A Place to Belong...

By Ryoga's best friend

A/N- Like a phoenix down at the last second I have returned with a new Chapter. After surviving the battle at the Thieves fort Miluda, Ranma, and Madeline are on there way to Dortor to meet up with Weigraf Foles, Leader of the Death Corps. This chapter is another laid back one. Starting to go a little more into how the Death Corps operate… enjoy the show!

PS- As always a big thanks to my beta Six String Samurai for his work despite my disappearance, and all of those who have remained loyal to this story even in the down time. This is for you :)

The creaking of wood, the grumblings an older man, the feeling of driving on a bumpy road… these were among the first thing Ranma noticed as he awoke. He saw a roof of canvas over him. A wagon? Hadn't I been in a library, he wondered. No, it had been a fort. As he puzzled he was hit with an intense wave of pain that brought him back to reality. His throat so raw, all he managed was a grunt to show his discomfort. It wasn't much longer before a familiar head popped into his field of vision.

"Oh Ranma. Thank Ajora, you're still with us." Madeline said wiping her reddened eyes. The thought that she must have been crying crossed his mind as he turned his gaze to the other female. Though Miluda wasn't nearly as expressive, he could see tense features beginning to relax.

"Well I'll be damned, you're a tough one to kill." she said with a half smirk which he returned in kind.

"I get that a lot," he said hoarsely.

Madeline gasped a bit, then began scrounging around. She handed him a canteen.

"Drink up, you need it." She said in a kind but firm voice.

Ranma hardly needed an order. Without pause, he downed the whole container greedily. The healer smiled, taking back the canteen. Even that simple movement brought a wince to Ranma's face.

"You're still pretty beat up, I healed what I could, but I need to rest… I overused my magic," she said softly, not wanting to think where she had used it. The memories came back to the pigtailed boy, slowly at first, though most of the fight was still a blur. He slowly reached into his pocket, pulling out an all too familiar coin. It was stained with blood, but managed to shine nonetheless. He felt numb as he looked over the coin. He barely noticed Madeline flinching away at the sight of it.

"I'm going to go sit with the driver," the healer whispered as she disappeared from view.

Miluda took a slow breath and made a conscious effort to hold her emotions in check. "She'll get over it in a little while. The memory is still fresh; it's hard to let go. Andy was a good man." the warrior's words were calm.

"He died for this." Ranma said calmly, His gaze traveled to his hand, which was covered in dried blood. Some of it was his, but most of it wasn't. "I...I killed a lot of people." His hand started shaking. "I, I killed. And I felt so, justified." As he spoke, the numbness slowly wore away, and tears came unbidden to his eyes.

"You had no choice Ranma. The Hokuten bastards got what they had coming to them," Miluda grimaced.

"A martial artist isn't suppose to kill. They're supposed to protect," he trailed off, remembering his father's words. Though Genma rarely practiced what he preached, much of his teaching Ranma held himself too. It was his own personal sense of honor. "They're supposed to protect," he repeated faintly holding back his tears. Men didn't cry.

"Ranma, if you had done nothing, many more Death corps would have fallen that day. You saved Madeline from sharing Andy's fate." The warrior felt some of the heat in her voice draining as she watched the boy shake, his eyes trying to will the blood from his hand.

"I'm a monster."

"Don't talk like that."

"I should have been stronger."

"Ranma."

"I should have been able to save An-"

"Ranma!" Miluda snapped grasping the boys hand, obscuring the coin that had been haunting him. Their eyes met and Ranma slowly began to calm himself. He looked away, ashamed at any further display of weakness.

"Sorry," he whispered. Miluda softened her features, letting her hand rest where it was. "I haven't really killed anyone before." He trailed off for a moment, "Well there was one. But, I didn't really have a choice in the matter." he said softly. The knight merely waited for him to continue. "Where I came from I fought every day, over the dumbest things. Guys were after my hide twenty four seven. Despite all the threats, all the danger, weapons flying everywhere, no one really got hurt…" he laughed humorlessly. "It sounds stupid but I don't think any of us were really fighting, it was like a game. A game of skill and thinking on your feet. It was my game." he gained a small smile.

"Sounds nice…" Miluda smiled back. "I envy you."

"You know, if you had said that a few days ago I'd have probably laughed at you. I couldn't even realize how fake it all was until I've been here… This is real fighting, for real warriors." he added shame evident in his tone.

Miluda sighed. "This is a generation of war. Myself, my brother, Madeline…Andy. We have been fighting all our lives, just to survive. Even with the war over, we still end up fighting. Now, against the noble houses," Miluda shook the boy lightly to get his attention. "You fight like a true warrior Ranma. You know your priorities and you did what you had to do. You fought tooth and nail to protect Madeline, and avenge Andy."

"But…"

"No but's, Saotome. You're a real warrior, whether you realize it or not. One that the death corps could use in these trying times." she said calmly, turning her eyes to the road trailing behind them.

Ranma gave a slight smile, managing to pocket the bloodied coin. "Thanks Miluda."

"No need, just stating a fact." she let it roll off in her normal calm tone but allowed the hint of a smile. The two warriors sat in a mutual silence as the wagon trundled along down the road.

"We're coming up on the city, Milady." The drivers called back as a large city rose up on horizon.

The knight nodded, "Very well, shut the curtains and head for the base. My brother is expecting us so the Hokuten guards will likely be distracted." she commanded receiving a nod in reply, Madeline's crawled into the back of the wagon closing the canvas behind her and Miluda reached back and closed the back curtain Ranma looking a little perplexed.

"What's with the secrecy… I thought this Dortor place was neutral." The martial artist said grunting a little as he got in a more comfortable position.

"It is, in a way. It lies between both kingdoms, but it's not uncommon for patrols from either one to come through. Especially where us Death corps are concerned." Miluda gave a distinct snort. "Ever since that fool Gustav went and kidnapped the Marquis they have been particularly tenacious in seeking us out." She had a sour look as she thought about the former member. Ranma was obviously in the dark about that turn of issue but he nodded anyway.

"But Dortor is a trade city, fairly prosperous and independent so it gives us the best place to have a base with access to town facilities." Madeline spoke up. She seemed to have calmed down, it was obvious in her subdued tone. The cab of the wagon shook a little more as the dirt road gave way to cobblestone.

"I see," Ranma noted the ambient noise outside had increased. Curiosity getting the better of him he lifted the back curtain ever so slightly to peek out. It was a sharp reminder he truly was far from Japan, it looked like a picture out of a history book. Elegantly dressed men and women strolling down the cobblestone streets, the buildings were aesthetically pleasing and well maintained. Though there was reality lurking in the background as it was hard to ignore the beggars on the corners or the much more humble dressed servants trailing behinds there masters. "Nice place," he commented with a small note of sarcasm.

"Heh, I would hope so, this is Upper Dortor after all…" Miluda said with a note of bitterness that caught the marital artist off-guard, though he received no more clues from the warrior's face. She was as inscrutable to him as Nabiki. Glancing to Madeline only got him a look intoning she'd explain it later. So receiving no more word he turned his attention back outside. As he watched it began to sink in what Miluda had meant, the paved roads crumbled back into dirt streets. The houses began to shrink and were less maintained. The richer citizens and merchants that seemed so abundant earlier trickled off and were replaced with poor working class peasants struggling to get by. He'd seen villages like this in the rurals of china but to right next to such a booming merchant area, it seemed so wrong.

"The slums…" It must have shown on Ranma's face because Miluda had spoken up suddenly. "This is where my brother decided to set up base, the sentimental fool," the knight added in a faint tone as the wagon slowed to a halt. Her calm belayed by a hint of a frown.

"Um, are you okay?" Ranma asked. Reluctantly things always tended to get dicey when girls got upset.

"Never mind Ranma. It's not important," came the blunt reply as she pushed herself up from her seat. "This is our stop." And with that, she flipped the back curtain fully open and hopped out of the back. Madeline followed out as Ranma slowly got to his feet, his whole body was stiff and sore. As he worked himself over to the back he noted the healer smiling up at him, offering a hand. Ranma gave a slight smile back, and took the hand, slipping out from the back of the wagon. Madeline caught him as he stumbled a little. Miluda stood a little ways away casting a glance toward him to make sure he was all right as he started to walk toward the building with Madeline's support. A small voice in the back of his head, that sounded suspiciously like his father, moaned about how he was letting a girl help him. But he causally punted that thought away, it was a moot point considering the extent of his injury.

The three slowly made their way to a rickety looking two story building nestled in the depths of the slums. Most of the windows were boarded up. The place was practically condemned. Tied up out in front were a few of those strange birds that seemed to be everywhere, bright yellow in color with large inquisitive eyes. They eyed Ranma with the same curious look that he gave them. "What the hell is that?" he asked tactfully, causing both women to exchange a confused glance as they looked to see what he meant. The beast in question leaned its long neck forward and 'warked' at the boy, causing him to jump back.

"It's a chocobo." The healer said simply, like that explained it.

It took a moment for Miluda to elaborate. "Ah, right. I guess you don't have chocobos in your world," she said patting the strange bird on the head. "These bird are trained to be mounts and beasts of burden. There's many wild varieties I hear, in all different colors. But, yellow are the tamest and most easy to domesticate."

The bird closed its eyes, pleased at the attention.

Ranma gave a slight nod. "Oh, so they're like horses then." he said with a slight smile getting blank looks in return.

"Horses?" the women said in unison.

"Ugh, Never mind." The topic was dropped and they continued up to the doorway. Miluda gave a few sharp knocks on the door and after a moment a young boy's head peaked out of the second floor window.

"What'cha want?" The boy's voice was rough and crude.

"Let us in, we're here to see Weigraf. My brother." Miluda said calmly crossing her arms. The boy snorted.

"Likely story. What's the password?" the boy shouted back causing the knight to look back down with an annoyed sigh. Madeline let go of Ranma and strode forward hands going to her hips and a cute annoyed expression on her face.

"Alexander Shaw!" she called up in a tone that caused the boy to pale. "How dare you speak to me or lady Miluda like that." she shouted firmly.

"Ack Sis! I'm real Sorry, I couldn't te-" The boy began to ramble but he was cut off.

"Don't be sorry, open the door." she commanded the head popping back in the window. Ranma blinked surprised at the sudden change in demeanor. Miluda looked to be stifling a chuckle at the antics. A few short moments later the was the frantic sound of latches being undone and the door flew open revealing the boy. He was young, couldn't be older then ten, dressed in respectable clothes, if a little shabby. He bore a nervous smile looking at the perturbed healer and gave a mock attempt and a bow.

"Um, welcome?" he said reluctantly, letting out an eep as Madeline grabbed the back of his collar.

"You have a lot to explain young man, I hope for your sake you haven't been pestering every person whose come up to the door. Children like you will be the death of me, I swear." Madeline muttered to herself as she dragged the poor boy inside. Miluda moved back to Ranma's side to help the martial artist in as well.

"Madeline will be busy catching up with the kids, so we'll have a chance to meet with my brother." she explained giving a nod to a few green clad rogues as they passed.

"What was with the kid anyway? I never saw Madeline so pissed." He asked quietly, looking around as they walked. It was much better maintained on the inside. The rooms seemed to be filled with men and women clad in death corps colors.

"Madeline is relatively new to fieldwork, But she has been working with our movement for the last couple of years. Mostly as a house medic, but her secondary duty is taking care of war orphans here in Dortor." She gained a slight smile. "She really has a way with the little monsters, she's the only one that can get any respect out of them. Except for my brother."

"Really? Hm, who'd have thought."

"Mm, it's true. She's normally a much more passive type of person than one to take charge."

"I was gonna go with ditzy, but that works too." The martial artist said with a shrug, Miluda shook her head at the statement.

"Your hardly the sharpest blade yourself Saotome."

"Hey, what's that suppose to mean?" he replied sharply with a frown. The knight chuckling ever so slightly. Annoyed the martial artist snorted and looked away.

"Feh, tomboy." he said in an almost reflexive retort which caused Miluda to give him a curious look. It took him a few moments realize just what he said and he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of guilt at using that particular title on another girl.

"So?" Miluda spoke up suddenly after a momentary silence.

"Huh?"

"So what if I am? I don't want to be associated with those silly girls, I'd rather be out doing my own work then being some flakey housewife waiting for her soldier to return." she said with a little heat in her voice. Ranma looked over to the older girl not having expected an answer. After all this wasn't how banter normal went for him when he did this with Akane. This girl was almost challenging him to say otherwise.

"Look I didn't mean it like that." he said with a nervous smile again. "I like tomboys."

"Oh, well good." She replied lamely, looking away. A few moments of silence passed but before Ranma could question the odd behavior they stopped at a sturdy door. "Right through here." she pushed the door open revealing a downward staircase, the chatter of several people could be heard downstairs. Ranma descended the stairs unaided and on coming to the bottom he saw a large open area. Off to the far corner there were several training dummies with a large rack of wooden weapons lined up against the wall. Closer toward the front was a table with papers spread across it. Several letters, notes and books cluttered most of the area with a large map of the area taking up the rest, marked with odd symbols. It was near the table where several death corps men stood about chatting and chuckling.

One man stood out among the rest, he was dressed in much lighter clothes. White pants with a light green shirt, around his neck with a yellow ascot. His hair was a dirty blond cut short and neat to keep it out of the way. But, moreover Ranma could tell by the way he carried himself that he was a strong fighter. It was this very man that looked up when the pair came down the stairs and moved toward them with a wide smile.

"Miluda, I'm so glad you're okay." He said enveloping the girl in a hug, the girl reluctantly hugged back obviously embarrassed at the display. "I feared we might have lost you when the report of the attack came."

"You don't have to worry Brother, I'm a warrior." She said calmly trying to repress the red tinge to her cheeks. The older man chuckled a little ruffling the girl's hair.

"I suppose but you're also my little sister. I can't help it." he said smiling good naturedly as she gave him a half hearted glare along with some of the soldiers that had laughed. He turned his attention to Ranma giving the battered boy an appraising look. "And you must be Ranma. I've heard good things about you, it's not often I get praise sent by Andrew. Much less my sister." Ranma felt a tinge of guilt at mention of Andy's name hand lightly touching his pocket. He gave a slight nod and smile at the vote of confidence. "You've traveled all this way, considering your injuries. You must be tired. I'll be sure to have a priest see you healed up. I would like to talk to you tomorrow."

"Um right. Okay."

"Good. Well, before I get carried away, we should get down to business." He turned to his sister, the air suddenly gaining a much more serious edge. "Miluda, your report." his posture and tone were now much more reserved. Firm like a pillar that you could trust not to crumble.

"Not good. Before the attack we received word of other outposts coming under assault from Hokuten's forces. Though the group they sent toward our fort was made of mostly cadets they were of high quality led by the youngest Beoulve." Miluda said in her curt straight forward tone. "My troops fell to a third of my standing forces, the others were either killed or captured. They let me and several other go, either as a warning, or a stupid act of pity. Though likely if they knew who I was, they would not have let me go." Miluda took a breath and let out a tired sigh. "We already lost twelve outposts in the last three weeks, and that's not counting surrenders and deserters." The knight did her best to hide the sadness in her voice. Weigraf took a moment to let all the information settle before he spoke up.

"I see, then it seems we must push up our original schedule." his eyes glinting with a firm resolve that Ranma had seen in Miluda's the day of the attack.

"Brother?"

"In two weeks we will rally at Fort Zeakden. Our combined forces will strike the telling blow before they are prepared to face us with their full force. That's a good week and a half to get the message out. Miluda, inform the outriders and soldiers we'll have much to do tomorrow." The knight saluted her brother, and commander, and headed up the stairs. Ranma watched as Wiegraf's expression softened to what it was before as he turned his way. "As for you Ranma I would like to thank you for your actions at our swamp outpost. I understand you had wanted to remain neutral, but your assistance was greatly appreciated."

"I just did what I thought was right," Ranma said in a low voice, hand going into his pocket. "If only I had been faster," he trailed off.

Weigraf gave a solemn nod.

"Andrew was a good man, it's never easy losing a friend, but in this age life is a fickle thing. You did more then we ever could have asked of you." he said patting the boy on the shoulder. Ranma nodded a little. "And in light of such action I am indebted to ask if you could continue such service, I could use a man of your caliber. I understand if you decline, what with recent events likely on your mind. But consider this a haven of sorts for now, I will send a healer to finish your treatment and you'll be welcome to leave in the morning." With that said he turned heading to the cluttered table, and began to go over the papers. Ranma silently turned and trekked back up stairs, idlely fingering the coin in his pocket. His mind drifted back over likely one of the strangest weeks of his life.

Images began passing through his mind…

"My body. It hurts," was the first conscious thought Ranma had as he lay in mental darkness. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes, blinded momentary by the light. His eyes slowly came to focus and he could see two blurry figures over him.

"He's waking up!" a girl's voice said happily.

"Hmm, I'll get Miluda. Make sure he doesn't go anywhere," a man's voice replied as one of the blurs left.

"Right." the girl said leaning over him. As her features became clearer he squinted, catching a glimpse of her raven hair.

"A-Akane?" he croaked out, his voice raw from lack of use.

"Akane? Who's Akane?" the girl said confused. His vision fully cleared revealing a girl he'd never seen, decked out in weird dress…it looked like on of those European dresses from the Romeo and Juliet play

He noticed the familiar change in perspective as his curse activated, the surprised look of the three Death Corps members helped as well.

"A girl?!" was all the confused Andy got out before he took a powerful shot to the jaw falling back on his butt. Ranma stood shakily arm still extended, breathing hard.

"Feh, come on get back up…agh." she grumbled before she grabbed her middle and started to fall forward. Madeline rushed forward and caught her before she hit the floor helping her straighten back up. It was strange to see this petite redhead in place of the handsome boy she'd been taking care of.

"I've never seen such magic…" she muttered. Andy got to his feet rubbing his cheek.

"Not bad kid, let's see you do that agai-"

"Stand down Andrew." Miluda ordered, the archer looked her way and slowly relaxed, he resheathed his weapon and began fiddling with his coin. Satisfied the women walked forward to the injured girl. "Well given the circumstances I'm willing to hear you out…there are obliviously some things that need to be explained." she said pointing to her form.

"Not bad kid." Came the now familiar laid back tone of the death corps archer. Ranma turned to see him leaning against the wall, that strange coin sparking in the light as it twirled across his knuckles.

Madeline made her way right behind him and went to push him clean off…only to have him lean aside at the last moment. She squealed as she tumbled forward bracing for the cold water…but it didn't come. She slowly glanced back to see Ranma eyeing her quizzically holding her by the back of her dress, keeping her from falling into the drink. "Ah, hi Ranma" she said weakly.

"Hello to you too…" He replied evenly. "Was there a reason you were going to push me into the water?" he asked in a calm voice, his grip on her dress unwavering. Madeline looked nervous.

"Well you were looking so serious… I just thought it… would be funny ha ha ha" she said awkwardly. Ranma smiled at her and she sighed, looks like she was safe…until she noticed the water was getting closer again. "EEK!" she got out before she disappeared under the water with a splash. Ranma was trying to holdback chuckling as she popped out looking like water logged rat.

"Your right that did cheer me up." He said with a smile that caused her to pout, not wanting to be the butt of the joke. After a moment he relented he grabbed her hand to pull her out. "Sorry I couldn't help myself." he said in a happy tone.

"I'm sorry too…." Madeline said taking his hand.

"Eh, for what?"

"This!" she said yanking hard on the boy's arm and pulling him off balance into the water. The petite red head soon emerged spiting out water. Madeline stuck her tongue out. "Gotcha."

"Surrender? That was never an option. For all we did for this country we could never bow to you." Miluda said boldly as her somewhat disheartened allies began to roar with approval. Her cool confidence spreading out to her troops.

"It's okay, you tried…" Andy said gasping a bit in his breathes. He turned back to Ranma who was starting feel numb, this couldn't be happening. "hey kid." said moving the boys hands from the wound. "Hold on to this for me." he said placing the coin in Ranma's bloodied hands. "Maybe you can buy yourself a better future…sorry I couldn't… create one…" he said starting to fade, his coughing grew more violent. Madeline was still trying to focus healing energy into him, her body shaking.

"No You're not going to die! I won't let you!" Madeline screamed trying to focus more but he stopped moving, he just lay there looking up to the sky with a calm smile on his face. "Andy! You can't die on me! You can't!" she screamed opening her eyes. "Wake Up Andy! You have to wake up!" she lost focus and fell sobbing to his chest. "Please wake up…." she begged but she received no response. Ranma sat frozen looking at the coin in his bloody hands, his hand slowly clenched around it.

"Well I'll be damned, you're a tough one to kill." Miluda said with a half smirk which he returned in kind.

"I get that a lot," he said hoarsely.

Madeline gasped a bit, then began scrounging around. She handed him a canteen. "Drink up, you need it." She said in a kind but firm voice.

Ranma paused halfway up the stairs, slowly he turned around and went back down. He made a promise to himself at that moment, one that he knew he had already made a day before. One he was not going to back down from.

"Weigraf," he said calmly from the entrance, catching the older man's attention. He gave the man his patented Saotome cocky smirk. "When's the best time I can meet ya in the morning? There isn't much time to goof around right?" It took a few moments before Weigraf gained a grateful smile.

"Meet me out back of the building a little before noon, I'll need to see where you stand soldier." he replied with a little firmness in his voice, the marital artist gave a two fingered salute. Ranma headed back up with his head held up high and the Captain of the Death Corps passed one last fond smile as he turned back to his work. Things had definitely taken a much needed turn for the better.

Ranma awoke the next day feeling better then he had since he'd arrived in Ivalice. After a short session with one of the Death Corps house medics he'd fallen into a dreamless sleep. All the soreness and battle wounds he'd felt were washed away and though he bore scars on his torso and arms from the backlash all his other wounds were gone like they never happened. He left the room with a bounce in his step ready to do the first full training he'd have to do in far too long and was those thoughts that reminded him. "Oh right, Weigraf said he wanted to test me or something," he said to himself as descended to the first floor smirk on his face. "Good, I could use the exercise." He confidently strode out the door and started to circle to the side of the building when he heard faint cursing, coming blazing from the other side of the building was a boy grinning like a maniac holding a large hat.

"You little weasel I just bought that!" growled an older man also decked out in Death corps colors. He stomped the ground, leg glowing. Vines shot out of the ground at the boys feet but the boy slipped away laughing.

"Not my fault to can't see yer own nose. You're an easy target." he said sticking out his tongue and he dodged the vines a second time. The man growled and motioned his hand toward the chocobo's drinking trough, a ball of water rose into the air and then shot out toward the rogue with blinding speed. "Shit!" the boy dived to the ground and it flew right over him.

"What the he-splat!" the pigtailed martial artist was knocked off his feet to the ground sopping wet. The man flinched as his attack hit the wrong target but didn't hesitate to stamp the ground as the summoning the vines once more, catching the prone rogue before jogging forward. Ranma sat up spiting out a little water an annoyed look on hi-er, her face, ringing out her pigtail. "Every damn time." cursed the red head as the large man approached grabbing back his hat and placing it on his head.

"Sorry about that young lady, are you okay?" he asked in a polite if confused tone, he could have sworn there was a boy.

"Yeah yeah I'm fine… Just wet." she grumbled as she got back to her feet. "Damn now I gotta get hot water…" both the man and the boy gave her an odd look at that statement. "How the hell did you do that anyway? That was a pretty neat trick." she asked casually as she wringed as much water from her shirt as she could while keeping it on.

"Oh, why that was Geomancy, my dear. Harnessing the great powers of nature to battle my enemies. I've spent years focusing to gain perfect control." The man said with a slight dramatic flair and a smile to the girl. The tied up boy merely snorted.

"Stop bragging, you couldn't hit Igros castle if you were standing right in front of it." the boy got a fist to the head for that comment.

"Shut up you little shit!" The man composed himself before turning back to the girl with a smile. "Name's Gaven, if you want I could guide you through a few exerci- Huh?" his attempt at flirting derailed by the fact that the girl in question had walked away. The rogue snickered. "Not another word Jacob or I'm setting you on fire."

Back inside Ranma cursed her luck, if she was going to be tested she didn't want to be in her girl form. "I need a kettle, or something…" she wasn't going to bother asking where the faucet was, she had already resigned that she was stuck in a world with no indoor plumbing. So it was going to be the training trip with pops all over again, either she'd keep aware of the water around her or she'd be stuck a girl for long stretches of time. The redhead peeked around looking for a kitchen when she spotted the a familiar face. "Yo Madeline." The healer looked up confused for a moment, she looked to be knee deep in kids. Twelve in total going from little tikes to preteens all spread out through the apparent play room, a little boy on her hip.

"Oh Ranma, good to see your feeling better." she replied with a friendly smile but it was still a notch or two below her usual. On of the girls, around seven, walked up and began looking at him squinting confused.

"Yeah I'm good as new, Just looking for a kettle or some…." she looked down at the girl. "Somethin' you want kiddo?"

"Big sister said Ranma was a boy. You've got boobies." she said bluntly, the redhead sweatdropped.

"Well I am. It's sorta complicated."

"Nu uh, she said Ranma was tall and handso-Mmm!" the little one insisted much to the dismay of Madeline who gained a red face who covered the child's mouth.

"Now now let's not bother Ranma." she said with a nervous chuckle. "What was it you wanted?"

"A kettle, Weigraf wanted at test me and I'll be damned if I'm gonna do it as girl" The red head said with a snort, ignoring the odd looks she was getting from the children. Madeline giggled.

"It would be fun to see the look on his face though," she said with a little smirk. "But I can get a kettle for you. Emily could you mind the others for a moment?" the healer handing the child in her arms to a lanky girl.

"Sure Sis." she said with a smile. Madeline dragged Ranma out into the hall and into another room. The healer gained a pensive look as they arrived in a rickety looking kitchen with a wood stove. The normally chatty healer was quiet as she plucked a battered old kettle from the cupboard and passed only a motion of the hand while she scurried out to fill it. She placed the sloshing kettle on the stove allowing it to start and heat up, and just as the silences was getting too much to bare…

"Ranma…" Madeline spoke up softly causing the martial artist to jump a little.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Hm?" she replied intelligently.

"Thank you… I never said thank you for saving me. If you hadn't been there I might not have even seen Andy before he…" she was unable to continue the statement, both girls looking downward observing a small silence for their friend. "So for all that, thank you."

"No problem, don't worry about it." Ranma said with a slight casual smirk. Madeline sent back a small smile of her own and leaned against the counter.

"So your meeting Weigraf for a test?"

"Yup, he wants to test my fighting skills."

"Sooo… that would mean you're sticking around?" she asked hopefully getting a little chuckle in response.

"Hey you can't get rid of me that easily, thought you'd realize that by now." the redhead blustered back with her usual cocky attitude. Madeline looked down with a smile.

"Good, I was worried."

Ranma raised an eyebrow about to speak up when Madeline plucked the heating kettle from the stove with a sudden bright smile. "That should be good enough, don't want to burn you right?"

"Um, right." Ranma said, a little dazed at the sudden change in demeanor. The Healer gave a giggle dumping the water over his head changing her back to male form. In a swift motion she leaned up, kissing him on the cheek and then ran off. "I'll see you around!" she called out as she turned the corner, leaving a damp, stunned Ranma in her wake. He touched his cheek and glanced to the hallway.

"Where the heck did that come from? Crazy chick," he muttered with confusion. He wasn't sure on this turn of events, but if his past experiences meant anything, it wasn't likely good. He tried to put it out of his mind as he trekked back outside for a second time and made his way around back. He was met with the sounds of clashing metal looking up to see Miluda and Weigraf exchanged in a spirited bout.

The female knight had her sword grasped in both hands and stood in a strong offensive stance. Her opponent stood much more casually, sword up, with one hand behind his back. From the perspiration on her skin this had been going on for a while, but she wasn't breathing hard as one might expect. The pigtailed boy leaned back against the wall, keen on watching the display. Besides, if he was practicing he'd hate to have it interrupted.

"Here I come!" Miluda gave a challenging shout as she sprinted, shifting her grip slightly as she closed in on Weigraf, who seemed unphased. With a flash of the blade she shifted her strike from a low strike to a diagonal slash, but it met the older warrior's blade in a simple, and perfectly executed, parry. Clashes began ringing out as she struck only to have her blade blocked by a calm Weigraf. It was something to see, their form was much different than Kuno's Kendo he was so used to. There wasn't a practiced form to it, it was self trained. Based on instinct and previous combat experience, the blades were much different; broader, thicker, and heavier. It was yet another one of those things to remind him he wasn't in Nerima anymore.

A surprised gasp brought his focus back to the battle in time to see Miluda strike and suddenly reverse the momentum of her swing to come around again catching her brother off guard. For the first time in the fight Weigraf gave a small amount of ground as he deflected the strike downward. The female knight laughed a little as she yanked her sword from the soft dirt. "You're getting careless, brother."

"I disagree, you're getting better."

"I'm glad you noticed" she replied bringing her sword back up. "Does that mean you'll start fighting back?" she taunted as he gave a small smirk.

"Heh, very well. But remember you asked for it." he said simply. The air became tense, even Miluda hesitated a moment before advancing, but she managed to gather herself and charged in. It was fast, the subtle motions barely caught Ranma's trained eyes, but in a singe stroke Miluda's blade spiraled out of her hands into the air. In a fluid motion Weigraf's free hand shot out, pulling her off balance. The blade came down, toward her neck and she was held immobile.

"Miluda!" Ranma shouted moving a few paces before he stopped himself, despite viciousness of the attack the girl look far more annoyed and embarrassed then scared. The flat of the blade rested against her neck, and Weigraf looked positively amused at the whole situation. "Uh," Ranma scratched the back of his head chuckling nervously.

"Glad to see your up Ranma, I hope you were enjoying our practice." the death corps leader said conversationally as he held his sister at sword point.

"Yeah, It was interesting. I've never been much for weapons, but your fighting techniques are so much different then what I'm used to."

"Is that so?"

"This is all nice and good but could you let me go!" Miluda grumbled keeping her gaze off to the side. Her bother chuckled a little and released her, ruffling her hair as she stumbled forward.

"I'm sorry little sister, but I do recall you didn't want me to hold back. Why don't you head inside and clean up a little." he said cheerfully receiving a glare for his troubles. Maintaining her sour expression she headed back round the house. Through it all his smile remained as he turned to the martial artist.

"Don't be fooled by her performance against me Ranma, Miluda is quite a skilled warrior. She doesn't have here position in the movement because of her relation. She earned her way." He said calmly getting a small nod from the boy.

"So your saying it's not her, it's just you're much better."

"Heh, I would not put it so bluntly, but yes, that's what I'm getting at." he replied with a chuckle. "But the real question is, how good are you?" he said sheathing his sword. Ranma gained the hint of a smirk.

"I get by" he said with a shrug, Weigraf undid his sword belt and lay it across a bench.

"Modesty?"

"Something like that. But I don't use a sword."

"That much I have heard, but I'm trained in unarmed combat as well."

"That so. And how good are you?"

"Oh, I get by." He replied getting a chuckle from Ranma.

"That good huh? This should be fun…" he said getting into a relaxed battle stance. Weigraf got into a steady defensive stance.

"I would hope so, now let's see how monks fight in your world."

"Gladly."

To be Continued…

A/N- and there you go There next battle is on the horizon, but before that Weigraf Vs Ranma duel which should be fun. The rest will cover the rest of the planning time until the battle. It's nice to be writing again, I really want to get this out there, I feel like an ass leaving you all hanging so long.

If your wondering if Graven is going to be a new big character then your mostly wrong. I have an aquintance on some of my other communities where I know him from. He's a shameless flirt so I decided to poke some fun at him heh.

Anyway until next time, which I'll try to make much sooner, Je ne!