Chapter 38

Ryoga stomped his way through the streets of the Nermia ward. He was still pissed about what was said to him today. How dare Ranma say such things to him? What right did he have to act so righteous, like he didn't ruin his life? It was his entire fault that everything happened to him. There was no doubt about that. Yet why was there a small voice in his head that was agreeing with him? Why was it telling him that Ranma was right?

Yes, Ranma did help him out when he needed help to get home. Yes, he was jealous of Ranma's skill. Yes, he did chase after him to China but he knocked him in that pool. Even when he said that to himself, that damn voice kept telling him that Ranma already accepted responsibility for that. Ryoga squashed that voice as hard and as vindictive as he can. He was not going to allow that voice tell him that he was wrong. Because of Ranma, he had seen hell and that was that.

So focused in his anger, he failed to notice someone coming up behind him. He was suddenly hit with cold water. He immediately changed and was covered by his clothes. When he came out of the clothes, he looked to see who had done it to him. He looked into the brown eyes of Ukyo.

"So this is your curse huh?" Ukyo said. The pig oinked angrily at the girl. She just scoffed at him and picked him up. She grabbed his clothes but could not move the pack or umbrella. She left it there and promised to come back for it later.

XXX

Ryoga took another bite of the okonomiyaki that Ukyo made for him. After changing back and get dressed, Ryoga was seated at the grill, glaring at Ukyo. She ignored the glare and just continued to make her craft. When the crowd thinned out, Ukyo faced him.

"Look, I'm sorry that I splashed you. Besides, I see this as an opportunity for a friendship." Ukyo said cheerfully.

"What are you talking about?" Ryoga demanded.

"Well, you hate Ranma, I hate Ranma. Why don't we join forces to take him down?" Ukyo asked.

"Why would I need your help? I'll deal with Ranma in my own way. He won't get away with what he has done." Ryoga said.

"That's what I'm talking about. He's wronged you and he's wrong me. What's worse is that he doesn't even think that he's at fault. He acts like he's in right. But he's ruined lives of everyone around him. We can't let him get away with that, right? Since we have the same goal, why don't we team up? Hey, this might get you in good with Akane." Ukyo mentioned.

"W-What are you talking about?" Ryoga asked.

"Come on, it's pretty obvious that you like her. If you didn't get lost all the time, she might have given you a chance. I mean, you helped her out one time right? Doesn't she always defend you from that jerk, Ranma? Since we're friends, I can put in a good word for you when you're gone. However, I can only do that if you and I are partners. Do we have a partnership?" Ukyo said, holding out her hand. Ryoga looked at the hand for a while before taking it. Ukyo just smirked at the ally that she has just made.

XXX

Ranma sits in his room and looks at the envelope that he had in his hand. He was surprised when he learned that he got a letter. He really didn't know anyone away from Nermia. That's when he saw that it was from his mother. He was really nervous about what it could say. He gathered his courage and opened it. He unfolded the piece of paper and began to read.

Dear Ranma,

I am so happy to hear from you after all these years. I don't know why your father would tell you that I'm dead. It must have been a slip up. I assure you that I am very much alive and wanting to see you dearly. I would come over to where you are staying but like Kasumi told you; I might have been a little too old fashioned. I promise that I will change that and we can be reunited again.

I'm happy to hear that you are doing well in school. A man must be educated after all. I am very proud of your plans. I know that is a big thing, creating your own style. I bet that it will be as strong as you. You have my blessing as well Ranma and I wish you well. I look forward to your next letter my son.

With love,

Nodoka Saotome

Ranma smiled as he looked at the letter. He felt really happy that she gave him her blessing. He felt joy and determination after that. Putting the letter aside, Ranma took a piece of paper. He put pencil to paper and began to write.

XXX

Nodoka checked her mail and ran through them. That's when she saw a letter from Nermia. It was Ranma and he had written her back. She quickly opened it and pulled out the letter.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for giving me your blessing. It really means a lot to me. I wish pop was as supportive of me as you are. But I'm not writing about him because I don't want you to be angry with me about being disrespectful. I will explain why I have this disrespect of him but I just what to get to know you. I have so many questions about you.

Anyway, I guess I can tell you that I'm seeing someone. Well, two girls actually. It's kind of funny how this happened. Well, the first girl…

Nodoka kept reading the letter and giggled. She could tell that her son was kind of nervous telling her mother about his girlfriends. She knew of the Kuno family and was surprised that there was a normal member among them. Then there was the Amazon tribe. She didn't mind a little exotic flavor, if that was what her son was into. In the end, Nodoka could squeal in happiness because that just meant that she would have double the grandbabies.

Still, she was a little worried about things with Ranma and his father. What was going on between the two? Was Genma not supportive of Ranma's goals? Why wouldn't he be? He had kept his promise to her. Ranma was becoming a 'Man among Men'. So what was this animosity between the two? If this continued, she would have to start getting really worried about the two and might have to take action.

XXX

Kodachi was talking to some people from her school. She was laughing and having some fun with people that were not a part of her team. She wasn't really liked by the people of this school. She knew that her personality and action were not really appreciated. She didn't care at the time but then she began to hang out then started dating Ranma. He brought out a nice side of her than everyone at St. Hebereke's School for Girls were happy for. She was very easy to approach now and the fact that she had a man calmed the crazy that was within her.

As she was talking with some classmates, there seemed to be some kind of commotion at the gates. She walked over and got closer to the gate. She heard someone shouting her name. When she saw who it was, she let out a disgusted sigh. It was Akane and she was dressed in her karate uniform. She was shouting her name and gearing up for a fight. Kodachi stepped forward, assuring the girls that everything was okay. She turned to face her.

"What do you want Tendo?" Kodachi demanded. Akane saw her and pointed her finger at her.

"Took you long enough to get here! It's time that we settle this once and for all!" Akane exclaimed.

"Seriously? You disrupt my school just to get humiliated again?" Kodachi asked with a grin.

"This time will be different! This time I'm going to make you pay for everything that you did against me! I don't care if that moron, Ranma, is your boyfriend! Your attack on me is an insult to me! Plus, you attacked my friend and I won't forgive that!" Akane shouted.

"You should count yourself lucky that I decided to make you pay for your actions against Ranma. Shampoo would have done worst." Kodachi explained.

"Like I'm afraid of that bimbo! So are we going to fight or not?" Akane stated loudly. Kodachi looked at her and sighed. She was getting tired of this constant annoyance.

"No, I don't believe that I will. Now please leave the property." Kodachi said.

"What?" Akane exclaimed.

"What do I have to prove? I have beaten you over and over again. I am sick of your constant challenges and the same old battle where I defeat you in minutes. I am not going through it again. So again, I refuse to fight you." Kodachi said. She began to walk away.

"You coward!" Akane shouted.

"Whatever." Kodachi stated. Akane was pissed at her dismissal and would not be so easily brushed aside. That's when Akane did something that she would come to regret.

"I, Akane Tendo, challenge you, Kodachi Kuno, to a clan duel!" Akane shouted. Kodachi stopped and turned around to look at Akane. She was surprised by what she just said. She could not believe that she would go this far.

"I'm sorry, could you say that again?" Kodachi asked.

"I challenge you to a clan duel. What do you say?" Akane said.

"Are you serious? Do not drag your family into this Akane. This is a serious matter that has some serious consequences. You go through with this and it will only end badly for you." Kodachi explained.

"Sound to me that you're scared that I will beat you." Akane said mockingly. Kodachi narrowed her eyes at her. That was not the thing to say to Kodachi. While it was true that her family was a laughing stock and considered a joke, she took her Kuno heritage seriously. If this girl wanted to go this far, she would show her the error of her ways.

"Fine, I accept your challenge. You will come to regret this decision today." Kodachi said and pulled out her ribbon. Akane got into her fight stance. She quickly charged at Kodachi. She lashed out with punch that Kodachi dodged with ease. Akane threw several punches that were designed to hurt. Akane launched a powerful punch but Kodachi ducked under it. Using the ribbon, she wrapped up one of her legs. With a sharp tug, she tripped Akane up. In one fluid motion, Kodachi lashed out with one of her clubs and caught Akane in the side of her head.

The blow hurt, Akane could tell as it coursed through her body. Akane staggered a bit and put her hands up. Kodachi then did something with the ribbon.

"Kuroshōbi Muchiuchi. (Black Rose Whiplash)" Kodachi said seriously. Akane could barely see the ribbon as Kodachi whipped it around. Akane was hit from all angles and she could feel the sting of the ribbon hitting. Akane jumped back to get so distance. She looked at the ribbon and wondered how she was able to do that with such a flimsy ribbon. Sensing her thoughts, she spoke up.

"You've trained a bit in Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics. You know what we are capable of with these tools. It is only due to the help of my boyfriend that I decided to improve my skills. You survived my Muchiuchi but will you last against anything else I have for you?" she asked. Akane growled and charged again. Kodachi pushed off and dashed across with some speed. When she was close enough, Akane threw a punch but it missed. Kodachi wrapped her ribbon around the arm. She pulled it back behind Akane. The youngest daughter of Soun attempted to catch her with a back elbow but Kodachi saw it coming. She wrapped the ribbon around the shoulder and arm. With a sharp tug, she trapped the two arms behind her.

Akane struggled to get free but Kodachi would not allow her to use her strength to get free. Pulling out another club, she was right in Akane's face.

"Sen Kurabu no Odori! (Dance of a Thousand Clubs)" Kodachi shouted. Akane was hit with a barrage of club blows. Kodachi's arms moved with some speed. To Akane, it looked like Ranma's Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). Akane could not block the attack as her arms were tied. She caught the full attack and was sent flying to the ground. Akane groaned as she attempted to get up. She was able to get to her feet, which surprised many. Akane was bruised but she glared at Kodachi in defiance.

With a roar, Akane got free from Kodachi's ribbon. She decided to go for it all with one punch. Kodachi threw one of her clubs at Akane. She moved out of the way and dodged the second that was right behind it. Kodachi waited as Akane closed in. Akane threw all her powerful into her last punch. However, it hit nothing but air. Akane suddenly found herself being thrown in the air. Kodachi watched as Akane hit the ground a distance away from her. Akane tumbled a bit while Kodachi popped up to her feet.

She walked up to Akane, kicking up a club into her hand. She looked on as Akane attempted to get to her feet. Kodachi would have none of that. She rolled Akane over and stood over her. The look she gave Akane was very serious. To show her seriousness, Kodachi launched the club toward her head. It smashed into the ground next to Akane's head. She stood up and looked at her.

"Do you get the picture now?" Kodachi asked. Akane could only look at her with a glare. However, she reluctantly nodded. "Good decision. I will be by tomorrow to collect my prize." Kodachi walked off and everyone gave her space. Akane was still on the ground. She pounded the ground with her fists. She had just been defeated again.

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Authors' Notes – Well, here's a new chapter. The fight between the two was something I really planned out and I liked how it came out. I know that I will get some kind of discussion about how Kodachi is so much stronger than Akane. Even the wiki page where I get my research from, disputes just how strong Kodachi is. However, that same wiki page also goes into just how easy it is to beat Akane. Either way, I hope you like the chapter.

Oh, the attacks I gave Kodachi, I based off Kurama from Yu Yu Hakasho so it isn't really original.