ShadowSoft Inc. Presents: A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic side-story "Careful Destiny" Part Three by: Todd Hill AKA Shadow Stalker Based on: Be Careful What You Wish For... written by: Richard Beaubien Inspired by the "Ranma 1/2" Manga and Anime by Rumiko Takahashi WARNING! While this story is *NOT* a lemon, it does have some adult situations in it. Read at your own discretion! LATER THAT EVENING... "Daddy! Kasumi! I'm home!" Nabiki scratched her head, puzzled at the emptiness of the house. Her father wasn't in the dojo, and Kasumi wasn't in the kitchen. Curious, she walked upstairs. Peeking her head in Akane's room, she found her younger sister still in her school clothes, asleep on her bed. Nabiki smiled to herself, knowing that Akane needed the rest after what she had to endure today. Quietly she closed Akane's door, then walked to her room. `I feel like a bath,' Nabiki thought to herself as she entered her room, stretching luxuriantly. She gathered her shorts, panties, and shirt and headed off for the bathroom. Quickly covering the distance from her room to the bath, she closed the door to the dressing area behind her. Not wanting to wrinkle her uniform, Nabiki carefully shrugged herself out of the skirt and shirt, hanging them on a hook next to the door. She then took off her panties, grabbed a towel, and entered the bath. Kasumi turned from her scrubbing at hearing the door opening. "Oh, hello Nabiki." Nabiki blushed at walking in on her older sister. "Sorry, Kasumi. I didn't hear any water running, so I assumed..." Kasumi smiled her winning smile, and patted the empty stool next to her. "That's okay, Nabiki. I needed to talk with you anyway." Nabiki sat next to Kasumi, and began scrubbing herself. "So what's on your mind, sis?" Nabiki smiled at her as she spoke. "I heard about what happened to Akane today. She was really upset when she got home. It took me a while to get the poor girl calmed down." Nabiki nodded. "I saw her in her room just a moment ago. She was asleep, so I assume she's doing better." Kasumi looked at Nabiki directly. "I'm not so sure Nabiki. Akane's very fragile right now. The slightest thing could upset her, and she doesn't need any more problems to deal with." Kasumi placed a hand on Nabiki's bare shoulder. "Now, I want to hear what happened today." Nabiki dropped her soap and rag next to her stool, then crossing her legs, turned to face Kasumi directly. "Now sis, I hope you don't think that *I* had anything to do with what happened ..." Kasumi shook her head, cutting Nabiki off. "I'm not thinking that at all, Nabiki. Akane was so upset that she could only give me partial details of what happened. I want to hear it all, from you." Nabiki nodded, then launched into the details of Kuno's fight with Ranma, and the fight afterwards with the Kendo team. Kasumi sat in silence, absorbing all of the details of Nabiki's story. "And that's all I remember about today. Akane wasn't around when I left school, so I thought she'd come home. Looks like I was right." Kasumi frowned. "Then you didn't see what happened to her after school, did you?" Nabiki shook her head. "No, I had... things ... to take care of, so I didn't stick around. What happened to her, sis?" Kasumi told her what she knew. "According to Akane, Ranma had asked her out on a date. But she didn't accept because she said that Ranma was dating Kinuko Amagi. At least, that's what I was able to get from her. I was hoping you'd be able to shed some more light on that." "Well, it was common knowledge around school that Kinuko had `taken pity' on one of the campus geeks and agreed to date him. If memory serves, it *was* Ranma Saotome that she was dating. But they broke up over three weeks ago. I know that because I had a pool going to see how long their relationship would last." Nabiki smirked to herself, remembering the windfall she'd garnered from that. "As far as I know sis, he's not dating anyone right now. Little sis should be able to date Ranma if she wants to." Kasumi sighed, not yet satisfied. "Well, Nabiki, I'm still worried about our little sister. Akane's not been happy since she was engaged to Kuno. Now that she's free of him, she's going to need some time to heal." "I wouldn't worry Kasumi. Akane's a tough girl, and if today's fight was any indication, she's still quite capable of taking care of herself. Besides, dating Ranma might not be a bad thing. He's got a cute bod." Nabiki laughed slightly. Kasumi smiled at Nabiki's comment. "You're incorrigible sis." She debated something for a moment, her face becoming serious again. "I need to tell you something Nabiki, and I want you to keep it between us for now." Nabiki nodded, always willing to take free information. She crossed her arms, resting them on her knees. She then leaned forward, letting her breasts dangle between her now open legs as she rested her chin on her arms. "Go ahead, sis. I'm all ears." Kasumi adopted the same pose as Nabiki. "You know that the engagement between Akane and Kuno had been arranged." Nabiki nodded. "Well, father did that to cover for a previous arrangement that had been broken a long time ago." Nabiki's eyes widened. "Kasumi, are you telling me that there was a *previous* marriage arrangement for Akane?" "Not exactly. Father had agreed with another family before we were born that should they have a son, and our family have a daughter, they would marry the childern to carry on the Anything Goes school. The agreement was broken when you and Akane were little. You probably don't remember any part of it." Nabiki shrugged her shoulders. "You're right. None of this rings a bell. Does Akane know *anything* about this previous arrangement?" Kasumi shook her head. "No, and I want it to stay that way for now, okay?" Nabiki was a little shocked at Kasumi's intensity. "Okay, sis. I won't tell Akane about this. But I don't understand why you're telling me this now. Akane's free of her engagement to Kuno, and she's free to look for a boyfriend now, assuming there aren't anymore arrangements." "No, there aren't any new arrangements that I'm aware of. But there's a *very* good reason that I'm telling you this." Kasumi paused, not sure how Nabiki would take this. "You see, Ranma's family was the one that broke the original agreement with father. And when Ranma's father broke the agreement with daddy, our family was severely dishonored. Father searched for many years to find another suitor for one of us so that the family name wouldn't remain tarnished." Nabiki's head shot up in shock. "What!? You mean daddy was willing to shack one of us up with some guy just to keep his own honor!?" Kasumi showed Nabiki a hurt look. "Nabiki, calm down! Daddy was very upset after Mr. Saotome broke their agreement." Kasumi's mind reeled as she suddenly returned to that fateful day. <* Soun's hands clenched the handset of the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white. Tears were streaming down his face, and his voice was trembling. "Genma, just what the *HELL* do you mean you're calling off our agreement?!" A beautiful young woman held a trembling Kasumi to her as they watched the exchange take place. She cradled the infant Akane in her free arm as she sought to console her oldest daughter. "Mommy, why's daddy so upset?" Kasumi asked through tear-soaked cheeks. She rubbed her reddened eyes and sniffled slightly. "Shh, Kasumi-chan. I'll explain later, okay dear?" She looked into Kasumi's little face, smiling at her. "Everything will be okay," she soothed as she caressed Kasumi's cheek. She turned back to look at her husband, a mixture of anger and concern warring for domination on her face. "Now you listen to me Saotome! If you break off the engagement, I will NEVER speak to you again!" Soun thundered into the receiver. A tinny voice could be heard barely over the other end. The young woman leaned forward, and caught what Genma was saying. "Listen to me Tendo. I'm doing you a favor by breaking off this engagement. I can't have Ranma marry one of your daughters..." "Are you saying that there's something wrong with my children, Saotome?!" "No! I..." Soun cut him off furiously. "Listen carefully, Genma, because I'm only going to say this one more time. You will honor our agreement or you will never be welcome here again!" A long pause could be heard on the other end of the line. Then Genma finally spoke with a resigned voice. "I'm sorry Tendo, I can't... " Soun stood in front of the phone, his mouth agape in shock. He continued to hold the handset in his hand, the speaker droning softly with a dial tone. Kasumi watched her mother place Akane in her crib, then run up to him. "Soun dear, what was that all about?" Soun looked at her like she was a stranger. "What? Oh... sorry dear. Genma called to tell me that he's broken our agreement to marry our children..." he stated in an eerie monotone. She placed a hand against his back. "Soun, what does that matter? Our daughters should be free to choose whomever they want to marry, anyway." Soun shook his head violently. "NO! We swore to marry our children so that the future of the Anything Goes school of Martial arts would be assured! How could Genma even think of breaking such a solemn promise?" Soun balled his hands into fists angrily. "Fine! If he wants it that way, then we'll never speak to them again!" She held her hands up to her face in shock. "Soun, surely you can't be serious? They're our *best friends!* I've known Nodoka since we were children." Soun ignored her. "Honor demands that we shun them, and that is what we will do." She started to protest, but Soun cut her off. "I will not debate this point! They are never to see us or speak with us *ever again!*" Her eyes tearing, she turned and ran away from her husband, leaving him alone with the handset still in his grip. *> Kasumi wept as memories of events flooded through her mind as clearly as the day they happened. She spoke with a thick voice. "I can just remember it, Nabiki. Mommy and I saw just how hurt he was. He swore that he'd never speak to Mr. Saotome ever again, and that he'd redeem the honor of the Tendo name and the school of Anything Goes, whatever the cost. For several years after that, mommy had tried hard to help him through it; but he was desperate, and driven. He wouldn't listen to her, always saying that the school had to have a successor. And when mommy died, daddy dedicated his life to undoing what Mr. Saotome had done. He'd become obsessed with insuring that the Anything Goes school would continue. He'd been unsuccessful for many years in trying to find someone to marry one of us, and that hurt him. He felt that people thought we weren't worth marrying. That hurt him deeply, qlthough he tried to hide it. And with him out looking for a suitor for one of us, he hardly had time to be with us..." Kasumi covered her face with her hands, unable to keep her emotions in check any longer. Nabiki frowned, not liking what she'd heard. Although she had to agree with her sister. Her father had never been too prominent in her life, which meant that Kasumi had been her rock while she and Akane grew up. That made seeing Kasumi cry very hard for her to take because it was so *unlike* her to be this upset. She decided to shelve the information about Saotome for now, and concentrated instead on consoling her sister. She sat forward and grabbed her older sister by the shoulders. "We owe all of that to Ranma's family. They're the reason Akane's feeling the pain she's in right now. They're the reason we didn't have a father around all the time. They're ... they're ..." Kasumi broke off, angry and bitter over what she'd been forced to watch her father and sisters endure over the years. Not able to stand seeing her sister in pain any longer, she stood up and pulled her older sister to her feet, hugging her tightly. "Kasumi, it's okay now. Akane's going to be okay, and so's daddy." She rubbed her sister's back in a comforting manner, and Kasumi held onto Nabiki desperately, burying her head in her sister's chest and crying heavily. Nabiki fought back the few tears that had threatened to surface. She had no good recollection of any of this, so it didn't affect her the way it did Kasumi. But she was beginning to understand why her father and Kasumi behaved as they did. "You've done so much for Akane and me, sis. We love you so much," she said as she looked down to her weeping sister, and held onto her tightly. She reached up and ran a hand across Kasumi's wet face. "If it'll make you feel better, cry all you want." Kasumi continued to cry on Nabiki, holding onto her younger sister tightly. She had been holding her pain in for so long that it shocked her at how powerfully she wept. Nabiki brought her hand back down to rub her sister's back. Nabiki admitted to herself that she had no experience in dealing with a crying person, and it galled her that she wasn't able to comfort her sister properly. As her hand continued to glide across her sister's back, she absently noted that Kasumi was covered with cold, soapy water, and was shivering. Nabiki looked at the tub, a temporary solution for Kasumi's pain coming to her. "C'mon sis, we could both use a hot soak," she said as she guided her older sister over to the tub. Nabiki sat in the tub first, then helped Kasumi in. The tub just barely accommodated both women, but she didn't want to leave her sister alone. They sat together, with Kasumi in Nabiki's lap. She wrapped one of her arms around her older sister to hold her while the other one wiped more tears from Kasumi's cheeks. Kasumi's crying finally ended as she sat cradled in Nabiki's loving embrace. A moment later she thought about how they looked, and she couldn't help but chuckle at her predicament. "What so funny, sis?" Nabiki smiled to herself, happy that Kasumi was no longer crying. "Akane and I were in the same position less than an hour ago. She was crying in my lap much like what I'm doing with you right now." Nabiki smiled. "Well, you looked like you could use a friend right now. So get comfortable, sis." Nabiki relaxed herself, enjoying the feeling of the hot water and Kasumi's silken skin on her own. Kasumi reclined against her younger sister, enjoying the companionship and drawing comfort from Nabiki's soft presence. "Thank you Nabiki." Nabiki adjusted herself slightly in the tub so that Kasumi could submerge more of herself in the warm water. They sat together in silence for a long while, resting in the warm water to calm themselves. After a while, Nabiki stirred, having dozed off. She reached over and stroked Kasumi's face. "Hey, you awake sis?" Kasumi pushed her head back, rubbing Nabiki's cheek with one of her own. "Mmm. Yes, I was just thinking is all..." Nabiki sighed softly. "Kasumi, there's no need for you to keep dwelling on this. I understand why you're upset with the Saotome's, but that's all in the past. We'll be okay as long as us Tendo sisters stick together." Nabiki brought her free hand up to sister's shoulder and gave her an affectionate squeeze. "Don't worry so much about the past, sis. Things usually have a way of working themselves out." She then slid her hand down her sister to her waist, letting it drift aimlessly across Kasumi's stomach. "It's interesting, though, that the person who saved Akane from a doomed life with Kuno would wind up being Ranma Saotome," Nabiki admitted. "Yes, ironic isn't it Nabiki?" Nabiki's look became thoughtful as she considered Kasumi's words. "I wouldn't go so far as to say ironic, sis. You're assuming that Ranma doesn't know about the arranged marriage. He may very well know about it. In fact, that might explain why a wimpy geek like him would turn into a hot-shit martial artist all of a sudden. Maybe he's trying to redeem himself, or his family, or something..." Kasumi's mind was still clouded with feelings of anger and regret. She didn't trust Ranma with Akane. "I guess the only way to be sure what his motives are would be if we actually sat down and talked to him about it." Nabiki smiled, and patted Kasumi on the stomach. "That's actually a good idea, sis. The only question is, how do we get Ranma alone and talk to him away from Akane?" Kasumi patted Nabiki on the arm. "If anyone could figure out a way to do that, you can Nabiki." Nabiki smirked the smirk of the victorious, and raised a hand in the air. "I gladly accept all praise of my abilities." Both ladies broke into a fit of giggles. Kasumi rubbed her fingers against herself, and noticed how rough her hands felt. She stood in the bath, holding a hand down to Nabiki. "I'm turning into a raisin, sis. We'd better dry off." Nabiki agreed with her older sister. She grabbed Kasumi's hand and stood up next to her, then slipped an arm around her waist. "Let's get dressed, sis. We don't want daddy thinking we've left him alone." They grabbed their towels and headed into the dressing area. "Yes Nabiki. I've got to get dinner started anyway," Kasumi said as she closed the door behind her. **** Ranma trudged down the street, his home finally in sight. He wouldn't admit it to his sister, but his arms were damn tired. And as much as he loved his sister, he wanted nothing more at the moment than to set her down. He picked up his pace, hoping to get in the house before he dropped Ranko on her butt. Ranko had somehow managed to doze off while riding on her brother. She was snoring softly in her brother's ear, the exhaustion of the day catching up with her and replacing her earlier sexual tension. Her head lolled on Ranma's shoulder, and her arms were draped lazily around his neck. Ranma smiled to himself, noting that she seemed a lot like him since she could apparently fall asleep anywhere. He arrived at the house, glad that he wouldn't be straining his aching arms much longer. Figuring that he'd have an easier time getting Ranko in the house from the back door, Ranma walked around the house and entered the back yard. To his satisfaction the back door wasn't locked, and he slid it open with his foot with little effort. Carefully he stepped inside, mindful of not hitting Ranko's head on the door frame. He looked about the room and didn't see anyone. Nor could he hear anyone bustling around in the kitchen. Ranma frowned to himself. His father would be home any minute, but where was his Mom? He ascended the stairs slowly, Ranko's burden making the climb difficult. Only colliding with the wall twice, he managed to get to the top. Once at the top of the stairs, he could hear water running in the bathroom. `Mom must be in the bath,' Ranma thought dismissively. He walked to the door to his sister's room, and sliding it open, shuffled in still carrying Ranko on his back. He sat down on her bed and unwrapped her arms from around his neck. Ranko moaned slightly at being disturbed in her sleep, but otherwise did nothing. Releasing her legs, Ranma turned at the hips. He removed both bookbags that she had been carrying on her back and set them on the floor next to her bed, then gently laid her down on the bed. Standing up and away from her, he picked both of her legs up and moved them so that she was laying properly on the bed. `I don't know how, but she's still asleep,' Ranma chuckled to himself. He put his hand against her forehead, and noted with satisfaction that she felt normal. He watched her slep, and noted that she managed to look unbearably cute, even with the bandage. `Must be in the genes,' he thought jokingly. `I'd better let her know she's home.' Ranma slid up on the side of the bed, placing one of his arms across her as he bent down. Placing his lips near her ear, he whispered to her. "Ranko-chan, wake up." Ranko's eyelashes fluttered lightly as she heard a soft voice whisper in her ear. Seeing her brother leaning beside her, she opened her eyes and smiled. "Hey bro." She turned her head a bit to figure out where she was. "Are we home already?" she asked in a weak voice. Ranma sat back up a bit to look at his sister face-to- face. "Yep. We're in your room, Sleeping Beauty," he whispered as he reached his hand up and caressed her injured cheek. "How's the cut feel, sis?" Ranko smiled at Ranma's reference to `Sleeping Beauty'. She brought her hand up and caressed Ranma's cheek in return. "I guess it's better, although it's still a little sore." Ranko dropped her hand from his face and draped it on his shoulder. "Thanks again for what you did for me today, bro. I couldn't have gotten to the doctor without your help." She pulled him onto her, wrapping her arms around his back in a sudden hug. Ranma struggled for a second, surprised at the suddenness of the gesture, but then relented and curled his arms underneath her to return the embrace. "It was my pleasure sis." Ranma held his sister to him, listening to her heartbeat as his head lay against her chest. A few moments later he pulled his arms out from under her and sat up a bit as Ranko released her hold on him, their faces very close. He looked at her lingeringly, her warm breath cascading against his face. Then acting on a sudden impulse, he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. Ranko saw it coming and intercepted him, kissing her brother fully on the lips. Ranma's cheeks colored furiously as she kissed him, but he didn't want to push her away. Ranko broke the kiss and sat back against the bed suddenly, realizing what she was doing. "Oh God! Umm... Ranma... I'm sorry! I..." Ranma covered Ranko's lips with a finger, quieting her stammered apology. "It's okay, sis. Granted, it felt weird, but after everything we've been through today you're excused." He winked at her. Ranko blew out a big sigh of relief as Ranma sat up completely. "I don't know what came over me, bro." Ranma took one of her hands in his. "It's okay, Ranko. Although it was probably my fault too. Brothers usually don't kiss their sisters under any circumstances. I'm still new at this, I guess. Having a sister, I mean. You know I love you, but it wouldn't be right for us to keep doing that." Ranma put a hand to his head, which was starting to ache. "Actually, now that I think about it, that kiss probably had a lot to do with Akane and Kinuko." She looked at her brother guiltily. "I hope you're not upset with me." Ranma shook his head. "Sis, I already told you it was cool. I could think of a lot worse people to kiss than my own sister." He chuckled softly. She squeezed his hand, grateful that he wasn't upset with her. "And by the way, I love you too bro." Ranma returned the hand squeeze. Suddenly anxious to change the subject, she brought a hand up and clapped Ranma on the arm. "Now I want you to answer the question you ducked back at Dr. Tofu's." Ranma's eyes showed a puzzled look. "I didn't duck a question, Ranko... Which question are you talking about, anyway?" Ranko shook her head slightly. "You never answered my question about what you were going to do about Akane." Ranma nodded. "Yeah, that's right. We were going to discuss it after we got home from Dr. Tofu's..." Ranko gestured to her room. "Well, we're home now." Ranma smiled to her. "Yeah. I guess that..." Their heads turned as Nodoka yelled from downstairs. "Ranma! Ranko! You kids home yet?!" Ranma grimaced. He wasn't looking forward to explaining Ranko's injuries to his parents. But as far as he was concerned, Ranko's safety was his responsibility. Ranma stood up. "I'll talk with you after I get through talking to Mom and Pop." Ranko blanched as she realized that he'd be in hot shit for her condition. She sat up and tried to get out of her bed. Ranma quickly held his hands out and stopped her from getting up. "No Ranko! Remember what Dr. Tofu said. You're to stay off that leg for the rest of the day." Ranko looked at him angrily. "Ranma, I can't let you take the rap for what happened to me. I'm responsible for this," she said, indicating her ankle. "And I'm responsible for you," he said, poking her gently in the chest. "Now I want you to stay right here and wait for me to return." Ranko looked like she was going to object again, but Ranma stared her down. "Dammit, listen to me! You're going to make things worse if you keep walking on it, so stay there!" Ranko relented, and flopped back against her pillows, angry. "Fine! Be that way!" She turned her head from him, crossing her arms across her breasts. Ranma's look softened. "Now cut that out, Ranko! I'm not punishing you. I just don't want to see you get hurt any worse than you already are." Ranko turned her head to face him, her angry look dissipating. "I understand that Ranma, and I appreciate your concern. But I'm old enough to be responsible for my own actions." She held her arms out to him. "I'm not gonna take `no' for an answer. But I do have a compromise. You can help me walk downstairs, and we'll talk to her *together.* Okay bro?" Ranma sighed, then smiled at her. "You remind me of me, you know that sis?" He bent down and pulled Ranko up to a standing position, pivoting on her good foot. Ranko laughed at his comment. "I thought that was the other way around, bro." He snorted at the comment. `So much for Ranko getting her rest,' Ranma thought to himself as he put Ranko's arm around his neck to help her walk. `I hope Mom and Pop don't overreact when they see her,' Ranma hoped as he helped his sister out of her room. **** Nodoka prowled the downstairs again, looking for her kids. `They should've been home over an hour ago. I hope nothing's happened to Ranma.' She worried as her search continued to turn up nothing. She went out to the training hall, and only found Genma in there, working out. "Genma dear, have you seen the children?" Genma stopped his forms routine and turned to his wife. Grabbing a towel, he dried off his bald pate as he walked towards Nodoka. "What was that dear? I didn't hear you." Nodoka looked at him impatiently. "I *said*, have you seen our children?" Genma shook his head. "No, I haven't dear. I came straight here after work, so I didn't look in the house. They haven't been out here, as far as I know." "I'm worried, Genma. I've been looking for them for the past five minutes, and they're not anywhere around here. They should've been here long ago..." Nodoka began biting her nails nervously, her worry for Ranma's safety clearly eating away at her. Genma saw the look on her face and reached out, holding her to him. "I think Ranma's okay, dear. But let's go inside and wait for them." Nodoka put her arms around her husband and lay her face against his broad chest. "Yes, let's go inside." Genma put an arm across Nodoka's shoulders and went inside. `Nodoka's worrying too much about the boy. If he's as good as I saw last night, he should be okay.' But Genma couldn't help but acknowledge the twinge of doubt that was eating away at his confidence in his son's abilities. Quickly the two turned and walked out of the training hall and back into the house. **** Ranma knelt down so Ranko could sit at the table. He heard her gasp as she tried to fold her bad leg behind her in a standard sitting position. She opted instead for crossing her legs, leaving her good leg underneath the damaged one. Once Ranko was seated comfortably, Ranma sat beside her. He kept one of his arms around her shoulder in case she suddenly dropped or fell. Their heads snapped up suddenly as the back door whipped open, and their parents stepped inside. Nodoka saw her children sitting casually at the table, and exhaled deeply in relief. "Thank goodness you two are home. We were so worried about you!" She dropped her arm from Genma and ran to her children, wrapping one arm around each and hugging them to her tightly. Nodoka's pleased expression changed to a puzzled one as she noted the tension in both of her children. The fact that Ranma had his arm *willingly* around his sister added greatly to her confusion as well. "What's going on Ranma, Ranko?" She looked at each of them, trying to see what was the matter. Getting nothing from Ranma, she turned to Ranko and noticed the bandage on her face. Her eyes widened. "What happened to you, young lady?" Ranko self-consciously brought her hand up to the bandage. She watched her mother walk around to face her. Nodoka knelt down in front of Ranko and pulled her hand away from the bandage. She pointed to it. "What caused this?" Ranma's grip on Ranko's shoulder tightened. "Mom, don't get upset with her. It's my fault that she got hurt." Ranko turned to protest, but was drowned out by Nodoka. "What do you mean, `it was your fault?' " She sat back to face both of her children. Genma walked over and sat down beside her, placing an arm across her shoulders. "I think you'd better explain, Ranma." Ranma sighed, and prepared himself for the worst. He told them about the fight with Kuno, but skipped the part about Akane. "Kuno didn't even hurt me. I defeated him, broke his bokken. Then Ranko and I went to school." "How did Ranko manage to get hurt during that fight?" Nodoka pressed tersely. "She didn't. I haven't gotten to that part yet, mom. At lunch Ranko, Akane, and I were attacked by seven guys from the Kendo club in revenge for what I did to Kuno." Nodoka and Genma's eyes opened in alarm. "I took out four of them, and Akane took out one, but not before three of them began beating up on Ranko." Ranma's look became self- recriminating. "I should've paid more attention to her. If I had, then she wouldn't have been triple-teamed like she was." Ranko felt the eyes of her parents descend on her. Genma was smiling proudly, but Nodoka's face was a stark contrast to that. "Now you know why I never liked the idea of you fighting, Ranko. This could keep happening to you." Ranma held his hand up. "Mom, I'm not finished yet. Towards the end of the fight, Akane took out one of the guys holding Ranko back, and I took out the other. After that, Ranko finished off the guy that was beating her." "So what does that prove? She still got injured." she pressed, although she could already see that she wasn't going to win this argument. Genma stepped in to aid Ranma's case. "It proves that once she was fighting one-on-one, she was able to take him out, despite her injuries. She's a great martial artist, dear. She just got attacked by some kids that don't know what honor is." "And what's to prevent her from getting attacked like that again in the future, Genma?" Ranko's face was red as she watched the conversation flow between her brother and her mother. Finally she'd had enough. "Would you people *stop* talking like I wasn't here?" Nodoka finds out about the scar. Ranko tells her that Kenji Kurosawa did it. Lifelong school adversary. Nodoka mega-pissed! nodoka "I thought Ranma was supposed to be the one to fight, young lady!" Bla bla bla [Ranma gets home after school, tells Pop about win. Also asks him about fixing things around the house. Suggests going over to Tendo's to help them spruce up the dojo as an ice breaker. Genma reluctantly agrees. ] **** I'd better ask Ranko more about my other self.' "Ranko, is there anything else that I should know about myself?" [LOOOOONG discussion follows. A LOT of vignettes] **** maybe include meeting of Gosunkugi and other friends to discuss different Ranma. **** Kinuko and a friend discuss a new conquest of Ranma. Also remenisce about previous battles Kinuko's had with Akane. **** [wayyyyyy *distant* future] *[a doggie for Ranko] *[A purse snatcher brings Ranma together with a Cosmopolitan Ukyou] *[Kodachi part deux] Kodachi expelled from St. Hebereke for malleting the head-mistress during an argument. Now going to school at Furinkan. *[Akane's apathy discovered] Akane tells Ranma in good detail about her past. *[Therapy for a fiancee] Ranma offers to train Akane, and fulfills promise to show special techniques to Ranko at the same time. *[sibling rivalry] [possible future conversation] No offense Ranko, but I feel that I'm the one who should represent the Saotome School." Ranko flushed red and started advancing murderously on her brother when Genma intervened. "Now Ranma, that's not going to happen!" Genma said hotly. "You're my son, and you've proven to me that you're a superb martial artist. But I've already said that Ranko will be the heir to the Saotome School." Ranma's eyes widened and his face flushed. He had forgotten that he was the interloper here. "I'm sorry, Ranko. Dad's right. I shouldn't have said that..." "Wait a minute, Ranma," Nodoka interrupted. "Genma, why can't they both represent the Saotome School? They're both obviously qualified to do it." Ranma and Genma both looked like she'd taken a ball- peen hammer to their skulls. That answer was so obvious! "Of course!" Genma shouted triumphantly. Ranma, meanwhile, looked to Ranko and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You okay, Sis?" Ranko looked up at him slowly, "Yeah, I guess so..." Ranma decided not to press the issue right at the moment. "I think we all need to discuss this at a later time. A lot has happened, and I'm a bit tired at the moment." "Well said, son." Genma said, putting a hand on each child's shoulder. "I'm very proud of both of you." Ranma and Ranko smiled sheepishly. "Thanks Pop," they chorused. Genma clapped his son on the back, saying, "This has definitely been an interesting day." *[Kinuko's counterattack] *[Kuno's revenge blossoms] sends sasuke out to spy on Akane, to see what she's doing. `There's no way I'm going to let her stay with that... charlatan!' he thought, grasping his bokken tightly... Author's notes: Well, here I go again. ^_^ (those of you who've read "The Prince and the Lecher" will understand that remark...) I was simply minding my own business, and reading the first two sections of the story "Be Careful What you Wish For" by Richard Beaubien. After completing that, I re-read part one, and said to myself "What if *this* happened instead of *that.*" Well I shouldn't have done that, because here I am clattering away at my IBM keyboard like a man possessed. Some people may wonder about the content (boy *that* was obtuse!). Well, as of this writing: (3/4/96): Released the first alpha of part three for reader input. (3/5/96) Boy! Did I get reader input! ^_^ Several things were immediately changed after I submitted the story to the list. The majority of that was changes in grammatical content and spelling. David Bateson and Kevin Eav get kudos for helping me with the continuity on the story, and the de-lemonization of the bath between Nabiki and Kasumi (although that's always been a dream scene for me @_@ ). I'm still under the influence of this damned cold, so I can't always trust my judgment. Thanks for keeping me on track people! I added some more angst to Kasumi's speech in the bath. (probably *too* much angst). I also added my first flashback scene. Acknowledgments: I'd like to thank Richard Beaubien first and foremost for granting me the permission to write this side-story based on his. Prior to writing this thing, he's never even heard of me. I understand that he's continuing the mother- story from which this one is based. All I have to say is, "Go for it man!" ^_^ It's been a real treat writing this thing and playing around in his dimension (so to speak). It wouldn't have been possible without his work as the base. So to him, I say Domo Arigato Gozaimashita! Bert Van Vliet. You're the one who gave me the writing bug . Prior to picking up my first BubbleGum Zone printout, I was clueless as to the ways of writing fanfic. What a difference a year makes. You're a good friend, and I thank you for the support. Hail SkyKnight! ^_^ Izzy-chan for inspiring the now infamous bathroom scene in part one Wing/Nagisa for being an invaluable proofer for part one. Your contributions helped make part one what it is today. Thank you! Thank You for tolerating my unusual style of writing. I'll get better, I promise ^_^ My music library, for inspiring me in times of need: * Robotech 10th Anniversary Perfect Soundtrack Album * Char's Counterattack Soundtrack * Gundam 0083 Soundtrack * Gundam Singles History Soundtrack * Entire BubbleGum Crisis Soundtrack set * The Macross Complete Soundtrack * Macross II Soundtrack * Macross Plus Soundtrack * Vampire Princess Miyu Soundtrack * Ranma 1/2 Calendar CD `94 * Project A-ko #1 Soundtrack * Megazone Two-Three part 2 Soundtrack * Babylon 5 Soundtrack * Mortal Kombat Soundtrack * The Collected works of John Tesh and Bob James And now for my .sig! Later, Shadow Stalker (Protoculture Addict) (Moderator: The Robotech Echo) sstalker@delphi.com -or- sysop@newberry.edu <--- try this address first!