A/N: I want to thank the reviewers, as always, for keeping me on my toes. Nabiki is a wild card isn't she? Way too early for hints about her. However, having finished the entire frame of the story I'll at least provide that there will be no neat bow-tying resolution wrap-ups. No one character will solve all the problems, no one villain will provide all the conflict, and nobody is admitting love to anybody without some character development.

I'm not putting down fanfiction that wraps everything up neatly, but I don't see myself writing… fluff. There I said it. Come at me, fluff-lovers. Bring it. Real romance is a journey.

*climbs off soap-box*

Please refer to the prologue for content rating information.

Disclaimer: The original work below is based on the characters and works of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media. I do not own the rights to any of this content, and am not benefiting financially from its publishing.

Silver Linings Dojo

by Kevin Mohaj

Chapter 5: Who Whips a Wild Horse?

The warm air of morning drafted over Akane's sleeping form bringing the young woman out of a peaceful slumber; Akane sat up and walked to the window and leaned against the frame enjoying the feel of the breeze. Yuka and Sayuri were still dozing so Akane took her bag into the bathroom and began her morning ablutions. Akane felt more centered as she washed and thought back on the previous evening; the late night talk with her best friends left her feeling strangely drained, but releasing the pent up emotions was gratifying and Akane finally had a night of nightmare-free sleep.

Akane dressed and helped in the kitchen while the other girls got ready, and breakfast was a happy affair. Sayuri and Yuka didn't push Akane into conversation, but the three girls planned on meeting up later in the week to shop for uniforms. Yuka and Sayuri even said they would sign up for classes with Akane starting next week over much giggling when Akane swore them to secrecy. Feeling content, Akane walked out of the modest home and made her way down the sidewalk towards the dojo.

A lingering curiosity changed her path towards U-chan's. Yuka and Sayuri told her that they had no idea where the okonomiyaki chef or the other various fiancées have been over the past week, and Akane felt the lingering fear guiding her actions.

I'm just being paranoid. I'm just being paranoid. I almost died and I'm recovering and it's made me paranoid. I'm sure Ukyo and the others are… I know Ranma wouldn't do anything… Not like that…

Akane turned the street corner and gasped in shock at the sight before her. U-chan's restaurant was roped off with police tape and several police officers were coming in and out of the front entrance. A young officer was standing by the police line when Akane approached.

The officer held his hands in a halting motion, "Miss, you'll have to go around, please," the officer said in a formal tone that also conveyed authority.

"What happened to U-chan's? Where is Kuonji Ukyo?!" Akane shouted.

The officer shook his head aggressively and moved to block Akane's path, "Miss, this is a crime scene. You cannot pass this line."

Akane felt her fear rising, but she didn't back down, "Where is Ukyo?"

"Look, kid, get out of the way or I'll take you downtown and call your parents myself. This isn't a game!" the officer glared down at Akane, and she had the impression that he was quite serious.

What's going on?

Akane tried to look into the windows of the restaurant, but the officer took a warning step towards her and she reluctantly nodded and turned away. What happened to Ukyo? Akane felt her fears festering within her again, and forced herself to stop wringing her hands. She quickly made a decision and picked her pace up changing directions again this time towards the Nekohanten.

Akane felt her heart pounding in her chest as a similar scene surrounded the Cat Café. Uniformed officers were coming in and out of the establishment and a police line was similarly roped off. Akane took a side alley and jumped onto the adjacent roof to get to the far side of the Nekohanten. She peered in through the window in the back kitchen. There were police officers wearing latex gloves moving about the inside of the Café, but no sign of the Amazons. Akane felt the blood draining from her face her thoughts circled darkly at the sight. She returned to the main street via roof hopping before breaking into a run towards the Tendo Dojo.

She reached the dojo gate and stopped her run relieved that no police were at the house. She peaked into the dojo proper and swallowed a lump in her throat when she saw Ranma practicing katas.

What did I expect? Akane felt her breath coming in rapid gasps as her fear caught up to her and she slumped to the ground in front of the door.

The dojo door slid open and Ranma looked down on her. She looked up and forced herself to stare into his impossibly blue eyes. Despite herself she felt color returning to her cheeks as she momentarily lost herself in his gaze.

"Ranma…" she whispered; she felt stymied. Her mind was awash with paranoia and doubt, but another part of her, one she had denied for a very long time, had to believe in him. That part of her held her rooted to the spot, pinned under his gaze.

He knelt in front of her a meter away and nervously tugged at his pigtail, "What's wrong 'Kane? Ya look like ya've seen a ghost or something."

Akane stared at him for a moment before she replied, "Ranma, have you seen Shampoo or Ukyo recently?"

Ranma stiffened and stood up suddenly, his face hardening as he looked into the distance and shouted "Who gives a damn!"

Akane felt herself crawling back, retreating from the angry man before her; Ranma's countenance softened, "Geez, Akane. Why'd ya have to bring THEM up?" He made a dismissive gesture with his hands and turned away from her.

Ranma stared off towards the rising sun and leaned against the dojo wall with a laden sigh, "My parents are coming to dinner tonight," his voice was steady but Akane could feel the underlying anxiety beneath his calm exterior.

Akane stood and followed Ranma's gaze towards the sun. She was brimming with questions, but something kept her from speaking. Despite her concerns she couldn't bring herself to accuse Ranma, at least not as he was now, of her fears. His eyes and posture presented his vulnerability openly to her; Akane felt her fear thinning in her mind as it was replaced with concern.

"You have nothing to fear from your mother, Ranma," Akane started hesitantly, but felt her voice firming as she spoke, "You always saved me. You saved all of us…"

Ranma began to visibly tremble before her as he whispered, "I did what I had to do, Akane. I don't know how to explain…" he trailed off still staring into the distance. His gaze seemed to stretch past Akane like he was looking through her.

"You never asked for this, for us," Ranma continued more firmly, "or for me." He turned his gaze back to Akane, and she saw the sad smile on his face. "You certainly never asked to be engaged to a cursed freak, but I can't…" Ranma struggled for a moment, "I have to protect you… I…"

Akane leaned into Ranma, feeling tears falling down her face, but she let him continue talking.

"I need to protect you, and so I do it. Everybody thinks I'm some kind of hero, but I just did what I always do," Ranma stopped looking like he was searching for the right thing to say.

Akane took up the conversation in the pause, "Ranma, you are not a freak. The curse is just a part of who you are. It's what makes you, you."

Ranma looked at her with confusion and pain in his eyes, "I guess I know that, now. For the longest time I hated my curse, but I've noticed something since we returned from China." He paused and met her eyes, "Something I don't understand."

"What's that, Ranma?"

"You are nicer to me when I'm a girl, and… it's confusing," Ranma said turning away from her.

Akane let his words seep in while she paused to think. She gently took his hand before replying, "You remember when you first came to Nerima?" She continued at his nod, "I was constantly fighting off men who wanted to 'date' me, including Kuno. Then you arrived, and suddenly I was engaged to a stranger who was far beyond me in martial arts." She stood firmly in front of him lowering her head as she spoke, "I was afraid of you for a long time, because you were so strong…" Akane trailed off, lost in memories.

Ranma looked hurt, "You know I would never do something like that, Akane."

Akane smiled briefly at him, "I know that now… but, I didn't know then, and my experiences with boys didn't help." Akane gave Ranma an appraising look before continuing, "If it wasn't for your curse… I wouldn't have been able to see you as different from those perverts… I… part of the reason I came to trust you was because of the curse."

Ranma looked down at his hand in Akane's. Akane almost withdrew her hand when she saw a hopeful look on Ranma's face. Akane whispered, "I don't know if I… if we would have ever…" Akane grimaced and shook her head before stating in a firm voice, "I don't care about your curse, Ranma, and I never have. It's something that makes you even more unique."

Akane squeezed Ranma's hand briefly and then let go before heading back into the house.

~~~k~m~~~

Saotome Nodoka paused at the entrance to the Tendo home and took a moment to collect herself. Genma was dutifully standing to her left wearing a pristine white gi. He was accustomed to a healthy beating as a martial artist, and his bruising was less apparent. Nodoka frowned over her husband's clothes, but to some degree the samurai-ko understood that Genma's training mentality was a part of his reluctance to wear formal attire.

Many of Genma's training methods caused pain and suffering to her son; somehow, Ranma has grown into a young man despite this; still, her husband's constant thievery and apparent willingness to sell his son over the ten years of separation have shamed the family.

Nodoka sighed as she knocked politely on the door. Kasumi greeted her warmly and ushered them both inside. Nodoka slipped into slippers as Genma all but ran to find Soun. Nodoka sighed again before turning to Kasumi.

"Kasumi-chan, can I assist you in the kitchen?" Nodoka said warmly.

Kasumi hesitated before nodding and the two walked into the kitchen. Kasumi tended to pots over the stove while Nodoka made tea. The silence didn't last very long.

"Auntie, somehow Ranma's medical records list me as his guardian. I don't understand how that happened, what does it mean?" Kasumi asked in a hesitant voice.

Nodoka paused while considering her reply, "It means, Kasumi-chan, that you are the only person that Ranma trusts implicitly to go to for help…" Nodoka felt powerful emotions coursing through her and her hand rattled the tea service.

"Auntie? What about you?"

Nodoka barked a bitter laugh, "My son… feels he has a great deal to fear from me. My own shame in letting Genma take him away is great." Nodoka looked seriously at Kasumi for a moment, "Genma told me of Jusendo." Nodoka felt a chill rush up her spine as she shuddered visibly, "I… I never imagined that my child would face something like that, especially at his age. No, he needs somebody he can trust that also has his best interests at heart." Nodoka finished preparing the tea service and carried it into the living room when Akane walked in the house, trailed slightly behind by Ranma.

"Ranma, darling it is good to see you." Nodoka was quickly at her son's side looking over him. He seems thinner than last week. Nodoka said nothing, but embraced her son. Ranma stiffened for a moment before returning the hug.

"It's good to see ya too, mom." Ranma said with a small smile.

Nodoka released the young man and turned to Akane with a smile, "Akane-chan, I love that sundress on you, let's have a cup of tea before dinner?"

The two teens smiled awkwardly and sat on the couch opposite Nodoka. Ranma appeared especially uncomfortable before he spoke, "So… mom, why uh… why didn't you bring the sword with you?"

Nodoka allowed herself to feel pride in the son she barely raised, "Your father told me of the events in China." She noticed both teens tremble and share a brief look. Interesting. "I have decided that you have grown into an incredible man… often, despite what your father taught you."

Nodoka paused before handing Ranma a small scroll. She smiled at his look of wonder. "I release you from your pledge with your honor returned to you, my son. You have made me very proud."

Ranma just stared at the contract open-mouthed. Akane stood and left while the pigtailed martial artist was frozen to the spot. She returned a minute later with the brazier from the Tendo shrine. She lit the coals with care, and sat patiently. Nodoka smiled deeply at Akane, and bowed from her seat. Akane blushed, but bowed back before looking at Ranma.

As Ranma placed the scroll into brazier, Nodoka fought tears at the look of joy in his eyes. It's been eleven years since I've seen him so happy. The three watched the contract burn in a mutual reverie, until Genma's squeal of glee broke the moment. Nodoka looked up and noticed Soun and Genma standing in the doorway of the living room. She shook her head sharply, but the rather dim-witted martial artist ignored her and began dancing around the room singing "Free at last, free at UPMH!"

A collective gasp filled the room as Genma reeled back from a blow to his stomach. Nodoka and Soun retreated to the corner of the room as Ranma's aura erupted in a soundless incandescence filling the room with an array of colors. Nodoka caught Ranma's eyes as he began to rain blows on her husband, and was terrified by the visage: it spoke of years of suffering and countless betrayals.

Genma righted himself and glared at Ranma, "Boy, how dare you strike yo… where did he go!?"

Ranma seemed to twitch and then vanish from the space before Genma. Ranma's voice was filled with unnatural steel as it seemed to fill the room from every direction.

"What? Don't recognize your own technique, old man? Or, never expected to see me master it without resorting to thievery?"

Genma's face drained of color and he entered a defensive stance, "Boy, don't you disrespect your fath—OOOMPH"

At that point Nodoka fought to understand the scene of chaos before her. Ranma would appear from a shadow and strike Genma before disappearing. As soon as Genma turned around Ranma would already be behind, or even above him. Moving faster than Nodoka thought humanly possible, Ranma attacked from every direction and none, constantly raining blows on Genma's body. Nodoka saw that Akane and Soun were similarly stunned, and felt helpless. She knew Genma deserved punishment, but was Ranma actually…

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the distinctive crack of breaking bone. She opened her eyes to see Ranma standing above his father his hand capturing the older man's throat. Genma was already unconscious. Ranma lifted his free hand and Nodoka said a prayer as the fist descended towards Genma's skull.

"Ranma, NO!" a small hand grasped the descending fist with surprising strength, but it was Akane's frantic shout that seemed to get through to Ranma: "He's not worth it; he's not Saffron!"

The scene held for minutes, Ranma staring with dead eyes at his father, Akane trying to pull back his fist while tears streamed down her face. Soun had feinted to the floor. Nodoka was praying to her ancestors. For her part, Nodoka was torn: Genma had done horrible things to Ranma, but there was no honor in this.

Akane pulled harder on Ranma's fist; she started begging him to stop, repeating the words, "Don't do this," again and again.

Ranma released his choke hold on Genma. His eyes were full of pain. Nodoka watched in stunned silence.

"You aren't a killer, Ranma," Akane whispered at him. "You never were, and you never will be. You are a protector. You protect others, try to remember, Ranma."

Ranma looked at his hands like he was seeing them for the first time; his face was quickly turning a sickening shade of green. He looked down at Akane and slowly nodded. Akane smiled through her tears and hesitantly put her arms around Ranma.

Nodoka slowly moved forward and stood in front of Ranma. She bowed very low to him before speaking, "Thank you for sparing your father, my son. He was once a man of honor, and I will make certain you never regret this decision," she said formally.

Ranma looked up at her, and then down at Akane in his arms. Nodoka saw tears tracking down his face, but it heartened her. She gave a sad smile to the couple while carefully dragging Genma into the kitchen.

"Oh my! What happened, Auntie?!" Kasumi rushed over and checked on the unconscious Genma.

"Well, I believe my husband deserved a formal punishment. However, I must confess that I am glad he was spared. Would you be a dear and contact that sweet young doctor friend of yours?" Nodoka said all of this with a serene calm that expected to be obeyed. Kasumi rushed off for the phone.

Well, Nodoka mused to herself, I suppose we will have to reschedule dinner. I'll have to make some bentos for however long he's going to be in the hospital. I really should have brought Genma to straight to Ranma to sort out, as it would have saved me a week and a sore arm.

Nodoka laughed quietly to herself while she awaited the doctor with her now suitably-punished husband.

~~~k~m~~~

Ranma felt like he was dreaming; maybe he passed out this afternoon and everything that is happening is some twisted dream. It must be a dream, because Akane was in his arms.

The thought seemed to bring focus back into the haze. Ranma was awake, that much he was certain of; also, Akane was in his arms. A distant part of him expressed alarm at that, but then the sight of his father's broken body in his hand flooded his mind and he felt himself sink to the floor.

How could I lose control like that?!

Ranma felt himself shaking, and saw Akane looking down at him with worry and fear in her eyes.

"Ranma? Are you… are you okay now?" Akane's voice was quiet, but the note of fear was not lost on Ranma.

"I'm… I'm…" Ranma was at a complete loss of words. He was dizzy, and the lights in the room were casting strange shadows that seemed to taunt him. A soft voice was crying in his mind, but he ignored it. Ranma fairly fled to the bathroom and heaved over the toilet. He felt himself retching in disgust as he held tightly onto the edges of the toilet to stop the room from spinning.

"Ranma… I'm here," Akane wrapped a warm towel around his shoulders while he began to dry heave.

Ranma nodded and grimaced as the motion made the room resume its spin. "I'm going to clean up and take a bath before bed, Akane. I'm… I'm not hungry."

He felt her hesitate, and then turn away.

"Akane…" he looked up and met her worried eyes, "…thank you."

She gave him a small smile and a nod and walked out.

Ranma brushed his teeth and stripped his clothes. He spent a long time using soap and just scrubbing himself. He upended a bucket of cold water over his head and felt the tingling change of the curse. She scrubbed her entire body again before washing away the soap. She carefully stood and walked slowly to the furo and sighed as the warm water relaxed his muscles and seemed to slow the nausea. Ranma just soaked in the furo for a long time, and struggled to keep his mind free of intrusive thoughts.

I almost lost it completely.

Ranma got out of the furo and dried himself off before returning to his room. He changed into a clean gi, reminding himself of laundry that he needed to do, and leapt out his window and onto the roof.

Ranma loved the roof of the Tendo home. Lots of memories, he thought with a small smile. It was high enough to see over the surrounding residential area, and on a cloudless night like tonight the stars seemed to glow especially for him. He leaned back against the slate and looked into space.

Ranma learned the constellations when he was travelling as a boy, he shook his head thinking that not everything Pops had taught him was wrong. He remembered sleepless nights with a snoring father: only the stars provided him company. He'd come up to the roof whenever he wanted to be alone. He smiled as he noticed the constellation Kouma bright in the sky. He traced the figure with his hand as he used to when he was a child. Pops used to say you were my guardian, Kouma.

Ranma suddenly frowned.

He leapt off of the roof and onto the soft earth beneath. He picked up two rocks and allowed himself a small smile. He tossed one of the rocks gently against the large tree in the yard. He allowed himself a chuckle this time. He raised the other rock and threw it with a bit of force behind it.

"OUCH!" came a somewhat off-key feminine shout.

"Heya, Konatsu," Ranma smiled.

~~~k~m~~~

A/N: Kouma is the Japanese name for the constellation Equuleus. 'Kouma' translates roughly to child horse.