NOTES AND REVIEW THANKS!

Ok! Well I've overhauled the story, fixed some grammar problems and hopefully made it smoother to read. I apologize to those who are reading this for my long absence, Real life tossed me some serious curves. But after reading the reviews I have decided to re-take up this story and finish it. So thank you to everyone who reviewed and the second half of this story is for you.

glazedlookineyes101 – Sorry about the cliffhanger thing (lol) RL ate me, but I'm back to finish the story. I am glad you liked it so much.

ariel stormcloud – I'll leave the title alone, I just couldn't seem to find one that fit. Sigh

Exodius- I'll see what I can do to make the chapters longer so you look forward to them more.

Morpheus – Thank you for the encouragement. It's because of you and a couple others that I am finishing this story.

? - Heh…good Idea, I'll do that.

Jakk Thankyou! Comments like that make me want to keep writing. 

Isil Elen - Doitoshi Mashte. Aregoto gozimasu ( I so misspelled that heh..). I am working on the next chapter now.

S.H. - Kenshin does not have cancer. Where on earth did you get THAT idea? So no…Ranma is not going to die from anything like that…Kenshin wont either. looks puzzled

Delphine Pryde – Thank you! I hope you keep reading and offer suggestions.

lain-wired – Thankyou for the encouragement and review. Now I shall continue, I know there are at least a few people who really want to know how this ends.

anonymous – Wow! I'm glad you found me too! I am so happy you like this story, with comments like that perhaps I will make a sequel.

8

"Breakfast is ready!"

Akane announced in what sounded to Ranma like a waayy to cheerful tone. Karou, Sano, Yahiko and Ranma sat around the low table in the dinning area as Kenshin and Akane carefully placed breakfast platters on the table. Most of the group was simply relived that Karou had nothing to do with making breakfast this morning, notice I said most of them. Ranma gave the platter a look usually reserved for the most dangerous and evil of opponents.

Kenshin seated himself at the table only after Akane had done so and the group started to dish food onto their plates. or rather everyone BUT Ranma, who looked on with a large sweat drop rolling down the side of his head.

Akane noticed his obvious hesitation and laughed, "Ranma go ahead, there is plenty for everyone! You can't tell me you're not hungry!"

Ranma laughed slipping into his old mannerisms "I'm hungry alright, but not nearly hungry enough to eat anything 'you' cooked!"

Kenshin paused with wide eyes and then gave Ranma a admonishing look "Ranma- san that was not a very nice thing to say to Akane-dono that it was not."

Akane began to turn red and spluttered "But you haven't even TRIED it RANMA!"

Ranma made a face "I don't have to ya uncute chick, I can smell it!"

Sano's harsh laughter broke up the rising argument "Ah c'mon now Ranma, it can't be THAT bad. B'sides we're all used to eating the missy's cooking, and Akane's can't be any worse than that!" Then the foolish roster head shoveled a forkful into his mouth, and turned blue. In slow agonizing slow motion Sano…..passed out.

Ranma sighed and shook his head "Don't say I didn't try and warn you."

He may have meant to say more but Akane had also fallen into their old behavior patterns and snatched the teapot off of the table to swing it at Ranma's head. Everyone (conscious) froze as the seen played out in slow motion,

Akane swung her arm back then brought it forward with all the stubborn strength she could muster intending to catch her rude fiancé unawares as the teenager attempted to wake an ill looking Sano. Kenshin moved as quickly as possible to advert what he was sure was about to take place, but Ranma being closer was just a hair faster. Shards of pottery rained down like so many drops of water to land in the food and scatter across the table scattering like sand, the faint tinkling nose being the only sound shattering the now defining silence.

For Ranma everything had become a blur from the point he first felt something descending on his head, but now the blackness that edged in on his vision receded and the first thing he saw was blood.

And this is were the clifhanger was…aren't I EVIL! Bwa ha ha…ahem anyway on with the story.

But it wasn't Akane's blood.

No, the wide-eyed teenage girl was without a scratch, Ranma on the other hand was bleeding nicely. And in this case he was happy to note the injury was his own, quickly taking in the evidence and piecing together what must

have happened when he blanked out.

Ranma recognized the strange blur and 'blacked out' feelings from when he fought Kuno, so he reasoned that the killer inside of him had once again assessed the situation as threatening and taken over his actions. He noticed that his forearm was raised and extended strait outwards as if he had taken a swing at the cup with something in his hand. Shards of pottery stuck out of his forearm morbidly and the skin steamed and had an angry red hue from the scalding hot tea. So he had taken a swing at the pot as if he had been armed with a katana, and of course having none it damaged his arm.

Ranma could live with that, Akane was fine….no minor pain like…lacerated flesh and second degree burns

was going to overturn his relief over that fact. The fact that she may have been injured if he Had been armed cut the teenager More deeply than any shattered pot or blade could. Ranma knew this couldn't go On, but his thoughts were cut short by the silence in the room finally shattered with the sound of Kenshin's soft voice as the Rurouni placed one slender fingered and callused hand on Ranma's arm drawing his deep blue eyes to the man's face and

away from the now silent and cowed looking Akane..

"Ranma-san. Please come with me, that needs to be looked at that it does. I would very much like to speak with you in private for the time indeed I do." The Rurouni's voice warned against protest.

Ranma remained obediently still, his expression unreadable…and it chilled Akane.

Kenshin turned serious eyes on Karou.

"Please excuse us Karou-dono, Perhaps you can take the money I earned from that fishing trip and go to the Akibeko for beef-pot? Ranma-san And I will take care of things here and clean up."

Normally Karou would argue that Kenshin's money was precious and she didn't feel Right spending it without him to enjoy the benefits! But this wasn't a normal request, Kenshin needed alone time with the troubled young man who was so much like a younger version of himself…and they needed to be elsewhere. "Ok Kenshin, make sure to sweep up all the pieces so none gets their feet pricked." Karou said with a lightness that didn't reach her heart.

"Come on everyone, you too Akane-chan. We should leave the boys alone to do their thing alright? Besides you wanted to meet my friend Tae didn't you?"

Akane wanted very much to argue, but she also knew Karou was right. If Ranma was going to get Any better..he needed some alone time with the source of his problems. Her talk with Kenshin had Worked wonders easing her mind, maybe a talk with Kenshin would work similar wonders for Ranma.

"Ok Karou…Ranma……um…..have fun." She finished lamely unable to come up with a proper comment for the situation and flushing furiously before Karou dragged her out of the room by her arm followed closely by Sano And Yahiko.

Silence fell over the dojo as Kenshin turned to face Ranma, who was now standing Silently and slightly defensively.

"Ranma" Kenshin's voice was dark, silken and very…very.. different than usual causing the teen to glance up making hisstartled violet eyes look into Kenshin's rich amber ones.

" Step outside. We need to talk."

It was time the Battousai sorted things out.