Ranma blinked. Looking around confusedly, he found himself standing beside the Nerima Chanal. The weirdest part was that it was almost silent except for the water calmly flowing past. Unsure how he had gotten here, he turned towards the road that led to home.

As he passed the Cat Café, a loud crash reverberated from the inside. Peeking in, Ranma saw Shampoo with a bowl on her head sitting on the ground and covered in, what Ranma thought, was probably ramen. In front of her, the old hag appeared to be scolding her.

"How could you be so clutzy Shampoo?"

"Sumimasen,"Shampoo apologized, looking down.

"Honestly. As punishment you will clean this up and then do a thorough cleaning of the kitchen."

"Grandmother it wasn't her fault," Mousse cut in.

Turning towards him, she replied, "Oh? How so?"

"I had asked her to help me. She tripped over my foot. I'm very sorry," Mousse explained, looking down.

"I see. Then you will do the cleaning instead of Shampoo," Grandmother amended, and with that turned and went upstairs.

Mousse went over to Shampoo and held out his hand to help her up. Dazed, Shampoo accepted it and asked, "Why you lie to Grandmother Mousse?"

Pulling Shampoo to her feet Mouse responded, "Because you shouldn't be punished for an accident. Besides, this way I have a reason to be punished." Smiling he reached for the empty bowl that had been put onto the table. As he turned towards the kitchen to wash it, Shampoo moved forward and kissed his cheek lightly.

"Is thank you for help," Shampoo explained then smiled and said, "After deliveries, I help clean kitchen ok?"

Ranma watched him nod and continue towards the kitchen, taking this as his sign to keep moving. He hadn't really noticed how close Mousse and Shampoo were or how much Mousse watched out for her despite being as big a clutz as he was. Putting the observation to the side, Ranma found himself in front of Ucchan's place. Inside he could hear Ucchan talking with someone who sounded familiar. Curious, Ranma once again peeked in to see Ryoga sitting at the bar top style grill and Ukyo cleaning it.

"Hey Ryoga if you've got time could you help me?" Ukyo asked, scrubbing at a particularly insulting grease spot on the grill.

"Sure. What do you want me to do?"

"Could you do the dishes please? They just need to be rinsed."

"Oh..I..Uh…I can't," Ryoga stuttered nervously.

"Huh?" Ukyo said, looking up, "Why not?"

"Because I can't," Ryoga replied quietly.

"You can tell me," Ukyo responded, standing up straight from stooping over the grill, "C'mon I won't tell."

"I don't know…" Ryoga muttered, biting his bottom lip in consideration. After a few moments, Ryoga nodded and said, "Alright."

Walking behind the counter, Ryoga went to the sink, turned on the faucet and put his hand under the stream of water. About five seconds later stood a little black pig surrounded by Ryoga's clothes. Blinking in shock, Ukyo knelt down and picked the pig up.

"Jusenkyo too huh?" Ukyo asked, to which Ryoga nodded.

"Akane doesn't know you're P-chan does she," Ukyo stated more than asked. Ryoga sighed and looked down.

Ukyo went back to the counter and set Ryoga on it then turned to make a kettle of hot water. She handed him the water and his clothes then turned away so he could change. When she thought he was done, she turned back around.

"You didn't have to hide this from me you know," Ukyo said, her hands on her hips. Smiling, she continued, "You can tell me anything ok?"

Ryoga nodded and returned her smile before saying, "Thanks Ukyo. You're the best."

"No problem!, now how about lunch?"

Ranma turned away from the window and jogged lightly up the street to the house, wearing a small smile for his friends. Slowing down to a walk, Ranma opened the front door and called out, "Anyone home?"

No response came. Thinking that something must be wrong or something, Ranma stood in the open doorway. The shoes were still lined up by the door but if someone was home they would have answered.

"It's rude to stand in doorways you know."

Ranma jumped, startled by the unfamiliar voice behind him. Spinning on the spot, he looked at the person who had snuck up on him.

"It's so good to finally meet you and get a good look at you Ranma. It's rude to stare as well dear."

Ranma couldn't help it. The woman was stunning. She wore a sea green kimono with copper accents and her long bluish black hair was bound in an intricate braid down her back. She seemed oddly familiar, especially her eyes, which were the same color as a really rich chocolate.

"Have we met or somethin'?" Ranma asked, perplexed, "You seem familiar."

"No we haven't. It's impossible for you to have met me," The woman answered with a smile.

"Then who are you?" Ranma pressed, "And how do you know my name?"

"Oh I have been watching you for a time," The woman answered then continued, "You've met my daughters and husband."

Ranma's mouth dropped open in shock before blurting out, "That's not possible. Mrs. Tendo passed away years ago."

"Yes I did. But I needed to do something important so I have come to you. Could you do something for me Ranma?"

"Sure I guess," Ranma said, "But-"

"I'm sorry I can't answer your questions," Mrs. Tendo interrupted, "but I haven't got much time or energy to do this. All I ask of you is that you watch out for Akane. Please? Just watch over her and be there for her."

"I…I promise," Ranma answered.

"I'm sorry Ranma but I must be on my way now," Mrs. Tendo continued, then leaned down and kissed his cheek, "Good bye and Good luck my dear."

"Goodbye Mrs. Tendo."

"Oh and by the way," she remembered, looking over her shoulder at him, "She likes blue. Figured you'd need a place to start."

And with that, she started walking towards the front gate and disappeared.

"Ranma," Nabiki whispered quietly as she shook him, "Ranma! Wake up. It's time for your shift!"

"Okay," Ranma said groggily, waving her away to stop her shaking, "I'm up."

Going down the stairs, Ranma tried to remember his dream. Still trying to remember and zoning out, he meandered to the kitchen and started making hot chocolate. As he went to grab a blue mug, the memory of the dream crashed into him. His attention was so caught up in the memory of the dream that when he exited the kitchen, he was surprised to find two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands.