Here's YET ANOTHER little fic I wrote when I was bored.

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Clogged Sink Press Presents:

Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction - 


                              Pins and Needles


By:Plunger

  All characters are copyright of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan Inc. and Viz     
            Communications Inc., etc., etc., blah, blah, blah...
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[The Nekohanten, Midmorning]

Ukyou sat at a booth in the Nekohanten. She was feeling tired and depressed.
How was she going to marry Ran-chan when he lived with Akane? It wasn't fair.

Cologne saw Ukyou's expression and said, "Something troubles you, does it 
not?" 

Ukyou nodded, "I want to get Ran-chan but he lives with Akane Tendou and 
they're always together! (sigh) I'm also really tired..." 

Cologne smiled evilly and said, "I can't fix the first problem, but I can help the second. I know
a few pressure and accupuncture points!" 

Ukyou nodded and said, "That would be really nice, thanks!" Cologne proceeded to do a number of pressure 
points and placed a number of accupuncture needles in Ukyou. After a while 
she removed the pins and told Ukyou she was finished. Ukyou thanked Cologne 
and walked out. Cologne smiled, looking at the pin still in Ukyou's neck. 
"You're *quite* welcome..." she said quietly.

[Tendou-ke, Midmorning]

Ranma was busy packing his backpack. "Stupid damned father! Why'd he have to 
get me into this mess? He is so stupid!" Ranma muttered furiously, voilently
shoving items into his pack. His fool of a father had managed to get him 
entered into some obscure martial arts tournament in Hong Kong... What was it
called?... Kumite? 

<Oh well> he thought, <One fight's much the same as another...> 

He finished packing and stomped down the stairs. Akane was waiting at the 
bottom. 

"Are sure about this, Ranma?" she asked, looking at a pamphlet. "It looks kind 
of dangerous. It says that you can only win by knockout, or something called a 
'Fatality'. It doesn't sound nice!" 

Ranma shrugged, "I've never had a nice fight. And anyway, I don't really have 
a choice do I?" 

Akane nodded, "I guess not..." Ranma walked over to his father, who was 
waiting across the room. "Ok Pop, I'm ready." he said without enthusiasm. 

Genma nodded and bid Soun farewell. Ranma stood next to Genma, looking 
iritated. He would rather spend his time with Akane... or Ukyou... or 
Shampoo... or even Ryouga! Anything had to be better than going off to fight 
a bunch of professional psychos! These sort of things always attracted them...
He sighed, there was nothing he could do about it. All he could do was try 
to win...

As Genma went out the front door, Ranma following, Akane called out, "Wait,
Ranma!" He stopped and turned to face her. Akane gave the rest of the family 
a dark look. 

"Oh, I'd better go and see about that broken panel..." said Soun weakly. 

"I've got some pictures to develop..." Nabiki said, leaving. 

"I'll go and see about dinner." said Kasumi, disapearing into the kitchen. 

Akane, satisfied that they were alone, turned to Ranma. She looked him in the 
eye. 

"I just wanted to wish you good luck." she said quietly. 

He nodded, "Thanks, Akane." He smiled and turned to leave. As he walked out 
the door, she called after him, "Be careful, Ranma!" He waved and disapeared 
around the corner.

Akane watched him leave then went back inside. The house seemed empty and sort
of cold. Ranma certainly did add some life to the place. It had been so long 
since he got there, that she had forgotten what it was like without him. She
walked about for a while, feeling lonely. Eventually she went up to her room.
There was no point in sulking or feeling bad. She had things to do. Even if 
Ranma was away, she still had school. She sat in her room, trying to 
concentrate on her work. Her mind began to drift as she worked...

Akane was in one of those situations where Ranma had rescued her. It was a
bizzare combination of the incidents with Kirin, Toma and Saffron, the place 
indterminate. She remembered... Ranma fighting for her... Sacrificing himself 
for her, always ready to defend her...

Akane snapped back. Ranma doing something for her? That'd be the day! Whatever 
Ranma did, he did for his own ego. He was a selfish, rude, stupid fool... and
a pervert to boot! She thought, picturing his face in her mind, he was part of 
her life and she missed him already. She missed the taunting, the rudeness,
the insults, the fighting. She also missed the good things. Them talking, she
helping with his his homework, he with her karate. Them going out and having
fun... It was funny what she missed... 

<Geez! I didn't realize how important he is...> she thought, <Without Ranma, 
life would be really boring!> 

She sighed and went on with her work. After a while, she got up and went 
downstairs to watch a bit of TV. Soon, she gave up went to bed, thinking how 
lonely she was without Ranma, and yet how annoying he was when he there! She 
sighed and went to sleep.

[Tendou-ke, Morning] 

Akane heard her alarm clock... She grabbed her bokken and bashed it across the 
room. It hit the wall with a crunch and stopped. Something told her she did 
not want to wake up. She resisted the innevitable for a while, then succumed 
and woke up. She yawned and sat up. 

<I'd better get up and get ready for school> she thought, getting out of bed. 
She grabbed her poncho and put it on. Then, going down the stairs, she noticed 
how quiet it was. 

<That's odd... Ranma and Uncle Saotome are normally out by now...> she thought. 

Then it hit her. Ranma's not here! She sighed and went to the bathroom. She 
went in and undressed, then poured a bucket of cold water over herself. She 
shivered, feeling the cold water on her skin. Then she got into the bath. As 
she sat, she had an ammusing thought, <At least now Ranma can't barge in on 
me!> 

Her thoughts moved on to the day ahead... Suddenly she was aware that she 
didn't like it without Ranma. He was risky and foolish, but she had to admit 
that life was never boring with him around. She got out of the bath, feeling 
a little down. She got dressed and went out for breakfast. 

Soun and Nabiki were already there. Strangely Ranma and Genma's places 
remained empty. 

<I guess everyone is having trouble getting used to them not being here.> she 
thought. 

She sat down and waited. Kasumi came in and brought the food. Sitting down, 
she noticed Akane's expression. "Is something wrong, Akane-chan?" 

Akane jumped and turned red, "No, Oneechan, I was just thinking..." 

Nabiki cut in with some ammusement, "About Ranma?" 

Akane became even redder. 

Kasumi smiled, "It's okay to miss your fiancee, Akane. After all he has been 
here a while..." 

Akane now resembled a traffic light set to 'stop'. Nabiki smiled and said, "I 
don't think she's ready to admit it, but she misses him...a LOT!" 

Akane was shocked, "Oneechan! How can you say that?... ME miss that pervert?"

Nabiki shrugged, "Whatever..." Akane ate breakfast in silence, listening to 
her father and sisters commenting on how peaceful the house was without the
Saotomes. Akane finished her breakfast and stormed out, annoyed at her 
family. She walked quickly to school. Normally Ranma was with her, and she 
felt particularly alone this morning. 

As she arrived, Kunou showed up in his innimitable fashion.

"Ah! I see the beauteous Akane Tendou before me! And I do not see that fool 
Saotome. This is truely a great day. Come into my open arms, Akane!" 
Akane was about to walk past when it occured to her that Ranma wasn't here to 
beat him up. 

She sighed and faced him, "I'm not really in the mood, Sempai!" 

He smiled and said, "Allow me to help you get into the mood." He raised his 
bokken and said, "Since that coward Saotome has failed to show, I will have 
to challenge you directly." 

Akane fumed, she could take Kunou only in small doses, and had clearly reached 
her tolerance. She ran up to him as he raised his bokken. She kicked it out of 
his hand and punched him in the face, then grabbed his shirt front and pulled 
him close, whispering, "You can say a lot of things about Ranma, but he is no 
coward! He's in Hong Kong, fighting a tournament right now... I don't see you 
doing anything like that!" 

She gave Kunou a hard look and punched him into the pool. She stormed off to 
class, burning the grass with her aura.

In class, she was beset with questions about Ranma's whereabouts. She 
eventually got fed up and told them that he was away and to shut up! That 
said, she was left alone to stew. 

<That fool Kunou! Why'd he have to say that? And why did I get so mad when he 
called Ranma a coward?> she thought. 

She shrugged, regardless of what she or anyone else thought of Ranma, no-one 
could accuse him of that... and she wouldn't allow anyone to get away with it! 
She was surprised by how strongly she felt. <Maybe Oneechan is right... Maybe 
I do miss him!> she thought with some confusion. Her emotions were a mess.
The morning passed and she went out for lunch. 

As she sat under a tree, Ukyou came up and sat down next to her, "Hi, 
Akane-chan. Where's Ranchan?" 

Akane sighed and told her. "His dad entered him in a tournament in Hong Kong! 
They've gone to compete, but I think it looks rather dangerous." she said. 

Ukyou gave her a funny look, "Don't you trust Ranchan?"

Akane turned and looked daggers at Ukyou, "I'm just worried about him!" 

Ukyou smiled evilly, "I thought you didn't like Ranchan? What do you care?"

Akane got very angry at this, "Just because I don't fall all over him like 
some tramp..." she gave Ukyou a hard look, "...doesn't mean I don't care!"

Ukyou turned crimson and tersely said, "At least I'm affectionate towards 
him! All you do is hit him and insult him. It'd no surprise if he chooses me 
when he comes back!" 

Akane snorted, "Keep dreaming, Ukyou! Whether you like it or not, Ranma is 
still my fiancee and it's just your bad luck!" 

Ukyou fumed, "Listen, you little tomboy! Ranchan is my fiancee too, and I'm 
going to have him!" 

Akane stood up, enraged, "No way!" 

Ukyou smiled, "Alright then, we'll decide with a challenge!" she said. 

Akane frowned, "What sort of challenge?" 

"Well it can't be anything feminine, because that wouldn't be fair..." Akane 
simmered, then Ukyou continued, "So how about a straight out fight?" 

Akane nodded, "Ok! You're on!" 

They agreed to fight at the Tendou doujou in five days time. With that, Akane 
and Ukyou stormed off in opposite directions...

As she walked home, it occured to Akane that fighting Ukyou was probably a 
bad idea, she was a very good fighter! And Ranma wasn't around to help her 
train! She continued on and thought how odd it was that Ukyou was able to 
rile her up so easily. All she had done was question Akane's relationship 
with Ranma and she had been ready to shove Ukyou's spatula down her throat, 
sideways! Still, she had accepted the challenge... Ranma must mean something
to her, otherwise, why would she have bothered?

She arrived home and found her father. She explained what had happened and 
told him about the challenge. Needless to say, this caused him to burst into
tears at the news of this latest hurdle to the wedding plans. 

"Don't worry, Otousan! I can beat her!" Akane said, confidently. 

Soun tearfully replied, "I know, daughter... I'm just so happy that you are 
fighting for Ranma!" 

She looked annoyed and said, "I'm not fighting for him! I'm... Oh..." she 
trailed off, not quite sure what she was doing. "Whatever..." she added. She 
sighed and went up to her room. Things were not geting any clearer.

She sat there for a while, looking at a picture of Ranma and her. Actually it
was a picture of all of the gang together at Togenkyou, but it was the only
picture she had of him. That was kind of sad, he was her fiancee, and she 
didn't even have a picture of him. She was feeling guilty looking at the 
picture...when an idea hit her. She zeroed in on Ryouga's image. He was almost
as good as Ranma! He could train her for the fight...if she could find him.

She did her homework quicky and then went out to the doujou. She proceeded to 
shatter some cinder blocks. This, however would not enough to beat Ukyou and 
she knew it. She really needed someone to practice against. At this point she 
heard a crash and turned around to find Shampoo at the the door. 

Shampoo saw Akane and frowned, "Where Ranma?" she asked. 

Akane gave her an annoyed looked and said, "Hong Kong!" This was not the 
answer Shampoo expected, "What he do there?" she asked. "He's fighting in a 
tournament!" Akane replied sourly.

Shampoo was shocked, "He fight without Shampoo?" 

Akane nodded and smiled, "I guess he doesn't need you!" 

Shampoo frowned at this and said, "What your problem?" 

Akane told her about the challenge and asked her if she would help her train.  

Shampoo had an idea, <If Akane and Ukyou fight, one will have to give up 
Ranma, that means there will be less competition for me!> "Ok" she said,"I 
help train!" 

Akane was amazed, "Thank you, Shampoo!" 

Shampoo snorted and said, "Huh! Shampoo have own reasons for help. Shampoo no 
like Akane!" 

Akane shrugged, she couldn't care less if Shampoo liked her or not, just as 
long as she helped her beat Ukyou...

[Meanwhile, In Hong Kong]

Ranma sat on a mat on the floor. Nearby were many other fighters. They were a 
tough looking crowd, professionals, just as he predicted. The fight boards 
snapped up. Ranma looked at them, he was up... 

[Tendou-ke, Later]

Akane was sitting on the floor, sweating. Shampoo was standing nearby waiting.
Akane got up and faced her again. Shampoo got ready and waited as Akane moved 
in,  throwing combinations of punches and kicks. Shampoo blocked all these and 
then came back at Akane, forcing her to back off. Akane fended all the blows, 
then had an idea. She moved in close, punching. Then, while Shampoo was 
blocking, she grabbed her tunic and rolled back, throwing Shampoo over her. 
Shampoo landed with a CRASH! and a surprised squeal. She got up and looked at 
Akane, new respect in her eyes, "You getting better, Akane. Soon you beat 
Ukyou easy!" Akane nodded and got ready for the next round. Neither she nor 
Shampoo saw the girl with the spatula in the tree outside...
 
<So...> thought Ukyou, <She's recruited Shampoo to help her! I wonder how she 
managed that...> She shrugged and, having seen enough, moved off.

Akane and Shampoo finally stopped at dusk. Shampoo left, saying she'd be back 
tommorow. Akane nodded, too tired to speak. She trudged into the house and 
headed for the bathroom, "I'm so tired, Shampoo really gave me a going over!"

She sat in the bath and thought about the fight, <I sure am going to a lot of
trouble. I mean it's not like I'm really fighting for Ranma or anything!> She
was unsure about this and it made her feel a little strange, she missed Ranma,
but it was nice not to have to fight all the time. Then again, she wouldn't
even be in this dumb duel if Ranma was here! And if he was, he'd teach her 
enough win easy! One of these day's she'd have to decided what she really felt
about him... 

[Tendou-ke, Morning]

Akane got up and prepared for school. She ate her beakfast and then ran out,
saying she was late. Nabiki looked at her watch. There was still half an hour,
and school was only ten minutes walk. 

"That girl's got it bad!" she dryly remarked to Kasumi, who nodded in 
agreement.

Akane took a long and rather roundabout way of getting to school. She wasn't
looking forward to having to face Ukyou... but they were in the same class, 
so there wasn't much she could do about it. She then wondered what her chances 
were of getting past Kunou without a fight... Not good, she decided.

She stopped at the gates and looked in. She couldn't see Kunou, but that 
didn't mean he wasn't there. He was rather deceptive. She sighed and decided 
to chance it. She walked quickly through the gates and headed for the 
building. Unfortunately Kunou managed one of his 'appear out of nowhere' 
entrances and tried to hug her. Without ever breaking stride, she punched him 
in the stomach, kicked him in the face, and threw him in the pool. "Get out of 
my way!" she shouted after he was gone. 

She ignored Ukyou all dayand Ukyou seemed content to do the same. Akane was 
glad when the day ended. She went home to do battle with Shampoo...

[Meanwhile, Hong Kong]

Ranm stood facing a large, powerful looking wrestler. The wrestler grinned and
flexed his bulging muscles. Ranma sighed, <I hate these things...>

[Tendou-ke, Evening]

Akane did not receive such a shelacking this time, and scored a number of 
times on Shampoo. Ukyou was concerned, Akane was getting a lot better! 
Jumping down from the tree, she decided to have a 'chat' with Shampoo. Shortly
after, Akane and Shampoo finished. 

Akane went into the house and Shampoo headed for the Nekohanten. Shampoo was 
riding along when, something jammed into the spokes of her front wheel. She 
was thrown over the handlebars and onto the pavement. She could see the object 
that had jammed her spokes. It was a spatula...

Shampoo, got up, looking a little battered and very angry. "Where you, Ukyou?
Why you fight Shampoo?!" Shampoo pulled out her bonbori and waited. Suddenly 
Ukyou jumped out of a tree and said, "I wan't a word with you, Shampoo!" 

Shampoo turned and faced Ukyou, who held her fighting spatula. Shampoo was  
unimpressed, "What you want?" 

Ukyou replied sharply, "Why are you helping Akane? It would be easier for 
both of us if she was out of the picture!" 

Shampoo shrugged, "You bigger threat. Better to get rid of you first! Even 
better if Akane do it. Make you look stupid!" 

Ukyou growled and moved into a fighting stance. Shampoo did likewise. They 
were still for a moment, then they both moved. They locked for a moment then 
moved away, then locked again. This battle of the female titans wore on for 
some time...

Shampoo was breathing hard and leaning on her bonbori. Ukyou was also gasping 
for air and was leaning on her spatula. They were both rather battered. Ukyou
was getting annoyed, <This is taking way too long!> she thought. 

She stood and raised her spatula, "Come on, Shampoo! I thought you were 
tougher than that!" A light glinted in Shampoo's eyes as she raised her 
bonbori again. 

They faced off again, circling. <It's kind of a cheap shot, but... it is for 
Ran-chan> Ukyou thought. She moved in and swung at Shampoo, who dodged it. 
Then, as Shampoo was about to counter, Ukyou brought the spatula back, 
hitting Shampoo in the back of the head with the handle. Shampoo lost her grip
on one of the bonbori, which flew up in the air. It fell on her head, knocking  
her to the ground, unconscious. Ukyou picked her up and carried her away...

[Tendou-ke, Morning]

Akane got up and dressed for the day. She ate breakfast quickly, then sat,  
wating impatiently for Nabiki. Finally Nabiki showed up and ate breakfast. By
the time they left, Akane was nearly jumping out of her skin. She walked with
Nabiki, who was trying to find out why she was so aggitated. 

"I guess you're really beggining to miss Ranma, huh?" Nabiki asked, probing. 

Akane smiled a little, "I guess I am, but I'm so busy I haven't really 
noticed!" 

Nabiki was surprised, but didn't show it. "Why are you so twitchy today?" she 
asked. 

Akane shrugged, "I don't know. I just feel full of energy!" Nabiki smiled, 
Ranma must be due back soon...

[Furinkan High, A Short Time Later]

As Akane walked throught the gates, a rather battered looking Kunou 
approached. She smiled and walked straight past him, "Good morning, Sempai!"
He was speechless, she hadn't hit him! So stunned was he, that all he could 
do was stare after her retreating form.

The day passed without event, although Akane did manage to hit a home run in 
a softball game and get an A for her test. She didn't care though. She could 
hardly wait for her next training session with Shampoo!

[Tendou-ke, Afternoon]

When she got home, Akane changed and went out to the doujou. She waited for a 
while and it soon became clear that Shampoo was not coming. She went and rang
the Nekohanten and was told by Cologne that Shampoo had not come home last 
night. <That's odd> Akane thought, <Well, who am I going to practice with, 
now?> As luck should have it, fate interved at this point...

Ryouga walked around a corner and saw the Tendou doujou sign. He sighed with 
relief and headed for it. He went in and was told that Ranma was away and 
Akane was in the doujou. He immediately made his way there...with some help.

Akane was never more relieved to see Ryouga. "Oh! Ryouga-kun. Just the person 
I wanted to see!" He smiled, a little embarresed. She explained her problem 
to him and he immediatly agreed to train her. He could not bear the thought of 
Akane being hurt in a fight, even if it meant her still being engaged to 
Ranma.

Soon Ryouga had Akane fighting well and was pleased with her progress. He 
would make sure she would beat Ukyou...easily. 

Ukyou did not like what she saw. Ryouga was training Akane now, and he was 
better than Shampoo. Ukyou now had a real problem... She had disposed of 
Shampoo, but thought Ryouga was beyond her ability to defeat. She would need 
to recruit some help... 

[The Nekohanten, Early Evening]

Mousse was most surprised to see Ukyou walk in. He moved over to her and 
said, "We don't see you here much, Ukkyou. What do you want?" 

Ukyou gave him a seductive smile and said, "Well... I heard about Shampoo 
disapearing and I had an idea about what might have happened to her..." She 
trailed off, letting him finish the thought himself. 

"What?! Do you know something?!" he shouted. 

"Well, I'm not sure, but I did notice that Ryouga is back in town. It's funny 
how his arrival and her disapearance should co-inicide..." Mousse thought 
about this for a moment and then said, "You think Ryouga took her? Why would 
he do that?" 

Ukyou shrugged, "Maybe he's frustrated about not being able to get Akane and 
want's to trade Shampoo for Akane with Ranma?" 

Mousse's expression darkened. "That fiend Ryouga! I will destroy him! Where 
is he?" 

Ukyou smiled, <This is too easy!> "He's at the Tendou-ke" Mousse nodded and 
ran out. Ukyou walked to the door and watched him run off. <He is so dumb!> 
she thought, sniggering to herself.

[Ukyou's Okonomiyaki-Ya, The Pantry, At The Same Time]

Shampoo struggled vainly against her bonds. Whoever did them knew their 
business. She was stuck, and she knew it.

[Tendou-ke, Evening]

Ryouga had called a break. Akane sat on the floor, her body exhausted but her 
mind still ready to go. Suddenly there was a crash and the wall caved in as
Mousse came smashing into the room. Akane was stunned, she got up and went 
over to him. He spoke as she came over to him, "Stay away from me, Saotome! 
I want to fight Ryouga!" 

Akane gave Ryouga a puzzled looked. He shrugged and tried to look innocent. 
She turned back to Mousse and said, "Mousse, I'm Akane. Why don't you put 
your glasses on?" 

He did so and saw her, "Oh! Hello, Akane! Sorry about that." he gestured to 
the wall, "But I couldn't see the door." 

She smiled a bit and then said, "Why do you want to fight Ryouga?" 

Mousse suddenly became very angry and Akane moved over near Ryouga. He then 
said, "That fiend Ryouga has taken my Shampoo hostage in order to upset 
Ranma." 

Ryouga was indignant, "I most certainly did not. How dare you make such
accusations? Who told you that?" 

Mousse turned to face Ryouga, "Ukyou did! But that does not matter. I will 
kill you!" He unleashed a volley of harpoons and blades...

Unfortunately, Akane was right next to Ryouga. He could have dodged the blades, 
but was more concerned about Akane. He pulled his umbrella, and opened it, 
using it to block the blades as he carried Akane away from danger. He put her 
down at the side of the room and turned to face Mousse, "I do not know what 
your problem is, and I do not know anything about Shampoo. But you almost hurt 
Akane-san...and for that you must pay!" Ryouga was now almost as angry as 
Mousse.

Ryouga and Mousse clashed. It soon became clear that Ryouga was the superior
fighter, but Mousse was too angry to give up. Finally Ryouga, deciding that 
it was all becoming too risky, put an end to it. He waited until the precise 
moment that Mousse threw his hidden weapons. At the same moment he unleashed 
his umbrella... It streaked straight at Mousse and hit him full on the face,
blasting him out through the wall and into the pond. Mousse's weapons however 
kept going... Ryouga managed to dodge most of them but was tagged but a 
serrated knife that cut, and tore his shoulder. 

Akane ran over and sat next to him, "Are you okay, Ryouga?" He nodded, 
gritting his teeth. She looked at the cut for a moment and then ran off. She 
returned and bandaged it. "You were very brave, Ryouga... Even if you are 
little silly..." He smiled dumbly at her praise. 

A little later they were back in training. This time Ryouga was giving her 
instructions from the side. 

"You know..." Akane said, "It's funny about Ukyou telling Mousse that you had 
Shampoo. I wonder what she's up to?" 

"I don't know Akane-san. Maybe I should stay around and keep an eye on you?" 

She looked at him hopefully, "Would you do that, Ryouga? I'd sleep better!" 

He nodded, "Of course!" 

They finished and went inside. Ukyou was getting mad. That hadn't worked. 
Perhaps rather than going for the teachers, she should simply take out the 
student. Still, it was going to be tough. She had a bodyguard now. A powerful 
one at that! <Hmm... I need someone sneaky...> she thought, <Kodachi...>

Akane went to bed that night feeling better for knowing that Ryouga was 
around, he was a good friend. Ryouga sat on the roof above Akane's window, 
watching for any trouble.

[Kunou-ke, Late Evening]

"Miss Ukyou Kuonji.", the butler said nasally. 

Kodachi nodded and indicated for the butler to let her in. He did so. Kodachi 
looked at Ukyou. She had the feeling that she had seen this girl before... 
Then it hit her, "You're Ranma-sama's little friend, aren't you?" 

Ukyou nodded, she was here for business, not a fight. "Yes. I want to talk to 
you about Ranma acctually." 

Kodachi was suddenly very interested, "Really?! Do tell!" 

Ukyou proceeded to explain about the bet and the opportunity to rid 
themselves of Akane. Ukyou explained that all Kodachi had to do was sneak 
into the Tendou house and bash Akane so that she couldn't fight the day after 
tommorow. 

Kodachi accepted and agreed to do Ukyou's nasty little job. Ukyou nodded and 
left, satisfied. She'd have to watch Kodachi, she was smarter than the others 
she'd used...

[Tendou-ke, Morning]

Akane woke and did her usual morning routine and was soon ready for school. 
As they walked, Nabiki asked why Ryouga was hanging around. Akane explained, 
"Well, the fight's tommorow and there have been some strange goings on... So 
he's looking after me. 

Nabiki smiled at this, "Ranma wouldn't like that!" she said. 

Akane shrugged, "If Ranma was around, I wouldn't need a bodyguard!" 

They walked the rest of the way in silence, Akane wondering what would happen 
today, Nabiki wondering how to use this to her advantage and Ryouga wondering 
where they were.

[Furinkan High, Morning]

Akane arrived and walked in, there was no point in worrying about Kunou. He 
was nothing more than a pest! Nonetheless, he was waiting at the doors of the 
school. 

"Akane Tendou, I wish to grant you the great privelige of dating with me!" he
said, in his usual poetic way. 

Akane looked daggers at him, "Get out of my way, Kunou!" she said tersely. 

He ignored her words and said, "I know. 'Tis such an extrodinarily fortunate 
position that you find yourself in that you are-" he continued to waffle. 

Akane was mad now. "Ryouga. Umbrella!" She ordered, holding out her hand. 

"But Akane-san, it's too heavy!" 

She gave him a dark look and he handed it over. She took it easily, powered 
by her training and anger. She gave Kunou one last warning, "Last chance 
Kunou! Get out of the way!" Kunou was finishing his poem, "-for beauty such 
as yours knows only-" 

He was cut off as the umbrella crashed into the side of his head, sending him 
flying. Akane handed the umbrella to Ryouga and stormed off the class.

[Meanwhile, Hong Kong]

Ranma was facing a Bruce Lee lookalike. 

<Jeez!> he thought grimly, <Where do they get these weirdos from?!> 

[Furinkan High, Afternoon] 

As Akane walked out of the building, a set of spatula's were thrown at her. 
She stared dumbly as they flew towards her... Only to be blocked by a bamboo
umbrella. 

Ukyou stepped onto the path, "Well Akane, I expected better from you! You 
won't have a bodyguard in the fight tommorow!" 

Akane was about to reply when Ryouga cut in, "Get lost, Ukyou! When Akane-san 
fights you tommorow, she'll crush you easily!" 

Ukyou shrugged, looking unconvinced, then walked off.

[Tendou-ke, Afternoon]

Akane stood facing Ryouga. "Don't worry about Ukyou, Akane-san. She won't be
able to surprise you tommorow!" 

Akane nodded, she was still upset that Ukyou had caught her unaware. She 
wished Ranma would come back, he could sort the whole thing out! In the 
meantime, she had to prepare...

[Tendou-ke, Evening]

Ryouga and Akane ended the training session and went in for dinner. After 
dinner Akane did her homework, then, as per Ryouga's instructions, went to 
bed early. Ryouga sat on the roof, standing guard over her.

[Tendou-ke, Night]

Akane slept soundly. Ryouga sat on the roof, watching and listening. 
Unfortunatly he was not astute enough to hear the movement of a Black Rose...

Kodachi moved quietly to the door and picked the lock. She then snuck into the 
house, and moved straight to Akane's room. The plans she had bought from 
Nabiki had been worth the expense. She waited at the door for a moment, 
listening. Satisfied that all was well, she opened to door. 

Akane heard the door open, but did not move. All she had to do was scream and
Ryouga would be there. She waited for the person to get closer. Kodachi looked 
down at Akane, sleeping peacefully and innocently and raised her mallet... 

Unfortunatly for Kodachi, Akane was neither asleep nor innocent. She jumped up 
and kicked Kodachi in the face, "What the hell are you doing, you crazy 
bitch?!" she shouted. Ryouga heard this and lept down through the window. He 
crashed into the room and tackled Kodachi, slamming her into the wall. He 
punched her in the stomach, then Irish Whipped her into the other wall. As 
she rebounded, he bashed her in the back of the head with his umbrella, 
sending her to the floor. Akane turned the light on. Kodachi was unconscious 
on the floor, and not looking too healthy. 

Ryouga was horrorfied, "I have beaten a girl! How terrible!" 

Akane was a little more philosophical about it, "You couldn't see her and she 
had broken in with then intent to injure me!" she said. "If you ask me, she 
got what she deserved!"

Ryouga nodded, feeling a bit less guilty.

Soon the entire family was there. Kodachi was woken up and sent on her way - 
{Sans Mallet}. Ryouga went back up on the roof and sat down again, determined 
to be more vigilant. Akane and the others went back to bed. The way Akane 
figured it, Ukyou had just about run out of people to throw at her.

[Tendou-ke, Morning]

Akane got up and prepared for school. She walked off without waiting for 
Nabiki, who seemed a little preoccupied. As she walked, Ryouga gave her some
more instructions about how to fight Ukyou. 

When Akane arrived, she saw Kunou, but he seemed to be trying to avoid her. 
That was no bad thing. She walked up the path and saw Ukyou waiting. She 
stopped about ten feet away. 

"What do you want, Ukyou? Our fight is at four o'clock!" Akane stated coldly. 

Ukyou smiled and said, "I'm rather surprised to see you. I thought you'd be 
in the hospital!" 

Akane was stunned, Ryouga was livid, "How dare you?" he shouted, "Are you so 
weak that you must cheat before the match?" 

Ukyou shrugged and said, "You take what advantages you can get..."

Akane was mad as well now. "Just you wait, Ukyou. The tide is about to turn!"

Akane didn't know how prophetic those words would be.

[Ukyou's Okonomiyaki-Ya, At The Same Time]

Shampoo gave one last try. She flexed her considerable muscle against the 
ropes. Finally they gave way. 

{At last!} she said in Chinese. 

Shampoo got up and stretched, she'd been tied up for a while, but now it was 
payback time! She was going to make sure that Ukyou lost the fight!

[Tokyo International Airport, At The Same Time]

Ranma and Genma got off the plane and headed for customs. "It was good that 
they gave airline tickets to all the competitors!" Ranma noted, "It's better 
than swimming!" 

Genma nodded. 

"Say..." said Ranma, "What was the prize in that tournament anyway?" 

Genma looked sourly at his son. "An 11th century Katana, worth about 15 
million yen!" 

Ranma face faulted. "You're kidding!"

Genma shook his head, "I'm afraid I'm not." 

Ranma smacked him on the head, "What a stupid father! Why didn't you tell me?!" 

Genma looked vaguely guilty.

Ranma suddenly realized, "You jerk! You were gonna keep it for yourself 
weren't you?" 

Genma looked very guilty. He decided to change the subject, "Anyway, it will 
be nice to be home. We should get there about four o'clock..."

Ranma nodded, "I guess... Pity... It would have been nice to win that 
sword..."

[Furinkan High, Midday]

Ukyou sat under a tree, eating an Okonomiyaki. Shampoo decided to put her 
plan into action. She walked around the tree and sat down next to Ukyou. 
"Nihao, Ukyou!" 

Ukyou jumped and nearly choked on her food. "Shampoo? How did you get 
loose?!" 

Shampoo smiled evilly and said, "Amazons very strong! Ropes wear away!" 

Ukyou did not look particularly worried, she had forseen this. She called 
out and Kunou appeared. 

"What is it you desire?" he asked.

Ukyou smiled and said, "This girl wants to hurt Akane and the pigtailed girl!
She's jealous over Ranma!" 

Kunou turned to face Shampoo, "Although I dislike fighting those of the 
distaff side, it seems you must be taught a lesson!" He drew his bokken and 
advanced. 

"Shampoo teach you lesson, loud mouth fool!" Shampoo replied, pulling her 
bonbori. 

Kunou came at her using his pattern strike... 

Ukyou took this opportunity to leave...

"Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadada!" he shouted, rushing forward. 

Shampoo blocked the hits and smacked him in the leg. He staggered back and 
said, "It seems I have underestimated you." 

Shampoo moved in, tired of listening to him talk. She rushed him and he 
blocked her swings. She then let go of one of her bonbori midair and punched 
him in the face. She watched him fall to the ground. "He not see that coming?" 
she said, astounded. She turned to find Ukyou was gone. 

Shampoo shrugged, "I find her at Ranma's place anyway!" She walked off to 
plan her next move. 

Ukyou watched Shampoo leave from the side of the building. <This is getting 
a bit hairy...> she thought. <It's a good thing I'm wrapping it up this 
afternoon!>

[Furinkan High, Afternoon]

Akane came out of class and began to walk home, Ryouga close behind. She 
quickly entered the house and got changed, before going out to the doujou. She 
did her exercises and was soon ready to fight. She warmed up with Ryouga and 
then waited. The rest of the Tendou family came in, as did Cologne, Mousse, 
Dr. Tofuu and Ukyou's minions. They all sat along the sides, getting a good 
seat for the great duel.

Akane stood facing the empty space that Ukyou would soon occupy. Suddenly the
roof smashed open and Ukyou jumped in. "I'm here for the Akane Bashing!" she 
said cheerfully. 

Soun frowned and said, "The rules are... No weapons." 

Ukyou was annoyed, "Awww! What?!" 

Soun continued, "No low blows." 

That got him a funny look for both combatants! 

"And no extrenal intereferance." 

Ukyou punched her palm, "Damn!" 

Soun ignored her, "The winner is the one who knocks out their opponent, or 
forces them to submit! The prize is..." he swollowed hard, "the right to marry 
Ranma!" He motioned for them to face him. They did, bowed, faced each other, 
bowed, and moved into fighting positions. "Begin!" Soun said.

If Ukyou was confident when she started, it drained rapidly away. Akane was
as fast as her and a bit stronger. Plus Akane was used to fighting bare handed
and Ukyou was used to being armed. She cursed her luck, not having thought of
that. They continued to battle, neither able to become dominant.

Ranma and Genma got the to the front door and found it open. Ranma stuck his 
head in, "Hello! We're back!" Getting no response, he walked in, "Yeah... 
Nice to be missed!" he said sarcastically, as Genma took their packs up to 
their room. 

Ranma wandered around and found that the place was deserted. "This is wierd. 
Where is everybody?" he wondered aloud. Genma shrugged and went to raid the 
fridge. 

"Ah!" thought Ranma, pointing outside, "The doujou..." He walked out and over 
to the doujou. He could not hear the sounds of people talking and fighting. He 
went up to the door and pulled it open. Everyone, including the two 
combatants, froze.

Ranma surveyed the situation. Akane seemed to be fighting Ukyou and both 
looked rather battered. Soun was referee. Nabiki was taking bets and the rest 
seemed to be all just watching. He became furious as he realized this fight 
had to be over him. He scanned the room, his gaze finally returning to the 
two fighters.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" he shouted.

Soun looked rather nervous. Akane was embarresed. She wanted to finish this 
by herself. Ukyou was looking like she had won, and the rest seemed to be 
trying to blend in with the walls. 

"Well?!" Ranma said, walking into the room, "What is all this about?" 

His voice and mood told them that lying or leaving anything out would be bad. 
Akane came over and said, "We were having a fight to see which of us would 
marry you." her face was lowered, tears in her eyes.

She suddenly hugged him, "Oh! Ranma I missed you so much!" she said, squeezing
him tightly. 

He was nonplussed, "I... I missed you too, Akane..." 

She looked up, hopeful, "Really?" 

He nodded and then detached her. She stood next to him, drawing on his 
strength. He was _really_ mad now. "I want answers now and if I don't get 
'em..." 

Soun stood up and came over, "I'm sorry, Ranma. I tried to prevent this, but 
it all got out of hand..." 

Ukyou came over and said, "This is all irrelevant, the fight has started, we 
have to finish it!" 

Ranma gave her a cold look, "Not until I know what this is all about!" 

THey all sat down and explained matters to him. He nodded, frowned and stared,
depending on which part of the story was being told. In the end he had to 
admit that he really had no part in it and the fight had to continue. Akane 
was about to protest, when Ranma took her aside, "Don't worry Akane, I 
discovered a few things about myself while I was away... I'm in your corner!"
He gave her a quick hug and then led to her to fight floor. 

<I can't let this distract me!> she thought giddily. 

Ukyou was enraged, all of her plans had been for naught. She may as well have 
simply fought Akane and been done with it! And now Akane had managed to get 
her hooks back into Ranma! 

Ukyou suddenly grabbed her spatula and cracked Akane on the head, knocking 
her down, unconscious. Everyone shouted that that was foul. Ukyou didn't care. 
She was going to trash Akane...permanently. At this moment, Shampoo crashed 
through the roof and double kicked Ukyou across the room, her spatula flying 
out of her hand. "Ukyou, you gone too far! Now Shampoo punish!" 

Ukyou was worried now. It wasn't supposed to go like this! She was unarmed 
and Shampoo was going to beat her up good. Shampoo threw the bonbori down and 
advanced. "I do this the old fashioned way!" 

Ukyou smiled and jumped up. She could face Shampoo like this! 

They circled, each waiting for the other to move. Shampoo did not see a loose 
tile on the floor and stood on it, slipping a little. Ukyou pounced. She 
roundhouse kicked Shampoo, then back kicked her into the wall. Shampoo 
staggered and went to one knee. She gritted her teeth and got up to face a 
now confident Ukyou.

"I thought you were tougher than that, Miss Amazon!" she mocked. 

Ranma had never seen Ukyou like this... She was hard, mean, cruel. Ukyou 
kicked Shampoo again, sending her to her hands and knees. Ukyou then stood on 
Shampoo's fingers, causing her her to cry out in pain. 

Ukyou laughed, "Not so big now are we?" She gave Shampoo a massive kick in 
the ribs, then stomped on her head. Shampoo tried to rise but was too weak... 
Ukyou picked her up for the finishing blow. "Too bad... You wern't good 
enough. Maybe next time!" 

"I'VE SEEN ENOUGH! STOP IT, UKYOU! RIGHT NOW!"

Ukyou and everyone else looked at the source of the sound. Before them stood
onna-Ranma, holding an empty bucket. "I don't like to fight girls...
especially ones who are supposed to be my friends! But you've gone too far 
and I'll do whatever it takes to stop you!" 

onna-Ranma stepped onto the floor and carried the semiconscious Shampoo off. 
She took her over to a now conscious Akane and Dr. Tofuu. "See what you can 
do for her... I'll deal with Ukyou!" 

Akane saw the look in Ranma's eyes and she was afraid.

onna-Ranma stormed onto the mat, "Ok Ukyou, if this is how you want it!" 

Ukyou gave a twisted smile. Then she faltered for a moment, <Thi-This is 
Ran-chan> she thought. But something in her mind kicked in and she resumed her
nasty attitude. "So, RANMA! You will betray me too?" Her voice was full of 
rage and hate, her face told Ranma that she was not going to listen to reason. 

Ranma-chan decided to try anyway, "Please Ucchan... stop this now, before 
anyone else gets hurt!" 

Ukyou laughed, "Like you, perhaps?"

She rushed at Ranma with amazing speed and punched her across the room. onna-
Ranma hit the wall and fell down. <What the hell?!> Ranma thought, <Ucchan's 
not that strong.> Ranma got up and faced Ukyou. <I'm gonna have to taker her 
out...> she thought glumly. 

Ukyou kicked at Ranma, who ducked and tripped her. She fell over then kicked 
Ranma in the face. Ranma staggered back, amazed. Ukyou wasn't supposed to be 
THIS good! Ukyou jumped up and attacked again. This time Ranma was prepared 
and blocked the blow, before putting in a kick of her own. Ukyou took the hit 
and harldly moved. "Is that it?!" she asked, ammused. 

<Yow!> onna-Ranma thought, <She's tougher than Ryouga, now! What the hell has 
happened to her?!> 

Ukyou came at her again and punched her in the side, Ranma reeled as she 
followed with an uppercut. 

<Kusso! If I don't take her now, I'm gonna loose!> Ranma backed away, 
reluctantly drawing her chi. 

"I'm sorry, Ucchan..." she said. 

Ukyou looked confused...

Ranma released the power...

"MOUKO TAKABISHA!" 

The blastwave shook the doujou to it's foundations. This was the most painful 
blast Ranma had ever thrown, and it left her empty. Ranma had done few things 
more difficult than attacking her best friend.

The blast caught Ukyou and slammed her into the wall with enormous force, 
blasting her through the beams and panels and out into the night. She flew 
across the back yard and demolished a tree, finally coming to rest aganist 
the wall, her body smoking...

Ranma finally moved from her blasting stance. "Is it over?" she asked. Soun 
nodded. Ranma poured a nearby kettle over herself and then ran out to where 
Ukyou was lying. There was still smoke coming out of her clothes and she was
unconscious. Ranma picked her up and carried her into the doujou. 

"Dr. Tofuu quick! See what you can do for Ucchan!" he shouted running in. 

He put Ukyou down for the doctor to see. 

"Hmmmmm...someone has left an accupuncture needle in her neck... How odd! It's
in an agression point, too..." He looked her over and said, "Don't worry, 
Ranma, she'll be okay. Someone has used the Skin of Stone point on her. That's 
why she able to take all those hits. And why she survived the blast..." 

Ranma nodded and then said, "Who would do this, though? Set up Ukyou and have 
her manipulate everyone into a big fight? What was gained by it?" 

Akane, having now recovered fully from her blow to the head, thought for a 
moment, then said, "Cologne!" 

The others gave her a strange look. "Why Cologne? What does she get out of 
it?" 

Akane smiled and explained, "By setting up Ukyou, she had the opportunity to 
manipulate all of us because Ukyou get's on fairly well with everyone. She 
got Ukyou and I into a fight that would get rid of both of us. Me because I 
would have lost and Ukyou because you would have come back and beaten her. 
That would leave only Shampoo, which is the way Cologne wants it. "

"Unfortunatly Shampoo joined the wrong side and Cologne had to get rid of her, 
so she got Ukyou to shove her in the kitchen of her restraunt, Shampoo told 
me this before..." said added in explanation.

"She also had a few loose ends and problems she had to tie up. She got Mousse 
beaten up by Ryouga, so that he wouldn't ask to many difficult questions about 
where Shampoo had gone. Then she realised that Ryouga had taken over training 
me. She was worried that Ryouga might make me good enough to beat Ukyou even 
thought she was powered up. This being the case, she arranged for Kodachi to 
come and beat me up in the dark. I was ready, though, and Ryouga and I fought 
her off..." 

"By this point, she had run out of options and had to take pot luck on the 
fight. Unfortunatly, Shampoo had gotten out and was something of a loose 
cannon. This made things worse and, as you saw, it all went down and Cologne 
lost!" 

Everyone was amazed. 

Ranma put his hand on Akane's arm and smiled, "I guess that all makes 
sense..."

She smiled and said, "Yes, but now we should find Cologne, she has a lot to 
answer for!" 

They looked around and found that Cologne and Mousse were gone...

[The Streets of Nerima, At The Same Time]

"Hurry up, Mousse! I want to get away before they figure out what I did. 
Curses... It would have worked, too!" Cologne muttered.

Mousse ran along, carrying her. "Maybe you were born under a bad sign..." he 
suggested sourly. She smacked him on the head and told him to run faster... 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    -Fin-
plunger@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au