Chapter 2

As Gosunkugi stood outside his last classroom of the day next to an open window banging chalk dust off of brushes, he had to stay after school for clean-up duties, he saw a strikingly handsome student walking towards him in the hall.

The person wore a light brown suit and tie with matching dress shoes. His brown hair was short and clean cut.

"Pardon me," the young person asked, "but which way to the Head Master's Office?"

Gosunkugi pointed without a word, stunned by the other's appearance. The other thanked Gosunkugi and continued on his way. Gosunkugi, curious in nature, followed the other stealthy, and then stood outside the Head Master's Office after the other had entered, the door was partially open. The Head Master was an eccentric individual with his sun glasses and Hawai'ian t-shirt, but he welcomed the young person cordially, but still in his weird vernacular.

Gosunkugi remained there listening and overheard an introduction by the young person, followed by a lengthy conversion, and Gosunkugi now knew who the new transfer student was, and why he was here.

Ranma was summoned to the Student Council Office.

The new transfer student had decided to come early, after hours, and to avoid all the hustle of the student body. So, Ranma had wait in the office for him. He'd escort the student around tonight and get it over with. But with most of the rooms locked, he'd have little to do other than walk around the main grounds. It suited him, less to do.

He knocked, it was unlocked, and he entered. The student council room was spacious. There was a large conference table and a separate table for the president and she was seated behind it.

Something about this whole thing felt odd to him. Of all the people, why had the president asked him to walk this new student around? Ranma wondered if the student was someone important. Was this a curtesy for VIPs? Maybe he was from a prominent family like Kuno?

"Take a seat, Mr. Saotome," the president addressed. "You can wait here."

Ranma hated to wait. But there was a couch, and he dropped down, and put his feet up like he owned the place, resting his arms behind his head. It was comfy. The president gave him a grim look, but didn't say a word.

"I hope this won't take long, I have things to do," Ranma said casually.

"Things should move at an even place, as long as you conform to your task," she the president firmly.

"I wasn't talkin' about that, I can do the job. I'm just curious why me?"

"Because you were chosen," replied the president.

Just then a knock came at the door, and surprisingly, Ukyo entered. Ranma tilted his head. He slid his body up, and said, "Ukyo, why are you here?"

"Ranma? I could ask you the same question," she said a little bewildered.

"I asked her to come," said President Nishi Kinomiya. "You were both requested by the Head Master."

Ranma rolled his eyes. "What is that crazy lunatic up to now? Is this some sort of ploy to get at me again? He's always after me for somethin'." Ranma took his pigtail and tucked it underneath his shirt collar. Although he knew, the moment he moved his head, it would pop out. He'd just have to be on watch for the Head Master's shears.

"Maybe if you didn't tick him off so often, Ranma," Ukyo remarked, "he wouldn't be after you all the time."

Just then, Gosunkigi watched by the open door. Ranma called him in. "Gosunkugi," Ranma said, and the other came in. He wrapped his arm around Gosunkugi's shoulders in a friendly gesture. "Need ya to do me a favour. I need ya to spy on the Head Master for me. Give me a heads up about this new transfer student."

"I'm ahead of you there, Ranma," said Gosunkugi. "I've seen him. He went into the Head Master's Office. I heard a few things, then I left. I didn't want to get caught 'spying'. I was curious about him when I saw him in the hall, he approached me and asked me where he could find the Head Master's office."

"I thought the Head Master liked to hang around in some sort of tree house?" Ukyo said.

"Never mind that," Ranma said. "What'ya find out?"

"Well, Saotome, the new guy is pretty handsome, if I do say so myself, and dresses like a million yen. Just before he went into the Head Master's office, I saw a gold wrist watch. I think he comes from money."

Ranma mused with a hand to his chin. "Why would be want to come to a school like this then? There are few good prep schools he could attend catering to rich folk."

The president slammed a hand on her desk. "If I may remind you, Mr. Saotome, Furinkan High School is a very good institution, and it holds top marks for education excellence. Although, judging my your grades, our average might be in question. Thanks to the efforts of some of our really dedicated students, our reputation has remained standard."

Ranma smirked amused. "If you had a descent martial arts club, then maybe I'd be more motivated."

The council president opened her mouth to respond when suddenly the Head Master showed up at the door in his typical Hawai'ian attire and sunglasses. All he was missing was his little guitar. "Oh, Ranma Saotome…yoursa here, good, cakkie," he said in his usual vernacular. "And yous, too, Ms. Kunonji, very good." He stood alone at first, then said, gesturing to someone out of sight. "I was asked by the new transfer student for you two to be together. His family has made a substantial financial contribution to the school. He said he knows you both."

Someone came out from behind the wall next to the Head Master. He was indeed handsome, in a boyish sort of way. He wore a light brown suit and tie and had a gold watch on his right wrist. His brown hair was clean cut.

Suddenly, Ukyo gasped and pointed, and took what seemed an involuntary step back "I-It's—you!" she stuttered.

The student smiled. "So, even like this you recognize me, Ukyo," he said.

Ranma looked at her. "Ukyo, what's wrong? You know this guy?" Ranma gazed at him suspiciously. Something about him looked familiar, but he wasn't sure. It was the face that triggered it. "I've seen you someplace before, right?"

"Oh, yes…" the other said. "I know you quite well since our last encounter. It was quite revealing for us both."

But Ranma still didn't put the pieces together. He turned to Ukyo, she looked agitated. "Tell me who this guy is."

"My worse nightmare, the reason why I have to keep looking over my shoulder," Ukyo said. "You may have changed your look, but I'll never forget that face—Tsubasa Kurenai!"

Ranma's mouth dropped when he turned, after he heard the name, the revelation striking him pointedly. "You're that crossdresser stalker who is always after Ukyo!"

"Stalker is a very strong word, Ranma Saotome," Tsubasa Kurenai said, crossing his arms in annoyance. "As for the crossdressing, I admit—it was a strange phrase in my life. But I'm over it. I'm much better now. But Ukyo should have told you the reason why, and it was purely for economical reasons at the time. I'm not proud of it."

Ranma curled a smile. "Oh, yeah? I bet you're wearing woman's panties right now," he jeered. "You freak."

The Head Master looked at Tsubasa, and said, "Yousa wore the girly clothes? I want none of that weird stuff at this school. And put on some boy underwear, too."

Ranma cupped his hips, advantage to him.

Tsubasa's eye twitched irked. "With what my family is contributing financially to this school now, I would think you'd overlook a few quirks from time to time and forget some things you may see or hear," he said to the Head Master.

"Righto," the Head Master agreed, using his fingers to zip his mouth and mimicked closing his ears off with his hands.

"From what I know of this school, Saotome, it's filled with all sorts of people." He looked at Ukyo and his eyes seemed to glaze over. "Even goddesses," he said with a sweet smile. "I still love you, Ukyo."

Ukyo gulped. And she quickly took another step back away from Tsubasa and cupped her arm around Ranma's. Ranma's eyes widened. "Sorry Tsubasa, but I'm already taken," she said adamantly. "I'm engaged to Ranma. So, you can take that candle you have for me and snuff it out."

"Ukyo, wait," Ranma said.

Tsubasa glared at Ranma. "I was told you were engaged to Akane Tendo, Saotome. Are you cheating on her? I heard Ms. Tendo is a very jealous girl. Nevertheless, my love will never be extinguished. Someday, you'll see me as a suitor, Ukyo." He extended his arms wide. "I'm filthy rich now, Ukyo. I can give you anything you heart desires. My uncle died and gave me a substantial inheritance of over one trillion yen, that's the equivalent of ten millions American dollars. My family has purchase a large house just outside Nerima. I invite you both come visit."

"What do you think about red-heads?" Ranma quickly asked.

Tsubasa eyed him skeptically.

"Not interested, Tsubasa," Ukyo stated without reserve. "You may have changed your look, but you can't alter your personality. You've always been over-obsessive and needy. I don't need anyone like that in my life. I'm perfectly content with running my restaurant. And eventually, Ranma will come run it with me."

This was news to Ranma, but he guessed this was Ukyo's dream. The two of them together like that.

Tsubasa snorted vexed. "We'll just see about that," he said, seemingly under his breath, but it was heard by all. "Saotome, I'd still enjoy a tour of the school—but tomorrow. This re-union has suddenly made me very tired."

And just like that, Tsubasa Kurenai left.

Ranma blinked. "He's completely different from the last time I saw him," he said surprised.

"But still dangerous, despite his new found riches," Ukyo said back. "I wouldn't be surprised more so, now."

Tsubasa Kurenai walked down the hall and turned the corner. Once alone, he slammed a fist against a wall.

"I won't allow it, I'll break them up even if I have to use all my new money to do it." Then he smiled devilishly with a thought. And a scheme began to form in his mind. "If Ranma Saotome wants my dear, dear Ukyo, then he'd going to have to fight for her tooth and nail. I won't let her go so easily. In fact, Ukyo will be forever mine!"

He stormed away.

To be continued...