The characters of Ranma ½ and Pokemon are not mine. Nor do any of the other known characters that may appear in this story.

2 B a Master by Lioconvoy

Chapter 4: Genma's Plan

Pre-chapter note: The Snorlax is not Genma's brother. Genma grew up with him and sees him as a brother.

Genma sat smug upon a tree top. How foolish were those officers. Did they truly think they could keep him locked up, him, the Master's heir. True it took him a little longer to escape this time, but he still escaped. Now to find his pathetic excuse for an heir and deliver him to Soun's son, he had a promise to fulfill.

When Ranma was born he had such high hopes for the boy, but heading his master's advice he made a backup plan as well. It was so easy convincing Chisato and Soun that Nodoka was misleading about the child's gender rather than himself. Nodoka was easy to deceive as well, a Seppuku pledge, who in this day and age practiced that archaic ritual? It was merely an excuse to take the boy from her, the boy who would be the next heir to the Master's great art.

Or that was what he had hoped of Ranma, unfortunately his brother raised the boy more than he did and Ranma became too weak to receive the Master's legacy. How did the Snorlax remain so weak? He passed on everything the Master taught him, he even taught him his two original arts, and still his brother remained weak. His brother was not willing to do what was needed for the sake of the art. Where was his brother now, was he with Ranma, being a loyal Pokemon?

When he had retrieved his items from the police storage his Water Stone was missing. Without a Water Stone he'd be unable to lock Ranma's curse. Then again, maybe its absence was a good thing. He did not intend to get cursed himself, but he did and if he came in contact with a Water Stone, well he could kiss his humanity goodbye.

Well he had little to worry about. Nodoka's hero worship of her father would lead her to send Ranma on a Pokemon Journey. The possibilities of Ranma coming in contact with a Water Stone while traveling were high. Still he had no idea what affect if any other evolution stones might have on the boy. It was imperative he find Ranma and take her to meet her fiancé.

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The pigtailed trainer woke up on her sleeping bag inside of the tent she and Ukyo shared. How long had she been out? Raising her wrist she looked at her Poketch, it was almost midnight. Using the watch's light to look around the tent she saw both her aunt and her partner sleeping. Jean Luc didn't look too hurt.

She wasn't too tired so she got up and exited the tent. To her surprise Mousse was still up sitting in front of their campfire stroking Shampoo. The feline didn't look all that great; Ranma decided to challenge her fear again and walked over to the fire. "Can't sleep?"

"Oh Ranma, I'm sure I could if I tried, but there were some things on my mind. Shampoo gave you the kiss of death, didn't she?" They hadn't talked about the results of the human Genma insulting the Amazons. Ranma was likely forced to battle the village champion, and Mousse couldn't think of anyone but Shampoo capturing that title.

"Yeah." As smart as Mousse was he probably knew why she didn't want to talk about it before. The pigtailed trainer frowned. She had no intention of killing the purple haired girl should she show up, but she wouldn't let herself be killed either. Looking at the hurt Meowth, she wondered why Mousse didn't use a potion on it. "Is that why you've stuck around, you want to see her again?"

"She will come after you. She will hunt you down to the end of the earth. Still, that is not why I'm here, I find you interesting. It's obvious you deserved your victory over Shampoo; I don't have to see you fight to know you're a strong martial artist. I wish to see how you'll apply your art to being a Pokemon trainer." Mousse looked from his Shampoo to the girl he was talking too; it was odd, the cursed boy didn't seem afraid. "You didn't conquer your fear, did you?"

"No, it's just she doesn't seem too scary right now, she looks pretty bad." It was hard to be afraid of something she pitied. "I have a super potion if you need it."

"Thank you. I'm not a licensed Pokemon trainer, so I can't challenge gyms to make money. I'm lucky many of the Nurse Joys have allowed me to use the Pokemon Centers. I'm normally able to make do with what I have, but I generally don't let my Pokemon get so hurt." Mumu-chan didn't even have a Pokeball of his own, and his other Pokemon used balls he had found.

"Um, don't you think you should have told me that before you let me borrow Shampoo." Ranma frowned as she headed back into the tent to get the Super Potion. After retrieving it she came back out and handed the spray to Mousse.

"I didn't think she'd get this hurt. I underestimated her resolve, and Jean Luc's." The young Meowth had given her all, probably not even understanding what she was doing. After spraying the Super Potion, Shampoo instantly looked better and she started purring happily. "I think she likes you."

Mousse looked back at where Ranma had been. Since Shampoo was feeling better, her fear must have returned. Poor girl, the Neko-ken was a terrible burden.

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At daybreak the group ate breakfast then continued on their three day trip through the woods. Ukyo remembered her first time through this forest four years ago. It was anything but fun, once the Viridian Forest was teeming with Bug type Pokemon, then for a reason no one knew the insects left the forest and after ten years of being empty the forest was populated by ghost type Pokemon. There was a way around the forest, but it took longer and Ranma was impatient to get to the next city. "So Ranma, do you plan on adding a ghost Pokemon to your party?"

"I don't know. Ghost Pokemon have their uses, but at the same time I don't know if I really need one. What ghosts are in this forest?" The pigtailed trainer had seen all sorts of Pokemon traveling with her father and she wondered just which six she'd make her partners. Well which four, Jean Luc and Genma took two positions already.

"Gastly, Haunter, Misdreavus, Shuppet and Duskull are all found here. Before the ghost Pokemon moved into this forest only Haunter and Gastly were native to Kanto. Viridian Forest is the topic of a lot of debates among Pokemon researchers; why did the bugs leave, why did the ghosts arrive, and how did a forest perfect for life remain empty for ten years." Mousse had been heading here before he met the two girls. It was a very curious place, and if he had to make a life for himself in the outside world then he would explore its mysteries.

"When I was here last I saw a Shedinja, it scared the heck out of me." Her mother had a problem with bugs, but she had a thing about ghosts. Shedinja was the worst of both worlds as both a bug and ghost type Pokemon.

"It's too bad you didn't catch it. Shedinja are extremely rare, although they're also quite fragile." Thinking about his Feebas, it was probably better left in the wild. The rarer Pokemon were more difficult to take care of. Then again Ukyo was a water type trainer; she might be a worthy owner for his fish Pokemon. He had just been thinking of selling it yesterday, but he'd feel better knowing it had a good home rather than a greedy one.

"I'm sorry, I was little too busy running for my life." Ukyo frowned she really hated this forest. Thankfully most of the ghosts left high level trainers alone. That did mean Ranma was less likely to encounter any unless she separated herself from her and Mousse.

"Did you guys hear that?" It was faint, but Ranma could have sworn she heard a scream. Extending her senses she couldn't feel anyone but their group. Ghost Pokemon normally couldn't elude her senses so it had to be something to do with the forest.

"HELP ME!"

"I heard that." Mousse and Ukyo followed Ranma as they headed towards the cry for help. The former Amazon hoped they would get to the girl belonging to the voice on time.

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After ten minutes of running their group reached a young girl cornered by a Banette and several Shuppets. The poor girl was curled up in a ball crying as the ghost Pokemon flew around her. "Jean Luc, Thunder Shock!"

"Mumu-chan, Confusion!" While he and Ranma got the attention of the ghost Pokemon, Ukyo went for the girl. The smaller Pokemon fled, but the Banette seemed angry and threw a shadow ball at Jean Luc. Mousse watched the electric mouse writhe in pain.

"Jean Luc!" Ranma ran to, and picked up her poor partner. To her surprise the ghost doll wasn't done with Jean Luc and sent another shadow ball her way. Jean Luc wouldn't be able to take another one so she shielded him and took the attack herself. The pain was great but not unbearable.

"Mumu-chan, Physic" Now it was the Banette's turn to get hurt. The second stage Pokemon took the full force of the attack and staggered before fleeing. Going over to Ranma he saw her getting up on her own. Then he looked over at the ponytailed girl. Or the older ponytailed girl as the one they rescued had her brown hair in a ponytail as well. "Is she okay Ukyo."

"She's pretty shaken up, but she's okay." The girl couldn't be older than twelve. She was the right age to begin her Pokemon Journey, but she didn't seem to have any Pokemon of her own. What was she doing in such a dangerous place?

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Ukyo was alone with the younger girl while Ranma and Mousse hunted down the Banette. Her nephew and Mousse were afraid such a powerful Pokemon could cause trouble for other trainers. Since they would be stopped for a bit she started to get lunch ready. The younger girl helped her and seemed well versed in preparing food. "You're pretty good at this."

"I spend a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom. She's the best cook in the whole city."

"Feeling a little better?" The youngest Cerulean sister smiled. Those were the girl's first words since they rescued her.

"A little."

"I'm Ukyo, I'm a Gym leader at Cerulean City." Now that she got the girl talking, maybe she could find out her name and why she was in the forest.

"I'm Kasumi Tendo. My family runs the Pewter City gym." Kasumi was tired of being frightened. Now she was ready to be mad. "My stupid brother was supposed to take me to Pallet town a week ago, but he's waiting on his stupid fiancée to show up. It's been three stupid weeks, three weeks, would it hurt for him to leave our mother in charge of the Gym and take me to Pallet town. If he took me I wouldn't have gotten attacked."

"He's waiting for his fiancée?" People still practiced arranged marriages. Ukyo felt sorry for the poor girl. Something told she shouldn't pity the boy though. When she had gone to Pewter City during her own Pokemon Journey the Gym had been closed, so she continued on to the next town. Nodoka was friends with the family though, after the meal she would send her Pelipper to Nodoka with a message letting her know they had Kasumi with them.

"Ranma Saotome. She's the daughter of my late father's friend. Apparently my father and hers wanted to merge martial art schools." Kasumi already disliked Ranma, she was supposed to have shown up weeks ago. "It's kind of pointless though, Akane doesn't even practice Father's school of martial arts; he's just a gym leader."

Ukyo didn't know what to say, this was definitely something she'd add to the letter. However given that her oldest sister was friends with the family, why did they think Ranma was a girl? Wait Kasumi said it was because her father was friends with Ranma's, had the human Genma told them Ranma was a girl, but why would they believe the fat fool over her sister? "Why do you think Ranma is a girl? It doesn't sound like a girl name."

"Ukyo doesn't really sound like a girl's name either." Kasumi giggled. Ranma really didn't sound like a good name for a girl. Her family had been waiting for Ranma and Akane to get together forever, since Akane was a boy, Ranma had to be a girl. "I really don't think my mother would have allowed my father to engage Akane to a guy."

It was definitely her brother-in-law who was responsible for the deception. Did that mean…, no it couldn't, Ranma was cursed on purpose? How, why…? One thing was certain; until she understood things better she'd be calling her nephew by a name other than Ranma.

"Is lunch ready?" Ranma returned annoyed. She caught a Misdreavus when it got in the way of the Pokeball she threw at the Banette. The ghost doll Pokemon was still out there somewhere. If only she could sense it, with the exception of things in the immediate area she couldn't sense anything in the forest.

"Makoto, Mousse, this is Kasumi." She wasn't sure why that name popped into her head, but her nephew kind of looked like she could be a Makoto. It would have to do while Kasumi was with them. For safe measure she should probably tell the younger girl she and Ranma were cousins in case she noticed the family resemblance. "Mousse is a Pokemon researcher, and Makoto is my cousin. She's just starting her own Pokemon Journey."

Kasumi look at the pigtailed redhead. She had to have been at least four years older than she was. "Aren't you a little old to just be starting your Pokemon Journey?"

"Well my dad didn't want me being a Pokemon Trainer. He's out of the picture now so my mother wanted to go out on a Pokemon Journey even if it was late." It wasn't far from the truth. The younger girl didn't need to know she wasn't originally interested in being a Pokemon Trainer herself. She didn't even tell her aunt that. Still why did Ukyo introduce her as Makoto? Her aunt surely had her reasons, but she would probably have to wait to find them out.

'Stories later; eat now' Genma yawned, and then took a closer look at the addition to their group. Those clothes, she was a Tendo. No wonder Ukyo gave a new name to Ranma. He had hoped Ranma would be male when they reached Pewter City, but while he slept Ranma encountered a Water Stone and accomplished what her father intended to do anyway.

"Wow! He can write?" That was so cool. There were some smart Pokemon in the world, but this was her first time meeting one. Kasumi did wonder where the sign came from.

'EAT NOW, EXPLANATIONS LATER'

Ukyo smiled, they were all going to have to have smaller portions thanks to the giant Pokemon being awake, but his presence could be useful. Maybe she could get him to distract Kasumi later while she was preparing the message to her sister.

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Kasumi walked between Genma and Makoto. She didn't want to be heading back home, but Ukyo and Mousse insisted. Makoto was cool and thought that since she had made it this far she could make it to Pallet town on her own. "What's Okonomiyaki?"

"It's something me and Genma ate a lot of in Johto. It's kind of like a pancake pizza." When Kasumi asked about Genma's name, the large Pokemon made up a rather ridiculous story. Although, Ranma could picture her father doing what Genma accused him of.

"Kasumi, I told you my family runs the Cerulean City gym. Genma is my Uncle's name." The Pokemon Genma said he was named after a fat thief that stole her family's Okonomiyaki Cart. Ukyo couldn't help but wonder if her brother-in-law had done that to someone though. Well she wasn't lying to Kasumi; she did also have an uncle named Genma. He was married to her aunt Sakura.

"Genma's a common enough name I've met a few in my travels. I've also met a Ranma Saotome, and I can assure you he was a guy." The older ponytailed girl had gotten Ranma and Genma to distract the younger one while she explained the problem. Ranma's father had gotten her cursed on purpose? At first he thought the man was just stupid for trying to teach his son the Neko-ken. Now, he was beginning to think the human Genma was as bad as the legendary Happosai.

"Was he older? Um, was he older than me?" If her parents had got Ranma's gender wrong somehow, maybe she or Nabiki would have to fill Akane's role. She wouldn't mind being engaged to an older boy. The only boy interested in her now was Tofu, a year younger than her, and he was more than a little strange. He'd always dance around town with his Duskull named Betty if she'd even look at him.

"I think he's the same age as Ukyo and Makoto, why?"

"Younger men bore me." At first she found Tofu funny, but when ever she'd try to spend time with him, he'd talk to a tree instead of her. It was really annoying.

"I know what you mean. Because we mature faster than guys, only an older one would be as mature as we are." Ukyo nodded in agreement with Kasumi, with few exceptions her taste leaned towards older guys like Mousse. The guys her age in Cerulean or that she met while traveling were just... boring or strange. There was one guy who proposed to her, but he went around wearing girls clothes. It wasn't until after Tsubasa proposed that she found out he was a guy.

"Can we change the subject please?" The pigtailed trainer was uncomfortable with this subject. Even if she was stuck a girl for the rest of her life she had no interest in marrying a guy. A shiver went down her spine as she unfortunately pictured herself walking down an aisle with Kuno.

"You have a boyfriend already don't you?" Kasumi noticed older girl's who didn't want to talk about boys either were modest and had a boyfriend already, or had a one sided crush on a guy. As cool as Makoto was she had to have a boyfriend.

"What was his name Motoki?" That was the name of friend of his who worked at a karaoke parlor in Goldenrod City. Would it help their deception if the young Tendo thought 'Makoto' was in a relationship?

"Um, Mousse…" Ukyo wasn't sure what to say to the robed boy. Kasumi seemed very smart and mature. 'Makoto' being in a relationship and not talking about it wouldn't strengthen the deception that Makoto wasn't Ranma. If anything it might hurt it, she could assume Ranma didn't want to talk about it because they couldn't be together.

Ranma fell even deeper into depression. Why were they trying to convince Kasumi she was a really girl? Mousse seemed to go out of his way to mention Ranma Saotome was a guy. What was the reason she couldn't be Ranma and had to be Makoto? Why did Makoto have to have a boyfriend? "Can we please change the subject?"

The youngest Tendo's eyes widened in shock, from the pleading tone in Makoto's voice and the depressed look on her face, it had to be a one sided love. How could that be? Makoto was so graceful, beautiful, and talented. Fate could be so cruel.

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Chisato smiled proudly. Some trainers could take on two opponents at once, but her son could handle fifteen. Then she frowned, it was only supposed to be ten. Nabiki was overselling slots again. She'd have to have a talk with her middle child about that. As her son finished the last trainer and approached her, she wondered why she and her father had to hunt so hard for mates but Akane had them hunt him. "Have you seen Kasumi?"

"No I haven't actually." For the past three days his little sister hadn't bugged him to take her to Pallet town. Considering how much of a hurry she was to prove herself to their grandfather that was more than a little odd.

"She hasn't visited Natsumi in the last three days either." Her youngest had grown very close to the young Vulpix, and it to her. The absence was making Natsumi a little ill.

"She hasn't been home in the last three days either, not that either of you would notice." Nabiki frowned. She hoped her little sister didn't get too hurt, she knew Kasumi went through the forest alone. Her brother only cared about the affections of the Horde and their mother was always helping her grandfather. Neither paid much attention to her or Kasumi, maybe this would teach them a lesson.

"SHE HASN'T BEEN HOME!" Chisato panicked. Her daughter hadn't been home in the last three days. Kasumi wouldn't…no even if she was twelve, she didn't have a partner. "Akane, close the gym and gather the trainers."

"Yes." Akane looked over to Nabiki. His greedy sister knew Kasumi had gone into the forest. Why hadn't she said anything? By herself his youngest sister could be seriously hurt by the wild Pokemon who lived there.

"Hold on Chisato." Nodoka walked up to the Pewter City gym a little displeased in her friend. She was planning on seeing Chisato while she was in town, but after receiving Ukyo's letter and watching the events that just unfolded. She sighed; Chisato had changed since she knew her.

"Nodoka." The mother of three was surprised by her friend's appearance. Nodoka hadn't left Pallet town in years. "What brings you here?"

"I'm meeting my little sister and a cousin in town. Ukyo sent me a letter saying she's found Kasumi. Chisato, how did you not notice your daughter was missing until three days later?" She spent so much time worrying about her son and she knew he was safe with his father. Well he should have been safe with Genma. Now more then ever she questioned what she thought she knew about her husband.

"She was too busy helping Grandpa with his Pokemon breeding." Nabiki smiled. Her mother was going to get it. She could see a terrible fury in Ms. Nodoka's eyes.

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Ranma smiled as Kasumi helped her cook dinner. They didn't cover as much ground as they should have, but they would hopefully make up for it tomorrow. As she looked at the younger girl she was amazed how far she had made it without a Pokemon or being a martial artist. Why was she alone? "How come your family didn't give you a Pokemon? Ukyo's from a gym family as well and her sisters each gave her a Pokemon."

"My Mother and grandfather are breeders, but I have to earn one of the Pokemon they've raised. My brother is too busy fighting off the horde of girls interested in him to help me catch one. Nabiki, she hates all Pokemon." Kasumi frowned, she could never understand why her sister hated Pokemon, they were such amazing creatures.

"She hates all Pokemon?" She knew people who hated certain types of Pokemon, such as her own fear of feline Pokemon. Her father thought they were worthless. But, the younger girl's sister hated all Pokemon?

"I don't get it either, but all Nabiki cares about is money. Well I guess she cares about me too. She helped me get supplies for my trip through the forest. I kind of feel bad because I lost them all when I was running from the Banette." Her older sister did offer to go with her too, but she understood Nabiki would be out of place away from the city. She told her older sister that she could handle this alone and hugged her goodbye before leaving.

"The rest of your family didn't know you left?" The pigtailed trainer frowned. Ukyo said it took three days to go through the forest. If Kasumi came from the other side, to get this far, why didn't anyone come after her?

"No." They were all too busy with their lives to notice she was gone.

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The stars shown brightly as the fire around the campfire belonging to the four youngsters died down. Takeshi stood next to his Banette and smiled. When he noticed his granddaughter was missing, he had immediately taken off after her on his Steelix.

It didn't take him too long to find her, but instead of taking her home he had several of his Pokemon keep an eye on her. Kasumi never noticed she was being watched, each day after his daughter went home he would check on her himself.

Last night he noticed another group had entered the forest, after watching the redhead's actions he decided, Kasumi needed to meet her. It would probably be good for the both of them. Using a Pokemon his granddaughter wasn't familiar with he was able to steer her towards the group.

Now he needed to return. After picking up Kasumi's bag and recalling his Banette he hopped on his Steelix and headed back to the city.

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Nodoka woke up refreshed and a little worried. Maybe she went overboard lecturing Chisato and Akane. Surprisingly after all she said her old friend still insisted she stay at their family home rather than a hotel.

Chisato was a good friend, but why did she think Ranma was a girl? What had Genma said to Soun that convinced the both of them that Ranma was her daughter? After getting dressed in one of the Kimono's Genma had gotten for her she thought about going shopping.

Even knowing Genma's deeds, she had some faith in him. After finding out what he did to Ranma only a sliver remained. Now knowing almost immediately after her son was born, Genma had engaged him to the son of his friend, she hated him. She knew absolutely nothing about the man she married. She was deluded to think she had known him.

What was she going to do about this engagement? Ranma really was a girl now, and although they hadn't talked about it, Chisato seemed intent on going through with it. Ukyo's plan might work, but she didn't like deceiving her friend.

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The youngest Tendo rode on Genma's back. She was sort of surprised when he offered her the ride, but didn't mind accepting it. Makoto seemed distant today and walked a little ways behind the group. Kasumi couldn't help but wonder what happened after she had gone to sleep last night; it didn't seem to affect Mousse or Ukyo. "Will Makoto be okay?"

"I don't know." Ukyo wished she could explain what was wrong with Ranma. Kasumi really seemed to admire her nephew, but she was the reason the redhead was so gloomy. The information the little girl brought was devastating to the pigtailed trainer. It brought to light the fact that she was cursed on purpose. Worse, the Water Stone Genma gave her proved he planned to lock Ranma.

"Right now she's lost in a life that isn't her own. She needs to do something to make her feel like herself." Kasumi probably wouldn't get what he was saying, he wasn't sure if Ukyo did either, but Genma nodded in agreement. Unfortunately they couldn't make Ranma male, but maybe practicing the Art would make her feel better.

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Still behind to others Makoto was deep in thought. Makoto, that's who she was now, she couldn't be Ranma thanks to her old man.

Her pop always said girls were weak and stupid. It was the worst insult he could give her when she didn't get a technique perfect. She was constantly trying to prove she wasn't a girl to him. Now, now she knew even after all she accomplished, he still saw her as nothing more than a weak and stupid girl.

He had taken her to Jusenkyo to remove the falsehood from her life. To make her what she had been all along. He had a Water Stone ready to seal her in her true form. The only reason he hadn't made her complete was he had gotten cursed himself.

When she became stuck as a girl she thought living up to her mother's expectations despite her gender would prove she was still a man at heart. Now that she knew she didn't live up to her father's expectations….

What was the point? She was a failure as a martial artist and a failure as a Pokemon trainer. She wasn't fit to be Ranma Saotome. Akane deserved someone better than her.

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Lio's Corner:

-This chapter took a bit to come together. I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing with it. Now even if it ends on a sour note, I'm happy with the chapter.

-I apologize for any Genma(h), Genma(p) confusion. When I named the Snorlax after his former master I didn't intend to have the human show up again. However after I decided he would be Happosai's heir, I felt no prison should be able to hold him.

-Tama Saga: Misty said "How engaging" in response to Pikachu's name. As for the Tendo's well here they are. I decided to make them very different than they are in Ranma cannon.

-tatewaki2000: Ranma is going to squirm, he's going to squirm a lot. After he gets over his current depression.

-Wonderbee31: When I put the Senshi in there I was just using their names, but after writing this chapter... well it my just be a subplot.

-5 years of fun: You have your answer.

-Reviewers, please feel free to suggest Pokemon for Ranma. Please also say why you feel that Pokemon should be with him.

Update 22 Mar 09

-Minor revision and corrections.