Admitting that you do indeed need help is certainly a step that will make you stronger,. Many think that if you ask for help, that you are weak. You most certainly are not!

I wanted to show the relationship between Ranma and his mother. I don't think we as readers have seen much of that.

Besides, gakufu is the Japanese word for father-in-law, I think it fits Soun better.

Enjoy reading this new chapter!

After all the commotion that night, Ranma was sitting on the roof. Ryoga was still resting.

He had been awake but the shock of Akane now knowing he was P-chan was too much for him.

Ranma's mind wandered to Cologne. The fact that some of his happiness had been found again was something Ranma wanted back soon.

Ranma had had a hard argument with his father but it was his mother that Ranma had to admit he was wrong.

Pissed off or not, lashing out at a woman through pure emotion was a degrading act. He had to apologize to Ukyo.

But there was something about Cologne, she wanted to say more. Ranma recognized that look out of thousands.

ARGH! There was too much going on around Ranma now. Maybe he really should have a conversation with Tofu-sensei. No he was going to do it!

Ranma got too restless and jumped off the roof and walked to the dojo. A good kata or workout could calm him down.

The sign that spelled the word ''Iroha'' in Hiragana was always the first thing he saw. Iroha or the base.

''The basics…'' Ranma mumbled and got an idea. He started running katas and would start with the first ones, the basics.

And from there the plan was to expand the kata little by little. He spread his legs and turned his hands into fists that he placed on his sides.
He stepped back with his left foot and turned his right arm into an inward block. He stepped back with his right foot and turned his left arm into an inward block.
Then he made a 90 degree turn to the right with his right foot that was behind him, causing Ranma to move his body to the left and made an outward block with his left arm. A step back with his left foot back, a right outward block. The basis of kenpo, a collective name for various martial arts together.

''Ranma?''

Ranma looked up and saw his mother standing in the doorway.

''Ofukuro?''

Nodoka then came to Ranma and touched his face. "My son, you are restless."

''I know that. That's why I started training to calm down.'' Ranma said.

''And does it help?'' Nodoka asked and Ranma sighed.

''I was just getting started. The base. Ofukuro, you know, sometimes I feel like I'm not getting any further with martial arts. Like Oyaji already taught me everything.'' Ranma said.

Nodoka reached into the sleeve of her kimono and pulled out an old hardcover book.

''Ranma, this once belonged to my grandfather, your great-grandfather. He was very skilled in the martial arts, just like you. He had received this booklet from his father and etc. When my grandfather gave this booklet to me he said: only the men of our bloodline are allowed to see this. They are techniques of a different level.'' Nodoka said.

Ranma picked up the book and opened it. He started reading and his mouth slowly fell open in surprise. Seven techniques, based on the hand of the Dragon. Hiryū Shōten Ha, his Heaven Blast of the Dragon that he himself had expanded into different variants, the first technique was something like that but yet different.

''Does Oyaji know about this?'' Ranma asked and Nodoka shook her head.

''No, and even if he knew he wouldn't be able to read it. My grandfather didn't know why. If you can read this then you are the current owner of the booklet. Take care of it.'' Nodoka said with a smile.

Ranma would do anything to share a smile with his mother. Instead he hugged his mother.

''Ofukuro, I have decided to go to Tofu-sensei. I'm starting to lose myself. I mean, I've already lost part of it and… I don't want to lose anymore…'' the last sentence Ranma said softly, afraid to say the words.

Nodoka pulled Ranma closer to her and stroked his head.

"I heard from your father that you and Akane are getting closer but you are also creating a distance towards Akane, what is the reason for that?" asked Nodoka

Ranma sighed and let go of his mother and looked at her. That old bastard couldn't keep his mouth shut! Genma had told Nodoka about the kiss!

'' Akane... She is my strength but also my weakness. As long as I can't defend that weak spot...'' Ranma explained.

"Ranma, what did you feel when you were kissing Akane at that moment?" Nodoka asked.

She had known Ranma long enough. He was hiding something. She knew he was a man of honor.
A real man among men, but underneath he was also shy and stubborn.
Nodoka knew that Ranma loved Akane and would give everything to her.
When there was no response from Ranma she called out his name.

''Ranma?''

''I felt safe and it felt familiar. There was an emptiness that I didn't recognize... I think it might have been my happiness and...'' Ranma said until he started to blush softly, something that made Nodoka giggle a little.

''...I felt lust...but there was no response...'' Ranma mumbled and Nodoka looked at him.

"...You mean you don't have an erec-..."

''Yes that, you don't have to say it…'' Ranma said embarrassed.

Nodoka laughed softly, ooh her son. If Genma was to be believed, he had occasionally caught Ranma silently saying Akane's name while at it.

" Ranma, it will work out. You're both young and it doesn't have to lead to something that belongs in the bedroom. " Nodoka said with a smile.

''Oyaji and Gakufu think differently.'' Ranma said, slightly annoyed.

''It's up to you and Akane what you want. Of course I see you getting married and giving us grandchildren but in the condition you are now, you should think of yourself first.'' Nodoka said and Ranma was so grateful that his mother had more sense than his father.

"Thank you, Ofukuro."

"Come on son, it's late and you have school tomorrow."

''HAIYAAAH!''

''PUOHUUH!''

Ranma and Panda Genma were sparring in the garden while Kasumi and Nodoka prepared the table for breakfast.

Nabiki walked up in her school uniform and looked surprised at the 2 sparring Saotomes.

''Shouldn't Akane be training?'' Nabiki asked as she sat down at her spot.

''Akane has already trained. She's changing now.'' Nodoka said as she spooned rice into the bowls.

''RANMA-KUN! UNCLE SAOTOME! BREAKFAST!'' Kasumi shouted on her cheerful note.

SPLASH!

Genma had kicked Ranma into the pond. Genma pulled up a sign that read: ''You're getting sloppy! Where are you twith your thoughts?"

'' Shut up! Leave me alone!'' Ranma-chan shouted as she sits down on the veranda and takes off the Chinese shirt and wrings it out.

What a jerk his father was! Ranma-chan was grumbling when Akane sits down next to him and starts drying his hair with a towel.

Ranma-chan wanted to go against it because he was going to get hot water anyway, but then again it was Akane who took care of him.

He leaned in gently and Akane started to smile. Genma who had sat next to Nodoka raised a sign. "Finally that boy gets it..."

Ranma-chan looked at Akane under the towel and Akane looked back.
The energy around those two made a change. Ranma-chan's hand rose and placed a piece of Akane's hair behind her ear.
Akane came very slowly to just like Ranma-chan. The family sitting behind them watched intently, it seemed as if Ranma and Akane had forgotten they were there.
In fact, Ranma had forgotten that he was a girl at the moment.

Both slowly closed their eyes, their noses touching...

''...Ah...'' a voice said and Akane and Ranma looked up to see Soun and a blushing Ryoga standing there. It was Ryoga who had made the sound.

''Ryoga! Are you feeling better?'' Ranma-chan asked.

''Ranma! How can you be in that state?'' Ryoga mumbled, still looking away.

''In my state?'' Ranma said questioningly and looked at himself and understood what Ryoga meant.

''Shimatta!'' Ranma-chan said and jumped up and quickly passed Soun and Ryoga with a red face.

Akane didn't say anything but quickly sat down at the table with red cheeks. This wasn't the intention... or was it? To Akane, Ranma was simply Ranma.

Ryoga sat down between Kasumi and Genma, he thought it would be safer for now.

When Ranma returns to his original state and sits down, Nabiki stands up and picks up her school bag.

"Nabiki, school doesn't start for another hour and a half." Kasumi said as she grabbed the bento for Nabiki.

"I know, Onee-chan, but I still have to go to the post office." Nabiki said. '' See you later.''

Ranma and Akane had also left earlier to go to the Tofu clinic.
Ranma had made an appointment and Akane needed a prescription for something. She didn't say anything but it was a woman thing.

Now the whole school had a study afternoon. Do homework or practice for the club.
Ranma, Daisuke and Hiroshi were doing homework as was Akane with Sayuri and Yuka.
Ukyo wasn't there today, she had to prepare a new menu for her restaurant.

Like Ranma and Akane, Nabiki also had studies, but she didn't use them for learning.

She had taken her chance this morning and taken pictures of Akane and Ranma-chan and the almost kiss experience.

She could get a lot of money from Kuno with this. Something her family could use.

Genma may have worked for Tofu and Nodoka worked in a clothing store, but the money together was just enough to survive.

Taking money from others by picking or selling things was Nabiki's contribution.

Nabiki looked at Kuno who had just finished his homework and was cleaning his bokken.

''Kuno-chan! Do you want to see something interesting?'' Nabiki asked.

''Tendo Nabiki, I don't have time for silly things.'' Kuno said as he inspected his wooden sword.

'' That's too bad. I have new pictures...'' Nabiki said.

'' Photos? I don't know what you're talking about..." Kuno said hypocritically.

"Akane and the Pigtailed Girl... but this is a special edition..." Nabiki said and Kuno's interest was aroused and he walked towards Nabiki.

'' How much is it?''

''4000 yen per photo.''

''4000 yen?! Then they must be very special photos.'' Kuno said.

Nabiki took 5 photos. Kuno started to shake as he goes through the pictures one by one until the last one where Ranma-chan and Akane are almost kissing.

''NANIIIIIIII?! Tendo Akane and the Pigtailed Girl are kissing?!'' Kuno exclaimed, in complete shock as he gave the money to Nabiki.

''That's right...'' Nabiki said with a grin, she loved resenting Kuno.

Kuno looked in disbelief at the 2 girls he longed for, where his feelings were worth more than the world itself. Until he came up with a conclusion.

''This is Saotome Ranma's fault! I will punish him until my last breath! Akane and the Pigtailed Girl are mine! SAOTOME RANMA!'' Kuno shouted and sprinted out of the classroom. Nabik quickly followed Kuno, this could be fun.

Kuno threw open the classroom door and everyone looked up.

"Kuno-senpai..." Akane said and Kuno looked at her with compassion in his eyes.

''Tendo Akane... I will save you from the evil wizard Saotome Ranma! I saw proof that he put you and the Pigtailed Girl under a spell and had to kiss!"

Ranma who was drinking spit out his water and looked up in shock!

''Senpai! What are you talking about?!'' Ranma shouted.

'' Kuno-senpai, Ranma didn't do anything and what evidence are you talking about?'' Akane asked.

Kuno pulled out the photo where Akane and Ranma-chan almost kissed. Akane broke her pencil in half and tried to take the photo.

Ranma stood up and started cracking his knuckles so he could spank Kuno.

''Ooh Tendo Akane, the splendor of life. Do you really like the Pigtailed Girl? How can you forget me, Tatewaki Kuno?'' Kuno begged.

''This way, Senpai!'' Ranma said and lashed out with his fist. A hysterical Kuno was the last thing Ranma needed.

Nabiki, you miserable piece of shit! I get that you want to make money but not like this! Poor Ranma and Akane... Aren't they?