Chapter 4

Ranma was definitely having a bad day. Mind you, he had worse, but somehow, this one frustrated him more because he wasn't trying to accomplish a great feat. No, all he wanted to do was get some inspiration, some help, from some of his friends. Instead, he realized that most of his friends were as bad off, or worse, than he was.

What am I going to do he thought to himself. Kasumi had a good idea, the problem is, I don't have anybody I can really ask. Ranma was currently walking to the bridge he often went to when he was looking for a little peace and quiet.

He'd almost made it to the bridge, when he heard the familiar "Hello son-in-law" up ahead. Oh great, now I have to deal with the old ghoul as well. Cologne was sitting on a ledge up to his right. She was obviously waiting for him, which means she must have known about his "quiet spot". Just great...

"So Ranma, my great grand-daughter tells me you are having some interesting conversations these last few days. What are you up to this time"

Ranma was so fed up with how things had gone the last two days that he just didn't have the energy to fight the old mummy this afternoon. Instead he not only surprised himself, but Cologne as well.

"Nuthin. All I wanted to do was to understand what I could do to get out of this rut I'm in. Heck, as of last week, I didn't even know I had a problem. Unfortunately, the only idea I found was from a stranger. All of my friends seem to suffer the same thing I'm sufferin from." Ranma told her.

"Really? And what might that be?" Cologne was surprised. No false bravado, no quick retort. Whatever caused this turn of events must have really gotten to the boy.

"Being a one-trick pony. You know, somebody that can only do one thing, but is worthless for everything else. It finally hit me that I might be going down that path, and the more I think aboutm it the less I like it. When I look around me I only see people that are after one thing. Oh, it may be different from person to person, but in the end, each only cares about their 'one-trick'."

"You said you got one idea from a stranger" Cologne asked. This was an interesting turn of events. "What might that be?"

"Well, I talked to this old couple in the park, and they basically said that they helped each other out of each of their ruts. But I think it's more than that, I think they helped each other to want to do more than focus on their 'one thing'. Problem is, I still don't know what I'm lookin for" he finished, looking down to the ground, his frustration evident on his troubled features.

"I'm impressed son-in-law." Cologne said, earning a surprised look from Ranma.

"You are?" he said, looking up in surprise.

Cologne gazed directly at Ranma. "Indeed. A true asset to the tribe does not fix on one single task in life. To do so risks bringing easy defeat in a battle. It is the fullness of one's life that allows a warrior to deal with defeat and frustration. Even Amazons don't win every battle, and if all we cared about was the battle, it would be difficult to go on in times of defeat. To have other interests in life keeps one going in times of trouble. The fact that you are beginning to realize this shows you are taking another stride in becoming more than just a great warrior."

"Great, my problems are good for me. Somehow that doesn't give me much comfort" he sighed.

"You misunderstand, I am not saying these are problems, I am saying that you are beginning to take the first steps to becoming something more than your" she paused, trying to remember the phrase he used ."One trick pony" she finished. "I think what you are finding is that those who only worry about themselves may do well in the one area they concentrate on, but the person that learns to care about more than himself often rises to true greatness. Your problem is that you have no one you truly care for. Oh it's true that you often rise to the occasion for the Tendo girl, but I still have a suspicion that your interest in her isn't the inspiration you need to truly grow to your real potential."

Ranma sat and thought about what Cologne said. It was true that some of his biggest victories were when he was trying to help Akane. The problem is, saving Akane was more of an instinct. It wasn't because he couldn't live without her, it was more of a perceived responsibility he had for her.

"Maybe you're right" he finally admitted. "Problem is, I don't see anybody that isn't really trying to use me for one thing or another, even you" he chuckled.

"Oh I won't deny that I'd love for you to get with Shampoo. The biggest problem I have is that deep in this aged heart, I know that you would be worthless to the tribe if we coerced you to come back with us. No, our only hope is that you decide for yourself that Shampoo is the one for you."

"Nothing personal old ghoul" he winced at the sharp rap on his head from her ever-present staff at the term. "But even though I think Shampoo and I could be friends some day, I don't think I'll ever feel about her the way you'd like me to feel."

"Possibly" she agreed. But a smile came to her wrinkled face "but you can't blame an old woman for trying now can you? Do you think I've spent all this time trying to get you in the tribe just to keep my great-granddaughter happy?"

"Uh...yeah?"

"Nonsense...or should I say...not really. Of course I'd like Shampoo to be happy, but I'm looking out for the tribe, and I know that you would be an asset. I'm doing this as much for the tribe as I am for Shampoo" she admitted.

"Well, don't get your hopes up. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this mess...or for that matter if there is anything I can do. Pops has managed to get me in so many commitments I still don't know how I can get out of them even if I did figure out what I wanted"

"Too true son-in-law." Cologne sighed, even she was stumped in this regard. That fool Genma had managed to make such a mess out of this young man's life that even she hadn't figured out how to untangle things. Every time she came up with a plan that might help Shampoo win his heart, it was thwarted by the impact it would have on Ranma to walk away from all of his other engagements. The poor boy had no hope of developing a relationship while so many conflicting forces were vying for him.

"Cologne?"

Cologne's head snapped up as she ceased her internal debate. What? No old-ghoul?

"Yes Ranma?"

"Thanks. Thanks for a lot of things. I know you've always had an agenda, but I appreciate how much you've worked with me since you've been here. You've helped me out of a lot of bad jams, and I haven't forgot that. And thanks for taking the time for talking with me. Believe it or not, you've actually helped a bit. Well, at least you've helped me understand what that couple in the park was trying to say."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, it seems to me that you live by the very advice you just gave me. One reason why you're so good is that you're not doing this for just yourself. You're after me for Shampoo and the tribe as well. I guess that helps you keep going"

Cologne blinked at Ranma. Ancestors! she thought. He really is beginning to understand. If I don't manage to get him with Shampoo soon, who knows what could become of him... "Yes Ranma, I suppose you are correct."

"Thanks again. I guess I should head back to the Tendo's, before somebody decides that life has gotten too peaceful for me. See ya around."

Cologne stayed on the ledge as Ranma left, watching him depart. Of course she wanted him for Shampoo and the tribe, but there was more than that. Yes, he was powerful, after defeating Herb and Saffron that was obvious, lately she had a hunch he would even be a challenge for her. But the biggest reason she wanted Ranma to go with them is that Cologne had realized a long time ago that Ranma was that rarest of people, a truly good person. Not only did he try to stand up for what was right, but he did everything in his power to protect those that he cared for. That was the type of person that even she wanted for the tribe, and...dare she say it...for a friend. She had to avoid thinking what she'd like to do to that fool Genma! Petty, violent thoughts did not become an Amazon elder.

What worried Cologne the most was that Ranma was at a turning point. If the log-jam that was his collection of problems didn't break free soon, he could end up like that ridiculous Hibiki boy, trapped in a depression spiral that would eventually consume him.

Elsewhere in Nerima, Gosunkugi was readying the delivery of his final attack. He had studied the scroll and its instructions for use and was confident he could execute the spell. It was quite simple really. Read the scroll, which took about 20 seconds, and toss it in the vicinity of the target. The spell would affect anybody nearby. As long as Akane wasn't around Ranma, Gos didn't care. His obsession with Akane had grown and grown. He no longer cared about consequences, just results. He would do anything...anything to get rid of the one obstacle between he and Akane.

If he were more aware of his actions, he would have realized that he was going down the path of the Amazons. Obstacles are for killing...

Gos hummed to himself as he walked out his front door. Tonight would be very special indeed. Once and for all, Ranma Saotome would no longer be around to toy with his precious Akane.