Chapter 18:

Ranma was frozen in fear, and couldn't get a word to come out of his mouth. Ranka, seeing the state her brother was in, decided to try to get the attention off of him, as best as she could. She acted all shocked and flustered at seeing Nodoka there. " Mom? What are you doing here?"

Nodoka lost her train of thought at seeing Ranka and let go of the boy really fast. She focused on Ranka, then also taking notice of the boy she was with, her curiosity peaked. "Ranka, who is that young man, that you're with? Oh my good ness, are YOU, on a date?" Ranka's face turns bright red and she reacts all flustered, "I um, no it's not a date." Nodoka's focused on Ranka, giving Ranma the chance to retreat from the room, making it swiftly off to the bathroom.

Nodoka then realized she had messed up, and looked around for the boy, she was pretty sure had been her son, Ranma. Ranka noticed her mother looking around frantically, and drew more attention to herself. "I'm not, but.. if you want to meet him later, maybe you could." Nodoka's attention shifts back to Ranka and her eyes sparkle at the prospect of the fact her daughter may have a suitable male. "Of course I would."

Ranka has a somewhat annoyed smile on her face, " Great, but right now.. maybe you could.. give me some space." Acts all flustered. Nodoka puts her hand to her mouth and blushes. "Oh! Oh yes my, where are my manners. Alright but Ranka, we are having a long talk, later on." She takes her leave from the Nekohanten, and in wardly sighing heavily, lost in her own thoughts, as she walked away and headed elsewhere.

Shampoo was still frozen and bewildered, but she was paying intently attention to Ranka and how she had so easily, gotten Nodoka to retreat. Ranka went back over to her table where Ryoga was, still lost in thoughts. "Hey, I'll be right back, I need to use the rest room." With that, she went off to the restrooms.

Ranka knocked on the boys bathroom door. "Hey, she's gone, coast is clear." Then she went off into the girls bathroom and went about to fixing her hair and outfit.

Ranma came out from the bathroom, looking rather upset and waited for Ranka to come out from the girl's bathroom. He owed his sister so much, but it also pained him how things had went down. Once again she had saved him, without a thought. Ranka came out from the bathroom, messing with her hair a final time, and noticed Ranma waiting in the hallway, with an upset look. "Hey, are you okay? If you're not, just cancel the date." Ranma looked up at her, with an annoyed and sad look. " I can't do that.." I'm okay, thanks for having my back, we'll talk more about things later." He sighed heavily and went back out to where Shampoo was waiting for him.

Ranka came back out as well, shortly after and sat back down at the table with Ryouga, and finished eating her ramen. Ryouga finished eating his as well, and while he hadn't been paying attention, completely to what went on, he had seen it go down. He looked over at Ranka, with some concern. " Hey uh, are you okay?" Ranka gave him a look. " Well duh."

After finishing eating, Ranka followed a ways behind Ranma and Shampoo, as they went off to the movie theater. Shampoo was clamped onto Ranma's arm like glue, giggling and smiling as they went off inside. Ranma was lost in his own thoughts, as he just let her drag him a long. Shampoo snuggled up as much as she could, in the seat's in the theater. Ryouga was lost in his dream world, as he let Ranka haul him around. Sitting next to each other in separate chairs, and lost in his thoughts. Ryouga was laughing softly and imaging in his mind, Ranka, wanting to hold hands. Ranka wasn't really concentrating on the movie, her focus was locked on being there for Ranma.

Later after the date was finally over, Ranka sent Ryouga off, and waited till Ranma was alone, to join back up with him. They walked in silence to Doctor Tofu's clinic, where Ranma went in and came back out, after having changed into girl form. Ranma-chan finally spoke up first. "You didn't have to stay the whole time, didn't you have to be somewhere else?" Ranka scratched at her head for a second, as the thought came to her. " Ooh yeah! Oh well, it wasn't that important. Anyways, let's talk before we go back to the house." Takes the lead and walks over to the park, where she sits down on a bench, motioning for Ranma to join her.

Ranma-chan sat down next to her sister, and sighed, then looked annoyed. " What happened back at the cat cafe?" Ranka looked over at Ranma, with a perplexed look on her face. "My gem sensed a sneaky ninja up in the ceiling, who had thrown cold water at you. So I tried to shield you, as fast as I could." Rubs at her head sheepishly. " It didn't go very well, obviously." Ranma gave her a thankful look. "Thanks, Ranka I really appreciate everything you did for me, today." She also had a pained look on her face. Ranka took notice of. " Ranma, if things are too much on you, then you should leave. I'll pacify mom. So if you want to and want the chance to get out of things, you should go now, while you have the chance to."

Ranma rubbed at the back of her head and very appreciative of her sisters offer, but shook her head. " I can't just run off, but I'm grateful for the offer. I can't keep hurting her.." Ranka leaned back some, looking at the sky. " Alright then, we'd better head back then."

Nodoka waited patiently for her daughters to return home. She heard the door slide open and heard the girls come in thru the front door. She was sitting at the table, having just finished making dinner. " Welcome home, you two. While I appreciate that you two left a note, I do not appreciate how we did not discuss your plans in advance." At seeing Ranka, she clasped her hands together and smiled. " How was your date, Ranka? I thought perhaps, you would be bringing him home with you." Ranka got all flustered and idignite. "I told you mom, it wasn't a date. I just was, it was a class mate from school, we we're discussing about our school project." Nodoka just smiled at her daughter. "Yes dear, whatever you say." Then turns her attention to Ranko. "And you Ranko, did you have a nice date as well?" Ranma forced a smile " Sure, ah yeah."

Nodoka smiled a bit less. " Alright, let's have dinner, now shall we?" They all sat down and ate in silence.

After the meal was finished, and dishes put in the sink, the silence was broken. Nodoka gave a slightly stern look at Ranka and put her hand on her shoulder. " Ranka, come with me to my room, we have to discuss you're behavior from today." Ranka pursed her lips and nodded in agreement, as she followed Nodoka upstairs. Ranma sat on the couch watching televison somewhat, but knew Ranka was in for it.

Nodoka patted the side of her bed, motioning for Ranka to sit down next to her. "Ranka, what on earth has gotten in to you?" Then she looked down at the ground with a sullen look. " You really must apologize to to the boy, who was at the restaurant that you knocked over.." Ranka bit her lip, nervously. " But I just, I sensed danger and I acted. I didn't mean to hurt anyone." Gives her big puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry, mother." Nodoka melted at her daughter and couldn't be too mad at her. " I see, I didn't know that, but still Ranka, if you're able to, please apologize to.." Her eyes starting tearing up and she dabbed at her eyes with her hankerchef. Ranka looked up at her. " What's wrong, mother?" Nodoka cleared her throat and rang her hands and then smiled. " It's nothing dear." Ranka gave her a concerned look. " Hey mom, I think Ranko, really misses staying with the Tendo's."

Nodoka looked up at Ranka, thoughtfully. " Is that why, she's been acting up?"

Ranka gave a nod. " Well, things just happened so fast. Maybe you should let her spend some time with them, like weekends or a week? Space it out, some." Nodoka rubbed at her chin, taking in what Ranka had said. " I haven't taken things into account as well as I should've, you make valid points. I will think on it some, before I talk with Ranko about it." She then turned her attention fully on Ranka. " Now Ranka, you do remember you said that I could meet this boy you were with today. Why don't you bring him over after school, some time this week." Ranka almost fell off the bed, but her reflexes caught her before she did. " Ah yeah." Nodoka patted her on the shoulder. " Alright you can go now, but do know, you and Ranko are grounded for tomorrow." Ranka bowed her head after getting up from the side of the bed. " Yes, mother." Then she takes her leave.

Later on, upstairs in their room, Ranka wants to discuss something with Ranma and they both go and sit out on the roof top, after Nodoka's gone to bed. Ranma-chan can tell from the look on Ranka's, face, it's not going to be good. Ranka notices, her twin giving her a look. "Remember how earlier I said, there was a sneaky ninja in the ceiling?" Ranma-chan listened intently. " Yeah." Ranka plays with her hair absent mindly "I dunno, just the whole thing that happened today, screams that it was a set up, against YOU." Ranma-chan has an annoyed look on her face. It's not that she's annoyed with her sister though. "Yeah.. things were not just a concidence. Seems like it was probably Kuno." Ranka's still playing with her hair, while deep in thought. "I don't think it was him. " Ranma-chan gets a bit annoyed at how fast she turned down Kuno as a suspect. "Why not? He has everything to gain." Ranka still fussing with her hair, and looks off some what. "I mean, sure, yeah, maybe it's possible. I think it was a girl."

Ranma-chan almost face faults but steadies herself. "Oh god, no, do you think it was, Kodachi?" Ranka shakes her head. " That's not the feeling I'm getting, while it's also possible, I don't think it was her either." She bites her lip some. "I just, get the feeling, that it was Akane." Ranma-chan's eyes go wide and then a more stern look. " Why?" She, definitely wanted an explanation. Ranka, looks off with a concerned look. " She gets really jealous and angry, when your off with the other girls, doesn't she? That energy is exactly what Satan and his minions look for." *clenches her fist* " Hatred." Then un clenches it and looks up at the sky. "Obviously I know some of his workings. She's got the perfect energy, to be manipulated and eventually.. corrupted to the core." Pulls her knee's to her chest and lays her head on them. " I want to be wrong, about this, but.." Pauses and shuts her eyes for a minute. " Her and Sasuke are on good terms, it'd be easy to ask him for some favors." Gets up and heads back to the window to go back inside. "That's all I have to say." Goes back inside to let Ranma be a lone with her thoughts for a few minutes. Ranma-chan rubs at the sides of her head with her hands, trying to take in everything Ranka just put down. She also realized how it did add up, and she'd have to try to talk to Akane tomorrow at school. She sat outside for a few minutes more, before climbing back inside quietly as well as closing the window up more, before going off to bed.

After getting up and getting ready and dressed for school and saying their good bye's to Nodoka, as they walked to school. Ranma then stopped at Doctor Tofu's clinic as she did every day, to change back into a guy, to go to school normally. Ranma spotted Akane not too far off and tried to greet her. Akane grumbled and hmpfed, as she escaped off inside. Ranma rubbed at the back of his head and turned to Ranka. " She seemed mad, didn't she?" Ranka nodded in agreement. Ukyou came over at seeing the two siblings and smiled. " Good morning Ranma huney, and good morning Ranka. Boy, does Akane seem mad or what." Ranka nodded in agreement, as Ranma sweatdropped, nervously. Ukyou and Ranma were busy talking.

Thrista stood behind Ranka, tapping her foot annoyingly. " What happened to going out, the other day?" She was not happy that she was stood up. Ranka turned her attention to the other girl. " I had more important things to do, that's all." She started to turn her attention away from the girl. Thrista clenched her fists and made a poutie face. " That's not fair, you didn't even give me a chance.." Ranka has her arms crossed and wasn't in the mood for dealing with another potential enemy. Thrista was intent on at least getting a chance with her. " Okay, so how about we reschedule, when your not busy?"

Ranka still has her arms crossed. "I'll think on it, ask me another time." Takes her leave.

Later on in the day during gym class, Ranka decided to try to confront Akane, about her suspicions. As Akane started to leave the locker room to head to gym, Ranka grabbed her by her arm gently. " Hey Akane, can we talk?" Akane gave Ranka a confused look. Things swam through her mind, as she thought, what on earth would she want to talk about. "Hurry up or we'll be late to class." She spat out. Ranka let go of her arm and gave her a serious look. " Akane, don't let your anger and jealously, attract evil. IF that was you, who set up everything the other day, with your little ninja friend." Gives her a stern look, but then softens some to a concerned look. "You don't want to be corrupted okay.." Looks intently at her with a pained look. " You won't EVER be yourself again." Akane frooze up and tensed up, feeling like she was on the chopping block, and her defense dropped, as she shot back in anger. " How dare YOU, accuse me!" Clenched her fist and stormed out of the locker room, having enough of being interogated by Ranka.

After gym class, getting changed out of the gym outfit and back into school uniforms. Most of the girls had already done so, and were on their way to their next class. Ranka finished changing back, and went to put her shoes back on. A note fell out as she moved them. She opened it up and read what was said, furrowing her brow and crumpling up the note. Putting her shoes back on very fast and taking off out of the locker room very fast. Ukyou watched as what looked to be Ranka, disappeared down a hallway.

Ranka skidded down another hallway and reached the room, that was stated on the note. She entered the room, with her guard up as she looked around and her sights fell on a girl tied up and gagged. She realized she recognized the girl as one of Akane's friends. Ivory stood next to the desk she had the girl sitting in, and a huge sinister smile, spread across her face. " Ranka, nice of you to join US."

Ranka steeled herself and gritted her teeth, with clenched fists. " Ivory, let "her" go. "This" is between YOU and me." She said sternly.

Ivory sneered back at her. "It is, isn't it? Let's just get rid of "her" then." Grabs the girl, up by the back of her uniform collar, and opens the back door, walking with her, before tossing her out into the field behind the school. "I missed you Ranka, you know? You can't run from your crimes, they'll ALWAYS follow you." Throws back her head and laughs. Ranka glares at her former friend, not allowing herself to falter, and moves behind her really fast, to try to reach the girl. Ivory blocks her off and shakes her finger at her. " Don't be so hasty "friend". You see, I gave the science geeks some incintive." She tugs at her low collar on her school uniform. "They gladly made me.." Tosses a rock on the field, near where the girl is laying on the ground tied up. " A mine field." Sinisterly smirks, as one of the mine's goes off, close by. Ranka's eyes go wide for a minute, then goes back to glaring at Ivory.

Sayuri struggles to move and eeps thru her gag as one of the mines sets off near her. Thru the dust she see's a figure blur, and jumps around. Suddenly she feels herself get picked up, and her gag pulled down and as the dust clears, she can see a red headed girl. She tries to warn the other girl, as the black haired girl, jumps into the air and launches into the other one. She yelps as they go tumbling, from the impact.

Ivory snickers, and throws another pebble down on the ground, setting off another mine near by. " Just let her die, it's not like you care, murderer." Ranka keeps her sights set on Ivory, ignoring her taunts. Ivory throws a few more pebbles about, smirking as she does. Ranka grabs Sayuri up again and tosses her gently, so she's off on the grass, away from the field. Ivory pulls out more pebbles from her pocket, throwing them all in a scattering motion, all at once.

Ranka shields herself as a few go off at once, and one goes off closer to the school. She knew she had to get Ivory away from the school, so no one else was put in danger. "You wanna fight Ivory, then let's take it somewhere else." Grabs her up by her shirt collar and tosses her off into the air, away from the school. Then runs off really fast in the direction, she tossed Ivory.

Meanwhile back at school, Ranma had been trying to talk to Akane and wasn't really getting anywhere. Then he thought he was hearing loud explosion noises. As Akane thought she heard noises, her attention turned to the fact, that one of her friends were missing, as well as Ranka. Ranma also seemed to notice the fact that his sister was not around, as class was about to begin. He had a bad feeling. He also realized he was too busy trying to talk to Akane, that he hadn't been paying attention. He was snapped out of his thoughts, as a message was broadcast thru out the school to evacuate. Students promptly got up and started to evacuate. Ukyou grabbed her bag and walked at a steady pace with Ranma, with a concerned look on her face. " Ranma huney, did your sister not come back after gym class?" Ranma looked over to her. "No, she didn't, I just realized that.." Ukyou kept walking at a brisk pace and tensed up some. " I'm not sure but, I thought I had seen her, if I did, she went by so fast it was a blur." Ranma had heard enough, everything that was going on, screamed that something bad was happening and Ranka was involved. "Sorry Ukyou, I gotta go now." He sped off really fast in a blur, once they got outside.

Much further away in town, Ivory had landed and was fighting head on with Ranka in the street. Ivory cackled and came flying down from the sky, slamming her fist down into the ground, making the ground cave in some. A near by kid cried as he was in the line of fire. Ranka quickly, dashed over and pushed the kid out of danger. " Watch out!" Ivory took the opportunity, and slam kicked Ranka into her gut, sending her flying into the phone pole. " Eyes on me!" Ranka smacked into the pole, back first and winched some, sliding down to the ground. She got back up, and ran off really fast, heading for the woods, knowing she had to get Ivory away from the town as far as she could.

Ranma wasn't too far behind, as he followed the carnage signs. Lost in thought as he was running, he didn't notice the usual, an old lady throwing water and kept running. Seeing the pavement on the road caved in, in an area and a crack across the telephone pole. She came to realization, suddenly. ("Oh no.. it's that ex friend, isn't it?! She's trying to kill Ranka!")

Not much further away, Ranka's still running really fast, leading Ivory on a good chase, till they get to woods, and there's a river near by. Ranka skids to a stop, looking around and not seeing Ivory. She scanned the area, intently. ("Oh no, did I loose her? Damn, she might still be in town.") Ivory jumps down from a near by tree and projectile launches her leg into Ranka's gut, knocking her back and sending her tumbling to the ground. She smirks "Thought you lost me, huh?" Ranka curls her lip at her and tries to get up. Ivory reappears behind her and grabs her by the back of her necklace, choking her. "Now.. you need to be punished, for pissing me off!" Her eyes flash purple and she rips the necklace off her neck, and holds it in the air. Ranka gags and holds her hand to the throat and eyes go wide, her eyes locked on the necklace. She has a pained look on her face. "Ivory… please.."

Ivory sneers and dangles in about in the air, making a face. "Oh, you want this?" Looks around and see's the raging river not far. "Then, FETCH!" * Tosses it off into the river, throwing back her head and laughing. Ranka's eyes go wide in horror as the necklace flies into the river with a splash.

Ranma-chan skids to a halt as she finally catches up to them. She hears Ivory yell as she tosses a necklace into the raging river " Then, FETCH!" She spots Ranka, whose eyes go wide in horror and she jumps into the river after it. Ranma-chan runs over on the opposite side. " Noo!" She franticly runs along the river's edge, trying to spot her sister.

Further down the stream a ways, Ranka's clinging to a rock, and trying to grab at the necklace, that's stuck on a piece of floating tree branch, for the moment. She almost has it within her grasp. Ivory not far off, notices Ranka's struggle and smirks sinisterly. She points her own necklace at the piece branch, aiming the purple gem as it shoots out a ray of purple light, zapping the branch into pieces and releasing the necklace back into the angry waters. Watching with delight as Ranka lets go of the rock and goes back after the necklace, letting the raging currents take her back into their grasp. Ivory then takes off her own necklace, and throws it into the water. " Get her." The purple gem lights up brightly and morphs into a purple electric eel, and snakes thru the water, locked on it's target.

Ranma-chan finally catches up, looking around franticly again. Ivory on the other side of the river at spotting Ranma, gives her an evil smile, before disappearing in a flash. Ivory reappears further down the river towards the waterfall, stalking for her prey, until she spots her, once again. Ranka's trying her best to fight the currents and carefully get closer to the shore, clinging onto another rock. Ivory chuckles at her from the shore. " Don't you look a sight for sore eyes." Smirks as the purple electric eel finds it's target, wrapping around Ranka's ankle and giving her a powerful shock, making her leave her grip and the raging currents taking her again. Ranka acts quickly, before the water takes her under, using her gem and activating a barrier around herself. Ivory sneers wickedly, as she watches her go under and dragged into the falls. She looks up at hearing footsteps from the other side of the shore and see's Ranma again and knowingly smirks. " You're too late, she's gone now." Throws her head back laughingly wickedly, before disappearing.

Ranma-chan's eyes go wide and she starts to feel a knot in her stomach, seeing the raging water fall and the huge drop down. She tapped in to chi and tried to locate her sisters, so she could at least figure out if she was still alive. When she felt something there, she felt a bit more relieved. She wanted to go search for her sister, but also knew she had to tell her mother first. Running off without notice, would upset her. That and the fact that she and her sister were grounded today and were to head straight home from school, no excuses. After she told her mom, she'd try to get back as fast as she could and look for Ranka.

Nodoka looked up from the table as she heard the front door. She thought it was kind of early that her daughters would be back so early. She spotted Ranko, who looked out of breath. Her eyes darted around, at not seeing Ranka with her. "Ranko, where is your sister Ranka?"

Ranma-chan caught her breath and sweating nervously as she clenched her hands. She didn't want to upset her mother but knew by not speaking the truth, it would only upset her more. Rubbing at the back of her head nervously as she began. "Ranka.. got into another fight. Grits her teeth and clenches her fists more. " I think she lead the enemy away and by the time I followed her trail, after realizing.. I saw her go down into a river in the woods." Nodoka stops her there as she runs over and embraces Ranko. "Calm down dear, it'll be alright. She was also comforting herself, and trying to keep it together. She motions to the table, where she had prepared a snack. "Let's have a snack and then as soon as we're done, we'll, go search for Ranka, with a clear mind and renewed energy."

Out in the woods, further down the stream, the currents had washed Ranka up onto shore and her barrier lasted long enough for her to reach it. A familiar male voice was heard, that kept coming and going and finally was so loud, it woke her up back to conscious ness as she coughed up some water.

Ryouga started to panic some, while waving his arms about. " Ranka, are you okay? What are you doing out here?" Rubs at his head debating if he should do mouth to mouth on her, then getting very flustered about picturing it and starts laughing nervously.

The bushes near by rustle and a purple looking wolf steps out, it's eyes flash red and it growls at Ranka and charges at her. Ranka's eyes go wide as she sits up and shoves Ryouga out of the way. " Get away, now!" Jumps up and jumps out of the way of the charge. Rustling from the tree nearest to Ranka can be heard, as Ivory jumps down from her it, and launches a spin kick at Ranka, knocking her straight back into a tree. Ivory sneers and rushes over, grabbing Ranka by her neck, slamming her harder into the tree. " Found you! It's too bad, for YOU, that you survived the fall, because I don't intend to stop until you're dead!"

Ranka's kicking her feet about and trying her best to fight against Ivory's hold on her, by trying to push her off her. Her gem lights up and blinks on and off, trying to warn her, she's in danger of dying.

A bright red light sails thru the air, straight into the back of Ivory. Ryouga has his head down as he releases another attack on her. " Shishi Hokodan!" The first hit, blasts Ivory forward, making her loose her grip on Ranka, as she's launched. With the second one hitting her head on as she screams in pain. Ranka starts coughing, and rubbing at her neck, as she slides down against the tree, putting up her barrier to help heal her. Ryouga after a few minutes snaps out of his state of mind and runs over to Ranka. " Hey, are you okay?! Says in a concerned tone. "Why are you out here in the woods, by yourself?"

Ranka looks over at him, somewhat annoyed. " I told you, to get away.." Ryouga rubs at the back of his head nervously and then laughs nervously. Ranka gives him a questionable look. She knew he wasn't going to answer her, so it was pointless to wait for that answer. " Why are you? Oh no wait, let me guess, you got lost again, right?"

Ryouga laughed nervously again. Ranka pushes herself up, feeling healed enough. Since the lost boy had answered one of her questions, she decided she should answer one of his. "Well duh, what does it look like? Turns her attention to Ivory, as she walks forward to where she's lying on the ground bleeding.

Ivory looks up as Ranka kneels down near her, as she's starting to fade, as she coughs up some blood. Ranka un does her necklace from her neck, then putting it up against a tree, and slamming her fist straight into the gem, shattering it. She gives a sad and distressed look to Ivory. " It didn't have to be like this.. " Hangs her head low. "But at least now, you're freed. I'm sorry Ivory." Shuts her eyes for a minute, then opens them as she feels Ivory take her last breath. She shuts her eyes for her, so she can rest in peace. Getting up she goes back over to the tree where she was and slides down, putting her head down into her knee's.

Ryouga un sure of what to do, just goes over and sits down next to Ranka. "Are you sure, you're okay?"

Ranka lifts her head annoyed. "Do I, look okay?!" She has an angry and sad look on her face, and her red gem lights up.

Ryouga shakes his head. "No, you don't. That girl.. was she the one you were fighting with at Asadaiba?"

Ranka nodded in reply. Then went back to hiding her face in her knee's and mumbling. "Thanks for butting in and saving me."

Ryouga laughed nervously in reply for a few minutes before snapping out of it. "Did, that girl follow you to Furikan?"

Ranka still has her head down. " Yeah she apparently did.. To, come fight with me some more and finish me off.." She lifted her head suddenly, at realizing how, today was the day she was grounded and was supposed to head straight home from school. She cursed under her breath and looked around the area, before hanging her head, having no idea where she was. She looked back over to Ryouga, with a dull look on her face. " I'm guessing, that you have no idea where we are, either.."

Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly and laughed. "Sorry." Ranka sighed and put her head back against the tree. "Hey, I have to change so, you'd better shut your eyes.." Blushes some. Ryouga gets red in the face and laughs nervously, rubbing at the back of his head. " Oh um yeah." Closes his eyes and waits till he's told to open them again. Ranka finishes peeling off her wet top and skirt, leaving her sitting in a wet tank top and shorts. " You can open them now."

Ryouga opens his eyes and blushes a bit. " Oh yeah, you got wet." Gets all nervous and gets up " Don't worry, I'll make a fire!" Goes about to gathering what he needs and gets to work on doing so, until he's got a fire going. He laughs nervously, as he sits back down near her. Ranka smiles a tad at him. " Thank you, Ryouga." Then she gives him a curious look. " You should be hating me though, I am a clone of Ranma, after all. Or do you like Ranma's girl side, hmm?"

Ryouga gets all nervous and waves his hands about. " What? No, I don't, I love Akane! And well maybe you are, but you're an actual girl and you're not exactly like Ranma."

Ranka gives him a smug look. "No? But I can be, easily. Oh, Ryouga and Akane sitting in a tree, g."

Ryouga puts his hands on her shoulders. " You're better than him."

Ranka blushed some and took his hands off her shoulders. " That's not very nice to say. Then she was absent mindly running her fingers thru her hair. "Ryouga.. about the other day at the Cat Cafe with my mom.. You're probably going to end up having to come to the house and meet her. So, if you care about me and want to be friends, then you'd better keep your mouth shut about Ranma's curse in front of her. Don't address Ranma by his name, it's Ranko, when we're with Nodoka. It's complicated.. but if you hurt Ranma, you'll hurt me." Looks off for a few minutes.

Lays back some against the tree, feeling comfortable feeling the warmth from the fire. She smirks some. " If you really want to get on my good side, you could beat up Genma for me." Laughs a tad, before waving her hands about. " I'm kidding, no.. that'd get you in a lot of trouble with Akane and her family. He's a jerk though.." Looks greatly annoyed.

Ryouga notices the angry look on her face. " Did he do something to you?"

Ranka looks at him somewhat. " You know how Ranma's dad is, don't you? If not, well.. he's always looking to make money off his own kid. Loves to marry his kids off, or anything to make money off them. So, he meets me and he's ready to sell me off and marry me to all these guys, so he gets rich."

Ryouga clenches his fist and grits his teeth, cursing under his breath. "That low life.. how dare he!"

Ranka seems amused by the sudden rise out of him. "He sure is. It's why I can't stand him. I have all of Ranma's memories, all I have to do is look into them. Everything he's put him through, I despise him for…"

Meanwhile, Ranma-chan and Nodoka having finished eating, set about to searching for Ranka. Ranma led the way to where she last saw Ranka at the river. "It was here that I lost her.." She gritted her teeth, looking and then looking away really fast from the water fall. Nodoka patted her on the shoulder. "It's alright dear." She took a look at how high the drop down from the water fall was, feeling a bit nervous. "We'll start by searching the river down stream. Ranma nodded in agreement and followed after her mother.

Ranka looked over at where Ivory's body had laid and realized it was gone. She thought it must've disappeared when she smashed the gem. She sighed and laid her head back down on her knee's. Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head, nervously as he decided to try to be chivarlous. He pulled off his shirt and held it out to Ranka. "Here, you can put this on, if uh you're too cold."

Ranka took the shirt from him and humored him, by putting it on. "Thanks, you know you're annoying, right? But you also know, now that you gave a real girl you're shirt, you're not EVER getting it back, right?" Smirks evily as she taunts him playfully.

Ryouga's really red in the face and laughs. " Well.. uh.. ahaha."

Ranka gives him a quick smirk, having had her fun. "Just giving you an example, of how some girl's minds work. But seriously, I'm not going to take your shirt. That and it's your only one on you, isn't it." Hmms. " But you really must have the hots for Ranma's girl side, huh."

Ryouga gets all flustered and tries to deny it again. " No, I don't, I love Akane."

Ranka gives him a dull look in return. " That may be true, but we both know she loves Ranma more. Even though she treats him like crap. She's used you so many times, to make Ranma jealous." Notices Ryouga getting upset. "I know because I know everything Ranma does, sorry to say. Honestly though Ryouga, don't be too upset, she's not that great. There's way better girls out there for you."

Ryouga nods in agreement as she looks off, lost in his own thoughts. She must be talking about herself, as the better girl, he thought to himself. He's interrupted from his day dream as he feels something thrown on top of his head, noticing his vision is blocked off. Ranka had tossed off his shirt and thrown it over his head. "You can have your shirt back now."

Ryouga realizing it's his shirt, pulls it off his head and puts it back on. "Are you sure? I mean, you could have it if you'd like." He's twiddling his fingers shyly. Ranka gives him a look. " I told you I was joking, you dummy." He rubs at the back of his head and laughs nervously. " Ahaha yeah." Then gets a more serious look on his face, though he's also blushing at the same time. " So.. then you know EVERYTHING, that has happened between me and Ranma?"

Ranka checking on her outfit which she has laid out on a near by bush, close enough to get the heat to help it dry. "Isn't that what I said? Still not getting it? I know about the bathroom incident, all the revenge tactics, etc etc. Shall I go on?" She's blushing some.

Ryouga rubs at his arm sheepishly also blushing " Ah no, I get it. You, really do."

Nodoka makes her way thru the woods swiftly, with Ranko in tow. Ranma slows down some as she thinks she hears voices not too far off, not to mention she's smelling a fire. "Do you hear that, mom?"

Nodoka has also locked onto the signs as well. "Indeed I do, it's not too far off and it sounds like a boy and a girl, if I'm not mistaken."

Ranma listens a bit more intently and uses her chi, to seek out matching chi. She gets all excited as she can tell Ranka's chi is near by and she's probably not that far off. Then she gets annoyed as she did also hear a boy's voice, and wonders who it could be. Nodoka notices how intent Ranko looks, picking up on it. "It is Ranka, isn't it? Come on dear, she's not that far off now." Takes Ranko by the hand as they close in on the area.

Nodoka beats Ranma to the punch line as she spots Ranka, running over and picking her up and embracing her tightly as she tears up. " Thank the gods, you're alright, Ranka. Your sister and I were so worried about you!" Ranka's all wide eyed and shocked. " Mom..?"

Nodoka sets her down and notices what she's wearing and frowns. " Ranka! You're a mess and out in the woods, half naked.." Puts her kimono sleeve to her mouth.

Ranma's standing not far off like a deer caught in the headlights, un sure of what to do. Then her attention shifts to spotting Ryouga of all people, sitting next to her sister. She growls lowly. She was not at all happy but knew now was not the time to start a fight with him. It wouldn't be wise at all to, in front of his mother and now she had to worry about Ryouga exposing her to her mother.

Nodoka's attention shifted onto Ryouga as well, as she noticed he was the boy's voice she had heard. She bowed her head grateful to him and noticed he had been a gentleman to her daughter in the time of need. " Thank you very much for helping my daughter Ranka. I'm Nodoka Saotome and you are?"

Ryouga stood up really fast and bowed his head back as he laughed nervously some. " It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Saotome, I'm uh Ryouga Hibiki."

Nodoka marveled at the younger boy, he reminded her of her son Ranma. "Ryouga, please come back with us to the house for some tea and some snacks, it's the least I can do to thank you properly." Ryouga just laughed nervously and rubbed at the back of his head. " Oh okay, um sure."

Nodoka clasped her hands together and smiled sweetly at him. " Wonderful. Now, please excuse me while I deal with my daughter Ranka."

Ranka tensed up some and waited for the hammer to come down on her. She hung her head low as Nodoka came back over to her.

Nodoka shook her head at Ranka in disapproval. "Ranka, we'll discuss this matter later, throughly. I expect you to apologize to your sister, for causing her so much trouble. But right now, let's get you back home."

They walked back the whole way in silence. Ranma kept hoping that Ryouga would get himself lost on the way back, but to her displeasure, he didn't. After they got back to the house and inside, Nodoka ushered Ranka upstairs to take a bath. She then went about in the kitchen, putting tea on and getting snacks set out on the table for her guest. While she was waiting on the tea, she sat down at the table and smiled at Ryouga. " I cannot thank you enough for what you've done today, Ryouga. So, how is it you know my daughter Ranka?"

Ranma was sitting on the couch muttering under her breath, while she was watching tv, but her focus wasn't there.

Ryouga rubbed at the back of his head nervously. "Oh um well, we uh go to the same school."

Nodoka got up as she heard the tea was done and went about to fixing it up and serving it up, before she sat back down. " That is what Ranka had told me. Oh, do you know my other daughter Ranko as well?"

Ranma-chan gives Ryouga a cold glare from the couch really fast before going back to watching tv. Ryouga laughs a bit. " No mam, not unless her and Ranka have been fooling me."

Nodoka couldn't help but giggle some from his response. "Oh my, I certainly hope they aren't, but they are twins, now aren't they."

Ryouga nodded and ate some snacks, nervously. He could also feel Ranma's intense battle aura towards him, heavy in the air.

Ranka came down the stairs, down from her bath and dressed in a unicorn t-shirt and light pants, with her hair down. She took a seat at the table with them, biting on her lip some. Nodoka looked up at seeing her. "All cleaned up, then?" Ranka nodded. Nodoka nodded back and sipped her tea.

After awhile, Ryouga took his leave. Nodoka bid him farewell as she shut the door behind him and gave Ranka a stern look. "Now, young lady, I'd like an explanation." She sat back down at the table and motioned for Ranka to as well.

Ranka bit her lip and sat back down. "I'm really sorry, about what happened today, mother. I really am.."

Ranma finally decided, she should try to help her sister out. She also knew she could only go so far with her mother. But also figured, what the hell, if she got reprimanded for speaking out. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath. " Mom, Ranka's not completely at fault here, it's not like she started it. Some other girl started in on her."

Nodoka put her hand up in response to Ranko's out burst. " Ranko, I know you're trying to defend your sister, but that's enough, now. Another word and you'll have to go to your room, understood." She said in a some what firm tone, to get her point across.

Ranko bit her lip annoyed and grumbled as she went back to watching tv. Nodoka re focused her attention on Ranka. "Is what your sister said, true, Ranka?"

Ranka bit on her lip this time and looked distraught. " It is.. I attract, trouble obviously. You knew that when you decided to take me in as your daughter.."

Nodoka looks concerned at Ranka and takes her hands in hers. " Ranka.. is this girl that you were fighting with.. Is she the one who got you in trouble at your old school?"

Ranka tried her best to hold back her tears, defiantly and nodded her head. " Yeah.. She found me at the new school and endangered another student in the process and the school too. So.. I fought with her and led her as far away from the school and town as I could."

Nodoka looked deeply concerned and had a thoughtful look on her face. " This girl is affliatated with her father, isn't she? I understand I bit more now, but you were still very reckless, Ranka. How on earth did you.. end up in the river and down the water fall. It's a miracle you're alright."

Ranka rubbed at her shoulder sheepishly. " She was.. but she's gone now. She uh.. threw my necklace in the water." Looks down embarassed.

Nodoka's eyes widen some from what she's hearing. She didn't like how dependent Ranka was on her necklace. She also didn't like what she had said about the girl being gone. "Ranka, where is the girl now? Won't you tell me, her name? She looked into her eyes very concerned. " Ranka dear, that's just foolish to do, you can always get another necklace, it's not worth your life."

Ranka still has her head down in shame. "She's dead." She gritted her teeth. "It's.. very important to me, so.. it is."

Nodoka let go of her hand and wrung her own, very concerned. "We'll talk more about this later, but right now, I'm glad you're back home, safely, thanks to that lovely boy." Ranka almost falls out of her chair, hearing that. Ranma having heard, clenches her fists and grumbles. Nodoka, gets up and embraces Ranka tightly. "It's been a long day, so tonight we'll go out to eat dinner, alright. But first, please apologize to your sister." She let go of her and patted her on the shoulder, before turning her attention to Ranko. " Ranko dear, we'll be going out for dinner tonight, so make sure you dress nicely. I'm going to go get ready myself and then we'll all head out in a bit, alright." Both the girls nod at Nodoka and she nods back as she goes upstairs to get ready.

Ranka gets up and sits down on the same couch that Ranma-chan is sitting at. She sighs with her head down. " I'm sorry about all the trouble I caused you today."

Ranma-chan stretched back in her spot. " No I get it, I do, I just wish you didn't take it on by yourself."

Ranka hung her head in shame. " I know but.. Ivory's on a different level. Not being on the same level, is dangerous and it's my fight. She's gone now though."

Ranma looks over at her with a stern look on her face. "I get that, but I don't agree with that. More importantly, why the hell was Ryouga out there with you?! He didn't do anything perverted to you, did he?" Looks at her with a suspicious look on her face.

Ranka starts blushing automatically and waves her arms about. " No! No, nothing!"

Ranma seeing her reaction, thinks otherwise and crosses her arms. " Nothing, huh.."

Ranka gets a stern look on her face, still blushing. " Yes, really! If you don't believe me, then go ahead and look." Sits back and crosses her arms.

Ranma-chan has an intent look on her face. " I will, then!" Links up with her sisters mind and plays thru the events that un folded. Then opens her eyes and lets out a relieved sigh. "Alright, you were right." Smirks some at having seen that her sister, taunted Ryouga some. Then drops that as she focuses on the more important matter that was seen. " So, why did "she" go after Sayuri?"

Ranka has her arms crossed and has her eyes shut. "She did it purposely, I'm sure."

Ranma-chan rubbed at the back of her head and gave Ranka a concerned look. " Are you okay? I mean you got hammered by mom."

Ranka gives a quick slight smile in reply as she sweatdrops. "I am, she's at least at peace now." She shudders some. " Yeah I definitely did, but I knew it was coming. I mean.. well, you know. I wasn't very lady like or a good girl today.."

Ranma-chan rubs at her shoulder sheepishly and tries to make her sister feel better. " At least yeah.. Hey, you're way more lady like than I am, that's for sure." Finds herself laughing briefly, before stopping. "Anyways, I better put on a better outfit."

Ranka gives Ranma a look and shrugs. " I think it's fine as long as it's casual enough." Ranma nods in agreement and goes upstairs to make sure, not wanting to get the hammer slammed down on her next, by her mother.

Ukyou looks up as she spots Ranma in girl form and Ranka, along with Nodoka as they come inside. She smiles brightly and greets them. Nodoka smiles back at her as they take their seats. Ukyou beams in delight as she has Ranma and his mother at her restaurant again.