The Plans

It was now the beginning of December, and that meant that Christmas was right around the corner. Snow had fallen and Ina and Kazuo had to use the indoor practice center. Ina was going easy on Kazuo so that he can start to get better. Sho was watching them battling out. Kazuo had scored one shot while Ina had scored two. Kazuo charged at Ina, but she jumped over him and shot her third shot to score the winning shot.

"Match!" Sho shouted, "Ina wins." Ina lands and bows respectfully.

"You are definitely getting better Kazuo," she said with a smile, "just keep practicing."

"I will," Kazuo replied.

"That's enough training for today," Sho stated, "both of you can take the rest of the day off." Ina and Kazuo bowed to the Grandmaster and left the area. Sho went to the kitchen and fixed himself something to eat. After a while, Ina and Kazuo came into in as well dressed in everyday clothing.

"What are you going to do for the rest of the day Father?" Ina asked.

"I'm not sure," Sho replied.

"Well," Ina stated, "I'm going to go to Akane's. Bye." She left with a smile on her face. Kazuo watched her go with a smile on his face.

"You have a crush on my daughter," Sho said calmly as he sipped some tea.

"W-What?" Kazuo asked in shock.

"You can't hide it from me," Sho stated, "I was in love once and I know the signs." Kazuo looked depressed.

"And I tried so hard to hide it," he said sadly.

"I'm not angry at you," Sho stated, "it's part of life to get crushes and fall in love." For awhile, neither of them spoke.

"Mr. Ichisano," Kazuo said and broke the silence, "I was wondering what to get her for Christmas." Sho looked at him with a surprised look on his face.

"Thinking about getting her something for the holidays?" he asked.

"Yes," Kazuo replied without hesitation. Sho stared at him and smiled.

"I suppose I could give you a hint," he finally stated.

******

Ina was walking outside in her winter gear, happily walking along. After a while, she arrived at the Tendo Dojo. However, when she got there, she saw Happosai outside giggling.

"What are you doing?" Ina asked. Happosai turned around to see Ina.

"Hello there," he said politely to her.

"Hi," Ina replied, "but what are you doing out here?"

"Just enjoying the fresh winter air," Happosai replied. Then, Akane came through the front gate with Mia and Nabiki.

"Hey Ina," Akane said happily.

"Hey there Akane," Ina replied.

"What are you doing here?" Nabiki asked curiously.

"I'm done training for today," Ina replied, "I came to hang out with Akane."

"That sounds fun," Mia stated, "we can play some card games."

"Yeah," Akane agreed, "that sounds like fun." They all headed inside except for Happosai. Once inside, Mia, Akane, and Ina went to Akane's room and started playing card games.

******

Genma, Soun, and Happosai met in the kitchen.

"Alright," Happosai stated, "are we all ready?"

"Yes Master," Soun and Genma said together.

"Good," Happosai stated, "then let's begin." Soun went upstairs with a bucket of hot water and waited in a closet. He peeked out to wait for Mia to go downstairs. After a few minutes, she did leave Akane's room and Soun sneakily followed her. When she went downstairs, Soun waited on top of the stairs to dump the water on her. He waited for her return trip.

Here we go! he shouted in his mind. He dumped the water down over the side.

"Mia!" Kasumi shouted. Mia stopped in her tracks and the water missed her. She looked over to see the water.

"What happened?" she asked Kasumi.

"Sorry about that!" Soun shouted an apology, "I slipped and fell. The water fell out of the bucket and over the side!"

"That's alright," Mia replied.

"Are you okay Father?" Kasumi asked.

"Yes I am!" Soun shouted and got out of there to report to Happosai.

"I see," Happosai said after Soun gave his report, "it's not your fault though. None of us could foreseen that."

"So," Genma stated, "what should I try?"

"I believe that any warm liquid will changed him back," Happosai stated.

"That right," Soun said slapping his forehead, "like that one time we spill hot tea on him as a girl and he changed back into a guy."

"So then," Happosai stated, "we'll wait for dinner." Soun and Genma nodded their heads.

******

Dinner came and everyone sat down to eat. They had some rice, fish, pickles, and some tea. Everyone was eating happily.

"I'll get some more tea," Genma volunteered.

"That's a surprise," Nabiki stated, "you usually don't volunteer for anything."

"I can when I want to!" Genma shouted. He then left the room and put the tea on a tray and carried it to the dining area.

"Thanks Genma," Kasumi thanked him.

"You're welcome," Genma replied. However, on the way in, he tripped himself and dropped the tray towards Mia. The hot tea flew towards her; however, she back flipped to avoid the hot tea.

"You need to be more careful," Mia stated. Genma rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

"I'm terribly sorry," he apologized.

"I'll get some more tea," Kasumi said as she stood up and walked out. Akane started cleaning the tea on the floor with Mia's help. Genma sat down on looked ashamed.

"It's only split tea," Nabiki stated, "it's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I know," Genma replied. He looked over at Happosai who shot him an angry look. Genma looked worried. More tea was brought in and everyone started sipping happily. Everyone continued their dinner without incident. After dinner, Mia said good bye to everyone and left the Tendo house.

"Other than two spills," Kasumi stated, "it was a quiet night."

"Indeed," Happosai stated, "now then, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go do some business." He then bolted out of the house.

"He's going to steal more ladies underwear isn't he?" Akane asked. Soun and Genma nodded their heads in unison.

******

Usually, Happosai would go out and steal ladies underwear, but this time was different. He was following Mia to where ever she lived. In the shadows he crept slowly and quietly. After about ten minutes, Mia arrived at the run down hotel she was staying at. Happosai was shocked to see this.

Why is she staying here? he asked in thought, I know it's the cheapest place, but still. Happosai then smiled.

"This can work to my benefit," he whispered softly. He then jumped away with a smile on his face. On the way back the to Tendo Dojo, he couldn't help but swipe some women's underwear.

Two plans fail to reveal Mia for who she really is, Ranma.

However, what is Happosai planning?

Find out in the next chapter of. . . .

Ranma ½

Tragic Love

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