Chapter 36

Kasumi just kept silent as Dr. Aoki gave Nodoka her checkup. She kept stealing glances at the woman. Ranma certainly looked more like her than he did his father. She was a very attractive woman with shoulder-length, brown hair and brown eyes. She carried herself like a traditional Japanese woman and the bundle that she was carrying was resting to the side. All Kasumi could think was how in the world did Genma get her to marry him? She quickly concentrated on the task at hand.

"Well Mrs. Saotome, you are in perfect health. How is the search for your son and husband going?" Dr. Aoki asked.

"I believe I have a lead on my son. Apparently he competed in a local tournament and impressed Kusanagi Saisyu. I'm so proud of him. Even I know of Saisyu-dono. If he impressed him, then he must be the manly man that my husband promised me he would be." Nodoka beamed.

"What do you mean by that ma'am?" Kasumi asked.

"What do I mean by what dear?" Nodoka asked.

"I mean, what do you mean about being manly? I'm just curious by your meaning." Kasumi asked.

"Oh, I can explain that. Since my son is being raised to be a martial artist, I expect him to be strong. He has to have an interest in girls. I don't want him to be too perverted but I will encourage it with the girl he marries. What else is there?" Nodoka began to list of the things that she considered 'manly'. Kasumi and Dr. Aoki were a little put off by what she was saying. In the end, Kasumi knew that she could not see Ranma with this type of thinking. While some of it was okay, there were just things that would not be accepted in today's society.

"Well then," Dr. Aoki said nervously. "I'll go and make out a few prescriptions." He quickly left the women only and Nodoka was kind of confused.

"Did I say something wrong?" Nodoka asked.

"Nothing really ma'am, I just think that a lot of your 'ideals' would be frowned upon." Kasumi said.

"Really? I did not realize that." Nodoka said and began to think about it. Kasumi began to plot something. It wasn't in her nature to do this but she wanted Ranma to be happy. A reunion between son and mother would be in the works.

"How about I help you Mrs. Saotome? We can meet for tea and we can talk about things. I'm assuming that you will be going to the Kusanagi clan home to see your son?" Kasumi asked.

"Yes, that was my plan. Are you sure that it is no problem for you?" Nodoka asked.

"It is no problem at all. I would be happy to help you." Kasumi said with a smile. Nodoka smiled as well. She was also thinking about introducing this nice young woman to her son. She would make such a great wife and give her so many grandbabies.

XXX

Ranma returned to Nermia. His training was complete and he was ready for what was about to come. He was pretty sure that all his enemies would be waiting of this return but would wait until they would attack him together. He had a plan and it was going to work out well. He entered the Tendo dojo where he saw his master and Nabiki.

"Hey guys." Ranma greeted. The two looked up and saw him.

"Well, you have returned from your training? How did it go?" Happosai asked.

"It worked out well. I'm ready for anything that those goons have in store for me. Genma tried pretty hard to disrupt it but he failed. He probably didn't even understand what we were doing." Ranma said.

"Well, you're going to have a fight on your hands. I don't know what you said to him but he's on the warpath. He recruited Ryoga and Kuno. He has also riled up Akane and Ukyo, convincing them that Kodachi was sent to deal out punishment on your word. They are looking for their pound of flesh." Nabiki explained.

"Well, I never did that. Kodachi is really protective of me. With Soap's and Cologne's return, Mousse will definitely be added to the mix. I'm not too worried. I've trained hard and I have a plan. Trust me; they will not know what hit them." Ranma said with confidence. The three just sat and caught up on the events that he had missed.

XXX

Ranma waited at the abandoned lot for the group that was probably on the way. He would have had the fight at the school but if his plan worked really well, he might take out some of the school. So, he invited them to where there would be less damage. He would also have the advantage by making them come to him. He already figured that they would come and get him after the nasty messages he left for them. They would be too angry to think about what he had planned.

Like he expected, seven angry people just came into the lot. Ranma stood up and rolled his shoulders. He looked out of the corner of his eye to see Happosai, Nabiki, Shampoo and Kodachi. He turned his attention back to the group.

"So, not going to jump me this time pops? You're actually going to fight me like a man?" Ranma asked mockingly.

"This has been a long time coming boy. It is time that you take responsibility for your actions." Genma said.

"Why don't you practice what you preach old fool? Come on, I don't got all day." Ranma said. Kuno was the first to strike. Ranma just dodged him and used his momentum to throw him off balance. The others attacked him. Ranma just moved, ducked and weaved out of every attack that they threw. He saw no type of teamwork work among them. They were all just trying to bash his brains in. He decided that now it was time to put his plan into action.

"This is pathetic. I mean, I don't expect any type of challenge from Akane or Kuno but the rest of you should have landed a shot by now." Ranma mocked. Akane growled and brought her mallet down but Ranma was gone. Ukyo attempted to hit him from behind but Ranma flipped over her. "Is that really your best Ukyo? Maybe you should use a really weapon, not a cooking utensil." With a roar, Ukyo threw several mini spatulas at him. He spun around and ducked under Mousse's furious swipes. Ranma was dodging each strike with ease.

"Some Amazon you are, no wonder Shampoo prefers me." Ranma said. Mousse slashed wildly but Ranma ducked and knocked him in his knee joint, dropping him to a knee. Ranma was suddenly hit from his right. He was able to roll out of it and was on his feet. He dodged Ryoga's punches and kicks. "Finally, someone was able to land a blow. I really don't need to know why you would attack me but have some stones and ask her out. Maybe she wouldn't mind a pig like you."

"PREPARE TO DIE RANMA!" Ryoga said. He overreached and Ranma jumped out of the way just as Akane brought her mallet down on Ryoga's head. He grabbed Ukyo's spatula and blocked Kuno's bokken. He used them to hold himself up as he latched his legs around Soun. He put all his weight on his fall and was able to toss all three to the ground. Ranma popped up and went back on the defense. He was able to catch a haymaker but was tossed due to his weakness. Ranma got to his feet as he was surrounded. Genma looked at him.

"Give it up boy. You won't last much longer." He said.

"Why should I give up to you? You're only doing this because you're jealous. You're so envious of your son that you had to gather these weaklings to help you. If you were any martial artist, you would have faced me like a man but you aren't. You had to recruit that puppet of yours to help you. I'm not surprised that he helped you because he doesn't even give a damn about his daughters' happiness. The truth is that the masters of the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū (Anything Goes Martial Arts) are a disgrace and it is up to me to save it." Ranma stated. Genma and Soun were furious and charged with the intent to do harm. Ranma took a breath and slipped into the Soul of Ice.

Ranma used his Boxing and Aikido to dodge and maneuver himself into a spiral. Every punch, kick, strike and projectile was easily dodged as he continued his movement. As this went on, Happosai looked on and smirked as Ranma continued to lead them. Once he saw Ranma in the middle and he was surrounded by his rivals, he looked at everyone around him.

"Hit the deck!" he shouted. Ranma threw a corkscrew punch toward the air.

"Hiryū Shōten Ha! (Heaven Blast of the Dragon)" That's when a twister that covered almost the entire field appeared. Everyone was shocked at the sudden lift they all felt. There were screams at the tornado ripped into them. Shampoo held on to Nabiki as she and the others held on, so they would not get sucked into the tornado. Happosai was impressed with the size of the attack. Cologne didn't even create a tornado that big when she hit him with it. It took a while before it stopped. Ranma looked at the crater that he created and looked in the air to see if any of his attackers would be returning. He looked forward to see Shampoo give him a look. Ranma just scratched his head and give a victory sign.

XXX

Genma crawled out of the canal. Now, in his panda from, the father of Ranma could not believe that his plan failed to cow-tow his son. How could it go all wrong? Everything was perfect for him to regain control. However, those damn Amazons and his troll of sensei interfered and he was once again defeated. What was that technique and was Ranma able to generate so much power? The panda growled as he could not figure this out.

"How was your trip Genma? Did you enjoy the ride?" Happosai asked with mirth. The panda growled at him. "I remember when I got hit with that move. It takes some time to get rid of the dizziness."

[What do you want?!] A sign read. Happosai just smirked.

"I'm just here to inform you that Ranma has his strength back. Soap was able to undo your plot. You should never trust an idiot to do the job for you. Even if he did destroy it, the Amazons always have copies." Genma growled at that. "Either way, I have a warning for you and please, pass it on to Soun when you see him at the doctor's office."

[And what is that?] The sign read. That's when Happosai raised his Ki to scary levels. Genma was sweating at the power that he released.

"If you do anything to ever jeopardize the future of my school again, I will strip you and Soun of your master status and banish you for it! I am not joking Genma! This is a serious matter and if you do anything else, I will go through with my threat! Is that clear?!" Happosai yelled. Genma quickly nodded his head and Happosai backed off. "I'm glad that we understand each other. Get to the doctor's office safely." With that said, he left Genma alone. The panda just sat there for a while before getting up and limping over to the doctor's office.

XXX

Kasumi was sitting with Nabiki in the dining room. It was just them tonight as everyone from the fight was being held at the Dr. Tofu's office. Apparently, some of the injuries were a little serious. From what Nabiki heard, Akane suffered a dislocated shoulder, Kuno had a concussion and other injuries to the other players. So with the house to themselves, Kasumi decided to tell Nabiki her plan for Mrs. Saotome. Nabiki listened to what she said and just waited for her to finish. When she was done, she gave her input.

"Well, I'm not going to say that this is a bad idea. I mean, she is way out of touch with the times. Still, do you really think that this is a good idea? I mean, you are manipulating his mother. I don't think he would appreciate that if he found out." Nabiki explained.

"I don't plan to keep it from Ranma. I'm going to explain to him when I see him. I just want Ranma to have another person in his corner besides, you, me and grandpa Happosai." Kasumi said.

"I guess it wouldn't be too bad. The guy does deserve a parent who cares but what about the curse? How are you going to explain that to her? Something tells me that would not sit well with her." Nabiki stated.

"I don't know yet but I think I can come up with a plan for it. So, are you with me Nabiki?" Kasumi asked. Nabiki looked at Kasumi before smiling.

"Sure, why not?" Kasumi looked at her and smiled. The two began to eat their dinner. That's when Nabiki spoke again. "I would do anything to help you get Ranma." Kasumi choked on her water as Nabiki laughed.

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Authors' Notes – Well, this arc is over. I hope you enjoy the chapter.