Fighting Blind v20

by Frequent Reader

Blinded by the Neko Ken training, Ranma is rescued from Genma and raised by the Amazons. Losing one's sight can be a terrible thing, and in Ranma's case, it forces him to see in an Unseen Light. He soon learns that the world doesn't end when it goes dark. Original story by Hung Nguyen with grammatical corrections

6. Akane vs Ranma

These are the words of Hung Nguyen. I just have permission to post them and make it easier to read. Just want to give his stuff the recognition it deserves.

The usual disclaimer is not here right now, so leave a message after the beep.

italics: Thoughts

Chapter 6

Akane Vs Ranma

It was a bright morning in Nerima as Cologne and Pepper awoke in their respective bedrooms. As they got out of bed, their heightened senses of awareness instantly detected sizable amounts of battle auras being emitted from the rear of the building. Both Amazons went to their bedroom windows and leaned out to see what was going on in the empty lot behind the establishment. They both smiled as they watched Ranma and the three girls spar.

Lilac and Perfume were both leaping back and forth as they made thirty-foot leaps, midair flips, and other fantastic acrobatic maneuvers. Perfume was armed with a wooden Bo staff, while Lilac was using a pair of tonfa. Each girl was trying her very best to get the upper hand on her opponent. Dozens of parries, strikes, and thrusts were exchanged between the two of them in mere instants. The sounds of their weapons echoed loudly as they clashed together. On the other side of the lot, Ranma was giving his cousin Shampoo quite a workout. The girl with the purple tresses was using her favorite weapons, the bonbori, which was a pair of round, steel maces. The blind martial artist was armed with his special battle staff.

Cologne and Pepper both nodded as they went to dress up for the day. A few minutes later, the two women were at the lot and were watching on the sidelines. They began assessing the skill levels of the fighters as they darted around the lot like maddened dragonflies.

"They're not going full out." Pepper observed as Lilac ducked under a double-strike from Perfume.

"No." Cologne agreed as Lilac retaliated with a swing to the head. The elder noted that none of the girls or Ranma was breathing hard. "This is just a warm up. I've seen Ranma practice daily with the other Amazons back in the village. The younger generations have improved significantly since he started to train with them. Things should start getting serious right about now."

As if on cue, Ranma suddenly increased his pace and began striking at Shampoo with even more intensity. Shampoo found herself being driven back as Ranma's assault became even harder to counter. Ranma smiled as he reached out with his sixth and seventh senses. He could tell by her breathing that his cousin was getting tired. He could also sense that some holes in her defense were starting to appear. With a deft jab, he poked her in the abdomen.

"Oof!"

"That's one, Cousin." The blind boy stated with a smirk.

Shampoo fought back with renewed determination as she tried a five-hit combination. Ranma deflected each blow with ease. To the untrained eye, it looked as if Shampoo was still on the offensive and in control. To Cologne, however, it was apparent that Shampoo was starting to get careless.

"Shampoo. Don't lose your patience."

Ranma then sensed a slight opening near her left shoulder as she tried a swing toward his head. Ducking under the blow, he brought the front of his staff up and gave a light nudge. The movement was barely a flicker but Shampoo felt it all the same.

"Strike two."

Shampoo then got a bit irritated that she had yet to score a single hit. Even though Ranma wasn't hitting with any considerable force, the fact that he was getting through her defense was reason for her to improve. She tried a double strike with her maces, but Ranma easily dodged the attack and use his staff in a twisting motion to knock her weapons out of her hands. Before she knew it, she was flying though the air as her sparring partner suddenly dropped his weapon and then put her into a judo toss.

"WAAAH!"

Whomp!

Shampoo landed on her back, slightly dazed. When she looked up, she saw Ranma standing above her with one end of his staff lightly pressed up against her throat.

Ranma gave her a small grin as he said, "Strike three, Shampoo. You're out."

Lilac and Perfume took neutral stances as they looked over to where their fallen sister Amazon was.

"Shampoo do better against Ranma than last time." Lilac said with a grin.

"Yes. She last five more seconds." Perfume added with a smug look.

Cologne sighed as she said. "Indeed. However, she still has much to learn about patience."

As Shampoo got up and dusted herself off, she gave Lilac and Perfume a slight frown. "Hmpf! At least Shampoo can last longer against Ranma than you two! Ranma always beats you in fifteen seconds!"

Ranma shook his head bemusedly and kept up his smile. "Now now, girls. Let's not argue. It's all right. You've all improved since we left China. I'm proud of all of you."

All three girls smiled at the compliment as they all headed back to Pepper's Place to prepare for school.

As the three girls and Ranma walked to Furinken High, they decided to make the trip a bit of an exercise in balance training. All four were traversing on a tall fence that was no more than an inch wide. They weren't even using their arms to balance. As they got halfway to their destination, they went into an fast run, with no loss in equilibrium. As they ran, they kept their senses peeled for any sign of Genma Saotome or his friend Soun Tendo. After the ambush yesterday, Cologne had left the girls with explicit instructions to watch Ranma. Even though he did not want to be kept under surveillance, the blind martial artist grudgingly agreed to it. After all, it was very unlikely that Genma would give up on his insane promise to the Tendo clan, and was capable of anything. It was also a safe bet that his friend Soun was just as determined.

As the group approached the school, Ranma suddenly stopped as his sixth sense suddenly picked up a huge surge of ki energies. He then dropped down to the street level, a dozen feet from the front gates of the school and went into a defensive stance. The girls noted Ranma's sudden tension and dropped down to him.

"What wrong, Ranma?" Lilac asked.

Ranma cocked his head to one side and listened. "We're about to get attacked."

"By who? Genma?" Shampoo said as she and the rest of her group also went into battle stances.

"No, not him. Them." Ranma pointed to the front of the school as the yard was suddenly filled with excited boys. Members from the various sports teams and clubs came at them in a huge swarm. Each male student was brandishing a blunt object or some piece of sports gear. As they rushed toward them, they began shouting out... date proposals?

"Lilac! Date with me!"

"Shampoo! I'm yours!"

"Please go out with me Perfume!"

The Amazons were quite shocked to find themselves being attacked by the same group that attacked Akane every day, but they were quick to respond. As the masses began converging on them, they started to retaliate.

Ranma deftly took out five boys with pressure points before they could get within twenty feet of Shampoo. He shouted out to his cousin and friends. "Go easy on these guys! They're not real fighters! I don't know what's going on but don't hurt them too much!"

"No problem!" All three girls said as they began pounding the stuffing out of their admirers.

Approaching the school from another direction, Nabiki and Akane were running toward Furinken. The younger sister was running with a full head of steam as she recalled the events of the previous night.

Last night at the Tendo home...

"Fiance?!" Akane said incredulously. Her hatred of boys came to a fast boil.

Soun smiled as he gestured to his friend sitting beside him. Soun and Genma had more or less recovered from their bout with Ranma and Pepper and were cleaned up. Now they were in the parlor with his daughters as he finished explaining the pledge.

"Yes. He happens to be the son of my dear old friend..."

"Genma Saotome." The fat martial artist made a low bow.

"Saotome?" Nabiki asked with interest. "Your son's name wouldn't happen to be Ranma, would it?"

"Yes! That's him!" Genma nodded. "However, I'm afraid that he had been kidnapped and brainwashed into thinking he's an Amazon! Soun and I risked our lives to get him back, but we failed! Boo hoo hoo!" Genma went into a fountain of tears, which Soun readily joined.

Soun was crying in earnest but to a pair of trained eyes like Nabiki's, Genma act was about as believable as a 'B' movie.

"Oh come on now. You don't expect us to believe this, now do you, Mr. Saotome?"

"Oh my." Kasumi said. The eldest sister was just surprised as her siblings as she began wondering what this Ranma was like. She made a note to ask Nabiki about him, since she and Akane had already met him.

"I hate boys!" Akane said with her usual brand of subtlety. "Dad! You can't expect one of us to marry that arrogant jerk, do you?'

Soun stopped his crying spree and took on a serious expression. "Akane! It is a matter of honor that you marry Ranma and carry on the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts! It's already been decided!"

"What?! Me?!"

Soun took on a solemn look and said. "Yes, Akane. Genma and I have already decided that as the heir to our family's school, you will marry Ranma." He then smiled as he said. "Don't worry, Akane. Once we rescue your fiance, then we can get on with the engagement!"

"I HATE BOYS! I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT!"

Soun turned and smiled at Genma. "You see, Genma? She's very excited about it."

"Yes! The perfect couple!" Genma agreed.

Nabiki groaned a bit as she couldn't believe how dense her father and his friend was. However, this new development only opened up to new possibilities. Ranma had already displayed several impressive skills and having him engaged to the family could prove profitable. She was now more determined than ever to learn all about Ranma.

The present...

Akane had spent the better part of the night screaming at her father and his friend, categorically stating that she would never marry Ranma. As a result, she had not gotten much sleep and neither did anyone else in the house. Consequently, she and her sister Nabiki were late waking up in the morning. They only had a few minutes before the late bell would ring and they were both feeling the effects of the lack of sleep. Now as they neared the school, her temper had begun to rise again and she needed to blow off some steam. Usually she would have been irritated to fight those boys who challenged her every day, but today she was looking forward to pounding some skulls. She was also looking forward to hitting Ranma as well, for his part in all this mess. However, as soon as she got within twenty feet of the front gate, she stopped and stared at the scene before her.

Nabiki also stopped and together, they gaped at the carnage. Akane dropped her bookbag and Nabiki silently swore to herself, as she hadn't gotten to school sooner and set up the betting pools. Ranma and his sister Amazons were standing in the middle of a landscape of bruised, beaten, and battered male students. The fight had not lasted long. It had taken them a mere ten seconds to pulverize more than eighty opponents. The adolescents were scattered about school yard, most of them were unconscious. Surprisingly though, some of the would-be attackers were relatively unscathed as Ranma had taken them out with pressure points. However, the rest were going to need a visit to the nurse's office. Despite Ranma telling the girls to go easy on their assailants, the boys who had attacked the Amazons discovered that the girls were far more formidable than Akane. Even their lightest punches, slaps, and kicks were the equivalent to being hit with sledgehammers. Oh well, such is the way of Amazon life.

"I thought I told you to go easy on them." Ranma sighed.

"Shampoo did go easy on them." Shampoo protested.

"Lilac pull punches too."

"Not our fault males of Japan not as strong as Ranma." Perfume said.

"What happened here?"

The four turned to where Akane and Nabiki were. Ranma had long since sensed their approach. He shrugged and said, "I don't know. We were just minding our own business and then these jerks started attacking us. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that dope Kuno had put them up to this."

"You there! How dare you interfere with my courtship of my Amazon flowers?"

Ranma gave off another sigh, this time of disgust as he turned to face Kuno, who had been standing behind the tree during the entire battle.

"I thought so." Ranma had already sensed his presence when they had arrived. His features furrowed into a visage of irritation. "You put these boys up to this, didn't you?"

Kuno smirked proudly as he replied, "But of course! These cretins thought they could just approach the beauties behind you. The mere concept is unthinkable! Like the lovely Akane, these fair maidens are not meant for the likes of them or someone as lowly as you are! I had therefore decreed that no boy might date with them unless he can defeat them in combat! Only one as great as I may deem himself worthy of that honor! How dare you get involved in their battles?"

Ranma snarled a bit at this pompous jackass. "All right! That's it! I've had enough of your stupidity!" Reaching behind him, he took out his battle staff and made it extend to its usual length. "I'm going to put an end to this nonsense!" Since words aren't doing anything, it looks like I'm going to have to use some visual incentive to get my point across. Much as I hate using force, it looks like this is the only way for these jerks to get the message.

Kuno smiled with confidence as he held up his bokken. "So you think to challenge the mighty Tatewaki Kuno? Very well, miscreant! Come and learn the error of your ways!" Kuno took a pose, as he was certain that his earlier defeats were just flukes. After all, was he not the greatest warrior in the school... no, the world... no, the universe?

Ranma snorted with disdain as he took a ready stance. "Whatever! But WHEN I win, you are going to take back that stupid announcement and leave my sister Amazons alone, got that? I don't give a damn about what you do with Akane. As far as I'm concerned, you can have that ill-mannered tomboy, but keep away from Lilac, Perfume and Shampoo! "

"Hey!" Akane said in displeasure, not liking that reference about her, no matter how accurate that statement was.

The three Amazons became very surprised at the intensity of Ranma's words. They had rarely seen him get so worked up about something. Usually, he was the perfect example of control and discipline. Being raised by Jasmine had shaped his personality. However, they also knew that when Ranma did get upset about something, he was also quite dangerous and woe to anyone who ticked him off.

Another thought also crossed their minds. The fact that Ranma was defending their honor could mean that he... cared for them. All three girls blushed a bit as they began thinking of Ranma as their knight in shining armor. Not that they needed such protection, being proper Amazons, but the thought was nice anyway.

"Very well, lowly one! If by some unlikely miracle that you can defeat me, then I shall allow my warrior flowers to date whomever they please! Although I know that only I am the ones that they have their hearts set on!"

"Shut up and fight!" Ranma moved with blurring speed.

Kuno smirked as he raised his bokken to deliver a slash, but he never got the chance to execute the move as Ranma used his staff to hit several pressure points on Kuno's upper body and legs. His movements were too fast for the eye to see. One microsecond after the duel had started, it was all over. Kuno once again found himself paralyzed in mid-strike but only this time, he felt both shoulders scream out in agony. Kuno clenched his teeth and tried not to scream out. He failed.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!"

The Amazons, Akane, Nabiki, and the crowd who had seen the spectacle winced as they saw Kuno's shoulders slightly distort themselves. Then, like fallen tree branches, his arms slumped down in their rigid positions. An audible popping sound was heard as his arm bones were freed from their sockets. Ranma stood back and took a deep breath.

Nothing like a little pain to make them understand. His sixth and seventh senses registered the increases in heart rates, emotions, and adrenaline of the would-be suitors of the Amazons. Nearly all of them took several steps back. Ranma nodded. I think they got the message.

After taking a few more cleansing breaths, he put away his staff and walked up to Kuno's paralyzed form. The arrogant kendoist found himself unable to utter another sound as his larynx suddenly locked up.

"Let me explain what I just did, Kuno. Not only did I paralyze all your major skeletal muscles, but also the pressure points that I applied to your shoulders had caused them to dislocate themselves. And in case you're wondering why you can't talk, I also used a delayed pressure point to freeze your voice. I sure as heck don't want to listen to your idiocy any more." Ranma then struck a couple of shiatsu points on his shoulders. "There. As soon as the full body paralysis wears off, your shoulders will reset themselves. Mind you, it'll really hurt when they do. However, it will take one full week for you to get your voice back as it was your big mouth that started this lunacy in the first place! I'm sure that the school will appreciate not having to listen to your ranting for a while." Ranma then turned to the crowds and said in a stern voice. "As for the rest of you, you have all witnessed my victory against Kuno. The decree set by him no longer applies to Shampoo, Lilac, and Perfume, and I won't tolerate anyone who treats my sister Amazons with nothing less than respect. If you want to date them, then just ask them. If you wish to challenge them, then you will do so individually and with the proper respect! I will not tolerate any more of Kuno's idiocy, just because he's so dishonorable that he has all of you attack a girl that he can't get a date with! Am I making myself clear?"

The crowds and the boys who were just starting to pick themselves off the ground all nodded their understanding. After seeing their greatest fighter get beaten so easily, the last thing they wanted to do was to get Ranma riled. Ranma nodded as he motioned for the three Amazons toward the school building. As he walked toward the front door, he called back to the throngs. "You can fight Akane all you want, though I can't understand why anyone would want a spoiled brat like her. There are hundreds of pretty girls in the school. I don't know why any guy would follow a stupid rule made up by Kuno to date a violent maniac like her. A guy would have to be blind not to see that." The Unseen Light martial artist smirked at that last bit.

The girls in the crowds gave a loud cheer when Ranma said those words. They also thought that Akane had been getting too much attention and it had been about time that someone had knocked Kuno off his high horse.

The only girl who didn't share their views was of course Akane. As soon as she heard the 'brat' comment, she had almost exploded. How DARE he call her that? Grrrrr. It was bad enough that she found out that she was to be engaged to him, but this... this BOY had the nerve to call her that in front of the whole school! These girls were cheering him on to boot! Well she'd show them! She'd show them all! Her thoughts were dark ones as she and her sister walked to the main school building.

Within a day, Ranma had become the talk of the school, as his stand against Kuno in defense of the Amazons was the main topic. The girls of Furinkan were also enthusiastic about him. Not only was he a hunk but by telling those Akane-chasing boys off, he made many of them realize that the 'beat-Akane-so-you-can-date-her' routine was just plain stupid. After all, they knew that Kuno was not exactly what a person would call sane. So what did that make them for following that rule? As a result, many of the girls had begun to get apologies from a few former Akane challengers for ignoring them. The females of the school were once again getting date offers, but many of them still wished to go out with the one who respected their gender. An Amazon by the name of Ranma Saotome.

As the day went on, Akane's temper had climbed up several notches. It was nothing but Ranma this and Ranma that. Her friends were always whispering about him and it did not do her vanity any good as her popularity began to decline. It was around 3:00 p.m. that she had finally had enough and made a decision. The school had all but forgotten about her and there were even more insinuations that he was a better martial artist than she was. That last comment struck her where she was most sensitive. She had trained and trained and she was proud of her status as a martial artist. No stupid boy was going to take that away from her! As she thought about it, she also considered the fact that her father wanted her to marry him to carry on the dojo. If... no, WHEN she defeated him, then she could show to all that she is second to none and prove to her father that he wasn't worthy to take over the Tendo dojo, thereby canceling the engagement! She could kill two birds with one stone! With that in mind, she stomped off to find him.

Ranma was once again sitting beneath the tree near the baseball field, waiting for the three warrior girls so they could walk home together. He was rather proud of himself at the moment. His little demonstration had been very effective as those who attacked him and the other Amazons had apologized for their behavior and were now politely asking the girls out. Of course, the three still had their hopes on snaring Ranma, but at least the suitors were being gently turned down, instead of being seriously injured. He had also made some new friends among the male students as he had spent a good part of the morning healing those injured in the battle. His training under Jasmine had served him well as a healer as he applied pressure points and a few herbal remedies to ease their pain and speed up their recovery. The school nurse was especially grateful as he took care of much of the workload. He had also been getting more attention from the female students as they had been asking him if he was seeing anyone and requested that he play some more melodies on his flute.

Of course, the one person who did not get the message was Kuno. Even after his body unfroze itself and his shoulders reset themselves, he was still intent on destroying the 'foul sorcerer.' Only black magic could have defeated a noble samurai. The pain that had accompanied his shoulders when they realigned themselves had been excruciating. Even more so as he couldn't scream out due to his paralyzed larynx. As a result, he had tried to exact his revenge on the blind martial artist. So far, he had tried to attack Ranma three times. Unfortunately for him, that was like trying to approach a sophisticated sensor array. Ranma's sixth and seventh sense always gave him enough warning before the insane kendoist could get within fifty feet of him. Ranma would defeat him quickly and efficiently. On these occasions, Ranma realized that just about nothing short of a mortal injury would get the Blue Thunder to use that tiny thing in his head: his brain. Ranma was trained primarily as a healer, so he would not use any lethal techniques unless there was no other option. With that in mind, Ranma settled on just humiliating the kendoist every time he attacked him.

The first time, Kuno tried to cleave his skull in half, but a quick jab of an index finger plus the Advanced Breaking Point, reduced his bokken to sawdust. Kuno found himself in the pool again. The second time around, he thought that he could rush him from the side. That too met with failure as Ranma leapt over the slash and delivered a pressure point attack to his hands, causing them to release his weapon. Kuno's face was then introduced to the school's flagpole. The third attack was by far the most embarrassing for the kendoist. Kuno had tried to leap at him from the top of a storage shed, hoping that the sun would blind his opponent. Sure enough, Ranma did look up. However, a casual flick of his battle staff intercepted Kuno and sent him flying into the girl's locker room. The cries of 'pervert' and 'peeping tom' echoed loudly as the girls pummeled Kuno into the tiled floor.

Ranma shook his head as he thought about the enemy that he had made. He was a very pathetic enemy to be sure, but it seemed that the constant poundings from Akane had made him either highly resistant to pain, or totally brain-dead. Ranma opted for the latter theory. Just as his thoughts turned to Akane, his seventh sense picked up something entering his area. Concentrating his sixth sense, he detected a small amount of ki energy that was mostly unfocused. The battle aura that was being generated was relatively small and without discipline or focus, implying a relatively low level of skill in the art, as compared to him or even the novices of the tribe. Of course, he could detect some considerable potential but Ranma doubted that she could develop it anytime soon. Judging by the angry emotions being directed at him and how her footsteps were too loud, it could only be one person. Using his sharp sense of smell, he confirmed who it was.

"RANMA SAOTOME! I CHALLENGE YOU!" The Tendo girl took a stance.

This announcement caught the attention of all those present. The crowds of students who had been milling about the school grounds stopped in their tracks and turned to where they heard Akane shout out her challenge. This was a first. Akane Tendo, the star of the daily morning battles and confirmed boy-hater, was actually challenging a boy to a fight! The crowds began to converge on the spot near the tree in order to watch. Nabiki and her cronies were among them, taking bets. Today had certainly become interesting.

"Did you hear that?"

"Akane just challenged that new guy!"

"Check it out!"

"Three thousand yen on Akane!"

"Two thousand on Akane!"

"Five thousand on Ranma!"

"Hey! If Ranma wins, then that means that he becomes her boyfriend right?"

Ranma casually got up and leaned against the tree, crossing his arms and not saying a word. Akane took this lack of a response as another slight to her.

"Well?"

Ranma cocked his head slightly to one side and replied, "Well what?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said I challenge you!"

"I heard you the first time." Ranma said with a bored and slightly annoyed tone. "So what?"

"Are you being a coward? Are you refusing my challenge?"

Ranma shrugged, as he said, "No. As an Amazon, I must accept all challenges. However, I don't think you'd be much of a challenge for me. Check that. You wouldn't be a challenge at all."

"What... did... you... say?" Akane's anger began to reach a new high, as her voice became low and deadly.

Ranma shrugged again. "I didn't know that you were hard of hearing. I said-"

"ARRRRGGHHHH!" Akane rushed forward and started swinging.

Ranma, however, had already sensed the attack and deftly dodged it. Before Akane knew it, her outstretched arm was grabbed and she was tossed to the right like a rag doll. She landed on her face on the ground as Ranma casually turned around to face her. He stood in a neutral stance with his hands behind his back.

"A predictable charge." The blind boy said calmly as he waited for the girl to get up.

Akane growled as she rose and tried another punch to his face. This too was easily dodged as her forward momentum put her off balance. A simple leg trip by Ranma and Akane was on her belly again.

"Too easy."

Akane got up again and attacked. A moment later and she was down again.

"Not even child's play."

"Grrr! Hold still!"

Thump!

Akane was pushed into the tree.

"All bark and no bite."

"ARRRGGHHH!"

Whump!

Akane was on her backside.

"Shall I get you a seat cushion?"

"ONE MORE TIME!"

Thump!

Akane was eating bark again.

"All that bark isn't healthy you know. You should eat more rice."

"DIE YOU STUPID BOY!"

Whump!

"This is getting really boring. If you don't have anything new to show me, then you should quit now."

"ARRRRGGGHHH!"

Akane lunged forward, but Ranma was already within her defenses as he extended an arm and casually flicked a finger at the tip of Akane's nose, then stepped out of the path of her haymaker. The youngest daughter of Soun Tendo stepped back and held her nose, which was stinging a bit.

"A novice could have blocked that one, Akane." Ranma said with a casual tone.

"DIE!"

"Not likely." Ranma replied as he once again tripped her.

The fight, if one could call it that, went on for several minutes as Ranma easily danced around Akane's clumsy attacks. By now, Akane had become winded and slightly bruised as Ranma used only enough force to counter her moves. So far, he had only redirected the force of her attacks so that they would make her fall down or cause some minor injury to herself. Whatever hits he made against her were intended more as insults than actual attacks. It had been ridiculously easy as his enhanced senses picked up all of her techniques and analyzed her fighting style. Of course, her martial arts skills were overrated as far as he was concerned.

Meanwhile, Akane had become so angry, that all she could see was a red haze. Ranma was making a mockery of her skills. Not one of her attacks had even come close to hitting him. Her temper finally reached its apex as she shouted out without considering the consequences of her words.

"YOU BASTARD! JERK! PIG! I'LL BEAT YOU! THERE'S NO WAY THAT I'D MARRY A JERK LIKE YOU!"

There was a collective gasp in the crowd as they heard this statement. Ranma however, had been expecting something like this, given yesterday's events. It was then that he made a move. Brushing aside two of Akane's punches like a man who was casually swatting away a couple of flies, he moved forward and...

Whap! Whap!

Akane staggered back and held her cheek. He had not put any considerable force in the blows, but the insult was still there. He... slapped her! Her! Akane Tendo! No one got away with that!

"YOU-"

Whap! Whap!

Another double slap by Ranma, and Akane was again stunned.

Ranma simply stood as he crossed his arms. "What's the matter, Akane? Not used to an opponent who can fight back? What? You were expecting me to just hold still and take your physical and verbal abuse? By the way, would you stop with the name-calling? I feel like I'm talking to a five-year old."

"You are nothing but a stupid boy! All boys are perverts and my father must have been out his mind when he engaged me to you!" Akane spat out as she prepared to attack him again. By now, the crowds had begun whispering to themselves.

"Akane's engaged to Ranma?"

"Oh no! There goes our chance for happiness!"

"Aw! And I was just about to beat her too!"

Ranma's expression became stern as he replied. "Your calling me those names just because I'm a boy does nothing but show your own ignorance. We've only just met yesterday and you're already putting me in the same category as the others? This is stupid and I won't take this any more."

Ranma suddenly blurred forward and used a series of pressure points. Like Kuno, Akane found her body locked up in mid-strike. Akane couldn't believe that she had lost so easily and tried to move. However, she found that she couldn't as she was forced to listen to Ranma.

"I win."

"Cheater!"

"Don't make excuses, Akane." Ranma said simply. "Your defense is lousy, your reflexes are too slow, and your fighting style is way too easy to predict. You wouldn't have even been considered as a novice back in my village."

Akane growled as she tried to lash out at him. Unfortunately for her, it was a futile effort, as her limbs still wouldn't respond.

Ranma shook his head. "Just because you can punch and kick doesn't mean anything. Judging from your performance, you've had maybe three years of training. Four tops and not very intensive. So what if you can beat up those boys every morning? Considering that they have very little to no skill in the martial arts and the fact that Kuno holds back a lot only shows that you've let those little successes go to your head."

Ranma sensed her struggles and sighed in disgust. Akane was nothing more than a spoiled brat. She had been getting away with her behavior and attitude for too long. "Akane, don't even bother. Those pressure points I used will keep you paralyzed for about an hour. Face facts, Akane. I beat you."

Ranma paused for a second as he used his senses on the girl. Finding only loathing and disgust directed against him, Ranma shook his head and turned around. He had his fill of this person as he calmly walked back toward the school.

"Hey! Don't turn your back on me you jerk! We're not finished yet!"

Ranma didn't turn to face her as he replied, "As far as I'm concerned, we're done." He then decided to add one of Cologne's favorite phrases. "You're about a hundred years too early to give me any challenge."

On the sidelines, Nabiki was being bombarded with questions as the crowds tried to get the scoop on how Akane and Ranma were engaged. The middle sister smiled as she began charging them for the information, which would more than make up for the losses on the outcome of the fight. Once she had finished her business transactions, she walked over to where her sister was still frozen. Fortunately for Akane, no one had tried to take advantage of her, although a lowly student named Hikaru Gosunkugi was gleefully taking pictures of her from behind the tree. He especially got excited when an errant gust of wind blew up Akane's skirt for a brief moment. It was then that he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and flinched when he saw Nabiki.

"Okay, Voodoo Spike, hand it over."

"No!" This was probably the only chance he'd have of a picture of Akane's undies.

"Would you like me to reveal to the school board about that messy incident last Friday?"

Voodoo Spike frowned as considered his choice. A moment later, he reluctantly gave Nabiki his camera and went off to sulk.

Nabiki smiled as she mentally made a note to have the film developed. Kuno would pay big bucks for these shots. She then walked over to her sister with a bit of a smug look. Although she did love her sibling, she had been getting a little jealous of all the attention Akane had been getting when Kuno made that decree. As a result, neither she nor the other girls in school had a chance of getting a date. The spoiled little princess had thought that she was the center of the universe. The middle sister smiled as she thought about Ranma. Not only was he not interested in her violent maniac of a sister, but also he did not let Akane get away with her temper tantrums. It also didn't hurt that he was tall, dark, and handsome and was in possession of several unique skills. Just seeing his performance today offered up more opportunities for profit.

Hmmm maybe I should talk to Daddy about this engagement thing.

Near the tree, Akane was still frozen in place as she silently fumed. The students were going to have a field day with this. Ranma beating her would make people assume that she would have to date him. That and the revelation of the engagement only made things worse. She regretted saying that in front of the whole school. However, the most irritating thing about this whole mess was that Ranma had defeated her. She had lost to a boy! It was so humiliating! She was supposed to be the best! She wasn't going to take this, especially from a boy! She'll prove to all that she was the best!

Just you wait, Ranma! I'll beat you! You're going to see what a 'true' martial artist is capable of!

"I know what you're thinking of, Akane." Akane could only move her eyes and saw Nabiki off to her right. "If you think you can beat Ranma, forget it. Judging from what I've seen, you are nowhere near his level in skill, power, or anything to do with the martial arts."

"Who asked you, Nabiki?" Akane retorted angrily. "I'll beat him! You'll see! There's no way that I'm going to let a boy show me up!"

"Now now, Akane. Is that any way to talk about your fiance?"

"HE'S NOT MY FIANCE!"

Nabiki sighed as she waited for the paralysis to wear off.

Near the outskirts of Tokyo, a certain lost boy with a black and gold bandanna was near exhaustion. It had taken him a week to finally find the right route and he smiled in anticipation for his long-awaited revenge.

Ranma Saotome! Prepare to die!

At the end of the day, Ranma and the Amazons returned to Pepper's Place. After completing their homework, the girls decided to go out and see the sights in Tokyo. Ranma declined their offer to go with them. Pepper had decided to show them around and left the running of her establishment to one of her assistant managers. A while later, Ranma was sitting on the roof of the building, seemingly staring at the sunset. That is, if he could see the sunset. A few moments later, his sixth sense, hearing and sense of smell picked up the approach of Cologne.

"You seem troubled." Cologne said as she at down beside him. "Is there anything that you'd like to talk about?"

Ranma was about to say no, then sighed. "It's nothing really important, Elder. I'm just thinking about a few things."

"Please Ranma, you may call me Cologne. I hear that you stood up for the girls at the school today."

Ranma shrugged and gave her a bemused smile. "Well, it's not like they couldn't have stood up for themselves."

"Why did you stop that decree of Kuno's? It would have been impossible for any of those boys to have defeated them anyway."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I had some practical reasons to why I stopped it."

"Such as?"

"Well, for one thing, those boys were nowhere near the skill level of Shampoo, Lilac, or Perfume. Heck! Even with them holding back, those guys still got hurt a lot more seriously than they ever did with Akane. If they did that daily, then well, it wouldn't have been pretty."

"I see. So you were concerned for their welfare."

"Partly that, but I was also concerned for the girls, too."

"Oh?" Cologne became very interested. Ranma was showing concern for her great-granddaughter.

"Yeah. Fighting against those mobs wouldn't have provided them with any challenge and that would cause them to lose their edge. I mean, you've seen Akane Tendo fight, right? She's gotten so used to the morning battles that she's fallen into a pattern. She's had no incentive to improve and her skills have become stagnated. I beat her so easily that it was embarrassing! I don't want Shampoo or the others to become careless and then lose to a weak outsider. I'm sure that they don't want to end up married to an idiot like Kuno."

"Ah. You were thinking of law number forty-three, correct?"

Ranma nodded. "Although our tribal laws may be strange to outsiders, I understand the meaning behind them. I was just making sure that the girls wouldn't get into a situation like that."

"Very thoughtful of you, Ranma. I'm sure that the girls appreciate the gesture but you needn't have bothered."

"Huh?"

Cologne smiled at Ranma's confusion as she explained. "It pleases me that you have taken our laws and customs in your heart. However, since you have only memorized the traditional laws in which Jasmine has taught you, I am not surprised that you are unaware of the revisions to law number forty-three."

"Revisions?"

"Yes. Jasmine only taught you the traditional laws, as she never expected you to leave the village. But you see, about twenty years ago, our tribe had decided to break free from our isolation. To that end, we began sending out our most promising members to study the outside world. Our group is only one of many. We have sent Amazons not only to Japan, but also to Russia, England, Italy, France, and even to America. It didn't take the Council long to realize that the Kiss of Death and Kiss of Marriage would cause conflict with the laws of those foreign lands. After much debate, they had decreed that the Kiss of Marriage and Death would not apply to any female Amazon who happened to be studying abroad as they feel that it would distract her from getting an education."

"So even if they had lost to outsiders, then they wouldn't have been forced to marry or kill them?"

"That is correct. The only time that it would affect an Amazon is if she is formally challenged and that the duel is in the presence of an Elder. In this case, me. And also remember that I will have the final decision on the outcome."

"That's good to know, Cologne." Ranma paused in his thoughts and then posed another question. "Cologne, you said that a female Amazon wouldn't be affected by law number forty-three if she was studying abroad. What about law number forty-four?"

Cologne sighed sadly, as she knew the meaning behind the question. "I'm afraid that it is still in effect. Should an outsider girl defeat you, then you would have to marry her. The Council did not think to revise that rule since males did not have to worry about the Kiss of Death."

"I see." Ranma nodded in thought. "It's a good thing that I beat Akane Tendo then." He shuddered at the thought of being married to such an ill-tempered girl.

"Yes, and I would advise you to keep the knowledge of that law to yourself. If that good-for-nothing father of yours ever learned of it, then it would be a tool to use against you."

Ranma nodded. His father had caused him enough grief and the blind boy wanted nothing more to do with him. Genma wanted the union between the Saotomes and the Tendos. Ranma had sensed it during the ambush. Well, if this was the one pledge he wanted to keep, then that was the one that Ranma would refuse the most! Genma was not going to get away with it! Ranma would NEVER wed a Tendo!

For a long time nothing was said as the two sat in silence. Cologne was enjoying the vibrant colors of the setting sun and wished that Ranma could see them. The blind boy sensed Cologne's pity and decided to change the mood.

"Oh by the way, Cologne. Have you looked into that little matter that I mentioned this morning?"

Snapping back from her inner thoughts, Cologne nodded as she replied. "Yes, I have used some of the contacts that I have in Japan and Pepper had given me the name of a very good private investigator. She has told me to be wary of him, since he is a bit of a pervert. However, he is reputed to be one of the best. If anyone can find your real mother, he will."

The Unseen Light fighter nodded. Other than the fact that he knew his mother's last name to be Saotome, he had no memories of her. The last time he had ever seen her was when he was five. That was the time that Genma had taken him away on his training journey. Less than a year later, he had been subjected to the Neko Ken training and had been condemned to live out the rest of his life in darkness. Ranma's only recollections of the woman who had birthed him were vague and far too distant. He could only visualize in his mind a faint, indistinct image of a kind-looking woman, holding up her laughing son for a photo. He did not know where she lived or even her first name. Genma had prevented all contact between them and never let on to her whereabouts. In fact, aside from the occasional letter that he wrote to her, Ranma would have never known that he had a mother. Of course, Ranma knew that Genma was not an honest person and his past actions would not have been approved. By now, Genma was probably avoiding her until he could regain his son.

"So who is this detective?"

Cologne paused before answering. "His name is Ryo Saeba, but he is better known as City Hunter."

The very next day, as he and the others came to school, Ranma and the girls were surprised to see the usual mob of boys at the front gate. At first they thought they were going to be attacked again, but Ranma sensed that they were not there for combat. Many of them were emitting feelings of sadness and acceptance as the head of the group, a boy from the debating team, stepped forward and addressed the blind martial artist.

"Ranma Saotome. You have won."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"We accept your engagement to Akane Tendo and acknowledge your victory over her. We will no longer fight her."

Ranma blanched at this. "What?! I'm not engaged to anyone, especially not to that brat!"

The Amazons also displayed their displeasure. It was then that Ranma's sixth sense went off and his seventh sense picked up the approach of someone. Ranma jumped forward and dodged the bokken strike as he heard a sickeningly familiar voice.

"NEVER, RANMA SAOTOME!"

Ranma was a bit surprised to hear Kuno's voice as he turned to face off against him. He had thought that he had paralyzed Kuno's larynx for a week. A quick probe of his opponent revealed that someone had used the release points to free up Kuno's vocal cords. Kuno glared at his hated foe with a rage that could burn through lead. He had been forced to see a specialist in shiatsu in order to get his voice back. The only specialist in Nerima was a certain Doctor Tofu Ono.

Flashback...

"My word! Whoever did this to you certainly knew what he was doing." Tofu remarked as he looked over Kuno's throat. A few successive taps to the right nerves and Kuno gasped out.

"ARRRRGGGGHHHH! THAT HURT!"

The young doctor smiled as he asked in a good-natured tone, "Oh really? Where does it hurt?"

Kuno stared dumfounded at the good doctor as he realized that he could speak again. "I can talk! Oh the heavens must surely smile upon me this day!"

It was then that that the door to the clinic opened up and a certain young lady entered.

"Why hello, Doctor Tofu. I hope I'm not disturbing you or anything."

Instantly, the young man's glasses fogged up and he began twitching a bit. "K-K-Kasumi! W-w-what a wonderful surprise!"

"I hope that I'm not interrupting anything."

"Oh no! I-I-I was just playing with Betty here!" Tofu reached out to grab his skeleton, but unfortunately, his aim was a little off. Check that, it was way off as he grabbed Kuno.

"Now see here, my good doctor! I- wait! Wh-what are you- ARGH! STOP! OW! YEOW! HOLD IT! OW! OW! OW!"

End flashback...

"NEVER, RANMA SAOTOME! I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOUR ENGAGEMENT TO AKANE!"

Ranma was more than perturbed as he took out his battle staff and extended it. "Now hold on a second! I'm not engaged to that tomboy!"

"LIAR! RELEASE YOUR HOLD ON HER!"

Ranma sensed Kuno charging and prepared to counter. It was then that his sixth and seventh sense detected the approach of Akane and her sister Nabiki. He also sensed something else approach. This newest arrival had a far greater ki level that all three combined and the emotions it was radiating were ones of depression, anger, and extreme rage. These emotions were directed solely at him. Ranma almost got hit by a slash by Kuno as he used his senses to gauge the power level of this threat. He then frowned as he recognized the ki signature. It was a presence in which he had not felt in three years.

"RANMA SAOTOME! PREPARE TO DIE!"

The blind martial artist leapt up to avoid a figure as it descended from above. At the same time, Ranma used his seventh sense to dodge Kuno's bokken and lashed out with a sidekick. Kuno was sent sprawling as Ranma landed and took a stance, ready to face off against this latest threat.

The figure landed in a crouching position and caused the pavement beneath him to explode. The crowds backed off, just as Akane and her sister came to the front gate. Everyone stood and waited for the smoke to clear up. When the clouds of dust parted, they revealed a boy of around sixteen or so, dressed in brown pants, a yellow, sleeveless shirt, a black and gold headband, and carrying a heavy backpack. He was still crouched down and his arms were holding a massive bamboo umbrella. He gazed at Ranma and smirked, displaying slight fangs.

"I found you, Ranma Saotome."

Ranma gritted his teeth. Things had just gone from bad to worse.

Author's Notes

Well, Ranma has fought Akane and as expected, it was no contest. Akane's world has been forever shattered and now she is more than determined to defeat Ranma and prove her superiority. Of course, she doesn't know about law number forty-four. Genma and Soun will eventually learn of it and that will be their key weapon to try and force Ranma to cooperate with their promise to unite the schools. However, don't expect our master of the Unseen Light to go along with it.

Ranma is actually hitting girls? Well, just remember that the Amazons have raised him and the warrior women expect him to treat them as equals if not superiors. Ranma is also very knowledgeable in their laws and will follow them. The revision to law number forty-three was just to show that the Amazons are not totally inflexible with their ways or customs.

Ryoga is here and for those of you, who have forgotten, Ranma did meet up with the lost boy in Chapter One. Well, I hope this revision has made things go a little more smoothly. For those of you who think that I've gone off the deep end and included Ryo Saeba into this, well I just finished watching the latest OAV of City Hunter and I thought it would really get interesting when he comes across a group of beautiful Amazon girls. And who better to find Ranma's mom than the best detective in Japan?

Please read and review!