Devils Child

by chikane-chan

The devil is sick of Ranma evading him, and he creates a clone of Ranma's girl side to frame him. But things don't go as he planned as the girl breaks away from his control. Ranma gains a sister from the after math, that sticks by his side and there for him and his mother. As well as the usual cast here and there and some other oc's and appearances from some lesser characters.

39. Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Intentions

The next day at school the girls were all gathered as they were gossiping about random things, one of them being a popular drama/romance tv series, that they were gushing on about it as they pulled Ranka into their discussion, talking about things that went on, all excited, then looking over at her for her reply. Ranka sweat dropped and smiled a tad. " Oh, did any of you see that anime? And all the action and fighting!' She said with an excited look on her face. The other girls weren't impressed, some murmured about her being weird.

They changed to a different discussion as they were looking at another magazine and talking about a dress. They expected Ranka not to care, but were impressed when she she was reacting with them about the dress in question.

Ranma was listening to his two friends drone on, but also occasionally shot the "ring leader girl" from the other day, annoyed looks here and there, letting her know, she'd better not pull anything else.

Elsewhere, Ryouga had gone back to his camp out space feeling dejected from having been told to leave, without words, unless those words came from Ranma. He couldn't help but think that as he laid back on his sleeping bag, inside his tent as he pondered over things. He had been told both siblings were in sync with each other and seemed to be able to know what the other was thinking and even further than that. He also couldn't believe how Mrs. Saotome had put him on the spot, though as a man he knew why she had, and even though he didn't act by himself, his body was used and the deeds were done.

He sighed as he blushed at thinking about what had happened between him and Ranka, growing redder the more he thought about it. Luckily for him, having transformed into his cursed form after getting hit, made it like he never had been hit. He started fidgeted with his fingers nervously, while deep in his thoughts. Though it seemed like Ranka didn't want to see or talk to him now, he was intent on doing so, so he could apologize for his actions. Dealing with Ranma was a lot easier, where it wasn't bothering him as badly as how now his relationship, even if it had just been friendship was fractured.

He was in his thoughts for quite awhile, until he realized it was about time for school to let out for the day. He was intent on trying to get to talk to Ranka, regardless of what stood in his way. With his mind made up, he ventured away from his camp site, heading off in the wrong direction.

—

After school Ranka let Ranma know she was going off with Thrista for a bit and to go ahead of her first. Ranma looked annoyed as he watched them go off towards the shopping district. Akane poked him on his cheek, making him jump back. " Get with it Ranma, you were wide open." Ranma grumbled in reply to her. Akane gave him a look. " Don't tell me, you're surprised." Ranma being annoyed, wasn't in the mood for her badgering and gave it back. " Yeah I'm surprised you didn't go running for a chance to not be un cute." That earned him a swipe from her with her book bag, which he avoided.

Thrista was tickled pink that she had gotten Ranka to go with her to the shopping district, as they went off into the department store. Ranka went over to the make up area, as she groaned, going off to where the lipstick was. Thrista smiled brightly at her. " Lipstick huh, I guess you are interested after all." Ranka gave her a dull look as she scanned through the selection. " I don't really care what you think." Thrista laughed some. " Well of course not. That's right do what you want and don't worry what anyone thinks. You want to wear lipstick, you wear it." Ranka grumbled as she scratched at her eyebrow, getting irritated. "I don't want to wear it.." She grabbed one and shoved it off in Thrista's face. " Does it look like the one Saya had?" Thrista eyed it and hmmed and then oohed. " Oh.. why are you getting her a new one?" Ranka sighed and scratched at the back of her head nervously. " You saw how miserable she was and kept carrying on about her fancy lipstick, all day today. It's annoying.. and I don't want to be on her list."

Thrista smiled back. " You don't want to be hated." Ranka rubbed at her arm some. " I don't exactly fit in." Thrista mmhs and hugs up on her. " Don't worry I don't hate you." Ranka yanked her off her. " Don't, do that.." Thrista giggled. " You're just like your sister Ranko."

Shampoo wasn't far as she was coming back from a delivery as she spotted her airen being hugged up on by that pink haired ditz, that she had wanted to take care of before. She tightened her fist as she went into attack mode, not able to hold back her anger as she busted through the wall of the store, right next to door and brandished her bonbori's at the pink haired girl. "Shampoo will kill you, for touching her airen!" Ranka slapped her hand to her face, as a bunch of people ran screaming from the store. "Shampoo, don't do that, she's stupid, okay." Shampoo glared daggers at Thrista as she took a swipe at her with her bonbori. " Alright no kill, but teach her lesson." Thrista was able to barely dodge her attack. " You've got issues!" Ranka tightened her fists. " Enough already okay Shampoo, drop it, I tried to tell her. Instead of killing her or any "kiss of death." why don't you.." Before she could finish, Shampoo picked up on what was said, as she slapped Thrista across the face with a sneer. "I Akane you! Hands off what is Shampoo's!" She hmpfed and left through the hole in the wall, leaving a dazed Thrista standing there. Ranka sighed as she went off to pay for the lipstick, before she came back and shoved Thrista out the front door. " Why don't you listen, when you're told something, huh?" Thrista smiled back still, despite what had happened. " I just get too excited." Ranka used her gem to heal the slap mark from her face. " Well I need to get my butt back home, I'll see you tomorrow at school, if Shampoo doesn't come and kill you before tomorrow." She said with an evil smirk as they split up.

Not too far off Ryouga had wandered far beyond where he had intended to go, as he rubbed at his head confused. " Where's Furikan high?" He kept walking at a fast pace, determined to get there, not noticing as he smacked into someone as he rounded a corner.

Ranka shook her head about, from bouncing back from the impact. Ryouga bowed his head a bunch of times. " Ah, I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention!" Ranka froze up at seeing who it was, her face turning bright red for a second. Ryouga seeing that it was Ranka had a similar reaction, before smiling stupidly at how lucky he was. "Ranka, I really am sorry.." He would've gone on but he noticed she was already gone, as he ran off trying to keep up to where she had bolted off to. He slowed down after awhile and his eyes lit up at spotting her just standing there and staring at what looked like a vacant lot.

He clenched his fists as he knew what he wanted to say and how he'd better say it quick. " Ranka, I'm sorry about everything happened.. in..the.. bathroom." He couldn't help it as his face flushed from remembering. Ranka had her back turned to him, but he could see that she tensed up at hearing what he had said. She still kept her back turned so that she wasn't facing him. "I get that, but I just can't look at you anymore and I.. can't help it.." Ryouga looked dismayed as he tried to plead his case. " It wasn't me.." Ranka sighed as she still kept her back to him. "I'm aware, but I.. I can't look at you the same and I can't.. get it.. off my mind.." Her face was a shade of red.

Ryouga tightened his fist more with determination to fix things. " I'm not thrilled about having to remember what I did either, while the oni had me in it's grasps.. " He perked up some as an idea hit him, though it was risky, but he was willing to go that far if there was a chance it'd help. "Oh! Well when there's bad memories, don't you usually replace them with good ones."

Ranka rubbed at her arm some. " I guess that makes sense.." Ryouga pumped his fist as he figured they were both on the same page. He then took a closer look at the vacant lot that she was starring at intently. "Oh hey, isn't that.. wasn't there a house there?" Ranka nodded as her gaze was stuck on where the house of lies, had used to be, not taking notice that Ryouga had moved next to her. He got up the nerve as he got up close to her, closing in as he went in for the kiss. She snapped out of her locked on state on the vacant lot, trying to jump back, only for that to cause friction as they whacked their heads into each other, before she fell back on the ground. Then Ryouga fell gently, so he landed on top of her, with them ending up in an accidental kiss, as his lips met hers.

Her eyes went all wide and her face ten shades of red, before she got flustered, with a mix of frustration, as she shoved him away. She jumped up and back, making upset noises. Ryouga got back up on his feet as he realized. " Aaah, what did I do?!" He lamented his determination, right now as he waved his hands about. " I swear, it was an accident! Please.. don't tell Ranma about this.."

Ranka had an upset look on her face, as well as bright red. " You know, I can't hide anything from him.. Even if I don't.. if he wants to find to find out, he will, so.. stop putting me in the middle!" She bolted off down the street in a blur, only being able to deal with so much.

—

After she got back, which she made sure to not be late getting back, she was greeted by her mother, who was on her way out to the store. Ranma looked annoyed as he had just come back downstairs. "So, what took you so long?" Ranka sweat dropped as she looked troubled. "I owed Thrista okay, so I had to tag along with her a bit, then of course she went too far and.. Shampoo saw and went ballistic.."

At hearing how Shampoo had gotten involved, he stopped with any further questioning as he went to go have some of the snacks that his mother had left out for them, as he started in on one of the sandwiches. "Well at least Ryouga wasn't involved." Ranka froze up at hearing that, on her way to go upstairs, luckily having her back to him. She was on the same page with Ryouga, not wanting Ranma to find out, what had happened, or to at least keep it hidden for as long as possible. Ranma sweat dropped between sandwiches. " Aren't you going to have some?"

The last thing she had on her mind was eating, from the event that had un folded, as she resumed heading upstairs. " I'm not feeling that great, so no, I'm going to go take a nap." She disappeared upstairs to her room, not waiting for an answer as she shut her door behind her, while she got changed out from her school uniform, leaving her in a tank top and shorts. She flopped down into her bed, crawling under her covers as she curled up, holding onto her red gem as she sighed heavily. It was too much, now with what had happened with Ryouga, made all the other things that much heavier for her to bear, especially trying to keep what had just happened secret. She conveyed her woes to her gem, that lit up as it listened, as they communicated back and forth through the mind. She teared up some as she curled up more into a ball. ( "It's.. too much..)

Her gem lit up back and forth as she communicated with her other self, the old "her" ( "If it's too much, let me handle it.") Ranka gripped her gem tighter as she nodded, letting a tear roll down her cheek, as she let go of her hold, her tear falling onto her gem as she shut her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

—-

Later on after getting back from the store Nodoka saw her son sitting on the couch playing one of his video games, but looking around she didn't see her daughter. " Ranma, where's your sister?" Ranma kept playing his game as he replied. " She went to go take a nap." Nodoka felt a bit relieved to hear she was there, though still a bit worried as she started putting away the shopping.

Her worries were put to ease after a while when Ranka appeared in the kitchen and joined her as they prepared dinner together. Nodoka took notice she had her hair down and was very intent on her tasks. Once done with dealing with the food, without being asked, she set up the table.

Dinner went by, as did clean up and family time as they sat and watched tv together. Nodoka took further notice that while her daughter didn't seem like she was depressed, she seemed indifferent. The usual show her and brother liked, she didn't seem too interested. After the show she sent her children upstairs for the night, reminding them they'd better make sure their homework is all done.

Once they were upstairs they set up at the ground table in Ranka's room to work on the homework. Ranma was too annoyed to focus as he had tried more than once to link up with sister earlier and had gotten nothing, as he slapped his hand down on the table. " What gives Ranka, why are you blocking me?!" Ranka gave him a blank look back, before she went back to working on her homework. "I'm allowed, aren't I.." She said flatly and coldly as she kept working. Ranma looked a bit taken back at the tone and attitude he had gotten, as he grumbled. " If your mad, spit it out!" Ranka kept working. " I'm not, but apparently you seem to be."

Ranma gave her a look, as he realized she was acting like she had used to, also sensing how things seemed off with her, as well as the fact he couldn't link up with her. "Alright, spit it out, why the hell won't you let me link up?" Ranka set her pencil down, having finished her homework, as she started to put it away, looking a little nervous. Ranma furrowed his brows. " Are you really Ranka?" Ranka curled her lip some. "Who else would I be?" Ranma gave her a glare with his arms crossed. " If you are then we should be able to link up.." Ranka groaned as she rubbed at her head with one of her fingers, knowing she couldn't in her current state and the jig was up. "Fine whatever, you got me. I guess you could say I'm Onna." Ranma blinked a few times before getting angry. " What the hell does that mean? Where's Ranka?"

Onna rubbed at the back of her head sheepishly, before she put her hand to the red gem on her necklace. " She's here." Ranma slapped both is hands down on the table in anger. " Well get her back!" Onna shook her head back and forth. "I can't, unless she wants to switch back, as she allowed me to switch in the first place." Ranma gritted his teeth as he tried to keep his anger in check. "Can I talk to her?" Onna shook her head again. "I'm afraid not." Ranma was starting to loose his patience again as he ruffled up his hair with his hands. " Can, YOU talk to her?" Onna shook her head again. " I can't." Ranma was about to loose it. " Oh yeah, well you seem to talk a lot, but now suddenly you can't." Onna started to look annoyed. " Right.. well I"m not the one in charge."

Ranma got up and started towards the door. " Yeah well I think mom should know what's going on." Onna sweat dropped with a stern look on her face. " Well if you want to upset her, then go right ahead." Ranma huffed as he crossed his arms as he walked back and sat down extra annoyed, he was finding what he was hearing hard to believe, feeling like she was lying. "Ya whatever, so WHY can't I link up?" He said with a stern look on his face.

Onna had her hand to her face looking very annoyed. " Because I'm before all of that." Ranma had heard enough as he got up with his things. " Whatever." He took his leave as he shut the door behind him, going off to his own room to do his homework.

—

The morning send off went by as usual, as they walked off to school. Ranma was still very fed up, but had a plan up his sleeve as he led his sister towards Doctor Tofu's. Once they were close enough he grabbed her by her hand and dragged her off inside, before she could put up a fight. Doctor Tofu caught sight of the two siblings and greeted them. " It's been awhile Ranma, how is everything?" Ranma looked annoyed as he greeted him back. " Well I was hoping you could help with something, that Ranka's gone and done to herself.. could you look at her?" Ranka looked more annoyed than he did. Doctor Tofu laughed nervously at feeling the tension from both siblings. " Sure, follow me."

Once they were in a back room, he had Ranka had a seat. " What seems to be the problem?" Ranma had his arms crossed. " Ranka switched places with her gem, basically.." Doctor Tofu's eyes lit up in astonishment. " Extraordinary." Ranma bristled at hearing that. " It is not! Can't you do something about it?" Doctor Tofu had his arms crossed. " Can I? I'm not a miracle worker Ranma." Onna huffed at the whole ordeal of being examined by the doctors eyes. "I told him, it can't be forced, this is pointless and stupid."

Doctor Tofu seemed to be in deep thought for a few minutes before he came out of it. " Ranma, I'll have to do some research on this phenomenon, before I can tell if there's any way to help. Why don't you two stop by after school, I may know something by then." Ranma sighed as he was hoping the doctor would've been able to fix things right then and there. " Yeah okay." Onna had a dull look on her face as she got up from where she was sitting. " I told you so."

After leaving the clinic they went off to school, being lucky enough to have missed Kuno and were able to make it to class just in time. The day went by fairly quickly, which was a good thing as Ranma couldn't wait to get back to the clinic, hoping that Doctor Tofu would have good news.

When school was over for the day, Akane made her move as she was able to get Ranma to go talk with her, as she was concerned with his whole mood during the school day, as well as Ranka's. " What's going on Ranma? You and Ranka seem really " off" today." Ranma huffed as he crossed his arms. " Maybe that's because she used a magic trick to switch places with her gem.." Akane gasped as she put her hand to her mouth. " How is that, even possible? That would explain why she's not acting exactly like herself. Though she looks like herself and mainly acts the same, just pretty cold and stand off ish, kind of like how she was when we first met her." Ranma sighed. " Bingo. Well I dragged her over to Doctor Tofu's this morning and I gotta do it again, since he needed some time to research." Akane got a serious look on her face. " I'm coming too." Ranma couldn't help but poke fun at her as he smirked a tad. " Yeah right you just want to see Doctor Tofu, don't ya?" Akane huffed at him. " I'm over him, no I just, I want the same as you do and I'm sure Doctor Tofu will have an answer."

Ranma sighed. " Yeah okay, let's go."

—

As they got back to the clinic again, Doctor Tofu greeted them and had everyone follow him to a room again, leaving Ranka in one and having Ranma and Akane come with him to his office, telling them to have a seat, which they did. " I was able to research this, it is a bit hard to explain though." Akane chirped with excitement. " I'm sure you can do something Doctor Tofu." Doctor Tofu rubbed at the back of his head nervously. " I'm glad you think so highly of me, but as I've said before I'm not a miracle worker. To put it in simple terms, the phenomenon when two people can switch their minds or "being". An example would be say you and Ranma were to switch minds, while your body remains the same, your self within is that of a different person. Like when a ghost possess's someone else body." He cleared his throat as he continued on. " Now I'm sure you have questions, the biggest one being, why would Ranka do this. During my research it stated individuals under too much distress, turn to drastic measures such as "this."

Akane looked concerned as did Ranma. " What do you think did it, Doctor Tofu?" Doctor Tofu hmmed as he rubbed at his chin in thought. " I can't really say for certain." Though he had a good idea, that he would keep to himself as it was sensitive matters. "That being said, is there a a way to force her consciousness out, from where she has retreated to, it is possible but not proven. If you could some how shock her back with an extreme event, something that would shake her to the core."

Akane grimaced a bit. " That sounds really extreme.." Ranma tightened his fist. " Alright I knew you could help Doctor Tofu, okay I'll make sure to do all that." He started laughing. Akane sweat dropped not wanting to know what he had in mind for his sister. "Thank you so much for your help Doctor Tofu."

After leaving the clinic, Akane departed, leaving the two siblings alone. It had been quiet, aside from Akane saying good bye to them. Onna was quite annoyed at having been dragged back to the clinic, while Ranma was racking his brains, trying to figure out what had drove Ranka to resort to what she had done. After a few minutes of doing so, a light bulb came on as he realized it must have had something to do with Ryouga and what he had pulled. He furrowed his brows as he heard his rival.

Ryouga tensed up as he happened to cross paths with them, as he was trying to find his camping site from where he had ended up, after getting a soda from a vending machine. "Ahaha Ranka, I uh.." He started to laugh nervously. Ranka just gave him a blank look, which made him sweat more, though he noted she wasn't reacting at all, like she had the last few times. "Are uh.. you mad at me?" Ranma quirked an eyebrow at him. " Why, what'd ya do?" Ryouga yelled as he noticed Ranma was there as well. " Aah, Ranma.." Ranma gave his rival a stern look as he grabbed him up by the collar of his shirt. " What did you do huh, P-chan?" Ryouga aahed. " Why? Did.. Ranka tell you something else?" Ranma glared at him. " No, but "something" must've happened, since she went and switched places with her gem. So spit it out! What did you do or say to her!?" Ryouga slapped his rivals hands off from his shirt as he blinked. " You're saying.. that's not Ranka? Are you sure?"

Ranma grumbled at having been thwarted. "Ah yeah I am, so you'd better tell me, what the hell you did! It wasn't just the oni crap, was it?" Ryouga started to act a bit flustered as he twiddled his fingers. " It was an honest accident." Ranma glared daggers at him as he started to crack his knuckles. " Was it now? Then you'd better fix it." He shoved him off towards Onna.

Ryouga aahed all nervously as he put his brakes on. " I really am sorry.." Onna had a dull look on her face. " Okay." Ryouga sweat dropped, feeling a bit confused. " Really? Just like that?" He then went back over to Ranma. " There, it's fixed." Ranma gave him an annoyed glare. " I'll tell ya when it is." He got more annoyed as he would have to deal with the fact that he'd have to allow Ryouga to do something he didn't want him to do, like repeat what the oni had done while it had possessed him, but if it was enough to shake Ranka to the core, it'd be worth it. He tightened his fist, before he pushed Ryouga back over to where his sister was. " I told you to fix it man, so do whatever you did before."

Ryouga shuddered at having Ranma watching, but that there didn't seem to be a way around it, as he gulped and made it look accidental, though it did actually turn into one as he stumbled from a pot hole in the road, which made him stumble more as he started to fall, only for him to smack up against Ranka, which put them up against a stone wall on the side of the road. With him pressing into her, as well as falling how he had before, accidentally locking lips with her, having both of them pressed up against the wall and each other. Onna looked a tad annoyed, but it was her gem who was angry as it sparked, she shut her eyes and when she opened them again her demeanor changed as Ranka had switched back, looking flustered and furious at the same time, as she shoved him away, then in a frustrated state, slugging him with her fist, right in his face as she yelled.

Ryouga had a dumb smile on his face, as he fell back onto the ground, having been ko ed. Ranma had a pumped fist, excited to see that it had worked and also at the fact that he had gotten punched for it. His excitement turned to a stern look as he crossed his arms, showing his sister he was not happy at what she had done. "What the hell, Ranka.."

Ranka tensed up as she could sense how angry her sibling was with her, and even though he hadn't known, he still knew and she knew that as she hung her head sheepishly. Though she was also annoyed at having been forcefully brought back. Ranma looked more angry as he kept his arms crossed. " Why, did you do that?" While he was angry, he also tried his best to remain calm enough that he didn't explode. "Why didn't you talk to me?" Ranka slumped her shoulders, as she rubbed at her wrist a bit nervous. Ranma sighed heavily. " I was really upset when I realized you weren't "you." I was close to telling mom too, but.. I didn't, but she would've been upset as hell.." Ranka bit her lip, at realizing what her brash action had caused. "I'm sorry.. I wasn't thinking.." Ranma huffed as he gave her a small whack to her head. " Damn right ya weren't!" He looked more annoyed as he held his hand out. " Give me that stupid necklace, since you can't be trusted with it."

Ranka pouted. " Fine, when we get back I will.."

A figure that lurked in the shadows, smirked at the opportunity that was suddenly being presented, as they melted back into them.

—

Upon getting back, she kept good on it as she took it off as she handed it off to him, before going off upstairs to get changed. While she knew she had other gems, she knew it was best to leave it as it was and take her punishment. By instinct she griped at her chest with her hand, where her gem would've been, if she still had her necklace. She couldn't help but feel naked without it. She sighed heavily before she went off back downstairs.

The evening went by as it usually did, Nodoka also took notice that while Ranka seemed a bit down, she seemed much different from how she was the other day, but now how she seemed so lost, also taking notice that she wasn't wearing her gem necklace.

She was interrupted from her observation as the phone rang, upon picking it up she furrowed her eyebrows as she hung up after getting the information and letting her children know it was a demon hunting job, which sent everyone off to get ready as fast as they could.

Once they were all ready, they took their leave from the house, going off to the destination, which was a near by park. Ranma stayed out of it, as he staked out, up in a tree to keep watch on his mother and sister. Nodoka was making short work of the group of demons, leaving her back side open for attack, to which Alley appeared from the shadows with her own blade ready to hit her from behind. She would've if Ranka hadn't intercepted her move as her blade, clashed with Alley's.

Ivory had been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, which was just presented to her as she came out from the shadows with her own blade, appearing behind Ranka as she pierced her poisoned blade through her back as she sneered at her. "That'll teach you to leave yourself wide open." She then pulled it out from her flesh forcefully as she retrieved it with a fanged smirk. Nodoka's eyes went wide as she finished off the rest of her attackers, rushing over as fast as lightning as she blocked Alley from attacking further, clashing her blade with hers with fury in her eyes.

Ranma's faced paled at what he was seeing, as he tried to steel himself to go and help, but the katana's had him frozen in place. He tightened his fist as he realized he had put his sister in danger. To push himself through his fear, he punched himself in his face, then he felt a burning sensation from his pocket, as he reached in, seeing a bright red light. His eyes widened at seeing he had kept the necklace on him and not put it away some place yet.

Ranka dropped her sword as she fell to her knee's, covering her mouth as she coughed up some blood, before falling to the ground. Nodoka looked horrified as she kept up her defense against the she- devil. Alley kept up her attack against her as she sneered at her, before she addressed Ranka. " If you come quietly, I'm sure the master will heal you, as that's some rather nasty poison that Ivy struck you with, as well as your open wound." Nodoka took the chance, while she was preoccupied, un locking her blade as she swung it back and sliced her head clean off.

Ranma had jumped down from the tree, trying to run over to where they were as fast as he could to get the gem back to Ranka. Ivory went to try to block his path, or would've if she had noticed a furious Nodoka, had beat her to it, as she sliced through her with her blade, cutting her into two, as her head and arms disconnected from her legs as she fell to the ground. Which let Ranma get over to where Ranka was, as he slumped to the ground at seeing the state she was in, figuring out that the demons had known she was defenseless and set this trap up. He took her hand, putting the necklace in it, begging her to be alright.

The gem lit up brighter as it enveloped her in it's red light as it worked it's magic. Nodoka sheathed her katana, before she ran over and knelt beside her, with tears in her eyes as she prayed to kami that her daughter would pull through as she retrieved her daughters katana, sheathing it as well. She couldn't help but question her son, as it was obvious Ranka didn't have her gem necklace on her, or it would've protected her. Both waited in anguish, for her to show she was still breathing. After a few minutes, Nodoka heard her daughter groan, making her tear up as she pulled her up into her arms as she cradled her in her hold as she hugged her close. " Oh Ranka, thank the gods you're alive.." The gem allowed it as it had healed the wound. Nodoka took care of the gem necklace, as she picked it up and fastened it back into place on her daughters neck.

Ivory laughed from where her upper half of her body laid at hearing Nodoka. "But for how long." Nodoka glared daggers as she laid Ranka down gently, before she got up, stalking over to where she laid, as she un sheathed her katana, bringing it down in a swift strike as it shattered Ivory's purple gem into pieces, without mercy. " Stay the hell away from MY daughter demon!" She then sheathed her katana once again, as she went back to tending to Ranka, as she picked her up in the same hold again gently. " Let's go home." Ranma followed after his mother feeling sheepish, for his actions.

—

After getting back home, Nodoka carried Ranka upstairs to the bathroom, where she attended to her, taking off her bloody shirt and undressing her as she checked her body for any wounds. She gasped at seeing where she had been pierced with the sword it had started to turn purple around that area. She grew nervous, seeing that she had to try to get her daughter to wake up, as she gave her a slight shake. " Ranka dear, please.. wake up." She pleaded with her for a few minutes, before her eyes glossed over from the tears, at seeing her daughter open her eyes some what. " Oh, Ranka.. you had me so.." She choked up, as she tried to calm herself down, as she helped her off to her room. " Are you sure you're alright dear? Those demons.. said they poisoned you.."

Ranka nodded in reply, having shut her eyes again. Nodoka panicked some. " I'll be back dear." She left the room all upset, as she went off to the bathroom to clean herself up before going back downstairs.

Back in her room, Ranka put her hand to her red gem necklace as she communicated with it, asking for help to give her enough strength. The gem lit up brightly in response, doing so, so she was able to steel herself out from bed, fighting through the poison enough to make it to where she had stored the hell flower's nectar. She popped open the vile as she took a sip from it, before ugh ing, and sputtering with her tongue at the taste. Then she made sure to close it back up and put it away, before staggering back to her bed, where she flopped down.

Ranma was in his own thoughts, till his mother snapped him out of it. Nodoka repeated herself. " Ranma, I'd like an explanation on what happened, when you can." Ranma hung his head, knowing he should just get it over with. "She did something with the gem that I didn't like.. so I.. didn't want her having it for awhile, anyways.." Nodoka had a concerned look on her face, knowing she was guilty of having done the same before. "Don't blame yourself dear, you meant well."

He sighed with his head down still down. " I'm gonna go take a bath and stay with Ranka tonight." Nodoka smiled a bit. " Of course, but I will not go easy on you if you fight with her, alright" Ranma sweat dropped and nodded in reply, before he went off upstairs to take a bath. Nodoka came up shortly after she had made up some rice balls and tea for Ranka, as she went into her room,setting the tray down on the desk. "Ranka dear, I brought you a snack." She went about to checking her temperture with her hand to her forehead, feeling it was pretty warm. " Needless to say I don't think you'll be going to school tomorrow." She then went about to checking her back side, where she had seen the purple, to her relief the purple spot was much smaller, almost gone it seemed.

Ranka had her eyes open some, as she pushed herself to sit up in bed. " Thanks.. mom, I'm sorry I worried you.." Nodoka shook her head back and forth. "Don't be, it wasn't on purpose, but you know what will make me happy." Ranka sighed at seeing her mother had brought the tray over to the bed, setting it down with an anxious look. She took a rice ball and started working on that slowly. Nodoka decided she would try to get answers from both sides. " Ranka dear, why weren't you wearing your gem, like you always are.." Ranka coughed on the piece of rice ball she had in her mouth at hearing that, having to drink some tea to recover. " Ah.. well, I made Ranma mad with it.. so I gave it up for a bit.." Nodoka sighed heavily. " We are ALL going to have a talk about this matter, very soon, alright." Ranka sweat dropped and nodded. Nodoka smiled as she gave her a gentle hug. " No fighting tonight with Ranma, alright." She said good night as she left the room.

Shortly after she had left, Ranma-chan came in looking sheepish, before bowing in apology. " I'm really sorry Ranka, for.. almost getting you killed, by taking your gem away.." She then gave her sister a quick tight hug, looking flustered after. " I'm glad you're okay." She then went back to looking upset. " You are okay, right?" Ranka looked a bit flustered as well, as she smiled a tad. " Apology accepted. Yeah.." She had managed to move the tray back to the desk, before she laid back down with the cool, damp wash cloth on her head, that her mother had left for her.

Ranma-chan looked anxious. "You're not just bs ing me, are ya?" Ranka sighed a bit. " I'm not bs ing you. You can have the rest of the rice balls if you want." Ranma- chan took her up on her offer as she had one, before taking a seat in the desk chair, with a frustrated look. " Listen, I promise I won't do what I did again, if you promise not to do what ya did before.. unless it's an emergency." Ranka sighed again. " Okay.. I promise I won't unless it is."

Ranma-chan had her arms crossed as she nodded, content with that answer, before she looked concern. " Still.. why did you do that, Ranka?" Ranka played with her gem on her necklace absent mindedly. " You could just look." Ranma-chan grumbled and ruffled her hair up some. " Sure ya I could, but like I've said before.. I'd rather you just tell me, even if, I don't like it.. It's because of that crap Ryouga pulled, isn't it?" Ranka tensed up a bit, getting frustrated. " It was a lot of crap that he pulled.." Ranma at hearing that, knew she had to beat the crap out of Ryouga big time.

She continued on as she fidgeted with her fingers. " I really am sorry, I had no idea that demon wench would.." She tightened her fists at remembering. Ranka could sense that her sibling was feeling troubled, as she sat up in bed, taking off the wash cloth for a bit. " I know, so stop blaming yourself, I didn't think about it either, but now we do know, they'll stoop that low. They likely have more ears and eyes about then we think they do. It was an opportunity and they took it."

Ranma-chan grumbled as she leaned back some in the chair. "It sounded like.. they didn't think you'd make it.." Ranka nodded. " Well they were hoping the poison they hit with me, would get them their way, as they aren't yet aware that I got the hell flowers. Which I'm sure they'll figure out soon." Ranma-chan rubbed at her head looking a tad annoyed. " Speaking of that.. I'm pretty sure you're going to have ta tell mom about what happened." Ranka sighed heavily. " Yeah I know.. she's going to kill me.." She muttered under her breath, before laying back down, putting the damp wash cloth back on her head, still fairly feverish.

Ranma-chan rubbed at her chin in thought. "Yeah but no more than usual, but with that water thing, she might kill you." Ranka pouted as she tensed up, getting emotional. " It's not like I did what I did purposely.. " Ranma-chan furrowed her brows at her sternly. " Isn't it, though?" Ranka groaned. " No.. I just, I do stupid things.. and I keep learning new tricks with magic for the gem." She then perked up some at remembering the other new one. " Like how I can use it, to make water hot." Ranma-chan got a bit wide eyed at hearing that. " Yeah? Well do that and not that other one." She then got a serious look. " Because I hate that other one.." She said referring to how she had switched with gem.

Ranka looked thoughtful at seeing how bothered Ranma was about the whole thing, not quite understanding the disdain. Ranma-chan was able to guess what she was going to say. " Don't say that was still you, because it wasn't, got it!" Ranka smiled a tad. " Yeah yeah, I get it." Ranma-chan huffed. " You'd better." She then dropped her serious ness, as it turned back to concern. " Do ya need that colder?" She said referring to the wash cloth.

Ranka smiled some. " Nah I'm good, but I'll let you know if I do." Ranma-chan rubbed at the back of her head. " You sure you're okay?" Ranka nodded. " Just a bit of a fever, which should get better by tomorrow some time." Ranma-chan looked a bit less worried at hearing that. " You'd better, I mean bad enough, well ya know Akane and the others will likely come visit tomorrow since you won't be at school tomorrow, or me for that matter." Ranka grumbled at hearing that. " Yay.."

—-

After awhile she got up despite fussing from her sibling, to go get ready for bed, being sure to take it slow an easy. When she got back she had changed into a t-shirt and shorts, as she laid back down, sitting up with the refreshed wash cloth on her head. Ranma-chan couldn't fuss, since her sister had taken care not to over do it.

Ranka played with her gem. " Didn't.. what Ryouga did, bother you?" Ranma-chan furrowed her brows as she griped her manga she was reading some. " Yeah, it was gross." Ranka looked off the other way. " Yeah, but that's what a lot of boys, like to do." Ranma-chan put her manga down looking annoyed. " Why do you say that?" Ranka sweat dropped, still looking off the other way. " Well, it's all over in the magazines and a lot of the girls in our class, are always going on about that kind of stuff." It was Ranma-chan's turn to sweat drop at hearing that. " Well.. there are a lot of perverted guys.." She said with a grossed out look on her face, as she was able to think of a lot of them. "Is that ALL they talk about?" She said as she referred to the girls in their class.

Ranka nodded. " A lot of them do yeah." Ranma-chan furrowed her brow, looking a bit worried. " Does Akane?" Ranka shook her head. " Nah." Ranma-chan breathed a sigh of relief, before she went back to reading her manga. They chatted a bit more before saying good night and settling in for the night.

Nodoka made sure to wake them both up in the morning, as she checked up on Ranka and woke up Ranma, as they went off downstairs, where Nodoka had prepared breakfast. After she finished her meal, she addressed her other daughter. " Normally I would still have you go to school, but as I will be out for awhile, I will allow you to stay home from school and look after your sister. She's still not completely better."

Ranma-chan finished eating her breakfast as she nodded. She thought about asking her mother where she was going, but thought better of it, not wanting to get on her bad side. Nodoka smiled as she got up from the table, as she went to tidy up, before she got ready to leave on her errand. Ranma-chan didn't question things as she went back upstairs, after cleaning up, to sleep a bit more.

Not too much later Ranka got up, which woke Ranma-chan up. When Ranka got back to the room, Ranma-chan had gone and gotten her a tray of breakfast. "Mom went out and told me I'm in charge. So ya better eat some breakfast." Ranka grumbled some as she did so, just enough, focusing more on the rice, before setting the tray aside and lying back with a refreshed cool, but damp wash cloth on her head, still having a bit of a fever.

Ranma-chan seemed really antsy from her spot on her bed, not able to calm her nerves. Ranka could sense that. " I told you, I'm fine." Ranma-chan hahed. " You don't look it." Ranka countered back. " And I told you before, it's a bit of a fever, it'll go away later on today." Ranma-chan shot back. " You don't know that! Like I said before, "they" seemed to think otherwise." Ranka sighed. " It was a bluff, to get their way." Ranma-chan had her head down as she mumbled on about things to herself. Ranka groaned to herself, knowing what she had to do next. " If we went to doctor Tofu's would that make you feel better?" Ranma-chan looked up. " Yeah, it would" She got a little less worried at hearing that. " So, you'll go?" Ranka nodded back. " Yeah, just give me an hour to rest."

—

Not much later, true to her word they went off to doctor Tofu's clinic, making sure to leave a note for their mother, just in case she got back before they did. Doctor Tofu was surprised to see the two sibling and during school hours. He couldn't help but joke around about it. " Hey you two aren't skipping school, are you?" Ranma-chan shook her head. " No, I was wondering if ya'd look at Ranka." Ranka had a dull look on her face, not thrilled at being there. Doctor Tofu nodded and took them off to a room, as he wasn't currently busy, as he had them take seats. " What seems to be the problem today?" Ranma-chan was about to say what, but Ranka cut her off. " Ranma's worried about my fever, which I said would go away later on today." Ranma-chan looked annoyed. " Yeah well it doesn't seem to be and you forgot to add you got poisoned." Ranka looked annoyed back. " Which I took an antidote for." Doctor Tofu looked nervous as he smiled as the twins argued back and forth. " Now now, you two. Let me see here." He checked Ranka out, doing a few medical checks, and having her take her temperature, before writing down a few things on his clip board. " It is a very low fever and likely will go away by tomorrow, but she still shouldn't be out an about with one."

Ranka quirked an eyebrow at Ranma-chan, who looked off the other way sheepishly. Doctor Tofu then got some medicine and gave it to them. " If it flares up, take this. They thanked him for his time before they headed straight back to the house after.

Upon getting back to the house and seeing their mother wasn't back still, Ranka made sure to get rid of the note, before they went back upstairs. She huffed as she flopped down on the bed. " Feel better now?" Ranma-chan scratched at her head looking embarrassed. " Yeah, I do. Okay already, I get it, I should've just listened to ya.." Ranka nodded. " Should've, but at least we got back before mom did."

Ranma-chan looked flustered as she squirmed. " I just.." Ranka held her hand up, knowing what she was trying to say, knowing she was worried about how she had almost died. " I kept warning you and mom and everyone, how bad things would get.. " She tightened her fist as she looked down. " You heard him, his demands and his threats if he didn't get his way.. You also heard how, he said I wouldn't meet the same fate as mom did with the poison, it's not his intent to kill me. But mom she's really angered him.. "

Ranma-chan crossed her arms with an annoyed look on her face. " Oh yeah I heard the big baby. I don't care what he has to say, he's NOT getting his way!" Ranka sighed but also smiled a bit at her siblings teniousity she lay back to relax with the wash cloth on her head again. Ranma-chan cooled down some as she switched to a different topic. " So what do you think mom's doing?" Ranka hmmed. " She could be shopping or up to something else." Ranma-chan hmmed while she was getting a manga to read.

—

Off at school the whole day Akane had been annoyed at seeing that both Ranma and Ranka were absent from school, putting her in a foul mood. Once school let out for the day she was intent on going and getting answers. Not too far off outside Kuno was ranting a loud to himself about how he felt since Ranma was also absent, that he must be doing terrible things to keep his goddess away from him. Akane didn't let him finish as she took her anger out on him, sending him off into orbit.

Ukyou whistled at the performance. "Boy did you tell him off, what's got you so upset huh Akane? Is it because Ranma and Ranka haven't come to school today?" Akane huffed as she felt a bit calmer. " It's weird, right?" Sayuri piped in. " Are you thinking of visiting Ranka?" Thrista then popped up into the conversation. " Ooh we should ALL go visit her." That got them all in agreement to, which left Akane with no choice but to let them all tag along with her, since it was two against one in her case. She was intent on finding out why neither of them had come to school today, also with her worry about how she had found out before about how Ranka had switched places with her gem, wondering if that was the reason why.

Not too much later they all arrived at the Saotome's house, being let in by a surprised Nodoka, soon after she had gotten back from her errands. She smiled as she greeted everyone and called upstairs to let Ranka know Akane and her friends had come to visit.

At hearing that Ranma-chan looked nervous, but before she could sneak out it was too late as everyone poured into the room, with Akane being the ring leader. Ranka got swarmed by the others, with Thrista stopping a minute as she took notice of Ranko, as she smiled and waved at her. " Hey there Ranko, it's good to see you again." Ranma-chan had a nervous smile on she laughed some. " Yeah uh, same to you." Ukyou almost said Ranma, but caught herself.

The girls fussed back and forth a bit, going on about things. Ukyou noted the time and got frazzled. " Dang I'd better get back." She said her goodbye's as she left the room. Sayuri also pulled herself away, knowing she needed to get home as well. Thrista realized the same but not before giving Ranka a piece of her mind. " I'd better see you at school tomorrow, or I'll come and get you." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Don't threaten me.." Thrista giggled at her before waving to her and Ranko. " I guess Ranma's busy again huh." This made Ranma-chan freeze up some. Thrista then went off on her way, which left Akane.

Seeing that she had her chance to be alone with them, she shut the door, as she crossed her arms. " So you two want to tell me WHY you weren't at school today?" Ranma-chan sweat dropped not wanting to get Akane's wrath. " Why don't you ask Ranka." Akane diverted her attention to her. " Well?" Ranka wrinkled up her nose at her twin. " Gee thanks a bunch." Akane got up close and in her face. " WELL?!" Ranma-chan in the mean while, managed to sneak out from the room, as she ran off. Ranka had an unamused look on her face as she sighed, knowing "the steel trap" wouldn't let go. " I got poisoned okay, but took an antidote and just dealing with a little fever. Before you get upset about "that", Ranma already nagged me and we went and saw Doctor Tofu and I'll be feeling fine by tomorrow, okay."

Akane looked a bit more relieved but still pressed Ranka for answers she had, as her look changed to a concern one. " Is it true, that you went and switched places with your gem?" Ranka bit her lip as she looked off the other way a bit nervously. " It is.." Akane started to get upset again. " Why, would you do that?" Ranka sighed heavily. " I didn't mean to, or think.." She got frustrated as scratched at her head. " I just, do stupid things at times okay! " Her face started to flush from her embarrassment, but she also became annoyed. " I mean, you should get it, you do stupid things things too." It was Akane's turn to feel embarrassed as she face flushed but she was also frustrated. " I DO NOT!" Ranka was smart enough to have her defense barrier up, so that when Akane lashed out, she slapped the barrier. Ranka sweat dropped as she gave her a dull look. " Do too.. you just did it.."

Akane was all fired up now as she shot back. " Well I don't runaway, like a coward!" Ranka hmpfed as she took offense but also hung her head as she griped the sheets on her bed with her hands. " Yeah well.. you don't know how hard it is.. but then you wouldn't since you're not a clone. It's harder because I didn't know at first.. so yeah I.. ran away, you got me Akane, you happy now!" Akane looked upset but still angry as she was still fired up. " No, because.." Ranka cut her off as she finished for her. " Oh right because you aren't getting your way, getting to slap me across the face. Listen if your just going to fight with me, then leave. You'll get yourself in a lot of trouble with my mother." She sweat dropped. " Actually.. if she's heard any yelling between us.. it's not a good thing, so calm your ass down or leave."

Akane tightened her fist as she sat down at the desk chair, as she hung her head for a second before raising it looking very upset, on the verge of crying. " I'm mad because of what you did.." Ranka rubbed at the back of her head sheepishly. " I get that, I know.. that now. I didn't think, I'm sorry. Don't worry, Ranma already got on me for it and I've promised I won't do it anymore, unless it's an emergency.." Akane sniffled as she wiped her eyes, feeling better at hearing that, yet still annoyed. " I know you don't think it was anything for anyone to get upset about it, but even though it was your body, it wasn't "you"" Ranka couldn't quit understand but tried her best to. " I don't completely agree though, as my gem is part of me, maybe not the part that is as likeable, I guess, but it has my blood."

Akane had a serious look on her face. " Is it because of Ryouga, that you did that?" Ranka tried to hide her frustration, but her face was already flushed, which made Akane light up with a big smug smirk on her face. " It is, isn't it, you like him." Ranka got all flustered. "Says you, though you like P-chan waayy more." Akane looked confused for a second. " What does that have to do with Ryouga?" Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her, before she laid back, feeling a bit more feverish, likely brought on by Akane stressing her out.

Akane took notice as her look changed to concern. " I thought you said you'd start feeling better.." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Yeah, till you started a boxing match with me.." Akane bit her lip as she caught herself from shooting back, instead as she hung her head. " I'm sorry.." She grabbed the wash cloth and ran out from the room, coming back with it refreshed, as she put it on her forehead.

Ranka gave her an frustrated look. " You should be.." Akane pouted as she tried to hold her tears back. " I really am.. I.. you're just as important to me as Ranma is.." Ranka sighed heavily as she waved her hand about. " Calm down, I'll be fine." Akane nodded but couldn't push back the tears. Ranka sat up in bed again, as she could sympathize with Akane about girls things, like getting too emotional. " Hey now, breath in and breath out." She directed her to the box of tissues, before she laid back down.

Akane took the offer as she blew her nose and cleaned herself up, as well as taking her advice to try to calm down. Ranma's girl side, meant a lot to her and it was hard for her to admit, how much, as that was how she first met Ranma as a girl and liked both sides. While Ranka was Ranma's other side, and she could be at times very much like him, she also was a bit more understanding. Once she had calmed herself down she excused herself as she went off downstairs.

—

Upon getting downstairs, she was met with an upset Nodoka, which made her a bit nervous. Nodoka had heard some arguing and was less than happy about that. " Akane dear, I hope that you and Ranka weren't fighting, she's in no condition to be fighting.." Akane shifted about nervously in front of her gaze. "I um.." She thanked her for having her as a guest and how she needed to get back, as she took her leave hastily. Nodoka didn't like the over all feel of things, as she went off upstairs to check on Ranka.

Nodoka had her hands on her hips. " Please don't tell me you and Akane we're fighting, while you're not feeling well.." Ranka sweat dropped as she tensed up. "Ah.." Nodoka sighed heavily as she checked her daughters temperature again, looking sternly at her. " Get some more rest, I expect you to eat a good dinner." She said before she took her leave from the room, going back downstairs.

Ranma-chan finished watered the plants outside, as she came back in to see how annoyed her mother was. Nodoka shook her head in dismay as she gave her son/daughter a look. " Oh honestly Ranma dear, why didn't you stay and monitor Akane with your sister? Now she's gone and gotten herself feeling worse, fighting with Akane.."

Ranma-chan sweat dropped as she grimaced at hearing that. "Akane does what she want's.. and well.." Nodoka sighed as she could tell what she was going to say. " Neither of you, can't not fight with Akane, can you?" Ranma-chan shuffled her feet about with a cute, poutie look on her face. Nodoka shook her head, with her arms crossed. Ranma-chan looked pensive for a moment, but interrupted by her mother, who had a some what stern look on her face. " Let your sister rest a bit more, as I expect her to have dinner." With that she went off into the kitchen to start working on dinner, while Ranma-chan went off upstairs to go take a hot bath, doing well to heed her mothers stern warning.

—

Not that much later after being called down, Ranka did well to join everyone for dinner, though if she had her choice she would've opted out, but that wasn't an option. Though she was enjoying the soup the most. When everyone was finished and things picked up, that's when Nodoka made her move as she had her hands folded together, as they were all sitting at the table. "Now then, I would like an explanation for what happened the other day with you, Ranka dear." Ranka gehed, at seeing her mothers sights set on her. " You know mother, I'm feeling faint." She said as she tried to use girly mannerisms that would make her mother happy and maybe to her advantage, to try to avoid getting in trouble.

Nodoka was impressed but more intent on getting answers, as she gave her daughter a stern look. Ranma tried not to laugh, at what his sister had tried to pull. Ranka groaned at seeing it hadn't worked out the way she was hoping it would've, as she clenched her fingers into the legs of her pj pants, as she hung her head looking remorseful. " I.. switched places with my gem.."

A look of shock crossed Nodoka face at hearing that, before turning into frustration. Ranka bit her lip nervously as she rubbed at her wrist with her hand. " I'm sorry.." Ranma scratched at his head, looking thoughtful. " She won't do it again, unless it's an emergency." Nodoka furrowed her brow. " I would sincerely hope not. I see now, what happened. Both siblings let out a sigh of relief. Nodoka made sure to check Ranka's temperature by putting her hand to her forehead, feeling a bit of relief, at how it was minimal, but frowned a bit. " Had you not fought with Akane, you'd be all better by now." Ranka pouted at being constantly reminded of that fact.

While Nodoka was happy she was feeling much better and she had, had her talk with both her children, she still had to punish them. Though as other times when the crime is barely much, she would be lenient. Though to them it was still a punishment, having to watch really romantic movies and it bothered them both greatly, more than usual. After it was over, with much nagging from Nodoka she got Ranka to go take a bath with her, while Ranma enjoyed some video game time.

Nodoka dotted on her daughter as they bonded during their bath, as she washed her back for her, she couldn't help but poke her about her discontentment for the movie. "Ranka dear, did you perhaps not like the movie, because of the incident with Ryouga?" That made her flinch as she tried not to get flustered about it, which turned to annoyance. "Of course not, I don't like him, like "that.." Nodoka put her hand to her mouth as she giggled knowingly at her daughter. "Now now, don't get yourself all worked up, you're still not completely over your fever." Ranka grumbled in reply. " Then maybe you shouldn't have nominated him.." Nodoka smiled back. " I had to, you'll understand that one day."

After they were done with their bath and getting ready for bed, she sent Ranka off to bed, then letting Ranma know it was time for bed. Not too much later all the lights were out and everyone was asleep for the night, well most of it.

A bit later on in the night both siblings woke up from similar scenario nightmares, with Ryouga and their being kissed by him, with both being able to tell the other had. Ranka flopped back in her bed, planting her face, face first into her pillow as she groaned. On Ranma's end he was more angry, as punched at his pillow in his room, cursing Ryouga for giving him such a messed up nightmare.

—

Their alarms blared on for a bit, which prompted Nodoka to go and investigate at not seeing her children up and at from them, with her taking on that role. Once she got them up and at, to where they were dressed and at the table having breakfast. She couldn't help but question why. " Is there a reason why you two didn't get up on time?" Ranka set her chopsticks down after finishing, with an annoyed look on her face. " There is, it's that evil movies fault, it gave me a horrible nightmare.." Ranma slammed his empty bowl of rice down on the table. " Yeah it really is, that stupid movies fault.." Nodoka gasped at her children's brash remarks as she admonished them. " Ranma! Ranka! That is quite enough, so early in the morning.."

Ranka grumbled. " Well, you did ask.." Ranma nodded in agreement. Before anymore could be said, it was time to go, as they got their school things together and departed after saying goodbye to their mother.

They hadn't gotten that far, but far away enough from the house as an object was hurled at them, more specifically, targeted at Ranka. Between the two of them, Ranma was a bit more alert from dealing with the nightmare, as he was more angry about it and sensed the danger as he spotted the crepe truck, as he made a mad dash, taking Ranka down with him as they tumbled to the ground out of the way of the immediate impact. Ranka's gem sensed the danger as it put up the defense barrier around them, as the crepe truck that slammed into the brick wall, exploded. Ranma and Ranka looked on wide eyed in alarm.

Ivory cursed under her breath as she stepped forward with her fists clenched. " Dammit, just stay put and let me beat the hell out of YOU!" Her eyes flashed red as her gem lit up brightly with it's purple light as she stalked towards them, more specifically she was intent on Ranka. Both siblings scrambled up from the ground as they reposed themselves. Ivory huffed and puffed. " That's fine I'll just get some more ammo." She had as usual made sure she had a magical barrier up, so normal eyes would be none the wiser and used her magic to clean it up after.

Ranka glared daggers at her. " What went up your butt, huh?" Ivory growled as her eyes flashed red again. "That vile woman you call mother, did! " Ranma had his arms crossed as he rolled his eyes at her. "Hey, you're the she-devil here, don't blame her." Ranka could see the immense and heavy anger aura around Ivory, and had in mind what her mother had done, as it was talked about before. She sighed. " Did you not think your parents wouldn't be brought into it as well?" Ivory screamed at her. " SHUT UP! "She" had NO right to do that!" Ranma blinked. " What did mom do?" Ranka looked over at Ivory. " She told her parents on her, basically." Ranma whistled in reply to that.

Ivory growled as she bristled in anger. " That damned demon hunter, did more than that!" Ranka gave her a stern look as she stood her ground. " Better her than the devil, don't you think? Or do you think they would like to be demons?" Ivory aahed in disbelief. " Onna! You're a damned hypocrite you know that!? You're a worse demon than I am!" Ranka looked irritated. "And your a dumb ass and I don't have time for it." Ivory kept running her mouth as she ranted on, which Ranka had no patience for today, as she curled her lip. She didn't like to use magic attacks too often, but this seemed the fastest way to loose her, as she communicated with the gem, reciting her teleportation spell in her mind, the symbol appearing under neath her as she continued to rant, before it lit up and transported her away in a blink of an eye, out to the woods, in the air above the raging river, which she dropped down into.

Ranma whistled again, at his sisters handy work. " Where'd you send her? Back to hell?" He said jokingly. Ranka yawned, before she replied back. " Nah just out in the woods." They then kicked it into gear, as they ran the rest of the way to school, having already been on the late side of things.

—

At school and getting into their classroom, they were both crowded by their classmates, who were eager to see the siblings we're back. Once it calmed down a bit, it was mainly Ranma's friends ragging on him about missing a day of school. Thrista greeted Ranka with a big smile. " Good you came, or I would've come to get you." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " You'd be sorry if you did.." Ukyou laughed some. " Good to see you're feeling better." Ranka nodded in reply. Sayuri and Akane pouted how Ukyou had beat them to saying it, but they both still said it. A few minutes later most of the class had gone off their seats.

Ranka dug out the bag with the lipstick, as she went over to Saya's desk, aka "ring leader". Saya looked annoyed at seeing her, yet still greeted her. Ranka shoved the bag off to her. Saya looked surprised as she took the lipstick out from the bag, before giving her an odd look. " I didn't think you liked makeup." Ranka huffed with her arms crossed. " Not as much as YOU, obviously and I just wanted to make amends. Do be sure to put it away, if you don't want to get in trouble." She then got a cold and dark look on her face. " But if you piss me off again, I'll kick your ass next time." She then hmpfed and went back to her desk, leaving Saya in a state of shock, as she dropped the lipstick from being so taken back, before she snapped out of it and grabbed it off from the floor.

A bunch of the girls were murmuring amongst themselves, while the guys were impressed, both sides snickering about how "the ring leader" had been put in her place.

Ukyou smiled at her. " Well you sure put "her" in her place." Ranka smiled back at her, before the teacher came into the classroom, announcing class was about to begin. While he was starting to go on about things, Ranka sighed to herself, knowing what she just did, she wouldn't say her mother would've been too thrilled. While on the other hand she tried to make nice and also tried to be polite, she did also threaten her with violence.

Soon it was time for lunch, as the group had decided to eat up on top of the roof top. Thrista shared her bento box with everyone, having as usual made enough for everyone to share. Sayuri was pointing out things in her bento box that she had made for Ranka to help her stay healthy. Akane couldn't help but be a tad jealous.

Though later on in the day she wasn't as she had gotten to partner with Ranka in cooking class. One of those things that she couldn't easily do with Ranma and when Ranka was in a good mood, she didn't insult her cooking as badly as he did. She couldn't help but question her as she knew, her and Ranma were in sync, as she twiddled her fingers, while they prepped for making the apple pie recipe. " Do you think Ranma will like it?" Ranka was reading through the instructions. " As long as make it so it taste's decent, otherwise.. you'll kill his stomach." Akane looked a bit annoyed as she started chopping at the apple. " He's going to eat it and he's going to like it." Ranka gave her a dull look on her face as she shook her head at her. " Do you hear yourself? Like I said if you follow the instructions and it comes out decent you won't have to force him and you shouldn't at all.."

Akane hmpfed as she kept working, before giving her partner a wry smile. " So, are you going to make Ryouga eat yours then?" It was Ranka's turn to hmpf with a frustrated look. " Nope no pie for him.." Akane hmmed with a smile on her face. " Oh cmon you know you want to give it to him." Ranka slammed her fist down on the counter, bright red in the face. " No, I don't! Now shut up about it, already…" Akane giggled as she went back to chopping, which was pretty messy.

Before they knew it, the pies were done, with Akane's face all lit up at seeing how it didn't look horrible. Though while it didn't look as bad as her other cooking attempts, it was still not in perfect shape. She hummed while they cleaned up their cooking station, as she couldn't wait to give a piece to Ranma. A bit more time before they were able to pack up their pies, as they had cooled off enough to. Akane started to walk off with hers, only to get yanked on, making her turn about with an annoyed look on her face.

Ranka was finishing packaging up her own pie, so it was sealed up enough to go in her book bag. " You should go out the back way, unless you want Kuno senpai to take your pie?" Akane shuddered at the thought and dropped her annoyance as she nodded and followed after Ranka, as they went out the back door instead of the front, taking a bit more time to get over to where Ranma was. Akane got excited at seeing him, as she held the pie out to him. "Look at what I made." Ranma couldn't help to by instinct grimace at hearing she had cooked, though he knew she was doing better when his sister was monitoring her cooking. He could see her anticipation in her eyes, as he sighed and took the pie from her, as well as the fork, as he cut himself a piece, which he popped into his mouth.

While it wasn't god awful, it was over powering as he tried not to gag on the over powerment of the cinnamon and how the pie crust, while it wasn't burnt, it was close enough to it as it was quite crunchy. He had definitely had worse though. " Hey, it's not bad." Akane beamed with a bright smile on her face, before she took the rest of the pie back. "I'm sharing the rest with everyone at home." She said her good bye's as she she took her leave, as she rushed off home to share the rest of it with her family.

Ranma looked over at his sister as they walked a way's from the school. " So you made a pie too?" Ranka nodded. " Yep, I'm bringing it home." Ranma looked annoyed. " Oh yeah, none for Ryouga huh." Ranka got all frustrated. " No way.." They stopped short as they both sensed an incoming object, as they jumped out of the way to avoid it, though not knowing what that item was, they weren't prepared for the fact that it was a water tower. The impact of the thrown water tower, smashing into the brick wall, exploding a huge wave of water that washed over them, soaking both of them as well as knocking them off their feet.

Ivory cackled as she stepped forward, pleased with her handy work. "Did you enjoy MY pay back for this morning.." Ranma now a she, shook her head about furiously as she tried to dry off some. " Why you…" Ranka pushed her soaked bangs out of her face as she glared daggers at her. " I didn't throw a water tower at you.. that's for sure.." Ivory mocked her with a fanged smirk. " Go on then, I dare YOU, pay me back the same way." She said in a challenging tone, wanting to see if she'd take the bait, as she was under the impression that she had the same super strength as her, as she too was a she-devil in her mind. Ranka gave her a questionable look. " I'm not she-hulk, like YOU."

Ivory laughed at her again. " You're such a damned liar." She pointed her finger at her. " Listen and listen good Onna, spare that horrible demon hunter woman some anguish by coming along quietly, as the gloves have been taken off and the master will no longer hold back in his conquest to retrieve you, that woman has made her decision by her crimes!" Ranka gave her a cold glare. "Were you or for that matter "him" not listening before? The amazon's claimed me." Ivory argued back. " A trivial thing, once you give up the infected arm."

Ranma-chan had been communicating with Ranka, while Ivory was running her mouth, and gave her a wink to signal for them to attack her, with the same technique, as Ranma made the moves, with her sister following suit as they both finished. Ivory gave them weird looks as she noticed they seemed to be dancing around her. " What are you trying to pull?" Both then lifted their arms up into the air as upper cuts. " Hiryu Shoten ha!" Ivory screamed as she was lifted up the tremendous blast of tornado like air, sending her flying sky high. Ranka used her gem to put up her defense barrier as the wind from their double synced attack was quite fierce. Ranma-chan was all amped up about it. "That was awesome!" She rubbed at her nose with a smug smirk on her face. " Well it wasn't no water tower but still, hey, maybe we could both try to give her that water tower back." Ranka scratched at her head un sure. " I know you're strong, but.. she's on a different level.." She grumbled as she messed with her wet hair, though the wind from the attack had dried them off a lot. The attack finally fizzled out, but not without some more damage, to the already broken wall.

—

Not too far off Nodoka was making her way back from the store and had eyes watching her from the shadows. She spotted her two children, who seemed like they looked a bit wet, as she waved her hand to get their attention as she greeted them. The demon dashed out from the shadows in a blur as it dashed towards Nodoka with a sword drawn. Ranka's gem lit up, as she sensed it, taking action as she grabbed her smaller katana from it's hilt, under her skirt as she rushed forward and blocked the attacker with her defense barrier getting the clash from his blade, while she went through the motions with the sword, for purification, which had the demon reeling in pain, before she stabbed him in his heart, then retrieving her sword as she yanked it out, with his body disappearing afterwards. Nodoka was too over come with pride as she clasped her hands together. " That's my girl." Ranka then sheathed back the sword, back under her skirt, into it's hilt on her leg. "Mom, you just got attacked.." Ranma-chan rubbed at her head, agreeing with her sister, how now was not the time for their mother to be marveling, when she had just been attacked.

Ranka made sure that they were all under the defense barrier as they walked back home. Nodoka shook her head at her children. " Why on earth are you two wet?" Ranka sighed as they walked, she didn't really want to say, while on the other hand Ranma-chan blurted it out. " It was that damn demon wench.. she threw a water tower at us.. heh but we got her back good." Nodoka looked startled for a moment. " A.. water tower.. " Ranka sighed again. " Yep.. she's extremely pissed off, because you told her parents.." Nodoka had a stern look on her face as they entered the house. " It was my civic duty to do so."

They resumed their conversation after Ranka had gone and taken a warm shower and changed into a casual outfit, before going back downstairs with her wet school uniform, that her mother took from her, going off to the laundry room, before coming back. Ranka had her hair down as she took a seat on the couch as she rubbed at the back of her neck nervously. "Ivory she's intent on making you suffer.. though she offered some relief, if I were to go along quietly.." Nodoka scrunched up her nose as she sat down on the couch next to the daughter, grabbing her with her hands on both sides of her face with a stern look. " I will suffer then, YOU will do NO such thing Ranka, do you understand me." Ranka's eyes widened some as she tensed up and nodded, to which Nodoka let go of her hold on her face with her hands. Ranka was still upset to hear her mother would suffer for her, rather than not suffer half as badly if she just let her go.

She tightened her fist with an upset look on her face. " They could try to kill you with poison again or worse.." Nodoka smiled as she took her hands into hers. " You are worth all the dangers to me Ranka and being a demon hunter, I know the risks. Allow your mother to be selfish in her wants." Ranka sighed as she hung her head at her mothers stubborn ness.

Ranma had taken his hot shower and gotten changed as he came back downstairs, having heard some of the conversation, at hearing Ranka talking like she was going to go back, causing him to slam his fist to the wall angry. " What the hell Ranka?!" Nodoka looked a bit startled at her son's sudden out burst. Ranka looked up annoyed. " It would've been for mom's sake, but.. she's against it and would rather suffer, okay.. " Nodoka sweat dropped at the dent in the wall that her son had made. " Please Ranma, calm down, we have resolved things, and I'm going to make us all up a nice little snack." She got up and went off to the kitchen to do so.

Ranma sat down on the couch looking annoyed with his arms crossed, but calmer at hearing about food. Not wanting to upset his mother more, they discussed things telepathically. (" So what you lied to me?") Ranka was playing with her gem necklace, while they talked ( " It was more.. I presented that idea to her. I didn't lie, I've kept my promise, but I don't want mom getting hurt anymore.. Do you want to see her suffer?") Ranma looked more annoyed as they went back and forth. ( " Of course not, but she knows what she's doing and she's going to do it anyways.") Ranka sighed with her hand to her face. ( " I get that now, so lay off..") Ranma had plenty more he wanted to say, but didn't want to fight with her as he hmpfed.

Ranka crossed her arms as she got up and went off outside to the porch to go sit by herself. She was tempted to switch places with her gem again, since she could retreat easier than going and sitting on the roof top, but knew better than to do so again, she had after all promised not to.

Shampoo happened to have just finished her delivery across the street and at spotting Ranka, jumped over into the yard as she threw herself around her. " Aiya, Shampoo so lucky to see airen, have delivery right here." Ranka yelped in surprise at being glomped onto. " Ah Shampoo.." She gave her a dull look. " You sure about that? You sure you didn't just set it up like that?" Shampoo giggled back as she cuddled up against her. " Is sure, is real delivery, I just realize when I see you, where." She then took notice of how annoyed she looked. " Is okay, Ranka?" Ranka scratched at her face some, looking frustrated. " Why do you have to be so smart.." Shampoo just smiled back as she un latched herself from her, sitting down next to her. " You tell Shampoo, before she get angry." Ranka sweat dropped as she hung her head. " My mom went and told Ivory's parents she's a she-devil, she beyond furious and has vowed to make her suffer. She presented a deal to lessen the suffering.. if I went back without resistance.. I don't want my mother getting hurt anymore.. but she'd rather hurt for me.."

Shampoo grabbed Ranka into a hug, as she pressed her face into her chest, which made her all frazzled and frustrated as she yanked herself out from her hold. Shampoo looked frustrated back. " Shampoo try to help, with hug." Ranka caught her breath, her face bright red. " That" does NOT help.." Shampoo gave her a sterner look. " I get you worry about your mother, but that no work." Ranka kicked her foot at the ground. " I guess you're mad too.." Shampoo gave her a slight smack to her face. " That right, Shampoo is mad, no be stupid like that. Mother do what mother do." Ranka sighed as she shuffled her foot about. " Yeah I know that now, I just don't want her to keep getting hurt for me.. " Shampoo shook her head back and forth. " No can stop that woman, she do what she wants." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her. " Oh, like you?" Shampoo giggled. " That right." She laid her head on her shoulder. " Shampoo get you care about mother, but you belong to Shampoo!" She said with a sterner look, that made Ranka gulp. " You remember that, kay." She smiled as she got up and waved. " Shampoo still have deliveries, or she say hi to Ranma and mother." She then disappeared in a blur. Ranka sighed heavily at how scary amazons were.

Once she heard her mother calling, she went back inside and joined everyone at the table for snack time. Nodoka could tell their was tensions between her children, as she finished her cucumber/strawberry sandwich, knowing she had to break it as she addressed things. " Ranma dear, don't be angry with Ranka, she was worried and not thinking with her brain, but her heart. She's promised she won't think like that again." Ranka nodded sheepishly as she finished her snack. Ranma grumbled as he kept eating. Nodoka smiled as she changed the subject. " How was school?" Ranma was too busy eating. Ranka sweat dropped as she remembered the pie. " Oh yeah, we made apple pies in home ec." Nodoka clasped her hands together. " Oh, let's see it or did you give it Ryouga by chance?" She said with a smirk. Ranma started gagging on his food, prompting him to drink his water. Ranka looked frazzled as she slapped her hands down on the table. " No way!" Nodoka gave her a disapproving look. " Ranka.. honestly you're just as bad your brother is sometimes.." She cleared her throat. " What did you do with the pie then? Perhaps you gave it to that Kuno boy?" Ranka almost fell out of her chair, but she caught herself. " Ugh.. no.. I.. brought it home for all of us to have together.." Nodoka smiled. " That's sweet but a shame, you should've shared it with a boy you like." Ranka huffed as she got up from the table. " I don't like any boys.." She excused herself as she went off upstairs to retrieve the pie from the book bag, seeing that it had stayed safely wrapped up.

She came back downstairs and set it down on the table, ignoring what her mother had said. " It.. probably got messed up some." Ranma tried to go for it to have some, only to get a slap to his hand from his mother and a stern look. " Now Ranma, you've just had a snack, and still have dinner to get through, we'll save the pie for dessert." She got up and took it away to the kitchen, much to his annoyance.

—

In the mean time, down in the depths of hell, Satan sat at his throne. Alley massaged his shoulders as they chatted. "Is that girl off crying?" Satan enjoyed his attention he was given. "I suppose she is." Alley snickered as she kept her attention on her master. " It's a good thing she's dumb." Satan smirked some. " It is, it's just infuriating how Ranma Saotome and that damned wench, are too smart for their own good. I honestly don't really care that the demon hunter went and told Ivory's parents, I had intended to turn them into devils if needed, but I should've acted sooner." He tapped his claws on his arm rest. "No, what I do care about, is that little wench defying my kindness! "

Alley kept paying attention to his shoulders. " You can't completely fault her, it's the original's fault. Though why would you want her back? It is a shame she broke away from your control, as you were able to puppeteer her before." Satan curled his lip as he growled under his breath. " I didn't account for "her" defiance. I put a lot into that girl, and plan to get my full use of her. I'm done playing." Alley kept up her massage, as it was keeping him from raging. " What about that nasty amazon claim?" Satan clenched his hand into a fist as he snarled. " I promised "her" she would pay for her defiance, and intend to carry that out. If it's a war they want, then I'll gladly give them one."

Back at the Satome's household it was after dinner, while the siblings were working on their homework, though Ranma could tell things were still tense between him and Ranka. He rubbed at his head frustrated. " Hey Ranka, I'm sorry I got so mad before.. I just hate hearing you talk about leaving.. I like having a sister, ya know.." He said, looking off a bit flustered. Ranka kept working on her homework. " Your allowed to be mad, I was being stupid. It's not like I want to go back to "him". I just, didn't want mom getting hurt." She finished the last page of her work, setting her pencil down. " Ivory's crying to "him" about what mom did I'm sure and it's going to make him take his gloves off, or " turn up the heat. It's already happening.."

Ranma grumbled to himself about that bit as he finished up his homework and stuffed it away in his bag. " Hey good job telling that dumb girl at school, off." He said with a cheesy grin. Ranka had her hand to her face. " Pretty sure you already said that. Yeah well.. I don't think mom would agree.." Ranma shrugged his shoulders. " Why not? You got her more stupid lip stuff, she'd probably like that." Ranka sighed. " Yeah but not the threatening part, it's not lady like." Ranma sighed. " I love mom but she's way too hard core about that stuff. She's gonna complain no matter what and hey you're way more lady like than I am." He smiled before getting up. "Like your pie's way better than Akane's was." Ranka sweat dropped. "Yeah well at least it was edible, she just gets too excited." Ranma thought about it a bit. " Yeah but your's is definitely way better, speaking of I'm gonna go have some more." He left the room with his book bag, going off to his room, before going off downstairs.

Ranka tightened her fist, as she had decided to put herself in some hot water, with her mother, as she went off downstairs to have a serious conversation with her as she found her in the laundry room. "Hey mom, there's something I'd like to talk to you about." Nodoka was busy sorting through some laundry as she smiled. " Of course and what would that be dear?" Ranma nibbled on her lip, showing she was nervous, but still went forward with her confession. "Well um, you know that I can use magic." Nodoka kept busy as she listened. "I do, though I wish you wouldn't."

Ranka rubbed at the back of her head as she tensed up. " I know you want to be selfish, so.. I want to be selfish as well." Nodoka quirked an eyebrow at her daughter. " How so?" Ranka shifted about some. " I'd like you to wear a gem necklace like mine, so you can be protected easier." Nodoka wrinkled up her nose at the request. " I must decline." Ranka caught herself, before she almost face faulted at hearing that. " Why?" Nodoka sighed as she started loading up the washer with a new load of a laundry. " Because I don't want you endangering yourself and falling into a deep sleep again.."

Ranka tried her best to assure her mother. " I won't, so please do this for me, it'll make me feel more at ease." Nodoka sighed at the big, pleading adorable eyes she was getting from her daughter as she gave in. " Alright, but if I see it's too much for you, I will immediately remove it." Ranka nodded in agreement as she smiled some, happy to know she would be able to protect her mother as well as not having to reveal she made gems and how they function in the making with demon blood. Not something she really wanted to say, knowing her mother would likely disapprove of it.

Authors notes: I hope you all enjoy the new chapter. Had a recent review about how this is too long. My feelings on that is there's really no limit, one of the longest running fanfics a Super Mario one went up to 60 chapters. As long as I still have more story to tell and fans who enjoy it, I'll continue. It may be a bad habit, since Ranma 1/2's anime went on for a long time as well.

copyright- I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any of it's characters, Rumiko Takahashi, Kitty and Viz Video do.