Author's notes - Now, as much as I would like to go through four years of Ranma's growth, I feel that the next four chapters are going to be the span of four years. So, in each chapter, be on the look out for "Date - YEAR, MONTH, DAY" to tell you what the date is in Ranma's adventure. I won't rush it too much, there will be a actual story here, but this was a sidetrack to make Ranma develop a backbone with the power to back it up (around Itachi's strength). Also the next few chapters will be a bit longer, this one was just because the majority of the year was spent learning things. Next year starts his newest adventure.

-------------------- The Terrible Trio ------------------

Date - Year 1, Month 1, Day 4.

Ranma stood in front of a large group of kids younger than him, with a nervous expression about his face. Beside him was Anko, her own nervous smile on her face and her hands behind her back. Staring at the two with a small amount of concern was Iruka "So,... tell me again what's happening?"

Turning toward him, and by proxy, Ranma, Anko smiled "Starting from today, Ranma will be taking your course. You are to treat him as you would any other student, as he has never trained in the ninja way before."

Opening his mouth, Iruka looked over the classroom and saw many lecherous grins not only on the women in the class, but also the men as they stared at the two "So why are you here then?"

Giving him a warmer smile than before, Anko shyly fingered the kunai at her hip "Tsunade-sama wanted me to stand by him so that I may answer his questions about our village"

Nodding a bit, after gulping at the sight of the normally over zealous ninja, Iruka looked at Ranma "So,... what village are you from normally?"

Glancing at Anko from the corner or his eye, and seeing the small nod she gave him, Ranma smiled at Iruka "I come from the rising sun village. We're a small village on the outskirts of the tea country. While small, and without a ninja academy, we're more widely known for our martial arts." Seeing Iruka nod, though a bit disturbed, Ranma continued "So I came to this village in order to become a ninja. I was given a time limit by my village leader, stating that I have four years time before I am required to come home"

Smiling widely, Iruka stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder "Well then, your problem isn't so bad afterall" Ranma blanched slightly, much to Iruka's confusion, before continuing "Your seat will be next to Kiko and Jiro. Anko, your seat will be over beside Aki-" Before he could finish, a kunai was imbeded in the floor next to his right foot, causing him to jump onto his desk "I mean, Jiro, you will sit next to Akira. Anko will sit next to Ranma and Shirow" Taking their seats, though Ranma was fighting his face fault with all his power, Iruka nodded -Damn that Anko is seriously insane,... whatever Ranma did to attract her attention, he is in serious shit- stepping to the chalk board, Iruka wrote on the board "Ways of Chakra manipulation".

Date - Year 1, Month 4, Day 13.

Ranma stood in front of a group of elite ninja's. The palms of his hands were coated with sweat, not giving him much confort in knowing these seven people could wipe the floor with him should he piss them off. The ninja in the center stood up and cleared his throat "Ranma Shikima, you have been called here due to your extreme talent in the ninjitsu, taijutsu, and Genjutsu techniques. It has been decided by us seven, and the Hokage, that you will under-go special training with the following elite's. Anko, Tsunade, Kurenai, Jiraiya, Kakashi as well as Gaara of the Sand who will join you once you reach the training area." Seeing his stunned nod, Ranma turned to leave "Before you leave Ranma,... here" Tossing a piece of metal at Ranma, who deftly caught it, the ninja smiled "Welcome to Konoha village, Jounin Ranma"

Ranma practically skipped out of the classroom, much of the relief of the ninja's behind the desk "Did you feel it?" Seeing the other's nod, and one confused look, the ninja on the end sent him a glare "How could you not,... His reserves rival that of the Kyuubi child!"

Eyes wide and mouth agaped, the ninja on the other end growled "Then why is it we're sending him out with the most powerful ninja's in history! He should not be allowed to leave the village!"

Shaking his head sadly, the ninja in the middle just sighed "Listen you old coot, that man, Ranma, is the only thing that we have in case the Kyuubi get's free. We all know that the seal has been weakening, and even that Naruto can control three of nine power tails. If he were to gain all nine, he would be unstoppable. If that were to happen, we need a backup plan, and this Ranma will do just fine!"

Outside the doors, Ranma and Anko were wearing twin grimaces "I knew they were using you,... but in case they want to kill Naruto?! That's attrocious!"

Nodding his head, though not losing his grimace, Ranma started walking down the hall "I'll have to talk to Tsunade-chan about this. She won't like being used in a plot against Naruto, of all people"

Staring at Ranma for a moment, before rushing to catch up, Anko had to ask herself -Tsunade-chan?- Walking beside him, she had all of five minutes to answer her own questions, before ranma stopped, causing her to stop or run into him "Ranma? Why'd you stop?"

Looking over his shoulder, a small scowl on his face, Ranma looked at her "Can't you feel it? We're being watched" He looked around for a second before sighing -Damnit,... I know I keep saying this, but I had it better at the Tendo's!-

Date - Year 1, Month 7, Day 14

After three months of constantly being watched, one particular day it had Ranma frustrated beyond belief. Kakashi had shown him the majority of jutsu's in his arsenal, and he was on his way home from learning the final one. The blush on his face was quite contrary to the normal good feeling Ranma would have from learning nearly one hundred new techniques.

Shaking his head, Ranma unconsciously rubbed his behind, a glare on his face "Damn that Kakashi,... thousand years of pain my,... ass,... I'm gonna get him back time we spar!" Feeling the person watch him send out a minut amount of killing intent, Ranma growled and shouted out "For fuck's sake! Quit trying to entice me!" scaring the shit out of the people around him. After taking a few deep breaths, Ranma blushed at all the stares he was getting, before quickening his pace toward his home. Ranma stopped short for a moment and frowned -Since when do I consider this place my home? I know when I will be sent back, so why would I do something so painful?- he knew, deep down, that with all the moving around he did in the past, any place he spent more than a few months at would be considered home to him. It was all he could do to stave off the loneliness he felt in his chest.

Sneaking up behind him, a person reached his backside and lept onto his back screaming "BAH!"

Feeling the contact, and the breasts pressing against his back, Ranma sighed out "Jeez Ank-chan,... you would think you want me to have a heart attack or somethin'"

Tightening her hold on Ranma's neck, and wrapping her legs around him, Anko leaned in and whispered into his ear "Oh you tease, your just saying that to keep me on your good side" she thought for a moment before gaining a seductive grin "Or would you like to see my good side?"

Ranma knew, intellectually, that Anko was wearing only her normal trenchcoat, and that it was rather chilly out this evening -Damn this woman,... trying to get me to sleep with her, knowing what I left back in my life- he fought off every attempt the sexy ninja could ever throw at him, but lately, his resolve has been wanning toward actually sleeping with her -But If I did that,... I would never be able to leave her. Not only that, but without a way to get back to where I will end up, I would be damning her honor- Ranma didn't know how little honor Anko had remaining, but knew that he values his own above everything "Ank-chan,... can you please get off?"

Grinning playfull, Anko nipped his ear before letting out a husky sigh "I would if you paid attention to me"

Ranma blinked for a moment before turning bright red at the implications he had unintentionally brought upon himself "N-NOT LIKE THAT!"

Releasing her hold on him, and falling to her feet, Anko tied her trenchcoat and sighed "C'mon Ranma-sama,... just one night! It's all I need!"

Staring at her with a small amount of pity, and a larger amount of lust, Ranma seemed to consider it, before something hit him upside his head, knocking him to the ground "Don't be tempted Ra-chan, she's just trying to sink her claws into you"

Anko actually glared at Tsunade before shaking her head and turning away "Think what you will Tsunade,... but I care for him a great deal. At least I can openly admit that"

Rubbing his head gingerly, Ranma stood back and looked at Tsunade "What the hell was that for!?"

Giving him a warm smile, with cold eyes, Tsunade shook her head "So your saying you weren't going to sleep with her?" She shook her head again as Ranma's stammering came forth, instead of a dignified response -I swear,... whatever those girls did to him,... they better hope that I never see them-

Ranma stopped stammering and stared at Tsunade as chakra began to swirl around her being, and became as bright as the sun -Oh shit! I've pissed her off!- Without thinking, Ranma leaned forward and kissed her gently, before pulling away as though he was burned. Seeing her shocked expression, and the chakra dispurse into nothingness, Ranma gave a small cry of mental victory, before realizing that she was now grating her teeth -Damn,... I thought she was jealous-

Date - Year 1, Month 10, Day 7.

Ranma stood panting in the middle of a grassy field. Before him stood Tsunade, gone was her uniform from her past. Now she was clad in a skin tight ninja garb that was clung to her like a second skin, and a ninja mask covering her nose and below. Standing above him a smile in her eyes, she offered him a hand "Not bad Ra-chan, not bad at all. You managed to stay concious this time"

Being pulled to his feet by the offered hand, Ranma shook his head clear of the fuzziness "What the hell was that last attack? I didn't even see that blow coming. It felt like a pressure attack or somethin" He frowned for a moment before sending a punch covered in his chakra toward a tree, causing it to explode "It's weird,... it's as though it's alive somehow"

Shaking her head, her amazment still obvious that after only seven and a half months, Ranma knew not only her techniques, but many of the other elite ninja's that trained him -You would think he has an advanced version of the Sharinghan or something. It never ceases to amaze me- seeing his confused look, Tsunade pulled down her mask and smiled "What's wrong Ra-chan?"

Shaking his head a bit, a light blush on his cheeks, Ranma smiled "Nothing Tsuna-chan, nothing at all. Actually, I'm thinking about that Naruto kid. He had a very impressive chakra for someone of his age, and I know it's part of the Kyuubi, but I still can't help but be amazed. He's easily more powerful than you right now in pure energy, but still lacks experience." Seeing her smile lessen there, Ranma blushed a bit more "Ah, sorry. I guess it means a bit more for you guys, Hokage that is. But to me, it is just a title. I have no interest in becoming Hokage, sure, but I won't be one to dash others dreams"

Coming to Ranma's side, Anko pulled his arm into her hold and smiled up at him "That was wonderful Ranma-sama! I just can't believe you kept up with Tsunade-chan for four hours! And without losing conciousness too!"

Staring at Anko with a small amount of jealousy, Tsunade gave a unlady like snort "I would have knocked him down sooner, but I wanted him to feel some improvement!"

Ranma gave her a warm smile, pretending not to notice her breathing harder than normal, or the sweat shining on her forehead "Then I thank you for that Tsuna-chan" He was rewarded with a blush, and a smile from the beautiful woman "So,... what's next!"

Looking to Anko, Tsunade nodded a bit before looking back at Ranma "Actually Ranma, we're going to take you on your first mission. You've had, for you, extensive training in Chakra control as well as techniques. You are already fast and strong enough to keep up with most of the Anbu soldiers, so it's only fair you have your hand in a mission. As a favor to the sand, we are going to go over to their village and patrol the area for a group of bandits known as the Haze ninjas (1), who have been using guerilla warfare to steal food and supplies for quite some time. Due to the recent missions involving the Akatsuki, the sand are short on men to send on this type of mission. So this will be the perfect starter for you."

Nodding a bit, Ranma stretched to ward off muscle locks "So when do I go, and who with?"

Giving Tsunade a secretive smile, Anko leaned against Ranma and purred, enjoying his shiver -I bet he regrets telling me that secret- "You leave tomorrow, and as for the team, it's me and Tsunade"

Getting his shivering under control, despite Anko's persistant attempts, Ranma sighed -I never should've told her about that- before speaking his mind "So,... I'm to be assisted by the number one anbu soldier, and the Hokage of Leaf Village. Isn't that overkill?"

Giving a girlish giggle, Tsunade caught herself and reduced it to a smile "Of course it is, but all we'll be doing is watching and stepping in if needed. You will do everything else, short of the talking. We all know you tend to stick your foot in your mouth more than you intend to" Seeing him open his mouth in defense, Tsunade gave him a lidded glare "Remeber this?" and took on a Ranma-isk voice "Awww come on Tsuna-chan, it's not like I haven't seen you naked before!" before reverting to her own voice "Or have you forgotten that a women's body should only be seen by the man she is going to spend her life with?"

TO BE CONTINUED!

(1) - From the Kakashi episode - What's behind the mask (not the actual title, but a summary of the episode) Big lips? Thin mouth? BUCK TEETH! Only they will be real ninjas, not loser wannabe's.