Title: A Legend reborn

Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ as well as Akira Toriyama and many others. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the trademarks mentioned in this story. So suing is senseless.

This story takes place after Movie 10 of Dragonball Z and at the beginning of the Ranma series. It's an AU, and reviews are welcome and appreciated.


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Chapter 9


The next morning started earlier for Ranma than he had anticipated, even considering that it was a school-day. The pigtailed youth could not be sure if it were the effects of the alcohol, that made his father act this way, or his general thoughtlessness. But anyway, the result was the same. Ranma gradually woke up when he noticed that he was flying out of the window and into the direction of the Koi-pond.


He landed in said pond with a loud splash, and the impact, plus the cold water served to awaken him completely. When he came up from below the surface Ranma first spat out a mouthful of pond-water, and his facial expression reminded a certain Genma, who had been standing in the windowsill with a big grin, that this was not the boy he had been able to boss around.


Ranma came out of the pond with a smooth jump, and the growl he emitted towards his father did not bode well for the Saotome patriarch. With another jump Ranma landed on the windowsill and entered the guestroom. That he was dripping pond-water did not matter to him much at the moment. Only his father, who was retreating more and more towards the door, mattered.


When Genma tried to make a run for it Ranma turned into a blur and suddenly appeared in front of his father. Genma managed to gulp before he was lifted into the air by the neck of his shirt. But why the boy was so angry, the Saotome patriarch had no idea. He had woken him up like he had planned to do, just like a thousand times before. It was 6 a.m., the perfect time to start some sparring! His boy couldn't be angry with him that he had woken him up, could he?


Genma got his answer when a pair of cold blue eyes was directed at him. "Wake me up like that one more time, baka oyaji, just one more time, and I'm gonna rip ya ta pieces. Ya got that?" he growled out, his tail swishing behind him.


Seeing that the boy obviously meant business Genma nodded his head repeatedly and fast. It would not bode well for his health should the boy get really angry with him. He had experienced firsthand what his son was capable of after Jusenkyo when he got really angry, and there was no need for a repeat performance.


Ranma nodded satisfied, but instead of letting his father down to the ground, as Genma had obviously expected, a decidedly evil gleam came to Ranma's eyes. "Methinks you need a bath, oyaji." he said, as he pretended to sniff the air. "You stink."


Genma wanted to yell a "No!", but Ranma was faster. Aiming for the pond Ranma launched a certain baka of a father out of the window, and watched his father sail through the air. "Oops!" Ranma exclaimed, "Now that was too close to the shore for oyajis comfort, I'd say." he said with a snicker, as he watched his father impact into the outer regions of the pond.


The pandafied Genma floated motionless on the surface of the pond for some time, face down. Then he began to tread water, and returned to the shore, growfing and growling. An indignant expression plastered onto his face, he held up one of his wooden signs. # Was that really needful, boy? # Flip. # I had already taken a bath yesterday! # Flip. # And besides, is that the way you treat your poor father? # Flip. # I'm shamed, boy. Don't you have any respect? #


Ranma, who had jumped down to the ground, snorted. "Give me something ta respect and I might consider it. Now shut up and let's spar."


Genma-panda growfed, and he did not even bother to change back before their sparring match. He had made the experience that his cursed form gave him an advantage over his normal form in the regard of his combat-weight, and his reach was also better. Thus, Genma-panda charged, and Ranma actually allowed his pandafied father to connect.


After a vicious blow to the right side of the ribcage Genma-panda retreated. His sign read # You're getting sloppy, boy. # Flip. # Has hanging around the weak girls made you weak too? # Flip. # Hah hah, my son is a weak girl! #


Ranma snarled. What followed afterwards was short, brutal, and extremely painful for the panda. Not only had he called Ranma weak, but also a girl! And here he'd thought that he'd broken him off the habit of throwing insults in a fight. Hmm, it seemed as if Genma needed some more 'sparring-sessions' to 'convince' him that his stupid convictions were not appreciated in the slightest. 'Heh, it would be a real treat if I could train the girls to be better in the Art than Pops. Wonder what he´d say then.' he thought with a grin.


When Genma-panda came to a few minutes later he still had swirls for eyes, and he had the distinct feeling that he'd been hit by a truck. Repeatedly. # Unh… give me the license number of the truck that hit me # Flip. # so I can sue the driver. Ohh… #


Ranma snorted. "Baka pops, haven't I told ya that I react badly to being called that? If ya ever do that again then what I did ta ya now will look like a walk in the park. For your information: I held back voluntarily because I wanted to test out a theory. And no, I won't tell ya. Now get up so that we can resume sparring. Though if ya call me names or insult me one more time then I'll show you a world of hurt that will make the ninth degree of hell look like a picnic. Got me?"


The panda growled, but nodded. What other choice but to comply had he? # Okay, boy. Bring it on! # he signed.


In the next hour the two sparred, and Ranma allowed himself to be hit several more times. He wanted to find out if he really got stronger when he was hit or even injured, and thus he even took some of his pops vacuum blades that inflicted quite some damage. But if Genma thought that he'd win because of those hits then he'd better think again. Despite his wounds Ranma managed a clean defeat, and when his father was knocked out for the second time a bleeding and bruised Ranma noticed that he was quite hungry.


However, when he was about to enter the house Ranma noticed that he was dripping blood. And considering the fact that he'd messed up the guestroom already he decided to call Kasumi. From sniffing the air he knew that someone was already up and preparing breakfast, and he expected it to be Kasumi. After all, she had prepared and served the lunch, thus it was only logical to assume that she'd prepare every other meal. "Kasumi!" he called, "Could you come to the entrance of the hallway for a moment?"


Instead of getting an answer, shuffling steps could be heard, and moments later Kasumi appeared in the hallway. At the sight of a bleeding and bruised Ranma she reacted as expected. "Oh my! Whatever happened to you, Ranma-kun?"


Genma, who stood behind Ranma in Panda-form, signed # The boy is slacking off. # Flip. # That's what happens when he hangs around weak girls… #


BAM. An elbow to the head ensured a flying panda, which landed ten yards away on the ground, groaning. "Nobody calls my friends weak, not even you, baka oyaji." he growled.


Kasumi blushed. "Oh my, it's nice of you that you consider me a friend, Ranma-kun. But it was improper to hit your father like that, even if he deserved it." she scolded.


Ranma grimaced in response. "Kasumi, screw proper when dealing with my father. Remember what I told you about him. He deserves far worse, and this is the only language he understands. Now, could you please get me some bandages? I don't want to make a mess."


The oldest Tendo daughter nodded. "At once, Ranma-kun. And for you, just for you, I will screw proper." she said with a wink before hurrying away.


'Whoa!'
Ranma thought as he watched her cute backside disappear. While he waited he had time to reflect on what he had perceived of Kasumi.


She was breathtakingly beautiful, had the most beautiful face he'd ever seen, a cute smile, and she was pleasant and nice. So much for the pro-side. On the con-side, she seemed to be docile, introverted and used to serving others. Also, she seemed to have incarcerated herself in some kind of shell for some reason. He'd have to keep his eyes open, for a decision on a fiancée or no fiancée should be made fairly. To ensure that he'd give each Tendo girl the same chance; although he already had the gut-feeling that Akane was firmly against becoming his mate. Her dislike of anything male under twenty-five seemed to run deep indeed.


For further reflections he had no time, seeing as Kasumi reappeared in the hallway with a first aid kit. She produced the necessary materials with practiced ease, as far as Ranma could tell. Ranma took his shirt off so that the bandages could be applied, and the pigtailed youth could have sworn that he saw her blush when she took sight of his firmly muscled body.


Soon Kasumi had finished her ministrations, and Ranma smiled at her. "Thank you, Kasumi. That was nice of you."


Kasumi smiled back. "You're welcome, Ranma-kun." she said, and muttered "This I'd love to do again..."


Ranma smiled and held the eye-contact while deepening his smile. "I noticed the ease with which you handled bandaging me. Do you plan to work as a doctor?" he asked with genuine curiosity.


From the shadow that appeared on her face he could see, that he'd somehow asked the wrong thing. But Kasumi answered anyway. "I work as a nurse at the practice of Dr. Tofu from time to time, Ranma-kun. And yes, if it ever would be possible I'd like to become a doctor. But that is something which is in the far future."


Ranma nodded. "Do you mind if we go into the kitchen? I'd like to learn more. Maybe I can help you somehow." he said with a smile.


Kasumi nodded too. "I don't mind. Though I doubt that you'll be able to help me; it seems to be a lost case and I'd rather leave it at that and look forward. But let me finish preparing breakfast first. The others will get up soon, especially after the racket your father and you made. I bet even my deep sleeper of a sister Nabiki will be awake by now. And if she does not get her morning coffee she'll be disgruntled and not to bear." she said with a smile.


Ranma smiled too and followed Kasumi into the kitchen. He was really curious how the girls, whom he knew for not more than a day, were in every day life. After all, if he wanted to marry one of them he had to know everything (or at least a lot) about them. He'd learned a lot already, but surely there was much more to learn.


Kasumi went straight to the kitchen and placed the first aid kit back into the cupboard, and after that she prepared the dishes and everything that would be needed to set the table. Ranma saw that and offered his help, which a smiling Kasumi accepted all too gladly. It had been a long time ever since that someone had offered help to her, and the support was a nice change to the usual routine.


At any rate, she really liked this strong young man. He was the first she was interested in since her schooldays, and due to the reciprocated interest in her that Ranma showed Kasumi turned up her considerable charm. Smiling often and moving her hair counter to the motion when appropriate Kasumi managed to bewitch Ranma, much to her satisfaction. It had been years since she'd last flirted, but it seemed as if she hadn't lost her touch. Smiling to herself she continued her work beside Ranma, letting her natural beauty work for her.


Between the two of them it did not take long to set the table, and as breakfast was already prepared it was served in the next step. While they were working, Ranma questioned Kasumi about her life, and he learned that she had graduated as the best of her grade, but had not been able to go to college because of her family of which she had to take care of. Akane had been too young at the time, Nabiki had already earned the money for the family and had not been able to help in the household, and Soun had been practically useless as he had wallowed in self-pity.


Ranma knew that there was much more to the situation, but he already knew that the death of their mother had forced the girls into roles that they had never expected to be forced into. Kasumi had been forced to take over the role of the mother who kept the household, educated Nabiki and Akane, and saw to it that everything pertaining the household was treated to.


In return she had had to give up her youth, her hopes and her dreams, and it seemed as if she had gotten used to it. A rotten deal if he'd ever seen one, was Ranma's opinion. However, the housework seemed to fulfil her, but Ranma asked himself if that was really all that Kasumi expected out of her life.


He was nearly sure that the answer would be no. And the few glimpses he had gotten on the real Kasumi, the one behind the mask of the seemingly serene housewife convinced him, that the gain would far outweigh the effort needed to bring out the real Kasumi from behind her mask. Their talking and downright flirting right now had made that clear. He had to admit, he was quite interested in the oldest Tendo sister; not only her beauty made her interesting, but also the quiet and underlying strength she possessed. She was definitely a candidate for a mate, but he wouldn't make a decision without having seen the real Kasumi.


His thoughts wandered to another beautiful and interesting Tendo girl. Nabiki. Well, the death of her mother had apparently forced her to bring home the money. A job, that would have normally been her fathers' duty. Ranma could not really reciprocate how a man could go to pieces so much so that he would forget to take care of his daughters. Wouldn't it have been his wife's wish that he'd ensure the best possible life for his three daughters?


But he had to admit, Nabiki fascinated him. The middle Tendo girl seemed to have two sides, and somehow she had managed to combine them in a way so that they did not clash. On the one hand she could be helpful, caring, cute, fun and open, but on the other hand she could also be cool, uncaring, and completely businesslike. Her ice-queen façade which she had put on when she had dealt with Akane was an impressive mask. But it was just that, a mask.


A mask, so Ranma assumed, which Nabiki put on when she did her business deals in order to earn money for the family. But maybe that would change after today. If their plan worked as expected they would be able to have a steady income from the dojo, and Soun Tendo would have an obligation to teach. After all, he had promised he would, should students arrive by Tuesday.


Akane, well, she was cute, but she had obvious temper-problems. But considering her problems at school, was that a surprise? He supposed anyone would turn into a man-hater under these circumstances. Hopefully the meditation techniques, which he had learned from a master in China after he had been given his new body could help her like they had helped him. But he was confident. After all, Ranma Saotome did not lose.


-.-


After washing up and enjoying a quiet breakfast without a certain stupid father due to the fact that he was still not able to move, Ranma was ready to face the day. Akane and he had gone over the plan once more, and considering her wrongful judgement from the day before she tried to be objective about the pigtailed young man; she was still looking for perverted behaviour, but his manners were... acceptable.


Nabiki had not joined in on the conversation, considering that she needed at least three large cups of coffee before her brain had woken up; once that had been the case it had already been time to get to school, and Kasumi had wished them good luck.


Now the three teens were on their way to Furinkan high, the satchel Ranma had borrowed from Nabiki hanging from his right shoulder while he scanned the area. They walked the way in silence, and the Saotome youth had explained the reason why; he wanted to memorise the whole area in case a fight took place, and considering Kuno and his horde future fights were probably a given for the foreseeable future. At least until the horde had been disbanded and Kuno had been dealt with. However, there was still the Amazon threat, and he wanted to be prepared for all eventualities.


Ranma's secondary motive consisted of security reasons; he wanted to be informed about the power-levels in this area. He could sense a concentration of sixty-two powerlevels ahead that were slightly above average, and one that was well beyond average. It was too bad that he could not measure powerlevels in numbers, that would have made things a lot easier. What he could tell was that those sixty-three signals were all males, and in a state of aggression and excitement to boot.


His piercing blue eyes met those of the Tendo sisters. "There're sixty-three boys ahead of us. All of ´em are quite... excited. Those the boys that are trying to beat you, huh?" he asked Akane.


Her answer consisted of a growl. "Yes!" she spat. "Damn perverts, I'm going to trash them!"


"Whoa, calm down there, sis. Remember, don't use your mallet or things will get nasty. Just lay them out and let Ranma deal with Kuno, as planned. It's important that you stick to the plan, or things will remain like that forever. And we don't want that, do we?" Nabiki reasoned.


Ranma smiled at Nabiki. "Well spoken. We need to stick to the plan..."


"Stop smiling at my sister like that, you pervert!" a red-faced Akane exclaimed.


"Akane..." Nabiki warned, and just managed to beat Ranma to the punch; his angry retort died when he saw Akane lowering her head.


"Sorry, it's force of habit." Akane said, looking chagrined. "And just a reason more to stick to the plan and sock Kuno a good one! Its bokken-for-brains who is the pervert, and soon everyone will know just how much!" she finished with an evil gleam in her eyes.


Nabiki smirked. "That's more like it, sis. Never forget to lay the blame where it's due."


Ranma clasped his hands together. "Ladies, lets make this Kuno look bad..."


Two minutes later Akane approached the gate that led to the compound that hosted the highschool known as Furinkan high, widely regarded as one of the worst highschools in the entirety of Japan. But due to the fact that it was damn near similar to a private school due to the fact that it was led by a rich and sadly influential man there was little that could be done about it; even if Gruocho Kuno, the principal and owner of Furinkan high was currently spending his time on Hawaii.


His son was currently lurking behind his usual tree, supervising his 'troop'. Not that he ever expected them to win against his fierce tigress Akane Tendo, but the lowborn peasants had the objective to weaken his desired enough so that she'd eventually fall. And then he, the knight in shining armour would intervene and would save the damsel in distress from the uncivilised lot. Soon Kuno was lost in his fantasies where Akane was his wife; a wife, who practically praised the ground he walked upon, and who fulfilled his hearts every desire. Little did Kuno know that his fantasies would go up in smoke soon, for ever.


-.-


As soon as Akane approached the gate the boys positioned as sentries had caught sight of her and had alerted their comrades. The gate was pushed open and a disorganised mob of over sixty boys emerged and ran straight at Akane; the boys were yelling declarations of love while they swung their makeshift weapons at the object of said declarations, the discrepancy of actions and words entirely lost on them.


The youngest Tendo girl gathered her strength from deep within herself and used it to remain calm; by using some of the meditation techniques Ranma had shown to them she managed to stay focussed enough so as not to give in to her customary rage; the result consisted therein that she wasted a lot less energy than else, and the overly amorous boys were soon laid out with few, precise strikes.


Akane smiled to herself. The basics of the Tendo school had been sufficient to lay those losers out, and here she had degraded herself before by allowing it to become a mindless brawl over the past year. Ranma had been right; she'd played by Kuno's rules, but not any more. Now Kuno would reap what he'd sown. He'd made her into someone who hit first and asked questions later, and he'd pay for it.


The delusional Samurai wannabe just stepped out from behind his hiding place and threw the customary rose at her when she more felt than saw Ranma appear at her side. The pigtailed young man plucked the rose out of the air and looked at it critically. Then he looked at Kuno. "Why the hell did ya throw a rose at me? Yer gay or something?" he asked in disgust.


Kuno sputtered in confusion. "Who art thee, lowborn peasant, to ask the mighty Blue Thunder of Furinkan high such a ridiculous question? But halt, it is customary to give ones own name first. Know this, peasant, I am Tatewaki Kuno, age seventeen, the rising star on the Kendo firmament, also known as the Blue Thunder!" he exclaimed, and lightning flashed in the distance.


"Nice trick. Got any more flashy special effects?" Ranma asked completely unimpressed. Then he glared at the other boy while towering over him. "Anyway, ya rambling all that shit doesn't explain why yer threw the rose at me. To get this perfectly straight, I am straight. If you're looking for companionship from yer shore then look on, Blue Blunder." Ranma countered, and the watching girls sighed, stars visible in their eyes.


"He's such a hunk!"


"Kuno is gay?"


"Who cares? This new guy makes Kuno look like Pauly Shore!"


Nabiki, who was observing the going-ons from the shadows, felt a strong pang of jealousy rising up in her, and she didn't try to suppress it. Ranma was hers! Should the hormonal, boy-crazy girls go and find themselves their own hunk! However, looking over at Kuno she had to suppress her laughter. The delusional boy was looking downright livid. 'Kuno-baby, if you think that's bad you're in for a nasty surprise.' she thought with inward glee.


Predictably Kuno bristled and readied a (what he thought) witty retort. "How dareth thee to insult the great Blue Thunder thusly, lowborn cur! Have at thee!" he exclaimed and pointed his bokken at Ranma.


Said pigtailed boy looked downright revolted. "Point yer thing somewhere else, ya sicko! I ain't that way, get that straight!" he exclaimed loudly, somehow managing to look even more revolted.


Nabiki barely managed to hold her laughter in at Ranma's performance, and she saw that her little sis had similar problems. It added to the fun to see how Kuno tried to manoeuvre himself out of this. "Peasant, how dareth thee to accuse the mighty Blue Thunder of partaking in such unnaturalness! This rose was intended for my fierce tigress, Akane Tendo!"


"Suuuure!" Akane exclaimed, "That's why you threw the rose at him. Riiiiight, Kuno."


Kuno sputtered once more. "B... but my fierce tigress, it's not true!"


"I saw it with my own two eyes! You threw that rose at him!" she exclaimed, pointing at Ranma.


Ranma snorted. "I betcha that whole 'challenge-Akane-to-get-date-gig' is just ta deflect people from yer gayness. Can't even admit yer prefs and harass poor, innocent gals ta hide 'em. Sicko."


At just that moment Kuno couldn't take it any more and charged at Ranma. "I attack!" he screamed, and his bokken slashed through the air.


Both Tendo sisters watched in awe as Kuno displayed skills he'd never shown before; his bokken-strikes compressed the very air and sent air-pressure strikes at Ranma! They were just barely visible as distorted air and travelled fast towards the Saotome youth, but Ranma regarded them lazily and dodged each strike effortlessly, and that so fast that he left afterimages.


While the wall that surrounded the school crumbled Ranma regarded Kuno with a bored look. "That all ya got, bokken-in-ass?" he asked lazily.


Kuno seethed, but the watching girls were beside themselves; this display had been incredible!


"He's so cool!"


"I wish he were my boyfriend!"


"Is he single?"


"He looks just like my sempai!"


These and similar comments were uttered, but Ranma did not care; he was solely fixated on his opponent. As no answer from Kuno beside mutterings about 'sorcery' and 'tricks' came forth Ranma decided to act. "Seeing as a gay bokken-wielding sicko like ya ain't worth my time I'll show ya what yer messing with. Approach my backside again and ya will regret it."


"How dareth thee..." Kuno began, but Ranma suddenly blurred and vanished from sight.


A second later blows being dealt could be heard, but not seen. Another second later Kuno slumped down to the ground, utterly unconscious and very battered looking. Ranma was standing over him, not even breathing hard. A kick into the side ensured that the delusional boy was really out of it, and Ranma glared hard at the members of the Hentai horde.


He cracked his knuckles for effect and popped his joints. "You there!" he growled, and pointed at a young man who was also carrying a bokken. "If this gay idiot ever tries to lay hands on me again I'll do worse. Much worse. So take him to the nurse ta be patched up and tell him ta leave me well nuff alone. I'm straight and sure as hell don't swing his way! Got that?"


The boy Ranma had addressed bopped his head up and down rapidly. "Y... Yes, sir. Got it!"


Ranma smirked dangerously. "Good. If this gay piece of junk ever again dares to send you guys forwards on Akane in an attempt ta hide his prefs I'll first hurt him so bad that he won't be able ta get outta the hospital for a year, and then I'll do the same ta ya. Understood?"


Nearly all boys nodded, except for Kenta, the Kendo clubs second in command. "What is it to you? Why do you care about Akane? Admit it, you just want her for yourself." he stated bravely.


However, when the pigtailed boy was all of a sudden standing right in front of Kenta, seemingly without having moved over the distance of ten yards at all, Kenta's bravery died a sudden death. "Why I care?" he asked with a growl. "Why, you ask? I care because that honourless, cowardly gay idiot dared to issue a challenge to a fellow practitioner of the Anything Goes. As her not romantically involved sensei I care about my student. And consider, I'm gonna teach Akane the techniques I just employed." he finished with a nasty grin.


Gulps could be heard from the group as they imagined what an already strong Akane would be able to do with such techniques. In that case they could say their prayers. Grinning to himself as Ranma saw realisation dawning he pressed on. "So ask yourself the question: do you really want to suffer because of a gay coward? A boy who is afraid to admit his own prefs? There ain't anything wrong what with being gay, but what he does is! To hide his gayness and to appear straight that guy pretends to be after Akane! That's why he uttered that stupid challenge! To deflect all of yer from the truth! With yer actions yer have all sullied Akane Tendos honour. Yer have been blind to the truth. Now wake up or I'll give all of yer a wake-up call." he said and cracked his knuckles for emphasis.


Gulps and very nervous looks were his answer; Ranma harrumphed and marched towards the door, leaving the stunned Hentai horde behind; Akane walked by his side while Nabiki stayed behind to inform the curious students about the newcomer. Even though she'd stop doing questionable acts she still had to keep appearances and thusly sold all the information that had been deemed safe.


While Nabiki made a quick profit the others members of the Kendo club approached their unconscious leader tentatively, now that the pigtailed boy was gone. "Holy shit! He has blow-marks all over his body!"


"And that guy hit all his weak points!" uttered another.


"But that newcomer only had a second to do it! What is he?"


"One helluva lot better than Kuno!" exclaimed another Kendoist.


Kuno decided to wake upat just that moment, and he felt around dazedly. He touched one of his fellow kendo club members inadvertedly, and Keitaro back-pedalled in horror. "It's true! Kuno is really gay!"


Said Kuno, still half-unconscious, muttered "My fierce tigress...", but due to his slurry speech he couldn't be understood.


To the others it sounded differently, and the boys moved backwards and away from their leader, expressions of disgust visible on their faces. "He really seems to be gay!"


"Yeah. That sicko! He shall drag himself to the nurse!" another exclaimed.


Nabiki was grinning from where she stood; in the meantime she'd moved up to her office and was counting the money she'd made. Additionally she had already begun to spread the newest rumour regarding Kuno. Their plan had worked even better than even she had expected. Already even the members of the Kendo club believed in Kunos apparent prefs, and that was a very good start. She'd see what the public opinion would be by the end of the day.


-.-


Ranma and Akane were walking towards Akane's classroom, 1 F. The girls in the hallways were practically drooling over Ranma, but neither the pigtailed Saiyan nor Akane noticed; they were too engrossed in gloating. The youngest Tendo sister had a very satisfied smile on her face. "That showed the pervert!"


"Sure did. And bokken-in-ass might even prove to be a decent punching bag. Those pressure strikes ain't bad." Ranma commented.


"Yeah, I never knew he could do something like that." Akane said, shaking her head.


Ranma looked at her. "Then it seems he held out on ya. That makes him even more honourless. Samurai, my ass!"


"What do you mean?" a genuinely curious Akane asked.


Ranma grunted and stopped in front of the door that led to classroom 1F and opened it. Plopping down into a seat he growled; Akane sat down to his right. "That bokken-wielding idiot never went all out on you in my opinion. He never used the pressure-strikes on ya, did he?" the pigtailed young man asked.


Akane shook her head. "No..." she said; then it dawned on her. "That absolute ass! He's so... so honourless! And the next time I see him so dead! You're right; that he held back shows that he never took me seriously! He never saw me as a worthy opponent and let me walk all over him! I can't believe that... that... boy!" she growled while producing a sizeable aura.


"Akane, snap outta it. Remember the meditation techniques." Ranma said.


"You! You're not off the hook either. One perverted act and its kapowie to Pluto! Got me?" Akane exclaimed.


Ranma employed the meditation techniques himself by now, trying to curb his own temper. "Hey, I ain't the enemy here! That's bokken-in-ass, and he's lying out there. If ya gotta blow off steam use him!" Ranma growled.


Akane wanted nothing more than to yell back an angry retort at first, but moments later she realised that Ranma was right; Kuno was the enemy here, no one else. And to achieve victory over him they had to be a united front. "Sorry, Ranma. I'll try to keep in mind who the real enemy is. But I can't jump over my own shadow; due to what he" the "he" was growled out with hate, "put me through I simply distrust and despise boys. I always suspect they want to jump me the moment I look the other way. I don't and can't even trust you, Ranma. In my experience boys always have an ulterior motive, and that's often brought up by their little heads!" she growled.


Ranma nodded. "I understand; and for the honourlessness Kuno put you through he'll pay. We'll take away what bokken-for-brains loves most: the attention from the girls and the respect he holds. And I've got an ulterior motive too:" he said, and Akane bristled, "I want to pay baka oyaji back for as good as ruining my life and honour; and that's best done by ruining all of his plans. I'll set all hell in motion to prevent that any of us are forced into anything. I'll do everything in my power so that the fat panda ain't living off of me ever again! I ain't a fucking commodity or sumthin´ he can use as he pleases." he finished with blazing eyes that looked... teal?


A moment later Ranma's eyes were blue as the ocean again, and Akane waved it off as an optical illusion. And she´d progressively deflated throughout his speech; it really seemed as if she had a knack for judging him wrongly. Where had her ability to judge people, something she had been really good at, disappeared to? Had it fallen prey to Kuno and his horde completely? She sighed. "I only hope that my father won't join your very idiotic father in his stupidity. I don't want to be forced into anything either, and I appreciate what you did. Me, I'm too young for marriage, and thanks to Kuno I don't like any boys my age group. But I'd like it if we could become friends, maybe."


Ranma smiled. "What I did, I did gladly. And I'd like that too."


-.-


A little while later Ranma was on his way to the office of the vice principal, intent on disrupting yet another one of his fathers' plans. He smiled to himself as he contemplated the situation; his manipulative father had obviously had the idea that placing him into the same class as Akane might spark some feelings between them; however, after their recent talks Ranma was quite sure that Akane was out of the running as a future mate.


Firstly she had said herself that she didn't want to marry in the near and most probably even the foreseeable future; then there was the fact to consider that Akane had indeed been tainted in regards of boys. It was quite possible that she had suffered long-term psychological damage due to the Kuno situation; all the more reason to destroy Kuno's rep utterly, thought Ranma with a growl as he opened the door to the office of the vice principals' secretary.


A quick appliance of his charm later he had talked the secretary into allowing him to be tested; his father had registered him for Akane's class, but he planned to bust this plan. He'd prefer to be placed into Nabiki's class; after all, she was one of two favourites for a fiancée, and if he remembered right Kuno was going into the same class. Heh, that would be a world of fun.


Hanging to these thoughts Ranma smirked as the aide led him to a classroom to be tested; he had nothing to fear from the testing, and the pigtailed youth grinned at the reasons; his own father had brought this about when he had walloped him into the spring. When he had received the new body he had also received a new, different brain. Not only had it apparently cured him off the neko-ken, but also of the effects of the several head trauma he had suffered from under the training of his father.


Suddenly, after he had been transformed he remembered things he had learned years before as clearly as if he had learned them yesterday; all the things he had been taught by the various monks and priests at the shrines, temples and monasteries. Not only had they taught him martial arts techniques, but also common knowledge, maths, science and much more. This knowledge had been poured free, and he had taken full advantage of his improved (or was it recovered?) intellect ever since. All things considered it should be suffice to pass the test.


A little while later Ranma sat at a standard school desk with his head in his hands; the Saotome youth sighed. Maths, physics, chemistry, science, geography, native and foreign language (English) were easy, while subjects like politics, history and art were… problematic. In those three he more often than not made something up on the spot.


One hour of scribbling later Ranma sat back in his chair and folded his hands behind his back; he was satisfied with himself. The Saotome youth suspected that he hadn't aced the test, but in his opinion it would be suffice to be placed in Nabiki's class.


Seeing that he was finished the aide took the test from Ranma, and after an immediate correction done by three teachers who were on their free period (and especially grumpy about having to spend it here) the Saotome youth was deemed safe to be placed into class 2 E. Was his pops ever going to be happy, Ranma thought with a grin, as the aide led him to his new class; he had already received a list of things he'd need for class, and it might be a slight problem to acquire the necessary funds to buy them. But he was confident that he'd find a solution.


-.-


Outside the increasing rain gradually woke up a certain Tatewaki Kuno; slowly, ever so slowly the delusional boy propped himself up on his elbows, wiping away the water from his face once he had secured himself in a stable sitting position. Damn, he felt like he had been hit by a truck!


"So a vile sorcerer has dareth to appear in my magnificent presence," Kuno muttered, "no doubt trying to ensorcel the beauteous Akane Tendo. But I, the Blue Thunder, say ni!" he exclaimed and held his bokken high into the air, only to be toasted by a flash of lightning.


Moments later Kuno propped himself up again, and a minute later a wobbly and singed Blue Blunder made his way to the entrance, using what remained of his once proud bokken as a walking-stick. "Methinks it might be a good idea for the Blue Thunder to seek the aid of the healers. But beware, vile sorcerer, the revenge of the heavens is slow but swift! Mark my words, the Blue Thunder will come for you!"


-.-


After having taken his placement-test Ranma had received the excuse from class he had requested so as not to overly disturb the ongoing class. The lesson would only go on for five more minutes, and the aide had agreed that it wouldn't make sense for him to partake in class for this short amount of time. Five minutes would at least be needed for his introduction.


Thus Ranma did what he did best when he had some free time at hands; he trained. The pigtailed youth was just busy with his two-hundredth vertical push-up on one finger when a cry suddenly rang out.


"Aha! The vile sorcerer who fled my glorious presence so cowardly dareth to show his demonical face again!" a bandaged Kuno shouted. "Have at thee, vile beast!"


Several classroom-doors flew open just as Ranma jumped upwards from his one-fingered handstand and landed gracefully on his feet. "And what are ya playing at, bokken-in-ass? The attack of the gay mummy, or what? Behold, the gay mummy is here!" he exclaimed in mock-horror, eliciting more than just a few laughs.


Kuno bristled, and one could see his red face even through the bandages. "How dareth thee to propagate such vile lies about the Blue Thunder! Who art thee to commit such an audacious act?" he exclaimed, and pointed his spare bokken at Ranma.


Said Ranma crossed his arms over his massive chest, emphasising his healthy and very muscular state; several girls sighed, and Nabiki, who had entered the hallway together with the rest of her class barely managed to restrain a growl. Damn it, Ranma was hers and hers alone! And the other girls better caught on to that fact fast, or else.


However, a smirk appeared on her face when she saw the expression in Ranma's eyes. Oh yeah, Kuno was so in for it. Out of the corner of her vision she saw something white, and on second look she saw that her younger sister was also grinning; so Akane had caught onto it too. 'Hmm, if we play this right we could make Kuno look really bad.'


"Who I am you ask? Well, I'm the man who won't sit back and watch how a gay Samurai wannabe pesters a fellow student of the Anything Goes so as to hide his true nature. As her sensei I demand that you stop this vile travesty! To use Akane to distract from your own preferences is just so low." Ranma stated.


"Yeah!" Akane exclaimed, stepping beside Ranma, nodding. "To use me thusly, Kuno, is truly horrible! Get out of my sight, you pervert!"


Kuno, who had been a hairsbreadth from charging at Ranma again looked confused as his little dreamworld was shaken up for a moment; then he slicked his hair back and threw a pose. "I see the vile sorcerer has managed to ensorcel you, my beauteous and fierce tigress! But fear not, for I shall free thou!" he exclaimed and threw a red rose at Akane.


Whatever the delusional kendoist wanted to achieve with this act, it would backfire spectacularly. With a barely hidden smirk Ranma plucked the rose out of the air with a motion that showed that he clearly regarded Kunos' actions as an attack. With a scrutinising look Ranma examined the 'weapon'. "And here I thought you had the honour to attack me with a weapon. But what do you do? Throw another rose at me. What the hell did ya throw a rose at me if yer not gay? Confused much?"


"That rose was not for thee, vile peasant!" Kuno exclaimed heatedly.


"Yeah, sure. That's why ya threw it my way, yer liar! Lying ta yerself like that, pathetic!" Ranma countered vehemently.


By now Kuno was sputtering. "I tell thee, that rose was for the virtuous Akane Tendo!"


There and then Akane saw her chance. "But you threw it at Ranma! Pervert! KUNO NO BAKA!" she exclaimed, and with her usual battle-cry Kuno was launched through the roof, courtesy of a strong upper-cut.


Ranma stepped beside her and observed the hole in the roof. "Nice form, Akane. Need to work on your follow-up, though." he said with a smirk.


"Yes, sensei." Akane said, much to the surprise of many.


It was this what gave the story Ranma had told about being Akanes' sensei credibility; sensing a business opportunity here, and seeing as the students were busy gossiping about Kuno's apparent sexual orientation she deemed the time right to distribute some flyers. Needless to say, after the performance Ranma had given they sold like hotcakes.


Nabiki grinned, and she, Ranma and Akane had every reason to be satisfied. Operation make Kuno suffer had started out brilliantly, and they were bound to get a lot of students for the dojo. In one day with Ranma they had been able to achieve more than without him in a whole year. It was crystal clear that life with and around Ranma Saotome was bound to be very interesting, and the middle Tendo daughter planned to savour every second of this. By his side…


to be continued


Thanks to everyone for helping me with suggestions, comments, ideas and c&c in general. Special thanks go to the people at Shinjis' board and to my beta Rose Vaughn. Happy new year!


Many thanks to those of you who were kind enough to leave reviews for the last chapter:


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