Ranma Tales ½: Chapter 2 - Promises

Part 1: Promises and secrets

Slowly Akane wakes up groggily, not quite sure what happened. She realizes someone is shaking her gently and calling her name. Briefly she wonders who it is and then realizes it's Ranma her friend. She idly thinks that it's nice to have a friend. After all she had so few good friends... And after earlier she was still somewhat mad at Yuka and Sayuri when they'd asked her when she was planning on kissing her rescuer or the later question about how far she'd let him go with her. Even if she were to do those things, it really wasn't any of their business! Wait, Wait, Wait! Why was she against the wall with Ranma shaking her?

Getting ahold of herself Akane glances over at Ranma starting to feel a variety of aches and pains. Akane says "Ranma...? What the heck happened?"

Ranma however sighs in relief and says "You scared the heck out of me, that's what happened! Why in the world did you do that?"

Akane blinks at her and says "I scared you! You stupid jerk, you nailed me in the back!" As almost always her anger got the best of her, yet again.

Ranma replies "Well I was going to pull the punch as I did all the others, but you moved to block it when you shouldn't have been able to! I know you started to block the punch I tossed at you as a feint before going behind you and launching that kick, but then suddenly you reversed everything in a desperate block against my kick that should have been to fast for you to even see. To bad for you the block interrupted me before I could pull my kick and left you in an awkward position. So I ended up being terrified as you slammed into the wall head first! When I rushed over you were out cold and I was so worried I'd really hurt you..." A tear runs down his check. He didn't want to hurt those few he might be able to call friends and he definitely hadn't wanted to hurt this one!

Akane is slightly confused and frankly a bit uncomfortable after seeing the tear slide down Ranma's face. She patted his arm "I'm ok I really am... And... And I'm sorry I kept egging you on into attacking me... I realize I'm just not any good as a martial artist... Maybe I should quit..." She chokes a bit as she says that last part. She nearly starts to cry herself now.

Ranma frowns and says "Well sure your a bit rough around the edges and could use some work on certain things, but really you have incredible potential... That last block suicidal as it was sure showed me that... You might not be a match for me right now, but your probably just slightly worse than Kuno right now... Some more work under a competent teacher would really help..." he gets cut off before he can go on though.

Akane nearly gags and says "I'm worse than Kuno?" she clenches her fist tight and looks really close to smacking Ranma upside the head.

Ranma ecks and raises his hands. Akane suddenly sort of folds in on herself and says quietly "I guess I am really no good... I wonder why Kuno let me beat him if I'm not as good as he is..."

Hearing this Ranma comes over to Akane and puts his arms around her, pulling her close. She says "Now Akane, I doubt her really wanted to go all out. He does babble about how he likes you after all... Not that I'm trying to figure out how his mind works. I know any attempt at that would probably make me as crazy as he is..." She pauses and adds "I really do think you are very good though. I also don't think you should quit martial arts. Who has been teaching you anyways...?"

Akane frowns and says "Daddies always been my teacher, though since Momma died he's been less and less interested in teaching... Or in martial arts at all really... He doesn't even teach classes now and hasn't for about four years."

Ranma thinks of awhile and with a sigh says "Tell ya what... I've never tried training anyone before, but to show you how much I think you should continue training... How about I teach you? You don't have to of course, but..." She just kinda trails off, not quite sure how this should go...

Akane looks up at Ranma who still has his arms around her and says "You mean it? You'd really teach someone as horrible as me?"

Ranma smirks a bit and says "Sure, though I'll repeat again: you have talent! You can't deny that. I'm afraid the lack of real training for the last few years is more to blame than anything else really. Your at least as good as I was before sensei started training me..."

Akane frowns not quite believing what she's hearing and says "Do you mean that?"

Ranma nods "Sure, though I had a lot of other stuff to learn as well. I could easily get you up to speed if your willing. Well at least I think I can... Though you probably won't enjoy much of it..." The last said with another small smirk.

Akane places her hands over Ranma's hands and says "Thanks, that means a lot to me." Then she tries to move and nearly feints again from the pain. Wearily she says "I'm not sure I can move right now though."

Ranma says "Well we should really get you a nice bath before you really can't move. Here I'll help you up." She helps Akane up and wrapping her arm around Akane helps her walk back into the house.

Inside Kasumi comes out to set the table and sees them stagger in. Putting her hand to her mouth she says "Oh my. What happened to you Akane?"

Akane frowns a bit and says "I wasn't careful and sorta had a bit of an accident. I'll be ok though."

Kasumi says "You should really be more careful Akane. Why don't you and Ranma go take a bath together? That should help."

Akane blurts out "Kasumi!" before she can think better of it.

Kasumi looks slightly puzzled and says "What? You both girls there is nothing wrong with taking a bath together... Anyways you both could probably use it."

Just then they hear another voice from the doorway say "I'm home!" and rushing in Nabiki comes to a sudden stop when she sees the scene before her. She blinks a few times and says "What is going on? And who is that?"

Kasumi replies "Akane seems to have ended up accidentally hurting herself when she was practicing with her new friend Ranma here, so I was just suggesting they go take a bath together. Though strangely they don't exactly seem to want to..." Akane and Ranma exchange worried looks.

Nabiki blinks some more and walks toward Ranma, she reaches out and squeezes one of Ranma's breasts "She's definitely a girl, but Kasumi I meet Ranma earlier today and Ranma's a guy not a girl."

Ranma's eyebrows twitch and she says "Could you please stop doing that...?"

Nabiki seems to ignore Ranma's protests and continues squeezing her breast. She glances over to Kasumi "I can tell the difference between guys and girls you know!" Kasumi just smiles her normal smile and shrugs. Nabiki then looks over at Akane and says "So whose this girl and why did you call her Ranma?"

Ranma finally has had quite enough and yells "Will you stop feeling me up? I hardly know you and frankly I'd rather you not do that without at least asking first." Her eyebrows still twitching as Nabiki pulls her hand away.

Kasumi goes "Oh my!" like usual in situations like this.

Ranma sighs and adds "And I am Ranma. Let me explain... Kasumi could I have some hot water please...?" As Kasumi goes to get some hot water Ranma slowly starts his story... Yet again...

Part 2: Secret Promises

After awhile a now male again Ranma finishes going over a few pieces of the story yet again for Nabiki and Kasumi as Akane manages to come back downstairs from her bath. Nabiki smirks and with yen symbols in her eyes asks "Since you really a guy and all Ranma would you mind letting me take some photos of you in your girl form. I know some people would love certain kinds of photos of you like that..."

Akane goes "Nabiki that's not nice!"

Nabiki just smiles and says "What? He's not really a girl so why should it matter?"

Ranma sighs and replies "No you can't take pictures of me as a woman and yes I'm just as much a woman as you are when I'm like that even if nothing changes mentally for me."

Akane adds "Besides I wouldn't let me sister do that to my new friend and sensei!" which rather shocks both Nabiki and Kasumi.

Nabiki looks at Akane "I thought you hated boys and even if he does turn into a girl he's still a guy... And I thought daddy was your sensei?"

Akane sighs "Daddy hasn't really taught me anything for the last couple years and earlier when I was sparring with Ranma I realized what that really means..."

As she pauses Nabiki's eyes narrow and she slaps Ranma saying "So your the one that hurt her!" which makes Kasumi do another "Om my!"

Akane grabs Nabiki's wrist and says "It's not Ranma's fault Nabiki, it's mine! I'm not really as good as I thought I was, but I want to be better than I am... Ranma offered to help me..." a little quieter she adds "I want him to help me."

Nabiki settles down, but she really dislikes people hurting her family. Regardless of what Akane says she can't quite let go of that. Even if she still thinks Ranma's a hunk, hurting women is just wrong! More so when it's her sister who got hurt.

Akane meanwhile glances over at Ranma and adds "No going soft on me either, you won't be able to help me if you go soft on me."

Ranma sighs "Ok, ok. No going easy on you, I promise."

Just then the front door opens and another "I'm home." is heard and soon Soun enters the room. Soun notices the young boy sitting around the table with his daughters as his daughters welcome him home and asks "Whose our guest?"

Akane answers "Daddy this is my friend Ranma. I invited him over for dinner tonight."

At this Soun bursts into tears proclaiming "My little girls growing up and bringing home boys!"

Akane sighs and says "It's not like that dad he's just a friend!"

As Soun continues his outburst Ranma looks over at the girls and asks "Is he ok?" Nabiki shrugs, Kasumi smiles, and Akane answers "Sure, he does this every so often... Or something like it at least..."

Kasumi finally speaks up after a couple minutes and still smiling says "Father why don't you introduce yourself to our guest?"

Soun pulls himself together and says "Of course Kasumi." Looking over at Ranma he says more formally "I am Soun Tendo father of Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane and master of the Tendo branch of Anything Goes School of Martial Arts."

Ranma starts slightly and says "Did you say Anything Goes School of Martial Arts?"

Soun nods "Yes that is my school and the art I shall pass on to my daughters... Well at least Akane..."

Akane remembers an earlier conversation today with Ranma and says "I meant to tell you earlier Ranma when you mentioned you were a master of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts to, but we kinda got... distracted..."

Soun raises his eyebrows and says "What is this? Your a master of the same school as me?"

Ranma nods and says "Allow me to formally introduce myself." He bows to Soun and says "I am Ranma Saotome, Son of Genma, master of the Saotome branch of Anything Goes Martial Arts."

Soun jumps for joy and does a little dance startling everyone else in the room as he sings "Happy days! Happy Days are here!" Three young women and a young man all just continue to stare as Soun dances around like a grade 'A' idiot. Ranma finally looks over at the girls again after a minute or two and says "Does anyone have any idea what's going on?"

Nabiki replies "No clue. None at all."

Akane frowns and says "Maybe he really has lost it finally...? Even though I don't want to think that." Several nods around the table follow this.

Finally Soun calms down a bit and says to Ranma "So where is my old friend Genma? Will he be here soon?"

Ranma staring rather blankly at Soun says "Not unless some one bothers to dig him up and ship him here..." Then Ranma blinks and then thinks to himself 'Wait did he just say "old friend"?'

Soun blinks at Ranma and says "What do you mean?"

Ranma replies "My father died about three years ago while we were training, sir. So unless someone wanted to dig him up and ship whatever is left here I doubt he'll be arriving anytime soon..." His mind is still trying to work around the possibility that of all things possible he had just meet the 'old friend in Nerima' his father had mentioned...

Soun starts to cry again, wailing "Oh Genma How could you die on me like that? Oh the humanity of it all!" for sometime before he looks at Ranma again and asks "He did send you here didn't he?"

Ranma nods and then shrugs "Well his dying words were to come to Nerima and find his 'old friend'... I take it that you are who he meant?"

Soun shouts "Oh Genma you did remember our promise!"

Meanwhile a puzzles Akane asks Ranma "What a minute you mean your father asked you to find daddy? "

Ranma shrugs and says "Guess so... Though he didn't really explain much of anything as he did it."

Soun grabs Ranma's hands and (obviously oblivious to what had been said) says "So which of my daughters would you like?" as he glances at his three daughters.

Three shouts of "Excuse Me?" rang out from Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki and even Kasumi says "That is not funny father."

Soun smiles happily seeming to still be ignoring the real situation and says "Genma and myself promised our families and schools would be united by marriage before Ranma was born. One of my girls would marry one of his children and our schools could finally be one again! So Ranma which of my daughters would you like to marry?"

Ranma just stares at Soun and Nabiki asks her father "Are you serious daddy? Do you really intend to marry one of us to Ranma?"

Soun nods "Of course dear, it would even seem it was my friends dying wish. You can hardly turn down a dying wish now can you?"

Nabiki, Akane, and Kasumi all blink while Ranma is still in a daze. Kasumi says "He is to young for me, but he's the same age as Akane so she'd make the best choice." Nabiki adds "Yes Akane is into martial arts like he is to, so she's definitely the best choice. Besides she hates boys and he isn't exactly a boy after all" This last comment is momentarily lost on Soun.

Akane sputters "What are you talking about? Nabiki! Kasumi!"

Soun nods "She also said he was a friend, so it's probably for the best that way. Ranma take good care of my daughter for me!" At that he starts to cry again.

Ranma yells "Hold on a second here, I ain't marrying nobody! Akane is nice and all, but I'm hardly ready to marry someone and I certainly don't intend someone else to pick my wife! More than that I certainly wouldn't marry anyone pops picked for me!"

Akane inside feels slightly hurt at that, though she's not exactly sure why. She replies "I wouldn't marry you anyways! Daddy what the hell are you trying to do to me?" Ranma looks a bit hurt by Akane's words, but he hides it pretty well.

Soun replies "Now now Akane it's for your own good as well as the good of the school. There is nothing wrong with an arranged marriage after all your mother and me had our parents arrange our marriage. We were very happy together."

Ranma looks at Akane and says "How about I hold him and you can beat him until he shuts up about this?" Akane nods her anger getting the better of her again.

Kasumi says "Akane! Ranma! You can't hurt father like that!"

Nabiki adds "Daddy you do realize there is at least one problem with this right? Even if you did try to get them married right now Ranma doesn't have anyone to sign for him. They couldn't possibly marry until he comes of age that way. At least not legally."

Soun frowns and nods "I guess your right Nabiki. Then for the moment you two are simply engaged, when Ranma reaches legal age we will have the wedding."

Ranma and Akane both say "Don't we get a say in this?" Soun shacks his head "no.". Kasumi congratulates the couple ad Nabiki just smirks. Ranma and Akane look at each other.

Ranma then says "Look Soun, First I'm not even sure how long I can stay in Nerima I really don't have a place to stay..."

Soun blinks and goes "Then you will stay here, Kasumi can you get the guest room ready?" Kasumi nods with that smile of hers still on her face.

Ranma blinks and says "I couldn't possibly live here, it wouldn't be proper."

Soun replies "Nonsense son, you are my daughters husband to be and my old friends own son. You can't possibly turn down my hospitality. Besides when you marry her you can have the dojo as a wedding gift."

Ranma blinks again "Ok, true... But... But... Um I'm not exactly a guy... Or at least not just a guy..."

Soun blinks and says "Whatever do you mean?"

Ranma explains his curse yet again, this time to Soun. After several uses of water and getting completely soaked Soun finally gets the curse and then states "I don't care, your still getting married." To a mass of open mouthed stares all around.

Part 3: Fateful Promise

Later that night Ranma now in the guest room that had been prepared for him by Kasumi, sighs and thinks over this wacky day. 'First I rescue a damsel in distress by beating on a deranged Kendoist. Then I make what could definitely be the first real friend I've had in a long time. Followed by her accidentally learning about the curse and freaking though we make it through. Followed by explaining my curse to her sisters. Then finding out their father is my old man's best friend I was looking for. Finally ending with their father declaring me engaged to my new friend. Regardless of any and all protests against it. At least though he hadn't forced us to marry that instant, I think I would have been forced to hurt him if Akane didn't do it first.'

Ranma thinks some more 'Ya know I really should go talk to Akane. I know she was upset by what her father did. I also know I promised to teach her and she might not want me to now. I really should find out. And well regardless of anything I do think of her already as my friend, I should do what I can for her.' Deciding he gets up and leaves his room and after walking down the hall knocks on Akane's door.

Akane gets up from her bed that she was just about to climb into after having done a good bit of soul searching (after her homework at least). Opening the door and seeing Ranma there she freezes and says "I hope you don't expect me to perform any 'marital duties' or something otherwise perverted like that." Giving him a hard stare.

Ranma blinks "Uh no, hadn't really occurred to me and besides we aren't married, so I'm not sure why you'd think I'd come for that... I just came to make sure you were feeling ok as a friend. I know what our fathers agreed to was stupid and I want you to know I will never force you to marry me."

Akane blushes and says "Sorry, force of habit. I guess I could use a shoulder to lean on right now... Um why don't you come in...?"

Ranma smiles and says "Ok, though you might want to put on a robe or something. While I don't mind you wearing your pajamas around me... I'm sure that would give your father ideas."

Akane blushes again "Uh yeah good idea, hang on." She closes the door and puts on a robe before opening it again and inviting him in. Ranma enters and takes a seat on the floor, as he doesn't want to sit on her bed and figuring she might want the chair by her desk.

Akane sits down on her bed and blushes before saying "You can sit up here with me, just don't try anything funny."

Ranma shrugs and rises before sitting down near her "If nothing else I'm honorable." He looks over at her with a worried glance "So how are you doing...?"

Akane sighs & glancing over at him she says "Well I can't say I'm thrilled to be forced into an engagement against my will. It's not that you aren't nice and all, but..." she pauses trying to even say what she wants to say... She really doesn't want to hurt her new friend. In fact until earlier in the park she hadn't realized how lonely she really was, how in need of a real friend she was. Then someone came out of nowhere and offered to give her what she longed for, but it had conditions... She understood that. You couldn't expect to treat your friends like dirt and still have them. Well at least for long. While she didn't want a fiance right now she did want a friend.

Ranma seeing Akane pause nods and says "I think I understand. We just became friends after all. Even if we decided to be more than that at some point, and I'm not saying I have any intentions of that, being forced into being more just isn't right."

Akane smiles slightly & nods. He did understand even though she couldn't figure out how to say it and he felt the same way. She was still confused though... She didn't like boys after all and he was both a boy and a girl... No that wasn't really fair, he was himself... unique... To be honest with herself even as a guy compared to the boys at school, he was more like Dr. Tofu. More worldly, more sincere, more caring... And not a total pervert... Even if he was way more familiar with a girls body then any other boy his age... In fact it could be... No, No, NO! Don't even think like that! But... It was all to complex, to soon... She'd need more time.

While she's been thinking Ranma's just been enjoying her presence and thinking to himself how nice it is to have a friend again. Besides sensei (which in his mind doesn't count) he hadn't had a real friend since he was much much younger... Idly he wonders what his old friends Ucchan and Ryoga are doing, of course he'd been around six when he'd meet Ucchan and soon his father had separated them as they left to train somewhere else. Ryoga he'd meet when he was about nine and they'd briefly gone to school together. Ryoga however had no sense of direction and had needed Ranma to help him get to school safely. Back then his manners being what they had been he'd tried to steal food from Ryoga to show Ryoga how glad he was to have a friend again. He doubted now that Ryoga took it that way and it did explain why he'd wanted to have a fight before pops had taken him to China. Of course Ryoga never showed up even after having waited for him at the lot behind his house for three days. Then pops had forced him to leave before seeing Ryoga again. Even though Ranma still remembered him fondly he can't imagine Ryoga would feel quite the same way. He had been such a jerk without meaning to...

Lost in these thoughts for the moment neither realizes how late it is until Akane notices her alarm clock and shocked says to Ranma "We'd better go to sleep, it's getting really late and we have school tomorrow."

Ranma blinks out of his own thoughts and glancing up nods. "Sure Akane I guess we lost track of time. Have a nice night." Without thinking about it he leans over and kisses her on the cheek before leaving to return to his new room.

Akane blushes fiercely from the kiss, confusion settling in even deeper before she turned off her lights and crawled into bed. As she slowly falls asleep her thoughts continue... 'Would it really be so bad to be engaged to Ranma? What about Dr. Tofu though? But didn't he love her sister Kasumi? And if so where did that leave her? Ranma's lips where so soft on my cheek... No! He's a boy! And a girl... And... And...' Then sleep claims her.

Part 4: Promises within Dreams

Ranma lowered himself into bed and with a quick mental exercise nodded off to sleep. Soon he awoke in his dreams as the exercise was intended to let you and he slowly started his nightly training. Here he was surrounded by a colorful field full of flowers and grass, though not much else as far as anyone could see. If anyone was watching it would look a lot like he was doing Tai Chi, with it's slow fluid motions and breathing exercises. That wasn't exactly the case and the energies flowing around and throw him might have been a clue.

However he didn't stay alone all night while he trained like this and a figure walks up to him silently before asking "So how was your day?"

Ranma snaps around only to see a fairly familiar man in that strange black leather outfit he'd gotten rather used to after three years grinning back at him. "God lord don't do that to me! How did you get here anyways? I thought even you had to be in the same room to enter someones dreamworld..."

Shadow smirks slightly and says "I'm not bound by that limitation... Besides I showed you how to access your dream world. It's not that hard to find you in my case." He adds with a larger grin "So how was your first day? You do seem to be avoiding the question..."

Ranma glares at him and says "Oh just fine. I end up helping out a girl in my class how was attacked by most of the boys in the school because they think that's how you get a date with a girl. Then I spent a mostly peaceful day at school getting to know said girl, who happens to be a martial artist of some skill. Then since she invited me back to her place for dinner. I end up explaining my curse not once, not twice, but three times... To four different people... The last of which turned out to be my father's old friend, which was good until he told me of the promise pops and him had made to marry me to one of his daughters! Now I'm engaged to the girl I just meet! At least she's fairly nice, though she seems to have a temper..."

Shadow nods looking completely unsurprised, which if he looked any other way would imply to anyone that knew him the end of the world as they knew it had arrived. Not exactly in the mood for this though Ranma stares at him and adds "You knew this would happen didn't you? You set me up! That's why you told me the time was right to return and got me into that school!"

Shadow shrugs "I had an idea it might. I knew the school would be your best way of finding your fathers old friend. I also figured your father would have wanted you to visit his old friend for a reason." He pauses and adds "I also knew this might be good for you."

Ranma blinks "Good for me? How can this possibly be good for me?"

Shadow shrugs "Have you already forgotten? Change is Life and" Ranma growls and finishes the saying with him "Life is Change." Shadow nods and smiles "When we try to stop change from happening we stopped growing, and when we stop growing all that's left is to die."

Ranma sighs "I know that, but I still don't see how this will be good for me..."

Shadow replies "It may not be good in the long run if you don't try to make it good. I'm not promising a happy future, but I do feel that this is the part of the path you were meant to walk."

Ranma sits down "You do realize I also promised to train my new fiancee before I found out she was my fiancee, right?"

Shadow nods "I knew you were just about ready to start training someone at least in the basics if not more, it's part of your growth in the art after all. Besides you do need to keep your own skills up, so helping someone else train ought to keep your skills sharp. I hope your over the 'I can't hurt a weak innocent girl' phase?"

Ranma grimaces and says "Maybe, but I still don't like hurting her... I did accidentally today because she proved to be better than I thought..." His face turning into a grin "You wouldn't happen to want to come act as sensei for her would you?"

Shadow shakes his head negatively with a grin "No she's your student, not mine. Also don't be to afraid of hurting her... I don't mean to tell you to go all out, but she is also of the art and you'll hurt both her pride and her honor if you hold back to much."

Ranma grimaces again "I did sort of put my foot in my mouth with that earlier when I tried to tell her how good she was and how skilled she actually is."

Shadow smiles and says "The truth isn't always what people want, when it conflicts with what they believe. Though in the end the truth is often better for growth." He gets a distant look for a moment and then adds "You should teach her of the Path." The last said clearly with a capitol letter.

Ranma frowns "Hey now, she's a girl! I don't want her to have anything to do with that!"

Shadow shrugs "She is indeed a young woman, but you should know quite well that when it comes to walking the Path being a young woman means nothing" He shrugs and adds "You can give her the choice, but I have a feeling she will accept rather than refuse. After that you have little choice."

Ranma continues to frown "I know women can walk the path as well as men, but why does it have to be her? She's my friend..."

Shadow smiles slightly and replies "Maybe because she would make a good friend in more ways than one." Leaving it at that, with many possible meanings really doesn't help the questions in Ranma's mind. Seeing the look on his pupils face he glances around and says "I should probably go, you do need to finish your training tonight after all. But I'll stop by from time to time... Here of course." The last said with a grin.

Ranma nods "Sure whatever, I sure can't seem to stop you anyways... Yet..." The last of that said much quieter than the rest, though Shadow still hears it. Ranma adds "Goodnight sensei."

Shadow walks off waving over his shoulder and saying "Sleep well my young pupil." before fading out of existence within the dream. At this Ranma simply returns to his training, though his focus hurt quite a bit by the soul searching he must do before morning...

Author's Notes:

As you can see Ranma's training has been much different the last three years. I hope you can also see bits of his personality from Genma's influence still in him as well. It will be a long time before he can get rid of the last of his father's bad influences.

Akane as well is a bit different as I mentioned before, but in case your wondering about their new 'relationship' and why she hasn't really taken to hitting Ranma so far... Well this Akane is treated by Ranma just like those 'tender' moments in the series when Ranma and Akane let their guard down. In fact if not for outside influences cropping up in those moments they might have finally even said what they feel to each other. Here and now in the story is much like those times. Few interruptions (yet) to cloud the issue more, also more time for things to develop. I'm also a firm believer that in a lot of ways for both Akane and Ranma it was love at first sight. This will cause a good bit of confusion (for them both), but this Ranma is just to nice to her to kick around outside the dojo... Anyways, I think she really is in character... Her doubts are still their, her fears are still their, her actions are still very much like her actions in the Manga/Anime.

Also I should probably note that the last sequence can be taken many ways. Why? Because of a very real technique that's been around for ages that n the western world is called 'Lucid Dreaming'. It's where you can do anything that doesn't require your body to be present by causing your dreams to follow a path you set. You could read this scene as Ranma talking to himself in the form of his sensei (who has been his confidant for three years) or you could read it as his master actually being able to waltz into his dreams. The first is quite possible in the real world, the second stretches things but if you believe certain reports otherwise can be quite real. In this Ranmaverse the second is quite likely and you'll see why.

Lastly I just wanted to remind everyone I'd like to hear your opinions so far on this series. I'd like to make this a fairly long series (heck this last chapter ends one single days, but took 2 1/2 chapters to tell), but the more feedback the longer it will be. I'm also sure I have a few typos and mistakes still in here as well, so I'd appreciate a note on any you notice. I should also probably mention this is my first real fanfiction I've ever written, in case you couldn't tell.