Devils Child

by chikane-chan

The devil is sick of Ranma evading him, and he creates a clone of Ranma's girl side to frame him. But things don't go as he planned as the girl breaks away from his control. Ranma gains a sister from the after math, that sticks by his side and there for him and his mother. As well as the usual cast here and there and some other oc's and appearances from some lesser characters.

30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Acceptance

Elsewhere Nodoka sat inside her friends mansion at a lavish table, where the two were having tea and some snacks. Kalu smiled as she set her tea down. " It's so nice to see you to come and visit me. Is there any special occasion?" Nodoka smiled although a bit nervously as set her tea cup down as well. "There is, as usual it's hard to hide things from you Kalu." Kalu laughed a bit all ohoho. " You know me so well Nodoka." Nodoka sighed as she clasped her hands together. " Kalu I know you were looking forward to the marriage arrangement with your nephew and my girls, but I'm sorry to say that it's just not going to work. I wasn't against the idea, it would've been nice but there's just just too much "bad blood" now.. I cannot forgive you're niece for her actions towards my daughter Ranka especially."

Kalu munched on a fancy cookie, while she listened, before taking a sip of her tea before responding. "Don't be nervous Nodoka, I understand. It is a shame though, but it is out of our hands now. Of course I doubt this will deter my silly nephew Tatchi, he's very smitten with your beautiful girls."

Nodoka put a hand to her face a bit flustered. " Oh my, yes well indeed they are, but now that my son Ranma is finally back, that also causes a problem as it seems he and your nephew don't get a long very well."

Kalu's eyes widened as she grabbed Nodoka by her hands with excitement. " Doka that is glorious news, WE must celebrate!" She called over a servant and sent them off to get some fancy sake. Nodoka tried to protest. " Kalu, it's not necessary.." Kalu waved her hand about. " Nonsense, this is a huge deal, we're celebrating Doka!" Nodoka rubbed at the temple of her forehead, knowing even if she had a little or none at all, that Kalu would have her stay even if it was just her getting drunk. She hoped that her children we're alright, while she was gone and likely would be gone a lot later than she had planned. She fussed enough that she was able to make a phone call and let them know.

Back at the house Ranka had picked up the phone when it rang, hearing from their mother that she'd be running late on getting back. After getting off the phone with her and having finished making her recipe, putting it in the fridge to chill, she stuck her head out from the kitchen. " That was mom, she said she's going to be late getting back. From the background it sounds like aunt Kalu wants to party." Ranma took his attention away from the tv. "Well.. she is a Kuno, sucks to be mom right now. Wonder what they're celebrating." Ranka gave him a dull look. " Probably YOU." Ranma sweat dropped as he rubbed at his head for a minute before the realization hit him, making him whap his fist into the palm of his other hand. " Ooh yeah! Yeah that makes sense."

It had been awhile between breakfast and lunch, that Ranma was getting hungry. " Man I hope mom comes back pretty soon." Ranka being in sync with her sibling could tell what he was saying. "Well aren't you glad that I can cook." Ranma gave her an annoyed look. " Well of course you can, I mean you're not Akane." Ranka sweat dropped and hehed back. " No I am not, besides I've had a lot of practice with all the cooking and baking mom's been having me do with her." Ranma rubbed at the back of his head. " Yeah well you don't have to, I mean you were just making something before. I can make a sandwich or something." Ranka shrugged her shoulders at him. " It's fine. Okay then no omelette rice for you then." Ranma sweat dropped. " Hey.. I didn't say that, maybe I want both." Ranka hehed at him, before she disappeared back into the kitchen, getting to work.

Meanwhile at the Tendo's house hold, Kasumi was out and had set up for the family to have take out, leaving Akane and Nabiki to pick up the order from the Nekohanten, much to her displeasure. Nabiki could tell her younger sister was moody, but she was more worried about herself. " How do you think I feel huh Akane, I was in the middle of something important." Akane rolled her eyes at her sister. "Everything is more important to YOU, Nabiki if it means avoiding having to do things." Nabiki laughed some as they got closer to the restaurant. " Well it could also turn out interesting." Akane huffed at her sisters less then supportive attitude as they made their way inside.

Shampoo greeted the customers as usual when they came inside, but lit up at seeing it was Akane Tendo, as she couldn't help but gloat to her. "Aiya Akane what you doing here? If you looking for Ranma he no here." Akane hmpfed as she crossed her arms. "I'm just here to pick up an order." Cologne looked through orders, seeing one under Tendo. " Ah yes, your orders almost ready, it'll be a few minutes yet." Nabiki nodded as she took a seat, to watch the entertainment that was likely to un fold in front of her.

Shampoo smiled as also couldn't help but taunt Akane further. "Aah Shampoo have such a good time with sleepover with Ranka, in same bed." She put her hands to her face as she blushed and giggled, trying to imply more actually happened. Akane huffed. " Like I care! I thought you hated Ranma's girl side, though." Shampoo smiled back. "That different now, Shampoo like both Ranma's." Akane bristled in anger, her angry aura flaring. Nabiki at hearing the order was ready, pulled her sister away. " Hey, let's get this back home like Kasumi asked." Akane huffed as she assisted her sister with carrying some of the things, after having paid for the food, with them taking their leave.

Walking back towards the house, it was clear that Shampoo had gotten under Akane's skin. Nabiki could clearly see that, with watching her sisters angry posture and expression on her face. "Geez Akane, stop lying about not caring that Shampoo was alone with Ranka, it's clear you do." Akane stubborn as ever, deflected the truth. " I do not!" Nabiki continued on as they kept walking. " Right.. Ranka is pretty much Ranma, just as a real girl, Ranma's girl side come to life, you could say and you have a thing for his girl side." Akane got a bit red in the face. " Nabiki!" Nabiki chuckled. The rest of the walk back to the house was pretty silent, and after putting down the take out boxes she had on her, and angry Akane stormed off towards the Saotome's house.

Back at the Saotome house, Ranka and Ranma were eating, with her about to as she heard loud knocking at the door and the anger in Akane's voice. Ranka sighed as she got up and went and answered the door, letting her in, before shutting the door behind her, locking back up. " Hey Akane, what brings you here?" Akane tightened one of her fists. "So Shampoo tells me she's been coming over here a lot.." Ranma sweat dropped at that, almost choking on his food. Ranka sighed seeing she was clearly jealous. " You know she does what she wants.." Akane was about to say more when her stomach growled, making her blush from embarrassment. Ranka gave her a look. " How about we talk about things after we eat, as it seems your hungry too." She had made plenty, as she served up a plate for Akane, before sitting back down at the table.

After finishing, Akane continued to vent her frustrations on the matter. Ranma on the other hand was still eating. "What was Shampoo doing in the same bed as you?!" She then turned her attention on Ranma accusingly as well. " So, was she in bed with you too?" Ranka rubbed at the temple of her head with one of her fingers. " Did you just come over here to yell at "us" or what? It's not like I invited her into my bed, because I wanted to, okay!"

Ranma stepped in to the discussion after he was done eating. " If she could've gotten away with it, she would've but no she wasn't. Chill out already Akane." That wasn't a good thing to say, as Akane grabbed her glass of water and splashed it off into Ranma's face. " Why don't YOU, Ranma!" Having triggered the curse, Ranma was now a girl, as she shook her head about from getting wet. " What the hell, Akane?!"

Ranma could only go so far with Akane, Ranka on the other hand was fed up watching more abuse on her sibling, as she grabbed her glass of water and flung the water from it into Akane's face with a dull look on her face. " How, do YOU like it, huh Akane?" Akane looked bewildered for a moment, then she grew upset and angry. Ranma-chan stayed quiet as she watched both their aura's flare with anger as she ducked down in her seat.

Akane's anger flared as she lashed out about to slap Ranka across the face, but Ranka knew she was ready to and countered back as she caught her hand in mid air, stopping her actions. "Let's not, okay." She said sternly as there was a power struggle for a minute, before she let her grip off Akane's hand. " Why don't you go upstairs and take a bath and calm yourself down. You can borrow an outfit from me, for now."

Akane had her head down as she got up from the table, then running off upstairs to the bathroom crying.

Ranma-chan sweat dropped as she sat up in her chair. " Jeez Ranka.. you could've just called her un cute." Ranka gave her a dull look in response. " Yes, because that works so well." Ranma-chan took a minute to think. " Hey.. " She was going to say more, but changed her mind, seeing how her sister was very similar to being strict like their mother and in a bad mood where her colder side was out.

After putting all the dirty dishes into the sink, she went upstairs, where she went to check on Akane and let her pick out whatever outfit she wanted as well as showing her where the blow dryer was, before she left her alone to get changed, while she took care of her wet clothes, going and putting them in the dryer.

Once Akane was changed into a t shirt and pants, she was just finishing blow drying her hair, when Ranka came back in to check on her. Akane set the turned off blow dryer down with an upset look. "I thought.. Shampoo hated you." Ranka looked off some as she played with her necklace, absent mindedly. "Apparently, she's changed her mind.." Akane huffed and grew angrier as she realized how Shampoo had been acting and she had referred to Ranka as "airen" back when she crashed the karaoke night. "Don't tell me, she thinks you're hers too." Ranka looked flustered for a second as she fidgeted with her fingers. "Ah yeah, isn't that obvious, or were you not aware? If you want to blame someone, blame the devil.. for making me say things I didn't mean to Shampoo.. and well.. of course she used it against me, so yeah she's my fiancee now, as honor dictates.." Akane looked upset for a second before returning to being angry. "You're both girls!" Ranka sweat dropped. "Yeah I know that.." Akane huffed and puffed, then turning a bit flustered. " Well.. like she said she wants both Ranma's.. so well.. I guess since you kind of are Ranma, that means we're engaged too."

Ranka gave her a weird look. " Are you trying to say something, Akane?" Akane then got angry and defiant. " No! I was just.." Ranka gave her a dull look. " Uhuh.. Well then I guess you should know how our mother, expects all promises to be honored.. meaning Ranma has to marry you, Shampoo and Ukyou." Akane was bright red in the face, with her mouth wide open. "She can't.." Ranka laughed a bit. " You obviously don't know your auntie Saotome, very well then do you? Go on then, wait for her to come back and ask her if you think I'm lying." Akane tightened her fist " Maybe I will!"

Ranka sighed as she sat down on the side of her bed looking upset. "So.. even though I'm not wearing the same outfit or styling my hair differently from Ranma's.. you still see me as Ranma.." Akane looked away some from the chair she was sitting at the desk with a mirror, blushing some. " Well.. you are Ranma's other side, just as a real girl, even if you try to look different.." Ranka got up all frustrated from where she had been sitting. " I'll let you finish up, you can come downstairs when you want." She took her leave from the room in a rush.

Ranma-chan was sitting on the couch watching tv, as she spotted Ranka come back downstairs. "She's not still crying is she?" Ranka was looking off the other way. " No, the baths free now, so you should take one, I'm going to go water the garden." She then went outside to the yard after opening and closing the doors that led out to the porch. What she had really wanted to do, she kept herself grounded, and with Akane there it was out of the question to go off to the rooftop, so she'd just stay out there awhile. Not to mention there was no need for concern as she had told her sibling where she was going. She did do what she said she was doing though, as she picked up the hose, then turning the water on as she watered the garden.

Once upstairs Ranma-chan went and checked in on Akane, also getting the sense that she may have said the wrong things to Ranka, as she could clearly tell from watching her that she had wanted to be alone. Akane at hearing the door open and seeing a red head, and was still riled up and not really looking for differences, automatically thought it was Ranka, making her feel a little guilty for what she had said before. "Um.. err.."

Ranma-chan quirked an eyebrow at her. "So, what do you have to say for yourself?" Akane got a bit flustered. " I uh.. I didn't mean to upset you.." Ranma-chan slapped her hand to her face. " What did you do?" Akane then realized it was Ranma that she was talking to as she blushed before turning frustrated. " Ranma! How long were you going to pretend that you were Ranka?!" Ranma-chan gave her an annoyed look, as she figured from past arguments between the two, how Akane kept saying the wrong things. "I dunno, why do you gotta be so darn stupid!" Akane tightened her fist as she stood up. " What did you say?! I don't need to sit here and take this, I'm leaving!" She huffed as she went off downstairs. Ranma-chan grumbled as she went off to the bathroom.

Akane left the house all huffy, about to leave until she spotted Ranka sitting out on the porch with her head down on her knee's, making her feel even more guilty. She sighed as she went off into the yard, sitting down next to Ranka on the porch. "I'm sorry I upset you.." Ranka lifted her head a tad but still had it down, as she gave her an angry look. " Don't.. start with me.. because I'm NOT in the mood.." Her red gem necklace lit up brightly, as it echoed her feelings. Akane started to find herself getting annoyed as well. " Well excuse me, but it's the truth! You're being ridiculous!" Ranka kept her same position, except her expression on her face grew angrier. " Oh I'm the ridiculous one am I.. " She lifted her head as she glared at Akane her gem glowing furiously. " You're getting on me for not wanting to look exactly the same as Ranma, but you did the same damn thing!" Akane fired back. " Excuse me?!" Ranka got up from where she was sitting as her angry aura flared. " You heard me.. You grew your hair out like Kasumi's for Doctor Tofu, but then when it went and got cut off, you kept it short, labeling yourself. Then you dare to get on me!"

Hearing that thrown back in her face, made her feel sheepish as she backed down some in the anger department to a degree. " Yeah well I'm trying.. to not see it that way.. So why can't you too?" Ranka huffed as she crossed her arms. " You just want me to look the part." Akane got a bit flustered at being put on the spot. " It's not.." Ranka had an annoyed look on her face. " Isn't it though?" Akane tightened her fists as she fired back. " No, I don't want you to look exactly like Ranma, but it's upsetting you won't at all braid your hair or wear a chinese shirt.." Ranka looked off the other way as she tightened her fists. "I don't want to go there anymore, don't you get it.. Maybe you would if you had to deal with what I had to.. " She sat back down further away with her head down again. "Now.. just buzz off already.."

That annoyed Akane, as she shot back. " Oh, so I'm a fly now, am I?!" Ranka shot back at her. " Yeah you are, now buzz off!" Her red gem glowed even brighter in warning. Akane bristled about to shoot back but simmered down as she realized just how angry Ranka was. " Did, something else happen? You seem really upset." Ranka gave her a glare before going back to her position. " None of your business, so just butt out." Akane looked concerned suddenly as it hit her, usually even when Ranka got mad with her she didn't get too nasty with her, but when she was really angry, she'd fire back at her worse than Ranma in ways but also the same. She really had made it even worse by butting heads with an already upset Ranka, which made her retreat back inside the house.

Upstairs during his hot bath Ranma could've sworn he heard some arguing that seemed to be coming from outside, which made him hurry up. After getting out and getting dressed he went off downstairs to met with an upset looking Akane. " Aww jeez Akane, what did you do now? I thought you said you were leaving.." Akane wrung her hands together. " I uh.. was trying to apologize to Ranka but, I made it worse.. Did something bad happen, that you're not telling me about? Because she was really nasty to me." Ranma sighed. "You just had to go and butt heads with her, didn't you?" Akane aahed in annoyance, not really knowing how to defend that. Ranma groaned at her. "That Ivory.. ended up fighting with both of us the other night or so, and not too long ago she started with us again.. she acted like neither things upset her, and then you had to go and butt heads with her.. She didn't run off did she?" He said looking a bit concerned.

Akane looked concerned but also annoyed. "That really doesn't tell me what happened.. No.. she's outside on the porch.." Ranma groaned again as he sat down on the couch. " The first one was when our mom put us in time out.. separate. Ivory the demon took advantage of that and baited Ranka outside, then I went after that damn demon. I got a hit in and then it rained.." He tightened his fist. "I guess that pissed her off, so she's after me for more than one reason. Ranka's also dealing with.." Akane looked concerned. " Your mother.." Ranma nodded. " Yeah.. and that she's not meeting her high expectations, so she was trying to impress her with a fancy recipe and then we went to the store to get stuff for it and Ivory.. started up again, splashed both of us with cold water.. really pissed me off and I called her ugly, so she threw a truck at us." Akane's mouth was hanging open. " She threw a truck at you?!" Ranma gave her a look. " Ah yeah that's what I said." Akane sweat dropped. " Well.. you did call her ugly.." Ranma looked frustrated. " Yeah yeah, Ranka said something like that too. But she is.." Akane sighed. " Yeah but you don't do that with girls, okay Ranma.." Ranma got annoyed. " Oh yeah and it's okay that she threw a truck at "us?!" Akane shook her head quickly back and forth, then looking sad. " No wonder she got so mad.." Ranma gave her an annoyed look back. " Yeah and you just set her off more. Again.. what the hell did you say to her to get her upset?" Akane looked sheepish as she hung her head. " I uh.. got on her about why she won't wear her hair in a braid.." Ranma stopped her there, knowing what she had said, making him sigh. Akane tensed up looking more flustered. "I wouldn't have if I knew about Ivory attacking again.."

He put his hand up some to stop her form saying anything more. " Akane you should go." Akane looked upset as she tried to plead with him. " Let me try to fix it.. please Ranma.." Ranma sighed as he gave her a sterner look. " Fine, you've got 10 minutes, then you need to step away, got it." Akane nodded as she went out the front door and went off to the back yard to where the outside porch was. "Ranka, I'm sorry for being stupid.."

At not getting a reply, she kept going. "and about your mother, but you really impress me. You're a lot more politer than Ranma and I think you meet your mother's expectations very well." Ranka gave her an annoyed look. " You're another one that doesn't listen, aren't you?" Akane stood there deviant. " That's right, I'm not going to " buzz off. Before you said maybe I'd understand better if I had to deal with what you had to, but I also might if you told me." She went to try to put her hand on Ranka's shoulder to try to comfort her, only for her hand to get knocked back, by the defense barrier that blocked her as the gem had reacted. Akane stumbled back a few steps getting annoyed. " What the..?"

She tried to calm herself down as she sat down near Ranka. Ranka looked off the other way, trying to hide her expression on her face. " Haven't I already.." Akane thought about it for a moment. " Maybe you did, but I'd like to hear about it again." Ranka sighed deeply. " I had to play the part, even though I didn't want to.. because it made "him" happy, when he got his way.. Like I said.. I don't want to go there anymore.." Akane sighed. " Well.. I didn't want to grow my hair out again, because I did that for Doctor Tofu.. and it seemed like Ranma liked it short.." Ranka gave her a dull look, still looking off the other way. " To make you feel better. It doesn't mean you have to grow it out as long as you had before, that's up to you."

Akane looked thoughtful as she brought it back on Ranka. " Well, same goes for you. Just, think about it, okay. I'm not telling you, you always have to braid you're hair or wear chinese outfits either."

Ranka sighed deeply as she tightened her fists. "Well my mother sure doesn't seem to think I do, I just.. keep doing everything wrong.. The original plan, didn't have any of "this" in it.." Akane gave her a concerned look. " I don't understand what you mean?" Ranka sighed again. " I hadn't planned to stick around, there weren't any plans that I could gain my own freedom, that's how it was.. Once I realized what my existence was, I was fine with disappearing at any time.." Akane looked upset. " Ranka.." Ranka cut her off knowing, where she was headed. " Obviously that's how I "had" felt. The point is I had no plans of getting so close with my mother. It wasn't in the plan.. and of course things changed. I know better now, and promises were made, that I'm trying my best at.. So don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.. I would've.. if I was still bound to Satan.." She smiled weakly for a brief moment. "But.. he's making it really hard for me, because I'm the biggest traitor, for defying him. He could've made me really simple, but went all out, so I guess I'm really valuable. And of course he has to torture me in any way he can, to remind me of what a bad girl I am.."

Akane looked concerned. "With Ivory.." Ranka nodded. "She's just a pawn. It took me awhile to realize the real her is gone, I mean of course I wanted to help her, but she's beyond it now. Of course now I've really pissed her off, since I've killed her a couple times now." Akane looked frazzled at hearing that. " You.. killed her? More than once?" Ranka sighed with a blank look. "What I keep killing are just her clones, since the real one stays hidden in hell, so she's safe, but I'm not putting up with her in any form attacking people close to me.. And now Ranma's really pissed her off, which I'm sure you've heard.."

Akane nodded and looked flustered. " Well.. he shouldn't have called her ugly.." Ranka sweat dropped. " Yeah.. but it's not like it's not true.. or warrant her throwing a truck.." Akane shook her head in disbelief. " I still can't believe she did.." Ranka actually faced her this time with a serious look on her face. " You'd better believe it, like Ranma says she's a demon, and she's very strong. If I wasn't linked to magic, she probably would've killed me our first fight.. and the reason "we" didn't get crushed was my link with magic. But she's out to get Ranma now too.. " She looked off the other way with a concerned look. "If you see her, just run away, don't speak to her, nothing, got it.. You do not want to be targeted by her.. and I don't want anyone else getting dragged in. It's bad enough Ukyou did.."

Akane nodded. Ranka sighed deeply as she mumbled " It's bad enough you let yourself be a target.."

Akane hmmed as swayed her legs back and forth off the side of the porch. " So she hates Ranma because he called her ugly." Ranka stretched her legs some as she turned her attention to Akane. "That's not all of it.. She wanted me to go back and then she'd forgive me.. but I promised Ranma I wouldn't.. and I told her that.. She's jealous.." Akane looked annoyed. " She's got problems.." Ranka nodded in reply. " So.. there's no running away, there wasn't any apparently when I took on my new name.."

Akane gave her a concerned look. " Are you okay, Ranka?" Ranka gave her a dull look. " Do you see me shutting down, no.." Akane tried to fuss, only to get cut off by her. Ranka shook her head back and forth. " I'll be fine, or else.. I'll get the hydro room.. and lots of training, so no worries, I know better." She got up suddenly, going back inside.

Ranma felt better at seeing his sister had come back inside. " Hey, is everything okay?" Ranka smiled a tad for a second. " I didn't make Akane cry, if that's what you mean. I'm going to go take a nap for a bit." She then went off upstairs to her room, shutting the door behind her.

Akane came back in after Ranka had a few minutes later, looking around. " Where'd Ranka go?" Ranma rubbed at the back of his head. " She's taking a nap." Akane took a seat on the couch, not used to such luxury. "Don't worry, she told me she knows better about shutting down again." Ranma looked off some. " Ah yeah." Akane looked a bit out of place as she tried to sink down sitting on the couch, making Ranma chuckle at her. " Hey, I'm not used to such luxury. I'm surprised your mother has a lot of things like this couch." Ranma hmmed. " I think it's her friend Kalu's influence. So, you're not gonna go home huh." Akane hmpfed in annoyance. "Not until I talk with your mother." She got up after pulling herself out from the cushion. " I'm going to go take a nap while I wait." She went off upstairs.

After knocking on Ranka's door she nervously held her breath. " Ah hey Ranka can I take a nap too.." Ranka answered the door looking annoyed. " Whatever, you can use the other bed." She then shut the door behind her, going back off to her bed, flopping back down into it and under the blankets. Akane grew flustered as she lay on the other bed, thinking and how she was intent on trying to get on the same playing field as Shampoo had with Ranka. She waited awhile before getting out of the bed, trying to be as quiet as she could as she crept over to where Ranka's bed was, as she started to pull the cover up to get under, only to be be faced with Ranka giving her a questionable look. " Whatcha doing? I hope you're not thinking about trying to sneak into bed with me.. I know you beat people up in your sleep.." Akane stood there frozen and beet red in the face for a minute, before managing to retort back. " I do not!"

Ranka sat up in her bed, yanking the blanket back. " Yeah well I don't want to find out, so go back to the other bed or you can leave and go take a nap in the guest room." She then disappeared back under the blankets.

After awhile Akane was sleeping and so was Ranka, until she started having nightmares, of the recent two encounters with Ivory. Reliving the horrifying events of a few hours ago, except it ending differently with the truck crushing them, making her bolt up as she sat up in bed panting and sweating. She cursed under her breath, as she pulled her shirt off, laying back in her tank top as she tried to get back to her nap and after awhile she did.

Not too much later Nodoka was able to excuse herself from the celebrating, under the condition she would accept a gift from Kalu, for the family that would be delivered soon. She was happy to be able to get back home and to get out of having to stay longer. She greeted her son with a smile on her face.

Upstairs in the room, Ranka's gem lit up brightly at having sensed Nodoka's return, in turn warning her to wake up. The brightness from the red light glowing, forcing her to wake up. She sat up in her bed as she yawned a bit out of it, as she listened. After pulling her shirt back on and getting out of her bed, she went over to where Akane was napping and gave her shake. " Sounds like she's back if you still wanted to talk to her." She turned the light on before she left the room, going off to the bathroom, making sure that her hair wasn't messy.

Nodoka at seeing Ranka come downstairs and how Ranma was sitting on the couch, couldn't help but think they were fighting again, but decided to question them first. " Were you two fighting again?" Seeing them both shake their heads back and forth quickly, she decided to drop it. " Well I very much hope not. I'm sure you'll both be happy to know that I was able to get Kalu to agree to drop the marriage idea with her nephew." Ranma pumped his fist with a smile on his face. " Alright!" Ranka sighed a breath of relief.

Akane came down the stairs next, having gotten up from her nap, shortly after Ranka had woken her up and smiled at seeing Nodoka. " Hello auntie Saotome." Nodoka smiled brightly at seeing her. " Why hello Akane dear." She then turned her gaze to her son. " Ranma, did you know Akane was here?" Ranma sweat dropped looking nervous. " Ah yeah, she kinda just showed up." Ranka stepped in as well. " She did and the polite thing was to invite her in, right?" Nodoka nodded in reply. Akane twiddled her fingers about. " Um auntie Saotome, Ranka said how you expect Ranma to marry Shampoo and Ukyou as well, that's not true right?" Ranma almost fell off the couch at what he had heard. Ranka looked annoyed, that Akane just went and potentially set her up for the frying pan.

Nodoka put a hand to her face looking ashamed. "It is true, promises are to be honored, so yes." She went back to smiling. " Were you going to be staying for dinner Akane dear?" Akane looked upset and flustered. " Oh no I just wanted to say hi to you, but I'd better be going, it is getting late." Nodoka nodded in understanding as Akane started to head to the door. She turned to her children. " Ranma, Ranka could you please walk Akane back home." Of course she wanted to just tell Ranma to, but had a feeling he wouldn't want to and that he might end up fighting with Akane. After getting nods from both of them and seeing them off to the front door, she went off to take a bath, while she had some time to.

Akane looked annoyed at the fact she had to be walked back. Ranma had his hands in his pockets as they walked. "It's not like I wanted to have to walk you back.. So uh, did you guys make up?" Ranka looked annoyed as well as they walked. " More a less." She gave Akane a look. " You know you didn't have to say that I said "that".." Akane hmpfed. " Well YOU did." Ranka wrinkled her nose up. " Well I'm sorry but the truth hurts. I tried to warn you."

Instead of getting mad at Ranka, she turned her attention to Ranma, making him tense up. " What? It's not like I want any fiancee's okay." Akane hmpfed. " Oh please, you're such a pervert Ranma." Ranma started to get annoy. " Hey! It's not my fault, okay." Ranka stepped in to defend him. " It's really not, I'm pretty sure I told you before, but it's the old man who you need to be angry with Akane. He's a real work of art." Akane hand an angry look on her face. " You're just saying that because you hate him." Ranka gave her a dull look. " No, really? But I have very good reasons for WHY I hate him. He's a selfish prick for one." Ranma nodded in agreement. Ranka gave her a sterner look. "Just think about it. I mean has your dad ever tried to sell you off, huh? Akane looked thoughtful as they got close enough to the Tendo house hold. " No, my dad would never do that." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her. " I rest my case." They said their goodbyes and made sure she got in, before they started to walk back.

Ivory happened to be on her way back from the store near the Tendo's, as she spotted them not too far off making her smirk. Grabbing up a near by bucket of water from a property, she followed through the shadows, letting them walk a ways, before catching up to them and tossing the contents of the water from the bucket, from the back at them. She cackled as she watched Ranma turn into a girl, and Ranka yelped at getting a bit wet as well. " Wet's a good look for you." Ranma-chan pushed her wet bangs out of her face growling as she cursed at the demon. Ivory had her fun and decided to retreat for now, as she disappeared off into the shadows, laughing.

Ranma-chan tightened her fists. " I'm gonna kick her ass!" Ranka glared after the direction Ivory had disappeared. " Not tonight, unless you want mom to kick YOUR ass?" This made Ranma drop it, looking nervous as she pouted. " Yeah yeah.. thanks for talking some sense into me." Ranka smiled for a second at her. " Of course, and we don't need to get smashed by a truck again either." Ranma-chan sweat dropped, knowing Ranka knew if she had gone after the demon, she would've called her "ugly" again and "that" likely would've happened again. She laughed for a second before looking embarrassed.

Nodoka looked up from the book she was reading on the couch when she heard them come in through the front door. She sweat dropped as she shut her book at seeing Ranma as a girl. "Ranma.. what happened?" Ranma-chan sweat dropped. " I uh dunno.." Ranka stepped in to defend her sibling. " Water just happens to find Ranma." Nodoka put a hand to her face. " Ranma dear go take a nice hot bath, before you catch a cold." Ranma-chan nodded and went off upstairs to go do so.

She got up from where she had been sitting on the couch, going off into the kitchen to start making dinner. Ranka went off into the kitchen after her. Nodoka couldn't help but feel bad for how she had harped on her the other day. She had just learned that how she was her son's other side as a girl, so she did act like him in a lot of ways. She needed to accept that she wouldn't be the perfect girl she had wanted, but she wasn't too far off from her expectations, she had to admit. When she thought back to dealing with Ranko and how greatly opposed to things that Ranka did without much fuss. With her she didn't need to ask much, she just did them, as well as how she had learned a lot so fast. She was pretty obedient, but she knew she could also be the opposite.

They worked in sync as they made up dinner. Nodoka finished up making the hamburger steaks and started on the sides. "You and Akane didn't fight did you dear?" Ranka started getting the dishes and silverware together, while they talked. "She fights with everyone, doesn't she?" Nodoka shook her head. She could see through Ranka's tactics a bit easier now, but couldn't really get too angry with her. It's what she had learned to do, in order to protect herself when she was stuck working for the devil, she had learned a lot of bad behaviors.

Pretty soon they were all eating dinner at the table. After they were done, her and Ranka cleaned up. Nodoka hmmed. " What should we have for dessert." She thought about what to make. Ranka fidgeted with her hands. "I made a mint chocolate chip cheesecake." Nodoka put a hand to her mouth. " My.. did you now?" Ranka nodded a bit flustered. Nodoka smiled back. " Alright then, we'll have that for dessert then." After getting it out from the fridge and examining it closer, she was quite impressed. " My Ranka, did you make this all by yourself?" Ranka nodded sheepishly. Nodoka smiled and gave her a hug. " That's my girl." Ranka beamed happily at being praised by her mother. Nodoka patted her on the head. " You should make one for that nice boy, Ryouga." Ranka sweat dropped as her smile vanished, making her groan at having things turned around so fast.

Once everyone was served, they enjoyed the fancy dessert. Nodoka sipped some of her tea. "My, that was delicious. I think that Ranma would agree." She fussed with him about eating a bit slower. Ranka nodded in agreement. After they were done they set about to cleaning up, until they heard someone at the front door. Nodoka went over and answered it at hearing it was a delivery, as she signed off for it, before bringing the box inside that she set on the living room table.

Ranma felt curious about it. " What'd you get?" Ranka nodded in agreement. Nodoka smiled at them both. " I didn't, Kalu insisted on getting all of us a gift, so let's see what it is." She went and got scissors to open the box with, as she pulled out the box with the video game system in it. Ranma's eyes got all big. " Woah, no way!" Ranka blinked and then gave her mom a dull look. " Are you sure this isn't a bribe?" Nodoka put her hand to her mouth as she giggled a bit. " One can never tell with Kalu, but no I think it's just her being nice." She gave the box a look over before turning her attention to her son. " Well I have no idea how to set this up, perhaps you can figure it out Ranma dear." Ranma had a smug look on his face. " Yeah, I sure can." Nodoka smiled sweetly. "If it doesn't take too long, you two can play with it for awhile before bed." Nodoka sat back down on the couch as she watched Ranma go through the contents of the box all excited.

Ranma got more excited at seeing there were also a few games included with the system. Nodoka smiled. " We will have to thank Kalu for such a generous gift." She looked through the game's that were included, shaking her head at seeing a fighting one. It took him a little while to figure out how to hook up the game system to the tv, but once he did, he was quite proud of himself. Nodoka smiled and applauded him, as did Ranka, following her mothers example. At being offered the other controller she declined. " It's alright dear, you and Ranka play and I'll watch." Ranka smiled at her mother. " Okay, but you get to go next." Nodoka protested. " No no, it's alright, you two have fun with it." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at her. " Right, you can play with demons, but not with a video game? Besides.." She put her puppy dog eyes on. "Didn't auntie Kalu get it for ALL of us?" Nodoka sighed in defeat. " She did, it would be rude of me not to, I suppose." Ranma nodded smugly. "Yeah, you gotta mom."

Once they got started with the fighting one, and after some practice with the buttons and moves, they started playing. Nodoka shook her head at the game, but paid attention to how close the match was and the ties in another round. Ranka held out the controller towards her mother. " Okay now it's your turn." Nodoka sweat dropped. " I'd like to choose the game this time." She did so as she put a platform adventure game into the system, and her and Ranma got the feel for the controls and moves for it. After she ran out of lives, she gave Ranka back the controller and let them play a little longer, before it was time to go to bed.

After getting ready for bed, Ranma-chan came into the room. " Boy am I glad Akane finally went back home." Ranka hehed. " You and me both, but especially me." Ranma-chan hmmed, looking thoughtful for a minute. " Ooh yeah you two were butting heads. Anyways now we can train for that talking technique."

Ranka nodded and they went and sat at the ground table together, as they went thru the same motions that they had the other night as they linked up, as well sharing each other's chi. They practiced a bit, before stopping, this time a little longer than the other time. Ranka took her hand away from Ranma-chan's as they broke the link, going off to their own beds.

Ranma-chan laid back in hers pretty happy, the earlier events were covered over by the more recent events. " That cake thing turned out really good, so your plan worked, you definitely impressed mom." Ranka smiled briefly. " Mint chocolate chip cheese cake. Maybe.. but then she started about how I should make one for Ryouga.." Ranma-chan grumbled at hearing that. They both said good night to each other as they retired for the night.

Soon it was morning and the daily school routine went on. Both siblings after leaving the house and walking off towards the school, with Ranma walking on top fences and walls, while Ranka kept to the ground, wearing her boots. Ivory lay in wait, up above in a tree, with a bucket of cold water at the ready. At hearing him coming close enough within her range, she dumped the water down on top of him, watching him change into a girl.

Ranma-chan growled at being splashed before school. " God dammit!" Ivory jumped down from her hiding spot, with a fanged smirk on her face. " Ahaha." Then she ran off really fast, before she could be caught. Ranka gave her sibling a dull look as she sighed. "She's definitely got your number.." Ranma-chan glared daggers in the direction the demon girl had fled. " She's damned lucky I have school!" She then grumbled. " Now I gotta go to Doctor Tofu's." With that being said, they made their way over to the clinic.

After changing back they continued on their way, close to the school when Ivory struck again, this time from behind as she threw another bucket of water's contents onto Ranma from behind. Ranma-chan balled her fists as she cursed under her breath, as they back tracked back to Doctor Tofu's clinic again. After changing back a second time, he looked frustrated as they left.

They made it to school, getting off inside to class just as the bell rang and then it was time for class to begin. The rest of the day went by smoothly. After coming back from gym, Ranka found what looked to be a challenge letter in her desk, which she put away in her book bag after reading it.

Meanwhile from his lair Satan had made a plan to try to bring Ranka to him, having set up a trap. Alley chimed in on it. " So what was your genius plan again?" Satan sat on his throne as he stroked his goatee. " One of my servants is in disguise at the school, with a message to draw her and then bring her to me." Alley swooned. "How sinister of you my master." Satan chuckled as he enjoyed the attention. "I know."

The school day came to an end as everyone was leaving for the day. Ranka let Akane know to let Ranma know she'd be right back, before she went off on her own down the opposite end of the hallway, going up the stairs that led to the roof top. She looked over the note she was holding as she made her way up there. Once to the right level, she opened the door to the rooftop, looking around till she spotted her challenger.

Satan's servant that was disguised by possessing the male student, smiled at seeing his target. "Hey, you came." Ranka gave the guy a stern look as she held out the note. " Did YOU send me this?" The guy nodded with a smirk on his face, about to say more. Ranka then punched him in his face, knocking the guy off his feet to the ground. " I win." She threw the note on his face. " You'd better train harder, if your going to try to challenge me again." She flipped her pony tail all sassy before taking her leave.

The knocked out demon's eyes were spinning, as Satan lost his visual and cursed. The possession broken on the male student, he suddenly sat up looking around all surprised.

Ranma had his arms crossed as he finally spotted Ranka come out from the school, Akane had told him the message. " What were you doing?" Ranka gave him a look. " I got a challenge letter." Ranma sweat dropped. " That was a quick challenge then." Ukyou and Akane over heard them talking. Ukyou sweat dropped. " Are you sure it was a challenge letter, Ranka?" Ranka gave her a dull look. " Well what else could it be?" Ukyou laughed a bit nervously. " Well first off, what did it say?" Akane sweat dropped as she listened as well, remembering how she had done the same thing, though a bit different. Ukyou at hearing what was said, shook her head. " Ranka.. that wasn't a challenge letter.. it sounds like the guy was trying to ask you to be his girlfriend.." Ranka blinked. "Oh? Well I'm glad I punched him in the face then." Ukyou and Akane both looked frazzled as they almost face faulted to the ground. Ranma had a smug smile on his face as he patted her on the shoulder. " Alright, good job sis."

Ukyou regained her posture. " Ranma huney.." She shook her head at him and turned her attention to Ranka. " Ranka you shouldn't have done that, but I get that, that sort of thing can be annoying." Ranma cut any further chatter off as said their good byes and left the school yard.

Once they had left, Akane approached Ukyou. " Hey Ukyou, I was wondering if you could help me with something, I know we don't really get along too well.. but it's about Ranka." Ukyou hmmed as she listened. " I'm listening." Akane got a bit flustered. " I was wondering if you could try to talk to her about braiding her hair and wearing chinese outfits like Ranma." Ukyou looked to be in deep thought for a few minutes. "I'll have to think about it, okay." Akane nodded. Then they went off their separate ways.

Not too far away, as they walked back towards the house, Ivory attacked again as she splashed another bucket of water on top of Ranma from above, with an evil cackle, as she ran off and disappeared into the shadows. Ranma-chan growled as she steeled herself not to go tearing off after the demon, knowing she needed to get back home. Ranka sweat dropped at her. " You didn't have your gem with you huh." Ranma-chan grumbled. " Nope.." Ranka sighed. " Seems it's her goal to constantly splash you." Ranma-chan growled. " Damn she's annoying as hell!" Ranka nodded in agreement as they got back to the house.

Ranma-chan sighed. " I think I'll have a soda from the machine." She went off inside for a second before coming back out, as the machine powered on, and she put a coin in the slot. A light flashed red for a second. Ranka looked nervous at seeing that. " Somehow I think you'd better not have one, it might have run out and who knows if there's a nasty surprise waiting.." Ranma-chan got nervous as well after thinking about what was said for a minute. " Gah.. you're right.. that is right up Kodachi's alley.." Ranka nodded, she spotted Genma not too far off on a walk. Ranma followed his sisters gaze and they both smirked. She caught on to what she was thinking, as she went over and said hi, bringing him over, talking him into having a can of soda. Genma thought his son was actually being nice and fell for it, as he took the money and went and put it into the machine. " It's about time boy, that you treat you're father with respect." They both ran as the soda can came out from the machine. Genma picked it up and popped it open, only for it to explode in his face and a cloud of smoke came out from the machine, engulfing him.

From a safe distance they watched. Ranma sweat dropped. " Man you weren't kidding.. that lunatic rigged the machine.." Ranka gave her a look. " Her give "the pigtailed girl" something and not rig it, I'm surprised you're surprised." Ranma-chan rolled her eyes. " Yeah yeah.. man it had paralysis powder and sleeping potion in it.. and a bomb.." Ranka sweat dropped as well. " At least the other soda's were safe, but who knows if there's more sinister tricks inside that thing.." Ranma-chan nodded in agreement. " We gotta get it away from the house and pops too."

They both grabbed up one end of Genma, Ranka took the feet as Ranma-chan took the arms as they hauled him up and moved him down the street a ways like a hammock, laying him down in a vacant lot. Then after un plugging the soda machine, they both pushed it off away from the house.

Upon entering the house, Nodoka gave them both a questionable look as they came back inside. " What were you two up to? Because that was a lot a noise out there.." Ranma-chan sweat dropped rubbing at the back of her head, not sure what to say. Ranka sighed as she figured the truth was best. " The soda machine was rigged with a bomb and stuff." Nodoka gasped putting a hand to her mouth. " A bomb?!" Ranma-chan waved her hands about. " Just a little one though." Nodoka shook her head in disbelief. " I cannot believe that girl of Kalu's.." She said as she was referring to Kodachi. "This will not be taken lightly.." She then turned her attention to Ranma. " Ranma dear you should go take a bath."

Ranma-chan looked a little nervous. " I'm fine, I kinda wanted to.." Nodoka cut her off. " Go on now, go take a nice hot bath dear." Ranma-chan sighed as she went off upstairs to go do so, as her mother didn't seem like she wanted to listen.

After Ranma was done and back downstairs, he was watching tv. Nodoka let him know there was some snacks as she pestered Ranka to bond with her with a bath. As usual she gave in having a weakness to things her mother asked her, as they both went upstairs.

After undressing and getting in the hot bath, they both relaxed. Nodoka was fussing with her daughters hair in a playful way. Ranka allowed it for a bit, till she start up the conversation and what was on her mind as she looked down a bit upset. Nodoka noted the change in her mood. " Is something wrong Ranka dear?" Ranka looked up at her. " Don't you get that you hurt Ranma's feelings?" Nodoka looked thoughtful for a minute before she responded. " Are you sure dear? Perhaps you're reading into things too much." She smiled and patted her on the head. Ranka had an annoyed look on her face. "Perhaps but that is literally what I can do, as I'm Ranma's other side.. So why did you write Ranma off like that?" Nodoka kept smiling. "Whatever do you mean dear?"

Ranka grumbled as she crossed her arms, as she started to confront her mother on her actions. " Okay.. l know your playing dumb. Since you found out about the curse, as soon as Ranma turns into a girl, you tell him to go take a hot bath." Nodoka had a hand to her face. " That is what he want's to do dear." Ranka sighed as she leaned back against the wall. " Most of the time, sure yeah. But now it's like you hate Ranma's girl side and that's not fair. Just like how.. you can't stand that I'm not a perfect young lady, and that's just how I am.. and how you can't hate on Ranma's girl side, he's both whether you like it or not and maybe just maybe he wants to be a girl some times to be closer with you."

"Because the old man and also YOU, have both made it so he won't do anything as a guy, that isn't considered "manly." Like he also wouldn't be able to tell you such things directly, so I am, because you're also upsetting me by upsetting him." She said with a stern look on her face, before getting up out of from the tub, going off to rinse off with the shower, leaving her mother to think.

After she had taken her leave from the bathroom, Nodoka sighed as felt the magnitude of what Ranka had un leashed on to her, as she felt the guilt set in. Her daughter was so head strong. She sat back and relaxed a bit more before finally getting out.

Once she was done getting herself ready, she came downstairs to see the siblings playing a video game together. She smiled at Ranma. " I'm sorry Ranma dear, for not letting you finish what you were saying before, what were you trying to say?" Ranma looked a little nervous as he paused the game. "Ah it's nothing." Nodoka smiled back a bit. " Would you like to help out in the kitchen with me and your sister?" Ranma looked down at the ground some. " No, that's okay." Nodoka kept her smile on for a minute. "Alright dear, but you can if you'd like to." She turned her attention to Ranka. " I'll be in the kitchen." She then went off to the kitchen as she had said.

Ranka played the game with Ranma till she ran out of lives, then went off into the kitchen. Ranma had his head down as he tightened his fist, then getting up from the couch and going off to the main floor bathroom. Coming out a few minutes after having changed into a girl with cold water. She nervously went off into the kitchen, just standing outside of it, frozen like a deer in front of head lights. Ranka sensed her sibling, poking her head out from the kitchen, taking her by her hand and pulling her off into the kitchen after her with a smile on her face, as she let go of her hand. Nodoka smiled as well. " Oh Ranma dear, could you cut up these vegetables for me." Ranma-chan nodded and set to doing the task. Nodoka worked on managing what was on the stove top. "I think we'll have a nice hot pot tonight." Ranka was busy peeling the potato's by the sink. Nodoka took notice of how her actions had indeed hurt Ranma and how she had been wise to listen to what Ranka had said, as she could see the difference already.

Once dinner was done, the meal went by with some chatting. Nodoka had caught on to what Ranka had said to her before, as she started to accept how things were. She could clearly see how when Ranma was in his cursed form as a girl he felt a little less wrong about helping out in the kitchen and being closer to his mother. She also couldn't help but feel the atmosphere was cheerful. After they finished cleaning up with the dishes, they all relaxed together on the couch, watching a romantic comedy movie, that Nodoka had picked out, citing they had their picks last time. With both of her children they usually picked out violent things.

Ranma-chan groaned a little bit about the choice. Nodoka shook her finger at her. " It's something you could learn from." Ranma-chan looked flustered. " Yeah but it's not manly." Nodoka shook her head at. " Ranma, you have to know how to treat ladies, or what they want. I can only imagine what your father has taught you in regards to that.. It is considered "manly" to know how to treat women. It's good practice." She smiled as she got up. "This calls for some popcorn and hot cocoa." With that she went off into the kitchen.

Ranma-chan gave Ranka an annoyed look. " This is all your fault.." Ranka gave her sibling a defensive look back. "Hey.. don't blame me." Nodoka came back in with a bowl of popcorn that she was holding with a concerned look on her face. " Are you two fighting again?" Ranka sweat dropped. " Nope." Ranma-chan had a nervous smile on her face. " Haha.. no we were just playing." Nodoka set the bowl down on the table next to the couch. " Well I hope so, or do you two not want hot cocoa?" Ranma-chan hung her head with a sigh. Ranka had a dull look on her face. " I'm sorry." Nodoka nodded and put her attention on Ranma, till she got a sorry from her as well. " Alright, that's better." She went back off into the kitchen, to make up the cocoa.

Nodoka came back out a few minutes later with the mugs as she set them down on the table, before taking her seat back on the couch, noting while they weren't fighting they also were silent. Ranma broke the silence suddenly. " Ya know what, I think I'm just gonna go take a bath and go to bed." Nodoka had a stern look on her face. " Now Ranma.. you act like it's going to kill you to watch this." She gave Ranka her attention next, as she was sitting in the middle between the two. " And do you not want to watch this either, Ranka?" Ranka sweat dropped. " Well um.. we're compromising, right?" Nodoka sighed before looking stern again. " That's right "we" are. Next time we watch a movie, it'll be someone else's turn. We're all watching the movie, alright." Ranma-chan sunk back in her seat looking annoyed.

After awhile they were eating popcorn, but also playing with it, tossing it up in the air and back and forth. Nodoka sighed as she could tell it was Ranma who started the game, but at least they weren't fighting anymore.

After the movie was done, she let them watch one of their shows that they liked, because it had fighting in it. She blamed her husband for the love of violence. She had to try her best with giving her son his own training from her, which would be harder since she had been out of the picture for so long. Still though she was intent on teaching him how to be a good man, just as she was intent on guiding Ranka in the ways of being a woman.

Going thru the nightly routine of getting ready for bed, once they were, they worked on their homework in silence for awhile. Both were still annoyed with each other. Ranka finished up one of her assignments, going on to the next one. " You know you could go to your room." Ranma-chan sweat dropped, looking a bit guilty, since she had angered her sister before. " I'm sorry, about well before.." Ranka hahed at her as she kept working. " Whether you like it or not, there's going to be things you don't like about living here and mom's not going to let up."

Ranma-chan grumbled. " She's like a steel trap.." Ranka kept working awhile before replying back. " She is.. but it's part of her love and means she cares. Neither one of us is used to it. Ranma-chan had her arms crossed as she groaned. " Yeah yeah…"

Ranka finished up her assignments as she started to put her school supplies back in her back pack. " We should probably tell Akane about the evil P-chan." Ranma-chan pfted as she finished with hers not too much later. " She don't listen anyways, besides.. she loves the little oinker, so what's she gonna care if he's naughty." Ranka sighed. "I get your frustration, but I think she should know and it's not exactly a good thing, it puts Akane in danger." Ranma-chan tensed up some as she grumbled. "Okay then, YOU can tell her. Why? Does the little evil P-chan have magic?"

Ranka looked off some. "It is a possibility, at the very least he's likely linked to Satan. I can't be too sure. Even if he's just a pig with no magic, he's still dangerous in more ways than one. She started to get up from her spot, to go over to her bed. Ranma -chan interrupted her. " Hey wait, we should practice that technique."

Ranka gave her sibling an annoyed look. " Oh I'm sorry, I thought we were too busy fighting." Ranma-chan grumbled. " I said I was sorry, okay." Ranka gave her back a dull look as she sat back down. " Uhuh.." They then tried to link up like they had before, with a few minutes going by, before Ranka called it off. Ranma-chan sweat dropped at feeling nothing. " Why isn't it working?" Ranka got up and went off to her bed, shrugging her shoulders and bidding her sibling goodnight as she disappeared under the covers.

Ranma-chan looked upset as she clenched her fist, getting up and leaving the room after saying good night as well. Going off to the bathroom to use some hot water to change back into a guy, before going off to his own room. He was mad, but mostly at himself.

The morning routine came and then before they knew it they were on their way to school. Ranma was walking on top of fences and walls as usual. Ivory laid in wait with a bucket of water to once again " rain on his parade". Ranka had taken an umbrella with her, which upon sensing something, jumped up onto the fence near enough to Ranma. Pulling out the umbrella and popping it open as she blocked the thrown water with speed. Ranma sweat dropped at the whole thing.

Ivory jumped down from her hiding spot looking angry. " How dare YOU ruin my fun, with the bath toy, Ranka!" Ranma glared daggers at her. " Hey! I am NOT a bath toy!" Ivory sneered at him. " Well you sure look like one to me." She then brought up her leg into a high kick as she gave a powerful kick to the fence, shaking the whole thing as the metal vibrated under their feet, making them slip and fall into the water canal below. Ivory cackled as she heard the splash. "Score one for me!" She ran off laughing.

Ranka's gem had reacted and put up a defense barrier around her, so she didn't get wet. Ranma on the other hand was soaked and a girl. " Why that.. demon witch.." After getting out from the canal, they headed over to Doctor Tofu's, where Ranma changed back into a guy and changed to mainly dry clothes, before continuing the trek to school. Ranka was looking off the other way while they walked. " You didn't bring your gem did you?" Ranma sweat dropped at realizing he hadn't. " Nope.." Ranka on the other hand had as she had a telling dream that Ivory would keep harassing him. " You should keep it handy, she'll likely attack again." She took the green gem necklace out from her book bag, handing it over to Ranma, before she went back to keeping her distance.

Ukyou ended up meeting up with Ranma, as she came walking out from the other side of the road and started chatting with him. Ranka took the opportunity to further distance herself as she went off ahead. Ukyou caught sight of her disappearing around the corner, giving Ranma a questionable look. " Ranma huney, are you and Ranka fighting?" Ranma looked a bit guilty as he had his hands in his pocket as they walked. " I guess we are.." Ukyou gave him a stern look as they walked. " What about?" She studied the guilty look on his face, as she thought about how he had a bad tendency to say the wrong things at times. "That's rare, you two usually get a long very well. Did you say something that maybe wasn't so nice."

Ranma shrugged his shoulders. " I said I was sorry." Ukyou hmmed as they walked through the school gates. " Did you though sugar? Firstly, what did you say?" He was about to answer, but was interrupted by an irate Kuno. Kuno pointed his kendo stick at his rival. " Ranma Saotome, what have you done to the pigtailed girl and the goddess Ranka? I Tatewaki Kuno shall smite you for your sins!" Ukyou growled at the interruption, pulling out her giant spatula and slamming it off into Kuno, making him go flying sky high like a rocket. " Do you mind?!" She put it back in its holder on her back, giving Ranma a smile. " Now, where were we Ranma huney?" Ranma sweat dropped as he rubbed at the back of his head and told her, while they kept walking.

Ukyou shook her head at him. "It sounds like you really hurt her feelings." Ranma looked a tad upset for a minute before covering it up. "I said I was sorry." Ukyou sighed. "Think about it Ranma huney, what you said and how deep that may have affected Ranka. We girls are very sensitive you know, but I'll try to see what I can do."

Akane had came in, hearing what had happened. " Ranma, you're such a jerk." Ranma gave her an annoyed look. " Well good morning to you too." Akane shook her head like Ukyou had. " I can't believe you would say something like that to your sister." Ukyou waved as she went off ahead, leaving at just right the moment.

In the class room, Thrista was busy chatting away to Ranka, who really wasn't listening. Ukyou came into the classroom, taking her seat and greeting her and Thrista, as they greeted her back.

Outside Akane was ranting at Ranma, as they had gone off to the side of the building to continue their conversation. " I really can't believe you." Ranma had his arm crossed, getting more annoyed. " I said it more jokingly, jeez get off my back. You act like you haven't mouthed off the wrong way." Akane protested back. " Maybe but I never told her it was her fault! You can't do that, okay." Ranma groaned as she went on a bit more, before storming off.

Now he was feeling worse at hearing from both Ukyou and Akane at how bad what he had said, had came off. He tried to link up with Ranka and got nothing, as well as when he tried to sense her, making him realize it was his fault they hadn't been able to link up last night at all, to try to practice the new technique. They were out of sync. As that realization hit him, he felt a knot in his stomach, knowing that nothing could be solved during school, which angered him more. After giving the near by tree a good punch to get his anger out, he went off inside the school, before it got too late.

Hiroshi and Daisuke greeted Ranma when he came in and took his seat, but also took notice of his attitude, as well as how Ranka was looking off the other way. Hiroshi was the first to say something. " Hey Ranma, are you and your sister fighting again?" Ranma grumbled in reply, which gave his friends their answer. Soon after class started and the attention was on the teacher.

Time went on and it was soon time for gym class, which Ranka didn't bother with at all, as she just went off to the roof top to be alone, not caring about skipping. She always seemed at fault, she thought to herself as she put her head down in her knee's.

Back in gym class, Ranma sighed at not seeing Ranka on the girls side. Akane at seeing Ranma looking, hmpfed and looked off the other way. She was more angry at seeing that Ranka had skipped because of the thoughtless thing that Ranma had said to her.

Soon it was lunch and the girls stuck to their area, and the boys to theirs. After finishing her lunch and putting things away, she spotted another envelope in her desk, pulling it out to read it. Thrista fussed in excitement. "Ooh is that a love letter?" Ranka hmmed. "It's not a challenge letter?" Ukyou shook her head. " Nope that's a love letter." Akane nodded in agreement. Sayuri stayed out of it. Akane continued. "Yeah we talked about that the other day." Ranka sweat dropped at the letter. " So I have to punch someone again?" Akane and Ukyou waved their hands about. Thrista giggled as she took the letter from her and looked it over. "No you silly, you go and say yes, or you say no." Akane and Sayuri got up and went back over their own desks after saying goodbye to the other girls.

Back at their desks, they finished putting their things away. Sayuri was putting her things back in her bag in a daze, a bit upset about the love letter that Ranka had received again, not paying attention as the pictures from their day out, fell out on the ground. She got up and excused herself as she went off to the bathroom before lunch was over. Akane spotted the photo's on the ground as she picked them up for her friend, who hadn't noticed, but as she got a closer look she grew jealous, at seeing how Sayuri and Ranka had gone out alone. She stuffed the photo's back into her friends bag, before she ripped or crumpled them up.

Down in the depths of hell, Satan hoped his next attempt with another student possession would work this time around. He knew how his creation worked, and how she would try to do things more correct this time. He had much planned for her, if things went according to plan.

After cooking class and relaying the message to Akane to relay to Ranma, she went off to try to do this "love letter" thing properly. As she looked at the meeting place on the letter, which happened to the rooftop again, making her wonder if it was the same guy. If it was she'd just have to punch him again, she thought as she made her way up the stairs and off to the roof top. As she entered through the door, she spotted the writer of the letter, who seemed to be a different guy this time. Well she had to do this properly then.

The male student smiled at spotting her. " Ranka I'm so glad you came." Ranka gave him a questionable look. " Are you sure this isn't a challenge letter?" He chuckled in reply. " You could say that, but no it's not the kind you are thinking of." Ranka had her arms crossed as she tried to listen to him as she rattled on.

Else where Ranma was getting annoyed at not seeing Ranka come out from the school building. He did spot Akane as she came over, he hoped not to yell at him some more. Akane had her own annoyed look. " If it's Ranka you're looking for, she's busy responding to a "love letter." Ranma grumbled not liking the idea. " We'll see about that." He stormed off to go find her and break things up, as he didn't want any of the guys from his school after his sister. Akane yelled after him. " Ranma! He checked a few places, before it hit him that the rooftop was a big spot for that.

Up on the rooftop the currently possessed male student kept talking. " I'd like to show you something, before you give me your answer." Ranka quirked an eyebrow at him. " Like what?" The guy smiled and motioned for her to come over where he was, as he looked off in a direction at something. "Look isn't it a beautiful sky today." He said as he pointed up, getting her to put her attention else where. Ranka looked up where he was looking. " Yep." A portal to hell opened up, to which the possessed male student smirked as he shoved her off through it, while her attention was else where.

Ranma raced up the stairs to the roof top, flinging the door open just in time to see, to his horror, the guy shove Ranka off into a portal. He yelled in rage as he sped towards the smirking guy, slamming his fist into his face, knocking him back against the fence.

Akane had been chasing after him, as she also figured out the roof was the meeting spot, as she sped up the steps, throwing open the door, huffing and puffing from running so fast. She yelled as she spotted Ranma pummeling some other guy and shouting at him, grabbing his fist from behind. " Ranma! Stop it!" He gritted his teeth as he really didn't have a choice since Akane was in the way now.

Elsewhere at the Nekohanten, the catalyst amber on Cologne's bracelet glowed, as did Shampoo's ankle bracelet, with the glow being hot enough to alert them by touch. Colonge furrowed her brow with concern. "Shampoo you're in charge while I'm gone." Shampoo had just finished serving a customer as she came over. " Is something wrong with Ranma or Ranka, great grandmother?" Colonge nodded. " Don't worry child, it's because of the amber marking, that we can track and lay claim to them, so everything will be alright." She took her leave from the restaurant area, going off to the living area, off to her room using and amazon technique to teleport herself to the location.

Ranka tumbled out from the portal onto the hard ground, laying on the ground as she winced a bit from the impact. She was about to try to get up, when she felt herself hauled up from the ground and hanging in the air, her face paled in horror as she saw "him", that he was the one who had grabbed her and was holding her by her arm, dangling in the air. Satan sneered at her. " Well well, what do we have here? A traitor, who needs to be taught a lesson for defying her master! I told you, I'd get you, didn't I?" He sneered at her.

He was about to say more as he tightened his hold on her arm, making the amazon marking mark glow where the amber had been burned, burning him, making him drop her and curse. Her gem reacted as it put up a defense barrier around Ranka before she hit the ground. She shut her eyes not wanting to deal with what was coming next, as Satan reached his hand out towards her to try to grab her, hitting the barrier which angered him more. "You wretched little wench!" He slammed his fist into the barrier, making the area shake and making Ranka yelp. He went to give the barrier another slam, only to be knocked back as he clashed with Colonge's staff as she appeared and blocked his path.

Satan stumbled back a bit as he glowered at the old woman before him. "How dare you, amazon!" Colonge glared back at him. " How dare you try to claim what has already been claimed. You have no claim to the girl anymore." Satan towered above the old amazon in rage. "How dare you steal what is rightfully mine, with a wretched amazon curse! So shall I lay upon a curse upon you and yours!" He pointed his claw at her. " I curse you and yours amazon, your souls will all end up here in hell with me, as I lay claim!" Colonge cackled in response, knowing that it wouldn't affect Shampoo. "I look forward to it." She used the same amazon technique to teleport her and Ranka away, as the devil screamed in anger.

Back at the school, Ukyou had seen Ranma run off and then Akane as well, which had prompted her to run after them as well as she was feeling worried. She flung the door to the roof open, spotting Akane trying to hold Ranma back from going after some other guy. Seeing that she was failing as she fell back on her butt, Ukyou rushed forward and slammed Ranma off into the fence with her giant spatula, as gently as she could but enough that it knocked him out. "Hey, are you okay Akane? What's going on?" She helped her rival up from the ground, then looking off at the other guy who was also unconscious. Akane looked upset but thankful for Ukyou's help. " I'm not sure… Ranma got mad because I told him Ranka went to go deal with another love letter.. and then I followed him and saw him beating up the other guy and yelling at him about Ranka.." Ukyou's eyes widened with concern.

Once they were teleported back to Nekohanten to Cologne's room, she relaxed her stance. Ranka was in a state of shock, from the whole thing. Cologne sighed as she set up another futon, then setting up a special incense in the room, before taking her leave. Shampoo at seeing her great grandmother rushed over. " Great grandmother is Ranka and Ranma okay?" Colonge signaled for Shampoo to follow her to the living room and to take a seat at the ground table as she puffed on her pipe. "Ranka is psychically alright, though mentally she's stuck in a state of shock, at having to face the devil again. I've set her up in my room with an incense that will help her relax and sleep peacefully. It's a good thing I was able to mark her with the amazon amber when I did. Shampoo go and tell son in law she's safe, I'm sure he's very worried. I'll let the mother know." Shampoo nodded. "Shampoo go." After leaving the restaurant out the door, she leapt up into the air, jumping from roof top to roof top in a blur as she sped off to the school.

Meanwhile back at the school on the roof top, the male student woke up, having had the possession broken when he was knocked out. Akane at seeing him, told him to leave. The guy rubbed at his head in confusion as he took his leave, looking weirded out. Ranma started to wake up, as he heard the door shut. He was still very angry as she looked around for the other guy snarling. Shampoo jumped down from the higher roof at spotting Ranma. " Airen, is okay, great grandmother saved Ranka." Ukyou looked concern again. " What do you mean?" Akane piped in as well. " Yeah, what do you mean?" Shampoo had a smug look on her face. "Shampoo no need to tell you two." The girls protested back and forth, not taking notice that Ranma had left in a blur.

Not too much later Ranma burst through the front door. " Hey old ghoul, where's Ranka?!" Cologne furrowed her brow at his rudeness as she gave him a whack to his head with staff. " Calm down! She's safe and resting." She hung up the phone that she had just finished on. " Your mother is on the way. Once you calm yourself down, we can discuss things." Shampoo having taken notice of Ranma's disappearance had taken her leave and hurried back, as she came in through the door, and at spotting Ranma ran over and glomped onto him. " Aiya, woda airen." Colonge gave her a tap to her head with her staff. " Control yourself Shampoo, son in law's not in the mood." Shampoo at seeing how angry he was, let go as instructed. Cologne cleared her throat. " Now let's discuss things if your calm enough son in law." She led the way to the living room where they all sat down at the ground table.

Ranma while a bit calmer was still very upset as he slammed his fist down on the table. " He" took her didn't he?!" Cologne puffed on her pipe, understanding his anger. " Correct, but I was able to get her back. Understand son in law, she's in a state of shock from the ordeal. Shampoo you take care of things here, I'll be back." She took her leave as she went back to the restaurant.

Ranma had his head down as he tightened his fist. " It's my fault this happened.." Shampoo looked at him with concern. " Why you say that?" Ranma tightened his fist more. "I uh.. messed up our link.." He said with guilt in his voice. Shampoo put her hand on his. " No say that." Ranma still had his head down. " No it's true.." Shampoo gave him a concerned. "Is okay Ranma."

Nodoka burst in through the front doors panting, as she had run the whole way after hearing from Cologne about what had happened, looking around frantically for her daughter. Cologne at spotting her hopped over on her staff and led her off with her to where Ranma and Shampoo were. Nodoka at spotting Ranma and how upset he looked, put her hand on his, before turning to Cologne. " Where is my daughter?" She said sternly to the elder woman. Cologne signaled for her to follow her as they went off outside the room.

Cologne took her to her room where Ranka was resting peacefully as the incense had put her to sleep. "Take in mind she's in a state of shock Mrs. Saotome." Nodoka put a hand to her face as she wiped some tears away and tried to go to hold Ranka's hand, only to be blocked by the defense barrier. This upset her more as she tried to hold back her tears, and tried a different approach, with talking to her. Cologne left the room to let her have some privacy, going back to the living room.

She observed that Shampoo was trying to comfort Ranma who was clearly very depressed. "Shampoo go make some tea." Shampoo nodded and went off to do so. Cologne gave Ranma a gentle tap with her staff to his head. " You look awful son in law. i told you she's safe." Ranma mumbled. " It's my fault.." Cologne puffed on her pipe. " Do tell." Ranma hung his head as he tightened his fist again. " I told her, it was her fault.. and messed up our link.." Cologne had her arms crossed. "Perhaps it is your fault, but now you've learned son in law, what not to do. So tell me, how did this happen?" Ranma growled as he recalled it. "This guy at school, shoved her through a portal.." Cologne nodded as she listened. " I see so the devil had laid out a trap, using fellow students. How crafty." Ranma still had his head down as he gritted his teeth. "If our link wasn't broken, I could've sensed she was in danger.. I don't know what to do.. "

Colonge sighed. "It's not really broken, you'll just have to repair and strengthen your link. Once you do that son in law, you two should be back to being in sync with each other. Take this as a hard lesson, as I'm sure Ranka has also learned a hard lesson today as well."

Nodoka came out from the room as she quickly dabbed her eyes with a tissue, before coming over. "I can't thank you enough for saving her, but I'll take it from here, and I still have dinner to prepare." Cologne held her staff out, blocking Nodoka's path towards the room. " Of course, I insist you stay for dinner here. You're not of the right mind to handle such a thing." Shampoo smiled at her. as she set the tray of tea's down on the table, along with some rice cracker snacks " You stay and have dinner, okay." Although Nodoka was angry, she stayed polite as she bowed her head, accepting the offer, taking a tea. "Since you insist.." Cologne started laughing in response. Shampoo took the moment to kiss up to her airen's mother. " Poor mother she is too too stressed." She started to massage her shoulders from behind her, making her drop her guard as she felt relaxed.

Cologne had closed the restaurant early, only keeping it open for delivery, with she had Mousse handling. She smiled at Nodoka. " Shampoo's such a good girl." Ranma was absent mindedly munching on some rice crackers. Once Shampoo finished with massaging Nodoka, she sat down next to Ranma. Nodoka had enjoyed the massage but she also wanted more answers. Cologne could tell by the expression on her face, she had on the phone call said the basics. Nodoka had a stern and upset look on her face. " How did this happen?" Cologne sipped some of her tea before replying. " As I was telling son in law earlier, it was obviously a "bait and trap" plot, the devil is using fellow students." Nodoka looked frustrated as she pressed further. "Why isn't she waking up?"

Cologne took another sip of her tea. " Well my dear, as I said she's in a state of shock, at having been face to face with the likes of "him." Nodoka expression changed to a look of worry, mixed with anger. " Did, "he" hurt her?" Ranma tightened his fist in anger at hearing that. Cologne bowed her head some. " Had it not been for our amazon claim and her own protection, he would've." Nodoka glowered in anger as she almost reached for her katana sheath, wanting to dash off and find the devil and fight him for the harm he had caused her daughter, but was able to refrain from doing so. Ranma flinched some at seeing his mother reach for her katana. Shampoo noticing the tension, took him by his hand and pulled him off with her into the restaurant dining area, taking a seat at a table. " We let them talk, kay." Ranma nodded taking a seat.

Cologne and Nodoka continued their conversation. Cologne sighed as she continued. "The devil's intent on getting Ranka back, I'm sure she's relayed such to you." Nodoka looked guilty as she hung her head. " She has, she's even told me how she didn't want to stay.." Cologne nodded her head as she listened. " You can't really blame her, now can you? But as I said it's not a problem, as we have laid claim. I assure you Mrs. Saotome that "he" can longer lay claim." Nodoka nodded. "I just wish she'd wake up.." Cologne crossed her arms. "It's best she rest for now, as she likely won't be calm when she does wake up, going through such a traumatic event, so suddenly. It's hard to say how she will react. If you'll excuse me. Please make yourself at home in the mean time." She then got up with her staff, going off to the restaurant area, off to the kitchen.

Not much later they were all sitting at the table having dinner. Nodoka sighed deeply, as her attempts to try to wake Ranka had so far failed, and wanted her to be having dinner as well. Colonge tried to assure her to put her worries at ease. " I'll have Shampoo bring the rest." Nodoka bowed with gratitude as she felt a bit more at ease, as they all ate dinner. Cologne finished with her dinner as she set her ramen bowl down. " Though the best thing would be for Ranka to stay here." Nodoka furrowed her brow. " I disagree and I will be taking my daughter home with me, is that clear." Ranma sweat dropped as he was eating at the stand off between the two women.

Cologne chuckled in defiance, as she knew she had made sure Ranka was resting peacefully with the special incense. " We shall see." Nodoka set her bowl down firmly as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. " Thank you for the meal, but we are leaving and I WILL be taking my daughter home with me." She stood up as she strode off to the room, shutting the doors behind her. Unknown to Cologne, after she had left her alone, she had noticed the incense, getting a gut feeling from what the old amazon had told her, figuring out the incense could be a tool and had made sure to put it out.

Trying her hand again as she tried to reach Ranka, by talking to her. With the incense out and given some time for it to air away, this time it reached enough, as the defense barrier disappeared. Nodoka smiled through the tears in her eyes as she took the chance to pick her up into her arms, carrying her out from the room.

Shampoo was glomped onto Ranma's arm with big bright eyes. " Ranma, should stay tonight too." Ranma sweat dropped as he pulled her off. "' Thanks but no thanks, you heard my mom we're leaving." Cologne looked wide eyed at seeing Nodoka, carrying Ranka. " As I said, we will be leaving. Let's go Ranma." Nodoka said with a serious and stern tone. Ranma looked nervous at the serious tone his mother had, as he got up and followed after her. Cologne laughed as she heard the front door shut behind them, as she figured out that Nodoka had figured it out about the incense and at how intense the woman known as Ranma's mother could be.