Guest Ki: Chapter 42

Manliness

Tatewaki left Nabiki's apartment shortly thereafter to see to his sister, apologizing for his behavior to the Saotome matriarch and stressing that the height of his passion drove him to ill-considered actions. She nodded politely at his nonsense and, as soon as the door closed, looked to the ceiling, shaking her head in disgust.

"So now what?" Barry asked. She looked at Cologne, Shampoo and Nodoka. They glanced at one another and back at her.

"I think we need to establish some basis of trust and cooperation," Cologne said finally. "As well as decide who else will be informed of the situation. We need assurances of your intentions."

"The best assurances are my past actions, Cologne," Barry replied off-handedly.

"You had better speak more persuasively, Mr. Barlowe." Nodoka watched the redhead with glittering eyes, her katana resting across her arms. To the uninformed it did not look like a threatening posture, but Ranma's memories told Barry it was like a gun with the hammer back. "Prove to me your good intentions."

"If my past actions aren't enough, Mrs. Saotome, nothing will be."

"Your past actions are a set of lies that abused the trust of everyone you dealt with," snapped Nodoka.

"You, madam," retorted Barry, coldly, "are angry because you were among the uninformed!"

"As Ranma's mother, I should have been informed of this at the very beginning!"

"Under normal circumstances, I would agree," Barry grated as he tried to regain control. There was no sense antagonizing her further. But how to put this politely...

"Normal circumstances? What circumstances should divide a mother from her son?"

Barry grimaced. How do you tell a mother gently that her son suspected she was a loon and a pervert?

"I'm waiting." Nodoka growled.

Nabiki decided that it was time to insert her voice into the discussion before anyone else inserted a foot. "And while we're waiting, why don't we work out some sort of arrangement, like Cologne suggested?"

"Who else knows about Barry at this point?" demanded Nodoka, still upset by the revelations of the past few minutes.

"Me," said Nabiki, ticking off fingers, "you, Ukyo, the Amazons, Ryoga and Akane." She tilted her head. "I think we should tell Kasumi." There was a murmur of agreement.

"The fathers?" Barry suggested, mostly in hopes of immediately quashing the concept. The look of horror was greatest on the faces of the Tendos and Saotomes present. It was unanimously decided not to tell the fathers. Nodoka's concerns included a constant parade of spells, charms and potions that they might attempt to induce Ranma's return. It was bad enough that Barry had been 'experimenting'. If those idiots got involved, who knew what would happen!

"And Baradandya Morisato," Barry added. They looked at him.

"Why her?" asked Cologne, mildly.

Barry pointed to Sakurida who stood behind them with a kettle of hot water that she proceeded to hand to Barry. Everyone else in the room proceeded to do a double-take again! Cologne massaged her temples, her face a study of aggravation and astonishment. She hopped over to Nabiki's roommate and gave her a long, searching look. Sakurida gulped and endured her regard with an extremely nervous body set. "You are Baradandya's sister?"

"Yes," Sakurida said hopefully. She smiled, looking unbelievably cute and harmless. It was disgustingly effective, but the old bat just glared at her. "I can keep a secret," she added nervously.

"Actually, she is quite good at that," Nabiki interceded. "Keeping a secret, I mean, as well as being unobtrusive. The only downside is that she doesn't even tell me what she hears."

"Very well," Cologne said finally. "I've found the memory erasure tsubo to be unreliable, anyway."

Nabiki smiled, so far, so good. She glanced at her sister and the smile dropped. She noted that the drawn appearance she had seen when she was home last month was getting more severe. Akane was probably down five kilos from her pre-Barry weight and the circles under her eyes made them look huge. Nabiki felt her throat tighten. Why did her little sister have to take all this crap? She glanced at Barry and saw that he, too, was watching her little sister with concern.

Nabiki considered the problem. She had no illusions that it was going to be easy to get Ranma back and, if they failed, she wanted a backup plan. Considering Akane's original attraction to Tofu, because of his maturity, Barry might just do as that backup. She doubted he would agree, of course,at least not without a fight, but she had resources and was as sneaky as they came. As she watched, Barry turned his eyes on her and frowned as she schooled an innocent expression. She grimaced. That had been a mistake. She had his full attention now, suspicious, since Nabiki and innocent did not exactly go together.

"What is it, Nabiki?" he asked, eyes narrowed.

Nabiki thought fast and hoped he hadn't figured out how to read minds with his techniques. "Now that we've decided who should be in the know, I was thinking... Perhaps we should establish a contract of responsibilities for all concerned."

Cologne eyed her. "How do you suggest we do that?"

"How else do you guarentee an agreement?" Nabiki replied smoothly. "You Amazons have ki-techniques and experience in magic. Barry and Akane have ki-vision and are developing new techniques daily or are discovering how and why old techniques work." She waited for Cologne's nod. "Now, I'm not sure what Shampoo needs, but if I understand correctly, you need Barry and Akane to make it work." Cologne nodded again.

"Barry and Akane have already agreed to help with Shampoo," Cologne rasped. "If we can trust their integrity..." Akane growled "...and I really have no reason to believe otherwise," she added hastily. "That has been decided."

"In addition," Nabiki suggested, warming to her work. "Ukyo and Ryoga have compiled a library of translations of arcane literature that might have some bits of interest in it, despite your own expertise in magic and ki. That has value as well."

"Perhaps," Cologne hedged.

"Well, in return for access to that library, perhaps you could help Ranma return and send Barry back home. Without, of course, special controlling spells, or mushrooms, or other assorted compelling additions." Nabiki smiled warmly at Cologne and Shampoo. The latter looked uncomfortable. She had been personally responsible for the stupid hugging mushroom disaster.

"In addition, I could help Shampoo develop her ki techniques, if you like," Barry began.

Shampoo stamped her foot. "Shampoo want nothing more to do with you," she snapped. "Grandmother will train! Mousse will train! When airen get back, airen train!" Barry nodded and turned away.

"Well, then," Nabiki said. "Let's get this all typed up, shall we? Everyone will get their copy and we'll all know exactly what is expected."

"Penalty clause," Barry suggested.

"Those are two words that would immediately brand you an imposter," smirked Nabiki. "How do you know about penalty clauses?"

"My father was a lawyer."

"I'm impressed." Nabiki replied.

"A demon would have been safer to deal with," muttered Nodoka.

"Did you say something?"

"So, what do we do for penalties?" demanded Akane. She'd seen TV dramas revolving around legal small print! Her thoughts imagined a series of pitfalls, designed to take Ranma from her.

"It can't have anything to do with Ranma, because he's not here to represent himself," warned Barry. "No deals awarding him to one group or another."

"You children have been studying the ki-techniques," suggested Cologne. "Violation of the agreements would mean cessation of your assistance and loss of access to the research you've been turning up." The ancient woman smiled. "Or, am I incorrect that you've been showing us only what you've found regarding techniques applicable to Shampoo's problem?"

Shampoo turned and gaped at Cologne's suggestion. "I am not going to train with…"

"You will do as I say, child," Cologne snapped. "In this case, Miss Tendo was perfectly within her rights to hide this. A very Amazon approach, in fact, since you are competing for Ranma." She waved down Shampoo's objections. "As for Mr. Barlowe, he was also within his rights to protect himself as best he could."

"But..."

"That is my final word."

"That's a generous attitude, Cologne." Barry stepped closer to the old woman and crouched down to her eye level.

"Don't cross me, Barry-baka," Cologne warned. "I do have methods for dealing with spirits like you. You Americans don't exactly inspire me as prime examples of honorable people."

"I'll try ta change yer mind, Granny" (BOP!) He rubbed his head and winked at her, as she held her staff over him, eyes narrowed. He rose again, looking soberly at everyone. "Let's type up the contract and sign off. It's been a long day."

Nabiki's computer was put to use and after Barry reviewed the draft — and told Nabiki to put the entire contract in large print — they signed, with Sakurida, Nodoka and Nabiki serving as witnesses. Barry almost began to sign the kanji Ranma used as a signature. Then he loosened up his wrist with a few circular motions and penned his legal signature in roman-ji script — Bartholomew T. Barlowe.

As they prepared for the trip home, Barry checked on who would be traveling with them. Nagasameru and Shinzoo said were staying to talk to some friends from their hometown. Ryoga was honor-bound to escort Akari and Katsunishiki back on foot. When Ukyo said she was going to check Konatsu's accounts and collect the ghost stories offered for the special, they were sure she would miss the train. She caught up with them literally at the station.

Nodoka, Akane, Ukyo and the five Amazons stood or sat silently in the car on the ride home. Nodoka placed herself nearest to Ranma's guest, watching him with glittering eyes. Barry tried to ignore her without being impolite.

"Mr. Barlowe," Nodoka whispered as they rode the train back to Nerima, "it just occured to me that you will be dating several dozen young ladies at Furinkan High. Exactly what are your intentions there?"

He fixed her with a glare. "Aren't you the woman who was so thrilled that so many girls wanted Ranma? So much so you agreed to work extra evenings to give them more time?" Nodoka blushed. Barry continued with a grimace, "I didn't ask for them and Ranma wouldn't want tangled up with them." She frowned, obviously wanting more information. "I try to be nice, compliment them truthfully on their appearance or talents and help them with homework. As for the few who are hoping for 'manliness'…?" Nodoka glared at the word. "If they want a little... intimacy, I make it very, very clear that anything approaching sex with me would activate a curse making Happosai a regular guest in their bedrooms." Nodoka looked shocked. Behind her, Ukyo and Shampoo snickered. It was one reason none of them had felt obliged to shadow the dates. "None of the normal girls are willing to risk that!" Barry stated confidently. "They all know about the little pervert and it helps suggest why the old fart hangs around."

As they disembarked, Nodoka took Barry by the arm. He couldn't read her expression well in the artificial light, but could feel her resolve. "You, sir, are coming with me."

Akane's head snapped up panicked. She tried to calm herself. This wasn't Ranma, after all.

"Okay. Why, though?" Barry was very aware of Akane's disquiet.

"I think it inappropriate for a stranger be in such close proximity to my son's fiancée." Nodoka kept her eyes on Barry's. She was not accepting any compromise in this.

"We aren't doing anything," Akane finally snapped. "Why would you think we're..."

"Akane, child, even granted that Barry is an honorable man, you are too much in his company. Especially with the stress you are under."

"She's talking about rebound, Akane," Barry offered. "She's worried you'll transfer your feelings to an inappropriate alternative with Ranma gone." He jerked a finger at his chest and watched her sag. "And of course, there's always the chance that I'll be too tempted by your proximity and try ta 'have my way'with you."

Akane's head shot up and she gave a morbid, depressed snicker. "Jeez, Barry! Get real!"

"Yeah, yeah. I know, I know... Gwen's hooked me and I don't want thrown back." Barry turned back to Nodoka who boggled slightly at the by-play. "I need to pick up my… Ranma's stuff, anyway. And we'll want to talk to Kasumi; let her know what's happened, so she can be there to support Akane." Nodoka nodded. Barry turned toward the Amazons who were preparing for the walk to the Nekohanten. "Shampoo," Barry called softly. The Amazon turned and he sensed brittle, angry control. "When we come over to check the scroll..."

"Mousse go Saotome house! Mousse say what on scroll there. No come to Nekohanten again." She suddenly leaped away over the rooftops into the gathering dark. Ukyo began to move after her, but Barry blocked her.

"What? Get out of the way, baka," she snarled. "I know how she feels."

"Yeah? And remember what you woulda done to me when I followed you over the rooftops? Shampoo is way better than you are, Ukyo. You push the wrong buttons and she'll kill you."

"I'll go." Mousse looked out over the skyline. "I've learned the tracking technique now and I'm accustomed to being used as a punching bag." He turned to Barry. "It's kind of funny. I was becoming really disturbed by the idea I was beginning to like Saotome. Now that I know the truth, it lifts a great weight from my soul." He was totally serious. He sprang after the departed Joketsuzoku woman.

"Kids," Cologne snorted in disgust. "Mr. Barlowe, Mousse will meet you tomorrow at the Saotome house to go over the scroll with you. Per our agreement, you have promised to help Shampoo regain her birthright before we continue seeking a way to return Ranma."

"I'm not happy about that," commented Nodoka.

"If Ranma is where Barry and Akane suspect he is," Cologne pointed out, "he's safe enough for now. If he isn't there..." she shrugged. "It would have been too late before anybody even started." She pogo-ed away.

"Mr. Barlowe?" Nodoka touched his arm.

"It's a good thing I've never practiced Ryoga's Shishi Houkudan."

"I'd join you," chorused Ukyo and Akane, glumly. They glanced at one another.

"Let's make sure Ukyo gets home, then get your stuff," suggested Akane. The four set off for Ucchan's.

"Mrs. Saotome," Barry asked suddenly, "are you still going to be helping Ukyo like you've been doing?" Nodoka had been covering the lunch rush at the restaurant while Ukyo was at school.

"Of course! I understand that this is being done for my son's benefit."

"Thank you."

Ukyo was returned to her home and Akane promised to stop by early in the morning, just in case. Nodoka was puzzled, till Barry explained Ukyo's recurring loss of direction. "Ukyo," Nodoka said, "would you like to stay with me? Just to be on the safe side?"

"Thank you, no, ma'am," Ukyo refused gently. "I have to make sure the grills are ready for the early lunch business before I go to school." She shot a look at Barry and shivered. "I... really think I'll be okay."

After assuring Ukyo was safe, home, they walked the five blocks to the Tendo dojo. Akane sought for various people with her locator sense. Using Nabiki as a gauge, Ryoga and Akari must nearly be back from the university. She checked for Cologne and found her south and west of the Nekohanten. Mousse and Shampoo, she located a couple blocks away in the same general area. Kasumi and her father were somewhere ahead. "Check around for Happosai," Barry suggested, recognizing what she was doing. Happosai was east of them, somewhere in Tokyo, but not close. She started when Nodoka placed her hands on their shoulders and turned them to face her.

"Now that we're alone, I'd like to hear why you both had so little trust in me that I couldn't be informed my son was in danger." The lights were behind her and they couldn't see her face, but her aura roiled. Apparently, Nodoka was not one for public scenes, but her posture and spirit were accusatory and Akane chose to take it personally.

Akane glided over and took the katana from Ranma's mother before she could react. She held it up in front of Nodoka's face. "Does this look familiar?" she asked scathingly. "This, and what it stood for, is why we didn't trust you!" She thrust it back into Nodoka's hands. "The only reason I told you about Barry today was because I thought you were going to kill your son for 'unmanly' behavior," she snarled. "You wouldn't even listen..."

"Akane," Nodoka snapped, regaining her voice, "how dare you!"

"I dare because for more than a year I've watched Ranma flinch every time you showed up with that damn thing slung over your back!" Akane snarled. "And you ask why we didn't trust you?"

Nodoka flinched herself. "He... But, I love my son."

"And he loves you. I'm afraid Akane's observation has some basis, though," Barry said. "I mean, you said Ranma was manly enough, but when you continued to carry that sword around..."

"Genma would steal it, if I didn't," Nodoka protested. "The original hilt was replaced long ago, but the blade is a Masamune. It's the last treasure of the Saotome house." Akane stared at her, at the sword, then looked at Barry who shook his head in frustration. "You can't mean that Ranma still thought I was holding him to..." Nodoka horrified voice trailed off to incredulous silence.

"Yup," Barry said. "Sorry."

"Why did you act like that?" Akane demanded of Nodoka. "You were always pushing him about his 'manliness'! What about the peeping, having mistresses and the..." Akane asked, blushing. "What else was he supposed to think?"

"Well, of course, I would hope my son was interested in girls. He's the only child I have, and I do want grandchildren!" Nodoka huffed, but her eyes were haunted. "Genji is not an overpowering influence on me, Akane! But I would hope my son has some aptitude for dealing between his women." Akane started to turn red.

"Nodoka," Barry interjected, "have you noticed that all the girls interested in Ranma want exclusive rights to him?"

"Well, yes; but..."

"Do you want to share Genma?" She glowered at him. "I rest my case."

Somehow Barry was not surprised when Kasumi took everything in stride. With Soun and Genma out celebrating the tournament victories, Kasumi was alone when they arrived. The women left it up to him to tell the tale, which he did over tea at the family table. He apologized to her first, told her straight out what had happened, then waited for her to ask questions.

"Actually, I'm relieved," the eldest Tendo said.

"What?" the others face-faulted.

"I was afraid something had happened between Ranma and Akane."

Nodoka almost sputtered before she regained a measure of calm. "How can you be so..."

"Confident?" Kasumi smiled wanly. "First, this is Ranma we're talking about. I've never known him to fail in anything he's decided to do. Secondly, I didn't notice any difference between Barry and Ranma, except that Barry has been driving Akane very hard, and himself even harder. Aunt Nodoka, you're acting like you only just met Barry, but he's been here for weeks. Put aside the fact he hid from you and look at what he's done. I understand why, now." She turned to her sister. "Oh Akane, how terrible this must have been for you!"

Barry felt tears spring to his eyes at the compassion in her voice. For Akane, it struck deep to her heart and opened the floodgates. She suddenly was clinging to Kasumi and weeping the huge wracking sobs that she held back or had hidden since Ranma had gone.

They walked to the Saotome house in silence.

Inside the house, Nodoka grimly prepared a late dinner. Genma came back from the bars and criticized his son about his performance in jujitsu. Barry responded to Genma's criticism with Ranma-like anger and they departed outside to spar. Nodoka was soon treated to Genma flying past the window. She listened in as she always did.

"So, Pops... When ya gonna tell her about the girls?"

"Don't rush me, boy!" Genma struck with a wheeling kick reminiscent of a South American form. "I'll pick my time."

"How much longer ya gonna take?" Barry growled sliding into the form and making Genma pay with a series of short sharp, chopping blows to the head and neck. "It's been what? Sixteen years?" Genma staggered away and shook his head. Suddenly he ducked down, lifted a bucket and slung a splash of water at his son.

Barry flung up his arms and unleashed a wave of heat at the water. It burst into steam. "Ouch!" He dodged away. "I'll get that right, yet."

"That's not fair," Genma complained.

"Excuse me?" Barry laughed. "'That's not fair'? Why doncha learn the technique?"

"I'm too old. Besides, it's beneath my dignity to learn from my student."

"Is it beneath yer dignity ta live?" Barry growled. Suddenly his aura was flaring bright. Nodoka froze; she couldn't see them from her position, but she could tell the backyard was lighting up. She took a chance and peeked around a window. She saw Barry glowing with an eerie luminance. Turning, she ran for the katana. Genma wasn't much, dammit! But he was hers! She raced back to the door to the garden, sprang outside and stopped. "Ha, ha-ha! You shoulda seen yer face!"

"Boy! You... I don't know why I bother," Genma growled. He was obviously sweating buckets, but completely unharmed.

"Really, Pops! Ya get dragged inta these things all the time," Barry chided him. "I'd hate ta be standin' over yer grave cause ya needed a technique yer too lazy to learn. It's not fair to Mom, either." He grinned again. "I think yer problem is that ya don't feel strong enough ta survive Natsume and Kurumi when they learn the truth. So train already!"

"Ha-ha! That's what I have you for, son," Genma chuckled with false hilarity. Barry shook his head in disgust.

"Panda brain," Barry snarled. Genma backed away again. "That's fine, if I planned ta be yer bodyguard the rest of my life!" He stomped forward. "This is a fight yer gonna hafta fight. And soon!" Barry stomped past Ranma's mother and into the house. "'Scuse me, Momma," he said loudly on the way in.

Genma spun and shrank as he saw Nodoka with the katana in her hand. "Dear! How long have you been there?"

Nodoka realized that Barry had given her the opportunity to confront Genma about his daughters. It was also possible that he was hoping to keep her busy with them. She decided to punt the issue... for now. "I just came out to call you for dinner. Is something wrong, dearest?" she asked innocently.

"Uhhh...I'm not really hungry this evening. If you don't mind, I need to go out and think." Genma was pale.

"It's your favorite."

"Dim s... No! I'm... I'll be back later." He moved past her, through the house and out the door.

Barry sat at the table, head on his hand, so much like her son that she frowned as she entered. He glanced up, saw the frown and said, "I hope yer not gonna be like Ukyo and pound me when I'm too much like Ranma."

"Does she?"

"Yup, we got off on the wrong foot. Worse than you and I did in some ways." Barry stretched. "Where's Genma?"

"He went back out."

"Without dinner? I must have gotten through to him better than I thought."

"Were you trying to make me address the issue of Genma's daughters?" Nodoka inquired, moving out to the kitchen to get dinner.

"If ya wanted to. But I'm not surprised ya didn't. You kinda have a full plate as it is." Barry rose as well. "Need any help?"

"I set the table earlier, but I would appreciate help with dishes."

Barry complimented Nodoka on dinner, and helped her clean up afterwards. He sat down again and waited for her to show her hand. She took her time, preparing tea and kneeling comfortably beside the table as she had done at dinner. It was getting late, but she seemed to be in no hurry. He wondered how Akane was doing and barely refrained from cracking a yawn. At least she seemed to have calmed down after that heart-to-heart about the family sword.

"Mr. Barlowe, why do you suppose you have been placed in my son's body?"

He blinked. "You mean, presuming there is a higher consciousness at work here?"

"I suppose." She sipped her tea, eyes on the table top.

"I don't know. I've been trying so hard to get Ranma back and myself home that I haven't given it any thought." He frowned. Was there some higher purpose here? If there was, did that mean when the purpose was fulfilled, he could return?

"This is so strange and so... I'm trying to understand why this happened." He saw tears threaten and be controlled. "Has Ranma really been afraid I would use this?" She indicated the katana.

"He's not afraid of that, not for himself. He worries occasionally that you'll use it on Genma."

"The idea has been tempting," she replied quietly, contemplating a panda rug.

"Heh-heh! Seriously, though, Ranma's not afraid of death. At least not his own. But he does have a few fears: A big one is that he'll disappoint you. To him, that katana symbolizes the possibility that you don't love him, because he doesn't live up to your expectations." Nodoka's face went white. "If he knew that you loved him, he'd gladly chop himself into little bits if you asked."

"Then, whenever I came carrying the katana..."

"He saw it as his mother saying, 'Prove to me that you deserve to be loved'." Barry saw the look of horror she gave the weapon and smiled sadly, knowing what was going through her mind. "Just tell him when he gets back," he said softly as silent tears started down her face.

"You did so well at impersonating my son, Barry-san," she said striving to move past the horror that her son had doubts about what she felt for him. "How did you do it?" Nodoka poured him some more tea, then allowed him to refill her cup.

"I was inside his head with him for a month, Mrs. Saotome. And I have performed on stage, though it was only at a collegiate level." He savored the tea, so different from western tea. "Ranma is... unique. I've never met anyone like him." Barry stared at the wall and rolled the china cup between his hands. "I'm not talking about his curse, either. I'm talking about his ethics, his drive, his passion for excellence and his forgiving nature. You should be proud of your son, Nodoka Saotome."

Barry hated to see a woman weep.

Ranma looked at the package in his hands. He looked at Gwen. She put the car in reverse and backed away from the barn.

"Think of it as an early birthday present."

As she pulled out of the driveway, he tore open the package and pulled out a hardback book, Journeys Beyond the Body. He opened to the table of contents and saw listings for cases of out-of-body experiences, second sight, dreams... He turned to Gwen. "Why?" he laughed.

"You've only been talking about it all this week," she snorted. She reached over and patted his leg. "I figured I'd indulge you just this once."

"Thanks!" He began to flip through the book.

"Why do you want that stuff, anyway?"

Ranma froze imperceptibly and grinned. "It's just... stuff. Something weird happened to me when Buddy threw me. I'm trying to figure out what happened and what it might mean." He was playing with fire he knew, but he learned in the last week that not having some kind of answer for her would be worse. Gwen scared the hell out of him once before by going all feminine and sexy when she wanted him to do something. A little information, leaked out now and then, kept things on a safer level.

She shot a glance his way with some concern. "You had an out-of-body experience?"

"Not exactly." He tried to decide what to tell her. "I felt like I traveled somewhere."

"You did," she chuckled. "From the horse to the ground."

"Hah. Hah. Very funny." He was silent for a moment, leafing through the book.

"Are you really serious, Barry?" He didn't answer her right away. "You're scaring me," she said.

"Boo!"

"Barry!"

"Sorry, Gwen. If I can find what I'm lookin' for in here, I'll explain. I just don't have the words to tell ya what happened." He reached over and patted her arm.

Gwen sighed, exasperated. "You've just been acting so strange, lately. I hope you can work out your problems soon. How was work?"

Ranma closed the book with a snap and told her, starting with the sale of Buddy and the attitude he was getting from Bob and finishing with the rescue of the horse today and Bob's lack of gratitude.

Gwen fumed, forgetting the book now. "I can't believe it! Why is he acting this way?"

"I'm not sure." Ranma rubbed the back of his head in thought. "Something about liability. He's got something on his mind, that's for sure!"

The drive home was uneventful. Ranma caught Brendan in mid-air as he came off the porch in a leap. Gwen sighed and shook her head, then goosed Ranma as he roughhoused with the boy. At least he was acting like he felt better. Maybe she could get some 'action' this evening.

Ranma had other ideas. He was totally absorbed by the information in the book. After a shower and dinner, he sat in bed and continued to pour over the book. A lot was pure fantasy, or at least not ki-oriented. Some looked like it might prove interesting. And since this book was a compilation of stories and had an extensive bibliography...

He chuckled to himself. Barry's memories might get him out of a bind here. Ranma was not a scholar of anything outside martial arts, a pattern of behavior the old man had forced on him and he failed to question. To be honest, Genma made Ranma go to school with Akane only to keep them in each other's presence. Bibliography was just so much gobbelty-gook until he glanced at that page in the book. Suddenly, Barry's memories offered him the information that these were listings of far more extensive writings on individual stories in his book. 'So, that's what resource material is,' he thought. Now he could browse through this and anything that looked promising, he could go back to the library and…

"Watcha doin' this evening, handsome?" Gwen slid into bed with him. Ranma immediately considered that Barry's memories were going to get him into trouble here. She expertly lifted an arm and snuggled close, fitting against his side with easy familiarity. He barely restrained a flinch. Inwardly he cringed as a flame-eyed Nodoka stood above him with a dripping katana. 'Are you a man?' she growled. The image was replaced by an angry, crying Akane. 'Pervert! I knew I couldn't trust you.' A mallet swung. He shivered. He'd rather face the katana than make Akane cry again. He let his arm lay where it was, as Gwen had a sort of death-grip on it, and quickly scanned around for some distraction to offer her. His ki-vision was operating again. He searched for Brendan. He was soundly asleep. He searched for the others in the house — asleep or busy elsewhere. He was astonished at what he saw in Gwen's mother. He had never seen the aura of anyone so ill before. In the body and organ-function layers of her ki, he could finally see the imbalance and inactivity when compared to Gwen's or his own.

"Barry?" Gwen stroked his chest and squeezed him to get attention.

"Wha—? Oh! Sorry, Gwen. Just thinking about your mom."

The warmth of her aura changed and chilled like his soul-of-ice technique. Her grip became tighter and he felt her shudder. He put the book down and turned toward her. This level of grief required comfort. 'The life of a martial artist is fraught with peril.' This scared him silly. He put both arms about her and rocked her, as Barry would have, had he been there.

"Thanks," Gwen said finally. She sighed, maintaining her hold and snuggled even closer. "This is nice," she whispered. "I really missed just having you hold me this past week."

"Oh?"

"Yes. You've been sore... or something," she added darkly. "And it's so hard dealing with this, anyway. Sometimes, I just need held."

"How's your mother been?" Ranma asked quietly.

"The same. She's not good, and the doctor said she's not going to get any better." Gwen sniffed and he realized she was controlling tears. "Every once in a while, she'll suddenly get worse, then she'll stay that way for a while, then…" He hugged her tightly. "All we can do," Gwen finished, "is try to make her comfortable and make sure she knows she's loved. We're trying to give her everything she wants, and sometimes I get so tired of being 'Mommy' to both my parent and my child. They call it the 'Mommy Trap'. I need someone to take care of me once in a while."

She played with his chest hairs and left her head resting on his shoulder. Ranma debated whether he could get his book without getting into trouble, but decided it was not a good idea to move right now.

"I love you," she said suddenly.

"I love you, too." He didn't even fight the response anymore. It was too ingrained. Ranma was suddenly intrigued. How long had Barry and Gwen been saying that?

"About fifteen years," Gwen said with an audible smile. He twitched, startled. He must have asked that out loud. "Right upstairs, in fact, in the front entry. You were about to go home and kissed me, and the kiss got really, really nice, and you said it when we came up for air. It turned into a forty-five minute goodbye."

Ranma chuckled. With that kind of background, no wonder Barry was a romantic.

"Do you know when I decided I was going to marry you?" Gwen asked.

"Ummm… Right after I proposed?" he hazarded.

"Not even close! You came up to the house right after we moved in, while we were still putting stuff away, and you introduced yourself, all serious and formal, but friendly at the same time. You asked if we needed any help."

Barry's memories were sparking. "That was… fifth grade?"

"Yes; I was in fourth. And you were so disappointed there weren't any boys your age to play with. But when Mom introduced us, you smiled and were polite…"

Barry's memories provided more flashes.

Gwen, gawky, nervous in the new neighborhood, her hair cut short, much like the style Akane wore now. She was a girl with a pretty smile and a hot temper. She could be an unmitigated brat at times and, at first, tried to get his attention all the time. Later, she faded out of his life, only to return when they were assigned to the same bus stop in junior high school. Barry watched her without paying much attention, until a day when it rained and she was caught without an umbrella. He offered her his umbrella and when she refused, walked over and stood next to her. 'Since I happen to be standing here, you won't mind taking advantage of the cover, right?' Barry had said. It was an act of kindness, nothing more, but it started the roller coaster going again.

It had been different the second time. They talked — about school, friends, interests, home-life. None of it was tinged with either the intense infatuation or the aggravation Ranma and Akane suffered because of the fathers trying to force them together. Barry and Gwen found they both liked a science fiction program on TV at the time and began sitting together on the bus and doing homework together.

Gwen just cuddled against him and talked about their life together. It wasn't a life of mortal danger and impossible odds, but there had been trials, pain and suffering. But whatever came, they always knew they could count on the other. "The smartest thing I ever did was to marry my best friend. You've always been there when I needed you," she concluded.

After a while, Gwen sat up, kissed him gently on the cheek and reached to her bedside table to retrieve a book of her own. Then, snuggling back into his side, she read her historical romance novel. Barry picked up his book again, relieved and puzzled by her actions. She wasn't coming on to him tonight ...yet, which was a relief. At the same time, she gave him a lot to think about, in terms of what it meant to be married and what it took to make a relationship work.

Ranma fell asleep reading and never noticed Gwen gently remove the book, tuck the covers around his shoulders and turn out the light.

Nodoka was a light sleeper and awakened the moment Barry began to stir. Genma tried to ambush Barry, but due in part to the alertness caused by the tense atmosphere the night before, failed miserably. Barry gave him a good workout and cunningly avoided 'going girl'.

"Good morning, Momma," Barry said carefully as they sat down to breakfast. Genma had, with his son's presence, fallen back on a certain training method that soon had Nodoka examining the edge of the katana during the food stealing it entailed. Genma got the point (and nearly the edge) immediately and behaved himself. Barry had to be corrected several times on proper Japanese table manners, something that had been largely skipped in Ranma's education.

Sunday was quiet, if quiet meant multiple attempts by Genma to attack Ranma regardless of the prevailing circumstances. Barry used nothing but jujitsu on the man, in response to his criticism the night before. When Mousse arrived with the scroll, he politely wrapped Genma to a pole with some chains so they could have some peace. Where Mousse had been guardedly positive when he thought he was dealing with Ranma, he was buoyantly confident with Barry. It was very irritating.

Sunday night, Barry offered a schedule of activities to Nodoka to help her judge how each school day was spent. She was not happy about the time he spent 'unsupervised' but admitted that there were only so many hours in a day. Barry arranged to go with her to open Ucchan's, after which he would escort Ukyo to Ryoga's, pick up the lost-boy if necessary, then meet Akane on her way to school.

Monday morning began with Genma's standard 'surprise attack at dawn'. After getting dressed, Barry dropped a hog-tied and gagged Genma beside the table and sat down to eat in peace. Nodoka eyed the sweating Genma and shook her head. She'd release him after they finished eating. Genma was furious, but mellowed a little when Barry made sure he had a reasonably large serving waiting for his release. Leaving Genma to his breakfast, Barry and Nodoka leaped for the rooftops and headed for Ucchan's. As usual, things didn't go exactly as planned.

As they moved toward the okonomiyaki shop, Barry sensed Akane on her normal Nerima-crossing obstacle course. He quickly determined that she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings and warned Nodoka he planned to ambush her.

"Why? Are you trying to imitate Genma?" she immediately responded. He didn't wait to explain but shifted off at high speed to select his interception point. Nodoka followed, appalled by the speed of her possessed son. As near as she could tell, Akane was apparently too self-absorbed to notice their approach.

She watched Barry get close and yell, practically in the girl's ear, "Swee-to!" Akane's response was gratifying.

"Pervert!" (BAM!) Akane's battle aura flamed, as she stood poised to do more damage. As she recognized the figure pulling itself out of the trashcans in the alleyway, she said, "Oh, it's only you."

"Nice recovery, tomboy," Barry grumped. He leaped up to join her again. "But I should never have gotten that close without you noticing me." He shook some coffee grounds out of his hair and nodded to Nodoka as she arrived. Akane boggled a bit at seeing the Saotome matriarch out this early and on rooftops, but greeted her civilly, especially in light of the conversation the night before. She frowned at the katana but accepted the necessity. Why provide panda-baka with extra beer money?

Nodoka looked at Barry coldly. "I recognized that battle-cry," she remarked. "Should I expect you would have duplicated Happosai's standard attack if Akane failed to respond properly?"

"Hell, no," Barry exclaimed. "Give me credit for some common sense!"

"Barry'd be in a world of pain if he ever tried that," Akane agreed, glaring.

Barry grinned at her words, but kept his eyes on Nodoka. She blinked, glanced back and forth between them and shrugged.

"Akari's taking Ryoga to school," Akane said making motions of holding a phone to her ear. "I'll meet you at Ucchan's and we'll go together."

"See ya later!" Barry said. Akane took off like a rocket, cartwheeling, flipping and leaping across the rooftops.

Nodoka looked aggravated. "What was the point of all that?" she demanded.

"Akane was putting herself at risk and not just from Happosai. Ranma and his friends have a quite a few people who are a bit unhappy with them," Barry said. "And neither Ranma or I object to Genma's attacks... just to their predictability. He's getting to be at bad as Kato to my Inspector Clusoe."

Nodoka stared at him for a moment. "Let's get to Ukyo's, shall we?" she said.

Kaisha Timoosato nervously stood aside as Ranma deposited her books on her desk in homeroom. She almost called in sick today, to avoid having to deal with the pervert that she believed Ranma Saotome to be. He hadn't tried anything yet, but she just knew he would! "Need anything else, Kaisha-san?" She froze, and stared into the blue eyes that held hers almost hypnotically. She swallowed and tried to find something to say, then shook her head.

"See you at lunchtime, then," Barry said, winking at her and turning on his heel. He almost walked right into Kaisha's boyfriend, Akatsuke. "Hey, man! How's it going?" He took in the dark face and the clenching fists and recognized a case of raging jealousy. "Never mind, I can see you're unhappy. Let's go out in the hall and talk there."

Once in the hall, Akatsuke got right to the point. "You better not touch her, Saotome!"

There were several responses Barry could have given, mostly typical testosterone-inspired responses that would end in a ludicrous fight where he either embarrassed or injured his opponent. He had been searching for an alternative response since Amazon Month started and had begun to refine his lines. "I don't want or need another fiancée, Akatsuke," Barry replied, "and Kaisha's got more self-respect than to settle for anything less. Don't get your shorts in a knot!"

"She's trying to add herself to your pack of fiancées?" the young man said in a horrified gargle.

Barry reviewed what he said and groaned. Around Ranma, if a statement could be taken wrong... "No! Aren't you using your eyes?" he exclaimed. "She doesn't even like me! So far as she's concerned, I'm a weird pervert waitin' to jump her the moment she drops her guard. Cripes! I get enough of that from Akane!" Suddenly, water spurted and hit the irritated form of Ranma. An inevitable change occurred. The inevitable complaint arose. "Wadja do that for?" Barry turned and glared at Shampoo, who stood lazily nearby, squirt gun in hand.

She raised an eyebrow. "Ranma think he make bad talk about Akane and get away with it?" she asked lightly. "Ranma should know better! Shampoo understand it hard for boy to see Ranma with girlfriend. Boys should remember what First Four do to Ranma if he forget self and act badly."

"Fer kami's sake, Shampoo," Barry whined, shaking water from her hair, "Speak properly! Do it for yer own self-respect, if nothin' else."

Shampoo looked as if she'd like to do violence and everyone backed away. Some speculated whether a wedgie would have the same effect on Ranma's female form as male. Barry locked eyes with her and didn't back down. Shampoo finally turned away. "You are right," she said finally. "I should speak for myself." She looked over her shoulder coldly. "You should get some hot water." She strode away.

Barry turned and found Akatsuke staring after the Amazon. She stomped over and glared at him. "Still wanna fight?"

The young man shook his head.

Barry looked beyond him to where Kaisha stood in the doorway of her homeroom, a worried expression on her face and her eyes on Akatsuke. Barry's mouth twisted in a painful, sarcastic smirk. "I think maybe ya oughta talk to Kaisha, then. I think she's worryin' I'm gonna try ta steal you from her!" That said, she turned and headed for the nurse's office in search of hot water.

Ranma woke with a start. Strange feelings washed over him. Fingers stroked over his body, tracing lines of fire. Kisses marched across his ear, down his neck and over his chest. His whole body twisted automatically toward the source of these sensations. His hand suddenly found purchase on something round and warm and squishy. The resultant moan raised the hair on the back of his neck.

Barry's memories were immediately feeding Ranma information on how to further stimulate Gwen, including most sensitive erogenous zones, most preferred sequence of stimulation, how to judge muscle tension and the tone of her voice in order to stimulate her to the highest degree of pleasure, how it felt to be joined in the act of love...

"Ack!" (THUMP!) "Owie!"

"Barry, are you all right?"

"Oh, man..."

"Oh, Barry! (Sigh!) You would be sleeping right on the edge of the bed." A form slithered across the bed and the shadow of a head looked over the edge. Slowly, crouched to hide his response to the over-stimulation, Ranma rose from the floor and stumbled into the bathroom. As the minutes ticked away, Gwen flopped back onto her pillows and huffed, "You'd think he was avoiding me!"