Mai's Old Flame?

Go Away you Idiot… I Don't Love You!

"Ranma Soatome, you will rue the day you came in between me and MY FIANCEE!" A young man stood standing on a cliff over viewing the small city in Tokyo. He looked down smirking as he rested his Sasumata on his shoulder. "I will win back what it rightfully mine."

The young man stood at a whopping 6'0" with a thick build, very muscular. He wore herbal green gi top and headband accompanied with a black turtle neck, belt, fingerless gloves, and martial art pants. He was a very good looking young man. "I've trained, Mai. So I can easily defeat you now and you can properly become my wife." His black hair shined in the sun as it beat down on him his herbal green eyes sparkling with excitement. He jumped down the cliffs heading towards the city.

….

Mai squeaked out a small airy sneeze, shivering getting hit by the chills too. "Some one must be gossiping about me." She wiggled a little in his seat ,closing her eyes, putting her bowl of rice down. When she looked up opening her eyes she caught Ranma's smirking gaze.

"So, Mai, when's our next battle. You know I've been training."

Mai smirked right back," Anytime you think your ready."

Ranma frowned," What'da mean by that?"

Mai only giggled standing, bowl in hand, as she walked toward the kitchen. " I wonder if Katsumi needs help in the kitchen."

Ranma got red in the face as his frown magnified. She wasn't taking him serious. "Why is she so confident?"

Akane looked at Ranma sympathetically. "She's been holding back."

"WHAT !" Ranma jumped up as he slapped his bowl onto the table. "MAI GET IN HERE!"

….

"Aw come on Ranma, your not mad are you?" Mai teased as she and Akane giggled.

He hmphed and turned his head to the other side ,away from them, as his arms rested behind his head.

"Ranma come on smile." Mai continued to tease as she poked his cheek.

Akane laughed," Come Ranma, don't be un-cute now for your fiancées."

Both girls laughed,

Ranma growled," Yea yea keep laughing it up you two."

Mai appeared in front of Ranma with her two fingers right in front of his face an arrow. She pulled it away from his face near her own. " Ranma this could have gotten you in the face." She frowned turning away from him as she closed her eyes putting her hands up and shrugging her shoulder. " I can't take you a husband with your lack of perception." She opened the letter and began to read it.

Ranma frowned as he spoke," Just you wait Mai, I'll defeat you. Than you'll have to marry me."

Akane growled slapped him upside his head.

"What was that for?"

Akane looked away and caught sight of Mai who was way behind them as she stared at the letter with wide eyes. Ranma noticed now that both girls have stopped walking. He turned to share a knowing glance with Akane, and both made their way to Mai.

"Hey Mai! What'da ya have there."

Mai blinked rapidly as she shook her head snapping out of her daze. She smiled forcedly toward them and crumpled up the piece of paper in her hand and threw it behind her. "Nothing, come on lets get to school before were late again."

Akane nodded," Are you sure your okay, you looked freaked out?"

Mai laughed," Yeah it was just some stupid note. Come on lets go." Before they can say anything Mai began to walk away.

Akane looked to Ranma and frowned. That letter was nothing, it really seemed liked it freaked her out. Ranma lightly kicked it over to Akane to catch it. Akane caught it and opened it, Ranma with his hands in his pocket walked to her and read over her shoulder. The letter contained no word but a mere drawing in black ink.

Ranma and Akane looked at one another confused speaking in unison.," A lotus flower." They looked from the paper towards the walking beauty.

As Ranma and Akane caught up to Mai they noticed she was distracted and unfocused. She walked looking down at the floor, slightly pouting her lips. Both noticed she seemed on edge almost as if waiting for an attack.

They came to a stop in front of Furinkan High and behind the school gates stood possibly all the males from school. They clothing styles consisted of all types of clubs and sports.

"W-what is this?" Mai asked as she stared at the group.

Akane sighed," Not this again." Mai looked back at her questioningly until a voice cut her off.

"The beautiful maiden, Mai Nakamaru, it has been brought to out attention in order for any of us to gain a place in your heart one must vanquish you in a battle. So allow us men to fight for you love."

"Oh I wonder who could've brought that up to your attention." Mai said as she slowly turned her head toward Ranma to glare at Ranma. "Big Mouth!"

Ranma smiled laughing nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

"Nice going." Akane grumbled as she nudged him in the ribs a bit forcefully.

"Geez, Akane." Ranma complained as he rubbed his sides. "It's not like she can't take care of herself."

Kuno spoke up once more," Now, Mai, prepare to meet your demise. And allow us to date with you!" As they all charged they allowed screams to erupt from their throats. As they charged toward Mai, her small petite form causally walked forward toward them. She stopped a couple feet before the rampaging crowd. Mai closed her eyes, Ranma and Akane watched her in amazement. Mai picked up her right arm straight so it rested beside her head and her left are rested agents the side of her body. She swung her arms so they did the opposite again and brought them to meet between her chest her hands flexed left hand flexed upward and right flexed downward, while she did this with her arms her right leg point out forward. Moving her hands so they both face horizontally in front of her body until she opened her eyes quickly shouting: Supuritto no Nami. She moved her hands to be straight in front of her slightly lunging on her right leg. Her hands stopped mere inches away Kuno's face. The male crowd stopped screaming, as they all felt a soft win hit them all.

Ranma and Akane both blinked rapidly confused," Split wave?"

Mai smiled sweetly counting the seconds until…. In an instant all the males began to scream again as they were all tossed in the air scattering them around the campus creating a path for the three to walk through.

Mai looked over her shoulder over to Akane and Ranma smiling sweetly," Come on before we're late."

….

"Hey Akane, did Mai seem a little off to you?" Ranma asked as he walked on the top of the fence as he usually does his hands behind his head. As Akane walked along beside him on the sidewalk. He turned slightly to look toward Akane. He was referring to Mai, since as the school bell rang she practically ran out.

Akane nodded," Yea she seemed a little freaked out ever since she got that note. I mean what can that flower possibly mean?"

" It must've meant something big if it scared her like that."

"Ranma Soatome?" A deep voice asked behind them. Akane and Ranma turned around to see a tall black hooded figure.

Ranma moved to stand in front of Akane. "Who'z askin'?"

The figure chuckled," How rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. " Came his deep alluring voice. The cloaked figure threw his hood allowing it to hit the ground. Ranma's eyes narrowed and Akane gasped.

*Ranma Song*

Akane gasped,'He's cute.'

"Who are you?"

The young man looked over at Akane with a sobering look that caused the young blue haired girl to blush. " I'm Minori Kurosawa and I'm here to defeat you, Ranma Soatome."

Akane glared at Ranma," Great, Ranma what did you do now?"

Ranma turned to shout at Akane," I didn't do nothing." He turned around to look at Minori," Look Minori…" But before he can say anything else he had to dodge Minori's staff swiping toward his head.

"Nothing? Soatome, you teared the love of my life away from me and brought dishonor over me; making me lose my spot as heir of my dojo."

Akane's eyes widened. 'He must really lover her.' Akane glared and shouted at Ranma who was continuously dodging staff swipes to his head as Minori walked onward nonchalantly. "Ranma, you jerk how can you do that?"

"I don't remember ever doin' that. Who's it anyway?" Ranma said as he now decided to be the one on offence.

Minori grabbed his ankle as Ranma aimed a kick to his head and threw him back, but not hard enough for him to fall. Ranma frowned, this guy wasn't even trying all that hard. Minori's eyes narrowed," Her name is Mai Nakamaru."

Ranma and Akane froze.

Ranma raised an eyebrow," She never said nothin' about you."

Minori shut his eyes and his eyebrow twitched in anger and his fists trembled. " She doesn't have to…Now shut up and fight me."

Ranma and Minori stood in battle stances.

"So I see your definitely not going to make the first move, so allow me." Minori smirked before a yell erupted from his throat as he charged over to Ranma. He sent over Ranma a combo of low and high jabs and throwing in leg swipes here and there. Until Ranma finally busted out Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. It was Minori's turn to dodge and as he did so he smirked up at Ranma," It's good to see I didn't come here in vein. But you know I must be on my way so KAZE TUNNE!" And with that he stook out his left hand and wind seemed to be thrashing around and brought Ranma toward him at an alarming speed to which Minori took to his advantage as he aimed and hit a punch on Ranma's chin. Causing him to fly back and land on the cement ground causing it to crack.

Ranma groaned as he sat up immediately worried when he didn't see him anymore. "Where did that moron go?"

"Can you please, deliver this Mai for me." Ranma turned around to see a Minori towering over Akane as he held her hands cupped and inside a white lotus.

Ranma's eyes narrowed. " Hey, we ain't finished here."

Minori looked at Ranma," As of today we are." He looked back at Akane and nodded," Thank you." And with that he began to walk away.

Ranma growled and jumped up," GET BACK HERE!"

Minori only continued to shake his head as he spoke not looking back. " Don't be eager, Ranma Soatome. We shall battle tomorrow at the empty lot back there. Don't be late. And please accompany my prize there." And with that he reached into his pocket and threw it behind him. Ranma immediately caught what was thrown at him and opened his palm and looked down at it. Akane came to stand beside him and looked into his palm.

" A white lotus tile?"

….

"Huh?" Mai looked down at the table when Ranma threw something in front of her. As soon as her eyes set on it she frowned and her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Oh no, please, tell me that it's not who I think it is?"

"Uh he told me to give you this." Akane said as she sat down next to her and handed her the flower.

Mai narrowed her eyes only this time a light blush framed her face as she delicately placed the flower onto the table. " That idiot what is he doing her in Nerima, I thought I told him to stay in China."

Ranma sat down in front of the two girls. " So Minori Kurosawa is the love of your life?"

Mai flushed more and shook her head no. " No, he's one of my suitors from China that I new as a kid. Well the story goes like this:

Five year old Mai looked down at her feet as her eyes watered. Her hands restlessly played with the hem of her blue baby doll dress. "Mino-Chan I don't want you to leave."

"I don't want to leave either, Ma-chan but I have to for the sake of my dojo." Eight year old Minori grabbed Mai's hands holding them in as he looked down at her. " But I promise I will be training long and hard so that when were older, I will defeat you in battle and make you my wife and we will join or dojos and our pinkies with the red string of faith."

Mai nodded," Okay."

Minori smiled down at her as he pulled a white lotus out of his kimono and left it in her hands as he turned to walk away. " Good Bye, Ma-chan I'll be back for you."

Ma-chan cried," Train long and hard Mino-chan I wont take it easy on you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Wait, so you are in love with this guy?" Ranma shouted.

Mai glared at him as she splashed him with cold tea and girl type Ranma screamed in protest. " Will you shut up and let me finish. So then a couple years later when I began my martial arts traveling in China we reunited when I stayed in an area to attend middle school."

"Ma-Chan?"

Mai turned around her middle school skirt blew in the wind a long with her long black hair as she turned over her shoulder. She smiled and turned around happily as her face flushed," Mino-Chan."

Minori chuckled and opened his arms allowing Mai to jump into them to giver her a giant hug. He twirled her around before placing her back down.

"Mai it's really good to see you again."

"Yes it is Minori-Kun."

"So you did have a crush on him?" Female Ranma squeaked really shocked. Akane was going to hit him over his head before Mai's answer shocked her.

"I did."

Akane blinked every three seconds," Really?"

"Yea I thought he was really cute and nice but then…."

"Minori-kun are you sure you're ready for this?"

Minori chuckled," I should be asking you that."

Mai giggled and nodded as she struck her pose and Minori his.

"On three."

"One…"

"Two…"

"Three." They both shouted in unison.

It wasn't even a whole five minutes when the final fatal hit was thrown and the loser fell onto the ground. Tears ran down the victor's face.

"Minori! I thought all this years you were getting ready. You promised! You're a lying jerk! I never want to see you ever again!" Mai shouted at the defeated young man in the high school uniform as he laid on the ground defeated face down.

"Wait Mai!" But his call were no use as she ran away. He dropped his head and allowed a cry of agony escape his mouth as frustrated tears fell down his face and hit the pavement. He pounded his fists on the ground (since he was laying on the ground on his stomach). He's head snapped up as he shouted," I SWEAR TO YOU MAI! I WILL CONTINUE MY TRAINING UNTIL I DEFEAT YOU AND GAIN MY WAY BACK INTO YOUR HEART! BECAUSE…BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"

Even at the distance Mai was she still heard him. The words struck her frozen, until she frowned and shook his her head. "What a jerk."

"And from then on he was as bad as Ranma when ever he thought he was ready he would attempt to battle me but he never improved because I always staid as the winner."

"Okay but how did he know 'bout me?" Ranma asked.

Mai smiled sheepishly," That may have been my fault."

Mai was in a green tube top and her gi pant hair in a high ponytail with her backpack on as she stood in empty field. She frowned, " Minori go home."

"Not until you battle me."

Mai shook her head and turned around," Save yourself the embarrassment you aren't fit to be my fiancé and you know it. I'm going to Japan to actually find a man my father fines suitable for me."

Minori's eyes widened. "W-who?"

"Ranma Soatome of Nerima, Japan."

"Your dad thinks I'm a suitable fiancé for you?"

Mai shrugged," Yea I mean your much better then the other suitors I have. But no where as good as me., But I mean you know that since you haven't beaten me yet so yea I guess he does."

Ranma glared at her. "Just you wait Mai. I'm going to train like I never have before and beat ya. And then you'll have to accept my proposal and have to marry me." Then female Ranma let out a scream as Akane poured hot water over him.

"If your going to say that say it as a guy." Akane huffed feeling a bit jealous at the thought. "Hm I hope you both will be happy together."

Mai's eyes widened as she noticed the tense air around her as the two bickered in front of her. She looked from Ranma to Akane from Akane to Ranma.

"A geez Akane no need to be angry."

"I'm not mad. I mean who would want to marry you anyway."

Ranma narrowed his blue eyes," Your one to talk. At least she aint uncut." She teased as she closed her eyes and blew a raspberry.

Akane growled and threw her cup at him hitting him square in the face.

"What was that for you, tomboy!"

"What did you call me!"

Mai couldn't help it anymore as they stood over the table face to face angry in a heated verbal fight. She let out a giggle.

Ranma turned and shouted," Whatcha laughing at?"

Mai smiled turning her head to the side eyes closed," You two are so cute together. You fight like a old married couple."

Akane and Ranma looked at each other as their faces became red and narrowed and glared at Mai. As they shouted in unison," WE DO NOT!"

This only caused Mai to giggle and fall on her back nodding, causing Ranma and Akane to anime fall.

….

"I can't believe she wouldn't come with us." Ranma said as he and Akane stood in the empty lot waiting for Minori to show up.

"Well you really can't blame her. This was the guy who broke her heart."

Ranma shrugged," Girls are so complicated."

Akane scoffed and slapped him behind his head," You can try to be a little considerate."

"Ranma Soatome and the lovely Akane Tendo may I ask to why my love isn't here." Minori asked as he strutted into the lot standing before him. "What Soatome, you couldn't bear to have Mai view your demise? I'll have to warn you I've gotten better over the years."

Before Ranma can answer, a lotus tile landed between the battle field.

Everyone looked back to see Mai. " You need less talking and more fighting, Sempai."