(Three years ago)

Ryouga hadn't been having a good day at school.

School had never been fun for him. It was hard to get into it when three times out of five he couldn't even make it in time for the first class and would spend the first half of the day out in the hall holding up buckets of water. He didn't mind that so much; after a while he'd realized it was good strength training and he didn't even notice the weight of them anymore - even if he held them up all morning.

But it was boring and it was frustrating when he missed half the classes and had to sit there without knowing what was going on. The teachers had him written off as a delinquent and the rest of the his classmates avoided him and whispered things behind his back. About the only good thing about school had been getting a regular hot lunch but even that had been messed up now that this new kid had arrived and started beating him to the curry bread.

Now? Now he had to share the hallway with that same bread-stealing jerk! He couldn't even have a punishment to himself.

"The world hates my guts…" Ryouga muttered. Getting afternoon detention was bad because it meant he might not make it home before nightfall.

"Nah… Pretty sure the teacher ain't a fan, though," the boy standing next to him said.

Ryouga ground his teeth and didn't look in his direction. "This is all your fault, you know," he growled. "If you hadn't stolen my bread…!"

"Yeah, you almost got it that time!" the boy grinned at him. "You're a lot stronger than you look! Still a bit slow, though. But you're way better than any of the other guys around here." He held out his hand. "Hi! I'm Ranma. What's your name?"

Ryouga stared at the boy incredulously for a moment. He seemed totally oblivious to the fact that Ryouga didn't like him. His uniform jacket was done up improperly and the collar was open. His dark hair was slick and had an odd sheen to it - almost greasy-looking - and didn't look like it had been washed recently. His face was clean enough but there was grime just below his neck that indicated washing his face was probably the extent of Ranma's daily cleansings and even that was obviously rushed and haphazard. Ryouga could see a couple of spots of what he assumed were grime on his cheekbones. His eyes were a bright, crystal blue and had an odd, guileless sort of sparkle to them.

"My name is for my friends," Ryouga growled and looked away.

"Okay! Then let's be friends!" Ranma said brightly. "You're the only guy here who's any fun to spar with anyway."

"I wasn't sparring," Ryouga snarled at him. "I was trying to get lunch."

"Yeah! That was crazy, right?" Ranma said. "Everybody was just going nuts. Was that just today, or is it always like that?"

Ryouga gaped at the boy. How was he not getting this? He sighed and decided that the annoying jerk just wasn't going to stop. "They don't have enough for everyone. Budget cuts," he muttered at last.

"Oh," Ranma said. He put down his pail of water and dug into his pocket, pulling out a cellophane wrapped melonpan. "Here, I wouldn't feel right if you went hungry."

Ryouga stared at it. "You took the bread then didn't eat it?!" He felt his ire rising at the thought of the wastefulness, even as his stomach growled in response.

"Yeah, I was gonna save it for dinner, in case there wasn't anything else," Ranma said, again oblivious to the dangerous look in Ryouga's eyes. "You want it?"

"What do you mean 'in case there wasn't anything else'?" Ryouga asked, his ire fading.

"Pops is pretty good about scrounging up stuff, but school is expensive and sometimes there ain't nothin' t'eat when I get home," Ranma replied. "If I'm only gonna get one meal a day it's easier to sleep if I have it before bed, y'know?"

Ryouga was silent a moment. His parents often weren't home when he was, owing to the family curse, but there was always something to eat in the house, even if it was just instant ramen and crackers. His parents kept the house well-stocked with non-perishables just in case. Ryouga felt a small pang of guilt for the times he had complained about that. "Keep it," he said finally.

"Really? Thanks!" Ranma tucked it away.

"Ryouga," Ryouga grunted gruffly.

"What?"

"My name. Ryouga Hibiki," Ryouga clarified. "But we are not friends."

000

(Present Day)

Ryouga slowly opened his eyes. The familiar tiles of the ceiling of his room greeted him, the detailing and slight imperfections instantly familiar to him. For a moment he mused about how it was nice to have a ceiling be so familiar, rather than the inside of an old battered tent.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He had been dreaming about… something, but it had slipped away as soon as he opened his eyes. It didn't feel all that important, though. At the very least there wasn't the same guilt associated with some of his more usual recent dreams.

There was a quiet knock at his door.

"Ryouga? Are you awake?" Akari's voice was tentative… hesitant.

"Akari?" Ryouga felt a lurch in his chest at the memory of the previous night. Most of the evening had been spent during an awkward dinner as he and Akari answered his mother's questions but they never actually got a chance to talk about things between them. "Yeah, I'm up…"

Akari opened the door and peeked in. She blushed, seeing he didn't have a shirt on and slapped a hand over her eyes. "I'm sorry! I just…" embarrassed, she shifted her pinkie, to peek at him from behind her hand. "... May I come in?"

"Sure…" Ryouga replied. Under other circumstances he'd probably have been over the moon to have Akari in his room but things had happened to ground him lately, especially with respect to what she likely wanted to discuss. Mostly he just felt uncomfortable and anxious about what was going to happen next.

Akari stepped in and closed the door behind her, still with her hand over her eyes. She walked in, pulled up a chair next to his bed and sat down.

Ryouga chuckled in spite of himself. "Akari, you can uncover your eyes. You've seen me without a shirt before."

"I know, but… that was always due to the curse or… some other situation where it couldn't be helped," she replied, though she did timidly lower her hand. Her eyes went wide when she got a look at his back and she bolted out of her chair and moved immediately to the side of the bed. "Ryouga! What happened to your back!?"

Ryouga winced. "Right… that… sorry, forgot to mention that. There was… ah… an explosion. They had to pick a lot of rock fragments outta my back at the hospital. Seems to be healing okay, though."

Akari continued to stare. Her lip quivered a bit and she sat back down in the chair. "I'm… sorry…"

"You're sorry?" Ryouga asked, stunned. "Akari…"

"Please let me finish, Ryouga," she cut him off softly. "I've been rehearsing what I wanted to say to you when I found you again, ever since what happened in Ryugenzawa…"

000

Akari stumbled on the path, limping as fast as she could. Blood was running down her left leg and her arms were wrapped desperately around an unconscious black piglet. The forest behind them shook with a roar.

"Please leave us alone! Please!" she cried out as she stumbled again. "Somebody help us!"

Several smaller trees were forced apart as a large reptilian creature pushed its way through the foliage behind them. It looked like one of the lizards that people kept as pets - specifically a bearded dragon - but it was much, much larger, its stature emphasizing the 'dragon' part of that name as it loomed over them.

Akari tripped and fell to the ground. She rolled onto her back to face the monster, shivering in fear and cradling the piglet protectively. "I won't let you hurt him!" she screamed at the monster.

The bearded dragon, however, seemed more than content to take them both. It opened its mouth wide and lunged forward. Akari threw up her free arm and screamed as darkness descended.

Then cleared.

She blinked, shielding her eyes as the bulk that had been blocking the light was suddenly pushed aside. There were sounds of a battle - blows landing and roars of pain. She squinted and could just make out the form of the great dragon as it scuttled rapidly away, looking somewhat ragged.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know it isn't safe?" a gruff voice demanded.

Akari turned her head to see the silhouette of someone wearing a long overcoat.

"H-help…" she managed to gasp before she passed out.

000

"It's good you brought her here, Shin m'boy. That gash on her leg could have been nasty if not treated properly."

"Well, it's not like I was just going to leave them out there. And… who are you again?"

"I'm your Grandfather, you dolt!"

Akari could hear voices as she gradually returned to consciousness. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was on a cot in a largish room - the space that she occupied set apart from the rest by a white sheet hung to make a divider of sorts. She could see the silhouettes of two men sitting on the far side of it.

"H-hello?" she said timidly.

There was a scrabbling sound from the other side of the sheet, and it was pushed aside to reveal an old man - balding but with a long grey beard - and a young man with brown hair and a white headband.

"Oh, you're awake young miss!" the old man said. "You had us quite worried there for a while!"

"What were you doing this deep in the forest? Didn't you see all the traps?" the boy demanded.

"Shinnosuke, mind your manners!" the old man said gruffly. "Please forgive my boy Shin. He is unused to people. We've lived alone in this forest all his life."

"Mostly because other people have enough sense to stay out!" Shinnosuke said, folding his arms.

"Megaton punch!" The old man drove his fist into Shinnosuke's face, silencing him. "Though Shin does have a point, Miss. How did you wander so deep into the forest?"

Akari's eyes flicked from one back to the other as she tried to process what had happened. Suddenly, a more urgent concern came to mind. "Ryouga…!" She started looking around the bedroll she had been lying on. "Ryouga? Ryouga!" She became more frantic as she realized the small black piglet wasn't there. She turned back to them. "Please, there was a small black piglet with me! Please tell me you found him!"

"Oh, yes, yes, of course. Your pet piglet is fine. I just put him somewhere quiet to rest," the old man reassured her. He stood carefully. "I used to work as a keeper at a petting zoo in these parts, so luckily I still remembered some basic animal first aid. The poor thing was quite battered, but he should be fine with some rest." He lead her over to a cage enclosure in the corner of the room where the piglet lay on a folded blanket. For a moment she felt a surge of horror as she feared the worst, but then she saw that his sides were rising and falling steadily. She knelt and opened the cage, reaching in and gently examining him, putting aside her own needs for the moment and drawing on her experience as a pig breeder. Nothing seemed broken or dislocated, but she knew he would do much better in human form.

"You seem to have some skill with this yourself, miss…?"

"Akari," she said, laying Ryouga back on the blanket. "I breed sumo pigs. It's my family's profession. I've been treating injured pigs since I could walk." She turned to him. "Could I ask for some hot water and a blanket, please?"

"Pardon me?"

"I'll explain once I have them. They're for Ryouga."

He quirked an eyebrow, but motioned to Shinnosuke to fetch the requested items. After a minute the young man came back with a kettle and a folded blanket.

Akari carefully took the piglet from the cage and put him on the floor, laying the blanket over him carefully, leaving his head exposed. Then she poured the hot water on his head.

The change was immediate and dramatic; the tiny piglet suddenly replaced with the form of a young man. Ryouga's eyes snapped open and he gasped as the change thrust him back to consciousness. "Akari…!"

Akari put a calming hand on his shoulder. "I'm here. I'm here, Ryouga," she said, turning his head so he could look at her.

He sighed in relief, sat up slowly and carefully drew the blanket around himself. He reached out for her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?! I… I don't remember much of what happened after we fell off that cliff…"

Akari smiled and took his hand, holding it to her cheek. She sniffled as the tears she had been holding back started to flow. "You… you took the brunt of the landing… we fell in the river. You almost drowned…! We were chased by a… a monster, and… and..."

He pulled her into a hug, closing his eyes tight as he held her. "I'm sorry…! God, I'm so sorry, Akari!"

"Well… now that is a new one. I've never seen that trick before," the old man said, then leaned closer. "But you boy… you look familiar… Wait, I remember you! You were one of the three who were here last year, who helped us subdue the Orochi and save Shin's life!"

"What are you talking about, Grandpa?" Shin asked, crossing his arms and giving Ryouga a skeptical look. "I've never seen this guy before! And I think I'd remember someone saving my life!"

The old man sighed. "As you can see, Shin's memory hasn't improved any since the last time you were here."

Akari turned her head a bit, though she stayed close to Ryouga. "You've met?"

"Yeah… I ended up here a while ago, while I was looking for Akane," Ryouga said.

"Akane? Akane Tendo!?" Shin leaned forward. "You know her? Where is she? Is she okay!?"

"Akane Shin remembers," the old man grumbled. "Shin! We've been over this! Akane went home! To Tokyo! She's fine!"

"He's right. She's at home at the Tendo Dojo in Nerima," Ryouga said. "I… haven't seen her since the wedding…"

"Wedding?!" Shin yelped, going white. "N-no…"

Ryouga sighed. "I guess I should get you up to speed…"

000

Akari stepped out of the small house holding two cups full of hot tea in her hands. She walked over to the bench where Ryouga was sitting.

He had changed into one of Shinnosuke's spare outfits, blue shirt and dark pants with a darker blue zookeeper's overcoat overtop. He was staring out into the forest with one of those distant stares he sometimes got.

"Here. I made this with something Shinnosuke called the 'Water of Life'. He said it would help us recover faster," Akari said, slipping onto the bench next to him and handing him a cup.

"Akari, you shouldn't be walking around on your leg…" Ryouga said, but she put a finger to his lips.

"I'm fine. Really! It was just a scratch. Plus walking around keeps it from getting stiff." She took a sip of her tea. "You look good in blue."

"No I don't," Ryouga said, blushing slightly.

"You do!" She punched his shoulder lightly. He was still quiet though, which worried her. "Ryouga…?"

"I… need to go away for a while, Akari…" he said softly.

"Ryouga, no! We talked about this!" Akari protested, grabbing his arm.

He closed his eyes tightly. "I've already made up my mind!" he said sharply. "I can't… I can't keep you safe with both curses. I have to cure one or the other, or… or…"

"No…" She shook her head in denial and grabbed his sleeve. "No, Ryouga! I don't care about your directional problems! I like your Jusenkyo curse! This was my fault! I was the one who wasn't paying attention…!"

"Akari, if something had happened to you…!" He shook his head. "That's why your Grandfather said only someone who could defeat Katsunishiki could be with you - so you'd be kept safe!"

"And you beat Katsunishiki! Easily! You're the strongest, most noble, most pig-like man I've ever met!" Akari gushed, then covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, I forgot you don't like the pig comparisons…"

Ryouga chuckled then sighed heavily. "But what good is it if I can't protect you when it counts? If I'm the one who put you in danger in the first place?"

"I'll… I'll get stronger so you don't have to worry!" Akari said, clenching her fist. "I'll train with Katsunishiki every day, and… and…"

Ryouga put a hand over her fist. "Akari…" He shook his head. "You aren't a martial artist, and you shouldn't force yourself to be something you're not. This is something I need to fix."

"Then let me help you!" she said. "Fix it here. With me."

Ryouga looked down, then nodded subtly. "All right. I'll try."

000

Akari's grandfather met them at a nearby parking lot. He had brought a pickup truck with Katsunishiki in the back and, before the truck even came to a stop, the giant sumo pig leapt from the back of the truck and began charging towards them.

Akari knew he was just rushing to see her, his protective instincts kicking in from being separated too long - but, in hindsight, she realized it probably looked like an attack to a bystander.

Ryouga knew him well enough to not react. But Shinnosuke, long trained to subdue the giant animals of Ryugenzawa, reacted before Akari could warn him off.

The boy darted forward, moving with impressive speed, his pushbroom gripped in both hands. Akari called out, but it was too late. Seeing the threat, Katsunishiki swiped at him with one meaty foreleg in a strike that was liable to take his head off.

Shin ducked under the strike with surprising dexterity, then leapt upwards in a somersault over the giant sumo pig, letting Katsunishiki's momentum carry him forward under him while he spun and twisted in mid-air, putting his entire body mass into a precision strike across the back of the sumo pig's skull with the head of the push broom.

Katsunishiki grunted, stumbled forward and crashed to the ground, unconscious, as Shin landed lightly behind him, shouldering his broom.

"Weird. I don't remember that boar from the forest," he said, frowning. Apparently Shin's memory of each of the giant animals for which he and his grandfather were stewards was near-perfect - unlike just about everything else.

"Katsunishiki!" Akari cried, running forward to to her favored pet and gathering his huge head into her arms.

The giant sumo pig grunted, his eyes unfocused. There was a nasty bump on the back of his head, but a quick check told her nothing was broken, and no serious damage appeared to have been done. He had just been stunned.

"Is he alright?" Ryouga asked, crouching next to her.

She nodded and sighed in relief, stroking Katsunishiki's forehead. "Silly boy was just trying to protect me."

"Oh, he was your giant animal." Shinnosuke walked up, rubbing the back of his head and looking sheepish. "I'm really sorry! I tried not to hurt him, just stun him. Is he okay?"

Akari nodded and smiled reassuringly at him. "It's okay. Katsunishiki is a sumo pig. He's taken worse hits and gotten back up. That was still very impressive how you defeated him so quickly, though!"

"Yes. Yes it was," a voice familiar to Akari said. Her grandfather got out of the truck and walked towards them, rubbing his chin. "Are you the boy who saved my daughter's life?"

Akari felt more than saw Ryouga wince next to her and curl into himself a little more. She put an arm on his shoulder sympathetically.

"That's right! My boy Shin is quite the fighter when it comes to the local oversized wildlife!" Shin's grandfather said boisterously. "Your daughter is very lucky he found her and her boyfriend when he did. This is a dangerous region to be in."

Akari's grandfather's eyes fixed Ryouga with a harsh glare. "Yes. I imagine it is." His eyes narrowed, then he looked away, smiling in a more friendly manner as he turned to regard Shin. "It seems I have much to thank you for! And… It appears you have proven your worthiness by defeating Katsunishiki."

Akari's eyes widened. "Grandfather!"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "What? It's true. I'm merely pointing out a fact, Akari. There is no need for you to get riled up. You were so concerned not long ago that you would never find any young man who could defeat Katsunishiki, and now we have stumbled across two!"

Akari glared at him. "Grandfather, I've already made my choice about that! Ryouga is who I wish to be with. You know that!"

His gaze fixed on Ryouga again, who couldn't meet his eyes. "Yes… Of course. Still… I think that the courage and hospitality that Shin and his grandfather have shown deserve something in return!" He turned to Shin's grandfather. "Would you and your grandson be willing to come be our guests for dinner?"

"Hmmm…" He stroked his beard. "It has been quite a while since Shin and I have had a meal we didn't cook ourselves. And it would be good for Shin to socialize and get out of the dark forest. Yes… yes, we would be happy to accept such a generous offer."

000

On the ride back to the farm, Akari's grandfather drove, with Shin's grandfather sitting next to him in the cab. The two old men quickly struck up a lively conversation, finding that they apparently had much in common. Akari, Ryouga and Shin rode in the back with Katsunishiki. Shin was a bit wary of being in a small space with the huge pig, but once Akari had introduced him formally to the sumo pig, the giant accepted him good-naturedly.

"Pigs are really quite friendly and loyal," Akari said, settling on her favorite topic to fill the time as they bounced down the road in the old pickup.

"I've actually never met a friendly pig," Shin admitted, scratching Katsunishiki behind the ears. The large sumo pig grunted and closed his eyes, enjoying the attention. "My only experiences have been with the boars in the forest. The Water of Life tends to make all the animals more aggressive and they were wild boars to begin with. I didn't think pigs could get this big outside of our forest, though."

"Katsunishiki is special," Akari said, beaming. "He's from a long line of sumo pigs. He's got excellent genes; all of the best qualities of pigs. He's never been defeated in the ring!"

"And he listens to your commands?" Shin asked, focusing on her. "How do you get such a big animal to listen to you?"

She smiled. "A lot of love and patience. Plus my family has been doing it for generations. We have a lot of techniques that we use to tame and train pigs that we start with right from birth."

"That would actually be useful in the forest - if we could tame some of the animals there and train them to help us out." Shin rubbed his chin. "Do you think you could show me when we get to your farm?"

"Sure!" Akari beamed, happy to have someone see the value in her family's profession and knowledge. She noticed that Ryouga was quiet, however, sitting in the corner of the truck bed and not saying anything. "... Perhaps Ryouga could show you? He's spent a lot of time on the farm, and I've shown him a lot."

Ryouga shook his head. "I'm… actually not that good with the pigs," he said. "I just spar with Katsunishiki sometimes."

"And that's been a huge help!" Akari insisted. "You've done more for his training than I ever could have!"

Ryouga glanced at Shin. "Didn't help much."

Akari winced. Don't tell me he blames himself for that too?

"I'm used to fighting big animals," Shin said, oblivious. "It's all about using their momentum against them. I could show him a few things to watch out for against smaller, faster opponents if you like?"

Akari sighed in defeat, watching as Ryouga closed himself off from her even further. "That… would be much appreciated, Shin."

000

Akari's grandfather and Shin's grandfather continued to be in good spirits that evening, chatting amicably over dinner about animal husbandry, then breaking out the sake. Akari could see her grandfather was happy to meet someone his own age who shared a lot of the same interests. Shin also seemed fascinated by the farm and the idea of 'friendly' animals - especially of training them. As promised, Akari showed him several of the techniques she used, and he watched, fascinated, pausing frequently to take detailed notes.

"That's amazing!" he exclaimed as Akari led several of the smaller show pigs through some of their acrobatic routines. "I never knew pigs could be so clever!"

"They're very smart animals," Akari replied, again enjoying being able to go on about her favorite subject. "They're very social and they're not dirty like people think. It's just the opposite! They tend to wallow in mud as a way to keep cool and to keep their skin from being sunburned, which I think is actually quite clever of them, don't you?"

Shin nodded and closed his notebook. "I wonder if maybe I can get some of the boar piglets young enough that I might be able to train them to help me keep the other animals corralled? Grandpa hasn't been able to help as much the last few years and my traps aren't working as well as I might have hoped."

"It's certainly worth a try!" Akari smiled. "We have a few manuals on pig rearing that I can loan you."

"I'd really appreciate that, Ms. Akari, thank you!" he said brightly.

Such a difference from our first encounters with him! I guess he's just gotten used to being gruff because he constantly has to shoo away unwise people from the forest? She cocked her head as she realized something else. "You remembered my name!"

"Yeah, um… about that…" Sheepishly he rolled back his sleeve to display his arm, where he had written her name several times in marker.

She giggled in spite of herself which just made him blush and look more bashful.

"Umm… y-you're a very good cook, Ms. Akari." he added. "Thank you again for dinner. Your cooking reminds me of someone else's… kind of."

"Oh! You're quite welcome, Shin!" Akari said. "Ryouga has always raved about my cooking, but it's just regular farm fare."

"Ryouga? Who's that?" Shin blinked, confused.

"Ryouga? My boyfriend?" Akari said gently. By now she was well aware of the boy's pervasive memory problems.

"You have a boyfriend?" Shin looked stricken. "O-oh… I… I didn't know." He turned quickly. "I'll… I'll go see how Grandpa is getting on. Sorry to be a bother!" He quickly ran back towards the house.

"Shin, wait!" She called out to him but he had already almost reached the house. She sighed and glanced around only to realize that Ryouga was nowhere to be seen. She felt the cold grip of dread in her heart, fearing that he had wandered off and gotten lost again - but then she heard sounds from behind the shed - the hollow resonance of an axe striking wood. She walked over and peered around the corner of the small building.

Ryouga was there chopping logs with his bare hands - striking them with a knife edged chop that split them cleanly. He had accumulated quite a pile of ready firewood.

"Ryouga, there you are!" she said happily. "What are you doing over here? We have enough wood chopped for a few days yet."

"I needed to do something useful for a bit," Ryouga said quietly, placing another log and expertly splitting it with a sharp, controlled strike. "It helps me think."

"Would you like a drink? You've been working hard all this time…" She fidgeted, uncertain what to say. She felt oddly guilty, having spent so much time with Shin, oblivious to what Ryouga was doing.

He gave her a wan smile. "Nah, I'm okay. I think I might turn in early, though." He stood and started walking in what she presumed was supposed to be the direction of the farmhouse… but was the exact opposite way.

"Ryouga…" she said timidly, then pointed in the correct direction. "... That way?"

Usually it was something Ryouga laughed off or made some lame, silly excuse about. This time, however, he just closed his eyes as a pained expression crossed his face. He turned in the right direction. "Of course… thanks Akari."

She watched him go, feeling that awful ache growing in her heart and wondered what else she could do to make things better.

000

Akari had never been one to have trouble sleeping, but that night was an exception. If it hadn't been, she might never have overheard the conversation.

"Ryouga, you must understand that I have to think of my granddaughter's welfare and her future. You are an admirable young man, but…"

Akari crept to her door at the mention of Ryouga's name and peered through the crack as she listened. Ryouga and her grandfather were down the hall, in the small kitchen.

"I understand," Ryouga said. There were rustling sounds. "You want to be sure who she's with can protect her."

"I have concerns about your ability to do that, yes. You are undoubtedly strong but your curse and your inability to find your way are… crucial weaknesses. Neither of which are your fault, of course! But… an excuse will not protect my granddaughter."

"I agree totally with you. That's why I'm packing. I'm going to find a cure… for one or the other at the very least."

Akari gasped softly, covering her mouth. No! He PROMISED!

"Good. Good, that is what I hoped you'd say. And I hope you find it quickly and return to make my Akari happy. But… understand that I am an old man, and I must ensure my Akari is taken care of before I go."

"... of course."

"I have already discussed the matter with Shinnosuke's grandfather. He will stay with us for the time being to help with the farm and to learn animal husbandry from Akari for use in the forest. If you return before his training is complete, then that is where the matter will end. But… should you not have found your solution by then… Shin's grandfather and I will… make arrangements."

Ryouga's voice sounded dead; defeated. "They get along well. I'm… sure he would make her happy."

"She would be happier with YOU, son. Take this as a motivator to complete your quest quickly - not as disapproval?"

"I swear to you I'll come back a whole man for your granddaughter's sake… or not come back at all," Ryouga replied grimly.

000

"So you overheard that…" Ryouga sighed heavily.

"Why didn't you talk to me first, Ryouga?" Akari asked. "I know it's a difficult thing for you to talk about, but… I can help!" She clasped his hand, leaning in to give him an earnest, tearful look.

He stared at her hands holding his, trying to sort out what he was feeling from the complex jumble. He curled his fingers around her hand and closed his eyes. "I… don't know if you can, Akari. I know you want to, but… People… smart people… smarter than me… have spent their whole lives trying to solve the problems I've had and failed. Curses aren't easy things."

"Then I'll spend my life with you looking for a solution," she said fiercely.

"And give up pig training?" He opened his eyes, giving her a skeptical look. "Give up the farm and leave your grandfather behind for a life of aimless wandering and constant danger?"

"Yes! Absolutely!" Akari said firmly, her eyes flashing.

Ryouga sighed. "Akari… you tried this before, don't you remember? When you thought I hated pigs? You tried to train yourself to hate them and you couldn't do it. The pigs, the farm… they're your whole life because you love them."

"I love you," she said firmly.

Ryouga felt a lump in his throat. "How could I possibly say the same thing if I made you give up the life you love for a life I hate? Akari, I almost got you killed…"

"You made a mistake. We made a mistake," Akari said firmly. "We learn from it and move on. That's what a pig does. A pig doesn't dwell on the past. A pig just does better next time. I'll be more careful to always take the lead when we go for walks, remember that I have to take responsibility for navigating. And keep a thermos with me just in case. That's all."

Ryouga couldn't meet her gaze anymore. "And when I get lost going out to chop wood, and disappear for six months?"

"We'll get you a cell phone. I'll get my driver's license, and if you get lost I'll come and pick you up," she said. "It's not as bad as you or grandfather make out to be! Just… just come home!"

"Your grandfather said…"

"Grandfather will change his mind if I have to deny him dinner for a week!" Akari said gruffly, puffing her cheeks out.

"I can't," Ryouga said, then quickly held up a hand to forestall her protests. "Not for me. For my Mom." He covered her hands with his free one. "My 'getting lost'? It's a curse. An actual curse. Maybe from a demon, sometime long ago. It's meant to make us gradually unable to find the things we love or need - until we die, afraid and alone. It gets worse over time."

Akari's eyes widened. "That's horrible…" she breathed.

"My family has survived because - once in our lives - we can choose a person to be an Anchor for us - someone we can always find our way back to. I wanted you to be my Anchor, but I… wasted my chance making Ranma my Anchor back in Middle School so I could have a stupid fight over bread." He blushed as he realized that it sounded even stupider out loud than it did in his head.

"That's okay… that's good, right? Ranma is a good friend to you! He understands the Jusenkyo curse and he worked so hard to bring us together!" Akari said, sounding relieved. "So, if you have Ranma as your Anchor, you're safe, right?"

"I'll always be finding my way back to her. Always linked to her. Always part of her life," Ryouga answered. "But… yeah. I'm safe… relatively. But… but my Mom… you have to promise to not talk about my Dad around her, okay?"

"Of course, but… why not?" Akari asked, concerned.

"Dad was… is Mom's Anchor. But… but he died not too long ago."

Akari's eyes widened. "Ryouga… I'm so sorry…!"

"He was very sick for a long time," Ryouga said heavily. "But without him, the only way Mom has been able to keep the curse from progressing is to delude herself into thinking he's still alive. Just… that they keep missing each other. So you mustn't mention him, because if we break her concentration, she'll lose the link forever and her curse will start to worsen. She won't be able to find her way home and eventually she won't even be able to find other people. So… I have to find a cure for the curse soon. And until then, I need to stay here to keep her safe."

"Can you find the cure for it here?" Akari asked.

Ryouga nodded. "Me and Ranma met a Doctor who thinks he might have found a way to figure it out, but… it's probably going to take time. Years, maybe. I can't ask you to wait that long."

"You don't have to," Akari said, smiling again. "If your cure is here, then this is where I belong too! I can help you while you work towards it and help keep your Mother safe so you don't have to worry."

"What about your grandfather?" Ryouga asked. "He's terrified of dying before he's made sure you're taken care of. Are you really okay with just leaving him alone out there on that farm?"

"Grandfather is as healthy as a pig. He's not going to die anytime soon, no matter how much he wails about it," Akari said firmly. "Your Mother really will die if you don't do this, though. Even if you weren't my boyfriend I'd want to help if I could!"

"And the sumo competitions?" Ryouga asked.

"I'll retire Katsunishiki and focus on raising a new champion once your problems are solved," Akari said. "It'll be good to let him retire while he's still young and if we let a new champion rise it'll give me a goal to work towards. It'll be fun to be the challenger again!"

Ryouga chuckled and shook his head, but he found himself smiling. "You're not going to give up, are you?"

"I'm competitive like a pig," Akari said. "I don't train champion sumo pigs by being a quitter!"

Ryouga took a deep breath. "All right. Thank you… thank you. Please forgive me for being so weak."

She shook her head. "Ryouga, you're the strongest man I've ever known. But even the strongest pig can't be strong all the time. I want to be there to cheer you on when you're strong and to help you up when you're not." She squeezed his hand and let go. "I'll let you get dressed and have a bath. I'll have breakfast ready for you when you come down." She got up and gave him one last smile before she slipped out of his room.

000

"So, you sure you don't want me to come along? I mean, I am kinda involved…" Ranma asked as she walked next to Nabiki. She had borrowed some of Nabiki's clothes, a pair of jeans that were just a touch too small for Nabiki (though Ranma had learned enough diplomacy by this point to know not to comment on that) and a loose long-sleeved shirt. Wearing non-school clothes that actually fit as a girl, without fear of hot water causing her to shred them, was a precious luxury.

"I want to break the news of the link to them without their favorite target of aggression present, at least until I de-escalate them," Nabiki said. She had selected her favorite blue sweatshirt with the two hearts on it, opting for comfort over style for the moment.

"You think they're gonna flip out?" Ranma asked worriedly. Nabiki had sent Akane off ahead to get the other fiancees for this 'Fiancee's Tea' meeting they regularly had, but hadn't told her sister anything of what had happened, even after dragging Ranma back to bed to cuddle with them until Nabiki felt like facing the morning, which was nearly afternoon at this point.

"I know they are," Nabiki said nonchalantly. "And if there is a martial artist to serve as a target for their aggression, they will probably beat the crap out of them. I don't qualify yet and I think Jiro's rules about nonviolence should hold things together until I can talk them down. But it might be best if you laid low and took Ryouga with you. Go to the mall or something for the day. Just make it somewhere you or he wouldn't typically be found - just in case one or more of the girls needs a bit more time to cool down. I'll ring your cell to give you the all clear."

"I shoulda come clean about this right at the start," Ranma sighed, rubbing the back of her head.

Nabiki shook her head. "No, the timing was terrible when it happened. Akane was still being hypersensitive about you and Ryouga spending time together and I told you not to. This is on me if it goes bad, but I still think this is the first really not terrible opportunity to come clean. This should go about as well as it possibly could."

"So… it'll go good then, you think?" Ranma asked hopefully, brightening a bit.

"Oh, no chance of that. This will suck something fierce," Nabiki replied dryly.

"O-oh," Ranma said, hanging her head guiltily.

"But… I've negotiated my way through worse situations," Nabiki said. "You didn't actually do anything wrong. This wouldn't even have happened if Akane hadn't pushed Ryouga over the edge. And the two of you haven't actually done anything. You've done more eyebrow-raising stuff with Ryouga before the link, honestly." She frowned and rubbed her chin. "... Hnnnh… Maybe that is something to worry about. Maybe you should put on a disguise and try and convince Ryouga you're his long-lost lover or something just to dispel any suspicion?"

"Har har," Ranma muttered. "I had good reasons for doing that every time I did it!"

"Because he's cute when he blushes?" Nabiki said with a smirk.

"No!" Ranma protested, blushing brightly. "There was always a scroll, or… or waterproof soap or… or a map, or…"

"... He was paying attention to Akane instead of you?" Nabiki suggested.

"Yes! I mean No! I mean… Damnit Nabiki!" Ranma stomped in frustration, blushing even harder and looking unintentionally adorable.

Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "Should I hold your hand to see if you're telling the truth?"

"Don't you dare!"

Ranma could see Ryouga's house down the street. Nabiki stopped walking and Ranma gave her a questioning look.

"I should part ways here, if just to avoid 20 questions about what I'm off to do and why," Nabiki stretched.

"You sure? Probably make Ryo feel better knowing he doesn't have to hide this stuff anymore," Ranma said, then paused and added. "Or… y'know, that he should be ready to run for his life."

Nabiki gave her a smirk. "Yeah, but I'd have some explaining to do to his Mom if I did this out front." She suddenly swept the redhead into her arms, dipped her and gave her a kiss that brought the color back to Ranma's cheeks and left her panting and unsteady.

Nabiki grinned at her, looking a little dishevelled herself. "This is one advantage of you being small and cute in this form. I don't think you'd let me get away with this if you were a guy."

Ranma grinned and winked at her. "You'll never know unless you try, right?"

Nabiki giggled and brought her back up to her feet. "I'm gonna hold you to that, Saotome. No getting mad at me if I dip you during the graduation ceremony."

"Only if you don't get mad when I sell the pics," Ranma retorted.

"Oooooh, that's not bad!" Nabiki replied, suitably impressed. "You're getting the hang of this blackmail thing!"

"Learned from the best," Ranma winked at her, then skipped off towards Ryouga's house, feeling her step considerably lighter.

This will work out. I trust Nabiki and the girls and we've almost got the hang of this. This is gonna be a good week, I can feel it!

She walked up to the front door, rang the bell and waited. You know what? I don't even mind if his Mom thinks this is a date. Ryouga's my friend and I'll just let Nabiki handle the mess for once and enjoy a day with a buddy without any complications!

She closed her eyes, pondering if she could sweet-talk Ryouga into a trip to the ice cream parlor on his dime, since she had treated last time. The place at the mall had a few items she had never tried before. She heard the door slide open and beamed. "Hey Ryo! I was wondering if you wanted to hit the mall with me and get some ice cream?" She opened her eyes, expecting to see Ryouga, or perhaps even his mother.

Instead she was met by a pair of hazel eyes, framed by green-tinted hair with a swath of pink running from each temple like a pair of ribbons.

Ranma blinked. "Oh… Hi, Akari…"

000

Jiro, of course, had their table prepared for them with his usual efficiency, though he seemed uncharacteristically scattered. He never actually got anything wrong, but he did seem to be dropping in and out of sight a bit more frequently than was his custom and his normally calm and low-key demeanor seemed somewhat more harried.

"Is everything all right, Jiro?" Nabiki asked as he poured her a cup of her preferred blend. "You seem a bit flustered.

"Hmmm? Oh no, not at all," Jiro said, smiling. "It's just a bit busier today than normal."

Nabiki glanced around the tea shop. It was totally empty aside from them, as usual. "I… see," she said politely.

"A lot of decisions being made today! There's a young Chinese girl trying to decide if she should run away with her lover, a young man pondering his military career, another young man debating proposing to a young woman, several parties planning celebrations for newly minted Captains, with all the requisite Naval tradition and planned visits to the Captain's Table and all that, and a young German painter trying to decide if he wants to continue with his craft or… oh bother, he's walked out! Please pardon me." Jiro turned and slipped off someplace that for some reason Nabiki's eyes couldn't follow.

Nabiki shrugged and chalked it up to the oddness of the place. She had already accepted that the Tea Shop was just one of those weird things one found in Nerima.

"So… Nabiki have something she want talk about, or just come for tea?" Shampoo asked, sipping her own quietly.

Nabiki put her teacup down, leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. I need to present this carefully. If any of them get mad and storm out, it'll be bad. "It concerns Ranma and Ryouga. More specifically, it's about the aftermath of Ryouga's meltdown and the shi shi hokodan."

She saw Akane wince slightly and the others put their cups down to listen. Good. Akane still feels guilty about that, so it'll modulate her response, but if I push too hard she'll push back and retreat into anger. I need to be careful. "Ryouga apparently has had a lot of stuff going on beyond just the discovery that Akane knew about his Jusenkyo curse. His father died recently after a long illness and now his mother's situation has become extremely precarious as a result of his family's directional problems… which are, as it turns out, the results of an actual curse in their own right. There are also some issues with Akari stemming from an incident where the combination of his curses left him helpless to protect her when she really needed it… Let's just say it hasn't been a good month for Ryouga Hibiki. I think that a meltdown was probably inevitable given the way things have been going and Akane was just unlucky enough to be the straw that broke the piglet's back."

Ukyou's head bowed, indicating she had probably known about some of this already, and even Shampoo looked subdued.

Good. Sympathy, Nabiki thought. She felt a pang of guilt. I hate being so manipulative with them but I need my girls on MY side on this. "After Ryouga had his meltdown, he and Ranma met a doctor at the hospital who's been working with them to try and figure out the directional curse. They've enlisted Doc Tofu's help as well, and brought me along this last Saturday. I've learned a lot about how it works, and it's not pretty. The curse is supposed to gradually isolate the victim and eventually render them unable to find other people at all - leaving them to die slowly and alone. But the Hibiki family has a special quality - one they've used to fend it off to a degree. It's an ability to choose another person as an 'Anchor'; someone towards whom they have a strong emotional connection and to whom they can always find their way back… eventually. They can form this bond only once in their lifetime." She closed her eyes. "Ryouga's father was his mother's Anchor. With his death…"

"She's going to get lost and never find her way back…" Akane said softly.

Ukyou and Shampoo's eyes widened.

"She such nice woman…" Shampoo said, exchanging a look with Ukyou.

"Is there something we can do to help?" Ukyou asked Nabiki, leaning forward. "We had no idea her situation was that bad! No wonder she's tied herself to the house with a string!"

"Be understanding," Nabiki said. "Because… the next part is going to make you mad. But I needed for you to know Mrs. Hibiki's situation because her welfare has been the driving force behind everything Ryouga has done recently." She closed her eyes. "Ryouga has an Anchor too. Someone here in Nerima."

There was a moment, then both Ukyou and Shampoo turned to look at Akane.

Sheepishly, Akane pointed at herself. "... Me?"

Nabiki shook her head. "You probably would have been. He certainly would have prefered you to have been, but… no. Ryouga chose his Anchor two years before he met you - back in middle school."

Ukyou gaped at her. "Ranma!? Are you telling me Ranchan is his Anchor!?"

Nabiki nodded held up a finger to forestall the explosion. "All it takes is a really strong emotion. It doesn't have to be positive emotion. Ryouga was very, very angry at Ranma and had an intense desire to find him. From how he tells it, he wasn't even fully aware he'd done it until recently. But it's the reason he always seems to show up wherever Ranma is." She turned to face Akane. "Ryouga himself believed you were his Anchor since you were almost always where Ranma was. It's apparently a very subtle, subconscious effect."

"So… what made him think different?" Ukyou asked. "I mean, it makes logical sense given Ryouga tracked Ranma halfway around Asia, but Ryouga's hardly the logical sort. There's no way he'd suss that out on his own."

Nabiki took a deep breath. And here we are at the moment of truth. "Because… saving Ryouga from the shi shi hokodan had consequences for both of them. One of which was a change to the nature of the Anchor. A change that might actually lead to a cure for the family curse - which is why they kept it hidden until now - on my advice."

"Hidden? Why?" Shampoo asked, frowning. "What be so bad that need be kept from us?"

"Not from you. It was just easiest to keep it from everyone until we had a better handle on how it worked and what the effects were," Nabiki said. "If Ranma's mother found out about this… this Link, it could possibly be grounds for her to call in the seppuku contract, or push her into making a snap decision on the omiai. Not to mention how others might seek to use it against them." She steepled her fingers. "Ranma and Ryouga are now synced. Which means that the ability to find one another is much more pronounced in both of them, but more importantly… whenever they make physical contact with each other they become aware of each other's emotions."

"What? You mean like… like something out of a sci fi novel?" Ukyou asked.

"Shampoo hear of such things before. Very rare… very rare. Is form of ki sharing. Only possible if ki in perfect alignment." Shampoo frowned, concentrating as she dredged up the memory. "Only ever hear of from old legend of…" She set her jaw and gave Nabiki a hard look. "... Story of two warriors who become lovers."

Nabiki held up a hand again. "I'm sure the situation in that story was rooted in feelings they already had that led them to form a link. In this case the link came first."

"That's still awfully intimate!" Ukyou said. "Both of them have been acting weird. Ranma has been going all girly, Ryouga has started to do that stuttery, stupid, goofy routine he used to do around Akane, and they get all quiet when they're around each other."

"You don't think this 'link' is what's making Ranma change?" Akane asked, looking worried. "Ranma said something to me about how she goes back and forth, but how some people 'push' her one way or another." She glared at Nabiki. "How do we know it's not because of the Link?!"

"Because the Link doesn't work that way." Nabiki replied, keeping her tone calm and even. One of the tricks of de-escalation was to keep your tone level, even and calm even as the person who was getting upset got louder and more agitated. It worked to ground them, whereas raising your own voice would only make the situation worse.

"How would Nabiki know?" Shampoo asked.

"Because… just yesterday… we figured out how to add me to the Link," Nabiki said quietly. She picked up her teacup and took a sip as she waited for the explosion.

It didn't take long.

"You what?!" Ukyou yelped, gaping at her.

"No wonder Nabiki suddenly so interested in Pig Boy!" Shampoo said.

Akane was aghast. "Nabiki, why would you even do that?! What if something had gone wrong? What would that have done to you? To Ranma?! Even to Ryouga!"

"You know, you've asked us to trust you, that your 'Ice Queen' days are behind you, but playing stuff like this close to the vest until you get what you want is an awful lot like the 'old' Nabiki," Ukyou growled.

That one stung but Nabiki focused on her tea until she could be sure she could keep her calm demeanor. She finished the cup and set it down. She studied her nails carefully as she spoke. "What do you suppose happens to Ryouga if, say, we break the Link between him and Ranma?"

Ukyou's anger faded a bit. "It'd… he'd end up in the same boat as his Mom…"

"Doomed to wander alone until he eventually died from sickness, injury, or just succeeded in blowing himself up," Nabiki replied. "What do you suppose happens if, instead, we leave things as they are? Ranma goes with us, the Link remains and Ryouga goes his own way?"

"He'll… always be finding his way back to Ranma," Akane answered in a soft voice. There was a flicker in her eyes, the start of recognition.

"To Ranma. Not to Akari, or his family, or the people he loves and wants to be with, but to the person he can't be with. Always showing up on the doorstep, haggard and worn. How long do you think that could go on before it strained his own relationships beyond the breaking point? I would certainly think he was having an affair. How do you think Ranma would feel - forever being the 'other woman', even if nothing ever happened?" She planted her hands flat on the table and leaned over to look each of them in the eyes. "I did this because it's a way out. Right now? I'm Ryouga's Anchor as well as Ranma. Think about that. That means we can make someone else his Anchor too - like Akari, maybe. And we can figure out how to break the link without risking his curse progressing." She paused, swallowing hard as she moved to the last point, and the most potentially contentious one. "But most importantly… we can have that Link with Ranma now… and each other."

The stared at her silently for a moment, then exchanged glances with each other.

"Whyyyyy would we want that, sugar?" Ukyou said carefully, giving her an uncertain look.

"Isn't that just going to make the situation worse?" Akane added.

"Think about it," Nabiki said. "This… this relationship we're trying to build here. We're not the first to try something like this. And… granted our circumstances are unique, but… I've not found any references to anything like what we're trying to do succeeding in the modern day and age. A few lifelong threesomes - where they kept quiet, kept the third person on as a 'housekeeper' or something and it didn't come out until they were safely dead and buried… but even if that option was still available to us, there's no way we'd pull it off with five of us. We need an edge… something to help hold us together when things are bad and the whole world is trying to wedge us apart."

"Many conqueror kings have harems. No one question them," Shampoo joked weakly. "Maybe just need to conquer world?"

"That's later in the plan. Better to have something immediate," Nabiki said with absolute seriousness, though she couldn't prevent a small smirk getting through.

"Yeah, but… you're talking about linking our minds together," Ukyou said. "Like… like a collective consciousness thing?"

Nabiki shook her head. "It's nothing like that. It's only when you're in physical contact, and it's… it's more like you can hear their feelings. You have to intentionally listen, and learn how to understand what you're 'hearing' for it to really make sense. It's not like the sci fi books where suddenly it's thrust into your brain. It's more like…" She struggled for words. "... Like a really accurate mood ring. It's a language we have to learn, but it's a way to get across all of those things that we're all terrible at. Every one of us." She fixed each of them with a stern look. "How many times have we struggled just to say the words 'I love you' to someone we desperately loved? Simply because we were too afraid they might not feel the same? How many times did we say it only for it to not be understood?"

"Sometimes there are times it would probably be a bad thing if you knew exactly how I was feeling," Ukyou said darkly.

"Not for us," Nabiki insisted. "It can't be that way for us. We don't have that luxury of holding things back and letting them fester like that, Ukyou.

"So… you think we need this?" Akane was tentative. She glanced at Ukyou and Shampoo nervously.

"I think we need to consider it," Nabiki said. "Right now breaking the link isn't an option, not until a cure is found, because the Link is the key. So… why not turn it to our advantage?"

"Pintou leaving something out," Shampoo said quietly, giving Nabiki a searching look. For once, Nabiki wished the Amazon wasn't more perceptive than people gave her credit for. "If Nabiki part of Link, then Nabiki see Ranma and Ryouga feelings. Know for sure what happening."

Nabiki closed her eyes. "Nothing has happened between them," she said carefully. "The worst thing they've done is hold hands and talk."

"Not asking if anything happen anymore," Shampoo said. "Asking if anything could happen. Asking what they really feel."

Nabiki grit her teeth. "I've had the Link for less than a day… and I've only had contact with them for maybe an hour, and for half of that I was dopey from the pill I had to take to make the Link possible. I can't be 100% sure what it is I'm seeing exactly." She quickly held up a hand to forestall protest, opened her eyes and looked into Shampoo's. "Yes… there's something between them - a lot of 'something' - and neither of them is willing to acknowledge it - or they just don't realize what they're seeing because they can't see both sides. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's romantic."

"Also doesn't mean it not," Shampoo said. "That why Pintou feeling out Pig boy. Think might someday need to join us. Yes?"

Nabiki sighed. "I think… it's a possibility we need to acknowledge."

"You can't be serious, sugar!" Ukyou protested. "What, are we just gonna bring anyone Ranchan shows an interest in into this? 'What's that? You were promised to marry Ranma when you were kids? So were we! C'mon, there's plenty of room!'"

"No, but these are extenuating and exceptional circumstances," Nabiki said firmly. "Think about it; not one of us was chosen by Ranma. We were pushed together by circumstance. He accepted us and confirmed his feelings for us, but I know our relationships with him would be far different without the engagements or Amazon law…"

"Speak for yourself, sugar," Ukyou replied, narrowing her eyes. "He was my best friend as a kid. My Dad suggested the engagement because of that."

"And Ranma thought you were a boy at the time," Nabiki retorted. "He was obligated to us first, and the feelings came after. I'm not suggesting they're any less valid, but Ranma has never, ever chosen someone to care about on his own." She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "And then along comes Ryouga… a rival in martial arts, a rival for the girl they both loved, an enemy, another guy. They had every reason to hate each other's guts, but they didn't. It's like they continually had to remind themselves to be in conflict. There's always been a bond between them that had nothing to do with engagements. Then suddenly Ranma isn't exactly a guy anymore and, at the same time, that bond becomes something far more tangible." She steepled her fingers. "I think we need to understand that this isn't a small thing - that if something does happen, Ryouga is the first person Ranma has ever chosen on her own."

"Are you saying… Ranma might choose Ryouga over us?" Akane squeaked, the blood draining from her face.

"I'm saying… Ranma has always resented being forced into things," Nabiki said carefully. "She's not had any control her entire life - from her parents predetermining every aspect of her life right up until old age, to Amazon laws, to magical curses and afflictions to multiple engagements. She's had to fight for every inch of her freedom at every turn and it's clear that anytime anyone tries to take something from her, she will fight back… even if it's something she's not sure she even wants. If we dig in our heels on Ryouga and try and force them apart - try and force Ranma to choose - Ranma will fight us out of that reflex. Worse, we've given Ranma a taste of understanding and acceptance. If we take that away now, it will be a betrayal of trust our relationship may never recover from. And Ryouga, for his part, doesn't give up on attachments easily. If he's gotten attached to our little redhead and he had any notion that she felt the same, he'll fight for her."

"Hatred… love… change from one to another too too easy sometimes…" Shampoo said quietly.

"I noticed how the pronouns you used to refer to Ranchan changed partway through, sugar," Ukyou said, giving Nabiki a searching look.

"Well… This all started when Ranma started exploring her girl side more, right?" Nabiki said. "Having to spend more time as a girl, getting comfortable with it, even accepting it. Even if the effect is just psychosomatic, Ranma is more comfortable dealing with these sorts of feelings as a girl. More than that though… there's a definite divide there. Ranma's mentioned it and what I feel through the Link… well… It doesn't feel like it's a new thing." She looked at Ukyou. "You know what I'm talking about, right Ukyou?"

Akane glanced at Ukyou. "What does she mean?"

Ukyou's jaw tensed. "She means that Ranma's gender identity isn't stable. The fact that once the pressure to be a 'man amongst men' every second was taken off, she started… wobbling." She sighed and closed her eyes. "I don't know how Jusenkyo curses work, but…"

"Some curses affect mind, like Fushannichuan, but those rare cases where mental quality of one who drowned what magic imprinted on, rather than just physical," Shampoo jumped in. "Most springs bring instincts that come with form… ability to walk with four legs, groom self, fly if bird. All that nature rather than nurture. But mind stay same. Never hear of curse causing effect to degree Airen have."

"... So this… fluidity is old," Ukyou said softly. "It came before the curse. Maybe it was even the reason making Ranma into a 'manly man' needed such extreme measures as sending Ranchan away with his idiot father for fourteen years."

"So… Ranma has always been… bi?" Akane asked, confused.

Ukyou shook her head. "Gender identity and gender preference are two different things, sugar. You should know that." Ukyou poked Akane's shoulder. "But… I guess in this case that'd also be true? Are you suggesting Ranchan has had a 'thing' for Ryouga since middle school?"

Nabiki shrugged. "It would explain why Genma was so eager to get him away from Ryouga. And from you, since Ranma apparently thought you were a boy."

Ukyou blushed at the notion. "That's… that's a weird thought. That Ranma might have been interested in me as a boy…"

"He was six. I doubt he was thinking of things that way," Nabiki said. "Not that Genma would have realized that, given how bizarre his ideas on romance, love and the female gender are."

"So… what do we do?" Akane asked timidly.

"Ranma and Ryouga are going to be together regularly because of the search for the cure for Ryouga's directional curse. There's nothing we can do about that; Ryouga's mother's life is on the line, which makes it about as much a matter of honor as anything can be for Ranma," Nabiki said. "I think all we can do right now is let things be and… just try and be supportive if Ranma starts asking questions or wanting to talk about her feelings." She closed her eyes. "I've already talked to Ryouga about this. He denied anything was going on, or that anything ever would or could, but…"

"Pig boy idiot," Shampoo finished for her.

"So… we just let this happen?" Akane asked, scowling.

"Akane, do you remember how you felt those times you got kidnapped by some Prince, or some other kook who wanted you to marry him? Remember how it felt having someone… even a very handsome and otherwise nice someone... trying to compel your feelings?" Nabiki asked. "We can't control how Ranma feels. Her Dad has tried that for her entire life, and it's backfired about as spectacularly as it possibly could. We can't force Ranma to love us… you all know this. But Ranma does love us and we need to trust that. That's why we did this." She narrowed her eyes. "That's why I did this. Because I knew that as much as I wanted to just snatch him up and run, he'd never willingly abandon any of you. That hasn't changed… and honestly I'm really really glad I gave this a chance." She gave Shampoo a meaningful look which actually earned a blush from the Amazon. "So… let's let Ranma and Ryouga sort out where they stand with each other on their own and go from there?"

Ukyou sighed, closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "Here I was thinking that this was going to make things simpler."

000

Awkward situations were nothing new to Ranma Saotome. The past couple of years of her life had been nothing but, honestly.

But experience did nothing to make them easier.

After showing up at the Hibiki household and more or less inviting Ryouga out on a date right in front of Akari, Ryouga's mother had decided that it would be a wonderful idea for him and Akari to get out of the house and pick up a few things for her. From her stern looks towards Ryouga, Ranma suspected there was some expectation for him to mend his two-timing ways, though there was some mirth in her eyes too. She's intentionally making him squirm. Poor Ryo… he didn't actually do anything wrong. All of the downsides of being a Casanova, without any benefits.

She snorted. Gee, THAT sounds familiar.

"Do you have a cold, Ranma?" Akari asked innocently. She was walking on Ryouga's right while Ranma was on his left. She had taken his arm almost immediately, which Ranma had momentarily irrationally seen as a challenge of some sort, but she had wrestled the impulse down. Ryouga was Akari's boyfriend, after all, and she had every right.

… Right?

"No, just thought of something funny." She glanced at Ryouga, who looked about as hangdog and guilty as she had ever seen him. "Oi, Ryo… cheer up! Aren't you happy to be at the mall with two pretty girls?" She leaned against his shoulder and batted her eyelashes at him.

She realized immediately that it had been a mistake. In the past Ryouga would generally have either yelled at her or shoved her away, or possibly bopped her on the head - which was honestly what she had been going for. Angry Ryouga was better than Depressed Ryouga in her book.

Instead he blushed and gave Akari a quick, panicked then looked back at Ranma. She caught a flicker of intense guilt and shame through the link.

Ranma sighed and straightened, but she could already feel Akari's eyes on her. Well… crap. That's gonna be another explanation. Maybe I should just shut up until we get to the food court…

"Ranma, I understand you've been looking after Ryouga for a while?" Akari asked, smiling politely.

"Ye-No! Wait! What did you hear? Whatever it is I can explain!" Ranma said nervously, glancing from Ryouga to Akari.

Ryouga clapped a hand over his eyes and groaned while Akari just giggled.

"Has he been eating well? I worry that all he eats sometimes is instant ramen. I felt it was a little rude to ask while his mother was there, but I know how hard they find it to keep fresh food in the house…" Akari asked quietly.

"Huh? Oh!" Ranma sighed in relief. "Uh… yeah, his Mom is a pretty good cook, even with the canned stuff. And we drag him back to the Dojo for a hot meal from Kasumi now and then too."

"Oh good," Akari nodded approvingly.

"Heh… anything else you need to know?" Ranma asked, folding her hands behind her head as they reached the staircase going down.

"Well, you two bathe together, right? Is he washing properly?"

For Ranma, it was like that top step wasn't even there. But as she pitched violently forward, she was able to personally verify that every step from the fifth on down was very real and solid.

000

After tea they split up into pairs and headed to their respective restaurants. Akane unconsciously took Ukyou's arm, no longer really caring about who saw her or judged her for it. She was lost in thought, trying to figure out how she felt about the idea of Ryouga and Ranma having feelings for each other.

I used to hate it when they fought. But I didn't understand half of it. All of that referencing 'P-chan'... All because Ranma thought she was warning me, even though she trusted Ryouga enough not to do more… Was that all it was? When Ryouga paid attention to me she got jealous, but rather than just challenge him to a fight like everyone else, she'd try and woo him away. Granted, she did that with Kuno too, but Kuno was actually AFTER her and it always seemed to disturb her. But Ryouga… Even when she wasn't fooling him she would tease him about it. She got just as mad at me for all the attention I paid Ryouga or P-chan… was she so jealous because she liked us both?

She was content to let Ukyou lead as her mind ran along odd, speculative paths. Was this really because of the shi shi hokodan and the Link, or was it always there? Would it have come up eventually anyway? Ten years down the road, when Ranma and I were married, and Ryouga kept showing up over and over… Would that version of 'me' be able to be understanding? Would I?

She glanced at Ukyou a moment, then back down at the sidewalk and blushed.

I'd be a hypocrite if I WASN'T, wouldn't I? She hugged Ukyou's arm a little more tightly as the idea of being forced to give up her relationship with the chef raised its ugly head. It was something she would likely never have explored without the kind of realizations about herself that the struggle around Ranma had given her, but she was surprised at how strongly her mind recoiled from the idea of losing Ukyou.

"Something wrong, sugar?" Ukyou asked, glancing at her.

Akane swallowed but didn't look at her. "Would you give me up?"

Ukyou stopped and turned to study her. "What?"

Akane took a deep breath. "If… Ranma demanded that you give me up. If it bothered him, or he didn't like it and he wanted to keep us separate… Would you do it?"

Ukyou turned and took Akane by the shoulders. "Akane, Ranchan would never ask that!"

Akane looked up at the taller girl. Her own vision was slightly blurry and she knew that she was dredging up some uncomfortable fears and emotions in herself. "Why not? Wouldn't we be doing the same if we split Ranma and Ryouga up?"

Ukyou sighed. "That's different, 'Kane…"

"How?" Akane demanded. "You and me… that wasn't part of the whole deal we made with Ranma. We didn't ask… and when he found out it hurt him but we didn't give it up even then. He even apologized to us! What if that had gone differently? What if Ranma couldn't handle us being together?"

Akane could see the conflict in Ukyou's slate grey eyes. Defiance, Fear, Uncertainty, Guilt, Anger… Akane didn't need a Link of any sort to read those there.

Ukyou wet her lips. "... Would you?" she asked softly, uncharacteristically timid.

Akane had to look away. Her hand came up to Ukyou's shoulder, gripping the fabric of her shirt, her fingers balling up.

"I think I would…" she finally whispered, feeling the shame tear at her. "I'd hate myself, and I'd regret it, and it'd hurt every time I looked at you… and… and I'm scared that I would start to hate Ranma, too."

Ukyou wrapped an arm around her, tucking Akane's head under her chin. She just held her like that for a bit.

"... Damnit, Akane," she murmured.

"I'm sorry," Akane sniffled. She closed her eyes tight and burrowed her face against Ukyou's collarbone. She felt Ukyou's fingers stroke her hair and relaxed a little.

"... If Ranma wasn't here… and we had met some other way… do you… Do you think we would have ended up together?" Akane asked tentatively.

Ukyou's fingers stopped as she considered. "What, you mean if I had just transferred to Furinkan one day?"

"Yeah."

Ukyou's fingers resumed running through Akane's hair. She felt Ukyou's other arm go around her. Her own arms slipped around Ukyou's waist as the comforting hug became a snuggle.

"Me as a boy, or me as a girl?" Ukyou finally asked.

"I think I'd have fallen for you either way," Akane murmured softly. "Probably have taken longer if you went as a girl because…" she swallowed, "... Oh god… I'd still be angry and in the closet, wouldn't I?"

Ukyou chuckled. "And I'd still be determined to live my life as a man."

"I'd have long hair still…" Akane mused as she started to picture things.

"You used to have long hair?"

"It got cut in the first fight between Ranma and Ryouga. I was too busy yelling at Ranma and wasn't paying attention to Ryouga's bandanas."

Ukyou's fingers trailed to the end of Akane's short hair, as if Ukyou were trying to imagine it.

"How long?" Ukyou asked.

"Down to mid-back, about," Akane replied. "Why, you like girls with long hair?"

"Just curious. Trying to visualize you with long hair," Ukyou replied.

"It wasn't me. I was trying to be more like Kasumi to impress someone I had a crush on," Akane replied. "So you'd show up one day… see this mousey tomboy having to fight off a horde of boys every day because of Kuno's idiocy…"

"I still can't believe you did that every day… I'd definitely have called them out on it. Though I might let you have your fun first," Ukyou replied.

"That's what Ranma did. You'd probably get in a fight with Kuno over that."

"I have absolutely zero problem with that."

Akane giggled. "It'd have taken me a while to come around, I think, but… you'd have been so different from any boy I'd met…"

"Well, that goes without saying," Ukyou muttered, earning another giggle.

"You'd have been lonely… wouldn't you?" Akane asked softly. "Running your restaurant all alone… hiding who you really were."

"Yeah," Ukyou replied. "I like to think I hid it pretty well… lots of casual friends, but…"

They were both quiet. Akane visualized a path this alternate version of her life might have taken. It was scary how easily she could imagine it. I'd fall for her for all the same reasons I fell for Ranma, Akane realized. Maybe more. There'd be no engagement to fight, no other fiancees to compete with… and… falling in love with the boy would force me to face that I really want the girl… just like with Ranma…

"You're awfully quiet, sugar," Ukyou noted with concern. "Everything okay?"

"I'm just… pondering what might have been," Akane said, subdued.

"... Same here," Ukyou replied after a moment.

Akane swallowed. "Would you have?" she asked. "Fallen for me, I mean?"

"Yeah," Ukyou breathed. "I think I would. I'd… probably have screwed it up, though."

Akane smiled and hugged a bit tighter. "Couldn't have done worse than Ranma and I did. We did screw it up."

Another long pause.

"Does that mean you love me?" Ukyou asked. The question seemed unconscionably loud in the quiet of the moment.

Akane pulled back a bit to look up into Ukyou's eyes. It would have been easy to snap out an answer, of course, but she took a moment to weigh her feelings. She imagined Ranma's face, remembering the feelings that had come up in the alleyway behind the dance club and compared them to what she felt now.

"... Yes," she said, sounding a little surprised even to her own ears. Ironically she suddenly felt closer to the redhead as she now found herself in the exact same position. One love doesn't diminish the other, does it, Ranma?

On impulse she slipped her arms around Ukyou's neck and pulled her into a kiss. It was the most public kiss they had yet shared, but after being open about her feelings at the club, Akane found she was tired of hiding. She felt a little hesitation from Ukyou, but only a brief moment, and quickly swept away in the emotion of the kiss. It wasn't tentative or timid or an explosion of pent-up feeling. It just felt natural - like she belonged there in her arms.

They finally broke, both a little breathless. Ukyou was smiling at her and she could feel the smile on her own face.

"Wanna run away and elope?" Ukyou joked.

"Yes," Akane replied, completely seriously.

Ukyou's eyes widened. "W-wait, Akane…"

"Not right now," Akane clarified. "And not never to return, but… I'd like to go away for a while. Just the two of us. Find out what we are to each other on our own."

Ukyou raised an eyebrow. "And get married?" she asked with a smirk.

"I… y-yeah? Maybe?" Akane replied hesitantly, realizing what she had just done. Oh God, Ukyou is male on her family register, we actually COULD… She swallowed and set her jaw determinedly. "... Yes. Yes, and get married."

Ukyou blushed a little. "... Wow… you're serious…" She swallowed nervously but she was still smiling. "'Ms. Akane Kuonji', huh?" she said shyly.

"It has a ring to it," Akane replied.

"Actually, legally married?" Ukyou said again.

Akane nodded. "Nabiki will probably marry Ranma legally in Japan. The Amazons will likely have some ceremony for the rest of us and I know we'll all have our own thing with Ranma, but… This could be just ours."

Ukyou swallowed visibly again. She ducked her head and chewed her lower lip as the smile gradually spread. "... A-alright," she giggled, "Yes. Yes! I will marry you, Akane!" She picked Akane up and swung her around, earning a startled yelp and a giggle.

Ukyou set her down and kissed her again, the two of them melting together. There was considerably more passion this time and it lasted quite a bit longer, leaving them both breathing hard by the end of it.

"I think… I'll be closing the restaurant for today…" Ukyou whispered, flushed and smiling. "What do you think?"

"Definitely. One day flu. You'll be stuck in bed until tomorrow," Akane purred.

Ukyou giggled and took Akane's hand, taking off running down the street in the direction of Ucchan's.

000

"I had no idea martial artists could be so clumsy!" Akari said as she dabbed at the scrapes on Ranma's face with a little antiseptic. "Oh! I'm sorry, that came out rude!"

"No… no… I kinda got it coming this time," Ranma mumbled. She was perched on the counter next to the sink in the girl's bathroom while Akari administered a little first aid using the kit they had bought in one of the mall stores.

"Ryouga was telling me about what you and he have been up to," Akari's ministrations were gentle and sure. "He said you and he were working towards finding a cure for his directional curse… and about how there was an explosion that scarred up his back… And he said you were his Anchor?" She cocked her head curiously.

Ranma felt a cold ball form in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Okay… okay yeah… it's probably better he told you about that up front. Look, I know it sounds bad, but honestly it's just… awkward. It's not like anything is actually going on. It only happens if we make actual skin contact or are really close and, once we get his curse fixed, we can figure it out more. But it's mostly just a lot of people seeing stuff that ain't there… I-I mean I've kinda been relying on him a lot more because of the omiai and all the problems with my parents and school, and I know he's struggling a lot too, so it's kinda mutual, but that doesn't mean…!" She opened her eyes to find a very confused Akari looking back at her.

"... I… you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Ranma said, feeling that ball of dread grow, prosper and spawn a whole extended family of uncomfortable that moved in.

"Ryouga… just said that you being his Anchor let him find you," Akari said. "What… what are you talking about?"

Ranma winced. "You know… He's going to kill me for this, and for once I'm gonna agree with him that I deserve it." She swallowed. "All right, but you gotta promise me you won't break up with him or anything over this, okay? He's been all torn up about you since he got back to Nerima, and… and I've been fighting real hard to keep him outta that dark place."

"Dark place?" Akari asked softly. "I… I was worried you were going to say it was another woman, but…" Her eyes widened. "Does this have to do with the scars on his back?"

Ranma nodded. "I'm hoping he'll forgive me for blabbing all this, but… Look, just listen, and I'll try and explain it as best I can." Ranma hopped off the counter, leaned back against it and took a deep breath.

"It started when Ryouga showed up in Nerima, all primed for a fight…"

000

The fall day was cool enough that, even after a few hours of energetic lovemaking, the warmth of another body was a welcome comfort under the covers.

Akane was dozing lightly in Ukyou's arms, head tucked under her chin. It was far too early to sleep yet but they had worn themselves out enough to justify an afternoon nap.

Or at least Akane had. Ukyou found herself kept awake by her thoughts as she ran her fingers idly through Akane's hair.

This isn't where I thought I'd be by now, she thought. Though… I don't know if I ever really thought about it. Where was I going before I caught up to Ranchan? What was I going to do with my life, living as a man?

She closed her eyes and sighed. The truth was there never really had been any plans, aside from the nebulous idea of making the 'Best Okonomiyaki in Japan'. I suppose I was just going to live my life as a charade, too stubborn to commit to being one or the other or do anything that might MAKE me commit. She looked down at the girl in her arms. Would I really have had the guts to tell you? After what happened with Akkiko? Or would I have just pushed you away and kept you at arm's length until you drifted away on your own? She felt a lump in her throat and an ache in her chest at that.

No wonder Ranchan got so twisted up over you, Ukyou thought fondly, brushing a few hairs from Akane's face. There was an innocence and peace in her expression that was compelling. And everyone else, too, I suppose. Without Ranchan there I probably wouldn't have lasted long either. Would you really have chosen me, though?

Akane stirred, blinking her eyes. She looked up as the fog cleared and smiled. "Hi…"

"Hi yourself, sugar," Ukyou purred. "Have a good nap?"

"Mnnnh… I don't actually have to get up, do I?" Akane mumbled plaintively.

"Nope. No reason to get out of bed until tomorrow, unless you want a shower."

"Might do that later…" Akane shifted and settled herself in more comfortably against Ukyou. "You didn't sleep?"

"Well… You kinda gave me a lot to think about," Ukyou admitted. "I never really considered 'What if…?' much before."

"Really?" Akane cocked her head. "I can't seem to stop. Ever since I met Ranma…" She sighed. "... I guess that might be part of my problem. I'm always wondering what might be."

"... And with Ranchan that leads to wondering what he might do, and since he's always surrounded by pretty girls…" Ukyou smirked.

"Still not sure I totally believe nothing happened ever," Akane muttered darkly. "Nobody has that much self control."

"I'm pretty sure a big part of it was trauma, sugar," Ukyou replied. "Anytime he ended up in any situation that might even had a remote chance of something happening, he panicked hard. Trust me, I tried. I'm still not sure how Nabiki defused him."

Akane scowled. "Gonna have a panda-skin rug for the nursery."

Ukyou blinked. "Nursery?"

Akane blushed and ducked her head. "... I… sorry, was dreaming about… Y'know…"

"Not sure Ranchan would want his Dad's corpse as decoration in his kid's room," Ukyou noted.

"It wasn't…" Akane started, but trailed off. "... Nevermind, you're right."

"We'll sell the rug and buy something tasteful," Ukyou said confidently. "Pandas are endangered so I imagine a rug would fetch quite a high price from a collector."

Akane giggled then sighed. "What are we going to do about Ranma's parents?"

"I'm sort of hoping Nabiki has a plan," Ukyou said. "Otherwise… As soon as we're clear to travel without Himura making Ranchan a suspect in a felony case, maybe we should just disappear for a while?"

"What, to China?" Akane replied. "Genma would know to look for us there."

"Then somewhere else. Go north or something," Ukyou suggested. "Between all of us I'm pretty sure we could make a living wherever we went."

"But then we'd be leaving Kasumi and Dad behind, and you'd be leaving Konatsu, and Shampoo would have to leave Cologne and the Nekohanten. Why should we be the ones who have to leave!?" Akane protested.

"Because we don't have a signed document that says we can demand one of them commit suicide if they piss us off," Ukyou said sadly. "I'm not sure Ranchan is ready to face them down on that yet."

"We'll have to eventually," Akane sighed. "Why do they always have to make this so hard? Half of the problems Ranma and I had getting together came from their attempts to force us together! If they had just left us alone, everything would have worked out!"

"I get customers like that occasionally," Ukyou said thoughtfully. "They lean over the grill, micromanage the toppings, how long I cook each side, how I pour the sauce… nearly burn themselves getting in my face, making me redo it because it didn't 'look right'," Ukyou snorted. "The okonomiyaki comes out like crap every time. I don't think it's about the result, it's about controlling how it's done."

"I'm surprised you put up with that," Akane said.

"I do once," Ukyou said. "Some of 'em taste the 'yaki, realize their mistake and shape up. Most don't and try and blame me for it. That's what the big spatula and the disclaimer hung by the door are for," Ukyou winked.

They were quiet for a moment, Akane nestling back in against Ukyou's shoulder and relaxing.

"What were we talking about that ended up with us in bed chatting about Panda skin rugs and awful okonomiyaki?" Akane finally asked.

"Ranma and Ryouga, I think," Ukyou said after a moment. "You were pointing out I was being a hypocrite about it, basically."

"Sorry. I wasn't trying to do it in a mean way…" Akane replied.

Ukyou chuckled. "If I wanted to be mean, I could point out that you, Akane Tendo, are lecturing me about being patient and understanding about a romantic rival and to give Ranma the benefit of the doubt. You are obviously a pod person. What have you done with the real Akane?!"

Akane punched her shoulder in irritation. "Do you want me to get mad!?"

"Now that sounds like something you'd say to Ranma!" Ukyou giggled.

Akane's expression softened. "Yeah… well… Maybe it's just something I'd say to my baka iinazuke."

Ukyou opened her mouth, then closed it again. "Yeah… we did kinda do that, didn't we?" She smiled and cupped Akane's cheek. "You think… in that alternate world where Ranma wasn't here… we would have ended up here like this?"

Akane closed her eyes and leaned into her hand. "Doesn't matter. We're here now." She opened her eyes and cupped Ukyou's cheek in return. "Maybe we should stop worrying about what could be or might have been and just make the most of now?"

Ukyou nodded and leaned in to give her a gentle kiss.

000

Akari's head was bowed by the time Ranma was done talking, a stunned expression on her face.

Ranma swallowed nervously, mentally reviewing everything she had said, wondering if she had left anything out or left anything unclear. Akari hadn't listened like anyone Ranma was used to - neither jumping to conclusions like Akane nor interjecting her own observations like Nabiki, or a mix like Ukyou or Shampoo. She had simply listened quietly, nodding and making small noises of understanding as Ranma told her the story of how Ryouga had nearly killed himself and the lasting effects the shi shi hokodan had had on both of them. Ranma found herself sharing more than she had intended, going into her own romantic problems, the struggle for acceptance with her parents and even touching briefly on the challenge with Himura. She had been so sure Akari would jump in with something that she was a little surprised when she finally just ran out of things to say.

"L-look, Akari… Umm… if there's anything I messed up or isn't clear…" Ranma said nervously.

"... Thank you," Akari said softly, raising her eyes to look at her. Ranma could see they were damp. "Thank you for saving Ryouga…" She sniffed, then closed her eyes and shuddered and it was clear, even to Ranma's poor ability to read people, that she was only just holding it together.

"Woah, woah! Akari, d-don't…" Ranma stepped forward, but was abruptly uncertain what to do.

Akari balled up her fists. "I… I knew he was struggling with things… B-but I let my grandfather say those awful things to him… I let him leave…" She shuddered again. "I don't deserve to… to…"

"No no no no no no no!" Ranma quickly stepped forward, grabbing her by the shoulders as the prospect of finally finally stabilizing Ryouga teetered on the brink of evaporation. "I know what you're gonna say, 'cuz it's exactly the sorta thing Ryouga would say and it's just as wrong when he says it! This isn't your fault, Akari!"

The green-haired girl blinked at her and sniffed, looking surprised.

"Look, I ain't always had the most selfless motives for trying to get you an' him together, but, for once in my stupid selfish life, I managed to stumble into doing a good thing! You an' him belong together. He's crazy about you… and when he's crazy about someone he does dumb things sometimes."

For a moment Ranma thought she had successfully defused the situation. She smiled as Akari sniffled quietly. Then she saw her eyes start to tear up and her lower lip quiver, and a surge of panic gripped her as she realised immediately what was coming next.

"... H-hang on, wait, lemme get…" Ranma said nervously, releasing Akari's shoulders to step back, but it was already too late.

The pig-loving girl burst into tears and glomped her, burying her face against Ranma's shoulder as she started sobbing hysterically.

Ranma stiffened and started looking around frantically for the mallet or enraged rival or camera flash or ninja sleeping dart or whatever. "Ah… ah… I… Ummm…"

But for once nothing came and they were left alone - possibly because Fate had decided it was far more amusing these days to force Ranma to actually deal with emotions rather than giving her an easy out.

Tentatively Ranma put her arms around the girl and even managed a timid pat on the back. "... L-look, Akari…"

But Ranma couldn't think of anything to say and Akari wasn't giving her much else to latch onto, so she gave up and just stood there, letting the girl cry. She felt a detached sense of guilt, but for once it wasn't something so simple or clear as having said or done something stupid, where she could easily see where she had erred. She got the unsettling feeling that this was something that she couldn't do anything about. Most of the time when girls cried she either did what was needed to fix it or they ran off and resolved it themselves. Just being there while someone cried themselves out was a new and somewhat uncomfortable experience for her.

Eventually, Akari did wind down. Sheepishly, she released Ranma and wiped at her eyes with the heel of her hand. "Ranma, I'm so sorry…!"

"No, no, it's okay!" Ranma waved her hands placatingly. "J-just… I'm really glad Ryouga didn't see that. He'd probably think i was trying to steal you or something."

Akari giggled. "That's right, you are a boy, aren't you? It's easy to forget sometimes. Especially when you dress up." She cocked her head. "Did you do that for Ryouga's benefit?"

Ranma's eyes widened and she blushed, quickly shaking her head in denial. "What!? No way! I'm just…" she sighed. "I've had to use this waterproof soap to lock myself as a girl occasionally and it lasts for a few days so I'm still stuck. Since I ain't gonna change back if I get splashed, I figured I might as well wear stuff that fits."

"I suppose a side benefit of your curse is you can always borrow clothes from one of your fiancees," Akari said with a smile. "I'm amazed you managed to find a way to balance four fiancees like that and still have time to be such a good friend to Ryouga."

"I don't deserve any credit…" Ranma said awkwardly. "Nabiki and Shampoo are the ones who came up with the plan and the girls did most of the work. I'm just kinda freeloading, like always." She felt a small pang as her own self-deprecating comment struck a tad too close to a bit of buried insecurity.

Akari shook her head. "No… you're honestly amazing. You've…" she sighed. "You saved Ryouga's life, you've helped him go back to school, you've reunited him with his mother, and you're helping him find a cure for his directional curse. You've been a better girlfriend to Ryouga than I have been. I thought for a moment it might have been intentional."

Ranma's eyes widened. "Woah, hold on, I'm not…! Me'n Ryo aren't…!"

Akari giggled. "No, of course not, you're a boy!" She cocked her head. "But I know you're a good friend to Ryouga. I know boys are sometimes awkward with being supportive to each other that way, especially with that Link making you aware of each other's emotions. I can see how pretending to be a girl, even just outwardly, would make it a little easier - at least for Ryouga. He's always been so chivalrous!"

Ranma's eye twitched as she remembered several occasions where Ryouga had mercilessly beaten the crap out of her as a girl. "Yeah… sure… chivalrous as a pig."

"Exactly!" Akari clapped her hands. She reached forward and took Ranma's hands in her own, her expression turning serious. "Could… could I ask a huge favor? Could… could you keep it up for just a bit longer? So I can see how you do it? I want to learn how to… to be strong and supportive for him like you are!"

Ranma blinked owlishly. "You… want me to pretend to be Ryo's girlfriend?"

Akari nodded, a determined look on her face. "If it was anyone else I'd go out of my mind with jealousy and worry but if it's you it's fine! I want to be the best girlfriend I can be for Ryouga and you know him better than anyone. If I watch you, I know I can get better!"

Ranma closed her eyes. She was starting to feel one of those headaches coming on. "Akari… you know being a girlfriend isn't the same as just hanging out, right? Boyfriends and girlfriends… do stuff together…"

"Y-you mean like h-hand holding and… and…" Akari blushed and fidgeted nervously, poking her fingers together. "... K-k-k-k-k-k-k-kissing?"

"Among other things, yeah!" Ranma said, feeling a bit of a blush of her own as she was now more than a little educated about those 'other things'.

Akari shook her head and slapped her cheeks, the determined look returning. "I'll endure it! Hand holding… h-hugging, a-and… and even kissing!"

"What!?" Ranma gaped at her.

"You probably kn-know how Ryouga likes to be kissed better than me, right? Because of the Link? If… if I see how you do it, then I'm sure I can make our first kiss the best he's ever had!" Akari clasped her hands and gave Ranma a pleading look. "Please, Ranma! I'm begging you!"

Ranma massaged her temples. That headache had decided to settle in for a long stay now. "I am not kissing your boyfriend!"

"Then at least the hugging and hand holding? You've done that with him, right?" Akari asked, chewing her lower lip.

"I… w-well, technically…" Ranma stammered.

"Help me, Ranma, you're my only hope! I'm desperate! If I can't become more like you are for Ryouga, I'm afraid I might lose him for good!" Akari looked about ready to start crying again.

"Okay, okay!" Ranma held up warding hands and glanced nervously at the door, not trusting her luck to last through a second crying session. "I'll… I'll do what I can, okay? Just… just don't expect too much. I'm not really doing anything special."

"Thank you!" Akari hugged her abruptly again, causing another lockup. Fortunately, this hug was brief.

After releasing Ranma, Akari composed herself quickly and sketched a formal bow. "I look forward to learning from you, sensei."

Ranma sighed. "Please don't call me that. I'm already senpai to a girl in my class who seems to think I'm a good female role model. I don't wanna deal with the possibility of this becoming a thing."

000

Ryouga sighed as he got a concerned stare from a couple of mall goers as they passed by - the latest in a long series of concerned stares he had received. He smiled at them and laughed weakly in an attempt to show them that everything was all right.

"Maybe it's some kind of S&M thing," one said in aside to the other, though still quite audibly.

"We shouldn't stare. Let's just go." The pair quickened their pace as they left the food court.

Ryouga's weak laughter trailed off and he hung his head. Was it REALLY necessary to tie me to the chair, Ranma!?

He tugged his bonds lightly. Ranma had used several of Ryouga's bandanas to bind his ankles to the chair, and tie his hands behind him. Akari had only barely talked Ranma out of adding a gag as well.

Naturally this had attracted a bit of attention. Including several mall goers, a couple of concession stand employees, and one mall security guard. Each time the explanation had gotten more awkward and cringy, especially when it came out it was two girls who had tied him up. The knowing looks Ryouga had gotten from a few people made him seriously consider snapping his bonds and using his bakusai tenketsu to drill his way down to the center of the earth.

He caught a flash of crimson out of the corner of his eye and turned to see a familiar redhead walking towards his table with Akari in tow. Why are they coming from that way? I thought the girl's washrooms were… He glanced back in the direction he had been watching, the door he had been sure was the right one. It opened, and a janitor stepped out of it with a wheeled mop bucket. It was then that he noticed the word 'Utility closet' emblazoned on the door.

I HATE this curse, he thought miserably, slumping down in his chair as he waited to be released.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Akari said brightly. "You know how girls are."

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with Ranma?" Ryouga quipped.

"Ha hah, funny, pig breath," Ranma grumbled, unexpectedly subdued as she started undoing the bandanas.

"I'm so sorry for having to tie you up, Ryouga," Akari said as Ryouga's rubbed his freed wrists. "Ranma thought it was best though…"

"I don't know why my hands needed to be tied," Ryouga grumbled, glaring at the redhead over his shoulder as she worked on his ankles.

"Do you remember your first date with Akari?" Ranma asked grumpily.

Ryouga rubbed the back of his and laughed nervously, stealing a glance at Akari and wondering if he was going to be quizzed on something. "Of course I do, ahahahahaha!"

Ranma rolled her eyes and stood. "You were supposed to meet Akari by a statue near the pond in the park?"

Ryouga scowled. "I remember that! There wasn't any statue! That's why I got lost!"

"I tied you to the statue, dumbass!" Ranma growled. "You ripped it out of the ground and never actually noticed you had it on your back!"

Ryouga folded his arms and huffed. "Well… maybe you should have picked a sturdier statue."

"It was a statue of an elephant. A life-sized statue of an elephant. Made of concrete," Ranma said crossly.

"Ooooh, I see! Applied knowledge of his needs and habits!" Akari said, drawing Ryouga's attention. She was hastily writing in an old, dog-eared notebook that bore the title 'Pig Training Records'."

"A-Akari...?" Ryouga asked uncertainly.

"Oh, don't mind me!" Akari beamed at him as she snapped the book shut. "Just keep on with what you were doing!"

"Can we just go get some ice cream now?" Ranma asked plaintively as she returned Ryouga's bandanas to him.

"Sure, I uh… I guess?" Ryouga stood and started following the redhead in the direction he assumed would lead to the ice cream shop.

"*Ahem*," Akari cleared her throat.

Ranma and Ryouga both glanced back at her. Akari beamed at Ranma, then motioned towards Ryouga while looking her in the eyes.

Ryouga frowned, unsure what was going on, but he noticed the redhead's shoulders sag. Before he could ask what was wrong, she unexpectedly took hold of his arm, looping hers around it and resumed leading him towards the ice cream shop.

Ryouga's eyes widened as he turned back and gave Akari a panicked look, then back to Ranma. "Akari, this isn't what it looks like… I can explain! Ranma can explain! Ranma, explain!" He gave the redhead a desperately pleading look.

"Calm down, pork butt," Ranma sighed, sounding tired. "This is Akari's idea. I'll explain later. Just roll with it for now, okay?"

"Hmmm… pig-theme pet names… I thought he didn't like those?" Akari said behind them, followed by the sounds of furious scribbling. "I'm learning so much!"

000

Konatsu sighed as he walked through the market. He kept his head bowed, his demeanor demure. As a proper young lady should. The thought came unbidden into his mind.

He felt a twinge at the thought that caused him to pause, his hand to move and clutch at his kimono, just over his chest. He covered the momentary lapse by feigning a slight readjustment of the garment before continuing.

He continued to thread his way amongst the market stalls. They didn't have any great need for produce, but when Ukyou and Akane had returned and instructed Konatsu to put out the 'closed' sign for the day, he knew it was best he find something to occupy himself elsewhere.

How ironic. I cannot be what I was raised to be and I do not know how to be what I was born as. And neither is what the one I love wants.

He paused at a vegetable stall, examining the radishes. He gave the shopkeeper a smile, which was returned, the man more than eager to answer any questions Konatsu might have.

"Oh hey, you're Konatsu, aren't you? From Ucchan's?"

Konatsu raised his head and smiled at the familiar face of the girl who walked up. She was on of the few who was a regular on Sundays - when Ukyou seldom worked. Konatsu had come to develop a special relationship with what he considered his regulars. "Mineko! Yes, I come here now and then. Not often on a Sunday."

"I noticed Ucchan's was closed. Everything okay?" the girl asked, looking concerned. She was an athletic girl, obsessed with making it to the Olympics - so much so she had dyed swaths of her short dark hair in the colors of the Olympic rings (Though Konatsu had originally mistaken it to mean something else. Thankfully, the girl had not been offended.)

"Lady Ukyou had… personal business to attend to. So I thought it a good time to pick up a few things," Konatsu said. He looked down at the paltry number of items in the basket.

Mineko sighed sympathetically. "More romantic troubles?"

Konatsu straightened his posture unconsciously. "Oh, no… my relationship with Lady Ukyou has never been romantic, so…"

Mineko rolled her eyes. "Please, girl. I know you better than that. Want to grab a cup of tea? Since we both seem to be free?"

"You don't have practise today?" Konatsu asked, aware of how seriously the girl took her training.

Mineko sighed. "That was part of the reason I was coming by Ucchan's."

Konatsu winced. He had been privy to quite of bit of the girl's woes and taken it as a point of honor to keep her confidence. "Come… I know a good place."

000

The procession of Ranma leading Ryouga, followed by Akari taking notes and making the occasional comment continued up until they got to the ice cream parlor. Ryouga offered to pay for Akari, but she declined distractedly, smiling and insisting he pretend she wasn't there. Ranma just looked even more weary, to the point of selecting a comparatively ordinary sundae as they sat down. Akari took the booth behind theirs, writing furiously. Ryouga kept trying to ask Ranma questions, only to get more of the 'I'll explain later'.

"Oh! I need a pencil sharpener!" Akari said, finally having worn the graphite down to a nub. She bounced out of her seat and leaned over Ryouga's shoulder. "I'm just going to to the stationary store really quick, Ryouga. If any date stuff happens that might be important, write it down for me, okay?" She kissed him on the cheek, then left the shop, almost running towards the stationary store.

"Okay, now can you tell me what's going on?" Ryouga demanded once Akari was out of earshot.

Ranma stabbed at her half-eaten sundae with her spoon, looking almost depressed. "She… wants me to pretend to be your girlfriend. So she can watch."

Ryouga blinked. He rewound the comment and replayed it in his brain a few times until he was fairly certain he had completely misheard it. "I'm sorry… what?"

Ranma sighed heavily. "I… kinda spilled the beans to Akari about… everything."

Ryouga blinked again, then his eyes widened. His hand twitched. "Everything?"

Ranma nodded miserably.

Ryouga held up his hand and pointed to it. "Everything everything!?"

"Yes!" Ranma said tightly. "When she started talking about me being your Anchor I thought you already had!"

Ryouga flushed, then ducked his head, rubbing the back of his head. "I… guess we should have compared notes on what story we were telling."

Ranma heaved another sigh. "Well, now she knows everything. Everything everything. Y'know… except the…" she blushed. "... the stuff I only know because of the Link. So she's not thinking I'm actually interested in you or anything. She knows I'm really a guy, so she doesn't think…"

"... the stuff literally everyone else we know thinks?" Ryouga finished for her dryly, pillowing his cheek on his fist.

"Yeah," Ranma grumbled. "Anyway… she still thinks I've been doing something right, an' somehow my pretend girlfriend routine is doing better than her actual girlfriend routine, so… She wants to watch me and you and try to learn what it is I'm doing differently."

Ryouga frowned skeptically. "That's… that's…"

"Insane?! I know!" Ranma exploded.

Ryouga glared at her. "Don't call my girlfriend insane!"

"I'm not…!" Ranma cut off, clenched her fists and forced herself to take a couple of deep breaths to get her frustration under control. "I'm not, Ryouga, but I don't think she totally grasps how this 'pretend girlfriend' thing works! She wants to watch us do all the relationship stuff!"

"'All'? What do you mean…?" Ryouga replied, confused.

"I just barely talked her out of you and me kissing so she could get pointers!" Ranma hissed in a low voice. "I mean she's expecting everything! Dates, hand holding, hugging, all of the little… things couples do just being couples."

"I… I…" Ryouga stared at her. "W-wait, you… you're good at faking this stuff, right? S-so, all we gotta do…"

Ranma shook her head. "I'm good enough to fool Kuno, Ryouga. And mebbe you on a bad day, but normally once you process 'cute girl' your brain switches off. Do you really want one of my 'fake fiancee' routines as your girlfriend? Because that's what you'll get! Akari is gonna watch us like a hawk, and then use that as a basis for how she acts with you."

Ryouga hung his head, eyes staring sightlessly as his expression twisted with horror. "Oh, god…"

Ranma gave him a tired look. "So… this is the part where you fly off the handle, yell about how I've ruined your life, start a fight that causes enough property damage to get us banned from the mall, and then Akari gets the idea that your ideal relationship involves lots and lots of domestic violence until you finally sit down and talk things out with her." She spooned up some of her melting sundae and popped it into her mouth. "D'ya think maybe we could just skip to the part where you fix this instead? I kinda like this mall. I don't wanna have to go through getting measured for bras again anytime soon."

"... Fix it?" Ryouga repeated dumbly, only half-processing her words.

"Yeah, it is kinda your fault, with you running off and making her think she's not good enough an' all." Ranma said offhandedly, twirling her spoon in her fingers.

"Yes… of course… That's it…" Ryouga muttered quietly. He raised his head, leaned forward and put his hands on Ranma's shoulders, looking into her eyes with a determined gleam. "That's what we have to do!"

"'We'? Why 'we'? Where is the 'we' in this?" Ranma asked, not liking the particular mad gleam in his eyes.

Ryouga started babbling, "We just need to show her the ideal relationship! The one I've always wanted to have with Akari! All we need to do is act it out together, and…" he giggled occasionally, a manic look crossing his face. "... It doesn't matter how horrible it is, if it's for the sake of Akari's future happiness with me!"

"'Horrible…?!'" Ranma yelped outraged. She brought her hands up and slapped them on either side of his face, forced him to look her in the eyes and brought the Link to bear, to make sure he couldn't ignore her as the full force of her annoyance hit him.

"We are not doing that, you idiot!" she growled. "I'm done with the 'wacky hijinks' method of fixing things! Nabiki taught me that how you fix this sort of thing is you talk with the person. So you need to sit down with her and talk!"

Ryouga blinked and seemed to snap out of his manic episode. His eyes refocused on her. "You… think that'll work?"

Ranma sighed then gave him a wan smile. "Ryouga… it's what every problem we run into eventually boils down to. That, or beating up someone so bad they stay outta your life for good, and I don't think 'Option B' is really appropriate in this case. I went through this… well, a bunch of times with the girls, and I'm finally clueing in. So… mebbe lemme help you shortcut it a bit with Akari, okay? I don't want you to hafta go through the stuff I've gone through just to figure this out."

Ryouga opened his mouth to reply, then closed it. He could sense the shapes and colors of what he had learned was concern from the redhead. She was being sincere and genuine and suddenly he felt a little self-conscious about the madness he had started spouting a moment before. Ranma's right… ugh, what was I THINKING? Was I really going to try and force Ranma to act out the perfect relationship with me, just to try and make Akari act that way?

He dropped his gaze and looked away, ashamed. "I am an idiot."

"No, you don't gotta be embarrassed, Ryo. You just panicked a bit, is all," Ranma said, giving him a reassuring smile. "I've… been doing a lot of it myself lately."

He felt a sense of warmth from her through the Link and looked her in the eyes again. It was reassuring to think that someone else understood. He found himself smiling back, though he wasn't entirely sure why.

The moment lasted just long enough for them to realize they were far too close to each other, and in a pose that would and could be easily misconstrued. They each sat quickly back in their seats, glancing away from one another self-consciously.

"S-so how do we handle this?" Ryouga asked, trying to get past the awkward tension in the air.

"For today we should probably play it straight until you and Akari get home," Ranma replied thoughtfully. "And… we should probably hash out what you're gonna say. I know from experience that this sort of thing can be misinterpreted real easy."

Ryouga groaned and dropped his head onto his arms. "Tell me about it. Do you have any idea how long I spent while I was wandering trying to figure out the words to tell Akane how I felt? And I never managed it! Even when I thought of the perfect words, I made hash of it when I talked to her!"

Ranma patted his arm sympathetically. "Tell you what, we'll ask Nabiki for help. She's good with words an' stuff."

Ryouga lifted his head a bit. "She did offer to help…"

"There, see!" Ranma scooped up the last bit of her sundae triumphantly. "Ain't nothin' wrong that ain't fixable. If Nabiki can sort out my mess of a lovelife, I don't think there's anything you can throw at her that'll faze her."

Ryouga sat back up and gave the redhead a sincere smile. "... Thanks."

Ranma blinked at him, spoon still in her mouth. "Whaffor?" she mumbled around it.

"Just… not giving up on me, I guess," Ryouga replied.

Ranma looked away, a little color on her cheeks. "S'not like ya gotta make a big deal out of it," she muttered.

000

Just outside of the ice cream shop, scooched down on the floor outside the window, Akari scribbled feverishly in her notebook after having watched the entire exchange.

I KNEW making them think I wasn't there would be a good idea! she thought happily. Her book was filled with notes and little sketches of each situation as it came up. Ryouga was about to do something impulsive and she snapped him out of it… was that the Link? No, I think it was more than that. Sincerity, I think. She knows how to talk to him. That makes sense, right? They've been friends since middle school.

She remembered the look the two had exchanged that had looked almost like it might become a kiss. Akari felt a pang in her heart but closed her eyes and shook her head. No! I-I said I'd endure, even if they do! Besides…

Her fingertips brushed idly over a sketch she had drawn on the page of the two of them, Ranma cupping his face and looking into his eyes, and the almost captivated expression Ryouga had worn.

If she really wanted to keep him, she wouldn't work so hard to give him away, would she?

000

Introducing others to Clara's Leaf was a rare pleasure for Konatsu. He was still somewhat cross that he had missed Akane and Ranma's introductions to the place. It was always fascinating to watch how people reacted to Jiro-sensei's 'routine'.

Tradition and mystique bred interest and investment, not only making the odd little Tea Shop seem special and unique beyond the kitsch of the decor, but it made the customers themselves seem unique. Jiro might not get many customers, but Konatsu was sure they were lifelong and loyal. It was a technique he dearly wished to learn from the man, though Konatsu's commitment to Lady Ukyou precluded any sort of apprenticeship.

Still, it was a pleasure to watch the master at work as the kimono-robed man swept in, guessed Mineko's drink of choice with flourish and earned that same shocked surprise he always did when he delivered something they had never tried before, yet which suited them utterly. It was a mesh of an encyclopedic knowledge of his craft and product, a keen eye and an ability to read people at a glance that bordered on the telepathic.

"I've never been to a tea shop quite like this," Mineko said, sipping tentatively at her tea.

"Jiro-sensei is a master at what he does. I hope someday to approach his skill," Konatsu said. He sipped delicately at his own drink. "So… practise is not going well?"

Mineko sighed and fidgeted a little. "Practise is fine, but… that seems like all we do," she groused. "Our Captain has our back-benchers playing more than us. I know she said we'd play more mid-season, and she doesn't want to wear us out early, but…" she looked down. "... Sometimes… sometimes I think she just picked us because we made her look good - that we're there to be her 'gang', not her team."

"I know your Captain has a contentious history," Konatsu replied carefully, "but she's also very successful, which is why you joined the team, yes?"

"I joined the team because I wanted to play volleyball - because I want to go to the Olympics - more than anything." Mineko started playing with a lock of her dyed hair. "I don't care about going pro, or the scouts, or…" She squeezed her eyes shut. "I just want to play! I want to play against players who are good; who are better than me, even. I don't mind losing as long as I can learn, but…"

"Your Captain feels differently on the matter," Konatsu replied, seeing the conflict. As a kunoichi, he was groomed to serve, even if he didn't agree with those he served. It had taken extreme and continual mistreatment at the hands of his stepmother and stepsisters for him to rebel.

"Himura wants to win, no matter the cost," Mineko said. "A loss - even one that she learns from - is intolerable to her. So… she stacks the deck. Not just against her opponents, but…" she sighed. "... She has ways of making sure the people on her side can't change their minds."

"So you chased your dream… and have ended up someplace you didn't expect. And now you feel trapped between," Konatsu said softly. "I… can sympathize with that."

"I always thought you got out of your bad situation?" Mineko asked, cocking her head inquisitively.

Konatsu smiled and shook his head. "It's not a 'bad situation' as such. Just… a dream I chased that seems to have led nowhere."

"You mean your 'Lady Ukyou'," Mineko said. "What's the problem? I know me'n all the rest of your regulars have been rooting for you! Didn't you say you were gonna have a talk with her?"

"I was too late," Konatsu said, his voice heavy with regret. "I hesitated, and… she has another who can be what I cannot."

"What, Ranma?! Come on! That Casanova's been with, like, half the girls and a quarter of the guys at school! There's no way that's gonna last past…" Mineko scoffed, her hackles rising.

Konatsu held up a hand. He appreciated the girl's ire on his behalf, but he felt it misplaced. He knew many of the rumours about Ranma were untrue and undeserved and didn't wish to see them repeated. "Not Ranma. Another. A woman," Konatsu said finally.

"What? Seriously?" Mineko scowled. "Konatsu, look, I know what you're thinking, but… I mean, I don't care what you were born as, you're twice the woman anyone…"

Konatsu held up his hand again. "It isn't what I am that's the problem. If I thought for a moment that changing my gender would please my Lady Ukyou, I would do it in a heartbeat. I once thought being the gender I was born into would please her, but… she has never asked nor wanted anything of me but that I be myself. The problem…" a pained expression crossed his beautiful features, "... is that I am simply not the one she loves."

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

Konatsu smiled sadly. "Carry on? I never held out much hope that I would win Lady Ukyou's heart. It's not the reason I am loyal to her. As long as she is happy… I am content. I have a place and a purpose. It is enough to see how happy she is now that her own dreams are coming true."

"Don't you have any dreams of your own?" Mineko asked, leaning forward. She gestured at the Tea Shop around them. "Like… what you said about studying to be like Jiro here."

"I can do that at Ucchan's," Konatsu said. "It's not what is served that's important, it is the style and panache that goes into that service. The point where the line between ninjutsu and customer service is blurred," He gestured towards Mineko's cup. "Your tea cup, for instance, has been refilled twice while we've been chatting."

Mineko blinked and looked down at her teacup. It was nearly full.

"And even I couldn't tell you how Jiro-sensei did it," Konatsu said with a smile. "He is nowhere to be seen, except…"

"... When called upon?" Jiro replied, stepping smoothly into view at the side of their table. It wasn't jarring or startling like he had just apparated; there was a certainty that he had simply walked over and had clearly been seen approaching the whole time, yet before that moment Konatsu had no memory of him being anywhere near them.

"I… see your point," Mineko conceded, wide-eyed.

"The best customer service is when the customer is not aware they're being serviced at all - their needs are simply met," Jiro said with a smile. "So, before you leave, I have one last tradition to inflict upon you, if you would humor me." He produced a large box of tea cups, seemingly from nowhere. "Please, pick one that strikes your fancy, and that will be your teacup."

Konatsu held up his own and showed her the flowing pattern around the rim of her cup, like a vine dotted with small images of pumpkins.

Mineko nodded, then looked in the box for a moment before making her selection, proudly drawing forth a cup with a bold symbol of a lantern on it.

Jiro smiled, found the matching saucer and paired them. "It will be washed and ready for you on your next visit, my dear."

000

Ranma glanced at her phone as they walked. There hadn't been any calls all day. I hope that means good news? Kinda wish I had clarified with Nabiki if she was going to call if things went WELL or not.

"Everything okay?" Ryouga asked, having noticed her looking at her phone. Akari was walking a few paces back, as had been her habit for the day, scribbling notes in her book and occasionally watching what they were saying and doing - which really wasn't much of anything.

Ranma shrugged. "I think so? Nabiki said she'd call if things went bad."

"Things? What things?!" Ryouga asked suspiciously, giving the redhead a searching look.

Ranma tucked the phone away. "Ummm… she was meeting with the fiancees today to tell them about the Link."

Ryouga's eyes widened. He straightened and took a deep breath, then looked off in a random direction. "Yeah… well… Good luck with that! I'm just going to walk in this direction for the rest of my life…"

Ranma sighed and caught the back of his shirt, holding him back by the collar as he continued to try and walk, feet slipping uselessly on the sidewalk.

"Stop being dramatic, dumbass," Ranma growled, annoyed. "If they were gonna come kill us, we'd be dead already."

"Safer to be lost for a few months," Ryouga replied, still trying to pull away.

"Ukyou held a grudge against me and pops for ten years," Ranma said dryly. "She could teach you a thing or two about patience and revenge, an' I'm pretty sure what Shampoo and Akane lack in that department they make up for in determination. You think even with your curse they wouldn't find you eventually?"

Ryouga continued to struggle for a few more seconds, then slumped and sighed. "... You're right. We need to face our deaths like men."

Ranma released his shirt, letting him overbalance, topple forward and crash to the ground.

"Oh, Ryouga!" Akari called out, but she seemed to wrestle down her urge to rush to his side, opting instead to watch and see what Ranma did.

Ryouga bounced back to his feet quickly. "What did I do to deserve that!?"

"Technically nothing, but that's just in case you were thinking of slipping a crack about my manliness in there somewhere," Ranma said. "Look… Nabiki is taking care of it and I trust her to sort this out."

Ryouga clapped his hand over his eyes. "Ugh! And Akane had finally stopped hating me, too…"

Ranma scowled. "If they should be mad at anyone, it's me. You didn't do anything wrong!"

Ryouga paused and peeked at her through his fingers. He was giving her an odd look, like Ranma had just done something weird.

Ranma felt a warmth rise in her cheeks that for some reason she couldn't identify. "What?" she asked testily. "What's with the look?"

Ryouga dropped his hand and looked away quickly. "Nothing…! Just… weird that you're taking my side in this."

Ranma folded her arms and huffed. "Not like I'm doing it for your sake!" she said quickly. "It's just… It's true. Getting mad at you and beating you up for something you had no control over isn't fair."

"Yeah, but it'd get you off the hook with your fiancees," Ryouga pointed out.

"Well… you've had me over a barrel like that a few times but you saved me instead, so…" Ranma muttered, fidgeting a little. Why's he gotta make this so weird?

Ryouga looked uncertain. "If… this is about that stupid koi rod…"

"I was talking about the weakness moxibustion, when everyone an' their idiot ninja minion was trying to beat the crap outta me while I was too weak to do anything about it!" Ranma said quickly, glaring at him in annoyance. She looked away after a moment, feeling a surge of uncertainty. "... A-and I guess the Koi rod thing counts too, maybe. I don't really remember much about that."

Which was a lie. Ranma remembered everything about that incident.

"R-right, sorry!" Ryouga muttered. "I… I appreciate it anyway. Thanks."

"Yeah… just… don't read too much into it," Ranma said, pushing past him as she resumed the walk to Ryouga's house.

Akari continued to write furiously in her notebook. "Ryouga… prefers… tsunderes…"

Ranma whirled on her "I AM NOT TSUNDERE!"

000

Dropping off Ryouga and Akari had been a little awkward; Akari was still avidly taking notes, and seemed confused when Ranma was content to leave with just a wave, asking Ranma if there shouldn't be a hug or a peck on the cheek or something. Ranma had tried to deflect while Ryouga looked ready to start using the breaking point technique to tunnel his way to the center of the earth. Akari had been adamant that she wanted to see Ranma's 'Girlfriend Routine' for that part of a 'Date'. In the end, Ranma had caved and managed to satisfy her by giving Ryouga a quick hug.

The best part, of course, was that Ryouga's mother saw the whole thing. Ranma could feel the questioning look from the older woman.

It didn't help that the Link made hugs… complicated. As soon as her arms had gone around Ryouga, the Link had flared to life with the usual flood of confusing perceptions. It had only lasted a moment, but it had been disorienting.

When Nabiki had dragged her back to bed after revealing she was part of the Link, simply snuggling with her had been a surprisingly intimate experience. In such close proximity, the emotions of the other person became almost like physical sensations. There was a perception of presence of the other person and a sort of constant current that flowed between them. With them both relaxed, it had been soothing and comforting… anxieties seemed to melt away as they were shared. It made getting out of bed extra-difficult, but the benefits of it had lingered; the knowledge that there was that warmth out there was comforting.

Ryouga, though… his emotions had been spiking, chaotic, disturbed. What felt like Guilt and Anxiety shot through everything. But there had also been a kind of rush as soon as she touched him that seemed to surge just after she made contact which, for a moment, obliterated all but the most intense of the other emotions. It wasn't anger or panic - it was a burst of warm red-gold, but shot through with sickly dark that seemed to well up from the core of him.

Is that what I do to him now? Ranma wondered, feeling a twinge of guilt. When I wore those disguises so he wouldn't know it was me in the past, was that what happened in his head? I gotta find a way to fix this, she thought finally. I don't wanna hurt him just touching him! I gotta ask Nabiki what to do…

She had been walking lost in thought for so long that it was a bit of a shock to realize she had arrived at the Dojo. She shook her head to clear it and put the Ryouga problem aside for the moment. I wonder if anyone is home right now? She checked her phone nervously. Still no calls… I hope that's a good sign?

"I'm home! Anyone here?" Ranma opened the front door, stepped in and slipped off her shoes.

"RANMAAAAAAA!"

There were at least two female voices in perfect sync and the sound of feet pounding the floorboards as someone started running from the family room.

"WhoopsSorryWrongHouseMyMistakeGOTTAGO!" Ranma turned, threw the door back open and started to bolt. She came up short when Ukyou skidded to a stop in front of her, having come around the house from the side door to intercept her.

"Oh no you don't, sugar!" Ukyou said with a determined look on her face.

Ranma drew back but another body slammed into her from behind and catapulted her forward. She tried in vain to stop herself but she was already off-balance and couldn't prevent herself pitching forward into Ukyou, her face getting mashed into the taller girl's chest.

Ucchan smells nice, Ranma thought as she prepared for inevitable death. At least this can be a pleasant final memory before I die.

She waited for the mallet to land. Akane was right up against her back; any minute she'd regain her footing, pull out some bludgeoning instrument made out of depleted uranium and permanently imprint Ranma's face on the paving stones.

Any minute.

Hold up. Ranma peeked tentatively up at Ukyou when Death missed his cue, followed by Pain and Suffering missing theirs, as things started to feel less like the brief and awkward moment before oblivion and more like she was being intentionally sandwiched. "Ummm… hi, Ucchan?"

Ukyou smirked at her, eyebrow raised. "You done motorboating me, sugar, or should I get you a snorkel?"

Ranma blushed. She felt Akane hook her chin her her shoulder and turned her head cautiously, checking for the usual outrage.

Instead she felt Akane's arms slip around her waist and the youngest Tendo grinned at her. "Gotcha."

Ranma deflated, slumping against Ukyou as she sighed heavily in relief. "'Kane, you can't do that to me! I thought I was in major trouble!"

"You are in major trouble, sugar," Ukyou said.

Ranma swallowed, realizing that she had allowed herself to be thoroughly grappled by both girls and that escape was now impossible. "Ummm… had that chat with Nabiki, huh?"

"Uh huh," Akane replied. "Ranmaaaaaa… why did you keep something like that from us?"

Ranma squeezed her eyes shut. "Because… Because I didn't know how to explain it! I was afraid you'd kill me, or kill Ryo, or… or think I didn't love ya, or…"

Akane put a finger to her lips. "It's okay, Ranma," she said, cutting off the redhead's frantic babbling. "We're not mad."

"We were mad," Ukyou huffed, but her stern glare faded. "Well… we were concerned."

"Nabiki explained it to us and after we talked it out and thought about it, I think we understand a bit better," Akane said. She paused. "... Is that why you've been scarce all day? Nabiki told you to vanish for a bit?"

"Uh… yeah," Ranma said, deciding to leave out the bit about taking Ryouga with her.

Ukyou rolled her eyes. "I'm still not sure how I feel about the lack of trust there."

"She kind of has a point, Ukyou…" Akane said timidly.

Ukyou sighed. "Yeah, I know… but just because she's right doesn't make it sting any less that she doesn't trust us."

"Shall we go inside?" Akane asked, releasing Ranma and stepping back. "I've got a lot of questions… and dinner is almost ready!"

Ranma blinked. "Did you…" she pointed at Akane.

Akane beamed and nodded. "Uh huh!"

Ranma gave Ukyou a nervous glance. "Is it…?"

Ukyou smirked playfully. "Well, that I don't know Ranchan. It's my first time trying to teach her something that isn't okonomiyaki."

Ranma went pale. "... Oh."

"I can't wait for you to try it! I even tried that spanakopita recipe Shampoo's grandparents gave us!" Akane gushed as she took Ranma's hand and practically dragged her into the house.

000 (Chapter 25 End: Adventures in Pig-training)

I apologize sincerely for the delay in posting. A miscommunication on my part lead to me sitting idle while I waited for my editor to work through this Chapter... while he had already done it and was working through the subsequent chapters. Expect more chapters to be posted in the next few days!