"

"Yer a bad liar, but as I said, I gave my word, so we're stuck together fer a while."

Hinako felt relieved, they had begun making progress, and she would hate to see that roll back. The boy needed help and going back with that father is his, to that house of neglect, was sure to be the opposite of that. "Thank you, Saotome-kun! You will not regret it!" The tall teacher quickly embraced her pupil, and splashing him with a bit of water from her fish bowl.

"So, ya brought them did ya? Well, I was goin' ta get a shower anyway..."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I did have to take the bus after all, and well, I was worried when you were not home this morning..."

"Ya were 'worried' about me?"

"Well of course, when I woke up and found you were gone, how could I not worry?"

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Ryonami had an important assignment that morning, the latest batch of Ranma's photographs with the mosaic censoring had almost all been sold, and she was supposed to leak word of the uncensored version's existence to a few select people before her usual morning activities, and being one of Nabiki's most trusted assistants, she had a lot of them to do. Although, some of the perks she got on this job made any risk worth while, like getting to make her own copies of that photo long before anyone else could even see them, never mind BUY them! She had already 'ruined' one of them and had to replace it, so she had made a drawer-full for herself! How Nabiki had been able to get that hunk to pose for such a provocative photograph at all, never mind doing it nude, was well beyond her, but then that was why Nabiki was the senpai and she was her kouhai!

Rubbing the worn spot on the picture in her pocket made her feel better, but as she hurried through the hall, she heard voices from around the corner. Quietly moving closer, she started to be able to make out Ranma and Hinako's voices well before she could peek around and see them hugging! She quickly pulled her camera out and caught the shot! Nabiki was sure to reward her for that tidbit of information! Wait, what was that she said? She was upset to see that Ranma was not next to her when she woke up that morning? "EEP!"

Both of them turned the moment she squeaked! Before either of them could focus on her, the jealous young girl shoved her camera back into her pocket, and she ran as hard and fast as she could.

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The commotion drawing their attention, the duo dashed to see if there was a problem that needed them. As Ranma turned the corner, intending to give chase, he slipped on something, and slammed into the wall, head first. Hinako leaned down and picked up the offending item and got equal parts offended and intrigued ...but 'mostly' offended! "NANI-O! What, how, why, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Why do you have a nude photograph of you here in the hallway?"

"Ah, damn it! Nabiki's always sellin' pictures a' me ta Kuno, an' probably others too."

"So you knew about this?"

"Well, it ain't like I can do much about it, I'm always gettin' splashed, an' I don't always got a shirt on, I'm a guy, ya know? But, since I was on th' hook ta 'em fer freeloadin', I can't really complain too much..."

"That does not explain this. You are male, completely nude, and quite obviously in the sexiest pose 'I' have ever seen!"

Ranma blushed a bit. "Ya think so? Wait, WHAT? Let me see that!"

"I do not believe that would be a good idea, I need to make sure this get disposed of, properly... I believe you were going to take a shower?"

"Well, as long as ya make sure no one else sees it first, then I guess that's fine." The trusting young man, turned girl, ran off to get another hot shower before class.

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"...So then we find this picture a' me, th' REAL me, naked! I'm SO gonna have ta have words with Nabiki next time I..."

Ukyo was offended ...that she did not get to see the picture, and she was outraged for her friend's embarrassment ...and that is was Nabiki, who would likely charge and arm and a leg for it! "Me too! Don't ya worry, Ranchan, Ah'll defend yer honor!"

"Really?" With the look on his friend's face, he almost felt sorry for the middle Tendo sister.

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Ukyo's aura was blazing as she stomped through the second year's floor. "Where ya at, Nabiki Tendo? Come out an' face meh!"

Quietly spinning out from behind a locker that she calmly leaned against. "So, you are looking for me, are you? What ever could you want with little old me ...'Sugar'?"

"Ah've heard some disturbing news, that cha've been takin' naked pictures a' mah Ranchan ...AS A GUY!"

"Anything is possible, what if I 'did' have such a photograph?"

The young chef was on her knees, pleading. "Why didn't ya talk ta meh sooner? SELL IT TA ME! NOW!"

'Ryonami-chan, you could not have done your job more effectively if you'd tried...' "But why would YOU need pictures, I thought you would be one of the ones who already had something better than ...pictures."

"WHO? Who has better?"

"Well, I guess we know one person who doesn't..." The yen signs flashed in her eyes as she heard a very loud, 'Ka...CHING!'

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"Are you kidding? Since we broke up, that idiot hasn't done anything except flirt with other girls ...and the TEACHERS too! I heard they were hugging this morning, and complaining that Ranma was gone off with other girls, when the teacher woke up this morning! How all those girls can degrade themselves like that? It makes no sense!"

Akane's friends were a bit jealous, but as her best friends, even if she broke up with him, they were required to wait, and not try for him themselves any time soon... Of course with people like Hinako-sensei and that Chinese girl to compete with, they felt rather plain, and undesirable. "I know, let's take Akane out for a make-over!"

"Yeah! That is just the thing to cheer you up!"

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Shopping around all morning, they had purchased several items, including a small collection of lingerie, and conducted a number of interviews with random male young adults. Thus far while asking hypotheticals, most every man reacted much as they expected Ranma should, even if many were more shy than the men they knew back home, they found that almost every male interviewed not only found Shampoo attractive, but would do horrific things to themselves or others for the opportunity to even touch her, and considering her time as a waitress here, Shampoo was not particularly surprised. There had to be some reason the boy reacted the way he did... She could tell by his reactions and the longing interest she saw when looking deep into his eyes, but she could also see nervousness, panic, and fear, even when she was not in her cursed body.

Lost in thought, Shampoo blindly followed her elder into their next stop, where they were stopped by one of the store attendants. She was too busy to pay attention to what was said, but when her great-grandmother's voice gained 'that' tone, one snapped to attention, if one knew what was good them!

"I assure you, young man, my granddaughter is old enough to view this material."

The clerk did not wish to argue with someone who made his grandmother look young, and let them do as they pleased.

Somewhere, behind the facade of this less-than-innocent looking bookstore, a clerk attempted to talk to his superior. "But sir, I really do believe those were the droids we were looking for."

"Listen Noob, I already told ya, these ain't them! Now get back to guard duty!"

Ignoring the voices from the back, Cologne turned to her great-granddaughter, and pointed toward the rest of the store. "Go, look around, see what calls to you..." Turning back to the young clerk, she cracked a wide grin. "Listen sonny-boy, we're doing some research, trying to find what is popular with the young people around here these days. Do you think you could help an old lady out, choose some of the most popular material?"

The clerk had to shake his head to banish the foul vision of Cologne wearing some of their 'more popular items', before his mind caught a hold of the least disgusting possibility that fit. "Oh, you are writing a story? Nothing bad I hope, I don't think the boss would want to be mentioned in something that shows us in a negative light..."

"Oh, no need to worry, my granddaughter is working on a term paper, nothing that will get you into any trouble, I assure you. Now, if you would be so kind..." The matriarch followed him around as he pointed out various media and other items, and explained what they were, and the general types of people with whom they were popular. She would occasionally throw some of the items into a bag she was suddenly carrying. She truly loved the look on his face when she would occasionally ask detailed questions.

As they neared the end of the tour, Cologne's bag was bordering on full, and they were approaching the register once again. "Thank you, young man." The ancient matriarch winked and blew the man a kiss, which caused him to freeze up, crack, and shatter into pieces onto the floor. "Can we get another one, I think I broke this one..."

A voice yelled from the back. "If you break it, you bought it!"

"Really? I was not aware the boy was for sale!" Waiting for a new clerk, she hopped back onto her staff, and looked around. She was only a bit surprised when Shampoo ran up to her, clearly excited about something.

"Oh, Great-grandmother, this one look like Husband!"

"Oh, really? Well, that explains a lot, it's no wonder you are so insistent on the lad, better make sure you get a spare... It is always good to ...practice."

"No no, Great-grandmother, no is reason, but is too too nice bonus!"

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"Ah, a cool afternoon and warm sake, could it get any better?"

"Well, Ranma and Akane could be married and taking over the dojo already, but otherwise, no, they just go together like a woman and dirty dishes!"

"Ha Ha! ...or laundry!"

"Good one, Tendo-kun!" Looking around at the dirty sake cups, and completely missing the look of death they had received from Nabiki, who had been watching television, Genma took note of something he found interesting. "Hey Tendo-kun, Kasumi-chan's afternoon shopping trips seem to be taking longer and longer these days..."

"Mmmm, you could be right, Saotome-kun..."

"Uncle Saotome? If I am not making money off of your son, what, exactly, are you still doing here? Without the deal to merge the families you mentioned still being in effect, if you have forgotten, we have no reason to support you, so if you are not out there getting a job or trying to bring Ranma back to earn me some money, then maybe I should just sell you to the circus! ...Or perhaps you have something else in mind? I heard what Ranma-kun said, did you want to be Akane's next iinazuke instead, was THAT your plan? As the guy's father, you ARE liable, after all..."

"NO! I, um, can't, yeah, that's it, um, previous engagement, yeah, that's it... Besides, that boy will come back ...eventually."

"Where IS your wife, Saotome-kun? Perhaps you should visit more often..."

"You have a wife?"

"Oh no, that's not an option, can't seem to get a hold of each other..."

"Should I make a search? Maybe then I can recover my losses!"

"Erk! NO! You can't do that! Poor wife of a wandering martial artist, and all that!"

"Then perhaps you ought to put forth a bit more effort getting me my money... or that is exactly what I will do." Oh yes, she would be getting someone on that by morning... Always best to have what you need, BEFORE you needed it.

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Somewhere in the greater Tokyo area, a lovely woman, in a formal kimono, and carrying a long bundle, sneezed. Not feeling particularly ill, and not being allergy season, she silently prayed that it was a good sign. Was her boy out there, thinking of his mother?

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Ranma was embarrassed, the sudden sneeze caused him to misstep while showing Kasumi a new kata, and had to start over. "This is exactly why I was worried, sleeping up here, it is far too cold at night, and you cannot be getting enough sleep. A growing boy your age, with a healthy, active life, you need plenty of rest to keep up with all you do."

"I'm sorry, Kasumi-san, I did try, an' I didn't sleep outside, but I didn't get a lot today..."

"Oh Ranma-kun, I am not mad, but you need to take care of yourself, you are the only you we have, and can't be replaced."

Ranma turned away shyly, before remembering something he wanted to ask. "Ano, Kasumi-san?"

"Hai?"

"Those lunches ya been makin' me. Where've ya been gettin' those techniques ya puttin' on there?"

Perking up, the young woman's smile almost knocked her training partner over. "Oh, do you like them? I pass by this arcade everyday when I do my shopping, I saw this game in there one day, and it reminded me of some of the moves that you and your father have done, so I tried to emulate the ones I remembered. Though I thought you deserved a more personal touch, so I wanted them to look like you instead of those little people in the game box."

"A game? Then I guess ya probably don't know th' secret ta that last one then... Was hopin' ya had a secret scroll er somethin'."

"The secret? To the game? No, I am afraid I do not know how to play the game, I just studied the pictures on it... Although I do not really remember any more."

"Oh, no, I don't care about th' game, not really, I just wanted ta learn ta use 'em in a fight. It took me a bit ta get that last one, it felt weird movin' my arms like that, but with today's, I have ta admit, I'm a bit stumped."

"You are learning how to do those moves, from a game, based on the little drawings I made?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, they're a big help, I learned a lot 'cause a' 'em. Thank ya." Ranma bowed deeply, trying to be as sincere as he could in his recognition of her efforts. "It means a lot ta me, that ya'd be this nice ta me fer no reason."

Kasumi was beside herself, to have her work not only to have been appreciated, but helpful to him as well, she could not believe it. She did not do what she did for the praise, and she was sure that her family valued her efforts, but at the same time, to see such heartfelt gratitude on handsome boy's features really moved her heart, and filled a small hole that had previously gone unnoticed. "It is certainly not 'for no reason'! You are a kind young man, and you deserve nice things to happen to you." Unable to resist, she pulled the almost paralyzed martial artist into her arms, not minding that he did not return her embrace.

"Ka-Ka-Ka-Kasumi-san!"

"Yes, Ranma-kun?"

"LOOK OUT!" Ranma dodged, pulling Kasumi with him, narrowly avoiding the ribbon that snapped where they had been standing, and managed to free himself from the gentle arms, of the lovely young woman.

Kasumi reluctantly relinquished her grasp as her mind snapped back to the moment, instinctively moving out of the way of a bowling pin that came flying her way, only to see Ranma snatch it out of the air and launch it back too quickly for the gymnast to react, though she 'caught it' with her body.

Ranma almost growled as he ran toward their interruption, picking up her dropped coat from the night before. Gathering the now slack ribbon in his free hand, he wrapped her in the coat, and tied it off with the her weapon. "Sasuke, I know yer down there, take yer master home please." With that, he tossed his bundle over the side aiming for where he knew the small ninja would be.

"Ranma-kun, are you sure that was safe?"

"Oh sure, in fact, come here, an' close yer eyes. Now reach out- No, with yer senses, not yer hands, and feel. Ya might be able ta sense th' other people in th' building, they are mostly pretty weak, but th' two just below us-"

"I DO! I feel eight people in the building, one cat, three birds, the two people in the bushes below, seventeen in the building next door... Oh my! How did I do that?"

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Tune in next time for, 'Dating Disasters', or 'Six Scents'.