Panda: Oh my God… the last time I updated was May 16, 2005. Today is July 15, 2005. Nearly for 2 months I didn't update. You thought I was going to leave this story to rot? How could you? I am a Panda; Panda's don't just give up! Ha! So I leave you, my friends, to take a good look at this and say… "WHERE THE BEEP HAVE YOU BEEN?"

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma and InuYasha; they both go to the same creator, Rumiko Takahashi.

WARNING: I AM NOT SENDING THIS TO MY BETA READER TO SPELL CHECK THIS BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO PUT MY CHAPTER IN HERE SINCE IT HAS BEEN SO LONG! SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE OR READ THIS STORY BECAUSE OF GRAMMAR MISTAKES, I SUGGEST YOU LEAVE AND CLAIM HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT YOU ARE. THANK YOU THAT IS ALL.

Chapter Four: Rivalry

Ranma and Kagome exchanged glances. One thinking, what the hell is going here? The other muttering, what the hell is SHE doing here? Both minds didn't exactly have their answers directly but they could tell what was coming next.

"Look out!" Cried Ranma as he tried to reach out for Kagome's hand—but failed to come to her reach, leaving his right arm slightly twisted in a very still position. Along with his body slightly leaned forward.

"Kyaaa!" Kagome quickly ducked from Shampoo's snake-like speed and caused another hole in Ranma's bedroom. Shampoo flipped backwards and got into her fighting stance again and narrowed her deadly eyes to her prey.

"You girl! You steal away Ranma!" Shampoo snarled pushing more force into her fists. "Rumors at Nekohaten, Ranma pick up girl from streets and take home!"

Outraged of Shampoo's remark—yet at the same time slightly scared, Kagome stood straight up, put two of her clenched fists to both of her sides and screamed, "THEN WHY THE HECK ARE YOU ATTACKING ME FOR?" Kagome's voice nearly made Shampoo flinched—that including Ranma, who was only watching rather dumbly. "I—I was saved by Ranma because I was mysteriously left on streets that were pouring with rain. Not—not because I was some type of underage prostitute!"

At first Shampoo was stunned by Kagome's bravely to even speak to HER like this. At first she looked terrified, and then something else switched her personality… anger. But why the sudden switch? Why the sudden change? Shampoo's jaw-dropping expression came off as she shook off the thought and returned to the angered Amazon warrior she was. "Shut up girl! You lie! You steal—

"That's enough Shampoo."

A familiar tone mysteriously sent chills to Shampoo's spine. Usually he would cry out stop or go in-between the battle himself, but never would he ever say such a simple command which fused in a mysterious like atmosphere of dead seriousness. There was one thing for sure though, she knew, that this wasn't going to be another ordinary day with fights with her rivals or pleading Ranma to go on dates with her. She knew—that this one girl definitely did something to Ranma. So she stopped and listened to the thick silence. His words still repeated in her mind. His tone still repeated in his mind. Worst of all, she… that girl's face was carved deeply in her mind.

Ranma walked passed the stiff girl and went to Kagome. She was still standing, sending her attention to the floor. One sweat trickle down her temple slightly embarrassed for Shampoo. "Are you okay Kagome?" Ranma asked very soft and sincere like InuYasha would after Kagome and he were in battle. His words, voice and personality. Even though Kagome has only known Ranma for several hours, to her, it felt like she's known him forever.

Blood rushed to her cheeks and Kagome's head slightly turned, "yeah. I'm okay."

The InuYasha-like figure turned back to Shampoo. "I'm not in the mood Shampoo. Kagome already explained the story here so there's nothing to do but for you to leave."

She looked up to him rather innocently with guilt heavily slapped in her eyes. She never spoke a word thanks to the awkwardness of that girl and him.

"Now!" He immediately shouted out the anger dwelling deep within him and stared at her like an abusive father.

She didn't dare to disobey him—so she left with slight tears begging to slide down her cheeks. Before she glided out the balcony, she took one good last look at this new 'Kagome' girl—and disappeared through the night like a cat…

"You went a little too hard on her Ranma." Kagome looked at her savior with a worried expression—considering this new feeling she was having.

"I know—I know… but for now… I—I'm going to go downstairs now, you just rest!" He ran out the door and went down the stairs. He turned at a corner and found Akane sitting near the fish-pond. She was talking to P-Chan again. He didn't want to eavesdrop but—she was muttering something.

"P-Chan… who was that girl? It looks like Ranma and her known each other eversince yet they just met. I just have this weird feeling—it bothers me P-Chan… maybe I'm just paranoid, right?" She poked the black piggy and it responded by a cute squeal. "I know—it's going to take a while for me to get use to this new Ranma."

"Akane…" Ranma muttered. She was looking up the night-sky, silent as the shadows yet…

(InuYasha's Time)

"So—what is this assistance that you require, Master?" bowed down an armor lizard demon to a rather dark Lord.

He chuckled darkly and looked at his servant, "do you remember of that woman that wanted to speak to me? Send her in."

"As you wish…" The lizard servant snapped his fingers and two little demons escorted her to the Lord's room.

A woman, dressed in a red kimono with orange silks sat down formally and bowed lower then the lizard-servant. "Naraku-Sama… everything went going according to plans."

"Excellent. Kagome… I believed you sent her back to her own time yes?"

"Yes I have Naraku-Sama and the virus has worn off, also."

"Fufufu… interesting. So there is a cure in the future after all." He coughed slightly, "damn that useless dog… he is growing much powerful…"

"InuYasha? Yes but he is also left heart-broken—which has made him weaker in my opinion."

"Oh? Is there a way for me to see of what Kagome is doing now?"

"Yes Naraku-Sama." She went up closer to the demon and put her hand against his forehead. She inhaled and slowly focused her powers on the future. Seconds later, Naraku got the view from the beginning to where Kagome is now. Naraku chuckled deeply as the woman's hand came off his forehead and sat back to her previous position.

"Interesting. That boy is InuYasha's reincarnation. Ranma, I believe?"

"Yes Naraku-Sama."

"This is rather amusing…"

"Not to rudely interrupt, but did you only wanted me to show you the girl?"

"No… not at all Miho. In fact… I have one more request for you…

TO BE CONTINUED….

I CAN'T GIVE FEEDBACK NOW BECAUSE DAD IS YELLING I HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP OKIES NOW BYE BYE