THE PATH TO A COLD HEART: RANMA VS KENICHI

Warning: This takes place straight after the D and D tournament saga from the kenichi manga, and takes place after the end of the Ranma Manga. It contains heavy spoilers and will not make much sense if you are not up to date on both mangas.

EDIT: finally figured out how to change that bit that I (and everybody else) was unhappy with, while still keeping the story the same. Well, if anything the overall story will probably make MORE sense now. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 2: Outclassed

"What do you mean we have to move out?" shouted Ranma.

"It's simple," replied Akane. "These guys bring in money, which we are lacking, and you and your no-good father don't."

Nabiki walked past and smiled at Ranma. "You can thank me later; it was my idea for them to move in in the first place."

"Soun, please!" pleaded Genma. "How long have we known each other? You call yourself a friend…"

Genma was cut off. "Relax, old friend, you'll find somewhere else to live, and you're always welcome to visit us."

"But what about Ranma and Akane?"

"Oh, they'll get married eventually." Soun pulled Genma closer. "A little time apart might do them some good if you know what I mean. Kasumi has already packed your bags. Don't be a stranger!"

Genma threw the bags over his shoulder, and left with his head bowed. Ranma stayed behind.

"Well I hope your happy, Akane."

Ranma then turned and left, but bumped into Kenichi. They stared at each other for what seemed like five minutes, and then Ranma walked straight out the dojo gates without looking back.

"Fine, you jerk!" yelled Akane, tearfully. "Don't say goodbye! I don't care!"

Nabiki and Kasumi turned and looked sympathetically toward Akane. Just as they were about to comfort her, She ran upstairs and locked herself in her room.

.

"…Such massive killing intent."

"What was that, Kenichi?" asked Akisame.

Kenichi stopped training and hopped off Akisame's 'endurance rack'. "I was saying that the pigtailed boy had massive killing intent when I saw him today. It seemed to be aimed directly at me."

"No wonder," said Akisame. "He and his father were evicted today. I get the feeling we somehow caused it."

"Great," moaned Kenichi. "I've been in Nerima three days and I've already caused trouble for someone. Just wait until I start going to school."

.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Kenichi as he and Miu were walking to school.

"It'll be fine, Kenichi," said Miu. This ensured him a little.

Kenichi and Miu suddenly heard a voice near the entrance to the school. They saw a tall boy in samurai robes holding a wooden sword standing over a very frail looking student, quivering with fear.

"You thought you could write graffiti on the school gates while I, Tatewaki Kuno, age sixteen, the blue thunder of Furinkan high school, was watching? FEEL THE WRATH OF MY BLADE, GOSUNKUGI YOU WORTHLESS CUR!"

"Hey, stop that!" yelled Kenichi.

Miu leaned over to Kenichi "I'll go on ahead" she said quietly.

Kuno watched the blonde girl run towards the school wall, and clear it with a double backflip. He then turned toward Kenichi.

"Upperclassman Kuno is about to teach you your place, new kid, watch carefully."

Kenichi raised his fists.

.

"Hey Nabiki, Where's Akane?" asked Ranma.

"She's barely left her room since you left. You should sneak into her room and see her or something."

Ranma looked down at his feet. 'I can't see how this was his fault, but it usually is with Akane' he thought. 'Maybe she actually cares about me'

This train of thought was broken when somebody rushed into the classroom and announced that Kuno had been beaten up by the new kid.

"Class, settle down." ordered Miss Hinako. The class suddenly fell silent. Everybody knew what happened if you disobeyed Miss Hinako. "We have two new students joining our school. Please welcome Kenichi Shirahama and Miu Furinji."

Ranma banged his head against the desk.

.

Throughout the day Ranma kept hearing the gossip of the new kid taking on Kuno. Kenichi was sick to his stomach of this rumour and was starting to get jealous.

"Hey Ranma, I heard Akane threw you out."

Kenichi looked over his shoulder to see Ukyo running towards him.

"Yeah, she threw me out alright. I'm now living in a tent in a muddy field with my good for nothing old man."

"Sounds pretty crap" replied Ukyo. She paused, and then looked Ranma in the eyes. "If you want, then you're welcome to stay with me."

Ranma wasn't entirely comfortable with the look she was giving him. It was a cross between 'dreamy' and 'say yes or I'll kill you'.

'Well, I can't pass down an offer of free accommodation' he replied

Pretty deep within his subconscious, there was image of Akane pining for Ranma to return.

Make that very deep.

.

"So he's living with Ukyo now is he?" sobbed Akane. "I don't care. He can do whatever he likes."

"You obviously do care, Akane. Because you my sister and I care about you, I'll help you get him back, for a fee of course."

"I do not care about Ranma." She insisted. Five seconds passes. "Okay, Nabiki, here's ten thousand yen. What's this 'amazing plan' you have?"

Nabiki smiled an incredibly evil smile.

.

"I don't know, this looks like a girl's handwriting to me" said Kensei Ma

"Oh and you'd know" replied Miu

"I would actually, yes. This challenge letter was written by a girl."

"I sure hope not," said Miu worriedly, as she opened the letter. "Kenichi can't fight girls."

Miu read the letter. "It's from Ranma!" she proclaimed.

.

The next day at school, Miu decided to approach Ranma with the letter.

"What? I never issued a challenge to the new kid" protested Ranma.

He snatched the letter from Miu

"This is Nabiki's handwriting!" he exclaimed. He then began reading the letter.

"I, Ranma Saotome, challenge you to a fight behind the school at lunchtime in exactly one week. The loser will have to move out of Nerima for good."

Ranma then realised that if he wins this theoretical fight, then everything will go back to the way it was before those Ryozanpaku punks arrived. All his problems would be solved.

"Actually, Miu" he said confidently, "It is my letter. Show it to Kenichi, and make sure he arrives there on time."

To Be Continued…