Hi all.
	I'm just posting this,  you know I'm not sure why, it just felt like a 
good idea at the time.  Anyways it's a little something I threw together 
combining a few different ideas that've been bouncing around in my skull for a 
little while now.
	If you have any C&C, share it with me.  I'd like to hear and I wouldn't 
mind having some input.
-------
	"Akane I love..."  Kuno shouted a second before Akane utilized her 
patented human 
catapult kick to knock him out of the city, trailing the petals of his bouquet 
of roses.
	"Jerk."  She said as she and Ranma walked out the gates to the school.  
They turn and 
begin to walk down the street together.  Then Akane turned right and started 
down to meet her 
two friends.
	Ranma looked after her a few moments, then sighed and continued on 
alone.  He knew 
that Akane and her friends were going to see a new Romantic movie and it really 
wasn't the sort 
of thing he wanted to watch.  However there were a few images of himself and 
Akane siting 
together in a movie theater going through his mind before he shook his head to 
clear it and 
started back to the Dojo at his usual pace.

	Ranma had just left the Canal behind him when he heard an incredibly 
familiar cry, 
"Ranma Prepare to Die!"
	Casually twisting his body to avoid Ryouga's flying kick Ranma responded 
with his own 
greeting, "Yo Ryouga!  What's up?"
	"Ranma, today I will finally rid the world of you once and for all!"
	"Aw come on, what have I done lately?"  Ranma replied.  Ryouga seldom 
took the time 
to talk, but there was always a chance.
	"Shut up and fight!"  Ryouga responded.  A very slim chance.
	Ranma continued dodging Ryouga's flurry of attacks.  "Come on, I haven't 
seen you in 
almost two weeks, and nothing unusual happened then."  Ranma continued.  He knew 
Ryouga 
wouldn't stop his attacks, but the apparent lack of concern Ranma was showing by 
not 
counterattacking always infuriated Ryouga.  Ranma knew that the real reason he 
was always 
able to beat Ryouga was because Ryouga had so little control over his temper.  
It only took a 
few words to infuriate Ryouga to a level where he started fighting like he was a 
lot dumber than 
he really was.  Ranma knew that Ryouga had almost reached that threshold.  He 
dodged 
another kick, and lashed out with one of his own which knocked Ryouga back about 
seven 
feet.
	"Why you!"  Ryouga started glowing as he focused his depression at 
loosing to Ranma 
so often, augmenting the power with his memory of how Akane had whispered 
Ranma's name 
in her sleep the last time he had sneaked into her bed as P-chan.
	Ranma saw the building power, he was familiar with this and knew that he 
could dodge 
the blast.  Then he heard something behind him.  A quick glance over his 
shoulder revealed a 
woman with a baby in her arms walking into the intersection behind him.  "RYOUGA 
STOP!!"  
he screamed, but he realized that it wouldn't work.
	"SHISHI-"
	Ranma set his feet and gathered as much confidence as fast as he could. 
 He knew it 
wouldn't be enough.
	"HODOKEN!!!"  Ryouga completed his attack and fired a wave of all his 
depression 
and anguish.  The energy surged through the air straight at Ranma.  Rather than 
avoiding the 
blast Ranma set his stance and raised both hands in front of him, releasing all 
the energy he had 
gathered just as Ryouga's attack hit him and exploded in a burst of light.
	As the light dissipated it revealed Ranma standing in the street at the 
end of two long 
furrows gouged in the pavement by his feet as he had been pushed back by 
Ryouga's blast.  His 
clothes were torn and scorched, there were dozens of severe bruises on the parts 
of his body 
that were visible, and a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
	Glancing over his shoulder, Ranma looked at the woman who was siting on 
the ground 
holding her baby away from the fight.  "Get out of here!"  he called back 
through clenched teeth 
as he turned his attention back to the charging form of Ryouga Hibiki.  Ryouga 
was running 
straight at him, his umbrella swinging in a wide arc.  Understanding the 
consequences of dodging 
to the woman behind him, Ranma overrode his instincts and jumped forward, 
striking a block at 
the arm holding Ryouga's umbrella.
	Ryouga was surprised at this tactic from Ranma but he felt only delight 
at his opponents 
decision to take him on in a contest of strength.  He lashed out with a low kick 
and connected 
with Ranma's leg.  He heard a crack.
	Ranma felt the pain in his leg and knew that he had broken a bone.  
Distancing himself 
from the pain through long practice, he used his other leg to hop to the side, 
simultaneously 
gaining distance from Ryouga while moving the woman out of the line of fire.  He 
noticed she 
had gone but couldn't focus any more attention.  Keeping all his weight on his 
least damaged leg 
Ranma raised his hands in readiness for Ryouga's attack.
	Ryouga was ecstatic.  He was winning.  He'd just managed to rob Ranma of 
the use of 
one of his legs, and while Ranma was good enough to fight on like this his speed 
would be 
seriously reduced.  Both fighters knew that Ranma's greatest advantage was his 
speed.  He put 
away his umbrella, feeling that Ranma's newly inflicted weakness eliminated his 
need for it.  He 
jumped forward, lashing out with a light kick.  He had waited a long time for 
his victory and he 
wanted to make this moment last.

	A short distance down the street the woman stopped Running and looked 
back.  She 
could see the two warriors fighting, and knew that the Pigtailed boy was in 
serious trouble.
	"Fox!"  Called a brown haired man running up to meet her.
	She looked into his strong face, and handed him the baby.  "David, hold 
onto Alex."  
She turned back to the battling pair and narrowed her eyes as she said. "I have 
something to 
take care of."  She brushed back her long red hair and started toward the 
warriors at a run.
	David looked after her a moment, then turned to the blond bespectacled 
man beside 
him and held out the baby with the word "Owen,"  the blond man looked at his 
companion and 
extended his arms to take the infant.  His left arm was stone from just beyond 
the elbow.

	Ranma stood on one foot readying himself for Ryouga's next attack.  His 
right arm lay 
limp at his side.  When Ryouga had charged him, he had focused as much of his 
strength as he 
could into an attack directing several hundred hits to Ryouga's solar Plexus.  
Ryouga had 
staggered back, but managed to grab Ranma's arm as it withdrew from it's 
delivery of the last 
punch.  A hard yank had dislocated Ranma's shoulder, and though he had the 
knowledge to slip 
it back into place, he couldn't spare the time or effort.
	Ryouga was circling to the right, trying to keep Ranma's injuries close. 
 Suddenly he 
charged in.  Ranma jumped back and to the side, Ryouga instantly compensated.  
As Ryouga's 
knee slammed into his ribcage, Ranma focused his remaining strength as best he 
could.  Lashing 
out simultaneously he struck Ryouga with a ridgehand to the temple while kneeing 
him in the 
Hip.  Ranma tried to land successfully after this attack which knocked Ryouga 
back a few feet, 
but the world was blurring at the edges to much.  His foot landing a little 
wrong and he 
collapsed into a heap.
	Ryouga smiled as he looked down at his helpless opponent.  *He put up a 
real fight to 
the end, but he's lost and I'VE WON!!*  He pulled his umbrella from his backpack 
and 
advanced toward Ranma.  Then he dodged the danger he felt behind him.
	Jumping back away from the Canal he looked at his attacker, then froze 
as he realized 
that he was being attacked by a breathtakingly beautiful woman.  And the odd 
tattoo around her 
left eye, resembling a geometric animal head seemed oddly familiar.  Ryouga was 
too wrapped 
up in trying to decide what to do about her that he didn't do anything about her 
next attack.  She 
jumped forward and grabbed him by his shirt.  Falling backward she 
simultaneously kicked up, 
throwing him back.  Ryouga screamed as he realized that his flight path was 
dropping him into 
the Canal.
	David ran to the edge of the Canal and looked over into the water.  
"Where'd he go?"
	"He's not there?"  Fox responded as she ran to his side.
	"He must have either sank or swam off.  the only thing I can see moving 
is that little pig."  
David replied, stroking his beard in contemplation.  The pair turned back to 
Ranma.
	Fox walked back to Ranma and knelt down, giving his injuries a very 
experienced once 
over.  "He should live, but he really needs a doctor."
	"If I may, there is a doctors office three blocks in that direction."  
Owen said as he 
walked up, Alex cradled gently in his arms.
	"You get him, Fox and I will keep an eye on this young man."  David 
responded, 
reaching into his pocket for his cellular phone.  "And I'll call for an 
ambulance right now."
	"Of course Mr. Xanatose."  Owen responded as he handed Alex back to Fox 
and 
turned to jog down the street to the clinic of Dr. Ono Tofu.

	*Ah, that was a great movie.*  Akane thought to herself as she walked 
back to the 
Dojo.  *It's been a while since I've been to a movie like that...*  she frowned 
recalling her last 
time watching a romantic movie.  *Of course Ranma had to...*  She tensed up in 
anger, then 
sighed and relaxed, *but it turned out to be that weird mushroom Shampoo gave 
him.*
	Akane continued  walking, and began envisioning herself sitting in a 
movie theater 
watching a romantic movie.  Ranma was siting next to her with one arm across her 
shoulder.  
She leaned against him.  She looked in his face, he looked back and said 'Man 
this is boring!'
	Akane blinked for a moment, then sighed.  *He probably would say 
something like that 
too.*  She looked up at the wispy clouds in the sky and thought. *He can be so 
nice 
sometimes, why does he have to act like a jerk and mess it up.  Then she thought 
of the times 
she had hit him for doing something he would have considered nice and sighed 
*Still am I any 
better than he is?*  She thought to herself with a sigh.

	Opening the door to the Dojo Akane entered with a call of "I'm home!"  
As she took off 
her shoes and put on a pair of house slippers she noticed three sets of 
unfamiliar shoes, two 
men's and a woman's.  And they were all fairly expensive looking.  *Hmm, I guess 
we have 
visitors.*
	"We can't impose on you like that."  Came a mans voice from the living 
room.
	"Please, I insist."  Kasumi's voice responded.
	As Akane entered a woman replied "Ok, but we insist on treating all of 
you to a night 
out once Ranma's back on his feet."
	Akane entered the room.  Her father was siting at the end of the table 
crying like he 
always did after getting any form or bad news.  Genma was sitting next to him 
looking worried.  
Kasumi was siting at the table serving tea to a dark haired man and a woman with 
long red hair.  
Nabiki was siting at the opposite end of the table talking with a very serious 
looking blonde man 
with wire rim glasses.  The three people are the same ones who had helped Ranma 
earlier.
	"What's that about Ranma?" Akane asked with a somewhat worried voice.
	Nabiki looked up from her discussion with Owen and said "Don't worry, 
it's nothing 
serious, at least not for Ranma."
	"Well I wouldn't exactly say that."  Said Fox from where she was sitting 
right next to 
Kasumi.  "He's got a Broken leg, a dislocated arm, four cracked ribs, and a 
whole lot of lesser 
injuries."
	"Oh no, what happened?"  Akane responded with a worried expression on 
her face.
	Fox responded  "Well I haven't gotten Ranma's side of it yet, but I was 
walking down 
the street when I saw Ranma and some other kid fighting.  The other guy was 
glowing, and all of 
a sudden he released this weird energy blast at Ranma.  Well it was aimed at 
Ranma but it 
would have hit me and Alex if Ranma hadn't stood there and blocked it with this 
with some 
energy thing of his own."  She sighed,  "Anyway I heard Ranma tell me to get 
away, and then I 
saw him block a wild swing of that guy's umbrella.  I ran back to where David 
was, and after I 
gave Alex to him I ran back to help Ranma.  When I got there Ranma had just 
collapsed and 
the other guy was walking toward him with his umbrella.  Anyway he dodged my 
first attack, 
but then he froze long enough for me to throw him into the canal.  That's when 
he disappeared.  
Well, David called for an ambulance while Owen went to get A local Dr. he had 
spotted.  Dr. 
Tofu looked after Ranma till the ambulance got there, and he told us who he was 
and where he 
lived.  I take it your his fianc�e?"
	Akane was to shocked by what had happened to Ranma to voice any of her 
usual 
protests.  She simply nodded.  Then she remembered Fox speaking of the attacker 
using an 
Umbrella.  "Uh, what did this person who attacked him looked like?"
	"Uh, was about Ranma's height.  Black hair tied with a yellow and black 
bandanna, a 
yellow shirt and black pants, and he had on a backpack."
	"It can't be."  She said quietly.
	"You know that nut?"
	"It sounds like Ryouga but it can't be.  I mean he and Ranma fight all 
the time but it's 
never like that."
	"Yeah, Ranma always wins."  Nabiki called from where he was sitting.
	"Akane, will you set the table for me, The Xanatose's and Mr. Burnet 
will be joining us."  
Kasumi said as she walked into the kitchen.
	"Uh, right."  Akane said standing.
	She looked at the three unfamiliar faces, and the woman with red hair 
said "Oh sorry, 
I'm Fox Xanatose, this is my husband David,"  She indicated the dark haired well 
tanned man 
siting next to her, "And that's Owen."  The blonde man looked up from his 
conversation with 
Nabiki, gave Akane a slight smile and turned back to her sister.

	Akane was preparing for bed.  She had changed into her Pajamas when she 
heard a 
slight scratching at the door.  With a smile she opened the door to let in the 
small black pig.  "P-
chan, it's so good to see you."  She sighed as she picked up and hugged the pig. 
 "I think I need 
to talk about something and I know you'll listen well and keep it a secret."  
She said with a 
smile.
	Ryouga was ecstatic.  Although the Red haired woman's intervention had 
kept him from 
completing his ultimate victory over Ranma, the memory of him lying broken at 
his feet was a 
very satisfying memory for him.  And now, here he was in the body Ranma had 
cursed him to 
wear, about to share an intimate confidence of the woman he loved  He knew that 
he'd keep 
whatever secret she shared with him.  *Maybe she's realized that I'm more worthy 
of her love 
than Ranma!*  Ryouga thought to himself, shifting his already brimming with joy 
mind to an even 
happier state.
	"P-chan, Ranma's in the hospital."  P-chan looked at her wondering what 
her full 
reaction would be.  "And there were some people who said they saw how Ryouga put 
him 
there.  How could Ryouga have done something like that."  Ryouga's joy began to 
drain from 
his heart.
	"You know I've never thought of Ryouga attacking Ranma.  I mean Ranma's 
usually 
does so much better, and I know Ryouga's a nice guy who wouldn't do anything 
lasting to him if 
he did get the upper hand.  I thought I knew."
	*No! I am a nice guy! I've been trying to save you from a loveless 
engagement to 
Ranma!*  Ryouga thought wishing he could speak.
	"Well, I don't think it's his fault."  Akane said.
	*Right, Right it's Ranma's fault!  He's the one who's caused me all the 
misery in my life.*
	"It's this stupid vendetta of his and Ranma's.  I'm going to find out 
exactly what these 
two are always fighting about and I am going to see that it gets resolved once 
and for all!"
	*OH NO!  I can't lie to her, but how can I tell her about my feelings or 
how I'm really 
P-chan!  Stay calm, Ranma swore he wouldn't tell her about my curse, I just have 
to tell her I 
love her.  But what if she doesn't love me back!  My heart will shatter into a 
million pieces.  But 
she's always nice to me and she's always angry at Ranma.  But...*
	Ryouga's now despair filled thoughts were disrupted by a knock at the 
door.  "Akane?"  
Came Kasumi's quiet voice from the other side.
	"Come in sis."  Akane replied putting P-chan down.
	Kasumi opened the door and entered, closing the door again before 
sitting on Akane's 
bed next to her sister.  "Akane, do you need to talk to someone?  At dinner you 
looked very 
upset."
	"Well, yeah."  Akane said, then lapsed into silence
	"Ranma being in the hospital is a real shock, isn't it."  Kasumi 
commented.
	"You know, there've been times I've really wanted someone to defeat 
Ranma so 
soundly it took him weeks to recover."  Akane said.  Then she added "But knowing 
that it's 
happened, it feels wrong.  Of course that's partially because of why he lost."
	"And who he lost to?"
	"Kasumi how could Ryouga do something so... dishonorable.  I thought he 
was a good 
person with a strong sense of honor.  But he beat Ranma by endangering a woman 
and her 
child."
	*What!!*  Thought Ryouga as he listened to the conversation.  *When did 
that happen!  
I just fought Ranma and he made a few mistakes which I capitalized on.  And if 
that woman 
hadn't interfered for no reason.  why did she interfere, and where did she come 
from.  Those 
mistakes Ranma made, they could have been to protect someone behind him...*
	"Ryouga's the only one who knows why he did that.  Of course he has 
always been 
very focused, he might have simply not noticed anyone there."
	*That's right! I didn't see anyone was there!*  Ryouga thought.
	"That's just an excuse!  If the fight is so bad you can hurt innocent 
bystanders, you have 
to put a stop to it."  Akane retorted.  "I'm going to find out why those two are 
always fighting 
and put an end to it!"
	"That sounds very nice."  Kasumi responded.  "But tell me, how do you 
feel about 
Ryouga."
	"Kasumi!"
	"Well you did seem so upset talking about him.  Don't worry, I'll keep 
it a secret."
	"Kasumi, there's nothing to keep a secret, Ryouga's a friend.  Do you 
know how few 
Martial artists there are in town who aren't after either me or Ranma.  Ryouga 
and Mousse are 
pretty much it, and Mousse is always hanging around Shampoo.  It's nice to be 
able to talk to a 
martial artist who's not romantically pursuing me or Ranma.  And he's really 
lonely.  He needs a 
friend and I'm happy to be that friend."
	*She doesn't love me.*  Ryouga thought as he let his pig body slump.
	"And he's a really nice guy.  He's helped Ranma look for the cure to 
Jusenkyo all those 
times even though he doesn't need it himself."
	The pig winced.

	Akane walked to school listening to the silence.  Actually it wasn't 
that quiet, but 
compared to her near daily walks with Ranma is was like a grave.  She shook 
slightly at the 
metaphor.
	*I hope Ranma's OK.  What am I thinking this is Ranma.  Injury never 
slows him down 
for long.  Of course he never gets seriously beaten either...*  She thought  to 
herself.  Then she 
heard a incoming Bicycle and turned to see Shampoo riding along the fence right 
toward her.  
The purple haired amazon made her bike jump off the fence landing right beside 
her.
	"Where Ranma!"  Shampoo demanded glaring at Akane.
	"He's in the hospital."  Said Akane in an annoyed tone.
	"Ayah! Tomboy put husband in hospital with poison food!"  She pulled out 
her Bonbori 
(Don't ask me where from) and dropped into a fighting stance.
	"What's that about Ran-chan?"  Came a voice from behind Akane.  Even if 
she hadn't 
recognized the voice she would have recognized Ukyo's pet name for Ranma.
	"Hi Ukyo, Ranma had a little trouble in a fight yesterday and he's in 
the hospital."
	"Tomboy lie!  Husband not loose fight!"
	"Look!  Apparently Ryouga let himself get so caught up in this vendetta 
of his that he 
didn't notice a woman who managed to walk onto the battle-field.  And Ranma 
managed to get 
his leg broken keeping Ryouga from accidentally hurting her."
	"Ayah!  Shampoo go see husband, show him Shampoo love him best!"  
Shampoo 
shouted as she took off on her Bicycle.
	"Oh no you don't!"  Yelled Ukyo as she leaped after her, pulling her 
throwing spatulas 
from the bandoleer across her chest as she went.
	Akane glared at them, then smiled to herself as she started toward 
school.  "Visiting 
hours start at four.  I'll see you then."

	David Xanatose was standing on the hospital's roof talking to Owen who 
was standing 
about half a foot behind.  "We've already sent all the empirical data and 
medical records by e-
mail, make sure Sevarius gets the tissue samples a.s.a.p."
	"Is it wise to trust Sevarius like this?"  Owen responded.
	"Owen, Ranma was injured yesterday, and this morning the doctors say 
that most of his 
injuries have already healed with no signs of scaring and his bones are healing 
about seven times 
faster than normal.  If Gen-U-Tech could reproduce that kind of thing on a 
regular basis the 
potential profits would be staggering.  Don't worry, Sevarious knows I wouldn't 
support 
investigating anything but that.  Besides the boy's getting a pretty good fee 
isn't he?"
	"It is indeed generous, but suppose Sevarious finds the tissue samples 
insufficient?"
	"I wouldn't support any kind of black bag work, if that's what your 
asking, hopefully 
Ranma will cooperate.  I mean it's going to be a real struggle for him to keep 
the Dojo in the 
Black."
	"True, plus his future sister in law would probably be very persuasive 
for the right fee."
	"Indeed.  That reminds me, what do you think of her?"
	"Nabiki Tendo is very interested in money.  She's demonstrated a certain 
ruthlessness in 
obtaining it, being willing to use and manipulate family and friends with little 
hesitation.  However 
she has never done anything that will seriously harm them, and has even taken a 
loss to protect 
them from such an occurrence.  I think that we should give her a full 
scholarship on the condition 
of her working for XanatoseCorp after graduating.  She's definitely worth the 
investment."
	"I'll trust your judgment.  Ok, visiting hours are about to begin, I 
think we should head 
down and see if some of the other things Miss Tendo mentioned are true as well." 
 David added 
with a grin.
-------
	Well, think it's worth putting any more effort into?  Think I should 
look into Nabiki's future working for Xanatose?  Think I should have Sevarius 
secretly create Project Amnar?  And if you think this is any good I assume 
you'll want me to put some effort into Akane really trying to forge a permenant 
peace between Ranma and Ryouga.

Anyways E-mail me with C&C at brenda02@sprynet.com