Chapter 14


As Noduka closed the door on her son and her now 'daughter in law' if she guessed right judging by the noise they had made during their recent lovemaking. Smiling in happiness, the Saotome matriarch made her way back to bed to join her husband. "I better not tell Soun or Genma or they'll want them to get married right away. I would like to see Ranma handle his girl troubles first before they get married," she murmured to herself as she walked down the hallway.

Noduka wasn't worried that her son or Akane would be cold since the chamber was unusually warm for such a large room. On her way past the clock in the main hall she glanced towards it to see what time it was. Seeing that it was six in the morning and that everyone would be getting up soon, she made a slight detour to gather the girls. Quickly opening Kasumi's door she called to the eldest, Kasumi, it's time to get up and help me prepare Ranma and Akane's breakfast.

The eldest Tendo daughter rolled over with a smile on her lips as she stretched, relieving the kinks from her sleep-worn muscles. I'll be right there Auntie, Kasumi replied cheerfully as she arose from her bed and gathered her clothes together before heading for the bathroom.

Noduka nodded before closing the door and headed for Nabiki's room. This, she knew would be like trying to wake a hibernating bear prematurely, and as past examples had presented themselves, Noduka knew that Nabiki was not a morning person. Opening the door, she quickly made her way towards the bed and saw that only the top of Nabiki's head was visible. Most of the time she didn't have to try very hard to awaken the girl but this morning, Noduka knew, would be one of those bad days. Nabiki, it's time to help me in the kitchen with making your sisters breakfast, she said while gently shaking the girl.

Grrrrrrmmmm, don came the muffled and almost intelligible reply from the still sleeping lump.

Sighing, Noduka decided to try some scare tactics to get the girl up, If you don't get up now and help me in the kitchenthere's a good chance that your sister and Ranma will end up eating you for breakfast.

Whaaa! I'm upI'm updon't let them get me! the middle Tendo yelled jumping three feet in the air, her brain, still partially asleep. Since the time she had gone to bed last night she had some very strange dreams regarding her sister and Ranma, so it was all to easy for her sleep fogged mind to take what Noduka was saying, seriously.

Seeing Nabiki jump out of bed so quickly had the Saotome matriarch laughing to herself. Finally, satisfied that Nabiki wouldn't be going back to bed any time soon, she turned and headed towards the kitchen to start breakfast.


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Soun rolled over in bed groaning in pain as the wrecking crew in his head decided to make itself known. His head throbbed from last nights drinking and crying spree. Grabbing his head with his hands he whispered, Oooh, I'll never drink that much againbut, the painthe pain of loosing Kamiko hurts, and now this, is too much to bear.

Tears rolled down his face as he wept silently, Soun had too much of a hangover to utter a sound, lest it worsen the pain in his head. Oh, he wanted his headache to stop as soon as possible but he knew that it would take a while for it to wear off. Soun knew that drinking wasn't the way to drown out his memories of the loss of his wife; memories of the time they had come here when she was pregnant with Akane. Yet after getting Ranma and his daughter into the healing chamber he couldn't hold the pain back so he had decided to drown his sorrows with a few bottles of saki. Now he was paying for his slip with a vengeance.

Slowly, he got out of bed while trying to minimize any sudden movements, opening the door, he walked towards the great hall with weary steps, feeling the weight of the past few years weigh heavily on his shoulders. He was tired of all the things that kept happening to his family. But, this time he knew that what had happened was destined to happen, it was just that he wished it hadn't happened to his little girl. Oh, Akaneyou may never be the same again his sniffled and then continued whispering softly, my poor baby girldaddy will never be able to hold you again Suddenly, the past events from the night before hit him like a freight train and he couldn't hold back the tears any longer so, pausing in front of Genma's door Soun began wailing loudly and holding his head, My baaaaabyyyyy! Waaaaaaaa!

Suddenly, Genma's door slammed open as Ranma's father shuffled into the hall. Peering blearily at his friend, Genma tried to get him to calm down as he said, Don't worry Tendo, I'm sure there is a reason for this to have happened to our children. Now, stop that crying because its loud enough to wake the dead and it's giving me a headache, the Saotome foot and mouth disease reared it's ugly head and showed everyone who cared, where Ranma had gotten it from.

Soun stopped wailing as he sniffled as said, I'm sure you're right Saotome--sniff, sniff-but I can't help it. Wwhat if they never change back? He said while unconsciously voicing his friend's fear.

Genma had put on a brave front so his friend would see that he wasn't worried and replied, I'm sure that this is only temporary, Tendo. We'll check up on them after we get something to eat. Soun, Genma knew, was emotionally unstable since the death of Kamiko. This latest event he feared, was enough to send his long time friend over the edge. In reality, Genma was very worried about his son and the unity of the schools. He was very afraid that his son would be stuck for the rest of his life unable to change back into a human.

Nodding, Sound fell into step beside Genma as they continued on towards the great hall. Once inside, they could smell the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, so they settled themselves down to wait. It wasn't long before Noduka emerged from the kitchen, bearing several large trays of food. Genma licked his lips in anticipation but was disappointed when his wife walked past him and on towards the exit.

he exclaimed as he stood up. No-chan where are you going with breakfast?

Finally noticing her husband, Noduka paused while adjusting the tray and smiling patiently she replied, I'm taking this to our son, dear. If I don'twould you rather have his famous Saotome appetite focused on you?

Genma paused in mid complaint as her implication hit home. Uh, Let me get another tray for you! he said quickly, his desire to save his own skin showed, scrambling out of his seat, he headed for the kitchen at a run.

Why thank you dear. I have Kasumi and Nabiki helping me too. I would really appreciate the extra hands to help carry the large chicken we found inside the larder. I must say that I was surprised at its size. Who could have thought that they could grow as large as a car? Noduka said cheerfully as she continued on towards the healing chamber where her son and daughter-in-law now rested.

Noduka completely missed Soun's facefault when he heard of the size of the bird. How can a bird grow that large? he muttered to himself as he slowly got up from the floor. Hmm, If I remember correctly, this is where the water of life comes from. And Ranma and Akane did tell me about the giant animals herebut how did they cook that bird? he said as he tried to picture his daughters and Noduka lifting such a large bird. Coming to the conclusion that they had managed to accomplish this feat of strength made him blanche when he realized that they were abnormally strong. He silently made a mental note to never anger his children. His musings were interrupted when his two daughters along with Genma in tow, entered the room bearing several large trays of food.

Good morning, Father, Kasumi chirped cheerily as she walked past him.

Morning dear, did you sleep well? Soun asked.

Oh yes, I slept very well, thank you. Now, If you'll excuse me I have to get this to Ranma and Akane before they wake up, Kasumi replied as she hurried out of the room.


But I Soun tried to get her attention once more but she was already gone. Spotting Nabiki, he quickly switched his attention towards her and asked, Nabiki? What's going on? Why are you carrying that much food for your sister and Ranma? It looks like there is enough there to feed an army!

Four army's daddy, Nabiki replied, grinning. Nabiki walked towards the table and rested the tray on the tabletop for a few moments as she thought up a suitable explanation for her father. Well daddyit's like thisAuntie did some more research from the book and found out that Akane and Ranma's behavior would change drastically. First of all, they would be extremely hungry due to the massive amount of energy that was drained during the ceremony. So the book said to keep them well fed to keep them from loosing control, Nabiki paused to let the information sink in before she continued. Second, due to the change, the book informed us that they would be emotionally unstable and quick to anger. It also said, that above all else, she paused and glared at the two fathers before she spoke slowly, off! That means don't even suggest having them get married or you wouldn't like the consequences.


Soun frowned as he digested the information before he asked, What do you mean don't get them mad?

Yes, I don't see your point, Nabiki, Genma replied as he tried to figure out what the middle Tendo daughter was trying to say.

Nabiki glared at them with a look that asked, Are you Stupid? Before speaking as if she were talking to three-year-olds. Ok, I think a demonstration is in order. Here we have a balance of scales, Nabiki held up her two hands at waist level, Picture my right hand as Akane and Ranma before the ceremony. Nabiki paused waiting for confirmation that they understood. Seeing both Genma and Soun nod their understanding she smiled sardonically and continued, Now, my left hand is Akane and Ranma after the ceremony. Are you with me so far? Nabiki didn't pause to notice them nod, before she launched into her spiel, Now take a factor ofoh say, the Chinese Amazons, throw in Ranma's non-existent temper and Akane's short fuse and the damage they could do before the ceremony.


Genma and Soun nodded as they followed along with her explanation. They watched as Nabiki lowered her right hand and raised her left well above her head. Now picture them getting mad and what Akane and Ranma could do now while they're like this. Do you see what I'm getting at? she asked them crossing her arms while taping her foot in an impatient rhythm on the floor. Both men gulped and turned the color of snow as they pictured the amount of collateral damage that both of their children could produce while they were like this.

Now, wouldn't you say that it would be very bad? Nabiki asked, picking up the try and heading out the door.

Once she had disappeared it took Soun and Genma five more minutes to snap out of their self-induced daydream about their children on a rampage. Shuddering, the two men came to a decision. Saotome, my friend. I think it would be very wise for us to lay off trying to get our children married at the moment, Sound said, whispering.

Genma was quick to recover from his shock and replied nervously, Oh, definitely, Tendo. We can do that laterat least until they get back to normal. Taking the trey he was holding, Genma shoved it into Soun's hands, Here, you take this one while I get another. This is just to ensure that they don't decide to have us for breakfast," he grinned shakily before he moved off towards the kitchen. "I really don't know what their mental state will be when they wake up. Genma called over his shoulder as he picked up the pace, running towards the kitchen to get another trey.

Blinking in surprise, Soun tried to figure out how he had gotten drafted into carrying a trey. Shrugging his shoulders, he pushed that thought out of his mind and then thought about what Genma had said about the mental state of their two children. Yes, how will they react? he muttered quietly to himself before falling into step with Genma, both fathers quickly made their way towards the healing chamber hoping that their children had found a way to change back.


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Late morning:


Akane slowly rolled over onto her back and felt the cold of the stone floor seep into her skin. Shivering with cold, she tried to cuddle up to the warmth that radiated by her side. When she bumped into something solid her eyes opened and she glanced towards the source. Spotting Ranma lying next to her, naked Akane yelped, "Ack!" Then she franticly tried to cover herself with her arms as she searched the floor for something to cover herself with. Akane franticly tried to remember what had happened. Then, it hit her like a ton of bricks as memories from last night came rushing to the fore.

"Aaaa!" she screamed loudly as she remembered what they had done. Then, she became angry at what they had done, she remembered waking and smelling a strange aroma that was very compelling and then she had lost control. She remembered having...no making love to Ranma and the amount of pleasure that he had given her. Akane tried to control her rising anger and managed to keep in contained, barely. Her aurora pulsed like a wild thing, lighting the room as it grew in size. Akane knew that she hadn't used any protection, the thought that she could be pregnant entered her mind and she growled deeply. So deeply that it produced a sound that shook the walls, so loud was it, that it triggered her companions survival instincts.

Ranma's eyes snapped open, his senses tuned, searching for any source of danger and finally locating it. Noticing that it was coming from Akane, he gulped and tried to calm her down by saying, "Hey 'Kane, what's the matter?"

"What's the matter?" a growling Akane repeated, her words sounding like a pile of rocks being ground together. "Ranma...what do you remember of last night?"

"It ain't my fault!" he yelled automatically and winced when he noticed her expression darkening into what he recognized as the coming of hurricane Akane. Quickly, before she blew her top, Ranma thought furiously, searching through his memories and then it came. The events of last night hit him like a run away train, eyes wide as dinner plates, Ranma remembered everything in bold detail. Blushing furiously he stammered, "Ah..a..a...a...nooo...nononononono....you...me...Ack!"


"I see that you remember now, right?" she growled at him, glaring in his direction.

"Y-yeah," Ranma replied, nodding franticly while all the blood seemingly drained from his face, leaving it as white as chalk. He was too busy trying to figure out what had made him do what he had done to notice their state of undress. When he finally noticed, he blushed a deeper shade of red as he tried to tear his gaze away from her body. Thoughts of what they had done last night and how much he would like to do it again, ran across his mind.


Akane's glare became menacing as she caught a particular thought. "Ranma, there will be no more of that until we get married. We didn't use protection last night so I don't want to run the risk of getting pregnant," she said while trying to calm herself down enough that she wouldn't kill him. "Although...I don't mind the thought of having his baby, I don't want to be stuck in school while I'm pregnant," she thought, not realizing that she was broadcasting her thoughts towards Ranma.


If Akane had thought that Ranma had been a bit on the pale side before, she would never have thought it possible for him to get any whiter. But in this instance, he lost all color as his whole body turned chalky white and his eyes dilated to pinpoints, Ranma had stopped breathing. She began to wonder what had gotten into him when she remembered that they were now able to communicate by thought. Quickly, before he expired from the lack of oxygen, Akane crawled over, grasped his shoulders tightly and shook him. "Hey! Baka, breathe!"

As Ranma gained enough coherence to blink, he gasped, taking in big gulping breaths while his mind ran in circles. Part of him was overjoyed that she wanted his child but, another part was a gibbering mass of panic. Unfortunately, the panic won out and was dominating his every though. Akane could hear every unvoiced word that ran through his mind and sighed in exasperation. She knew that she had to snap him out of it soon because she could hear someone coming.


"I had hoped that I wouldn't have to do this," Akane whispered quietly while wincing in sympathy. She knew that she had to get him to help her find something to wear, quickly. Lifting her hand she smacked him on the face, hard.

"Owwww!" Ranma yelled, cradling his sore cheek. "Whadja do that for?"

Akane glared at him while replying, "Listen, do you hear it?" She watched as his eyes narrowed in concentration, his head tilting in the direction of the noise.

"Yeah, what...oh man, someone's coming!" he whispered harshly before he began to panic. Since his panic was at all time levels, the Saotome foot and mouth disease decided to rear its ugly head, so he didn't realize what he had said until it was to late, "We gotta get some clothes on or they'll have us married within seconds!" Realizing what he just said, Ranma scrunched his eyes shut and waiting for his punishment. None came. Opening his eyes he glanced at Akane and saw the hurt expression in her eyes before that was quickly whipped away.

Akane flinched at what he had just said but like Ranma, she didn't want to get married at such a young age. "Hurry up and help me find some clothes," she growled a little bit angry and hurt at his reaction, but she hid it behind a mask of indifference as she stood and started searching the room.

Spotting their clothes by the door Ranma pointed towards them, "Someone left us something to wear, Akane." Turning her head, Akane followed the direction of his pointing hand and sighed in relief. She was getting rather chilled and knew that she couldn't remain this way for long. Getting up, she quickly made her way over to them, her steps slapping quietly on the stone floor. Picking them up, she put them on, glancing towards Ranma she noticed that he to had gotten dressed. She was about to comment on how much she appreciated that someone had left them something to wear, when the door opened and Noduka entered, followed by Kasumi and Nabiki.

Akane noticed that they were carrying several treys piled high with food. She took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma and her stomach growled, demanding that it be fed. "Hmm...breakfast," she said groaning in delight and licking her lips in anticipation, she quickly made her way over towards them, her hands reaching for several pork buns.

Ranma had glanced up when he saw the door opening and relaxed when he noticed his mother entering. Smelling the food at the same time as Akane, he was right by her side, attacking the food like there was no tomorrow. They were working on finishing off the last of what his mother and Akane's sisters had brought in, so they didn't' pay attention to the conversation going on right by them.

Kasumi smiled when she saw that her sister and Ranma were back to normal. Turning towards Noduka she whispered quietly, much to quiet for her sister and Ranma to hear, "Oh my, I'm so glad they're human again. I don't know what we would have done if they were unable to change back."

"Yes, it would have been difficult to get them back to Nerima," Noduka said smiling while laughing quietly. Quickly holding up the ancestral book, Noduka said, "I did some further reading late last night and found out what the evil presence was called. They referred to it by the name of 'The dark God'. The book said that I must teach Ranma and Akane a few special techniques in order for them to be able to survive the coming fight and kill this thing for good."

Nabiki heard everything as she was standing not to far away and asked, "Do you think that's what their other forms are for? And another thing," Nabiki paused before continuing. "What does the dark god look like?"

"According to the book, it is a dark cloud of energy with glowing red eyes. This is all the book tells of since I suspect that no one was able to discern its true form. The book said that the only thing that could defeat it was neither human nor the original species of what your sister or Ranma have become. It looks to me that whoever gifted our family with this prophecy had anticipated that the Dark God would eventually break free from its prison," Noduka said thoughtfully.

Both, Kasumi and Nabiki nodded their heads, as they understood what she was getting at. They were about to ask further questions when Soun and Genma walked in the room bearing the last two treys of food. "Here you go No-chan!" Genma called as he shifted the trey and walked further into the room. Genma's shout had the effect of catching Ranma and Akane's attention. Their heads snapped around so fast that everyone could hear the crack. Eyes focusing on the food, Ranma and Akane moved faster than anyone thought possible, towards the two men holding the treys.

Soun following right behind him started to say, "That's the.." but was unable to finish his sentence when he saw his daughter and Ranma heading toward him and Genma. "Aaaaa! Both men screamed like a pair of babies and started to run, but they never made it.

Akane, focusing on Genma, leapt high into the air and come down hard on top of him, knocking him to the ground. Growling quietly, she watched the trey fly high up into the air and quickly jumped to intercept it. Akane caught it in mid flight and landed on her living perch. "Heeelp! Genma squeaked but Akane ignored Ranma's father as she began devouring the food.

Soun was having similar problems with Ranma, "Oh, no," he yelped while managing to hold onto the trey and use it as a shield for his head. While doing this he was unable to break his fall with his hands but managed quite well when he used his face. Ranma wasted no time in grabbing the trey and devouring the food. Moaning, Soun was able to finish his sentence while trying to crawl out form under the cursed teen, "Last...bit... the Tendo patriarch grunted as he strained to stand. Ooh, that smarts Soun gasped out, rubbing his sore face. ...of food that you cooked for Akane and Ranma," he groaned in pain.

Blinking, the girls watched as Soun and Genma were defeated by Ranma and Akane in less than two seconds. When the smoke cleared, they started laughing uncontrollably. Nabiki tried to hold it in but a giggle escaped her lips. "Ooh...that's just too much," she said leaning against Kasumi.

"Yes, who would have thought that daddy and uncle are afraid of two teenagers...althoughvery hungry teenagers at that," Kasumi said between fits of laughter. Gasping for breath, she finally gained enough control of herself to ask, "Na...Nabiki, do you know why they s-screamed like babies and ran for their lives.

"It was..." *SNORT* "Hahahahaha..." Nabiki tried to say but snorted loudly as she remembered Genma's high pitched yelling for help. "It was....it...ahahahahahaha!"she kept trying to explain but never managed to get anything out since every time she thought of it, it sent her into renewed fits of uncontrollable laughter. Just remembering the look of her father and Uncle Genma's faces as they saw Ranma and Akane heading their way, was enough to set her off again.

Noduka realized that Nabiki wouldn't be any help for a little bit more or at least until she got her self under control. Deciding to explain she said, "It might be due to the fact that I gave them enough motivation to help us carry the food in because Ranma and Akane would be very hungry. I told them that if they didn't help, Ranma and Akane would probably eat them for breakfast."


"Ooh,...Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed before going off in another fit of laughing. After a good two minutes she was able to control herself enough to wipe the tears from her eyes. Glancing over towards her father and Genma, she noticed that Akane and Ranma had finally finished eating and were resting quietly on top of the two men.

"Auntie?" Nabiki said, tapping the older woman gently on the shoulder.

"Yes Nabiki?" Noduka asked, turning towards the middle Tendo.

"Don't you think that daddy and Uncle Genma would like to get up now?" she asked grinning.

"Oh yes, I think that would be a good idea," Noduka replied. Smiling, she made her way over towards Ranma and gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Ranma, my son," she called to him gently. When this received no response, she remembered his fondness for learning Martial arts techniques and decided to try another way. "It's time to get off of Soun now. I have a few new techniques to train you in."


Ranma heard his mother's words about training and it snapped him out of the trance-like state he was in. "Techniques? Where? When can I learn them...what are they?" Ranma asked excitedly. While asking her those questions, he unconsciously transmitted his feelings through the mental link to Akane.

Akane, who had been busy searching for more food, caught his excitement and managed to break through the hunger-induced fog that shrouded her mind. Unconsciously, she skimmed Ranma's surface thoughts to find out what had him in such a state. Akane smiled when she discovered that it had to do with learning some new techniques. That's Ranma for youalthough they do sound interestingI'd better go and see what it's about, Akane muttered as she quickly made her way over to them.

As Akane got close enough she saw that Noduka had reached inside her kimono and pulled out tow scrolls while saying, "I brought these scrolls with me from Ranma's room. I have to teach you two a few things before the Dark God comes," Noduka replied, holding them up. "The Kami no Seppa and the Jiro jen Kenshumi techniques required you to have gone through the ritual. To use these techniques without the ceremony would be instant death to the practitioner."

Hey, I remember the first one! Ranma said excitedly.

Akane said quietly.

Yes Akane, What is it? The Saotome matriarch replied.

What does the first one do? Akane asked curiously while leaning towards, Noduka.

Noduka settled herself on the floor, opened the first scroll and said, The Kami no Seppa techniqueor The Fist of God, loosely translated. Is a technique designed to combine both users life force into one powerful being. That is why there must be two chosen. To use the technique with out the other half of the pair is to sign your death warrant. You end up using all of your life force until there is none left. The technique in itself when used properly forms agiant bomb, if you will. Noduka paused, thinking before she continued, It states that the chosen must be in their gifted forms in order to perform the technique.

Gifted forms? What the hell does that mean? Ranma muttered.

Beats me, I have no idea what it's talking about, Akane replied slightly confused. Suddenly, a vague memory surfaced, Although, I do remember little bits from the ceremony last night. I wonder if that's what those orbs meant about being forever changed.

Yeah, I remember that too. I wonder what they meant? Ranma replied, confused, he couldn't remember anything past the time that he had merged with one of the spheres and woken up beside Akane.

Noduka interrupted them before they got any more confused. When the ceremony was completed, you were she paused as her emotions got the better of her.

We were what? both Ranma and Akane asked at the same time. They were very afraid of what she was going to say; but they desperately wanted to know the truth.

You were no longer Noduka whispered quietly.

they screamed in shock. Before Noduka could answer, they were interrupted by the middle Tendo sister.

"Excuse me," Nabiki said coming over to them and laying a comforting hand on Noduka's shoulder. "I've finished cleaning up and I need to go check up on my investments. If I don't find out if were in the black. Thenwe'll probably end up living here for the rest of our lives. The middle Tendo daughter rubbed her brow as she felt a headache coming. With all the damage Ranma and Akane's friends do to the house, I need to keep in touch with the market. I brought along my portable radio, so I'll see you later," Nabiki finished, turning she left the room.

Smiling, Noduka nodded in acknowledgement before going to sit down by Kasumi. Ranma and Akane remained in the center of the room talking quietly between themselves. They didn't notice as the two older men pulled themselves to their feet and made their way towards them. Glancing back and forth at Ranma and Akane, Genma was relieved that they were human again and decided to point it out to his long time friend. "Our children are back to normal," Genma said, grinning happily.

"Oh happy day! Now they can get married!" Soun exclaimed loudly, totally forgetting Nabiki's warnings from earlier.

the thought came simultaneously between Ranma and Akane as they growled, anger quickly surging to the fore. The two young martial artists slowly turned around, cracks in the floor forming with each step they took. Ranma and Akane's anger peaked as they watched their fathers dance around the room in joy. Suddenly their anger turned into rage, a rage that was beyond their control, whipping out all coherent thought except, kill. They took no notice of the light that had sprung up around their bodies, each took a threatening step forward, fists clenched, teeth bared.


Because Soun and Genma were dancing around the room, they failed to notice the darkening expressions on Ranma and Akane's faces. Bright flashes of light and twin roars of fury echoed throughout the chamber, sening chills racing down their spines and freezing them on the spot. -Some deep-rooted instinct from the primordial slime pit of a million years ago screamed a warning- Both, Soun and Genma heeded that warning and jumped six feet into the air. They barely made it as two twin jets of flame seared the spot that they had just been standing, charring the floor.

Backing up quickly, the two men decided to try reasoning with their enraged children. They started to explain, "Now RanmaAkane, you understand that we know what's best for you? As your fathers, you must respect our authori...."

They were interrupted when their two dracaonic children lunged, mouths open and heading strait for the two frozen fathers. They didn't stay frozen for long as both screamed, "tyEEEEeeeeep!" Throwing themselves out of harms way and rolling towards the far walls, they hid behind one of the stone pillars before Ranma and Akane could notice.


Turning towards Soun, his face white as a sheet, Genma said in a shaky whisper, "Maybe we should have kept our mouths shut."

Soun nodded his head while quietly blubbering, "My baby is trying to eat me! Waaaaaa!" They both winced when hearing their children's outraged roars at their disappearance.


"Rooaaarrrr!" Ranma and Akane roared again since their targets had disappeared. Scanning the room, they started searching for the two men. As they neared the spot where Soun and Genma were hiding, Noduka yelled, "STOP THIS AT ONCE!"

The shout started the two transformed teens, enabling them to regain control of their emotions and utilize coherent thought once more. Deep down, they were still young adults and subject to the whims of their parents. There were exceptions to the rule as their fathers had proved by getting them angry. Since Ranma and Akane were used to pounding on their fathers for doing stupid things like trying to force them to get married they had reacted instinctively in their rage and attacked.

Now, suitably chastened, they hung their massive heads, noses almost touching the floor as they gazed sheepishly at Noduka. Neither noticed anything wrong until Akane tried to speak. "Rrrrrrrr," she started to say but when hearing this instead of normal words she was startled.

Gulping nervously, Akane slowly looked at herself, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, she glanced down. Slowly, taking in every detail from her huge forearms tipped with razor sharp talons to her long whip-like tail and the pair of wings on her back, she froze. Akane didn't realize that she had stopped breathing, when she started breathing again she began to hyperventilate. "Oh, godohgodohgod...oh my god!" she thought franticly as panic seized control.

"No...nonononono!" Akane shook her head back and forth as a scream built deep in her chest. When it finally emerged, it was so loud and panic-stricken that it shook the walls and caused her family to wince. "Out,...I need to get out of here!" she thought franticly. Turning her head in every direction, she looked for a way to escape, to run and hide from everything that had just happened to her. But it was no use. She couldn't find any way out. Turning, she focused her gaze on the small doorway leading out into the hall. Akane was too panic stricken to think straight, bunching her new leg muscles, she lunged towards the door. She had almost reached it when she was tackled to the floor. As she lay there stunned, her anger blocking Ranma's calming thoughts out. She couldn't make any sense of human speech and her anger pushed her to the brink until finally her control snapped. Akane, did the only thing that her draconic instinct demanded, she attacked.

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When Ranma heard his mother yell at him, he flinched. He was still afraid that she would pull out her katana and use it on him. Something was bothering the pigtailed boy, the floor seemed so far away and he felt strange but he didn't know what it was. As he became away of his surroundings he heard a growling sound coming from his right. Ranma knew that Akane had been standing there just a few moments before, so he was surprised when he looked and found a scarlet dragon standing in her place. What the he thought blinking stupidly for a few moments before he thought to look at himself.


Aaaaaaa! What the hell happened to me! he thought, slightly panicked. When he glanced down at his arm, he had expected to see a human hand at the end. What he saw now was a large scaly golden forearm; it was tipped with huge claws and razor sharp talons. Turning his head, he took stock of the rest of his body and was amazed at the sheer size and power of it. He looked at his back and found that he had a pair of wings that were at the moment held tightly in place. He even noticed that he had a tail tipped with a club-like appendage. So that's what mom meant when she said we were no longer human!


Akane's ear-splitting roar interrupted Ranma's inspection of his new body. What the Head snapping around, Ranma saw Akane franticly looking for a way out, she, he noticed, was blind with panic. When he touched her mind to talk to her through their mental link all he got from her was complete chaos and the need to run. Deriving her intent when he saw her staring at the small portal, Ranma knew that if he didn't stop her, she'd hurt herself.

Quickly lunging, he tackled her to the floor while trying to penetrate her panic-fogged mind. he called lowering his long neck until it was just above her head. He waited patiently but received no response.

Suddenly, Akane twisted her long neck around, her razor sharp teeth gleaming in the torchlight as she lunged towards him. Ranma had noticed the tensing of her muscles and his danger senses kicked into overdrive. Not one to take this lightly, he jerked his head back from her and she missed closing her sharp fangs around his throat by inches. Akane, please calm down and snap out of it you stupid tomboy! his thoughts screamed into her mind and seemed to reach some small part of her that had the spark of humanity within.


The scarlet dragon that was Akane, spun lightning quick, roaring in defiance, her tail cracked through the air like a whip inches from his nose before his scream penetrated and took hold. the thought came through the link weak and confused.

Yeah, what the hell were you thinkin? he thought back at her as he unconsciously rubbed his chin soothingly on her head. Unnoticed by the two a strange crooning sound began emitting from his throat.

I don't know. One minute I'm sitting down with you listening to Auntie and the next thing I know is that I'm angry with dad and then Auntie yelled at us. I tried to apologize, but I sounded strange. When I looked at myself I felt scared and then nothingWhat happened? Akane thought back, shifting her weight on the hard stone floor.

"You panicked. I noticed that you were heading for the door and you woulda hurt yourself if ya tried to go through it," he answered.

"Oh," the thought whispered quietly through Ranma's mind, laced with a tone of embarrassment. Akane was still uncomfortable being pinned and tried shifting herself to a more comfortable position on the stone floor, but she couldn't move much because Ranma was leaning his full weight on top of her. Umm, Ranmacould you get off of me please, she whispered quietly.

he whispered embarrassed, Ranma felt his face flush and hoped it didn't show. Quickly, he lumbered to his feet, claws scraping the floor; Ranma winced at the sound, it was like someone raking their nails over a blackboard. As Ranma backed away far enough, Akane finally got a good look at his draconic form. Slowly, running her gaze over his muscular chest to the top of his wedge shaped head, then back down to the bottom of his claw tipped feet. Ranma, Akane noted, was golden yellow in color and stood as tall as a three-story building. He had a wingspan that would be over thirty feet when extended, and he measured about a semi truck, in length.

Akane whistled mentally in admiration and thought, "Oh my, you are handsome looking...for a dragon."

Ranma lowered his head a bit as he felt more heat flare on his face and said, "Thanks I think,...um...your not too bad looking yourself and you even match your name, Akane."


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Noduka watched the events unfolding in front of her with trepidation. At first she had been frightened when Akane had reacted like that. It seemed to her that if she guessed right, Akane was scared out of her mind. But this new form, as the book had warned, led to an unstable temperament. Noduka glanced around and noticed, like herself that Genma, Soun and Kasumi were pressing themselves against the far wall, trying to keep as far away from Ranma and Akane as possible so they wouldn't get accidentally trampled.

Kasumi gasped in wonder while pressing herself tightly to the wall and exclaimed, "Oh my, they make wonderful looking dragons don't they?" Genma and Soun just gulped, nodding their heads and trembling like scared animals trying to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible.

Noduka vaguely noted their reactions while keeping her attention focused on her son and his fiancée. She then noticed that Akane had focused her attention on the small doorway. Noduka was about to call out to her son to do something when he moved, tackling her to the floor. She was relieved that Ranma had been able to prevent Akane from seriously injuring herself. She gasped in surprise when Akane attack him. Then, she sighed in relief, when Akane missed closing her razor sharp teeth on her son's throat.

Noduka waited with baited breath, watching to see what would happen; all was still for five minuets before she heard an odd crooning sound coming from her son. She couldn't figure out what Ranma was doing but it seemed to be working. Noduka had no way of knowing what was going on between them but never in a million years could she have imagined that a dragon could blush. Noduka smiled, then laughed as she saw Ranma's face get redder than Akane's scales before she cleared her throat, "Ahem!"

The two transformed martial artists turned their attention towards her and cocked their heads in a gesture that was all too familiar and indicated that they were listening. Tilting her head, Noduka stared them directly in the eye before asking them her question, Now, are you ready to hear about the Jiro Jen Kenshumi technique? She grinned when they nodded, then launched directly to her explanation of how the technique was to be performed. Noduka had a feeling that it would take them most of the morning to perfect it.


Genma and Soun saw that their children were duly occupied, so they decided to made a quick and hasty retreat, stopping briefly to ask Kasumi to fix some lunch on their way out. They wanted to get while the going was good before Ranma and Akane decided that they were fair game. They could hear Noduka's voce fade with the amount of distance that they put between them and certain danger.


Tendo, my friend, Genma said as he practically ran down the hall.

What is it Saotome? Soun replied.

How about a game of Goto calm our frayed nerves and to give the children enough time to calm down, Genma suggested still shaking from the close call.

Good idea, Saotomevery good idea, Soun replied, slapping his long time friend on back as they continued down the hallway.

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As Nabiki approached her room she began to calculate the amounts of gain her stock had produced within the last week and rubbed her hands in anticipation. "If this keeps up like I hope it will...I'll be able to afford that college I want to go to with some yen to spare."

Opening her door, Nabiki quickly turned the radio on and began writing the results of her gains and losses in her ledger. With in two minutes of turning the radio on, it announced that her stocks in the gambling trade had risen by fifteen hundred yen. While the stock in the produce trade had only climbed by ten percent. Nabiki's grin became wider and wider when each of her investments gained money. "Yes!" she yelled after the last share was reported to have risen. Standing, she began jumping up and down in glee, she had enough now to take a small vacation. Quickly she focused her attention back towards the radio and listened for her stock in the precious metals. She was well rewarded when it came on and the announcer was about to announce whether it had rising or fallen when the stock report it was suddenly interrupted.

GOOOOOD Morning Tokyo! Today's temperatures will reach the mid 80's to low 90's and should be partly cloudy with a chance of rain over the Nerima district. Now don't ask this announcer why that part of Tokyo always has the freaky weather, cause I have no idea! Any way, it's a good day for the beaches or just the community pools. So, get out there and have fun!...Wait!....We interrupt your regular programming to report that a village was completely decimated early this morning by what reports say to be a dark cloud like mass moving in the direction of Ryogonzawa. The death toll in the village number in the hundreds. I myself have never seen such wanton disrespect for life. We have been following its trail and so far nothing that gets in its way remains in one piece. Authorities suggest staying as far away as possible from this thing. The also said that they are mobilizing the army to take care of this latest threat. This is Kokatu, Hirosu reporting from NCC Japan, the voice of the reporter faded out and the stock market reports resumed.

But, Nabiki was no longer listening, forgetting her usual ice queen demeanor, she had dashed out of the room and was quickly making her way towards the healing chamber while yelling at the top of her lungs, "Auntie Saotome...Dad...Uncle Genma! It's coming! It's coming!"

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