Ki Cutters: 17

The Presents

"Merry Christmas," whispered Akane.

Ranma blinked awake. He looked up into the face of the woman he loved and wondered how he deserved to be so lucky. While they might not be violating the Amazon Matriarchy's idea of co-habitation, to his mind they were lovers. Ranma reached up and pulled her face close for a deep kiss while his hands stroked her back. "Merry Christmas Eve," he murmured back, correcting her.

"You'll be at your mother's?" she asked.

"I'll be at Mom's till noon, then Ucchan's to help her out. She said we should be finished around 5:00 PM."

"Has she said anything new about whether she'll accept the adoption offer?" Akane asked.

"She's still thinking." At the look she gave him he added, "She's not planning on starting the fiancée business again, she's just looking for…" He paused and struggled to define Ukyo's intentions. "For some kind of symmetry, I guess. I think she feels her family won't be satisfied by having us adopt her, regardless of her financial success." He struggled some more. "I'm not really saying this right."

"Well, don't worry about it." She stroked his cheek. "Ranma?"

"What?"

"I don't see you shave very often. Why is that?"

Ranma blushed. "Uh… as near as I can tell, when I go girl, the face hair gets inhibited. If I have a beard when it happens, I lose it. Sometimes I just go through the motions," he added, embarrassed. He slid free of her arms and stood up, stretching as he did so. He smiled as her arms came around him from behind and she pressed herself firmly against his back. "Jeez, Akane," he said as the shivers subsided a little. "Why don't ya just seduce me?"

"Don't worry," she replied in sultry tones, "Some day I will."

He choked and shivered into his clothes. The one precaution they consistently took in sharing the same bed when they could as they did, was they kept their underwear on and kept a policy of not touching there, which was sometimes absolute torture. "Ya know if I followed the freak's policy, you'd be knocked up good by now," he warned.

"I know. That's one of the reasons I love you. You know where honor lies and you follow it so beautifully." Akane sat on the edge of her bed and smiled her devastating smile. "Are you sure you won't give me a hint about my present?" she added.

He stuck out his tongue. "Everybody knows what it is but you, tomboy, and it really rankles, doesn't it?" He buttoned his shirt.

"Rrrrrannnmmma…" she fumed. "Bet you don't know what I'm getting you."

"Not a clue. I can wait though."

"Ranma!" Her tones were exasperated. "How can you just… be like that!"

"It's like the Art, Akane; patience and persistence and practice. Then when the time is right, everything comes together." He grinned, glided over and pulled her into a kiss as he ran his hand up from her waist to cup her breast. "Like it will be for us." He kissed her and nibbled the side of her neck. "We'll come together." He let her sag back onto the bed and opened the window. Gliding out into the predawn of Christmas Eve, he added, "Bye, love," and was gone in the direction of the Saotome residence.

Akane sighed, shut the window and hugged herself. Ranma could be so damn romantic she could just die. She thought about how she used to view this or that girl, who would be all beside herself over some guy. She had thought them unbearably silly and now she was doing the same thing. She shivered and felt the taut muscles of her belly. Some day she might be like Kodachi or Ninomiya or Nodoka, carrying new life within her. Life inside because of the love she and Ranma shared. It gave her a better understanding of those girls who seemed almost desperate for pregnancy. They felt the life within would somehow guarantee the love without. At least she didn't have to worry about where she stood with Ranma anymore.

Quickly she dressed. There was still some decorating to be done for the party that evening. For once, everyone coming was doing so out of friendship and not out of a desire to gain an advantage over a rival. She ticked off those invited: Shampoo and the Chinese 5, Ukyo 1, Ryoga (who she would have to bring) and his family 3, Kodachi, Taro and Tatewaki (the senior Kuno was not invited) 3, Ranma's family of course 5 including Ranma, Atsuko, Ryunosuke and their parents (and bodyguards) 6, the Morisatos and Baradandya's sisters 4, Konatsu and Akari…

She gulped over that one. Now that they had straightened out what had happened, Ryoga really needed to apologize to Akari for his assumption, and Akari needed to apologize to him for her lack of trust. She still hoped they'd come.

She didn't know if Happosai would show up or not. Between the drubbing he'd received from the gang and Atsuko's presence, he might stay away. Ryu Kumon would be there, of course 1, as well as Mitsuke-san and her family from next door 5…

All told there would be anywhere from thirty to forty people at the party. Then, in just a few more days, Hinako Ninomiya would become Hinako Tendo, and in about seven months, she'd have a new sibling. Perhaps strangely, she wasn't concerned over the age difference. She hoped it was a boy to carry on the Tendo name. She knew her own status regarding the dojo was not threatened. Hinako had made that clear.

"Kasumi!" she called out. "I'm going to clean the dojo…"

"Akane, you've cleaned it six times!" Kasumi laughed, ducking out from the kitchen. "Why don't you help me cook?"

Akane paled. She had finally come to the realization of just how bad she was at cooking and had made strides to correct it. She was, however, erratic in her results. Not only that, if anyone found out she had anything to do with preparing the food, the company might find excuses not to show. She really didn't want to be responsible for wrecking their Christmas party. "Can I wear a disguise?" she asked.

Kasumi blinked. "A… disguise? What?"

"Oneechan, if anyone knows I helped you, they'll hide."

"Well, it wouldn't be fair not to give you credit…" Kasumi faltered.

"It might not be fair," Akane grinned. "But it would be prudent. If you select the ingredients for me, I'll be very careful to follow the instructions."

"Tell me Akane's not cooking," grumbled Nabiki, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"I'm not cooking," Akane said brightly.

"I don't believe you." Nabiki blinked. "You've got to remember who you're talking to." She groaned and straightened. "Okay, Kasumi, I'll pay 500 yen up front, if you tell me which ones to avoid."

"Oh, Nabiki!" Kasumi chided. "Akane is fine now, except when Ranma upsets her," she amended.

Nabiki brightened. "Really? That's all right then. See you all at the party…"

"Nabiki…" Akane growled. "Just why do you think everything will be all right?" Nabiki looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Have you been bugging my room?" Nabiki laughed and walked away. Akane fumed. Then with a hint of malice, she called after her sister, "Watch it, Nabiki! You won't like it if I get… upset!" She smiled as Nabiki 'urked' and hesitated. "Get rid of the bugs or I'm personally going to cook all your meals for the entire break."

Nabiki turned and smiled painfully. "Of course, Akane, you had but to ask." She turned away.

"I shouldn't have needed to ask," Akane grumped. "Where are you going?"

"I thought I'd catch a few more winks…"

"Oh, no, you're not." Akane smirked as she caught her sister's arm. "We're all working to get ready for this party." Nabiki tested the grip then looked disgusted.

"Akane, dear?" Kasumi interrupted Nabiki's enslavement. "That special gift for Ranma is at Mitsuke's like you asked." Kasumi looked pensive. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Akane laughed. "He's probably forgotten it, as busy as we've been, but he suggested it, himself."

"If you like, I'll go over and get it for you," suggested Nabiki, hoping for a chance to escape. She schooled her expression as Akane turned toward her.

"That's wonderful, Nabiki! Thank you. After we're finished in the kitchen, we'll decorate the dojo. Then you can do that for me." Akane beamed at her. Nabiki's shoulders slumped and she regarded her little sister with dismay.

"Youexpect me to cook?"

oOo

Ranma gave his mother a hug and a kiss before heading out the door to Ucchan's. "I can't believe how hard you work, son," his mother said with a shake of her head.

"I have something to work for now," he answered. "That makes all the difference." He looked at the cleaned and decorated house and smiled. He staggered as Kurumi jumped him and hugged him around the neck.

"When you gonna be at the party, Ranma?" she yelled. Then she whispered in his ear, "I know where you were last night."

"I know where I was, too," he replied, unruffled. "Too bad, about Ryunosuke, though."

"Ryo? Isn't he coming?" Kurumi demanded, then screeched, "He promised!"

"Whoa! Hey!" Ranma backed away from a red-faced temper tantrum. "As far as I know he's coming!"

"Then why did you say…?"

"I only said it was too bad," Ranma replied. "I didn't say about what."

"Then what's too bad?" she growled, her head coming down between her shoulders. Ranma thought about a badger he had inadvertently cornered once. "You mean… you were just teasing me?"

"Well, you were teasing me!" Ranma countered sweating.

She screamed in his face, "Oooh! I hate you!" and stomped from the room. As she stormed past Natsume, her older sister followed her with her eyes. Her legs were carrying her the other way.

"Ranma, do you mind if I bring Ryu by Ucchan's for lunch?"

"Why should I mind?" Ranma asked blankly.

"Don't be dense, Ranma," she said sharply, "You 'waitress' there. I didn't want to embarrass you."

"Thanks, Natsume," he grinned. "But so long as Ryu doesn't try to pinch my butt, I don't care. With you there, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Why should… he doesn't try…" Natsume blustered, blushing.

"Huh? No! With you there, why should he pinch my butt?" He turned and smacked her firm derrière, himself, as he stepped out the door.

"Ranma!" shrieked his older sister. "I'll get you!" She was out and after him as he laughed, leapt and dodged away. "You jerk!"

"I'll help!" yelled Kurumi, leaping from the second story window. The action became fast and furious… and noisy.

"Children!" Nodoka protested. "Children!"

Ranma came in for a last kiss and darted away. "Bye, Mom!"

Natsume and Kurumi panted up to the door. "Damn, he's fast!" the former said.

"He's cool," Kurumi added, grinning and wiping sweat from her brow.

"He's Ranma," Nodoka smiled touching a finger to her cheek.

oOo

Ucchan's was surprisingly busy. Ranma slipped through the press and actually did get pinched a few times without catching the perpetrator. When Natsume and Ryu came in there was little trouble getting them seats. Ranma knew they were coming, and simply reserved a table. They glanced around as Ranma took their orders and shoved through the crowd. Natsume reached out and pinched her butt as she disappeared. "All right! Who the hell did that?" Ranma snarled. As there was no answer, she grumbled on to deliver the order.

"What did you do that for," snickered Ryu.

"No reason. Just a sister-brother thing." Natsume smirked and leaned forward. "You ready for the party?"

"I guess." Ryu shrugged. "Uhhh…" He sweated as she glowered at him. "Is there something I should be doing? Bringing?" He gulped. "Anything?" She continued to glower. "Did I forget something?" he tried plaintively.

Natsume grinned tightly. "I'm sorry, Ryu. Ranma was teasing us earlier today and I'm taking it out on you." She reached out and stroked his hand. "He's an absolutely awful tease at times and he's planning something special for Akane at the party. That makes him even worse."

Ryu stared. "He's finally going to make it official? A ring and everything?"

Natsume made an annoyed sound. "You picked that up fast. How did you guess?"

"Jeez, Natsume! Look at him around her sometime. Look at her! They may squabble but that's only because they're both stubborn as hell. Any threat to one is a threat to both. I wouldn't have seen that till recently, though." Ryu grinned.

"Oh? Why?"

"When Ranma was giving me the once over when he came back, I saw your face. If he had made one wrong move you were set to rip his head off on my account." He relaxed as her features softened, but it was only for a moment.

"What? You're saying we're like they are?" she demanded.

That one was easy for him. "Like Ranma and Akane? Naah! We're like Ryu and Natsume; I like that much better…"

Ranma returned with their orders to find them arguing. Natsume turned to her female brother and pouted, "Ranma, he won't tell me what I'm getting."

"Good for you, Ryu." Ranma placed their orders before them. "Don't let her walk all over you."

"Ranma!" Natsume whined. "I'll tell Akane what you're giving her."

Ranma hesitated a second before answering, "I'd be very unhappy if you did that. How would you feel if I told Ryu what you're getting him?"

"Hah! You don't know…" Natsume began. Ranma leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Ranma, you sneak!"

"Side benefit of ki vision. Since I tend to use it if I'm expecting attack, and around you girls I'm always expecting attack, I see other things besides lurking sisters." She turned to Ryu. "I think you'll like it." She turned on her heel waved and disappeared back into the crush. "Your order, please… Watch that hand, or I know what you'll be eating today!"

Natsume and Ryu looked back at one another, then with a quick "Itadakimasu!" began to eat.

oOo

Nabiki sourly observed the decorating and glanced sidewise at her sister. "I hope you're happy," she said coldly.

"Oh, I am. Very." Akane looked like the cat that had gotten the cream. "You should be, too. We're finished ahead of schedule and have time to practice the music."

"Come on, Akane! You don't mean for me to take part in the entertainment, too!" Nabiki protested.

"Darn right I am," asserted her younger sister. "You always have fun doing it, don't deny it!" She looked at her and pouted faintly. "Besides, you've been away for weeks and I missed you. Even when you're home you seem to have something going on."

Nabiki grimaced. "I have to find some people I can delegate to," she said simply. "I have too many fingers in too many pies. This business for Mrs. Morisato's ninja is promising long-term, but you can't believe how complicated it is to set up. I have to create pasts for forty-three people! Then there's the sniffing the government and various intelligence agencies are doing. They aren't happy about a hidden clan and want to see if they can match up any violent crimes with Kodama and her crew." She shrugged. "It's been 'so far, so good', and apparently Mrs. Morisato has some contacts as well, but it's nerve wracking." She shrugged again. "That business at the mall couldn't have come at a better time to make our friends smell sweeter."

"Are Kodama or any of the ninja coming?" Akane asked suddenly, wondering if their guest list might double.

"Kodama and Hikari might come with the Morisatos."

"Oh? Maybe we should warn Kasumi."

"Have you two considered we might have unexpected guests like last time?" Nabiki asked a little sharply. She relaxed at Akane's grin.

"With Ranma around? Of course."

oOo

Ranma sagged against the wall as Ukyo closed up her shop. Still in female form, she showed an unusual level of exhaustion for the martial artist. "Oi! Does my butt hurt," she moaned.

"Your butt?" inquired her friend. "You've been on your feet all day. Why does your butt—? Never mind…" Ukyo finished, wincing at Ranma's look. "You poor thing. Are you gonna be all right?"

"I'll hafta sleep on my stomach for a couple of days, I guess." Ranma straightened and shifted uncomfortably. "I gotta ask Konatsu how he managed…"

"Konatsu never had to deal with crowds like today. I've never seen it so busy." Ukyo pocketed her keys. "Those bacon-burger okonomiyaki Konatsu came up with have doubled my business."

"I notice ya still sell the Great American Hamburger, too," Ranma commented.

"What can I say, sugar? It's expensive, but if people are willing to pay for it, I'm perfectly willing to take their money." Ranma hesitated as they turned away from the direct line to the dojo. They began walking toward Ryoga's. "Akane asked me to pick Ryoga and his folks up on the way."

"How are you doin', Ucchan?" Ranma asked. "I see you and Ryoga together a lot. Is there somethin' I should know?"

Ukyo eyed her. "Am I a fiancée or not, Ranchan?" she said archly.

"Uhhh… Not. Sorry."

"Then it's none of your business, is it?"

"Ucchan…" Ranma scuffed her feet. "I don't wanna see ya hurt again. I really messed up when ya came ta town last year."

"Yes, you did," she agreed. "But I forgive you. Between you and Barry-baka, you've mostly settled the honor issue and I'm probably a better martial artist than anyone in the Kuonji clan right now. That has to count for something."

"How's your dad doin'?" Ranma asked then wished she hadn't.

Ukyo frowned and looked at her toes. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen him since last New Year's break. I've talked to him only once since you got back. He was still pushing for revenge or marriage last I checked."

"Why don't ya call and invite him to the Christmas party?" Ranma suggested. Ukyo stopped so abruptly, Ranma had to windmill to keep from stepping on her heels.

"Are you nuts?" Ukyo demanded. "I want some peace and quiet, thank you! I don't want to be told every hour that I'm a disgrace to the clan. I don't want to be reminded that I lost out to the girl who was un-cute, un-sexy and couldn't cook!"

Ranma winced. "I love her."

"I know, dammit! And part of me is glad you've found someone like that, Ranchan," she said without heat. "But part of me wishes it could have been me." She chuckled then. "And part of me is damn glad it's not. Can you imagine trying to run a restaurant while getting kidnapped or challenged all the time? Not good for business."

"Bad enough to be caught in the fringes, hey?" Ranma replied, and on a more comfortable note finished their trip to the Hibiki residence.

oOo

They found the senior Hibikis at ease, as normal looking as you could imagine. There was no sign of the loose relationship Ryoga had with time and place, and Mrs. Hibiki was beginning to wear maternity clothes. Ryoga was nowhere to be seen. "I'll find him," Ukyo muttered, concentrating on the technique she'd learned from Akane. "Up there." She smirked as Ranma complained. He hadn't been able to learn the technique and was very put out about it.

Ryoga was in his room, lying on his bed and looking at the ceiling. He quickly came to his feet as they peeked in. "Hi, guys! Are you picking me up for the party?"

"Your folks as well. Akane asked Ranchan and I to do the honors after we closed up."

"Great!" Ryoga followed them downstairs. "Hey, Ranma, why are you a girl?" he asked.

"I was workin' at Ucchan's, dummy. Figured I might as well wait till I got home. You know what it's like."

"Yeah," Ryoga agreed. He shifted nervously and shrugged at Ranma's form. "Hey, guys, I haven't told my folks yet…" They stopped short on the stairs.

"You're kidding! Why not?" Ukyo exclaimed, but Ranma nodded understandingly.

"I didn't think you'd tell them about being a pork roast, and who knows what they'll think, now that you go girl," she deduced.

"Sort of."

"Idiots," Ukyo muttered. "It's not like it's something you can hide."

"I did okay as a pig," Ryoga replied defensively as they resumed their downward trek to gather his parents up. The trip to the dojo was comical as Ryoga dodged cold water in many forms. Cars splashing through puddles, broken downspouts, water tossed out of windows… He managed quite well till they reached the Tendo gate. The day was hovering just at freezing, and when Ranma opened the doors wide to admit them, it dislodged snow from the shingles above the gate, which crashed down the backs of Ranma and Ryoga. "Ack! C-c-c-cold!" Ryoga chattered as icy melt caused the change.

"Heh, heh! Ukyo, why don't ya take the Hibikis over to the dojo, while I get Ryoga and me dry clothes?"

"Sure, Ranchan!"

"Come on, Ryoga, let's get changed." Ranma said, taking her friend by the arm. "Good thing we keep some of yer stuff around."

"S-sure," Ryoga kept her head down and her voice low as she thanked the powers that be that at 5:30 P.M. on Christmas it was already dark.

oOo

Returning, they found Nabiki, Akane, Shampoo and Kasumi in the dojo practicing music. Several guests were already there and the atmosphere was quite convivial.

"We're here!" caroled Ranma. Ukyo had stashed her weaponry in a corner and was getting the Hibikis some punch. "Hey, Ukyo! Why don't ya join the singin' this year?"

"If spatula-girl join in, would make sextet, yes?" Shampoo said, using the English word. "You sure you want that?" The tip of her tongue showed between her lips and an expectant expression lit her face. Her listeners groaned and Nabiki looked around for something to throw.

"Yer makin' it sound like an orgy, Shampoo!" Ranma grumbled.

"Where's the orgy?" asked a new voice. Kodachi and Taro ducked into the building, the latter looking at the decorations with approval. "Merry Christmas," Kodachi added. Taro nodded his agreement with the sentiments. "Where can I put these?" She pointed to the stack of small boxes her lover carried.

"Under the tree, Kodachi," Akane called. "Why don't you join us singing, this year?"

"Oh, I can't sing, Akane," Kodachi said with a sad frown. "My voice…"

"He-LO-o!" Ranma said waving. "Maybe ya couldn't before, but that's my girl-type you're walkin' around in. I sing just fine, thank you!"

Kodachi looked nonplussed. "I hadn't thought of that."

Taro chuckled. "If Dachi's singin', fem-boy, are you gonna sit out?"

"He is not!" snapped Akane. "But what about you, Taro? Can you sing?"

"Taro? Sing?" Ranma grinned. "Mooooo!"

"I can sing better than you, kettle-boy!" Taro snapped.

"That was easy," Ranma replied. He turned away from Taro, who was just realizing he'd been duped, to ask Akane, "We going for a full choir this time, tomboy?"

"Why not?" Akane replied, walking up close and hugging him. By the time most of the guests had arrived, their musical group consisted of the Tendo and Saotome women, Kodachi, Ukyo and Nuku-Nuku, the Tendo and Saotome men, Ryu Kumon, Ryunosuke, Ryoga and Taro.

It was inevitable that the martial artists should get into some sort of competition as well. A series of games were organized and everyone participated. Kasumi and Nabiki made sure they were not loaded in favor of physical ability, and soon it was evident that Kodachi, followed closely by Akane, Taro and Shampoo, held the advantage. Ranma fumed a bit — he was not used to being second to anyone at anything (except schoolwork) — and maintained a happy smile despite gritting teeth. There came the sound of the gate bell.

"I'll get it!" Ranma yelled, escaping embarrassment in Chinese box puzzle solving.

"You do that, Saotome," bellowed Taro. He had been well ahead, being very familiar with these little toys. "When you get back, I'll beat you again."

"Yeah, right!" Ranma replied derisively. He hurried through the now crusty snow to the gate.

"Merry Christmas," said a suave voice.

"Sentaro?" Ranma went slightly on guard. "And Satsuki, come in, please," he said remembering his manners. "How are you?"

Satsuki stepped forward and Ranma noticed she led with her tummy. "Kami! It is the water!" he exclaimed inadvertently.

"What?" Sentaro blinked.

"Sorry. Why don't you come in out of the cold?" Ranma suggested, leading them toward the dojo.

"Well really, I was just stopping by to apologize…"

"Fer last month? Don't worry about it. It wasn't yer fault. I had a demon after me and it hit me with a bad luck spell. Ya didn't hear that part of it because yer horse took off…" Ranma's voice trailed off as he noticed a glower coming from Satsuki. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," Satsuki said sweetly, but tightly. They followed him in.

"Akane, look who stopped by," Ranma bellowed. The girls immediately abandoned their games and clustered around the obviously pregnant woman. As the men folk were debating whether to resume the competition, there was a ring at the gate. "I got it!" Ranma yelled.

"You're not going to finish this puzzle box, are you?" demanded Taro.

"Bite the box, bull boy!"

At the gate Ranma opened it, and looked around. He almost shut it again before he heard voices from below waist level. "Ranma Saotome! Merry Christmas and apologies for our behavior." It was the Bun-boys.

"Hey guys, how's it goin'?"

"Our heads are cold, but that's life. We do have a proposition for you, since your honored father and master are in the same shape as we are," Niku jerked his head toward his brothers, "but the holiday is, perhaps, not the time to discuss it." His brother's heads bobbed and nodded in agreement.

'I don't believe this,' Ranma thought, 'it's happening again. We're gonna have the fight of all fights before too long.' "Come on in," he said, "Warm up before ya go on." He led the way to the dojo. He had just done some introductions when the bell rang again. He sighed, looked to where Kasumi was happily talking with Hinako, Nodoka and Satsuki. He trudged out again.

It was two piles of boxes. "Hello?" Ranma said uncertainly.

"Merry Christmas, Saotome."

"Merry Christmas, Master Ranma"

"Merry Christmas, guys."

Tatewaki and Sasuke had arrived. "As de facto head of Kuno Industries, we had to participate in the company party first and show our appreciation for our employees," Tatewaki explained. "A novel concept and one I should have performed in the past."

"Sounds reasonable." Ranma took some of the load and led them toward the dojo. "You two any good at puzzle boxes?"

"It's a hobby of mine," Sasuke admitted. "Why?"

"Challenge Taro. He's feeling insufferable."

"Indeed…" Tatewaki mused. "Ranma," he said familiarly, "do you have any idea how I feel about my sister's condition?"

"Um, no?"

"That's right. How do you feel about this?"

Ranma blinked. What was the kendoist getting at? "Uh, they look like they really like each other."

"No! No!" Tatewaki frowned. "How do you feel about this? She may be my sister in spirit and memory but she is your twin physically! I hoped you might have some insight…"

"Kuno, I'm not sure what ya want. It makes me feel weird as hell, her bein' expectin' and all. But as a brother?" Ranma pointed across the room. "My sister, Natsume over there, is fallin' hard for Ryu Kumon. He's a nice guy and all and I really haven't known Natsume that long. There are times, when I see him put his hands on her, I want to go over there and throttle him. She's a big girl, six months older than me, but that doesn't matter. My other sister, Kurumi, is a real sweetheart. She's interested in Ryunosuke over there."

"The Mishima heir? It would be a fortuitous match," Tatewaki said more calmly.

"Don't matter. If he hurt her or did something I didn't approve of, he'd be in serious pain. Well, maybe not physically, but I'd really let him know I was unhappy with him." Ranma watched the other's face curiously. "Does that help?"

The Kuno heir suddenly smiled. "Thank the gods! I thought I was reverting to my manic state." He turned a grim eye on Taro. "Instead, I was only feeling what is natural for a brother about his sister's paramour."

"Now wait a minute," Ranma stammered. "Don't start sharpenin' yer katana now."

"It is sharp. No, I don't mean to challenge Taro," Kuno assured him. "Besides, if I understand my sister, he gives you trouble in a fight?"

"Some."

"I would be foolish, then. Besides, if I actually hurt him she would never forgive me." Tatewaki moved with him to the punch bowl. "You have no idea, Saotome, how horrifying it was to return home year after year, watching my sister warp and change from sweet gentle Kodachi to the Black Rose; to watch her become something to fear and loathe. To be glad when I discovered that the drugs and chemicals she used had rendered her sterile." Ranma shuddered. "Then a miracle happens and my sister was given back to me whole. So what if she's not as she was born?" Tatewaki trembled almost as he did back when he was about spout poetry or glomp one of the girls he pursued. "I only wish she had trusted me to let me know from the beginning."

"So havin' Taro as an in-law, ain't a problem?" Ranma inquired, relieved and troubled by what the Kuno children must have gone through. It seemed he wasn't the only one tortured as a child.

"Hardly."

"Ya don't mind she's got a bun in the oven?"

Tatewaki smiled, his face lighting up. "I'm going to be an uncle! An uncle! And you know what? I'm going to enjoy being an uncle!"

"So now you understand why we had ta freeze yer onsen?" Ranma switched gears.

Tatewaki frowned. "My onsen?" he muttered. "Hot water…" His eyes went round. He turned and looked at Kodachi in the midst the assembled crowd. "That would have harmed her?"

"Cologne says that a gender change would end the pregnancy. The longer ya wait, the more dangerous it is. Kodachi got waterproof soap from Shampoo, but she still has ta be careful."

Kuno's face was pale. "I had no idea how much danger she was in." His features hardened. "I will immediately go and make arrangements for her safety—!"

"Whoa! You'll be steppin' on Taro's toes, Kuno. Ya do that they'll both strangle ya. Taro's as bad or worse than I am in the pride department. Suggest; don't command. You'll stay healthier."

Kuno grimaced. "Yes, despite his doubtful past, I must treat him as an equal. Perhaps I should request of your future father-in-law that I might borrow a room at the residence for a more formal meeting, to show proper respect…"

Ranma struggled not to pull out his hair. "Kuno, Kuno, Kuno. Taro's past ain't a closed book. We think he's related to the Tendos." Ranma carefully did not mention who else was related to the Tendos.

"Related to Akane?" Tatewaki gasped. "Then there is no problem! Not even my father could object, not that I planned to tell him till after the fact…" The kendoist babbled on.

Ranma grimaced. Kuno was better, but still damn weird at times. The gate-bell rang. "Why doncha just go over and talk to him. Explain yer worried about yer sister and that ya want ta help make sure she's safe till the baby's born. I'll be back."

He opened the gate.

"Saotome! I have just been informed of your wretched deception of myself and have come immediately for revenge! Pig-tailed girl, indeed!" Mikado Sanzenin stood just beyond the gate, his chest heaving and his face nearly purple with rage. Behind him stood a blank-looking Azusa Shiratori. Ranma almost felt relieved. At least it wasn't more unexpected guests. Besides, a straight martial arts challenge would be welcome.

"Hey, molester-man! Watcha doin' around here?"

"That's Sanzenin, dolt! How dare you spread rumors that I have fouled my good name by mistaking a man for a woman!" Mikado stomped in without invitation.

Ranma was debating whether to pitch him back out on his ear or goad him into a challenge when Azusa brushed past them both, headed for the dojo. "Michelle! Oh, Michelle!" came her cute, vapid cry. In the open shoji stood Niku Bun, apparently out to corner Ranma about his proposition, whatever that was. The little man stood frozen, horrified as the klepto-skater-from-hell scooped him up. "Oh, Michelle! I'll keep you forever an' ever an' hug you an' pinch your cute widdle cheeks!"

Niku responded gallantly. "Ahhh! Get her off! Get her off!" He struggled to get free of her clutching arms. He had as much chance escaping her as he had from a grizzly bear.

"Didja hafta bring her along?" Ranma snarled in disgust. "Hold off on yer challenges a second, I hafta go rescue a guest." He stomped toward the weird girl.

Among the rafters overhead, a tiny figure sat cross-legged, a dipper of punch in hand. Morosely, Senbei watched the proceedings. In particular, a red-haired girl was the focus of his interest. Kodachi Kuno giggled and talked with the girls in her circle, the main topic being her upcoming wedding and her present physical condition. This discussion was making Senbei cross as it apparently meant 'his' pigtailed girl was hardly as innocent and incorruptible as he had thought — therefore, the fun of despoiling her was gone. He glanced sourly at Urami who was taking notes on some of the naughty bits the girl was relating for further study. All this happiness was depressing. Randomly, he zapped a little self-important man and watched him head for the door of the dojo. His screams of fright as his fate overtook him were music to Senbei's ears. He sat up straighter and snapped his fingers, translating closer for a better view of the action. Ah, the Saotome boy was involved as well.

"Lego, ya ditz!" shouted Ranma, pulling on one of Niku's arms.

"Mine! Michelle is mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"

"Do you have any idea how stupid you look?" shouted Sanzenin. "And you destroyed the dramatic timing of my challenge to this… this cross-dresser!"

"Mine! Mine!" shrieked Azusa, beginning to kick at Ranma's shins.

"Ouch! Yow! Ahhh! Why in hell are you wearin' ice skates?" Ranma bellowed.

"Toe-pick! Nyah!" Azusa somehow managed to red-eye him while maintaining her hold.

"What's going on out here!" roared Akane, stepping through the doorway. She spotted Azusa, and, having determined the main source of trouble, flattened her with a single mallet strike.

Azusa let go of Niku and sat down hard in the snow. She wobbled from the waist up. Azusa glanced around drunkenly. "Oooo! Look at the pretty stars! How cu-u-ute!" She snatched at the invisible, pretty stars and passed out cold.

"What, what is she?" asked a shaken Niku.

"Akane Tendo!" Mikado caroled. "How sweet to see you again. I never had the opportunity to thank you for your gracious challenge at the Charlotte Cup…" Mikado had moved inside on her mallet as she boggled at him, his lips curling confidently, zeroing in for a kiss. (BAM! R-r-r-rRUMBLE! Sloosh!)

Ranma had relieved Akane of her mallet and pegged Mikado into the ground. Unfortunately, the vibration loosened the snow on the overhang of the dojo. Half buried in snow, the melt that went down his back triggered the change. Akane's mallet sizzled back to wherever it came from. "Awww, nuts!"

Akane giggled. "Thank you, Ranma," she said sweetly. "I could've handled him, but…"

"I don't want ya handling him, or any other guy but me!" asserted the buxom redhead. "Shall I pitch 'em over the wall? Hell, there's that damn bell again!"

"Help me carry them inside the door," suggested Akane. "When they wake up, we can send them on their way."

"I hope ya know what yer doin'," Ranma muttered in reply. That finished, Ranma hurried for the gate. She jerked open the gate. At first she could only make out blackness, then realized it was shadow. Where the Bun-boys had been too short, this one was too tall. "Dojo Destroyer?" Ranma squawked. Whoa! Did everyone think Christmas Eve was a good challenge night?

"Merry Christmas." The huge form had a surprisingly tenor voice. A huge hand held out a package. Ranma suddenly realized the man was dressed in a Santa Claus suit. "I am playing Santa down at the orphanage this year. I thought I should stop by on the way and apologize for last month."

"Uhhh, sure. Apology accepted. Ahhh, would you like to come in? Do you have time?" Ranma offered.

The Dojo Destroyer looked at his ring, which Ranma now saw was a full-sized watch buckled around his ring finger. "I have a little time. If it is not too much trouble?"

Ranma shook her head and led the way.

Senbei was in an absolute funk. Ranma had changed right before his eyes, which explained a lot of things. Ranma was both guy and girl. Urami and Urayami were behind him snickering about it. "Shut up!" he snarled. He thought hard and angry, his aura practically charring the wood he sat on. "We watch some more," he decided. "Ranma Saotome, you are dead meat. As soon as I find a weak spot, you are finished, boy."

They began to give out presents. Shampoo and Ukyo loved their bracelets. Kodachi looked at the charm bracelet of baby things and lucky charms, fastened on it and then hugged him tightly, tears in her eyes to his great embarrassment. Akane's eyes went wide as a beautiful necklace came into view. It had a horse motif and was made with sapphires in silver settings. Ranma grinned to himself even as he got a 'thank you' kiss. Akane thought that was all she was getting.

Soun was weeping over a new, inlaid Shogi board and a new gi, the latter courtesy of Ninomiya. She had firmly told him his old gi were old enough. She in turn stroked the smooth surface of a ten-pound jar of candy in a beautiful blown glass container. Akane's suggestion had been a good idea.

Genma smiled as Nodoka exclaimed over a new kimono. He grinned like a maniac when she opened another box and slapped the lid down again, blushing furiously. She bopped him lightly when he asked if she wanted to model it, saying she'd do that later… privately. Genma fingered a coupon book to his favorite eatery, an all-you-can-eat buffet. Life was good.

Ukyo looked frustrated. Ryoga was missing again. His parents were right there by the punch bowl, but no one had seen their son in a while. She started to try to block out her surroundings to search for him. Besides, his backpack was missing and she had been curious about what he had gotten her.

Ranma stroked the highly ornamental silk shirts Akane had gotten him. High necked and full sleeved, they were red, green and blue in color. Each had a kirin, a dragon horse, embroidered on it. Each was subtly different. He returned her earlier kiss then had to duck as Cologne tapped him with her staff. She handed him a book, a gift from all the Joketsuzoku, a Japanese translation of several old scrolls on ki concerning the relationship of ki to magic. Her gift, by request, was a copy of Sakurida's focusing maze, which he had carved in wood she provided. She patted it fondly. "Is that really all you wanted?" he asked gazing at the book with some anticipation.

"When you make something, Ranma, and give it to someone, it's a part of you. This is very precious." She cackled when she saw his alarmed look. "Not that way, son-in-law. To have a ki-master of your ability carve something like this is… priceless."

The bell rang. "Now what?" grumbled Ranma.

"Why don't you sit tight, love," Akane said. "I'll see who it is this time."

"Sounds good to me," he grinned. Of course, as soon as she left his side, he began to worry. This was just the sort of situation where she might be kidnapped.

With that thought, he was on his feet and out of the dojo in a flash. He saw Akane open the gate and opened his mouth to call out a warning. His paranoia had caused him to sweep their visitors with his ki senses and one, at least, was horribly powerful, a threat even to himself. The gate opened and he saw Akane go still with shock. He blazed across the space between them.

"Merry Christmas, Akane… and to you as well, Ranma-sama." A familiar voice — Akane's voice, in fact. It seemed Akane stood without as well as within the gate.

"Merry Christmas, Kiima," Ranma offered warily. He glanced at her super-powerful companion and back again. He didn't sense any hostility. "Merry Christmas, Saffron," he added, boggling a bit. The kid looked seven or eight years old! "Will you come in?"

"Thank you, Ranma-san," Saffron's young voice was strong and compelling. "You are most kind."

"Saffron?" Akane blanched as she stepped back to grant them entry. Before her was the reborn kami-lord Ranma had fought to the death in her defense. She twitched as Saffron swept an approving gaze across her.

"It is I," Saffron admitted. "Greetings to you, Akane-san. I'm sorry if you were injured by my previous incarnation. It seems I was a bit… insufferable."

"That has changed, however," Kiima stated. "Political pandering overshadowed child-rearing, last time. I will not fail my lord this incarnation, even if it costs me my life."

"There is no need to be so melodramatic," cautioned Saffron, "now that I am learning the difference between stewardship and supremacy." They marched across the heavily tracked snow to the dojo and went in. Ryoga wandered in from the house, saw the two Akanes and choked on his punch. He hardly noticed when the cold liquid 'girled' him. Ukyo whipped around, locating him and stomped over to berate his carelessness.

"You've grown swiftly," Ranma observed, ignoring Ryoga for the moment. "Weren't you a baby only seven months ago?"

Saffron smiled, amused. "Time is manipulable for such as we, Ranma. For me, it has been seven years since we last met. My guardian has taught me well."

"Then you'll be emerging again in another couple of months?" Akane inquired.

"Yes," Saffron agreed. "I believe late this summer, I will be ready again."

"What about Jusendo?" Akane asked. "Wasn't it destroyed? Flooded out?"

"The channel that sent water into the valley was damaged," Kiima admitted. "That, along with the unusual torrential rain, caused intermittant flooding. Even more recently, we've had drought conditions." She nodded her thanks as she received a cup of punch and a plate of food. "To be frank, we're conserving at Phoenix Mountain as well. However, the winter snows promise a renewal of the aquifers that feed Jusendo and the springs."

Saffron looked at what was offered him and nibbled almost daintily. Smiling at his discovery, he ate more confidently. "It's good," he mumbled. "My compliments." He quickly displayed a pre-adolescent's penchant for eating. "Once the seasons turn," he added between bites, "Jusenkyo will probably be back in business. I'm sure that's what interests you, right?"

"Yadda!" Ranma pumped an arm. "When it's back, I'm free!"

"Not necessarily," Kiima said, understanding what he was talking about. "There have been successful attempts to cure Jusenkyo curses but most simply fail to arrive or forget what they meant to do when they get within ten kilometers of the place. Others end up with new curses, usually more inconvenient ones. One was nearly five hundred years ago. A man cursed in the spring of the drowned monkey tried to find the spring of the drowned man. The Jako or Musk Dynasty caught him, assumed he was a monkey and threw him in Nyanniichuan before locking him in the new form with the Chiisuiton. It took several years for her to learn enough of the local language to explain what had happened and by that time, with a child born and another on the way, she decided to accept her new form."

The hair was standing up on Ranma's neck. There but for the grace, etc… "But… I mean we could let everybody know I was coming."

Kiima shrugged. "You can always try. But just remember, your curse belongs to you and is very complicated. Attempting to get rid of it may cause worse problems than keeping it. There is also the question of whether curses supplant one another or blend. If you did succeed in diving into Nanniichuan, would you become a hermaphrodite, or would you turn male, but a male version of your female curse?"

"But the instant curses, or Togenkyo…" Ranma protested.

"Togenkyo?" Kiima looked interested. They quickly explained. "The instant curses don't actually threaten the original curse. Togenkyo is a mystery to us. We'd never heard of it before October and that ridiculous spell-induced attack we all made on you." She looked thoughtful. "Togenkyo's magic is different from Jusenkyo, and well away from its sphere of influence. It's hard to say… If your friends ever plan to travel back near the Five Mountains, I'd be very cautious, if I were they."

Ranma groaned while Akane tried to reassure him. "It doesn't matter to me, baka, I love you anyway." She turned to Kiima. "What about you, Kiima? Isn't this form your second Jusenkyo curse?"

"You mean the human form I used before?" Kiima smiled. "Yes, it was and it was a risk. I actually prefer this one, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind," Akane said, smiling at her part-time twin. "There are times I've wished I could fly. At least you can do that for me."

"My pleasure."

"Why are you here?" Ranma asked. "It's a long way from China just to say 'Merry Christmas'."

"Saffron needs a wider experience with the world," Kiima explained. "Our official excuse was taking gifts to you and Taro for services to the Phoenix people." She performed an act of hidden weapons. "This is for you." She handed him a set of bracers emblazoned with the royal phoenix. "If you're around White Mountain again, these will give you and your companions unrestricted access to Saffron or myself." She hesitated then turned to Akane, unfastening a light chain from around her neck. "Akane, have this. I can sympathize with your desire to fly." She handed her the chain. "It's a common toy we use to teach our young to fly; sort of a flight simulator. If you wear it when you're asleep, it will 'teach' you in your dreams how to fly as we of the Phoenix tribe do. Maybe it will help."

"Oh, thank you, Kiima," Akane took the delicate chain. "Thank you very much."

"Little enough recompense for what we put you through," Kiima said. "Is Taro here?" Ranma pointed. Kiima crossed to where the young man was. "Taro-san?" Taro turned from a discussion with Shampoo, Kodachi and Sasuke at Akane's voice.

"What is it, Akane?" he asked. "And why so formal?"

"This is for you, Taro-san," Kiima said. "We have some experience with Jusenkyo changes and the clothing difficulties ourselves. Wear it well. The only difference is that it will not protect you from the Kinjakan or Taochinpang in its active state."

"I prefer to be the only one who can touch that," commented the boy at her side.

Taro looked at him sharply, taking in the lean look and the bright hair. He looked up at 'Akane' and saw Akane over her shoulder. "Kiima!" he exclaimed. He opened the package carefully to reveal a purplish, scaly vest and bracers. He was obviously overcome. Shampoo was white as a sheet.

"Merry Christmas, Taro," the Phoenix Mountaineers said in unison.

Cologne, seeing the commotion, hopped over. "Truce conditions?" she suggested.

"Please," affirmed Kiima. "Let us not spoil the peace of the season."

"It's not one you usually celebrate," Cologne pointed out cheerfully.

"Neither do you," Kiima retorted. "But let's respect our host's beliefs and customs."