Subject: [FFML][Ranma][Fanfic][Lime] Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 4A: Gifts of Love {DRAFT}
From: Jim Lazar
Date: 8/5/1998, 7:36 PM
To: FFML
Reply-to:
jimlazar@earthlink.net

[FFML][Ranma][Fanfic][Lime] Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 4A:
Gifts of Love

Here's the next chapter of CMD. It's the end of the first story arc
as well. Let me know what you think. Any and all C&C is welcome and
begged for.
 

[Ranma][Fanfic][Lime] Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 4: Gifts
of Love
=======================================================================
Childhood of a Modern Dynasty - Chapter 4: Gifts of Love

Ranma 1/2 characters and situations created by Rumiko Takahashi - Used
without permission
Ranma 1/2 Copyright by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan Inc., Kitty, Fuji,
Viz Communications, etc...

Childhood of a Modern Dynasty series created, written, and Copyright
1998 by Jim Lazar

An ongoing series set after the end of the Ranma 1/2 manga and anime.
Any references to 'Birth of a Modern Dynasty' refer to the fictional
book that the fictional author James Davidson wrote detailing the
events that happened in the manga and anime. It is not an actual fanfic
or book. 'Childhood of a Modern Dynasty' is the title of this fanfic
series written by me (Jim Lazar) and the fictional book that James
Davidson is currently writing.

<Speech text in angle brackets are thought by character.>
All other speech is in Japanese, although written in English in this
story of course.
=======================================================================
Lime Warning: There are a few scenes in this chapter that are sexual in
nature. Although not that bad, they are very suggestive and partially
descriptive.
=======================================================================
>From the personal journal of James Davidson:
 

July 10th, 2057

     I walked with Hanaki, holding her hand. She had become my personal
tour guide of the Tendo Compound whenever I came over, not that I
minded. We've been dating for almost the entire three months that I
have been collecting information for my new book, 'Childhood of a
Modern Dynasty'. I have had to interview many different people for
their recollection of events and then try to reconcile them. The
stories weren't always consistent. The information I got from the Kuno
family tended to be extremely suspect, but since they still blame the
Saotome and Tendo families for Tatewaki Kuno's death, that is to be
expected.

     I attended the wedding of Akane's grandson, Soun, around three
weeks ago. I still grin when I remember dancing with Hanaki at the
reception, what a goddess she was on the dance floor. I wish I could
say the same for myself. Well, I wouldn't want to call myself a
goddess, I just meant that I'd rather be able to dance better.

     "My aunt should be finished with her class already. She prefers to
teach in the early morning for some reason. We should be able to find
her at the dojo," Hanaki explained.

     "She's still teaching?" I asked, amazed.

     "Every now and then. She's the only one around today who can teach
the 'Moko Takabisha' and it's many variations," Hanaki informed me.

     "They teach that at the dojo?"

     "Only to family. Too dangerous for just anyone to know it."

     "Can you do it?"

     "Little ones, nowhere near what people with Saotome blood can do,
watch...Target: One hundred meters," Hanaki said. The Compound systems
raised a target from the ground about one hundred meters away from her.
She raised her hands, a small ball of chi energy sparked to life
between her hands, then she shouted, "Moko Takabisha!" The ball of chi
energy flew from between her fingers and impacted against the target.
Along with blackening the entire target, a small hole about three
centimeters in diameter was burned into the center.

     "Nice shot. Um...that was a small one?" I asked.

     "Yup, Aunt Akane and some of the Team members with Saotome blood
can hit targets kilometers away, plus cause a lot more damage. I'm sure
you heard about the Golden Gate Bridge incident?"

     "Yes. Shame to loose a landmark like that, but it was for a good
cause," I said.

     We reached the large dojo where the older Tendos all worked out
and taught their classes. There were also several smaller training
halls spread across the Compound. Personally, I think this is so they
can ambush visitors with kicks and punches and then just claim it was
an accident during training, but my thoughts on that may be biased
because it's happened to me several times. Of course, Akane's
great-granddaughter Daijiko cried out, "Fresh meat!" the first time we
met, so I'm pretty sure that it was not an accident. That meeting was
by way of Daijiko's foot. I wondered where the little munchkin was,
since she hadn't kicked me in over a week.

     Akane came out of the main dojo and greeted me with a wave as I
approached. "Morning, James!"

     "Good morning, Akane," I replied, then asked, "You doing something
different with your hair?"

     She patted her short hair and said, "Nope, it's been pretty much
like this for the past sixty years." She smiled.

     "No wonder you look like you're still sixteen."

     "Careful, or I'll steal you away from Hanaki," Akane quipped.

     "Auntie!" Hanaiki protested, pulling me closer to her.

     We walked back to Akane's house and sat down on the porch and
Hanaki opened my palmcard for me. "Thank you, Hanaki," I said, then
smiled. She returned the smile.

     "What did you want to cover today, James?" Akane asked, then bent
down and fed some lettuce to one of the pet pigs they kept in the
Compound.

     I consulted my palmcard's holographic display, then said, "Well,
we covered the summer of 1998 pretty well; Shampoo's death, your
injuries, the wake, and your return to school. I don't have much
information after that."

     "Ah, then the end of 1998. Um...how old are you Hanaki?" Akane
asked the young woman who sat at my side.

     "I've just turned twenty-three. Look at the gorgeous bracelet that
James gave me!" Hanaki exclaimed, showing off the diamond bracelet she
wore on her wrist. It clashed with the wristtop system she always wore
on her other arm, but she said she didn't mind. I don't suppose she
did.

     "I guess the first book did do pretty well then," Akane commented,
then said, "I guess twenty-three is old enough to hear this story."

     I raised a questioning eyebrow at her, but Akane's expression
didn't change at all.
 

***********************************************************************

October-December 1998 - Nerima, Japan; Kirishima forest, Japan;
Kitakyushu, Japan
 

     Ukyo did a flying flip into Ucchan's and landed behind the grill,
startling Konatsu, who was making a pork okonomiyaki. "Mistress?" he
gasped.

     "Got my cast off finally!" Ukyo chimed and started to make an
okonomiyaki, extra large. "I missed this grill," she said, then looked
lovingly at it and ran her hand seductively across the side.

     Konatsu blinked, then asked, "Would you two like to be alone?"

     Ukyo blushed, then said, "Oops, I just missed cooking." She
flipped the okonomiyaki, then added, "A lot."

     "I know the customers will be happy you're back, they asked about
you all the time."

     "If I can't have Ran-chan, at least I have my cooking," Ukyo said
wistfully.

     "You have me."

     "Thank you, Konatsu, but I've told you many times that I only
think of you as a friend."

     "Isn't that what Ranma always told you?" Konatsu suggested.

     Ukyo flinched, then ate the first okonomiyaki she'd made herself
in two months. She savored the taste.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Ranma flexed his arm slowly. Dr. Tofu applied his fingers to some
pressure points along his back. Then he said, "How does that feel
Ranma?"

     Ranma replied, "It's sore, but it doesn't hurt to move it."

     "You'll have to do the exercises I showed you twice a day. And
don't hit anyone with it for a week."

     "Sure thing, Doc," Ranma said, but then started flexing his arm
and moving it in a punching movement. Dr. Tofu sighed and left Ranma's
room.

     Ranma sat in his wheelchair in the middle of his room, cupped his
hands, and then concentrated. A glowing ball of chi formed between his
fingers. He practiced keeping the ball stable as he transferred it
between his two cupped hands. He stared at the chi ball and then
flipped it into the air. He formed another chi ball, then tossed it in
the air as well. Soon, he was juggling three chi balls. His face was
sweating with his intense concentration.

     "Cool!" a voice exclaimed from behind him.

     Ranma's concentration faltered and the chi balls fell and hit him.
He patted the small smoking bits of his pants.

     "Sorry, didn't mean to distract you," Akane said.

     Ranma scratched his head. He said, "That's okay. I was just seeing
if I could still do that trick. I didn't put too much energy into them,
so no harm done."

     "When did you learn that one?" Akane asked, as she used her crutch
to hobble to Ranma's side.

     "A few months ago. I guess I never showed it to anyone because it
felt like a sideshow act. It's mostly just a training exercise for the
Moko Takabisha."

     "What's it like to use both arms again?"

     "Pretty darn good," Ranma replied. Then to prove it he swept her
into his lap and kissed her hard on her waiting lips.

     "Wish we could get the leg casts off already. I can't stand the
itching," Akane said.

     "Thanks for bringing that up," Ranma said, as he started to
scratch under one of his leg casts.

     "Sorry, but within few weeks we should both be cast-less. That's
good news at least."

     "Yup, Ukyo's already out of hers; Ryoga's down to just his
shoulder brace, the lucky pig."

     "Well, since he got lost as soon as the leg cast came off, he's
not that lucky," Akane said, then looked up to see P-Chan come into the
room and try to get up on her lap. Akane picked him up and scratched
him. "How's my little P-Chan?

     Ranma just looked at P-Chan and smiled. Yes smiled. Akane was
happy and this was just a normal pig, not a cursed Ryoga. Ryoga's plan
to give Akane a real pig had worked, so far.

     "Dinner!" Nodoka called out from outside the room.

     "Coming!" Ranma and Akane chorused, stole a quick kiss, and made
their way to the table.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     That night at the table, Dr. Tofu looked on nervously as Kasumi
served him some rice. "Tha...Thank you, Kasumi, it w...was kind of you
to invite me for dinner," he stuttered.

     "Oh, it's no trouble, Doctor Tofu. After all, you're going to help
me study tonight, so no reason for you to go home after helping Ranma
with his arm and come all the way back," Kasumi replied, sweetly.

     "How are your studies going, Kasumi dear?" Genma asked, scratching
under his cast. Everyone assumed the cast could come off, but that he
left it on to avoid working. He had broken it back in spring, after
all.

     "Well, it's harder than I thought. It's been so long since I was
in high school and all. Doctor Tofu has been very helpful in helping me
study. I sometimes worry that he is spending too much time helping me,"
Kasumi explained.

     "Oh no, Kasumi, it's my pleasure. It even helps me refresh my
memory on some of the basics of western medicine," Dr. Tofu insisted,
momentarily calm while looking into Kasumi's eyes.

     His calmness vanished when Kasumi placed her hand on his and said,
"Thank you again."

     "No...urk...problem," he gasped.

     Ranma took great pleasure in using both of his arms to eat again.
Akane scowled at his table manners, but before Akane could say
anything, Nodoka said, "Ranma, I know you're glad that you can use both
hands again, but slow down and eat like a gentleman!" Truth be told,
Nodoka didn't mind it that much, but she caught Akane's look and
intercepted the approaching fight with her own scolding.

     Ranma bowed his head and slowed.

     Akane nodded her thanks to her future mother-in-law.

     Genma suddenly scratched again. Dr. Tofu noticed and said, "Mr.
Saotome, if you like, I can remove your cast right after dinner. It's
been more than long enough."

     Genma looked worried, then said, "Well...I think it might need a
couple more weeks."

     "Nonsense, your last x-ray showed it was healed. It could have
come off weeks ago."

     Everyone looked at each other and nodded knowingly. Then Nodoka
said, "Well. That's great news! Now you can start helping with the
chores around the house again, my honorable husband!" The implied
threat of Nodoka's term of address for Genma wasn't lost on the
assembled group of people at the table, who all grinned.

     Genma sighed, then nodded in defeat.

     "Akane, the rice is great," Ranma mentioned, as he scooped some
more into his bowl.

     "Thank you, Ranma," Akane said, a big grin on her face.

     "But who made these pickles?" Ranma asked, grimacing.

     "I did," Akane said with a noticeable rise in her voice.

     "Well, err...nice try."

     This seemed to be enough to keep Akane from killing Ranma, for now
at least.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     After dinner, Dr. Tofu removed Genma's cast and told him no
martial arts kicks for two weeks. He gave him some exercises to do as
well.

     Then Kasumi walked up the stairs, followed by a nervous Dr. Tofu
to study. As she grabbed her books she sat down on her bed and opened
one of the books. "Come and sit down here, Tofu, it's more
comfortable," Kasumi said, patting the bed.

     Dr. Tofu swallowed hard, then sat down next to her. He asked,
"What are you up to?"

     "Still general anatomy, muscles, tendons..."

     "Ah...perfect, with all the practice I've had with Ranma's
injuries I can really help you there," Dr. Tofu leaned over and looked
at her textbook.

     <If only he would be this calm when not talking about medicine,>
Kasumi sighed, inwardly.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Ukyo was soaking in a nice hot bath. Like the other walking
wounded, she had really missed the feeling of soaking in a hot bath
while her cast was on.

     Her relaxation was interrupted by a shout, "Where on Earth am I?"

     Ukyo looked up and saw Ryoga standing in the corner, facing away
from her. <How on Earth did he get in here?> Ukyo thought, then said
aloud, "It's my bathroom, Pig-boy."

     "Bathroom?" Ryoga muttered as he turned around and saw Ukyo.
Surprisingly, his nose didn't start to bleed when he saw her naked
body, he just turned away quickly and said, "Sorry...I don't know how I
got here."

     "Well, it's nice to see you. I haven't seen you since you got your
leg cast off," Ukyo said. She grinned mischievously and added, "As long
as you're here can you scrub my back?"

     Ryoga's eyes went wide and he fought back a nosebleed, then
replied calmly, "Sure."

     A shocked Ukyo watched Ryoga turn around and come over, grab a
washcloth with his good arm, and started to scrub her back. Not
believing that this was happening, she just leaned forward and let him.
<What's happened to him?>

     "So anything happen while I was gone?" Ryoga asked, calmly. <She's
turned away from me, so this is okay. I won't lose control. I am a man,
not some baby who faints or bleeds at the sight of a naked woman,>
Ryoga thought to himself, trying to keep calm.

     "Not much, Ranma got his arm cast off today. They both should be
out of their leg casts within a month," Ukyo explained.

     "Ah, that's nice." Ryoga meant the casts being removed not the
feeling of washing Ukyo's back, probably.

     "Where did you end up for the past couple of weeks?"

     "Oh, someplace called Milwaukee. Lots of foreigners there."

     "Isn't that in America?"

     "Could be...but it gave me some time to think."

     "About what?"

     "Well, I was hoping that even with my casts off that I could stay
here with you. I want to try staying in school and stop my wandering.
My parents' home is too far away to go to Furinkan," Ryoga explained.
<If I could even find it, that is.>

     "Well, it's a bit crowded here, but if you help out with the
chores and all, I guess you could stay in the back room," Ukyo said,
starting to enjoy the back scrubbing.

     "Thanks Ukyo. I'll try not to be a bother."

     "Just wear long gloves and use hot water when you do the dishes,
sugar," Ukyo said, grinning.

     "Dishes?" Ryoga blanched at the thought of doing dishes with his
curse.

     "Thanks for scrubbing my back, Sugar. Can you do the front now?"
Ukyo said, turning around.

      Ryoga promptly fainted.

      "Thought so," Ukyo remarked, grinning.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Ranma slept peacefully in his bed. His peace was interrupted by a
deep kiss. Normally he wouldn't mind Akane kissing him like this, but
this felt different. The fact that after the kiss ended maniacal
laughter rang out in the room, made Ranma sure that it wasn't Akane. He
sat bold upright and pushed Kodachi off his body. He screamed, "What
the heck are you doing?!?!"

     "Why just trying to make my darling Ranma better with my magic
kisses, of course," Kodachi asserted, then advanced seductively on
Ranma. With his leg casts still on, Ranma couldn't move fast enough to
get away from Kodachi.

     "Kodachi, get away from me or you'll be sorry!" Ranma yelled, then
licked his lips as he started to worry about what Kodachi might have
drugged him with. He didn't have to wait long for his eyes to start to
water, his mouth to go bone dry, and his eyes to go out of focus.

     "Are you sure?"

     "Yes! No!" Ranma said, as he fought an internal battle with
himself. <I love Akane.> [Kodachi is Akane.] <No she isn't.> [Yes she
is.] When Ranma managed to focus his eyes, he saw a naked Akane
standing over him. He grinned. "Come here, my love."

     "I thought you'd never ask," Kodachi said. She kicked her green
leotard off her leg and then sat down on top of Ranma's hips.

     "Oh, my sweet Akane. Give me your body," Ranma said. <I love
Akane.> [Yes you do.] <This is Akane on top of me.> [Yes it is.]
<Akane's never been this forward.> [Yes she has, remember the
waterfall.] <Yes, but that was just kissing.> [You know it was more.]
<Well...I may have touched her breast.> [And you liked it.] <Yeah, it
felt better than touching my own breast.> [Sicko.] <Look who's
talking.> [So's your old man]

     As Ranma was still fighting his internal demon in a really lame
battle of wits, Kodachi ran her hands over Ranma's chest and slipped
his muscle T-Shirt off. Then she lay down on top of his chest and
started to kiss his neck, Ranma felt her breasts rub against his chest.

     <What?> [What, what?] <What am I doing?> [Making out with Akane.]
<Really?> [Yes, really.] <When did Akane's breasts get so big.>
[Err...] Ranma eyes went wide when his demon couldn't counter his last
question. "Moko..." he began to yell.

     "What???" Kodachi gasped, leaning back from Ranma's chest.

     "...Takabisha!!!" Ranma finished yelling, and thrust his hands up
at Kodachi. The beam of chi energy pulsed from his fingers and sent
Kodachi crashing through the ceiling.

     Akane awoke with Ranma's yell, just in time to see the naked
Kodachi disappear into the night sky. She looked over at Ranma. She bit
back her normal reaction of a half-naked Ranma and also tried to ignore
the green leotard on the floor. "What happened, Ranma?" she asked.

     "You came back, Kodachi?" Ranma asked, then not waiting for an
answer, he yelled, "Moko..."

     "Stop, Ranma! I'm Akane, not Kodachi!"

     "Takabisha!!!" Ranma finished and sent another beam of chi energy
shooting at Akane's head. Akane ducked out of the way and the chi blast
took out the wall to the kitchen...and most of the kitchen as well.
Akane's pajama top was torn as she dodged the chi blast.

     "Ranma, please stop!" Akane screamed, then jumped on top of his
chest and hugged him closely. "Please stop...Kodachi is gone...I love
you! Snap out of it!"

     "Moko..." Ranma muttered again. <Wait, those feel different.> [No!
It is Kodachi, fry her!] <Who are you anyway?> [Just your inner voice.]
<No...I think you're a result of Kodachi's potion.> [No of course not,
she'd never do something like that.] <Ha!!! Got ya! I know that she
WOULD do something exactly like that! Reverse Moko Takabisha!!!>
[Crap.]

     Akane was tossed off Ranma's chest as a blast of chi energy
enveloped Ranma's body, it seemed to flow into his body instead of out
of it. When the blast settled, Ranma lay naked in bed, his shorts had
been burned off by the blast. His leg casts lay in cared pieces on the
burned futon. "Ouch," he muttered.

     "Ranma, are you okay?" Akane asked, as she pulled herself off the
floor and onto Ranma's futon. The last of her burnt pajamas fell off
her shoulders as she checked Ranma's pulse.

     "I'll live, but I may need new leg casts."

     Looking down at herself, Akane agreed, "Me too and new pajamas.
Let me find some unburned sheets..."

     This was, of course, when the rest of the people in the Tendo
house chose to walk into the room and see what all the noise was. "Oh
my," came Kasumi's usual refrain.

     "Gee, keep it down you two lovebirds!" Nabiki exclaimed,
scratching her stomach. She grinned at the sight of Akane and Ranma
naked in bed together and snapped a quick picture with her camera. <I
can't sell this of course, but someday it'll be a fond memory for
them,> she thought. Sadly thinking of all the yen she was giving up by
not selling it, Nabiki sighed.

     Akane and Ranma started to blush. Nodoka took her robe off and
wrapped it around Akane while Kasumi grabbed a spare blanket and
covered Ranma.

     "It was Kodachi! She drugged me into thinking she was Akane!"
Ranma insisted, then motioned at the green leotard that lay on the
floor.

     "But why wasn't she wearing the leotard?" Nodoka asked.

     "I'm not sure, it's all still fuzzy. Can someone call Doctor Tofu?
We're going to need new casts, since I burned the old ones off while
shaking off the effects of the drug," Ranma asked.

     The assembled family members all exchanged various glances. Nabiki
shuffled off in her bunny slippers to make the call.

     Nodoka looked back at the kitchen, and mentioned, "Looks like I'll
have to call the contractors in the morning."

     Kasumi looked at the kitchen, then nodded. "Yes, we'll have to
order out for breakfast too." Kasumi and Nodoka sighed in unison.

     After their casts were replaced and when they finally got a few
moments alone, Akane asked Ranma, "So...what finally made you realize
that I wasn't Kodachi?"

     "Well, you just felt different," Ranma replied.

     "Felt different, how?" Akane asked.

     Ranma blushed, then looked away. Awkwardly, he said, "Well her
breasts felt bigger on my chest."

     Akane blushed, then looked angry, then stopped her mallet
one-centimeter from Ranma's face. She had been learning to control her
anger; the next step was keeping the mallet from moving towards Ranma's
face after she pulled it out.

     Ranma blinked, then said, "Don't worry, I prefer the feel of
yours." Then he winked.

     Akane blushed again, then leaned in and kissed him. "Why do I love
a pervert like you?" Akane asked.

     "The same reason I love a tomboy like you. We don't know any
better," Ranma explained.

     "Two baka in love I guess," Akane said, then leaned in and kissed
her baka. They fell asleep in each other arms, thinking that they had
to come up with better pet names. Somehow, they forgot to have Ranma
transform into a girl before going to sleep. They'd been doing that a
lot lately.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Happosai was wrapping up his closing speech at the '50th Annual
Old Pervert Convention'. Since he was the founder, all the attendees
were listening closely and taking notes. Happosai orated, "...and that
is why we must always be on our guard against mouse traps in panties,
even when women are still wearing them." As he finished, a naked
Kodachi fell from the sky and landed on top of him. Happosai was
smashed flat to the stage. He had never been happier to be smashed flat
in his life. Kodachi spent the rest of the week evading the two hundred
old perverts.

                          *             *             *

     The afternoon sun warmed Nabiki as she walked back from Waseda
University. Everything was looking good for her to start there next
year. All she had to do now is to pass the entrance exam. As she
crossed the park between Shinjuku and Nerima, she spotted Mousse
feeding ducks from a park bench. As she sat down beside him, she said,
"Feeding your family?"

     Looking up, Mousse saw Nabiki and said, "Oh...hi, Nabiki Tendo.
No...not family, I don't really have any family anymore."

     Nabiki looked sadly at Mousse and apologized, "Sorry, Mousse,
didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

     "That's okay, Nabiki Tendo, you meant well. Somehow feeding the
ducks here makes me feel good."

     "Still no sign of Shampoo?"

     "Nope, I probably should give up. She's gone."

     "That's not the Mousse I know talking."

     "Do you really think you know me that well?"

     Nabiki started to list what she knew, "Let's see: You're a master
of hidden weapons martial arts, you transform into a duck, you're
handsome, you spent most of your life pursuing a woman who wouldn't
return your love, you're kind to animals, and you've got a good heart.
Need I go on?"

     "Maybe you do know me pretty well, but I think she did love me. I
think Amazon tradition kept her from accepting me and my failings,"
Mousse said, then rummaged in his large pockets and pulled out
Shampoo's locket and handed it to Nabiki. "That was Shampoo's."

     Nabiki took the locket, opened it, and raised an eyebrow. Then she
said, "Well, some people just can't admit their true feelings
sometimes. Look at how long it took Ranma and Akane to actually admit
their love to themselves and each other."

     "Huh? Did they finally admit their love?"

     "That's our guess. They aren't saying anything, but ever since
their training trip in the mountains they have been sneaking out a lot
and spending more time together. They think they are fooling us, but we
can see it," Nabiki said, not mentioning that they hadn't got out that
much since the fight with Shampoo.

     Mousse just sat silently for a few minutes. Nabiki helped him feed
the ducks, when she looked up she saw that Mousse had tears in his
eyes. Nabiki took Mousse's hand and squeezed, then said, "It'll be
okay, Mousse. Shampoo wouldn't want you to pine over her for the rest
of your life."

     "What life?" Mousse asked, then pulled Nabiki into his arms and
just held her. Tears started to drip down Nabiki's back

     Nabiki, although startled at first, hugged him back. When the hug
ended, Nabiki pulled back and looked at him. Then on an impulse she
kissed Mousse, full on his lips. Mousse returned the offered kiss.

     When their lips parted, they just sat and looked at the ducks
float by. Neither said anything until they got up and parted with a
simple "Good afternoon."

     They both had trouble sleeping that night.

     Nabiki lay still and stared at her ceiling. Various thoughts
flashed through her head and prevented her from dozing off. <What was
that all about today? Do I really need a man to make me feel so good?
OR...is it that Akane and Kasumi both have boyfriends...sort of. Heck,
Kasumi and Tofu keep circling each other, but I doubt they've even
kissed. And for Akane and Ranma...I don't want that kind of
relationship. Who do they think they are kidding? But then...do I want
to get into a relationship with a guy who turns into a duck?>

     Nabiki thought some more then gave herself an answer. "Yes," she
said quietly, then fell asleep.

     Mouse tossed and turned. Unable to find a position he could be
comfortable in. <Why is Nabiki being so nice to me? It must be pity.
Why couldn't Shampoo every pity me that much?>

     After tossing and turning some more, Mouse got up splashed himself
with cold water and settled down on a pillow. He finally fell asleep.
Somehow, he was more comfortable sleeping as a duck.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Several weeks later in the Tendo family room, Ukyo, Ryoga, Akane,
Soun, Genma, and Nabiki all looked on as Dr. Tofu removed Ranma's last
leg cast. "There you go Ranma, flex the leg a bit and tell me if you
feel any pain," he said, while he cleaned off the last of the cast
pieces.

     Ranma flexed both of his legs, then declared, "Nope. They feel
fine." He then tried to stand up, wobbled, and fell face first into the
table. He was splashed with a bucket of cold water that had been on the
table. Ranma rose, shook her red hair dry, and then crawled back to her
original position. She looked very embarrassed.

     "Careful Ranma, you'll have to do exercises to build your strength
up again. Take it easy and you should be able to walk around today, but
I don't think you can go roof hopping tonight," Dr. Tofu explained.

     Then Kasumi and Nodoka brought out some food and drinks. "Party
time!" Kasumi declared. Kasumi helped Dr. Tofu clean up the pile of
cast pieces. Akane slid in beside Ranma and rubbed Ranma's legs to help
loosen them up. Ukyo rubbed Ryoga's shoulder. Akane and Ranma exchanged
a glance about Ukyo and Ryoga's closeness and smiled.

     "Well...the whole family," Genma said, then added, "and friends,
are now free of their casts! No longer shall we have to carry Ranma
around or get run over by his wheelchair!" Everyone laughed.

     "I can still run you over if you like, Pop," Ranma smirked.

     "No thank you, Ranma," Genma replied.

     "It's been a long time, but it's great to be free of the cast,"
Akane declared, then stood and did a big back flip.

     Ranma rose shakily to her feet and tried to do the same, but
failed. She ended up landing on her face.

     "Ranma, take it easy. Akane only had one broken leg, so she can
compensate for her weaker leg," Dr. Tofu scolded him.

     "Yeah, but she doesn't have to rub it in," Ranma insisted.

     Akane regained her position and started rubbing his leg again,
then asked, "Sure you don't want me to rub?"

     Ranma blushed, then shook her head no. Everyone, except Genma,
just ignored the couple and went on with their party conversation.

     Genma got up and went upstairs. When he returned, he was carrying
a big box and set it down in front of Ranma and Akane.

     "What's this, Mr. Saotome?" Akane asked.

     "Just a little present for you two, now that you are out of your
casts," Genma said.

     Opening the box, Akane gasped. Ranma swore. Nodoka hit her husband
on the head with a plate. Soun grinned. Kasumi and Nabiki rolled their
eyes. Ryoga and Ukyo tried to ignore the contents of the box.

     Overcoming her weak legs, because she was really pissed, Ranma
rose unsteadily to her feet and, with Akane's help, proceeded to pick
Genma up and toss him out into the garden. He hit the far wall,
rebounded, and ended up in the koi pond. The panda rose from the pond
then fell down again. He growled in pain.

     Dr. Tofu raced out and examined the panda. "Well, it looks like
your leg is broken again, Mr. Saotome," he declared. The panda started
to cry.

     Ranma stood on the porch and yelled, "Serves you right, Pop! We'll
get married when we're ready!"

     Nodoka carefully packed the wedding dress, the same one that Akane
wore at the aborted wedding, back into the box. <How could that idiot
ruin the party by pressuring them again? Baka,> she thought, as she
carried the box back upstairs. Truth be told, she had started to worry
about when they were going to admit to the family that they had been
dating and accepted the engagement, but decided not to pressure them.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Kasumi lay on her bed reading a textbook. She was wearing a pair
of jeans and a T-shirt with bunny rabbits on it. She frowned and paged
back trying to find a reference to something.

     "Need some help?" a voice called from the open doorway.

     Looking around, Kasumi saw Dr. Tofu in the doorway. She smiled,
then said, "Oh! I'd love some help, Tofu. Did you get Mr. Saotome's leg
set already?"

     "Yes, it wasn't that bad of a break," Dr. Tofu explained, then sat
down next to Kasumi with a brief glance at her jeans. "When did you
start wearing jeans, Kasumi?"

     "What? Oh...I forgot that I changed after the party. Most of the
girls at the college wear them, so I guess I'm trying to fit in. Plus
they are warmer during these cool fall nights."

     Trying not to blush, Dr. Tofu asked, "What are you working on
now?"

     "Err, sexual reproduction," Kasumi explained, blushing.

     Dr. Tofu lost his battle and blushed from head to toe. Trying to
see through his glasses, he stammered, "Why...why...this is so sudden."

     "What is, Tofu?"

     "Covering that in your first year."

     "Oh. Well, we are. I've got the basics down, but all of sudden
they mentioned some terms I don't recall," Kasumi said, then pointed
out the section in question.

     "Well, you see..."

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     That night, despite Dr. Tofu's warning, Ranma hopped onto the
roof. He found Akane up there staring at the sky. "Mind if I join ya?"
he asked.

     Looking down from the night sky, Akane smiled and said, "No, of
course not, Ranma."

     Ranma sat down beside her and put his arm around Akane's
shoulders. She leaned in and cuddled. "So you missed spending time on
the roof too?" Ranma asked.

     "Yup, I always liked spending time up here with you."

     "Me too. About what my father did tonight..."

     "Don't worry about it. It was only a matter of time before they
started up again."

     "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to set a date?"

     Akane gasped, then said, "That's nice of you too offer, but we
still have the Kuno's to deal with. Probably should get them out of the
way before setting a date."

     "I guess, but I'm just always afraid something is going to pop-up
and ruin what we have."

     "What do we have?"

     "Each other."

     "Good answer," Akane said, then leaned in and gave him a deep
kiss.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     A knock on the door of the Cat Cafe woke Mousse up, he crawled off
his futon, tossed on his cloak, and headed downstairs. Opening the
door, he fought back the urge to shut it again. "Nabiki Tendo, what can
I do for you?" Mousse asked.

     "I think you know, Mousse. I want to talk about that kiss we
shared a few weeks back," Nabiki said.

     "It was just a passing flirtation, nothing to talk about," Mousse
insisted. He had been avoiding Nabiki for the past few weeks to avoid
this conversation.

     "I'll admit it was partially just to comfort you at the time, but
quite frankly I enjoyed it."

     Mousse finally met her gaze, and said, "Nabiki Tendo, you are a
beautiful woman. You deserve a full man, not one still longing for a
dead woman."

     "Oh, you've given up looking?"

     "Yes."

     "Liar."

     "What do you want, Nabiki Tendo?" Mousse asked, sternly.

     "At them moment, I want you to admit that you love Shampoo and
still hope she's alive."

     "Fine then. I love Shampoo, always have and always will, but...I
know she's gone."

     "Great, then let's go," Nabiki commanded.

     "Go where?"

     "When's the last time you hit the local animal hospitals?"

     "Yesterday."

     "I thought you said you had given up looking for her," Nabiki
smirked. Mousse just looked away. "Fine, then today we hit some places
further away."

     "Why are you doing this?" Mousse said.

     "Because I'm your friend," Nabiki said, then added, "and the only
way I'll get you to kiss me again is to wait for you to get over
Shampoo's death." Then she thought to herself, <Go get what you want,
Nabiki!>

     "Now who's giving up hope?" Mousse said, then fought back a smile
that threatened to show up on his face.

     "Just come on, Duck-boy," Nabiki said, then pulled him out by the
arm, pausing just long enough to grab a handful of flyers that were
stacked by the small shrine that Mousse had setup and maintained for
Shampoo.

     For some reason, Mousse didn't resist.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Mouse and Nabiki walked into another animal hospital, they had hit
at least a dozen already today. They approached the reception desk and
a young woman with short dark blue hair looked up at them. "Can I help
you?" the woman asked.

     "Yes, we are looking for this girl or this cat," Mousse asked. He
held out a flyer with pictures of Shampoo and a pink cat with purple
ears on it.

     The woman looked at the pictures briefly, then said, "Never seen
the woman before...or the cat. I can tell you for sure that we don't
have any pink cats here."

     "She may be white if the dye has worn off," Mousse suggested.

     "Nope, no white cats in the hospital either."

     "Thank you, very much. Can we put a flyer up on your bulletin
board?" Nabiki asked.

     "Sure," the woman replied.

     Nabiki tacked the flyer to the board and then turned to leave.

     "Ami! Can you help us back here!" a male voice called out.

     "Sure, Doctor!" Ami replied, then rushed back to the exam rooms.

     Nabiki and Mousse left the animal hospital and headed towards the
next animal hospital on their list.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     "I'm sorry, Mousse. Maybe this was a waste of time," Nabiki said,
as she tossed some breadcrumbs at the ducks in the pond.

     Mousse looked down from the night sky. "No, you were right. I
haven't given up hope. Maybe I should."

     "No, you shouldn't. Hope is good, but to live the rest of your
life pinning away for Shampoo isn't going to do either of you any
good," Nabiki said, taking Mousse's hand in hers.

     "You are most kind, Nabiki Tendo," Mousse said. He leaned over and
gave Nabiki a kiss on her lips. "I thank you for your comforting
words."

     Nabiki leaned back and smiled. <Damn, Shampoo didn't know was she
was missing,> she thought. Mousse and Nabiki sat quietly and held hands
while the ducks went along with their lives.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Time passed, the physical wounds had healed, but the mental ones
would take longer. Still, life went on for the people affected by
Shampoo's death. Cologne and Aftershave had gone back to China a long
time ago. Mousse was scraping himself out of his depression with
Nabiki's help. Ranma and Akane still kept their love secret from their
families, or thought they were.

     December came, Ranma and Akane walked home on a fence. "So, want
to do something special tonight?" Akane asked, balancing behind Ranma.

     "Sure, whatever you like."

     "Okay, let's get married."

     Ranma fell off the fence suddenly, barely avoiding falling in the
canal.

     "Just kidding."

     "Dirty trick. Try that again and I will marry you," Ranma said, as
he got back up on the fence and started walking again.

     "Promises...promises," Akane said then did a flip up and over
Ranma. Ranma walked right into Akane and right into the big kiss that
she gave him.

     "If I knew you'd use your training like this, I'd have sparred
with you sooner," Ranma said, after catching his breath from the long
kiss.

     "I'm glad you finally wised up," Akane said, with a huge smile and
leaned in for another kiss.

     Ranma held up a finger and said, "Hold that thought." He turned
around, put his arms together, formed a chi ball between his hands, and
then yelled, "Moko Takabisha!!!" The chi ball flew from his
outstretched arms and hit the little troll who was running away from
the horde of half naked women.

     Happosai crashed to the ground, was overrun by the women, and
beaten senseless.

     "Now where were we?" Ranma asked.

     "Tonight's plans."

     "Ah, what are you hungry for?"

     "How about Mexican?" Akane suggested.

     "Sounds safe enough," Ranma agreed, then finished the interrupted
kiss.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-
 
     Nabiki walked down the street, she paused as she heard familiar
blast ring out. <Ranma blasting Happosai or Kuno again, I imagine,> she
thought, then continued walking.

     "Nabiki Tendo?" a voice called out from behind her.

     Nabiki turned around and saw Mousse standing behind her, she
smiled and said, "Hi, Mousse! What up?"

     "I wish to have dinner with you tonight, Nabiki Tendo."

     Nabiki raised an eyebrow, then said, "You really need to loosen up
a bit, Mousse. It's not like we've just met."

     "Is that a no?"

     "No...I'll go out with you, but you have to start calling me
Nabiki. After all we've had, what, a dozen dates already?"

     "Ten so far, this will be number eleven."

     "Okay, but someplace nice."

     "Of course, Nabiki."

     Nabiki smiled and then gave him a big kiss.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Ranma was trying to figure out how to eat the fajita that was
sizzling in front of him. Akane smiled. "Have any idea how I'm supposed
to eat this?" Ranma asked his fiancee.

     "Nope," Akane said, then took another bite of her enchilada.

     Ranma shrugged, then used the fork to eat the meat and onions.
Then took a bite of one of the tortillas.

     The waiter walked by and noticed Ranma. "Excuse me sir. The best
way to eat fajitas is to place the meat mixture on the tortilla, along
with anything on the condiment plate that you like."

     Ranma looked up. "Oh. Thank you," he said, blushing. He proceeded
to take one of the tortillas and put the meat mixture on it. He added
some of the green goop to it and some cheese. He then wrapped the
tortilla up and took a bite. Most of the mixture ended up in his lap.
"Gack!"

     Akane chuckled. "Maybe Mexican food wasn't such a good idea," she
mentioned.

     "I won't let this meal defeat me!" Ranma declared, wiping his
pants off. He tried again, this time he avoided a major spill.

     "I'm so proud of you," Akane quipped. She looked away from Ranma
then ducked down suddenly.

     "Wha...ummmp?" Ranma asked, with his mouth full.

     Akane pointed tot he door and said, "Nabiki and Mousse just came
in."

     Ranma looked and saw the couple waiting at the front for a table.
He ducked down. Then he decided that he had to do something about the
Kuno's; he...no...THEY couldn't live life in fear of being discovered
anymore. Unfortunately, he had no idea how to do that. It would be over
a week before he realized the solution.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-

     Nabiki looked up from her computer when she heard a knocking on
the door, she asked, "Yes?"

     Ranma opened the door and walked in, shutting the door behind him.
"Nabiki, I need your help with a gift for Akane."

     Nabiki looked at him, then she said, "Okay. How much do you need?"

     "Not money. I need your help to get the Kuno's off our backs."

     Nabiki raised her eyebrow, then asked, "Finally going to propose
and marry my sister?"

     "Well, I just want to get them off our backs. Including my girl
side."

     "Yeah, right." Nabiki nodded, but knew that he was lying. Then the
businesswoman inside her took over and she said, "It's going to cost
you."

     "I thought you gave up your money making schemes?" Ranma asked.

     "Just the less than above board ones. This will be all above
board...mostly."

     "Okay, whatever you want. I'll pay it."

     Nabiki patted her chest. "Oh, be still my heart. I'll give you a
discount on this one, since you are almost family." She neglected to
tell Ranma exactly how much she was going to charge him and then
discount. <Well, it's his fault for not asking.>

     "Thanks."

     "I think I have a plan that will work. I'll get the ball rolling,
you just be ready to go with me tomorrow afternoon."

     "Okay. Thanks again, Nabiki," Ranma said, then left the room.

     <Looks like he's starting to take marrying Akane seriously. Good,>
Nabiki thought. She looked back to her computer and double-clicked the
file called 'Operation Kuno Family Heartbreak'. She had prepared the
details after the aborted wedding, but was waiting for someone to pay
her to use it. Took them longer than she thought.

                    -C-           -M-           -D-
{end section A}

--
Jim Lazar

E-Mail - mailto:jimlazar@earthlink.net
Home - http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar
FanFiction - http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime

"You made Akane whose daughter?!?!"
"Genma's."
"Has she hit you with her mallet yet?"
"Several times, actually."