Ki Cutters: 22

The Possibilities

Konatsu and Akari flinched. They boggled at Ukyo and the strange girl behind her.

"Ukyo-sama! I…"

Ukyo waved negligently, then stood very straight and bowed. "I'm sorry. I've heard the whole story now, about what happened, and I wronged you both in my heart and in my words. Please forgive me, Konatsu — and you, too, Akari — for how I treated you when last we met. I should have known better. After all, isn't it Ranchan who's always saying 'it's not what it looks like'?"

Akari whimpered, "But Ryoga hates me!"

"No, he doesn't," Ukyo scowled. She wished. "He was very upset, but I think," she added, giving Ryoga a broad hint, "he wants to apologize as well."

At that moment, Katsunishiki caught a whiff of Ryoga. A look of extreme puzzlement crossed his porcine face and he rolled to his feet. He came closer and snuffled at Ryoga in puzzlement and alarm. Ryoga shied away slightly, not knowing how the big animal would react.

"Katsunishiki!" Akari exclaimed. "Bad pig! Can't you see you're scaring her?" She turned to Ryoga without a hint of recognition. "I'm sorry. Normally he just ignores people or is reasonably polite. He's been acting strange since… since…" She swallowed. "Since I…" She fell against Katsunishiki's side, bawling.

"Akari," Konatsu said with deep emotion, "if Ryoga has come to understand what has happened, I'm sure he'll be along to make up. You know how much trouble he has finding anyplace. I'm sure he doesn't hate you, Ari." He patted her shoulder, tears in his own eyes.

Ryoga felt like dirt. She had, unintentionally perhaps, left them in this state of distress for a month. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "I didn't realize…"

Konatsu sighed and moved away from Akari, his hand lingering on her heaving shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't let personal troubles keep me from offering a customer the proper hospitality," he said formally. "Can I help you?"

"Konatsu, don't you recognize me?" Ryoga said, voice tight with anguish and a determination not to lose control and disappoint Ukyo. Her eyes met Konatsu's and held his and watched a peculiar look cross the former kunoichi's face. "Akari?"

Akari blinked back tears and looked into the agonized green eyes. She looked puzzled, then curious, then shocked and alarmed. "Ryoga?" she breathed. She stumbled back, her eyes wide in sheer terror.

Surprisingly Katsunishiki grunted and retreated as well. One encounter with berserker-Ryoga had been far too much. It was obvious he would not attempt to defend his mistress from Ryoga's hostility.

Konatsu was another matter. He glided over the side of the cart, a sad look on his face to shield Akari. "Ryoga-sama? But, you're a girl!"

A bitter laugh shook Ryoga. "It's me, Konatsu. I've, ah… had a few things happen since…" He gazed at Akari and her pig, who had placed the cart between them. "…since then." She sighed. "I deserve your contempt. I should have been patient and listened. I should have realized what had happened, but I was so afraid of what I was losing. I understand if neither of you ever want to see me again. I acted like an animal. No… less than an animal. I ask your forgiveness."

"We should be asking for your forgiveness, Ryoga-sama," Konatsu said, a peculiar look on his face. "We should have told you…"

"I don't remember demanding Akari give up her friends because of me," Ryoga said head low. "She deserves her friends. And you, Konatsu, deserve your friends. I had no right to expect otherwise or to act as I did without hearing you out."

There was a long silence. Akari edged around the cart. "Oh, Ryoga. Are you a girl all the time now?"

"No, Akari. I've wound up with a curse like Ranma's. The black piglet is history, I'm afraid."

"Oh, dear." Akari wrung her hands. "I mean… Well… You were always so… cute as him…"

"It actually hurt us, Akari. I had nightmares about you taking me out to the smokehouse."

Akari gasped in horror. "But I never…"

"I know. But it didn't help to know. I hated being a pig."

"Are you all right with being a girl?" Konatsu asked. "Ranma always seemed defensive about it."

"Ranma was never stuck as a lunch item. Being a girl has been okay, so far."

"Either his are mild or he hasn't hit them, yet," commented Ukyo dryly to Akari.

"Hit what?" Ryoga asked.

They wouldn't tell her.

Ryoga finally gave up and swung the pack off her back and routed through it. "This is for you, Akari," she said, meekly. It was a book. "It's the latest copy in Japanese of British pig breeding techniques and veterinary practices. I thought you might like it." Akari took the book in trembling hands and bowed her thanks. "Konatsu, I have this for you." He handed over a set of ring-bound pages. "I know how interested you are in your ninja roots, so I got a friend to make a list of every book in the university library involving ninjitsu and the shinobi clans. If you need help getting to any of the books, just call me and I'll use my scholarship pass to get you in."

"Ryoga-sama, I…I don't know what to say."

"My turn, sugar," Ukyo cut in. "Akari, I'm afraid I didn't get you anything. I don't really know you that well. But for what it's worth, feel free to bring yourself to Nerima or here anytime, Katsunishiki, too, on me. Konatsu, I know you've been messing around with my okonomiyaki-ninjitsu…"

"I'm sorry! I won't do it any…"

"Hush now!" Ukyo cautioned him. She un-slung her spatula and offered it to him. It was only now that Ryoga realized it was not her standard mega-spat. "I had this made for you. I also petitioned my father to adopt you as a Kuonji child. You will, if you accept, be my brother, if only for a short time."

"I…" Konatsu's eyes were huge. "I don't know what to say! But, why a short time?"

"I've decided to accept Ranchan's offer of being adopted as a Saotome. In a way, you're my replacement and my successor." Konatsu gulped and trembled. "Check out the spat, Konatsu," she said lightly.

Konatsu examined the tool in his hands. "This… This is…" His eyes shot wide. "Oh, Ukyo-sama!" He paced away and took a stance with the spatula held high. He wove through one of Ukyo's standard kata. Then, his hands twisted the shaft of the weapon. A jerk released the heavy blade to swing free on a chain. The spatula became a mace and chain. He experimented with the new configuration.

"You can take it apart completely to make a staff and a kusarigama," Ukyo said. "Just the way you designed it. It was a good concept."

"I didn't know you even knew I was working on it."

"Let's just say Sakurida helped me out," she replied.

"I don't know what to say," her employee was shaken.

They stood in the snow at a loss of how to continue from there. "Konatsu, why don't ya close up shop; it's nearly the New Year and no one seems to be out, anyway." Ukyo glanced at the steadily falling snow.

"Ryoga-sama," Akari said shyly, "now… Now that we have forgiven one another, can you come with me to the farm? I couldn't face my grandfather. I haven't been home since…"

Ukyo stiffened. The resumption of 'sama' to Ryoga's name was a death-knell to her own fantasies. Ryoga slowly nodded, his face unreadable. "I think that would be for the best. I wonder if Konatsu and Ukyo could come? Ukyo's never seen your farm, even if she does use Unryu pork when it's available. Konatsu might like to meet your grandfather again after all these years."

Akari blinked then wept happy tears. "You are so good to me!" she cried, hugging Ryoga. Ukyo flinched and tried not to look sick. She smiled instead and gritted her teeth. Really, this was what she expected and she had no hold on Ryoga as she had on Ranma, none at all. But she remembered his kisses and wondered at the justice of it all.

They secured the yatai, got some hot water and changed Ryoga back before they began the trek to the Unryu farm. It was a long journey and probably would not be completed before midnight. Ukyo knew that it was actually further than if they had begun in Nerima, a hard march of nearly seventy kilometers. She scowled darkly and wondered if she could get away with taking a train part way. It had to be better than riding a pig.

Akari simply smiled smugly. "It's not as far as you think, Ukyo-sama." Ryoga held onto a rope that circled Katsunishiki's neck. Interestingly, Akari had Konatsu do the same on the opposite side of the pig. "Now just for a minute, let's all close our eyes and enjoy the winter with our ears and our hearts instead of our eyes." She began to sing a folk song about farming, describing her home in the song as they walked along.

It was a catchy tune, but Ryoga scowled. "Do you have to sing that?" he grumbled, looking uncomfortable.

"Sorry, Ryoga, but yes, I do," Akari answered. "Close your eyes and relax." Ukyo suddenly understood. Akari knew about Ryoga's peculiar method of travel. She tried to find a better grip on the pig. They walked on for perhaps half a minute, listening to Akari's song.

"This is dumb," Ryoga grumbled. "We're stumbling off the sidewalk. Can I open my eyes yet?"

"Of course, Ryoga-sama."

They were at the farm. They stopped and regarded the property set in a bowl shaped valley in the midst of the tall trees. Large pigs trotted across a fenced area that bordered the stream. Katsunishiki gave a grunt of pleasure then roared out a greeting, alerting everyone of his presence. It was a squealing roar that was bass and ultrasonic all at once, announcing the return of the farm champion.

Ukyo looked at her watch, then the sun. Then she looked at Akari. "All right, pig-girl, how long have you known about this?" she demanded. "I've had this happen to me, too, when we were coming back from Togenkyo in the Pacific and ended up in a land-locked lake in central Japan."

"What are you two talking about?" Ryoga asked peevishly. "We're here. Is there a problem?" He rubbed his jaw. "I didn't think the farm was this close to the university, though. That explains why I found you so quickly, last time."

Ukyo clapped a hand over her face. "He really doesn't know, does he?"

Akari smiled. "When Ryoga and I first went walking together, I would sing because I was happy. I found out we could wind up in places I sang about. Commercial jingles would take us to the Ginza or the Ogawamachi or along Omote Sando. If I sang about beautiful forests, we ended up in the countryside. I sang about New York and Broadway once and we ended up there, I think. We didn't stay long. I don't think New Yorkers like big animals on their streets."

Akari's grandfather had come out of the house to spy them and wave. Akari waved back and they made their way over to the old man. Introductions were made and Grandfather Unryu was introduced to Konatsu.

"So, you're Kenna?" He circled the young man noting the bishonen looks and the almost delicate build. "Your daddy was built like a wall."

"He's far more impressive than he first looks," Ryoga said. "I understand he beat Katsunishiki last month when he threatened to knock over the yatai at the university."

"Really?" Grandfather's eyebrows rose. "Well, that settles it then." He walked up to Ryoga, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Sonny, it's been nice knowin' you."

Ryoga flinched and frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"Ryoga, long before I sent Akari out to find a suitor that could beat Katsunishiki and prove himself worthy of the Unryu Farm and Sumo Pig Dojo, her parents entered into an agreement with the family of this young man you found."

Ryoga blinked. "Not a 'we'll betroth our children and join the families…"

"Exactly. Now you tell me that not only does Kenna here have the prior claim, but that he beat Katsunishiki. You can see the position this puts me in."

Ryoga heard a gasp and saw Akari duck behind Konatsu, who unlimbered the spatula that Ukyo had just given him. Katsunishiki recognized the spurt of fear, discovered this was directed at Ryoga and fled, spooked. Ukyo gasped as the implications sank home. How would poor Ryoga deal with this? She ducked to gather snow in the hopes another cold treatment might head off violence before he flattened the farm. Ryoga slowly turned his body to face the pair as Grandpa looked on. Konatsu gulped.

Ryoga bowed gracefully from his waist. "Akari, I'm going to miss you, but I think it's for the best. My world is bigger than this farm. You would have eventually tired of me getting lost all the time. I think that Konatsu is one of the most honorable men I've ever met. He's also gentle, kind and patient where I'm rough, pig-headed and impatient. I'm strong, but I'm not really good with animals. Konatsu may have been raised as a city, er… boy, but he's a ninjaand very adaptable. I have only one thing to ask."

"Ryoga?" Akari's tears poured down her cheeks. "But I…I…Maybe…" She composed herself. "What is it you want?"

"That if you and Konatsu need me for anything, just ask. I'll hear, and somehow I'll come."

She nodded as Konatsu set the spatula to rest position. Ukyo walked up and slapped Konatsu on the shoulder. "Invite me to the wedding, okay?"

Konatsu nodded numbly.

"You guys are going to need some time to get acquainted, so we'll be on our way," Ryoga suggested. "Visit Nerima anytime!" He caught hold of Ukyo's sleeve and began tugging her away. She could feel his turmoil and didn't protest. It must be hell for him to focus like that. They waved as they walked away. Finally, Ryoga took a firm grip on her arm and trotted off into the woods.

Ukyo stumbled along in Ryoga's wake. "Ryoga! Dammit, slow down, Ryoga!"

Fortunately they stumbled into a clearing and Ryoga threw himself down on the ground howling. Ukyo was alarmed until she realized he was howling in laughter. "Jackass!" she yelled kicking him ineffectually in the side. "Here I am thinking you're dying over there and you… you're… Oooh!"

Ryoga rolled over and lay there making a snow angel. Tears glistened on his cheeks. "I'm free, Ukyo. I'm free!" He swept his arms and legs repeatedly through the powder.

Ukyo's jaw dropped and her eyes became unfocused. Suddenly all of the sensory information she horded up came flooding in. The kiss in the forest, on the beach at Togenkyo, last night… Now they could… He was free to… Her blush felt like it reached her toes. But, did he really want her? That way?

Her eyes were defenseless as he rose to his feet, dusting off the snow. He grinned, swept her off her feet and laid her gently down. "Ryoga, it's cold!" she protested.

"Make another snow angel for me," he begged. "Don't let mine be lonely."

Her tears ran rivulets down the sides of her face as she smiled up at him, her snow angel matching his, close enough that their wings touched.

Later they walked along hand in hand. They didn't speak, but exchanged those glances and smiles that their words felt somehow inadequate for. The day marched on till finally, they found themselves near water, in a clearing. Overhead the stars danced a gorgeous waltz against a purple and red hued background of enormous gas clouds. By unspoken consent they sat down and Ryoga began to set up his tent. He hunted through his things with a frown. "Uh-oh," he muttered, "No food." His stomach growled.

"Men," Ukyo said fondly. "Always thinking with your stomachs." Hers growled immediately after and they laughed at her blush and guilty look.

"We're a long way from grocery stores, I think," Ryoga remarked. "Maybe I better forage…" He rose to his feet.

"No, you don't!" She leaped up and grabbed his arm. "I'm not letting you out of my sight, baka! I may never get home or see you again if I do."

"I'll always find you, Ukyo," Ryoga said, "No matter where you are."

"Oh, really, Mr. Lost Boy," Ukyo retorted, still gripping tightly, "and why is that?"

"Because I love you, Ukyo," he said simply. "Hibiki's can always find the one special person they love."

Ukyo's heart dropped into her shoes, sprang up into her throat, and dropped to settle beating frantically between her breasts. "But, but, but, what about your mom and dad?" she demanded. "Last October, Barry said that was the first time they'd seen each other in years." He silenced her with a gentle finger, shifting her grip into one of his own.

"All three of us hadn't been together, in that house, in six years," he corrected. "Barry must have misunderstood. Heck! I didn't know I could do this till I had a talk with my mom." He snuggled her close. "I'm not sure I understand it, myself. But wherever you are, I'll find you, because I love you."

Ukyo gazed up at him and began to dare to hope. "Let's say I'm not asking you to prove it now," she commented. Then a sly smile crossed her face. "I have a better idea. Ryoga, close your eyes." Ryoga blinked at her and did so. "Now listen closely. I want you to think of one of my delicious okonomiyaki, sizzling on the grill, the batter just browning at the edges, the aroma drifting up…" She continued to focus on him, relating the creation of one of Ryoga's favorite 'yaki. As she described the light golden dish, she slowly led him forward one step. Then two… A third…

Ukyo smiled, patted his cheek and turned to unlock the door to Ucchan's.

Later, hunger satisfied, they stood outside the door of the restaurant and gazed up at the night sky above Tokyo. They huddled together for warmth and in memory of that magnificent sky under which Ryoga had vowed his love. "Do you think…?" Ryoga said.

"Can't hurt to try, sugar," Ukyo whispered. "Maybe I can give you some incentive." She turned to face him and reached up to bring his face toward her. "Just so you know, Ryoga, I love you, too. And I really, really want to make love to you on New Year's Eve under that sky. Will you take me there?"

Ryoga drew in a ragged breath and sniffled as his nose twitched. His eyes glowed. "Yes!" he said almost savagely. Sweeping her up into his arms, he locked onto her lips with his own and strode into the night. The street was empty long before they could have possibly left it.

oOo

A mailbox shuffled around the corner and looked for a discreet spot. A feminine head poked itself out of the slot and looked at the closed doors. "Where is she?" Tsubasa grumbled. "I can't believe she would chose someone else." He ducked back into his disguise as footsteps approached. As luck would have it, whoever it was, was apparently looking for a mailbox. "Oh great! I'll have to deliver the damn thing," grumbled the cross-dresser.

A package that would have given Godzilla pause was stuffed into the recess, crushing Tsubasa back against the insides of his disguise. When it didn't fit all the way in, whoever was depositing it started using a mallet to try to stuff the difference into place.

"Stop that!" screamed the cross-dresser, erupting from the box's depths and throwing the package aside. "Can't you tell it won't fit? Is that the way you treat the mail?" His chest heaved in rage as he faced his unintentional attacker. He made an impressive figure in his high-necked French brocade with matching gloves and mink stole. Certainly, the girl who faced him thought so.

"How cute!" Azuza caroled. "Monique! I shall call you Monique!"

"W-w-what?" Tsubasa gulped. Soon the young man was in flight screaming through the streets of Nerima, a smoothly moving skater on roller blades rapidly closing the distance between them.

oOo

"Ryoga?" Ukyo's voice was tremulous and breathless.

"Yes, Ukyo." Ryoga's voice was quiet and at peace.

"You didn't nose-bleed, pass out or anything," Ukyo said in wonder.

Ryoga thought a while. "I guess there really is a difference between lust and love. I was just too stupid to see it before."

"Can you show me again?"

"Happy New Year," Ryoga murmured before capturing her lips. Above them stars blazed against a colorful sky of crimson and purple, a brook laughed in its banks and the sweet scented breeze made the soft grasses rustle like silk.

"Akane!" Shampoo glided over to where the youngest Tendo stood among a horde of other girls. "What going on?"

"They just heard about Miss Hinako marrying my dad," Akane explained. "And I repeat," she said archly to the crowd. "I'm very happy about it!"

"But won't it be rough with her as a mother?" someone asked.

The redhead in the Furinkan dress smiled and injected her thought. "Maybe it will cut down on wear and tear at the dojo?"

"Come on, Kodachi!" someone else replied. "What if she just wants a charge?"

"Why would she?" Akane demanded, defending her new stepmother. "She doesn't need to ki drain to go adult, anymore." There was a flicker of aura. "You better not be suggesting anything improper."

Shampoo saw them first. "Nihau, Ukyo, Ryoga. Happy New Year!"

"Hi, Ukyo," Akane added. Something about the other girl made her look sharper. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year!" Ukyo caroled, a huge smile on her face. Her arm was linked through Ryoga's and somehow her girl's uniform seemed to fit better this morning.

"Happy New Year, guys," said Ryoga quietly but with a small, satisfied smile. His eyes, so often avoiding contact with girls, met theirs easily and directly. He took a deep breath, releasing it with gusto. "How's everyone doing?"

Kodachi smiled sunnily, but Shampoo and Akane suddenly looked like big cats on the hunt. They grabbed the two by the arms and hustled them off to greater privacy, Kodachi trailing with a puzzled expression on her face. "All right!" hissed Akane once they broke free of the crowd. "What's happened?"

Ukyo giggled almost brainlessly. Shampoo gave a sharp exclamation. "You act like… Ai-ya!" She stared between Ryoga and Ukyo. "They do it." Her voice was filled in disbelief.

"They… Oh, my!" Akane slapped a hand over her mouth. She looked them over. "Oh, my!"

"You are starting to sound like Kasumi," Kodachi smirked. "Did what?" she added in uncharacteristic obtuseness.

"But what about Akari?" Akane asked. The story of Akari and Konatsu quickly came out. Kodachi was convulsed by giggles, while Shampoo and Akane boggled. Ryoga was glad Ranma wasn't around. As quickly as Shampoo and Akane had figured out what they had done, once Ranma knew, that baka would probably find some reason to object to his and Ukyo's relationship.

"You mean," Shampoo analyzed, "you think pig-girl and girl-boy make whoopee. You get mad, very mad! But they not make whoopee, so you come back and apologize. You take pig-girl and girl-boy to pig-girl's home and you told they supposed to make whoopee after all. This time you not get mad, you glad, instead. Then you and spatula-girl go off, make whoopee and celebrate?"

Ryoga and Ukyo ran that past their sensors a few times then nodded. "I guess."

"Basically," Ukyo agreed.

"Ai-ya!" Shampoo looked disgusted and envious.

"What is this business of 'doing it' and 'making whoopee'?" asked Kodachi smiling.

Ukyo snorted. "Come on! Who's been hinting at all sorts of improper things since before Christmas? Who has the results tucked in her tummy? You're way off, today, sugar."

"Huh?"

"Yoo-hoo!" A redheaded figure in a neat emerald green dress trotted around the side of the building and approached them. "Sorry I wasn't here earlier, but Taro can be so-o-o demanding. It's amazing what you can do with feathers, chocolate sauce and the judicious use of cold water."

Ryoga and Ukyo's faces fell and they turned their eyes to the figure in the Furinkan schoolgirl's uniform. That figure, in actuality Ranma, grimaced. "Damn!" She looked sheepish. "I… lost a bet to Nabiki and swore I'd come to school today in a girl's uniform and use proper Japanese," she explained. "Hinako said…"

"Tendo-sensei!" snapped Akane.

"Right! Sorry, Akane. Tendo-sensei said it was okay. So I was stuck." She looked up in sudden realization. "Hey! You thought I was Kodachi!" One could see the gears turning. Her face darkened. "Ryoga, what have you done?" Her voice was suddenly full of threat.

"If you can't figure that out, Ranma…" Ryoga stuck his jaw out belligerently.

"Why you! How dare you take advan— mmmrph!" Akane grabbed her arm and clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Why, Ranma," she said smoothly, "are you… jealous?" Ranma mumbled behind the entrapping hand. "I might get the idea that you still had a thing for Ukyo," Akane added. Ranma suddenly understood her danger and subsided. Akane released her grip but eyed her with a hint of anger.

"Ukyo," Ranma said quietly, "are you happy?"

Ukyo nodded and smiled. She glanced at Ryoga and back to Ranma. "I am, Ranchan. Very happy."

Ranma walked over and hugged her awkwardly. "I'm glad. You deserve to be happy if any of us do." Akane and Ryoga's bodies, which had tensed at the hug, relaxed. It was rare, but Ranma could be very honest with his feelings. Ryoga flinched at the look he got, though, when Ranma turned toward him. "You better do right by her, Hibiki," the redhead said. "She's like my sister…"

"I'm going to accept your adoption offer after all, Ranchan," Ukyo said. "I may not be keeping the name long, but I've decided I'd like to be your sister."

Ranma's face lit in a bright smile. "Thanks, Ukyo." She glared at Ryoga again, but without the anger. "Damn, you look smug!"

Ryoga's lips twitched. "What can I say? I've finally found what I was missing." Ranma punched him in the arm, good-naturedly. "You look good in the dress, Ranma," Ryoga added slyly.

"Why, you…" Ranma drew back his fist for a more demonstrative blow only to be restrained again by Akane.

"Ahem!" Kodachi interrupted. She was a bit miffed her outrageous description of her previous night had not gotten a rise out of anyone. Obviously something of import was going on. "Could someone bring me up to speed?" They told her. Kodachi laughed. "Oh, my stars! How I wish we could swap descriptions and techniques, my dears."

"Why you not in uniform, 'Dachi?" Shampoo asked suddenly.

"You're quick as always, Shampoo," Kodachi admitted. "I'm taking my entrance exams today." She paused as her audience erupted with questions and protests. "There's no reason to wait any longer; and after the wedding, Taro and I are temporarily moving to Arizona in the United States." They gasped. They all had expected her to finish out the school year with them. "Marinara-sensei is coming with us while Taro trains for his world debut. It will also help me avoid hot water until after our little one is delivered." She caressed her stomach. "I'll return to join our freshman class at the university," she promised and then looked shy. "You are all coming to our wedding?" she asked meekly.

The general consensus was that they wouldn't miss it. "Though why you'd want a bunch of nuts like them…" Ranma injected, jerking her thumb at the others.

They looked at the boy turned girl in her dress. Ranma blushed and reconsidered her opinion. With a laugh, Kodachi turned on her heel and strode away, drawing very appreciative whistles from many of her male classmates.

Shampoo suddenly looked stricken. "Waaaah! I must find new partner for Chemistry! I am soooo doo-oo-oomed!"

oOo

The bell rang and everyone hurried to class. Urudu, who was covering homeroom, took one look at Ryoga and Ukyo and began to laugh. She chortled all the way through roll call, then stood and walked around her desk to sit on its front. She licked her lips and winked at Ryoga who shifted uncomfortably. Then Tendo-sensei entered the room followed by six girls in new Furinkan uniforms.

"Good morning, class," Akane's new stepmother said. "I want you to welcome six new students. It will make things a bit crowded, but I'm sure we'll manage." The six girls, polite smiles on their faces and hair of varying length stood with the muscular poise of martial artists. If that weren't warning enough, Akane and Ukyo recognized two of them and knew one well enough to give her a name. "I am Tekkan Nezzumi, age 17," she said when they came to her. "I'm a martial artist and very interested in technology. My specialty is engineering design." Once the shortest of the Temple ninja, Tek was the tallest of the new girls, her willowy form topping one hundred eighty centimeters. She still had curves in all the right places, which the guys noticed.

Ryoga sweated big time. Of the six, five were after him. Only Nabiki Kagazumi had expressed interest in Ranma. Ryoga smiled nervously while Ukyo fumed.

"It's only five, not five dozen," he whispered.

"In this class, jackass," she muttered back. "Think there might be some in the junior and freshman classes? Hmmm?"

"Uhhh… Heh-heh! Oh, shit." Ryoga sank down lower in his seat.

"Tendo-sensei?" Ukyo raised her hand and smiled sweetly.

"Yes, Ukyo."

"Are there new girls in the other classes?"

Ninomiya smiled faintly. "Why yes, there are. These are just the girls assigned to this homeroom." Ukyo smiled sweetly, thanked Tendo-sensei and then glared at Ryoga who looked like he was about to shrivel.

Ranma glanced at the other Nabiki and looked pained, while Nabiki looked at her with an expression of confusion. She winced. In all probability, everything had just gotten more difficult — again.

At lunch, the new girls dropped by to talk to Ranma and Ryoga, much to the consternation of other hopeful Furinkan males. In this lunch period that made a total of ten girls, who lined up in ranks and knelt like petitioners. Only Tek knelt off to one side, seemingly more interested in her lunch than in the two young men. Akane and Ukyo, unsettled by the sight, glared at their fiancés before seating themselves to watch how this played out.

"Ranma-sama, Ryoga-sama," ninja-Nabiki acted as spokesperson. "We are here of course to get our education and would like to express our thanks at being able to study with you and watch how you live in this world outside the Temple." Ranma and Ryoga nodded slowly. Beyond the guys, even many who had girlfriends ground their teeth. Why did those two get all the attention? "I won't lie and claim we aren't interested in you two. Is there any chance?"

"Sorry," Ryoga said quickly. "We're both taken."

"What he said," Ranma echoed, shooting Ryoga a glance. "Akane and Ukyo ain't interested in sharin'."

Akane and Ukyo relaxed slightly. The boys began to buzz. Ryoga and Ukyo? That was new…

"Too bad," Nabiki said giving the redhead a warm look. "I hope you understand we will test that." Akane and Ukyo got tense again. "If you're tempt-able, we won't mind. If not," the shinobi girl grinned, "I've been asked to find out if either of you would be interested in going the sperm donor route? Our clan is interested in children after all, regardless of how we get them."

There was a general face-fault. The ninja looked about curiously as the thunder of impacts with the ground died away. Ryoga and Ranma dragged themselves upright and stared at the nine. Tek, a little bit away, grinned and began eating her lunch. This was great entertainment.

"Man, that bites!" commented Ranma. "You don't really want us except for breeding stock?"

"That's not entirely true," piped up Choochoo. "But our older sisters were impressed with you as well and some of them have… different tastes concerning partners, or feel you're just too young to be interesting. Your children would be welcome, though."

Ranma and Ryoga could hear the buzz running through the listening students. Ranma thought of stallions kept for breeding purposes being shuffled from stall to stall of waiting mares. Ryoga, with his own background, thought of the pig breeding he had witnessed. Both winced and looked pained. Ranma glanced peevishly over to where Akane and Ukyo were sitting quietly and saw Shampoo leaning against a tree-trunk behind them. She winked and let the tip of her tongue show in quiet laughter.

Ranma looked at Ryoga and saw the glazed evidence of mental freeze in his brain.

"Ah-heh!" Ranma froze a smile on her face and turned back to the waiting ninja. "I think we need to talk about this someplace more private." She winced at the expressions of anticipation that lit up their faces. "And that's not what I meant!" she huffed. "Why don't you girls meet us at the Tendo dojo after school. We'll let you know what's been decided." Her hair rose on the back of her neck from a not too subtle growl from Akane. 'Providing I'm still alive,' she thought to herself.

oOo

Home and finally male again, Ranma was backed up against a wall by Akane who snarled wordlessly. "Come on, Akane! I can't help it if I'm good. You wouldn't want me if I was a wuss…"

"You're planning to go along with it," she accused.

Nearby, Ukyo was giving Ryoga a cold glare. So soon after the warmth they had shared it was particularly devastating. "I could see your face. You were thinking about it."

"Ukyo! They suggested it! Of course I was thinking about it! That doesn't mean I want to go along with it!" he yelled. "I don't want them chasing me!"

"Then tell them, 'No'!"

"Do you honestly believe that 'No' means a damn thing to them?"

Shampoo leaned against a wall and shook her head. It had been a noisy trip home from school.

"Shampoo," Ranma called desperately, "tell me the Joketsuzoku laws would forbid me to get involved with them."

Shampoo scratched her head. "I don't know if true," she said. "Not think about before. Joketsuzoku don't do…" she sought for the concept, "…artificial insemination with humans. Not sure if laws made up about third party not wanting permanent relationship."

"Well, could you find out?" Ranma screeched as Akane dumped cold water on him and then stomped away from her. "I need help here."

"Whatever…" she bounced away to consult with Cologne.

"Ranma, what's wrong?" Nodoka asked as she glided past the stormy Akane to check on her 'girled' son. "Did Nabiki's trick cause trouble?" She had heard the shouting and wondered about the cause.

"Only in gym! They couldn't make up their minds whether to have me take gym with the guys or the girls," Ranma countered, fuming. "No! Furinkan got new students today and they're those mini-ninja girls from the Temple! They went to Togenkyo, got full-size bodies and want me and Ryoga here for breeding stock."

Nodoka blinked. "How many girls?"

"I don't know. Three dozen. Maybe more…"

"You and Ryoga are such manly men!" Nodoka gushed. Ranma and Ryoga went white as Akane and Ukyo saw red.

"Mom!" Ranma screeched in a tone that was neither manly nor polite. She was distracted by her father, who, just setting up the Mah-jong board with Soun, interrupted to dance about waving a sign with the legend, Not my fault! scrawled on it and giving her the red-eye. This despite the fact he was not in panda-form. Ranma hurled her bookbag with pinpoint accuracy. "Ya ain't helpin', old man!"

Akane ran across and booted the stunned Genma into the pond to correct the situation somewhat. "I don't wanna be 'manly' with them if it's gonna screw up what Akane and I got!" Ranma shouted.

Surprisingly, she said something right for a change. Akane was before her instantly, grasping her hands. "Oh, Ranma, I didn't think! I'm sorry I said those horrid things!" She hugged the redhead firmly, kissed her and ran off saying, "I'll get you some hot water and be right back."

Ranma unglazed after a moment and swallowed, looking at the surprised Nodoka. "Ah… so you see, Mom, I want Akane. Also, this could mess up whatever Akane and Shampoo have going. I can't justify this. It would break my honor." He looked grateful as Akane hurried back with the kettle and transformed him back to normal.

"Hmmm… I suppose you're right," his mother admitted. "Besides, until things are settled and Akane is pregnant with her first child, it really wouldn't be right to have others who could challenge as the eldest Saotome heir."

"Mom!" whined Ranma, clutching his hair.

"But after your obligations to Akane are discharged, I see no real problem with helping these poor girls, Ranma," Nodoka said. After all, it wasn't as if these girls even wanted Ranma to support them. They only wanted him because he was special, which was a great compliment. And she was certain that with Nabiki's contacts to their front business, she could still get to see her grandchildren by these other girls! She realized she was staring off into space and possibly speaking out loud. Akane was staring at her as if her head was on backwards.

Akane's lips thinned. "I'm sorry, Ranma, but I need to do this." She poured cold water over him and stomped away snarling.

"Akane!" Ranma whined following in her wake.

Ukyo and Ryoga had been arguing quietly to one side, especially since Ukyo had a tendency to brandish her spatula if Ryoga's voice rose above acceptable decibels. "Ukyo, I love you!" he whispered savagely. "Why can't we just go off to that place…"

"I wish," she said fervently. She finally leaned against him, thinking. "But poor Ranma and Akane would be stuck with it alone if we got lost." She let her voice die down. "Hmmm…"

"What?" Ryoga asked miserably.

"I've got an idea," Ukyo said. "Let's go talk to Akane."

oOo

There were thirty-five ninja, including Kodama and Hikari kneeling in the dojo facing Ranma, Akane, Ryoga and Ukyo. They waited expectantly for their prospective mates to speak.

Ukyo, though, spoke first. "It is my understanding that all of you here seek children for the good of your clan?" she asked, eyes downcast and face serious.

"Yes," Kodama answered as spokesperson of her clan. "Both of your men are among the best martial artists of their age. Their blood would strengthen our clan."

"What good would a ninja be, if they could not find their objective?" Ukyo asked.

Kodama and Hikari exchanged glances. "We don't understand."

"Hibikis are genetically predisposed to wander. To be frank, they get lost constantly." Ryoga winced at Ukyo's flat, emotionless detailing of his problem. "I love Ryoga, but he can't find his way to the bathroom without help. Since most Hibiki's do this, I don't think you want to perpetuate this in your clan."

The silence was a thunderclap. The ninja looked among themselves wordlessly and came to a consensus. Their gaze fell on Ranma, who cringed a little under their combined regard.

'Come on! Soul-of-Ice, you can do it!' he thought to himself.

After a moment of silence, Akane cleared her throat and spoke to the waiting assembly. "Ranma is under obligations to myself and Shampoo of the Joketsuzoku. We both claim him as fiancé and future husband. Because these claims deal in part with children and their status, he is not free to offer his genetic material elsewhere."

"Excuse us," Kodama said lightly. "I understand the emotional attachments. But that's not what we're after. Also, our interview with a Joketsuzoku expert suggested that, at least from their viewpoint, this would not be a problem."

Shampoo, who had returned from Cologne and was kneeling apart from the discussion, spoke up. "Who your expert?" She moved out and reseated herself beside Akane. "Joketsuzoku law is not for outsiders. I ask grandmother for opinion, myself, but am not allowed to be specific."

"It wasn't my sister, was it?" Akane asked peeved.

"I would rather not reveal my source under the circumstances," Kodama replied, "but it was not Nabiki Tendo or her roommate." There was a long silence. "Do you have any expectations on how long this situation might go on?"

Akane started to answer before hesitating and turning to Shampoo.

"Not know. Because law is not for outsider, cannot explain to sister of heart. This something Shampoo confident Akane will do eventually, just by being Akane, but opportunity must present self."

"However this is resolved, a viable birth must precede any other actions," Akane said when Shampoo finished. "Since that would involve at least a year by itself, you may be better served seeking a father for your children elsewhere." There was a collective sigh of disappointment.

"Since Christmas, Happosai is no longer Master of Mutsabetsu Kakuto," Ranma broke in. "I am now Master of our school. Because of yer association with the Temple, I am now willing to teach you my style as well as the Umisen. Before I do, understand I'll ask ya ta swear an oath to use it to defend the weak and not to kill for your personal benefit. If I understand the objectives of the company Nabiki's put together for you, this shouldn't be a problem."

Kodama smiled. "I'm looking forward to our training, sensei."

"My father, Genma Saotome, and Akane's father, Soun Tendo, will evaluate ya for endurance and speed. It's to be expected that our unarmed combat forms will differ a little due to the focus of our training."

"Are either of those gentlemen free to contribute to our clan?" Hikari asked, her voice higher pitched, almost racing compared to Kodama's lower sultry tones. A flare of aura lit up behind one of the shoji facing the yard. "Ahhh?"

"My mother has only recently reunited with my father, Genma. She's… a little possessive, right now. As for Soun…"

One of the ninja whispered to her Jonin.

"Ahhh… I see. He just wed the principal of Furinkan. I suppose that would make things difficult for our girls." The ninja who were students at the high school sweated and nodded.

"Exactly. I'd also like to call a friend of ours, Konatsu, to help evaluate some of the forms peculiar to ninjitsu. 'Natsu is a sort of genetic ninja master. He's an orphan and not attached to any clan so there won't be an issue of security."

"I'd like to interview him, first," Kodama said flatly. "Shinobi clans do not disperse information with one another. All I can promise is that, as he is your friend, we will put aside any old differences should there be any. We are the last members, however illegitimately, of the Kotatoo Clan." She waited expectantly to see his reaction.

Ranma had a beautifully blank look on his face.

"Are you kidding me?" said Ukyo, eyebrows rising, "They were wiped out before the Muromachi period began." She blinked at them. "Oh, right. I heard you girls were created using a ninja film as the basis. I think I know which one, now."

"Is there a problem?"

"No. You're friends of Mrs. Morisato and the Temple guardians. You're not going to start up that old news again." She regarded their still faces. "I'm a Kuonji of the Tanaka and Konatsu will soon be my adopted brother."

Kodama nodded. "For Baradandya's sake we have put aside all past enmity," she said. "We're already receiving some attention from the government. That action against the Crimson Wave was a godsend. We were able to 'go public' in a positive way. It will be more difficult for the government itself to sanction us." Kodama rotated her head crackingly. "Since the Hibikis are a poor choice for our purposes, and the Saotome and Tendo males are indisposed, what other solutions could you suggest to our... problem?"

"Why don't you get a list of the male competitors from the University Martial Arts tournament?" asked Akane. "I'm sure Nabiki could get one for you."

Ukyo cleared her throat. "It's not so much a solution as a set of leads; we could offer a list of unattached male martial artists that have given even Ranma a hard time. We can't promise anything, but..."

Kodama smiled wolfishly. "Oh I'm sure our girls can manage to... get the job done. A list would be a very nice start."

Five martial artists sat down to make a list. Shampoo giggled and made a suggestion that raised the eyebrows on the other four. Kodama met with her chonin while Kasumi and Nodoka brought in refreshments for everyone. Hinako stuck her head in briefly from correcting tests. She blinked when Nodoka informed her that her husband was safe. Her expression, when this was explained, was interesting. "Soun!" her voice was heard to bellow, "What do you know about this?" A quavering denial was met with icy muttering from the Furinkan Principal.

As they worked, a small bald figure wandered in. Now that Happosai was officially 'retired' from the school, he was easier to take and seemed less obsessive about being a pervert. "What's going on, Ranma?" he asked, eyeing the ninja appreciatively.

"This is Kodama and her girls. They're lookin' for men to get kids for their shinobi clan."

Happosai's eyes grew huge. "They… you… Never in all my years!" He threw himself on Ranma, notwithstanding he was not in female form at the time. "My boy, I didn't know you had it in you! And here I thought I knew all the secrets of Mutsabetsu Kakuto! You make me proud! Can I watch?"

"Get off, ya old fart!" Ranma bellowed, trying to dislodge him. "I ain't volunteerin'!"

Happosai dropped off and bounced away. "You're not? Why not?" He glanced at the scowling Shampoo and Akane. "Oh, my great-granddaughters… I see." He sighed. "Your loss… So what are they sticking around here for if you're not going to play?"

"They want to know who the unattached martial artists are in the area."

"Me! Me! Oh, me!" Happosai bounced up and down excitedly. The ninja girls eyed him with a certain amount of trepidation. Some had previous experience with the old man already and his offer drew sweat-drops all around. Happosai paused with a hand on his stomach, a faintly green tone to his face. "Are these girls advanced students?" He 'urped' faintly.

"My girls are all masters of their Art," Kodama exclaimed crossly. "Expert ninja all."

"You probably shouldn't have said that," Ranma growled. "Don't you dare!" he added hurriedly.

"Good enough for me!" exclaimed a suddenly healthy pervert. Ranma bounced to his feet as Happosai produced a glass of water. "Not for you, m'boy!" He glugged it down, and in his teenage form, hurled himself at the girls. "Swee-to!"

"Happosai!" shouted an enraged Shampoo.

"I'll kill him!" Akane put in then tried to punt him out.

"Come back here and fight," bellowed Ryoga.

"Shouldn't that be 'Happi, prepare to die'?" Ranma inquired in disgust. One on one, any of the five of them was a match for the old man, but in this confusion, he held the advantage.

"How bout, 'prepare to die happy! ' " suggested the rejuvenated lech.

"I don't think so!" Ryoga said fervently. "Arrgh!" He became 'she' with an application of water. Glomping, followed. "Aaagh! Happosai! You die!" Ryoga screamed in outrage.

"He's not bad," admitted Kodama, narrowly avoiding a glomp.

"You didn't lose your bra!" complained Nabiki Kagazumi. "Ranma, where's that list?"

"Here go," Shampoo bounded past, bonbori in one hand.

"All right!" Nabiki yelled. "Kodama, with your permission?"

"Ninja, vanish!" There were multiple blasts of pepper smoke.

When it cleared, Happosai looked around with a cry of disappointment. "No-o-o!" he wailed, sinking to his knees. But, the ninja were gone.

oOo

The ninja leaped over the rooftops chattering about the experiences at the Tendo dojo.

"Will you people be quiet?" snapped Kodama. "Gather at the flat roof," she commanded her chastened warriors. "Nabiki, report."

"Like you said, he's not bad. He probably should be considered."

"The list?" Kodama reminded her, frostily.

"Ah… Sorry, Jonin." She pulled out the paper. "It looks like they've provided us with descriptions as well and some advice. Mikado Sanzenin: Martial Arts Figure Skating at Kolkhoz High. Tatewaki Kuno – kenjutsu. Graduate, found at Kuno estate. Picolet Chardin – martial arts dining… They read down about a dozen names, some of them students at Furinkan, some students at nearby high schools, mostly older students or young masters of exotic martial arts styles. She smirked. "With your permission, I think I'd like to check out this Kuno fellow. He is Kodachi's brother – remember?

"Very well. If he seems to have good potential, let us know." Nabiki smiled and was gone. "All right, who wants this Chardin fellow? He sounds foreign." Slowly, the ninja master dealt out assignments.