It was one month later that Ranma saw his next

target. The man was buying off his opponents to

assure his victories weren't too hard, or too easy,

depending on the opponent. Since the man happened

to work for one of Nishiguchi's old rivals, Ranma

knew a good amount about him.

Ranma had heard he'd be in this tournament, so

he'd immediately signed up. It didn't bother him

that this was such a prestigious tournament, because

he wasn't here to win for once.

He'd always competed under his alias, Ryo Tome,

even lately with his change in employment. Ranma

heard his name announced, as well as the target's.

He smiled ever so slightly and went to the ring.

The fight was short, and Ranma managed to

deliver several whispered warnings during the

duration. The man was sufficiently frightened and

agreed to stop. Ranma only then realized that it

had been the final fight. He was handed a trophy

and there were several bright flashes.

His face was as empty of feeling as usual when

he entered the locker room. He didn't pay attention

to or remember any of his actions between the ring

and the locker room. He sat on a bench, putting the

trophy next to him without a second glance. It was

getting too easy. He hadn't lost a fight in years.

Would he ever find a true challenge again?

Just then, something fluttered to the ground

from his bag that he'd pulled from the locker. He

paused to look at it, the image of a Shinto shrine

facing up at him. He dropped the bag and picked up

the card.

"Tendo, bringing Ranma. Be prepared. Genma".

Short, to the point, and an obvious threat. Wait,

why would his father have to threaten anyone? Ranma

had never seen his father be defeated in his short

time with the man.

Genma was very honorable. If he were going to

what he deemed a fairly equal match, he would have

felt obliged to warn the competitor so that they

would both have time to prepare. Did his father

actually have a match out there that stood a chance

of beating him?

Ranma remembered his father's words. He had

felt fairly invincible there for a moment. Now, he

saw something new in the card's short message. Now,

he would train. He called Chad. After being

congratulated on his win, Ranma said that he'd like

to take some time in China to train.

"What luck, Ranma. We have someone in that area

that we'd like some information on. While you're

training, how about you do a little reconnaissance?"

Ranma quickly agreed. If it got him to China on

company time and cash, all the better.

Ranma trained for several months under Master

Chou before catching wind of a very famous training

ground not too far away. It also happened to be

very close to the village he was supposed to check

out. He packed up and set out.

"No sir! Very bad you fall in spring!"

"Oh, why's that?" Ranma stopped halfway through

the process of removing his pack.

"This Jusenkyo, valley of cursed springs. Each

spring have different curse. Whoever fall in take

body of whatever drown last in spring."

Ranma raised an eyebrow and turned to regard the

valley. He hadn't been impressed to begin with, but

he hated to waste the trip. "I'm a martial artist,

and I came here to train. Know any good martial

artists around here?"

"Is nearby village of Amazon tribe. Many great

fighters in this village. Much safer than

Jusenkyo."

Ranma visibly seemed more excited. "A whole

village of fighters? Lead the way!"

Ranma stood just inside the village and watched

the tournament. He hadn't eaten much during the

last day and a half, so he was terribly hungry. He

saw a large table laden with a glorious feast, and

was practically salivating. He started for the

table until he saw the sign.

He hadn't spent enough time in China to be

fluent, but he had a vague grasp of the language.

It said something about a prize. He sighed and

turned to the guide.

"Any chance of getting some food here?"

"There will be great big festival when

tournament end. I come some years, always on guest

list. You be my guest, and we eat well, yes?"

"Thank you very much." He bowed just as the

next pair of fighters stepped onto the raised

challenge log. He studied the large, nearly

masculine, woman, and the smaller purple-haired

woman.

Although smaller, she'd obviously have the speed

advantage. She also seemed very comfortable with

the bonbori in her hands. She did appear tired

though, while the larger woman was fresh and hadn't

fought in some time.

Ranma worked his way closer to the fight,

wanting to see the outcome. As the fight began,

everyone was so absorbed by it that they paid him no

heed. He was very close to the circle's edge when

Purple threw the larger woman from the log with a

well-placed swipe.

She was heading right for him, so Ranma leapt up

and caught the unconscious woman. There was a

collective gasp as he landed, holding the large

woman. He looked around, but nobody seemed too keen

on taking her from him. He shrugged and laid her

out on the ground.

Purple stomped over too him and gestured wildly

with her bonbori. Ranma held up a hand and

attempted to converse in the unfamiliar language.

*Wait. I not speaking Chinese well. I did

something wrong?*

She grunted, *Yes you did something wrong! How

dare you aid her so soon? It is part of the triumph

to send your opponent flying and watch them land

outside the ring!* She pointed helpfully to the

ground.

He bowed deeply. *My apologies. I wish only

save her from uh, hard fall. My congratulations on

good win.*

Purple opened her mouth, but a withered prune of

a woman interrupted with a well-timed bop on the

girl's head with a cane.

*Silence Xian Pu. He did no real harm, and you

won regardless. As the new Champion, go claim your

prize.*

Shampoo just then seemed to realize her triumph,

and was gleefully escorted to the long table of

food. Ranma was now glad that he had refrained from

eating its contents. The small old woman looked up

at him as the crowd relocated to the table of food.

"Well, judging by your accent you are Japanese.

Correct?"

He nodded, "Yes, wise one. My apologies for my

earlier short fall."

"No harm there. You didn't know, and it wasn't

important anyway. Now, why has this young martial

artist come to our village?"

He decided that she could obviously tell he was

a fighter from his earlier leap and moved on. "I

heard of a legendary training ground called Jusenkyo

and decided to try it out."

She looked horror stricken for a moment, "Did

you fall into a spring?"

"No, the guide stopped me."

"Good. It would be a shame to waste such a

talented young martial artist to a terrible curse."

He thought about asking what sorts of curses

there were in the valley, but decided it wasn't

really important after all. She continued before he

could have asked anyway.

"Tell me, young one, would you like to train

here for awhile? I'm interested to see how you

managed to obtain such a powerful aura at so young

an age."

"You can sense ki?"

She chuckled, "Of course! I take it that you'll

be staying?"

He smiled, "Of course. At least for as long as

I can without wearing out my welcome. You see, I

have this quest . . .." He explained his problem

while silently congratulating himself. It was well

known that these little villages didn't always take

well to strangers, and it was his current assignment

to find out some more about them, after all.

Ranma Soatome parked his car on the curb a

couple houses down from his destination. He'd come

on ahead of target C. He got out of the black

convertible and looked around. The street was

empty, so he hopped into the tree above his car.

He spread his legs and squatted down to see

through the gap in the leaves. His black leather

trenchcoat was hanging a bit lower than he'd like,

but it wouldn't be visible unless she looked

directly up at the exact second.

He saw her come over the slight rise in the

road, seemingly counting on her fingers and humming.

She seemed altogether pleased with herself, and

didn't even glance at the tree he was secreted in.

She passed by and Ranma turned to look into the

walled back yard of the building. He heard C call

out that she'd returned home, and he started

counting. After timing it just right, he hopped

from the tree.

They were all home now, so it was time to make

his move. He made his way to the gate and then to

the front door. He knocked and ran through their

actions in his head. B would be in the kitchen, A

in the dining or family room. C just got home, and

probably just finished discussing her day with B. D

would be either in the dojo or on her way there.

That left B and C to be the ones to open the

door. He preferred C, since she was the business

end of the family, but B was the eldest aside from

A, the father.

He was a little surprised when D opened the

door. She blinked at his odd appearance. A black

leather trenchcoat and dark sunglasses weren't the

norm with anyone she knew. Was he one of Nabiki's

friends?

"Can I help you?"

He looked down at her through the shades. He'd

been hoping to avoid her until he was forced to

fight her. "I'm here to see Master Tendo of the

Tendo school of Anything Goes."

She frowned slightly. He looked familiar, but

she couldn't place him. It didn't help that those

shades wrapped around a large portion of his face.

"The sign outside says that all challenges go to the

dojo out back. I accept the challenges to the

school."

"This is more than a minor challenge. This has

to do with family honor."

"Uh, sure. Why don't you wait just in here?"

He stepped in beside her and she closed the

door. She disappeared down the hall as Nabiki was

heading up the stairs. She paused and studied him.

They held a brief staring contest, both staring

steadily at each other. After a long wait, Nabiki

looked away with an unconcerned snort.

Kasumi stepped out of the kitchen, catching

sight of Ranma. "Oh! I thought I heard the door.

Do you need anything?"

"No, your . . . sister is seeing your father

about getting an audience between your father and

myself."

"Oh my! I better get some tea ready. Excuse me

please!"

He nodded and she went back into the kitchen.

Nabiki leaned against the wall of the stairs,

watching him without making eye contact. He ignored

her, wondering if he was doing the right thing by

being here.

Akane returned just as Kasumi was coming from

the kitchen.

"Akane, take these for father and his guest,

will you?"

Since she was between Ranma and Akane, Ranma

grabbed the tray as he passed the eldest Tendo.

Kasumi smiled and thanked him, but he just nodded

and looked at Akane expectantly. She nodded and led

him to the dining room table.

Ranma paused slightly when he saw the man. He

was middle-aged, and didn't appear at all dangerous.

However, Ranma knew looks could be deceiving. He'd

used that to his advantage often enough.

"Good afternoon! Please, be seated." Ranma

nodded at the man's comment and sat down across from

him. Akane knelt next to her father and served the

tea, though she didn't look happy about it.

As she finished, she started to stand. Soun

held out a hand and stopped her. He looked up at

his young visitor, "If this pertains to the dojo,

Akane should hear it. She is the heir after all."

Ranma winced, but nodded. "Before I give my

name, I'd like to tell why I am here." He reached

inside his coat and pulled out the card. Placing it

on the table directly in front of him, picture up,

he looked up at Soun. Akane seemed miffed that she

was being ignored but let it go.

"Eight years ago, I saw my father killed in cold

blood. As he died in my arms, he told me, 'Go, and

train just as hard as I have worked you. One day,

when you feel strong and invincible, take out this

card. Study it until you find something new, then

train some more. Train until you no longer feel

invincible'."

Akane raised an eyebrow. My, how dramatic.

Ranma reached up and started to remove the

sunglasses. "Last year, I won a tournament. I

wondered if I'd ever find a challenge ever again."

As the glasses revealed his striking blue eyes,

Akane gasped.

"You're Ryo Tome! I saw you win that

tournament, and they named you the best fighter in

Japan! It was the All Japan National Championship

after all, and you won it easily!"

"That's why I'm here. Since I felt fairly

unbeatable there for a moment, I went training and

found someone far stronger than me. Now I realize

that no matter how hard I train, there will always

be someone out there better than me."

Soun nodded slowly, "Wise."

Ranma jerked his gaze to the man. "As heir to

the school, I've come as my father requested. I am

here to claim the school and assure that his life

was not wasted, and his death is finally avenged.

My father was an honorable man, and he was shot in

the back by a coward. I avenged his death then, but

I will now avenge the family's honor and claim the

school."

Akane looked at him, frightened by the serious

tone. "So you defeated your father's murderer to

avenge his death?"

Ranma turned his cold eyes on her. "I defeated

him, and then I killed him with my bare hands. Eye

for an eye."

Akane gasped and pulled back slightly. Her

movement was small, but he saw it. Akane didn't

miss the hurt in his eyes as she drew away from him.

He turned to Soun. "Tell me, old man, how do we

do this? Who shall it be?"

The resemblance was there, but could it really

be? Soun suddenly smiled. "Akane, get your sisters

quickly!" She looked nearly as confused as Ranma,

but obeyed. The three girls sat at one end of the

table, their father and Ranma to either side of

them.

"My boy, the choice is yours." He spread an arm

in a wide gesture to include the three girls.

Before they could figure out a sensible question,

Ranma was studying them each in turn. Kasumi

blushed, Nabiki raised an eyebrow, and Akane just

looked puzzled.

Ranma turned to Soun once more. "Akane, the

youngest, she's the only fighter, right?"

Soun nodded happily. "That's right. This is

Kasumi, age nineteen; and Nabiki, she's seventeen.

Choose my boy, don't be shy!"

Ranma looked puzzled. "Well, then it would have

to be Akane, wouldn't it?" What kind of fool would

send a non-fighter into combat to save his school?

Soun stood, pulling Akane and Ranma with him.

He joined their hands and announced happily,

"Congratulations my boy, you've made a good choice.

Akane will make an excellent wife!"

"Wife!" Ranma and Akane stared at each other.

Ranma looked away after a moment, but Akane just

couldn't help but stare at him.

"Excuse me, but what in the world are you

talking about?" Akane could tell that he wasn't

happy. Well, neither was she! After all, he was a

BOY!"

"Dad! What ARE you talking about? I thought he

was here to try and take the school."

Soun shook his head. "Do you remember years ago

when I went to identify the body of my old friend,

Genma Soatome? Well, if I'm right, this is his dead

son, Ranma."

"Dead?"

"Friend?" Ranma glared at the presumptuous man.

"How dare you call my father a friend?"

Soun blinked at him and then seemed a little

surprised. "Why, because we were best friends. We

trained under the same master, and started our own

schools. We agreed that one day our schools would

be joined, combining the strengths of each. They

would be joined when our children married to carry

on the honor of both schools."

Ranma shook his head as if to clear it,

confusion and anger warring on his face. Nabiki and

Kasumi looked at each other, silently agreeing that

it was best to remain silent. Akane finally decided

to ask a few questions.

"Wait dad, what did you mean dead son?"

"When Genma was murdered, his young son ran into

the woods with no supplies or anything. He was

never heard from, so we assumed he had died out in

the wilderness. Such a sad time for . . .."

"Hold it!" Ranma stepped back from the table,

hands fisted unconsciously. "Do you mean that

you're not my enemy, that I've wasted half my life?"

Soun held up a single finger and began a

lecture. "No sacrifice is too great in the name of

the art!"

Anger flared across his young face. "Really?

What about my honor? In the sake of my father's

honor, I tore my own to shreds. I spent eight years

of my life preparing to defeat the dreaded Tendo!

Now I find that he's really just a middle-aged man

with three kids, sitting around all day."

Akane now turned on him. "Hey! What gives you

the right to yell at father?"

Ranma snapped a hand out and grabbed her gi.

"Do you know what it's like to survive on your own

in the forest for a year when you're eight years

old? I nearly starved and stunted my growth. Then

I spent a few months working as a bouncer in a bar."

Nabiki wished she had a tape recorder. This

could get interesting.

Ranma released his grip on the frightened girl

and she nearly fell. He turned to Soun once more,

his anger fading to a pitiful blend of sad

loneliness and horror at what had become his life.

"I have done things that no child should know

about. Now I realize that my life is all a façade."

He fell to his knees, "I—you wouldn't want me in

your family. I—I better go." He made no move to

leave despite his words.

Soun called out, "Wait! As the only child of my

dear friend, I must extend our hospitality. Please

stay if only to tell me of your time with Genma. I

hadn't heard from him in years when I was called to

Kyoto with—"

Ranma brought his eyes up to look at the man.

Hadn't he heard? "Why would you want me to stay? I

was just a boy, I don't remember much of that time."

Soun smiled kindly, "True, but you know more of

Genma's final years than anyone else. All I ask is

that you consider the marriage." Akane glared at

her father. "Stay a couple nights, and get to know

Akane."

Ranma sighed. "I suppose father would have

wanted a friend to know about him . . ."

"Then it's settled! Kasumi, go prepare the

guest room please!"

Kasumi stood and bowed before leaving the room.

Ranma heard a phone ringing somewhere in the house,

but didn't even look up from the floor. Nabiki said

she'd answer it and left the room. Akane looked

between her father and the strange boy.

Soun blabbed on about how good and honorable

Genma was, but Ranma didn't pay any attention. A

moment after the ringing stopped, Nabiki stepped

into the room.

"Father? It's for you." Soun excused himself

and left, Nabiki already heading for her room. She

had work to do.

Akane sat on the ground next to Ranma. His

forlorn expression reaching out to her. He didn't

even show any reaction to her sudden presence.

"Ranma, right?"

He looked up, and she was extending a hand to

him. She had a warm smile on, and he nearly

returned it.

"Uh, yeah." He briefly shook her hand before

letting it fall limply back to his side.

"We got off to a bad start I suppose. I'm

Akane. I really did see your fight you know. I got

the tickets for my birthday from Nabiki. It was

great!"

"Thanks."

"I got your autograph after the fight, when you

were on your way to the locker rooms. I'm a big fan

actually, and had a poster of you with me."

He looked at her curiously, finally showing

signs of life. "You had a poster of me?"

She nodded happily. "Uh huh. It's hanging on

my door now, autograph and all. Hey! Would you

like to see the dojo?"

He looked out in the general direction of the

building, slowly nodding. She grabbed his hand and

dragged him out there. She spun around when they

made it.

"Tada! What do you think?"

He scanned the room with a small smile.

"Actually, it looks a lot like my old boss's dojo."

"The bar owner?"

He shook his head and wandered to the center,

hands tucked into his pockets. "No, the one after

him. Say, ya wanna spar?"

"R—really?"

He turned to face her again and shrugged on

shoulder. "Sure. OH, wait. I should probably move

my car first."

"Car?"

"Yeah. I parked it in front of someone else's

house so you guys wouldn't know I was here until I

showed up at the door. Do you wanna wait here for

me, or . . ."

Her eyes lit up, "Why don't I come with you?

None of my friends have a car! What is it?"

Somehow, halfway through the first sentence, Akane

started to pull him out of the dojo. By the end of

her speech, they were going out the gate and

stepping onto the sidewalk.

Ranma gestured weakly with his left hand, his

right arm in a tight grasp by Akane, to the little

sports car a couple houses down. Another car had

pulled up behind his; an ugly older box of a thing

with at least three different colors.

Akane looked between the two as they approached.

"Uh, the green one, right?"

He shook his head, hiding his amusement behind a

blank face. "No, actually it's the black one."

She looked like she was trying to decide if he

was joking, so he pulled out his keys and pressed

the button that would unlock the doors and turn off

the alarm. There was an electronic beep and the

sound of the two doors unlocking.

Akane blinked in surprise before running up and

examining it appreciatively. "It's gorgeous! How

can you ever afford it?"

He shrugged, "I do fight in a lot of

tournaments. Besides, I have a little job on the

side." He opened the driver's side door and sat

down. He reached across and pushed open the other

door. Akane quickly got in.

It only took a moment to move the car to the

Tendo's place, and Ranma got out with his suitcase.

Akane took a moment longer. She was reluctant to

get out of the sleek vehicle. The two of them went

back to the dojo, where Ranma took off his

trenchcoat and laid it by his pack at the door.

He swung his arms around to loosen them up,

arching his back until it popped. Akane had been

working out until Kasumi had come and told her about

a phone call. She'd just hung up when Ranma'd

knocked on the door. She still felt pretty warm,

but went through several actions like Ranma's.

They finally squared off in the center of the

room. Akane was in a rigid stance which she took

pains to make perfect. Ranma stood loosely with his

arms at his sides and his feet spread apart. Akane

would have been insulted if she hadn't known what a

famous fighter he was.

She jumped forward with a quick combo. Her leg

swept high in a perfect arc that went through air.

She stared wide-eyed for the briefest moment with

her leg still above her head. The moment ended

abruptly with a sudden pain in her lower leg.

Akane blinked and wondered how she'd made it so

quickly to the ground. She found herself lying face

down on the mat, and sat up. She was completely

untouched aside from her ankle where he'd touched

her. She sat on the floor and massaged her

throbbing ankle.

"Ow! What'd you do?"

Ranma quirked one corner of his mouth at the

angry scowl on her face but quickly banished it. He

knelt beside her and touched the same spot again,

also hitting a spot several inches higher.

"I ducked under your kick and hit a pressure

point on your ankle."

She blinked at him. "Oh. It feels better now,

like you never touched it."

"I hit the 'antidote'."

"Uh, sure. Dr. Tofu uses pressure points for

healing. I didn't know those techniques could be

used in fights."

"Of course."

She was about to start a conversation over

martial arts when Kasumi stepped into the room.

"Did you two have a nice workout?"

Ranma stood quickly and nodded, letting Akane

answer her sister. "Yeah Kasumi. It was really

fun."

"That's nice. I have your room ready for you

Ranma. Would you like to take a bath first?"

"That would be very nice, Miss Kasumi."

"Oh my!" She held a hand to her cheek. "Just

follow me."

"I'll see ya later Akane." Ranma picked up his

bag as he passed the door and followed Kasumi to the

bath.

"Later, Ranma."

Kasumi left him in the hall, and he went inside.

He took a nice soak, but didn't stay in overly long.

He changed into a fresh set of Chinese silk clothes,

this set in dark blue that complimented his eyes.

Well, that's what Lilly said at least.

Ranma put the pack on his shoulder and held the

old clothes in his arm. He looked around the hall,

wondering where to go, as Kasumi came out of a room

down the hall. She smiled at him from behind a

stack of laundry.

"Hello Ranma. This is your room here." She

pointed to the room next to the one she'd just

exited. Ranma nodded and waved one hand as he

stepped toward the appointed room. She studied the

clothes in his arm as he passed.

"Oh, are those your dirty clothes? I'll take

them."

Before Ranma knew what was happening, his

clothes had been taken from his grasp and he was

ushered into his guestroom. He scanned the empty

looking room and sighed. "I wish I was home."

He shook his head and settled his suitcase onto

the floor, taking out enough things for the night

and the next day. He then settled down on the

sleeping pad and took out a book with a plain cover.

He palmed through a few chapters until he found the

appropriate section, and began to read.

He read silently until there was a knock on the

door. "Come in."

He looked up as Akane stepped in, smiling. "Hey

Ranma. Dinner's ready."

"Oh. Thank you, Akane."

"No prob. Better hurry, or Dad will eat all the

food."

They smiled at each other, though Ranma still

hadn't really grinned and Akane had a much happier

and wider smile. Ranma put down the book and stood,

following Akane downstairs to the dining room.

They entered and sat down across from each other

at one end, Nabiki next to Akane and Soun at the

end. Kasumi came in and started placing dishes on

the table. Soun took a deep appreciative breath.

"That smells wonderful Kasumi!"

"Why thank you Father." She began to serve, and

they were soon eating happily. Akane glanced up at

Ranma and paused. While he was using the best

manners, he seemed to be displacing a lot of food

into his mouth. He didn't appear to be eating

quickly because of his graceful movements, but he

was asking for seconds before Akane had taken three

bites.

"Oh my! Did you enjoy it Ranma?"

"Very much. You're an excellent cook Kasumi.

Worthy of the finest restaurants in France." He

said it with such surety; it was as if he had eaten

real French food on a regular basis.

"Why thank you Ranma. Here, have some more

soup."

He accepted and before long, he had an empty

bowl. He looked around at the still-full dishes of

the Tendo's and decided to wait for more. Instead,

he turned to Soun.

"Sir, if I may ask, how many students does the

dojo now have?"

Soun turned crimson for a second, then returned

to his normal color as he held his head high. He

raised a finger and pointed proudly to Akane. "I

have restricted my training to Akane for the last

ten years."

Ranma looked between father and daughter. Soun

was obviously trying to hide his shame at not having

any students, while Akane was rolling her eyes.

Having already fought her, it was obvious that the

girl hadn't been worked terribly hard over the last

ten years. Of course she hadn't had his life, but

Ranma knew pampered rich boys that were better than

her.

"Of course. You trained her very well, Master

Tendo."

"Now, now Ranma, not so formal. Just Mr.

Tendo." Nabiki rolled her eyes and Akane groaned.

"Of course, Mr. Tendo. Perhaps you and I could

spar later?"

Tendo blinked. "Uh . . ."

Akane interrupted, "Hey Ranma, why don't you and

I just spar. We wouldn't want to bother father."

She sent him an imploring look, and he nodded.

"As you wish."

"Didn't you two just work out Ranma?"

He gave Kasumi a polite little smile, barely a

lifting of the corner of his mouth. "We did spar,

yes, but I would feel lazy if I didn't do my usual

daily exercises."

Akane perked up slightly. "Would you mind if I

watch?"

He shrugged. "I guess not. I usually do this

in the mornings, but I had to go to uh, work this

morning."

"I mostly just jog in the mornings."

Everyone else was either making excuses or

clearing the table. Before long, Akane and Ranma

were alone. "Jogging's good too, but I don't like

to take the time for a good long run usually, since

I'm so busy."

"Do you work a lot of hours?"

He shrugged, "Not really, but there's a lot of

travelling. I'd better get started on that workout,

if you don't mind."

"OH no. I'd love to see what a true martial

artist considers a daily workout."

"I'd consider you a martial artist by far Akane.

You just haven't had my life. Trust me, you learn

to fight if it means surviving."

She didn't like the dark clouds in his eyes, and

changed the subject. "Don't let me forget to show

you that poster."

He felt one corner of his mouth lift slightly,

"Of course."

Ranma felt his weight pushing down into the

ground while his muscles strained and pulled him up

taller. He stood with his feet together and his

arms at his sides, eyes closed as he concentrated on

nothingness. With a jerk, his right arm shot out to

a perfectly aimed upward thrust. After a slight

pause, he thrust himself fully into the kata he'd

devised for himself years ago.

He concentrated on speed and balance, letting

the technique that had been drilled into him fall

naturally into place. He spun around the room, eyes

still closed as he worked a tight spiral. As he

reached the center of the room and spiral, he

suddenly stopped.

His face, previously relaxed and calm, tensed as

he concentrated on his own body and power. His

hands fisted at his sides, as he seemed to push

himself down into the ground while trying to remain

upright. As quickly as he'd dropped into the

trance, he relaxed and opened his eyes.

He found himself staring into Akane's stunned

eyes. "Wow! That was amazing. You're so fast, and

you did it all without even opening your eyes."

"Um, thanks. I'd better finish up though."

She blinked, "You're not done?"

"Of course not. That was only one kata."

"But—but it lasted a good hour."

Ranma shook his head, almost smiling as walked

into the house a couple hours later. Akane had been

called away for a phone call an hour or so ago, so

he'd finished up alone. Her enthusiasm over his

training was commendable. Maybe he could make her

into a true fighter yet . . .

Wait a minute, what was he thinking? He wasn't

going to be training her. He'd be leaving for his

place in the next day or so and leave the Tendos on

their own. He frowned and shook his head as he

stepped into the house. Kasumi poked her head out

of a doorway and smiled at him.

"Are you ready for a bath now Ranma? I'm sure a

nice soak would be welcome after such a long

workout."

He bowed his head solemnly. "That is an

excellent idea, Miss. Kasumi."

She blushed and raised a hand to her cheek. "Oh

my. Well, enjoy your bath."

"Thank you."

After his second soak of the evening, he went to

his room and retrieved the book he'd been reading

earlier. It was a slim volume with tiny print that

would give him a headache if he weren't used to it.

He would have hidden it if he weren't fairly sure

that nobody in the household could read Chinese.

There was a knock on the door and he looked up.

Kasumi was standing in the doorway, smiling shyly.

"Ranma, might I have a word with you?"

"Of course. Have a seat." He gestured to the

other end of his sleeping mat and she primly

arranged herself in a quick and efficient way that

reminded him of his friend.

"What can I help you with, Miss. Kasumi?"

"Please, just Kasumi will do. And I actually

have a couple things. My family is, well,

interesting with all of our foibles and odd little

quirks. I know you came here with different

intentions, but things have changed and I'd like to

make a couple requests."

"I'd be more than happy to help if it's in my

power, but I'm afraid this whole marriage is a

little—"

"Oh heavens no! I'm not asking you to marry

anyone! I just want you to understand my family."

Ranma narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but continued

to listen. "Father was deeply affected by the loss

of my mother, and that's why he hasn't taken any

students or really tried to train Akane."

She turned and looked sadly out the window.

"His sense of honor wouldn't let him completely let

her training slip. After all, he was a great

fighter in his time; so he taught her enough to be

the best in the area, then stopped."

She looked back to him, her face schooled to the

usual calm that she let show. "Akane was affected

deeply too. She was so young that she had a harder

time accepting it than Nabiki and me. She lives

martial arts to feel strong so that her pain doesn't

show."

"She always complained about professional

martial artists selling out, and how there weren't

any real fighters left." She smiled up at him.

"Then she saw you fight one night on TV. She's good

enough that she could tell you were real. She saw

something in you, and you became her mentor."

"Me? Because she saw one fight on TV?"

"NO silly!" She giggled, "She didn't really

feel that way until she had the chance to talk to

one of the men you'd beat. He was going through

town and happened to see the dojo. He stopped to

see if there was a class going on, and ended up just

talking to Akane."

"You see, he'd just recently lost to you, and

had had his interest in the art newly peaked. He

was searching the country for a master that could

teach him to be a true warrior. Like you."

Ranma stared at the carpet as she studied him.

After a brief pause, she continued. "Akane finally

found a fighter she could look up to (Beside Father)

and she went out and bought a poster of you. It

hasn't left her door since she bought it, except to

take it to your championship last year. She was so

proud of that autograph, that she brought a couple

friends home from school to see it."

Ranma nodded slowly. That explained why she was

so eager to watch him train and spar with him. He

had felt the same about one of his friends in the

village . . . "Alright, so what are the favors you

wanted?"

She smiled and reached over to squeeze his hand.

"Now that you know how much you mean to Akane, you

must understand that, as the son of Father's old

partner, you mean a lot to him too. I understand if

you don't want to go through with the marriage, but

father won't. Not right away at least. Give him

time, and he'll let it go."

"Until then, could you at least make a few

appearances around the house on occasion? I'm not

asking much, just that you give the appearance that

you're considering it."

"You just want me to hang out here?" It

couldn't be that easy.

"That's it. Akane would be thrilled to have her

idol showing up at her house on a regular (if

infrequent) basis, and Father could get used to the

idea that this engagement may not be the wisest

thing to do. He doesn't know you, so he doesn't

know that there may be perfectly good reasons for

you not to have to go through with it."

Ranma nodded curtly. "Alright. I'm a busy

person, but I can make some quick stops every month

or two."

Kasumi smiled and bowed her head. "That's more

than enough. You're a good soul, Ranma Soatome."

With that, she stood and looked down at him. Her

eyes caught on the book in his lap, and she seemed

puzzled for a moment. She evidently shook it off

and smiled before leaving.

Ranma watched her close his door and stared at

it for a long time before going back to his book.

Why had he agreed to that? He thought of the

eager look on Akane's face as she followed him to

the dojo that evening and the awed look when he

finished his first kata. He shook his head and went

to sleep.

Ranma tossed the small sandbag a couple times to

get the idea of its weight firmly in mind. He

jerked his eyes directly in front of him and across

the Koi pond. He slid his feet apart in a ready

stance, readying the fist-sized bag filled with

Chinese sand from a certain little body of water.

He chucked the bag into the air, quickly

following its path. He knocked it back into the air

with a flick of his wrist as he jumped across the

pond. He immediately rappelled himself back across

the pond, this time kicking the bag into the air

again.

Each time he jumped across the still waters, he

hit the bag back into the air. Each time, he made

it more difficult. The last time he jumped, he did

a flip while quickly jerking a leg out to kick it

up. As he finished his rotation, he thrust his arm

out and punched it back again.

He landed on one leg, the other cocked and

ready. As the bag neared the ground, he flicked his

foot out and sent the bag soaring into the air.

This time he simply stood there with his eyes

straight ahead as the bag fell toward him. He heard

applause and turned to the porch.

Nabiki was leaning against the doorframe with a

sarcastic smirk as she clapped slowly. He raised an

eyebrow and held out a hand slightly behind his

back. There was a soft thud as the bag fell neatly

into his hand.

"Nice show, but what good does it do?"

He brought the bag in front of him and studied

the tight weave and the limp weight. "My school

specializes in quick, midair attacks. This way, I

get used to fighting gravity and opponents." He

gave her a cold smirk and strolled into the house.

He found Mr. Tendo and Akane sitting in the

living room. Tendo was reading his paper as Akane

watched a television show. Ranma studied her with a

soft frown. Her hair was disheveled and her skirt

was just settling around her knees. Her hands were

tightly clasped before her on her lap.

He smirked very briefly. He'd noticed a fuzzy

blue spot at a couple points in his exercise. He

sat next to her on the couch. "If you wanted to

watch, I wouldn't mind."

She jerked slightly, and then slowly turned her

head to see his blank face in profile as he watched

the screen. "Excuse me?"

"I knew you were there. I'm used to audiences."

After that stint in China, he definitely was. "I'm

not going to be staying much longer. Kasumi

convinced me to stay tonight, but I'm going to my

place tomorrow. If you want to, I can help you

train some while I'm here, and I can drop by every

now and then."

Her eyes sparkled, but there was a little

wariness there as well. "Really? You'd really do

that for me?" Ranma ignored the rustling of the

paper as Mr. Tendo leaned dangerously over to hear

the conversation.

"Sure. As far as I know, you're the first one

that really appreciated all the work I've done."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "You're

kidding, right? You've got fan clubs all over

Tokyo. My school even has a little one, but I think

they're mostly in love with your looks instead of

your fighting."

He noticed the bitter and disapproving look and

gave the little half smile that was about all he

could manage anymore. "Well, thanks for your

honesty. Do you like your school?" He knew that

was where she was going this morning, because of the

light blue uniform.

She glared at the screen and crossed her arms.

"No! As if schoolwork wasn't enough, I have to put

up with the daily attacks! Honestly, you'd think

they'd learn after the first fifty of so times I

beat them!"

Ranma stared in shock. She was attacked every

day at school? The poor girl! "They attack you

every day? Why?"

She rolled her eyes, "Well—"

"Akane?" Nabiki paused in the doorway. "If we

don't run, we're gonna be really late today! I'm

gonna have to pull a few strings to keep another

tardy off our records, or we'll both have detention

for weeks!"

Ranma thought quickly. If he was gonna be

training her, that made her his student, and masters

looked out for their students, right? "I'll give

you two a ride."

Nabiki blinked. "You will?"

Akane smiled. "That's really nice Ranma, but

you don't have to if—"

"Nonsense. Grab your stuff and we'll get going.

I can get you there much faster than walking or

riding a bus."

He was secretly excited. He loved an excuse to

drive his sports car; especially if he could stretch

its mechanical muscles.

The two girls followed him outside, and he

grabbed his leather coat on the way. His Chinese

silks had a tendency to catch attention that he

didn't want. He slipped on his shades that he

always kept in an interior pocket of the coat.

Nabiki sat sideways in the small back seat,

smiling as she stretched out luxuriously. Akane

giggled at her sister and sat in the front, her

hands resting in the schoolbag on her lap. Ranma

smiled at them both and turned the key. He quirked

an eyebrow quickly up and down.

"Ready?"

Akane frowned, "What do you . . . ahh!" Ranma

took off like a shot. He whipped around corners and

through the thin traffic with ease as he pressed the

button to roll the window down. With his left arm

resting on the window's edge (except when he had to

shift gears) his right hand steered with quick and

precise movements.

Within what seemed like seconds, he pulled up to

the front of the school. Because the windows were

tinted, the students were struggling to see who was

in the fancy car. Ranma smiled at the girls.

"Mind if I come in for a bit? I haven't gone to

school regularly since before my long training trip, and I must admit I'm a

little curious."

Akane blinked, "Well, I don't see why not . . ."

"Great!" He grabbed the keys and hopped out.

He leapt over the car's roof and opened the door.

Akane, who'd been a little stunned by his admission

about lack of schooling, was just reaching for the

handle as he opened the door for her. She shrugged

and climbed out, smiling at Ranma.

"Thanks!" Nabiki followed, nodding simply. He

gave a slight bow and tucked his keys into his

pocket as he followed the girls. He looked around,

feigning interest in the school. Really, he could

care less. He just wanted to scout out any trouble

for Akane and let the local losers know that he

wouldn't stand for any trouble against his student.

Akane stopped just inside the gate and turned to

give him an odd look. "Uh, could you hold this for

me?" Nabiki had already headed inside the school

without a backward glance. He shrugged and took the

bag, expecting her to adjust a shoe or something.

He scanned the yard as he grabbed the bag,

noting the large groups of students lounging near

the front doors. Other than those students,

everyone else seemed to be hurrying inside or

shoving each other in the windows while trying to

look out at the yard.

Ranma frowned and cocked his head. What were

they doing? Was there something out here actually

worth looking at? He turned to ask Akane, just as

the crowd of boys screamed out her name in unison

and charged.

Akane prepared to run head long into them, but

Ranma grabbed her arm. "Mind if I cut in?" He said

it with a small smile and a wiggle of an eyebrow.

"Uh, I guess—"

"Thanks!" Ranma ran at the crowd, twisting his

feet with each step to throw up dust. As he plowed

into them, he kept up similar actions. None got

past him, but nobody else could see because of the

huge dust cloud he'd thrown up.

He stepped out of the cloud a moment later,

dusting his hands off on his coat. He handed Akane

back her bag. "Here ya go."

She looked at it dumbly, "You had it the whole

time?"

He shrugged, "I figured it would make a good

shield if I needed one."

The dust settled to reveal a pile of unconscious

boys. They were out cold, but appeared unharmed.

"What'd you do to them?"

"Oh, I just hit a few pressure points. They'll

be fine, and it's quicker that way." His eye

twitched and his hand shot out. He spun around and

scanned the tree-studded yard. A young man in Kendo

attire stepped from behind one of the trees to his

right.

"Who are thou to fight the beauteous Akane's

battles and endanger her belongings, let alone

intercept my loving gift meant for her gentle hand

alone?"

Ranma blinked and glanced at his hand. He'd

caught the rose on impulse without even realizing

his action; let alone what he'd caught. "Oh. Sorry

Akane, I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

"What!?" Her outraged scream contrasted oddly

with her furious blush. "Kuno's not my boyfriend!"

The boy, evidently named Kuno, stepped closer.

"Alas it is so. For I have yet to beat the timid

tiger that is she in combat as of yet, though you

are wise indeed to notice that we are meant for each

other. But my manners leave me. I have yet to

introduce myself. I am Tatewaki Kuno, the local

Kempo champion and model to my peers, who have

dubbed me the Blue Thunder!"

With that statement, he thrust his bokken into

the air as thunder crashed and lightning flashed on

the horizon. Ranma raised an eyebrow and bowed his

head ever so slightly. "I am Ranma Soatome, head of

the Soatome School of Anything Goes, also known as

Ryo Tome, and the Japanese Martial Arts Champion."

Kuno blinked and swallowed. "Than I am honored

indeed to be in thy presence, for few do not know of

your prowess in the art. Although I was not aware

that Ryo Tome was a stage name of sorts."

Ranma smirked. "Few do. Now, if you'll excuse

us, I believe Akane was about to give me a quick

tour of the school."

Kuno nodded dumbly as Ranma offered his arm to

Akane. She accepted in a daze and Ranma led her

into the building. He hadn't noticed the hush that

had fallen over the school until the school-wide

whispering broke out when he opened the front door.

He sighed and shook his head.

Stupid, you've made yourself the center of

attention. Oh well, it isn't like I have a lot of

enemies to worry about.

Ranma finished packing his bag and started down

the stairs. He propped it against the door and

draped his coat over it before heading to the dining

room. The Tendos were sitting around the table

discussing Ranma's handling of the pompous Kuno.

"You should have seen it Daddy! He was so

smooth and calm that Kuno just didn't know what to

do!"

"You weren't much better Akane. Be glad I

haven't mentioned the engagement, or everyone would

be planning your shower. The whole school's

convinced that you two are dating after he drove us

to school and escorted you in on his arm."

Akane blinked rapidly before turning her eyes to

her lap and blushing. Ranma sat quietly in his

seat. "Now Nabiki, I'm sure the rumors will die

down when they don't see me driving her to school

every day. The rumor mill is effective when handled

correctly, and part of that handling is patience."

"Quite true. I take it you have been the

subject of many rumors?"

He shrugged, "Hasn't everyone?"

Kasumi brought out the last dish and they began

to eat. Akane smiled shyly at Ranma from across the

table. "I'll miss our workouts when you leave."

He smiled softly. "So will I. I haven't had a

regular training partner in months. I'll just have

to stop by as often as possible to keep us both in

shape."

Kasumi smiled secretly and served Ranma some

seconds. It was nearly an hour later when the

Tendos huddled around the front door to wish him

off. Nabiki, looking bored, hung back, but the

other three were smiling at him like old friends.

Mr. Tendo shook his hand with a solemn bow of

the head. "I look forward to your next visit, time

permitting, Ranma."

"As do I." He returned the bow and turned to

Kasumi. "Thank you for your understanding, Miss.

Kasumi."

"Thank you for your help Ranma. You're always

welcome."

He nodded and turned to Akane. "I'll see ya in

a few weeks for practice then. Work on the

exercises I gave you."

"Sure, but Ranma?"

He looked at her questioningly, "Yes Akane?"

"Well, I was just wondering, where are you

going? You said you don't have any family, and I

was just a little worried . . ."

He smiled, "Thank you Akane, but don't worry. I

have a . . . humble home of my own. Maybe I'll be

able to invite you all over sometime. In the

meantime, I'd better—"

He was interrupted by and electronic briiinng.

He smiled apologetically and reached into his coat

pocket to pull out a cellular phone.

"Hello?"

*Ranma.*

"Chad? I haven't heard from you in awhile—"

*That's the problem! You didn't check in with

your weekly call, and I haven't been able to get a

hold of you. We've got trouble Ranma.*

Ranma sighed. "I didn't call in because I'm on

vacation, remember? Personal business, is this

ringing a bell?"

*I know I promised you a chance to get that

taken care of, but we have a major problem. Where

are you right now?*

He glanced around, "UH, I'm at the Tendo dojo

right now, but I was—"

*Right. Don't move! It is a matter of

international security that you stay out of the

public eye. Nobody can see you, got that? Stay

right where you are, and I'll be there tomorrow

morning.*

"Chad! I can't do that! I'm going home!"

*No you aren't! Listen, an old friend is

bringing a whole mess of trouble, and you can't be

seen. Stay where you are and off the streets. That

fancy little car of yours will have to collect a

little dust until I can get there.*

There was a click and a long moment of silence.

With a growl he turned the phone off and threw it

down on his coat. "I can't believe him! Security

indeed! And here I was looking forward to a

relaxing week at home!"

Akane stepped hesitantly forward. "Is—is

something wrong, Ranma?"

He looked up at her and schooled his features.

"Yes, actually. My uh, boss wants me to stay here

until he can make it here tomorrow. He'll probably

be on his way to the airport now. I hate to ask,

but—"

Soun stepped forward as well and clapped him on

the back. "NO problem son! Didn't we tell you that

you were always welcome? I'll take your bag up to

your room, I know you said that you like to work out

a little after dinner."

"That's quite alright Mr. Tendo. I have a

little work to do. If you don't mind, I better get

some reading done before Chad gets here in the

morning."

Akane grabbed his coat and phone, tucking the

small cellular into the pocket he'd pulled it from

earlier. "I'll walk you up, I have homework to do

anyway."

He half-smiled and nodded as he grabbed his

things. The two of them went to the stairs as the

rest of the household split to be by themselves.

They were halfway up the stairs when Akane rolled

her eyes to the sides to study him.

"Uh, Ranma?"

He kept his eyes forward, "Hmm?"

"Um, why didn't you go to school?"

He glanced quickly at her. Think quick! He

can't tell her that Japan's major crime boss had

seen to it that Ranma had the finest tutors in the

country, and that Chad had already started him on

home college courses for free to make sure that the

top international secret agent in the world wasn't

stupid.

"Well, having to support myself for most of my

life, there wasn't really time for public school.

I've managed though, trust me."

She smiled and waved a hand dismissively, "Well

of course! The Championship last year had a cash

prize rumored to be seven figures!"

He winked at her. "It was substantial, but not

quite that much, okay?"

She giggled, "Whatever you say!" She went into

his room with him and opened the closet. He set the

suitcase down and pulled out his book as she hung

his coat up. She turned to say good night and

noticed the small book.

"Whatcha reading?" She leaned over a little,

curious, and noticed the strange figures on the page

he held it open to. "Is that Chinese?"

He nodded and shut the book with a snap. "Yes.

My boss is based out of China."

"Wow! So you know Chinese too? That's pretty

cool. I've learned a little English in school, but

that's pretty much it."

He nodded sagely. "English is a hard language.

If I hadn't spent some time working in America, I

wouldn't have nearly the grasp on it that I do."

"You know English too? How many languages do

you know?"

"OH, Chinese and English are my best, but I know

a little bit of French, German, Korean, and Russian

too."

"How do you know so many languages?"

He gestured to the ground and they sat on the

mat, much as he and Kasumi had the night before.

"Well, I learned English and Chinese from spending a

few months there on assignment. I work with a

German man and his Russian cousin (and boy is that

an interesting family) on occasion, and the Korean I

picked up from a martial arts master before I went

there to study under his brother."

"Wow, you're lucky to travel so much."

He sighed, "Not really, since I'm always working

when I do."

She shrugged, "I've always wanted to travel. It

would be great to go on a long training trip. Think

what I could learn!"

He nodded, "Yes, that is a great advantage, but

it can be pretty dangerous if you don't have a good

guide. I've run into a couple problems, and a lot

of close calls."

She smiled brightly and stood. "OH well, I'll

see ya in the morning!"

"Good night Akane."

He watched her leave before pulling out the

book. It was his personal copy, and his fifth one

at that. Why did Chad have keep revising the stupid

rulebook?

Ranma set the bag down on the porch and pulled a

short Kris from the canvas drawstring pouch that he

used to hold his weapons. The curving lines of the

blade were balanced superbly, and he'd worked on

throwing it just for fun. It wasn't as accurate as

the miniature throwing knives he sometimes strapped

to his ankle or wrist, but fun nonetheless.

He spun the blade in a sweeping series of arcs

and swipes as he walked to one of the larger stones

around the Koi pond. He stepped onto it and began

the kata he normally used with this blade.

As the sun rose over the wall a substantial time

later, he walked back to the bag and switched to a

katana. It was a magnificent piece as well that

he'd commissioned from a friend of Master Chou's

when they'd first parted.

Master Chou had mentioned that Ranma should

choose a particular weapon and specialize in it.

Ranma had chosen a katana and Chou had suggested a

wonderful man who made Ranma a beautiful folded

blade with an elaborate silver hilt. Of course,

Nishiguchi had paid for it, calling it a welcoming

gift.

Over the years, Ranma spread to other blades and

a few other kinds of weapons. He took a few of them

with him when he traveled, but only the ones he

could pull off as some kind of antique collection or

something. That was one of his covers when going

through customs.

He centered himself in the yard, facing the

house, and began a series of katas that he'd learned

a few months ago. He wasn't satisfied with one part

where he'd been a little off balance and almost

messed up a swing, but he got it right the next time

through.

When he finished, he started to walk to the

house and switch weapons when Akane came out. She

smiled in surprise and waved.

"Hey Ranma! I'm just heading out for my jog.

Care to join me?"

He glanced at the bag that still contained three

weapons that he hadn't worked with yet. "I'd like

to Akane, but I haven't finished my weapons

training, and I'm not supposed to, uh, leave in case

Chad gets here." The real reason was that Chad had

warned him to keep hidden, but he couldn't say that

without sounding more than a little suspicious.

She looked a little disappointed, but smiled a

little anyway. "Alright then. Will you be here

when I get back?"

He noticed the hope and came up with a

compromise. "I don't know, but we could train a

little right now if you wanted."

"That would be great!"

"Ranma?"

They both turned to see Kasumi step onto the

porch with a man. He had shoulder length black hair

with a silver streak from his forehead. He wore an

expensive looking suit that was obviously tailored

to him, and carried a briefcase.

Ranma turned and bowed slightly to him. "Chad.

You made it here quicker than I expected."

Chad nodded thanks to Kasumi, who went back to

the kitchen. "Ranma, I hope you enjoyed the break."

"Yes, actually, but I was hoping for a little

more time."

Chad looked at Akane pointedly, but neither teen

said anything. He snorted and looked back to Ranma.

"An old friend of yours has popped up again."

Ranma's brow wrinkled as he thought. "Which

one? I can't think of any that I've heard about

lately."

"You wouldn't. He just escaped from prison a

month ago, and it's been kept pretty hush hush since

then. They didn't even tell me until a couple weeks

ago, and since you haven't been checking in . . ."

"Arg! I'm on vacation Chad!"

"Chasing down your father's old nemesis isn't my

idea of a vacation. So, did you get your revenge

yet?"

Ranma turned a bright crimson and looked quickly

at Akane askance. "It didn't work quite like that.

The guy turned out to be Pop's best friend, and the

two of them engaged their future children."

Chad raised an eyebrow and looked between the

two teens. A slow smile lit across his face. "Well

Ranma, it appears you'll finally get to tell someone

about your secret job. I never thought you'd be one

to get a family, but that's the only way you can

tell anyone about being one of my agents."

Ranma slapped his forehead and Akane blinked.

"Agent? Secret job? What's he talking about

Ranma?"

"Chad, you idiot! I wasn't going to marry her!

It's too dangerous for anyone to be too closely

associated with me."

Chad sighed. "I think it's a bit late for that.

You've been here for a couple days now, and I have

reason to believe that you've been watched."

Ranma scoffed and waved a dismissive hand.

"Impossible. I'd have known it if someone was

tailing me."

"Blast it Ranma, there are people out there

equal to you. You've made a few enemies over the

years and your various . . . jobs."

Akane saw the man shoot her another annoyed

glance and she started to back away. Ranma caught

her arm and smiled faintly. "Don't worry Akane, he

really is a friend, even if he is a little annoyed."

He turned back to Chad. "If there are people out

there with skills equal to mine, I'd be more than

happy for them to come."

"Ranma, you're more important to the agency than

you seem to realize. I want you hidden, and that's

that."

Ranma sighed, "Fine. Then you can escort me to

my place."

"I don't know if that's wise either. I just

don't know what to do. You never were terribly

reasonable if you didn't choose to be, and now the

son of the greatest crime boss in the hemisphere is

after you for killing his father."

Ranma jerked his head up. "Why didn't you say

it was Jaxom?"

Chad growled deep in his throat and threw his

arms up in the air. "Who did you think I was

talking about?"

Ranma shrugged. "I wasn't quite sure. But, if

it's Jaxom, there isn't much to worry about. I've

fought plenty of guards that he'd trained, and it

wasn't all that great of a warm-up. There's nothing

to worry about if I stick around enough to make sure

that the Tendos are safe."

Akane frowned, "If these people aren't that

good, why can't I take care of them?"

"Because they're worse than me, but out of your

league." He saw the defiant gleam in her eye and

turned to look her square in the face. "Trust me on

this Akane, you don't want to mess with these guys."

She nodded solemnly and started to speak until

Kasumi called from the porch.

"Akane? There's a telephone call for you!"

Ranma stretched on the couch as the movie went

off. He'd been watching a horror flick with Akane

and Nabiki, who'd left halfway through. Mr. Tendo

was at some town meeting, and Kasumi had gone to see

some doctor about a book. Now was as good a time as

any to get out without much attention.

Ranma glanced at the clock. It was almost nine,

and fairly dark out.

"I'm heading up to my room Akane."

She glanced at the clock as well, shooting him a

curious look as he stood. "Going to bed already?"

"Nah, just thought I'd do some reading."

She nodded and picked up the empty popcorn bowl

to return to the kitchen. Ranma scooped up three

empty soda cans and tossed them in the trash on his

way out. He glanced up and down the hallway to make

sure nobody was around, and went into his room.

Rather than drawing attention, he left the door

open as he pulled out his cellphone. He dialed a

well-known number and waited.

*Hello?*

"Hey Chad."

*Ranma, is something wrong?*

Ranma almost laughed at the tense voice of his

friend and boss. "No Chad. I haven't seen Jaxom or

any of his men. But, I do need a favor."

*Anything.*

"I just need to run to my house and get a few

things. I figure if I sneak out while it's dark, I

can be back within the hour."

*Don't you think someone will notice you getting

in your car if you're being watched?*

Ranma smirked and glanced out the window. "Nah,

cause I don't plan on driving. I'll jog to my place

and back. It will be good endurance practice if

nothing else."

There was a pause, and Ranma feared that he

would be turned down. *I suppose there's no harm,

as long as you're careful.*

"Aren't I always?"

*Please don't ask that Ranma!* There was a

click and Ranma shook his head as he put the phone

back up. He looked up slowly at the knock on the

door. Nabiki raised a querying eyebrow, and he

gestured her in.

"Can I help you, Nabiki?"

She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms

over her sweater. "I just had a couple questions

before I went out."

"At this hour on a school night?"

She smiled sarcastically for a moment before

clearing her expression. "Will you answer some

questions or not?"

He spread his hands to show that he was at her

command. She rolled her eyes, "First of all, what

do you have to do with the Nishiguchi's?"

He restrained a flinch. She must have been near

enough to overhear his and Chad's conversation in

the yard. "Chad sent me there to work for

Nishiguchi, undercover of course."

She narrowed her eyes, "But the Nishiguchi gang

fizzled over a year ago, and your friend said that

you'd only been working for him for a year."

Ranma waved a hand, "Chad's just estimating. He

rolled it down so it didn't sound like I'd been with

him very long. Actually, taking down Nishiguchi was

the first job I did for Chad. Though, to be honest,

I had a very minor role."

She frowned and pushed herself from the

doorjamb. "Look Soatome, I'm in the business of

half truths too. I can smell one a mile away, and

you reek of them. I don't care who you or your

father are, or what happens to you, but don't hurt

my family."

She spun on her heel and padded down the hall.

Ranma watched the empty doorway for a long time,

until he heard the front door open and close. He

cocked his head curiously before grabbing his

trench.

He found Akane in her room and knocked with a

small smile. She smiled up at him until she noted

the coat with some concern.

"Where are you going? I thought you weren't

supposed to go out."

He shrugged, "I took it up with Chad and he

approved since it was dark and I promised to be

careful. I'm heading to my house and I'll be back

within an hour or so. Don't worry."

Before she could mutter a single comment, he'd

gone back to his room and hopped out the window.

The front door was too conspicuous. He jumped down

to the ground from the porch roof and then over the

garden wall. He took off at a brisk jog through the

silent, narrow streets.

Akane hunched further over her desk and

scribbled furiously. Her essay was almost finished,

and then she could turn in for the night. She was

just starting another sentence when she heard an odd

ringing. For an instant she thought it was the

phone in the hall, but then she realized that it

sounded different.

She stood curiously and poked her head into the

hallway. It seemed to be coming from down the hall.

Actually, the sound was coming from Ranma's room.

She frowned slightly and pushed his door open. She

immediately saw the small cellular phone on the

dresser and approached it.

She bit her lip and picked it up. Hesitantly,

she pushed the Send button.

"Hello?"

There was a brief pause. *Who is this? Where's

Ranma?*

She smiled brightly. "OH! Mr. Chad! It's

Akane. Ranma's just stepped out, but—"

*Akane, listen to me. There are people coming

after Ranma. They're bad karma, and they won't

hesitate to hurt you or anyone else there with you.

Get out of there right now! Go somewhere safe, and

go quickly.*

She thought briefly of arguing, but there was a

sure tone to his voice that changed her mind. She

nodded curtly, "Right! I'll just leave a note for

Ranma so he'll know that you called and to leave—"

*NO! Leave now! Hang up and run!*

There was a click and a dial tone. Without

thought, Akane turned toward the door, clutching the

phone and her pencil. There was a splitting pain

and darkness enveloped her like a sudden eclipse.

Precisely one hour and three minutes after

leaving, Ranma emerged into his room once more

through the window. He threw his coat off after

lightly putting the heavy suitcase he'd returned

with on the floor. He smiled and stepped into the

hallway. Kasumi was coming up the stairs as he did

so, and she smiled at him.

"Hello Ranma. Is Akane in her room? I wanted

to tell her about the funniest thing that Dr. Tofu

did . . ."

He shrugged, "She was when I left."

She cocked her head in that Kasumi-like way,

"Oh, did you go out? I thought you were going to be

staying in for a few days."

He nodded, "I will be now, but I had to go to my

place to get some things so I could train Akane some

more."

"How sweet! I'll just tell her about Dr. Tofu

quickly then, and you and Akane can talk."

Kasumi knocked on the door and waited for a

moment. During the brief silence, she reached up

and straightened the ducky nameplate on the door.

Ranma frowned at the silence, and stepped

completely into the hallway, cocking his head in an

attempt to get a better view of the door.

Kasumi smiled and called out cheerfully, "Akane?

I've got something to tell you!" She cracked open

the door and looked in. "How odd." Her face didn't

change expression, so he deduced that there wasn't

anything extremely peculiar in her view.

She turned and smiled at him, pushing the door

further open. "It doesn't appear she's here." She

glanced up and down the hall, "Akane? Where are

you?"

As Kasumi went to the top of the stairs and

called from there, Ranma stepped into the room.

There was no sign of struggle. In fact, her history

book was still open and standing on her desk,

precariously propped up in front of an open

notebook.

Ranma shrugged and turned to walk back into the

hall. The door, still partly closed, had a short

silver throwing-style knife embedded into it. A

scrap of paper was attached to the door with it.

Ranma plucked out the knife and caught the paper as

Kasumi stepped into the room.

"Ranma, I don't think . . . oh dear."

Ranma ignored her and studied the knife. A rose

was etched delicately into the hilt. He slipped the

knife into his wrist bracer that he always wore

under his sleeves. He skimmed the note twice before

looking up at Kasumi.

"How long before everyone else gets home?"

The sounds of cheerful voices and movement

downstairs answered him. He grabbed Kasumi's wrist

and pulled her gently downstairs. Soun and Nabiki

looked up at him as he and Kasumi came into view.

At the sight of their expressions, they froze.

Ranma bowed solemnly to Mr. Tendo as he dropped

Kasumi's wrist. "Sir, an old enemy of mine has

resurfaced and kidnapped Akane."

The man's eyes widened in disbelief, "What! How

dare you—"

Ranma broke in. "I'm not sure we're safe here,

and I need to leave now if I'm going to get to her

in time. I'm taking you three to my place, and then

I'm going after them, alright?"

Soun had been beginning to tear up at the eyes,

but now he seemed determined. "Of course, the two

of us shall—"

"No! These guys are trouble, and you need to

watch your daughters. There's no time to pack, just

follow me."

With only minor convincing, he managed to get

them all squeezed into the tiny sports car. Within

minutes, they were pulling up to a house easily

three times the size of the Tendo residence. Ranma

pulled up to the door and got out. He pulled a key

from his pocket and pulled Nabiki up to the security

system.

He quickly told her the basics, and she repeated

them perfectly before going through the steps

herself to disarm the system. He opened the door

and the three Tendos followed him inside. He closed

the door and flipped on the lights.

"You are to live here until I get back and

personally tell you otherwise. Nabiki, I would not

recommend you going to school, but since the weekend

is coming up, you won't miss much. Order food to be

delivered from a grocery store (there's a number on

the fridge) and tell them to put it on my tab.

Don't open the door; make them leave it on the

porch. Do not let anyone into the house unless they

are close family friends."

He reached into a wallet and grabbed a credit

card. Nabiki noticed several others, all of them

metallic. He glanced between them and handed it to

Kasumi. He made eye contact with each one.

"Understood?" They all nodded and he gave a curt

nod as well.

"Follow me." He led them up the stairs to the

second floor. "These are mostly all bedrooms. Take

your pick." He went to one door and brought opened

it. The Tendos waited in stunned silence for

several minutes until he came back out with a

bulging travel pack. Nabiki frowned briefly as he

brought out a key and locked the door.

"I've got to go now. Remember what I said and

you'll be fine. I'm not worried about this guy, but

I don't want to make Akane worry more than she has

to. I'll be back within a week. If it will be

longer, I'll call. Don't go anywhere alone until I

get back, preferably nowhere."

With that, he left. Three people stood huddled

in the dark corridor for sometime after the sounds

of Ranma's powerful engine died away.

Ranma reached into his pack as it sat next to

him in the uncomfortable plastic chairs in the

airport waiting area. He pulled out his spare phone

(one of many, actually) and dialed a familiar

number.

After one and a half rings, there was a voice on

the other end.

*Hello?* Chad's voice was tense and rushed.

"Chad."

*Ranma, thank the gods!*

"Where's Akane?" He kept his voice and face

light, expressionless, due to the crowds.

*I found out that Jaxom's tailing you. He was

going after—he got her, didn't he?*

"Yeah, I stepped out the other night and found

the note when I got back. I'm meeting them in

China, an old hangout."

*No you're not! Where is it, and I'll send my

best men.*

Ranma smirked and glanced about casually. He

flicked a glance at his watch. "Now Chad, what are

you talking about? I am your best man!" The old

woman sitting next to him chuckled and winked at

him.

Ranma grinned at her. "Naw, it'll be child's

play. Trust me. My plane's boarding now, just

arrange for me a car to be waiting."

*Where's that?*

Ranma chuckled, "Don't tell me you can't find

that out, or are you slipping?"

Ranma hung up and stood, swinging his pack on as

he bowed his head to the woman. She returned the

gesture and waved cheerily at him as he boarded the

passenger plane. First class or course, but not the

private affairs he was used to.

Kasumi brought the credit card to her face as

Nabiki flicked on a light to investigate the house.

There was a folded slip of paper there also. She

blinked and began to unfold it.

Nabiki opened the only unlocked door in the

hallway that she hadn't already investigated. "Wow!

Ranma must be loaded! Every room is simply

spectacular, and all the bedrooms have TV's and

stereos and everything."

Of course, the fact that there were at least

eight bedrooms in the large house did not miss

Kasumi, but she was staring at the crumpled history

essay in her hand in puzzlement. Frowning, she

turned it over and gasped.

Written in a swirled script was a brief note.

Ranma,

She's quite cute, isn't she? Not up to

you're usual standards though. We're taking a

trip to a quaint little training ground in

China. I'm sure you know the one; it is the

only one I've ever seen you pass up.

Oh, and come alone.

The White Rose

Kasumi pocketed the note and forced a casual

expression. Everyone knew of the famous Rose

Dynasty. They were the most famous criminals in

Japan until the ringleader was killed a couple years

ago. She was starting to get worried until she

remembered Ranma's casual wins over Akane.

Smiling, she went looking for the kitchen. She

was confident that Ranma would bring Akane back

soon.