I do not own Ranma ½.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I had a great time reading them especially heehaw's review and reply to my mails. I'm a little bit pissed and challenged with your messages. I told you that I won't finish this fic but my friend kept on reminding me to continue this one so she could read and understand the whole thing. So even if I've lost the momentum in writing this one, I have no choice but to finish it for her. I'll post until chapter 5 after I've encoded it to my computer. But I'll continue the story to my friend because that's our agreement.

Chapter 2

Rightfully Mine

She slide the door slightly to see the person inside, Ranma is practicing his kata with such grace and ease. She smiled in awe watching him execute a complex move. He never seizes to amaze her. Even when they were young, he has this captivating power over her.

Ranma end his kata with a quick arm movement then a bow. The woman at the door softly applauded at his skillfully executed martial arts.

"When did you arrive? I didn't hear you come in," he asked walking forward to pick up his towel.

"Just a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you especially when you're working out."

"I see…, " wiping his sweat before continuing, "Why didn't you call? I told you to call me up whenever you want to come home so I could ask somebody to fetch you."

"When did I listen to you, dear brother? You know for a fact that I hate being pampered by you. And I think I'm capable of going home without your help."

"I know but I would still want to see you comfortable."

"I am comfortable," she said.

Ranma had no choice but to be silent. He knew there is no point arguing with her since she obviously won't accept his reasons. Even with all the money he brings to their account, Ranko had remained grounded and had chosen to live a simpler life. She takes it seriously that she accept little amount of money from him and works for the rest of her expenses.

"Wanna spar?" Ranko proposed while walking at the center of the practice hall.

Ranma smiled at her before saying, "I don't spar with women."

This made Ranko's brow twitched a little higher but she expected this from him. What else could she expect from his chauvinist brother but a huge ego.

"Still practice that damn false belief of yours? We are living on a modern day, brother. Men and women are treated equally by the state...," moving into a stance then waving her hand the fight, "Now, come on and spar with me."

"I do not care about the world. It may scorn me for what I believe but still I would not care. And I won't spar with you."

"You're just afraid that I might beat you. After all I've traveled to America just to meet some strong fighters."

"Even with the technique that you've learned in America, you still can't beat me."

"And why is that?"

"Americans are not masters of the art. They are merely followers and poor copycats of the real one."

"If you're that confident, why don't you try me?"

"Nah… ah. I've got a business meeting today," walking out of the practice hall, "and you can't fool me," before stepping outside.

"Yeah, I know," she answered as she saw the leaving figure of her sibling.

Flash back…

We see two figures walking side by side in the street in the middle of the night, the posts illuminating them as they travel the long path towards home.

"Ranma, you know mom would get angry with what you did," the girl said as she saw the bruises.

His lip was a little swollen and he had cuts all over his arm. But other than that there was no major injury inflicted on him. Even with those wounds, his smile never left his lips.

"That is.. if you would tell her. But if you won't then she wouldn't know."

"But…"

"No buts. You won't tell her, right? Because if you did then I guess I have to stop training you."

"You're blackmailing me?"

"Of course not. I'm just asking you a favor in return for the favor you've asked me a couple of months ago."

"You're mean…," she said in a teasing way.

Ranma smiled at her knowing that she wouldn't tell their little secret. Even though Ranko had always protested about the whole thing, she had never betrayed him.

"Why do you keep on entering that illegal tournament, Ranma? The people there are the worst kind ever. They lie and cheat just to win. And we're barely fifteen but they let you enter the fight. It isn't fair!"

"Because we need the extra cash for mom's medicine. And I learn a lot of technique just by watching them and even develop my own. Besides if it's legal then they won't let me enter."

"But what if, you get injured really bad?"

"Don't worry, I won't. Trust me!"

End of Flash back….

"Ranko, tell me more about your brother?" Ukyou persisted while they were checking out a new clothing style.

"There's nothing more to say about him. If you want to know him better why don't you ask him," starting to get annoyed.

"But you know your brother is so busy that he doesn't even have the time to go out for dinner with me," Ukyou exclaimed.

"Maybe he's not interested with you," the red head answered jokingly without bothering to look at Ukyou.

"Ouch! That hurt," looking at Ranko, "If that is the case then why would he accompany me to my Uncle's grand party?" making a point to her.

"Your Uncle? What party?" as the mentioned of the word Uncle, Ranko felt the need to know the whole thing.

"Oh, didn't he tell you? He came with me at the Saotome's Grand Celebration. We had a lot of fun together that night," Ukyou answered. She gave little attention to Ranko's questions since she was busy looking around the outfits.

"Saotome? You mean Genma Saotome?" Ranko persisted.

"There is no other Saotome that conduct that kind of expensive celebration, right?"

"So did he meet your uncle?" she hesitantly asked.

"Yeah, he did. And the old man was very pleased to meet him. I almost saw his eyes turning into yens," stopping a second to answer Ranko before continuing to look around.

"What did my brother said?"

"He said nothing. After the introduction, I danced with him. Why? Should he say something?" getting a little annoyed.

"Oh, nothing. I was just shocked to know that he actually came to a party. By the way, he hates party."

"Really?" a little hesistant but manages to continue, "But he told me he had fun that night."

"Maybe he's just trying not to be rude."

"No, he wasn't. That night, I actually saw him smile and you know how rare that is," she answered knowingly.

"I see… did he meet your cousin?" Ranko inquired.

"You mean Ryoga? Yeah, he did. He even met Ryoga's fiancée?"

"Fiancee?"

"Yeah.. his fiancée. The youngest daughter of the Master of the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. I think her name is…,"speaking without enthusiasm as if she was telling a very boring tale.

"Akane!"

"How did you know?"

"Ummm… I have read some articles about them. So what did my brother do after meeting them?"

"Nothing. He was with me all that night," she said plainly then she spotted a red cashmere shirt at one of the stand and immediately went to examine it.

"I see…," trailing behind Ukyou.

"Look at this Ranko. This would look good in you," handing the shirt over to her.

"Nah… the color is so bright," she said, losing the interest to go on shopping after digesting the new information.

"Come on… it isn't bright at all. Ummm… Why don't you try it on while I'll ask the sales attendant to give us a different color of this," Ukyou said pushing Ranko to the fitting room then searching for any attendant.