Several people have e-mailed me, saying they didn't receive or
accidentally deleted this chapter.  So here's a repost.  Available with
added commas for a limited time.
Well, here's chapter three.  I'd like to dedicate this chapter to David
Johnston, who's agreed to serve as a pre-reader.  As always all are
welcome.  Anyone else who wants to preread simply send me a private
e-mail.  Now onto the fic.

Disclaimer:      The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2 are owned by
Rumiko Takahashi and are used in this fanfic without permission.  That
doesn't really surprise anyone though does it.
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Chapter Three: Letting the Cat out of the Bag
     As Ranma entered class on saturday morning, his eye was caught by
an unexpected sight.  Ukyo was sitting in her usual seat, but wasn't
wearing her standard boy's uniform.  Ranma tried desperately not to
stare.  Akane had told him Ukyo had worn a girl's uniform yesterday, but
she hadn't mentioned anything like this.  The article of clothing in
question was a girl's uniform, at least in origin.  However, it was more
than a bit tight in some place, and it seemed to be rather short as
well.  Ranma had to admit it was hard to tell with Ukyo sitting down.
     "Hi Ranchan, how are things going today?"  As she spoke ,Ukyo
directed a sultry smile at Ranma brightening the portion of the room
where he sat appreciably.
     "Just fine Ucchan."  Ranma resolutely fought to keep his gaze on
Ukyo's face instead of ... other places.  For once Ranma actually felt
relieved at the entrance of Miss Hinako.  He couldn't help wondering,
how Ukyo's visit with Ryoga had produced such a change.  She certainly
seemed to be happy, whatever the cause.

     Finished school for the day Ranma and Akane entered the clearing
where Ryoga had set up his camp.  They were surprised to find the lost
boy sitting on the ground with what appeared to be several school books
spread around him.
     "What are you doing, Ryoga?" Ranma blurted out.
     "English homework, Ranma.  You should try it some time."
     "No need to be so touchy.  I just thought you weren't going to
school anymore."
     "It's not like I ever attended regularly.  The principal was happy
to let me take my classes by correspondence, he said something about
there being less property damage."
     "I think it's nice that you're continuing your education, Ryoga,"
said Akane.  "It must be hard taking classes that way though.  How are
you doing?"
     "I'm passing all of my classes ... except geography," Ryoga
confessed.
     "Come on, buddy, school's out for the day, let's head back to the
dojo and get some sparring in,"  Ranma interjected.
     "I'm not sure Ryoga should be fighting today.  He looks a bit
pale."
     "Don't worry about me Akane.  I just had a little trouble sleeping
last night."
     "Well if you say so.  I'll just make you some chicken soup when we
get home."
     "Hey look, if Ryoga isn't feeling good the last thing he needs is
your cooking."
     Akane was beginning an angry retort when Ryoga interrupted.  "Don't
listen to him, Akane.  I'll gladly eat anything you prepare."
     As the three went (somewhat) peacefully on they're way, Akane felt
a bit silly.  She'd been so worried and it was all because Ryoga had
been a bit sick.  She should've known that his pride wouldn't let him
admit something like that.

     "Here's your chicken soup, Ryoga," Akane said.  She then handed him
a bowl  filled with an unidentifiable substance.
     "This soup looks a bit unusual.  Did you add anything special when
you made it?"
     "No, except we didn't have any chickens.  I used eggs instead.
That's almost the same isn't it?"
     "I'm sure it'll taste fine."  As Ranma looked on in horrified
fascination, Ryoga ate a spoonful of the supposed soup.
     "Are you all right, Ranma.  You're starting to look a bit pale as
well.  Maybe I should make you some soup too."
     "No no, I'm feeling fine.  You don't have to bother, Akane."
     At this point Kasumi entered the room holding a small object.
"This came for you," she said, handing the object to Akane.
     "A throwing spatula.  It must be from Ukyo.  There's a message
scratched on it.  She wants to meet me at the vacant lot near Ucchan's."

     "Are you going to go?" Ranma asked.
     "Of course, Ukyo is usually a friend and I should find out what she
wants."
     Ryoga continued eating quietly as Akane left.
     "She's gone now, you can quit eating that junk."
     "This is pretty good, Ranma.  I think it's some kind of souffl�
though."  Ranma watched speechlessly as Ryoga took another bite.
     Ranma swallowed and said, "When you're done, lets head into the
dojo and spar a bit."

     An hour later, two bruised and sweaty martial artists sat leaning
against the wall of the dojo.
     "So what did you and Ukyo do that stopped you from sleeping last
night?" Ranma asked in a rather penetrating tone.
     "Uh, we just talked a bit.  It was an interesting conversation,"
Ryoga evasively.
     "It must have been."  Ranma felt relieved at the answer.  Thinking
Ryoga had done ... that with Ukyo was silly.  "I wonder what she's
saying to Akane now?  She's been gone quite a while."
      "Even if that message was some sort of challenge, Ukyo wouldn't
seriously hurt Akane."

     Almost an hour earlier, Akane entered the vacant lot.  "Ukyo, are
you here?"   Only a faint hiss gave Akane enough warning to avoid a
razor edged hoop as it sliced through the spot she'd been standing.
     "Oh-ho-ho-ho, the okonomiyaki tramp didn't send you that message."
     Akane looked at the leotard clad figure that had appeared at the
back of the lot.  "Kodachi, but why?"
     "Now that the red haired hussy my brother's so enamored with, has
taken up with that Hibiki boy you're all that keeps Ranma from me.  So,
I'm going to take care of you once and for all."
     "We'll see who gets taken care of."  Akane clenched her fists, and
prepared to meet her opponent.

     "It's probably nothing important.  We'll find out when she gets
back anyway.  Let's go get cleaned up." After he spoke Ryoga stood and
began walking.
     "The dojo's exit is this way.  No the other way.  Look, just follow
me."  With that Ranma opened the door and stepped outside.  As he
blinked at the bright sunlight Ranma was shocked by a bucket of cold
water being thrown in his face.
     "What did you do that for, old man!" Ranma shouted.
     #Quiet boy, your mother's here.#  The giant panda then flipped the
sign over to read, #She's in the kitchen with Kasumi.#
     "Great, I'd better go see her.  Ryoga, you wait here for me, and
don't wander off."

     "Hello, Auntie Saotome."
     "Oh, hello, Ranko.  I was just showing Kasumi this little fellow.
Isn't he cute?  I found him on the street outside.  Here, you hold him
for a while."  Oblivious to Ranma's distress, Nodoka held out  the small
tabby kitten for her to take.
      Determined not to show fear in front her mother, Ranma reached out
with shaking hands to accept the kitten.
     Seeing that the red haired girl had frozen into immobility with the
kitten clutched in her hand, Nodoka chided her gently.  "That kitten
isn't made of glass.  You don't need to be so careful."
     The drowsy kitten chose this moment to stir.  "Meow."
     "Meow."
     "Kasumi, did Ranko just meow?"
     "Why, yes she did.  It's part of her martial arts training."
     Ranma dropped the kitten to the floor, and then turned and bounded
from the room.

     Following Ranma outside, Kasumi and Nodoka found her curled up in
the lap of an embarrassed looking Ryoga.
     "She thinks she's a cat, Ryoga, try petting her," Kasumi advised.
     "Nice kitty."  Ryoga began tentatively stroking Ranma's hair.  In
response Ranma began rubbing against his hand and started purring.
     "Would someone tell me why she thinks she's a cat?"  Nodoka's
normally unshakable calm was beginning to falter slightly
     Appearing almost out of nowhere, Soun explained, "It's simple, in
order to access the unbeatable power of the neko-ken technique, Ranko
must believe she is a cat."
     "That sounds awful.  How could someone be trained to believe that
they're a cat anyway?"
     "Even simpler, to learn the neko-ken, the trainee is wrapped in
fish sausages and thrown into a pit filled with starving cats."
     "I'm appalled, Soun.  How could you put your own niece through such
an insane form of training?"
     Behind Nodoka a panda held up a sign reading, #Yes, how could you
be so irresponsible?#
     "But I didn't... I mean it was..."  Soun threw up his hands
helplessly.  "It wasn't my fault, they shouldn't have printed the
warning on a different page of the guide.  It's not that bad anyway,
someone she trusts can calm her down and return her to normal."
     "Soun, your dedication to the art is admirable, but you obviously
have no idea how to raise a young woman."
     "Pardon me Auntie Saotome, could you step aside?  You're blocking
my shot."
     "How thoughtful ,Nabiki.  I'm sure Ranko and Ryoga will want
pictures of this moment."  Now that Nodoka was beginning to grasp the
situation, her natural priorities began to reassert themselves.
     "They won't be the only ones."
     "Now where was I?  Oh yes, I'm afraid our only choice is for me to
move in here and help you out."
     At the thought of Nodoka staying at the dojo, Soun turned pale and
the panda behind her began to desperately wave signs.  "An excellent
idea, Nodoka but I'm afraid we really don't have room.
     "Nonsense, I can move in with Kasumi and Ranko can sleep in Akane's
room."
     A broad grin split Soun's face as he considered the implications of
this arrangement.  "Now that I think about it,  I'm sure that it is a
truly excellent idea."
     "Good, this means that I can wait here for my husband and son to
return.  Also that nice boy, Ryoga, can stay in Ranma's room for now.
He really is too young to be living on his own."
     An agreement reached, the yard quickly emptied of occupants.  The
only  exceptions were Ryoga and Ranma.  Ryoga looked down at the
pig-tailed girl asleep in his lap and wondered what her reaction would
be when she woke up.

    Meanwhile, across town, an exhausted and battered, Akane desperately
dodged another explosive ball hurled at her by Kodachi.  As Kodachi
tired to press her advantage, Akane finally managed to grab hold of
Kodachi's ribbon and jerk it out of her hand.
     "I have many weapons.  Depriving me of one means nothing."  As she
spoke, Kodachi produced a set of clubs and leapt to the attack.  Akane
dodged and then lashed out with the ribbon she held, wrapping it around
Kodachi's waist.  With a mighty heave, Akane pulled the ribbon taut and
hurled Kodachi into a nearby wall.
     "I knew I could've won that stupid gymnastics contest."  Akane
dropped the ribbon on the unconscious body before her and limped off,
humming merrily.

      Temporarily restored to human form, Genma glanced nervously at the
door.  "How could you agree to let Nodoka stay here, Tendo?"
      "I know it's a bit inconvenient for you and Ranma, but it's a
wonderful opportunity to bring our children closer together."
      "Not if Ranma has to spend all day as a girl.  That wasn't what I
was talking about though.  Don't you realize that tomorrow is the day
the master returns?  How could you let my wife stay under the same roof
as him?"
      "I-I'd been trying to put it out of my mind."
      "We're going to have to do something."
      "Saotome, you don't mean, you want us to confront the master, do
you?"
      "Of course not.  But Ranma has had some success dealing with him
and if we get Ryoga to help..."
     "The perfect Shi Shi Houkoudan is a very formidable technique."
     "We'd have to get him depressed somehow."
     Soun stroked his chin confidently.  "I don't think that will be a
problem.  We'll just have to make sure that the dojo isn't destroyed."
     "I think this plan calls for a drink, Tendo."  Neither of the two
paused to consider that their planning session would be more productive
if they weren't completely bombed.

     Akane grinned triumphantly as she walked up the path to the dojo,
ignoring the pain she felt.  Even if she wasn't as good a martial artist
as Ranma, she'd proved she could take care of herself.
     "Akane, what happened to you?"
     Akane whirled to see an appalled Nodoka Saotome standing behind her
carrying a pair of suitcases.  "It's nothing really, I just got into a
bit of a fight."
     "Akane, you shouldn't have to fight.  Only an uncultured thug would
attack a girl."
     "Actually, I was fighting a girl.  Her names Kodachi Kuno and she's
this crazy gymnast who's obsessed with Ranma."
     "Well, if you were fighting over Ranma, that's completely
different."
     "Er, yes.  Why are you carrying those suitcases, Auntie Saotome?"
     "I'm staying at the dojo for a while.  At least until Genma and
Ranma return from their training trip."  Nodoka smiled, as she pictured
how manly her son must be to cause girls to fight over him.  She could
hardly wait to meet him.   Akane's expression indicated she was not
nearly as enthusiastic about the idea.  Fortunately, Nodoka didn't seem
to notice.

      Kasumi was in the kitchen, cleaning up the remnants of a serious
drinking binge.  Upon hearing Nodoka's voice she thoughtfully poured a
bowl of sake over the unconscious and still human Genma.
      "Kasumi, where's Ranko?  I need to talk to her, right away."
      As she caught sight of Akane, Kasumi's expression mirrored
Nodoka's only moments before.  "Are you all right, Akane?"
      "I'm fine, but I really need to talk to Ranko."
      "I think she's in your room right now."
      "Thanks."

     Akane paused at the entrance to her room, wondering just what Ranma
would be doing in there.  Shrugging she pushed the door open.  Entering
the room she beheld a sight out of her worst nightmares.  Ranma was
standing in front of her open dresser holding a pair of panties with
several more on the floor beside her.
     Grabbing a convenient shinai, she swung it in a tight arc
connecting with Ranma's head.  "You pervert!"
     Ranma was stunned for a moment, then she sat up rubbing her head.
"I wish ya wouldn't jump to conclusions like that Akane.  I was just
looking for a place to put my clothes."
     "Why would you want to put your clothes in my dresser?"
     "Thanks to my mom, I mean Auntie Saotome, we're going to be sharing
the room."
     "But, we can't do that!"  Realizing that someone might overhear,
Akane lowered her voice.  "You're not really a girl."
     "Well, I can hardly tell her that.  We really don't have a lot of
choice."
     "You're going to be sleeping on the floor, and you'd better not try
anything."
     "As if I'd want to try anything with an uncute tomboy like you,"
Ranma said, as she moved a pair of panties out from under her.
     Akane hefted the shinai she held thoughtfully, but decided to let
things pass this time.  It would be inconvenient to have to explain why
she was beating up her cousin.

     Later that night, the sleeping arrangements led to a great deal of
tension.  Ranma was too miserable at the thought of having to live as a
girl to sleep well under any circumstances.  The fact that she had only
a blanket to soften the hard floor didn't help.  Akane had eventually
drifted off to sleep tightly clutching a shinai.
     Ryoga was sleepless for a far different reason.  Accustomed to the
soothing sounds of nature, he didn't react well to sharing a room with
Genma Saotome.
     "Snork, growfl"
     Ryoga glared balefully at the sleeping panda beside him.  If Ranma
had learned to sleep through that, it was no wonder he was so hard to
wake up.  Moments later he reached a decision and cracked his knuckles
loudly.
     -Wham-
     Soon he lay peacefully asleep, the only sounds the quiet chirping
of the crickets and the wind blowing through the new hole in the wall.

End Chapter3

  Postscript:  As far as I know, all that's required to calm Ranma after
he enters the neko-ken is someone he trusts.  When Akane first brings
him out of it they've only know each other for a few weeks.  It's also
unlikely that he had any deep feelings for the old lady, who was the
first person to calm him down.  Nodoka would be able to do it herself,
if it wasn't for the promise of seppuka.  Ukyo or Kasumi probably could
as well.