Legal stuff: Sheesh, how many times have I said this already? I don't own these guys, I just write about them.

Ranma-chan: female Ranma

P-Genma: Genma in Panda form his signs

C-Shampoo: Shampoo cat form

D-Mousse: Mousse in duck form

'…': denotes thinking

(B-D) : Scene Change!

:-) Flashback (-:

LEO: Low Earth Orbit


Other than the grandfather's visitors earlier that night, the day had been pretty uneventful. She walked through the house, making sure everything was in its place until she came across Nabiki's room. She recognized the sound of packing. After a moment of thinking, she knocked on the door. Nabiki responded and she entered the room. Indeed, it was just as she thought. Her little sister was finally going on a training journey, whether she knew it or not.

"So, are you going camping somewhere, Nabiki?"

"You could say that, Kasumi."

"I see." She was always trying to hide her true motives from everyone. "So where are you going?"

Nabiki paused for a moment, seeing that of all the people in the world, Kasumi was the only one that she couldn't hide much from. "You're gonna keep asking me questions till I tell you everything, aren't you?"

"Don't I always?"

"You're not supposed to answer a question with a question, you know," with a grin.

"Of course not, but it still answers your question, doesn't it?"

Nabiki sighed. Kasumi was always a good verbal sparring buddy. "Well, since I need my rest, I'll skip the sparring and get to the point." This surprised Kasumi. Normally she'd have to burn the bush Nabiki kept beating around. She knew this was serious, so she closed the door and sat on her bed. Nabiki continued. "Do you remember all those little magical trinkets that Ryoga brings by occasionally?" She nodded affirmatively. "I found out that he has a map of where he buried them. Someone else marked the map, so they're legit. I figure he and I could get a couple of these and maybe help Ranma out a little with these."

"Oh my," Kasumi slowly responded as her words sunk in. "So you want to use magic to help Ranma, then?"

"Simply put, yes. I figure if we can find that fishing pole thing, it would help a bunch."

Kasumi pondered for a moment, a look Nabiki still hadn't gotten used to.

"You know, it may be a good idea to get something for grandfather's friends, too."

Nabiki arched an eyebrow. "Friends? Like that pervert has any friends."

"Oh my, that's right, you were out when they came over earlier. It seems that with the others staying at the Cat Café, he called a few friends to help him."

"Ok, that's not good. Do you know who he called?"

"Of course. There was that figure skater that kissed Ranma last year…"

Nabiki blinked. "How does he even know about Mikado Sanzenin?"

"I've no idea. There was also that nice boy Taro."

Nabiki facefaulted. "There's hardly anything nice about that guy, especially his curse. Remember, he did kidnap Akane a while back."

"Yes, but he did apologize and gave us that nice vacation from grandfather. Anyway, the last friend he called was," Kasumi shuddered, which was not lost on Nabiki, "Copycat Ken."

Now Nabiki understood the shudder. During his brief stay as Happosai's disciple he was taught the perverse ways of martial arts, and even caught Kasumi in their wake. "Well, that's a heckofa team he's put together. I'll figure out a way to help when we get back. I just hope they'll be okay by then."

"I hope so, too, but that's not the only thing I'm worried about."

Again, Nabiki's eyebrow arched. "What else is there?"

"Since you're going on this training journey, there is something you should know."

"Training what?"

"Even though Ryoga will be with you, you'll still need some way to protect yourself. You won't want to admit it, but not everybody can be intimidated into submission. You're reputation helps you here, but not out there." Nabiki's eyebrow, unaccustomed to arching so much, found the energy to twitch. "I believe it's about time you learned one of our secret arts."

Nabiki sat on her bed at this. What the heck was she talking about? "Ok, sis, what are you talking about?"

"Since you'll be out in the wilderness, and since you'll be with Ryoga there will be a lot of wilderness, you'll need some way to defend yourself. It's about time you learned this technique."

"You know as well as I do that I never was much of a martial artist."

"Ah, but this is a technique passed down from mother to daughter in the Tendo family for generations. Mother taught me this just before…she passed." Nabiki stopped for a moment. Kasumi, with a martial arts technique? From mom? That she could learn? "And she did say that she wanted all three of us to learn it."

"How can I refuse? If mom wanted us to learn it, I'll try."

"I'm glad to hear that, Nabiki. Now, before we start, have you ever wondered where Akane gets all of those mallets?"

"Eh? She just pulls them out of nowhere. Not to mention that she's been hammering boys since the fifth grade."

"Well, it's not exactly nowhere that she gets them, or rather, it from?"

"Huh?"

Kasumi reached behind her and seemingly out of thin air pulled out a mallet with a head half her size…and she wasn't straining at all to hold it. Nabiki fell off of her bed in surprise. "Behold, my sister. This is the Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts Secret Technique, the Near-Undodgable Hammer of Clobbering™."

"Whoa," was the only response she could come up with.

(B-D)

Ryoga sat in the living room, not going anywhere until Nabiki showed up to take her where she wanted. He really didn't want to do this, but after what happened this afternoon, he had no choice. She had gone up to her room to pack after telling her dad what she was planning. No need in him trying to track them. Heck, it was hard enough to track himself, but with Nabiki using the map, they shouldn't have too much trouble. He looked around the living room again. He knows that he didn't move, but with no one around, he almost thought that he was in the wrong house. He was relieved when he saw Kasumi walk by and go upstairs. Soon after, Soun came out and sat across the table from Ryoga. The critical gaze he was given disturbed him, for what reason, he didn't know.

"Hello, Ryoga."

He blinked. Soun sounded very serious with that…greeting? He hadn't been around Soun long enough to know just how serious he could be. "Um, hi, Mr. Tendo."

Soun inspected him for a moment. "I understand that you wish to take my daughter out."

This floored Ryoga. He sat up again with a panicky look on his face.

"B…b…um, eh heh heh…" was all he could come up with.

"I know that you will take care of her and make sure that she isn't hurt in any way."

Finally it clicked. Soun Tendo was allowing him to date Akane. Why else would he be asking about them going out…even if it was only two dates.

"I promise you, Mr. Tendo, that I'll do everything I can to protect your daughter, even if it means my life!"

Soun's eye started to water as flowers started to bloom in the background.

"Do you really mean it, Ryoga?"

"Yes sir," finding a new source of courage. "I've been meaning to ask you for a long time. Please, let me take care of your daughter. I swear that I'll make her happy."

Begin the waterworks, which Ryoga barely managed to dodge. Soun seemingly fell across the table and hugged Ryoga, who seemed quite surprised at this and locked up for a moment.

"Oh, thank you Ryoga. You have no idea how much this means to me. Please, call me dad."

Ryoga's eye glistened despite the lack of suitable lighting as the camera focus slightly blurred as angels with various instruments became the background.

"Thank you, father. I won't let you down like that stupid Ranma."

"Don't worry about him, son. I just want you to focus my daughter's happiness. That's what matters to me." Small flowers bloomed with the angels in the background.

"I will, father. You can count on me."

"Oh thank you, Ryoga. Thank you so much." Soun stood up and began to leave. "I knew you were a good man, Ryoga. I know that you and Nabiki will be happy together."

Ryoga's background quickly crumbled from the blurred angels and flowers to darkness with lightning crashing.

"Wh…wha…huh?"

"Take care of my daughter, Nabiki. I know you two will be happy. I can now die happy knowing that all three of my daughters will be taken care of."

With that, he left, leaving Ryoga wondering what in the freaking heck world just happened to him. Brain overload, shutting down. Ryoga passed out, his head smacking the table with a pleasing thud.

(B-D)

Week 3

Duck, dodge, parry, turn, twist, and repeat. Heh, this reminded him of a cartoon he saw once at Uchann's back when he was a kid. Ooppss, that one almost got him. Ok, enough defense. As sparring with Kodachi showed him, they could handle a little bit of offense…Kodachi…

WHACK!

Ranma lay flattened by the battle spatula as his sparring buddies paused. Cologne called for a pause and hopped to the flattened boy.

"You need to regain your focus if you wish to survive this mourning practice. Remember, you're the one that asked for this."

Ranma wobbled to his feet and rubbed his head. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

"I know that the past few days have been particularly difficult for you, but you still must be ready. If what you and Mousse have said is true, then we all must be ready for anything. Now, let us try this again, this time, there will be two attackers. Are you ready?"

Ranma got in a ready stance. Ukyo, Mousse, and Shampoo surrounded him, ready to attack. They were just waiting for the word. Ranma began to sweat a little. This time, he may have bitten off a tad bit more than he could handle. Two rocks landed, one in front of Ukyo, the other in front of Shampoo. They both leapt and attacked ruthlessly and he found that he was hard pressed to dodge it all. He did manage some offense, but couldn't press it because of their uncanny teamwork. He couldn't believe it. Not only were they not holding back like he asked, but they were actually working as a team. He jumped, with the two not far below him. They traded blows in midair, letting their attacks block the others. They landed and put a little space between them. Cologne watched and was impressed. The girls had actually managed to not only halt Ranma's counterattack, but also matched him in midair combat. She started clapping, startling all.

"Nicely done, girls. I do not say this very often, but I am impressed. Shampoo, I'm glad that you haven't lost any of your skill. In fact, they've improved. And Ukyo, you surprise me. I've rarely seen spatula work like that, and I have seen a good bit of it in my lifetime, believe it or not." The girls beamed in the praise. Cologne motioned everyone to come to her. "Now, to something more important. We must be especially careful today. Now that my husband," collective twitch, "has acquired some help, I need to tell you this. Although they are helping my husband," collective twitch, "they are not protected under the conditions of the fight. In other words, you can fight back against them."

"But what if they say differently?" asked Mousse.

"I spoke with Nabiki on the phone before she left for her journey this mourning. Suffice it to say, it is covered." There was a group sigh of relief. "Ukyo, although you have a business to open, you really should wait until Akane arrives. Mousse, you will do delivery while Ranma and Shampoo stay here with me. My husband," collective twitch, "will not pull you away from your work. That he also agreed to…and will you all stop that?"

They all glanced at each other, wondering what she meant.

"Stop what?" and Ranma.

"The twitching every time I mention my husband." Collective twitch. She sighed. "I know it will take a while, but you will get used to it…as will I. Anyway, prepare for the day. I have a feeling that my husband," collective twitch, she sighs," will try something today."

With that, she hopped down the stairs, followed by the others.

(B-D)

She was going to kill someone today. At least, that's how she felt. For some strange reason her alarm clock was turned off, causing her to oversleep. If only Ranma were still here, she'd have a focal point for her anger, but alas, he couldn't be blamed. Well at least she didn't waste any time getting out of the house. Thank goodness it was Saturday, otherwise she'd be late for school. As Akane left the dojo to pick up Ukyo, several shadowy figures watched her from the dojo roof.

"Ok, there she goes," said Happosai. "You all know what to do, right." His three disciples nodded. "Good. Let's go." With that, they all bounded for their destinations. Akane, being is such a rush, didn't even notice the shadows passing her from above.

(B-D)

"Where is she?" asked Ukyo, tapping her foot. "She was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago."

"Do not worry, Ukyo," replied the matriarch, "she will be here shortly. Just remember to tell her of my husband's" twitch "new help."

"I know…I know…"

"Do not worry, as long as your restaurant is open for business, you will not be in danger. Just put out your sign as soon as possible and you shall be safe."

She glanced at Cologne for a moment. She really seemed concerned about her well-being. Surprising, considering she's been trying to keep Shampoo from getting Ranma, but like the Amazons, she's has kept her word to put the fiancée wars on hold. Right now she was glad that she wasn't alone. Cologne brought her out of her thoughts as she acknowledged Akane's approach.

"Sorry…I'm late," she huffed.

"It's okay, Akane. We just gotta hurry up and get to my restaurant."

"See you tonight, Ukyo," she called off as the girls ran off.

It was more of a light jog than a run, and Akane and Ukyo headed for the Ucchan's.

"You know," started Ukyo as they were half-way to her place, "Ranma and Mousse were by your place last night."

"What?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, they followed somebody there. huff Looks like the freak got some help…"

"You've got to be kidding. huff They must've been pretty quiet cause I was home all night last night. huff So who did he get?"

Ukyo glanced around, expecting something, but nothing came. Sighing in relief, she answered.

"He got some guy…" She looked around, wondering where Akane had gone. "I knew it," as she started to sprint, hoping that Akane was okay.

Down the street and around the corner, the blur stopped suddenly. She had no idea where she was or why her feet were no longer on the ground. She shook her head as she was finally able to take in her surroundings.

"Ah, we meet again, Akane Tendo." She froze at the sound of his voice. "I'm surprised that we haven't seen each other since our match last year. I still owe you…"

Their eyes locked for a moment as his face inched closer to hers. So, that's how Ranma felt back then. She couldn't move, so entrancing were his eyes. She willed herself to move, to even get her conditioned response of punching any male face that close to her, but she got nothing. She did not want her first kiss to be with Mikado Sanzenin. He grinned. Finally, Akane's lips were his…but why did they feel like wood? He opened his eye to see what appeared to be a wooden stick conveniently blocking his kiss. Akane also noticed the saving obstacle and both followed the stick to the hand holding it. Again their eyes locked, but this time to a new pair of eyes.

"Believe me when I tell you that what you are attempting this very moment will indeed be hazardous to your health. Akane Tendo is not interested in you for her heart already belongs to another."

Mikado scowled at him. "And who might you be?"

"I am the rising star of the Furinkan Kendo Club. My name, Tatewaki Kuno, age 17, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" He poses dramatically as thunder rumbles in the background as lightning flashes behind him, despite the fact that there isn't a cloud in the sky.

'I'll have to figure out how he does that lightning thing,' thought Mikado. "You are interrupting my life's mission. I strongly recommend that you leave us alone now before…"

POW!

Mikado spun on his roller blades for a few rotations as Akane's fist finally made it to his face. She freed herself and was now standing aside Kuno.

"I never thought I'd say this, but thanks, Kuno."

"I am at your service, my love, but you must make haste. I know I saw the vile Happosai heading towards your classmate. I shall stall this…man so that you can rescue her before anything should happen." She glanced confusingly at the person she thought was a self-absorbed idiot incapable of thinking of anybody save himself. He spared a sidelong glance to her. "You are my true love, my noble Akane, but I still care for our classmates as well. Best you hurry while she is still pure."

Akane nodded in astonished agreement and ran off. After she left, Mikado stood there giving Kuno a slow clap.

"Bravo, Kuno. That was a splendid performance." Kuno raised an eyebrow. "Impressing her with the classic 'I'll sacrifice myself so you can escape' routine. I must admit, I am impressed."

Kuno smirked as he ran his free hand through his hair. "Well, I had been waiting for just the right moment for that, although I would have preferred to save her from my arch-rival rather than one I've never met before."

"I see. Please forgive my rudeness. I am Mikado Sanzenin, master of the martial arts figure skating, formerly half of the legendary Golden Pair."

Kuno's eyes went wide. "The Golden Pair of Figure Skating? I knew I recognized you. You were the partner of that nuisance Azusa Shiratori."

They both twitched simultaneously.

"I see you've met my former partner."

"I've had the displeasure of skating as her partner once…an experience I care not go through again."

"Hmm…it would seem that we are kindred spirits."

"Indeed. If not for our mutual love for Akane Tendo, I could see us as friends."

"I agree, and speaking of which, I doubt that you would simply step aside if asked…"

"Correct."

"Well then," cracking his knuckles, "shall we begin?"

"Indeed. May the best man win."

(B-D)

She had no idea how long Mikado had her, but she had to hurry. Once Happosai started, there'd be nothing she could do to save Ukyo. Fortunately she wasn't taken far. Just around the corner was the Ucchan's. Good, now to just get inside…and what the heck was Mikado doing here? Was he helping Happosai? She suddenly bumped into someone. Stepping back she heard a light laughter.

"Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh."

"What the? Pantyhose Taro?"

"Don't call me that!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to keep everyone out."

"But why? I thought you hated Happosai?"

"Huh-huh-huh, I do, but he gave me good enough reason to make a truce."

Akane's face paled as she realized what was going on. Happosai had gotten two of the better martial artists she knew to act as his henchmen. Mikado, up until recently, she knew she could handle, but Taro? Regardless, Ukyo needed her, and no matter the odds, she was her only hope of rescue. She dropped into her fighting stance.

"Huh-huh, so you want to be beaten?" He makes no move to get into a stance. "Fine, I'll let you get the first hit, but like I said in the mountains, don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're a woman."

Akane braced herself. She knew that Ranma was barely able to beat him, how could she. She threw a kick to his head. He blocked and caught something in his other hand. Akane stepped back, recognizing the black rose peddles floating across his face.

"Huh?" responded Taro as he brought the flowers to his face.

Puff!

Akane covered her face with her shirt as Taro lay face-down on the ground, twitching and paralyzed. Seeing the danger pass, or at least pass from the flowers, she spun around to meet her benefactor that landed next to her. She was in full battle stance complete with flaming aura.

"If you wish to save Ukyo, I suggest you turn your anger towards him and not me." This snapped Akane out of her fury. "I'm not your enemy…not anymore. We must hurry!"

With that, the two unlikely allies rushed the Uchann's. Seeing that there were no more "guards," they went upstairs. They opened the door that had the sobbing behind it. Happosai was sitting on her dresser while Ukyo was seated on her bed with her shirt halfway off.

"Oh no…" whispered Akane.

"I'm glad you remember, Akane," replied Happosai. "I've already started my playtime, so you can't interfere anymore."

Akane's aura flared, then her head slumped in defeat, followed by another sob from Ukyo. Seeing that his victory was complete, he looked back at Ukyo again.

"If you want, you can stick around and watch."

He suddenly found himself mummy-wrapped in ribbon. His angry glare attack was met with a bouquet of black roses.

"She may not be able to interfere, but I still can."

"Huh? Kodachi?"

Puff! Punt! (insert flying sound effect here) Ding!

And then she was free…for the moment. Ukyo and Akane stared at Kodachi for a moment in disbelief. Akane had no idea why she was helping, and Ukyo couldn't believe that she was there at all. Kodachi regarded the two ladies for another moment before speaking.

"I know that you two still harbor ill feelings toward me, but please, let my actions speak of my apologies. I know that this is my doing, and I'll forever regret putting you through this, Ukyo. I know it will take some time, but I pray that someday you can find it in either of your hearts not to hate me anymore. I know that asking for forgiveness is too much to ask, but I no longer want you to hate me. That, I also know is a lot to ask, and I can understand if you do not." She turned to leave the room and stopped at the door. "I'll set up your sign on my way out so that Happosai cannot attack you again. Farewell."

And with that, she calmly turned and left, leaving not even a single rose peddle. Both girls remained shocked, especially at her apology. Akane was the first to speak.

"What just happened?"

"…sob…I…I'm not sure…"

They stood for another moment.

Akane did the fist-in-palm thing. "She said she was setting up your sign. I'll go ahead and take care of your customers until you feel up to cooking again." She was now out of the room.

Ukyo twitched. Despite her near traumatic experience, she knew that she had to get downstairs lest she suffer the wrath of the families of her dearly departed customers after eating Akane's "okonomiaki." She gathered herself quickly and rushed downstairs to save those innocent bystanders from the horror of Akane's cooking. Her tears could wait.

(B-D

A/N- I just want to thank everyone that has been reading this story. All the feedback I've gotten has help me tremendously. Sorry about not updating last weekend. I'm still struggling to get to work on time at 8 a.m. I'm going to do my best to update every two weeks with good stuff instead of maybe bad stuff every week. Anyway, let me answer a couple of things real quick…

Dana-san: I do believe Happi's still in character when he was talking to Mikado. Remember, he has a selective memory. Most of the cast wouldn't have gone merely to rescue Akane from Kirin. They had to get that scroll that could've conquered the world. And how can he be evil if he doesn't lie, cheat, and steal? And yes, Cologne is still chasing Happi. That's why everybody's at the Cat Café now. And the principle, as far as I know, he's not that much of a pervert, he just wants to give him a hair cut. As for Mikado and Akane, I believe I answered that in this chapter.

Reviewer A: Thanks. Seems like you know my pain with the lack of reviews. Anyway, I do have something for Ryoga and Nabiki, as you have seen. They're getting a whole chapter to themselves…if I can pull it off. :-)

Thanks again and I'll update as soon as I can.