Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ use it merely for entertainment purposes.

Aishia and Riener were sitting outside the house waiting for Ranma to return from his first run in his wolf form. Already they were planning on how they would continue his training in controlling his wolf transformation and then progressing to his bipedal wolf form. After that there would exercises designed to control his now 'monstrous' strength, it would not do well for Ranma to crush every thing he held just by picking it up. "How long to do think it will take him to return?" Aishia asked in Riener's native language.

"It could be days," Riener said. "You don't know what the first hand experience is for a human to change into a Lycanthrope and then have the freedom to simply let go and run around."

Aishia conceded that point. She like most natural born Lycanthropes was born in her animal form and changed into a human later. Riener was one of the few natural borns that was born a human and learned to change into a wolf. Aishia always had a feeling that this was the reason Riener was such a loner. She thought that he felt he never really fit in with his natural born relatives or the humans that were turned into Lycanthropes through a bite. "Well I'll give you that," Aishia said. "If that's the case then maybe we should go look for him. He has a lot to learn still and he needs to learn the basics before we move on. I want to see what I can do about his curse. You can imagine the trouble he would cause if he turned into a female and a male was looking for a mate."

"That would cause a lot of troubles," Riener agreed. Some of the younger Lupines sometimes had trouble controlling their instincts to find a mate. And if they mistook Ranma for a potential mate…well Riener did not want to think about the damage that would be inflicted upon the surrounding area. "Still let him enjoy himself, we'll go look for his tomorrow if he has not come back."

Aishia nodded and went to return to the house and Riener followed right after her. They both stopped and turned when they heard a couple of branches braking off to the right. They were surprised to see a large silver female wolf. They went on their guard the instant it came into the clearing but then they looked very confused for a moment. They both recognized the scent of the female but could not place it. "Damn rock slide cause the river to slash me," the silver female Lupine said in Japanese.

Aishia blinked for a moment, "Ranma?" the new Lupine arrival nodded and sat down. "Well I guess we know what you look like we your curse is activated," Aishia said in Japanese. "Silver fur is a trade mark of the Stalker heritage."

"I get warm water," Riener said.

"Aishia?" Ranma called, "How do I change back into a human."

"To change back into a human you just do what you did to change into a wolf," Aishia answered. "Just focus on the part of you that's human this time.

"Ok," Ranma said. She then closed her eyes searching her Ki once again. This time it was much easier to find what she was looking for. The mental image of her human side, in female form, lying down fast asleep. Ranma-chan attempted to wake up the sleeping redhead, and only after minor effort the redhead eyes opened and Ranma was once again outside her mind. "How long did it take this time?"

"Not long," Aishia said. "Only a few minutes, it's easier for you to return to your um," she looked at Ranma-chan for a moment, "Human form because you were born a human."

"That makes sense I guess," Ranma-chan said.

"Let's go inside Riener has probably has the water warmed up," Aishia said.

Back in Japan where Cologne had first taught Ryouga the Bakusai Tenketsu. Cologne had once again brought Ryouga here to teach him the basics of transforming into a Lupine. Currently it was nightfall and the two were waiting for dinner to finish cooking and the water to reach a hot enough temperature to change Ryouga back to a human. Ryouga had just turned into his wolf form when it rained for a few seconds and changed him into a piglet. Apparently the Jusenkyo curse over road Ryouga's Lycanthropy. "Well the water looks like it's hot enough," Cologne said taking the pot off the fire and dumping it on Ryouga. What Cologne saw next intrigued her a bit, instead of returning to his human form Ryouga changed back into a large wolf instead. "Change back to a human so we can eat."

Ryouga complied and changed back into a human. After that he changed into the clothes he set off to the side before hand and asked, "Why did I change back to a wolf?" Ryouga asked.

"I am not too sure," Cologne admitted. "But I think because the Jusenkyo curse changes you into what you would look like if you were born as what the spring turned you into the curse simply ignores what form you in."

"Even as a Werewolf I'm still stuck with this curse," Ryouga complained. "This is all Ranma's OW!" Ryouga was cut off from his usual tirade by Cologne clubbing him with her staff.

"I am getting tired of you blaming Son…no, Ranma for your problems," Cologne said. "At first a found you claims amusing so I never said anything but now they are annoying at best and self destructive at worse."

"Because of him I've seen OW!" A staff to the head again interrupted Ryouga.

"The few incidents that Ranma was involved with that caused your life to suffer were either your own fault or that fat-panda's fault," Cologne continued. "That dual was your fault and you falling in the spring was Genma's fault and the problems you encountered as a pig were your fault because you never told anyone about it."

"Ranma must pay for what he did to Akane OW!" another hit to the head.

"He has done nothing to that spoiled child!" Cologne by now was getting very irritated about Ryouga's complaining. "She did nothing to deserve Ranma's loyalty in the past. It was because of her own stubbornness and temper that kept her from progressing in the Art after Ranma arrived and several the problems she had with various kidnappings."

"Don't talk about Akane like that! OW!"

"I will admit it was not all her fault," Cologne conceded. "Some of the blame can go to her foolish father, Happosai and even members of my village even myself, but through all of that she has yet to learn anything from them." She then took the meal off the fire and handed some to Ryouga, "Now be quite and eat or I'll put you in the cage I brought you in."

Ryouga rubbed his head while eating very silently. As he ate he began to think about what Cologne said and some of it was starting to get through. Even Ryouga's thick skull allowed information to sick in; Cologne's skull smacks helped a lot. "Could she be right?"

At the Tendo Dojo a sight was taking place that had not been seen in many years. Nabiki and Kasumi were in the Dojo practicing the Martial Arts. Both had restarted their interest for the same reason really, Nodoka. Kasumi had many long talks with Nodoka about their lives over the past ten years and Nodoka shared the one of her reasons for training and using the Katana. She did it because she felt closer to her late lover and son by sharing their interesting in the Art. Even though neither were with her for many years she always felt closer to them whenever she stepped into the Dojo and practiced her Katas, it somehow filled part of the emptiness their absence left. Kasumi started work out at night in private not long after to see if Nodoka was right, Kasumi quickly found that Ranma's Mother was correct. Kasumi could easily picture herself next to Ranma as she practiced her Kata and him observing and correcting. Nabiki retook the Art after she had a long talk with Nodoka about her future. In the few months before Ranma went with Aishia, the time when he showed improvement in many fields Nabiki found herself seriously thinking about business aspects of the Art. From running a Dojo, to tournaments to even producing videos for home use. She found that with her and Ranma's combined effort they could make a very good living. When she informed Nodoka of this Nodoka agreed but pointed out a serious flaw in her business plans. She pointed out that any good business owner or manager should well versed in all aspects of the business, and in the Marital Arts that meant training. Seeing the logic in those words Nabiki figured she had nothing to lose by taking a little time to practice the Art. After she started she found an enjoyment she had lost over ten years ago when she had to give it up to keep the house afloat.

Now the two elder sisters would train together just like they did when they were younger. Only two things would make their renewed enjoyment even better, their Father doing their instruction and their little Sister joining them. Unfortunately Soun was still far too emotional to be a good teacher and Akane took their renewed interest as a personal insult and refused to join them. So to progress in the Art had to seek other teachers, currently they were practicing some basic Wu Shu that Cologne. had shown them just before Cologne left to train Ryouga, Shampoo would help when they had trouble with techniques. "Do you think Father and Akane will ever join us?" Kasumi asked after she finished the current exercise she was practicing.

"I don't know," Nabiki answered truthfully. "Daddy still doesn't see anything further than that shoji board and Genma beyond it. And Akane," she paused for a moment, "I think we can blame ourselves for the way she turned out."

"Neither of us really put any effort into keeping her in line," Kasumi supported.

"Yeah and now if something doesn't go her way she goes off the deep end," Nabiki sighed. "Lets call it a night Sis. I'm tired and not having much luck with this Kata."

Kasumi nodded, "Alright, let's get cleaned up and head inside." Nabiki nodded and the two began to clean up the Dojo for the night.

In her room Akane was brooding. For the past several weeks, even before Ranma moved in with his Mother, nothing had been going right for her. Just in the last couple of days she had to fight off more would be suitors now that the engagement being off had finally gotten around, Kuno was the worst of them all. "The worst part is Nabiki and Kasumi are trying to take my Dojo," she thought bitterly. "I'm the Heir to the Dojo they no right to use it. And to think they actually thought I wouldn't see thought their ploy by inviting me to join them. Their just trying to steal my techniques no they can take the Dojo." After a few more minutes of silent muttering Akane sighed, "Where's P-chan when I need him? He always makes me feel better about my problems."

At her restaurant Ukyou was closing for the evening when the door opened and surprisingly it was Shampoo that entered. "Shampoo? What are you doing here?"

"Shampoo come to get away from Stupid Duck Boy," Shampoo frowned. "Stupid Duck Boy not leave Shampoo alone. Even in cage him annoying." Ukyou tried very hard to suppress her giggle but failed completely to do so. Shampoos frown grew as the giggles increased. "It not funny, Duck Boy not leave Shampoo alone since Great Grandmother take Lost Boy away. He think Shampoo his now that Ranma not Shampoo Airen."

"You're giving up on Ran-chan?" Ukyou asked very confused. She did not believe Shampoo, like her, would ever give up on Ranma, especially with how close he was getting to them in the past couple of months.

"NO!" Shampoo shouted causing Ukyou to jump. "Shampoo never give up! Shampoo love Airen!"

"I thought you said Ran-chan wasn't your husband anymore?" Ukyou inquired.

"He not," Shampoo admitted with a sigh. "Lupines have treaty with Amazons. They not get Kiss of Marriage. Shampoo must get Ranma other way."

"Your not the only one sugar," Ukyou reminded. "Because he's not a Saotome none of us have a real claim to be his fiancé."

"Auntie say Shampoo can still date Ranma," Shampoo brightened a little.

"True," Ukyou nodded. Nodoka was still wanted a lot of grandchildren apparently so she encouraged all the girls to pursuit Ranma. She only said that in the end it was his decision and they could not use violence on the others to get ahead. So at the very least it was an even playing field for all those concerned.

Back in the forest another three days had passed and Ranma was now able to change from human to wolf at just a thought and it only took a few seconds to accomplish. Now was the time for him to take the next step, learning how to change into the bipedal wolf. "So how do I do this?" Ranma asked.

"Again its different for each Lycanthrope," Aishia said. "The only real pointer I can give you is try and find a feeling that's in between wolf and human."

"Thanks that helps a lot," Ranma responds sarcastically. "Ok let me see here," Ranma thought. "I change back and forth between human and wolf by 'waking up' the other. Aishia said to find what in between feels like. So what does that mean I can only be half awake as a biped wolf!" Ranma shook his head, "No way that's going to work." He then began to think about what he was learning the past couple of days, he first learned to change and then took off for runs to get a feel for his knew body, each time it would get much easier then the last. "In all honesty it's like learning a new style, start with the basics then move to the advanced stuff. So how do I begin with the basics with this?" After a few minutes of thought he decided to meditate like he did the first time.

Closing his eyes he began to search his inner Ki like he had done the first time he wanted to change days before. It did not take nearly as long because he knew what to look for, but he still went slowly in his search incase he missed something. Soon he came upon the mental image of his wolf form sleeping peacefully. "So to change into a wolf I have to think about waking you up," Ranma asked inside his mind. Thinking about waking up the wolf caused it to do just that and forced Ranma to wake up and find he was in his wolf state, "Damn it!"

Aishia watching from the house, she decided to leave him be since she really can't help at this point, laughed when she heard Ranma curse. "How long do you think it'll take him to change into a biped?"

"He's a fast learner," Riener said. "I'd say about two days tops."

Aishia was going to respond but another curse came from outside. She turned to see Ranma now as a human, and female, standing where a wolf was before. Seeing the Jusenkyo curse again caused her sigh, "I hope Dona can help him with that. I really don't want to see him fight a Lupine just because his female side is in heat."

"Dona knows the most about Chaos Magic out of all of us, if any one can she can" Riener assured. "And speaking of mates how is yours doing?"

"Donavan still doesn't want to be turned," Aishia sighed. "Problem with taking a human as a mate, they die so easily. I don't know why I or any of us still do."

"Because it's impossible to choose who you love," Riener said. "Even the most stubborn aren't immune to it."

"I know," Aishia relented. "I just wish that dope would loose some of his stubbornness, he'll live longer because of his Ki manipulation but I'd rather have a mate that looks my age instead of my Father's."

Later that night Ranma was still working on changing into a biped. Currently a he, there was a pot of water close to the fire at all times, Ranma was still having a lot of trouble. He would either go all the way wolf or all the way human. "I knew trying to only make the images half awake wouldn't work and now I know for sure." There was no half awake for either form. It would wake up completely and he would find himself as a human or a wolf not something in between.

Ranma began think again, "Ok one side wakes up the other goes asleep. What would happen if both sides were awake? And how would I keep both awake if one side wakes up forcing the other asleep?" He then went into meditation once again and found himself in a familiar location standing in front of the sleeping wolf. Before he made his way to wake the wolf up he sat back and tried to think of a way to keep his human side awake at the same time. "Maybe if I concentrate on my human side while waking up my wolf side." With a plan in mind Ranma focused on being human and tried to wake up the wolf. When the wolf opened its eyes Ranma felt massive pain in his head as images his human side appeared only to replace it with a wolf image and back to a human. The jumping back and forth of images caused him to scream at the top of his lungs, only it was not a scream, it came out as a loud howl, "AAAAAWWWWOOOOOO!"

Ranma's eyes snapped open and found himself staring down at Aishia wondering how she became short, "Good job Ranma, you just changed into your biped wolf form." She took a step back and gave Ranma a gook look. Ranma's bipedal form was standing two and a half meters tall, covered in white fur with silver highlights making it shine in the low light, and a well muscled body. She had to admit Ranma was an impressive sight, "I can just image what those girls will do when we get back."