Morning seemed surprisingly ordinary. Almost disappointingly so.

Ranma lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with his hands folded behind his head. Shampoo's long lavender tresses cascaded across his chest, her head nestled up under his chin and her body snuggled against his left side. Nabiki had retreated under the covers on his right, curled into a ball with her back against his side, squeezed once more into that surprisingly small shape she seemed to sleep in sometimes.

He had woken up nearly an hour ago. He hadn't wanted to disturb the girls, so he'd been left in silence, alone with his thoughts. Mentally, he replayed the night he had just had - it hadn't been what he had expected in so many ways.

The expectation was that losing his virginity would be some sort of magical transformation. He would start the night as a boy, end it as a man, and everything would be different. That part had definitely not happened. There had been no startling revelation, no sudden clarity, no magical maturity or newfound confidence. He didn't feel any different, other than an odd sheepishness that he had been so apprehensive about it all.

He closed his eyes. It had been wonderful, but in ways he hadn't thought of. It hadn't been as alien or incomprehensible as all the buildup had made it seem. At first he'd been terrified and self-conscious, but… after a while he realized it was just them - the girls who already knew all of his darkest secrets and his deepest shames. For all his fears, he learned he really had nothing left to hide from them. The night had evolved slowly from his expectations of some grim test of performance into a game - they were showing him a new way to play with them and a way to be close to them that he now realized had terrified him, irrationally and for no good reason.

Then they had blown his mind.

Something about the combination of Shampoo's enthusiasm and Nabiki's almost maddening capacity to tease and entice had kept them going most of the night. He was certain he would be stiff and walking funny that day but, paradoxically, he had never felt better in his life.

Shampoo stirred and he slipped his arm around her. She mumbled something unintelligible and snuggled in closer. He trailed his fingers through her hair… for the first time he had a glimpse of what life might be like on the other side of all the strife and chaos.

We're DEFINITELY going to need a bigger bed, he thought wryly.

He glanced at the alarm clock next to the bed. It was starting to get close to time to be up, and as much as he would have liked to snuggle longer, he was starting to feel a little restless. He decided that Shampoo was probably the safer of the two to rouse and shook her gently. "Hey, Shampoo…"

"Nnnn.." she protested, squeezing her eyes tighter shut and muttering something in Mandarin.

"You're gonna have to wake up enough to repeat that in Japanese," he said teasingly.

"Mnnnh… Airen mean… too early for Japanese," Shampoo mumbled sleepily. She did, however, crack open one eye and look up at him. A smile spread across her face as she woke up enough to realize that he was really there, rather than the usual fading dream. "... Hi."

"Hi," he smiled back at her. Right then, with the morning light coming in through the window, her hair a dishevelled mess and a sleepy, guileless smile on her face, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"Stay in bed today?" Shampoo asked plaintively, resting her chin on his chest. From her expression, he could tell that she already knew what the answer was.

"Sorry. Can't miss any more school or the Principal will mess things up for me," he said, though he felt a pang of regret. "Once I've won the challenge, though… We've got time, right?"

She smiled again and closed her eyes. "Mmmm… yes…" she mumbled softly.

Ranma decided to risk the second part of things and lifted the blanket on his right side, revealing a tousled mop of brown hair. "Hey, Nabiki…?"

"Come back with caffeine," she growled, pulling the blanket back over her head and curling up tighter.

"Aheh… I love you?" he said tentatively.

There was a sigh from under the blanket and she uncurled a little. "That's not fair…" she mumbled.

"We'll get you some coffee, I promise," he said. "But we gotta get up if we want to get a shower in before school."

"Shampoo first," Shampoo said, sitting up in bed. The blanket fell away to reveal her in all of her nude glory as she stretched.

Ranma just watched, fascinated. Now that the initial self-consciousness about seeing her in close-proximity without her clothes was (mostly) gone, he tentatively allowed himself to admire her. He wondered if he was going to get little moments like this with the other girls as well, and was starting to agree with the other males at Furinkan about how unworthy he was.

Shampoo gave him a knowing smile and he blushed and looked away self-consciously before she gently turned his head back to face her.

"No. Look. Shampoo like how Airen look at her." She leaned over and kissed his nose. "Would invite to wash with, but… definitely be late then." She slipped slowly out of the bed. "No let Pintou fall back asleep, okay?"

"I won't." Ranma watched her go. He could feel Nabiki moving next to him, so he didn't have much worry about her going back to sleep, though instead of rising, she seemed to be burrowing further under the covers. "Hey, Nabs? You gonna come out and talk?"

There was no immediate answer, but he felt her squirming deeper.

"Hey, you can't escape morning that way," he said, lifting the edge of the blanket again. "Nabs, you…"

He suddenly went very quiet, his eyes widening. Nabiki hadn't been trying to evade getting up after all. And she had apparently found something to do with her mouth besides talking.

000

"So what is this stuff called?" Akane asked, chewing a mouthful of pastry thoughtfully.

"Baklava," Shampoo said, holding the tupperware container as the entire group sampled the dessert.

"And they were just giving it away?!" Riko asked. She took a bite, and then made a small noise of pleasure. "It's so good!"

"They kinda adopted Shampoo as their unofficial grandkid," Ranma said. As predicted, she was walking a bit stiffly. Her legs felt a little weak and rubbery, especially after Nabiki's insistence on a 'morning quickie'.

"Oh yes, Shampoo is living a sordid double life," Nabiki teased. Unlike Ranma, she was practically bouncy, which was unusual enough for Nabiki. She definitely had a glow about her that left little doubt as to what had gotten her so perky.

"Still, an authentic Greek cafe would be worth checking out," Sayuri said around her own mouthful. "Especially if all of it is this good!"

Ryouga walked along slightly behind the group, chewing on weighty thoughts as well as his piece of baklava..

It was pretty obvious from how they were acting that Ranma's date with Shampoo had gone well, and that, at some point, Nabiki had joined in on the ride. Against all odds, it had worked. Ryouga felt a sting of jealous resentment at that. I travel across half of Asia trying to deal with my feelings for ONE girl and he goes on a date at a museum and gets TWO - and has the girl who broke my heart waiting happily in the wings to be with him next. He glanced at Akane and felt a brief flare of the old torch that, despite its cooling, he yet carried for her.

His gaze shifted, inevitably coming to rest on the redhead who was at the center of all this - the person on whom he could so easily have pinned his resentment on in the past - and he couldn't do it. He felt another emotion stirring as he watched her laugh and smile, the way the light played on her hair and drew out the highlights and subtler shades of red. It was easy to understand why someone would go so far just to be with someone like her...

His gaze dropped to the sidewalk again and he grit his teeth.

It was easy to resent the cardboard cutout - that was what it had been for after all. But now? The images of the boy he had resented so deeply for so long and of the girl who had become more important to him than he could readily admit just wouldn't reconcile in his head.

When was the last time he had seen Ranma's guy side, for that matter?

That's what I should do, he thought. Get Ranma to change so I can remind myself of who he is and stop this getting so… so ABSTRACT. He nodded resolutely. Just need a dose of reality to snap me out of this.

He looked up, opened his mouth to call out to Ranma and make the suggestion to hang out together as a couple of guys, maybe even spar…

… And realized he had no clue where he was. The group was nowhere to be seen and there was nothing to give him any clues as to which way they had gone.

"Awwwww, crap…"

"You should know better than to wander off like that, Ryo," a familiar voice said from his left. He turned to see Ranma hop off of a nearby fence and walk toward him with a smug look on her face.

He blushed and looked away. "I… was thinking," he muttered. It was true enough.

"You're brooding," She walked up to him, hands clasped behind her back. "By the time I noticed you'd wandered off you'd got pretty far. Luckily, you're easier to find when you're gloomy."

"I am?" Ryouga glanced behind him, checking to see if he had walked through any walls or destroyed anything while he had been pondering so absent-mindedly, but there was no evidence of obvious damage. After a moment, he realized what she was talking about. "... you mean the link!?"

She nodded, scuffing her shoe on the ground as though mildly embarrassed. "It works both ways, right? I mean… I can't always tell, but… it gets stronger when you're emotional."

DOES it work both ways? Ryouga pondered, not able to remember anything his parents had said or done that would confirm it one way or another. They had always been together until… He sighed and pushed that line of thought away. "It's nothing you need to worry about." He jammed his hands in his pockets and started walking, no longer really caring if he made it to school or not.

She came up beside him. Rather than stopping him, she took his arm and gently corrected his course… which meant they were now walking with her holding his arm. "I do need to worry! It's upsetting you enough that I can feel it without even touchin' ya!"

Ryouga scowled. Damnit, Ranma… "I'm not gonna blow myself up again."

"That's not the point," Ranma said crossly. "Can't always be about the extremes! This stuff sneaks up on ya, right? Besides, you've been helping me out. Just lemme return the favour, wouldja?"

Ryouga stared at her for a minute. It was getting hard to keep from seeing her for… for what she was right now. Which was cute.

"You shouldn't hold onto my arm like that," he mumbled. "People will think we're in a relationship or something."

She blinked. She was supposed to release his arm with an expression of disgust. He had been counting on it, in fact. Instead, she got this thoughtful expression on her face. She looked down at the sidewalk and, if anything, held onto his arm a little more tightly.

"I'm in a relationship with a lot of people," she said softly. "What's one more?"

Ryouga stopped dead, forcing Ranma to halt as well, despite her tugging on his arm.

"We're not in a relationship," Ryouga stated firmly. It wasn't a vehement denial. There was an odd sense of calm in his words. He was reaffirming reality, nothing more.

"We're kind of in a relationship," Ranma said quietly.

He gaped at her, eyes wide, as a whole slew of violently conflicting emotions temporarily locked up his brain.

"Anchor, remember?" She patted her chest. "You're kinda stuck with me."

"Oh." He felt an odd mix of relief and… disappointment? He brushed it off and resumed walking, keeping silent to avoid invoking any sort of clarification on that.

"... Were you thinking I'd say 'fiance'?" she asked, an impish smirk on her face.

Ryouga paused again but very quickly remembered the cover story they had given to the hospital which had then bled over to the school. Again, he felt a pang about that, though he wasn't sure what it really was. "I dunno," he mumbled. "I mean… that's the cover story, right?"

"Well… Someone has to look out for you until we find you a proper girlfriend," Ranma said.

Ryouga rolled his eyes. "Trust me, Ranma, after watching your little dramas unfolding day after day, romance is the furthest thing from my mind."

"So you haven't called Akari yet, have you?" she asked, glaring at him again. "I knew it!"

"I…" Ryouga realized that it had slipped his mind. Again. "I'll… I'll get to it."

"Honestly… are you gonna make me dial the phone for you?" Ranma huffed. "You should tell her about the stuff we're doing with the doctor to cure your directional problems. I mean… that was what caused the big problem in the first place, right?"

"I'd rather save that for when we actually make some progress," Ryouga sighed. "I wanna be able to give her something to prove that I'm gonna fix this. I don't wanna give her false hope."

Ranma rolled her eyes. "If you wait until you fix all of your issues before talking to her, she'll be dead of old age!" She considered a moment. "Well…. you can take her on that date you talked out with me, then. That should be a good way to reconnect, right?" Ranma said, though her tone got unusually quiet. He glanced at her, and she was looking at the sidewalk, pensively.

Ryouga thought for a moment. "I'd… do something different for a date with her," he said finally.

"O-oh…" she said, still looking forward.

He thought he saw a slight smile on her face, a little color in her cheeks, a shift in her weight as she leaned on him just a touch more. Things he normally wouldn't notice, but was noticing now. Ryouga squeezed his eyes shut. You're going the WRONG WAY, Hibiki! Just cut off the nonsense now before it goes too far!

"I'll think of something better. That date was for Akane anyway," he said casually.

She looked up at him and scowled. "Oh," she said tersely and looked away.

Ryouga felt the shift in the air as the mood suddenly chilled and wasn't entirely sure why. But it broke the odd tension, so he let it be.

"You want any help?" she finally asked, surprising him. "Comin' up with ideas, I mean."

"No," he growled curtly.

"Oh…" Her pace slowed and her grip slackened. Disappointment.

He felt a stab of guilt and had to wrestle down the urge to amend it. He almost felt like laughing; Here he was, feeling guilty about disappointing Ranma. A few weeks ago he'd still been trying to kill Ranma.

No I wasn't, he admitted. Let's face it, I never really was. I had lots of chances to do it. I didn't want to KILL her I… He glanced down at her, his expression softening. I just wanted her to understand how I felt... WHY I was so angry. Now she DOES understand… and I don't know what to do with it.

He sighed and resigned himself to his fate.

They walked quietly for a few more minutes. He could see the school gates now; the others must already be inside.

"Hey, Ryouga…" Ranma asked. "... How do you feel about apples?"

Ryouga gave her a quizzical look. "I… they're fine, I guess? Why do you ask?"

"Just… It's… nevermind, it was just a random thought," Ranma replied.

000

The day seemed to drag on endlessly for Ukyou. Mentally she ran through the checklist for the day, reassuring herself she had set out all the ingredients Konatsu would need. Tuesdays were generally slow so she didn't think the kunoichi would have much trouble and he certainly seemed eager to prove himself.

The teacher left the room briefly after telling the class to study. Ukyou pulled out the flyer she had been keeping in her bag, opened it up and sighed happily as she looked over the colorful artwork.

"Oooh, are you going to the carnival too, Ukyou-senpai?"

"Eeep!" Ukyou crumpled the flyer against her chest and nearly jumped out of her seat.

Rin blinked at her innocently and cocked her head.

Ukyou closed her eyes and took a deep breath to let her heart rate drop a bit. "You scared me, Rin!

"Sorry…" Rin's face fell and the whipped puppy look she adopted made Ukyou feel bad… and gave her a powerful urge to pat Rin on the head.

"It's okay," Ukyou said, fending off the urge for the moment. "I just… the Carnival wasn't advertised in Nerima. I only found out about it because a customer left this flyer behind. I was hoping to keep it quiet so half the school doesn't end up going."

"Oooooh… so are you going there on a date with Senpai?" Rin asked. Her eyes started to sparkle in that way that signaled a 'squee' was imminent.

"Yes, but it's a secret!" Ukyou hissed, glancing about to make sure no one else in the class had overheard - especially not the redhead currently wrestling with the lines of english phrases the teacher had assigned her as punishment. Then she remembered what Rin had said at first and raised an eyebrow. "Are you taking someone on a date there, Rin?"

Rin blushed a bright cherry red and waved her arms frantically. "N-no! I-I'm just going b-by myself!"

Ukyou could smell the blood in the water already, however. "Oh?" she asked, arching a skeptical eyebrow as she assumed a listening posture.

Rin squeaked, glanced about then pulled her chair from her desk and scooted closer. "I-I'm trying to find Mu Tsu's family," she said conspiratorially. "His circus family, I mean."

"You think that this is the same circus Mousse was travelling with?" Ukyou asked.

Rin shook her head. "No, b-but… they're a travelling carnival too, a-and if anyone would know where to start looking for a circus, it would be people from another circus, right?"

Ukyou couldn't find any fault with the logic, though she expected getting any useful information in locating a circus that none of them were likely to know anything about was a longshot at best. "Why is it so important to find them, sugar?"

Rin sighed. "I-it's… Mu Tsu just seems so lonely. A-and he seems to think that's the way it should be. The other Amazons are mean to him a-and I just thought it'd be nice if he could get back in touch with… with the family that accepted him." She squirmed a bit self consciously. "You won't tell him, will you?"

Ukyou shook her head. "Lips are sealed, don't worry. But… don't be too heartbroken if it doesn't work out, okay? Sometimes these things are more complicated than people let on and there might be many reasons he doesn't talk to them anymore."

"I-I know," Rin said. "But I want to try, at least!"

Ukyou grinned. "You really like him, don't you?"

Rin squirmed, blushing, and finally just nodded silently.

"Well, if you need any help…"

"O-oh no!" Rin shook her head. "I don't want to interfere with your date with Senpai! J-just don't tell Mu Tsu, please? I don't want to get his hopes up, o-or… or make him cross with me for meddling…"

"I won't," Ukyou said with a smile. "But we can take the train there together, at least?"

"You don't mind?" Rin asked hopefully.

Ukyou finally surrendered to her urge and patted Rin on the top of her head. "Never, sugar. You've been a good friend to Ranchan, so that makes you my friend."

Rin beamed at the pat and nodded. "Thank you!"

000

Nabiki handed over the bright pink flip phone somewhat reluctantly, her fingers twitching as she finally forced herself to release it. There was a lot of her budget wrapped up in an extremely destroyable package and she was placing it in the hands of one who might possibly be the most unsafe individual in all of Japan. "Ranma… this phone represents a lot of my remaining capital… please, if you ever loved me…"

Ranma blushed and sighed. "I'll take care of it, okay Nabiki?" she groused, taking it and flipping it open. "So… has it got any games on it?"

Nabiki snatched it back and snapped it closed. "Emergencies. Only," she growled. "And if you break it…" She sighed, shuddered and handed it back over. "... Don't break it."

"And… why's it got to be pink?" Ranma whined, looking it over.

"I don't want you liking it too much! If you want a manlier color, get a part time job and earn it yourself, like the rest of us!" Nabiki growled.

"Geez, Nabiki, it's just a stupid cheap phone," Yuka said.

"You don't have our repair bills to deal with," Akane muttered.

"You don't gotta worry none, Nabiki. I'll take good care of it." Ranma said as she tucked it into her pocket - or tried to. She missed on the first try, fumbled the phone and nearly dropped it, only managing to catch it at the last second. "... Aheh."

"So we ready to head out?" Ryouga asked. He rubbed the back of his head self-consciously.

"Just waiting on Rin," Ukyou said. "Rin wanted to shower and get changed. She's headed the same way as me'n Ranchan, so she thought she'd save herself a trip home and join us."

"She is?" Ranma said, raising an eyebrow.

"She's got some personal business," Ukyou said with a knowing smirk. "And that's all I'm at liberty to say."

"Ooh, does Rin have some deep, dark, personal secret?" Riko asked curiously.

Sayuri made a face. "Okay, I'm not having much luck reconciling the concept of 'Rin' with 'Deep, dark, personal secret'," she admitted.

"Yeah, me neither," Yuka said. "Please tell me she's going to go visit her Auntie or something so my brain can stop trying to eat itself over the mental image of Rin being secretive?"

Ukyou smirked. "Ask her yourself, sugar. Here she comes."

Rin had changed out of her school uniform into a simple blue skirt and a yellow blouse with a blue jacket. Her school bag was slung under her arm. She waved as she ran up to them, a little out of breath.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" she panted.

Sayuri and Yuka exchanged a glance, then returned their attention to her.

"Well… you look…" Sayuri started.

"Who is he?" Yuka asked, cutting Sayuri off.

Rin scowled. "I'm not going on a date," she muttered. "I'm just going to the carnival and I wanted to look nice."

"The carnival is in town?" Riko asked, eyes widening.

"In Shinjuku," Rin replied. "They're in town for the whole week. It's just a small travelling carnival, so they didn't advertise much."

"We should check that out this weekend!" Riko said. "I love fair food!"

"Why didn't you tell us, Rin?" Sayuri asked.

The diminutive striker squirmed. "I-I… wasn't sure if it'd be any good… and… and we've got our game tomorrow… and… I… wanted to check it out before I told you, just in case it was terrible." She ducked her head.

Sayuri smiled. "That's actually really sweet of you, Rin." She reached out and tousled Rin's hair. "We'll look forward to your report!"

"Sample the food! I have high standards for funnel cakes!" Riko added.

Nabiki sighed. "All right, let's go. I don't wanna think what the dried up mummy will throw at me if I'm late."

"Should be more respectful, Pintou," Shampoo chided her. "Respect for elders and use of proper titles very important to Joketsuzoku."

Nabiki made a face. "Sorry. Honorable Elder Dried Up Mummy."

"Better."

They started walking. Ranma fell into step beside Ukyou.

"Aren't we going to the Carnival?" Ranma whispered.

Ukyou smirked. "Don't worry. Rin isn't going because of us. She has a mission of her own. It's nothing we need to worry about. I'm sworn to secrecy on the rest."

Ranma raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue.

"You know, even if the Carnival doesn't pan out, we should all do something together this weekend," Riko said, walking backwards in front of the group. "We could go to Ueno Park or Tsutaya Electric Town…"

"If we're going shopping, somewhere less expensive please," Yuka said with a sigh. "I don't think my allowance would survive the temptation."

"We could also go to Fujikyu Highland."

"Too crowded," Sayuri made a face.

"Yoyogi Park?"

"Too laid back."

"Sumida Aquarium?"

"Ugh! Too 'Date Spot'-y."

"How would you know, Yuka?"

"Shut up, Daisuke!"

Ukyou smiled. "You know… I used to see big groups like this walking to and from school at my old high school," she said to Ranma. "I didn't used to see the appeal, but… It's kinda nice, isn't it?"

"You didn't at your old school?" Ranma asked.

Ukyou's face fell a bit. "There was one girl I used to walk with, at least as far as the bus stop," she sighed. "I'll tell you about her later. But for the most part I kept to myself. It… cut down on the awkwardness and on the chances of being found out. I kinda got… disdainful of the groups… I figured they were just herds. But when the rest of your school is insane, it's kinda refreshingly… normal, you know?"

Ranma rolled her eyes. "I dunno, I'm starting to learn that 'normal' people are either lying about being 'normal', or I've been misled about what 'normal' actually is."

"What was that, Ranma?" Yuka called back in a singsong voice.

"I said you're weird, Yuka!" Ranma shot back with a grin and no hesitation.

"Ha! Coming from you?! That's a COMPLIMENT!"

They continued on and dropped Ryouga off at his house. That had become the unofficial split up point for the group in the same way that the Tendo Dojo had become their gathering place in the mornings. Nabiki, Shampoo and Akane headed off toward the Nekohanten, while Sayuri and the rest of the volleyball team, save Rin, split up to head to their respective homes. Ranma went with Ryouga to greet his mother in the front yard and exchange pleasantries. Ukyou hung back, still a little unsure how to approach Ryouga's actual family.

Oh, hey Mrs. Hibiki. I'm Ukyou Kuonji! I occasionally try and fix your son up with the girl my fiance likes so I can split them up, and I occasionally leave spatula-shaped impressions in his skull! Also… she glanced down at herself and the boy's uniform she was wearing. I'm actually a girl!

Of course that didn't even begin to cover the current level of complexity, and she had no idea how much of that Ranma had prepared the woman for. Ukyou could see the sly glances Mrs. Hibiki was giving Ranma and Ryouga; the type that said she was humoring them while imagining good names for her future grandkids. It was a safe bet Ranma hadn't told Mrs. Hibiki much.

That's right, Ranchan said she doesn't even know about the curse. She thinks Ranchan is a girl. She had a momentary impulse to march over and introduce herself as Ranma's boyfriend but she figured that would only add more needless complication to the situation. At the very least, she thought she ought to run the idea past Ranma first.

Besides, poor Ryouga didn't really deserve more awkwardness. She imagined he must be squirming pretty badly as it was.

She watched them for a moment, thoughtfully. She knew Ryouga was terrible at processing his own feelings - not that it would be unusual in their emotionally stunted little group - but she could already see things he would never admit to in how close he stood to Ranma and the slightly protective stance he took with her. He alternated between sneaking glances at Ranma when he didn't think she was looking and trying, very intentionally, to look at anything but her. And now he kept slipping into the same flustered awkwardness he used to show around Akane.

Ukyou would be taking strips out of him if she hadn't gone through almost the exact same thing with Akane. As it was, she could almost narrate what was going on in his head.

Kind of ironic isn't it, Ryouga? she thought. We scheme and plot together to get you Akane and me Ranma… now here I am practically living with Akane and you're falling hard for Ranma. She felt a slight pang of guilt. Of course… I got Ranma too, didn't I? Even if I have to share her. You got left out in the cold.

Her gaze shifted over to Ranma. She considered a moment. She had never been any good at reading Ranma, but she could see differences. Ranma normally had a wariness to her stance, even when relaxed - a learned reflex from being in danger of coming under attack at almost any time. That wasn't there right now.

She trusts him. Not just to not attack her, but to protect her if she IS attacked. She feels safe enough around him to let her guard down, even with others around, Ukyou thought. Ranma isn't even that relaxed around KASUMI. Since when has Ranma trusted someone else to protect her?

She wondered if Akane and Nabiki were right and this thing was going both ways?

Whatever happened between them with that Shi shi Hokodan was powerful, that much is obvious. But… I guess it's not done yet? That would explain why he's avoiding Akari… His glass heart has been snatched up by a redhead who probably doesn't even know what she's done. She folded her arms, deep in thought. So what does that mean if Ranchan decides she wants to keep it? Another in the Harem? Would that even work? How do I feel about that? She glanced at Ryouga again. I mean… He OBVIOUSLY needs someone to take care of him or he's not going to make it past twenty, but… Akane will blow her stack. Nabiki will… well, she keeps threatening to take pictures but that doesn't give any idea how she'd REALLY deal with it. Shampoo would have fun with it of course. She blushed a bit as she briefly considered the hedonistic girl's reaction. That doesn't matter! How do I feel about it? She took a breath, closing her eyes and trying to focus. It'd… be WEIRD. Ryouga is like a brother to me. How do you share a spouse with a sibling?... Okay, okay, so Nabiki and Akane manage, but Akane is a giant ball of repressed sexual tension on the BEST of days, and Nabiki is the poster child for not giving a damn what anyone thinks…

"Ucchan? You home in there?" A hand waved across her face.

Ukyou started back a step, blinking. Ranma was peering up at her curiously.

"Whatcha thinkin' about so hard?" Ranma asked.

"I…" Ukyou blushed and shook her head. "Umm… nothing really serious. C'mon, let's get going. We want to get there before it gets dark, right?" She looked around. "Where's Rin?"

"She got hungry and said she'd go ahead so she could get an okonomiyaki for herself while she waited for us," Ranma said. "You were kinda zoned out a while."

Ukyou turned redder still and coughed. "Yeah, well… I can be introspective too, y'know…"

They started walking again. Ukyou jammed her hands in her pockets, her thoughts settling back on the whole thing with Ranma and Ryouga. She found herself studying Ranma's back as she walked ahead of her.

Ranchan's vamped guys before, but… she isn't cruel enough to mess with Ryouga right now, right? Not after going to those lengths to save him. So… something's shifted with her too. Ukyou pondered. Nabiki said she was attracted to him, but didn't think it would go further… but is that really all it is?

There was really only one way to know for sure. Ukyou quickened her pace a bit to draw even with the redhead.

"Hey… Ranchan…" she said a little timidly. "Can we talk?"

Ranma looked at her. "About what?" She seemed a little nervous.

"A lot has happened in the last little while…" Ukyou said. "... A lot, honestly. And… I haven't really had a chance to talk with you like we used to. I feel a bit out of the loop on what's going on with you."

Ranma gazed at her for a few moments, then looked away, considering. She kicked a pebble along the sidewalk as they walked. "Yeah… I guess there has been a lot."

"Are you okay?" Ukyou asked. "I mean, I already gave Ryouga the grilling over this, but… Is there more than you're telling us to what happened with you two? With the whole Shi shi Hokodan thing, I mean."

"What do you mean?" Ranma asked. She was already sounding on edge.

Ukyou sighed. "Ranma… Your whole paradigm shifted. Ryouga went from hating your guts to acting like… like you're Akane. And you're different too. I'm not being jealous and I promise not to get mad, no matter what you tell me. I'm not even saying it's bad! I just… I just want to know what's going on?"

Ranma was quiet for a bit as they walked, eyes downcast. She wet her lips, looking like she was trying to consider what she was going to say.

"Me'n Ryouga… after the Shi shi hokodan… We kinda came to an understandin'. Or… maybe I got an understandin' of just how much hurt there is in him, an'... I wasn't okay with just leaving it," Ranma said. "I had to decide between bein' his rival, an' maybe watchin' him kill himself one day try'n beat me… or be his friend and say that his life was more important to me than winnin'. So… I chose the latter. I found out just how much that lack of a sense of direction has actually cost him. So I convinced him to see a doctor about it, an'... we've been workin' towards a cure."

"And you got close through that?"

"W-well… tryin' to fix the curse has actually dipped into martial arts an' using Ki a lot," Ranma said carefully. "I've had to dig into some… some dark places in my own head to drive it. And… I dunno, something… popped. I nearly went into the Neko-ken over it. Ryouga talked me down, but… I think it jostled loose some stuff in my own head. Memories I forgot… or… feelings I forgot, rather. Like… like when I realized we weren't gonna go back to see you again back when we were kids. It… kinda compounded all of the stuff that's already goin' on."

Ukyou examined Ranma carefully. She reached over and lightly brushed her fingers through her hair, where she could see the effects of the styling she had gotten done while with Kodachi. "This is old, isn't it... Ryouga didn't cause this, he just popped the lid off… right?"

"I'm not sure," Ranma said softly. "But… I'm not the way I'm s'posed to be. I don't know why. It's not because of the curse, I don't think, but the curse makes it easier for it to come out. I kinda figured it out talking with Rin, about Yin and Yang. How most people are a mix, but usually a lot more of one than the other. But… I got too much Yin or… or not enough Yang or somethin'. It useta be it'd just come out as me actin' a bit more girly than necessary when I was in my girl form, but lately…" she chuckled bitterly. "Guess this is kinda how I realized I was never gonna be enough of a 'man amongst men' t'satisfy Mom…"

"Because you wear a dress sometimes?" Ukyou asked.

Ranma squeezed her eyes closed. "B-because… because sometimes I'd rather wear the dress! Because… sometimes when I'm yelling at the top of my lungs 'I'm a guy!'... it feels like I'm lying." She looked at her hands. "Because I'm sick of being afraid of this part of me. Because sometimes bein' a guy doesn't make any more sense to me than bein' a girl."

Ukyou stepped in close and quickly pulled the redhead into a hug.

Ranma didn't resist, going limp against her. "Ryo… Ryo knows all this an'... an'... he was okay with it…" Ranma said, muffled against Ukyou's chest.

No WONDER Ryouga was acting all protective of you! Ukyou thought. And since he already knows all of your deep dark secrets… you're relaxed around him. He's 'safe'. "Ranchan?" Ukyou started to stroke her hair. "Can I tell you a secret?"

The redhead simply nodded against her, though she also slipped her arms around her waist.

Ukyou took a deep breath. "I… don't dress up like a boy out of habit or because I don't know how to look good as a girl. I like to think I proved that last part false pretty conclusively." She smirked as she remembered the stir she had caused at Furinkan just by showing up in a girl's uniform. "It's not an honor thing either. The truth is… the truth is that was just an easy excuse. Maybe not when I first started but…" She sighed. "Ranma, I changed my gender on my family register because I felt more comfortable as a boy - because that's how I fully intended to live… not as a penance or anything, but… because that's how I felt."

Ranma was silent.

"That changed when I met you again…" Ukyou said fondly, smiling down at her. "But… there are still days when I just wanna… be a guy again. Not forever… I don't think I'd ever want to go so far as a curse or anything either. But… in my own head at least."

Ranma looked up at her, her eyes wide. "L-like… you forget a little bit that you're not a guy? Like… you know, but… but…"

Ukyou nodded.

"A-and… certain situations… or… or people… kinda push you one way or another?" Ranma continued.

"I think I just implied that you do that to me," Ukyou said with a smile.

Ranma shuddered. She closed her eyes and slumped against Ukyou. "Oh thank god… I thought I was the only one. I thought I was going crazy!"

"You know people like me or Konatsu or Jiro and yet you think that you're the only one?" Ukyou asked incredulously. She ran her fingers through Ranma's hair again and tightened arms around her. "So… where are you right now on the scale?" Ukyou asked.

Ranma was quiet.

Ukyou smirked. "I promise I'm not going to get mad."

"... Pretty… pretty deep into the girl side," Ranma said softly. "I was hopin' by the time we got to Ucchan's…"

"It doesn't always work that way," Ukyou replied with a soft chuckle. "Some days you have to fake it." She had a thought and considered it, surprised at how much the idea was appealing to her. Maybe Ranma's not the only one on the wrong side of the fence today? "Ranchan… do you feel like indulging me a little today?"

"Mnn?" Ranma blinked up at her. "Uhh… sure?"

000

Rin squealed in pleasure as she chewed, the piping hot, savory pancake practically melting in her mouth. She kicked her heels on the stool as she finished the morsel. "Ms. Konatsu, that's so good!"

Konatsu smiled and inclined her head slightly. "I'm pleased you enjoy it, Ms. Rin. I'm afraid it's not quite to Lady Ukyou's standards yet, but…"

Rin shook her head. "Mnnn! I think Ms. Konatsu's are just as good!" she insisted. "You get so much flavor from so few toppings!"

Konatsu blushed and smiled. "I… have been frugal most of my life. But bland okonomiyaki don't sell and are a waste so… I've learned some tricks of my own to find a balance."

"Ukyou doesn't mind you changing the recipe?" Rin asked.

Konatsu smiled. "Lady Ukyou is very supportive. Once she was sure I had mastered the basic recipe she has been happy to let me experiment, so long as she is allowed to sample my attempts first to ensure they are of sufficient quality to serve the customers. It's not so different from serving tea. Temperature, balance of ingredients, time… they all play a part. I am blessed that she saw fit to share her family's art with me as well as to allow me the freedom to develop my own 'style'."

Rin nodded. "Dad was the same with Volleyball. He used to tell me that learning to hit the ball like he taught me to hit it was just the first step."

"I have heard Lady Ukyou speak on your prowess at the game," Konatsu said. "I understand your skills are quite impressive."

Rin blushed and ducked her head. "I'm… I'm still learning a lot. I really only do the one thing really well…"

The door slid open and Ukyou and Ranma stepped in. Rin turned on her stool and smiled. "You're here!"

"Sorry for the wait, Rin," Ukyou said. She turned to Konatsu. "Her order is on the house, okay Konatsu?"

Konatsu smiled and bowed. "Of course."

"We just need to get ready, Rin. I hope you don't mind waiting a little longer?" Ukyou continued. Ranma waved from behind Ukyou, a sheepish smile on her face.

Rin quirked an eyebrow. "Uh… sure, Ukyou-senpai. No problem."

Ukyou and Ranma both headed up the stairs. Rin watched them go, curiously.

"You seem concerned, Ms. Rin?" Konatsu said as she started scraping down the grill.

"Hmmm? Oh nothing bad," Rin said absently. "I've just never seen Ukyou-senpai be Yang with Senpai around her before. Except that one time, of course."

Konatsu blinked. "... Pardon?"

"Oh… sorry!" Rin said sheepishly. "I guess that didn't make sense, did it?" She resumed eating her okonomiyaki.

Konatsu regarded her curiously for a moment, then shrugged and went back to her cleanup.

A short while later, footsteps could be heard on the stairs. Rin looked up again, wondering about what sort of transformation she would see. Senpai was always fascinating with how she could shift and change from moment to moment.

She was a bit surprised to see Ranma come back down in female form. She had unbound her hair and brushed it out, letting it fall across her shoulders. She had applied a little light makeup - just enough to accentuate her eyes - and was wearing a short red jacket over a grey v-neck shirt and a pair of denim shorts over black leggings. It was very cute without being overly 'girly'.

"S-senpai…" Rin said. She blinked and shook herself out of her shock. "Wow! You look good! B-but… I thought you were going on a date with…"

She cut off as a second figure came down the stairs behind Ranma. He wore a pair of dark slacks, crisply pressed, and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up almost to his elbows. He had a blazer-style jacket slung over his shoulder and a cocky grin. His long brown hair was tied to fall down his back in a low ponytail.

It took Rin a second to realize that this was Ukyou.

She blushed and looked away but turned back to look again. She felt self-conscious for staring, but was unable to help herself. Ukyou often dressed as a boy when at school, but Rin had never seen her put this much effort into it before. The presentation was perfect. The cut of her clothing somehow made Ukyou seem taller and more broad-chested than she was and showed not a hint of her usual curves. The change to her hairstyle was calculated to frame her face differently and make it seem more angular and masculine and the way she now carried herself was purely and confidently male.

"Oh my…" Konatsu said, wearing a similar blush to Rin's.

Ukyou winked. "Whatcha think?" Even her tone and style of speaking had changed.

"It's amazing!" Rin said, hopping off her stool to walk over for a closer look. "You're so handsome, Ukyou-senpai!"

"I wouldn't be able to tell…" Konatsu said, wide-eyed. "And… I have some experience with this! I've never seen you undergo such a… a remarkable transformation, La..." She closed her eyes with a smile and bowed. "Lord Ukyou."

Ukyou rolled her eyes. "Don't start with that, Konatsu." She was smiling at the compliment nevertheless. "I haven't tried this hard since I came to Nerima. Ranchan and I thought it might be fun to have a role-reversal date tonight."

Rin giggled. "That does sound like fun! Though… I don't think anyone but the two of you could pull it off. Not like this!"

Ranma gave Rin a knowing smile, stepping back to lean against Ukyou a little. Ukyou put a hand on her shoulder and smiled down at her. "I think you're right Rin. We're a pretty well matched set."

They looked like a completely normal boy-girl couple. The illusion was amazing.

"We should get going," Ukyou said. "You got everything you need, Konatsu?"

Konatsu smiled and waved them off. "Please go enjoy yourselves. It's a slow night and I am fine."

"Oh, wait!" Ranma fished her new neon pink phone from her pocket. "I know Nabiki said this was just for emergencies but… using the camera on this thing doesn't use minutes, right?" She flipped it open, puzzling over the buttons and menus.

"Not if you don't send it." Rin leaned over, gently taking the phone and selecting the camera. "Here, let me." She stepped back and held it up as Ranma and Ukyou posed.

"Nabiki wanted pics if I went on a date with a guy. She should get a kick outta this," Ranma said with a smirk. She smiled prettily as Rin snapped a couple of pictures.

Rin examined the last one on the tiny screen and nodded, satisfied it would do. "Send me a copy later, okay? Oh! I should get your number!" She pulled out her own phone.

Ranma came over and leaned over her shoulder, watching Rin as she manipulated the address book on both phones. "Wow… you're fast with that. I barely know how to dial it!"

"You learn if you use it," Rin said. "It's not that hard… here, watch, each keypress can be a number of characters depending on how many times you press it. If you pause a second, it moves onto the next character…"

Ukyou checked her watch. "Oh, crap, the next train is coming any minute! We'd better hustle - it'll be half an hour until the next one!"

Rin scrambled to finish punching in the numbers and put her own phone back into her pocket. The redhead was grabbing something from under the counter, so she put the pink phone on top of the counter for her and gathered up her own things.

Rin followed behind the couple as the three of them set out. Ranma was munching an apple she had swiped from Ukyou's ingredients box, though she was making an effort to eat much more daintily than normal, even offering a bite to Ukyou as they walked. Rin could see right off that some of it was for show, with Ukyou playing the part of the attentive boyfriend while Ranma was amping up the girlyness a bit. But as they got onto the train and the two started to relax, she could see the roles becoming more 'real'.

They really were an incredibly cute couple, she had to admit.

I feel a little bad for Mr. Boyfriend-san, she thought, as she sat across from them. Though… if Senpai has more than one girlfriend, she can have more than one boyfriend too, right? She smiled, satisfied that it would all work out for the best somehow. People like Ranma were the sort who got happy endings after all, right?

Of course, that left her with her own problem. Deep down, she knew she was probably wasting her time. She wasn't clever like Nabiki or capable like Senpai or determined like Captain Sayuri. She wasn't even certain if finding Mu Tsu's circus would be something that would make him happy, or if he would be mad at her for meddling. But… this strange little world she had been allowed to see… with of all these martial artists and exceptional people… it was all so sad most of the time. And she couldn't really do anything about very much of it because it was about honor or magic or other things she didn't quite understand. This was at least something she could try and do.

"You're real quiet tonight, Rin," Ranma said. She got up from her seat and crossed the aisle to sit next to Rin.

Rin started a bit, then ducked her head in embarassment. "I-I'm sorry, Senpai. I'm not being very good company."

"No, no, it's okay," Ranma smiled. "Just checkin' up on my junior to make sure she's okay, right?"

Rin nodded then looked at her hands. After a minute, she spoke again. "What do you think of Mu Tsu, Senpai?"

Ranma blinked. "Mousse? Well, he's obsessive, blind in a literal and figurative sense, obsessive, violent, dumb, obsessive, and a half-decent fighter when he doesn't get distracted by something he thinks is Shampoo. Also he's obsessive. So… a pretty normal guy for the people in my life."

"Hey," Ukyou growled. "Some of us resemble that remark."

"Aww, you know you don't count in that Ucchan!" Ranma said nervously.

Rin sighed. "I mean… beyond that. Beyond the martial arts stuff. Don't you… talk with him, Senpai? Hang out? Do things together? Talk about plans for the future or anything?"

Ranma cocked her head as if confused. "No. Why?"

Ukyou rolled her eyes and got up to sit down next to Ranma again. "Nabiki is right; you really are feral, Ranchan."

Ranma shrugged. "I mean, the guy literally tries to kill me whenever he imagines I make a pass at his beloved Shampoo. Or when he thinks I didn't, therefore slighting her by paying attention to someone else. Or… y'know, thinks that I breathed wrong in her presence. That's the sort of thing that makes it hard to pal around with someone, you know?"

Rin cocked her head. "But you get along fine with Mr. Boyfriend-san."

Ukyou snerked at the name Rin had given Ryouga. Ranma blushed and ducked her head. "Ryo is… different."

Ukyou put an arm around Ranma, hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Yeah, we've noticed 'Ryo' is different, Ranchan."

Ranma squirmed uncomfortably at the implication Ukyou was making and quickly changed the topic back. "It's not like I singled Mousse out… I mean, he's not bad, and he and I have teamed up a few times, but…" Ranma shrugged. "The Shampoo thing is kinda a deal breaker for him."

"Mnnn…" Rin sighed and slumped a little, nodding.

"Well… maybe if someone were to come along to take his mind off Shampoo…" Ukyou said.

Rin blinked and looked at Ukyou, cocking her head. "Y-you mean like another Amazon girl? O-or maybe a martial artist from Japan?"

Ukyou and Ranma just gaped at her.

"No, youdummy! You!" Ranma said, poking Rin in the forehead. "You like the big blind idiot, right? That's why you're trying to find his circus for him?"

"Eeee…" Rin blushed and shrank back. "I-I do… But… I'm not doing this to try and make him like me." She sighed and smiled sadly, looking away. "Mu Tsu wants… he wants someone incredible. Like him. That's why he likes Shampoo. I-I'm sure someday he'll find someone like that again, even if he doesn't believe it. But… in the meantime he shouldn't be miserable and alone. He has a family out there that cares about him, I'm sure of it, and… and I want to help him find them again. So at least he knows he has someplace to go."

"Rin…" Ranma said softly.

"Mu Tsu is a nice dream for someone like me to have…" Rin said. "B-but… that's all he is. He's meant to be with someone who can fly like he can. B-but… I still want to be his friend. I want to see him smile more, even if it's because I'm selfish. I wanna see all of you smile, really. S-so… I'm just doing this because it's what I can do right now." She looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. "I know I'm being silly and this probably won't do anything, but… it makes me feel better."

Ukyou and Ranma exchanged a wordless glance and were silent for the rest of the train ride.

000

"Um… hello?"

Konatsu looked up from her cleaning to see a familiar young man in white robes enter. The light glinted off his thick spectacles.

"Oh, forgive me, Mu Tsu!" Konatsu said, covering his mouth in a ladylike manner.

"I apologize if you're closed… I didn't see any sign…" Mousse said sheepishly. "But then… well."

"No, no, we're quite open!" Konatsu insisted. "It's simply been slow, and so I've been doing some chores." He busied himself getting his ingredients prepared and heating up the grill. "What would you like? Your usual?"

"Please." Mousse sat on one of the stools and folded his hands into the sleeves of his robe.

"You usually come around for a lunch special. What brings you out this late?" Konatsu asked. Mousse was actually one of his regulars - one of the few that typically always came when Ukyou was at school.

Mousse sighed. He pushed his glasses up on top of his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Being at the Nekohanten as of late has been… challenging."

Konatsu tested the grill with a few drops of water. Satisfied the heat was correct, he poured the batter. "The 'sisterly bonding' thing again?" He knew some of what was going on from Ukyou, and more still from Mousse himself, who had been coming in rather haggard and sleep-deprived lately.

"Shampoo seems to delight in rubbing it in my face," Mousse said dejectedly. "And Cologne seems to delight in forcing me to endure it."

"Ms. Shampoo does seem to lack a certain… discretion," Konatsu admitted, having been subjected to similar sleepless nights himself. He was already well resigned to his lady never choosing - or even considering - him, but it was still rather mortifying.

"She doesn't need discretion," Mousse said bitterly. "She has everything she's ever wanted - her 'Airen'... sisters who are as skilled as any Amazon with which to snub her peers back home and the freedom to do as she pleases. She has no need of me anymore."

Konatsu nodded and silently set the plate in front of him. "Yet you stay," he said finally.

Mousse broke apart his chopsticks and paused, contemplating his okonomiyaki. "Please don't take this the wrong way… but you couldn't possibly understand."

Konatsu raised an eyebrow, folding his arms across his chest. "Because I have accepted that Lady Ukyou will not return my feelings as I might wish she would?"

"Because you can accept that," Mousse replied as he broke his okonomiyaki into sections. "You have only known Ukyou for a year at most I believe? You had a life before her, no matter how wretched, and you will have a life after her." He picked up a piece of okonomiyaki and studied it, squinting. "I have known Shampoo my entire life. I have spent my entire life trying to be someone Shampoo would want. I made a foolish mistake when I was a child that pushed her away and I have spent every single day after that trying to rectify it. Everything that I do, everything I have learned, everything that I am is towards that end. I do not have anything else." He popped the morsel into his mouth and chewed.

Konatsu had heard this speech before - several times, in fact. Most of Mousse's conversation tended to revolve around Shampoo and his inability to win her, or rage over Ranma's perceived mistreatment of her.

A smirk crossed the kunoichi's features. Except once.

Konatsu folded his hands behind his back and leaned over a bit, as he had seen Jiro do. Konatsu had always greatly admired the older man's talent for slicing to the heart of a dilemma with only a few words. Konatsu could not hope to achieve such precision, but imitating Jiro's style felt right. "So! Out of curiosity… how did watching the sunset with Ms. Rin make you a better match for Shampoo?"

Mousse froze then started coughing, choking on his half-chewed bite.

Oh dear… I did it too soon. It ruins the effect if they choke to death! Konatsu quickly fetched him a glass of water, which he snatched and guped greedily to force the errant morsel down his throat.

"That… that had nothing to do with Shampoo!" Mousse finally managed to gasp, thumping his chest to get the oversized bite down.

"My apologies. I merely assumed since you said everything you do is to that end..." Konatsu cocked his head. "So what was the purpose of that, then?"

Mousse gave him a sour look. "Must everything have a purpose? It was simply… impulse." He snagged another bit with his chopsticks and started chewing angrily.

'Mustn't push too hard', Master Jiro would say. 'Plant the seed of the realization and let them come to it on their own.' "As you say, then," Konatsu said with a smile. He set to work wiping down the counter when he noticed something laying on it. It was a neon pink flip phone that had been left sitting right at the counter's edge.

That must be Rin's! She must have forgotten it when they were taking pictures! Konatsu thought, remembering Rin holding the phone to snap a pic of Ranma and Ukyou. "Oh dear… I fear Ms. Rin has left her cell phone…"

Mousse froze again. "Rin was here?"

Konatsu nodded. "Oh yes! She drops by occasionally as well, after volleyball practise, usually to visit Lady Ukyou or Lady Akane. She was by tonight on her way to a carnival in a neighboring ward."

"Oh. She was going on a date, then?" Mousse asked carefully, pushing his glasses back down over his eyes.

Konatsu raised an eyebrow. Mousse hated wearing his glasses because he preferred people to be able to see his eyes, since they often mistook him for stoic or unemotional with the glasses hiding them. He tended to put them down intentionally when he wished to hide his emotions. "No, I believe she was going alone. I believe she was going to see if it was worth a trip for her friends to go there later in the week."

"And where is the carnival?" Mousse continued to feign only moderate interest.

"In Shinjuku. Yoyogi Park, I believe?" Konatsu smiled. "I can ask Lady Ukyou to return the phone to her tomorrow at school."

Mousse sighed as he pushed his stool out from the counter and stood. "No… a young girl like her shouldn't be out at night alone and that far from home without a phone." He walked over and picked up the phone. "I'll go find her and return it."

Konatsu raised an eyebrow. "That is quite a bit out of your way, isn't it? Are you sure you want to go to that much trouble?"

"It's a martial artist's duty to protect the weak," Mousse quoted a well worn phrase. "Besides, with three cute waitresses working for her tonight, the Old Mummy won't need or want me at the Nekohanten. And I had wanted to get some fresh air anyway."

Konatsu smiled and nodded. "Very well. If I happen to see her first, I'll let her know you have it, then. I imagine she will be quite grateful to you to get it back."

Mousse paused. His glasses hid his face well, but Konatsu was sure he saw a slight blush on his cheeks. "I'm only doing what's right, after all," Mousse said gruffly. He tucked the phone into his sleeve and then placed a few coins on the counter. "Thank you for the food, Konatsu. I will see you again soon." He turned and walked out of the restaurant, hopped up onto a lamppost, and then leapt out of view towards the rooftops.

Konatsu watched him go with a smile and returned to his cleanup duties. Well now… I wonder how this might develop? he thought.

000

Rin parted ways with Ranma and Ukyou after they paid their admission to the fairgrounds and headed off towards the circus tent. After hearing a few distant roars from caged animals that were more than likely rather large felines, Ranma and Ukyou elected to start at the game stands.

The carnies had seen an attractive young couple and naturally played on Ukyou's male pride to entice them to the games - encouraging 'him' to win 'his' lady a prize.

Ranma seemed content to play along by turning on the charm, and, in spite of herself, Ukyou felt something resembling male pride being prickled. The games were all varying levels of rigged, of course, from merely deceptively difficult to basically physically impossible. But Ukyou had worked food stands at carnivals before and knew how this worked. She dropped a few comments at some of the more heavily rigged games to let them know she was on to them before winning them anyway. She was careful to not win too spectacularly, though, as she knew that would just be advertising for more 'marks'.

They still came away each carrying a huge stuffed animal on their backs, a bear in Ukyou's case, and an elephant in Ranma's. Ranma happily sampled several of the treats for which they had won vouchers. They had won other prizes as well, but had given most away to the crowd of kids who had come out to watch Ukyou play.

"It feels a little weird to have a bunch of boys say they wanna grow up to be just like me," Ukyou said with a chuckle.

"Why?" Ranma asked around a mouthful of cotton candy.

Ukyou shrugged. "Well…" she sighed. "I'm a fraud, aren't I? They admire me because they think I'm 'manly', but it's all bindings and carefully cut clothes and feathered eyebrows."

Ranma was thoughtful for a moment. "Y'know… I've sorta been wrestling with that myself a bit. A few days ago Sayuri said being a 'man amongst men' didn't mean I couldn't also be a 'woman amongst women'. I brushed it off as nonsense at the time, but…" She stepped a little closer and took Ukyou's arm, leaning on her a little for support. "I mean… everything they admire about you… your strength, your skill, your generosity, your sense of right and wrong when showin' up those crooked games… that's not fake. So… if that's 'manly', then you are manly. You're probably the manliest guy here. Doesn't matter what you are under your clothes."

"I am?" Ukyou raised an eyebrow. "You're willing to surrender the title to me that easily, sugar?"

Ranma just smiled and hugged Ukyou's arm more tightly. "Takin' the night off."

Ukyou snorted then examined the redhead a little more closely. "I guess this has been a bit rough for you, huh?"

Ranma was quiet for a moment.

Ukyou sensed that this was something important, so she guided Ranma gently toward a set of benches set off the main path where it would be quieter. She sat down with next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Is it… is it supposed to be easier to be a girl?" she asked timidly, giving Ukyou a nervous look.

"... Easier?" Ukyou cocked her head curiously. "What, you mean because you can charm your way into someone winning you prizes by batting your baby blues at them?" She smirked and held up the bear.

"Ranma's face fell. "Well… I mean… yeah… yeah… I do that…" She sounded… ashamed, almost.

"Ranchan?" Ukyou's eyes widened.

"I'm… kinda strugglin', Ucchan," she said. She smoothed out her shorts unconsciously then glanced at the hand that had done it as if she hadn't really seen it before. With a sigh she leaned against Ukyou a little more as though she were tired and let her hand drop back to her lap. "I feel… like all of the stuff I used to rely on is kinda fallin' out from under me. I used to be so sure of what direction I needed to go most of the time."

Ukyou hugged the girl closer. She reached over with her other hand and ran her fingers lightly through Ranma's hair. "Feeling lost because of your parents?"

"That's part of it, I guess," she said. "But… most of it… Is… is this okay?" She looked up at Ukyou.

"Is what okay?"

"Me," Ranma said. She gestured at herself. "This. Being… being… unsure. I mean… is this all it takes? A year of a stupid curse? Or… Is… is this why Mom sent me away? Because I was always like this?"

Ukyou reached over and cupped Ranma's cheek. "Ranchan… I don't know, honestly. But I do know there's nothing wrong with you... or with the way you are... or with the way you were. And it certainly isn't your fault your Mom let your idiot father cart you off across Asia. Your parents are cracked."

"Yeah…" Ranma said. She closed her eyes and leaned into Ukyou's hand. "Are you okay with this, though?"

"That's a dumb question Ranchan, and you know it," Ukyou said with a smirk. She leaned in and kissed her on the lips gently. She slowly drew the smaller girl closer, sliding her arms around the redhead as she deepened the kiss.

Ukyou broke the kiss and smiled. "I am happy to be with you Ranchan. And I am going to marry you someday. It doesn't matter to me if I'm wearing a wedding dress or a tuxedo."

"Mnnn…" Ranma mumbled dreamily, opening her eyes slowly. "... you'd look sexy in a tux…"

"Damn right I would," Ukyou replied. "You be whatever you want to be whenever you want to be it, Ranchan. Anyone who really loves you will accept that."

Ranma slipped her arms around Ukyou's neck. "Thank you," she said softly. She looked into Ukyou's eyes as her fingers lightly caressed the nape of the chef's neck. "I love you too, Ucchan. Heh… I used to be so afraid of saying that to anyone."

"Gets easier with practise," Ukyou replied. "So… where should we go next?"

"Hmmm… Maybe peek in the tents? As long as there aren't any c-c-c-c… you know," Ranma said. "Oh… if we run into any old gypsy fortune tellers... or incense peddlers... or some joker selling ancient artifacts or love charms... or anything like that, we bail, okay?"

"Deal."

They stood, though Ranma kept close with an arm around Ukyou's waist and her head against her shoulder. Ukyou decided that she could definitely get used to that.

000

Rin peeked around the edge of the large circus tent, looking about to make sure there was no one to get mad at her.

She had found out quickly that most of the attendants working the ticket booths were local temps and most of the carnies at the games or rides were too busy to talk or didn't want to deal with her unless she was going to spend money at their game. She didn't have much money to waste so she wanted to leave that as a last resort.

She hoped that maybe she could catch a carnival worker on break who'd be willing to talk. It was usually the back stage folk who knew everything, right? Perhaps even a performer, or someone from one of the booths if she could catch them when they weren't busy.

Just as long as it wasn't a clown.

There was a section behind the tents where the trailers for the performers were parked, as well as equipment that she assumed wasn't in use. She stayed clear of the animal cages and tried to look for something that looked like a break area instead.

"Hey little missy, what are you doing back here?"

She squeaked and froze. Slowly she turned and looked over her shoulder.

He was tall. Freakishly so. His pants were purple with yellow polka dots. His jacket was a cacophony of color, stitched together almost randomly, and far too big for him. His face was pale greasepaint, with his eyes circled in dark brown, and his lips exaggerated in crimson. His hair was a veritable mop of multicolored curls.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeee…!" Rin squeaked, eyes widening in fear as she shrank back.

The clown sighed. "Great. Another one. Those stupid American horror movies are ruinin' the profession, I tells ya. Look, kid… I'd take the stilts off and scrub the facepaint to show you I'm nothin' to be afraid of, but I gotta be in the ring in half an hour. You got parents around here or what?"

She shook her head frantically and backed up a bit further.

"Okay, okay…" He held out his hands placatingly. "How old are you? With an elementary school group or something?"

Rin swallowed. It's just a man. It's just a man. He doesn't have any balloons. There's no sewer grate. NOTHING IS FLOATING. "I-I'm in high school..."

He blinked. "What, really?" He leaned over, earning another whimper as he looked her over appraisingly. "Geez kid, you need a sammich! You get lost or somethin'?"

Rin closed her eyes, reached into her pocket and gripped her worry stone. "I'm… I'm trying to find a circus!" she managed.

He laughed. "I think you found one, kid!"

"I-I mean… a different one," she stammered, shrinking back a little more.

He cocked his head. "Well… Not sure if I should be insulted by that…"

"Boffo! Stop pesterin' the payin' customers!" a gruff voice came from behind her. An older man , fat, balding and smoking a stubby cigar stepped out. He was wearing a stained T-shirt with a faded logo from the 'Barnum and Bailey Circus'. "You, uh… are a paying customer, yeah kid?"

"I-I paid my ticket!" she whimpered. She glanced back and forth between the two and took a deep breath. "I… I'm trying to find a circus for a friend. A specific circus. It… it used to be his home, but he has no idea where they are now."

The man blew a smoke ring. "An' you thought another carnie might know? Geez kid, the internet's a thing, y'know?"

"Awww go easy on 'er. Poor kid's scared spitless," Boffo said, walking past her.

"Yeah? Well she also don't look like she's got no dosh, an' I ain't exactly in the 'free information' business," the man growled as the clown passed. He turned back to Rin. "Look kid, piss off, okay? It's dangerous back here, an' we get enough grief from the safety inspectors."

"Th-the ringmaster is a Korean man, named Byungchul!" she blurted.

He paused, raising an eyebrow. "Where'd you get that name from? Feh, don't matter none. Sorry kid, can't help you."

"I-I can pay!"

He paused again, sighed, dropping his cigar and stubbing it out under his thick leather workboot. "Look, kid… I ain't averse to takin' a rube for a ride, but you seem like a good kid so I wouldn't feel right. So instead I'll give ya a little advice; Carnies protect their own. I don't know why you want to find this circus, but I can tell yas you ain't gonna find nothin' here but a lot o' piss in the wind. You ain't circus folk so we got no reason to tell you. We got enough creditors an' pissed off husbands, pregnant girls and snot-nosed brats lookin' afore their 'circus pappy'. Dunno which one you are, but…"

"Rin!"

Rin turned. Her eyes widened as Mousse landed lightly near the edge of the tent.

"Mu Tsu…?" she squeaked, starting to feel the panic rise.

"I almost didn't find you," Mousse said, walking towards her. "Luckily I heard your voice. Are you all right? You sounded afraid."

"Well… I'll be dipped," the man said, chuckling. "If it ain't the 'Dark Magician' hisself. Didn't think you'd have the balls to show yer mug around a place like this again, boy."

Mousse turned, homing in on the voice. He adjusted his glasses, squinting in the dim light. "Oh… uh, I'm sorry. Miss…?"

"It's Sadao, you blind git!" the man huffed.

"Sadao…?" Mousse cocked his head. Then, suddenly his eyes widened. "... Sadao!? Then this…?!"

"Yer not that lucky. Or that unlucky, I suppose," Sadao chuckled. "Different circus, though you should know that. Contracted out t'help this lot on their tour after their last Quartermaster got caught embezzlin'."

"You do know Mu Tsu's circus!" Rin said.

"Yeah, I know 'em. Been my family for twenty years," Sadao said. "And if I knew you were askin' on this twerp's behalf… I'da called security to come haul yer scrawny ass out! An' I still might! So git!" He shooed her, glaring angrily at Mousse.

"You always were charming with the ladies, Sadao," Mousse said dryly. He glanced at Rin. "What were you looking for?"

Rin blushed. "I… I…" She started twiddling her fingers.

Sadao raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Ahhh… You sly bastard, you did it again, huh? She probably thinks she's doin' ya a favor tryin' to find old Byungchul's tent." He pulled out a fresh cigar, tearing off the end with his teeth and spitting it out. "Guess you didn't tell her, eh? She know about your Amazon, or are you plannin' to sell this one out for your purple haired bint too?"

Mousse's eyes narrowed. "Sadao..."

Sadao lit the cigar and took a few puffs, unimpressed by Mousse's warning tone. "Ol' Mu Tsu here was Byungchul's heir apparent. Set to take over as Ringmaster. Even had a uniform done up for 'im."

A knife embedded itself in the ground at Sadao's feet.

"Sadao, stop talking," Mousse growled.

The portly man raised an eyebrow. He snickered and casually kicked the knife loose. "Or what, you'll skewer me? Go for it if you've got the certainly didn't have any when you walked out on Young Mi."

Mousse clenched his fists and looked away. "I didn't…! That was a misunderstanding!"

"Oh yeah?" Sadao chuckled. "You have many 'misunderstandings' that end up with you gettin' engaged, kid?"

"... Engaged?" Rin said softly, eyes widening.

Sadao laughed. "He didn't tell you, did he?" He walked over to Rin and clapped a hand on her shoulder, pointing his cigar at Mousse. "Yer lookin' at what should have been Mr. Young Mi. She was Byungchul's daughter. Pretty as a picture and loved this sorry sack o' crap more'n life itself. Time was we all thought he deserved it, too."

Mousse's shoulders sagged in defeat.

"He left her at the altar though," Sadao growled. "An' the shame o' it put her pappy in the ground."

"What?!" Mousse spun, looking horrified.

"Don't acted shocked, kid," Sadao sneered. "You knew he was sick, same as the rest of us. The only thing keepin' him goin' was seeing his little girl in the center ring at last. Well… she did that much at least, an' she did it alone thanks to you."

Mousse looked stricken. He finally looked away, then turned and started to slowly walk off.

"I hope yer side girl was worth it, kid," Sadao said. "Though, I'm guessing if she was, you wouldn't a gone and charmed another one, wouldja? Get lost… you ain't welcome here, an' you never will be."

"Mu Tsu…" Rin stepped forward to follow him as he walked around the edge of the big top, but the hand on her shoulder tightened.

"Listen kid," Sadao said. "Last piece of advice… Forget about him. He ain't never, ever gonna let that Amazon of his go. To his credit, I think he tried… he really did, but he couldn't do it for a family that took him in and the love of the best girl in showbusiness. He ain't gonna do it now."

Rin paused then pulled her shoulder away. "He needs to do it for himself, then," she said quietly, and ran after Mousse.

The portly man shook his head. "Well… We'll see. In the meantime…" He pulled a phone out of his pocket, flipped it open and dialled a familiar number. "Hey sweetheart… yeah, things are goin' good in Shinjuku… listen, you're not gonna believe who I ran into…"

000

Ranma and Ukyou quickly ruled out the big top. The acrobatics going on inside honestly seemed a little tame by their standards, and there was a good chance the big cats they had heard before would make an appearance. However, the smaller satellite tents all had their own shows going on. After passing a few, they found one sign proclaiming the 'Jim Darkmagic Experience'.

"Hey, a magic show sounds fun. What do you think, Ranchan?" Ukyou asked.

Ranma peered at the placard. There was a lot of english on it, more than she could comfortably make out. "Sure, I guess?" At least magic sounded potentially interesting.

They went inside, finding seats near the front of the little stage that had been set up. After a few more minutes as the rest of the guests were settled, the lights were lowered. Colored spotlights began to play across the stage and slow, dramatic music started to play.

"Ooooh… atmospheric," Ukyou said appreciatively.

"The world is full of magic, my friends…" A voice came over the speakers positioned all around the room, seeming to change position as it spoke. "Dark, dangerous powers from a forgotten age that endure into the modern world in secret, long-forgotten places. Cursed, abandoned places not meant for mortals, and exacting a heavy price on those that meddle."

"Uhhh…" Ranma started to feel nervous. The narration reminded her entirely too much of Jusenkyo. "You… don't think this guy is for real, do you?"

"Fearlessly I have plumbed the depths of these strange places to draw forth wondrous secrets. Today, I will share but a fraction of these wonders with you. Allow me to be your guide to the world of the arcane."

There was a puff of smoke from the stage and a tall man stepped forth. He had dark hair that fell to shoulder length, slicked back to expose a high forehead and a chin strip beard, cropped close. His costume featured a dark purple cloak with a high collar. He held out his hands with a smile.

"I am James Christopher Darkmagic the Third, and I will be your guide. Tell me, Tokyo, are you ready to see some magic?"

The crowd roared its approval from the stands. Ukyou was getting into it as well but Ranma kept herself somewhat more reserved, deciding to wait and see what the guy was all about.

A pretty assistant wheeled out a cart in the background. Jim's smile broadened as he soaked in the attention, then he turned and reached for the first of the items on the cart. He selected a red-backed deck of cards.

"First… a simple card trick, perhaps. Or perhaps not so simple?" He flipped the cards deftly in his gloved fingers, shuffling the deck one-handed with flashy panache. "Cards may seem innocent enough but long have they been used as windows into the future. Even simple playing cards such as these are not without power. Come! A volunteer from the audience?" His eyes scanned the sea of faces and finally landed squarely on Ranma. A smile curled his lip.

Of course, Ranma thought sourly.

He reached out one hand towards her. "You, I think. I sense something very mystical about you, my dear. A touch of the fae, perhaps? Come, there's no need to be afraid."

Ranma blinked, wondering again if there might be something to this 'magician'. He couldn't be able to sense the curse, could he?

Ukyou elbowed her gently in the ribs. "Go on, Ranchan! Live a little!"

Ranma decided the best way to find out would be to play along. She took the magician's extended hand, rose from her seat and let him guide her up onto the stage.

"No worries, my friend," Jim gave Ukyou a wink. "I shall return your lady fair in but a moment." He turned his attention to Ranma. "Yes… something very potent in the aether surrounding you. Shall we part the veil together and peer into destiny?" He fanned out the deck of cards, offering them to her. "Pick one. Examine it, remember it. Keep it close."

Ranma nodded. She reached out and plucked a card from the ones offered. She looked at it, a skeptical expression crossing her face, but she hid it quickly and held the card close to her chest as instructed.

"Now, these may seem like ordinary cards…" Jim closed up the deck, flipping it over in his hands… and then suddenly was holding nothing. "... But they are special. Each card has a meaning, just as they do in a Tarot deck. Your card was drawn to you by destiny, dear, and by peering into that destiny, I shall name your card!" He turned, held out a hand towards Ranma and closed his eyes.

"Yes… yes… I see it… Great love… a new beginning…" His eyes opened. "Your card is the Ace of hearts!"

Ranma blinked, then slowly shook her head.

The magician looked shocked. "Wait… are you sure?"

"Pretty sure, yeah," Ranma said dryly.

Jim glanced at the audience then chuckled weakly. "Aheh… I-I apologize… the aether around you… it is more potent and chaotic than I had anticipated! It clouds the vision somewhat. But… it is there… yes… I see it now… You are a passionate girl. Enthusiastic. Fun! The card that was drawn to you is obvious now! The Queen of Clubs!"

"Nope," Ranma shook her head.

"I-I meant Eight of Clubs!"

"Uh uh."

"Is it Clubs, at least?"

Ranma sighed. She flipped over her card, showing it to the magician and to the audience.

Jim frowned, leaned forward and examined the card. "'Funco Games Incorporated, thank you for purchasing this deck of playing cards. Here are the rules for several popular classic card games…'?" He snatched the card out of Ranma's hand. "Branwen!" he shouted off stage. "Branwen, I told you to take the rule card out of the decks before the show!"

A wave of chuckling and snickers rolled through the audience.

Jim turned, smiling weakly. "Aheh… minor technical difficulty, folks. All part of the show… heh… But card games are kids stuff, am I right?" He gestured with his hand and a puff of flame flared in the dim light, silencing the giggling audience.

He turned to Ranma. "Might I entreat your assistance once more, my dear?"

Ranma shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

Jim snapped his fingers and his pretty assistant walked back onto the stage, wheeling a large box covered in what looked like arcane runes. It appeared to be just large enough to hold a person. "This is an artifact I acquired on my many travels. The Box of Angri'kah!"

His assistant turned the box, showing it to be on a wheeled platform and solid all the way around.

"As you can see, there is no trap door. There are no mirrors. No tricks." He opened the box to show the dark interior. He reached in and pulled out several long, sharp swords. "This box was used to entrap angry spirits and bend them to the archmagus' will. But… it has several other properties… for those who dare step inside." He reached out for his assistant's hand and helped her step into the cabinet. "For Death itself has no dominion within this box!" He took cuffs attached to the inside of the box and secured the girl's arms and legs.

"If my lovely volunteer would care to verify that these bonds are real and secure?" He stepped back, gesturing for Ranma to step forth and check the cuffs.

Ranma raised an eyebrow. She was curious about where this was going, so she did as she was asked. The cuffs appeared to be secure, bolted to the inside walls of the (admittedly painted plywood) 'Box of Angri'kah'. She tugged each one to be sure, then nodded they were at least not obviously rigged.

Jim smiled theatrically, swept in and closed the door of the cabinet. There was a head-sized cutout in the top of the door that framed the assistant's face so the audience could see her clearly..

Jim picked up one of the swords. He took a piece of paper from the cart and sliced it along the edge several times, demonstrating its sharpness. "As you can see, each of these swords is razor sharp. A single one of these could end my lovely assistant's young life. Yet I, and my gracious volunteer, will drive all seven of these swords through her body. By the magic of the Box of Angri'kah, the spirit of Death itself shall be held at bay and she shall exist in the space between this world and the next - between Life and Death - and emerge unscathed. Behold!" He took the sword, placed the tip in one of the slots cut into the box for this purpose and drove it home with a resounding *thunk*.

The assistant screamed, an expression of surprise and pain on her face.

"OH! WHOA, OH NO!" Jim pulled the sword out immediately. It was covered in blood. "WOW! Yeah, that's a lot of blood…"

"Jim, you idiot!" the assistant screeched from inside the box. Her restraints rattled as she struggled to free herself. "You stabbed me, you hack! You're supposed to swap out the swords before you do that!"

"Aheh… J-just a little technical difficulty ladies and gentlemen…" Jim said nervously. "Branwen shut up!" he hissed.

"Or what!? You'll stab me again!?" Branwen screeched. "Get me… get me out of this box so I can wring your lousy neck!"

"Aheh… she's fine ladies and gentlemen… all part of the show…" Jim stammered again, as he gestured for some stagehands to come out and wheel the cabinet away.

"Jim… I don't feel so good…" Branwen's struggles were getting weaker. The stagehands moved faster, wheeling her offstage where a white-coated medic was waiting for them.

"Aheh… all part of the show…" Jim said, but his smile seemed increasingly forced. He slipped a little in the puddle of blood left where the box had been. "Aheh… just a short intermission before our next trick, ladies and gentlemen…"

"You gonna actually kill someone this time?" Ranma asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him.

Jim glared at her and hissed. "Like you could do better!"

Ranma smirked. "Is that a challenge, Mr. Darkmagic?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh no…" Ukyou's groan could be heard from the audience.

Jim glared at her. "You know what? You know what!? YES! Yes, it's a challenge, you amateur! Let's see you come up here and do better!"

Ranma's grin widened. "Give me five minutes, a change room with costumes, and a kettle of hot water."

000

Thankfully the magician was well stocked with props and costumes. Everything Ranma needed was there. She quickly went over the plan with Ukyou as they changed into appropriate outfits.

Ukyou adjusted the tie of the 3 piece suit she had selected. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean…"

"It's a magic show. Let's show 'em some real magic for once," Ranma winked at her. She had taken one of Jim's spare cloaks, tunics and pants, all obviously oversized on her. She wrapped the cloak around her and swished out onto stage, her head held high. Ukyou grabbed a curtain on wheels and followed.

Jim was seated in the front row of the audience, arms and legs crossed, looking quite angry at the whole proceeding. "That was six minutes! Boo! False advertising!" he called out. Ranma paused and gave the man a look. She held up her free hand and summoned a tiny glowing ball of ki. She gave the audience a moment for it to register and then casually tossed the luminous mote to the ground in front of the surly magician. It detonated with a flash and a bang that kicked up dust and forced Jim to draw back with a yelp.

Ranma turned to face the crowd with a flourish. "So you folks want some real magic? Well, I've been around a bit myself, and one of the most mystical places I've been in my travels is called Jusenkyo. Deep in the heart of Mainland China, hidden in the depths of the Bayankala mountain range, the name means 'Pools of Sorrow'," Ranma told the crowd. "The waters of this mountain are laced with dark magic and where those waters pool... powerful transformations can occur." She held up the kettle. "I have here, in this simple kettle, some of the mysterious water from this forbidden place!"

"That's just tap water!" Jim jeered, having recovered from the minor scare.

Ranma smirked. "This water will have a powerful effect on me and on my handsome assistant." She walked over to Ukyou, who bowed and let Ranma pour a little of the water over her head then straightened and stepped behind the curtain.

"Now watch this terrible magic from darkest China do its work!" Ranma stepped in front of the curtain, closed her eyes and dumped the contents of the kettle over her head.

Her form immediately blurred and grew in dramatic fashion. Ranma's male form was much more imposing and nearly a head taller. Hair shifted from bright crimson to jet black as curves flattened and muscles swelled to fill out Jim's spare outfit until it looked like a seam might burst. Now fully and obviously male, Ranma tossed the kettle aside and grinned at the audience.

There were gasps of surprise. There hadn't been any smoke or curtain for Ranma to hide behind - he had just changed - like a special effect from a movie but in real life. There were murmurs and hushed whispers from the crowd. Then, slowly, the applause started.

"What?!" Jim yelped and jumped on stage. He stormed over to Ranma. "This is ridiculous! This is… is… padding! Stilts!" He poked Ranma's chest. "Computer generated effects!"

Ranma smirked. "Oh, and as I have transformed, so has my lovely assistant." He reached over and tugged the cord that caused the curtain to drop from its rack.

Ukyou had concealed a second outfit under the baggy, oversized suit, which she had discarded as soon as Ranma's routine had begun. Now she was dressed is a rather revealing bunny suit, complete with ears, fishnet stockings and high heels. With her hair unbound, the transformation was complete and just as dramatic as Ranma's had been. She spun on one foot and adopted a classic cheesecake pose, one that accentuated her cleavage, and blew a kiss into the crowd.

The crowd roared in approval, the applause becoming thunderous.

Jim's eyes widened, his face flushing with rage. "Y-you… you cross-dressing fraud! Y-you… you made all that up! Magic water from Jusenkyo, phah!"

"Sure I did," Ranma smirked, crossing his arms.

"You know what, pal?" Jim stepped forward and poked Ranma's chest. "I'm gonna prove it. I'm gonna go to China and look up this Jusenkyo place! And then I'm gonna prove there's nothing special about that water, and show the whole world how you REALLY did your trick!"

"Go for it," Ranma's grin widened.

"I'll do it!"

"Uh huh."

"I'll go to China!"

"You should book your flight soon before the Christmas season rush," Ukyou added helpfully.

Jim's mouth worked furiously and silently for a few more seconds then snapped shut. He turned, swishing his cloak behind him and stalked off stage.

"You don't really think he'd actually go to Jusenkyo, do you?" Ukyou asked, whispering in Ranma's ear.

Ranma's smile didn't waver. "If he does, it'll certainly make his act more interesting."

000

"Mu Tsu, wait!"

Mousse slowed his pace reluctantly. Part of him wanted to keep going but Rin had done nothing to deserve that. He could also feel the reminder of why he had come out here in the first place tucked away.

He stopped, turned and waited for her to catch up to him, and then catch her breath.

"I… was worried… you'd jump away…!" she gasped.

"Here." He took her hand and pressed the phone into it. "You left this at Ucchan's. I came to return it to you. That's all."

Rin blinked and looked at the phone. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Oh! This is Senpai's phone! She must have forgotten to pick it up after I put it there for her…"

Senpai… it was RANMA'S phone all along? Mousse gaped. Slowly he closed his eyes and chuckled. The sound was bitter and dry, born of disbelief and fatigue. "Of course…" he said after a moment. "... Saotome, you bring me misfortune even when you're not here."

"I-it's not Senpai's fault!" Rin said quickly. "I-it's mine… I'm… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried into your affairs…"

"No, you shouldn't have," Mousse replied coldly.

He immediately regretted it, seeing her stricken look even with his poor vision.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure you were trying to help," he said finally. "It's my fault for telling you only part of the story." He turned. "If you're done here, I can escort you home. It's the least I can do after all this."

"I still want to help."

He stopped and turned back to look at her. Her eyes were downcast and her fists clenched.

"I want to know the rest of it," she continued. "A-and if you won't tell me, I'll just come back here to get it. Every single day if I have to!" She gave him a stubborn glare.

"I thought you agreed you shouldn't have pried?" Mousse said dryly.

"I sh-shouldn't have!" she agreed. "B-but I did… and… and know I know too much to not do anything, but not enough to actually do anything!"

Mousse sighed and nodded. "Fair enough. But you must promise me that not one word of any of this will get back to Shampoo or Saotome or any of his entourage. Clear?"

She nodded and relaxed a little.

"I'll explain on the train ride back," Mousse said, resuming his walk.

000

After the disgruntled magician stalked off, Ranma and Ukyou checked to make sure that his assistant was going to be okay. She was recovering - apparently this was not the first such incident to take place at one of Jim's shows and the circus kept a trained paramedic on site just in case. Then they headed back to the dressing room to change. Ranma complained the whole time about how female undergarments just weren't a good idea for form changes, muttering darkly about 'wedgies'.

"We should probably look into something custom for you, sugar," Ukyou said. "Something like a stretchy sports bra that will lie flat if you change to a guy and a pair of stretchy briefs maybe?"

"Not a bad idea," Ranma agreed as she brushed out her hair. "Won't do me much good if I'm wearing an outfit like this, though"

"Save the cute underwear for dates, then?" Ukyou winked.

Ranma blushed a little. "Y-yeah…"

Ukyou's eyes widened. "Wait… are you really…?"

"You didn't see when we were changing for the show?" Ranma asked, flustered.

"Hey, a real man doesn't peek on his girlfriend without permission," Ukyou said, deepening her voice and thumping her chest with her fist.

"Kodachi took me shopping. Spent a mint on getting me properly fitted for the bras and everything. Seemed a shame to waste 'em…" Ranma squirmed.

"Hold on, is that why you suddenly jumped a cup size?" Ukyou leaned over and poked Ranma's chest. "I thought you were padding or something to hide the fact that Akane's catching up to you!"

Ranma squeaked and hunched over, crossing her arms over her chest. "H-hey! Perv!"

Ukyou smirked and leaned over, breathing in Ranma's ear. "May I peek?"

Ranma blushed cherry red and squirmed a little more, remembering what had happened with Akane the last time she had given a 'fashion show'. "L-later maybe. After we get home."

Ukyou decided not to tease too hard and stood, stretching, her stance and the way she carried herself shifting as she got back into the 'male' headspace for the trip home. She picked up the oversized bear and a shopping bag and motioned Ranma to come with her a she left the changing room.

"What's in the bag?" Ranma asked, peering at it.

"Swiped the bunny suit." Ukyou said nonchalantly.

"What?!" Ranma guffawed. "You gonna wear that for the customers or something?"

"Absolutely not!" Ukyou shot her an annoyed glare which immediately softened into a conspiratorial wink. "Akane is."

Ranma raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Never gonna happen."

"Never underestimate me. I can be very persuasive where Akane is concerned," Ukyou said smugly.

Ranma gave her a mock annoyed look, her hands on her hips. "Now I know you're being perverted!"

Ukyou folded her hands behind her head, grinning. "Well, when a guy is constantly surrounded by visions of loveliness like you and Akane, it's only natural he have the odd naughty thought or two."

Ranma gave her a narrow-eyed look. "Okay, Kuno, sure."

They broke into giggles and continued walking.

After a few moments of silence Ranma spoke up, her tone uncharacteristically timid. "Is… is it that noticeable?"

Ukyou gave her a confused look. "Is what that noticeable?"

"The bra," Ranma fidgeted. "I-I mean… I'm not trying to look bigger. I don't wanna look freakish or anything…"

Ukyou sighed and stopped, took Ranma by her by the shoulders and lifted her chin. "Ranma, you're gorgeous. You're just not all hunched over crammed into something that doesn't fit anymore." She cocked her head. "I actually like the change. Seeing you dress up nicely both ways, I mean. You don't need to be overly girly or provocative to look good."

Ranma considered, looking down at herself. "I guess it wasn't something I paid much attention to either way before now. I just wore whatever got the job done. Only just starting to think about it now."

"Well, don't be afraid to ask for help," Ukyou said. "I bet Akane or Nabiki would loan you some stuff until you padded out your closet some."

Ranma chuckled and resumed walking. "Actually, Akane is the clothes horse. Nabiki is always swiping her outfits."

"You know, now that you mention it, she does always seem to have something new to wear," Ukyou said thoughtfully. "She's definitely more fashionable than the rest of us. How did she get pegged as a tomboy again? Was it just the martial arts?"

"Probably the jerks at school. She didn't wanna date any of them, so obviously she's either a tomboy or a lesbian, and they were probably too scared to call her the latter," Ranma muttered. "Couldn't possibly be because they're assaulting her every morning because Kuno told them it'd get them a date. There are, like, five decent guys in that whole stupid school, and two of 'em are me and you!"

Ukyou laughed. "Well… not sure I'm all that good…" She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Pervert," Ranma said, though her tone was affectionate. She slipped an arm around Ukyou's waist and leaned against her.

"I kind of am," Ukyou admitted.

"Why, because you cross-dress?" Ranma asked. She actually felt a twinge of feeling offended.

Ukyou snorted. "No, because… well…" She blushed a little. "... Akane."

Ranma looked confused a moment, then her eyes widened. "Oh, you mean…" She blushed as she remembered the kiss. She was quiet a moment, then leaned in against Ukyou's side a little harder. "... You're not a pervert. If you were, maybe it wouldn't have hit me so hard when i saw the two of you together."

"What do you mean?" Ukyou asked.

"You really feel something for Akane… don't you?" Ranma looked up at her. "It's not just being 'playful', like Shampoo. Right? That kiss meant something."

"I…" Ukyou was struck silent. She felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Ranchan, I didn't mean to..."

"No, it's okay!" Ranma smiled at her. "It's… I'm still kinda processing what it is, I guess, but… I was being a hypocrite. I was assuming I was the only person around who could love more than one person like that."

Ukyou blushed. "R-Ranchan."

Ranma smirked and poked her nose. "God you're cute when you blush. So… when did all this start with you and Akane?"

Ukyou scowled. "You're picking up some bad habits from Nabiki, Ranchan," she muttered. She took a breath and looked thoughtful for a moment, then chuckled. "It all started when I hit my head…"

"You too?" Ranma quipped.

Ukyou smirked. "Well, technically it was a little before that. We kinda had a moment on the roof, after you and me kissed." She smiled a little, remembering. "Sun setting next to us, roof of the school, wind in out hair, me cupping her cheek and wiping away a tear… It coulda been on the cover of a cheap harlequin novel it was so romantic." She was quiet a moment. "I think I was about to kiss her, actually. I don't remember clearly, because Kuno showed up and flipped out, and I got a concussion. But I remember that impulse."

"Akane has a way of doing that to you," Ranma agreed. "I was always too scared to follow through, though."

"Yeah… Did I ever tell you about my first kiss, Ranma?" She looked up at the stars was they walked. The park was big enough that even with the lights of the carnival, they weren't as washed out as they were in the city.

"No… Bad memory?" Ranma asked. She had some experience with bad firsts.

"Her name was Akiko. We went to the same junior high… before I went to that all boys school." She smiled a little. "She was sweet… bit of a tomboy… actually a lot like Akane in some ways. She was socially awkward, clumsy, but always bright and happy. I was… drawn to her. I tried to be that 'guy friend' to her, help her get her confidence. I put on an act for her, being playful and flirting, but never crossing that line, so… so I could be practise, I guess. Seemed so obvious that I didn't pay attention to that little pang of jealousy I felt whenever I saw her talking to another boy."

"You fell for her. As a boy." Ranma said, her eyes widening.

"Yeah…" Ukyou chuckled bitterly. "Took me three years to have the courage to actually admit it… but yeah. But the worst part was… she fell for me, too."

Ranma blinked. "But…"

"One day, while we were waiting for the bus… she confessed to me. And then she kissed me." Ukyou looked down. "And… it was… it was like simultaneously winning the lottery, and having it taken away. Because she felt the same way I did… but only because I was lying to her. I had gotten something I never realized I wanted, then realized I wanted it more than anything… and realized I could never have it, all in the same moment. So... I froze up. And she took it to mean I didn't want her and it broke her heart."

"Did you tell her?" Ranma asked quietly. "That you were a girl?"

"Yeah. She… didn't take it well," Ukyou said softly. "I should have told her sooner. But I know why I didn't. I didn't want to. I liked how she looked at me. I liked how it felt. I didn't want to do anything to make her stop. And if I had known what nannichuan was back then, I'd probably have run away to China to dunk myself in it so she'd keep looking at me that way."

"Wow…" Ranma said softly.

"I was a dramatic 14 year old, don't read too much into it," Ukyou said, though from the faraway look in her eyes, Ranma was pretty sure she was lying. "I promised myself if I ever felt that again… if anyone looked at me like that again, I'd grab hold and never let go, no matter what."

"And Akane looked at you that way?" Ranma asked.

Ukyou looked down at her. Her hand came up and she trailed her fingers through Ranma's soft hair. "You did first," she said softly. "In the hallway… something in your eyes reminded me of her. It was the same kind of moment. So I grabbed hold. And it was… incredible."

"Hey, how did this become about me?" Ranma asked, murmuring a little as she leaned a bit into Ukyou's hand.

"It's part of the story, silly. Trying to explain how I got into the mindset that would lead me to kiss Akane."

"Was I that bad?" Ranma teased.

"I think I just got done saying you were incredible? I can only stroke your ego so much, sugar," Ukyou smirked. "So the kiss... It was a rush. I had gotten past my fear. I had 'won', I guess. Then… Akane and I end up on that rooftop together and winning suddenly didn't feel so great."

"That had to be awkward." Ranma said nervously. That was my fault…

"It was at first, but…" Ukyou swallowed. "Do you know the worst thing Akane could do to me in a moment like that? It wasn't yell at me, or pick a fight or even cry… It's what she did. She trusted me." A smile flickered across Ukyou's face. "I had just taken you away from her. I had just called her out on all of the chances she could have had. I leapt when she didn't - when she'd had so many chances to. And… That was me and Akiko right there."

"Wait… so Akane is you in this?" Ranma said, confused.

"Not literally, jackass," Ukyou said, thwacking her lightly on the head. "But we suddenly had that in common. Plus she had that look in her eyes… the one that makes you want to jump off a rooftop to catch her?"

"Mnnn," Ranma replied, knowing that impulse all too well.

"Anyway, everything after that is a mess. Loud crash, thunderbolts and lightning, then waking up with a really bad headache the next day. So I didn't know what had actually happened until Akane told me much later. So… I thought I might have. It planted the idea, anyway, and that… kinda shaped how I looked at Akane from then on."

"So… you're saying that because you thought you kissed Akane… you kissed Akane?" Ranma gave Ukyou an impish grin.

"No… but it meant when she kissed me later on… I grabbed hold again." Ukyou ducked her head a bit. "I almost froze up but when she started to apologize…"

"Mnnn," Ranma replied again. She was quiet for a few more moments before she spoke again. "Did you two… I mean, me'n Ryouga bailed as soon as we saw we were intruding on something, b-but… I know she spent the night."

Ukyou moistened her lips. "Yeah. We should have waited for you, Ranchan. For some reason I had it in my head that you were with Nabiki, and… and... I should have waited. I'm sorry."

Ranma shook her head. "You and Akane didn't do anything wrong. I was just… I got all twisted up in my own head." She burrowed into Ukyou's side a bit.

"We all do that," Ukyou replied. "You're not indestructible, after all."

"Mnnn," Ranma replied noncommittally. Rationally she knew that was true, but it still stung her pride a little. Even after admitting that she needed other people, it still grated against 17 years of upbringing. She chewed on that a bit; she owed her life to most of the girls at one point or another, but there was a difference between getting a clutch assist in a fight and emotional reliance.

"You know, if you ever catch us again…" Ukyou said softly. "... Walk in."

"I dunno," Ranma smirked a little. "You two were so cute, though. I would have hated to interrupt..."

"... And now I can't help thinking about what we would have done if you had walked in," Ukyou muttered, blushing. "That's it! Next date we go on is gonna be you, me and Akane."

"Perv," Ranma giggled. "So which one of us will be the guy for that?"

Ukyou considered a moment. "Akane." she said with a smirk.

000

"I wasn't entirely truthful about my time with the circus," Mousse said.

Rin was sitting across from him in the otherwise empty train car, leaning forward and listening carefully.

"I was taken in by the circus, true, and trained by masters there, but my time, particularly how I left, was a little more complicated." He adjusted his glasses. "The Circus is a family, whether you are born into it or find yourself adopted into it. Young Mi was the former, the daughter of the Ringmaster Byungchul and his late wife, who had once run the circus together. She was always destined to take her place in the center ring and it showed. She's a beautiful girl, even to my poor eyes… stunning, really. But more than just her physical appearance, she had a… poise. A confidence and grace that elevated her even further. She belonged in that ring and she knew it and loved it, and that joy made her absolutely radiant. She was the first girl who ever rivalled Shampoo's brilliance for me."

"I was an awkward, clumsy boy when I joined the circus - I was still all of the things Shampoo scorned me for. I expected the same from her… that was her right, after all. She was as strong and as proud as any Joketsuzoku. But… no matter how many times I fumbled or failed she had a smile for me and a word of encouragement. Her laughter was bright rather than scornful or mocking. My struggle to be stronger - to be better - had always been an act of defiance before, but Young Mi… she believed in me more than I ever did. And she made me believe it too, after a while."

"It sounds like you really did love her," Rin said softly.

"... Maybe." He shook his head. "I was definitely taken with her. Enough that… for the first time… I began to question my purpose and my devotion to Shampoo. Of course at first I had no idea she felt anything at all for me - I thought that I was just indulging in pleasant fantasy. Until… one night she confessed her feelings to me."

He closed his eyes. The memory was itself was a happy moment, twisted and made unbearable by the knowledge of what had come after. "I… didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to feel. I couldn't understand why someone like her would want me when everyone else I had known saw me as so worthless. I knew in my heart if I said yes I would just be proving Shampoo and all the others right - that I was weak and cowardly and that I would be accepting her because she was there, rather than risk being alone for the sake of the one I truly loved. But… my resolve was weak. I made myself believe I truly wanted to be with Young Mi and that I could put aside my feelings for Shampoo for her."

"Her father found out, of course. Everyone did. There are no secrets among carnies. He had noticed her feelings for me and as soon as it came out we were a couple he insisted we make arrangements to be married. He was ill and wanted to see his daughter find a partner to share the ring with as he had. He had always been kind to me but now he began to see me as a son."

"As time went on I realized that I was a fraud. I was just imagining Shampoo in Young Mi's place - hearing her voice speaking Young Mi's words. I hadn't moved on at all. So when I received word from my mother that Shampoo had been disgraced by an Outsider, that she had returned from Japan and been punished for her dishonor, I knew it was time to make a choice. But… even then I was a coward."

He slumped, feeling the weight of the memories pressing down on him. "I tried to sneak out to go see Shampoo. I thought… 'Surely now that she's been humbled… that she knows disgrace… surely if I show her it doesn't matter, that I still care…'" he chuckled weakly. "Young Mi caught me. I had my chance to come clean - to tell her the truth - but I was afraid. I lied. I told her I needed to say goodbye to Shampoo. She believed me and let me go - with the promise that I'd return."

"By the time I returned to Jusendo, of course, Shampoo had already returned to Japan to chase after the man who had already disgraced her once. I had missed my chance. I knew I was being punished for my weakness, for being unfaithful and for letting my resolve waver. Now my love was going to throw herself at one who had scorned her as I had been scorned and… I wanted… needed to spare her that pain. When I fell into the Yazunichuan, I thought I had found my weapon to do just that. It wasn't until later that I learned he was already cursed."

"I… used my contacts to find another circus travelling to Japan and signed on with them temporarily. I had stopped thinking about Young Mi or her father. All I could think of was saving Shampoo. By the time I reached Japan… the planned date for my wedding to Young Mi had come and gone. I knew by chasing after Shampoo I was destroying any chance I had of finding happiness elsewhere. I knew I was doing something unforgivable to someone who truly cared for me." He looked down at his hands, clasped in front of him. "I convinced myself that Young Mi would move on; that I was a momentary infatuation - no more serious than the vulgar 'conquests' some of the cruder members of the circus would brag about in each town we visited. I made myself believe that she would forget my name just as easily. I guess that made it easier to live with myself. I had managed to avoid the truth until now."

He looked up. Rin's face wasn't distinct enough to his vision to make out her expression well, but he imagined whatever charitable notions she had about him were gone.

Good.

"So… what are you going to do now?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Are… are you going to try and get in touch with Young Mi?" Rin asked. "You said you knew you had no hope with Shampoo, so…"

Mousse's eyes narrowed. "I never said I had no hope!" he growled. He immediately paused, reigning in his angry response. "... Just… very little."

"S-sorry…" she said sheepishly, shrinking back in her seat.

They sat in silence a few more minutes.

"What would I even say?" Mousse asked finally.

Rin tentatively moved forward again. "Say you're sorry? Tell her why you did it? Tell her how you felt?"

"What would that do but cause her more pain?" Mousse asked miserably.

Rin frowned. "Haven't you said how you don't understand why you weren't good enough for Shampoo? Wouldn't you want to know? Even if it hurt?"

Mousse considered. "And what if she doesn't want to know?"

"Then… I-I guess she doesn't?" Rin said. "B-but at least you'd have offered, right?"

"And then where does that leave me?" Mousse scoffed.

"W-well, you'd have a chance to make things right?" Rin said. "You said you feel bad about what you did… that you know you hurt her and disappointed your mentor. Th-they were your family… maybe you could find a way to make amends…"

"Haven't I suffered enough?" Mousse asked coldly. "Hasn't karma paid me back for my transgressions a thousandfold? If you knew what I listen to nightly… the humiliating reminders I get every day that I am a failure? Watching my dear Shampoo debase herself…"

Rin lowered her gaze, her eyes shadowed by her bangs. Her fingers curled around the phone, knuckles going white as she clutched it tighter.

"This is my stop," she said suddenly, interrupting him.

"Oh!" Mousse looked up, "I can walk you to…"

"That's fine, thank you. I can make it on my own from here." Rin stood suddenly. She walked towards the doors as he watched, perplexed.

She paused before walking out. "Mr. Mu Tsu…" she asked over her shoulder. "Is Xian Pu happy?"

"... What?"

She didn't say anything further, walking out the doors as they slid closed behind her.

000

The walk back from the train station was relaxed enough, but Ranma felt a certain tension as they approached Ucchan's. She swallowed nervously, knowing where this was going.

Ukyou must have felt it. She fumbled for her keys, opening the door. "We… don't have to, you know." she said softly. She smiled over her shoulder at Ranma.

Ranma stepped in after and closed the door behind her. She leaned back against it and took a deep breath. "No… I-I want to Ucchan. I'm just…" she squirmed a bit. "Shampoo and Nabiki didn't really give me a chance to think about it before it happened, and this time I've had all night, a-and…"

"And now you're nervous?" Ukyou turned and walked back over, reaching out to cup Ranma's cheek.

Ranma blushed and nodded. "I shouldn't be… I-I just…" She swallowed. "Should I go get the hot water?"

Ukyou didn't answer right away. Ranma swallowed again, feeling even more nervous. She wasn't even exactly sure why.

A sly smile spread across Ukyou's face. "Do you want to get the hot water?"

"I… I already said I wanted to… to…" Ranma shivered. What is wrong with me?

"I know," Ukyou said softly, leaning closer. "I know you do. That's not what I'm asking. I'm asking if you want hot water too."

Ranma squeaked and blushed a bright red. She suddenly realized why she was so nervous. This was something she hadn't done with Nabiki and Shampoo. It was a line she hadn't been ready to cross. "I… I…!"

Ukyou leaned in, lips brushing her cheek as she moved close and whispered. "Let me help you decide: Tonight I think we don't need the hot water, Ranchan…"

Ranma let out a shuddering breath. On the surface this seemed like a no brainer male fantasy, but it was different being one of the two girls. Ranma had always defined clear lines in her struggle to maintain her male identity against the erosion that the curse had caused. Over time she had crossed a few - some unintentionally, others willingly. Lately she had simply walked away from many of them as not worth defending. If there was a point of no return she was probably already well past it as her own identity and self-image shifted and changed. But now she could feel something brittle within her, straining until it was ready to snap - and if it did - she would change and not come back. If she said 'yes' now, it wouldn't be a guy in a girl's body that went up those stairs with Ukyou.

Ranma's breathing calmed. She slid her arms around Ukyou's neck and smiled. "We don't need the hot water."

000

Well, I'm curious to see what the reaction to THIS chapter will be!

I'm using a pic as my inspiration for Young Mi. This one right here: .

I claim no ownership of it.

Yes, I AM still updating this story. I am currently four chapters AHEAD of this, the bottleneck is proofreading, editing, and polishing, and my proofreader has this pesky thing called a LIFE that keeps getting in the way of him doing hours of work for free for me. So… the lemons are over there, go talk to Life's Manager.

Please don't kill me Gabe and Tycho.