Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½.

Author's Notes: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and suggestions. I am keeping my promise with this chapter. Last time we followed Sora Hibiki on her tragic mission but today we shall see what Kat and Ranma were doing while all this was going on. Stick with me loyal readers and follow along as we uncover the truth. Let's get on with the show!

The New Girl on the Block

Chapter 6

Bonds of Family

Kat lay in bed thinking about the day before. Her bed was facing the window with the sunlight streaming through to pool delicately on her bedspread in the guestroom. The battle with Shampoo had thoroughly drained her especially following in the wake of her battle with Toidi Taro. It just wasn't fair that so much was happening when all she wanted to do was get to know her fiancé. Her eyes took on a dangerous light as she reflected on all the chaos circling around him. As much as she dislikes fighting, the Marx child disliked these people even more. They were sneaky, cruel, manipulative, and generally a nuisance who seemed to only be on this earth to harm others. It galled her that she had to lose to one of the biggest manipulators. Their fight may have been inconclusive but it may as well have been a loss. The deep gash in her shoulder burned as it reminded her of what had befallen her.

"I hope we've seen the last of her. I'm out of commission, Ranma's ki drained, Aunty Nodoka couldn't possibly fight Shampoo, and Sora might wander off. Can this get any worse?" she moaned pathetically only to stop as a familiar pigtailed head stuck itself into her room through the open door.

"Don't ask, you might receive." He told her with a friendly smile as he brought in her breakfast. He bade her to wait while he helped her sit up and set the tray across her lap. After her abortive attempt to pick up the chopsticks, Ranma sat on the bed and slowly fed her. In between bites she asked how long she would have to stay in bed.

"Doc says it shouldn't be more than a week until you can leave the bed but I give a day or two tops. You're ki should be regenerating and from what I can tell you're pretty quick with it, not as quick as me of course but that's to be expected." He told her in a slightly arrogant tone that brought her hackles up. For the first time since they met she was genuinely upset with him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded a tad angrily before a bite of fried egg stopped her mouth up. The girl chewed slowly but her eyes were blazing. Ranma felt like a heel.

"Aw don't be like that Kat…I just meant that ya didn't have the same training as me that's all. Sorry." He mumbles out ashamedly. Here is the girl that helped him out when he needed it most and he just insulted her. This wasn't Akane who would react with a mallet; she actually fought back with words which he had little experience with. Kat gave him a kiss on the cheek, startling him into looking at her. Her eyes were soft again and she had a sheepish smile.

"It's okay but you have to remember that I'm not just your fiancée, I'm also your partner. That's what a husband and a wife are supposed to be. Then again so are friends. I want to be your partner." She told him, a light blush tinting her cheeks. Her pigtailed fiancé rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment at her declaration. He realized he should say something but couldn't think of what. His tactical computer suddenly booted up and went to work on the new variables based on a Pat Benetar song "Love is a Battlefield". What he came up with is that she wanted him to be more emotional and perhaps confirm what she just said. He was a student of Anything Goes, but above that he was a disciple of Actions Speak Louder than Words. With these things floating around in his mind he leaned in closer to his suddenly nervous fiancée and kissed her. It was supposed to be the cheek but she turned her head at the last second to say something only to meet him mouth to mouth. When the two finally came up for air, his glazed eyes took in her serene smile. His answering smile was a little giddy and if someone had compared him to Doctor Tofu in front of Kasumi he wouldn't have been far off.

"I think…I could see you as my partner…if you'll still put up with me." He told her once his brain rebooted. The girl in front of him leaned against him in a silent bid to be held which he complied with as he finished feeding her breakfast. The companionable silence was slightly strained towards the end drawing Kat's gaze to Ranma.

"What's wrong, Ranma?" she asked him, noticing his mouth firming up determinedly.

"Some other people in my life that's all. My other legitimate fiancée Ukyou might be a problem but not likely to take a run at you. Then there is my self-proclaimed fiancée Kodachi Kuno and she would definitely be a problem. She finds nothing wrong with poisons, gasses, and other drugs. She also believes in fighting "In all fairness before a match". Hopefully Sora will stick around today. If anyone could handle them it would be her." He told her as if trying to convince himself and was succeeding somewhat. Kat gave him another quick kiss, loving the taste of his lips and wishing he didn't have to go to school, but she also knew he had to. Ranma seemed just as reluctant, if not more so than her, but he knew his mom wouldn't go for it. His thoughts were running along the lines of that it should be a crime to kiss that well.

He never claimed to have iron control over his hormones, it was just that the usual girls were just that, girls. It was hard for him to be attracted to any of them simply because they lacked maturity. Ranma never claimed he was mature either, but it's easy to be desensitized when they practically crawl over him. He found his hand sliding behind her head, deepening the kiss as she held his face between her hands. The pigtailed boy could feel his hand sliding around her back as he began moving closer to her. When she gave his lower lip a soft bite he jerked softly but just enough to clear his head of the emotional fog. He looked deep into her amazing eyes of sapphire and emerald only to see his own lust reflected right back.

"Ranma…" she made his name a guttural sound as her breath drew in raggedly. Now he really didn't want to leave but he also knew that if they went through with it Doctor Tofu might kill him and not for popping her stitches either. With sheer will, he pushed away from her a little more roughly than he intended. At her hurt look he quickly tried to soothe it.

"Sorry Kat but we can't do this…not now anyway…I gotta get to school and your injuries…" he felt lame telling her all this as he took in her appearance. She was wearing burgundy pajamas and apparently they had been a little too active because the top was mostly unbuttoned and falling off her shoulder that afforded him a clear view past her naval. With her hair still sleep mussed and her lips faintly pouting he felt his already shaky control snapping. Noticing the glass of juice on her tray, Ranma splashed himself to hopefully cool off. It didn't work.

"Mmm…is this love or lust…?" she thought to herself as she watched her fiancé turn into a girl. Kat wasn't sure which it was but also knew that this was her chance to prove to herself that she could accept both parts of him. Without warning, she captured the smaller redhead with her good arm and half cradled her with her bad. The shocked look in her beautiful blue eyes solved her dilemma as she kissed the startled neo-girl fully and completely. Ranma reached into her top, molding them together as if they would merge into one by pressure alone. The tray clattering to the ground snapped them out of it. With even more reluctance, they parted. When Ranma spotted the clock she turned several shades of white before standing up to gather the discarded items she brought in with her.

"Hey love, fix your top." She said tersely over her shoulder before wishing her a good day and fleeing for her life or at least her virginity. Kat sat there in stunned silence for several moments as she recalled her fiancée's parting shot. Realizing that she was feeling a draft, she closed her top. Her body recalled the sensations from just the kiss then the making out with delight as she settled back down to have some naughty thoughts. Kat prided herself on her control but just something about the "Wild Horse" got to her in a pleasant way and it was clear she did the same for him. If only she knew if it was love or not, but they certainly got along well and she certainly did like him. She had nothing else to compare it to since her earliest memories were of training.

"I can do this…not for my honor but just to keep this feeling. This wonderful, warm feeling inside…" she murmured as she felt the chi flowing through the house. It was a wonderful feeling. Ever since her trip to Jusenkyo she could feel the dragon lines running through the planet. She was a wolf. Probably the most ferocious creature in nature by merit of the enhanced strength, stamina, and durability of the wolf coupled with her intelligence and training. Her training which allowed her to tap the lines directly like so few could hope to accomplish. Ranma however had vast reserves of ki to call upon and all times, rarely relying on the planet to draw from. He was probably the only one to know what means to have a direct link to power. Using the chi flows around her Kat began to rebuild her reserves as well as accelerate her healing. The sooner she was better the sooner Ranma didn't have to worry about her.

"Kat, it's Aunty Nodoka, can I come in?" a gentle voice asked from outside the door.

"Sure thing Aunty." She called back as she struggled into a sitting position, mindful of the slight pulling of her stitches and being careful not to pop any. When the kind woman came in she noticed the Saotome matriarch had a tray of tea as well as a change of dressing for her bandages.

"I thought you could use someone to talk to." Nodoka said as she sat beside her bed before bidding her to remove her top. As the two sat mostly in silence while the older woman worked, Nodoka noticed the slight bruising of her lips and mentally cheered for her manly son. Kat certainly was a beauty with such smooth skin and muscle tone. The slim muscle not the bulky muscle of course. She could just picture how the grandchildren would look especially if they had those beautiful eyes. She was so exotic and her demeanor was gentle but she could fight like a wild beast when provoked. Sora had said that if Kat hadn't been as good as she was then she would have been dead and her son carted off to China.

It was unacceptable that some barbarian woman would come to her country and seek to kidnap a Japanese citizen. The authorities should have been called in long ago. It galled her to no end that her own husband refused to stand up for his son and that strangers cared more. Kat and Sora were newcomers to the area and they were already kinder to her son than most of the buffoons here save Kasumi and Doctor Tofu! She noticed Kat drinking her tea one handed, waiting for her arm to be finished. Nodoka flushed slightly as she realized that she had ruminated while the poor girl was without bandages or a top and quickly rectified that.

Kat sat with her back to her fiancé's mother and smiled slightly as she was lost in her own thoughts. Mostly they involved a certain pigtailed young man and a gorgeous sunset. She had the young man but now she needed the sunset. Also the sundress, and the hat, and of course the right music as he slid his hands down to her… Whoa! She barely kept from shivering in a mix of anxiety and delight at the powerful images one make out session could evoke. To cover her reaction she asked the first thing that came to mind.

"Where's Sora?" the girl asked over her shoulder as the finishing touches were made that allowed her to pull her clothing together.

"I sent her to walk my son to school. With the trouble he has just being himself I figured a fresh fighter would be needed." Nodoka told her young houseguest while on the inside she was cheering at her good fortune. The Hibiki girl certainly was nice. Maybe she could help her find a boyfriend too! Oh the grandbabies…even if they wouldn't technically be hers…

"Aunty? Are you alright?" Kat asked the Saotome matriarch as she seemed to lose herself in fantasy land. Before the woman could reply however, a drunken form appeared in the doorway. He staggered in, reeking of sake and offal, his gi was several shades darker as if he had rolled around in refuse. Kat nearly gagged at the stench before noticing Nodoka growing quiet.

"Wife! Where's the boy? We need to leave now!" Genma bellowed at full voice before his eyes locked on the weakened girl propped up in the bed. A nasty smile crossed his features.

"Well…if it isn't the little dream wrecker…what are you doing here?" he asked her as he put extra swagger in his step, forgetting his wife sitting beside the bed. The chaotic aura he radiated made his target scoot away nervously but worry made her look to Nodoka. The woman's face was in shadow as her oaf of a husband got closer. She spoke finally as he stood behind her.

"Leave Genma and darken this house no more." Her voice held an icy finality that raised the hairs on Kat's neck but seemed to completely bounce off of the drunken master. He finally realized his wife was there, however, and went to push her to the side only to find her katana at his throat. The kendoka he had fallen in love with was suddenly there and more frightening than in his memories. With a flurry of precision kenjutsu strikes he was forced out of the room and quickly on the defensive. Kat just stared in shock as the sweet woman had gone from a peaceful position and on the attack in under a second. Nerima certainly was a strange place. From the outset it appeared as if Nodoka had him on the run even as they left her view but she couldn't help the intense dread she was feeling.

"Oh God…where are you Ranma? Come back Sora…what can I do? I can't do anything! My arm…" she whispered in fear but not for herself as she heard the sounds of combat before a terrible sound filled the air. It was the sound of tortured flesh that heralded the arrival of Nodoka. The valiant woman stared up at her husband as he moved back into view in utter horror of what he had done. His eyes wept freely as he reached for her only to watch her shy away. He opened his mouth to say something only to be propelled away by a violent charge followed up by a wicked kick. The stunned master could only watch as Kat stood between him and his wife with madness in her eyes. He could tell from her stance that she was injured but her bared teeth and blood shot eyes told him that even if he had the will to fight it would be a painful battle.

"No-chan…I-I'm sorry. I'm a terrible husband…no…a terrible man…don't forgive me…just forget me." He told her before slipping into the Umi-Sen-Ken and vanishing without a trace. Kat stayed on the alert for several more minutes until a hand on her good shoulder drew her gaze. The Saotome woman recoiled in shock at the absence of anything human in that gaze before drawing the girl in for a hug to calm them both down. When her hand came away wet she noticed that several of the stitches had been pulled and would need restitching. Leading the maddened warrior back into her room, Nodoka reflected on what Genma had to say, and barely avoided weeping.

-Furinkan High-

The bell rang signifying the start of school. Everyone's favorite pigtailed wonder had actually made it to class on time instead of having to stand outside with buckets. He sat at his desk waiting for class to begin while his mind chased its tail. Why did Ryoga have to show up? He always ruined everything. He always talked about ruining Ranma's happiness but what would happen if he knew how close he always came? When Sora and he had seen Ryoga on the way he wanted to knock the Lost Boy into the middle of next week but the Hibiki girl stopped him. His eyes traveled to the girl sitting next to him. The boy sighed, knowing that things would never be the same between them. The cast on her arm told him that quite clearly. She hadn't been as angry as she usually was but the lack of anger made him worried.

"Yo 'Kane, wanna talk?" he asked her with a bit of trepidation. The short haired girl blinked in shock at her ex-fiancé. She was trying to figure out why he wanted to talk to her but then decided to humor him. It might hurt less.

"Yeah, sounds good to me. Where's Kat?" she asked him. At his wince she could tell it was a sore subject but she had to know.

"We met Shampoo yesterday." He replied grimly causing Akane to wince now. She could just picture how that turned out.

"Is she alright?" the not-so-violent girl asked. Ranma let out a breath through his nose before giving her the rundown of everything he remembered from the day before. Taro, Kuno, and even Mousse had worn him down severely. Kat had fought Taro in her beast form and had won, but it had been a close thing according to her. When he explained about how he was mostly unconscious for the battle between Kat and Shampoo, Akane felt her heart go out to him. He hated having someone hurt when he was close enough to stop it. Never mind that he was out cold at the time because to him it didn't matter. When he got to the pat he woke up for, Akane had to stop him and clarify something.

"Sora…Hibiki? Ryoga has an older sister? She was able to beat Shampoo?" the Tendo girl asked, mindful of asking quietly because they didn't want all this getting around school.

"Uh huh. You know how strong Ryoga is well she was definitely a Hibiki judging by her strength. She almost broke Shampoo in half with a punch. If I hadn't stopped her she would have done it for real. Basically, out of all us she wasn't hurt, I was barely wounded, Kat had a nasty shoulder wound, and Shampoo almost wasn't able to walk. Cologne sure was pissed off but I found out this morning that Sora planned it so that the elder couldn't do anything to her. As for Kat…she's stuck in bed until her injuries heal a little. Doctor Tofu figured she would be out by the end of the week but I'm thinking it might be sooner. She's not taking bed rest well at all but she did seem better when I brought her breakfast." He said with a slight blush as he remembered how he figured out she was doing better. Akane noticed the blush and figured she must not have been decent. If she only knew that she was half right then she might have pulled out her trusty Mallet-sama.

"But she's alright? That's good to hear." The girl said to him as an uncomfortable silence developed. Ranma would have said more but just then class started and he actually wanted to pay attention today. Akane turned to face the front of the room as well leaving the two with no chance to talk until break.

Ranma fought tooth and nail to stay awake just in case something went wrong but nothing did. He was relieved to say the least and at his former fiancée's insistence he continued the story ending with meeting Ryoga. The two of them talked companionably about little things like Doctor Tofu coming by last night and actually staying sane (compared to normal anyway) around Kasumi. He was also pinching his leg a lot but it must have been to help him focus. The eldest girl was so happy that he could stay in the same room as her that she kissed him right in front of the whole family which seemed to cure the good doctor better than the pinches. Ranma almost laughed out loud but managed to keep it to a fierce snicker that threatened to topple him out of his chair. Nabiki had finally saved enough to go to university in the fall as well as putting enough away for whoever wanted to go next. Apparently those photos really were going towards the house, just not in the way he imagined.

Just then a ki flare suddenly rocketed into the visible spectrum stopping all conversation. He felt a peculiar wrench as he felt a ki he was familiar with suddenly snuff out light a candle in high wind. The void felt terrible and he ended up at the window without realizing how he got there. Miss Hinako said something and he responded but he couldn't remember what he said in return. All that mattered was getting out of there and over to the problem as fast as he could. When he leapt out the window and took off he didn't think that anyone could possibly keep up but then he found Akane beside him. She was pushing herself far beyond her max but it was obvious she felt something terrible as well. He just wished they could have been like this when they were engaged. When they reached the scene they saw paramedics hustling a stretcher into an ambulance and Ryoga standing off to the side crying like a broken hearted child…

-Saotome Home-

It took Nodoka and Doctor Tofu's best efforts to finally calm her down, but now she was relaxed. She still insisted on sitting at the table for lunch rather than sit in bed. To the young doctor's shock she was swirling with energy but the body was still weak. Rather than argue with her, they acceded to her demands which is why she was dressed in a black button down top and blue jeans. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail rather than hanging loose.

"Your husband was here?" the good doctor asked. The Saotome matriarch nodded. Kat put her arms around the older woman gently in a comforting embrace, being mindful of the stitches or she was sure Tofu would snap. The girl stroked her back gently which seemed at odds with how she was earlier. He really had to know what triggered such a powerful and violent reaction. Was it because she thought Nodoka was in danger? Even now she was radiating a force that was both familiar and alien to him. It was the chi of the beasts. He knew her cursed form was a wolf but he didn't think it affected her at this level. Then again he had no idea really what the curse did to someone aside from the superficial.

"Yes, he was here and he was drunk. I think it was the only reason he struck me but it could have been simply a martial artist's reflex to defend himself. He had no business being here and I was concerned for Kat but it appears I shouldn't have worried too much." She patted the girl's hand with a fond smile as she bid Kat to sit down again. The trio ate in silence for a time giving them peace as they thought over everything that had happened. Doctor Tofu wished that the normal chaos surrounding Ranma would give them a break but apparently it wasn't done yet.

He looked to his latest patient with an appraising eye. She was a martial artist as were a number of people in the area but she preferred not to fight. It didn't mean that she wouldn't of course but she just didn't like to. What drew his attention was how much like Ranma she was. Certainly their attitudes were different on the surface but there was the aura of the protector around her. She was a guardian and she knew how to use the weapons God and Jusenkyo gave her. Aside from Taro she was the only one who seemed genuinely happy to have her curse. Perhaps he should ask why.

"I noticed that you don't seem too upset with your curse. It was curious to me and I understand if you don't want to talk about it…" he said hesitantly but rather than being upset, he was rewarded with a smile.

"My cursed form is a giant wolf. Something not seen in nature but that's okay. I like the enhanced strength, stamina, and endurance as well as the heightened senses. My own skills and intelligence are added on to what the springs gave me as well so why shouldn't I be happy with it? It's not like I turn into a helpless animal. I am a queen of the forest." She told him with obvious pride. If she had been a wolf she probably would have struck a noble pose. Tofu was taken aback slightly by her declaration. She really was more like Ranma than he guessed at first. He would display the same sense of pride in his girl form even if he didn't totally like it.

"My future daughter-in-law is certainly something else isn't she?" Nodoka smile fondly at the girl beside her. Kat, realizing how she must have sounded, blushed deeply as she finished her simple meal. A knock at the door disturbed their thoughts. The woman of the house stood up and went to see who was at the door. Her voice called back tremulously.

"Kat, Doctor Tofu, we have visitors." Her voice held a note of worry drawing the other two to the door to see what was going on. The sight at that greeted them gave them cause to worry as well when the noticed Akane at the door with Ryoga. The girl was holding him upright even as he fell apart before their eyes. Kat found it hard to believe the violent berserker was crying so hard but it was right there before her eyes.

"What's going on, Akane?" Tofu asked as he moved closer to examine Ryoga's injuries only to find him back away in shame.

"From what I understand from Ryoga…he and his sister fought. She's currently at Tokyo General. The paramedics say it doesn't look good." She reported, having a hard time maintaining her composure. Akane may not have known Sora but she could feel for the young man beside her. As she finished speaking, a particularly loud sob attracted their attention to the wanderer beside her. Kat looked as she was about to cry with Nodoka close behind her.

"We better get down to the hospital to check on her." Tofu suggested but then Nodoka's head came up.

"What about my son?" she asked in a frightened whisper only to have the Lost Boy surprisingly ease her fears.

"He went to the hospital with my sister. Oh gods…what have I done?" he managed to get out before the tears flowed again. Upon hearing that last part any sympathy Kat may have had for the blundering fool evaporated, clearing her head. With another person thinking clearly, plans were made to call a cab to get to the hospital. When the taxi arrived, Kat took the front seat without asking anyone. Judging by the stiffness in her spine it was to avoid sitting anywhere near Ryoga. Nodoka sat on the other side of the Lost Boy as Akane sat near the door. They didn't want him to somehow wander off by accident. Doctor Tofu it turns out had a car and went on ahead to see what he could do. The driver felt as if he was in the middle of a Mexican standoff. He prayed he wasn't there when the shooting started.

"I'm sure she'll be alright. Ranma's taken quite a bit of damage before and he always springs back. Sora's strong and she has support so it shouldn't be too different for her." Nodoka tried saying only to be interrupted by Ryoga.

"She charged through a Shi Shi Hokodan…a full power Shi Shi Hokodan…" he whispered mournfully. The driver's hopes of escaping in one piece were dashed as Kat snarled like an angry wolf. Nodoka reached for the girl's free hand and clutched it gently from the back seat. The girl wanted so badly to rip him apart but he was doing a good job of doing it himself. There was nothing she could do so she merely sat back and tried to meditate. Akane held Ryoga's hand as he let out his grief. She was reminded of the day her mother died and how her father reacted. None of them could stop crying either. Akane prayed the girl would survive because she was certain it would kill him. That is if the attitudes of the people around them were any indication. Even Aunty Nodoka was frosty towards the Hibiki lad. When they reached the hospital, the woman took his hand and held him back. With a look she sent the girls scurrying inside while she pulled the mystified young man to a corner of the parking lot away from prying eyes.

"Uhm…Saotome-san…what about Sora?" his confusion was so great that he wasn't crying. The matriarch of the Saotome clan stared at him and through him. Her gaze chilled a part of his soul.

"We need to talk, P-chan." Ryoga felt his world turn upside as everything went black…

-Inside the Hospital-

It didn't take long to find Ranma. He was sitting in the waiting room with his hands clasped between his knees and his head bowed. The lights above his head almost gave him the appearance of a halo as the tears slowly fell down his face. The sound of feet approaching forced him to lift his head. When he saw Akane and Kat standing together he got to his feet shakily. Only his superior reflexes allowed him to catch both girls when they barreled into his chest, all three teens drawing strength from one another. A quick kiss was shared between the Saotome boy and his fiancée while Akane looked away.

"H-how is she?" the Marx girl asked the distraught boy as he sat down again, this time holding her hand while Akane held his other.

"The docs say its too early to tell…they got her stabilized but that's all. According to them "She's not out of the woods yet" like it's some kinda damn hiking trip! I'll kill that pig even if she's fine. It's one thing to break a few bones but he should have known better. He should have…" his rant faltered as his loathing turned inward. It didn't take a genius to figure out what he was thinking.

"Ranma, it wasn't your fault. These things happen. Any time you and Ryoga would fight it could have happened. She's a Hibiki and you know they're tough. She'll pull through." Akane told him as Kat nuzzled into his side, providing what comfort she could. The Tendo child inwardly groaned. Why did she have to be so stupid? At least they were still friends which is more than she was expecting. Footsteps approaching drew their gaze upward. A doctor was approaching them with Doctor Tofu.

"How is she doc?" Ranma asked in a whisper, almost as if by speaking louder he might kill her. The doctor smiled to ease his fear while Tofu nodded with a twinkle in his eye.

"She's out of surgery but she's still unconscious. If she wakes up before morning it will be a miracle. Actually I find it a miracle that she survived it. The internal injuries were too numerous to count. Your friend here suggested that she had expended all her ki which is why she was so bad off. Since he's a good friend I'm inclined to believe him. You can go see her if you like. If you'll excuse me." He told them with a slight bow before he went to check on other patients. The teens let out a breath they didn't know they were holding.

"Ready to see her?" Tofu asked kindly. He was almost bowled over by enthusiastic teens before he managed to corral them and get them heading in the same direction. As they passed the doors, Nodoka entered and fell in step with them.

"Where's Ryoga?" Akane asked Ranma's mother. The woman grew slightly colder at the mention of him but answered nonetheless.

"He couldn't bring himself to face his sister" 'or you' she thought privately "so he went on a journey to atone for his transgressions. He no longer is allowed to practice his family style so he wishes to fix the state of his soul as he put it." She told the awestruck teens. It was hard to believe but no one questioned it. Why would she lie to them? With that thought pushed to the side they continued on to the hospital room where their friend slept.

-Somewhere-

Ryoga sat atop a mountain somewhere. He had no idea where he was but it certainly wasn't Japan and for that he was grateful. The Saotome matriarch had told him she knew of his curse. When he went to blame Ranma he was brought up short by a drawn katana. Like most people, he had assumed she simply carried it and didn't understand how to use it, but when it seemed to almost materialize it brought it home how wrong he was. He was told at length what she thought of his stunt with Akane and told him what kind of a stain on her honor it was. With a sinking heart he knew he couldn't blame Ranma for this. Logic was never his strong suit but after almost committing homicide on his own sister, he was much more open to reason.

"Why couldn't she just let me kill myself?" he thought mournfully but then her words came back to him.

"Do you want to cause even more grief with your selfishness? How will your sister react to that? She needs all the support she can get but if she finds you're dead then she just might want to go with you. I will not allow that. I demand that you swear on your honor, no matter how badly tarnished, that you will not kill yourself. Use this chance she has given you to make your mistakes right." She had told him in a voice laced with steel. He realized she was right but he didn't have the wisdom or the courage to fix this. With that thought in mind he decided to head out and find his courage. His heart had returned and he now had hard earned wisdom, but the courage just wasn't there. When Nodoka asked where he was going, he told her he needed to atone for his sins. She let him go, but made him promise that he would not die either due to deliberate act or carelessness.

"I wish I knew where I was…but it's better this way." He told the wind as he stood up and prepared to begin his journey properly. As he walked away, he failed to notice the surprised onlookers at the base of Mount Rushmore or the portal that opened up to swallow him.

End Chapter

Author's Notes: A bit longer than the last chapter but I had more to work through. I hope you don't mind. I tried writing a lime bit as evidenced further up in the chapter. Please tell me what you thought of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this installment! Ja ne!