Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything of Ranma or Inuyasha. Both are creations of Rumiko Takahashi.

THANK YOU to all who've review my ramblings. Really, it's great to get feed back! BTW several of you have wondered about Ranma...well, hopefully this next chapter will answer that!

The More the Merrier (A Crossover Fanfic by allergi)
Chapter 4: Along Came Ranma

Back at the Tendo household, things carried on a usual. Kasumi was taking down the dry laundry as Soun and a large panda played a lazy game of shogi. Ranma sat with his legs dangling over the side of the porch, watching the grey clouds drift slowly by.

"Hey Kasumi, when's Akane coming back?" he asked mildly. Soun and the panda looked sharply each other. Suddenly, they were on him, patting him heartily on the back.

"That's it! You miss you're fiancée! Oh Saotome, this is wonderful!"

The panda held up a sign 'Good for you Ranma!'

The young man quickly stood. "Shut up, both of you!"

Kasumi stifled a small giggle. "She said she'd be back this afternoon."

However dinner came and went, the sun had set and there was no sign of the shorthaired girl.

"A..Akaneeeee! What happened to you?" Soun blubbered into the panda's shoulder.

Nabiki shook her head. "Relax Dad! She's probably having too much fun at Kagome's house. She'll be back tomorrow morning."

Ranma sat on the roof, looking at the starless sky. He couldn't sleep. It had been a relatively quiet three days at the house since Akane left. Ukyo, Shampoo and Kodachi tried to visit while Akane was away but somehow, by sheer coincidence, he happened to be out of the house when they came. Even Happosai was no where to be seen.

'Someone upstairs must like me.' he thought. He liked the peace, but somehow, deep down, he felt a little empty.

'Bah!I don't need her here. Besides it's much quieter without that tomboy bugging me.' he thought to himself.

He looked back up at the sky. "She's probably having a great time. Doesn't need me around." he muttered.

He sighed. "It's not like I really miss her."

He crossed his arms. "Anyhow she'll be back tomorrow. So I don't need to worry. Cuz she'll be here, soon."

He sighed again. "I'm an idiot." he thought out loud.

"So the truth comes out!" sneered a voice from behind. In an instant, Ranma was on his feet. He whirled around and was face to face with Ryoga.

'Man, I musta been waaay out of it! Didn't even sense him!' he thought. Clearly annoyed, Ranma plunked himself back on the roof. "Shut up P-Chan." he said. "Anyhow wha'dya want?"

"I'm looking for Akane."

"Surprise, surprise."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"You're always looking for Akane."

"So? You got a problem with it Ranma?" asked Ryoga, dropping into a battle stance.

But the young man just rolled his eyes and resumed watching at the dark sky. "You're a little early." he said stiffly, "She'll be back tomorrow."

Ryoga looked curiously his rival. 'What's with him? He usually isn't so ...Ah, it's Akane...' he thought, crossing his arms.

"You're still here?" asked Ranma coolly.

The wanderer stood defiantly. "So, where is she?"

Ranma frowned. He was growing impatient. "Off visiting a friend. Why?"

"Oh. Then why are you so worried?"

"Who said I was!"

"You did."

"Did not!"

"So why aren't you in bed? Why are you sitting up here whining about how much you miss –" Ryoga just managed to dodge Ranma's angry kick.

"You're dead pig-boy!" Ranma lunged forward.

Ryoga leapt out of the way. "What are you so mad about?"

"Shut it!"

"Is it cuz you admit to missing Akane?"

"Shut up!"

"Or that you haven't told her anything - even after what happened on that mountain!"

Ranma had heard enough. "DIE Ryoga!" With lightning speed, the pig tailed martial artist aimed for his head.

But Ryoga, again, avoided his wild kick. "C'mon Ranma! Why haven't you said anything?"

"It's none of your business!"

"It is when it comes to Akane!"

"Then why don't you tell her your own feelings, P-Chan?"

"Because I already have someone else!"

Ranma paused, eyeing his rival warily. "Then why are you here chasing after Akane?"

"Because I need to know … I wanted to see her one last time to make sure." answered the wanderer. Ranma stared at Ryoga in surprise.

"Look Ranma," he began, "I still have feelings for Akane … but then I met Akari -"

"Oh, so you tossed Akane aside."

"It's not like that!" Ryoga snapped.

"So you're two timing her!"

"That's rich coming from you!"

"Watch it!" Ranma cracked his knuckles ominously.

"Lo-o-k," said Ryoga slowly, visibly trying to calm himself , "How could I cheat on Akane if she doesn't love me?"

Ranma froze, the unspoken answer hanging in the air between them. Ryoga glared at Ranma, willing him to respond. The pig tailed young man looked away, not wanting to reply.

Ryoga paused to collect his thoughts. "Mount Phoenix changed a lot of things, Ranma ... for all of us." He clenched his fists, remembering. "What happened on that mountain, and... what COULD have happened..." His voice trailed off.

Ranma felt his heart race. He knew what Ryoga was implying. "Y...yeah."

Several minutes passed in silence, each fighter lost in thier own thoughts. After a while, Ryoga turned to leave. "You've been given a second chance Ranma." He looked back. "Don't waste it." Ryoga jumped into the darkness and left Ranma alone on the roof.

The next morning, Akane hadn't returned and Soun began to panic. "Ranma it's up to you now. You MUST bring Akane back!"

"Aww man! Why am I always the one sent?"

"Cuz you're the one who misses her the most Ranma!" said Nabiki slyly, ignoring the torrent of protests that followed. Seeing that he wasn't going to get out of this, Ranma trudged upstairs to pack. Silently, a small shadow followed after him.

Next he knew Ranma was standing in front of the Higurashi front door. "Stupid Akane." he muttered for the umpteenth time. "Why can't she come home when she's suppose to?" he thought as he pressed the doorbell. After a moment, a little boy opened the door. He stared up at Ranma curiously.

"Uh … Hello!"

"Um…Hi. I'm Ranma Saotome. I'm looking for Akane?"

"Oh yeah! Well, she's not back yet from …uh…." The little boy shifted his feet.

"Sota! Who's there?" called a voice from within.

"Um..It's someone looking for Akane, mom!"

A shorthaired woman soon appeared. "Hi, can I help you?"

"My name's Ranma …I'm looking –"

"Oh yes!" The woman clapped her hands together. "YOU'RE Ranma! I'm Kagome's mom, and this is Sota. Why don't you come in?"

Ranma was soon seated at the table of a very cosy house. His stomach growled as he smelled the delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. To his relief, Mrs. Higurashi appeared with tea and buns.

"It's really nice to finally meet you! Akane's told us a lot about you!"

Ranma gulped. "Uh…really?"

"She says you're quite the martial artist!"

Hearing that, Ranma sat up a little straighter. "Really!"

"And that you two are fiances!"

Ranma nearly choked on his bun. " (cough)…Really!" He felt his face go bright red.

'Aww ... poor kid!' She smiled and poured him a cup of tea. "I'm sorry Ranma for making you come so far! We've been away for two days and haven't been able to call!"

"Uh…it's alright. Akane's dad was a little worried so he sent me to make sure everything's okay."

"Everything's fine. The girls went out on a…camping trip. They should be back shortly. In the meantime, why don't you stay for dinner?"

Ranma smiled gratefully as he reached for another bun. "Yeah thanks!"

"Sota why don't you show our guest the temple? Dinner will be ready in a bit." Sota nodded. Ranma grabbed his backpack, and he and Sota walked out towards the shrine.

The courtyard, however, was full of tourists and worshippers when they arrived.

"Uh oh. Looks busy! Ranma, do you mind hanging on a sec while I check on my Grandpa?" Without waiting for an answer, Sota dashed off into the crowded store.

Ranma, being left alone, decided to explore the shrine on his own. He wandered in an out of the various rooms. It was a small temple, tidy and well kept. He eventually found the back of the temple, where it was relatively quiet. From the shaded porch he saw a huge gnarled tree. He passed beneath its shady branches and peered inside the small building that stood next to it.

"Oh, it's just a well." he murmured. He eased his backpack onto the floor and turned to plant himself beside the open doorway. The air was hot and still and Ranma felt edgy. He hated waiting, even if it was for food.

'Akane! Where are –' His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

"Whew! I'm hungry!"

Ranma froze. 'It's coming from the well!' he thought uneasily. He lifted his bag on his back and peeked around the doorframe. A girl with long hair climbed wearily out of the well followed by another familiar short-haired girl ...

Ranma couldn't believe his eyes.

"Akane!"

"...R ... Ranma!"

All three stood staring at each other in shock.

"W…Wh..What are you doing here?" Akane stammered.

"You're dad sent me since you didn't call or come home!" he replied. "What are YOU doing?"

Akane looked at Kagome, who was frantically trying to think of an explanation.

"Um…nothing really. Just ….uh…hanging out."

"Really? IN there?" he asked warily. Ranma had now stepped inside.

"Y…Yeah. We … lost something." Akane looked at Kagome with wide eyes.

"That's right!" said Kagome, catching the hint, "But we found it! So let's go to my house."

"Great idea!" agreed Akane. Both girls nervously laughed.

But the martial artist wasn't convinced. . "C'mon Akane! Do you think I'm that stupid?" He jumped down beside the girls and peered into the well.

"NO!" cried Akane. She grabbed his arm. "It's …dirty."

"Y..Yes! Dirty!" Kagome grabbed his other arm.

"Hey! What are you doing?" he demanded, trying to free himself. Ranma looked at the well, then, to his surprise, caught a flash of movement.

"WATCH OUT!" Ranma cried as he pushed the two girls away. They screamed and landed in a heap. Looking up, Kagome saw a blur of silver and red …

"Wha- WAIT!"

Too late. Ranma lunged, delivering a series of kicks to a surprised hanyou, who just managed to leap out of the way. Recovering quickly, Inuyasha charged, claws gleaming.

"Ranma don't –"

"Akane get out of here!" He leapt back, placing himself in front of the two girls.

"Feh. You wanna DIE mortal?" spat Inuyasha as he leap in the air.

Ranma jumped to meet him. "C'mon 'n' get me!"

"SIT!" / WHACK!

Both hanyou and martial artist crashed into the ground with a THUD. One was face first in the dirt, the other with a mallet on his head.

"What the hell was that about?" they screamed.

"Honestly Ranma! You can't come barging in here attacking everything you see."

"Um, HELLO! I was tryin' to save your life!"

"From what?"

Ranma looked incredulous. "From this dog-boy thing that came after you!"

"Who are you calling dog-boy?" roared Inuyasha.

"Who else, stupid?"

"You're gonna PAY pig-breath!"

Ranma bristled. "P...P..PIG BREATH!"

"Ranma! NO!" Akane charged forward.

Ranma lunged towards the hanyou, but Inuyasha was faster. He knocked the martial artist straight in the stomach. Ranma flew backwards and into Akane. Thier combined momentum caused the pair to soar through the air ...

... and straight down the well.

"Get back here!" Inuyasha dived in after them.

"No! Stop!" cried Kagome, and jumped in.

The garden was empty when Sota arrived. "Hmmm…I thought I heard Ranma…" he muttered and turned back towards the house.

A/N: Whew! Finally sorted that chapter out! I know this was full of angst and serious stuff, making Ranma rather OC. Time wise, this story takes place a few months after the end of the Ranma manga and sometime before meeting Muso in the Inuyasha world, so as not to complicate this story with the showdown with Naraku. I plan to lighten the story so don't worry, the madness is coming ...