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.

40. Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Wiped

Once she got up and had gotten ready for school, she made sure to give her mother one of her spare gem necklaces, before she sat down to have breakfast. Ranma was already eating and in his happy place, which made his mother happy as well.

After everyone was done and had their things together, they said their good bye's as they made their daily trip to school, which they managed to get to without interference from Ivory, which had surprised Ranma. " Huh, I thought that demon wench, would've tried to pull something." Ranka thought on it for a moment as they made their way through the school gates. " She's probably still off, licking her wounds." Ranma hehed in response. " Well "we" did give her a whammy of a beat down." Ranka looked a tad flustered. " Well yeah, but I think it's more how.. she's been exposed to her parents." They both stopped walking at seeing Nabiki, standing in front of the school with her arms crossed, as she smiled at them. " Good morning Ranma, Ranka, we need to have a chat, alright."

They both looked annoyed as they went off behind the school, where Nabiki led them. Ranka crossed her arms as well. " What's this about Nabiki? We've been letting you get your photo's." Ranma grumbled under his breath about it. Nabiki had her hands on her hips. " Hardly, but that's not the reason for this chat. You do remember, you two, BOTH owe me." Ranma looked more annoyed. " What do you want Nabiki?" Ranka huffed. " Not really you just decide that yourself." Nabiki tsked her with her finger. " Well alright, I see I have to play hard ball with you, Ranka." She turned her attention back to Ranma. " Well, I want you and Ranka to go on some dates this weekend."

Ranma furrowed his eyebrows. " No way.." Nabiki sighed. " Well.. I guess auntie Saotome would like to know how you two played hooky the other day and went and picked a fight with that girl from Asadaiba." She held up some pictures to show her proof, which made them both gulp. She continued on. " Or perhaps she'd like to hear how you've been skipping gym class, hmm Ranka. Or.. this." She flashed a picture of her punching a boy in the face. Ranka grumbled. " You're the worst.." Nabiki laughed. " So you see, I've got plenty of dirt on both of you, so just cooperate." She could tell Ranma was about to try to protest, as she held up another picture, that made him freeze up. " Boy would Akane love to see how you went to beach with Shampoo and Ukyou, hmm." Ranma had his mouth open to try to say something but was caught in a bind as he hung his head and clenched his fist. " Damn you.. Nabiki.." Nabiki smirked as she skipped by and patted both of them on their heads. " I'll come and get you two ladies tomorrow evening then."

Ranka groaned at the out come. " She's pure evil." Ranma gritted his teeth, with his fist clenched. " She really is.. there's no telling what she's going to make us do.." Ranka sighed. " Seems she's every where, well sure it sucks, but I'm definitely going to up the price of our pay for this one."

Nabiki skipped back to her classroom, on cloud nine as she had already gone through with her plan, having sold a bunch of tickets for limited time slot dates with the twin red heads in advance. Soon she'd have plenty of money again. Not that she didn't have any, she just wanted to keep getting as much as she could.

Classes went by and soon it was lunch time, as the group stayed outside up on top of the roof as it was another nice day. Everyone was enjoying their lunch, as well as sharing Thrista's giant bento box. She was chattering about the other day to everyone as she recalled the shopping trip as she poked fun at Ranka. " And she was all " don't do that.." She put on a frownie, annoyed face as she imitated her, then giggled. " Just like her sister Ranko." Ukyou stuck up for her friend. " Well you do tend to invade people's spaces, I probably would've told you the same thing." Ranma looked a mix of annoyed and nervous at having her bring up his girl side. Sayuri had her hand to her mouth. " You really can't do that.." Akane looked annoyed as well. "You really can't.." She was about to mouth off but kept quiet, as she would put too much attention on herself if she had yelled at the pink and blue haired girl about touching her fiancee, as she also had feelings for Ranma's sister, who was his girl side essentially in the flesh.

She then made it worse as she mentioned Shampoo, which made Akane break her chopsticks at hearing that as she stood up looking furious, with her bento box. " I've heard enough!" She stormed off, slamming the roof top door behind her. Ranka gave Thrista an annoyed and dull look. " You've got a big mouth, you do know that, right?" Ranma was close to saying the same thing, but didn't feel right about doing so to a girl he didn't really know, but to his relief his sister beat him to it, and had no qualms about doing so.

Thrista just giggled and her attention went off elsewhere as a near by group of girls, called her over to chat. Ukyou finished her lunch. " She's a real chatter box, she is.." Ranka nodded in agreement. Sayuri was torn on what to do or say, so she excused herself as she went off to check on Akane. Hiroshi put his two cents in. " Maybe you girls don't like that she does, but well I don't think it's a bad thing." Daisuke shook his head at his friend. Ranma gave him a dull look, as he went back to eating his lunch. Ukyou was the first one to jab at him. " If I didn't know better, it sounds like you like her." Hiroshi just smiled in reply, then made eyes at Ranka. " Nah I like Ranka though." That earned him a glare from Ranma and a jab to his arm. Ranka was busy sipping her drink, as she was thinking about if she should go check on Akane, but didn't really know what to say, also taking into mind how if she was too angry, it was best not to get involved.

—

Elsewhere Mousse was off making deliveries, un aware that he was being watched from the shadows. Alley had her human disguise on, as she had her mission from Satan, to get the jealous amazon boy to help with their cause, knowing he could be baited. Once he had finished a delivery, she stepped out from the shadows as she came up from behind him with a smirk. " Mousse I presume?" Mousse jumped back some at the woman's presense, fixing his glasses to get a better view. " Who wants to know?" Alley smiled at him. " I'm Alley, a servant of the devils and I'd like to make a deal with you, as it's known you already can't stand Ranma Saotome, I'm sure you don't much care for Ranka either, as both of them are the object of affection of your amazon girl." Mousse couldn't help but want to know more. " Go on Alley, I'm all ears." She tilted her head with a smile. " Let's go somewhere to chat then." Mousse nodded as he followed her off to the near by park, where they sat on a bench to chat.

While he knew it was wrong to deal with demons, he didn't care if it helped him. Alley prayed on his insecurities. "It must be awful for you, now having two sides of Ranma Saotome, taking up even more of your lovers affection, leaving nothing for you." Mousse had a stern look on his face. " So, you said something about a deal, what is it that you want?" Alley smirked. " You're a smart man. Simply put we want the girl known as Ranka, and your help indirectly in the matter. What would you say to lending your cursed form to our cause? " Mousse smirked back as he agreed to the deal. Alley smiled as she took a strand of his hair, then motioning him to go jump into the near by pond, which he did so, triggering his cursed form, as he changed into a duck. To which she took one of his feathers, before bowing to him for his cooperation as she disappeared into thin air.

She reappeared back in the depths of hell as she handed off the materials to Satan with a smirk. " He gladly agreed to help our cause." Satan sneered as he took them and went off to make a few clones of Mousse's cursed duck form. Alley snickered, as she looked forward to the bad luck that was would be coming for Ranma Saotome but more specifically for Ranka,

—-

Once school let out for the day, they made their way back home, opting to stay out of sight in case enemies were in wait, with both siblings taking to the roof tops as they raced back in a blur. When they were close enough to the house, they jumped down out of sight, as they made their way to the house. Ranka's gem lit up as she glared off in a different direction, as her gem connected to the other one she had given her mother, as it had sensed danger and protected with a barrier. Ranka sighed as she went off inside the house with Ranma, after he had used his key, seeing that the door was locked. He could tell the jest of what was going on. " Mom's out shopping or something I guess and she got attacked, right?" Ranka nodded as she put her hand to her gem. " She's protected." Ranma nodded back understanding what she meant, as they both went off upstairs, after taking their shoes off, going off to their rooms to change.

Not too much later Nodoka came in through the front door, letting them know she was back. They both came back downstairs, and helped her put the shopping away. Ranma's face lit up at seeing she had brought back takoyaki. " Alright mom!" Nodoka couldn't help but giggle at her son's excitement. " I brought us all some takoyaki to snack on together." After they finished putting everything away, they sat together at the table and enjoyed it together. Ranma was in a really good mood, since he had a happy tummy and gloated to himself, how if his dad knew they had, had takoyaki, he would've been throwing a fit. Also at the fact that he wasn't fighting tooth and arm for food, there was enough and plenty for him, as unlike him Ranka didn't have his appetite, she was more like their mother, where just enough was fine and no one got on him for having too much either. He was about to have some more, seeing how the girls were done, but the door bell rung.

Nodoka got up and answered the front door with a surprised look on her face at seeing Nabiki. " My hello Nabiki, what brings you here?" Nabiki smiled as she had a bag she was holding as she came in. " I just wanted to come see you auntie Saotome and talk to Ranma and Ranka too." She sniffed the air as she walked about and helped herself to the takoyaki, before Ranma could, making him give her an annoyed look. Nodoka smiled. " I see, well it's nice to see you Nabiki dear." She went off outside on the porch to go tend to her garden and let them talk, putting her trust in her daughter that she would treat their guest accordingly, as she knew she couldn't expect that from her son.

They went off upstairs to Ranka's room to chat, with Ranma going off to the bathroom first, having splashed himself with cold water, changing into his girl form as she joined them, all sitting down at the ground table. Ranka gave Nabiki a questionable look. " What do you want now, Nabiki?" Ranma-chan had her arms crossed. " Yeah, I thought you said what ya wanted to say earlier.." Nabiki smiled as she went through the bag next to her. " I did, but I want to make sure your outfits for tomorrow's big day fit, so try them on." She handed off the sleek black spaghetti strap dresses to both of them. Ranma-chan looked all frazzled at seeing what the outfit was. " What?! No way I'm NOT wearing this!" Ranka shared the same sentiments as she wrinkled up her nose at the dress. Nabiki put her hand to her face. " I had a feeling you might say no." She pulled out a long list, about to recite a bunch of things she had over on them. Ranka sighed heavily. " Well you know what Nabiki, I don't really care, go ahead and tell my mother, I'd rather deal with whatever punishment she has, than deal with YOUR black mail.."

Nabiki looked wide eyed for a second, being a bit impressed, but also knew what she had to do, to reel Ranka back in as she sighed. " I'll raise the pay by 15%." Ranka hmmed. "I'll agree IF you let us wear something over them, like I want to wear my sweatshirt hoodie." Nabiki shook her head in dismay, but she'd rather deal with that then loose her money makers, more specially speaking of Ranka. " Fine, now try them on." Ranka grumbled and went off to the bathroom with the dress, coming back a few minutes later, tossing the dress back at Nabiki. Nabiki quirked an eyebrow at her. " Didn't I say to try it on?" Ranka gave her a dull look. " I did, it fits so you should be happy right?" Ranma-chan smirked at her sisters cleverness, for a second she thought about just saying it fits, but knew that wouldn't be enough to get rid of Nabki, as she went off with the stupid dress to the bathroom to go try it on,begrudgingly. It was worse than most of the girly outfits she had worn, but followed her sisters example by trying it on in private. She shuddered at the thought of having to wear it tomorrow in front of a bunch of perverted guys.

When she came back to the room, she tossed it back at Nabiki, like Ranka had. " Yep it fits, you happy now?" Nabiki sighed a bit. " Well I suppose, though it would've made me happier if you two had let me seen you in them." Ranka had a hand to her face looking annoyed. " You'll see them on us tomorrow, annoyingly.." Nabiki smiled back. " That is true." She packed the dresses back into her bag. " Alright then, I'll be by to pick you two ladies up tomorrow afternoon then." She got up and took her leave from their room, going off downstairs to spend a little time with Mrs. Saotome.

Ranma-chan tightened her fist. " Man I can't stand her sometimes.." Ranka still had her hand to her face, looking annoyed. " I think you mean " all the time." Ranma-chan sighed. " Yeah well, good save on how.. we can at least wear something over the dumb dresses, kinda.." Ranka looked un amused. " There was no way I was going to wear such a revealing dress on it's own, like that.." Ranma-chan had a smug look on her face. " That's funny, you wear plenty of revealing things though." Ranka's cheeks flushed some. " Not like that… or in front of so many people.." Ranma-chan sighed. " Yeah, you're right." Ranka grumbled. " Bad enough we'll likely have to wear high heels with them." She hmmed. " Or maybe I could get her to agree on boots." Ranma-chan face faulted into the table as she twitched. " High heels…" Then she thought about it, and also sided with her twin about the choices, with the better one being boots.

By the time they got down stairs, Nabiki had already taken her leave. Nodoka smiled at them. " Did you two have a nice chat with Nabiki? It's so nice you'll all be going out tomorrow to karaoke together. Ranma-chan sighed as she flopped down on the couch. Ranka slapped her hand to her face, looking irratated. Nodoka looked concerned as she fussed over her daughter. " Are you alright Ranka dear? You see it's too much.." Ranka interrupted her as she held her hand up. "No it's not, I'm fine from that, it's hard dealing with Nabiki though.." Nodoka furrowed her brows at her. " Now now Ranka dear, I think it's really sweet she wants to spend time with you and Ranma." Ranka huffed as she sat down on the couch, seeing how easily her mother had been fooled by Nabiki.

—-

The next day the day went by annoyingly fast, as it was almost time for Nabiki to show up. Ranma-chan was in a cranky mood, not having slept easily, having nightmares about the whole ordeal, as she took it out on the video game. Ranka had tried to tell her mother the truth about Nabiki but kept getting shut down by her, when she tried. The door bell rang, prompting both siblings to freeze up. Nodoka smiled and went and answered the door, letting Nabiki in.

A few minutes later Nabiki led the siblings off to the karaoke place, taking notice that they were both wearing boots. " What's this?" Ranka had an annoyed look on her face with her arms crossed. " "We" get to wear boots or I'm walking." This annoyed Nabiki but it was a small sacrifice. " Fine, but high heels would work so much better." She tried to sway her money maker. Ranka wouldn't budge on the matter. " I don't care if it looks better." Nabiki rolled her eyes. " Obviously, I mean I thought maybe you'd feel differently about fashion sense." Ranka rolled her eyes back at her. " Well we can't ALL be "the queen of sheba", like you Nabiki." Ranma-chan couldn't help but snicker. Nabiki basked in the glory of the praise. " That is true."

Once they reached their destination and checked into the karaoke room, she gave them their outfits to go get changed into. When they came back, Nabiki marveled at her work, but couldn't help but fuss about the sweatshirt jackets. Before she could Ranka started to threatened again. " You got something to say? Because I'm fine with leaving." Nabiki sighed as she shook her head. " You win, now then let me explain what you two will be doing, before I start taking customers."

She had them sitting on opposite sides of the table as she explained things to them, before leaving the room to stand outside the room, to wait for the first customers. A few minutes later she came back in with two random guys. " Alright Ranko, Ranka, your dates are here." She had the two guys sit with them, as she smiled at the guys. " Alright, so you have 10 minutes, if you break any of the rules, you'll be asked to leave and there's no refunds." She smirked as she left the room again.

The guys fussed about the time limit. Ranka had her hand to her face. " Oh cmon, you didn't think Nabiki would stay true to her word, did you?" Ranma-chan tried to sit as far away from the guy as possible. The guys kept asking them a bunch of questions. Ranka answered most of them. The one guy fussed more than the other one. " I paid a lot, thinking it was a date.." Ranka had a dull look on her face. " Technically in Nabiki's way of how she does things, it is."

They got a few more customers in, before hearing a lot of loud commotion outside the room, in between a break. Ranma-chan tried to listen as did Ranka. Outside the room, with the line of people, came yells as Shampoo lashed out at the line of people, showing off her sword, making them all go running, she then set her sights on Nabiki, glaring daggers at her. Nabiki gulped as she thought fast, smiling nervously. " Nihao Shampoo, for you, I'll let you in for free." Shampoo hmpfed as she held her blade to her chin. " This" date thing is over." Nabiki sweated as she smiled and nodded. " It's over, it's all yours." Shampoo took her blade away from her as she sheathed it. " That right." She changed her tune after going into the room and taking turns glomping onto the surprised siblings. " Nihao, airens! Shampoo come save you."

Ranma-chan looked nervous. " What'd ya do Shampoo?" Ranka had big eyes with a smile. " Ooh you sure did, you're such a goddess Shampoo." Shampoo giggled as she sat down between them. " Shampoo no kill anyone if that what you mean." Ranka sighed for a second before blinking. " How did you know what was going on?" Ranma-chan quirked an eyebrow at that as well. " Yeah.. how did you?" Shampoo smiled. " Shampoo hear boys at restaurant talking about seeing two red head twins at karaoke. " She got all sparklie eyed. " So we go to cafe and finish date, yes?"

Ranka rubbed at the back of her head, showing she was a bit nervous. " Well, it's kind of hard to say no, since you did save us." Ranma-chan sighed. " Yep.." Shampoo glomped onto Ranma. " Aiya! Shampoo so happy, we go now." She started to try to drag Ranma towards the door. Ranka looked embarrassed. " Hold on a a few minutes before we do that, at least let us get changed." Shampoo let go of Ranma and glomped back onto Ranka as she nodded. Ranma-chan sighed at their predicament but was happy to get out of the current one and to get changed out of the dress, seeing that Ranka knew she wanted out of it as fast of possible, so she let her go change first.

After they were both changed, with Ranma having changed back into a guy as well, they took their leave from the karaoke room. Nabiki looked annoyed. Ranka annoyed her more by demanding their pay right then, which she begrudgingly gave her, before they left. Shampoo was too busy hanging off of Ranma.

—

As they entered the Nekohanten, Ranka reminded Shampoo, their better not be any tricks. Shampoo nodded from where she was latched onto Ranma's arm. Colonge greeted them as she smiled. " My, how nice to see you son in law and Ranka." Shampoo giggled. " We on date great grandmother." Cologned chuckled. " I see." Mousse glowered from the kitchen, at spotting both siblings, recoiling as he was struck in the head by the old amazon matriarch's staff as she bellowed at him, to get back to work.

Shampoo smiled as she choose a table for them, sitting herself in the middle. " You get whatever you want, okay." Ranma smiled at hearing that. " Alright, don't mind if I do." He had gotten hungry, dealing with Nabiki's forced job. Ranka smiled a tad. " Thanks, and just so you know I will be testing all the food for trickery.." Shampoo giggled a bit nervously. " Oh Shampoo know, she know better, no want Ranka mad at her again."

After deciding, Shampoo went off to the kitchen, to help prepare the food. Ranka went through her sweat shirt jacket pocket as she handed off Ranma's cut from the profits. "Here's your cut, we should go shopping after this." Ranma took notice that it seemed a lot more. " You sure this is right?" Ranka smiled some. " Hey, you earned it, for your pain and suffering right?" He looked a little flustered as he tucked it away. " Well yeah, but so did you." Ranka played with her necklace. " Yeah but it's not as big of a deal for me." Ranma rubbed at the back of his head, he still wasn't used to being treated so fairly, between his sister and his mother. His father would never split money with him, or regard his feelings.

Shampoo came back as she set down their meals, before taking her own seat. Cologne came out and set down her meal. " Enjoy and Shampoo after your done, you need to get back to work." Shampoo nodded as she went to get ready to try to feed Ranma, only for Ranka to counter back faster, as she feed her some of her own. Shampoo was caught by surprised as her eyes widened, with her hand to her mouth. " Aiya.." Ranka gave her a smug smirk. " Gotcha." Ranma was too busy eating, but was glad that his sister was keeping Shampoo off his back, while he was eating. While Shampoo was in a love struck daze, Ranka went to eating her own ramen. After they were done eating, they chatted, while Ranma was busy still eating.

Shampoo hung all over Ranka in the mean time. " What you two do with Nabiki Tendo?" Ranka sighed. " She black mailed us.." Shampoo glomped back onto Ranma, seeing that he was done. " Shampoo wish date could go on longer, but Shampoo have work to do." She giggled as she went off to the kitchen, content with having been fed by Ranka, to not press about getting a kiss.

Ranma and Ranka took their leave, going off to a department store. Ranka got some things and gave him a slight nudge. " You should get Akane something too, since it's best we just tell her what happened. Not saying anything, and having her find out is way worse.." Ranma froze up at hearing that for a second and then got all flustered. " I don't know what to get her.." Ranka showed him a fancy hair bow. " You could get her one of these too, or a stuffed animal, she loves those things." Ranma snapped his fingers at having his memory jolted. " Ooh yeah, that's right, she does." He settled on on a random stuffed animal that looked like she'd like, before they went and paid for their purchases. Then they went off to a manga store, as he got all excited at getting the latest releases. Ranka got some things as well, before they checked out and started walking towards the Tendo's.

Ranma wasn't too keen on going and wondered if his sister felt the same way. " Do you really want to go see Akane?" Ranka kept walking as they talked. " No, but if we don't, it's just something else that Nabiki can dangle over our heads. She's aware we went off with Shampoo." Ranma gehed at hearing that and hung his head, knowing that she had a very good point. " Yeah, she so would.." Ranka nodded. " Well by telling her the truth first and giving her gifts, I think that will help."

After arriving at the Tendo's, they were greeted at the door by Kasumi and greeted Mr. Tendo as well. Genma upon seeing Ranka tried to hug up on her, only to get knocked back by her defense barrier. He tried again as he cried to her to about fixing the awful curse she had inflicted upon her dear father. Ranka crossed her arms. " Oh, you mean the same curse you inflicted on your son, right? There's a reason why the technique was banned old man." Ranma gave his dad an annoyed look. " Yeah pops, so suck it up." Genma tightened his fist in anger. " How dare you tell your father such a thing!" He seemed to have forgotten he couldn't torture his son with cats anymore, as he went and grabbed one from outside, only to drop it, as he started yelling.

Ranka hehed at him, before turning her attention to Kasumi. " Hey Kasumi, do you happen to know where Akane is?" Kasumi smiled. "Oh yes, she should be out in the training hall." They both thanked her and went off to the training hall.

Upon entering and Akane noticing they were there, she stumbled some from her practice moves, caught by surprise. " What are you two doing here?" Ranma looked nervous, un able to come clean about what had gone on. Ranka took the reins. " Well, we just got black mailed by Nabiki and long story short Shampoo found out and then we owed her, so then we figured we'd come to see you, to make it even." Akane was annoyed but seeing how they came to see her as well, and told the truth made her less angry. Ranka gave Ranma a nudge to give her the gift. Ranma scratched at his face sheepishly as he held out the bag to her. " Here.." Akane's interest was peaked as she dove her hand into the bag and her face lit up at seeing the cute dog plush. Ranka smiled as she gave her, her bag. " I got you something too." Akane got more excited as she pulled the fancy hair bow, gushing over it as well. Ranma stood dumb founded at how the plan had worked.

Akane looked a tad annoyed as she fussed. " So.. did you two get Shampoo things too?" Ranka shook her head. " Nope, just you. We can't stay too long though." Akane pouted. " You could stay for a spar, and some tea, right?" Ranka hmmed. " Yeah we could do that." Ranma hehed as he pulled up his sleeve. " Alright, I'm gonna go spar with pops then." He left the rest of the shopping with Ranka. Akane beamed with excitement at getting a sparring partner again, as Ranka went off and changed into a fighting gi, before coming back out and getting into position.

After everyone was done sparing and changed, they were enjoying some tea at the table. Nabiki came walking in, announcing she was back and smirked at seeing the Saotome siblings. " Ranma, Ranka, I'm so glad to see you two again." Ranka gave her a weird look. " You are?" Ranma looked puzzled as he wondered what she was up to now. Nabiki smiled back. " I am, because I forgot to tell you a huge client paid in advance for an all day date tomorrow out on the water. So I'd bring swim suits if I were you. Oh and I've already talked to auntie Saotome." Ranma scowled at her. " Don't tell me.. it's Kuno, isn't it?.." Nabiki had a cheesy grin on her face. " Bingo. Oh and Akane you're invited as well." Akane crossed her arms. " You mean, you signed me up, without asking!" She looked over at her dad who was hiding behind his newspaper. " Dad, do something about Nabiki.."

Soun stayed hidden behind his newspaper, knowing it was best not to go against Nabiki, as she brought in a lot of the money. Akane arghhed at her fathers silence. Kasumi shook her head as she sipped her tea. Nabiki smiled as she sat down and had Kasumi pour her some tea. Ranka wrinkled her nose up at her. Nabiki could sense her discontentment, as she put down an offer. " You can wear whatever you want, if you agree to go, within 5 minutes, otherwise I get to pick the outfits." Ranma tightened his fist. " That's low Nabiki!" Ranka hmpfed. " Fine, since you're just going to black mail us anyways.." Akane ughed in frustration. " I can't believe you Nabiki!" Nabiki smiled as she sipped her tea. " Don't be too upset, I'll be going with you guys as well."

After finishing their tea, the siblings said their goodbye's and started to take their leave. Nabiki chirped after them. " I'll see you two tomorrow." They both grumbled as they left.

Even though they had made a few stops, they still managed to get back home without much fuss. Nodoka though couldn't stop fussing about how well they were getting along with Nabiki. " I think it's sweet she wants to spend the whole weekend with you two." Ranma groaned as he went off upstairs with his shopping bag to his room. Ranka tried to get through to her mother once again. " Would you believe me if I said Nabiki is just black mailing us.." Nodoka put her hand to mouth, with an alarmed look on her face. " Ranka, Onna, Saotome, I can't believe you would say such an awful thing about Nabiki." Ranka sweat dropped at hearing her full name. " But it's true.." Nodoka shook her head at her daughter in dismay. " Not another word, go think about what you just said in your room, for 30 minutes young lady." Ranka ughed as she went off upstairs to her room.

Ranma had heard some of the arguing and could tell that Ranka had gotten in trouble, as they linked up telepathically to talk. ("What'd ya do?") Ranka huffed from where she was laying in her room on her bed. ( "I tried to tell mom how Nabiki really is.. but nope she won't listen and I'm the bad one for.. calling her a " black mailer.") Ranma sweat dropped as he was browsing through one of his newer manga's ( " Well mom doesn't like when we talk badly about anyone really..") Ranka groaned. ( "She acted like I said a bad word.") Ranma rubbed at the back of his head not really sure where to go. (" I don't know how to deal with mom.") The conversation shut down for the time being.

The rest of the evening went by, where Ranka stayed on the quieter side. Nodoka took notice, how she had at other times, though this time it was a different kind, likely because her daughter was upset. She went off upstairs to bed a bit earlier.

In her room Ranka looked through her outfits in her closet, as she was trying to figure out what to wear tomorrow. She also wondered if Akane was doing the same thing, as well as if she'd dress up or not. While she had the urge to dress up, she shook her head and reminded herself not to dress up too much, since Kuno was involved. She settled on a t-shirt and shorts, before going off to bed.

—-

With the new day, Nodoka hoped her and her daughter would be on better terms, though she was a bit disappointed when she came down the stairs wearing a very casual outfit. She couldn't help but nit pick as she greeted her. " Good morning Ranka dear, don't you want to wear something a little nicer for your outing?" Ranka looked a tad annoyed as she sat down at the table. " I think it's fine." Ranma-chan came down stairs not soon after with a tank top and shorts as she sat down at the table for breakfast as well. She took a seat at the table as well, to have her own breakfast. She couldn't really nit pick on Ranma like she had before, when she was under the impression that her son was her other daughter. Now that she knew Ranko was was also her son Ranma, she didn't really have the right to get on him about not dressing up nicely as a lady. She tried to calm herself as while Ranka was all girl, she was of the same mind set as her son, though there were some differences. She had to try to focus on the small things, though she wasn't wearing a dress, her t-shirt was a nice color with an anime image, she had earrings on, and that pink sweat shirt jacket she wore a lot. What she wasn't very thrilled about was instead of wearing nice shoes, she had on sneakers.

Not too much later Nabiki showed up as promised as she greeted Nodoka, along with Akane before they all took their leave. Ranka at seeing Akane and how she was wearing a dress, slapped her hand to her face. Ranma-chan was annoyed as well and let it be known. " Jeez Akane, who do you think you're pretty ing up for huh?" That earned her a swipe from Akane. " Because I want to, you jerk!" An angry P-chan stuck his head out from the bag she was carrying, waving his hoofs about frantically, as he squealed angerily at Ranma.

Akane was too busy bickering with Ranma to have noticed Ranka slapping her hand to her face, but Nabiki on the other hand noticed as she looked her up and down. She frowned a tad. " I was hoping you'd dress up a bit more." Ranka hahed. " I'm sure you were, but like I said, I'm wearing whatever I want for this forced excursion." Nabiki rubbed at her temples on her head. " I don't suppose you or Ranma are wearing or brought swim suits a long?" Both of the red heads at the same time " HELLS NO!" Nabiki sighed. " You're both such joy kills and twins to the end."

They ended up taking the bus to the meeting destination at the beach's dock, where Nabiki fussed more. " You see ladies, we were going to the beach and you should've dressed for it." Ranka crossed her arms with an annoyed look. " Yeah well, I don't care if we are." Ranma-chan nodded in agreement. " Besides, shorts work." They were interrupted by an enthralled Kuno, at seeing his lovely voyagers. " Aaah, Akane Tendo, Pigtailed girl and goddess Ranka, as well as Nabiki Tendo, it is a pleasure to have all of you accompany me today." Nabiki smiled as she led the way as she boarded the boat first, followed by Akane and then reluctantly the two red heads.

Kuno gave them a tour of the boat, that was pretty large, having whole below deck area, before showing them where they could sit, as he went on about how they would spend the day. Ranka ahemed. " We" can't spend ALL day here." Kuno corrected himself. " How we will spend the few hours we have, together then." Ranma-chan made a disgusted look on her face. Kuno went back to yacking on about things as he went off the captains quarter's.

Nabiki promptly pulled her clothes off that she was wearing, making Ranma-chan jump back some. She had her swim suit on under neath her clothes, as she took her sun glasses out from her bag, before she laid back in one of the lounge chairs. They had taken their seats as the boat started to pull away from the dock. Akane took a look at how both siblings had dressed, she wasn't surprised about Ranma, as she was with Ranka as she voiced it. " Ranka, I thought you would've dressed up." Ranka gave her a dull look. " And I would've thought that YOU would've been smarter Akane, I mean you knew "where" and "who" you'd be with." Akane started to get irritated. " Ah, are you calling me stupid?!" She got no answer back from Ranka, just a hmpf. Ranma-chan just whistled, so that she didn't say anything that would set Akane off more, though she was in agreement with her sister, as she realized why she hadn't worn a dress.

Kuno came back up onto the deck as they came to a stop, having traveling far enough away from the land. His servant Sasuke was with him as well, as he went around with a platter that contained drinks. Ranka made sure to let her gem detect if the drinks were safe, which they were as they stood about, while Kuno yammered on. A good gust of wind hit, that sent Akane's skirt of her dress fluttering with the breeze. Ranma-chan eyes went wide. Kuno's would've, if he hadn't been socked in the face by Ranka's fist, right over the edge of the boat, before he was able to see anything, landing with a loud splash into the ocean.

Akane was bright red in the face, as was Ranma-chan, as she had gotten a full view. Ranka looked very annoyed at Akane, before she turned to looking embarrassed. "Whoops.." Sasuke was fwailing his arms about. " Oh no, master Kuno!" He yelled in alarm. Nabiki couldn't help but taunt Kuno as she sipped her drink and pushed her sun glasses up as she looked over the edge, down into the water. " Are you having fun yet, Kuno baby? I know, I am." She said with a smirk as she went back to lazying about. Sasuke rummaged through the supplies, until he found the life saver device, which he threw off the side of the boat near where Kuno was floating, having the other end of the rope in his hands.

Ranka couldn't help but tell Akane off with how irritated she was. " And that's WHY, I told you not to wear a dress. I mean I thought you would've at least worn shorts under neath.." Akane was angry but more so embarrassed, as she had realized that Ranka was right, but also touched as she was able to tell that she had stopped Kuno from seeing. Ranma-chan would've said something, but she was too embarrassed at the moment. P-chan who had been in Akane's hold, at seeing how flustered Ranma had gotten, got angry. He stopped his angry squealing rant, at seeing how Ranka wouldn't acknowledge he was there, as she hadn't looked at him once the whole time. It bothered him but there really wasn't much anything he could do about it right now.

—-

Meanwhile Sasuke pulled his master who had gotten a hold of the live saver, back onto the boat, as he rummaged through supplies, pulling out a towel that he draped around him. Ranma-chan was snapped out of her embarrassment as she couldn't help but taunt P-chan, at seeing how things were going. "I guess she really doesn't like pigs after all, huh P-chan." P-chan bristled in anger as he wiggled his way out from Akane's hold on him, as he leapt into the air, furiously punching his hoofs about as he latched onto Ranma-chan's face. She yelled and yanked at him, cursing as their back and forth fighting was going on, they weren't paying attention as they ended up knocking Kuno over board, as he yelled at falling into the ocean again. Nabiki started laughing, before she laid back down, enjoying the entertainment. Sasuke yelled. " Master Kunnnoo!" As he threw the life saver back over board again, as he repeated his actions with a second rescue.

Akane grabbed P-chan back with an annoyed look on her face. " Ranma, knock it off! Can't you get along with poor little P-chan for even a minute?!" Ranma-chan had her arms crossed as she muttered under her breath. Ranka was too busy thinking to herself, until another thought crossed her mind, making her look over at Nabiki for a second, hoping she'd keep what happened quiet. It was the last thing she wanted to be "grilled" for by her mother.

Ranma-chan shot back at Akane. " Me?! "He's' the one you need to be blaming! " Akane shook her head at her fiancee. " No, I blame you! You're always fighting with him!" Kuno tried to get between their squabble. " Now now, ladies there is no need to fight over me." He said as she embraced them from behind. Ranma-chan fumed as she punched him in the face, knocking him back over the side of the boat again, for the third time. Sasuke yelled in distress as he went through another rescue of his master with the life saver again. Nabiki was laughing her butt off, so much that she had tears in her eyes. Ranka looked more embarrassed.

Once Sasuke had gotten Kuno back onto the boat and another towel, he talked his master into ending the outing a bit early, which he reluctantly agreed to. " It pains me to have to end this lovely outing, but Sasuke won't stop pestering me." Of course the only one really listening was Nabiki. " Well I had a blast anyways."

After they got back on land and departed ways from Kuno, while they were waiting at the bus stop, Nabiki took notice that while Ranma and Akane were still bickering, Ranka was looking down in the dumps. This made Nabiki fret as she decided to spend some money to make some more. " Hey since things ended a bit earlier than planned, how about we all go out to eat, it'll be my treat." This left Akane and Ranma with their mouth's wide open. Ranma-chan shook her head back and forth. " Wait a minute, what's the catch?" Nabiki acted hurt by her words. " Ah.. it's so wrong of you to assume I'm always up to good." Ranka had a dull look on her face, in response to that.

—

Once the bus had come and they got off after a few stops, so that they were in the shopping district, Nabiki led the way to the restaurant. They all sat together at a table ,where they had a light lunch. After wards the waitress asked if they were having dessert, where their was silence, until Nabiki smiled and said they would be and to give them a few minutes. Ranma-chan's eyes lit up. " Really?! There's no catch, right?" Nabiki smiled back. " Nope, so go on gals, order whatever you'd like for dessert." This was after all the moment she had been waiting for. Akane and Ranma-chan jumped on the offer but to her dismay, Ranka declined.

Nabiki was determined to make sure she had them ALL eating dessert, of course she could bank on Ranma and her sister, but she needed her big time money maker as well. She tried to appeal to her. " It's fine, I mean look at Ranma, he's fine with it." Ranka looked a bit annoyed with her as she declined her offer again, which made her get more serious as she pointed at a super cute ice cream on the menu. " This" one right here is really popular with the girls at school, it's all the rage and everyone's talking about it." She smirked as she could tell Ranka was wavering, as she had hit her in one of her more sensitive problems. Ranka tightened her fist some on and off as she became flustered and accepted the offer. Nabiki had to catch herself from showing off her excitement. While the others didn't really catch it, P-chan however did.

When the waitress came back over they were all ready to order and then when the desserts came, Nabiki excused herself as she made like she was going off to the bathroom, when instead she hid behind the empty booth behind theirs with her camera, as she took shots of her targets while they were enjoying their ice cream's.

After they were all done she paid the bill without a fuss, then gave Ranka her's and Ranma's cut from going out today. "If your wondering why it's cut, well that's because the date was cut short, because of some violent girls." She said with a smug smirk on her face. Ranka looked sheepish as she took the pay from her. Akane got annoyed at seeing how they got paid. " Hey, what about me?" Nabiki laughed at her little sister. " What about you? Ranka and Ranma get a cut because they are on board with my selling their images." Akane looked all nervous at hearing that and gave up on pestering further, as she was not okay with that fact. With her job done, she was about to say good bye, but Akane had to have a fit first.

Akane noticed again how upset P-chan seemed to look as she caught him glancing over at Ranka, taking notice further of how Ranka kept out right ignoring him. Sure, un like Ranma she hadn't started fighting on the spot with him, but who was to say that she hadn't behind the scene. Akane couldn't help but accuse her. " Ranka, you did something to P-chan didn't you?!" She said with an annoyed look on her face. Ranka blinked for a second, before becoming annoyed. " More like "he" did something to me.." Akane aahed in anger. " I knew it, you're just like Ranma, always blaming and hating on poor P-chan!" Ranma-chan sweat dropped. " Hey now.. YOU defend that porker way too much Akane!" Akane stomped one of her feet on the ground. " Stay out of it Ranma, this is between me and Ranka!" She hmpfed and held a nervous P-chan out. " Apologize to him." Ranka glared at both her and P-chan. " I have nothing to apologize for, I'm not the pervert here." She said as she crossed her arms. Akane bristled as she jumped to the conclusion she was referring to her. " WHO are you calling a pervert!" Ranka shrugged her shoulders. Ranma-chan gave an annoyed look. " Definitely the pig." Nabiki cut it short as she grabbed P-chan away from her sister, as she bid farewell to the Saotomes, which had Akane retreat as she tried to get her pet pig back.

Ranma-chan could see as well as sense how bothered Ranka was, as she thought of a way to try to brighten her mood. " Hey, we got paid, so we should get some stuff, we've still got some time." Ranka smiled a tad, as she didn't easily turn down shopping. "Minds well. You okay, going as you are?" Ranma-chan rubbed at the back of her head sheepishly. " Well, I'm not as bothered about that since I'm with my sister and.. I wanna go to that cake place." She said with big sparklie eyes. Ranka smiled a bit more. " Sounds good." While they were walking around, they caught some eyes. Ranma-chan eyed the takoyaki cart, the guy working it at seeing the beautiful red head twins, gave them both a free package each. Ranma had put on the super cute girly act as well, where as Ranka didn't have to do much. After having a few, she gave the rest of hers to her sibling, much to Ranma's delight. When she finished eating, they went off to a few stores,as well as taking some photo's together in the photo booth, before making the last stop at the cake shop.

—

They got back to the house with time to spare as they greeted their mother. Nodoka smiled at seeing how happy her children were. " You must've had a nice time with Nabiki and Akane." She did take notice that they both had shopping bags, which they then went off upstairs with to their rooms.

Nodoka started to get everything together for dinner as she thought on things. The other day when they were off with Nabiki, they had also come back with shopping, but where were they getting the money. Then it dawned on her as it hit her, a feeling of dread washed over her as she back tracked to how Ranka kept saying that Nabiki was black mailing them. She shook her head back and forth as she didn't want to believe that, Nabiki didn't seem that type. At seeing her daughter Ranka come into the kitchen, she frowned as she decided to confront her. " Young lady, where are you getting all this money to shop with?" Ranka had put an apron on and had a nervous look as she rubbed at her arm. " I tried to tell you before.." Nodoka furrowed her brows at her. " Where are you getting it?" Ranka knew with that serious look, she better give her an answer. " From Nabiki.." Nodoka put her hand to her mouth in shock as the realization hit like a ton of bricks, sweet Nabiki was really "black mailing" her children.

She felt ashamed, too much so to discuss it as they went about to preparing dinner. The evening went by after as she sent them upstairs a bit earlier, to take care of homework. They ended up in Ranka's room as they worked through their homework. Ranma had decided to stay in girl form for the time being and was able to sense her sister was still bothered. " You know how Akane is, she run's "hot and cold" without any water or a curse for that matter." She said with a chuckle. Ranka sighed with her hand to her face as she multi tasked. " Don't I know it.. but there was no reason to jump down my throat like that.. and getting mad because I said she was being stupid.." She grumbled as she went back to reading her textbook. Ranma-chan waved her hand about, about that matter, as she started to flush a bit. " Don't remind me.."

She decided to try to press further. " Don't tell me your bothered about hitting Kuno?" Ranka changed the page as she had finished reading the other one. " No, I don't really feel bad about it even. It's more.. about mom finding out.." Ranma-chan played with her pencil. " Yeah, but she didn't." Ranka gave her a dull look. " That doesn't mean she won't.. I mean it's easy enough." Ranma-chan twirled her pencil about with her fingers. " Well glad to hear that you aren't upset about punching the pervert out, besides you weren't the only one." She said with a cheesy grin. Ranka sighed. " He" set's himself up for it.." Ranma-chan hahed. " Damn right he does. So, stop being bothered about it."

Ranka finished her reading assignment as she shut her book with a distraught look. " It's just.. I know I let mom down." Ranma-chan sighed as she set her pencil down. " I know, but you know what?" Ranka blinked: " What?" Ranma-chan gave her a pat on her back. " I'm proud of ya sis, you did good." Ranka smiled a tad as she got up and excused herself as she went off to get ready for bed, while she was thinking how even though her mother disapproved of her violence, her sibling embraced it and was proud of her.

After she came back and sat back down, they started to pack up their school things. Ranma-chan had a stern look on her face. " You're not thinking about going back right, or doing that stupid thing with your gem again, right?" Ranma looked nervous as she waves her hands about in front of her in defense. " No, of course not." Ranma-chan furrowed her brows at her sister. " You better not or I'll have to kick your butt and you know I'll do it too." Ranka sweat dropped as she groaned at getting it from her sibling. " I know, but your not going to let it go, are you…" Ranma-chan crossed her arms for a minute. " That's right, I'm not gonna, so just don't be stupid like that." She smiled and gave her sisters shoulder a pat, before she got up with her book bag. " Welp I'm gonna take a bath and head to bed." After exchanging "good nights", Ranma-chan took her leave.

Ranka flopped down onto her bed with her new cd player and headphones, as she had already set up the new cd inside it as she laid back with her headphones on, closing her eyes as she listened to the music for awhile, before she turned it off and removed the headphones, putting them aside as she fell asleep. Her slumber should've been peaceful but a premonition took place, in the form of a night mare as Satan emerged from the park, bringing flames all around, and shadows of birds were flying in the sky, as he sneered at her in the dream, pointing a clawed finger at her. At that moment outside a thunder storm started up, sending a large crackle and boom near by, that shook the area, making her wake up suddenly as she fell out of bed from being jolted awake. She trembled some at hearing the thunder, but told herself she had to be stronger as she pushed herself through, getting back into bed, trying her best to ignore the storm and get back to sleep.

—

Waking up to a blaring alarm, which she smacked off her desk in annoyance, before rolling herself out of bed, getting herself up and ready for school. Shortly after having breakfast the two siblings took their leave, as they started the trek to school. Ranka warned Ranma to be on guard, as she had a bad feeling. She didn't get into the specific's of it. Ranma hmmed as they walked the school. " So the demon wench might show her face." Ranka kept walking as they chatted. " Possibly." At hearing birds she went on the defensive, as her gem lit up, setting up her defense barrier. Ranma blinked at how jumpy she was. " It's just some birds."

Alley stepped out from the shadows with a smirk on her face, as she greeted Ranka. Mousse in his cursed form as a duck, also known as Mu Mu-chan, flew out from the near by tree with an evil smirk as he tossed a bunch of knives at Ranka, which bounced off her defense barrier. Ranma glared at who he thought was Mousse. " What the hell Mousse?!" Before he could go after him, he sensed an attack from the other side, aimed at him, as he jumped away. Another Mu mu-chan duck had appeared and attacked from the other side at Ranma. Alley gritted her teeth in annoyance. " Curse you Onna, for being too smart for your own good." As she referred to how the girl was able to get premonitions at times, and obviously had sensed something was about to go down, as well as how she was protected from being attacked. The tactics would have to be changed, but either way the girl and Ranma Saotome would both suffer, though her main target was Ranka.

Ranma realized their were two ducks, as he glared at Alley. With how things had become he had made sure he had his green gem that his sister had made for him with him, as he channeled his chi, putting up his own defense barrier. "That's not Mousse is it.." Ranka kept her glare on Alley as well. " More or less.." Alley at spotting some near by girls, walking, directed her comrades. Ranka's eyes widened as she spotted another Mu mu-chan clone, as he tossed a bunch of small bombs, but more so at seeing Sayuri and Akane were the targets. Ranma also took notice as they both rushed over to them as fast as they could.

One of the bombs set off near them, making Sayuri scream, triggered by it. Ranka skidded to a stop, as she made her defense barrier widen so that it covered all of them, with Ranma grabbing Akane and Ranka, grabbing Sayuri as they pulled them away from the path of the bombs. Alley cursed as she snapped her finger, calling off the attack, seeing how it wasn't going to go her way, she'd have to try again later. All 4 of the mu mu-chan ducks flew off, as Alley disappeared.

Sayuri was having anxiety from the attack, having to relive her first one from Ivory tossing her off into a field full of mines. She was able to calm down though as soon as she was rescued again by Ranka, as her face flushed. Ranka made sure she was okay. " Hey Sayuri, are you okay?" Sayuri nodded, feeling her cheeks flush more. Meanwhile Ranma was making sure that Akane was alright. Akane looked confused as she thought she had seen more than one Mu mu-chan'. " Was that, Mousse?" Ranma scratched at the back of his head. " Clones of his duck form it seems.." Akane put her hand to her mouth. " Did Mousse agree to that?" Ranka had a serious look on her face. " I would say so."

They made sure to get Sayuri and Akane safely inside the school, before letting the defense barriers down. Then they set their sights on Ukyou, who was already at her desk, much to their relief. Ukyou could tell the siblings looked pensive, which made her question Ranka once she took her seat. " What's going on?" Ranka sighed with her head down on her desk. " Mousse apparently let himself be used, so any Mu mu-chan ducks you see, stay away from. Akane and Sayuri just got targeted.." Ukyou hehed in defiance. " I'd like to see him try." Ranka sweat dropped. " Ah, no you wouldn't.."

The chatter was silenced as the teacher entered and started rest of the school day went by pretty fast and before they knew it school was out for the day. Ranma and Ranka had agreed to make sure that Ukyou and Akane were taken home safely. Thrista had already gone off with Sayuri, knowing the jest of what was going on. Ranma and Ranka split off, to accompany their person safely home. Ukyou started to take her leave as Ranka caught up to her. " Hey, I'll walk you home." Ukyou smiled at hearing that then got a tad annoyed. " Oh because you don't think I can handle myself." Ranka thought it over for a minute before she responded. " Oh no I know you can, it's more because Ranma is worried about you, not that I'm not worried, he's just more worried." Ukyou couldn't happen but giggle about it as they walked. " It's too bad Ranma huney couldn't walk me back, but he choose Akane."

Ranka played with her hair as they continued on. " I was rooting for you, but yeah, Akane will likely always come first, sorry to say, but you're also always going to very important as well." Hearing that made Ukyou smile and blush some and she couldn't help but question what was said. " Go on, you're just saying that.." Then she remembered how essentially Ranka was Ranma's other side, and how she knew everything that Ranma was thinking or feeling, making her blush more.

Elsewhere Ranma walked along with Akane, keeping on guard. Akane couldn't help but feel happy about it, to herself. " Ranma, you didn't have to.." Ranma had a serious look on his face as they walked. " Yeah I did, it's dangerous out there with four clones of Mousse's duck form out there.. and it's what me and Ranka decided." Akane looked a bit upset. " Will Ranka be okay? It's pretty obvious this is some plot against her.." Ranma stuck his hands in his pockets as they kept walking. "Yeah, she'll be fine."

—

Back at the school, Nabiki had finished some business as she was getting ready to head off until she spotted a confused looking Ryouga, who was wandering about in a daze. Nabiki decided this was an opportunity as she whistled at him and waved her hand about. " Hey there Ryouga." Ryouga blinked as he spotted one of Akane's sisters. " Oh um hi Nabiki.." Nabiki put on a sad face. " What's wrong Ryouga, you don't look so good." Ryouga got a little flustered at being found out. "Oh well.." Nabiki smirked as she dug her claws into her prey. " Love problems, right?" Ryouga gave her a weird look. " You're not that fortune teller, are you?" Nabiki smiled as she led him off to her classroom, where she had him take a seat at a desk with her. " Step into my office." Ryouga blinked in confusion. " Um..?" Nabiki hahed. " I meant metarphorically silly. So go on spill, what's eating you?" Ryouga sighed as he recounted the recent happenings as he hung his head. " Now she's ignoring me, she must really hate me.."

Nabiki smirked at him with her hand to her face. " On the contrary Ryouga, it's quite the opposite it sounds like." Ryouga hmmed with a confused look. " What do you mean?" Nabiki gave him a bit of annoyed look. " It's pretty obvious she likes you, is what I mean." Ryouga scratched at his head. " Are you sure?" Nabiki smiled. "Oh I'm sure, she just doesn't know how to go about it, and there's a lot of issues going on. Ranka is Ranma's other side basically. But yeah since you kissed her, she's definitely fallen for you. Lucky you, I've got some nice photo's." She took some out from her bag, as she sprawled them on her desk. Ryouga steadied himself, so he didn't fall back out of his chair at seeing the photo's. Nabiki could tell which one he was more likely to go for. He definitely couldn't help staring at the one of Ranka in her pink swim suit at the beach. She set the price on it and as they went thru the photo's again, stopping at that one, she hiked the price up, which in turn got him to buy. Nabiki then put on an act as she looked all upset. " Such a shame, my poor little sister's been tossed aside." She put down some photo's of Akane, which snared the lost boy further, as he coughed up more money for a photo of Akane as well.

Ryouga had lost his train of thought as he doubled back on what she had just said, as he fidgeted with his fingers nervously. " Are you sure? That's what that fortune teller said and then she gave me a box that possessed me with the oni.." Nabiki shook her head back and forth. " Sorry no box or oni to give you, just advice." Ryouga had an intense look on his face. " And that is?" His look changed to a nervous one as he got all excited. " I mean.. what should I.. how should I.." His mood changed again as he hung his head. " She doesn't want to be my girlfriend, she's said that a few times already.."

Nabiki sat and listened to him vent his frustrations. " Well it's not going to be easy. The thing is she's kind of in the middle, between you and Ranma and then how close her and Ranma are. I wouldn't push the issue with her, or she'll push further away from you." Ryouga looked frustrated at her answer. " That doesn't answer anything.." Nabiki sighed with her hand to her face. " Just keep being there for her stupid." Ryouga looked more confused than ever. Nabiki got up from her seat. " And that's all I can say for free." Ryouga hung his head as he put some money down on the desk, which Nabiki snatched up and sat back down. He sighed looking miserable. " I can't easily talk to her alone, Ranma always seems to interfere, at any chance he gets.. and now she's just out right ignoring me.."

Nabiki recounted from what he had told her. " Well you did keep kissing her." She also took a minute to ponder, before she went on. " Ryouga did she ever say anything about being stuck in the middle, to you?" Ryouga's eyes widened as he recalled she had, making him hang his head with guilt. " She did.. and I had asked her not to tell Ranma and she got upset.." Nabiki nodded as she listened. " It's pretty simple, you can't expect that from her, and should also accept Ranma will find out." She crossed her arms as she leaned back some in her chair. " I think it's obvious what you need to do Hibiki." Ryouga got all flustered. " I know but I can't get Ranka alone.." Nabiki smirked at him and put her hand out. " Tell you what, I'll help be your cupid, for a price." Ryouga sweat dropped as he gave her some change. Nabiki hmmed as she took it. " Well.. since your pracitically family, I'll help you out for what little money you did give me." She leaned over and whispered her plan to the lost boy.

—

After getting Ukyou back home safely, Ranka took her leave as she headed off back home herself, while Ranma had gotten Akane back safely, he had gotten talked into staying for some tea and got too comfy. Ranka walked back towards the house, but felt drawn to the park, as she was sensing something as she walked about. Then she spotted a bunch of people gawking at the scene, that she took in as well. She gasped as her eyes widened at seeing the tree that was split in half by the lightning from the storm last night. More so though that in her night mare she had, had last night with Satan emerging from the park, it was in the exact spot. She got more nervous as a bunch of birds were flying near by in the sky, which made her tense up, as she ran off towards the house.

Nodoka looked up what she was doing as she heard the front door and spotted her daughter, which she greeted. " Welcome back Ranka dear." She took notice that Ranma wasn't with her. " Where is your brother?" Ranka snapped out of her daze. " Oh he had to walk Akane home, so he should be back soon." Nodoka couldn't help but giggle at hearing that. " I see, well I can't really fault him for such then." Ranka nodded as she griped onto her book bag's straps tighter. " I'm gonna go take a nap." She took off upstairs before her mother could say anything else, throwing her book bag off to the ground after getting into her room, followed by stripping down to her tank top and shorts, before flopping down on her bed, where she curled up under the blankets, feeling her stomach was in knots. She had, had a premonition through the nightmare last night and it was going to come true and she knew Satan would be coming soon.

Not too much later Ranma got himself to leave the Tendo's, especially after he tried to link up and talk to his sister and didn't get an answer. Which made him hurry back home faster than he usually would. Nodoka looked up again as she heard the front door and smiled at seeing her son. " Welcome back Ranma dear, Ranka told me you walked Akane home, that was very sweet of you." Ranma rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly. " Ah yeah.. so where's Ranka?" Nodoka flipped through her magazine. " She said she was going to take a nap, I thought she would've wanted to have a snack first.." Ranma looked annoyed at hearing that, but less worried as he knew why she wasn't responding.

A little later Ranka woke up from her nap, having a slight nightmare. She held her hands to her head in anguish for a few minutes, curled up more than she was before. She shut her eyes and exhaled as she tried to calm herself down, as her choices weighed on her. On the one hand she didn't want to upset either her mother or brother, but on the other hand, they'd be upset if she didn't say anything. Also it wasn't very easy to keep things secret from Ranma, since they were linked in more ways than one.

Steeling herself out from bed, she got up and went off to the bathroom to take a quick shower to try to feel better. She decided while she let the water rain down on her, to try to keep things to herself, as long as she could, hoping it didn't have to be today. She didn't want to ruin their day, to at least have one more day of peace. The question was if she could throw Ranma off enough, at least until tomorrow was her hope as she finished her shower.

—

It wasn't too long after that she went off downstairs, after changing into something comfy and casual. Her mother at seeing her insisted she have a snack, which she had no intention to with her stomach still in knots, but at her insistence, she pushed herself to. After her mother was satisfied enough, they started on the preparation of making dinner.

The evening went by in a flash after dinner, with the usual activities, before being sent off to bed. Once she was all ready for bed, she slipped on her head phones as she laid back in bed, playing some music on her walkman, it wasn't long after that she drifted off to sleep.

When morning came, she was jolted awake by the alarm going off, which had woken her up from the start of the nightmare, it was still fresh in her mind as she got up and started getting ready. Just the devil's foot prints and how they had started to move forward, which meant his showing up, was coming closer. She went through the daily school routine and before she knew it, they were already at school.

Nabiki had made sure Kuno was too busy, as she put her plan into action, as she approached the two siblings. " Good morning Ranma, Ranka." They gave her cautious looks. Nabiki smiled as she presented them with their fake challenge letters, making up a story of how she was presented them. She had already discussed her plan with Ryouga, but with her sister she hadn't, as she was also a pawn in the plan and had also been given a fake challenge letter. Once she had set things in motion, she took her leave.

Classes went by and soon it was gym class, which how Ranka was feeling, she opted to skip out as she went off to the nurse, letting her sibling know telepathically. She laid down on the make shift bed with a loud sigh. As usual the nurse wasn't around. Before she could shut her eyes, she spotted Thrista as she smiled from above. Ranka groaned at seeing the pink and blue haired girl. " I'm not in the mood.." Thrista frowned some. " I know.." Ranka furrowed her eyebrows. " You'd better not be messing with my head.." Her red gem lit up brightly as it sensed how it's master was feeling. Thrista shook her head still with a bit of a frown on her face. " I'm not, but I have heard.. Satan is making plans, more like my father has heard.. And you're having nightmares, aren't you?" Ranka had her back turned her. " Well you know everything, now don't you.." She then tightened her fist some. " Do you.. know when?" Thrista shook her head back and forth with a sad look on her face. " I'm sorry I don't."

Ranka sighed heavily as she put her arm over her face. Thrista had a pleading look on her face. " Let me help, so you can rest peacefully." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " Right, so you can get into my head, no thanks, just leave me alone, okay." Thrista sighed as she bowed her head in defeat, not wanting to over step bounds with Ranka, she took her leave from the room.

A bit more time passed after some classes and it was lunch time before they knew it. Since it was another nice day, they ate up on top of the roof top. Some other girls were chatting and the chatter was about that cute styled ice cream, which prompted Ranka to join in. " Oh yeah I had that the other day." Some of the girls looked surprised. One of them voicing it. " You" did?" Saya was one of the surprised ones. " I didn't think you liked cute things." Ranka gave her a dull look. " I never said I didn't."

Before they knew it, school was over as they had discussed how they would meet up near the house, after finishing their challenges. They went off their separate ways to the meeting places. Ranma figured something was up with it, as it didn't sound like it was exactly a challenge from Akane, it sounded more like she wanted to talk, as he made his way to the Tendo Dojo.

While Ranka went to the meeting spot that was mentioned on her challenge letter. She sweat dropped at seeing it was at the cafe outside, finding this a strange place for one. As she looked around the area, at spotting Ryouga she froze up and could feel her face flushing. Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head nervously. " Ah.. Ranka, I'm glad you came." Ranka looked confused as she held up the challenge letter. Ryouga looked nervous. " I just wanted to talk." He motioned for her to sit down at one of the outside tables with him, which she did begrudgingly, with her arms crossed, as she quirked an eyebrow at him. Ryouga pulled at the collar of his shirt, feeling flushed. " I uh.. I'm sorry Ranka.." He hung his head. " I shouldn't have expected you to not tell Ranma, it was selfish of me.. and I deserved being punched in the face.." Ranka's annoyed look softened some what at hearing him own up, but it was still pretty tense with everything that had gone on between them, she really didn't know how to act around him.

—

Meanwhile Ranma found Akane waiting in the dojo in her gi outfit with a serious look on her face. Ranma let her know he was there, as he held up the challenge letter. " If you have something to say, then say it Akane." Akane turned around to see him and look all flustered as she held up her challenge letter. " Your the challenger?" Ranma sweat dropped, looking annoyed. "Hey, you challenged me!" Akane had a perplexed look on her face. " I didn't send that." Ranma grumbled as he crumpled up the letter. " Yeah well Nabiki said you did.." Akane started to get annoyed at hearing that. " Oooh Nabiki!" Ranma started to wonder what Nabiki was up to, looking to Akane. " Hey Akane, so Nabiki was she talking to anyone that you know of?" Akane pondered what he was saying as she remembered last night, which made her snap her fingers. "Oh yeah, well I think she was just kidding around, but she and P-chan were chatting last night. It was really cute but also really weird."

Ranma curled his lip at hearing that as he suddenly knew what was likely going on, that Nabiki had set this all up for Ryouga to be alone with Ranka. He had some choice words to say about P-chan and Nabiki, but knew he had to control himself, since Akane had no clue that P-chan was really Ryouga. He just hehed at what he had heard and then told Akane since there wasn't a real challenge, he needed to get back home to his mother, taking his leave in a rush as he said goodbye to everyone that was present. Of course Nabiki was no where to be found.

Back at the cafe they had ordered drinks, while Ryouga was rambling on about things in a tizzy. Ranka tensed up as she spotted a bird flying closer towards the cafe, making her jump up from her seat. Ryouga followed her gaze to what she was so intently staring at, as he squinted to see the faraway object, standing up to try to get a better look. " Isn't that.. Mousse?" As the Mu mu chan clone got closer it quacked, as it threw a bunch of knives straight at Ryouga, prompting Ranka to race over to his side, pushing him out of the way as she threw up a large defense barrier around the cafe to protect everyone there, also putting up a seprate one around them, as the knives bounced off and clattered to the ground. Ryouga blinked as he and Ranka got up from the ground and away from being so close to each other. " Why is Mousse attacking?" Ranka sighed heavily. " Their clones of his cursed form, and everyone near to me.. is a target." Ryouga's eyes widened at hearing there was more than one. " Clones.."

Three other Mu Mu chan duck clones circled about in the sky, as they un leashed a bunch of exploding bombs that rained down from the sky, though thanks to the defense barrier's they were neutralized, much to the anger of the duck clones. Ryouga's mouth hung open in awe for a minute, before he shook his head a bout. Ranka at seeing they were gone, let down the bigger defense barrier around the cafe. " Well since this isn't a challenge, I need to go." Ryouga got all nervous as he waved his hands about. " But I uh thought we were talking." Ranka got a bit annoyed as she held out the challenge letter. " HOW is "this" about talking? And why did it come from Nabiki and not YOU!" Ryouga got all nervous and blurted out things. " She said she'd help.." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at him with her arms crossed. " Hoo I see.." She gave him a glare as she pulled her book bag back over her back. " Next time you pull that crap, I really will kick your ass, got it!" She turned on her heel, walking off in a huff.

Much to her annoyance he had followed suit, which put her in a worse mood. " Get lost!" While she was annoyed, she was also flustered. Ryouga stuck to his gun's, as he tried to ignore her anger. " I really am sorry about how I upset you.. " Ranka tightened her fists. " You're upsetting me right now! You'd better go, because if Ranma catches you, he WILL kick your ass without a second thought." She then jumped up onto the brick wall, then speeding off in a blur.

After a while she jumped down after the fence ended, meeting up with Ranma shortly after, as they walked back home together.

Nabiki had finished with some business as she was headed on her way back home, when she met up with Ryouga, who seemed to be moping about. " Well well, fancy running into you again." Ryouga at realizing it was Nabiki got annoyed. " YOU said she liked me, right? " Nabiki had a dull look on her face. " That is what I said." Ryouga ruffled up his hair in aggravation. " She was really mad though.." Nabiki shrugged her shoulders. " Yet she let you talk, right?" Ryouga sweat dropped at hearing that. " I guess so, but she was really mad about the challenge letter, and how you set it up.." Nabiki sighed as she ran a finger though her hair. " Listen Ryouga, do you think she actually would've shown up if I had just given her a letter from you, stating you wanted to talk? And so smart of you to say you were working with me." Ryouga stood there looking dumb.

—

Down in the depth's of hell Satan was about to carry out his new plan, with a magic spell, using his Mu Mu-chan clones to help carry it out, as he armed them with it in the form of powder form. " If "she" won't come to me, I'll make her come begging to me." He said with a sinister sneer on his face. Alley smirked at hearing that. " It's her own fault for defying her master."

He commanded the duck clones on their new mission, as they went off together, taking to the skies. They flew about, each holding their own small bucket that was full of the powder. One each of them found a cloud, they went about to dumping the powder over them, from their buckets, before flying back to their master.

The clouds above Nerima were full of the spell, as they swelled up and starting pouring rain down on the town for a quite a bit of time, before it turned into the form of fog that spread all over. At that moment Nodoka was cleaning up from dinner with Ranka in the kitchen with her, while Ranma was off taking a bath. They were about done with the dishes as her eyes glazed over for a second,as the spell hit. She blinked at the girl that was next to her, as she knew her son/daughter Ranma had gone upstairs to take a bath, so it couldn't be him in his girl form. "Who, are you?" It was Ranka's turn to blink. " Huh? You know who am I mom, are you playing some kinda game with me?" She said in an un sure tone. Nodoka hmmed. " Your not Ranma, are you?" Ranka sweat dropped. " Um no.. I'm Ranka, you can stop playing around." Nodoka pondered what this girl was saying to her. " Ranka? I've never heard of you."

Ranka scratched at her head, looking worried. " I'll be right back." She went off upstairs to her room, where she was looking for those flowers from hell, thinking something must've been done to her mother and that could help. She was interrupted from her rummaging as she heard pinging sounds coming from her window, which prompted her to open it, her first thought it was Ryouga trying to bother her. She stuck her head out the window. " Knock it off already!" Her eyes went wide as she saw Ivory outside on the rooftop, who in turn gave her a smirk. " I have a message for you."

Ranka's gem lit up as it put up a defense barrier around it's master. She curled her lip as she climbed out through her window, on to the roof top to confront her. " Let me guess this has to do with my mom not acting right.." Ivory hahed. " You're so smart Onna. I'm not here to fight, only to relay "his" message. She cleared her throat as she went on. " The master has cast this fog, that has made everyone forget who you are. If you ever want them to remember you again, then come and see the master, as the spell becomes permanent in three days and he's the ONLY one who has the cure." She laughed as she jumped down from the roof top. " You see if you had just come back like a good little servant and let him wipe your memories, 'this" wouldn't be happening, right now." She then disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ranka alone on the roof top.

Ranka slumped down against the back of where her window was, tightening her fist at what she had just heard. She looked up at her window for a second before looking off at the endless fog with a sigh. It seemed like the perfect time to disappear, since no one knew who she was currently. Even though the devil had said he'd cure it, it was doubtful that he would, it was to force her compliance to return and wipe her memories as well. She felt torn because she knew if her family did get their memories back, they'd be hurt by her leaving, but resolved how if there was a chance of getting their memories back, she'd have to go.

With that thought, she jumped down from the roof top and started walking into the fog with her red gem lighting up, so she could see. After a ways of walking she felt herself smack into someone through the fog. Of course it had to be Ryouga.. Ryouga had taken shelter during the rain before and shortly after it stopped, ended up wandering and now he had seemed to bump into someone. He started to apologize until through the red light he could see who looked to be Ranma, which got him going. " Ranma, how dare you walk into me!" At getting a closer look he blinked at seeing his rival wasn't wearing his standard chinese outfit, and the girl had her hair up in a pony tail, where Ranma had his in his pigtail.

Ranka bristled back annoyed. " How dare YOU smack into me!" Ryouga's tone changed to a gentler one. " I'm sorry I thought you were Ranma, but.. clearly you're not.." He couldn't stop starring at the red head girl, who was wearing a graphic t-shirt and comfy pants. He felt like he some how DID know her. Ranka waved him off as she started to walk again. " Whatever.." As she started to disappear from his view, he got more upset as he grabbed her by her hand. " Wait, don't go! I.. feel like, I do know you."

Ranka's face was flushed as she pulled her hand away from him. " Well you don't." Ryouga got all flustered. " What's your name? I feel like.. it's Ranko." Ranka looked away from him really quickly. " It's Ranka.." She said very quietly. Ryouga smiled stupidly. " Hey I was pretty close, so um Ranka what are you doing out here all by yourself?" He blinked as he noticed she was suddenly gone, which got him all upset.

Ranka kept running a ways before she stopped to catch her breath, only for a near by houses front door to fly open, making her jump. Thrista furrowed her brows at her. " Ranka, you can't go!" Ranka blinked in confusion as she realized it was her. " Um.. shouldn't you not remember me? And how did you know I was leaving?" Thrista gave her a stern look, before she grabbed her by her hand, yanking her off inside her house with her, before she shut the door. " I told you before I'm part demon, so this spell doesn't affect me and I know because.. I heard about "his" plan. You were just going to leave, weren't you!?" Ranka tensed up a bit. " Well what else was I supposed to do?! He's the only one who can fix it.." Thrista shook her finger at her as she tsked her. " Well you should try to find some other way and well.. you can stay here with me." Ranma sighed in defeat. " Fine, for now, but if we don't find a cure, I'm out.."

Back at the Saotomes, having finished his bath and getting changed, he went back downstairs where he saw his mother, looking frazzled, looking around a bit more he didn't see his sister. " Hey mom, where's Ranka?" Nodoka rubbed at her head, feeling confused. " Who?" Ranma sweat dropped. " You know who.." He was about to say more but the spell finally hit him as well, as his eyes glazed over for a second. The spell had taken a bit longer to affect him, because of how close he and Ranka were. Nodoka gave her a son an odd look. " Who were you talking about?" Ranma looked kind of lost. " I don't know."

Cut back to Thrista's house, where she was showing Ranka around her house all excited. Ranka groaned at the whole affair, but took notice that no one else seemed to be home. " Where are your parents?" Thrista paused the tour to answer her friend. " Oh they are both very busy, so it's just you and me." She giggled as she went back to the overly specific tour, as she showed Ranka the bathroom. " This is the shower, and this is the tub and this here is the sink and of course the toilet, which has.." Ranka started to loose focus, until the tour ended with her room.

Thrista got all nervous mid tour of it. " And this is my room, here's my bed and my desk.." She noticed she hadn't taken down her big poster picture of Ranka, or the many photo's she had strewn all over the room. Ranka sweat dropped at spotting a bunch of photos. " Are.. those all photos of me?" Thrista laughed some as she was able to get rid of some of them, pretty quickly. "Don't you have photo's of Ryouga?" Ranka looked all annoyed and frazzled. " No, I don't! This isn't about me, it's about YOU, being about me.. and bordering into Kuno territory.." She said as she was referring to his obsession with the pigtailed girl, her and Akane, with the huge blown up photo's he had as well as regular one's.

Thrista went about preparing a futon on the floor. " You can sleep on my bed, if you want to." She had a way too happy look on her face, which creeped Ranka out some. " Yeah.. I'm fine with the futon." Thrista smiled as she rooted around through her dresser drawer. " You need some pajama's, right?" Ranka was playing with her necklace chain. " I guess so.." Thrista had a big smile on her face as she held out one of her baby doll pajama's. Ranka looked distressed at what she had been given. " You know what, I'm good." Thrista hmmed. " Okay, oh hey are you hungry? I could get you something." Ranka waved her hand about, slightly annoyed. " I'm fine thanks, I don't feel like eating and I already had dinner, before the fog hit.." Anything further she shut down by stating she was really tired, as they settled in for the night.

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

Notes: I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter.