Ah, yes. Chapter 5, the chapter that comes after 4...Uh...I usually have something to write pertaining to the story here, but...this time I don't. Hmmmm...

...

.....reviewers rock!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma. So don't sue me.

Chapter 5

Akane entered the house and sighed as the soothing warmth chased away the biting chill from outside. She slowly made her way to her room and as she passed a slightly open doorway she could hear voices inside, one was Kasumi's and the other she would recognize anywhere as Dr. Tofu. She nodded. 'so that's why Ming's eyes looked so familiar.' Curiosity fought with exhaustion and she found herself poking her head around the doorway to look inside.

Dr. Tofu sat on a stool in front of the fireplace. He stared into the flames, slumped as if the whole world was against him. His wife Kasumi was compassionately massaging his shoulders. "Oh, Kasumi" He murmured sadly. "I tried so hard to save her."

"I know, dear." She cooed. "no one could have worked harder for her."

"She was only a baby," muttered Ono. "What kind of monsters could do that sort of thing to an eleven year old child?"

Kasumi had no answer for him.

He slumped even further. "Cane's not going to take this very well..." Kasumi handed him a cup of hot tea. "Thank you." He took a sip before continuing. "She really loved that kid."

"Cane will understand," murmured Kasumi. "she's the Amazon leader now. She has to set an example for the others to be strong."

Dr Tofu snorted. "She may be an Amazon leader, and she may have changed her name, but she will always be Akane. I've no doubt that she'll want revenge against those perverts, and I don't see myself trying to hard to stop her."

Kasumi tried to talk some sense into her distraught husband. "You know as well as I do that killing those men won't bring Cookie back to us, all you'll be doing is stooping to their level. Not to mention the fact that crossing the boundaries of the Barbarian's land to kill a few stragglers could very well start a war between the two rival villages, and not only will the Amazons be out numbered, they are still recovering from the bloody battle with those destroyers who wanted to commit Amazon genocide. You must reason with her, besides Cane's grown a lot since she was Akane, she may surprise you."

Ono turned and pulled his wife into his lap, kissing her gently. "You're always so wise. Why do you even put up with a foolish old man like me?"

Kasumi sighed contently leaning against him. "You make me feel safe...loved."

Ono placed his face in the crook of her neck. He left a small trail of light kisses along her throat. "That's because with me you will always be both...safe and loved."

Akane backed away quickly, a blush painted her cheeks. She silently made her way to her room, feeling like the worlds biggest peeping tom. She threw herself on the bed. 'Gee,' thought Akane wistfully. 'Kasumi's lucky to have a guy like that, I wonder if Ranma and I will ever be that close.' she rolled over and curled into a fetal position. 'I sure miss him. I wonder if he misses me.' sighing Akane went to sleep trying to imagine what Ranma's arms around her would feel like.

*****************************

"I'm home!" called a cheerful voice from the doorway.

Ranma sprang up from the couch a look of panic on his face. 'Oh no. Kasumi.' He raced to meet her at the door. "Yo, Kasumi, let me help you with those groceries." He took the heavy bags from her.

She smiled at him. "Why thank you, Ranma." She said as she follow him to the kitchen. "That's very helpful of you."

"Heh, heh, you know me always giving a helpful hand."

Kasumi began to unpack the groceries.

Ranma coughed. "Uh, Kasumi...I...ah...nice weather we're having, isn't it?"

"I suppose so." she murmured nonchalantly. She was filling the fridge at the moment.

Ranma groaned completely frustrated with himself. "The weather ain't what I want to talk to you about!"

"Oh?"

"I mean, it's about Akane." said the flustered martial artist.

Kasumi stopped what she was doing to look at him curiously. "Yes, what is it Ranma?"

He looked extremely uncomfortable. "Well, you see...its...its..."

"Your turn." Said Nabiki as she entered the room. Ranma's jaw dropped. Nabiki looked as if she got in a fight with an A-bomb and lost. She was charred from head to toe, her usually perfect hair was sticking out as if she kissed an electric outlet. Her clothes were ripped and torn, and when she walked toward them, holding Akane out in front of her as if she was the black pelage, it was obvious she was favoring her left leg. She glowered darkly. "To think that I'd almost forgotten how...cute...Akane was at this age."

Kasumi gasped in horror. "Oh no! Your hurt!"

Nabiki couldn't help but smile at Kasumi's Matronly concern. "Its nothing, you really shouldn't..." Kasumi snatched the small girl out of Nabiki's hands. "...fuss?"

Kasumi took Akane over to the sink to better inspect the tiny cut on Akane's wrist. "Oh my. You poor dear."

Akane blushed at the attention the pretty lady was giving her. "Its just a flesh wound." she said modestly.

"Nevertheless, how did this happen?" Kasumi asked with concern in her voice.

Akane shrugged. "Me and Aunt Nabiki was playin'...and...it...ya know...happened."

Kasumi turned accusing eyes to her charcoaled younger sister. "You should really watch how you play with young children. What if you had hurt her seriously?"

Nabiki's eye twitched.

The little girl tapped the nice woman's shoulder. "Who are you?"

Kasumi smile warmly. "Why I'm your..." she recalled what Akane had called Nabiki. "...Aunt Kasumi."

Akane gaped at her. "Just like my sister Kasumi!"

Kasumi smiled. "Of course, your sisters were named after us."

"Wow." Said the young girl. "Who was I named after?"

Nabiki turned toward the exit as she answered Akane's question. "No one. When you were born all the good names where taken." Nabiki smirked at Akane's pout. She limped away.

Kasumi turned to Ranma with Akane still on her hip. "Now what did you want to say to me?"

Ranma stood there stunned, his mouth gaping like a fish. "uh..."

Kasumi leaned toward the little girl to whisper in her ear. "I think Ranma's a little off today."

Akane giggled. "Me too." she whispered back.

The two left the kitchen to go watch TV. Leaving a shocked Ranma behind. "uh..."

***********************

"Honestly," raged Cane. "I don't know who to be angrier at. Shinnosuke for what happened in Ryogonzawa or Ryoga for being a match making idiot."

Shampoo grinned. "Shampoo say Cane just beat both, and get over with it."

Cane laughed out loud at Shampoo's casual way of taking care of disrespectful men. "Hmmm...not a bad idea," she wiggled her eyebrows at Shampoo. "but Akari might not be too happy about me pulverizing her husband into a bloody pulp, all those blood stains to cleanout of his shirt, after all."

Shampoo shrugged. "Suit self." She suddenly placed a hand on her stomach. "Qh!"

"What is it?" Cane asked worriedly.

"Baby kick Shampoo!"

"What?" exclaimed Cane mockingly. "That ingrate."

Shampoo giggled, reaching out she grabbed Cane's hand and placed it over tummy. "Cane feel that?"

Cane didn't answer her she was too wrapped up in the strange sensation of the tiny thudding under her hand. "She'll be a great warrior." whispered Cane in an awed voice. "Ming will diffidently have some strong competition with this one."

Shampoo lovingly placed a hand over Cane's. "Shampoo hope both inside be great warrior womens."

"Both?" asked Cane.

"Dr. Tofu say Shampoo have twins."

Cane gasped. "That's wonderful Shampoo!"

Shampoo nodded, as a blush stained her cheeks. Then Shampoo's face fell, she realized it was time to revel the real reason for her visit. She cleared her throat. She went back to Mandarin. "The twins weren't the only thing I learned at Tofu's..."

Cane knew by the look on Shampoo's face something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong?" she whispered hoarsely.

Shampoo took the hand on her tummy in a viselike grip with both of her hands. "I'm sorry, Cane, but earlier today Cu Kei died from internal injuries. There was nothing Ono could do."

The news staggered Cane. "No!" She fell to her knees. "It can't be, Shampoo...she was supposed to get better...she was...Oh God!"

Shampoo hugged Cane to her. "She loved you a great deal, but she was unable to cope with what those men did to her. She died from the poison of their hate. Her memory will live on in all our hearts, for she was a great Amazon."

Cane quickly rubbed her eyes, jumping up she snatched the bundle off the top of Ranma's hands ready to extract revenge.

"Stop." said Shampoo quiet yet sternly. "Think before you act."

Cane stared at the long bundle in her hands, trembling in anger.

Shampoo approached her. "Sleep on it. Those men deserve to die for what they did. Do the Amazons?"

Cane sighed dejectedly. She turned to Shampoo. "Do you want me to walk you home?"

"No, I'll be fine. You're the one I'm worried about."

Cane shook her head. "It hurts...it hurts real bad, but I can cope." she glanced at the statue. "I've had lots of practice. Have them bury her by the great tree in my backyard, she always loved it there."

"O.k." said Shampoo. She reached out and squeezed Cane's arm sympathetically. Then turned to take her leave.

Cane kneeled in front of Ranma for a few minutes, thinking about Cookie. "You would've liked her..." she got up and went over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Good night, Ranma." She went home sadly.

**************************

Somewhere in the forests of China a voice calls out...

"WHERE THE HELL I'M I NOW!?!"

and is soon followed by another voice...

"Who are you again?"

*******************************

Ranma glanced over at The little girl sitting to his right. She was angry and pointedly trying to ignore him. Kasumi had left to start dinner leaving the two of them alone to watch TV. 'She's probably still made about this afternoon.' He tugged on his collar. "Um....I was thinkin'..."

"Gee," she muttered. "Hope ya didn't hurt yourself."

Ranma grit his teeth and continued. "and I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier."

She snorted. "Why thank you, Captain Obvious!" she saluted him.

Ranma trembled with barely concealed rage. "And I may have been a little rude..."

"That's the understatement of the year." She said under her breath.

He lost it. "Hey You! Here I am trying to apologize..."

"I don't hear any apologies!"

"Grrr..." Ranma made his hands into fists. "Your impossible!"

She stuck her tongue out at him, before turning back to the TV.

He sighed. He really did want to make up with her. "...I'm sorry, Lets start over OK?"

She looked at him curiously. "OK."

"Hi, my names, Ranma. Want to be friends?" He held out his hand.

Akane stared at his hand for a moment before grasping it with her own. "I'm Akane, and that would be nice."

The two smiled at each other. They both turned back to the TV.

A few minutes later Ranma felt her snuggle into his side. Grinning he put an arm around her. 'Now why can't me and the older Akane ever get alone this well?' his face fell. He looked down at the girl in his arms. 'I like her, but I want my Akane back. Oh, Akane where are you?'

**************************

Akane awoke when something heavy landed on her stomach. Akane groaned as she looked up at Ming sitting excitedly above her.

"Good morning!" Said Ming chipper as ever.

Akane opened an eye to regard her warily. "Do you always wake your guests like this?"

"Only the ones I like!" she exclaimed giving Akane a hug.

Akane smile and hugged her back, Ming's enthusiasm was contagious. She got up with Ming still in her arms. "Come on, lets see what your Mom's got planned for breakfast."

"OK." said Ming. She gave Akane another hug.

When they entered the kitchen she was shock. Inside were three women running around, like chickens with their heads cut off. Kasumi, Ukyo, and judging by the purple hair of the third, Shampoo. "What..."

"What's going on here?" Cane demanded. Beating Akane to it.

Akane gasped and turned. "G...Good morning, Cane."

Ming reached her arms out to her aunt.

Cane took the girl from Akane's arms murmuring a good morning. She turned back to the Three women in the kitchen. "Well?"

"Their coming!" gushed Kasumi.

"Who's coming?" asked Cane.

Ukyo tossed a few letters in Cane's direction. "The top one is from Nabiki, she's bringing her family tomorrow. The next one's from Akari, she's coming to meet up with her son, and guess what?" Ukyo was now getting excited. "That means she's bringing the baby!"

The tree women squealed their delight, while Cane cringed. "Oh joy." she muttered. To Cane babies equal spit up and dirty diapers and endless crying.

"So," said Shampoo. "We have to get ready for party we have tomorrow night."

"And just when...did you ask me if you could use my house for the party?" Asked Cane with half lidded eyes.

"Don't be such a party pooper Aunt Cane...I think it'll be fun." Ming looked up at her aunt with puppy dog eyes.

Cane sighed. "You know I can't refuse you anything when you do that. Alright you can have the damn party. This just better not interfere with Akane's training."

"Yay!" coursed Ming, Koji, and Okinawa all at once. They began to dance around. "We're gonna have a party!"

Cane turned to Akane. "I want you to pack some clothes and things. After the party we're going on a training trip, but right now I have some business to take care of."

"Cookie?" Akane asked hesidently.

Cane studied Akane for a second trying to figure out how she knew, but then shrugged as if it was unimportant. "That's part of the reason. I also have some...friends...to catch up with."

Akane nodded.

With one last glance at the crowded, noisy kitchen, Cane left.

*******************

"Listen," Ryoga told his traveling buddy. "Cane is hurting. She can hide behind a tough exterior for so long, before those lonely, depressed feelings inside her bust out and make her a whimpering baby. She needs to get over her obsession with the statue of Ranma, so she can move on, and become a happy person once again."

Shinnosuke frowned. "Do I know you?"

Ryoga sighed. "Cane is little less then a crybaby. She walks around all day sayin 'Oh woe is me! I lost the man I love' Now she has traveled back in time to get her past self so she can train her to be a better fighter. Though maybe with you here, she'll fall for you instead."

Shinnosuke stared at Ryoga for a minute. "Who's Cane? I thought I was here for Akane."

Ryoga groaned. "Akane changed her name to Cane once she became part of the Amazons. Got it?"

Shinnosukes eyes drifted over Ryoga's shoulder. "uh..."

Ryoga continued. "She's not really that tough either. I could take her on without a problem." He chuckled. "Ha, ha. The next time we meet, Cane, I'm gonna wipe the floor with you." he turned back to Shinnosuke. "She's goin down. She's gonna beg on her hands and knees for me to go easy on her. Why I bet she's..." Ryoga finally noticed where Shinnosuke's eyes were. "...right behind me. *gulp*"

Cane stood glaring at the two lost boys with extreme irritation. "Ryoga why is he here?"

'Time to be a man, Habiki.' Ryoga silently encouraged himself. He cleared his throat. "Because, its time for you to move on Cane. You must let go of Ranma and move on to newer herizons." He gestured toward Shinnosuke.

Cane frowned at the forgetful man, and he frowned back.

He was the first to speak. "Who are you?"

"What?!" roared Cane in outrage. 'How dare he forget her!'

Ryoga leaned over and whispered something in Shinnosuke's ear.

"Oh!" exclaimed Shinnosuke. He blushed apologetically at Cane, putting an arm behind his head. "I'm sorry, heh, heh. Guess I didn't recognize you with your clothes on."

Cane let out a indignant cry.

Ryoga watched Cane charge like a raging bull, with half lidded eyes. "That was probably the wrong thing to say."

Shinnosuke agreed with the strange man, as she drew closer. "This is going to hurt."

End of Chapter 5.

I know that I got a lot wrong in this chapter, but I'm too lazy to re-read it. (Well that, and the fact that I'm finishing this a 1:21 a.m.) *Yawn*