The Saotome Twins

by Stryker2021

Ranma and his twin sister Sakura, share in the curse that befalls Ranma and his father. The relationship between siblings is tested as Ranma and Sakura learn more about each other despite being twins. Can the schools be united under one banner when the Saotome's are in the equation?

1. Chapter 1

Ranma and his twin sister Sakura, share in the curse that befalls Ranma and his father. The relationship between siblings is tested as Ranma and Sakura learn more about each other despite being twins. Can the schools be united under one banner when the Saotome's are in the equation?

I do not own Ranma ½, this is the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi

Reviews would be greatly appreciated since it'll give me ideas of how to proceed with the story. I am trying to make this different, yet funny. I have read too many where the characters are at each other's throats. This is just a different point of view.

The Saotome Twins by Jusenkyo (Manny Miller)

Chapter One: Sibling Rivalry?

"I thought you and pop were the ones that got cursed, why does this have to happen to me as well?" Sakura asked. "I never fell into the freaking cursed spring!"

Ranma watched as his sister fumed at the recent turn of events that caused the Saotome family's current problem. "I have no idea, but somehow this is affecting you as well sis." Sakura grew more and more pissed with each passing moment. Ranma tried his best to comfort his sister and as usual he failed miserably. "I guess it's because we're twins and share everything."

"Brother dear…" began Sakura, "I can understand you and I sharing everything, but don't you think this is a bit much sharing the same curse, when I didn't even fall into the water, like you two idiots did!"

"I really don't understand how the heck this is possible.", Sakura yelled to no one in particular.

The twins were lost in their own thoughts as they walked through the town of Nerima in Tokyo, Japan. "This is really going to take some getting used to."

Looking around they both noticed their father was missing and asked each other. "Where's pop?" They both laughed at their simultaneous question.

Ranma recovered first. "I have no idea sis; he was right behind us when we entered the city a few minutes ago."

They both heard gasps and screams coming from the area in the center of the city where the zoo was located. They both bounded over the buildings jumping as quickly as they could. In the distance they could see the people that were making the gasping and screaming sounds.

They also saw a giant Panda wearing glasses hanging from his ear reaching into the panda exhibit grabbing a couple of stalks of bamboo that were laying within the enclosure.

"This is no time for a snack, we have to be at the Tendo's before sundown" thought Ranma, as he watched his father helping himself to another panda's food. Ranma didn't notice but Sakura nodded her head as he finished his thought.

"What are we going to do with him?", Ranma asked himself as he shook his head. "This is what we're going to do about it.", mentioned Sakura as she vaulted the fence and kicked their father from the enclosure and back onto the sidewalk. "Hey, what did you do that for?", read the sign the panda held.
"You really need to be more considerate of the food of others father dear.", chided Sakura when she landed outside of the enclosure next to their father. Ranma watched this exchange and wondered how Sakura knew what he was thinking. He distinctly remembered that he had not spoken out loud just a few seconds ago.

As he thought this, he noticed Sakura was looking at him and smiling. "I wonder if she heard that as well?", he watched as Sakura straightened her shirt with her head cocked in his direction.

I guess that will be something I will have to ask her about when I get a chance. Whenever that will be since we are going to have to explain this situation to the Tendo's when we get there.

"I have no idea why we're going there in the first place.", Ranma thought as they walked along from the zoo to the outskirts of the town where the Tendo's dojo was located. As they travelled, Ranma was watching Sakura to see if he was right in believing that she could read his mind. So far, he did not see any outward signs that she either read his mind or heard him when he had been speaking.

Unbeknownst to Ranma, Sakura heard every word he not only spoke but thought of. Since Ranma and Genma had been cursed in Jusenkyo, she now had the ability to hear Ranma's thoughts as well as sharing his curse. Which she still found to be a mystery since she had no idea how or even why she was affected.

********** FLASHBACK TO JUSENKYO **********

Mt. Quanjing,

Bayankala Range,

Qinghai Province, China

"Here Lady and gentleman is the Legendary training ground of Accursed Springs.", plainly stated the guide. "This training ground is dangerous, no one use anymore", he proclaimed.

"Are you two ready?", Genma asked as he jumped onto one of the bamboo poles jutting out from the nearest spring. "I'm always ready old man!" Ranma yelled jumping on one of the other poles jutting out from the same spring.

"Lady, please talk to the gentleman this is a very bad idea.", pleaded the guide as Ranma and Genma sparred above them. "You do realize talking to them at this moment is like talking to a cinder block?", Sakura related to the guide as they both watched Genma falling into the spring. A few seconds later a giant panda with glasses hanging from one of its ears jumped onto the pole recently occupied by Genma.

"What the hell is that!" Ranma yelled and Sakura blanched. "Is tragic story of a panda that drowned in this spring over 200 years ago." "Now anyone who fall into spring turn into a panda.", finished the guide.

"You never said anything about that happening." Sakura watched as Ranma was talking to the guide, the panda threw a thrust kick that knocked Ranma off the pole and into a nearby spring.

Sakura had no idea what had happened. The other thing she noticed was that she was on the floor and her head was really hurting. She looked around and saw that her brother was in the water and when he had surfaced his hair was red. At the same time, she also noticed that her underwear felt tight as she sat up from the floor where she was laying down. As she reached for her pants, she noticed that she had a bulge in her pants that was not there earlier.

Hearing a scream, she turned her head and looked at her brother in the spring. She saw her "brother" was now a redhead and was sporting an ample pair of breasts that rivaled hers. Instinctively she looked down to compare and noticed hers' were gone and her chest was flat yet muscular.

What the hell is going on here? Sakura wondered as Ranma was looking at his chest and wondering what the heck had happened. A moment later he heard a scream coming from Sakura. He saw her sitting on the floor nearby and he also noticed she was also looking at her chest. Ranma noticed she did not seem to have any breasts.

"You fell into Spring of Drowned Girl, she drowned in spring over 1500 years ago. Now you take on the form of a young girl." Mentioned the guide holding up a sign.

"Son of a bitch, what the hell happened to me?" thought Ranma as he looked himself over and then to his sister. "I'll tell you what the hell happened, you and dad are freaking idiots!", yelled Sakura as she ran her hands over herself / himself. "You can't read Chinese and now it seems you and I have switched bodies." "This can't possibly get any worse!"

Sakura woke a few seconds later with another splitting headache. She noticed as she came to that Genma was standing over her holding a sign that asked, "Why did you hit me into the spring!", Sakura was instantly angry, she then yelled back. "He kicked you into the spring, not me you idiot!", as she pointed to Ranma, as he exited the spring.

The panda looked from one to the other and back again. The next moment he is holding a sign with nothing but question marks on it. Sakura massaging her head then walked over to Ranma and stood next to him. "He's Ranma, I'm Sakura," indicating her brother / sister and then herself / himself. The panda does a double take a few times before his eyes rolled in the back of his head and he passed out.

"Why does my head hurt so much?", asked Sakura. "Well, dad just hit you on the head with his sign.", Ranma mentioned. "I meant before then, dumbass.", retorted Sakura smacking him upside the head. "I have no idea, but I'm just glad he got you instead of me.", chuckled Ranma. "You are so lucky I don't just kick your ass right now, for that.", thought Sakura. Ranma was walking away as he was laughing. "On second thought", Sakura runs up to Ranma and kicks him in the groin and is astonished when she barely doubles over. As she thinks about what just happened. Ranma kicks him back. Sakura instantly hits the floor and clutches her new "nuts" as she experiences a pain in her abdomen she had never felt before in her life.

"Hurts like hell doesn't it, I bet you won't do that again.", Ranma pointedly told Sakura. "Holy shit, that fucking hurts. I'll never kick him there again, now that I know how painful this really is.", pondered Sakura. "That shit is really painful. That felt like they were going to come out of my mouth. I'll never do that again, son of a bitch that hurt.", whispered Sakura as the pain subsided, and she was able to sit up again.

"Ok bro, you and I now have an understanding, I'll never hit you there again." Ranma watched Sakura saying this with tears in her eyes, as she was still holding herself.

********** END FLASHBACK **********

Soun Tendo shed tears of joy as he read the postcard, he had just received from his old friend Genma Saotome. "Hi. Bringing Ranma and Sakura from China. Saotome"

"Ranma, and Sakura coming here? Oh, how I've waited for this day!" Soun remarked clutching the postcard to his chest as his tears of joy continued rolling / gushing down his face.

"Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane please come to the Washitsu." He called out.

"Yes Daddy," Kasumi called from the kitchen. Nabiki barely heard him since she was on her bed listening to some music. "I wonder what he need now?" wondered Nabiki as she continued sucking on her lollipop. "Has anyone seen Akane?" Soun asked as he ran from room to room looking for his youngest daughter.

A few moments later Akane Tendo, youngest daughter of Soun Tendo had just finished her morning run and entered the house. "Hi, I'm home" she shouted in a singsong fashion, she stripped out of her clothes. In a flash she was out of her running clothes and into her Gi and went into the dojo and started her workout in the martial arts.

Nabiki watched as her sister, placed a cinder block on a couple of boards, and commenced to smash it to smithereens. "There you go again Akane." Nabiki sighed. "No wonder the boys all think you're so weird."

Akane fumed as she placed another block on the stand and prepared to smash it. "So, why should I care?" Akane started rearing back with her hand. "Not everybody thinks the world revolves around boys, Nabiki." She punctuated by smashing the block into even smaller pieces than the previous one.

"No, then I guess this shouldn't interest you all." Nabiki mentioned as she turned and walked away from the dojo. Akane was puzzled. "What did she mean by that?" She quickly cleaned up the dojo and left to meet in the Washitsu.

"Daddy, what do you mean by fiancé?" Kasumi wondered. "Don't we have a say in who we can marry?" yelled Akane. "She's right daddy, we've never even met him." Included Nabiki.

'Well, that's easily fixed, they just crossed over from China and will be here soon." Mentioned Soun, holding up the postcard for all to see. "Who are they, exactly?" inquired Nabiki as she finished her lollipop.

As he danced around the room Soun continued, "My good friend Genma, his son and daughter. Their names are Ranma and Sakura." The girls thought about this a few moments as they watched their father dancing like he had just lost his mind.

********** ANOTHER PART OF NERIMA **********

In another part of Nerima, just a few blocks from the Tendo house, two teens were being chased by a giant panda. "I've already told you old man, I'm going back to China and get this fixed!", Ranma yelled as he dodged his father, the panda, as he swiped at him and Sakura.

Sakura jumped to the side and watched as her father and brother were running all over the place in the street. "I wish these two would get a grip and talk this out." Sighed Sakura, as she looked down at her boyish body and thought about how much she agreed with Ranma that they really do need a cure for this problem they were all having.

"Who knows maybe the Tendo's will have an idea of how to fix this since our idiot father doesn't have a freaking clue." Sakura's head snapped up when she heard a sound of metal on concrete.

She walked over and saw her father holding a sign that said, "Let's go!" She noticed the panda was carrying Ranma over his shoulder. She also saw the knot on his head. "Oh boy, this is going to be interesting."

Unfortunately, Ranma did not think anything before he was knocked out. Oh well, she'll have a talk with him when he comes to.

********** TENDO HOUSE, NERIMA **********

"Daddy, you mentioned they just arrived from China. Why were they in China?" Kasumi asked as she folded up her dish towel. "They were on a training mission they had just finished and are on their way here."

"What do you know about them, since you just said one of us is going to be engaged to Ranma?" Nabiki asked. "I have never met them." Akane fumed, and Nabiki faceplanted. "You can't be serious you want one of us to marry Ranma and you have never seen or met him." Soun smiled as he looked at the ceiling.

There was a strong knock at the door. Soun took the time to quickly get out of the room. Nabiki still wondering if her father had been hitting the Sake again, following him to the front door.

"I hope he's older" Kasumi pondered. "How depressing, a boy, at least there's a girl." Akane stated as she stood to welcome their guests.

"Saotome, my friend we've been waiting!" Soun exclaimed as he ran to the door. A few moments later, both Nabiki and Soun were seen running back into the Washitsu. Behind them a teenaged boy and a panda carrying a girl walked down the hallway.

"Daddy, this is your friend?" asked Akane. Soun emphatically shook his head. "Oh, so this Panda just decided to visit! This must happen all of the time!" screamed Nabiki as she hid behind her father.

The girls watched as the Panda stopped before the family and placed the teen, he had been carrying in front of them. "You wouldn't be?" Soun asked as he pointed to the teens. "We're Ranma and Sakura Saotome, sorry about this."

Without thinking he walks over to the male teen and hugs him close. Sakura freezes and doesn't move a muscle as she feels him hugging her. "He think you're me." Ranma thought as he snickered.

Sakura turned her head and faced her brother / sister and gave him the meanest look she could muster despite being hugged by Soun. She mouthed to Ranma, "I am so going to kick your ass when he lets go of me." Ranma quickly backpedaled as he lets her go but still hold her shoulders.

"Dad, you're scaring the crap out of them, let them come in and get comfortable before you glomp onto them." Reprimanded Kasumi, as she steps between Sakura and her father.

As she watched her sister, Akane walked up to the female teen "Do you want to be friends?" Ranma not having too many friends besides his sister shook his head yes. "Come on to the dojo, we can practice a little." Akane reached forward and took Ranma's hand and led him to the dojo.

Kasumi having separated Sakura from her father, let him know that he should go to the dojo as well, while the rest of them get settled in before dinner would be ready.

Sakura walked in the same direction she had seen Ranma and Akane. Prior to entry she bowed to the shrine just in front of the entrance.

She then walked in and saw Ranma and Akane sparring. Well not really sparring, she saw Ranma dodging and weaving around Akane's punches and kicks not touching him. "Is she reading my moves? How come I can't hit her?" exclaimed Akane redoubling her efforts. A few moments later she realized that even then she still could not hit her.

Sakura watched as Akane lunged forward and punched through the wall of the dojo. She also saw her brother leap over her, touch the wall and land on the other side of her and touch her head.

"Now he's going to get it." Thought Sakura, but to her surprise she saw that Akane was laughing. "Cool, she's laughing, I thought I was going to get hit for sure.", laughed Ranma looking from Akane to Sakura. He watched as Sakura nodded her head and then laughed herself.

"Good thing you aren't a boy like your brother, I can't stand losing to a boy." Akane mentioned scowling at Sakura. Ranma winced as he put his hand behind his head "Yeah, good thing huh?" Sakura raised an eyebrow at Ranma, which he failed to see since he was taking a deep breath and looking at the ceiling.

"Boy, have you got your signals crossed missy, you just lost to a boy, and you don't even know it," thought Sakura. Sakura watched as Akane walked to the side of the dojo and grabbed a towel and handed one to Ranma. He gladly accepted it and dabbed at his still wet hair and clothes.

Nabiki checking on dinner walked past the washitsu and noticed a man in a beat up Gi sitting and talking with her father. "Who is the man, talking to dad?" she asked Kasumi. "I have no idea, I guess it's a friend of his." Stated Kasumi as she was stirring a pot of noodles. Nabiki watched as Kasumi walked out of the kitchen and walked to the dojo and watched as Akane was giving the towel to Ranma.

"You must be sweaty from your workout, go and have a bath." Smiled Kasumi and Akane. "I'll be up there in a few minutes myself."

Sakura watched as Ranma walked out of the dojo and into the house. She passed Akane and could feel the sense of loathing coming from her as she walked past. "I need to take a bath myself and also talk with Ranma" thought Sakura.

As she made her way into the house, she passed the Washitsu and noticed her father talking to Mr. Tendo. She then continued and saw Ranma going up the stairs and then turning and entering the furo. She walked inside and saw him taking off his shirt. She had seen him many times since their unfortunate "accident", but it still surprised her how well-endowed her brother was compared to her.

"You seem upset about something." asked Sakura. Ranma just shrugged his shoulders and continued to undress. Sakura whipped off her shirt and took off her pants. Ranma was a girl wearing boxer shorts, Sakura was a guy also wearing boxers since that first day she changed was very painful.

She noticed they were loose and not really fitting her well. "Is there any way to tighten these things up so they're not so loose fitting on me?" Ranma pointed to the bag he had brought when he had come to the furo. He then sat on the stool and proceed to soap himself up.

Sakura walked over to the bag and saw that Ranma kept an adjustable belt in there. "Is this an extra one, Ranma?" Ranma nodded his head and thought "Yes, it is, I keep one handy just in case the clothes seem loose on me as well." "Cool, thanks bro." smiled Sakura. "No problem," thought Ranma.

Once she placed the belt with the rest of her clothes, she walked over and took the soap from him she started to do his back and watched him as she worked.

"What the hell am I going to do? She going to find out sooner or later, and then she's really going to be angry." Thought Ranma. Sakura just listened as Ranma's entered her head just as loudly as if he had spoken the words. "You know there's no way around this, we're going to have to tell her." Added Sakura. Ranma shook his head slowly and turned slightly towards his sister. "You do realize that all hell's about to break loose when they find out?" "Yes, I am also expecting the same thing." Added Sakura.

When she finished his back, she filled a nearby bucket and poured the cold water over his head. "Woah, that is cold." Shivered Ranma as he shook out his hair spraying Sakura. "Think about it this way, you can get me back when you do me."

Ranma nodded and stood and watched as Sakura in her male form sat on the stool and lathered herself up. He waited until she was done and then scrubbed her back and filled the bucket with water again. Before she could say anything, he poured the water over her head. She didn't say anything about the water. She then instinctively reached up to wring out her hair and realized it was short like her brothers. "Like I said when we were first cursed, this is still going to take some getting used to."

"Akane, the bath is ready." "Thank you Nabiki." Answered Akane. "I guess she's already here. I think I'll join her and ask her about what kinds of martial arts she knows." Thought Akane as she disrobed and grabbed a fresh towel from the rack by the shelves.

Before she opened the door, she heard voices in the furo. She listened but couldn't make out what was being said. She slid the door open a little and noticed that Sakura was in there with Ranma. "Oh, I didn't know he was going to be in there, I'll wait until he leaves before, I join her."

Akane waited for a few moments, as she heard them continue talking. "Ranma, could you hurry up, I'd like to take a bath as well." Replied Akane. Ranma heard her and finished up quickly.

"Boy is she in for a surprise." "I know Bro, I hope she does not go ballistic when she finds out." stated Sakura sitting in the tub.

Ranma wrapped a towel around himself and exited the furo and opened the door and looked and smiled at Akane. Akane just grimaced and turned her nose at him and walked into the furo and placed her towel on the towel rack and proceeded to sit on the stool and lather herself up while Sakura watched her.

"How many different types of martial arts do you know Sakura?" Akane asked as she was putting shampoo on her hair. "My brother and I both know many forms of kung-fu, kempo, jujitsu, as well as kickboxing, karate, and a few others.

We've been training with our father for a little over 10 years without a break." Finished Sakura as she leaned over the side of the furo talking to Akane.

Akane grabbed the full bucket and upended it over her head and shook her head trying to get as much of the shampoo off as possible. "You missed a little on the ends Akane." "Thanks, Sakura, I really like your name."

Sakura thought about this for a sec before saying "thanks." "You have a pretty interesting name too." Akane thanked her again and mentioned, "Yes, it means deep red, yet I don't have red hair." Sakura thought again on what to say before mentioning, "My name means Cherry Blossoms." "I know, that's why I like your name, we have a cherry blossom tree in our yard. When we're done, I'll show it to you after dinner."

Akane smiled at Sakura and then joined her in the furo and soaked for about 15 minutes before Sakura stood and got out, just as the water was turning colder. Akane also noticed the water temperature was getting colder.

"Water gets cold pretty fast doesn't it, Sakura?" "Yes, it does, I just didn't want to have any surprises while we were bathing." "What are you talking about, what could possible surprise us? Your brother is not in here with us."

"I do remember one time I was in the water when it got really cold, and my nipples were so hard you could see them when I put on my shirt when I was around eleven or twelve." Akane reminisced as she got out of the water. "Has that ever happened to you? Sakura thought about this and decided to really join the conversation. "Yes, it's happened to me a few times, I'm just glad pops never noticed it."

"Ranma on the other hand, noticed it and thankfully didn't say anything about it, since he know it happens. Just like when he gets hard, I know it just happens sometimes."

"Speaking about your brother, how old and you and your brother?" asked Akane. "We're both 16 years old, we're fraternal twins. He is older by about 7 minutes." Confided Sakura. "Oh, so then we're all the same ages. Kasumi is 19, and Nabiki is 17." Akane said mentioning her sisters as well.

Grabbing her towel Sakura started drying her body and hair before wrapping the towel around her hair and then getting another towel for her body. Akane also standing up did the same thing. "I like how long your hair is Sakura, mine is almost as long as my sister Kasumi's." smiled Akane showing off her wet long hair before wrapping it up in a towel. "Very nice, do you like long hair?"

"Yes, I have always wanted long hair like my sisters, hers is just beautiful and I hope to have hair just like it." Smiled Akane. "I think you might be there already, since your hair is just as long as mine and it a beautiful shade of black." Smiled Sakura. Akane heard what she said and beamed as she thought about her sister Kasumi and how much she idolized her.

"Thanks Sakura, that is the most honest thing I've heard in a long time. I hope we're friends for a long time." Sakura hoped that Akane was right about what she just said, but she knew that it might not come to pass before the night was over.

Chapter Two: Breaking the News or a Few Necks?

As Sakura got dressed, she thought about how friendly Akane had been to her. She also noted how scornful she was towards Ranma. She'll lose her mind when she finds out that the girl, she was being friendly with at first was Ranma not me. She will definitely go ballistic when she finds out he was the one that beat her in the dojo.

On the flip side, she scowled at me in the dojo and now here in the bath, she has been the friendliest I have ever seen her since meeting her earlier.

A few minutes after Sakura had dressed, Kasumi called everyone down to dinner. While the family sat around the table the Saotome's sat by the Washitsu entrance and collectively bowed and formally introduced themselves.

Soun began by introducing Genma Saotome, he bowed politely. "These are my son and daughter, Sakura and Ranma." Each bowed in turn as their names were mentioned.

Akane visibly scowled at Ranma, as he was introduced. Sakura noticed this and sighed quietly to herself. Her mind and thoughts were back in the furo with Akane.

"Oh boy," Ranma thought quietly to himself. "I know the feeling." Sakura whispered to Ranma.

"Daddy?" Kasumi asked her father. "What happened to the panda that was here earlier?" Genma stood when Kasumi asked the question and asked for a drink of water for himself and the kids. "Surely," stated Kasumi heading for the kitchen.

Both Ranma and Sakura watched and wondered what their father was up to. "What the hell is he going to do?" thought Ranma. "I think I know what he's up to bro." whispered Sakura. Ranma turned and looked at Sakura. "I wish I could hear your thoughts, like you can hear mine. It would make talking more convenient."

Sakura smiled when Ranma finished his thought. "Maybe if we work on it, you can brother dear." Sakura whispered for only Ranma to hear. Ranma nearly choked when he heard that it may be possible to talk with her without saying a word. "We'll see, my dear brother. If you're good, we can work on it." Both teens smiled at their shared thoughts, despite everyone only hearing Sakura speaking.

"Here's your water Mr. Saotome." Offered Kasumi placing a tray in front of the trio. Genma gestured to the teens and Ranma picked up his glass of water. "Kasumi, could you please also put on a kettle of water." Soun mentioned halting Genma from proceeding. Kasumi watched this exchange but nodded and went into the kitchen and placed a kettle of water on.

About 10 minutes later she brought the kettle in and placed it onto the table. "Father, what was the hot water for, did you want me to make tea?" "No Kasumi, it was for the Saotome's, thank you." Kasumi usually very calm about things visibly wondered if her father had been hitting the sake too much lately.

Genma stood with the glass of water and poured it over his head. His entire body structure changed. He grew taller and now donned the fur and markings of a giant panda. Kasumi seeing the transformation just frowned slightly. Nabiki jumped back and hid behind her father again. Akane handled it the best as her eyebrows lifted when she saw him change from a man into the panda she saw before her.

The panda pulled a sign from out of nowhere that had "your turn" written on it. He was showing it to the kids as they both stood with Ranma holding the water in his hand.

"My name is Ranma Saotome, sorry about this." He poured the water on himself and changed from a tall muscular teenager to the petite red-headed teenager, spitting image of his sister. Akane's intake of breath was audible as her eyes flashed a fire engine red and she screamed. "You!"

"Oh boy, this is about to get ugly." Ranma thought as he quickly backpedaled away from Akane and her battle aura. "Hold on, I can explain." At the same time Ranma changed, Akane noticed that Sakura changed as well from her female form to what Ranma was just a few moments before. It was almost like they switched places. The only difference being that Sakura wasn't as tall as Ranma was and carried herself like a girl just looking like a guy. Anyone looking at her would have thought she was just Ranma but gay.

Akane's fury and aura died away almost immediately and was replaced by confusion. She stared from Sakura to Ranma and back again. The confusion on her face was more than evident.

The rest of the family was no less flabbergasted, but Akane seemed to be speaking for the whole family minus Soun, who had talked to his friend before the kids came down for dinner. "What just happened?"

"Akane, Ranma was the one you were sparring with in the dojo, not me." Began Sakura. "When we were in the furo, it was me you had been talking to, not the one you had been sparring with. Sorry about this."

Akane could only look from one to the other and her confusion was muted in a way that showed she wasn't angry, or anything, just confused. "How is this possible? Akane asked scratching her head. "Uh." Ranma stuttered with his hand behind his head. "Way to go dumbass." Sakura said as she gritted her teeth at her brother.

Akane noticed that Ranma was looking at his sister and it looked he was trying to get a message across to her. A moment later she said, "I got this knucklehead." Sakura nodded her head before returning her focus to Akane "Freaking boys, right?" Silently Akane agreed with Sakura but didn't say anything until she heard the whole story of what the hell caused them to be able to change like this.

"I am sure you know that we took a training trip to China a couple of weeks ago, right? The Tendo's all nodded their heads but remained silent. "Well, my idiot father took us to a place in Qinghai Province, China." Sakura rubbed the bridge of her nose as she continued. "The place was called The Legendary Training Ground of Accursed Springs." Ranma thought to himself, "so far they're taking it well." Sakura arched an eyebrow at him, and he quickly shut up.

"The place was full of many different springs and the guide said that each was the site of the different tragedy. Apparently, a different person or animal drowned in each of the springs." Genma tried to sidle towards the windows. Sakura noticing this was immediately next to him pointing him out. "This dumbass can't read a lick of Chinese and brought us there." Ranma nodded as she continued. "He and Ranma both jumped onto a pole over a spring, a few moments later pops fell into a spring and the next moment a giant panda was jumping back onto the pole where my father had been."

"I had no idea who the hell that was, so I looked at the guide and asked what the hell that things was? Ranma said. Sakura mentioned that the guide told them that a panda had drowned in that spring over 1000 years ago. He also said that whoever fall in spring take the shape of a giant panda.

"I noticed that Ranma was distracted, and the panda knocked Ranma into a nearby spring." Sakura stopped and took a deep breath before finishing the story. "I don't remember a thing after that because Ranma fell into the spring, and I passed out." Sakura looked to the wall and remembered that day. "When I came to, I was on the floor, and I looked up and noticed my brother had to body of a girl, while at the same time I had a pain in my crotch. I then noticed that I had the body of a boy." Sakura eyes started watering as she continued. "Somehow I share the curse with Ranma and my father despite the fact that I never touched a drop of the water."

"I have reason to believe it has something to do with our DNA, and how we share genetic material, so therefore, I shared his curse." Sakura finished before sitting down.

"The cursed springs causes my brother to turn into a girl and me a boy and our father a panda." Began Sakura tearing up. Pass me the kettle Ranma, please." Ranma reached over and handed Sakura the kettle. She checked the temperature and then poured a little of it on her head triggering the reversal of the curse.

Akane watched as the boy Sakura turned into the Sakura, she had become friends with. She smiled wanly. She then turned her attention to the now male Ranma.

Her smiled faded as she saw the person, she had been sparring with become a boy. Nabiki noticed the change in demeanor in her sister and offered to help her out.

"Didn't he beat you in the dojo earlier Akane?" Upon hearing those words, she jumped up and walked up to Ranma and promptly slapped him across the face. "Liar!, You could have told me you were a boy instead of letting me believe that you were a girl! You had better not tell anyone that you beat me in a fight, do you understand me Ranma!" emphasized Akane shaking her fist in Ranma's face. He had enough sense to nod his head yes.

" I am sorry for thinking you were a boy earlier when I was sparring with this one." Glaring at Ranma. "I did mean what I had said that I wanted to be friends, Sakura. I just didn't know I was extending that invitation to an imposter." Akane glared at Ranma. "I didn't mean to fool her, but I hadn't had a chance to change back to a boy yet when we got here earlier." Thought Ranma. "

"Why don't you actually say that so she can hear you." Sakura crossed her arms and tapped her feet as she spoke. Ranma covered his face when Sakura started to throw him under the bus for his thoughts.

"Was there something you wanted to tell me, Ranma?" Akane tapped her foot as she waited for Ranma to speak. He glared daggers at his sister, who was smiling nicely to him despite his demeanor being the exact opposite of hers.

"I thought you loved me." Smiling sheepishly Sakura said, "Brother dear, I do love you, I was only trying to help." "Help you say, like Nabiki just tried to help and caused her to jump all over me. Thanks a lot." Ranma stated sarcastically. "I'm just enjoying watching you sweat." Smiled Sakura, thankful her brother couldn't hear her thoughts yet.

"I'm waiting Ranma." Ranma caught her annoyed voice and turned back to Akane. "Uh," was all he could get out before Akane was right up in his face.

Soun stood and walked between them, causing Akane to back up a little from Ranma. "Girls please, sit I have an announcement to make." Ranma turned from Akane to look at Soun with a mean expression.

Sakura had to hide her head, as she stifled a chuckle. She also noticed Akane, nearly lost it too, when she heard her father calling Ranma a girl. "Technically, he was a girl a few moments ago, so dad was not too far from the truth." Akane thought looking at Sakura in her current female form and smiling.

Soun stood and called for everyone's attention. "My friend Genma and I, have an agreement we had made years ago to have our schools of martial arts to be united." He looked from his girls to Ranma and Sakura.

"We agreed the schools should be united through marriage." Nabiki's eyes flew wide open when her father mentioned this. "How old is Ranma? Asked Kasumi. Akane answered before the Saotome's could speak. "They're 16, the same age as I am, Kasumi."

"Then it's settled then Akane would be the perfect candidate to marry Ranma." Offered Kasumi. Nabiki nodded her head in agreement. "I agree completely."

Akane's amazement was palpable, and she immediately jumped to her feet. "What!? you must be joking. Why would I be-"

"Well think about it Akane, you're in luck, he's half-girl!" "Me, marry that liar? Never!" screamed Akane.

"Who are you calling a liar? Ranma interjected also jumping to his feet. "You lied to me while we were sparring!" Ranma fumed, "You asked me if I wanted to practice and pulled me into the dojo." "You could have told me you were a boy before we started." "If I had told you I was a boy, would you have believed me?" asked Ranma. Akane heard the question and paused as she thought about it.

Sakura watched the exchange and held her breath as she waited for Akane's response. "I'll admit I would have probably thought you were pulling my leg." "Besides, I didn't know you had a problem with losing to boys." Declared Ranma. "I'll let that slide, but you better not tell anyone that you beat me, do you understand me Ranma!"

Sakura hearing Akane, thought about it for a second. "Akane, why do you not want Ranma to talk about beating you, since technically you were sparring and not actually fighting?"

"I'll tell you later Sakura. I just want to make sure that Ranma won't discuss this with anyone." Akane eyes were nearly fire engine red when he looked at her. "I don't understand what the big deal is, we were just sparring and technically, you were just missing since you never even hit me."

Akane quickly rectified that oversight but slamming the table before them over his head, knocking him out. "That he had coming," was written on the sign their father was holding up. Sakura winced as she saw Akane trying to control her breathing as she looked down at the prone Ranma. "Akane, I think you may have made me an only child." Sakura mentioned checking her brother to see if he was breathing.

Ranma woke and found himself in a room he didn't recognize. As his eyes focused, he saw Sakura, Kasumi, and Nabiki watching him. "Where am I?" "At the Tendo house in Nerima Japan, dumbass." Sakura told him. What did I get hit with?" "If she had her way it would have been with a sledgehammer, but she settled for a table." Sakura again mentioned. "Are you enjoying my misery?" "Yes I am." Smiled Sakura.

"Don't mind Akane, she can be a bit manic at times." "Sure Kasumi, that explains everything. A stick of dynamite has a longer fuse than she does." Chided Nabiki.

"Ranma, now that you're awake, would you like to get cleaned up, I saved you some dinner." Smiled Kasumi. Ranma sitting up rubbed his head. Sakura turned towards Kasumi and nodded. "I'll take him and get him cleaned up. Thanks Kasumi."

"You're welcome." Kasumi watched as Ranma was a little unsteady as he stood up. He was braced by his sister, and they walked down the hall towards the furo. "Well, she took finding out I was a boy very well." Ranma noted still working the cobwebs out. "I'll find out why that was such a problem, maybe I can smooth some of this over with Akane." Sakura assured Ranma.

A bucket of water splashed over her head as she thought to herself, "Make a fool of me, I couldn't hit him he says. I damn sure hit him then. I wonder what he's got to say about that?" Akane stood and walked over to the furo and was about to enter when the door slid open a little.

She turned and saw Sakura holding Ranma up as he was undressing. "Are you going to be long Akane, I need to help Ranma get cleaned up in body, since you cleaned his clock earlier." "If you'd like you can join me, but leave him out there, I can't deal with him right now." Offered Akane. Sakura thought for a moment but instead declined. "Thanks, Akane I would love to, but I have to get him cleaned up since Kasumi is holding dinner for him."

"Okay, then I'll just be a few more minutes, can you wait that long?" "Sure, we can wait that long, do you need a towel or are you okay getting dressed in there?" asked Sakura. "If you could just give me my clothes and I'll dress in here, and then you can have it." She answered. "Thanks, Akane we'll talk again later." Akane looked at the water, she really wanted to soak in there. "I really wish he hadn't tried to deceive me when we were sparring. Why did he have to be a guy, why couldn't he have stayed a girl." Akane looked around and saw where she had left her towel. She also noticed Sakura walked in holding her clothes for her. She accepted them, "Thanks Sakura." "You're welcome and sorry we interrupted your bath." "No worries, I'll take one later, then you and I can talk." Smiled Akane. Sakura also smiled as she turned and left the furo to attend to her brother.

Looking one last time at the tub full of hot water, she retrieved her towel and then started getting dressed again. Once she was dressed, she walked out into the front of the bathroom and saw Sakura holding up her brother. She noticed he was not wearing any clothes. Resisting the urge to check him out she calmly walked past Sakura and Ranma and left the bathroom.

Sakura noticed the look of disdain she had given to Ranma, thankfully Ranma was in no condition to notice how she had looked at him. Sakura held him up as he walked in the furo. She helped Ranma get cleaned up, before bringing him back downstairs for the dinner he "slept" through.

Once Sakura and Ranma were seated and Ranma's dinner was before him, Soun called for attention again, "In light of what had happened earlier, Genma and I have decided that Akane would be the best choice for Ranma's fiancé." The look given to Soun by his daughter brought him up short and Genma panda, just backed away and casually abandoned his friend to his fate. "Is there something wrong Akane-chan?"

Akane smiled as Soun backed away one step at a time. Akane moved forward keeping in step with his backpedaling. "I am not sure I like the idea of being engaged to be married to someone I don't know. No offense meant to Ranma and Sakura." Sakura smiled as Akane continued to face down her father. "I will be spending some time getting to know our guests before such an arrangement can be made, isn't that right father?" Soun agreed very quickly as Akane's battle aura flared around her.

Soun looked around and didn't see the panda anywhere, Soun realized he had been abandoned by his best friend. "I am so glad that was not directed at me," thought Ranma. Sakura looked at him and smiled. "Yes, brother dear, you are so lucky I'll try to defuse this situation and try to make things good again."

"I will then owe you one, sis." Thought Ranma. "Yes, you would, bro, yes you would." Smiled Sakura.

"Mr. Saotome, are you going to stay a panda, or am I going to need to boil some water? Kasumi asked. Genma Panda held up a sign that said, I'm good." "Hmmm, we going to need some more room." Kasumi thought for a moment and pulled a large platter of bamboo from out of nowhere and placed it on the table. Genma Panda happily dug in.

Dinner was an event, since Ranma, and Sakura had to fight their father for their food, since he kept stealing it from them. "You're a panda, why are you taking food you can't eat?" yelled Ranma. "You need to prove you deserve to eat this food Kasumi made." Read the sign he held. While he held the sign Sakura got a few dumplings, and passed them to Ranma, which he quickly ate before Genma could react.

"Hey, you're not supposed to help him!" Read the next sign he had. Sakura smiled as she ate her dumplings. "We share everything, so I can help if I want to."

The Tendo's watched the exchange, thankfully they only fought over food on their plates and not on the table. As they were sparring over the food, Akane just watched as Ranma, or Sakura got food back from Genma Panda. She also thought about the discussions from earlier and realized that she may have over-reacted to Ranma. She couldn't blame either of them for accidentally getting cursed.

Looking at both Ranma and Sakura as dinner ended. "We need to talk in a while, is that okay, Sakura?" She nodded.

********** A LITTLE WHILE LATER **********

Sakura approached Akane after dinner and her look must have been evident. Upon seeing Akane smile she motioned for her to join her in the garden. "Ranma can come out here too, I don't mind if he see and hears this." Sakura nodded, but in her mind, she wasn't sure this was a good idea. Ranma tended to talk without engaging his brain sometimes.

"What Sakura, my head hurts." Complained Ranma still rubbing his aching head. "Come here you idiot. Akane wants to show us something. Be quiet and don't fuck this up." Admonished Sakura looking at Ranma.

When they were all in the garden, Akane's demeanor changed, and she smiled as she led them to the stand of trees in the garden and pointed to each of them in turn.

"Each of these plants were planted for each of us girls." Stated Akane as she pointed out the three plants in the garden. "Kasumi's the Ajisai (Hydrangea), Nabiki's the Matsu (Chinese Pine), and of course mine is the Sakura which mean Cherry Blossom." Akane smiled even brighter as she indicated her tree and then pointed at Sakura. Sakura felt very good knowing that her and Akane shared a kind of connection.

While watching them talk Ranma thought for a second,
"I wonder if Akane knows what my name means, and if we have anything in common because of it?" Sakura's eyes lit up and she immediately screamed, "Don't you dare, tell her that." Akane looked from one to the other and nearly jumped out of her skin at the outburst.

The rest of the family and Genma looked to the garden and had puzzled looks on their faces. Sakura quickly pulled Ranma away from Akane and politely said, "Excuse us for a moment, please Akane." Regaining her composure, she nodded her head and walked to the washitsu with the other family members as they walked off to speak privately.

"Do not speak any words, think them to me, you idiot." Whispered Sakura as she watched the Tendo's to see if they were eavesdropping on them. "Don't tell her you have something in common with her." Whispered Sakura through gritted teeth." Ranma watched his sister and decided that he should not say a thing. Sakura noticed this and smiled. "I know your name means crazy but telling her that you have that in common would not endear her to you, she may actually hate you and then try to kill you." Ranma noticed that Sakura was still smiling. "I think that you and pop are basically brain damaged. In the end I still love you and would like for you to hang around just a bit longer if you don't mind. Got it!" Ranma nodded very quickly.

Both walked back over to the Washitsu and Akane again joined them in the garden. You two must have a good understanding, since I didn't hear either of you speak a word, yet you seem to have had a conversation." Both smiled as they put their hands behind their heads and breathed out a sign of relief. "I wish I was that close to my sisters and could talk like that." "You have no idea what it takes to have this level of understanding." Ranma thought to Sakura. He then doubled over as Sakura punched him in the stomach. She then mouthed, "Be quiet, dumbass."

Akane smiled watching Ranma double over. "He must have thought something rude. I wish I knew what he'd said. I just wonder if it was directed at me." Sakura's smile got even wider as Akane continued. "The bond between twins is something I wish I had."

"It's not all it's cracked up to be Akane, it sometimes leads to confusion and you're better off having the easier conversations you have with your siblings." Sakura mentioned as Ranma was able to stand upright again. "That hurt." Thought Ranma. Sakura just smiled as Akane looked from them to her family thinking about their relationship.

"Akane, Ranma and Sakura, can I speak to you for a moment?" Inquired Soun. The kids all sighed as they came into the washitsu to speak to Akane's father.

"As you've said earlier, I am aware that you will be getting to know your fiancé before finalizing the arrangement. Until you reach a decision, I am just reminding you that you have school in the morning." Genma Panda held up a sign that read, "You two too."

Ranma and Sakura both stared at their father. "You can't be serious!" yelled Sakura and Ranma. They then laughed as again they spoke at the same time. "Yes, school again." Read the next sign.

"You'll need to walk with your fiancé Akane." Mentioned Nabiki. "No problem, I'll show them where the school is." Akane stated winking at Sakura.

Kasumi walked up to Sakura and Ranma. "I have already set-up your futons and bedding in our upstairs guest room. Mr. Saotome, I am sorry, but you'll have to share the room with Ranma and Sakura." Kasumi looked at the sign that read, "Thank you."

Akane bade them to follow her, "Kasumi, I'll show them to their room." as she led them upstairs. Sakura and Ranma retrieved their backpacks from the front hall and met her up the stairs.

Once upstairs Akane pointed to the first room on the left. "This is going to be Ranma and Mr. Saotome's room." Passing the room and going to the t-intersection. "This is Kasumi's Room," pointing to the left, "This is Nabiki's," pointing to the middle room and pointing to the last room on the right with a duck placard on the front "This is mine, you're welcome to share it with me, if you don't want to share a room with your brother."

Sakura smiled, "That would be great Akane, but for now like I had mentioned earlier, Ranma and I share everything since we're twins. We also have never been apart since we were born." Akane's smile waned a bit hearing this. "Well, the invitation is always open if you'd like to spend some girl time together." Akane smiled leading them back to the first room she had indicated.

Sakura walked in first and saw the three futons laying on the floor in a neat little line. Both placed their packs by the door and took out some clothes. "Would it be alright if we bathed again?" Sakura asked Akane. "Sure, that would be fine."

Sakura then turned and looked at Ranma. "Do you want to work out first before we take a bath?" inquired Sakura. "Sure, I would like have a more competitive workout than I had before." said Ranma. Akane blanched and turned beet red again. Sakura smacked him across the head,

"The workout you had earlier was not a workout because you didn't go all out.", whispered Sakura. "I was watching, all you did was dodge around her katas and then touched her to signify that you had hit her, something she couldn't do to you." Ranma watched as her battle aura flared momentarily before dying down. He then looked at Akane and noticed that unlike Sakura, her battle aura did not dissipate. He could have sworn it increased. "Oh boy," was all he could say as Akane regarded him.

"Had I gone all out, do you believe she could have taken me?" Thought Ranma. "Considering her dad, and our dad were both trained in the same styles, I believe she's going to need some time to learn our style before she can compete." Said Sakura. "Well let's go." Pointed Ranma.

They walked out of the room and turned right and went down the stairs. Akane went to her room. "Akane, can I ask you a question first?" Ranma I'll meet you downstairs. "Would you like to join us for another workout since your earlier one was so short?" Akane thought for a few moments before answering. "Yes, but I only want to spar with you and not your brother. He lied to me earlier and I haven't quite gotten to the point that I forgive him." "Okay, I'll let Ranma know so he doesn't do anything stupid." "Thanks, Sakura."
A few minutes later bowing to the Shinzen, Akane and Sakura entered the dojo, and found Ranma stretching. The girls placed their towels along the side of the practice hall and began to stretch themselves.

As she was bending down and stretching her legs, she looked up at the twins and noticed they were looking intently at each other. She had no idea, what they were doing but she was very curious as to what they got out of staring at each other like that.

As Akane stretched, Sakura looked at her brother and whispered, "I have already told you what Akane wants, you are not to engage her. She still think you lied to her before." Ranma yelled. "I lied! She already said that had I told her she would not have believed me. Basically, what you're saying is that if I told her, she'd think I was lying and not telling her, she thinks I'm a liar. Is that right?" Sakura nodded. "Has she ever told you why me beating her was so bad? Ranma yelled as he sat on the floor and stretched his hamstrings. Sakura shook her head as she also stretched the same muscles Ranma was.

"Well then, we'll have to do this before we begin, do you want me to ask first or should you?" Ranma thought not wanting to begin on the wrong foot. Sakura pointed to herself. He saw her pointing and took a deep breath and finished their stretches.

Akane watched and heard their exchange and just waited to see what would happen. "Sakura and I are going to spar. You know that you can join us if you want to. Bear in mind thought there is a chance either of us could beat you or at least outperform you?

Akane nodded her head. "I am aware of what can happen during a sparring match, and results are not official and we're just practicing, right?", asked Akane.

The sigh of relief was audible when Sakura finally breathed. Akane smiled and turned towards Sakura. "Did you think I was going to pound him?" Akane asked as she turned to face Sakura. "To be truthful, I actually believed I was about to become an only child for the second time today." Laughed Sakura. Hearing this Akane joined in too. "Thanks sis, you too Akane", stated Ranma sarcastically. "You're welcome.", said Akane and Sakura at the same time, causing them both to laugh even harder.

"Are you ready Sakura?" Inquired Ranma. Sakura turned and bowed to Ranma, and he bowed to her in turn. Akane watched as they each were very respectful of the other.

"Tatakaimashou"

Chapter Three: Getting to Know the Saotomes

I do not own Ranma ½, this is the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi

Reviews would be greatly appreciated since it'll give me ideas of how to proceed with the story. I am trying to make this different, yet funny. I have read too many where the characters are at each other's throats. This is just a different point of view.

Ranma and Sakura leapt into the air. Akane watched as Ranma blocked the thrust kick Sakura tried to hit him with. In turn Sakura blocked a flurry of punches he tried to throw. Before landing they tried to grab the other, and each anticipated it, and neither was able to get a handhold. Afterwards, they landed back in their respective places, they all laughed at how easy that was. Akane marveled at the spend and skills each used on the other. She noticed that neither was able to hit the other. Her ire was a raised when she noticed that Ranma went all out on Sakura but played around with her when they had sparred earlier.

Akane watched them spar and thought to herself. "They are probably more advanced than I am. My father only trained me in a few techniques. I wonder if that's enough to take them on?" While she was thinking Sakura broke into her mind. "Akane, if you'd like I can show some of what our father showed us?" offered Sakura. Akane thought for a few moments before stating, "That would be great, I had always wanted to learn more." Sakura beamed. "My father only trained me in a few style, learning more is better." "I'll let you know when we can do that, for now Ranma and I have to get used to going back to school again." Sighed Sakura. "Don't worry I'll help you with that tomorrow when we go." Akane reassured her.

"Let's just practice for a little bit more, I have a few questions I'd like to ask Akane." Sakura asked changing her stance. "I have a few questions of my own I would like ask." Ranma noticed she was looking at him when she was talking to Sakura. When they finished Akane walked up to the pair and turned to Sakura. "I know you wanted to ask, are you ready to learn about why Ranma can't tell anyone he beat me earlier?"

Akane knew that Sakura had been waiting patiently to hear why she was so upset about Ranma beating her earlier. "The reason I was so bothered by Ranma beating me earlier was because another student in school offered an open challenge to any male student that could beat me. The prize was that if they beat me, they could then date me."

"That's bullshit, no one has a right to do that to someone, you don't belong to anyone but yourself." Ranma yelled. Sakura nodded as well. "I know the parents just tried to do a similar thing having you engaged to Ranma, but you stopped that immediately and let them know your feelings and intentions." Sakura began. "How come you didn't do this then?"

"I didn't know about it until I went to school a few weeks ago and was attacked by almost all the boys in my grade." Remembered Akane. "I had to fight this group of boys that met me when I got there." Anger flashed in front of her eyes as she thought about this memory. Her eyes softened when she refocused and saw Ranma and Sakura in front of her.

"Who issued this challenge? Ranma pressed on. Akane fumed as she answered, "Tatewaki Kuno, an upperclassman." "Have you fought this upperclassman? Asked Sakura. "No, he just watches from the sidelines. He has stated that when he wants a date with me, then he'll challenge me." Remarked Akane. "Since it's been a few weeks, I can only assume the challenge is coming soon. I just hope I can beat him, so I don't have to date him."

Sakura watched her expression and could see this was distressing her. "Is that all that you wanted to tell me about was that this arrangement was issued by this Kuno person?"

"Yes, that was it, I am sorry Ranma, if he found out I lost to you, he would attack you for sure and I am not sure I want that to happen." Pleaded Akane. Both Ranma and Sakura looked at each other for a quick moment. "She does know that you and I know a few things this Kuno might not, and he may have bitten off more than he bargained for." Thought Ranma. "I agree with you, brother dear."

Akane heard Sakura's response and her curiosity got the better of her. "I really wish I was a twin, the way you two understand each other is amazing"

"Um, it's not really that amazing Akane, since we were cursed, I can read Ranma's mind, and so far, he can't read mine. That's basically why I must either whisper to him or answer him out loud, like I just did."

"Oh, if I may, what did he ask you? Ranma, could you speak instead of thinking to your sister, I would really like to be a part of this conversation since you now know things about me that I wanted to tell Sakura about?" Ranma thought about it for a moment and nodded.

"What I had asked Sakura was that I feel that you should know that we know a few things that this Kuno guy does not know." Akane looked from Ranma to Sakura and noticed she was nodding as well. "Is what you and Sakura know, is it more than the kata's I've seen so far? Ranma smiled, "Yes, what we've been showing you, would make his head spin if you used it on him." "I just hope he doesn't challenge you until we get you ready to take him on." Added Sakura. "I hope so too, I would not want to ever date that hormone leaden pervert. I've heard some of the things he's said about me from Nabiki."

"I assumes what you had heard was not good?" prodded Sakura. "Ahh, no, how would you feel if you hear from the grapevine that a specific person wants to make you his bitch after the date?" whispered Akane as tears formed in her eyes. "No one is every going to have their way with me unless I let them." Stated Sakura gritting her teeth. "Since I did beat you, can I date you? We are engaged?" Sakura covered her eyes and thought out loud, "He can't possibly think that was a smart thing to say." The look Akane turned on Ranma could probably have melted steel, but Ranma was too busy laughing to realize he was in mortal danger. Before Akane could make good on killing him, Sakura stepped in the way and smacked Ranma upside the head and calmly yelled in his face, "Are you seriously trying your best to make me an only child? Can't you see that Akane is really bothered by this?" Ranma stopped laughing and turned to the girls, "I was only kidding Akane, I was just trying to lighten the moment, no one should have their way with anyone unless they wanted them to. Don't worry we'll help you in any way you need, just please don't kill me." Her look never changed as she looked from Ranma to Sakura and without reading her mind Sakura knew what she was thinking. "No, he's not adopted, and yes, we're twins. Kind of scary, isn't it?" "Very." Was all Akane could say.

"Enough with this, I think we're done here, do you want to have a bath?" Sakura asked Akane as they walked over and dried their sweaty bodies with the towels. "Sure, I brought some clothes with me, we can go now if you'd like. I didn't get to soak earlier, and I really could use it right now." Noted Akane.

"Why do you both wear Chinese style clothes? Asked Akane pointing to the clothes Sakura had discarded. "As you know, Ranma and I could possibly change genders suddenly. Like when it happened yesterday and again this morning, we got caught in the rain as we were coming here. We wear clothes that are not specific to gender." Sakura mentioned. "Do you wear boxers for the same reason instead of panties?" asked Akane. Sakura smiled as she removed her boxers. "Yes, nothing hurts more than changing from a girl to a guy and wearing something as form fitting as panties. Leaves no room to grow if you know what I mean?" Akane covered her mouth when she heard that explanation.

"I can now understand what you are your brother have to deal with, thank you for the explanation." Akane chuckled as she thought about how funny it would be despite the potential for pain in changing genders. "I am sorry Sakura, that just paints a funny picture, when you think about it." Sakura laughed, "Yes I agree but the first time it happened it hurt like hell." "I can just imagine." Added Akane as she finished undressing.

Sakura sat on the stool and started soaping up. As she watched her, she casually picked up the soap and started scrubbing her back. Sakura surprised by this quickly looked up and then relaxed. She was enjoying the sensation until Akane poured the cold water over her, triggering her curse and changing her into a tall, dark-haired male. Akane blushed furiously when she saw how Sakura looked. Stunned, Sakura didn't think to cover up since she was in the furo with another girl. Suddenly she remembered that she was now a boy. Akane stood transfixed checking her out from top to bottom. Sakura caught off guard hesitated before standing up and walking into the tub and immersing herself triggering the reversal.

"Now I can see why you need to wear boxers instead of your panties, that would definitely be uncomfortable in a pair of them." Akane smiled as she pointed out Sakura's penis. Sakura noticed that Akane had blushed almost over her whole body at the sight of Sakura's manly features.

As she settled into the tub, Akane reached up and began unwinding her hair from the bow she had wrapped around it. Wringing her hair, she again noticed Sakura's hair as she looked up.

"I wonder what it's like to have it short." Asked Akane. "I have never had short hair except when I am in boy form." Responded Sakura leaning on the edge of the tub. "Since I am a girl, I always had long hair just like Kasumi's. One of these days, I might just cut it and see what that style is like." Akane wondered as she finished wringing her hair getting the shampoo out of it.

After Akane finished rinsing, she got into the hot water and soaked for a little while. Once they touched the water, "I wonder what Ranma is doing, I know he turned into a girl when I poured the water on you." Sakura laughed when she thought about it. "I have no idea I am usually in the bath with him when it happens. Since we were kids, this is one of the few times we are not bathing together." Akane looked from Sakura to the door and back again. "It really doesn't bother you when he's around in girl form and your in male form?" Akane asked with wide eyes. "How are you not embarrassed when he's there?" "Why would I be embarrassed by seeing my own brother naked? We been bathing together since we were born. Yes, we're teenagers, and we have each grown up a bit, but we've gotten so used to each other it is not that big a deal. He just my best friend that I get to sleep with every night." Akane marveled at Sakura's last statement. "You what?" "Akane when you are a twin the connection between us is amazing and unexplainable. When a child is a baby, they might have a security blanket, something they love and can hold on to when scared, upset, or whatever. I have the luxury of having a person I have shared things with my whole life, as my blanket. The best part about it is I can talk to him when I need someone to talk to since he understands me better than everyone else does."

"Since your curse, have you and your brother gotten closer?" Sakura thought for a moment. "Yes, Ranma and I have more of an understanding of each other, since we can now change into the other gender." Sakura laughed as she continued. "There are still a few things I find really funny sometimes."

Akane wondered what that might be. "Sometimes when he changes, he has his period, and there are times when I was a boy that I had an erection." Akane covered her mouth and laughed as well. "How do you handle that." Sakura burst out laughing ever harder. "Well, I don't handle it physically if that's what you were referring to." Akane's eyes widened, and she laughed even harder. "No, Sakura I didn't mean it that way."

"Boy this conversation is really headed south." Murmured Akane. "Do you mean conversationally or directionally?" Akane clutched her stomach as she continued to laugh. "Sakura, the water is getting cold, do you want to get out before I get another chance to check you out again?" Sakura smiled and stood up and got out of the tub and picked up their towels and handed Akane hers before drying off her body.

Akane noticed that Sakura was looking up at the ceiling for a few moments. "I wonder if she's listening for Ranma or is he speaking to her? "How do you feel about boys Akane?" Sakura asked drying off her legs. "I haven't thought of them in a sexual way or anything. Since Kuno's challenge, I have been angry at them since they only want one thing we have, besides the required date Kuno included in the challenge."

"I can see how that would turn you off boys." Sakura mentioned drying her hair with another towel. "I am not totally disgusted by them Sakura, just the ones that think with something other than their brains.

"Akane reached for another one and dried and wrapped her hair as well. "Would you like to continue this in my room, we'll have some privacy? It's been a while since I had been able to have girl talk with someone that isn't my sisters." Akane laughed. "That would be nice, would you mind if I let Ranma know where we'll be?" "Sure, let him know." Conceded Akane.

Ranma walked outside and admired the different plants and trees in the garden. He did especially like the ones that Akane had pointed out earlier. As he was walking, he felt a little different and then looked at himself. "She must have poured cold water on herself." Noticed Ranma since he had changed to a girl. A few moments later, he changed back into a boy. "She must have gotten into the tub."
"I hope Akane realizes that I was only joking. She shouldn't have taken it so badly. Does she feel that way about all boys, or just the ones that Kuno sicked on her," thought Ranma. Realizing he had thought this, "Oh boy, I hope Sakura heard that and can ask her about it."

About ten minutes later, Ranma was sitting in the Washitsu, and Akane and Sakura walked up to him. "Ranma, Akane and I are going to be in her room having some girl time." "Okay, have fun ladies, I hope you know I was only kidding before." Pleaded Ranma. Akane looked him up and down for a moment. "Sakura explained that to me, I still don't like what you said, it made me think about what Kuno has been doing to me." Akane said with fury in her eyes. "I know Akane, I am sorry, all this is happening so fast, our engagement, this Kuno thing, our father being a dumbass, and getting cursed. Bear in mind we're trying to cope too." Akane noticed Sakura nodding as Ranma spoke. "I'll think about it, just don't do or say anything stupid, or like your sister had mentioned. I will make her an only child." Akane said with a smile. Ranma didn't have any idea what to make of the smile. Was she being evil, or what, he had no idea what to think? "Talk to you later bro. Just remember I can hear you."

Akane led the way from the garden up to her room and Sakura noticed the usual things in a typical teenager's room. She saw the poster of both K-Pop and Ariana Grande from the US. "Do you like any other groups besides the ones on the wall?" "A while back I liked a few songs from Hamasaki, Ayumi, AKB48 just to name a few. Who do you like?" Sakura thought for a second but couldn't come up with anyone recent. "Have been traveling so long with pop and Ranma, I haven't really learned much pop music, or any of the singers. I wish I did, then we could talk about some of them."

"I have a few of their albums, we can listen to some right now." Akane offered. Sakura gestured to the bed and Akane nodded. Sakura got comfortable and watched as Akane put an album into the phonograph player. She nearly jumped out of her seat when the opening notes of K-Pop sounded. "Holy shit, they're loud." Screamed Sakura covering her ears. "Sorry I like listening to my music loud while I sing along. I'll turn it down a little." Akane turned the music and slowly started dancing as the music and lyrics played. Sakura just watched and tried to hum and move along, but she really didn't know the music.

Akane noticed her discomfort and reached out and pulled her from the bed into the middle of the clear spot of the room and showed her how to dance a little to the music they were listening to. "This is not easy." Sakura noted. "Once you get to know it, it will be." For the next hour or so, they talked about popular bands, places they had been and thinks they would like to do.

"I think I need to go, I haven't heard my brother thinking a single thing since we'd been up here. I need to go check if he's alive or dead." "Okay, just a sec, let me turn off the player." Akane got off the bed and turned off the record player, and then made sure the volume button was turned lower so that the next time she wouldn't scare Sakura.

"Let's go,

Chapter Four: Handling Challenges

I do not own Ranma ½, this is the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi

Just began my bachelor's degree in college. Once I have caught up on the schoolwork, I'll can finish the current chapter. Thank you for your patience.

Reviews would be greatly appreciated since it'll give me ideas of how to proceed with the story. I am trying to make this different, yet funny. I have read too many where the characters are at each other's throats. This is just a different point of view.

Akane had a spring in her step as she led the way to Furinkan High School. Nabiki had left a few minutes earlier and Sakura and Ranma were walking alongside Akane. They were both walking on the fence next to Akane who was walking on the sidewalk below them.

"Why are you walking on the fence? Enquired Akane watching them. "It helps us to maintain balance. As you know women have a better center of gravity than men do." Commenced Ranma. "We're all about training so we never miss a chance to work on something that may need to be honed." Concluded Sakura.

"Why aren't you in the school uniform Sakura? I know Nabiki had one of her old dresses that could have fit you." "True Akane, but as you know we have a problem when it comes to cold water and accidentally getting splashed."

Looking around to see if anyone was listening. "I wouldn't want to be caught out in the rain wearing a dress, because when I change that would look really bad." Sakura stated as she was walking. Ranma turned slightly, "Whereas I wear Chinese clothes, if I was to change, then I'd just be a girl in really loose clothing. My situation would be easier to explain."

"I can see the logic in both of your points of view." Noted Akane as they neared the school. "Okay guys, the boys should be waiting for me at the school. Sakura, when we get there, can you hold my bag while I deal with them?" Sakura acquiesced. She then noticed Akane's attention was straight ahead at the school entrance coming into view. "Sure, Akane anything you need. Are you going to need help with the group since you mentioned there'll be a bunch of them?" Queried Sakura jumping down from the fence and landing next to her. "I should be okay, I usually beat them in time for class, since I have never been late since this has been going on." Sakura noticed that Akane was confident yet nervous at the same time. "Do you think she'll be fine Sakura?" Ranma thought to Sakura. "I think she'll be fine, she is trained by her father, just like we were, she'll be fine." whispered Sakura not wanting to distract Akane from her prepared state.

The first of the group appeared and yelled out, "Akane, I will date you once I beat you." Akane tensed as she heard this. She then threw her bag behind herself. Sakura watched as it flew straight for her. She was ready and caught it in midair.

The first boys, a member of the boxing team, and a boy from the Kendo team, were the first to fall. The boxer ran right into a foot Akane nearly extended over her head. "She's definitely flexible." Ranma thought as he watched the "fight". The kendo kid, took a roundhouse kick to the stomach, nearly dislodging his spleen, as the wind shot out of him.

The rest were beaten just as quickly with a punch here, a kick there. Ranma and Sakura noticed that she took a few liberties when it came to how she dispatched of the boys. Since a few of them were checking themselves to make sure they were still intact. The unconscious ones fell holding themselves to ensure their nuts didn't wander off and abandon them since they lost so easily.

As the last one fell, Sakura and Ranma walked up to Akane and admired her work. "Not bad, Akane," smiled Ranma. "However, you need to wear shorts under there if you're going to be kicking so high." Akane blushed furiously as she looked at Sakura. Sakura smiled but then said, "At least they were black today, and not a lighter color. If they were, some of the guys might have died from a severe nasal hemorrhage." She thought for a moment more and added, "Come to think of it, you could use that as a distraction the next time." Akane laughed and so did Sakura. "I just might do that it'll save me some of the trouble of fighting them."

"Is that who I think it is?" Ranma asked getting the girls attention. Both girls turned and faced a tall young man, an upperclassman. He was dressed in the traditional uniform of a kendoist. "Upperclassman." Akane intoned.

"Akane Tendo, since you so easily dispatched of this boorish lot, might you fight with me?" Akane kept her face impassive, but Ranma and Sakura both saw her posture change and become really tense.

"Akane, who the hell is this dumbass?" asked Ranma. He already knew the answer but was trying to get Kuno's attention. "You. There! You are being quite familiar with Akane!" yelled Kuno pointing his bokken at Ranma. "Mission accomplished." Thought Ranma. Sakura couldn't help but smile at her brother ingenuity.

"It is customary for one to identify oneself, I shall begin then." Akane sighed audibly and said for both to hear, "Here it comes." "I am upperclassman Kuno. Captain of the Kendo Club." Akane rolled her eyes as Kuno continued. "Undefeated new star of the high school fencing world. My peers call me the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!"

"Have you ever heard of him being called that?" Asked Nabiki. "This is the first I'm hearing of it." Answered Kikuko. Nabiki shrugged her shoulders as she watched her sister and friends talking to Kuno.

"My family and I are staying at the Tendo's Practice Hall-" "Under the same roof as Akane?!" Ranma dodged as the Bokken swished through where he's been standing before. "It's a good thing I was ready for that strike." Sakura just nodded as she watched her brother easily maneuver himself away from Kuno.

"Akane, is he normally this manic, when presented with bad news?" Akane nodded her head, "You want to see manic, tell him Ranma beat me, and he was a boy, then you'll see manic." Akane thought a moment. "On second thought I think you'll actually see him become unhinged and blow up taking half the school with him."

"I am Ranma Saotome, since you struck first, I accept your challenge." Kuno's eyes widened as he saw Ranma landing away from him one moment and then he's in his face the next and he hadn't even moved yet.

"Let me make this perfectly clear to you, asshole. Akane, Sakura and I are friends of the Tendo's." Kuno tried to back away, but Ranma kept pace with him with every step he tried to take. "If you don't like that, the next few seconds are not going to be to your liking either." Ranma's face remained impassive as he spoke directly to Kuno's face.

"Holy shit! This guy is fast, I didn't even see him move." Kuno's mind quickly refocused and tried to regain his position of dominance, but Ranma was able to impede him with every step. "Do you have a problem with this arrangement?" Ranma pointedly asked Kuno.

Even from the second-floor balcony Nabiki could physically see the sweat appear on Kuno's forehead. Kuno feeling the sweat building up on his forehead, gulped loudly. Before he could think of what to do, he was hit away from Ranma and blacked out.

Ranma was so intent on Kuno that he didn't see Genma panda rush on by and knock out Kuno and grab him. He then noticed that his sister was also in his other hand as well as a kettle.

"Hey! They both exclaimed as they were taken into a janitor's room and placed on the floor. "What the hell, are you thinking pop, that was a man-to-man confrontation you just interrupted." Ranma and Sakura both did a double take when they read the sign he was holding up.
"Are you a man at the moment?" "Of course, I'm a man, can't you see—" Ranma's thoughts were stopped when Sakura yelled into his mind, "No you're not, look down."

Ranma quickly looked down and noticed that he was sporting an ample set of cleavage, he didn't realize he had changed into. "The rain, I didn't notice it was raining." "To be honest with you, bro I didn't even see it either." Genma panda, just held up his sign and audibly sighed. "You really need to pay attention to your surroundings, even during a fight."

Sakura and Ranma both nodded their heads, since their father was right about this one. "It's a good thing your father saved you two from having to explain to the school how come you changed in front of them from a boy to a girl." Akane mentioned looking from Sakura to Ranma. As she walked into the janitor's room, she placed Ranma's bag down on the floor next to the door.

"Hey bro, what's that mark on your neck?" Ranma tried very hard to crane his neck to see the mark. Sakura and Akane smirked as they both realized but Ranma hadn't that he couldn't see that part of his neck no matter how hard he tried to look. "Ranma, you kind of look like a cat trying to find something it's looking for but can't." Ranma stopped looking and turned a blank stare at both his sister and fiancé.

Sakura was still smiling but visibly flinched when Akane mentioned a cat. "She right bro, you really need to be more careful. Yes, you were quick out there, but Kuno must have accidentally hit you with his bokken."

Sakura walked over and looked at the mark, it was in the shape of the point of his bokken. "Another inch and Ranma probably wouldn't have a head." Thought Sakura examining if the skin had been broken.

"After school we're going to have to have our local doctor look at that. The nurse here is just a hack, the only reason she's knows what a bandage is, is because someone told her what it was." Akane said without much humor. Ranma and Sakura just looked at each other. "I thought it was funny." They both thought. Akane noticed the exchange and wished she could hear them when they did that.

"You really need to teach me how to hear thought so I can join your conversations." Sakura smiled and nodded. "Aren't we late?" Asked Ranma looking around for a watch.

"Oh yeah, we are. Not bad for a first day huh." Akane lead the way from the janitor's room to the main entrance of the school. As they passed the courtyard, they noticed most of the group were still out from when Akane destroyed them earlier. Ranma looked around and found Kuno leaned up against a tree in the far side of the courtyard. He was being helped by a few kids that seemed to be part of his Kendo team.

"Kuno, you have to admit he is very good, to have been able to write that on your forehead with just his finger." Nabiki pointed out, as Kuno examined his head in her mirror. "I don't even remember being touched, he can't even spell either." Kuno remarked, as he walked to the board and spelled out the word "dumass." Nabiki casually walked over picked up the chalk and wrote the word "Dumbass," smirking as she did. "Kuno, this is actually how you spell it. "I hate you, Nabiki." "I am so glad, that saves me the trouble of having to care what you think of me." Nabiki said, as she walked back to her desk and placed her book bag onto the chair.

********** Meanwhile in Another Classroom **********

"My name is Ranma Saotome," bowed and then indicated Sakura. "I am Sakura Saotome. We are currently residing at the Tendo home, we just recently returned to Japan from China." Both bowed first to the class, and then turned and bowed to their sensei. "Thank you for that introduction, Mr. and Ms. Saotome, welcome to Furinkan High School. Despite this being your first day, you, as well as Ms. Tendo, will have to stand fire watch in the hall since you were all late in arriving to class this morning."

"If it wasn't for Kuno, we'd have been on time and wouldn't have to spend time in the freaking hall." Sakura just nodded her head. Akane watched them and became ever the more envious of their "special" relationship.

"I know once you were cursed, you were able to hear each other's thoughts." Akane mentioned biting her lower lip. "Is there a way to teach someone else to be able to read, and project their thoughts?" I am really jealous when you two talk to each other." Sakura watched Akane and saw the pleading in her eyes.

"I believe that I could possibly teach both you and Ranma how to project your thought for me to hear and I can do the same for you guys as well." Sakura thought. "Since I can hear his, it stands to reason that he should be able to hear mine. We just need to work on it." Sakura assured them as they continued fire watch.

"How about this, before our workout this evening we'll all meditate and work on thought projection and reception. Is that okay with you two?" Sakura watched as Ranma and Akane glanced at each other before looking at Sakura. "That would be great." They laughed again when they spoke simultaneously. "I could grow to like this it makes for a better relationship." Akane beamed as the Saotome's looked on. Ranma and Sakura joined in and laughed as well.

********** Nabiki's Classroom **********

"Why is this Ranma Saotome staying at the Tendo Practice Hall?" barked Kuno rubbing his forehead. "My dad and his dad decided Akane's going to marry Ranma. By the way, Sakura is also staying at the dojo." Reminded Nabiki. "Who is this Sakura you speak of?" Kuno asked getting a faraway look in his eyes. Nabiki noticed his change of expression and decided to play around with this one.

"She and Ranma are twins, they are both staying there, and she is currently single and available." Kuno's eyes slightly watered. "I need to meet this Sakura and make her and Akane date me, it would be only right for both of them to be on the arm of Tatewaki Kuno!" exclaimed Kuno disturbing the class. Nabiki caught what he had said, "Don't you think you should ask one of them before assuming both will want to date you."

"Mr. Kuno, since you can't maintain your voice, go stand fire watch in the hall." Kuno sighed as he stood to leave the class. "Remember Kuno dear, Ranma is engaged to Akane, and might not want you to date my sister." Cooed Nabiki. The rage that overcame his face was enough to cause a few of the students to clear a path for Kuno as he left the room at lightning speed.

"Fiancé, this is not possible, no one shall have her hand but Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School! I shall also have Sakura as my mistress to take care of my needs, it is only fair since I will allow her the privilege of dating me soon enough." Kuno intoned with a maniacal expression on his face as he raced down the hallway.

"Do you think Kuno will leave you alone now that I have his attention and he wants to fight me? Ranma asked. Akane thought a moment. "I am not sure, he doesn't usually give up that easily, when he wants something, he usually goes all out to get it." "Define all out." Asked Sakura.

"Never Ranma Saotome!" Yelled Kuno as he started to throw the water in his pail at Ranma and Sakura. Both leaped away from the splash as they yelled back. "What do you think you're doing?!" Ranma and Sakura and Akane all smiled as they heard themselves speaking simultaneously again. "I shall not accept your engagement to Akane. That ripe flower is mine for the picking." As he walked forward, he noticed Sakura landing next to Ranma and his eyes sparkled as he turned on the charm. "You are the virtuous Sakura Saotome, I have heard about, when I am finished dispatching of this ruffian, you shall have the pleasure of going out with me."

It took everything in Sakura not to hurl where she was standing as she heard Kuno speaking. "Why the hell would I want to go out with you, you perverted poor excuse for a man." Sakura screamed as she kicked Kuno in the gonads. Kuno clutched himself as he hit the floor. "She is a spirited one." He thought as he fainted.

"Sakura you know how painful that is." "I know brother dear, I said I wouldn't kick you again, I didn't say a thing about ruining the ability to reproduce in others now did I?" "No sis, you never mentioned that, so I guess it's okay." Ranma looked from Kuno to his sister and noticed she had a satisfied grin on her face.

Akane could only watch as Kuno twitched slightly despite his being unconscious. "I think you may have caused him permanent damage, Sakura. I am not sure he'll find them ever again." "Trust me Akane, they're in there somewhere he'll eventually find them."

Akane watched as some of the student in the Kendo club came out of the classroom and attended to the prone Kuno.

The rest of the school day passed without any major incidents. Most of the students that were male could sympathize with Kuno. Most of them had siblings and knew what it felt like to have their manhood kicked into their throats. The girls were just dumbfounded someone hadn't done that sooner. They knew Kuno was usually an ass, but they never knew anyone that would put him in his place like Sakura and Ranma did.

Once school was complete for the day, Akane, Ranma and Sakura walked away from the school and were talking about what had happened earlier in the day. "Some of the boys, were saying that you really should not have kicked Kuno so hard, he might not be able to have kids, ever." Akane remarked trying to hide her smile. "I heard the same thing, but I let them know when a boy pushes them too far like he did, you can either push back or kick. Either one will get a result, but I picked the one that made my point clear to him." Smiled Sakura.

"Mr. Kuno, have you recovered enough to go home? Asked the nurse as Kuno got dressed. He took a deep breath before trying out his voice. "I hope it's deep like my usual voice and not high like a few seconds ago." "Yes, I am sufficiently recovered. How long are they going to be swollen?" "The swelling should recede by tomorrow morning, just please for the love of God, don't get hit again until they fully recover." Said the nurse as she put her equipment away.

"I will get my revenge on you Ranma Saotome, no one hurts Tatewaki Kuno like you did. As for your sister, I will have her, she will learn to worship my junk, and not kick it, I know she didn't mean it, so I forgive you female Saotome." The nurse shook her head and wondered if she should refer him to a psychiatrist, since he may have had his lower brain hurt with that kick.

The kids returned to the Tendo training hall after a few minutes walking. Sakura turned to Ranma and Akane, "I'll get our meditation session prepared in the training hall." They watched as Sakura skipped up the stairs after leaving her shoes in the foyer. "Does she seem especially happy today, or is it just me? Akane nodded her head. "I was just thinking the same thing, I guess kicking Kuno put her in a good mood." Akane smiled looking at Ranma. "The day she kicked me she did not seem happy afterwards. I was a girl at the time, so I kicked her back and she fell like a ton of bricks." Ranma stated while suppressing the urge to smile. "Ranma, you could have hurt her." Yes, I could have but I feel it was payback time for the times she had kicked me in the past. I at least had a chance to return the favor, and I took it, like she did this morning." Akane watched as he reminisced and cracked a smile before seeing her and changing his expression.

"I am curious, what was her reaction when she got kicked?" "Reaction?! The only action she had was clutching her new nuts and hitting the floor. I laughed my ass off when she realized the pain, she had caused me in the past."

Akane absorbed this as Sakura came back down the stairs dressed for their session. "Get upstairs and change and then meet me in the training hall." Akane and Ranma nodded and headed up the stairs and changed into their workout clothes.

Sakura was setting up a small circle of candles in the training hall. There were three cushions set within the circle. Sakura was sitting on one of the cushions when Akane and Ranma arrived. She indicated each of the cushions and urged them to sit down. "I have no idea how long this is going to take, if necessary, we can do this over a few sessions if it doesn't work all right?" Akane and Ranma shook their heads and muttered, "okay," as they sat down and assumed a lotus position and prepared for the meditation session.

"Do you think this'll work tonight sis?" "I think this will work for you before the night is out, but Akane might take a bit longer." Akane opened her eyes, as she heard Sakura speak. "What did Ranma ask you Sakura?"

"He wanted to know if this will work and he'll be able to hear me, like I hear him." "Oh, cool." Akane smiled. "You also said, it may take a little longer for me to hear both of you right?" "Sakura frowned slightly, but looked at Akane as she said, "Yes, the good things is once we get ourselves situated, we can both teach you to hear us." Sakura smiled as Akane brightened and smiled as well.

Sakura sat quietly for about half an hour and tried to send thought and after thought back and forth to her brother. Ranma was getting frustrated since he didn't seem to be picking up her thought as she was sending them to him. Akane sat nearby and watched patiently as they worked.

Akane could tell when Sakura was able to read Ranma's mind, she usually reacted and for her benefit, she said what he had said out loud. Ranma on the other hand was visibly getting angrier and angrier with each passing minute. "I have never failed to accomplish anything martial arts related I have ever attempted. Why am I having so much trouble with this? She was able to do this the moment she was cursed. What happened when she was cursed that I missed?" Sakura nodded her head as she listened to her brother trying to psych himself up.

"Sakura?" Akane inquired watching Ranma's face turn beet red. Akane could see that he had sweat rolling down his face as he tried to concentrate. Before Sakura could answer her, Genma popped his head into the dojo and had been watching what had been going on.

"Why are you not training? Just sitting around in the dojo like a bunch of cackling hens." Genma paced the floor as he berated the kids.

"Pop, we ARE training! We're working on something that had happened when we were in China." Sakura mentioned. Genma looked from Akane to Sakura and finally to Ranma. "All I see are a bunch of hens, around the table talking. The only thing missing is the tea." Genma laughed as he turned to walk out.

Before he could take a single step, Ranma jumped up and landed in front of his father and yelled in his face. "It's your fucking fault that we're cursed in the first place! If you could have read a single word of Chinese, this would not have happened to us!" Ranma fumed.

Sakura stood and was about to approach when she immediately stopped short. "My god, he is the stupidest man I have ever had the displeasure to know. No one is that fucking dumb, nearly risking our lives, and our genders all because he couldn't' read a fucking pamphlet."

"I know, I feel the same way bro." Ranma stopped his rant when he looked from Genma to Sakura and immediately thought to her, "Thanks for backing me up, sis." Akane watched as her expression changed from concern to surprise. "Oji-Genma, can we please finish this, dinner will be ready soon." Genma again looked around the room before leaving in a huff.

"Sakura?" asked Akane looking from one to the other. "Did he hear you when you just thought something?" Sakura nodded her head and slowly smiled. Holding up a finger to forestall any other questions from Akane, she thought, "Can you hear what I am thinking right now?" Ranma smiled as he thought back, "Yes, I can. How? What happened that now I can hear you?" Sakura thought for a moment. "I think it was your fury at pop for putting us through this that allowed for your mind to open up. It is the only explanation I can think of." Both Saotomes smiled and walked up to Akane.

Despite not hearing a single word they had been exchanging, their optimism and happiness was contagious. Akane couldn't help but to join in and smile with them. "How is it he can now hear you?" Akane asked. Sakura pointed at Ranma and told her, "His anger at our father must have opened up his mind and allowed my thoughts in. I have only heard thoughts since becoming cursed. Therefore, it stands to reason that he should have been able to read my mind to. Well now he can."

"Oh, so anger made him able to hear you. Will it only work while he's angry?" Akane wondered. "I don't know Akane. Ranma are you still angry or are you happy right now." Sakura thought. Ranma maintained his smile as he told her, "I am happy, and can you still hear me?" Sakura nodded her head and Akane watching this, smiled even more as they had unlocked their ability to communicate.

"I can't wait to unlock my ability to hear your thoughts as well Ranma and Sakura. I am aware that I was never cursed, but I hope we can do it. I just find it great that as twins you can be that close. Now in both mind and body." "I hope so too." Was all the Saotomes could say as they echoed each other again.