Chapter 9

The soothing sound of water being evenly poured into a porcelain glass early in the morning is therapeutic for the soul. The warmness of the cup as hands are placed on it, reminds us of the warmth little things, how completely calming they can be. Swallowing hot liquid while closing eyes and between deep breathes is a wonder way to solve all of life's problems.

Nodoka Saotome hadn't had much sleep. Not much at all. She was haunted by her decision about what to do with Akane. She had a sick feeling all night, and if she didn't know better she would think it was a guilty conscience. Well, in order understand Nodoka a little more I think it's overdue that I take you back in time and place, formally I would say that it's time for a flash back. **Flash back**

It was a beautiful day, a beautiful day in May. I was partially clouded, but the sun still seeped through the clouds to warm up the body and spirit. It was a beautiful day for a stroll, and Nodoka now found herself taking one in the park. She was now berating herself.

'Sure, today, of all days I JUST HAD to go for a stroll in the park. Today not ONLY is the six month anniversary of my son and husband's departure, but it's also mothers day. Look at all those happy mothers spending the day with their children. I know I should be strong, but times like this I feel like going under a rock and dying. I am a mother with no child of my own to spend this wonderful holiday.'

People who have never been away from their children can never grasp the full range of feelings a mother has. The only ones who come close are those who have lost their children prematurely. Nodoka was a proud and respectable woman though, and refused to cry over such a silly thing. She was raised as a samurai's daughter, she would adapt. It just hurt so bad that she could burst. This was currently her third time around the park. Why would she subject herself to such torture? Well it really started with the first revolution of the park.

A girl had caught her eye, she couldn't be older than six or seven. She had beautiful black hair with blue high-lights. She was sitting on a park bench near the front of the park, it overlooked the rest of the park. The girl had a beautiful white carnation with pink tips and a really long step in her lap along with a card. The girl was all alone, as in nobody was with her. From the quick glance that Nodoka directed at the girl, she picked up a feeling that was unexpected. Instead of seeing anticipation of meeting someone, Nodoka only saw pensive look like the girl was taking in all of the happiness around her and was trying to treasure it as her own. If the people closest to this girl hadn't been so into their own worlds, they would've been compelled to inquire about the girl's look, but since people are too absorbed in their own little world they simply ignored this girl.

Nodoka noticed her.

Akane was sitting on a park bench. It was truly a beautiful day, it matched the holiday but not Akane's feelings. Akane was sitting on the park bench alternating looking wistfully down at the carnation in her lap, and looking wistfully at the happy families spending time in the park. 'Sure, Sensei drops me off in many places and then makes me fend for myself, but this is torture. He could have waited until after mother's day. This is the worst holiday. He puts me into a new school a week ago, and told them the same lie he tells the rest. He tells them that the rest of my family had been killed in a horrible accident, and that the memory was too painful for me to handle. Now, even the mere mention of my last name will send me into a painful seizure that will leave me comatose until my body erases the memory again. What a load of horse-pu! The truth is that I don't have a last name, or at least Sensei doesn't want me to know if I have a family. So my teachers call me Akane Akane, or just Akane. I can't stand it, I don't want people to know that I've been sold by my family (what ever their name) to my Sensei. I wonder what my mom is like? Today was the worst in class, the teacher made us all make letters to our mothers, it was painful, being shoved in my face. As I looked around the class I could see people thinking of their own mothers as they wrote the letters, and I couldn't. What am I going to do with this now? I'm a martial artist, I shouldn't feel this pain, but I do. I wonder what my family is doing today? I wonder if I look like my mother or father?' Akane looked up, almost jealous as happy mothers and daughters strolled by her. That's when somebody caught her attention. She looked like a real respectable person, honorable you might say. Her posture and stance hinted at her training as a martial artist and the wrapped weapon she carried everywhere looked like it could be a Katana. Akane for the next fifteen or so minutes was pondering how useful have a wrapped Katana would be, until the lady passed again. Then Akane was curious about why she was at the park. Akane thought dimly that it was probably to meet up with her child. Akane wondered what that wonderful woman's child was like.

This was currently Nodoka's fourth time around the park, each time Nodoka passed the little girl, she was drawn to her, as if by an invisible force. Nodoka decided that enough was enough, and let her curiosity take her closer to the girl, an sat on the bench next to the bench that Akane was sitting at.

Akane let out a sigh as she watched the woman pass for the fourth time. She had hoped in her innermost being that the woman would stop and talk to her. Her heart leapt into her throat as the woman walked closer, and sunk to the pits of her stomach as she sat on the bench next to hers. Somehow, Akane felt cheated.

Three hours went by as the two strangers sat on the benches; the sunset was in full swing. Both strangers barely registered their surroundings because each was wondering about the other stranger. Nodoka was wondering what kind of parent would leave their child so long, and Akane wondered what kind of child would keep their parent waiting. Akane had wanted to talk to the stranger, just as much as Nodoka had wanted to start a conversation with the little girl. Both had been waiting, not wanting to be rejected by the other.

Nodoka blinked as she suddenly found a white carnation with delicate pink tips and a card in her lap. She looked up from her lap and found a very flustered girl before her. The girl had her head down, hands behind her back, was swaying from foot to foot, all while blushing furiously.

"Happy Mother's day." Akane said almost to herself it was so soft and timid.

Nodoka smiled at the child.

"Why, thank you, dear, but shouldn't you give these to your mother?"

Akane broke down and started to cry, not a weeping loud cry. It was a cry of pure grief, it was a trickle of three or few droplets that her little hands had little control to stop. Nothing had the power to stop.

Nodoka was surprised to see the little girl start to tear up and cry. It pulled on strings she hadn't experienced since her own child had left her six months prior. Almost breaking her heart, Nodoka got the chance to exercise her motherly instincts. She quickly knelt down to the child and wrapped her arms around the child.

'I should push her away, I should be strong, I don't need anybody. It feels so good though. I can't, I can't break this embrace. I.I.feels so nice. Will Sensei hurt me for this?' Akane welcomed this complete strangers embrace and treasured the feeling for the rest of her life.

"Is anybody expecting you?" Akane shook her head.

"Would you like me to take you home?" Akane nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

**End flash back**

Nodoka remembered that night clearly, she was almost in tears even today.

**Flash back**

Akane had lead Nodoka through the deeper part of the park and into the nearby woods. There, next to a stream, Nodoka could see a tent and cooking utensils on the site.

Akane let go of Nodoka's hand and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for walking me home."

Nodoka was shocked that anyone would let a six year old live in the middle of the woods. She didn't feel comfortable leaving this complete stranger here with out

"Who lives with you?"

Akane shook her head. It didn't really answer the question, but it made it clear to Nodoka.

"Does anybody know you're here?"

Again, Akane shook her head. Nodoka wasn't really sure why this girl was living in the woods all alone, but her motherly instincts wouldn't let her just leave this child in the middle of the woods.

"Would you like to live with me?" Akane perked up, nodded, bowed, and was packed and ready to go within five minutes.

**end flashback**

Nodoka smiled as she remembered the first night she brought Akane home. Akane had wanted to set up in the corner of her yard. She didn't want to be an inconvenience. Somehow, she had convinced Akane that it was her pleasure and to stay in her house in one of the rooms. It had been a great feat, and now looking back Nodoka laughed at Akane's persistence. As soon as Akane's shoes were off Nodoka suggested Akane take a shower while she prepared a small dinner for the two of them. Akane had argued that she should prepare dinner in thanks for allowing herself to be so graciously accepted into her home. It took the better part of ten minutes to convince Akane otherwise. While Akane was in the shower, she wondered what kind of dinner Akane would have prepared. She was only six after all.

Akane had been really quiet while waiting for dinner, and exceptionally polite during dinner. She complimented her food graciously, but Nodoka noticed that even though Akane's eyes said that she was still hungry, Akane never asked for seconds. Nodoka had gone to the kitchen to put away the dishes, and by the time she came back, Akane was passed out.

Nodoka smiled again. It had been awkward that night. Weird tucking in another child that wasn't yours, a child that she hadn't even asked her name yet. Funny, how sometimes things like a name seem to be less important. You don't need a name to show compassion, so until she passed out, she had forgotten to ask this child her name. Still though, she went down stairs and opened the mother's day card that the girl had made. The contents made Nodoka break down in tears, but she found out what she had been wanting: her name was Akane.

Nodoka sipped her tea, yes it was very warm with old memories today.

**Flash Back**

Apparently Akane had gotten up around six because by the time Nodoka woke up at eight, the floors were already mopped, the walls dusted, the laundry was either hanging or in the washer, and a wonderful scent was wafting it's way to Nodoka's room. Nodoka lay in bed trying to place that smell, she hadn't smelt such good food since the last time her mom had made her breakfast. Wait a minute. breakfast..

Nodoka practically flew down the stairs. Only to find herself in a sparkly clean room, confused, Nodoka went into the main room with the table and saw the huge selection of GREAT looking food on the table. Before thought processes/panic could take hold of her, Akane was there with a tea kettle asking her if she would like tea with her breakfast. How could Nodoka refuse?

It was THE most delicious breakfast Nodoka had in a LONG time. The texture and sent and taste all blended perfectly practically melting in your mouth. Nodoka did nothing but praise Akane the entire meal, which made Akane blush deeply and deny that she was any good at all. While Akane was cleaning the kitchen, Nodoka looked around and noticed how busy Akane had been that morning. It was rather amazing. No more than fifteen minutes had gone by when the two of them were sitting back at the table drinking tea.

"What's you name?"

"My name is Akane."

Nodoka nodded the letter had been very personal to Akane, it explained a lot. Nodoka had only asked the question to be polite.

"You may call me Auntie or Nodoka or Auntie Nodoka."

Akane's letter to her mother that was given to Nodoka had made her cry the night before. The letter had a long narrative and a long sad poem. All the letter was getting at was the fact that all Akane wanted was somebody to call family. So Nodoka decided to foster the child, even if it was temporary and not legally, Akane had no last name, so as far as Nodoka was concerned while Akane was with her neither would she.

**End Flash Back**

Nodoka had laid in bed last night, feeling foolish. 'How could I have not recognized my own son's name? Probably because Akane forgot to add the Saotome at the end of Ranma, they had never used last names, so why start now?'

Meanwhile.

"Akane Tendo prepare to die!" A feminine voice rang out across the school lawn as she was leapt down from the tree she had been hiding in.

Akane calmly caught the bokken the girl was wielding with one hand.

"KKKodachi the Black Rose." Ranma said to himself with a shudder. 'Why the hell is she here? Kowaii (scared).'

"You again? You've got a lot of nerves. Now you attack out in the open and while it's daylight."

"Attack? I merely came to visit with my Darling Ranma."

"So then why don't you go visit him then?" Akane threw Kodachi, with the hand still clutching the bokken, across the school lawn and over to Ranma.

"Urk." If Ranma hadn't had the sense to back away, Kodachi would have landed fast first into Ranma. Ranma got lucky for a change that his reflexes were actually right when it came to a girl.

Kodachi did a flip and landed on her feet, she wore a blush on her face.

"Oh, Ranma, shall we pick up where we left off last night?"

"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean I gotta go. um. yeah that's it.. I gotta go. See you later." Ranma didn't feel comfortable around Kodachi. He was totally flustered and practically ran from the scene. Kodachi was in hot pursuit.

"Ranma darling, wait!"

While Ranma looked behind him to make sure that Kodachi wasn't making anymore paralysis powder, he ran smack into Kuno.

"Saotome, what grudge do you bear against me?"

"Oh man, Kuno I ain't got the time for this.. urr." Every muscle in Ranma's body was screaming to be let go as Kodachi latched on to him. There was just something about this girl that made him uneasy.

"Raaannnnnmaaa darling."

"hmmm" Kuno circled Ranma and then clapped his hands around them in approval. "Very well, you may date with her."

"Hmm?"

"Ranma Darling did you hear? This means we're officially a couple!"

"Hey wait a minute! Not so fast! Going out with you is the last thing I want, get it?...hmmurr" Ranma lost his mean guy resolve as he saw Kodachi's eyes filled with tears.

"YOU HATE ME THEN, IS THAT IT?" Kodachi screeched at Ranma.

"NO, no, it's just that I."

"YOU DO HATE ME, I CAN TELL! DON'T LIE TO ME!!!"

"I told you already that's not it." Ranma's resolve was totally lost, he could never stand up to a woman who was crying. He ran to Akane and put his hands over her shoulders.

"I have a fiancée, see? That's why you gotta."

"Hey!"

"Come on Akane, back me up."

"You are pathetic." Though Akane was now amused somewhere deep down inside her. It was hilarious exactly how awkward he was with the opposite sex. Mostly, though, she was livid that she was now just an excuse. I mean seriously 'I can't go out with you because. well just blame Akane.' Akane was not particularly amused.

"Fiancé? Akane Tendo, is my Ranma darling your fiancé?"

Akane looked up to Ranma before she answered Kodachi.

"More or less." 'That's it, he's going pay later today in 'training.''

Kodachi pulled out a ribbon from her blouse.

"Well, well, well." Kodachi used the ribbon like a whip. "How about it? The winner of the tournament gets to take Ranma Saotome."

"What?"

"What did you say? You're crazy!" Akane and Ranma said simultaneously.

Kuno bumped Ranma away and grabbed Akane's shoulder. "But Akane, it's perfect. You need but lose and you are rid of him forever."

"Hmhmhmhmhahahaha." Kodachi giggled from behind her hand. "No need for that dear. The beating I'm planning on giving you will be more than sufficient."

Akane just looked at her like she had just grown another head.

"Ranma darling, when the match is over. you'll be all mine." Kodachi said this as she brought a black rose up to her lips, while Ranma suppressed an involuntary shudder. She started to twirl her ribbon again and this time it was shedding black rose petals.

"Until then, Adue. BHAHAHAHAHAHA" Kodachi leapt across the school lawn and all the way to St. Hebereke.

"Wait a minute! I NEVER agreed to the challenge!" Akane found herself not only not amused, but talking to air and black rose petals.

"That woman is totally insane." Kuno pointed out. "Saotome, I'm counting on you to look after my sister."

::dramatic pause:: "Wait a minute here! Your WHAT?"

"My sister, what, are you deaf?"

"SISTER?" Two surprised voices rang out together.

"Bare with her weakness which I think precedes from wayward sickness and no grounded mouth. I love her well." ::clears throat:: "yes." Kuno looks over his shoulder to Akane. "Be wary of her at the tournament, Akane. Already a vision of you in your leotard drives me to madness." Then Kuno walked off with somewhat dignity. If only BOTH Ranma and Akane's stomach would stop trying to spill their breakfast.

"Now that I think about it they're IDENTICAL."

Akane stormed off into school, not happy with the whole affair, with Ranma following her closely.

Later in the evening in the Tendo Dojo..

Ranma whole left side was paralyzed from a shiatsu technique, and the other half of his body was dearly trying fend himself from Akane's deadly attack with the ribbon. He was failing. Ranma was being beaten down to the point where he would eventually just he a bloody stain on the dojo floor.

Not really, but to Ranma it sure did feel like it.

::gasp:: "You know Akane. you aren't fighting like someone using Anything Goes."

"I'm not?"

"I thought you wanted to start."

"I do."

"Then why don't we start now? First of all the idea behind the Anything Goes techniques is to always make them think like they can win, try and make it as close a fight as possible. Never let an opponent know your full strength. Always make them think that you had gotten lucky, and that if they trained a little harder they could beat you."

"Okay. but don't you get a lot of enemies that way?"

"Sure, but it keeps life interesting." ::snort:: "Yeah, REAL interesting. Maybe I SHOULD lose to Kodachi, then I'll be honor bound to never see you ever again. Bai bai!"

"More training, less talking."

Ranma suddenly found his second wind for training, though it was hard to tell who was training whom. Akane was learning techniques, but Ranma was the sorer of the two when the night was over.

***

Nodoka had just stopped by the post office to drop off her letter to Akane. She was somewhat surprised to find another letter waiting for her already in her mailbox. She hurried home in order to read her letter all the quicker.

Dear Nodoka,

Today Ranma and I overslept. We went out for lunch. I guess it would be our first date. While searching for a place to eat, Ranma saved a bunch of girls from being beaten up. It turns out that they are part of martial arts rhythmic gymnastics. Ranma promptly volunteered me to fight for them. I was kind of mad at Ranma, but when I met the girl I'll be facing I'm glad I'll have the opportunity to teach her a lesson! Just now, she came into my room, and tried to attack me. Then Ranma accidentally knocked her out with the door when he came in. Then she tried to seduce him right there in front of me. I think she has a few screws loose. The tournament is next week; could you find time to find me a leotard?

Love,

Akane Tendo

Thank the gods that Nodoka was sitting at the table as she read the letter. She dropped the letter and held her hand to her chest to try and control her heart rate. 'Tendo?'

Akane was taking a shower, more specifically, she was shaving. She had accidentally thrown a club that had hit Ranma in the head, he would be out for about a half an hour, just enough time for Akane to take a nice relaxing shower and head off to bed. Akane was shaving, but her mind was in other places.

Akane smiled as she thought of her dream: Ranma and her were having a picnic. They had found a wonderful park with the cherry trees in full blossom. They both sat under the beautiful trees, enjoying wonderful food, and laughing at the beggar that seemed to have schizophrenia named Kodachi. They were having a wonderful time, talking and getting to know each other and having a blast talking about past training adventures. Yes everything was going well. Ranma even tried to kiss her, they were both leaning in for the kiss, when she woke up.

All the best dreams are left undone.

Ranma was laying on the Dojo floor.

He had been awake ever since Akane had told him that she was taking a shower and going to bed. She thought he was unconscious, but he merely feigned it. He wanted to remain by himself for a little while, spread out on the dojo floor. He wanted to think about his dream.

He had dreamed of Akane. He had not only dreamed about her, he DREAMED about her. They, according to his dream, had over the next couple of months, gotten to know each other well. He wasn't sure on what intellectual level, because they never spoke in his dream. His dream was a bit more physical. The type of physical were my male readers will shake their head in acknowledgement and drool will form on the sides of their lips, and female readers will look at the male readers reaction and take out a super mallet and pound the males into the ground for being a hentai. One word: lemony-lime. ;P.

Ranma closed his eyes and tried to place the images back in his mind, but they were the type of images that only the subconscious can see, and if you're conscious it doesn't work. He remembered how nice the dream was, until he was thrown out of the bed, that is. **Chibi Flashback** Ranma almost didn't wake up this morning, for he was dreaming that he and Akane were being a little ruff and both were tumbling to the ground, so the fall to the ground didn't wake him up like it usually does.

Akane had little time to notice, because a certain black piglet that was asleep until he heard the thud, leapt onto Ranma and bit into his flesh. Ryouga bit down on Ranma's forearm, hard, he bit enough to draw blood.

"Argh! Stupid pig!" Ranma's first conscious action was to pick Ryouga off his body and slam him to the ground. Ryouga ran from the room two seconds later, with Ranma in hot pursuit.

Akane looked at both of them while still in bed. "I guess I'm practicing on my own this morning."

**End Flash back**

Akane was now enjoying the furo, neck deep in really hot water. It was so nice, that Akane could almost fall asleep, almost. If it weren't for another zany day, it would have been perfect.

**flashback**

Akane was changing in the girl's locker room, she was changing into her gym shorts and shirt. There were about fifty girls in the locker room, but it was dead silent, you could hear a pin drop. Several girls were staring at her, even more would send her the occasional glance. Akane finished quickly, before anyone else. As soon as she closed the door, the sound of the usual gossip started.

'Strange, I wonder what's happening? I should ask someone later.' Akane found her teacher, Yukari-sensei, and headed over to the baseball field on her own ahead of everybody. Today they were playing softball.

Ranma was performing his fitness test during personal fitness today. Today's focus was the bars. He flipped around three times and did a flip before he landed on the ground. The group of boys sitting in rows waiting for their turn "ooh" and "Ah" as the teacher called the next person.

"Wow! He's amazing." Hiroshi pointed out.

"You know, from what I hear, Ranma went abroad to study acrobatics in China." Daisuki said, of course by "what I hear" IS interchangeable with "Nabiki informed me" even if he didn't interpret the information right.

"It's kempo! Not acrobatics." Ranma sat next to the two guys who were just talking to him. They COULD be called friends, but they were more like two best friends and third wheel. They were nice enough, they were just in a different mind set. Daisuki and Hiroshi were surprised at the tone of his voice, shocked into silence, when a crystalline voice ran across the entire baseball field and beyond.

"Okay, Here it comes!" It was Akane, she was the third base man err woman err person. The pitch was thrown.

"I got it!" the girl said

"All right! That's two outs. We can do it!" Akane was doing her best to keep her team spirits up, and the game fun for everyone.

Ranma and his friends were watching the scene intently. Suddenly Ranma's new friends honed in like a pair of sharks.

"So Saotome, how far have you gotten with Akane?" Hiroshi asked innocently enough. "Huh?"

"Don't play innocent, you're her fiancée."

"Did you do it?"

"Yeah, you know."

Then they both tried to strangle hold him. Hiroshi grabbed his neck, while Daisuki grabbed Ranma around the waist.

"I'll bet you did at least once you know."

"Huh? No way!" Ranma got out of their grasp, but didn't make a move to get up.

"Then how do you explain this?" Hiroshi whipped out a photograph. Ranma stared at the photograph in shock, he didn't even see that softball coming his way. With a thud and a shooting pain, Ranma paid for his distraction.

"Oops." Akane just stood there holding her bat looking in the direction of Ranma.

"Aren't you a martial artist. couldn't you have caught that or dodged that or something?"

"I was distracted."

It was now after school, and the two of them are walking home. Ranma is actually walking on the side walk; the nurse made them promise to go to Doctor Tofu's to make sure everything was ok, she did hit him pretty hard.

"So, what distracted you anyway?"

Instead vocalizing, Ranma just gave Akane the photograph. She instantly blushed bright red, but she didn't vocalize her reaction, because they were right in front of Tofu's office.

"There it is! I'll see you at home." Akane didn't wait for his reply, and started the relatively short trek home.

As she walked home she looked at the photo graph. She looked hard. It had turned out very good, very convincing. 'No wonder none of the girls are talking to me. So, I either explain to everyone our sleeping arrangement, or people think that I'm some brand of slut.' Akane looked down at the photograph. It showed Ranma holding her, while her face was somewhat cuddled in his chest. The sheets somehow managed to cover them from the neck up, except for Akane's bare arm, and the blankets looked like they had been through a ruff night. Akane blushed, wishing that the picture was realer than it seemed.

And hour later they both were practicing in the dojo, and I think, you the reader, is all caught up.

**End flashback**

So Ranma had, had better days, but the morning dream kept him occupied for the next half an hour. 'This is going to be a hell of a week.'

That evening, after supper, Sound and Genma were sitting on the porch looking out onto the sunset.

"You know Soun."

"What is it old friend?"

"Those two have been sleeping in the same bed for almost a week, and haven't done anything. They need to be married before.."

"Agreed, but what can we do? I don't want my daughter to resent this engagement."

"You're right, but the quicker they get married the better.."

"Let's wait a little before doing anything."

"But what about.."

"Shhh. speak of the devil and he shall come." Soun shuddered. "So, how about a plan B?"

Soun and Genma sat on the porch until well after sunset, staring into the koi pond trying to think about something.

"I got it! How about..."

***Skipping ahead in time about four days, the night before the match***

Akane and Ranma were practicing in the dojo. Akane was getting good, deadly, but still needed coaching on how to play with her opponent. Akane was used to one or two effective attacks to put down an opponent, unlike the Saotome school that relies on the slow wearing out of the opponent. Akane was wearing one of the leotards that Nodoka had sent her. It was a solid pink color, Akane wasn't fond of the color, but beggars can't be choosers. It was a plain design, and it had sleeves. It got a little hot in the dojo, but it didn't affect Akane."

Suddenly Kasumi's voice rang out from another room in the house.

"Akane, There's a person on the phone for you!"

Ranma and Akane bow to each other and hurriedly said "Good match!" and then Akane ran out of the dojo and into the room with the phone.

"Mushi, Mushi!" (Hello!) Akane lipped her thanks to Kasumi for taking the phone, then turned away from her.

"Yes. no. why didn't you tell me.. Uh... Kinai?...... How is she?....So..sure I guess." Akane put the receiver down, and walked past the dojo.

Ranma was laying on his back in the middle of the dojo, he seemed to like to do that a lot. Akane decided to sit against the wall instead of making Ranma get up and practice.

"Well.."

This got Ranma's attention.

"That was Tahatsusei-chan on the phone."

"Who?"

"You know Hoppingu Tahatsusei, she was one of the girls on the martial arts gymnastics team, and she's that girl that sits catty-corner from your desk in school."

Ranma nodded his head, vaguely knowing who the girl was.

"Well, apparently, I need a .. I forget the word for it, a handler or something, someone to hand me my equipment during the tournament. They didn't tell me this because they already had a handler in place for me. Unfortunately, she was practicing with her friend, and tripped over a ball and sprained her ankle. Now she can't even get out of bed, let alone go to the tournament. Now, I need to find someone who knows about rhythmic arts gymnastics to be my handler."

"Would this person need to wear a leotard?"

"Why? I don't think so. You know somebody who will do it?"

"I'll help you."

"You're a guy, this is a women's only sport."

"I can change into a girl."

"But you're still a boy, it's not right."

"Do you know of anybody else that is willing?"

"I guess, technically you could be a girl, but I still don't feel right about it.. You sure you'll do this for me?"

"Sure, I was planning on going to watch anyway."

"Well, if you insist, but at least make up a separate identity for your girl half. That way it will be harder for people to figure out your curse."

"Like what?"

Akane was contemplating the question for a good ten seconds, when Kasumi's voice reached them, supper was served. It was a delicious dinner. Kasumi served fresh fish with rice and pickles, nothing lavish, just tasty. Akane excused herself from the table, and went to take her shower before turning it in early. Ranma, however, sat at the table long after the dishes had been cleared away. He was contemplating what sort of name he should use. He wanted something that was similar to his name, something that if you said it fast or spelled sloppy people might mistake it for Ranma. The trick was to change only one consonant. He kept turning different combinations in his head. 'Let's see.. Ranmo.no.Ranra.no..Ranwa.sounds like the physcic Randa, no.. Ranra. sounds like I'm stuttering, no. Ranmi.no.. Ranka. sounds a little weird. What about Ranki, no, Ranku, no, Ranke, uh no maybe Ranko? Ranko Saotome, Saotome Ranko. It OKAY I guess, close enough to my name, but not too similar. I could get used to it.'

Ranma suddenly seemed to burst to life as he ran up to their room to share his revelation.

"Ranko Saotome!"

Akane was just finishing writing her letter to Nodoka, when Ranma burst into the room.

"Ranko Saotome?"

"Yeah, it's cool don't you think?"

Akane turned around to look at Ranma, she was about to tell him that it was a horrible name, but when she saw how proud he was of it she didn't have the heart to tell him. She only gave him a weak smile and said:

"Yeah, it's cool."

Akane got up from her seat and did an exaggerated stretch with her arms.

"Well, I'm going to bed now, are you?"

In less than two minutes both of them were asleep.

Next morning at St. Herbereke high school.

"A replacement?"

"Yes, She's the replacement for Hoppingu Tahatsusei, she was injured last night."

Kodachi was being sane this morning, almost too sane. Yes: Too sane, reasonable, and compassionate. Yes, Akane thought, she must be up to no good.

"Let's shake hands before the match Mrs. Uh"

"Ranko Saotome."

"Pleasure to meet you Ranko-chan." Kodachi went to shake Ranma's hand, but was intercepted by Akane who had spotted the thumbtacks between her fingers.

"What is this?"

"My however did those get there? Oh well, let me show you to the traveling team's changing room." Kodachi turned her back on the pair, and started walking briskly away. Her thoughts were belied by the fake smile put on her face. 'The stupid heretic woman and her hussy friend, I can't seem to be rid of them. Today after the match I will personally see to it that both of them suffer greatly.' Kodachi had to suppress her maniacal laughter, at least for the time being.

"Mr. Saotome, what are you doing here?"

Mr. Panda held up a sign ::I'm here to cheer you on::

"Oh, well thank you for coming."

Akane went into the little bathroom that was in the room, and changed into her leotard. She had gotten it four days ago, and wouldn't let anyone see it, the entire family had been curious as to what it looked like. The leotard was royal red in color, with a crushed-velvet rose pattern upon her right chest, the rose petal was emphasized with a golden outline. Coming out of the rose was a stem with little crushed-velvet rose buds spiraling around her body and ending by her left hip. It was a truly beautiful leotard. Akane admired the needlework before she put it on. Akane was just about to open the door when someone knocked on the door.

"Akane a girl just came by and said that the match will start in two minutes."

"Ok, be right out!" Akane opened the door, Ranma had to jump to avoid the door. When he looked at her leotard his eyes opened up a fraction more than he thought they could, and his mouth forgot how to work. Akane wasn't paying attention, and went straight out of the room and to the gym. Leaving Ranma still staring at where Akane used to be. Moments later, Ranma was running down the hallway after Akane.

When Ranma caught up to Akane, she was leaning against the wall in the corner of the gym talking to the referee, he came up to them just in time to here that they should wait for their names to be called before she leapt into the ring.

About fifty girls were under the ring. They were crouched down, huddled together in groups of five. The entire ring was set on wheels, and the girls were holding it steady, and in case their leader whistled for them they could move the ring.

"Who's stupid idea was this anyway?" A girl in a green leotard huddled in the corner eating chips asked.

"Kodachi's, and don't talk, some one might hear you!" A girl sitting next to the girl who was complaining responded.

"Don't tell me not to talk, you're not the captain."

"Neither are you, so shut up! And stop eating."

"This whole thing is stupid, we aren't needed, I'll talk whenever I feel like it, and eat too. So there!"

The girl rolled her eyes and raised the volume on her cd player to tune the girl out. She was witnessing a group of girls in the middle of the ring telling ghost stories. The current speaker was a particularly creepy girl whom the flashlight emphasize her features. Apparently it was scary, because on girl screeched, and another girl told her to knock it out.

"Idiots." The girl closed her eyes, and yet again raised the volume on her cd player.

The referee was surprised that she was called out today, usually the Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament was just cancelled do to no-shows, but it felt nice to actually be out her on the weekend doing what she enjoyed. The time was exactly one o'clock, exactly when the match was about to start. The referee took in a deep breath and stepped into the ring.

"Good afternoon! Everyone, and welcome to the St. Hebereke versus Furinkan high school martial arts rhythmic gymnastics tournament!"

**And there was much rejoicing. "Yay." (Monty python, gomen)** The crowd cheered, signaling that they were ready to get the show on the road.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have you attention please, the rythmics gymnastics match will begin at any moment." The announcer, well, announced.

"And the contestants are ready." The referee announced. The spotlight highlighted the corner from which Furinkan's competitors were coming from.

"The furinkan high school competitor is entering the ring!" The announcer pointed out.

Akane did a simple leap into the ring, nothing fancy, not showing off in the least. Still, though, people seemed impressed and cheered loudly. Suddenly the lights went off, then one light went on, then three, all emanating from the middle of the ceiling. It made everyone curious, and they were surprised to see kodachi being lowered on a swing in a wedding dress.

"And here come's the CHAMPION." The announcer said enthusiastically. Fireworks were being sent off in the background by fireworks cannons, only one of them wasn't a firework, it was a bomb, and it was heading straight for Akane. Both Akane and Ranma dodged with seconds to spare. There was a huge explosion, and lots of smoke, when it cleared up, Kodachi was standing on the ring in her wedding dress.

"Oh my goodness however did that bomb get in there? I do hope you're alright."

Ranma and Akane just gave her blank stares, they weren't amused.

"As usual, Kodachi makes a dramatic entrance! And isn't her outfit just lovely!" The announcer put her two sense in.

'There's no real contest here. Once I defeated the little hussy, Ranma will be all mine. I shall wed you in this very dress. Oh yes, my love, oh yes. I dare it all for you.' Kodachi thought to herself as she put a black rose in her mouth and blushed.

Kuno was sitting in the stands on the St. Hebereke side. He was sitting around a bunch of girls ogling at him, but he only saw two things of importance right now. Akane, and the pigtailed girl. He hadn't been expecting the pigtailed to be there, but the site of Akane in a leotard was driving him to madness. Kuno rapped his bokken on the floor before he spoke.

"If Kodachi wins, then Ranma Saotome becomes my step-brother. Which means Akane and the pigtailed girl shall both be mine by default.. SMITE HER MY SISTER! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I CHEER FOR YOU!"

Kodachi looked over toward her brother.

"Why, brother dear."

This exchange caused rumors through the crowd. Example: Two girls:"Did you hear? Her brother" "Are in love." Daisuki and Hiroshi were sitting behind them. "Hear that?" "In this case, ignorance is bliss."

"And here they are ladies and gentleman." The announcer said.

"In that corner from St. Hebereke school for girls is Kodachi Kuno!" Kodachi threw off her veil and dress; it was deftly caught by some blur that happened to go by the name of Sasuke. And the crowd wild. "Yay!" The referee waited until the cheers had died down. Underneath her wedding dress, Kodachi was wearing a black leotard with rose imprints (also in black) all over it.

"In this corner from Furinkan High School is Akane Tendo!" Akane threw her hands up, similar to what Kodachi had done, except the cheering for Akane was twice as loud

"Okay girls to the center of the ring." The referee said.

Kodachi was holding a purple ribbon, while Akane had a yellow one.

"Okay now shake hands."

Akane went to go shake Kodachi's hand, but then grabbed her wrist and slapped her hand with her other hand. The tacks fell out from between her fingers. Akane literally had to bite her tongue to keep from yelling at the girl standing before her. It didn't work the first time what make's her think it would work the second time?

"Who ever wins this match gets Ranma." Kodachi said. "That's no fun I already HAVE Ranma, I don't need to fight you for that. If you when you can have Ranma, but If I win, you will never associate with him again, and he will take me.." "TAKE YOU!!!" Kodachi screeched, she couldn't believe what she had heard, seething, she was way to quick to come to conclusions for her own good. "Fine, I'm going to win any way."

Akane was a little distressed that she wasn't able to complete her statement, but let the matter alone when the bell was rung by the announcer and the match begun. Kodachi started with a rope and two clubs, while Akane kept her ribbon. The only reason Kodachi was still in the ring, was because Akane wanted to have a chance to use Anything Goes techniques. Since Akane was forcing herself to prolong the match to achieve this, she simply started to count the times she could have ended the match already. The ring was still echoing and Akane had already counted ten opportunities.

"Now the fight we've all been waiting for! St. Hebereke High School versus Furinkan High in an anything goes fight to the finish! The only things to attack are their tools, using their hands are strictly forbidden. There's no time limit, and to be knocked out or fall outside the ring they will automatically lose."

Kodachi Attacked first. She took her piece of rope and attacked Akane with it. Akane didn't even bother to block, only making pretty designs with her ribbon as she tumbled and flipped and leaped around Kodachi.

Announcer: "What a fantastic performance Kodachi wields that rope like it was a steel bar!"

Akane got tired of dodging, and deftly grabbed the rope out of Kodachi's hand with her ribbon. Then she chucked it over the side of the ring where it made a clinging sound that echoed through the gym.

Announcer: "Wait a minute, It is a steel bar!"

Ranma: "Referee, that's a foul!" Referee: "Sorry, it's legal if she uses legal tools."

Kodachi was slashing at Akane with clubs now, once again Akane didn't feel compelled to counter attack. She just dodged all of Kodachi's attack. She even managed to dodge the spiked the club. Kodachi: "BHAHAHAHA nice technique dear." Ranma: "Hey referee, she's got spikes on that thing, isn't that a foul?" Referee: "Sorry, she's using legal tools." Akane: "Don't bother the referee Ranma, I've got a handle on this." Kodachi: "We'll see about that won't we? Hoop!"

The hoop missed Akane, but it did cut leotard, a little on the side. It didn't even draw blood on her. Akane was pissed.

Announcer: "There it is ladies and gentlemen, that's Kodachi's trademark the razor hoop! The challenger doesn't look too pleased."

Akane: "Ok, now it's time for me to go on the offensive. Clubs!"

Ranma threw Akana a pair of clubs. Kodachi couldn't even see the attack, all of a sudden she was lying on her back with several bruises forming on several parts of her body, and a similar cut was in her uniform. Akane was still spinning the clubs in her hand, ready to attack her when she got up. Daisuke: "She's incredible!" Hiroshi: "Amazing, she uses those clubs just like nunchuks!" Announcer: "And the challenger has just made a very effective attack against the black rose. Will the black rose be able to recover?"

Kodachi had gotten up, though in pain. She had clubs in her hands, and lunged towards Akane yelling "Attack of a thousand clubs!" Akane wasn't amused however and quickly hit the back of Kodachi's hands to make her let go of the twenty clubs that she was holding in either hand.

"Kodachi's Attack of a thousand clubs was a complete bust! The two combatants are sizing each other up in the center of the ring. What will happen next?"

Kodachi: "This fight has only just begun!" Kodachi picked up her ribbon, and began to twirl it. Akane didn't reply, and simply asked for her hoop. Once again, Kodachi didn't see the attack coming and found herself airborne and heading for outside the ring.

Announcer: "Kodachi has been thrown right out of the ring, will this be the deciding moment?" Kodachi Whistled, and the entire ring started to move and Akane barely kept her balance.

Kodachi: "hahaha. foolish girl, don't you realize that 'out' is an impossibility for me?"

Akane stared un-amused at Kodachi, her only response was to whistle, and the ring moved again.

Announcer. "Amazing, the floor moves with a mere whistle."

Akane punched the ground and jumped on a pillar as she ripped away the canvas. Surprised screams were heard, and seconds later the entire St. Hebereke High School Rhythmic Gymnastics team swarmed out from the ring and ran out of the building.

Announcer: "People power is what moved that ring, folks, and look at that pack of leotards scattering. Now that the floor is gone, the only things left are the rope and pillars. How much longer will this last?"

Akane had counted a hundred different ways that she couldn't have ended this fight, even when she did attack she was holding back a lot. She was trying to think of an interesting way to end the fight, and then she thought 'Screw it I'm tired of this.'

Akane threw a club at the center of Kodachi's pillar. At first nothing happened except a club was imbedded in the pillar, but mere seconds later there was cracking around the club. Then, Kodachi was on the ground, her pillar split in two.

Announcer: "Champion Kuno is out of the ring. According to the rules, the fight is over." The bell was sounded three times, Akane went to the referee and was declared the winner.

"Akane Tendo. I, Kodachi Kuno, the rising star in rhythmic gymnastics, I Kodachi the black rose have been defeated." Kodachi shed dramatic tears. "As I have promised, I will abandon my present love for my darling Ranma. Now I will burn a brand-new passion for my Ranma darling."

Akane blinked.

"OOOOKkkayy. Um. Ranko we should go now and tell Ranma that I won the match."

Ranko nodded, and left silently trying to get as much distance between herself and Kodachi. When they were out of hearing range: "Man, she's crazy!" Akane giggled, it wasn't a hysterical giggle, it was just to let him know she was amused. She grabbed his hand and quickened their pace to the changing room so that she could get on civilian clothes, and then ushered Ranma out of the school.

Ranma was beginning to worry. They had been wandering around the city for more than an hour. It was almost three o'clock. Ranma remembered the bet Kodachi and Akane had before the match. He had heard it all "Take her" that could mean only so many things. Ranma was a little nervous when they had passed the first love hotel, but they passed right by it. It made him wonder about where/what/when they were doing. He also had other non-logical questions like: will she make me turn back into a guy first? He was also wondering why he wasn't protesting. So that was the first love hotel they passed, and now they've passed three of them. Every time Ranma saw one, he held his breath, then let it out when they passed it.

They finally found a nice ice cream parlor, and Akane went right inside still dragging Ranma. Ranma was now confused as to why Akane was ordering a single scoop of chocolate ice-cream with hot fudge and chocolate sprinkles, and why he was ordering a banana sundae. They sat down at a booth in the corner that was away from any sort of window.

"Thank you, Ranma, for taking me for ice cream."

Ranma blinked in surprise. 'Oh, so THAT'S what she meant by "taking me" Kodachi never let her finish the sentence. Stupid psychopath. Man now I feel like the BIGGEST pervert in the world. Here, I'm thinking about love hotels, and all she wants is a scoop of ice cream. Ranma no baka.' Ranma blushed.

"Not a problem." The words had just left Ranma's mouth, when a huge crash through the wall on the other side of the store caught both of their attentions.

"Ranma, I kill!"

End Chapter

AN: I'm truly sorry about the lengthiness of this chapter, it might not be lengthy in reality, but seems like it to me. It took me forever and a day to write.

"The greatest thing about the human body is that it passes out before it dies." It's time for yearbook signing, and I usually pick a quote, and that's what it is this year. But I didn't add the last part. "So don't be afraid to go out there and give your one hundred percent." I heard it all the time at this little thing called Drum Corps. If you don't know what it is, let me explain as simply as I can. It's a hybrid between a marching band (except with now woodwinds) and going through basic training in the army. I, of course, am part of the auxiliary. (don't ask I wont tell)

I know there's a reason why people shouldn't constantly switch reading Japanese manga format to English manga format. Here's an example why: Ranma manga number 5 page 20. It right after Ranma got the phoenix pill was practicing trying to apologize to Akane while bathing when Shampoo suddenly was in the bath with him. This is what I read: "Poor Ranma see me and pass out!" "Why should he? After all, what good am I?" "Ranma! Aren't you going to thank Akane?!". I read that and it seemed like that was a little-bit on the sexual innuendo side. It was weird. Then I figured out that I was reading it like it was in the Japanese format. This is how it's supposed to read: "Ranma! Aren't you going to thank Akane?!" "Why should he? After all, what good am I?" "Poor Ranma see me and pass out!" "Shampoo, I think it's about time we had a little talk about bathtubs and men." Hopefully I'm not the only person to have done that (I mean read it out of order and find it actually make sense, sort of), it does make you think though. I'm weird ::sweatdrop::

I know it's not tradition to review/recommend other stories in your story, I feel compelled. While you are waiting for me to finish the next chapter, I would like to recommend a story that you read to keep yourself busy. It's called "Until the End" by Mr. Clark. It's a war story. Ranma is drafted into the military at the age of 21 leaving his wife and daughter behind. The Japanese are working with the Chinese to invade Siberia, and Ranma's right in the mist. Ryouga has been a held captive as a POW for four years when the story begins, and his fiancée Akari and his son (that he doesn't know exists) Ryoga Jr. lives with Akane. It's a fabulous story, even if you don't like war stories, you'll like this one. It's great.

I seem to have this curse, I can never watched an anime series in order. Unless, of course, it's a movie, that doesn't count. I seemed to have read this one out of order. It seems to have leaked over into my fanfic reading. I recommend that you read "Balance of Power" before you read "Until the End". I haven't read it yet, but apparently it explains what happened four years earlier. How can I recommend something I haven't read yet? Trust me, It's good if it's anything like "Until the End."