Disclaimer: Don't make me say it! Don't wanna….fine…I do not own the characters of Ranma ½ happy?

Author's notes: Yeah! Chapter five! I can't believe I've gotten this far. Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I promise to write to all of you eventually. Hope this lives up to the previous chapters. Enjoy my wacky new world!

Chapter five: Vignettes

Mika slammed the back door to 'Ucchan's' and stomped into the kitchen. "Ooh, I hate him!"

Ukyo looked up from the table where she was tallying receipts. "Who honey? And did you bring your father home with you?"

"Yeah." Mika said holding up the glaring pig. "He and Uncle Ranma were have a sparring match with his guy named Mousse."

Ukyo smiled. "So Mousse finally came back? I can't wait to see him again. I'll repeat my first question sweetie, who do you hate?"

"Taki Saotome." Mika said seething. "Can you believe the jerk had the gall to follow me home? He even shouted directions at me!"

Ukyo's mouth twitched. "Well I can understand how that would be upsetting. Why don't you go upstairs and change. Now hand me your father, we need to have that little talk."

Mika smiled. "Daddy will break the engagement! Then I'll pound Taki; that's great. Can't wait till tomorrow. Oh, here's his clothes and his pack."

"Thank you, honey. See you tomorrow." Mika nodded smiling as she pictured Taki bruised and bloody with her father standing over him.

Ukyo looked down at the glaring pig. "I know, I know we need to talk. You're the one who insisted on going for the milk a week ago." Sighing she grabbed a kettle, his clothes and headed upstairs. At the top she paused. "Mika your rooms' to the left. No the other left. See you tomorrow. Ryoga! Where do you think your going? Our room is this way!" Grabbing the bandana she yanked him into their room. Shutting the door behind her she poured the water on him and dispassionately watched him change. Ryoga blushed and covered himself. Ukyo rolled her eyes. "I don't know why you do that, I've seen it all. Many times."

Ryoga scowled grabbing his pants. "It's the principle. Now why didn't you tell me about the engagement you'd planned for our daughter."

Ukyo's eyes narrowed. "Hey it wasn't like I planned all this out you know. I didn't even know about Mika when I made the arrangement. And after well it wasn't important. I wasn't going to enforce it. I've seen the damage that can do. I never thought Ranma and Akane would tell Taki about it."

"Then why did you make the arrangement if you weren't going to use it?" Ryoga growled.

"Because you jackass they offered it to me right after they told me Ranma was marrying Akane! I wasn't exactly thinking clearly!" Ukyo shouted. "None of us were!"

"That's for sure." Ryoga said flopping on the bed. "Ukyo what do you want to do?"

"I don't know. Mika's not happy and I don't want that. Maybe breaking the engagement is the best option."

Ryoga nodded then his eyes narrowed. "However, if she's engaged then she can't date boys. I like that idea."

Ukyo glared at him. "I wouldn't go there. I'll talk to her tomorrow and let her decide. 'Course in her current frame of mind she'll automatically reject him." Ryoga's eyes glazed in bliss. "Ryoga! She'll eventually find one guy she likes!"

Ryoga snapped out of his pleasant dream. "Not if I kill him first."

Ukyo shook her head. "She has you wrapped around her finger. You're such a softie. That's one of the reasons I love ya." Leaning down she kissed him and pushed him back. "Lie down and let me see what you let Ranchan do to you."

"Morning Mika, sleep well?" Ukyo asked, hard at work at the grill.

Mika smiled at her mother. "Yes, did you and Daddy come to a decision?"

"Sort of. You really hate the idea of an arranged marriage don't you?" Ukyo asked quietly.

"Yes." Mika said firmly.

"Okay then that's the decision. I'll call Akane and let her know the engagement's off and no hard feelings." Ukyo said turning back to the grill. "I just wanted to make sure. Mika, I never thought about the engagement after I made it. Actually after marrying your father I kind of forgot about it." Mika choked on her juice.

"Uh, okay." Mika said confused. "So Taki's now just another jerk right?"

"Yup, pound him all you like sweetie." Ukyo said as she flipped her an okonamiyaki.

At the Ten-uh Saotome residence Akane took Ukyo's call and after making sure it was true went to tell the news to the family. "Akane, you gonna eat this omelet?"

Quickly returning to the breakfast table Akane barely manage to save her food. Frowning at her husband she took back her plate. "Yes. That was Ukyo on the phone."

"What'd she what?"

"Yeah what's up Mom?" Kari said.

"Well, Taki it seems Ukyo has decided to cancel the engagement so you don't have to marry Mika. You're free."

"Oh that is so unfair! He gets out and I'm still engaged to muscle brain here?" Kari sulked.

"Really? That's, uh, great." Taki said. "Well I guess I better be heading to school."

Akane looked after him concerned. Kari scowled at Si Cwan. "Come on amazon boy, time for school."

Si Cwan glared at her. "What makes you think I'll be going with you?"

Shampoo glared at her son. "You want they think you stupid? Si Cwan going to school. Shampoo registered yesterday."

"But mother, I wi- OW!" Si Cwan shouted holding his head. Shampoo handed the mallet back to Akane.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Kari scowled as she walked to school, Si Cwan and Mei-Lin trailing. "Kari! Where is brother?"

"Taki left earlier Mei-Lin."

"Oh, and lost girl?"

Kari lost her scowl and giggled. "If you mean Mika, don't know she and Keiichi should be here soon."

"Hey Kari!" Mika called, running over. "This is great! I made it the whole block without getting lost!"

Kari fought a smile, "That's great. I hear the engagement's off?"

"Yeah, I knew Daddy would fix it."

"Kari? Is that you?" A soft voice called. Turning Kari smiled.

"Makoto? It's been a while, uh your mom's not with you is she?" Kari asked nervously.

Makoto sighed. "Not to worry Mama dropped me off at Uncle Takewaki's this morning, right before she left for Canada." Makoto paused. "Is Yui around?"

Mei-Lin looked over at her curiously. "He leave early, had practice. I Mei-Lin. This brother, Si Cwan."

"Oh, hi I'm Makoto Hino. You're new?" Makoto asked the older girl.

"Hai."

"I'm Mika, I just moved here too." Mika said smiling at the younger girl. "My little brother's in the same school as Yui."

"This is all well and good but if I have to go to this infernal school I prefer it to be on time." Si Cwan said impatiently.

"Right. Well stop by the dojo with Tacchi tonight, we'll catch up then!" Kari said grabbing Mika's hand and taking off, Si Cwan following. Makoto smiled shyly at Mei-Lin.

"Wanna walk together?"

"Why not?"

Kari glared at Si Cwan across the yard. "I really hate him."

Mika glanced over. "Well he's cute at least. Can he fight?"

Kari shrugged. "Says he can, but I doubt it."

Taki joined them sitting opposite Mika. "Did you happen to grab my lunch Kari?"

"Sorry, Taki I was running late." Kari said. "Hey Mika don't you always carry that grill with you?"

"Yeah." Mika answered warily. "What about it?"

"Well can't you make him some food?"

"Why should I?"

Taki stood up. "Nevermind, I'll just wait till dinner. It's obvious she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Well you insulted me! And my family!"

Kari whipped her head back and forth. "Wow, you still steamed about that? Taki's a good guy."

"Thanks." Taki said dryly. "It's okay, I'll just go sit with Si Cwan. He looks like he could use the company." Kari paused indecisive before throwing her lunch at him. "What's this?"

"Take it." Kari said. "The idiot forgot lunch too." Taki grinned and headed over.

Mika bit her lip. "I guess I shouldn't hold a grudge huh? Want some food?"

Kari drooled. "Love some!"

Soon a whole crowd gathered wanting food. Kari helped out as Tacchi slid up behind them. "You know, this would make a wonderful enterprise."

Kari rolled her eyes. "Tacchi."

Tacchi grinned. "Had to try. So Mika what are your likes and dislikes?"

"Hmm?"

"Well now that you're officially free, and Kari is not, you are considered the cutest girl in school." Tacchi said grinning. "I'll need to keep an actuate record. I've already reactivated Taki's."

Kari sighed. "You're getting more and more like Aunt Nabiki every day."

"Thank you. Mom would appreciate the comment."

Si Cwan glared at the crowd. "Insolent foreigner."

Taki sighed. "You know man, you gotta let it go. You're the odd one here. Kari's not that bad if you ignore the violence."

"I want nothing to do with her." SI Cwan said. "I'm the best of the amazons, I shouldn't be forced into some arranged marriage."

"Well why not talk to your parents about it? I'm sure once they understand how you feel…what?"

SI Cwan was looking at him oddly. "Have you met my parents? Xian Fu and Mu Tse? The woman who spent two and a half years chasing Ranma Saotome?"

Taki thought for a minute. "Okay you got a point there. Isn't there any way out?"

Si Cwan grinned as a stray thought occurred. "There may be yet. I thank you."

"No prob. Want some food? It's clean, Kia made it." Taki added seeing the look on Si Cwan's face. He'd accidentally eaten cookies Akane made. "Mom just doesn't understand that she won't get any better, she really doesn't mean any harm."

"In that case I would like some."

"Si Cwan! You forget lunch!" Shampoo called hurrying across the lawn.

"Mom?" Si Cwan said staring.

Shampoo huffed. "Is me. You know another who bring lunch to silly boy? Café almost ready, we move in few days."

"Alright, thank you." Shampoo nodded and turned to Taki.

"Ranma son is good friend." Shampoo patted him on the head fondly. "Cute too." She sighed. "No get over Ranma. Bye now! You be good boy!"

Taki stared after her in shock. "She always like that?"

Si Cwan began eating his ramen. "Uh-huh."

"And I thought our family was weird."

At the middle school Yui was not being a good boy. "Aw, come on Makoto it'll be fun."

Makoto bit her lip. "I don't know. We could get into a lot of trouble. I don't want them to call Mama."

"Only if we're caught. And Aunt Kodachi probably think it was funny anyway." Makoto sighed, unable to deny the truth of the statement. Yui climbed up the tree and edged out on the limb.

"Yui Saotome! What in heaven's name are you doing?" Yui lost his balance and fell off the branch onto the ground.

"Ow! Sora, what'd you go and do that for?" Yui said rubbing his back looking up at his cousin.

"I can tell you've been busy while I was visiting Father." Sora said frowning. "What were you doing this time?"

Yui grinned sheepishly. "Well, Mr. Takamoshi is supposed to have this really neat lab and…

Sora gasped. "You were trying to sneak into the off limits labs? Makoto I'm surprised at you."

Makoto winced. "Sorry."

"I'll have to tell Auntie about this."

Yui groaned. "Do you have to? Can't you just tell Dad? Come on Sora be a pal."

"I am not your pal. As the oldest member of the family in this school it's my responsibility to see that you stay out of trouble."

Yui rolled his eyes. "You're such a nag." Sora glared and swiped at him. A sudden commotion on the outer green caused the three to rush over. On the green, Mei-Lin was standing over three boys panting.

"You no pick fights! I great warrior and will not be defeated." Mei- Lin said fiercely.

Sora turned to Yui. "What is all this about?"

Yui shrugged. "They probably made fun of her accent again. They don't seem to want to learn."

Sora straightened her shoulders. "Well I'll put a stop to this!" She stalked over to the combatants. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. You three, picking on a girl! You should never gang up on an opponent. It's unfair. And you should never hit girls! And young lady, there are other ways to deal with conflict then violence."

Mei-Lin stared at the girl. "There is?"

Sora stopped in mid-lecture. "Of course there is! Now come with me, you have some bruises." She rushed the stunned Amazon over to a bench. "Now just sit here, I'm actually very good at this. I have to be with cousins' like mine. So your new here?"

"Yes, I arrive from China."

"Oh, how nice!" Sora said smiling. "China is such a pretty country. I'm Sora Tendo, you wouldn't happen to be an Amazon would you?"

"Hai." Mei-Lin said suspiciously.

"Oh that's wonderful! You must be here to see Uncle Ranma. He's such a nice guy. There, all better next time just ignore them, you'll get into a lot less trouble." Sora said sweetly.

Yui came up to join them. "That was so cool Mei-Lin! You're really good! Not as good as Kari but better than me. You should have seen it! Keiichi took them all aside and had this talk with them."

"Now Yui, don't think this will make me forget about your little adventure." Sora stated.

"Aw, come on, I didn't do nothing."

"Only because I caught you before you could." Sora reminded him. "Now go to class before I decide to tell the teachers. And leave Makoto out of your pranks! You know she can't afford to get in trouble."

Yui shuffled his feet. "Yes Sora. I'll apologize to Makoto."

"Good boy." Sora said ruffling his hair.

"Sora!" Yui yelled. Sora smiled benignly.

"What weird family." Mei-Lin muttered.

Si Cwan spent the day considering his options and devised, to his mind, the perfect way out. All he had to do was trick Kari into it and his plan couldn't fail! Of course being a plan conceived by an Amazon against a Saotome; you know it was doomed to failure.

"Come on Si Cwan I have to pick up my brothers!" Kari said through gritted teeth.

Time to implement my plan. "I challenge you!"

Kari turned to stare at him. "What are you blathering about?"

"I challenge you." Si Cwan repeated. "I want to fight you."

Kari rolled her eyes. "I know what a challenge means, I've gotten about six of them. You really want to fight me?"

"Yes." Kari sighed. Then she started to think. 'Wait, Dad got engaged because he beat an amazon, so if he doesn't defeat me then he can't want to marry me!'

"Alright. I'll fight you but I won't hold back."

Si Cwan grinned. "That's what I want." He moved into a stance and watched as she…walked by him. "Hey! I thought we were fighting!"

"We will, but I still have to pick up Yui." Kari stated as she continued to walk, leaving Si Cwan standing like an idiot.

"But we were fighting!"

"Did you have a good day at school?" Kari asked Yui as she led him home.

Yui scowled. "Guess."

"Oh no what'd you do this time."

"I didn't do nothing! Sora caught me first." Yui said sheepishly.

"Oh I didn't know she'd gotten back." Kari said smiling. "I wonder how her trip went."

"Can we fight now!" Si Cwan yelled.

"Fine, fine whatever." Kari said waving at him. "Yui can you tell Dad I'll be a little late?"

"Sure sis. Try not to hurt him too badly. He seems pretty neat." Yui said over his shoulder.

"Come on already!"

"Alright!" Kari yelled. "Impatient jerk."

Si Cwan lunged at her and she lazily moved to avoid. Attack, and defend. Defend and attack. Si Cwan attacked and managed to score a hit.

"Hey that hurt!" Kari yelled as she kicked him. The fight, like most in Ranmaverse moved swiftly toward the dojo. Finally, fed up Kari jumped and kicked him in the head knocking him back, then pulling out her mallet she swung and Si Cwan crashed through the fence and landed in the koi pond.

"I win." Kari said brushing back her hair. Moving out of the house Shampoo took in the scene and tears in her eyes rushed over to Si Cwan. Si Cwan shrugged out of his mother's arms and rubbed his head. Teeth gritted he moved toward Kari.

"Hey I won, fair and square!" Kari said as he advanced on her.

Stopping in front of her Si Cwan kneeled and through clenched teeth said. "Wo Ai Ni."

Shampoo squealed. "Shampoo so happy! Si Cwan accept bride!"

"What!" Kari said stunned.

"Is law, any female accepted into tribe must defeat chosen male warrior. Prove female better. If win, they marry and she is amazon. If lose, thrown out of tribe and never allowed back."

Kari swung her head back and forth. "You mean if I had just lost, I would be free?"

Shampoo nodded happily. Kari screamed.