Title: Saiyajinnyannichuan – Spring of drowned female Saiyan

Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ as well as Akira Toriyama and Funimation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the other trademarks mentioned in this story.

This story takes place at the beginning of the Ranma ½ series and several years after the Cell Games Saga. It's an AU, and reviews are welcome and appreciated.


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Chapter 5: Encounters of the Kuno kind


The next morning began different for Ranma than usual. Her normal routine of being woken up had been to have a bucket of water thrown into her face, and regardless of how often she had pounded her father flat for it he had not learned.


This Sunday morning Ranma awoke in a comfy bed in the guestroom she had to just herself. True to the contract her father had had to sleep in the same room as Soun Tendo, and to be honest, Ranma felt for the man. Her father was a world-class snorer, and it had taken her several years to be able to tune the ear-shattering noise out.


Ranma stretched lazily in her bed as she wondered why her father had not tried to wake her up for their morning spar. Normally he would have gone out of his way to do so, and knowing her father she'd probably have been thrown into the pond or something.


"RANMA! BREAKFAST!" was suddenly called from downstairs, and Ranma smiled to herself. Yes, this was the way to wake up, and she could very well get used to.


Smiling to herself she yelled "COMING!" while she walked towards the door. Sensing that she was the only one in this story aside from Nabiki who was still snoring gauging from her aura, Ranma went downstairs in her nightie.


This was a piece of clothing she had borrowed from Kasumi, who was the nearest to her size. She had to admit, it had felt a lot better to sleep in a nightie than in panties and bra only and it was really no comparison to how she had slept on their way back, in her clothes.


In the village the Elder had broken her off the habit to wear boxers and male clothes quite fast. How she'd done it Ranma did not know to the present day, but in hindsight she had to admit that the Elder had been right. Panties just felt a lot better down there, and a bra had finally given her the support she needed with a bustline like hers. After that she had been able to fight a lot better, as certain parts of her anatomy were not irritating her any more.


But as this female body had become her new temple she had followed the logic of Elder Cologne that she had to take good care of it. Which also meant wearing female clothing. Ranma, who was presently going through her morning routine in the bathroom remembered with fondness how her father had reacted when he had realized what his former man among men was wearing.

The baka panda had demanded that she change back into manly attire immediately, but a lengthy 'discussion' had convinced him to keep his convictions to himself. With all the peace of mind she had gained in the last few months Ranma went through her morning routine, and was soon ready to take on whatever the day would throw at her.


Exiting the bathroom she planned to go directly to the kitchen to look if she could help Kasumi with anything. When she passed the living room however she noticed that Akane was sitting at the low table on her usual cushion. She had also seen that the old farts were up already; they were sitting at some kind of board, and both had looked up at her entrance.


Before Genma could begin to shout at her she smiled seductively at her 'fiancée'. "Good morning, honey. I hope you rested well."


Akane nearly spit her tea out, but she remembered fast enough how she was supposed to act. Gulping her tea down she answered with a smile of her own. "But of course, love. How was your rest?"


Ranma smiled as she stepped behind Akane, and she decided spontaneously to one up on the old farts. Smiling she began to massage Akane's shoulders as she answered. "Marvellous. I have not had such a good nights rest in a long time. Although I wondered why oyaji did not try to wake me up…"


The youngest Tendo girl who was enjoying the impromptu massage very much (damn, Ranma was good at this!) snorted in amusement. "That would be because Kasumi asked him nicely." she said, stressing the word nicely.


The redhead smiled. "I'll have to thank her for that. And besides, sparing with baka pops over there ain't no challenge any more." she stated matter-of-factly.


Genma, who had followed the conversation undecided, felt it prudent to voice that he felt insulted. "Bah, you're talking nonsense, boy! You barely know half of what I have to teach you, and if you're an honourable son I might consider teaching it to you. To this end you have to marry Akane as soon as possible. And now go and change back into my manly son!" he demanded.


Ranma nodded to herself while she continued to massage Akane. So she had been right. Her idiot father had voluntarily held back on her and was no trying to bait her with the scrolls. Well, he would have little luck with it...


Once she had taught the techniques to the Tendo girls who were not of blood relation to Genma, much to their luck, they would probably even be able to kick his ass. Ranma figured that baka pops would not notice that she was teaching the techniques of the Saotome school to her new students.


In face of having the better cards she just turned around with a smirk. "Pops, remember Condition One of the contract? No meddling with the engagement. And what does Condition Three say? We carry the engagement out as we see fit. And Akane has asked me to be her sensei. As she is not comfortable with a male sensei for obvious reasons, you will refrain from interfering. Now that my love received her morning massage I'll get me some breakfast. And now excuse me, while you return your attention to cheating as you always do."


That said she left for the kitchen, leaving two stunned fathers in her wake. Genma grumbled after recovering, while Soun erupted into a torrent of tears. "WAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! My baby girl has a sensei other than me! WAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"


Feeling her temper flare Akane whirled around. "Yes, and finally! Had you taught me better instead of moping around I would not need to begin nearly from scratch again! And Ranma wants to teach me for real, father, unlike you!" she ground out.


Her harsh but true statement left the Tendo patriarch stunned once more, and in the sudden quiet a certain Master of the Tendo Ryu was completely ignored by his youngest who helped herself to some more breakfast. Genma used the good opportunity to rearrange the board somewhat in his favour. Few moments later Ranma came back from the kitchen and the end of the conversation she had held with Kasumi could be heard.


Ranma had apparently giggled at something Kasumi had said. "…would not mind if you did it again, Kasumi! That was nice. Oh, and be ready for training at 9 a.m., okay?"


Kasumi confirmed with a "Hai, sensei." and a happy Ranma sat down beside a grumpy Akane. "Hey, what's up, Akane?" she asked as she laid a hand on her shoulder. "Did they say anything stupid, love?"


Akane turned her face towards Ranma, and oddly all her anger seemed to evaporate in face of the genuine care in Ranma's expression. "I was just angry at father because he engaged his waterworks over the fact that you're my new sensei. He can be so thoughtless sometimes!" she exclaimed.


Ranma sat down beside Akane and grabbed her hand. "That's normal for men, love. Don't mind them, they can't help it."


The youngest Tendo girl suppressed her laughter with difficulty and only managed to do so through thinking of bad things that had happened to her. When she trusted her voice again she nodded solemnly. "I suppose you are right, honey." she said, acting it out perfectly. "They're just men, and men were once perverted boys. Kami-sama help us girls." she exclaimed and threw her hands into the air.


Ranma nodded solemnly too. "How right you are, love." she answered.


Now it had apparently gone too far for the fathers. "BOY, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS! YOU ARE MY SON, AND NOT SOME STUPID AND WEAK GIRL! NOW BEHAVE LIKE MY SON AGAIN!" Genma bellowed.


Slowly both girls turned around to Genma, and both glared daggers at him. "Do you see a boy here, oyaji no baka? No! So keep your trapdoor shut and let us enjoy our breakfast in peace and quiet. I need my peace and quiet, or you will see me angry. Remember what happens when I get angry?" Ranma threatened.


Genma gulped, and Soun, who had never had much backbone in the first place shrank back from the angry females. "Boy," Genma began weakly, "I demand that you change into my manly son! I have no daughter!" he finished somewhat stronger.


Ranma just glared and leaned over to Akane. "Akane-chan, I'm sure you remember why it isn't advisable to irritate me at the moment, right?" she asked. At Akane's weary nod she continued. "Now you see what happens when I don't apply the soul of ice during that time. Better stand back somewhat, I don't want you getting hurt." she said with an already dangerous glint in her eyes.


Gulping, Akane complied, and inwardly she wondered if she'd finally see someone with an even more volatile temper than her.


Ranma, for her part, had gotten up from her comfy cushion, and she had just finished her bowl of rice. Her first bowl of rice. "Oyaji, I had only one bowl of rice before I was rudely interrupted and yelled at." she said, and with each word the temperature seemed to rise. Oh yes, the soul of ice was currently on vacation alright. "Do you remember what happens when I am hungry, get distracted from my breakfast and have just started my time? DO YOU?" she bellowed, and a red aura sprang up around her.


Soun and Genma scrambled away from her, and in a moment of bravery Genma threw his cup of tea at her. However, the pot sans content was simply incinerated at Ranma's battle aura, and for the first time Akane noticed the difference between Ranma's battle-aura and her own. For one, Ranma's was apparently a lot more dangerous, and second, a lot more powerful.


Ranma growled as she stalked towards her prey. Akane, who was standing at a safe distance heard Ranma growl. She also heard her father whimper and thought she heard something like "Just like the master… horrible!"


The redhead did not know who this master was, thus she ignored it. What was not ignored was that quivering mass before her that called himself her father. "I warned you, oyaji. I warned you repeatedly what would happen if you called me a weak girl. AND DAMN IT TO HELL, FINALLY ACCEPT THAT YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER, FOR KAMI-SAMAS SAKE! DO I LOOK LIKE A BOY, OYAJI NO BAKA?"


Genma, too scared to give a witty retort, could only nod dumbly and give a stupid retort. "But… but… I don't have a daughter… girls are weak… and useless. No, no… I can't have a daughter… No-chan would have my head… no, I can't… I won't… I don't want a daughter! You are not my daughter!" he insisted.


Akane could tell instantly that Genma, who'd obviously fought an internal battle of some kind, had made a big mistake, and also Kasumi who had come into the living room to see what the source of the noise was saw that this would not end well for Genma Saotome. "YOU IDIOT!" Ranma bellowed like only a female on hormonal high can. "DO YOU NEED NEW GLASSES OR WHAT? FOR THE LAST FREAKING TIME, DO I LOOK LIKE A BOY TO YOU?" she yelled, and her tail swished behind her in agitation.


"No, you look like a weak, little girl. But that is something a bit of hot water could certainly change, missy!" he taunted, now once more sure of his footing.


But Genma thusly proved his inability to adapt once again, and his misogyny seemed to be too deeply ingrained into him as that it had been beaten out of him yet. Well, that could be changed...


---


Watching Ranma in the next few moments was like watching how a nova exploded, and it was certainly as impressive. First her face grew progressively redder, and also Nabiki, who had been rudely awoken by the yelling, was witness how Ranma seemed to grow. Her coal-black eyes suddenly seemed to flicker and looked teal all of a sudden, but moments later her eye-colour was back to normal. And then she exploded.


Her mallet suddenly just appeared from malletspace, and it was an exemplar that impressed even Akane. With a yell of "OYAJI NO BAKA!" the mallet was swung in a beautiful arc and connected solidly with Genma's chin. Said idiot father was turned into a human missile and launched out of the room, right through the roof.


Ranma growled once more and visibly got herself under control, now that the object of her ire was removed. It grew colder in the room and the three Tendo girls knew why. Soun Tendo however had the feeling as if someone had walked over his grave and he shuddered even more when a pair of cold black eyes drilled a hole into him. "Got anything to add, Mr. Tendo?" she asked in a cold voice, fact that let Akane knew that Ranma was back in control.


Her father did not know, though, and one could see in his eyes that he was even more cowed than when she herself had had one of her temper tantrums. But she had to admit that Ranma had been very impressive, and she was indeed someone you did not want to cross when angry. Thus her father only shook his head. "N… no, Ranma. Everything is fine, heh heh."


The redhead nodded satisfied. "Good to hear that. And now excuse me while I resume my breakfast." she said with her head held high.


Even Nabiki was impressed, and she shared a look with Kasumi, who was still standing routed to the spot. Both nodded. Ranma had not exaggerated. She was like a fury when she had her time. "Morning, father." Nabiki drawled. "Had a nice talk?"


Soun smiled weakly, while Kasumi disappeared into the kitchen. "Y… yes, daughter. You could say so, heh heh."


Nabiki nodded with a glint in her eyes and barely suppressed a smirk. So her new imotouchan had found out how she could cow their father now, had she? And damn had she done it in an impressive way! The mercenary girl made a mental notice not to cross Ranma during her time, or things could turn very ugly. No, better make that 'not cross her at all'. That performance had been scary! Inspiring, but scary.


---


And the day remained scary for the fathers; with some very good playacting the Tendo sisters managed to manoeuvre the fathers into a situation where they had no other choice but to contribute their parts to the household budget. Even Genma wilted under the glares, icy-cold stares and disapproving looks of the four girls and had agreed to teach in tandem with Soun.


The rest of the day was spent training, and Ranma began to instruct the three Tendo sisters in the basic Anything Goes Moves. In Akane's case she had to remedy the mistakes which had been caused by learning on her own, but her sister had a lot of potential. Nabiki was fit as a fiddle due to her yoga training, and Kasumi, well, she showed a surprising aptitude for the Art, and the physical fitness she'd gained from her gymnastics proved to be advantageous.


The surprise had apparently been obvious on Ranmas face, and the looks from Nabiki and Akane promised a full explanation later. After training as scheduled the four girls relaxed in the furo, and especially the Tendo sisters were dead on their feet after the strenuous training. They barely managed to prepare lunch, and especially Akane and Nabiki sent baleful glares at their 'torturer'. The still chipper Ranma just smirked, her smirk promising that it would only get worse.


---


At exactly 5:48 a.m. on a mild but still dark Monday morning Ranma Saotome was rudely awoken by an unexpected attack. Before she could've blinked the redhead had been thrown out of the open window and into the koi-pond. Landing in said pond with a huge splash served to wake up the redhead instantly and completely; the method to induce her wakefulness awoke something else, too: a burning anger.


As expected, her father stood at the windowsill with a big smirk. "'Sis your own fault, you weak girl. Had you had your guard up you'd still be dry. Oh why am I cursed with such a disgrace of a son?"


Spitting out a mouthful of pond-water Ranma growled and swam to the shore; no need to give in and toast the poor koi. Toasting her idiot father sounded so much better. With an evil smirk that promised great pain Ranma climbed out of the pond and flared her aura, effectively drying herself. She noticed with satisfaction that her aura had increased in size and power since last time, and the redhead enjoyed the look of surprise and fear on her fathers´ face. With a giant leap Ranma landed on the windowsill and prowled into the room like a predator.


At seeing the look in Ranma's eyes Genma knew fear, and before the portly man could stutter out an excuse (unlikely) or an explanation to safe his sorry hide (very likely) Ranma had reached him and bashed him over the head so that he saw stars; then she grabbed him, hauled him over her shoulder and threw him out of the window. Her aim was not the koi-pond, and Genma sailed right into the wall, face first; the fat man was imbedded deeply within said wall and keeled over backwards.


Ranma smirked and congratulated herself to her good aim; then she jumped down, ready to deal out the real punishment.


Down in the garden Genma awoke with a groan, and his initial thought processes were slow and hazy. 'Ouch, what the heck hit me? Ahh, the wall... yea, that would do it.' Genma thought.


With another groan he propped himself up on his elbows and got to his feet. Then he cracked his joints to reestablish full mobility; he´d the feeling that he´d need it. And looking at Ranma he knew it...


---


To Genma his son-turned-daughter looked scarier than Nodoka ever had and even the master seemed to pale in comparison, which was a gruesome thought in and on itself. The air around Ranma seemed to be charged with energy, and her spiky hair stood up even straighter. As the redhead stalked towards him ever so slowly but unstoppable like the tide Genma felt that it would be a good idea to say his prayers...


Then his world exploded in pain and he was sent flying upwards by an unseen blow. Genma prepared himself for a hard landing, but it would get even harder than he'd thought. For Ranma jumped high into the air and hammered her surprised father straight into the ground with a double-fisted blow. The balding man was sent towards the ground like a missile and created a man-sized crater upon impact.


Ranma landed gracefully and awaited the next move of her father with anticipation. However, none came. "If ya gonna wake up this early I can expect a good sparring match, can't I, oyaji?" huffed the redhead.


A groan was her answer, and Ranma snorted. "Better toughen up some before you try that again, oyaji. But I don´t appreciate being woken up in this way, so prepare to pay up the fee. Nabiki will be too too happy to collect."


Another groan was her only answer, and a smirking Ranma entered the house to get a good soak in the furo. It wouldn't do to start her first schoolday stinking like a fish. Genma, who was embedded face-first in the ground, really began to have second thoughts about his course of action of categorically refusing to accept Ranma as his daughter. The girl was getting stronger and stronger, and his threshold of pain had long since been overcome…


---


Seeing as she had been up and about anyway Ranma had begun to prepare breakfast, only to be joined by Kasumi ten minutes later. Together they'd prepared breakfast in companionable silence, and had soon be joined by Akane who'd set the table. Smiling that everything was going so smoothly Kasumi had her final confirmation that her family would and could survive without her should she make good on her dream. But before she´d contemplate this she´d have to observe how the dynamics would evolve.


Finally Nabiki came downstairs, as grumpy as ever. Ranma had soon learned that Nabiki was the polar opposite of a morning person, and only coffee, and lots of coffee helped to make her at least somewhat sociable.


A very roughened up Genma joined them a little later, and Soun followed not shortly thereafter. After a 'good morning' to their dad Akane slapped her head. "D'oh, now I know what I forgot. I didn't wish my fiancé a good morning. How could I forget?"


Akane was now playing the role down to the hilt; at first she had argued that acting like lesbians would be a bit perverted, but Nabiki had convinced her and Ranma that it would serve to justify why Ranma had taken up the engagement with Akane. Some sacrifices had to be made, and in the end both girls had agreed.


A sunny smile appeared on Ranma's face as Akane leant over to her to give her a peck on the cheek before she exclaimed a "Good morning, sunshine!"


Ranma returned the greeting with a smile and turned around to her 'iinazuke'. "Good morning to you too, love. Come sit down an enjoy breakfast with me." she said, and used her Soul of Ice to keep herself from bursting out with laughter.


The faces of the old men were just too funny. Genma was apparently torn between chiding his 'boy' for kissing Akane in girl-form and celebrating the 'joining of the schools'. Soun had once more given in into his waterworks for reasons only known to him. Go figure.


Ranma and Akane were sharing a secret grin, and both girls chatted animatedly during the consummation of breakfast. That Akane was able to hold her laughter in impressed Ranma very much and showed her that the other girl was on a good way concerning the Soul of Ice.


All the while the old men had been silent, but Genma obviously thought after a while that he had heard enough female chatter. And true to character he interrupted the talk Akane and Ranma held like a bull in a china shop, which was caused by the splitting headache he was suffering from. "Boy, enough of this incessant girlish chatter! I can't stand it any longer! And now you go and change back into my son so that you can go to the school I enrolled you in!" he commanded.


Ranma just arched a delicate brow. "You just interrupted an important talk, oyaji. Now I didn't get to tell Akane what my favourite colour in a skirt is, and it's all you fault." she exclaimed, and relished in the shocked expression on her fathers' face. "But this one time I'll let it slide. As for school, thanks to Akane and her sisters I am already prepared. No thanks to you. But it is just like you to spring something like that on me at the very day school starts. You can call yourself lucky that I'm not vengeful. Much. Now don't interrupt me again without a good reason." she stated icily.


Genma, who had not received an answer to his most important request steamed at being treated this way by his child. The stupid boy had to obey him! How dare he! "Boy," he growled out, "you will go to school as I ordered you to. As my son. I don't have a stupid daughter who chatters enough for five men and causes my headache to worsen."


The redhead got up slowly, and her whole posture screamed danger. Akane covered her ears as a safety precaution, but she need not have to. Ranma had embraced the Soul of Ice, and her voice was cool as ice when she answered once she had crossed the room. "You are right, oyaji, you don't have a stupid daughter." WHAM! "You have a very intelligent daughter." she stated with a smirk as her father sailed over the horizon through the makeshift overhead-hole he had made. "Methinks you also got even more of a headache now, but that's your own stupid fault, oyaji no baka."


Considering the strength she had put behind the blow Ranma as well Akane, who was more experienced in malleting someone, estimated that he'd very well make it to the next ward. Silently Akane shook her head as she surveyed her friend.


Would Genma learn at any time, that it did not bode well for him if he angered Ranma? And how hard could it be to accept Ranma as his daughter instead of his son, if Ranma was so much stronger and better as a girl? Was it really so hard for the man to accept Ranma as his daughter? Weren't other things more important, like her continued good health and well-being? Her happiness?


Sipping her tea Akane mused that they might have to 'convince' Genma of his follies and show him the error of his ways, if needed with a mallet to the head. Repeatedly. Akane mused with a smirk that it might very well be needed, considering how thick the skull of the Saotome patriarch seemed to be.


Nabiki was hanging onto the same thoughts as her younger sister, and her thought-processes were as efficient as ever, now that she'd had her second large pot of coffee. In her opinion the seppuku contract would explain Genma's behaviour quite well, she mused. To Genma his very life depended upon compliance with the contract, which explained why he was trying to force Ranma to be and stay a boy. They'd really have to do something about it, for it might very well be that Genma's act of idiocy were just caused by abject fear...


'Yes,' Nabiki mused to herself, 'the clever one eradicates the source of evil at its root. If we were to convince Genma that this whole contract is nothing but a sick joke, something that Ranma's mother would probably be convicted for in court, then we might have a chance to convince him to lay off. As refreshing as bashing her father might be for Ranma, it doesn't solve the problem. Physical violence seldom does, in contrast to a lawsuit. Methinks I'll have to have a chat with Genma.'


Soun on his part was once more speechless as so often as of late, and rather than to reprimand Ranma for her behaviour he chose to comment on the weather instead. "What a lovely day, isn't it?"


Ranma looked at Akane with an expression that said 'Is he for real?', and Akane just shrugged. Together the girls left the table, placed their dishes in the sink and grabbed their satchels. The redhead had received an old satchel from Akane, and once they had left the compound with a wave at Kasumi they were off. The redhead slipped on her cloak, and the girls were ready to go.


---


Akane smirked at her cloaked friend as they were on their way to school, and an eager anticipation was prevalent in her being. She was really curious what Ranma could do once she was unleashed onto the morning mob. Nabiki, that she knew, was already at school and had her 'co-workers' place bets that the morning fights would be take a different turn as of today. Why not make some money out of the slaughter?


The two girls walked side by side, and for the first time in long Akane was carefree and happy instead of unbelievably angry. For once the way to school was fun again, and chatting animatedly with Ranma she nearly did not notice that they had already walked the whole distance.


Once Akane had realised that she came to a grinding halt, and Ranma stopped with her. "Look," she said and pointed, "they're waiting for me behind this gate. About forty to fifty boys I guess, like every morning, and some of them are equipped with assorted sports equipment with which they always try to knock me out. Those perverts!" she growled.


Ranma nodded. "The best course of action is for me to jump onto the wall and give a declaration of war." she said, and Akane could sense the smirk the cloaked redhead was wearing.


Akane nodded. "I think you're right, Ranma. But please, even if you're really good, be careful." she said.


The cloaked redhead nodded, touched by the worry in her companions' voice. "Don't worry, I will." she said.


With that Ranma sprinted ahead, and with one fluid jump she had brought herself onto the nearly ten feet tall wall that surrounded the school compound. "Listen up you all," she yelled, and used her ki to distort her voice, "I am here to end the so called morning fights. All of you dishonourable curs who dare to attack my friend Akane Tendo, a fellow student of the Musabetsu Kakuto, will now learn that attacks upon us are not tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly. This is your last and only warning. Either stop the attacks on Akane Tendo or suffer the consequences." she stated clearly as she surveyed the mob that had congregated behind the school gate.


Akane had been right. Those were at least fifty boys, and many of them were equipped with baseball bats, tennis rackets or other assorted 'weaponry'. And it was apparent that those boys were not using their big heads, but rather the other part of their anatomy. Ranma shuddered in disgust and could perfectly understand why Akane thought the boys her age perverts.


Those examples of male students before her were indeed disgusting. Not that they were not attractive from a physical point of view, but their attitude and the obvious way that they had given in to their urges was utterly disgusting. It was, as if the old ways of getting a woman still held true here: bash a female over the head with a club, drag her away by the hair to your cave and have your way with her. In two words: utterly disgusting.


And the reaction of the mob was predictable. "Who are you to tell us what to do?"


"Yeah, what he said! Go bugger off!"


"We want Akane and we get Akane!"


"Yeah!" many voices exclaimed, "What he said!"


Ranma smirked under her hood and cracked her knuckles. "So that means you won't leave Akane alone, eh?" she stated in her disguised voice.


Fifty "Hell, no!"s could be heard.


Ranma smirk deepened. "Good." she said, and made a high somersault right into the cluster of boys.


Seconds later sounds of battle ensued and Akane deemed it safe to take a look. What she saw was unsurprising to her, but on the other hand, maybe it was. Ranma's cloaked form was tearing into the ranks of the boys like a tornado, and she looked somewhat like one of those figures out of this Gaijin movie, Star Wars.


It was cool to watch, but Akane mused with an amused smirk that it was not as much fun to be an actual participant of the battle. Boys were flying high into the air left and right, and Akane giggled loudly when Ranma used one of her energy blasts to fry the ass of one unlucky pervert.


Soon Ranma had laid out all perverts, and the force with which she had done so demonstrated that anyone who dared to attack students of the Musabetsu Kakuto would suffer the same fate. Ranma looked imperiously at the groaning boys, at least it would have had this effect had her face been visible. "This is what happens to all those who dare to attack members and students of the Musabetsu Kakuto. Dare to attack one of us again, and you will pay the price." she stated calmly, as if she was talking about the weather.


However, the message was clear and had been received. One of the girls, who usually watched how the boys got beaten up by Akane, approached Ranma warily. "Who… who are you?" she asked, evidently afraid of the reaction she would receive.


Ranma smiled and radiated an aura of peace, a trick she had learned from a monk in China; then she slipped her cloak off, and the other girls gasped at seeing her; more than just one of them was green with envy. "Don't worry, I won't harm you. This was just a warning to some perverts who dared to attack a fellow student of the Musabetsu Kakuto, and that repeatedly. Thus it was decided that the situation was unacceptable, and as Akane's sensei I decided to remedy the situation."


That answer baffled the girl completely. "S… sensei? You are Akane's sensei? But what about her father?" she asked, forgetting her fear.


At this moment Akane came over, whistling a merry tune as she surveyed Ranma's handiwork with a smirk. "It is true, Yuka. Ranma is my sensei, and… crap!" she exclaimed, as she caught sight of the originator of the morning fights.


Ranma had turned her head at the same time, and as she surveyed the figure she noticed that he was quite strong… for a human. With an arrogant stride he walked towards where they were standing, and Ranma noticed that he was carrying a wooden practice bokken carelessly behind his back in his left hand.


From his right hand he threw something, and Akane caught it. As usual, it was a red rose, and the youngest Tendo girl dropped it as if it was a poisonous snake. "So, my fierce tigress has once more emerged as the righteous victor over this truly boorish lot. Now take my hand so we may date…"


"It wasn't Akane, Kuno. This girl… this goddess there trounced us, but good!" one of the boys who could still walk exclaimed.


Surprised, Kuno looked from Akane to the Ranma and surveyed the beautiful redhead. "Indeed, it seems at if the heavens themselves have bestowed upon me a heavenly goddess. Who art thee, my pigtailed goddess? But halt, answer not! For isn't it customary to unveil ones own name first? Know this, I am Tatewaki Kuno, age seventeen, junior class, captain of the Kendo Club, also known as the mighty Blue Thunder of Furinkan High! And if you defeat me you may date with me, my pigtailed goddess!" he exclaimed as he brandished his bokken. Subsequently a clap of thunder was heard.


"Nice special effects." was all Ranma muttered. Turning her head towards Akane she asked "Have I heard and perceived right, Akane? Is this guy challenging me?" in a conversational tone.


Akane nodded. "Could be."


"Okay," said Ranma, "just wanted to make sure. Hey, dumbass, I am Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of the Musabetsu Kakuto, and I accept your challenge! If I defeat you then you're going to leave Akane and me alone." she said and handed her satchel to Akane, who took it.


Kuno on his part looked confused for a moment, then a wide smile appeared on his face. "So eager thou art to date with me, my pigtailed goddess! If you defeat the mighty Blue Thunder thou may date with me."


Ranma looked at him like at a never before seen creature. "Date… with… you? Never!" she exclaimed in disgust, acting true to the plan they had concocted. "The noble Ranma Saotome of house Saotome does not date with delusional little boys who like to play with sticks." she stated with an air of superiority.


Akane had a lot of trouble to keep her laughter in, but Kuno didn't react as expected. Instead of sprouting more poetry he gasped. "Thou art of the noble house Saotome? Art thou related to Xenma Saotome, my pigtailed goddess? Thy faithful knight thankest thee, oh Kami-sama, for bestowing me with a goddess worthy of my noble lineage! Come into my arms, for I loveth thou!" he exclaimed and made to glomp on Ranma.


The Saotome girl looked at Akane, who shrugged. Ranma shrugged too, and one of the automatic responses she'd gained in the Amazon village kicked in. Bash all delusional suitors. The redhead side-stepped so that Kuno overextended, then she landed a hard blow to the back of Kuno's head which sent the boy to his knees.


Against her will Ranma was impressed that Kuno was still awake, and her opinion of Kuno rose, at least regarding his abilities in combat, when he got to his feet. "I see thou art held at bay from embracing my glorious presence as thy wont to. What dark magic doth makest thou flee, my goddess?"


Choosing to move the time-table forward Ranma decided to carry out their plan already instead of playing hard to get for a while; waiting and bashing Kuno every day would probably have been satisfying, but why not use their plan now, and get the headache named Kuno out of their hair just about now?


Managing to look like sadness incarnate the redhead sighed dramatically. "Alas, noble Blue Thunder, I can never be yours as long as my evil father does not lift the vile spell he has cast upon me. This spell will make it impossible for me to ever love a man! For the spell to shatter you must best my evil and demonic father in combat, and then, oh Kuno, you must recover the dragon hoove of Galveston and the sorcerers stone of Scotland. You will have to travel far and wide and fulfil many more dangerous tasks, one harder than the last. Only if you pass all tests, then, and only then I can be free."


Akane nearly burst a gut at Ranma's acting. Hopefully that would lead to a lot of headaches for panda-no-baka, and who knew, maybe Kuno was deranged enough to go onto the crazy quest Ranma had concocted out of the blue? With a grin she looked at her sister, who was standing at a window in the second floor, and the ice-queen smirked back.


---


Nabiki stood in her usual spot on the second floor, accompanied by most of her associates, and they were watching the developments. The Ice-queen of Furinkan High could tell that her associates had been pretty surprised at her orders. Not only had she ordered to place a bet that Kuno would be gone from school as of today, but she'd also placed a bet that a stranger would punt Kuno over the horizon.


One of her associates turned to Nabiki, hesitancy obvious in her posture. "Chief, did you know that Kuno got himself a new nick? I thought he was calling himself 'The Shooting Star' last week. But that on the side. Are you absolutely sure that Kuno will fall for that?"


Nabiki shrugged. "You're right, if Kuno-baka calls himself the Shooting Fart, the Blue Blunder or the Yellow Moron is irrelevant. And yes, I am sure that Kuno will fall for it and will end up sailing over the horizon courtesy of Ranma."


The other girls nodded, trusting their chief. However, one of her associates, her second in command, hesitantly spoke up. "I hope you're right about this 'gut-feeling' of yours or we'll be screwed, chief."


Nabiki just grinned in a self-confident way. After all, she had seen what Ranma could do, and it already looked good. Now for the grand finale. Kuno's reaction to the story they' concocted.


Down below, Kuno nodded in understanding. "Where, pray tell, might I find this evil beast that hath ensorcelled my pigtailed goddess thusly? It hath to be smited by my holy blade!" he exclaimed.


Ranma sighed and batted her eyelashes for effect. "Sadly the evil sorcerer lives at the noble Tendo dojo, under the same roof as my good friend Akane. He might even ensorcel her to despise you, noble Kuno."


'Already happened.' thought Akane with a grin, before employing all of her actresses' skills. "But I do despise him! Tell him that I hate him, Ranma. I'm not his fierce tigress, nor will I ever love him! You hear me, you can dry up and die, Kuno!"


The redhead looked at the shocked Kuno with a sad expression. "Alas, I fear it is already too late. The sorcerer was faster than I thought possible. Now she'll never be able to love you, unless…"


"Yes?" asked Kuno with bated breath, daring to hope.


"Unless you managed the impossible, noble Tatewaki of the house Kuno." Ranma flattered with big coal-black eyes, batting her red eyelashes.


Kuno puffed his chest. "Madam, nothing is impossible for the mighty Blue Thunder! Name thy quest and I will set the heavens in motion to aid me."


Ranma sighed like only a schoolgirl would, and for effect she held onto her heart. "Oh you're so brave! Alas, I hope you won't perish in this incredibly tenuous quest. Oh, the hardships you're going to face…"


'Damn, she's good!' Akane thought, who barely managed to hide her laughter in face of Ranma's ingenious acting; their rehearsals had apparently really helped! Kuno was falling for it! He really read Ranma's palm, and how she was playing him was nothing short of incredible.


"My goddess," Kuno exclaimed like only a person who worshipped some perceived godly entity would, "name thy request! The mighty Blue Thunder will prevail!"


"If you're so sure, mighty Kuno… for Akane and me to be freed of the vile influence of the sorcerer Saotome you need to recover…" Ranma paused dramatically.


"Yes?" Kuno asked with bated breath.


"You have been warned that it won't be easy." Ranma said, then she sighed dramatically. "You are to recover a tooth-nail from the panda-demon my vile father turns into, one from each big toe. Then you'll have to face the demon-headed father of Akane, and you need to retrieve a fresh sample of tears from him. The nails and the tears need to be mixed and have to be blessed by the Shinto Priest that lives at the Masaki Shrine. After that you have to remedy all the bad deeds my demon father ever did. When you've done this you need to find the brooch of Azradon, which will act as a catalyst to break the evil curse. However, before it will work it has to be blessed by the seven monks in the temple that resides in the Himalaya region, on its very top. Are you ready to face these tests, Tatewaki Kuno of the noble house Kuno?"


"Yes! For my two loves the noble Blue Thunder would do everything!" Kuno exclaimed instantly, brandishing his bokken in a proud pose. "I will start immediately! Thou wait, evil sorcerer Saotome, the mighty Blue Thunder is coming for thee! Before I goest onto my noble quest to fulfil my holy duty to freest thou and my fierce tigress Akane Tendo, come into my arms, my two loves!"


Following this proclamation Kuno tried to glomp onto Ranma, and conditioned reflexes sprung up in her; a strong right hook impacted the Kuno boy and sent him soaring high into the sky. "Forgive me, noble Kuno, but the evil sorcerer forced me to do this!" she yelled after the speck in the sky she knew to be Kuno.


Akane snorted. "Can it, sis, he's already in the next ward."


Then she grinned. "That was marvellous how you tricked him, and all the things you came up with for the quest, so cool! You added even more than we concocted!"


Ranma grinned. "If that won't get Kuno off our backs then I don't know. And pops can take as much as he can dish out..."


Akane nodded in understanding, and an evil smirk spread over her face. Ranma's father, moron that he was, still was a capable martial artist in his own right. He'd most probably be able to fend Kuno off easily; but the headache was now his instead of theirs, and that was a nice change. Grinning Akane began to lead the other girl into the school building. With Kuno out of the way it could only turn into a good day...


to be continued...


Thanks to the ppl at Shinjis' board for helping me out with suggestions, ideas and comments. You rock!


Author's Notes:


I'm pretty sure you're all aware that the admins of this site have decided to create a rule that prohibits answering reviews. Due to that I'll no longer be able to post a q&a section, but will utilise the new system that has been provided by the site instead to answer the questions you come up with (I'm pretty sure you've read about the messaging system that sends responses to your mail-addresses).

The downside is that it doesn't work with anonymous reviewers, so for those of you who don't log in when you leave reviews, or plain simply have no acc, I won't be able to give you responses. Due to the fact that this system had only been introduced after a lot of you had asked questions I've posted a q&a section at my yahoo group. But in the future the system this site provides will be used. Thanks.


Many thanks to those of you who were kind enough to leave reviews for the last chapter:


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