Author's Note: I've gone through the whole story over again and made numerous small corrections for consistency and grammar. I made sure to note the date every time the day changed. Ranma traveled from January 23, 1989, to March 23, 1977. I had Ranma calling Genma "Pops" when he usually calls him "Pop", so this is fixed. Also, Ku Lan is now just Lan. I've had some trouble nailing down the exact timing and circumstances of how the school entrance ceremonies go in Japan, so I apologize for any errors. I've re-written this numerous times trying to get it as close as possible to accurate, but I'm sure I have likely missed something somewhere. This chapter also had me stuck for a very long time, so I hope it is at least enjoyable.

Chocolate y Vainilla: Good question! Yes, the 'original' timeline from 1989 does exist as an alternate timeline. Ranma assumes otherwise because the Nanban Mirror seemed to 'undo' the old timeline if one wasn't careful.


Chapter 23: Contrasting Educations

April 4, 1977

'Grandmother! Auntie! Look! I did it!' Shampoo beamed, leaving the water bucket to run over to her ancestor and adopted aunt. She was smiling as she revealed the stone in her dry hands. The girl's arms and hands ached, but she was very happy. She had just gotten her first stone successfully with the Chestnut Fist training. It may have only been one of the twenty stones in the very shallowly filled bucket, but it was a start that was well ahead of her peers.

'Very good, child! Keep at it. Once you can do this regularly, we will move on to the next phase of the training that Lan's brother created.' Cologne said with praise, patting the girl on the shoulder. It was indeed an accomplishment, being the youngest of the Joketsuzoku to begin learning the Chestnut Fist, but the message also conveyed that there were further heights to reach.

The reason Shampoo was able to begin learning the Chestnut Fist wasn't merely because she was a prodigy, but also because the training method was so different. Back when they used chestnuts and fire, it was deemed too dangerous for children to even try. Anyone who did practice it always needed time to allow burns on their hands to heal between attempts. If the burns were too extensive, the hands could be permanently damaged and leave the person forever hindered as a Martial Artist. Ranma's method had none of these weaknesses and also toughened the hands because the water resisted proportionally to the speed and depth of the strike. A person who could use the Chestnut Fist in gradually deeper water could use more force than one who learned in fire, and the minnow training that followed the pebble training would allow increased control. It was simply a superior method to the Joketsuzoku one, and Ranma was surely going to teach it to his students as well.

'Alright, Grandmother! I'll master it! Just wait and see!' The girl said happily, coaxing Ran to smile as she watched the interaction. The girl was far more endearing than the pushy and amorous girl that had chased Ranma around for two years. She ran off toward the bucket again, hoping to practice even more. A smiling Cologne followed to assist and observe the child.

Their travel had been slow, the trio only managing to get as far as Gansu Province so far. The government and military in the area were on full alert, locking down travel and diverting trains for military purposes. This was not because of the search for the Joketsuzoku and their village. No, the Xiu had managed to slow that down. The method by which they slowed it down, however, was causing its own problems. The battles with India and Pakistan over contested territories that the Xiu had 'guided' various Peoples' Liberation Army officers and Communist Party officials to enact all at once contained questionable tactics, leading to heavy losses. Tibet and Xinjiang's officials were vying for independence from China thanks to Xiu prodding and public support, backed by India and Pakistan respectively in retaliation for the ill-advised actions by the brainwashed Chinese. As a key corridor to Xinjiang, this area was being used to relay troops and materials for what had quickly escalated into a two-front proxy war between three nations.

This was only part of the madness that plagued the massive nation that dared stand against the Joketsuzoku.

Having a moment to herself, Ran decided to re-read the letter which had been sent to her via ki-space a week prior. She was initially worried when much had vanished from her and Ranma's shared ki-space, but the communication had been a positive one and resolved her concerns.

Ran Saotome,

This is your mother, Nodoka. I apologize for the vanishing of the weapons and tools from Ranma's ki-space, but I told him to rest from the practice of the Hidden Weapons Style for a little while. If you need food or items from ki-space, please send a letter asking for them and we will try to provide. I have become aware of your and Ranma's life to this point and have seen the letters. My mother and father, your grandparents, are also aware and believe. It helped that Ranma was in possession of textbooks and photographs from that time. We are waiting to tell the children though, both because of their comprehension level and because they have enough to adjust to at the moment.

First, I want you to know that the family accepts you both. You may not have been born directly from me, Ran, but you were born from my actions in letting Genma take Ranma. You also have my son's mind in there as well as a body constructed from Saotome flesh. Ranma has been a lesson in unconditional love and that also extends to you as well as your new sisters, Natsume and Kurumi. The seppuku pledge was dishonorable from the onset and I have accepted my fault in it. I, thankfully, have a second chance to do what I should always have done and accept my child unconditionally. As for Genma, he has been divorced, ejected from the family, and imprisoned in a special pressurized underwater cell in an aquarium for his crimes. He also no longer has any rights as Ranma's father. You needn't concern yourself with him any longer.

I do not like what I have heard about the Joketsuzoku, and I feel that my son's previous interactions with them have shown them to be profoundly dishonorable. What honor is there in ignoring a refusal of marriage or trying to kill someone for winning a competition of skill? The honor seems one-sided and carries no respect for the other party's very existence. Hearing that the Joketsuzoku have adopted you without your explicit consent disturbs me. I must admit to not being there or aware of most of their other local customs, so I ask you to compare your memories as Ranma with your memories as the various Joketsuzoku. Make an objective decision based on having a foot in both worlds. Feel free to contact me for advice as well.

Regardless of what local Joketsuzoku law may claim, you are my daughter and are welcome in my home. My parents also welcome you. We only ask that you spare Ranma and the girls from the issues the tribe would invite, if possible.

Nodoka Saotome

It almost felt too good to be true for Ran. No more seppuku agreement, no more marriage arrangements, simply acceptance. It was tempting to simply leave the Joketsuzoku, though the other lives in her memories and their loyalties were making that difficult. Still, she could not condone what the Joketsuzoku were doing to their own people or to this area of the world just to stay hidden. Not that there was much she could do about it.

Well, short of trying to raise Shampoo not to be so reckless invoking the most esoteric and dangerous aspects Joketsuzoku law at the drop of a hat. That could only be good for her.


Ranma and the others practiced the basic forms of kendo with bamboo training swords in the backyard of the Saotome home, all under the watchful eye of Tenma Saotome. Tatewaki Kuno was present with Kodachi, the latter convinced to practice the forms if only so she could be more effective with clubs. The idea of hardening a ribbon into a rod or a sword with ki was something that appealed to her, though.

The teen-turned-boy had enough random practice with the sword to use one if need be, but his grandfather had said it was time to learn the Art properly. He needed to fill the gaps in his knowledge and get his muscles used to the feelings of the various kata he was practicing. Even though kendo was more restrictive than kenjutsu, the former was a simplified form of the latter and shared many aspects. As such, one school could build into the other. The idea of being behind a seven-year-old Kuno in any skill irritated Ranma, so he was determined to master this as soon as possible. Ukyo, meanwhile, had learned some kendo and kenjutsu kata already in preparation for eventually using a large spatula as a weapon. Kenjutsu training that he and Tatewaki had yet to receive. This had the unusual side effect of Ranma experiencing something he never thought would happen.

"Ran-chan, lift your arm just a little more!" Ukyo was giving him pointers on his form. A six-year-old Ukyo was giving him pointers on his form. His pride was taking a further blow with every single recommendation, but he obliged. The smile on her face was one of pure happiness at being able to help Ranma learn to fight for a change, without any sign of taunting or negative connotation, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse her aid. "There you go!" Ukyo praised before resuming her own practice.

His only saving grace was that Tatewaki was being corrected just as often as he was with equal frustration. The most irritating thing was that his grandfather was allowing it and sometimes even gave a small smile. It wasn't uncommon for students who were further along to help the teacher train others in martial arts, but that was supposed to be at far higher levels than this!

The training continued for a time, but today's session couldn't last indefinitely. No, this was a special day. Ranma's mother stepped out of the house and called to the group. "Alright, everyone! It's time to get ready for the school's opening ceremony!" The kids complied, though Ranma wasn't as excited about it. The fact that school was previously an excuse to stay away from his father had been a point in its favor, but it wasn't exactly a good place in his memory. Especially not with the crazy principal, the drain-happy teacher, and the boring classes that sometimes made him fall asleep. At least it wouldn't be a full school day. That started tomorrow.

As he quickly washed up and went to his room to put on his uniform, he considered what comprised it. The slate gray shorts and the white undershirt were durable and flexible. He had no problem with those. The black suit jacket was an odd one, having a monogrammed pocket with Lumiere Elementary's symbol on it. The black socks were hard to get used to, as were the black leather shoes that felt strange on his feet. The latter promised to be an annoyance during every fight. The thing he had hated the most to this point, however, was the red necktie. Though a clip-on tie was acceptable, he had been forced to spend a few days learning how to tie the real thing because he was 'old enough to learn'. Though it gave his outfit a needed splash of red, he still missed wearing his trademark Chinese tang shirt already.

"Having trouble?" A male voice called out to Ranma as he finished with his tie. Tenma and Sachiko Saotome both smiled as they entered, looking at their sole blood grandchild.

"No, Gramps. It's annoyin', but I got it. Don't know why I need to use a real tie, though. Isn't a clip-on better so I don't get choked in a fight? Really, this whole stupid uniform's bad for fightin' in!" Ranma protested, only for Tenma to give a small chuckle. Sachiko stooped down to Ranma's eye level.

"Well, you're not supposed to get in a fight while wearing these clothes. A student represents the school they're attending while wearing the uniform, and their conduct reflects on the school. You don't want to make the school look bad, do you?" Ranma's grandmother tried to explain while Tenma stood with his arms crossed.

The grandfather would speak next. "Your grandmother is right. If you have to fight in spite of that, well...the key to fighting while wearing a suit or other formal wear is to use efficient and precise movements that fit the range of motion of what you're wearing. Tailor your fighting style to your clothing style. And avoid being struck, of course. I can tell you from personal experience that fighting in a suit trains your conservation of motion out of necessity." Rather than talking Ranma out of fighting with his uniform, the man gave his grandchild tips. The boy was a bit surprised, being told to think of it as a training method. Sachiko gave her husband a bit of a glare, willing him to be silent instead of corrupting their 'young' grandson.

"And the tie?" Ranma inquired. Was there a reason for that as well?

Sachiko's face returned to a happy expression as she attempted to salvage the situation. "Ah! Well, every man of class should know how to wear a tie. The sooner you learn, the better. It's also attractive to the ladies later on!" Sachiko noted, trying to salvage the situation.

"Also, given what you can do to a Rhythmic Gymnastics ribbon, why not carry a weapon like that on your person if they give you the option?" Tenma's words made Sachiko tense and give her husband a more harsh glare that promised retribution, while the child blinked owlishly at his grandfather's words. Tenma put his hands on his grandchild's shoulders after stooping down next to the woman whose anger was mounting. "Ranma. There is one thing the Saotome School of Kenjutsu and Anything Goes Martial Arts share. It is the philosophy to turn anything into training. If something limits or inconveniences you like this, there is almost surely a way to use it to improve yourself in some way, shape, or form. Remember that. Just do it in a subtle way and with class, if at all possible. Think of your classes that way as well, Ranma."

With those words, Ranma gave a confident smirk. Turning inconvenience into training was one of the main tenants of his Art, something the man in front of him clearly understood to a deep level. Ranma couldn't believe that the stress of the day had let him forget this. "Thanks for the reminder, Gramps! I won't tell Mom if you don't!"

Tenma smiled as he handed Ranma a red, firm-stitched leather backpack that was already open. Ranma looked inside and saw that it already carried a packed lunch from his mother and grandmother, another lunch from Ukyo, various school supplies, an extra pair of shoes for indoor wear, several sets of black shoelaces, and an extra necktie. The necktie and shoelaces were likely 'armaments' for Ranma's use if needed, though his grandfather's words made him wonder if there were ways to use the school supplies for his training as well. He already knew how to toughen paper with ki...

Regarding the backpack, Tenma spoke. "It is tradition for grandparents to give their grandchild a randoseru like this at the start of elementary school to carry their supplies in. We will give the girls theirs when they are dressed and ready. I know you are used to using ki-space, and you are cleared to start using it again within reason, but this is still a tradition I am pleased to be able to participate in." Tenma's words were restrained and formal, while Sachiko fought her way through her anger and joined in. She embraced her grandchild while Tenma kept one of his hands on Ranma's shoulder.

"We're glad you made it to us, Ranma. Whether you're six, eighteen, or any age." At Sachiko's words, Ranma hugged his grandmother back. He was getting a lot better with hugs, the two ladies of the house making sure he was hugged regularly. He had lacked love and support in his old life, and they had decided that he wouldn't lack it in this one. The girls contributed their share as well, of course.

"Thanks, Gramps! Grandma!" Ranma said, happily.

"Now go off to the living room and entertain the guests. The Kunos are waiting, so you can keep them company while your mother and I help the girls. Your grandfather will join you after I have a few words with him." With that prompting from Sachiko, Ranma grabbed his assorted weapons and the mirror. He placed them in his ki-space before leaving his room. Tenma realized that he was in trouble as his wife's gaze turned to him.

"Ten-chan...why do you endorse such behavior? There is no justifiable reason to convey such 'knowledge'." Sachiko asked in a much cooler tone than before.

Tenma adjusted his collar with one finger, loosening it slightly around his neck. That was the only outward sign of his distress. "I was too strict with Nodoka's upbringing and need to find a balance that is more...suitable for our grandchildren. Besides, do you not recall back in high school when Himeko Aizawa was hogtied with a hair ribbon by a certain fiery redhead-"

Sachiko stammered, her face red with rage and embarrassment as she interrupted somewhat loudly. "That stuck-up cow had it coming and you know it!" The woman crossed her arms and looked away from her husband, her glance no longer meeting his eyes. Tenma smiled at his wife, knowing that her fiery anger and embarrassment burnt out rather quickly compared to her cool rage. Sachiko eventually managed to glare at her husband with a pout before giving a light sigh of exasperation. "Just go make sure the boys don't get into a sparring match while I go help the girls."


Ranma was surprised to see a new person in the living room today. Sitting next to a man in a brown suit that was this era's Kocho Kuno was a beautiful and pale woman. She had a face much like the future Kodachi's, though her eyes lacked the glint of madness the teenaged gymnast would have. She was dressed in a kimono that matched the colors of her husband's currently missing armor. The boy wasn't sure whether to be surprised at her presence or at Kocho Kuno's appearance. The man looked relatively normal, save for his hair's top-knot.

Kodachi, having been dressed in her uniform by her mother and Sasuke expertly already, spoke up on seeing Ranma's confusion. "Ah, that's Mommy and Daddy! Daddy just removed his armor and face for today. Mommy says that it's too scary for the other kids at school." Tatewaki gave a nod and a small grunt of confirmation, attempting to appear as sage as a seven-year-old who was shaved bald could. The idea that Kodachi called the decorated faceplate on her father's helmet his 'face' spoke to just how often he wore the thing. Ranma wondered if this eventually contributed to her madness a little, though she seemed fine at this particular point in time.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Ranma Saotome." Ranma smiled at the pair, hoping that things would be different this time around. He'd never met the mother of the family in the future. Had she bailed on her nut of a husband at some point?

Nodachi stood and gave a bow. "Hello, Ranma. I am Nodachi Kuno. Thank you for befriending my children. You've broadened their horizons in doing so. I hope you continue to stand by them as you begin your school life."

"Sure! I don't plan on ditchin' them or anythin'. I might have some different classes though. My schedule's going to be weirder than other students'. That's what the Principal said, anyway." Ranma confessed, not really sure how to handle the formality. Tenma arrived in the room at this point but said nothing to interrupt the discussion.

"I have heard." Kocho Kuno said, speaking for the first time in the conversation. "The Department of Education is more than a little surprised. With how well you did on your placement tests, they are wondering if there is a correlation between ki use and intelligence. Even your friend Ukyo managed to get into a higher math class than should have been possible. It is for the best, however, for you to make your foundations more solid than they currently are."

Ranma didn't think that there wasn't any real correlation. He just had the benefit of living three times longer than anyone knew. "I traveled all over the place learnin' whatever, and Ucchan's pop made her help with his business. She had to know how to sell stuff and give change. Can't say anythin' about ki users bein' smarter. I've met some that're dumb as bricks." Tenma couldn't help but smirk ever so slightly at his grandson's choice of words.

It was at this point that Sachiko and Nodoka returned with the girls in tow. The girls' uniform for Lumiere Elementary, worn by Kodachi, Ukyo, and Natsume, was similar to his own and Tatewaki's but with some differences. They wore slate gray skirts instead of shorts and monogrammed black vests over their white shirts instead of suit jackets. The red ties they wore were in the form of bows, reminding him of the ones on gifts from the Tendos' Christmas parties. They still wore black socks, but they wore different types of black shoes. His mother had called them 'Mary Janes' for some reason. Kurumi, by contrast, wore Aokawa Kindergarten's uniform. It was a simple pink dress with a yellow hat for high visibility, white socks, and pink 'Mary Jane' shoes. All of the kids except Kurumi now had a Randoseru of their own, albeit in different colors.

After the mothers took a few photographs of the kids and families, Nodachi Kuno called out to the group. "Alright, let us all go to the limousine!" She and her husband then guided the group out to the vehicle that a waiting Sasuke had been conscripted to drive once more. The Saotomes had attempted earlier to politely decline the offer of a ride, but that had been shot down by the enthusiastic Nodachi. The children would be accompanied by their families for the entrance ceremony; so a half-dozen children, three parents, and two grandparents filed into the large car. With the driver, they totaled a dozen in all. When they pulled away, conversations started between the various people. Kodachi spoke with Ukyo, Natsume was reassuring a nervous Kurumi, Tatewaki spoke with Tenma about training, and the mothers and grandmother all conversed as well. Kocho Kuno was silent. This gave Ranma a chance to reflect on how he had gotten here, from the battle with Maomolin and his arrival in this time a scant twelve days ago all the way up until now.

Before much time had passed, the limousine stopped in front of the school. Parents and students who were gathered under the blooming cherry trees in the schoolyard watched as the Saotome and Kuno group exited the vehicle. It was a bit surreal, seeing a limousine being used as a school bus of sorts.

"Hello, Ran-chan!" Kasumi's voice called to the group. Ranma looked over to see the Tendo family sitting on a blanket admiring the cherry blossoms. All three children were wearing the uniform of Lumiere Elementary, with Soun taking photographs of the trio. Kimiko was in her wheelchair, seemingly tired but powering through for the sake of supporting Akane in her first year's entrance ceremony. It was now that Ranma remembered that Tatewaki had called Kasumi his senpai at Takato.

"That's right, you're Tatewaki's upperclassman! I should've expected this. How are things?" Ranma asked. He hadn't expected to attend school with the Tendos. That might be a little difficult for him, especially since a younger Akane was also present to tug at his memories.

Kimiko smiled from her wheelchair, electing to speak before Soun put his foot in his mouth. "Things are going well. All three of the girls are going to be students now that Akane is starting her first year of school here. It will be good for her to be with friends she already knows."

Soun, having been prevented from overreacting to the 'opportunity' this presented, was given time to think before he spoke. "Yes, especially if those friends are fellow Martial Artists. Being around so many others with the dedication to train at such a young age will only help her improve further. I can only hope the school allows for training on the grounds during recess. It has a reputation of cultivating children that excel in non-standard fields."

"If the school doesn't like it, we can head off to the abandoned dorms next door to train instead," Ranma said, pointing to the abandoned Sainokawahara Dorm that was on Lumiere Academy's right, as opposed to Aokawa Kindergarten that was on Lumiere Academy's left. "The ghost of the Headmistress is nice, and the gym there has more room in it than the Tendo Dojo does. It looks sound enough, too." Soun kept quiet about the comment regarding his dojo's size while Tenma got a contemplative look on his face as he glanced toward the building, but they were starting to run low on time.

Sachiko put a hand on Kurumi's shoulder. "I'm afraid Kurumi and I need to go to the Kindergarten next door. Their ceremony is at the same time as yours. We will meet up again after it's all done with." The youngest Saotome pouted, clearly disliking the idea of being separated from her elder sister. It couldn't be helped, though.

"Thank you, Mother. There is no way I could attend both at the same time. I appreciate your support. Yours as well, Father." Nodoka said in gratitude before stooping down to speak to Kurumi. "I know you want to stay with your sister, but that won't be possible at school. Don't worry though! After school, you can see her again." Kurumi was nervous about parting from her sister but gave a nod.

"Okay, Mommy...d-don't leave without me!" Kurumi said, giving the woman and the nearby Natsume a hug. She wasn't used to having a stable life, so everything in it but Natsume felt tenuous and fleeting. Natsume felt the same way, waving until her little sister and new grandmother entered the Aokawa Kindergarten gymnasium and left her sight.

"She'll be alright, Natsume. Now...we'll hold your randoseru and find some seats inside while the teachers line you up alphabetically. Follow their instructions. Natsume, you'll be with the second-year students with Tatewaki. The first years will be the ones in the front seats. Everyone look for the chairs that have your names on them, and remember what we told you about what to do." Ranma nodded at his mother's words, tensing ever so slightly even as he handed over his backpack to his mother. When he was in the same year as Akane at Furinkan, he was next to her in the alphabet for functions like these. The boy wasn't sure whether that happening again would be a good thing or now.

"Don't worry, Ran-chan. Akane." Kasumi said with a smile. "Everyone's nervous the first time they do this. It'll be fine." Ranma was thankful for the comment, even if no one fully understood Ranma's reasoning. Kasumi was going out of her way to help Ranma here, along with her own little sister.

"Why's Ranma worried about anything? He's supposed to be a Master." Akane asked bluntly. That unintentional jab irritated Ranma, but thankfully Akane's mother spoke up before he could stick his foot in his mouth.

"It's because Ranma became a Master at a heavy price. He trained so much in Martial Arts that he didn't get to experience anything else in life. He never went to kindergarten and rarely played with other children. Everything is new to him, so be nice." Kimiko's words were pondered by her youngest child, who glanced to Ranma for a moment in contemplation before giving a nod in response. She didn't fully understand, but she'd obey. "Now, let's go..."

The children were separated from their parents, who had gone to find seats inside, and were arranged in alphabetical order in lines representing their year outside of the gymnasium. As the Japanese alphabet went 'Ku', 'Ke', 'Ko', 'Sa', and 'Shi' in that order, with 'Te' a bit further down the alphabet, the arrangement of students turned out to be rather interesting. Ukyo Kuonji, Kodachi Kuno, Ranma Saotome, and Akane Tendo all stood together in a group, though this was with the addition of an unexpected Mariko Konjo standing to one side of Ranma and Azusa Shiratori on the other.

"Meeting again, huh?" Mariko noted happily. A surprised Ranma blinked at the future cheerleader, though the Kunos greeted her before he could respond. Looking around for other surprises, Ranma noted that Tatewaki Kuno, Natsume Saotome, and Nabiki Tendo were all together in the line of second-year students. Ukyo gave a relieved sigh, being close not only to Ranma but to Kodachi as well. She had dreaded the prospect of having to separate from Ranma for this. Ranma was relieved that he had a small buffer between him and Akane in line, but wasn't sure if being near Kodachi and Azusa was any better. If the two went crazy like they did in the future...

Before he could consider things further, the kids started to be led into the gymnasium.

The first years were the last ones brought in, while the older children sang the de-facto Japanese national anthem 'Kimigayo' on the entry of their new kouhai (underclassmen). The children were guided to their seats, though there were a few confused children that needed aid. They were silently helped into position and sat in the seats that were labeled with their names on the back. Ranma looked around the room decorated with banners, finding the idea of celebrating one's entry into school to be novel. Furinkan never did anything like this at the beginning of the year, though he had transferred in partway through his freshman year and surely missed any such event that time around. By the start of his junior year, Principal Kuno had taken charge and all vestiges of tradition and propriety had long since gone out the window. The first day of his junior year had instead involved exploding pineapples, teachers dressed as statues that tried to cut the students' hair when they passed, and a good old-fashioned beat down of the Principal in retaliation.

The thought of the last part of the 'tradition' helped to amuse Ranma and make him less nervous as Principal Shiratori took the podium. He bowed, his new students standing and following suit before seating themselves again. Then the kids' names were called out in alphabetical order, the children standing and calling out that they were present. It was formal and carefully planned, barely within the bounds of what Ranma thought six-year-olds could handle. Still, they managed. Maybe it was because they'd been through kindergarten already or had coaching as he and the girls had over the past week? When his turn came, Ranma stood and called out his presence just as the other students had. No crazy interruptions were forthcoming. They simply moved on to introducing the faculty, after which the teachers all bowed.

Finally, it was time for Principal Shiratori to speak. The huge blue-suited man glanced at Azusa, his daughter, before speaking to all of the children. "Hello, and welcome to Lumiere Elementary. For the first-year students and our recent transferees into the other years who do not yet know me, I am Principal Pierre Shiratori. I will begin by saying that you all have at least one gift you have found early in your lives, one which traditional schools would not accommodate properly. Here at Lumiere, however, you will be encouraged to take that skill to new heights. Some of you are Martial Artists or sportsmen. Others have the potential for cooking or other forms of art. Yet others are suited to science or business. A few of you have even more unusual skills. Lumiere Elementary is for those lucky few who believe they have found their calling and work toward it from their earliest days. Remember, however, that this skill is not the only thing in your life and to not allow your childhood to suffer in your pursuits. Whether you take the opportunity to follow this skill through to mastery or discover something new about yourself along the way that changes your path, we at Lumiere will do our utmost to assist you. That is our purpose." Ranma blinked as he processed this. Lumiere was a special school for the gifted? Were the Tendos here because they were a family of Martial Artists? That must have been hard on Kasumi and Nabiki...

Principal Shiratori continued. "Now, the teachers will show you to your homerooms. I will stay behind to speak to your parents and guardians. You are dismissed." The principal bowed again, the children bowing in response with varying degrees of awkwardness. The teachers then began to call to the children and separate the years by class. The kids were soon filed out of the auditorium toward their homerooms to the sound of their upperclassmen singing the school song.

"Are they really letting that Saotome boy attend?" One parent whispered to another once the children were out of earshot.

"I thought the government would take care of educating kids like that." A concerned father stated softly.

"How can our own children be safe from him? The boy has superpowers!" A mother whispered slightly more loudly. Nodoka's expression was turning livid. She had heard the whispers and was about to interject on her son's behalf.

Principal Shiratori cleared his throat to stop such discussion before Nodoka could respond in her mounting anger. He took over the conversation, looking formally at those who made spoke so recklessly. "I know what you all speak of. Many of you have sent me letters regarding your concerns about Ranma Saotome and other prodigy Martial Artists attending. The simple fact is, however, that having skill in Martial Arts is not in and of itself a crime nor a reason to ostracize young children. Treating them in such a way would only guarantee a negative consequence later in life. You all saw how thorough, and well-deserved, Genma Saotome's defeat was." One could hear a pin drop as the assembled parents considered the implications. There were few in Japan who hadn't seen the video from Takato.

"Fortunately, Ranma's battles thus far and his ability to train children in his age group have shown that he also knows where to stop. In addition, Ranma Saotome's testing scores are well above his grade, guaranteeing one-on-one tutoring save in homeroom and a few other specific classes in which he will mingle with his peers. Those peers are Class 1-C, where we will be placing those training for high-level Martial Arts and sports positions alongside other unique cases. This had been decided as being the best thing for the children's needs before the first letter had even crossed my desk. But know this..." Pierre Shiratori looked at the assembled group with sternness in his eyes. "Class 1-C isn't a 'freak class' or anything of the sort. I willfully placed my own daughter there because of her skill in figure skating. Kodachi Kuno is also attending the class, at her own insistence, with the full support of her family."

The fact that the class had the Kuno family's support made a number of prospective complainers hesitate and rethink their options. The family was powerful and could probably get away with just about anything in Nerima. Principal Shiratori continued speaking after letting these facts sink in. "If anything, Class 1-C will be the prototype for the modern teaching of such students and is being watched closely by the Diet and the Emperor. Classes on ethics and conflict resolution are already being discussed. Mental health experts will also regularly assess the class, just in case. While we welcome ideas and constructive criticism, as well as information hinting at corrective measures legitimately needing to be taken, the baseless vilification of the students is...ill-advised." After the guarantee that all the bases were being handled, the topic was closed...for the moment at least. The idea that they had actually found an excuse to have mental health experts watch over a Kuno without singling them out and implying insanity was in and of itself a huge boon that few were ignorant of.


Ranma took his new seat in Classroom 1-C, comprised of a mere three rows of five seats and even fewer students. He had just listened to the basic rules of the class from their new homeroom teacher, the ghostly Headmistress of the dorm next door. The woman had been a teacher in her youth, claiming the Headmistress role in her old age. Now needing something to do with her eternity until she concluded whatever unfinished business was binding her here, the spirit had been convinced by the Principal to teach the class. Of course, the only class she could teach without putting absolute terror into her all of her young students was the one full of Martial Artists and sportsmen. Given the look on Akane's and Mariko's faces for the first few minutes, even that was a close thing.

He should have known better than to think that the Nerima weirdness wouldn't pop up somehow.

"Sensei?" Kodachi asked her teacher without fear, "Why is it that Ran-chan and Ucchan do not get to choose their seats as we do? It doesn't seem fair." Indeed, Ranma and Ukyo were simply told to sit in specific seats nearest the rearmost of the classroom's two doors, Ranma being in the far-left corner from the teacher's perspective and Ukyo seated immediately next to him.

"Ranma and Ukyo have taken tests and proven that they can handle tougher classes than we can normally give our first-years. Ranma will only be sharing homeroom, select classes, recess, and lunch with you. Ukyo will only be leaving the room to have math class with the third-year students. Because of that, they've been put as close to the rear door of the classroom as possible so they do not disturb the class when leaving and entering." The answer from the teacher showed proper forethought at least. Ukyo was just happy to be sitting near Ranma when it was possible to do so. "Now, everyone else please choose your seats, and do not fight."

The seating arrangements that came next were predictable. Kodachi sat in front of Ukyo and diagonally from Ranma to be close to both of her friends. Akane claimed the seat in front of Ranma and next to Kodachi, giving a kind smile to the boy that made Ranma's heart clench from loss. He'd have to learn to deal with that. Mariko then sat on the other side of Kodachi due to their shared interest in Rhythmic Gymnastics and Martial Arts. Azusa Shiratori, instinctively sitting in a place where there were more girls than boys, sat in the front-row seat in front of Akane. She had likely been told to sit in the front row so for appearance's sake, being the principal's daughter. The end result was Ranma being surrounded by a clump of girls who had largely formed their own social clique without any of them even realizing it, plus an errant Azusa. On the other side of the classroom by the window were three boys who stuck together, as far from the sea of girls as possible.

Ranma's ears picked up snickers from the group of boys and the words 'cootie wall' from one of them, but paid it little mind.

Thankfully, Akane didn't pay attention to him for long. Instead, she was looking to the seat in front of her and studying Azusa Shiratori as she fawned over a vase of flowers the half-French girl had stolen from the assembly in the gymnasium. "You're so pretty, Jean!" The young kleptomaniac said happily while the other girls also looked on in confusion. The more some things change, the more they stay the same.

"No clue how to fix that one..." Ranma said under his breath, drawing a slightly confused Ukyo's eye.

"Azusa, did your father give that to you?" The Headmistress asked, aware of the answer but wanting to turn this into a teaching moment.

"No, but it was pretty and I wanted it." Azusa's answer came back bluntly as she fawned over the flowers.

The Headmistress went to Azusa's desk and picked up the vase of flowers. "The school was going to hand these out to the mothers. You don't take something if it doesn't belong to you. It doesn't matter if it's cute or not."

"Ah! G-give back Jean! Mommy would make you give him to me! Give him back!" Azusa said, pouting. She got out of her chair and jumped repeatedly in an effort to reach the out-of-reach vase. She then tried to kick the Headmistress' shin when that failed, only for her kick not to connect with the spirit. The Headmistress wasn't very happy about this and promptly ushered Azusa to stand in the corner of the room facing the wall in Time Out. It was rather surreal for Ranma to see Azusa actually being punished for her conduct rather than simply beating a protester into submission. Ranma supposed that it was one more reason that hiring a ghost that was used to dealing with children and young women made sense.

When the families of Class 1-C came to the classroom to see it and meet the teacher of the class, Azusa's actions were revealed to the Principal and his wife. Azusa would typically get away with such conduct, but this time the parents were forced to let the punishment stand to save face. Was that relief on Principal Shiratori's face on meeting someone who could handle his daughter? Probably. It also served as a good introduction for the parents to the Headmistress, most of whom simply accepted the ghostly woman for who she was and her qualifications.

Only in Nerima...


The paper target downrange was hit in the center of mass by the burst of fire, the report of the Type 56 Assault Rifle echoing through the hastily constructed shooting range. Several soldiers sat watching Mousse, wearing protective goggles and earplugs, managing to actually use the assault rifle rather than being blown away by recoil. Money changed hands between some of the soldiers who had been betting on the ability of the kid to use the weapon after a limited amount of training. It was amazing how a little application of Xi Fa Xiang Gao could steer soldiers and officers to do things, though it was more difficult if it went completely against their own thought process. Seeing a child use their weapons was a form of entertainment to them, so it wasn't difficult to arrange training for the boy.

'Good job, kid. You've been pretty diligent this week, haven't you?' The officer managing the betting smiled, recovering the gun and shooting protection from Mousse. While doing so, he slipped the boy a small portion of the winnings. The idea of a child knowing how to shoot before he was old enough to start school in September amused the man. 'Head off back to your cousin. I'm sure she has more work for you by now.'

Mousse complied as he returned to the barbershop, walking past her latest customer exiting the prefabricated building. The glassy look in the soldier's eyes indicated moderate levels of reprogramming. After ignoring the man and entering the barbershop, he took note of the fact that there were no more occupants at the moment. Xiao Mei was cleaning up hair from the floor with a broom and glanced at the boy. 'Welcome back, Mu Tsu. Is something wrong?' She had noted the contemplative look on the child's face, something which he had worn often while coming to terms with being tricked by the Elder's enemies.

'I don't understand why I'm learning how to use guns. Aren't they just a way of cheating against Martial Artists by avoiding close combat?' Mousse asked, having been raised to think that such armaments were dishonorable. The village hated guns for that reason.

Xiao Mei answered that question with a question. 'Are arrows dishonorable because they can kill an enemy at range? Should animals consider us dishonorable for using blades we were not born with to kill them?' Mousse's eyes widened slightly as he pondered the question. Xiao Mei took the opportunity to explain her stance. 'The rules of war change in the outside world every time a new weapon is created. The Joketsuzoku have tried to keep those rules in place, like trying to keep a boulder from rolling down a mountain, and they complain when they are inevitably hurt when it rolls over them. I love the village, but the fact they must rely fully on the Xiu now is proof. The old ways alone are not enough.'

Mousse would have fought such a comment tooth and nail a week ago, but his world had been thoroughly shaken. Instead, his expression turned a bit more depressed. 'Does that mean our way is meaningless?' When the boy asked that question, Xiao Mei walked over and lifted up his chin with her finger.

'No, Mu Tsu. Our way is valuable because there are things the new way has cast aside. The most important things to the modern world's armies are obeying orders and completing their missions. They believe the ends justify the means. Such is the way of the soldier and officer rather than the warrior, but it leaves less room for honor and individual growth. To find a way to continue advancing the Art down the ages without discarding that which is important...is that not more important than which weapons and skills we carry? It is not the gun that is the problem. It is if you dare to use it in a battle of skill dishonorably that is the problem, just like the archer's bow...or the Wind Tunnel.' Xiao Mei's comment made Mousse's eyes widen as things started to fall into place. Xiao Mei smiled at this. The boy was probably too young to fully understand just yet, but the beginnings of comprehension were visible in his eyes.

'Now, go practice your Hidden Weapons Space. I want you to be a walking armory and barbershop as soon as possible,' Xiao Mei advised as she patted the boy's back and had him head to the back room. With a small smile, the boy complied and practiced. Mousse had already learned to store a Type 54 handgun and ammunition provided by Xiao Mei in there. His next goal was to be able to carry a combat knife as well. Accepting Xiao Mei's training seemed like the best way he could repay her...and it was all there really was to do on base when he wasn't helping to cook in the mess hall.

Learning to make that food palatable was an Art in and of itself.


As the group walked out of Lumiere Elementary, Sachiko Saotome returned from Aokawa Kindergarten with Kurumi at her side. The girl launched herself at Natsumi and clung to her in a hug, happy to be reunited. "Sister! It was nice there and Kurumi had fun! It's better with you, though." The child smiled, earning a return hug from her big sister.

"I am in class with you once more, Nabiki Tendo. It seems that little has changed," Tatewaki observed from next to Nabiki.

"Yeah, but we have Natsume there now. You might not be the best Martial Artist in our year anymore!" That was a blow to Tatewaki's pride, one that Nabiki enjoyed teasing the boy with. Ukyo couldn't help but laugh while clinging to Ranma's side.

Soun noted Ukyo's proximity to Ranma and knew that her living with Ranma would give her a dangerous advantage. Having yet to fully give up on the engagement, the man instead hit upon an idea and gently struck his fist in his hand. "Oh! As the children are already friendly, why not have them stay together after school? Tatewaki, Nabiki, and Natsume can study their second-year material. Akane, Ukyo, and Kodachi can study the first-year material. Kasumi can help Ranma. The adults can then help the children as needed. It will also be excellent for training!"

"A wonderful idea, Mister Tendo!" Nodachi Kuno said, smiling widely. "The Kuno estate is certainly open to such a thing! But is Ranma not staying after school for extra classes?" The woman worried that Ranma would feel left out.

Kasumi smiled, glad that the adults cared about the extra effort Ranma would be putting in. "That's okay! I'm already going to help tutor him at school, so I'm staying the same amount of time as he is. I'll bring him back after school every day!" Ranma took note of that comment, realizing that Kasumi was one of the three tutors that the school had lined up for him. Soun smiled back on recalling that detail. It was one more way for one of his daughters to be closer to Ranma without pushing the agreement overtly.

This line of discussion was interrupted when the Kuno limousine drove up to the curb in front of the school and Sasuke got out in a rush. "My lord! My mistress! The gift will wait no longer!" He opened the side door and revealed a small crate under a heat lamp.

"Oh? So it is time, Sasuke?" Nodachi Kuno asked with a measure of relief as the small man tended to the odd construct.

"Yes, Mistress! It has already started to wobble and crack! The timing could not have been better!" The ninja-turned-chauffeur said in confirmation as he pulled the battery-powered heat lamp and crate from the vehicle. The lamp increased its output to contrast the cooler April air, even as Kodachi was guided to the fore with her parents behind her.

"Good! Kodachi...we got you a gift to celebrate your first day of Elementary School!" Nodachi said with a smile to her daughter. She opened the heated crate, to reveal an egg laying on some straw. It was in the process of cracking, its occupant making small "nnnn...nnnn..." noises in exertion. A small hole had already been made in the shell, allowing the new life within to breathe. "We know how much you wanted a pet, so your father ordered Sasuke to obtain a turtle egg for you all the way from Hawaii!"

"Truly?" Kodachi attempted to sound excited, but Ranma could tell that she was a little underwhelmed and just being polite in the face of her father's malady. Her mother picked up on it as well but apparently had been powerless to influence the decision. Still, Kodachi did watch as the egg moved and wobbled. She soon found herself cheering it on, coaxing the new life to emerge...and emerge it did.

With a crack and a notable surprise from those assembled, a baby crocodile emerged from the 'turtle' egg and looked up at Kodachi with big, red eyes. "Nnnnn! Nnnnn! Nnnnn!" It vocalized in high-pitched grunts. Ranma finally realized just what he was bearing witness to.

In defiance of conventional expectations, Kodachi's eyes lit up brightly and she gave an absolutely radiant smile on seeing the unconventional creature. "...It...is adorable! Greetings! I am your new mistress! We are going to be the best of friends, Mister Green Turtle!"

As Kodachi fawned over her newborn friend, Nodachi gave a resigned sigh and looked over to a very nervous Sasuke. "...I do not believe crocodiles are found in Hawaii, Sasuke. Might you explain yourself?"

"...W-well, Mistress...between the excursion to Sekigahara, shopping for new clothing, preparing the children for the new school year, and my other responsibilities, it seemed more efficient to simply...claim an egg from the Ueno Zoo. They must have recently switched the turtle and crocodile enclosures." Sasuke looked down to the ground, fidgeting in worry over what his punishment would be. Kodachi giggled as the newborn creature made what she considered the cutest of vocalizations, bringing a smile to Nodachi's face.

"...Well, it seems that you will need to educate yourself in raising a crocodile, Sasuke. It would be cruel of us to correct your error now. Let us pray that it does not eat you whole when it is fully grown." Nodachi's words made Sasuke shudder in fear of what the future may hold, but Ranma's eyes sparkled with amusement. It seemed that the kids wouldn't be the only ones needing to learn some new things today.