The Training Trip

A New Beginning
by Lerris Smith

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon or Tenchi Muyo. This piece of work is purely for entertainment purposes. This is just a reposting to insure clean chapters. This story is on hold for now.

Morning at the Tendo Dojo was a bit subdued. Thankfully they had today and tomorrow off of school.

At breakfast most everyone was quiet, although Nabiki had a small smile on her face remembering the email she had received from Doctor Tofu. So the Doc was going to finally try to get over his silliness around Kasumi. She considered forwarding him about a half dozen fairly ordinary snapshots of her sister, but decided to hand deliver them instead on the way to the train station. After all, she didn't want him to break his computer.

"Kasumi, after breakfast could you help me prepare some food? Akane and I are going on a training trip, and will be back sometime tomorrow." Ranma wondered if anyone would come looking so soon. He didn't think so, and if they did, well Kasumi could tell them everything she knew and it might even help.

"Sure Ranma-kun."

Akane considered offering to help, but knew it would be refused. A battle for another day.

They finished eating and Kasumi and Ranma quickly made a selection of food for their trip. Kasumi thought it odd that Ranma volunteered to help in the kitchen, but then on the scale of oddities around here, that was pretty low.

Nabiki walked in. "Here's the homework you two missed while you were gone. I suggest starting on it during your trip."

"I knew I must have forgotten something."

"Come on Ranma. We can do it together."

Ranma looked annoyed, but then pondered it for a moment and smiled slightly.

Nabiki looked at the pair. What is with those two? Akane is thinking before she speaks, and its like Ranma was replaced with a pod person. I'd better get some answers today.

Ranma and Akane left with large packs and both tents.

Nabiki pondered packing her mini camera and tape recorder, but they seemed so serious that she resisted the temptation. She dropped off the photos to the Doc and asked him to take something off the bill Mr. Saotome was making. The Doc nodded absently and began his own training. He would learn to not make an idiot out of himself around Kasumi, and then maybe.. maybe.. He wondered if Nabiki could get life sized prints..

They met up on the way to the train station.

Ranma turned to Nabiki. "Nabiki, do you think any of them will bother Kasumi?" He was fairly sure Kasumi would be fine regardless, but it still worried him.

Nabiki thought about it. "I don't think so. Shampoo and Cologne respect Kasumi after a fashion, and Ukyo wouldn't hurt her. Its not Kodachi's style either."

"Ranma what brought this up?"

"I came to about the same conclusions. I just wanted to be sure is all."

They arrived at the train station and Ranma paid for the tickets. They took a cabin near the back where it was likely they could talk without being overheard.

Ranma cast a silent spell to prevent their conversation from being overheard. Since the spell had no visible manifestation, no one noticed.

"So Saotome. What haven't you told me?"

"That's not my name anymore Nabiki." Nabiki frowned at him, clearly not willing to be diverted. Ranma sighed and continued. "Most of what we told everyone was true. It simply wasn't all of the truth."

Ranma paused in thought and continued in a quiet voice. "I held her to me under all that water in the darkness. I could sense what the water was doing to us. It undid the spell on Akane as was the purpose for jumping in, but it was already too late. She was so cold. She was too far gone and we were being poisoned by the energy of Saffron exploding and all the chaotic magic in the water around us. Its ironic, I had trained for most of my life to be able to heal with magic, but it was useless because of chaotic magic that was seeping into us. I was desperate, until I finally remembered a spell that I had never thought to use. I remember my grandfather joking about it, how I should find a man to marry someday that was worthy of the kind of bond possible with that spell."

"It was different than all the healing spells. Its simplicity and elegance made it possible to use even under those conditions. I spun the web and found that part of Akane's spirit that resonated with my own. I wove into it part of my own spirit, and guided a part of hers into my own. I wove my magic and ki into the bond to strengthen it and help it grow. It pulled in part of the energy from Saffron and the water around us as well before it was over. The spell worked better than expected, and Akane was able to wake almost right away. I still remember what I saw in her spirit then and was gladdened to see that Akane did care for me. The spell might not have worked otherwise. The spell is permanent. If it wasn't life our death I never would have attempted it without Akane's permission. It allows either of us to draw strength from the other at need. If one of us were to die, it is likely the other would follow."

Nabiki was busy trying to take it all in. She was somehow sure he wasn't making it up..

"Thank you again Ranma. Thats the first time I heard the entire sequence and Ranma, in case their was any doubt, I would have said yes."

Nabiki decided to toss out an obvious question while waiting for a better one to form in her mind. "So whats this bond do?"

"It was said to create a link between a man and a woman. Besides the assistance to healing, it was also said to allow one to sense at least part of what the other is feeling and in rare cases thoughts could eventually be sensed. The bond is supposed to grow and mature for about a year, before it fully takes affect."

"So Akane can you read Ranma's mind?"

Akane blushed slightly: "Um well not yet.. Sometimes I think I can sense what he is feeling, but it is usually a nebulous thing."

"It is the same with me Akane."

"I don't get it. Why did you two call off your own engagement then?"

"I'm no longer a Saotome, so the engagements to a Saotome were gone. As to my engagement with Akane, well we need time to get to know each other again, and then we can decide for ourselves. You might have noticed I don't act quite like I used to.."

Akane said quietly, "You didn't have to you know.."

Ranma didn't know what to say to that, so said nothing.

Nabiki was still in a bit of shock over it all. She wanted to fault Ranma, but how could she fault the person who saved her sister's life?

"There is more isn't there?" Perhaps I was better off not knowing.

"Yes their is sis although I'm not sure you will believe it. It took over an hour to find a way out of the spring and the underwater tunnel system. It led to a underground cavern without any exits except the way we came. When Ranma ran out of ideas I jokingly made a comment wishing for the Sailor Scouts. Apparently this sparked a memory in Ranma because he fashioned some kind of weird ball of energy with a message for help and sent it somewhere."

"I didn't understand that spell very well and accidentally included all of my thoughts since Saffron, which was good in a way, since the spell did get to the Senshi and they were able to come to trust us apparently right away because of my mistake. Your turn."

"One of the Senshi came and teleported me to where they were meeting. I passed out for a few minutes though. Later I learned it was because I was separated from Ranma. Ranma was delivered a few minutes later."

"Wait a minute. Are you telling me my sister has to follow you around everywhere?"

"No. I don't think that will be necessary. We were both very sick then. If we hadn't been healed, we would have died in a few days. When Akane was suddenly in Japan while I was still in China the link that was sustaining us was weakened dramatically and we collapsed. Now that we are both healthy it shouldn't matter as much. Beyond that, I don't know. There hasn't been time to test."

Nabiki pondered this. She didn't much like it, but then there was really nothing she could do. A vague thought occurred to her, that if this Cara truly was a part of Ranma now then Ranma could be making some of this up to suit his purposes, but to what end? She didn't think it likely, but would watch them carefully anyway.

Ranma saw suspicion in Nabiki's eyes. He thought about it but realized there was nothing they could do but press on. Akane glanced at him with a questioning look and he nodded.

Akane said, "The scouts wanted to help us right away, but their healer couldn't heal us either for the same reason Ranma couldn't. Someone mentioned that Senshi magic might be able to heal us, but that only worked for Senshi. One of them left and came back with news. Apparently she had the power to look at the past and even see a little how the future might go given certain conditions. She forced Ranma into telling me about Ryoga, although I think he would have told me soon anyway. She is the one who found out that Shampoo messed with our heads."

"I was wondering about that." Ranma saw comprehension dawn in Nabiki's eyes as Akane continued the story.

"She told the others about the Nekoken and about our past that she had looked at. She told us that as things were now, the Senshi would be killed in a battle that begins about a year from now, followed by much of the Earth's population. She said that if they were to somehow succeed in making us Senshi, then somehow we would tip the balance. It took them all working together to do it. Ranma and Sailor Jupiter guarded me while Sailor Moon focused the power of all the Senshi and used something called a silver crystal. I felt her pull something from me, and knew somehow that it was the wild magic that was killing me. It went into the crystal I think and then into Sailor Moon and then the silver energy came at me and their was pain. It was horrible. I think it lasted about an hour. In the end I survived and Sailor Io was born. I passed out then. When I woke up I learned that Sailor Moon had collapsed from the strain, as had Sailor Jupiter and Ranma. Ranma looked really bad then. I could see the strain on her face when she used her energy to protect me during the ceremony."

"Your trying to tell me, that you are a Sailor Senshi? Oh come on.. I expected Ranma to announced a mess of new people that wanted to kill him and maybe a fiancee or two he just found out about, but Sailor Senshi?"

"It is true Nabiki. I was in bad shape by then and apparently someone in the future decided we needed help. The future Sailor Moon arrived sometime when I was unconscious. She was the child of the current Sailor Moon. The next morning she teleported us from castle Io to a space station near the moon. Everyone then rested for another hour before beginning.

"She and Akane guarded me, while another of the Senshi guarded her. She had brought with her the silver crystal from that time and somehow used it to protect me during the ceremony while Sailor Moon used her crystal and the other scouts powers to do what was necessary. She was the one that told Sailor Moon that she would have to destroy the Nekoken, that it was too risky to create a scout that might be controllable by a demon. I still remember the looks of the two kitten's spirits after they were freed. One licked me on each side of my face and then rubbed up against Sailor Moon's cheek and then they were gone. There was a lot of pain during the ceremony. It lasted for about an hour and a half and then it was over and I collapsed."

Ranma said, "I learned later that it was a very close thing even with the extra help. Our Sailor Moon didn't wake until we were about to leave, and the future Sailor Moon was passed out almost as long. Akane, Myself and the other Senshi that guarded the Sailor Moon from the future were passed out nearly as long."

"I still don't buy it.. "

"We aren't asking you to buy it. When we get to our campsite, Akane and I will show you. Oh and in case you were wondering, there will be no more Senshi. It gets harder with each new one added. No one doubts that Sailor Moon and perhaps more would die if any such thing were attempted. None of us would allow that. Given that I was selected to be linked to the sun itself, it probably made it even worse."

"So lets see if I understand this. The main reason you are going to Jubaan is to be close to the Senshi. What about the rest of what you said at home?"

Akane said, "It was true as well, well except the bit about saving an important person. One of the Senshi knew someone who managed the name change and such. You have to keep all this a secret. If word of who any of the Senshi are were to get out, then they would not be able to do what they need to do. Who knows how many people would die then.."

Nabiki paused in thought. I still don't buy it, but then if they were going to make up a story, surely they could have picked a more believable one. A thought occurred to her. If it does turn out to be true... Merchandising.. Even super heroes need money, right?

Ranma said, "This is our stop lets go. No one talk about any of this until we get to our campsite. Its only about an hour walk. I'm dropping the ward against listening now."

Nabiki followed along, thankful that she got out of bringing a large pack. They talked about little things while they walked.

Nabiki commented that Dr. Tofu had bought pictures of Kasumi in an effort to learn to control his reactions around her. Akane and Ranma expressed their approval for once, for Nabiki's camera.

"Nabiki, I have not been entirely clueless since I arrived at your house. I have noticed the grace in your movements and how well you keep track of the environment around you."

Akane was a bit lost in though to remember her promise to herself to let Ranma speak before jumping to conclusions. "Stop flirting with my sister!" She winced slightly as if irritated with something. Dang it, I promised myself I would stop doing that.

"I wasn't. I was going to ask her why she did not practice the art anymore. It is hard to say, but I'd say like you her potential is quite high."

"Daddy was always spending time teaching Akane. I kind of lost interest, and then when my Mother died, I developed other interests.."

Ranma nodded. "You should practice some. Kasumi as well. Even a couple hours a week could make a large difference. Besides with some of your business its possible you will need those skills someday. A years worth of practice might make all the difference."

"I have people for that, but I understand what you mean." Well if hes making it up, he is at least consistent.

"Come on. It would be fun. I could even teach you if you wanted."

"You are going to be far too busy to teach, I'm afraid.. Far too busy.."

Akane gulped. She suddenly had a bad feeling about her training.

In a short while they arrived in front of a cave opening amidst a clump of trees. They passed a large clearing on the way in as well as a small pond.

Ranma produce a ball of light and indicated for them to follow.

"I found this cave about 4 years ago. I'm pretty sure my former father doesn't know about it. He was busy running from the cops at the time. I spent a couple days here before I went back on the road and he found me."

Akane said, "This is nice. The floor is dry and we can set up tents in here to be warmer."

"My tent is the bigger one. You and Nabiki can share that one. I'll take the other."

"Hey weren't you going to become Sailor Scouts or something..?" This I gotta see.

"Akane you go first, I'll just um.. turn around.."

"Turn around.. huh?"

Akane giggled. "I think I know.. She reached into subspace and pulled out her henshin stick. Io Lumina power, Make up!" Fire seemed to wreathe her body leaving her momentarily without clothes, and then her scout uniform was there.

Nabiki stood gaping. "Its true, you really are... Its true.. My sister is .. "

"Yes she is, and a very pretty one at that. I still think the skirts are too short though." Hmm I have an idea. Ranma sent the ball of light up to the ceiling where it stayed. He then concentrated his magical senses on the Jusenkyo spell and found the part that triggered it, with just a gentle nudge.

"Hey it worked."

Akane stared at her. Ranma, you changed .. without water?

"Ya. I have been thinking about it for awhile and finally just tried it and it worked. Well here goes. Sun star power, Make up!" A fiery transformation later Sailor Sun is standing there.

Nabiki then proceeded to take a short unexpected nap. Io kept her from hitting the floor.

"Lets get the tents set up quickly and then we can talk a bit. Hmm, we better detransform first. I'd hate to break our tents."

Nabiki had woken up, but had kept her breathing the same and hadn't moved. No one noticed.

"I've been thinking about your training allot. I have an idea, but I want you to know if you say no, then I will fully understand and say nothing more of it.."

"Um ok.."

"I've been thinking about some of the similarities between the message spell and the spell that created the bond between us. I think I could temporarily enhance that bond to allow you to learn skills from me at a faster rate. I'm not sure, but I suspect that this could accelerate the rate at which the bond between us is forming. We might end up sensing each others feelings or even thoughts sooner than later. If Pluto hadn't given us that forecast of doom in a year, I wouldn't suggest it at all."

Akane thought about it. This would be like cheating, but given what they knew was ahead of them, it was highly likely that her skills would still be mediocre at best a year from now, when she needed them. It had taken Ranma 10 years of insane training to get as good as he was.. She was also sick of everyone taunting her skills at the art. She saw Nabiki move slightly out of the corner of her eye, and knew she wasn't asleep. In a flash of insight she knew what question to ask.

"Do you love me Ranma? Love me enough to marry me. To spend the rest of your life with me?"

Ranma-chan looked at her. "Akane I have loved you for a very long time. I think the spark began when you offered to be friends to the wet red headed girl that walked in the door. It grew over a long time I think, despite countless fiancees,rivals, and idiot fathers managing to wreck every chance we had to get to know each other. Heck it even grew despite interfering pork products, and anger powered ki attacks that happened to take the shape of mallets. I can't imagine not spending my life with you. But what about you? The man you spent all the time getting to know is only half of who I am. Can you love this half man, half girl? Heck look at me, I'm hardly the man of your dreams at the moment." He concentrated and changed back to his male form. "Is it really ok with you?"

"It took me awhile to accept that you had really changed. I kept seeing so much of the Ranma I knew in you. Sometimes I didn't know what to think. It was almost as if you had been upgraded. Suddenly you were thoughtful and kind. I kind of miss the old Ranma. I regret that we never really talked and understood each other. I find that I do like the new Ranma though. I confess that when I think of you as a husband it is always your male form that I think of. I kind of think of your female form as like a sister. Is that ok with you?"

"Yes it is Akane. It is better than ok." They could sense it from what they felt from each other.

"Then the answer is yes Ranma. Lets do what you suggested so I can learn quicker. I hate the thought of cheating at learning martial arts, but I suspect we don't have a half dozen years to do it the hard way."

Nabiki decided to speak up now. "Are you sure Akane? If what Ranma says is true, marrying him might be a small thing compared to the other. "

"Yes I am. I realize that in the end its still possible that we decide that getting married would make us miserable, but I have no doubt whatsoever that Ranma would make a good brother.. and a sister."

"So how long have you been awake?"

"Um, pretty much all of it I think."

Ranma nodded. "Perhaps we should eat first and then we will begin. Nabiki I would appreciate your thoughts as well on how best to straighten out the fiancee situation."

Lunch came and went and they discussed the best ways to fix the mess of the various suitors, rivals, and meddling fathers. It seemed there were no simple solutions yet they had rough plans figured out by the time they were done.

"Any second thoughts?"

"Let's do this Ranma." Nabiki moved to the far side of the cave. The thought of being somehow accidentally linked to either Ranma or her sister gave her the creeps.

"Sit across from me Akane and take my hands. Good. Now focus on what you can feel from me. Keep your focus there.. Good." Ranma began to glow a violet hue and it formed around him then spread across their arms and around Akane as well. It flared slightly, and then vanished.

"Thats it?"

"Yes, thats it. You probably won't notice much until we go practice. Coming Nabiki?"

Nabiki found a comfy spot to referee the match. Dang she hated not having a camera. Ranma and Akane spent a few minutes warming up.

"Akane, remember that uncontrolled emotions will just get you killed in a fight. No matter what happens you must keep control of your emotions. If I see you lose control I will remind you, so be prepared."

"I may not be as good as you, but I'm not completely clueless you know."

"I never said you were. Now lets begin."

Ranma kept the skills he used to just above what he knew of Akane's skills. He scored several light hits against her right away. She seemed surprised.

"Focus Akane."

Akane grimaced and focused on the fight. There she managed to dodge a hit, and another. One hit her, but she blocked a third. She tried to get a hit in on Ranma but failed time and time again. She blocked another and then three more hit through.. Dang that last one hurt. She tried again to attack and again hit nothing but air. Again another hit went through, and another. She tried a desperate lunge at him which he side stepped and took her down with a sweep kick. Akane was in pain.

"Enough Akane. Get your temper back under control and we will begin again. You fight with your intelligence, reflexes, and imagination.. Letting your emotions control you may give you slightly more power, but they make you predictable and easy to defeat."

"Do you think you hit her hard enough?"

"It is necessary Nabiki."

"Its alright Nabiki. Its what I have wanted for a long time. At least I heal fast now. I'm ready."

"Nabiki how about using some of that analytical skill and imagination of yours to study our sparing. In time you can train your mind to come up with options and weigh them instantly."

Akane and Ranma sparred for hours, with several breaks. Nabiki was amazed they were still going. She could literally see her sister improve as she watched. Then they became scouts and continued sparring except at much faster speeds and with much more environmental damage. Nabiki found a safer spot to watch. This continued for about another hour.

"Stop." Ranma detransformed and shifted back to male form and then felt the need to lie down. Akane followed suit, but was only slightly worse the wear than Ranma.

Akane said, "It seems that its harder to tell how tired we are when we are Senshi. Well at least our injuries healed while we were transformed."

"If you two are going to take a nap you should probably go get in your tents."

Akane winced. "Ack.. Movement."

"Come on. You know that a martial artist's life is fraught with peril. You can lean on me."

They made it to their tents and crawled in.

"Can you wake us in a couple hours Nabiki. We should get some of that homework done. Your going to help us with it right?"

"Hey, I'm not your slave you know."

"No your not. Just think of it as the beginning of payback for the enjoyment you got selling pictures of me in both forms to all those people."

"I'm pretty good at schoolwork, so we probably won't need her help."

Ranma yawned and fell asleep. Akane followed soon after. They woke up later and attacked some of their food and got about half of their make up work done before they went to sleep later. Ranma was surprised. Nabiki was actually very helpful during it.

The next day started with Ranma using the chestnut fist to get breakfast from the pond. Ranma managed to talk Nabiki into some training, and spent a couple hours with her while Akane practiced by herself. Ranma left her with some things to practice and went back to Akane. Their practice continued for hours. They did not transform to scouts this time. It really didn't seem useful for learning right now anyway.

Ranma said, "We should probably be heading back."

"Yes, there is school tomorrow, and we still have the other half of that homework to do."

"Well I was ready to go hours ago."

"Remember Nabiki. You have to keep all this a secret. I don't like the idea of one of the Sailor Senshi's enemies torturing our family to get to us."

"Jeez Akane. I'm your sister. You know I would never betray my family."

"Thanks onechan."

"Onechan?"

Ranma said, "Just trying it out. Do you object?"

"No.. It will take some getting used to though."

When they reached their cabin in the train, Ranma again warded it against eavesdropping. They used the trip back on the train to finish the rest of their homework, with occasional questions about Sailor Senshi and fiancees tossed in. Ranma and Nabiki got out of the train station first. Akane was using the restroom.

Ryoga Hibiki was depressed. This was nothing new to him, except this time he had sunk to a new low. Misery hung to him like a cloak. In this case it was a dark blue, almost black cloak of his own aura. He spotted something he had never thought to see again.

"Ranma! I thought you were dead!" Ryoga's aura brightened slightly at the site of his nemesis, but then darkened as his suspicious nature noticed who was not there. "What happened? Where is Akane? If you left her."

Ranma said, "It was close for awhile, but Akane is fine."

"Then what are you doing with her sister?"

"Funny, I didn't know I needed anyones permission for where I go."

Ranma said a bit louder than normal, "Akane is inside, Ryoga." He continued in a more normal tone with, "Nabiki, could you do me a favor and see how long Akane will be? I'm sure she will be glad to know Ryoga is here."

Nabiki nodded and went back inside to look for her sister. She saw her coming out of the bathroom.

"Akane this probably is not the best time, but you should know that Ryoga is outside."

Akane's battle aura flared. "That! That pig!. I'll make bacon out of him."

"I was thinking that perhaps there is a better way, that is if Ranma doesn't blow it."

Back outside the station a few minutes had elapsed with what amounted to a staring contest. Ranma asked, "So, are you ever going to tell her?"

Ryoga glared at his nemesis. He was glad he was alive, well sorta, and especially glad that Akane was alive. Ryoga had still not answered when the door opened and out came Akane.

"Akane-san. I'm so glad your alive."

"Ryoga. How glad I am to see you. You should come home with us tonight for dinner and then we can talk. There is so much to tell." Akane went up to Ranma and put an arm around him. "You wouldn't believe what Ranma and I went through. I would have died without him. At any rate, you should come, Kasumi is making a large pork roast. It will be great."

Ryoga seemed to grow pale. "Pork? No thats ok. I need to go." Ryoga's depression aura grew to almost the level it was before he ran into Ranma, as he chose a random direction and proceeded to get lost.

"Nice acting sis. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Thanks. I'm still not sure I shouldn't have just malleted him."

"Now sis, you need to learn to treasure a secret more. Think of all the fun we can have until he figures it out."

Ranma said, "I'm not sure this is a good idea. The idea of paying Ryoga back does sound fun, but he did come to Jusendo with us. There is also the fact that a depressed Ryoga is dangerous. If a shi-shi hokodan got out of control.."

Nabiki paled.

Akane asked, "Then what do we do? That pig is not sleeping in my bed again!"

"I don't know, but I agree it must end. That includes all the 'Ranma, prepare to die' suprise attacks. I should think those will resume once he gets over the relief of us, or rather you being alive and concludes everything is my fault again." Ranma grimaced. "For that matter, I am not looking forward to when he finds out you know. If it were just the simple manner of winning a fight it would be easy, but its not..."

They walked home together, mostly in silence. Akane was almost over the anger Ryoga inspired by the time they got home, but Kasumi still noticed. Nabiki went up to her room and Ranma went to take a bath.

"Akane whats wrong?"

"Oh nothing.. We just met up with that pig on the way from the train station. Nabiki suggested I pretend I didn't know and mess with Ryoga's head a bit. I hugged Ranma and told him that I would have died without Ranma. Then I mentioned that you were making a pork dinner and that he should come. He got lost shortly afterward."

Kasumi burst out laughing. "Pork dinner. He must have loved hearing that."

"Yea, I thought it was funny too. Then Ranma reminded me how he came to Jusendo with us. I suppose he is not all bad. Oh sis, I just don't know what to do... All those times I blamed Ranma and took up for Ryoga, when it was usually Ryoga's fault... How can he ever forgive me?" She broke down and cried in her sister's arms.

Ranma could tell by the faint emotions he felt from Akane that she was upset, but Kasumi was with her so he though it would be ok. Ranma hurried with his bath knowing Akane and Nabiki would want one soon as well.

"You should know Ranma by now. I'm sure he forgave you a long time ago... Shh... It will be ok.. "

"Will it? Do I even deserve him? I have treated him so horribly in the past."

"You both had a lot of trouble in your lives, and it took time for you to grown up and get over your pasts. Don't worry sis. I've seen the way he looks at you. You two will be fine." She continued to hold Akane for several minutes. Gosh Akane you really smell. "As for Ryoga. I don't know. Have you thought of a way to at least keep him from sleeping in your room anymore?"

Akane brightened. In a sweet voice that reminded Kasumi alot of Nabiki, "Yes, you know I just wouldn't feel safe without Ranma near at night after all that happened. I'm so sorry P-chan, but Ranma doesn't like you so you'll have to find someplace else to sleep at night."

Kasumi giggled. "I'm not sure that is proper."

"Its certainly more proper than sleeping with a man that is not my fiancee disguised as a pig. Besides, I trust Ranma. Kasumi, don't tell him I said this, but I do feel safer when Ranma is near."

"So do I. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Hmm from what I can tell Ranma is out of the bath. Why don't you go get cleaned up and into some fresh clothes. You'll feel better."

Nabiki joined Akane in the bath and in short order they were cleaned and ready for dinner.

Soun asked, "So where did you two go?"

Nabiki suppressed a mild annoyance that he apparantly didn't feel her being gone was significant. Or perhaps he never even noticed.

"We went up in the mountains to train. I learned alot, and we caught up on our homework."

"I wish I had taken her training seriously from the beginning. She has a lot of potential."

"Why of course. She's my daughter after all."

Akane said, "I think I'm going to turn in early. It has been a long day, and I'm tired."

Ranma added, "Me too. Goodnight"

"Ditto"

Ranma followed Akane up to her room to wish her goodnight. They stepped in and Akane closed the door behind her.

"You know we could setup the spare futon again. That way you could be near in case Kodachi or Shampoo decided to pay a visit." I can't believe I just said that.

Ranma stared at Akane in wonder. Ranma changed to Ranma-chan. "I'd like that Akane."

Nabiki turned off the hidden microphone. So Ranma is staying in my sister's room again tonight. Well they do seem made for each other, and Ranma did become a girl so everything should be ok. Still I'd better keep an eye on those two, especially Ranma. His ego may be under control now, but she shuddered to think what might happen if he managed to save the world or something.

Across the hall Kasumi's door gave a soft click. So Ranma is staying the night in Akane's room again. Well it was a little improper, but she was just glad to see them finally getting along so well. Besides, Akane was right. It was a great improvement on the pig. She was also glad to hear Ranma-chan's voice before she closed the door. Wouldn't daddy be surprised? Well no need to tell him, now if only that silly doctor would get a clue and at least ask her out or something. She was getting tired of waiting.

In his room, Soun Tendo wondered what the future might bring. His friend Saotome was still recovering at Doc Tofu's from injuries inflicted by his own son. Injuries that he could not fault the boy for delivering. He had thought a lot these last two days, and saw how his obsession with Akane and Ranma getting married had made a mess out of his daughter's life. He also thought of how Nabiki was forced to provide much of the families income and Kasumi was the surrogate mother. He would leave Akane and Ranma alone for now. It looked like their time alone had brought them closer than all of his and Genma's schemes anyway. He remembered also Nabiki's slightly disheveled appearance and a couple of rips he saw in her clothes. It looked like she had gone with them, and practiced at least a little herself. Hmm, he wondered if she would like to learn from him. Kasumi concerned him as well. Perhaps a word with the doctor. Yes that would be for the best.

Across town above a small Okinomiyaki shop, Ukyo Kuonji readied for bed. She would visit the Tendo's tomorrow. Perhaps they finally had some word of when he would be back.

In the apartment above the Nekohaten Shampoo hoped that Ranma was ok. Great Grandmother seemed sure he was, but Shampoo still worried. Who knows perhaps Akane had died, then she could 'comfort' him. With that pleasant thought, she drifted off to sleep.

In a mansion in the high class area of Nerima, a delusional kendoist, stared up at the pictures of his true loves and vowed to free them from the evil sorceress Saotome. In another room, his sister planned out how to get that annoying Tendo harridan and the pigtailed girl out of the way to free her Ranma-sama.

On the floor in Akane Tendo's room a busty redhead sneezed in her sleep mumbling something about "Training? How can wearing pajama's with cat's on them be training?" Somehow his unconscious mind was sure it was his idiot fathers idea. Ranma eventually fell into a deeper sleep, and forgot the dream about wearing cat printed pajamas.

2006-02-01