Life's lessons: The sins of a mother

by hibiki red

Can a mother love and yet hurt at the same time? one would never think so, but mothers aren't born. . .They are made. Ryoga Hibiki blames everything to life, and in a strange twist from fate, the boy is going to learn whatever comes our way serves only to makes us stronger. He, among other familiar faces in Nerima will see life is not something we can trifle with.

13. Chapter 13

Tic, Toc. . .Chimed the clock a few feet away from table number five. . .Tic, Toc. . .Slowly pealed the seconds one after the next while a girl glanced with desperation a no way out of this mess. Ryoki Endo, a very talented young woman hid many secrets from peers and new friends alike, but today someone special waited for her undivided attention by the gates of campus, forcing the attentive school aide to cut short this farce and move on with her life. . .Or so she wanted as the clock ticked its time away.

"And that's how I became National Junior Championship finalist when I was twelve. . ." Perched eloquently the powerful man accompanying the girl during a date she had no choice over the matter. As the conversation kept going about sports and harsh upbringings, the girl learned many aspects men expect from women, specially from those girls who try to be polite and decent.

"Who knew guys expect girls to act surprised and awe inspired by their stories. . .I wonder if I ever tried that with. . ." The first image popping in her mind was Akane Tendo, her new foster sister and the only girl she learned to love as a boy, but the image shifted instantly into an annoying redheaded teen who always teased, fought, and until recently, beat him while being pregnant.

A male version of a fanged teenager would always be seen rushing across the streets near Tokyo University procuring a tube of ice cream and honey rice balls from different places, all because his partner was in the mood of sweet and salty foods at five in the morning. At the last minute, a tired boy would arrive and watch with amazed eyes how the girl devoured not her selected craving at a time, but both different items at once.

Ryoga usually loved to tease his friend during those times, talking about work and how he managed to pick up the job falling behind from all the crew thanks to his natural talents, but to his dismay, this wasn't a cute girl happily married to him. "And they wanted the canal ready to be cemented in two days. . .That's when I was assigned to the project and finished it that afternoon, alone." Would finish the teen with a big smile on his face and waiting patiently for a 'ooh', or an 'aah' of surprise after his amazing act.

"That must be so easy. . .Chump, chump. . .Pass me the Soy sauce an' the sprinkles. . ." Would say the girl next, submerged more in her desperate need to swallow that strange mixture down the hatch and ignoring Ryoga and his story altogether.

"Yeah. . .I guess There hasn't been a girl capable to be at my side but my worst enemy, and she was more a man as a girl then I could ever be now that I'm in Ranma's situation." Her thoughts alone were the cues she needed now and then to throw a giggle here or a chuckle there, but straying away from the chat was a gravely mistake Ryoga never noticed, and one she was going to pay dearly.

"And tell me Senpai, have you ever seen a Chi powered move?" The question startled the teen from her train of thought, but luckily she managed to recuperate the situation in a flash when she knew what the question was about. "Oh yes! Maseru-kun. I have met many strong fighters from other places and they have shown me very interesting techniques."

Ryoga stayed in the conversation this time, but instead of keeping a direct eye contact with him like she had done so far, her eyes flew over her wristwatch and towards the big clock on the wall, making annoying lapses of time Maseru found irritating at best. But the big problem came when the title "kun" she used on his name, plus the way she talked so effusively about the arts demonstrated him how interested she was to learn new techniques, not to mention the respect she showed for disciplined men was unheard of from other girls around campus.

And thus without imaging it, the girl went overboard thanks to the inner boy's enthusiasm for fighting styles which were matters not too attentive for most girls, specially from someone as sophisticated as her. That was one of the prime examples the young man found so appealing about his opportunistic date. He studied not only her beauty and class during this reunion, but that impressive Chi aura he found so powerful despite her weak frame, called out for some mutual understanding the young woman must have had from some type of martial art discipline.

Those aspects alone turned the right cogs in a man's primal appeal who found most girls in the place dull and weak to his standards, and admitting someone like Ryoki should be perfect for him instead. When Ryoga finished from talking about legendary, yet secret moves she had "supposedly" heard like the ShiShi-Hokodan technique, the man reached a decision within his mind. He didn't voice his personal interest to the girl of course, but the drive to court her was increasingly raising in his mind. . .If only she would stop watching at that damn clock, thought the fighter with disdain.

"Ryoki-Senpai. . .Is there something wrong?" Asked a bit annoyed the fighter by the girl's constant checking away from his attentive stares. "I'm sorry Mr. Minami. . .This has been a really nice chat but I was supposed to check on those boys and girls, and report back with my cousin and his wife. They should be by the University's main gate waiting for me in about twenty more minutes."

That explained the reason why she was so impatient, but the young martial arts fighter cared for nothing more than have a closer chance with the girl, and this was his opportunity at last. Ryoga could barely register his eyes ogling her features when the girl tapped her fingers nervously on the cafeteria's table, unable even to enjoy her tasty cup of tea by the unconscious need to see her daughter.

Maseru stared at her from the top of her silky, soft hair to the most beautiful face he had seen in some time. A sigh escaped his lips, but it was quickly dismissed by the girl's stares over the bigger clock on the wall and the unnerving tapping of her nails. Such situation started to take a turn for the worst on his plans, and at the end of a silent pause, Minami stopped thinking like himself and began to see her in a new light.

The young man kept studying her carefully, forcing his eyes towards the well endowed chest slightly heaving up and down and forcing Ryoga to notice where was he staring at. That's when his time was up. "I'm sorry Mr. Minami, but it's almost five in the afternoon. . .My family must be wondering where I am, and should be waiting by the gates. Care if you take another rain check on me?"

The man smiled rather abruptly, interrupted by her desire to leave, but accepted more mechanically than willing as a release of air through his nose reminded him, he was in control. "S-Sure Ryoki-Senpai. . .I know a shortcut to the main gates from here, please follow me." Ryoga was glad to see the boy as a good friend and an understandable peer about her needs, but as they prepared to leave the cafeteria, a feeling of dread began to crawl in the back of Ryoga's mind.

Maseru paid for the two cups, leaving a tip on the table and started for the exit, opening the glass door for the blushing girl to pass. Five in the afternoon wasn't exactly a nice hour to mess with young girls thought the corpulent man while they made way across the pavement, but there was a passage of sorts between buildings where no one would be the wiser and by the time she'd notice, the boy would have her easily pinned, and with no way to escape.

Maseru had never done this before though. The muscle bound man always practiced honorably and was revered as an icon for the local community, so a behavior like this was against his code, but this girl screamed to be taken like those torrid romantic novels, with force and daring abandon. That's why today. . .Today a beautiful young girl begged him to be forced into submission. Maybe she'd like that, thought irrationally the older boy after feeling the desperate need to make her his woman.

As the direction they took resembled the path towards the main gate, Ryoga decided to press her pacing through bushes and some of the grassy areas until meeting only a tiny corridor darkened by two windowless buildings. It seemed safe enough and it was only a couple of blocks away from the main premises, so the girl kept walking without imagining the bigger Judo master grabbing her arms violently and shoving the startled girl against the wall.

"What the. . .Mr. Minami!. What do you think you're doing?" The older boy pinned Ryoga against the cold surface which had never seen the light of day in that corridor before, giving little room to move at all and forcing her upward face to stare at the possessed man. "I'm sorry Senpai, but you are just too beautiful to pass. . .Please forgive me." As he said this, his lips forced the girl to try and gasp for air as they pressed firmly against her more tender ones, but there was no way to do so when his hands clamped her arms tightly against the wall, and the apparent size of their bodies had a tremendous disadvantage for the girl.

If things couldn't get any worse for the poor boy trapped in a girl's body, the Judo master's hands reached places she had never let men touch before, for obvious reasons that no one in this school except her closest family knew about. Ryoga tried a glimpse of ire, fighting back with the tools Genma left her with, and scratching her way to no avail after such pathetic lack of strength left a girl stranded and alone. In the end, her efforts were null when nails dug into his skin only to be repelled by the simple of pressures, hurting the ego from a boy who used to be one of the strongest alive.

She struggled fearfully, alarmed by the sensation to be assaulted and unable to do a thing thanks to Ranma's father and his previous acupuncture techniques. Ryoga did her best under such circumstances, but what saved her from drowning into this hell was another strong hand grabbing the Judo master by the neck and pulling him away in a heap.

"I knew sooner or later you'd try somethin' you bastard. . ." Ranma had no trouble demonstrating what power really is, illuminating the dark confines of the hidden path and amazing the young man on the floor as trash cans and the puddles around that damped corridor began to float by the sheer amount of released Chi. Ryoga fell to the cold ground gasping and coughing, grabbing her sore throat and forcing her consciousness back alive as the pigtailed boy walked decidedly towards his target fueled by anger and ready to make him pay for his mistakes.

"I may be a show off, but I ain' never been a pervert or a molester man. . .You will pay for this" Declared enraged the teen. "Get away!. . .You touch me and the headmaster will throw you out on the street!" But Ranma had none of it, charging at the scared Judo master who trembled most likely by what he had done to the poor girl than whatever the boy could do to him. "Ranma. . .Stop!" Warned Ryoga hoarsely while she grabbed the wall for support and stood on her feet with some trouble. The pigtailed boy could not believe the sudden order, stopping drastically at her request but eager to hear the reason why.

"I will deal with this on my own. . .Thank you, but you should leave now." Ranma's mouth hanged opened in surprise, wondering what had he done to deserve her dismissal, and trying to tell her he only meant to protect her. "B-But, I. . ." Tried the teen again until the school's aide walked near the teen, bowing slightly for what he did, but reminding him of his place in the school grounds.

"Ranma. He has status in this University unlike either you or me. Let me attend this matter personally before he accuse you of something else." The fanged girl then moved even closer so Ranma would be able to hear her alone. "Besides, you did the same a while ago remember?. . .What makes you think I forgave that stupid kiss you tried with me?" Whispered the teen hoping her savor would back off forcibly if nothing else.

Remembering the outburst he did on the girl, Ranma slouched sadly and waited before the Aide, but never left her side out of his pride as a man. "Fine. . .But I ain't leavin' until you come with me." Ryoga, or rather Ryoki agreed with him, walking towards the exit of the dark corridor while her eyes never left that Judo fighter on the far back.

"We'll deal with this incident later Mr. Minami. In the meantime I suggest you go back to the male dorms and stay there until further notice." Maseru did as told, walking on the opposite direction with mumbling curses along the way about his own behavior and wondering why did he lose control this time around. As the pair left that corridor behind, Ranma could be seen strangely invigorated as he walked besides the girl who could be clearly seen angry by all this situation.

But it was more than anger for the girl. For the first time in her life as a woman she felt so vulnerable and alone, completely unable to clear a dense fog clotting in her mind. This dark cloud slowly seeping all strength away and leaving such a daunting numbness in its place, the only emotion she had was to run at his arms and cry. Such dependent need to be consoled after a near sexual assault was a terrible mistake an unsuspecting Ryoga let her mind drown in, and one who was going to dammed her much worse in the near future.

Taken back by her sudden silence, Ranma felt an explanation was in order, but as usual, what came out of his mouth first wasn't always the wisest of sentences. "C'mon Senpai. . .I didn' mean ta kiss you that time." Said the boy with a sly stare and a smile screaming he was lying every step of the way. "You meant to do it Ranma. . .What I don't understand is why would you, if you haven't even been able to kiss Akane for years?" The girl stared with demanding eyes at the boy whose own orbs jumped in puzzlement by something no one had ever known in this town.

"H-How do you know that?" Asked really interested the pigtailed fighter. Ryoki swallowed nervously this time, thinking why did she go and tell him that. Maybe her anger was understandable, but to tell him things only the old Ryoga could know was a terrible mistake she couldn't afford to make.

"H-How did I what?. . .I-I mean, of course I know, who wouldn't. . ." The shuffling of her feet as they walked together awkwardly avoided the distance between the two, and the frantic stuttering for a straight answer didn't leave a very convincing teen explaining how, until Ranma arrived to a very uncomfortable conclusion, working perfectly as her alibi without her knowing.

"I know how!" claimed the boy with a demanding finger pointing at the scared girl. "Y-You do. . .?" Oh no! thought the girl, accepting the possibility Ranma had discovered who she really was. When Ryoga tensed her closed fists to each side of her waist, the girl bared her teeth while a blush ran across her nose and that fog began to choke the air out of her. "H-He knows!. . .He must have connected the dots and he must know who I really am. . ."

"Ranma. . .I. . .I-I" Tried nervously the teen to apologize until the boy stopped her from saying one more word, finishing her response with his accusatory finger and a snarling confession. "You must be Akane's close friend ain't cha!?. . .I can' believe the tomboy told you 'bout me finally kissin' her two weeks ago after so long!."

Ryoki couldn't believe her luck, sighing relieved thanks to the boy answering her own predicament willingly, and giving Ryoga a chance to escape unscathed from his judgment. "T-That's right!. . .S-She told me about your kiss and some other stuff. Now Ranma. Why would you want to try something like that with me if you have a fiancée?"

The tables turned once more, forcing the pigtailed teen to babble nervously and stutter with no idea how to answer that question. "I thought so. Very well Ranma-san. . .If you don't want me to talk with Akane-san, just go back to your club and go on with your life. I will talk on your behalf on the next meeting and hopefully you could be accepted for the upcoming sports events."

Ranma felt the need to grab her arm gently, summoning the biggest puppy eyes he managed to make as he asked her a very peculiar favor. "P-Please Senpai. . .I need ta talk to you 'bout somethin' really important." She could feel the tension in his words, giving the girl a sense of stress she had never seen in Ranma before.

There were a few steps closer to the gate and just as she suspected Midori and Kenji waited with a stroller by the pedestrian rails. "R-Ranma. . .Please give me a few minutes to explain my family about this and I'll tag along." Ranma saw the blue haired woman and the motivational speaker waving at Ryoki from the entrance, understanding they were supposed to meet after her friendly date. When the boy saw the girl crouch and kiss the baby laying hidden in the stroller, a rare sensation crawled from his mind, forcing the teen to walk towards the family in an almost unconscious manner.

"H-Hi. . ." Greeted nervously the teen whose eyes darted immediately at the tiny bundle giggling madly at Ryoki. Ryoga shot up rigidly while Midori hinted her to calm down. "Oh, hi Ranma. . .What are you doing here?" Midori asked with hopes to establish his attention towards her, but the teenage boy kept looking straight into the stroller where the most beautiful little girl outstretched her tiny arms as if she knew him from somewhere.

"I am on the varsity team, or at least I could be if Ryoki-Senpai helps me. . .And I'm practicing for the upcoming events. . .Your daughter is so pretty by the way." Said Ranma next, instantly changing the subject. The woman laughed by the compliment at the same time Kenji hugged her and brought the stroller closer towards the couple. "T-Thank you. . .Her name is Sachiko. . ."

The boy crouched this time, fully captivated by the tiny girl with blue eyes and a strand of her shiny dark hair barely seen on top of her head. "Hello little girl. . .My name is Ranma. . .Ranma Saotome. . ." Ryoga was beyond scared at this point, shoving Ranma's shoulder with all the strength she could apply in her state while trying to veer his eyes away from her daughter.

"We should leave Ranma. . .They will wait for us on the cafeteria while you tell me this favor of yours." As she asked him to leave on their own, the pigtailed fighter couldn't help but notice the tiny, but prominent set of fangs the little girl had and how cheerfully she acted around him. "Oh, c'mon Senpai. . .I don' know how ta say this, but it feels weird. Like if I've known your little niece from somewhere. . .Have you ever taken her on campus before?" Asked the teen at Ryoki instead of Midori, indirectly admitting the little girl looked more like his Senpai.

Ryoga found his close attention increasingly penetrating, compelling the girl to stare at her baby first while formulating an appropriate answer. That's when everyone except Ranma saw the sudden smile Sachiko threw at the pigtail boy. . .A smile accompanied with her hair turning bright red and her eyes green.

The fanged counsel aide stiffened every muscle by the sudden reaction, and while her face turned pink from the fear of fainting, her close friend mistakenly realized something wasn't right with the girl. "Um. . .Senpai?. . .Are you Ok?" Ryoga's heart threatened to explode right there and then, but just before it could happen, Ranma followed her line of sight all the way into the stroller.

"Oh!. . .The little one is getting all red. . .Is she Ok?" Asked again the teen, only this time to warn Midori about another of Sachiko's asthma attacks. "Oh, dear!" The blue haired woman gasped loudly as she rushed at her side with the mask and the metallic can, setting the baby for her medicine while everyone saw her hair was back to a jet black color in a blink of a second, right before all this happened.

Ryoki decided to keep herself calm, and as she grabbed the boy by his hand, the girl pulled him towards the fields as she explained the situation. "I-I'm sorry Ranma but Sachiko has asthma problems and being outside for prolonged periods of time is a bit harmful to her health." Ranma understood the effects from such a dangerous illness, but after a moment later, the boy saw a giggling girl waving back and spitting all over the place.

The Endos and Ryoga noticed how tensely Ranma responded at the sounds of happiness, forcing the teen to stare at her as if trying to scan beyond her looks and focusing solely on some type of vibe forming between the two. It took a few seconds afterwards for the teen to calm down, giving him just enough time to wave at the baby while he made his way into the grassy fields. "Well Sachiko-chan, it's been nice ta see ya. . .!" Added somewhat enthusiastically Ranma before restating his walk.

That's when the second biggest surprise in Ryoga's life came crashing in the group. All danger had been averted and while the pair kept walking away from the Endo family, a certain whimsical babble no one had ever heard so far broke the barrier between the presents, forcing their hearts to skip a beat altogether and wait to see if this was supposed to be the moment of truth.

"M-Mama. . ." That sublime, almost magical word floated across the wind reaching the ears of Midori who couldn't feel any happier as a woman. It reached Ryoga as well, but her previous encounter with Minami left the girl numb and confused, missing the true meaning of the word.

Now Ranma. He experienced that same numbness as well, but not so much from being touched by another man. . .No. . .It was guilt drowning the memories of a baby he never met before, but killed him nevertheless by turning his back and leaving him behind on that terrible day. His muscles tensed beyond control after the word sunk deep in his mind, and before the girls could go and scream girlish nonsense like all females do, Ranma was the one pulling Ryoki's hand this time away from the stroller. "L-Let's go Senpai. . .I really need ta talk ta you 'bout somethin'. . ."

Hurried steps clearly made mulch out of the green, and soft grass as the pair rushed away from such happy picture and into a more desolate area where Ranma could be ridden from those ancient demons. The frantic pulling of hand, coupled with the lack of strength, and the severe state in Ryoga's mind were the wrong mixture to have after the next part of this meeting entitled a pigtailed boy preparing to crash and burn for the first time since all this began.

Still dizzy by the spell, the girl found him too tense to talk, deciding herself to break the ice with a simple. "Is everything Ok Ranma?" of her own instead. The teen snapped from his trance, forcing a smile and shaking his head with heavy disappointment. "No Ryoki-san, nothin' is right. . ." He kept silent another few seconds before the pressure made him explode out of his wits.

"I think Akane is leavin' me Senpai, an' ta make matters worse I have a terrible confession I need ta tell her, but I ain' sure if I should." When the boy looked so sincere about those personal matters, Ryoga felt a pang of guilt because of her hidden secret, but she still kept steady, remembering all the trouble she dealt with alone thanks to her daughter and specially for what had happened last with his father.

"Um Ranma. . .Why are you telling me this?" That was the question he could not answer, but there was something he found so familiar with Ryoki so, trusting her seemed like a right choice to make. . .Maybe he knew why after all, but this was going to be the first time declaring it on the open. "Senpai. . .This is goin' ta sound so stupid, but your fangs remind me of this friend I talked ta you 'bout."

"He is just as stubborn as I am, an' one of the strongest morons I have ever met. But. . .The reality of the matter is how nice we get along. You could say he is my best friend an' every time somethin' like this happens in my life, talkin' with Ryoga is so soothin'. . ."

He looked genuinely worried and clearly cared for that boy according to his explanation which told Ryoga the pigtailed teen saw him much more than a pest ever since they met. . .Still. "No!", thought Ryoga deep in her mind, refusing to give in to his late confession, and hold a little bit longer for both their sakes. "O-Ok. And this friend of yours. Does he knows how you feel?" Prodded the school's aide to a nervous looking boy with the idea to know more about Ranma's feelings.

"No Senpai, he don' know that. I need ta find him an' tell him what happened between him an' me was an accident, but it was amazing the way he helped me through. I want ta tell him how proud I am for what he did an' why he did it. . .Even when I. . ." He hesitated clearly now, afraid of what he was going to say next could scare the normal looking teenage girl.

"W-When I. . .Became p-pregnant by accident he was every step of the way with me, an' that was big on my book. Ryoki-san, I thought if I suppressed what happened it would go away, but it ain'. . ." That's when Ryoga noticed the most powerful martial artist in the world break up into a shaking fit of self-retaliation, hanging his pride from eyes so dry, no tears threatened to spill maybe for the way he was raised or the constant mantra drilled in his mind to be a man among men.

Ryoga couldn't take it anymore. She was so ready to scream to the world, and specially to him who she really was, and more importantly, whose baby on that stroller belonged to. At this point she didn't care to be called a weak girl or a freak, Ryoga saw the same hell she went through but without the reward to see a baby grow.

"I have to end this. . .Poor Ranma is hurting and his baby girl is a few steps from here. I must. . ." But just as her hands reached his shaking shoulders, an unsettling feelings began to seep from afar. It was faint, and seemed to spread from the bushes far on the limits of campus, but she knew who's Chi it belonged to, and he was getting closer by the second.

"I can't do it!. Not only because of my petty feelings but everything running against Ranma and Sachi. He has that Seppuku deal with his mother, not to mention that stupid father who thinks in nothing more than manliness and pride. And now that I can feel that bastard getting closer, I am not going to risk my daughter. . .Forgive me Ranma. . .At least for now." The girl fought against her will for several seconds until her own hand moved by itself, resting even closer on his back, patting and running circles around it with the idea to make him feel more comfortable.

"Although I could not foresee someone like you getting pregnant, I believe we all make mistakes Ranma. T-Thanks for confiding in me and I promise not to tell any of this to anyone, but you need to move on. Think of it like personal experiences that will build character over time, and when you marry Akane-san someday, you will understand your spouse's feminine problems." She hoped her words could entice him to react and move from their spot, but that aura kept growing up, forcing the girl to leave Ranma's problems aside and focus distractedly on the far bushes strangely moving by themselves.

The girl sensed her words worked somehow when his hardened eyes began to soften and a tiny smile tugged in the corner of his crooked mouth. "There." Said the teen while stealing stares between the boy and the far distance. "That's the Ranma I know. Now, all these nonsense about Akane-san must be a mis. . ." A misunderstand!. . .That's what she wanted to continue with the conversation, but those soft, blue eyes stared so intently and that curious tilting face started to get closer and closer towards a girl who was more interested on the sudden motion of the trees far in the distance, than what happened right in front of her face.

And then it happened again. Ryoga felt the heat raise from her lips to the top of the head and then spread all over her body when this time his lips were soft and caring, forcing a desire to stay there, and she did so for as long as Ranma pressed the kiss more out of surprise at first, but out of fear secondly when the possible shadow of Ranma's father could loom over the branches.

Ryoga never thought of a time when the pigtailed teen would look at him like this. Unconsciously, the girl let herself go thinking on how female connections tend to be more emotional, but the truth lied somewhere else. . .In a place beyond love for a man or pride as a male. Besides, there were other matters more important to deal with at the moment.

"S-Stop it now!. . .Regardless of how I feel as a girl this is Ranma, the moron who made my life a living hell and his father is out there ready to destroy my daughter's well being. I must break this at once and move on before that idiot of his father see us." Thought deeply disgusted this time the boy trapped in a girl's body while the enormous killing intent began to gloom closer to the pair. One thing was for sure during the kiss, Ryoga managed to peek into his eyes and the girl saw something in Ranma. . .Relief.

After a while both teens parted away, one looking somewhat redeemed for confessing to a girl he barely met a few days ago his deepest sins while the young woman glanced towards the grassy field, ashamed and flustered by her sudden impulses taking over matters she wasn't supposed to delve. "R-Ranma. . .I'm s-sorry. . .I-I didn't mean to." Was all the girl could think to say until the real boy inside of her kicked into gear.

"Wait. . .Why am I apologizing!. . .That idiot kissed me again like if I was a girl. That's not fair. . .Not him. . .Never him!" Reproached herself after the misplaced feelings towards another boy was something more than what she could handle now. "I am not a girl. I did all this for my daughter and I would kill myself first before letting him touch me again." Demanded next the teen towards the meaning behind the name Ranma Saotome for a male named Ryoga Hibiki.

The boy ignored her completely when he took his hand across her face, running over those strains of loose hair falling at the sides of her face to the back, making her ears peek cutely. "P-Please Senpai, don' apologize. I can' explain it, but I feel so comfortable with you. Just like how I felt with Ryoga when I was stuck as a girl."

The last part made him tilt his head and sadden his looks again, but the teen recovered fast when the girl's eyes flew open by the memories of a worried teen trying to keep the stubborn redhead safe at all times. Ryoki restarted the conversation again, but this time she managed to lead him away from the open field as she did so. "B-But where is he now?. . .Did something happened between the two of you, or is it because you were really a male?"

Her prodding questions were reasonable enough, thought the pigtailed teen, finding no way to explain them at first but with a shrugging of shoulders and a darting look to the grass. He wanted to act like the wiser of the two at the time, but his inner struggle flared against his will, making the boy admit what he had back then was amazing. After a few seconds he composed himself at her side, finding the girl so enticingly warm to his touch.

"I treated him so badly while I was pregnant Senpai. I tried ta understand my situation an' maybe even accept a life with another boy, but that's when my mind flew out of my head an' everything seemed against me." This time Ranma honestly opened up to the girl, accepting how he felt deep in his heart despite all the demeaning times the boy punished a fanged teen during his pregnancy.

"Ta think Akane would leave me, pops would dishonor me while implementing the Seppuku pledge, not to mention the humiliation in front of everyone I know back home. I'm sorry Ryoki-san, but I can't handle rejection too well an' being laughed at because I let my guard down is just too much."

Fortunately enough the pair reached around the first building, leaving no chance for Genma to find them right away but leaving the girl more exposed towards the back corridor hosting walking interns and faculty employees. Ryoga decided to peek from the corner as her hand gently pressed on Ranma's chest and indirectly invited the boy to grab her again by surprise.

His arms surrounded Ryoga's petite form much closer this time, resting his head besides hers while still talking about being prosecuted for his mistakes. It was a bit uncomfortable for the girl, but instead of complaint, she began to recall some murmurs from young students who judged her wrongly every time she walked with a stroller by the park, making the teen feel self-conscious and deem herself a loose woman with no mate at such young age. That's what made Ryoga understand Ranma's predicament. "I see. So, you left your friend with the baby and moved on with your life out of fear, is that right?"

The teen shook again, admitting he left his friend hanging out of fear, but there was no baby anymore. "He died Senpai. I left because I was ashamed of what I did." His face fell against her shoulder and away from those pretty green eyes as he said what Ryoga didn't expect. "My terrible mistake was to have signed papers of adoption before we knew our baby didn' survive."

"I betrayed Ryoga Senpai!. . .I told him we weren' parents material an' when I saw his world crumble before me, a male nurse came through a door sayin' my baby didn't survive the birthing. . .I guess that triggered the need to run away from my very best friend. " His shaking body came back by the memory, but at this point Ryoga was beyond caring who he was inside.

The fanged teen grabbed his back effusively while both bodies became close together. That awkwardness the girl felt at first died down immediately thanks to how cowardly she acted as well, not to mention the fact she "stole" Sachiko from her real mother, and despite his arms surrounding her waist like lovers tend to do in hidden places, Ryoga watched a close friend crumbling away instead of a pervert trying to hit second base.

"I-I'm sorry Ranma. . .I didn't mean to. . ." Whispered the girl almost with inaudible words which were muffled by his back of the head. They stood there for sometime after the confession, winning the looks from some students while claiming the reproving stares from others. When they slowly moved away, the girl walked towards the stairs while Ranma accompanied Ryoki at her side.

"Wait Ranma. You said you were working on the adoption papers. . .If you just went into labor and gave birth, how were you working on that?" That part, he didn't think through either, and was the most affecting moment of all this ordeal for a Ryoga who bet everything in his closest half-female friend as he waited faithfully outside.

"I-I changed Senpai. I was dying by the loss of blood an' the doctors could do nothin' ta save me. I'm sorry. . .I really am. I-I panicked an' grabbed the metal pan with warm water by instinct, washing it over me an' changing instantly." Ryoga now understood what neither her or Midori were allowed to see during Ranma's delivery.

Her foster family was in charge of Dr. Saito's research as of late, and as the group studied every notebook written about his exploits over cursed patients, Takeshi seemed to omit those two hours during his labor. "I don' know if all deliveries are the same, but I felt caged when they strapped me to the bed "supposedly" because I could get violent during the procedure."

"But I sensed nothing bad from the doctor, so I obeyed every order he gave me. When he went "down there" an' started ta pull my baby, I saw so much blood an' I wanted ta sleep. . .I felt so tired, sometimes my eyes would close on their own. Actually, in one of those times I saw them carry a tiny bundle wrapped in bloody cloths and leavin' the room an' that's why I panicked." His eyes started to turn bloodshot red by the exertion of stress by now.

It was as if those memories were nothing more than terrible headaches and the pregnant girl bleeding to death was still looking through his eyes, with no control over his actions. Ranma was scared out of his wits again, but this time he found salvation by grasping that sitting girl at his side. Ryoga felt the frantic and desperate need to hold him and not let go which she had felt as well back in that tub filled with cursed water.

"W-Why am I always thinking I got the short end of the stick, every single time. I died for my baby, and so did Ranma. . .I died over and over through Sachiko's illnesses and weak state, and so did he, but it was worse because he didn't know why." Ryoga's eyes moist this time, forcing her lips to beg forgiveness with the muting motion alone while their hands held sanity together and the girl accepted, if only this time, he had paid for his sins as a mother just like she had bared the burden to care for a baby alone.

As he recanted the story of a mother giving her baby in adoption, Ranma really looked mortified from leaving her flesh and blood unattended, admitting to the fanged aide something clouded his judgment and despite what many may believe, that oozing sensation made easy for the girl to disassociate herself from everything spinning around.

"I-I swear Senpai!. . .I wanted ta believe. I wanted ta accept Ryoga like a brother or maybe a boyfriend in time if Pops would. . ." But the idea alone was so inconceivable, Ranma stopped his ranting excuse and threw a quiet maddening laugh at the girl, knowing that feeling would never work for the boy. "Who am I kiddin'. . .I'm destined ta be a man, an' I am a man." His head slowly rested on the girl's crevice right next to her own trembling head as bitter words made Ryoga stifle a painful cry of remorse.

"I am a man. . .But I could be a woman only for him, you know?" Stated matter-of-factly the teen, showing no fear because he knew this was his closest friend. . .just like Ryoga. "D-Damn. . .I can't. . .I-I can't keep this up." Let Ryoki out almost with no strength left. " Ranma, we need to talk about something really important, but. . .I am afraid. . ."

Ranma felt the anguish flourish around Ryoki's aura this time, worrying the boy in extreme when someone else came to mind. "Tell me Senpai. . .If it's that idiot of Maseru, I will kill him where he stands. . ." Declared infuriated the teen. Ryoga couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of his bravado, but the boy inside that girl admired him so much, even prideful banter was like a lesson for him.

"N-No Ranma-san. . .Is not talking about him." Replied the girl as she cleared her face from the tears and thanked the curse for letting her make up stay on, unlike normal girls who tears tend to ruin their faces. "I want to talk to you about my own sins, but before I do. . .I want to see you one more time like this. I want to see our friendship in one piece before anger fills your heart and your wrath falls on my head. . ."

This time Ranma was the one chuckling amused at the innocent girl. "C'mon Ryoki-san. . .What could you possibly do ta make me mad. I may not know you from before but I feel safe with you around. . .It's as if I can count on you ta even face my worst of enemies an' believe me, not even Akane has made me feel like this." Declared nervously this time the teen when his indirect approach to romance the girl couldn't be more direct.

Ryoga understood the meaning as well, forcing her eyes to grow in surprise and think how honorable that would be "if" she would let her insecurities go. "T-Thank you Ranma. . .Um. . .Kun?" Asked the girl a bit expectantly. "But I have done terrible things in the past out of fear just like you. . .I just don't know if you'll ever forgive me if I were to tell you all I've done. . ."

The boy wanted to interrupt and assure the girl nothing in her life would affect his growing feelings, but Ryoki begged him to be heard first before delivering the painful backstab. "Tell me Ranma. . .I can sense the struggles you have with Akane-san right now, and what we've been talking has helped a lot in our friendship, but. . .Let's say I am a girl who can turn into a boy. Would you be willing to accept me with a male side?"

The question threw many interpretations into the air, specially when even Ranma thought Ryoga could "swing" that way after the months he cared so jealously of him as a girl. But the lost boy taught him more than just love beyond genders. Ryoga never demeaned him when she wanted extra food, or would mess around with the house, and those times when the poor boy had to clean her uncontrolled bodily fluids all over the bathroom it didn't mean a man trying to love another, but a boy completely devoted to a friend in need.

Actually, that made him a little more nervous before all this even started because they would always fight, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, the both of them would end up half naked and rubbing each other in an entangled mess of limbs either in male form, or as a pig and a girl. The point is, they always hid with a certain degree of fear in their hearts the primal attraction they had as a side effect from those close quarter quarrels. No. . .This wasn't about genders, but about the connection between the two.

"I accepted Ryoga, Senpai, but I didn' 'cuse I was a girl at the time an' he is a handsome devil. . .He is Ok, I guess, but is what he does what pretty much conquered me in the first place." A long, drawn-out sigh told the girl Ranma was a lot more wiser than everyone back home ever gave him credit for. She was able to see a boy unrestrained by stereotypes who forced him to be a certain way, and which coincidentally marked what Ranma strived from day one.

"When I'm a girl, the first thing I defend is my manhood, that's a given. But when I'm with that moron, I don't need ta. . .He always watches over me, tries me ta be modest as a girl, and lately he always comes ta my rescue or becomes part of my team when the enemy tries ta harm our loved ones. That's why I would only accept him in a relationship Sensei, him. . .And for some strange reason I can' explain, I would do so with you as well. . ."

A big smile of satisfaction grew across Ryoga's face, accepting his good wishes with a bow, and preparing herself to confess once and for all. "I'm glad you feel that way Ranma for what I'm about to tell you is going to change everything you think of me. Rest assured. . .After all this is said and done, you will be the happiest man alive and nothing will take away certain emotion long overdue in your life." When she said that, the fanged aide unlocked her arms from the boy, setting his body a few inches away and readying herself to terminate her last living hell.

Ranma tilted his head by then, wondering what could she possibly had done to affect him in the past. Both teens waited for seconds before saying a word, letting the night slowly tuck them in and the light posts come to life on every corner in campus.

This was it, thought the girl who raised her finger decidedly just as the boy lowered it rather abruptly a second later. "Wait Senpai!. . ." When Ranma warned her from moving an inch from the stairs, their hands were intertwined long enough for the girl to realize a killing intent impressively watched from the shadows.

She intently tried to separate from each other, afraid to be seen by Ranma's father, but the pigtailed fighter's eyes crooked away and into the shadows moving around the fields. "I-I can' explain it, but I can sense someone's Chi over there. . .Is faint, like if he tries ta hide it from me, but I can still feel it. The problem is. . ." Ranma kept wondering who had the same wavelength of energy he had to power up such techniques, giving the boy a random guess of whom it could be.

"W-What do you mean Ranma. . .How are you able to feel it. I can barely do so myself. . ." Said Ryoga who was able to track traces of the same type of Chi not far from where they stood. "That's the thing Senpai. . .The only reason I can feel it right away, is because that Chi is the same as mine, an' there are only five people capable to raise that type of energy."

The girl had thought about the other three as well, leaving Happosai, Soun and herself, who undertook the same training long ago, aside. That only left Ryu Kumon and Genma of course, and the military dressed boy hadn't been around Tokyo in a long time.

"I don' think is Pops. . .I sent him packin' home a while back. Unless he stayed back an' is searchin' for Ryoga!" As the teen explained with nervous stares at the teen how his father found out about their "accident", the pigtailed boy bawled his fists tight and into the air just as his teeth bared in anger. "I swear. . .If Pops tries to harm him, I'm goin' ta kill him. . ." Added lastly when he knew a lost Ryoga wasn't much of a challenge for his old man.

The fanged girl could not be more impressed at this point, noticing how terribly low she judged him without even realizing Ranma was always his best role model. The girl didn't know what to do next, if keep her confession going or leave the boy aside and vanish before Sachiko could be in danger. The private streets began to crowd just like every late afternoon at the end of classes, and that was the cue Ryoga used to run for their safety.

"Ranma. . .I can't talk right now with you, but I promise to explain everything tomorrow. Go to you regular activities and well meet later ok?" Asked the girl one last time before she darted into the dark back alley right behind the cafeteria. The boy tried to follow behind, just to make sure she would be alright, but knowing his father could be near, a crazed Panda seeing him with another girl could not be the right choice at the moment, so he took a different path.

"Be safe Senpai. . .I'll see if I can find whoever is trackin' me an' whether I find him or not, I'll be at the gym until the end of practice. . ." Both teens lunged on different directions right on time when sparkling flames flew from one of the light posts close to the gardens and an increasingly angry Genma was bending a metal fence out of shape. "That damn boy. . .I-I told him. . .I really did. Now I don' claim myself responsible. . ." Said last before going back into his Umi-sen-ken, vanishing from the guards scanning the area.

Ranma kept watching his back as he made his way towards the gym. He tried to be careful enough to watch the girl go into the cafeteria first, and as he walked the busy streets in campus, one strong memory affected his senses at all times despite the situation he was in. "I don' know what it is, but Ryoki-Senpai. . .I wasn' born yesterday. . .I know that little girl is yours, an' I don' care if you're a single mom if that's what's botherin' you." He even smiled by the idea to be afraid of him when Ranma himself had passed for a forced pregnancy at his age, and as a male, but the face and those little fangs were deeply impressed in the boy's mind, forcing the teen to wonder what could be Ryoki's terrible secret.

From a distance, Ryoga managed to see him disappear into the crowd and with him, that vibe she knew belonged to his father left her surrounding areas as well. "Saotome-san must be more worried about Ranma now that we went our separate ways." The girl let a sigh of relief next and, dissimulating innocence, she walked at the table where her family waited patiently.

The place was filled with teachers and alumni welcoming her presence, which was rather calming to be in public and among peers, but as soon as the girl moved excitedly towards the last table, her swaying of hips summoned so many stares, Ryoga began to hate those tireless lessons about femininity. "I swear. I need to get my body back before I go insane with so many ogling eyes." It took her a few agonizing seconds and a floor that seemed to stretch on every step, but she arrived just as the cooing sound of Sachiko and her extending little hands searched for her long lost mother. "I'm here baby. . .Don't need to fuss about it." Said the fanged teen as she lifted the baby carefully from the stroller.

"Did everything go alright Ryo-Chan?" Asked Midori tensely. "Oh yeah. I acted so girlish and comprehensive he believed I was someone else, and although he guessed some of little Sachi's looks, the moron swallowed what I told him about you and the Endo line."

Both young parents looked at each other, wondering if this was the time for the whole family to leave again, and that was the precise point of conversation among the adults after what the girl had been gone through. "Yes Mi-Chan. I think I should. . .Ranma's father is getting closer by the day and I won't risk my daughter ever again."

She told them how close they were from discussing who Sachiko really was, but Genma appeared out of nowhere tracking her down, and as she managed to feel the killing desire to harm both girls, Ranma and her decided to leave in separate ways for the time being. "Please, I know how much we mean to you Midori-Chan, and I consider you as my only family, but don't stop me from leaving. . .If a stay, there's no way my. . ."

"Go. . .You better leave tonight. . ." Replied the blue haired woman while abruptly cutting Ryoga's speech. The young mother stared at her and subsequently her husband, wondering if this break meant the end of their relationship, but Midori's dismissive outburst came from some other news.

"Ryoga. . .Something else has come up during the last stages of Dr. Saito's research. . .I believe we should leave this public place right now and head to his main office where I can explain in more detail about his last journals." After everything she and Ranma had gone through thanks to Takeshi's damn experiments, the girl hoped that problem would be long gone by now, but it seemed Dr. Saito still had many surprises hidden beyond the grave.

The Endos finished their dinner, set money on the table and left the cafeteria together, leaving behind the stares of many lonely professors and young adults while the family talked about future plans.

"So!, what are you planning to do?. . .Your house isn't safe anymore and they know where I live in Nerima." Wondered Midori with worried looks. Ryoga explained them how she always wanted to travel the world but being weak and defenseless, plus carrying an eleven month old baby wasn't such a good idea.

"I'm planning to sell the house and rent in the outskirts of Nerima. That way I can be close to you but well hidden from the rest." They agreed to help her made the sale and after a nice walk after dinner, the family left for the biology department where Takeshi Saito used to work.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Back on the science labs, a raven haired teen worked diligently with her lab partner. In her mind, anatomy parts in a human being mingled with the sight of a persevering young man sticking his tongue out as a way to concentrate.

Akane couldn't do much but smile, finding his focus cute. "Sigh. . .I wonder if he'll be with me after all this ordeal. I find him so mature and serious, which in return makes me appreciate all the big differences I chose him from" The teen felt her eyes searching into his, forcing the teen out of his studies and stare back at the girl.

"Are you Ok Akane-Chan?" His constant worry about her well being and how polite, respectful and caring he acted at all times shed away most of the pressures to choose him over Ranma. Of course he wasn't the owner of a martial arts style, but did she really need such accomplishments in life?

She had a steady career many girls desired to have back at home, and her internship, although not paid, gave her a stronger status among the students who came here at the rightful age. No. . .Akane thought taking life by the horns sure gave her a satisfaction she could have never seen with a macho boy filled with fiancées everywhere.

"I think I am now Dai. . .I think I am now." The best way for the girl to show affection now was by pressing herself towards the next set of exams. Both teens nodded at each other, acknowledging what was coming as an incredible set of tests made to prove their mettle.

At the end of the class, Akane received the greatest of gifts she could imagine. Right next to her lab window, a family walked surely towards Dr. Saito's office. Akane saw how feminine and serious Ryoga pushed the stroller, winning most looks and a few whistling sounds from students and professors alike.

"C'mon Dai!. . .My sister is here and I want to see my niece." The boy realized classes were done and he wanted to make an special date with the girl, but seeing her so happy told him volumes about the sharing feelings between the boy turned mother and his soon to be girlfriend.

"Sure. Let's go and see that cute little baby." Supported the teen who led Akane by the hand. Still unable to reach the building though, Akane and Daisuke met Genma spying through a window a few feet away from the unsuspecting family. By the looks of things, the man seemed to phase in and out of sight most likely by that technique he used before against his son. When the raven haired teen remembered the attacks the man did against a weak Ryoga, her trusty mallet began to flare as she walked behind the bushes and closer to the crouching man.

"Wait here Dai. . .I need to clear something with Mr. Saotome." The boy stayed behind, watching as his girl walked with thundering steps towards a peeping tom unaware of her presence and raising a giant wooden hammer he thought extinct long ago. "Ahem!. . ." Cleared loudly Akane right behind the startling man.

"Akane-Chan, so good ta see you here!" The old man took the Tendo's youngest teen to the side of the building, sneaking past a few guards looking for him, and keeping tabs in the family who entered one of the scientific buildings. "Mr. Saotome. I know what you did to Ryoga. . .Tell me. Why would you lock her and use the moxibustion technique against him?"

The man fixed his glasses just like he always does when acting with pride, ready to instruct the girl in all the lies Ryoga used to pervert his son, and demonstrate the risk her relationship with his son was in. "I'm glad you are aware 'bout the depraved act that. . ."Boy" did ta my son. I swear, If I hadn' been there when you called, Ranma would've never been avenged."

The way he explained his actions made Akane see him like the victim instead of a perpetrator, but the truth was so different after she saw a weakened Ryoga humiliated and deprived of any dignity while trying to protect her only concern. After the girl prodded deeper into what exactly happened during their one sided fight, the bald man admitted he had no idea how to reverse the technique.

"I don' know how it works since I followed the instructions plus some other shiatsu pressure points in the mix, but aren' you happy that little bastard will never mess with your fiance?. . .That's why I'm here. To put an end ta his perverted ways and ensure the schools can be united."

The man chuckled maliciously as his hands brushed against each other like the evil man in a movie when he knew no one would be capable to stop him from finishing Ryoga now. "B-But Saotome-san. . .She won't be able to at least defend her baby, let alone survive on their own." Genma told her that's why he tried to take the baby away from her, but the damned teen called the cops on him and he's been persecuted ever since.

"I don' have much time, an' to make matters worse m'boy didn' give me a chance ta explain everythin'. . .Akane-Chan, please tell him Ryoga won't ever corrupt his innocence while I'm here. . .Tell him, I'm doin' this for his own good. . ."

It didn't make much sense for the girl who knew the secret before Ranma and his father. Akane dismissed the old man carelessly, asking him to leave the school grounds as she promised to talk with Ranma about what he had done. "Fine. I will leave this place. . .But I will find him sooner or later, an' when I do. . .I won't promise I'll hold back."

With his last warning thrown into the air, the Anything goes master vanished from the building, appearing a few feet away among the bushes, and sneaking out among the darkness without raising any alarm. "What do you think we should do?" Asked the boy who managed to hear the last part in their conversation.

"I need to talk with Ryoga and be clear once and for all. Ranma needs to know his baby is alive and they need to fix their personal problems." She was resolute to make amends and help Ranma with his guilt trip, but at the same time Ryoga was going to be forced out of her hiding spot and that was going to be harder for Akane to deal with.

When they arrived to Dr. Saito's office the scene turned out to be a lot different compared to last time. They easily entered across closed doors this time, but as Akane and her boyfriend waited right outside from the main office, the waiting room they were in had no furniture, counters or chairs. The place hadn't been occupied in months and only a sliver of light underneath the main door had movement coming from it. Suddenly the door opened, Midori walked out and asked the couple to join them inside. "I think it's time for you to hear this as well Akane-chan, please. . .Follow me. . ."

Akane and Daisuke made their way towards Ryoga's side, right between Sachiko's stroller and the fanged mother. She looked at Ryoga for the first time in days, noticing how tense the girl moved around while avoiding eye contact with her. "Um, Ryoga. . .Is everything alright?" Asked the youngest Tendo to an increasingly worried girl.

Ryoga tried to speak then, startled by her near confession about her daughter and still shook off from the attempted rape early on, but the one starting the conversation was Kenji's wife who had more pressing matter on the subject. "I'm sorry Akane-chan, but there isn't much time left right now. You see. . .These are the last two notebooks with the data Dr. Saito gathered from Ranma's pregnancy and Ryoga's development as a woman and a mother. They took me the longest of time to decipher and when I finally finished, a set of instructions were very detailed inside his logs."

The girl proceeded to pull a last videocassette somewhat dusty from her bag, and as she inserted it into the VCR, the white screen come alive with Takeshi resting comfortably on his chair. So far there was no chance to ask anything during the film, but as it rolled ahead against the projecting screen, Akane and Diasuke saw for the first time the atrocities Dr. Saito was forced to procure thanks to his work.

"Dr. Saito researched many hidden techniques, specially about Jusenkyo curses over the years." Began the young pediatrician while letting the movie give visual examples from her speech. "There were times where his sense of humanity questioned the very fundamentals of his desire for truth and science, and although all his colleagues humiliated him at first, those same men funding such research branded in his mind a lie he could not live with any longer."

As she said this, frame after frame kept rolling with pictures of animals being transformed into human beings, only to be disposed into a boiler days later for no apparent reason. Akane was the first in looking away, disgusted by the indirect applications of science and the breach of common sense over those creatures.

There was no complains yet because the film kept moving on, shifting its pictures from a young Dr. Saito fighting the research institute, being "silenced" against his will, and finally showing a tombstone with his name imprinted in it. "Dr. Takeshi Saito died a few months ago from the guilt, but before leaving us behind, he managed to keep a last record of his work." Said Midori just as she popped the dusty videocassette, and in its place the girl set a brand new one.

This time, the tape rolled right in front of the professor who stared back at the lens as if he was talking to the family. "Dear Ryoga. If you are watching this it means I couldn't take it anymore and I reached the end most of my specimens have went through over the years."

"I should feel happy that I had the guts to do so, but it pains me to believe I was a fool for believing in killing the few to save the many. . .That's one of the easiest rules a scientist can break without knowing it, you know?" The man in the picture released a long, drawn out sigh of despair, pulling from his drawer a bottle and a gun next and setting them besides his chair.

"Let's forget about my past, and instead let's talk about your future. You see. . . All my years accepting science as the only matter in my life has frozen a heart who once beat for a little girl. She was my daughter and she meant the world to me. Her name was Hana, and she died in my arms at the young age of five."

"I know this has nothing to do with you, but bear with me. . .Like I said, I became unresponsive, dedicated to my work and blind to everything else. . ." The doctor paused for a moment, veering slightly to the right, as if he knew where Ryoga was sitting on the table. "That is, until I met you. . ."

"As you very well know I consider you like a daughter ever since you died during our little experiment. I have done terrible things in the name of science and research, but what I'm about to tell you is by far my greatest sin." He stopped once again, taking a big sip out of that brown-golden bottle and forcing a hoarse snarl next.

"Ryoga. . .I'm sorry I tricked you into believing a girl could take care of your daughter. You taught me no gender matters when it comes to family." The man tried to clear his voice one more time after tears threatened to run during his confession. "You three did amazing. . .Sachiko died after been born and yet she revived by sheer will alone."

"You did the same after leaving that tub filled with cursed water, and. . .Whether I want to believe it or not so did Ranma when he gave birth to your daughter. There's something in you three that made a big change in my soul and compelled me to challenge what I really believed in. . .But."

"That's not all Ryoga. . ." This time the professor stood up from his chair, moved around the desk and walked towards the camera, keeping the distance a lot closer between his audience. "There is a price for my little grand-child's head Ryoga-Chan. . .A price I will not claim or let anyone else take her from you."

"You are right in leaving this place." Said Saito with a stern look at the lens. The moment he said that, Ryoga wondered how did he know before hand, but the outcome of this experiment seemed to be procured from day one without their knowledge. "I have decided to entrust you with some of the funds given to me by external parties. Ryoga. . .Your baby is in danger and there's nothing, not even you can do to stop them." Takeshi jumped to the most important and delicate part in all this which ended up with a gasping Akane and Ryoga's eyes growing out of proportion.

"Y-You mean Ranma did that!" Shouted the Tendo intern first, surprised by the terrible mistake. This time there was no way for the pigtailed boy to intervene in his daughter's behalf, mostly because of his own stupidity. The fanged girl bared her teeth angrily at the sheer mention of his name, swearing in front of the presents how she wanted to read the fine print back then, but the idiot of Ranma never let him.

"That moron gave my daughter into their hands and now they can take her at any given time. Mi-Chan, if you ever confront him after I leave, please. . .Hide the truth. I have seen him lately and he can't take anymore punishment." After the sworn promise stayed with the Endos, Midori whispered something into Ryoga's ears, leaving a piece of paper on her hand and letting the girl go out of the office first.

Oddly enough, Ryoga bowed before the picture on the wall, treating the lifeless movie like a real person and expressing something Takeshi would be so proud to hear if he were alive. "Doctor. . .I have learned many things about womanhood and how hard they must survive an ordeal like the one I'm going through. I don't blame you at all, and thanks for letting me know about those men." As she decided to thank the rest of her family for the help, interestingly enough, the movie seemed to had recorded a message Midori found no connection until now.

"You're welcome daughter, and good luck." Said the last frame from the movie before smiling back at Ryoga and freezing in place. The fanged girl smiled momentarily, walking with the stroller out of the office only to be stopped by her foster sister at the door.

"What is it Akane!?" Retaliated rather dryly the fanged teen, and of course she would act like that after the way Ranma talked about the girl. Ryoga always loved her in the past, but she saw Akane's feelings for Ranma, and they never waned over the years. If there was a moment the pigtailed boy needed support from his fiancée, this was indeed the best of times.

Akane felt the anger flare from her words, forcing a frowning brow demanding what had she done wrong against the single mother. That's when Ryoga immediately calmed down and looked ashamed at the floor, admitting openly how Ranma explained her about the break up.

"I just don't get it. . .Ranma loves you and I know you love him." It was hard for Daisuke to stand there between the two girls and feel invisible by their conversation, but this was a conversation Akane had to deal alone with her foster sister. "I know Daisuke-san is a nice guy. . .Hell, I tried to be the nicest of guys too, remember?"

"But you chose Ranma for a reason. I know that. . .That idiot knows that, and deep down, I know you know it." The raven haired teen knew what the fanged mother was talking about, and she too questioned her decision for so long, but what she tried to unconsciously do, was to push the feelings between Ryoga and Ranma as an item.

"To be fair. . .I could say the same for you sis. As I came from the lab a while ago, several friends saw you making out with him in a darkened corner. Tell me Ryoki-chan. . .Why wouldn't you accept Ranma and fight for little Sachiko together as a couple?"

Ryoga found the idea preposterous, mostly because of a hidden feeling she had fought with for a long time, and although she did ask that to herself once upon a time, the fanged mother knew Akane and Ranma were destined to be together. "I-I can't Akane. . .Ranma and I aren't compatible as a couple, and I don't mean it because I am a guy. . .Or, well. . .I was a guy."

It was hard to explain it, but before the girl could move on with her daughter, Ryoga wanted to be clear about how she felt for Ranma and why. "Listen. . .I love Ranma and I don't care if he is a guy or a girl, but I will never accept him as something more than a friend. Akane. . .He and I grew to be rivals. Me being a girl doesn't change a thing between the two of us, what changed is my weakness and how worthless I am to measure up to his standards."

"When we were in Junior high, I commanded respect to a point where no one dared to make fun of me either because I was alone all the time, or because I would get lost on my way to the restroom. Ranma changed all that the first day we met, and since then a furious battle between the two began." The girl explained to Akane it hadn't been so much about the bread feud or even those relentless fights they had afterwards. . .The shameful secret Ryoga so jealously hid from everyone was what the pigtailed boy represented for the girl.

"I don't want to say this, but I will only say it to you and my family. Akane-chan, please don't you ever tell this to Ranma, but I've always loved him like an older brother. Someone who pushed me every single fight we had. Ranma is the person I try to impress and beat no matter the risk or the training to reach that goal, because it matters to me more his respect than the praise from the world."

Akane immediately exchanged looks with the girl, acknowledging that close connection she had with Ranma, but wondering why couldn't she feel that way as his girl. "B-But you two are perfect for each other Ryoga!. . .You are so sophisticated and serious, not to mention beautiful to boot. I'm sure Ranma would love you unconditionally. . ."

The fanged mother wanted to believe that, but a sarcastic chuckle thrown directly at the youngest Tendo trumped everything the girl could try to throw back at her. "You know that moron as much as I do sis. . .In this state I'm nothing more than a normal girl who would pin for his help and get in the middle of his fights like a damsel in distress. . .No. . .The only way to be at his side as a couple, it would have to be as equals."

It was hard to differentiate between pride and respect as fighters, but the teenage girl knew what Ryoga was talking about when she too had passed through that road long ago. Akane nodded affirmatively at her, accepting her reasons despite what Ranma might think of her sudden escape. "I know what you mean sis. . .But you're going to have and explain that to Ranma, or he'll just think wrong of you by leaving like this." The fanged mother agreed with her, accepting that at some point they would meet and talk about all this mess, but for now life needed them to be elsewhere.

When Ryoga left campus a few minutes later, the Endo's and the young couple walked out of the Dr. Saito's office, pacing with awkward steps towards the cafeteria where they always found it calming enough to talk. After they set a table on the corner of the place Akane talked first, clearly annoyed by her sister's sudden escape. "Why Mrs. Endo?. . .Why did all this had to happen!?"

The woman with a lighter blue hued hair looked at her sweetly, thanking the girl for being at Ryoga's side every step of the way, but describing at the couple the hidden story behind the miracle. "Listen to me Akane-san. Ryoga left this place forced by all the repercussions against her daughter, but believe me. . .All this began way before Ranma became pregnant so, sit back and I will tell you how everything started."

The elder began to detail every single secret Ryoga allowed her to disclosure, from the fact that little Sachi's mother was no other but a very female Ranma, to the sacrifices the fanged boy did during her pregnancy. Akane found so unnerving the list of details, the girl couldn't contain her tears as Midori talked about Ryoga's death during the experiment and other parts like what really happened during Sachiko's life expectancy in a plastic bubble filled with gagging tubes and electrode machines.

"I-I can't believe Ranma would do that!" Pleaded the young intern when Midori mentioned a dizzy Ranma leaving Ryoga behind minutes after the birthing. "He can be irresponsible at times, but from that to completely disregard a human life plus Ryoga's feelings is beyond my understanding." That was another part no one knew but the closest people to the research project, and a tale Akane needed to hear so she could understand Ranma was innocent from those reactions back in the hospital.

Next, Midori saw how the pink color on Akane's face blanched into a light blue shade when she detailed how her sister endured the cruel after effects of a premature birthing attacking the baby girl and the sleepless nights supervising her progress. No one but a crew of nurses and herself witnessed the devotion Ryoga applied every single day to keep her daughter alive, and that was the most important fact validating her place as Sachiko's mother.

When the youngest Tendo couldn't take it anymore, the teen stood up from the table, winning the surprised looks from the Endos and her boyfriend alike. "Akane-Chan. . .Are you Ok?" Asked Daisuke afraid his girlfriend could suddenly faint or throw up from the impression.

"No!. . .I am not Ok!" Claimed abruptly the teen. "Ryoga, who I always loved as a brother and then a sister passed through all that alone, well except for you two of course Midori-san. But the point remains. . .The one who should be listening to all this must be in that gym showing off his talents right about now."

"Dai, please wait here with Midori and Kenji-san. I think is time for that idiot to listen once and for all about my sister's hell." As she said that, Akane headed for the cafeteria's exit, stopping only when the blue haired girl cleared something out before she left. "I will repeat everything Akane-san, but I won't disclosure where did Ryoga go. . Do you understand?"

Akane shrugged carelessly, insinuating at the elder how she was the messenger and Ranma needed to decide for himself what to do next. "I'm sorry Midori-san. She tends to be a bit of a hothead when under pressure." Apologized Daisuke with a hand behind his head and a dumb laugh across his features.

While the family waited back at the cafeteria, the raven haired teen walked assuredly towards the sports center filled with students thanks to one of those events Ranma talked so much about. Regardless of any protocol or respect for who guarded the door, the girl did little work of the entrance, leaving a big hole where two heavy duty entry gates stood no chance to detain her.

"Ranma!" Yelled desperately the girl who met the pigtailed boy laughing and cheering with his club right besides the basketball court. "Hey! Akane. . .I was 'bout ta go ta the dorms after the game. . .Check it out. I memorized every cheering move the club had for the next set of games, an' they told me I might even participate on the next one."

Ranma looked genuinely interested on what he practiced despite his swollen eyes clearly showing he had been crying again, but the young girl breathing through her nose and showing clear signs of anger waited no longer for the rest of his story to end. "Save it for later Ranma. Right now you and I need to be somewhere else."

The boy crooked a brow wondering what was so important for him to leave his only refuge from the pain haunting him out there, refusing to go with the girl and instead, walking back towards his friends. Akane saw her anger did nothing but energize the mule walking away, changing her tactic when a single name popped into her mind.

"Ranma. Ryoga is at the cafeteria and he has told me "everything". . ." The effect was instant, forcing the Saotome heir to veer around and stare doubtfully at the girl whose anger matched the news. "E-Everythin'. . .Everythin'. . .?" Akane moved her head, assenting slowly as her index finger retracted in a sign of invitation.

"The Endo's and Daisuke are waiting for you Ranma, and Midori-san has very important matters to attend with all of us." She waited while the boy dangled the last shred of dignity off, slouching as he walked towards the girl like a convict walking on death row.

"A-An' you're not angry 'bout me?" Many thoughts ran through his mind when the fanged boy was mentioned. The reason why he ditched him after the baby died, or the pregnancy itself after the most stupid of accidents on that bathroom transformed the most unlikely of pairs into a couple. But the one fear taking the cake was the reason no one knew but Ryoga and him alone. . .The baby belonged to the redhead instead of a girl who died during the birthing.

"Fine. Let's see what Ryoga has ta say 'bout all this." Finally argued the teen as he followed the girl out of the gym despite the chanting of the cheerleading club quieting down in the distance. As the pair walked by the small streets made only for students and the occasional golf-cart, their minds wondered if this was even a good time to deal with their own break-up/make-up dilemma after another life changing decision was about to be dealt as a family.

Akane slowly calmed down after the sudden outburst back in the gym, but the pigtailed teen was the most nervous from all the truths he was going to reveal to his friends. When they walked into the cafeteria, Daisuke already had set another table together, right on the corner and away from any other young people enjoying a nice dinner of their own.

The pigtailed martial artist scanned the area first, finding no sign of the fanged boy but sitting anyway when this was about his confession mostly. "So. . .Ryoga ditch the chat didn't he?" Smugly reproached the teen to a tense bunch. Both Midori and Akane scowled at him angry, finding his light sense of humor irritating.

"Sit Ranma. There are lots of things we need to discuss before we can figure out where Ryoga left to." Puzzled by her description of the facts, the Anything goes fighter took his seat right next of Kenji, afraid to be near either of Akane or the elder girl who look incredibly mad.

"As I was saying." Said the blue haired woman after Akane asked her again to start from the top. "So far, what I'm allowed to tell you no one knows but Dr. Saito, myself and Ken-kun." when she spoke of their own secrets, Ranma felt her pregnancy was going to be a touchy issue during this conversation regardless of what he could say on his behalf.

"About almost a year ago Ryoga Hibiki stayed on a program made to study cursed people with the Jusenkyo waters. Now, he and Ranma followed every step of the course to the letter until Mr. Saotome decided to forfeit his place."

"There was a birthing of a child which I will go into detail according to Ryoga's instructions, and suffice to say, the child who supposedly died during delivery survived minutes after "she" was born." That part in the explanation the pigtailed teen already knew, and although he thanked Ryoga for not saying it was hers, the mention of a female baby instead of a boy brought a lot more questions than answers in his mind.

"Dr. Saito managed to get permission from Ranma to adopt the baby legally, and those documents are a big part on Ryoga's predicament right now. No one knew at the moment about those adoption papers and most of us thought they were meaningless after the baby was reported deceased, but the little 'girl' revived a minute and fifteen seconds after she died, making those documents valid again."

That surprised Ranma even more, keeping his interest fully glued on the conversation and wondering why was he never told by the hospital staff. "Dr. Takeshi Saito gave Ryoga a last chance to redeem himself by activating a theory he had worked for several years by submerging a subject into waters from the pool of drowned girl."

As the scientist in charge explained point by point the chronological journal Takeshi had set up, the VCR used for sporting events came alive, showing footage of a calm lost boy accepting death willingly and submerging peacefully into a tub filled with water. Seconds later into the experiment, a somewhat panicked Ryoga transformed into a tiny piglet drowning to the bottom like a sunken ship, but offering no resistance from the act.

"Dr. Saito told Mr. Hibiki how Ranma Saotome's rejection was a sure shot for the baby's demise and challenged him into using the water with the objective to exchange his previous curse into a different one." Slowly but surely Ranma began to see a pattern he feared to understand, but the last comment from the woman and the desperate eyes from the teen submerged under water were about to break any misconception Ranma might've had about the mother or the child.

The blue haired woman began to blink rapidly, trying to hold back a few tears from the thought of what happened next, leading Akane to release an aching whimper by the memory of what she was told not an hour ago. "Ryoga Hibiki accepted with no reservations or care about his own life such decision and he went into the tub following every instruction given by the professor."

"I must be clear on this Ranma-san. Dr. Saito never told me what the experiment entitled and since I was there when it happened, I assure you, Ryoga never hesitated on going into the tub or accepting the hardest part of the operation."

Midori described how the cure worked on theory alone and not facts. She said the Dr. submerged Ryoga all the way to the bottom as a piglet just like the movie described, making sure the poor animal would drown in the water. . .After all, the name of something drowned in a pool meant that something had to really die in it to be effective.

Ranma's eyes grew in shock at the sight. There he was. . .A tiny furry bundle unable to float to the surface for some reason, but staring back at the camera through the waving distortion of the water rippling against the metallic walls. Ranma and P-Chan stared at each other for a matter of long, excruciating seconds before the pigtailed teen turned away with unbearable pain and clenched teeth.

"T-That's. . .Not fair. H-He never thinks things through, you should know better!" Challenged the pigtailed teen just as his eyes threatened to cry like he had done all day long today, but the understanding scientist knew that already. That's why she froze the screen on those set of eyes and claimed to all the presents she always looked out for him.

"Of course I knew better!, but the choice was his and he accepted willingly. Ranma. . .I tried. . .I really did!. . .But Ryoga died in that tub for a minute and fifteen seconds just like little Sachiko did when born and there was nothing I could do to stop him." That statement alone sent sparks in front of Ranma's eyes, forcing his mind to reel back into those suicidal eyes on the screen, and the name she just mentioned a second ago.

The room started to spin and the teen met the floor in a matter of seconds before anyone could do a thing. A few minutes passed before the boy dizzily woke up, scanning the still spinning tables and the people staring worried at him. "S-Sachiko. . .T-That's your baby's name ain't it Mrs. Endo?" Asked disturbingly worried the teen now that his guts began to scream they were right all this time.

"No Ranma. . .You should know by now who Ryoki really is and how everything Ryoga did as a woman was for the good of his baby girl." When Midori finished with that explanation, there were so many things making sense now, the flimsy curtain hiding it all behind his denial fell away, and finally exposed the truth.

Ranma felt at peace around the girl with dark-hair and green eyes every time they met. And the little girl he played with clearly took after her mother which happened to have blue eyes, and red hair as he swore the little child had that time he saw her from the corner of his eye for just a second, but he just shrugged the mirage as a trick played by his confused mind. Ranma sat back on his chair, stared at his contracting numbing hands and out of all the most painful of memories, the one it hurt the most was how she tried to help him despite of his cowardly acts.

"I knew it…I-I knew it an' I didn' do a thing. . ." Ranma could do nothing but keep listening to everything Ryoga went through as Sachiko's rightful mother who gave her life before she was even born. The detailed story about a teenage girl who was pregnant, despised by many and now lived as a single mother grew in the heart of Akane and Daisuke just as it did into the Saotome Heir.

Midori kept talking about the little baby's premature weakness and deficient immune system, forcing Ryoga to learn how to feed her through a tube. She explained all those days and nights cheering the tiny bundle to fight for her life, and the desperate moments she stayed on the hospital for a month and a half forgetting her own health, not to mention the several weeks after Sachiko got sick on the park, taking a big toll Ryoga gladly accepted as part of a strange promise she offered to life itself.

"I'm sorry to say this Ranma, but you became pregnant by accident and enjoyed a caring boy for five months who cleaned after you and kept you safe. Ryoga on the other hand showed to the world she is Sachiko's rightful mother and the only one capable to be at her side."

"That's why I'm willing to tell her story, but I am not telling you where she went. Rest assured, she is out of the country by now and leaving to another town where no one would try to harm her or your daughter." Ranma tried to cry, he really tried, but there was nothing left after a cruel upbringing by his insensitive father and the recent news from his upcoming break up.

After he believed this end was unfair but fitting, a part of the story kept eluding logic. "Tell me Midori-san. . .You mentioned someone wants ta try an' hurt either Ryoga or my daughter. W-Who were you referrin' ta?" The woman waited impatiently for the teen to catch on, and he did so fast enough with the tape and Midori's story. With the last courage she had left, Kenji's wife stared with demanding eyes at the teen, making him feel guilty for past transgressions despite for what she promised to Ryoga a while ago. "Ranma. . .Your father came to the University when he heard how you got Ryoga pregnant." The woman stopped for a second, adding effect to what she said and emphasizing how no one explained to the madman it had been the other way around.

"He blamed Ryoga for that accident and attacked her on a park while she was defenseless and unable to protect Sachiko. Mr. Saotome used two acupuncture attacks mixed with other techniques which rendered Ryoga with no strength and incapacitated to ever change into her male form again."

Ranma's head tried to spin again, understanding now what kind of vengeance his father used against Ryoga who had no fault in all this. "As we speak, a very weak and very feminine Ryoki has moved on from all this hell and is starting a new life somewhere on Western Europe." Added the woman as a way to make Ranma understand this was definitive.

"The others trying to hurt her are mostly interested on her baby. Ranma. . ." Every time Midori used his name with a pause it meant to the boy the next part was going to be his fault all over again, but at this point he deserved all this and more. "Did you know the papers you signed for Sachiko's adoption were taken by a private circle among the Universities in China and Japan?"

"Thanks to you and that lacking ability to read the fine print on an important document gave them absolute power to take that beautiful little girl as a lab rat for their studies. . .That's why Ryoga had to flee." This was the last straw for a teen who had no idea how to solve so many problems at the time.

Ranma felt terrible at this point, and he made everyone notice the second he ran at the bathroom and emptied all the breakfast he had earlier. "I still can't believe Ranma could make all this trouble alone." Admitted rather doubtful Akane.

"That always happens when someone signs without reading Akane-san. . .Believe me. I have seen it plenty of times." After a good wash and a teen meditating what to do next, Ranma walked out of the restroom with no option left but to ask for help.

"P-Please Midori-san. Let me make this right. . .Tell me where Ryoga went an' I promise you nothin' will ever happen ta them." But the more he begged, the more resistant the blue haired woman became. "I can't Ranma. I swore not to say anything." He really looked genuinely sorry, but how many times has the boy acted like that at the end of something special. . .Akane's love came into Midori's mind for example. "Ranma-san. . .Ryoga doesn't want you and she won't ever let you see Sachiko, at least not for now. Why don't you just move on with your life, think about it. . .An hour ago you didn't know you had a baby at all."

It sounded so nice and hassle free, but Ranma knew better. He stayed quietly watching how Akane and Midori argued about his right as a father and how could Ryoga survive alone and weak with a baby too difficult to protect on her own.

Their blubbering started to grow loudly into his ears, forcing the boy to stop it altogether. "Quiet!. . .I can' take this no more. . .!" Said Ranma exasperated but unable to say anything else when someone no one hoped to even tread around this area walked into the cafeteria.

"Indeed, all this bickering has gone on for far too long." Talked firmly a woman dressed in a kimono and wearing what it looked like a sword under her arm. "I believe the time to answer as a Saotome is long over due."