A/N– Well then! For my first, and most important note, this chapter marks a turning point, as I am now proudly announcing that I have not one, but TWO betas! So everyone, please give a warm welcome to the beautiful betas, Tendo Rei and Hanyou-Foxgirl! These lovely ladies will be making sure that my slow butt doesn't mess up, and help to make my story better!

On to my second note, I'm sorry for taking so long in putting out this chapter, but, if anyone has been watching the weather recently, you'll have undoubtedly seen that there was an absolutely nasty little storm that has been traveling from Texas to New York, and it decided to hit the North Carolina/Tennessee border on the way, and I happen to live on the NC side of that border! (Seriously, I can walk out of my house, then a mile down the road, turn right, and cross over a mountain, and I'll be in Tennessee- It's not even an hour-long hike!) Anyway, we got about a foot of wet, heavy snow, and it knocked out our power on Friday, and we got it back just twenty minutes ago from when I started typing this- (6:55pm Monday), and it's still an iffy situation- the power can go out again at any time.

On my third note, to those of you who are hoping, or are fans of Twilight- I hate to burst your bubble, but the vampires that are going to be in my story arn't the kind that twinkle, sparkle, shimmer, or shine in the sunlight, and they won't be falling in love with anyone- I don't proscribe to the horrors of Twilight, for I am neither female or prepubescent, and I find nothing arousing, erotic, or sexually stimulating about some weirdo with a skin disorder and a deeply disturbing lust for my neck and blood- In my fic, any and all vampires will be portrayed as the way (I feel) they really are- Evil, soulless demons who only want to feed on us, and are interested in their own pursuits and interests- They are PREDATORS people! There is only one way that they wanna f**k ya and suck ya, and it's definitely NOT the way you want- Unless, of course, you want to become a blood-sucker yourself, or mindless thrall to one.

Fourth- If anyone is wondering if I simply made up Fukushima and Iwaki, I didn't- I actually spent a couple of hours looking up maps of Japan, specifically the parts North of Tokyo, and, incidentally enough, Iwaki is the major city of Fukushima, which is just North of Tokyo.

Disclaimer- Yes! I do indeed NOT own Ranma in any way, shape, or form! Sue me at your own risk, for I shall have you huddling in a corner of the courtroom, screaming nearly incoherently about gerbils and cream-cheese within a mere half-hour of the cases start! Mua ha ha ha!

-Chapter 12-

-Akane Confesses! Keiko, Where Are You?!-

A bright morning sun began to rise, climbing its way into the sky as its rays washed over the city of Iwaki, in Fukushima. It was shining down on an empty lot, where a small, unassuming camp was set up. Inside of the sole sleeping bag, Ranma stirred, the morning light rousing him from his sleep. His crystal-blue eyes sliding open, Ranma looked around, taking in the surroundings from the camp he had set up two days earlier, then down to the small head of bright yellow hair that was buried into his chest, covered by his arm. A small, happy smile creeping across his face, Ranma lifted his arm, placing his hand on top of the mop of hair. "Hey squirt, it's time to wake up," he said, his voice just loud enough to wake the small girl. "C'mon Keiko, it's time ta face the day!" He went on, tousling her hair.

"Mmm... few... few more... minutes... daddy..." Keiko murmured sleepily, rubbing her face against Ranma's chest, trying to hide from the sun.

Ranma's smile turned into a grin. "Now now, if ya don't get up, we'll miss the breakfast special at that restaurant we found, now won't we? I'd hate ta be late, just because you wanted ta sleep for a while before we went ta get freshened up." He asked, trying to sound innocent, knowing that the place would be serving breakfast for another two hours or so- They had every other time the duo had gone to eat there after all.

As if by magic, Keiko's sea-green eyes snapped open, and she'd turned her head to face Ranma. "Can I get waffles 'n syrup 'n orange juice?" She asked, her wide, innocent eyes sparkling with hope.

Ranma couldn't help but laugh as he ruffled Keiko's hair again. "I'll tell ya what- If ya promise ta take a bath without any complaints, ya can have whatever ya want," he promised, knowing that he'd let her get whatever she wanted anyway.

Keiko stuck out her bottom lip, which quivered, as tears welled up in her eyes. "Do I really have ta take a bath daddy?" She pouted.

Ranma groaned, averting his gaze- That puppy-dog pout of hers oughtta be made illegal! "Now listen, if ya promise not ta complain about takin' a bath, I'll buy ya that dress that ya found yesterday." He replied.

Keiko's eyes widened again, and began to sparkle even more. "The blue one with the sunflowers? Really? Do ya mean it?!" she asked excitedly. Upon getting Ranma's nod of approval, Keiko squealed, wrapping her small arms as far around his chest as she could reach, squeezing him tightly. "Oh thank you Ranma-poppa! Thank you!" She squealed happily.

Ranma chuckled, patting Keiko's back. "Don't sweat it. Just hurry up and get ready so we can go to the baths, and then we'll go grab breakfast before we go buy your dress, alright?" he questioned, lifting Keiko off of himself and getting up, popping his neck, looking over at Keiko as she busied about, getting her things together. He really was spoiling her, he supposed, but he had to admit, the little girl really had grown on him.

Fifteen minutes later their camp was completely packed away, and the last of the dying embers from the night before had dirt poured over them to snuff them out. "Ready for practice?" Ranma asked, looking expectantly at Keiko, who had emerged from a makeshift changing area dressed in a white gi.

"Yes Ranma-poppa-sensei!" The small girl chirped, tightening her belt one last time before sliding into a rough copy of the basic Saotome Anything-Goes stance. "I'm ready!"

Ranma had to resist smacking his forehead. "How many times do I have ta tell ya? When we're practicin', I'm Ranma-sensei- Not 'Ranma-poppa-sensei', or 'Ranma-momma-sensei', just Ranma-sensei, ya got it squirt?" He huffed.

Keiko smiled brightly. "But didn't'cha say that we're supposed ta say things that will make the people we're fightin' mess up? That way it's easier to beat 'em up?" She asked innocently- Then launched herself forward as fast as her lithe, child legs could move her. "Haiyaa!" She yelled, throwing a punch towards Ranma's stomach.

Ranma grinned, using the palm of his left hand to push Keiko's punch out of the way as he danced around her now-open side. "Atta' girl! The madder yer opponent is, the more mistakes they make, and the more holes they leave in their defense! But still, ya gotta try better than that, you left yourself open!" With that, Ranma reached down, tapping Keiko's exposed side a few times, using just enough force so that she would feel the taps, and know where she left herself open.

Keiko giggled. "Stop it Ranma-poppa-sensei! That tickles!" She squealed, spinning around, trying to catch Ranma's knee with a sweeping roundhouse kick, which Ranma dodged by simply leaping over, then sent a flurry of light, slow punches her way for Keiko to block and dodge, to get her used to such things. Blocking the first two, Keiko dodged the last one, hopping back a few times before settling back into her starting position.

"Very good Keiko!" Ranma praised, grinning. "You ready ta go again? Then c'mon ya little tomboy!" he taunted, his legs coiling.

Keiko smiled happily. "That's right! I'm a tomboy, just like Ranma-momma, an' proud of it!" she returned, running forward a few feet, then leaping, just as Ranma did the same.


Ten miles to the West of Iwaki a pair of figures could be seen, walking along a small, rarely used road. Rather, one was walking, pulling along a cart filled with supplies, and his wife.

"Genma, are you sure Ranma went this way? I'd hate to have to hurt you, just because you are avoiding our child," Nodoka said cooly from where she was sitting in the cart, running her fingers over the cloth covering her katana.

Genma began to sweat, not daring to look back as he pulled the cart along. "Yuh-yes dear, I'm sure of it!" he agreed immediately, not daring to look back, as he was sure that, if he did, Nodoka would immediately tell that he was indeed lying.

"Damn it boy, why did you have to run away?! I've been leading your mother on a false trail this whole time while trying to figure out a plan to get you back to the Tendos and engaged to one of the girls! My happiness and retirement hinges on this dammit!" he thought to himself with an annoyed huff.

"You had better be right, dear, or I may have some rather... pointed... remarks on your tracking abilities..." Nodoka replied, her tone carrying the threat just as well as if she'd drawn her sword.

The sweat rolling down Genma's face became faster and more pronounced. "Uh-Of course dear! Iwaki is where Ranma and I came to shore at when we swam back from China!" He quickly exclaimed. "I'm better at losing trackers and getting rid of trails, not following them! Damn you Ranma!" he cursed in his mind, clenching his right fist and shaking it at the uncaring morning sky.


Stopping at the Southern-most outskirts of Iwaki, Akane, along with her traveling companion, looked up at some of the taller buildings, a bright smile on her face as she held the large straw hat she was wearing with one hand to keep it from blowing away. "Finally! Iwaki! Ranma, here I come!" She proclaimed. "Are you ready Kuma-kun?" She asked, reaching out and scratching the large brown bear beside her behind one of its ears.

The bear, which Akane had named Kuma shortly after their (for him anyway) painful and disastrous first meeting, growfed in agreement, his long, pink tongue lolling out as he panted happily at getting his ear scratched- It was really starting to itch!

Akane smiled at Kuma. "So, how are we going to find Ranma? This is a pretty big city after all. Do you have any ideas?" she asked, looking at her new pet expectantly.

In response Kuma lowered his head, sniffing at the ground for the other girl-human that had beaten it, quickly catching the often-confusing scent that would switch from male to female.

Looking up at his girl-human, he growfed again, nodding his muzzle up and down, then lowered himself so that she could easily climb up onto his back.

"You're such a good boy Kuma-kun!" Akane said happily, climbing up onto his back. "Ok then, I'll let you lead the way!"

With a grunt of acknowledgment, Kuma rose up on all fours again, and the duo set off after Ranma's scent trail; completely oblivious of the confused (and in some cases scared) pedestrians scattered about, whispering behind their hands as they stared.


Two hours later, inside of the department store where Keiko had seen the dress, a female Ranma sat in a chair, tapping an index finger on one knee, bemused though happily full. She had almost taken Keiko back to the public baths, considering the mess the little girl had made of herself with the maple syrup, but it had fortunately only been on her face and hands (well, a little had gotten into her hair as well, but who was counting?) Regardless, it had been a quick and simple matter to use some wet paper towels to clean the girl up, and now here they were: Ranma waiting patiently while Keiko tried on the dress that she'd seen, along with a few other sets of clothes, coming out each time to model for her and see if she approved or not.

"Ranma-chan? Is that you?"

The familiar voice caught Ranma completely by surprise, her eyes widening a bit as she turned in her seat, quickly spotting the speaker. "Hey! It's Ayeka Narutaki! How are ya, Narutaki-san?" Ranma asked, a smile forming at running into a familiar face.

Ayeka returned the smile, walking over to Ranma and taking a seat next to her, setting down her own bags. "Oh, I'm alright. Please though, Ranma-chan, we're friends, so you don't need to address me so formally." Ayeka replied, leaning back into the chair. "So, what brings you to this shop? And where is that sweet little girl, Keiko-chan?" she asked, looking around.

Ranma grinned, gesturing towards the changing area. "She's in there, tryin' on some clothes. She didn't have a lot, so I figured I'd spoil her a little an' let her get whatever she wants. She saw a blue dress with sunflowers on it, and she absolutely loved it, so I told her she could get it, along with a couple other outfits," she explained.

"Oh, isn't that so sweet! You're such a good mother," Ayeka praised, impressed. "You really love her, don't you?"

Ranma looked away, her gaze growing distant. "I didn't plan on it, but the kid really grew on me, ya know? I dunno, it's just..." she trailed off.

At that moment Keiko made her appearance, wearing a pair of denim jeans along with a belt that had a heart for a buckle, a green shirt with a drawing of a cute lion on it, a blue-jean jacket over that, and a lime-green baseball cap completing the ensemble. Her bright yellow hair was pulled back into a pony tail so that it could hang out of the back of the cap.

"Whadda ya think of this one Ranma-momma?!" she asked, seeming pleased with the outfit already, spinning around a few times to show it off.

"Heh, looks pretty good kid. If ya want it, it's yours." Ranma promised, not really having an eye for fashion, but it did seem to go good on Keiko.

Ayeka couldn't help but frown a little. "Isn't that outfit a little unladylike? If you go around dressed like that, people will think you're a tomboy," she said, not quite scolding.

Keiko grinned. "That's 'cuz I AM a tomboy! An' I'm proud of it!" she exclaimed, rushing back into the dressing room, poking her tongue out at Ranma and Ayeka before she disappeared,

"Oh my!" Ayeka exclaimed, giggling. "That girl certainly is a tomboy! If she's not careful though, she'll never get a boyfriend like that!" she went on

"Feh" Ranma huffed, crossing her arms under her chest. "If I catch any boy so much as lookin' at her, you better believe I'll twist 'em up!" She growled.

Ayeka giggled some more. "Oh my! I didn't know that you lean more towards being a father than a mother! That's so cute! You know, if you are not seeing anyone, I know this lovely girl who lives a few blocks down and is the same way. She's more of a girl though, so the two of you would make a lovely couple," she said, her voice low and conspiring.

Ranma blanched a bit. The LAST thing she needed right now was some more relationship problems! "Thanks for the help," she said, shooting Ayeka a weak smile, "but I just got out of a relationship, and the breakup was pretty nasty, so I just wanna take a break from that kinda stuff for a while," she said, an obvious undercurrent of sadness in her voice.

"Oh my!" Ayeka gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. "Do you want to talk about it dear?" she asked comfortingly, placing a hand on one of Ranma's knees.

Ranma looked away, a 'no' on her lips, but glancing back at the concerned look on Ayeka's face, she decided that maybe talking about it to someone wasn't that bad of an idea after all. And Ayeka did seem like a tolerant person, as was evidenced by her quick acceptance of Ranma's 'personal choice'.

"Well..." she started, turning her head back to face Ayeka, "yeah, I'll tell ya, but in order for ya ta REALLY understand, there's somethin' I gotta show ya. So if you'll follow me, there's a hot water tap in the bathrooms..."


Hours later, Ranma and Keiko were walking up a street, Keiko wearing her new jean outfit and carrying a few of her purchases on top of her pack, though Ranma was carrying the majority of them on top of his own pack. "So, did'ja have fun kiddo?" Ranma questioned, looking down at his miniature companion.

"Yup! It was fun!" Keiko chirped, grinning up at Ranma. "It was really funny when you told Mrs. Narutaki about your magical girl change!" she went on, giggling.

Ranma couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, that was pretty funny, wasn't it?" He asked, remembering what happened.

-flashback-

Ayeka gasped, almost fainting when Ranma changed from a buxom young red-head to a tall, incredibly handsome young man with jet-black hair in front of her eyes, his hand still under the faucet

"Oh my!" She gasped as her face flushed, feeling faint. "So you were telling the truth! That is amazing!" she exclaimed, fanning herself.

Keiko, who had come out of the dressing room and accompanied the duo to the bathroom, grinned.

"Yup! It's sooo cool, ain't it? Ranma-poppa has a magical girl transformation, just like those people on tv!" she exclaimed, waving her arms up and down.

Ranma grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head as he blushed. "Yeah, sorry 'bout this..." he apologized, looking down.

Ayeka, finally overcoming the shock, couldn't help but smirk a little. "Well, that certainly explains your attraction to women, which makes that fact that you tie a cloth around your eyes to bathe in the public baths all the more impressive. Most boys are perverts, and wouldn't think twice about walking into the girls' baths if they had such a golden opportunity," she praised.

"Well, if I wanna see a naked girl that badly, all I need is some cold water and a mirror," Ranma groused good-naturedly.

Ayeka giggled at that. "Well, that's certainly true!" she replied, her eyes dancing with mirth. "So, gender-changing aside, what were you telling me about?" she asked.

Ranma looked down, his gaze saddening. "Well, it all started a coupla months ago, when me 'n my pops returned from our trainin' trip in China, an' he told me about an arrangement he'd made with an old friend, where I'd be engaged ta one of his girls..."

-end flashback-

Ranma shook his head, banishing the memory. "Keiko, there's somethin' we need ta talk about." he said, his tone becoming serious as they walked.

"What is it Ranma-poppa?" Keiko asked curiously, turning her innocent eyes up to the man that she'd adopted as both mommy and daddy.

Ranma reached down, placing a comforting hand on Keiko's shoulder, and led her over to a bench, where he sat her down.

"I need ta talk to ya about why we're here," he started, crouching down in front of her to look her in the face, "you said there was a monster around here, and that it's been takin' kids from the orphanage you were at. From what ya described ta me, the kinda monster you saw is called a vampire, which sucks the life from people ta feed. Now, what can ya tell me about this thing?" he asked, his tone broaching no other discussion.

Keiko felt a ghostly fear clutch at her as she looked down at her feet. "It was like I told ya, Ranma-poppa, kids started disappearin' from the orphanage an' Miss Hasegawa doesn't seem ta know about it- Whenever any of us tries ta talk about it, she just gets this far-away look in her eyes, an' tells us not ta worry about it, then dismisses us. Me 'n a few of the others tried ta talk to some other adults about it, but they either didn't listen to us, or when they talked to Miss Hasegawa, she'd tell 'em nothin' was wrong and they'd leave. Then, when I saw that thing on tv that talked about you, an' when I noticed the scary man started ta' look at me, I knew I had ta get outta there and try 'n find someone who could help..." She looked up, her bottom lip quivering and her eyes full of unshed tears. "Can you really help Ranma-poppa? You won't get hurt will you? I don't want ya ta get hurt!" she exclaimed.

Ranma grinned, reaching up to ruffle Keiko's hair reassuringly. "Hey kiddo, ya don't have ta worry. I'm Ranma Saotome, the greatest martial artist ta ever live! There ain't a monster that can beat me! So don't sweat it, ok?" he returned.

"Oh daddy!" Keiko exclaimed, reaching out and wrapping her arms around Ranma's neck, hugging him tightly as she cried.

After a few moments of holding Keiko and letting her cry on his shoulder, Ranma finally patted her back.

"Hey kiddo, why don't'cha show me where the orphanage is, so that I can put that mean 'ol monster in his place, yeah?" he prompted.

Keiko pulled back, sniffling. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" She asked, her voice subdued, placing her small hands on Ranma's cheeks.

Ranma grinned. "You bet! That's a promise of a lifetime!" he proclaimed.

Keiko couldn't help but smile a little, despite her tears. "Alright, Ranma-poppa, I'll take you," she said, sliding off the bench and holding out her right hand.

Standing, Ranma kept his grin, and took Keiko's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.


Akane sat on Kuma's back as the two traveled down a street, lost in thought. So far, Kuma-kun had managed to track Ranma's scent to an empty lot, as well as a public bathing area and a small restaurant. In each instance that she found someone, she would show them a picture of Ranma, in either his girl form or boy form, and each time, she would get confirmation that Ranma had indeed been there only hours before.

"Oh my, that's such a large bear!"

The sudden exclamation caught Akane off guard, snapping her from her thoughts with a startled squeak of surprise. Looking around, she spotted the speaker. A pretty, slightly older woman wearing a dress, stood just a few feet away and looked at Akane and Kuma with a mild, surprised interest, carrying an air about her that said she'd already been surprised several times recently, and wasn't caught off guard by another one (even if it happened to be a girl riding upon the back of a huge brown bear)

Akane smiled, patting Kuma on the side of his neck. "Yeah, Kuma-kun might look scary, but he really is just a big teddy bear." She giggled, earning a huff of annoyance from Kuma. Sliding down off of his back, Akane landed lightly on her feet. "Excuse me, miss...?" she started.

The woman smiled kindly. "Oh, where are my manners? I am Ayeka Narutaki, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said.

Akane nodded. "It's nice to meet you as well, Narutaki-san!" she exclaimed, bowing slightly before reaching into her pack and rummaging around for the pictures of Ranma. "My name is Akane Tendo, and I was wondering if yo-"

"Akane Tendo?!" Ayeka gasped, interrupting Akane. Her eyes narrowed.

Akane looked up, tilting her head to the side confusedly. "Yes? That is my name. Is something wrong?" She asked, blinking a few times.

"I'll say!" Ayeka ground out, an annoyed look on her face. "Ranma-chan happens to be a friend of mine, and she told me about what happened between the two of you, you horrid girl! How could you treat someone as sweet as Ranma-chan like that? Don't you know how bad you hurt her? The girl was devastated! What do you want with her now? To hurt her some more?!" she lashed out, her icy tone biting.

Akane teared up. "You know Ranma? Please, tell me where she is! I've gotta talk to her! Please?" she begged, clasping her hands in front of her.

Ayeka snorted, turning her nose up as she looked away from Akane. "Why should I tell you anything? So that you can find her and hurt her again? I don't think so," she snapped, her tone haughty.

"Please Narutaki-san! You don't know the whole story!" Akane begged, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

Ayeka looked at Akane from the corner of her eyes. "Well, I've already received quite a few surprises today, such as the fact that Ranma-chan is really a boy, so why don't you try me? Who knows, if you make it believable enough, I might tell you which direction they set off in," she said.

Akane brightened slightly. "Really?" she asked hopefully. Upon getting a nod of confirmation, she sighed in relief. "Well, it all started when I found this really pretty broach..."


Ranma looked up at the orphanage as the sun began to set behind it, a large, three-story western-style house, thumbing his nose confidently.

"You ready for this?" he asked, looking down at Keiko, who looked back up to him and nodded wordlessly. "Alright, let's do this then!" he exclaimed, starting up the front steps. Keiko walked right behind him, hiding. Reaching the front door, he knocked, his knuckles falling heavily upon the oaken front door.

"Hello?!" he called out loudly, "is anyone here?!"

A few seconds later several noises could be heard from inside, along with hushed voices. After waiting for almost a minute the door opened, revealing an older, motherly woman who was fairly short and on the plump side. "Hello? How may I help you young man?" she asked, her tone suspicious.

Ranma grinned easily. "Well, while I was travellin' the other day, I ran across this squirt here-" he said, moving to the side just enough to show off Keiko, "-anyway, she told me a funny story, and I figured that I'd help her out. Mind if we come in?" he asked, his tone light.

"Keiko!" The woman gasped. "My goodness child, where have you been? I've been so worried about you! You shouldn't run off like that you know! Please, come in, come in!" She gestured.

Ranma grinned again, chauffeuring Keiko inside. "You must be Miss Hasegawa, I take it?" he asked as Keiko grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly as her eyes darted around, frightful.

Miss Hasegawa bowed politely. "That I am. Thank you so much for bringing little Keiko back, we were all so worried! I cannot offer you much in way of a reward, but we can offer you a hot meal and a warm place to sleep tonight," she suggested.

Ranma shook his head. "Hey, don' think anything of it- I had fun travellin' around with Keiko. That's not the reason why I'm here though..." he started, looking around.

"Oh? What can I do for you young man?" Miss Hasegawa asked, looking confused.

"Weeell..." Ranma drawled, "my lil' Keiko here told me a really great story... Something about monsters, and kids goin' missin'..." He looked up at the ceiling. "So tell me, Miss Hasegawa, where are the kids?" he asked, his tone deceptively light as he turned his gaze back to the older woman.

"Wh-" Miss Hasegawa started, only to stop suddenly as her shoulders slumped, and a vacant look came into her eyes. "The children are fine, there is no one missing," she said, her voice monotonous.

Ranma's eyes narrowed as he studied Miss Hasegawa intently. Something was definitely off about her aura; it was fine a second ago, but now he could detect the slightest feeling of...something... It felt like ki, but it was so unnatural, so cold, like it was missing the spark of life.

"Izzat so?" He asked, observing her even more closely. There was something... There! A brief flash of silver in the light caught Ranma's attention. Observing more closely, he spotted a deceptively small thread, running from the back of Miss Hasegawa's neck to a wall on the other side of the hallway.

"Ranma-poppa?" Keiko asked uncertainly.

"Keiko." Ranma smiled warmly as he knelt down, pulling her into a tight hug. "I want ya ta go hide, ok?" he whispered in her ear. Getting a nod, he stood back up as Keiko ran off, his aura springing to life around him before pulling in. It sank into his skin as he activated the Iron Body technique wordlessly.

"Well then, Miss Hasegawa!" he said loudly. "It seems like everything is fine, so I'll just be making my leave now, ok?" He silently made his way to the wall where the thread was coming from.

"Yes, ok, thank you." Miss Hasegawa continued, her tone still empty.

"Well..." Ranma started, then swung around suddenly, slamming his fist through the wall. Feeling something squirming beneath his groping fingers, he latched on with an iron grip.

"GOTCHA!" he roared, jerking with all of his might. Ripping whatever it was out of the wall, he flung it down the hallway, where it smacked into the wall beside the front door. "Stupid monster! Ya thought ya could pull one over on the great Ranma Saotome huh? Well HAH!" he crowed, placing his hands on his hips as he glared at the dark figure huddled on the ground.

"Well well well... I didn't think that a measly human would be able to find me, let alone pull me out like that...very good, boy." The dark, sultry voice drifted through the air as the figure slowly got up, revealing herself to be an incredibly tall, shockingly beautiful woman with dark auburn hair and deathly pale skin. She wore a tight, full-bodied blood-red leather suit. Pulling herself to her full height— which was even taller than Ranma— she regarded him with dead, crimson eyes, a smile tugging at her pale lips and revealing impossibly long canines.

"Aren't you just a tall drink of water? I've got to say, that was very impressive, how you found me," she said, her tone seductive.

Ranma faltered, feeling a slight blush start, but crushed it down brutally.

"That's 'cuz I'm Ranma Saotome, the best there is," he boasted, pointing his thumb at his chest proudly. "But..." he started, losing his bolster as his eyes took on a deadly serious look, "what're ya doin' here? Feedin' on these kids? I can't allow that," he said, his voice becoming cold. "Anyone that hurts a little kid has gotta pay!" With that, he slid into a fighting stance, eyeing his opponent.

The vampire threw her head back, laughing throatily. "Foolish boy! Do you think you can take on Suki, Queen of the Damned? I'll show you the folly of your decision," she said, her eyes narrowing as she crouched down. She held her hands out to her sides, curling her fingers into claws. Just as she was about to pounce, however, she suddenly stopped, cocking her head to one side, as if listening to something. "Awww... Looks like we won't be able to play, little boy- my master has already marked you for his own," she said, pouting.

This threw Ranma off. "Huh? What're ya talkin' about?" he asked, confused.

Suki continued to pout. "My master wants you for himself, so he has forbidden me from fighting you. So sorry, but it looks like I won't be tasting your blood tonight," she said, straightening up, "well, since my cover is blown, I must bid you adieu. Farewell!" she exclaimed, suddenly flinging herself to the side, through a window.

"WAIT!" Ranma roared, rushing towards the window. When he got there though, she was already gone. "DAMN IT!" he swore loudly, banging his fist against the window seal. "Tch, almost had her." he grumbled, snapping his fingers in frustration. Hearing a groan, he turned around, spotting Miss Hasegawa lying on the ground, where she'd fallen after Suki's spell had been broken. "Miss Hasegawa! Are you alright?!" Ranma questioned, rushing to her side.

"Ohhh... The children... Please... The children..." The older woman moaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Don't worry 'bout it, I'm here now," Ranma soothed, propping Miss Hasegawa up with one hand.

"Wh-who are you?" Miss Hasegawa moaned, uncovering her face to stare blearily up at Ranma.

Ranma grinned. "I'm Ranma Saotome, the best martial artist ta ever live, ma'am. I came here ta help after findin' Keiko- She explained everything ta me," he replied.

"Oh lord, the children! Please, are they ok?!" Miss Hasegawa begged, grabbing onto Ranma's shirt. "Can you help us? I can't do anything against those horrible monsters!" She sobbed.

Ranma patted Miss Hasegawa on the shoulder reassuringly, feeling awkward- he never was good at dealing with crying women after all.

"Hey, don' worry about it, yeah? I'll make sure ta drive those monsters off!" he proclaimed, thumping his chest with one hand.

"Oh thank you!" Miss Hasegawa exclaimed, wrapping Ranma up in a tight hug.

"Yeah yeah, it's ok." Ranma replied, embarrassed. Looking up, he saw several children crowded around one of the doorways, peering out with young, frightened faces, with Keiko standing at the head of the group.

"You ok kiddo?" he asked, shooting Keiko and the other children an easy grin while pulling himself away from Miss Hasegawa's grasp.

Keiko teared up, her bottom lip quivering. "Ranma-poppa! I was so scared!" She cried out, throwing herself into his arms, sobbing into his shoulder.

Ranma smiled a little, circling his arms protectively around the small, quivering girl and rubbing her back reassuringly.

"It's ok, the scary lady is gone for now, ya don't need ta worry," he cooed softly, rocking back and forth slightly. After Keiko was sufficiently calmed down, Ranma finally peeled her away, winking at her. "Hey, don't worry yer lil' head, I'll protect you all," he said confidently.


Outside, in a tree nearly a block away and enshrouded in shadows, a lithe figure grinned, his teeth glinting. "Well, it seems this is some prey that could prove interesting, eh, Suki?" he asked.

Summoned, Suki appeared, hanging upside down on a branch a few feet away, her arms crossed. "I don't know who this 'Ranma Saotome' is, but for a human, he's incredibly strong- More than twice as strong as any human that I've ever faced before. We might want to be wary of this one master, he may have been holding back," she said.

The shadowy figure's grin grew even wider. "I doubt that. He may be strong, but nothing short of a master-level mage could hope to take on one of our kind and win, let alone myself. No, I think that I will enjoy playing with this one. However-" His eyes narrowed as he watched Ranma get up and walk towards the front door, then straying back to Keiko. "-Some incentive for him to come to me is in order. She will make the perfect bait. Now go, and make sure that everything is prepared at the club. I'll want to give our 'guest' a proper welcome after all," he ordered.

"Your will be done, master," Suki replied, bowing, then disappeared.

The figure turned his gaze back to Ranma, who was outside doing some stretches, then over to a girl and... a bear? How odd... walking up the street, approaching the orphanage. His grin returning the figure slipped from the tree, suppressing his energy signature as he crept, as silent and deadly as a hunting panther, towards the back of the orphanage.


Peeking over its wall, Akane looked up uncertainly at the large, old-looking western-style house. "Kuma-kun, are you sure this is the way? This doesn't look like the kind of place that Ranma would go to," she remarked, unsure, as they approached the gate.

Kuma, for his part, looked affronted that his girl-human would doubt his sense of smell, huffing in annoyance. Of course he was sure that this was where the other boy-girl-human was!

Akane couldn't help but giggle a little, rubbing the back of Kuma's neck. "I'm sorry for doubting you Kuma-kun," she soothed, "but what will Ranma say when he sees me?" Finally reaching the entrance, Akane turned to enter the yard, stopping dead in her tracks. "Ruh-Ranma?" she gulped, her voice little more than a whisper as she saw her fiancé, his back to her as he ran through a kata.

Hearing that sweet, heavenly voice stopped Ranma dead in his tracks, one foot still raised high in the air. Quickly putting it down, he whirled around, finding Akane standing there, her hands clasped together in front of her chest, and her eyes brimming with tears.

"Akane?" He asked, blinking in surprise.

"Oh, Ranma!" Akane cried out, rushing forward, her arms held out as she attempted to grab him in a hug, only for Ranma to dodge out of the way. "Ranma?" She asked tearfully, looking over at him, confused.

"What the heck are you doin' here Akane? Did'ja come back just ta torture me some more?" Ranma snapped, his gaze hard-set. "What, didn't ya get enough when ya kicked me outta your house and ended the engagement? Now ya gotta hunt me down an' make me suffer again? Is that it?! Is that all my feelin's are to ya? Somethin' ta play with?!" he growled.

"NO!" Akane yelled, collapsing to her knees,"please Ranma, just let me explain!"

Ranma turned his back on Akane, crossing his arms with a huff as he started to walk off. "Feh, it seems ta me like ya said it all back at yer house," he snapped.

Sensing the distress that his girl-human was in, Kuma approached the boy-girl-human, growling menacingly. He'd show him who was Alpha around here!

Hearing the growl, Ranma turned his gaze to Kuma, recognizing him. "What the hell do you want? Another beatin'?" He growled dangerously, his aura flickering around him as his gaze turned icy.

Yelping, Kuma turned tail and ran, quickly making his way behind Akane where he tried to make himself as small as possible. He placed his paws on her shoulders, quivering and whimpering pitifully.

"Please Ranma, just listen to me! That wasn't really me!" Akane begged, reaching out for Ranma, who stopped, though his back was still turned.

"What're ya talkin' about Akane? It sure seemed like ya to me." Ranma said shortly.

"That's because it was me!" Akane cried, "but it wasn't the way that I really was! I found a brooch, and put it on, but it was a cursed brooch that makes people act the opposite way they really feel about someone!" she explained hurriedly.

Ranma twitched. "A cursed brooch ya say? Where did ya find it?" he asked slowly.

"It was at the bathhouse that we went to!" Akane exclaimed, relief flooding through her that Ranma was actually listening to her. "It was Nabiki that figured it out the next day, and Cologne confirmed it! Apparently, Happosai stole it a long time ago, and Cologne thinks that he was going to use it on someone in the bathhouse when I found it!"

Ranma stroked his chin thoughtfully- That certainly did make sense- More than anything else he could think of anyway. Finally, his shoulders slumped. "Akane..." He started, his voice heavy with sadness.

Turning to her, he locked his gaze with her own. "It really hurt me, y'know?" he said quietly, "the only reason why I'd never pushed any of the others away before was 'cuz I didn't wanna lose them as friends, but, more importantly, I didn't know how ya really felt about me... But then I took a chance, and found out that ya did care for me... But then that night came, an' it shattered me, y'know? How can I trust ya ta not do something like that again?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

Without warning, Ranma found Akane in his arms, pulling his head down with her hands as she hungrily crushed her lips against his, causing Ranma's pig-tail to stand up. After a few seconds of thoroughly kissing him, Akane finally broke it, pulling back a few inches.

"Because I love you more than anything else, you idiot, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting you." she said quietly, smiling a little as tears tracked down her face. She leaned in again and kissed Ranma, though much softer this time.

After a moment, the two broke apart again, Ranma blinking dazedly, a silly grin threatening to break out. "Ah-Akane, uh-I-" He started, only to stop abruptly as Akane placed a silencing finger on his lips.

"Shhh, you don't have to say anything Ranma," Akane said quietly, staring soulfully into his eyes.

The two simply stood there in each other's arms, their gazes locked as they stared at one another, unable to say anything while Kuma sat off to the side, tilting his head in confusion. Suddenly, screams cut through the night air, startling the two out of their reverie.

"Daddy! HELP!" Keiko screamed, followed by a resounding crash.

"KEIKO!" Ranma screamed, rushing up the front steps, Akane following behind. He busted through the front door and ran down the hall, towards the kitchen. Rushing in, he spotted Miss Hasegawa, laying on the floor, a shocked, terrified look on her face as she gazed at the broken back window. The other children were scattered about, crying. "What happened?!" He yelled, startling them.

"Uh-It wuh-was huh-HIM!" Miss Hasegawa managed to choke out. "Huh-He said... Said th-that huh-he'd be wu-waiting fuh-for you at…" she stopped, breathing heavily, "-at thuh-the aba-abandoned club... A muh-mile north from here," she stuttered, tears welling in her eyes, "he took Keiko!"

"THAT BASTARD!" Ranma roared angrily, rushing towards the window and grabbing hold of the sides.

"Ranma! Where are you going?!" Akane exclaimed, running towards him, followed by Kuma, who was trying to squeeze through the door.

Ranma shot a look back at Akane. "To get my daughter back!" He yelled.

And then he was gone, disappearing into the night.

-TBC-

A/N– Whew! My longest chapter yet! And my personal favorite so far! Tell me what ya think! And, if ya wanna raise any complaints about Kuma, just remember- Not only is this a work of fanfiction, but this is a work of fanfiction in the Ranma 1/2 universe! 'Nuff said.