The Liz: An update of all things! I'm bravely fighting my way through my writer's block. I've got to finish the story by this week because school starts next Monday and if I don't finish it now I never will.

I got the entire Ranma ½ manga series on Monday. Reading the entire Saffron ordeal is a lot better than just reading a bad translation of the last few chapters. Ending nearly broke my heart though sniff Yeah, I am that obsessed. It also helped me change my mind about the ending (which you'll have to read).

By the way, for those of you that read Dream Therapy, Dr. Zileht shows up in this chapter. She's Exposition!Lady.

Ranma was sitting at his desk looking out the window. Man, today sucks. All day, all he had heard were rumors about Akane and her "make out session" with the mysterious masked man. About how Akane had dumped him for the mysterious masked man in particular. She couldn't have dumped me cause I am the Mask! And sides, I didn't make out with her!

"Ranchan?" Ranma jumped and looked up to see a worried Ukyo. "Are you alright? I said your name like three times."

Ranma shook his head. "Just had something on my mind is all," he grumbled.

Ukyo smiled broadly. "Well then maybe I can help," she said, pulling out a grill from nowhere. "So what's up sugar? Is this about Akane's make out session?"

"I didn't make out with her damn it!" Ranma yelled.

Ukyo looked at him with a blank expression. "Silly, no one said you did. I was talking about Akane and Ryouga."

Ranma made a face. "R-ryouga?"

"Yeah, weren't they on a date last night?" Ukyo said flipping the okonomiyaki onto a plate. "Anyway, I guess this means that you and Akane are through?"

"She kissed Ryouga too?"

Ukyo handed the plate to Ranma before giving him an odd look. "Too? You mean she made out with someone else? Wow, Akane sure has gotten easy lately."

"Raaanmmma," someone growled from behind Ranma. He turned around slowly, already knowing who it was.

"H-hey Akane, how ya been? It's not like we were talking about you or anything," he rambled.

Akane whipped out her mallet with the speed of light and was about to knock Ranma into a galaxy far, far away when Nabiki showed up.

"Akane, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked from the door.

Akane stopped the mallet three inches from Ranma's head. "What is it?" she growled.

"Nothing really, I just found out something very interesting that you might want to know that's all," Nabiki said. "I'll be up on the roof if you need me."

Akane looked quizzically at her sister before putting away her mallet. Wonder what's so important? she thought to herself as she followed her sister to the roof.

Ranma watched Akane leave to room. What's so important she had to go to the roof? he thought as he took a bite of the okonomiyaki. Suddenly Ranma choked on the food. She's gonna tell Akane I'm the Mask!

"Ranchan, is something wrong?" Ukyo asked.

"Sorry gotta go!" Ranma said as he bolted out the classroom door.

Ukyo watched Ranma run out of the room and after Akane. "That's odd," she said to herself. "Wonder what's up?" Ukyo said getting up from her seat and following Ranma.

######

"Nabiki, what's wrong?" Akane asked. Her sister looked out over the school, her back faced to Akane.

"What if I told you I knew how to get in touch with this Mask guy?" Nabiki said mysteriously but loud enough for everyone to hear.

And everyone did hear. More than half the school was trying desperately to listen in on their conversation. Ranma had the best seat in the house being on roof of the stairs. He peered over the edge, glaring daggers at Nabiki. She's gonna tell, I just know it.

"You do?" Akane asked hopefully, as Ranma noted.

"Yep. I actually talked to him this morning," she said. "He's dying to meet you again. Said he can't get you off his mind."

I never said any of that! What's she up to anyway? Ranma thought frantically.

"Really?" Akane asked. "Wait a minute, how much is this gonna cost?"

Nabiki chuckled. "Don't worry, this one's on me," she said. "He said to meet him tonight at the park around sunset."

"Aren't you trying to get revenge on him for stealing your money?" Akane asked, a little suspicious.

"Oh don't worry about that sis," Nabiki said. "I already am."

Ranma gulped. I coulda sworn she was looking at me when she said that.

"Just think about it," Nabiki said making her way to the door. She opened the door to a now deserted stairwell and turned back to face her sister. "You don't want to disappoint him now do you?"

#####

A small figure bounded away from the school roof. So, he's going to meet Akane tonight eh? In the park at sunset. He hefted his already heavy bag full of panties over his shoulder. Tonight, he will pay for what he did to me. He will pay dearly.

#####

"What did you say?" Kuno yelled. "He has made a date with Akane?"

Nabiki nodded and took a sip of her soda. "Yep, tonight," she said.

"You must tell me where!" he yelled, slapping down a wad of bills on Nabiki's desk.

She glanced at it, calculated the amount in her head and nodded. "1000 yen more and you've got a deal."

#####

Ranma watched Akane in English class closely. Is she really gonna go? I mean, she's engaged to me! If she goes, it's like cheating on me. But if she goes, it's like saying that she really likes me. Or would it be that she likes the mask me?

Ranma watched as one of Akane's friends passed her a note and Akane leaned over to take it. Then there's Nabiki to deal with. She might be setting me up or something.

"Miss Tendo, do you mind translating sentence fifteen?"

"Yes sensei."

I just won't go tonight that's all. That way, no one can pin me as the Mask. He remembered last night's kiss, how he had enjoyed that one brief moment without having to worry about Akane booting him into outer space. Then again...

#####

Three hours later, Ranma was still debating with himself. Gah! This is pointless, he thought. If she isn't going, then why the hell should I go? I just gotta ask her if she's going or not, that's all. Nothing to it.

The two were on their way home from school, Ranma on the fence as usual while Akane was on the ground. It was as quiet as it had been that morning, both thinking hard.

Ranma took a deep breath. Stay smooth; don't let her suspect a thing. "So Akane, you thinking about that green dude again?" Real smooth dumb ass.

Akane looked sharply at him. "As a matter of fact I was," she said. "Wanna make something of it?"

Come on Ranma. You won't get any answers if you're in the next town over. "No not really. It's just that..." How do I say this? "I know the guy!"

Akane was just as surprised by what Ranma said as he was. "You do?"

"Uh yeah," he said nervously. "We used to spar a lot when I was younger. He's a really good fighter actually." It's not like I'm lying.

"Yeah well, he's a pretty good dancer too," Akane mumbled.

Ranma stole a glance at Akane who was blushing heavily. "Well ya know," he said, jumping down in front of her. "I taught him a few moves myself." Now that's a lie.

Akane looked at him skeptically. "Oh really?" she said sarcastically.

"Yeah really," he said a little annoyed. He sighed. "Anyway, he's a really nice guy and all. You might wanna meet him, ya know get to know him better," he said. Wait a minute. Why am I encouraging her? "Not that I care or anything ya know."

Akane sighed. "Yeah, I know."

Ranma looked at her closely, not expecting that reaction from her.

Akane walked ahead of him, her head hanging. Maybe I should go meet him, she thought. It's not like it's going to kill me or anything.

Ranma watched her walked down the street, still processing what he had just said. Damn! I still don't know if she's going or not! He sighed and started to follow her. I need some help on this one.

#####

"Yo, is anyone here?" Ranma said loudly as he entered the clinic. He had decided visiting Dr. Tofu was the best idea since anyone else would try to kill him or try to force him to get married. Or both.

"Ranma, what a surprise," Dr. Tofu said as he entered the lobby area. "Come on back, I'll get you some tea."

"Sure," Ranma said, walking into the backroom. It was well lit and neatly kept, a table set up with a pot of tea already there.

"This is my friend, Dr. Zileht," Dr. Tofu said, indicating to a woman that was sipping her tea. She had short hair that was red on the bottom and white blonde on the top, and was wearing an Astro Boy t-shirt and flare blue jeans. Ranma noticed she didn't have any shoes on. "She's a psychiatrist from Europe."

"How do you do?" she said cheerfully, shaking Ranma's hand.

"You sound American," Ranma said, sitting down at the table.

"Yes, I grew up there. I've just been studying abroad since I finished high school," she said with a smile. "You must be Ranma Saotome. I've heard a lot about you."

Ranma laughed. "Yeah, I'm a pretty famous martial artist around here," he said without a hint of modesty.

"So I've heard," Dr. Zileht said.

"So Ranma, what brings you here?" Dr. Tofu said. "You joints seem to be in the proper place and you don't seem bruised."

"Actually doc, I wanted to show you something," Ranma said as he pulled out the mask. He had gone home and gotten it already.

"Hmmm... Looks like some sort of ceremonial mask," Dr. Tofu said taking a closer look at it. "European by the looks of it. Do you recognize it Rowan?" he said to Dr. Zileht.

Dr. Zileht picked up the mask and looked at it closely. "Looks Norwegian to me. Really old Norwegian, maybe dating back to the Vikings," she said. "Maybe Loki? Or Thor? I haven't studied Norse mythology in so long..."

"Who's Loki?" Ranma asked, having heard the name before.

"Norse god of night, fire, and mischief. The king god Odin banished him from Valhalla to prevent Ragnarok."

Ranma's face was blank. "What's Ragnarok?" he asked.

"The end of the gods and the world as we know it basically," Dr. Zileht said calmly taking a sip of her tea. "This is really good Ono, where'd you get it?"

"Wait a minute, you said Loki was banished," Ranma said. "What if he got banished into the mask?"

Dr. Zileht shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised. Curses are just as strong in Europe as they are here."

"So you mean that when I put on this mask, I get possessed by a god?" Ranma said indignantly.

"Must be," Dr. Tofu said.

"Anyway, would you mind if I took this back to my office to study it?" Dr. Zileht asked. "If it's true that Loki was banished into this mask, then it spells trouble for anyone that uses it."

"Uh actually, I need it for tonight," Ranma said sheepishly.

Both doctors looked at Ranma strangely. "You would've happened to get a date with this thing would you?" Dr. Zileht said teasingly. She and Dr. Tofu laughed until they noticed Ranma's blush had gotten deeper. "Oh wow, you did, didn't you?"

"Not really, it's just some stupid violent tomboy," Ranma muttered.

"Well why don't you just tell her the truth?" Dr. Zileht said offhandedly.

Ranma and Dr. Tofu exchanged glances. "I don't know if that's such a good idea Rowan," Dr. Tofu said.

"Yeah, if I told her what was going on, I'm not even sure Dr. Tofu could fix me," Ranma said nervously.

"Yeah, but maybe she wouldn't be so mad if you told her instead of her finding out on her own. I know that's what I would want my boyfriend to do."

"I'm not her boyfriend!"

"Maybe we should just let him have it for tonight. That way, he can keep his date then make up an excuse about why he can't see her again," Dr. Tofu said. "He'll bring it by your office and all will be well, right Ranma?"

Dr. Zileht sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this. Look, go ahead and get your date over with but as soon as your done, you bring that mask right to my office. I need to keep it safe so nothing bad will come of it," she said sternly.

"It's not a date!" Ranma said.

"Then give it to me," Dr. Zileht said flatly.

Ranma stood up quickly. "No, I'll use it," he said. "Thanks for the help!" he said making a hasty exit.

"He's in way over his head Tofu and we just got him in deeper," Dr. Zileht said.

Dr. Tofu sighed and sat down. "I know, but I have confidence that Ranma can take care of himself."

Meanwhile, a small black pig ran away from beneath the office window, 'Bwee, bwee, bwee, bweeing' all the way down to Ucchan's.

######

"Ranma! Prepare to die!" Ryouga yelled as he charged into Ucchan's. Ukyo and several shocked customers looked up at him.

"Do you mind not threatening Ranma honey in my restaurant?" Ukyo said. "Scares away the customers."

"Ukyo! Where's Ranma, he must pay!" Ryouga yelled.

"What'd he do this time?" Uyko asked tiredly as she flipped an okonamiyomi in the air.

"He forced Akane to kiss him!"

The okonamiyomi dropped to the floor. "He did what?" Ukyo said menacingly.

"Last night at the club, he stole a kiss from Akane while disguised as a monster in a green mask!" Ryouga yelled.

"And how do you know it was Ranma honey under the mask?!" Ukyo yelled back, her temper rising.

"I heard him say it at Dr. Tofu's. He said he was the Mask!"

Ukyo scoffed. "That's impossible, Akane's got a date with the Mask tonight," she said confidently. "Ranma defiantly wouldn't go on a date with her," she said as she began cleaning up the restaurant and pushing people out the door. "I mean, he hates her," she said, grabbing Ryouga by the collar and putting up a 'Closed' sign on Ucchan's door. "Come on Ryouga, we're going to the park!"

######

Kuno swung his sword at picture of Ranma, whose face he had painted green. "You shall pay for the humiliation you caused me," he muttered. "I, Kuno, the Blue Thunder, shall avenge Akane Tendo, that I promise!"

######

Happosai waited patiently in the tree above a bench in the park. "Sunset approaches. It's almost time."

######

Akane threw another shirt to the ground. "No, that won't do," she muttered as she searched for another shirt. It's not like a date or anything. I'm just meeting him, that's all. No big deal.

Outside her window, Ranma looked on as she pulled out outfit after outfit. Man, she's really pulling out the stops isn't she? he thought. Maybe I should tell her the truth about all this. Maybe she wouldn't be all that mad. He looked at the sky and sighed. "Guess I better get going," he said as he grabbed the mask.

Nabiki smiled as she watched Ranma bound off towards the park. "This should be fun."

The Liz: And bit by bit, I am working through the evil writers block. Gah, it's midnight! I need to get some sleepy-by.

Next Chapter: A disastrous date and everybody was kung fu fighting!

Reviews! Yay!

To Ariyah-Chan: I'm glad you liked the fight. I had a song picked out for this story from the moment I started writing it. snickersYall are gonna hate me

To Gnome Power!: Yeah, I'm more of a 'Instead of punching them, make them punch themselves' type of person. But I hope to get in at least one fight scene (or a very well choreographed one)

To Gopu: I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Night-night everyone!