Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma and co…

A/N: I'm back! Sorry 'bout the long wait…I have school and it's hard as ever and a kid just died from a head injury so I've been kinda in low spirit's too. I watched the 'Exorcist' and it's not something you wanna write after.

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Chapter 9: Recovering

"I want Sushi!"

"Ikuyo-chan! Calm down!"

"You haven't given me anything to eat since I got here!"

"Please…be quiet."

"C'mon! What are you hiding anyway?"

"Please! You upset it."

"Upset what?

There was a cracking noise and…well…the wall was gone a second later.

"What…what was that?" Ikuyo asked as she blinked and landed on the chair, proceeding in falling on her face in pain.

"Ikuyo…-chan?" Dr. Tofu stared at the girl.

"Owchie!"

He helped her up and placed her back on her futon.

"Why is there a bomb in my apartment?" she asked weakly.

"I don't know. I sensed it before though." He said quietly. "Stay in bed. I have to get back to Akane-chan."

"Bring back food!" she called.

He waved as he descended the stairs.

*--*--*

Akane was still sleeping. She hadn't moved an inch.

"'What I don't know is…why the youkai attacked.'" Ikuyo had said when she visited yesterday. "'I don't remember being on a youkai's shit list.'"

Ranma sighed as he flipped over a piece of paper she had handed him. The wise words of Ikuyo didn't quite help in the long run. He still hadn't opened it.

"'Open this if you're at a loss of words with Akane-chan. It's not all mushy 'cause I know you hate that but it'll make her feel better 'bout herself.'" She had said.

He sighed again as he looked over at the girl. She rolled over finally as her hand fell over the edge of the bed. It was the first time she wasn't restless in her sleep.

He stared at her intensely. For once it was pleasant to just sit back and watch her. She wasn't yelling her head off or plummeting her with a mallet or her fists.

A smile tugged at his lips. Then a sweat drop as he watched drool dripped across from her mouth.

*--*--*

"Ma'am…the youkai was sent."

"Good."

"Is Ryuukuyo still going?"

"I think he is." Kiyoja tapped her nail's lazily against the wooden boards of the dojo. "Ryuukuyo!" she finally yelled.

There was a crash, a thump, a squeal, and a groan as the door was thrown open.

"Hai, Kiyoja-san?" the boy asked. He was small, about five to seven years old. He had short black hair that fell into his eyes. He wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans. He smiles boyishly at the woman.

"Get over here Ryuukuyo!" she snapped.

He ran over frightened and stood before her with his head bowed.

"Ryuukuyo! Why were you making such a ruckus?! You could've told that dim-wit of a husband where I am!" she yelled as she backhanded him ((Bitch!)).

He looked up, his eye's swimming with unshed tears. He wiped them away on his arm and turned away.

"Why are you so mean, mommy?"

*--*--*

Dr. Tofu entered Akane's room to check on her. Noticing that the light was off he flipped it on to see Ranma falling sideways off his chair sleeping and Akane with the covers all over.

He rose and eyebrow as he walked over and fixed the blanket's for her.

He knelt next to Ranma to place him on the couch or something when something caught his eye. There was a piece of paper crumpled up in his hand.

He shrugged the feeling of intruding on the letter and hoisted the martial artist over his shoulder as her left Akane's room.

*--*--*

Ryuukuyo slid from the dojo and walked slowly toward a shed in the backyard. He pulled open the door and slipped inside. A second later, he walked out holding a small ball in his hands. It was silver, transparent and beautiful…that is until he smashed it to the ground.

When the light stopped glowing he picked up a shard of the crystal ball and inserted it into his ankles.

He pushed off and by the time his jump wore off he was surging through the sky toward Japan.

A swarm of demons followed in his wake as they all traveled for the distant continent and their destination.

*--*--*

"How are you felling, Akane-chan?" Ikuyo asked as she blew on the cup of tea she was balancing on her finger.

"Fine. Just very very sore." Akane said as she lightly poked a bruise on her arm.

"So…erm…how's Ranma-kun been with you?" Ikuyo asked slyly.

"Oh…I've been asleep most of the time. I haven't really talked to him. He was nice when I woke up. Well…as nice as Ranma can get."

"Mm." Ikuyo hummed as she took a sip of her tea and slammed it down. "Akane-chan! Who are you waiting for?!" she said sternly.

The shorthaired girl blinked and slightly hid her face behind the teacup. "Waiting for?" she echoed. Her face twisted in anger. "What do you mean waiting for?!"

"What are you waiting for? A man to just come knocking at your door saying 'I wanna date you'!" Ikuyo said loudly.

"Kuno already does that!"

"Not Kuno! A normal guy…strong through." she added.

"I don't know…" Akane calmed down a bit and placed her cup down.

"What kinda guy are you…ahem…INERESTED IN?!" her voice got louder.

"What's up with you?" Akane looked suspiciously at her.

"Hm…it seems we aren't the only one's awake are we?!" she lifted the table and threw it at the door.

Underneath it was Ranma and Dr. Tofu.

"Sorry, Ono." She grunted as she lifted up the unconscious Ranma. He made the quickest recovery though, seeing that he had time to squeal as she punched him into the sky.

*--*--*

"Ikuyo-chan. This is how you'll never recover." Dr. Tofu said as he wrapped her arm up once again.

"I forget, kay?" she muttered and winced as he pulled tighter one hr shattered boned arm. "Akane-chan, like I was asking. What kin of guy do you want anyway?" she asked softly this time.

"A nice, but tough one. You know, someone like Dr. Tofu." Akane smiled at the doctor/chiropractor/martial artist.

"No…really? He's so dull." She said as she looked sidelong at the doctor.

"Ikuyo!" Akane scolded.

"I think…wouldn't you want excitement?" she asked as she looked up at Akane.

Akane sat huffily down on the chair as she glared at Ikuyo. "What are you getting at?" she growled.

"Well…y'know…you never show interest in guy's…ever and-."

"They're all jerks." Akane interrupted.

Ikuyo stared at the girl. "So…a few kick's and slaps and punches and they're all ready on the road to…semi-respect for you." she said proudly.

"Are you hinting…at Ranma?" Akane said as she stared suspiciously at the martial artist.

"Uh…" Ikuyo pulled her arm out of Dr. Tofu's grip. "Thanks Ono. Sorry I said that 'bout you bein' dull. It's just a game I'm playin'." she winked at the doctor. Obviously he understood and he walked out of the room.

"Take care, Ikuyo-chan, Akane-chan." He left.

"Listen Akane, I care for Ranma, I love him dearly but…y'know…I have someone already."

"What?!" Akane looked….happy?

"Yeah…" Ikuyo turned around and headed for the door. "I gotta get back. I got lesson's to teach." She winked at Akane and left the room.

"She's…taken?" Akane muttered. She smiled slightly.

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Okay! I updated!!! Finally! Thanks everyone for the comforting reviews. I can't wait till I reach the 100+ point!!

Anyway, next chapter:

Chapter 10:Ryuukuyo's Entrance