Author's Notes –

Yeah, it's warmer out, and even with my allergies I'm still opting to go outside rather than stay inside (it doesn't help that Sony got hacked and I haven't been gaming as much lately). Throw in the fact that I'm starting up a fish tank and a separate lizard tank (or 3), and my time isn't as free as it used to be. Still gotta start working out more too…

But blowing out my knee seems to free me up to write. Weird how things happen like this…

Yes, I've gotten all the reviews about changing the title of this fic. Is the other fic of the same name that bad that I should change the name of this fic?


History – the branch of knowledge dealing with past events; a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account.

For one Chao Linshen though history was her present. Yet the history she'd learned and read was nothing like the present she now experienced. Sure, the technology and much of the world's politics were the same, but the smaller details were wrong.

"There's no mention of him being in Mahora," the displaced time-traveler muttered as she finished scanning the history text before her. "There's no record of him before 2012, and that's just a mention that he attended and won a minor martial arts tournament…."

Frustrated, the young brunette glanced at the calendar on her wall. Though she'd spent the past sixteen months in Mahora she knew that her time was short. Still, his unexpected presence here could jeopardize everything.

"'You can't change the past,'" she repeated, "'only learn from it.'"

Gritting her teeth, she glared at the calendar. "I will change the past," she vowed to herself. "'If a Buddha stand in your way, cut him down.'"


In the short time since attaining the rank of master and becoming a teacher Ranma had slowly come to accept that progress couldn't be measured the same way with everyone. It had become evident during the string of exams that he'd given his students at the beginning and end of the previous term and it was becoming very obvious now as he watched Ayaka and Asuna spar. Clearly Asuna was more naturally talented, but Ayaka made up for it with her keen and perceptive mind as she planned out her attacks and defensive combos to force the shorter but tougher girl to leave herself open.

With the blond instruction had been easy as she quickly picked up the principles and theory behind the moves, but it soon became clear that she was hitting her limits as she lacked her rival's ki and mana reserves.

Asuna was just too stubborn to accept failure, and combined with her durability and ability to take a hit, she pushed Ayaka hard. Taking a solid punch to the cheek she refused to back down, even as she came up short with a punch of her own.

Ranma shook his head before turning his attention to his other students. Of all the girls Makie was the most driven. It also helped that she had the most years of training, unfortunately she preferred to stay within the boundaries of Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics.

The most physically talented of his students though also proved to be the least interested in the Arts as Ranma taught them. Unlike the others the mangaka knew about magic and only studied the physical arts so that she could learn the mystical arts.

In only a few months they had quickly learned the basics of martial arts. Now it was time for him to take them to the next level. While they wouldn't be learning to physically manifest their ki, they were ready to start learning about it and what it allowed them to do. Asuna was already using it to help her become more durable, though she was at least a year or two away from being thrown into a boulder repeatedly, and Makie was learning to manipulate her ribbon beyond anything that she'd thought possible before she began to study under him. Shaking his head, he cleared his mind of the bizarre image of Makie tossing around a flurry of razor sharp bandanas.

Now he knew that he'd been thinking far too long and hard about his students and their progress. Envisioning them as one of his old rivals was never a good thing. But at least it'd been Makie acting like Ryoga and not the later dressing like the former.

Retaining his composure, Ranma signaled an end to the sparring bouts. With everyone now used to the usual cooling down stretches the immortal master left the dojo.

"Perhaps a change of scenery would do them some good."

"Perhaps," he muttered as he walked past the first woman he'd ever admitted that he'd loved. He didn't need to look at her to know that she was thinking about the beach. Even though he had led a typical teenager's lifestyle he had at least enjoyed the beach in his youth.

"I'm sure Kitsune would love to have some help with the Hinata Café this summer," the sly auburn haired woman suggested.

The pigtailed man nodded absently, "The old man did want me to check up on the rumors of several students working at the resorts and hotels over the break."

He could feel the warmth from her winning grin as she fell into step beside him. "Perhaps a change of scenery would do them some good."


The gentle buzzing of the young cicadas' filled the otherwise silent grove as the buxom blunette finished her daily exercises. Wiping her brow she calmly enhanced her senses as the lingering light of the day pierced the green canopy overhead.

Ever since leaving the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū and Ranma, Shinobu made sure to continue her daily practice on some level. Usually it was sparring with Chachamaru or Evangeline, but occasionally she just ran through the forest alone. Unlike the tropical jungle inside of Evangeline's magical castle the wind in the real world was refreshing and crisp. The scent of the pines invigorated her as she ran. While she was far from being able to roof jump like her former sensei, she was more than capable of reaching the sturdy branches in the trees that blanketed the cursed vampire's cabin. Powerful legs combined with the springiness of the branches allowed her to traverse the gaps between the few maples scattered in with the pines.

Her daily run through the forest usually relaxed her. But today's run was different from the rest. While she was far from being as aware of her surroundings as Ranma could be, Shinobu knew that she wasn't alone.

'Two, no, three kilometers into the woods; that's when they started following me.' Steadying her breath she mentally mapped out the forest behind her, recalling the locations of the various trees and the best places for someone to hide themselves from her. 'They're definitely behind me, but where?'

"Shinobu?" her master's voice interrupted.

'And it's gone,' the blunette mused as she noted the lack of any other presence in the forest. "Yes?"

"You're done early," the petit vampire stated. "But at least your tail's gone."

The taller girl nodded. As she'd suspected her master's presence had driven off her pursuer, but not before either of them had managed to ascertain just who it was that had followed her during her run.

Neither said anything until both were back inside the cabin as the cicadas' hum was silenced by the air-tight door.

"It looks like I'll have to teach you how to strengthen the wards around the cabin," Evangeline stated.

Shinobu nodded.

"Get some rest; you're in for a long night."


Things never were easy. It was something that he'd learned long ago in a past life. Yet that lesson seemed to haunt him even now. A simple trip to the beach became a mass exodus from Nerima, only in this case it was Mahora. He'd intended to just take his students, but he couldn't leave Negi alone. Of course Naru wanted to come along too. It was only supposed to be a small affair, yet somehow much of 2-A managed to come with him.

"They're not all with us," Naru shrugged as she sat beside him.

Ranma resisted the urge to sigh or roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah; they've all got their own hotel rooms and what not but we have to keep them from getting out of control and reflecting poorly on the rest of Mahora."

The auburn haired woman smiled weakly.

It would have been fine if it had only been the girls from 2-A, it really would. But somehow some of the boys from the junior and senior high schools were coming along as well. It didn't help that the beach they were going to was one of the more popular destinations over the break, or that a good number of the Mahora students managed to find jobs there over the break. He wasn't there to oversee them all, technically, just the ones who came with him, but odds were that the boys would be attracted towards the girls, and thus he'd have to put his foot down eventually.

"You take care of the girls," he stated firmly, "and I'll deal with the boys."

"I could help," Negi interjected.

Ranma couldn't help but glance at the boy turned teacher. "You can help Naru," he stated.

The young boy couldn't help but beam at the older man's apparent acceptance and his assignment.

Even with the other teachers around, Ranma couldn't help but think that perhaps Negi was in over his head. Still, the boy needed to get to know his future students and as odd and eccentric as 2-A was, well, the kid needed to know what he was getting into. Besides, it would also be a good chance for the young mage in training to test his ability to not use magic.

The rest of the bus ride passed in relative silence – relative in that the immortal martial artist was able to mentally tone out most of the excited chatter from the amassed students. Most of the students in Mahora were specially selected to attend the school for a reason. A strong majority came from magical families or had experience with magic of some sort, but like Hermione Granger or Lily Evans there were a few who came from non-magical families.

Given the little information that Dean Konoe and the others had provided Negi, Ranma was sure that the boy was going to be caught flat-footed. Few magi trained or developed their magical awareness, then again, only masters seemed to find the motivation to force themselves to train that ability. Even Takahata, the most esteemed and accomplished mage outside of the Dean himself, was not capable of tracking another mage by their aura.

Yes, the girls of 2-A would be a good gage of the young mage's ability.

Striking blue eyes locked with brown ones as the always confident and cool Konoka peered over the back of her seat at him.

As the Dean's granddaughter and the child of the former heir of the Shinmeiryu, the always polite girl was perhaps the most promising mage. Unfortunately her grandfather had insisted that she not be instructed in magic, a point of contention that the annoyed the Aoyama and the Shinmeiryu to no end. "Can I help you?"

"I heard that you went to England to get an English copy of the latest Harry Potter book," she stated.

"I didn't know you were a fan," he replied, a slight smile on his face.

Ever the polite young woman, Konoka nodded slightly.

"I've already finished it," the immortal stated. "Do you want to borrow it?"

"I couldn't," she insisted.

"Don't worry," he added as he reached into his backpack. "It's one of three copies I picked up – this one is the one I'm willing to take to the beach and loan out."

"Thank you."

"You like Harry Potter?" the ever rambunctious Asuna blurted as she finally took notice of her roommate's conversation.

"Yes," both Ranma and Konoka replied in unison.

"That's such a kid's book," the redhead said as she rolled her eyes.

"It's very well written," the English teacher insisted. "And the world that she's created is wonderfully imagined yet incredibly vivid and believable."

"That's something Haruna would say," sighed Asuna. "What good is magic if you can't bring people back from the dead or can't use it to get what you want?"

"It's because the magic in Harry Potter is believable that makes the series unique," Naru interjected. "While it is capable of making the dreams of the user into reality, it comes at a cost. Just like in the real world, nothing comes easily or for free. If everything was easy to achieve or came too freely it'd just be another fantasy."

By now it was clear that several others around them were engrossed by their conversation as several heads bobbed in agreement. Ranma couldn't help but note that most of them belonged to the various magical students.

"Asuna says she doesn't believe in magic," Konoka sighed playfully, "but give her a love potion and she'll believe in it."

Several girls giggled, causing the redhead to blush deeply even as she stole a glance at Tenma as he sat beside Luke.

Before anyone could further tease Asuna the bus began to slow noticeably.

"We're here!" several students at the front exclaimed exuberantly.

"Should we check in first or head to the beach now?"

"Wow!"

"Feel that ocean air."

Grateful for the diversion that the beach provided them, Ranma slipped Konoka the large book. "Enjoy it," he said with a smile. "Just don't get it wet."


The dark, thick curtains failed to hold back the golden glow of the warm late morning sun.

The sun; the damnable sun - bane of all vampires and other creatures of the night – hung high in the sky over the secluded cabin.

"I wish we had something other than pines around here," grumbled the petite blond as she forced herself to sit at the kitchen table.

"You picked them because it's harder for someone to hide their presence and because the needles help hide your own tracks," her stalwart companion remarked idly.

Unprepared for what seemed to her to be a snide remark, Evangeline eyed the gynoid. "Damned pines..."

"Shall I cut some down and plant more cherry trees?"

"No," the vampire scowled. "Forget about the pines. Once you've served breakfast I want you to contact Mana."

"Yes Mistress."


Salty mist filled the air as the raven haired man wove an unexpected path through the crashing surf in a display of unbelievable dexterity, balance, and skill.

"Woohoo!" the exuberant master shouted as he directed his board up the towering wave before catching some air. Spinning twice before his board once again connected with the warm waves he spared a glance back at his students. "Come on! Keep up!"

"How the hell does he do that?" the buxom blond exclaimed as she balanced herself precariously on the rolling waves.

"'Balance training'," muttered the mangaka.

"This is insane," the petit redhead grumbled as she leaned forward.

Standing as he was, the immortal martial arts master keep one on his student as she paddled hard and pressed herself against her board, struggling to catch the next wave. Soon a rolling wave separated her from her peers as the growing wave descended upon her. He clearly saw the slight grimace on her face as she concentrated on the wave descending upon her; her apprehensive mind trying to discern the proper moment to spring from her board and onto her feet.

In a flash she made the quick transition from laying down to standing tall, her feet spread just enough to balance her slight frame over her surf board. Her moment of victory though was short lived as she felt herself shifting too far to her left. Slightly panicked, she shifted her weight to her right abruptly before she spread her arms to distribute her weight and alter her center of gravity.

"Good job Makie!" he shouted encouragingly. "Now just feel the water beneath you while you keep an eye out for what's ahead of you!"

Riding out the rest of his wave, Ranma paddled back out to his remaining students. While some were clearly waiting for the right wave, most of them were trying to gather their nerves and courage. It didn't help that their small group had attracted the attention of many on the beach as few dared to ride the waves. The fact that Genma and Ranma seemed to be experts at riding the waves and that even Hiro showed a surprising aptitude for the extreme water sport had drawn the attention of many who opted to stay on the steady and safe sands.

"Now," he smirked as he looked over his students, "I want you all to spend the rest of the day riding the waves. Genma, Hiro, you'll look after the girls."

Both boys nodded confidently.

"But what are you going to do?" the ever curious mangaka asked.

"I've got some business to take care of," he replied. "Like check us into our rooms and set up more of your training."

Despite his desire to continue actively overseeing his students' instruction, Ranma couldn't help but tend to another matter first. While checking into the hotel would help save them some time later, the immortal had other things in store for his afternoon.


A rare sense of peace and quiet filled the City of Mahora. Street carts and store fronts were empty as the merchants that so depended on the hordes of students had also packed up for a short break or had opted to have their stores worked on while the schools were on their summer break. But the open streets provided those handful of students and teachers who remained a great degree of privacy and space that often was missing during the school year.

"It's unusual for you to invite me out here, not that I mind of course."

The petite vampire nodded at the taller, darker skinned woman. "I'm sure you know why I asked you out here."

Ever the professional, Tatsumiya Mana inclined her head slightly as she picked up her cup of steaming java. "You chose somewhere out in the open where you can easily spot or at least pin-point anyone who might be spying on you. This spot in particular is one that you and I both frequent regularly so it is not unusual for either of us to be here, but it's far back enough to provide you with all the privacy you need without having to put up any wards or privacy spells."

Both women sipped their respective cups as their keen senses scanned the area.

"You're here to ask about that strange presence last night, aren't you?" Mana asked as she set her cup down.

Setting her own cup down Evangeline stirred her tea in response.

"Why? What do I get out of this?"

"Whoever it was seems to have been following my newest partner."

A slight widening of the taller woman's iris told the vampire that the mercenary track coach had been clearly not expected that tidbit of information.

"Maehara?"

Eva casually tipped her head before picking up her tea.

"She's Saotome's former student, correct?"

Again she inclined her head slightly. Having already given out one secret Eva opted not to reveal that Shinobu had been the English teacher's lover.

"I wonder if she's something more," Mana remarked.

'She's fishing for more,' Eva mused as she tried to keep her face as neutral as possible. "She was his first student."

For a moment Mana appeared to be considering things as she picked up her dark drink and sipped.

'Shinobu is his first student, but not his only one. Narusegawa is supposed to be one as well. Then there's that air head Asuna and her former rival the class rep, Makie, and Haruna…' "It's been following Saotome's students," Eva said as she finally made the connection. "And she's the last one on campus."

"While no one saw who it was we can confirm that someone has been by to check out the Saotome compound."

'Again with Saotome; just what is it about him? Perhaps it's time I ask Shinobu about him some more.'


Though he had promised to watch over Negi, Ranma really wished that he could find a legitimate reason to ditch the ever curious and inquisitive young mage.

"Training," the young aspiring teacher muttered, "do you turn everything into training?"

It wasn't the first time he'd heard someone questioning his methods and the fact that Negi was a foreigner and a kid simply added to the fact that the boy was bewildered by Ranma's methods. "Yeah, it's not much though. When I took Naru and Shinobu to Australia they had to deal with huge waves and sharks."

"You've been to Australia?"

Black hair bobbed as the immortal nodded. "I know that you're excited about the whole teaching thing, so I'll give you a crash course. We're going to be staying at a hotel with lots of Mahora students. The floors are going to be co-ed, but the rooms aren't. Our job is to make sure that the rooms stay that way."

Eagerly Negi nodded. "I've always wanted to try this ward"

"No magic," Ranma reprimanded. "Remember, you're supposed to hide the fact that you're a mage; best way to do that is to not use magic."

Again Negi nodded.

"We're going to inspect the hotel and get a lay of the building so that when we patrol the place tonight we know every nook, every hiding place, and every way a student or someone else could sneak into the hotel or into someone's room."

Ranma watched as Negi nodded a third time. Though he'd be encumbered by the young mage, the master martial artist knew that it was best that he not expose his own magical abilities either to the young mage under his care or to the mysterious presence that continued to observe him.


The scent of grilled fish and salty sea air wafted through the open window causing the young woman's stomach to growl.

"Hungry?"

Naru smiled at her young companion, "Maybe a little."

"Should we get something to eat when we get down to the lobby, sempai?"

"Why not," she beamed. Though she'd initially objected to being called sempai in public, Naru couldn't help but take to the title, but only when the girls weren't around. After patrolling the hotel for much of the week with young Negi Springfield she'd become used to having him around. "I think they've got some squid on the grill."

Naru watched as Negi paused, unsure if she was teasing him or not. While England was an island nation like Japan, the similarities ended there. With little more than a few weeks under his belt Negi was still getting used to the food that the others had been enjoying so much.

"I think we can find you a nice chocolate mint ice cream too," she added, teasing him further.

Still wary, the young gentleman perked up at the mention of ice cream. "I thought they were out?"

"I told the cook to keep some aside for me," she grinned playfully.


There was once a time when Ranma Saotome didn't have any enemies. It was a time when things were much simpler and easier; where he didn't have to worry about anything except how to lose his various fiancées or wait for whatever new technique his rivals had mastered or learned just to defeat him. Yes, it was a time of rivals, not of enemies.

Yes, simple times full of simple notions.

Though he had long ago accepted that he couldn't go back to change anything, Ranma couldn't help but occasionally look back at those "carefree" and "innocent" days with his more skeptical immortal eyes. Those he'd once called comrades and friends had in truth been convenient rivals and enemies. The fact that he was the best and most notorious of the fighters who had survived Nerima meant that he had simply gained the most attention. Still, that life was nearly fifteen years ago. With his less than stellar memory it was possible that there were at least a dozen spurned fiancé or fiancées roaming around, and then there where the other fighters from their various schools and dojos seeking to avenge themselves, their sensei, or their school.

Had he still been as naïve as he'd been back in Nerima Ranma would have simply waited for them to come out and challenge him, then trounce upon him once said challenge was issued. This Ranma knew better than to trust in just his own skill. Were he on his own he knew that he would seek out the unseen observer, but he wasn't alone. With Naru and the others around he couldn't do that.

Instead he'd taken to warding the hotel and setting up magical escape routes just in case things got nasty.

"I can't believe it's been a week already," Luke groaned.

Absently Ranma nodded.

"I don't want to go back," the werewolf pouted even as his girlfriend leaned against him. "There was so much more I wanted to do at the beach."

Forced glance disapprovingly at his student, Ranma gave him a light yet scathing glare. With the full moon only a few nights away the immortal wasn't willing to take any chances. Though Luke had exceptional control when he turned there were just too many people around that could get hurt. And then there was the mysterious presence that seemed to follow the immortal.

"I can't wait to get back," Asuna stated. "We all had fun, but now it's time to get serious."

Ranma nodded again. "There's only a week left of summer break. Do you think she's ready?"

Tenma nodded.

"Fine," the elder Saotome shrugged. "Starting at sunrise tomorrow her challenge starts. Asuna will have one week to try and land a hit on me."


The gentle glow of dawn filled the eastern horizon as the small crowd filled the doorway to the dojo. Two lone figures stood across from each other, both eagerly waiting for the sun to appear.

"It's not too late," Ranma teased as he looked down at his son's sole student.

"You could just admit that he's better than you expected," Asuna replied. Despite her apparent calm her voice faltered ever so slightly.

All eyes were on them.


"Is he really going to fight here?" the taller of the two figures asked.

"It looks like it."

"He knows we're watching him," the cloaked woman stated.

"He's creating an opening in hopes of drawing us out."

"You're still intent on this?"

"Of course."

Shaking her head, the woman vanished.

"I want to see if you're still worth my time. Come on Ranma Saotome, show me what you and your students can do."


Ranma Saotome stood tall as the summer sun shone on his back. Eyes closed he focused his senses on the mysterious presences hiding just beyond the edge of his property. The cool morning air rushed into his lungs as he took a deep, calming breath.

Even with his eyes closed and his focus on the unseen observers the master martial artist easily dodged the fiery girl's lunging punch. "Not good enough."

A swift middle kick and back round house kick likewise missed their mark as the elusive master carelessly floated out of her reach.

"Too slow."


Fighting back a yawn, the youngest Saotome stood up. "I'm going to get some breakfast," the boy stated. "Anyone want some?"

"How can you"

"He gave her the whole week," Hiro interrupted as he turned his back to his father's students.

"Come on," Narusegawa said as she stood up, "Hiro's right. There's no way Ranma's going to let her land a hit on him this soon."

The other girls exchanged glances. Though they hoped that Asuna would eventually prevail, they couldn't help but acknowledge that both Hiro and Naru were right.

"It is pretty early," the towering blond added as he stood up. "And I doubt she'll give up anytime soon…."


"It's done," the woman stated as she appeared beside the youth.

"Good," the shorter figure stated. "Now go get me something to eat."

"They're still fighting?"

"She's still trying to hit him," he corrected. "Is he as good as you remember?"

"Better."

The boy grinned. "Good."


Ranma Saotome was a patient man. Fortunately he was also an energetic one as well. After twelve minutes of continuous fighting he'd given up on the notion of being able to convince the proud and stubborn girl that she was better off calling it a day and returning in the morning. Still, he had to admit that she was still able to stand much less chase after him after fourteen hours of "sparring". True, she'd spent much of the day lunging at him with her poorly executed kicks and punches, but she'd also shown flashed of potential. The barrage of punches, elbows, and knees after lunch had been inspired, but futile against someone like him.

"You do know that there's no way in hell that she'll land a hit on him," Hiro stated as he took a seat between his brother and Naru.

Ranma couldn't help but smirk as he sprang away from Asuna, giving his students another example of his superiority over the spunky girl.

All eyes turned to Tenma for a moment as the older sibling contemplated his student's situation.

"Even you can't hit me when I'm going all out," the elder Saotome reiterated. "And she's your student."

For a moment all eyes watched as the energetic and hard headed strawberry blond unleashed a fierce volley of punches, none of which came close to connecting with the more experienced fighter.

"Nice," Ranma added as he leapt out of Asuna's reach one again. Springing off of the wall, he flipped in the air before landing several meters away from the disheveled girl. "But not good enough."

Taking advantage of the momentary respite, the immortal master extended his senses, trying to lock onto the mysterious observers, 'Mana, Takahata, and that one… no, there are two people…'

Patience and time were both things that Ranma Saotome had plenty of. After untold hours of vigorously avoiding Asuna's attacks, he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed in the rest of his students as he had gotten bored of watching them watch him avoid the strawberry blond.

"Everything is training," Ranma shouted as he flipped over his opponent. "But you lazy louts are just sitting there. If you're not doing something in the next minute I'll be hounding you!"

Like flies being swatted the youths dispersed before gathering together once again.

"I think he means you should all help her," Hiro explained.

A chill ran up the immortal's spine as he sensed the mysterious observer and his companion cross the security wards on his property. But they weren't alone. Someone else was with them as well.

"We all know that there's no way she'd be able to land a hit against him under normal circumstances," the youngest Saotome explained. "And the challenge is 'Anything Goes'…"

"He's got a point," Tenma ceded.

Ranma could barely suppress his grin as he ducked under an overhead punch before rolling under Asuna's guard. A quick kick knocked the fierce girl's feet out from under her causing her to fall to the ground.

"Do you think that's gonna be enough?" he taunted the youngsters.

"I doubt it," a familiar voice proclaimed.

Everyone turned to face the well dressed man as he stood casually in the dojo's entrance.

"Takahata-sensei?" Asuna gasped as she looked up at her former crush.

"You're all very talented," the scruffy teacher admitted, "but Saotome's on an entirely different level. When he was your age he was better than any one of you save perhaps Tenma, do you really think you'll be able to best him alone?"

Naru nodded. "I remember him telling me of how he'd face off against his three primary rivals all at the same time and how even combined they weren't able to do much against him."

The immortal master grinned, "I am the best."

With no further prompting needed, Tenma launched himself at his father. A swift fling round house failed to wipe the grin from the elder Saotome's face though it did force him back a step.

His focus now on Tenma and Asuna, Ranma could barely spare a moment to try and locate the unfamiliar presences that had accompanied Takahata. 'They're not teachers or any students that I've encountered.'

Floating just outside of Tenma and Asuna's attack range the trio danced around the yard.

"Even Tenma and I can't get him to go all out," Hiro stated.

Ayaka, Makie, and Haruna shared a quick glance before coming to the same conclusion.

"I won't be left behind," the proud Ayaka muttered as she stood up, her eyes trying to spot an opening to take advantage of.

"This should be fun," Makie grinned.

Haruna nodded; a gleam of mischief in her eyes, "Yeah."

Pride swelled up in him as he watched his students (sans Hiro and Naru) working together. Asuna and Ayaka worked seamlessly together; years of fighting as rivals paying off as the pair adapted to the other's arsenal in their attempts to create an opening for Asuna to land a hit against their master. Though Haruna's natural talent matched their own, she lacked the years of training and sparring/fighting they did but made up for it with her keen mind and imagination as she adapted her tempo and strikes to try and trip up her uncle. Makie's clever ribbon snaked around him, preventing him from truly escaping the group and keeping him within range of the others.

"Don't let him lead you into a spiral!" a new voice shouted, alerting the youths to the subtle counter-attack that the master martial artist had been setting up.

Irked by the sudden interruption, Ranma grabbed the tall blonde's ankle before spinning and throwing the class rep into her former rival. Sparing a glance at mysterious strangers he relied on his highly developed reflexes to avoid Tenma's kick.

Two figures stood next to Takahata; one male, one female.

The younger and shorter of the two appeared to be no older than Tenma and had long, silky hair. His unusual two-toned hair framed his hardened face and the casualness of his stride suggested that he was an experienced fighter.

As striking as the boy was though it was his companion who caught Ranma's eye.

'Akane?' he caught himself just before he could blurt out her name. Stars filled his vision, circling around the aged Akane Tendo as two fists connected with the back of his head. Without thinking he lashed out, striking his attackers with blows that neither could see nor keep track of. "Kiima."

"Hello Ranma," the transformed woman greeted. "It's nice to see you again."

"Your students are stupid," Saffron declared. "I can't believe you took on such morons, though from the look of it two of them are yours. I expected better of you..."

"I see his personality hasn't changed much," the immortal muttered.

"Oh, he's much better," Kiima assured him.

Mouth open for a snappy retort, Ranma couldn't find the right words to rebuke her. "Just barely."

"Um, you know them?" Naru asked her eyes locked on the new woman. Though it had happened once before, it wasn't every day that she encountered someone who resembled her lover's late fiancée.

"Ah, you've found yourself a lovely companion," the brash prince sneered. "Is the young brat hers?"

"No," Ranma and Naru replied in unison.

"What are you doing here?" the martial artist quickly added.

"Me?" the young prince smirked. "Why, I'm going to be a student at Mahora."

Dumbfounded, Ranma blinked, still unsure if perhaps the girls hadn't hit him harder than he'd expected.

"And since I'm going to be a student here, I figured I'd take care of some unfinished business."


A/N

I think I'll leave things here for now. Yes, it's been a while since I updated, but I've had so much going on since the summer started. And now it's football season, which means fantasy football. At least I'll be sitting down in front of my computer more.

Dreamingfox