Here it is!

And for those of you who asked, all these chapters are basically setup 
for the fun stuff later on.

***
	The schoolyard became quiet as the words of the small pig-tailed
girl still lingered in the air.
	It had started with Kuno spouting off at the mouth again, usually
of no consequence since only a few ever really listened to what came out
of his mouth.  Still he did command a grudging respect, if only for the
fact that he was admittedly one of the best martial artists in the school. 
It was for these reasons that it was thought Kuno's monologue would have
no effect.
	Everyone was wrong.
	The girl who had arrived in the schoolyard with Tendo Akane was
somewhat interesting to all the students.  Her hair was black with red
highlights done up in a pigtail that reached down to her shoulder blades. 
Large, expressive turquoise eyes shone forth in anger at Kuno as she stood
there in a relaxed stance that signified danger to those watching.  Of
course, everything about her signaled danger, from the Chinese outfit she
wore that looked faintly like a kung-fu outfit seen on movies from Hong
Kong, to the way her body moved.  The boys who had been watching had
become entranced with her while the girls started to get a little jealous.
	That was when they heard her exclamation about being engaged and
who she was engaged to.
	Almost immediately everyone was stunned, the rumours that had been
going around the school having nothing at all to do with the reality of
the situation.
	You could almost hear the breaking of hearts as the boys suddenly
realized why the object of their desire for the past two months wasn't
interested in them.  The girl they had pursued had always claimed that she
didn't like, and could not stand boys.  When Kuno had come up with this
silly claim that only one stronger than Tendo Akane could even consider
taking her out, all the boys in the school attempted to defeat her.  It
had been a matter of pride.
	As for the girls in the yard, many of them had raised eyebrows,
some of them having thought that Akane having been engaged to a boy was
too ridiculous to be believed.  That Saotome Ranma had charmed the one
girl in the school least likely to be engaged had started rumours that he
had to have been some kind of Kami, or at least superhuman.  it was a nice
romantic notion, and a number of the girls who thought it was possible had
quietly decided to pursue someone who could romance the school's ice
queen.
	All of the students, however, had the same thought running through
their head consciously or unconsciously as they watched the confrontation. 
*Somehow, this all makes sense...*
	As for Kuno, he stared in wonder at the girl in front of him, the
one who called in the insults he had flung out earlier.  To say that he
was in disbelief over her words would have been an understatement.  He
unconsciously repeated the name he heard, still unable to believe what his
ears told him.  "S..Sa...Saotome Ranma?!?" 

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter Five:

The way everyone is looking at me...

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei, and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, Natsume Sayoko, Masumato Yukio, Yoshida Kyoko, Suzuki Ryu,
Tanaka Hiroshi, and Tomiyoshi Hikaru are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei
Hitomi

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:	Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ranma's eye's narrowed as she looked at the man before her.  She
had not believed Akane earlier when she had told her what an idiot he was,
but the proof was before her.  All in all, even though his comments
deserved it, she wasn't going to kill him.
	"Kuno Tatewaki," she began, her voice holding contempt and scorn in
it, "By your own comments and actions you have created a rift between us
beyond any that was necessary.  You have gone beyond the area of a
challenge, beyond that of adversaries, even beyond that of a blood-debt."
	Ranma started shifting around, her guard kept light, and ready to
take off into the air.  "Even were you speaking out of term, your words
held both the tone of superiority, and the words of death, clearly thought
and clearly stated.  Your words go beyond that of even a generational
debt.  For your words of contempt for the Saotome family alone I should
call upon the death-debt.  You had not even met me and yet you let go
viciousness that any of Samurai descent would find contemptible.  Yet that
is only part of the reason I would call the death-debt."
	She began to close in slowly towards Kuno, allowing his automatic
reactions to start to bring the blade to bear.  She noted that his
movements went automatically towards that of Kendo, which meant that he
was not prepared to take her on in proper combat.  "The other reason that
I would call that debt is for your treatment of Akane-chan.  You have
disregarded her feelings, treating her as though she was property. 
Inducing attacks by saying that only one who could strike her and hurt her
would have the privilege of going out with her.  A Samurai would not do
so, and _that_ is why I call a death debt, for which you now have to pay."
	Ranma ran in quickly, using her left hand to do an outside whip to
Kuno's left wrist before he could begin to react.  Automatically, Kuno
twisted back, letting his right hand push the Bokken around in a low arc
designed to hit his opponents legs, still too stunned to use conscious
control over his muscles.  Taking the opportunity, Ranma leapt up, coming
down behind the startled Kendo practitioner and awaited his turning
around.
	As soon as he turned, Ranma reached in, using a form of spin
practiced in Akijutsu to get inside Kuno's armspace, letting her right arm
grab his, and spinning the would be warrior off balance and on to the
ground.  Kuno's autonomic system responded, allowing him to spin up and
face Ranma once more.  Unfortunately he was too late.
	Ranma had taken the opportunity to let her sash fall from her
waist, spinning it in a double circle which duplicated the movements of a
tri-staff.  Allowing Kuno to strike, she used the soft cloth to trap the
bokken while allowing the weighted ends to wrap around her opponents
wrists.  Pulling back, which forced the bokken straight to her chest, she
dropped below his outstretched arms and slipped through his legs, spun,
and held the teenage swordsman to the ground.  Kuno was defeated.
	Ranma continued to hold him there, face on his hands, knees
together as though he was apologizing for a great wrong.  She knelt close
to his head and in a deathly quiet voice told him, "I will not take your
life, for you are not worth the effort of a true warrior.  However, I will
insist on you fulfilling a part of your debt upon your word of honour. 
You are facing Akane, and you will now beg her forgiveness and promise to
never go after her again.  You will also tell everyone that you were wrong
and beg the forgiveness of everyone in the school for threatening one whom
you were supposed to protect."
	Kuno Tatewaki looked up to see Akane standing before him not too
far away, "I, Kuno Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School, do
humbly offer you my apologies for causing you such pain Tendo-san.  You
have been wronged by me in my foolish quest for your heart, and I have set
an example unworthy of a Samurai.  Let everyone bear witness to my
deserved humiliation for being the cause of such pain."
	Ranma let her sash go, allowing the tension to cease.  Quickly,
she pushed Kuno's body up and removed her sash from his wrists.  "Good. 
An excellent beginning.  You only have to continue to prove yourself
worthy of the name Samurai.  Remember, under the death-debt I could have
easily demanded not only your life, but that of your family.  Learn and do
not do this again."
	Ranma got up and went to Akane who gave her back her schoolbag,
although there was a strange look in her eyes.  Her fiancee looked as
though she was angry, amazed, and wanted to laugh at the same time.  Not
saying a word, they went on towards the school, a pathway clearing before
them.
	Kuno, still on his knees looked at the departing pig-tailed girl,
*I have, by honour, given up my quest for Akane, but now I know that the
one I should chose should be you.  Saotome Ranma, my pig-tailed girl, I
promise to be faithful to you and to prove my worth, no matter how long it
takes.  I shall one day marry you.*
	Morisato Keiko looked at Ranma as she was reattaching her belt. 
*She will definitely make a good student.*

***

	"Ranma, was it necessary to tell everyone that we're engaged,
especially so publicly?"
	Ranma turned to look at Akane who had an angry expression on her
face, "Well, it seems that everyone already knew about it, so what?"
	Exasperation filled Akane's face.  Thanks to Ranma's big mouth,
both of them would get reputations as being lesbians.  Not that that was
bad, but it was not who she was.  She did like boys, it was just that she
had never found a boy her own age that happened to be mature, kind, and
caring.  All the boys she had met so far had been jerks, especially Kuno. 
Thanks to that unthinking speech, Ranma would have everyone talking and
wondering about her, and....
	"Ranma, take a look at yourself."
	Ranma looked down at herself, "What's wrong?"
	"Do you happen to notice something?"
	"I'm not wearing my school uniform?"
	Sighing, Akane looked at Ranma, "Ranma, you're a girl, right?"
	"Well, only wh.." Ranma had started until Akane placed a hand over
her mouth.
	"I mean right now."
	Ranma had no idea what she was getting at.  "Yes, I'm a girl."
	Akane looked at her pig-tailed friend, taking it slowly, "OK, now
what sex am I?"
	"A girl of course!"
	Akane nodded, "Now follow this, what did you say to everyone about
us?"
	Ranma's face crumpled in confusion as she went over what she said,
"I told everyone we were friends, and that we're..."  Her face crumbled,
and she winced, placing her hand over her eye.  She then mumbled in a low
voice, "I said we were engaged."
	"Exactly!"
	Sighing Ranma looked up at Akane, turquoise eyes looking into
brown ones.  "Ahh...I'm sorry about that.  I wasn't exactly thinking
clearly after I heard what Kuno said."
	Akane smirked wearily, "That much was obvious.  Besides, it's not
you that I'm angry with, it's Nabiki.  She's the only one who could have
told everyone about it, and she happens to be in Kuno's class.  The only
reason I'm pointing this out is so that you start thinking _before_ you
start fighting."  Shaking her head, Akane continued, "Besides, I have to
thank you for what you did for me out there."
	Ranma blushed and looked down at her feet, "I...That is...Don't
worry about it.  He shouldn't have done that to you in the first place. 
It was dishonourable the way he was behaving towards you and I wanted to
stop it."
	Sighing, Akane put her hand under Ranma's chin and brought it up,
"Thanks anyways."  She then kissed the suddenly startled pig-tailed girl
on the cheek.
	"Wh..Wha...What was that for?"
	"For being my friend."
	Akane grabbed a very confused and flustered Ranma's hand and took
her to the administration office for their meeting with Morisato-Sensei. 

***

	"Did you hear that Kyoko-chan?"
	Kyoko looked at her friend, "Did I hear it?  Did you see the kiss
Yukio-chan?"
	Masumato Yukio smiled slightly as her brown haired friend started
giggling a bit.  Speculation over Akane's sexual preference had already
been making the rounds of the girls rumour mill at Furinkan.  Not that
anybody minded, they just wanted to know who she was going out with.  She
herself hadn't believed the engagement rumours, especially to a boy. 
"Yes.  She is rather cute, just the sort of girl that Akane would go out
with."
	Yoshida Kyoko smiled and nodded, "Well, everyone already knows how
much of a tomboy Akane is, so it's no wonder that she would take a
feminine girl to get engaged to."
	Yukio grinned, also nodding her head as she came in close to
whisper to Kyoko, "And did you hear what the two of them were talking
about?  I wonder how many times they've had sex?"
	"The way they were talking, it had to have been a few times at
least, especially the way Akane closed Ranma's mouth.  I wonder how long
they've known each other and why Akane never mentioned her before?"  Kyoko
whispered back.
	Yukio frowned a little, "You know, it sounded as though they
didn't want anyone to know about their engagement."
	"Too late now!  Besides, it will be great to tell the others what
we know."
	"I don't know, but everyone already knows they're engaged.  I
wonder who we should tell about this?"  Yukio mused as she patted her long
black hair into place.
	"How about Kaori."
	Grinning, the two girls went to class to talk with the other
girls. 

***

	Akane and Ranma entered Morisato-Sensei's office and bowed to her. 
"Good afternoon, Sensei"
	Keiko stood up and bowed to the two students.  She was wearing a
semi- conservative blue suit, and a white blouse.  Her brown eyes crinkled
in amusement as she said, "Well, Saotome-san.  It seems that you are both
a boy and a girl."
	Ranma's face drained of colour while Akane looked flabbergasted as
what she had just heard the Sensei say.  How had she known about her
curse?  It didn't make sense, at least not to her, "H..How...How did
you..."
	Akane quickly shushed Ranma, trying to figure out a way to get out
of this.  "I see you've heard about the engagement Morisato-Sensei."
	Keiko frowned.  Besides rumours of their engagement, which had
already spread throughout the school, there was something else they
weren't mentioning.  The comment she made was to break the ice and to
confront the two on Ranma's past record, especially since there was a
possibility of this person not being the original.  "I did hear about that
Akane-chan, but that wasn't the reason I said that."
	She opened the two file folders that were on her desk.  "According
to these school _and_ medical records, you used to be male.  According to
Tofu-Sensei, you are a normal, if innocent female.  Before I have to call
a Recognition Inquiry I would like to have an explanation from the two of
you."
	Ranma looked at the Sensei, her eyes wide open, and slightly
scared.  The problem was she wasn't really listening to what the Sensei
had said, still concentrating on the earlier words.  For anyone to have
figured out about the curse was horrible, especially since that meant that
the charade they had designed would fail.  "How did you find out?  I mean
about my changing sexes?"
	Morisato-Sensei's eyebrows raised in startlement and shock.  She
had been hoping to catch these two in some sort of lie so that she could
start training Ranma in her style of martial arts.  For the child to have
actually had a sex-change was something that she had not even consider.
	While it was true that there were some boys and girls who had
switched sex roles in society, more so in recent years, she had never
heard of someone so young having the final operation.  Usually, it was
only a matter of getting a school uniform adjusted to fit the teenager
while in consultation with the gynecologist in charge of treatment.  For
Ranma's parents to have agreed to letting their child have the operation
so early meant that she had convinced her parents that she really wanted
this.
	"It was rather obvious, Ranma-chan.  Your name is rather unusual,
and the medical records indicate what has happened.  I would have
appreciated getting notification from the surgeon on this as it would have
made it a lot easier."
	Ranma's face had gained back a little of it's colour, although she
was still very nervous.  "Surgeon?  What surgeon?"
	Akane placed a hand over her eyes.  Because of what
Morisato-Sensei said earlier in the day, combined with the what she just
told them, the Sensei had assumed Ranma had a sex change operation. 
*Blast her big mouth!  I've got to find a way to make sure that she
doesn't keep opening it like that, especially over every little statement. 
Somehow, I'll have to find a way to make her think before she talks.*
	Keiko face now showed complete bewilderment, and shock.  "What do
you mean what Surgeon?"
	"We're going to have to tell her Ranma."  Akane said clearly as she
quickly assessed the situation.  "If for no other reason than to stop an
investigation into the matter."
	Ranma looked over at Akane, her face still a bit pale and nodded. 
"I guess you're right.  It's just that I never expected to tell anyone
this soon."
	Keiko leaned forward, curious despite her surprise.  "Tell me
what?"
	"Sensei," Akane started, "It might be better if we have some hot
and cold water..." 

***

	In Akane's classroom, everyone was talking about what had taken
place during the lunch period.
	Most of the talk centred around Ranma and what sort of girl she
could possibly be.  True, she had taken on Kuno and won, but she had also
been very feminine when Akane had kissed her in the hall.  Who she was,
and how often she and Akane had dated were bantered back and forth by both
the girls and the boys.
	Of course, some of the boys had different reasons for wanting to
find out about Ranma.  To them, she was very cute, and for her to have
been engaged to Akane was a blow to their pride.  How could a girl even
think about another girl when there were such specimens of masculinity
around?  There had to be some way to convince both girls that it would be
better to date them.
	"So Hiroshi, what do you think?" asked one black haired boy with
glasses.
	Tanaka Hiroshi frowned back, "I'm not sure, I mean she's cute and
everything, but how would we get to know her if she's anything like Akane? 
>From what she said to Kuno, it's obvious she doesn't think of us that
way."
	Tomiyoshi Hikaru looked over at his friends.  While he had grown
up with them, it was obvious that Hiroshi and Ryu were still relatively
immature.  So what if Akane and the new girl, Ranma were engaged and were
lovers.  It was their business.  That's all there was to it.
	*Why can't these guys try to talk to a girl instead of assuming
that they know what they want?* he thought to himself as he also
considered the situation.  *Probably the best way to go about it,
especially since those idiots will make fools of themselves.*
	He reflected on what Kuno had said as well.  He wasn't guiltless
in what had happened, although he had tried to rationalize it as a matter
of pride.  Being honest with himself, he realized that his problem was he
had assumed that Kuno knew what he was talking about.  An incredibly
stupid way to go about things as that had been one of the factors that led
Japan into the world wars. 

***
	To say Keiko was surprised at the turn of events, as well as the
demonstration, was an understatement.  It was more like she was in
complete disbelief over what had happened.  However, facts were facts, and
something had to be done about this.
	Of course, it would also be to her advantage to help them pull off
their plan.  "Well, that is certainly an interesting situation.  I can
understand why you're trying this, but to tell the truth, it's probably
better for you to come to school as a girl anyways."
	Ranma, still wiping her hair from being dunked with water, ask
curiously, "Why's that?"
	Morisato-Sensei looked at her two students, her voice calm and
reasonable.  "Several reason, and the first has to do with the schools
sports programs.  One of the required subjects here at Furinkan is
swimming.  What would have happened when you had to use the schools pool? 
It would have created a furor, and your secret would have been revealed to
everyone.  I don't think that's what you would have wanted."
	Both Akane and Ranma nodded at that.  Their lives were complicated
enough already, undoubtedly more complications would make things even
harder.  They were lucky that the councilor was so understanding.
	"Another thing that would have to have been taken into
consideration would have been Ensuko's."  The Sensei continued.  "What
would have happened when it rained?  Or if we went to one of the Oceanic
Research Centres?  It would definitely be strange if a boy who is supposed
to be on the trip disappeared to be replaced by a similar looking young
woman."
	Akane looked into the Sensei's eyes, "That's some of the other
reasons why we decided that this might be better.  I mean, in Japan we
don't really suffer too much from an overzealous press, but suppose one of
those American television show got a hold of this?"
	Keiko nodded, "That's true as well."
	Ranma looked at the Sensei, hoping that she would be able to help. 
"Is there anything that can be done then?"
	Keiko nodded to Ranma, "Yes, although not as originally planed. 
What I'm going to do is make up a set of false records.  I have
some...friends...who can do me a few favours and slip in some
documentation into the proper areas.  What will happen is that you'll be
your own twin, with the same name.  It's unusual, but it will work."
	Ranma nodded, "I can agree to that, but how can people change
records just like that?  And what will happen to my male records?"
	Akane's eyes narrowed, "And what will this cost?  I'm sure that
no-one will do this for free."
	Keiko looked at both of the girls, her assessment of their
intelligence raising even more.  "Good questions, and you're right Akane,
no one would do this for free."  Her face turned very serious all of a
sudden, "How people can change records like that is because the group I
belong to, the school that I am with, has always had it's people with at
least two identities.  This means that we have people in the government
sector in just the right places.  As for your male records, everything you
learn as a girl will be duplicated for that record, except for the few
things that you will have to study separately.  It's a small price to
pay."
	Morisato-Sensei raised a hand to forestall the questions that they
were about to ask, "What I'm about to tell you does not go beyond the
three of us, is that understood?"
	Akane and Ranma looked at each other for confirmation, and then
turned back to Keiko, "Hai Sensei!"
	She nodded, "Good.  First, do you know who bodyguards the Emperor
and Empress?"
	Akane answered, "Officially, it's the Samurai retained by the
court, today it's supposed to be the Police Special Services, but the
truth is that the Royal Family has always been protected by at least four
Ninja's."
	Ranma continued, "No one knows their real positions within and
without the Palace, but the last time someone tried to assassinate an
Emperor in the 1950's, the Ninja who protected him were found to be the
Royal gardeners who tended the Palace gardens."
	Morisato-Sensei nodded, "Correct.  The reason I asked is because
my family is Ninja, and Ninja have always had at least two identities
since birth.  Everything that my clan has done has been to help people and
protect those who are good.  The price I would ask of you is to allow me
the privilege of training the two of you in Ninjutsu as well as that of my
family Ryu."
	Akane's eyes opened wide upon this revelation, as well as the
offer being made.  Since Morisato-Sensei was Ninja, she certainly hid it
well, better than she would have suspected.  If she was willing to help
them, then she had no qualms about what could be done.  However, to also
be trained in the ways of a Shadow-Warrior, that was an opportunity that
only people from within the same clan were allowed.  "I would be happy to
begin such training."
	Ranma was sitting in stunned silence.  He should have felt her
presence as a martial artist.  Martial artists of all types gave off a
type of aura that went beyond the ordinary.  For people who learned to
read them, it could tell you how well prepared an opponent was, as well as
if they were going to attack you or not.  Morisato-Sensei had gone beyond
just hiding her aura and herself completely, she was able to create one of
an ordinary person.  "Normally, I wouldn't want to do that, especially
since I grew up with the code of Bushido, but I am willing to learn.  I,
however, will never willingly take a life unless it is absolutely
necessary."
	Morisato Keiko got up and bowed to them, "Very well.  As of this
moment you are my apprentices, and as a result, a member of my clan.  We
will begin training this Sunday and I will start the paperwork and make
the necessary arrangements for you."
	Both students got up and bowed, "Arigato Morisato-Sensei."
	After both students lefts, Keiko smiled to herself.  Not only had
she managed to get two students, but two excellent and pretrained students
as well.  Amazingly, Ranma now had an advantage that she had never
imagined possible, although Kunoichi, both male and female, were said to
have been experts in impersonating the opposite sex centuries ago.  She
would definitely enjoy teaching them.
	Besides, she liked them.
	Of course, teaching them did not mean that she had to admit them
into her clan, but in order to teach family techniques, one had to be of
the family.  *Besides, what harm could it do to train these children in
some of the simpler things and bring them along slowly.  It wasn't as
though such skill were used all that much in this day and age.*
	She used this rationalization to dismiss the truth from her mind. 
That her wanting Ranma and Akane as her students was due more to the fact
that she didn't have children than in ensuring the continuance of the
family techniques. 

***

	In Nabiki's class everyone was talking about what happened, and
asking Nabiki questions.  Some of the question were rather embarrassing to
answer, given that she could hardly make sense of it herself.  Why the two
of them decided to come to school as girls, she would never guess.
	"Nabiki, I thought you said that Ranma was a boy?"
	Nabiki thought back for a second, "Actually, I never said Ranma
was a boy.  All I said was that Ranma was cute, was a martial artist, and
got engaged to Akane last night.  You all assumed it was a boy."
	As the girls in the class looked at each other, realizing that
Nabiki had never actually stated Ranma's sex, Nabiki grinned to herself,
the brown haired Tendo having discovered a way out of an embarrassing
situation.  For her to have inaccurate information was not to be tolerated
as her reputation depended upon precise and exact data.  Some of it may be
out of date, but everyone knew that whatever Nabiki said was accurate as
of the time she researched the information.
	Of course, she tended to use the most up to date techniques to
find out things, such as learning as much as possible about the schools
TSO systems and investigating a new global service being made available to
the public called the Internet.  If the information she was getting on
that new technology was accurate then she would have to invest in at least
two computers and a new phone line to her room.  Information was power,
and power translated to survival for her family.
	"True.  We should have guessed that Akane was engaged to another
girl."  Kyoko said, "But I had no idea they were that taken with each
other.  I mean you should have seen them kissing in the hall!"
	Nabiki, who had been sipping some juice suddenly spit it out in a
stream, "WHAT!!!"
	Kyoko looked at Nabiki, "Well, they were talking like lovers, and
Akane leaned over to kiss Ranma.  It was so cute, especially when Ranma
got so flustered.  Why didn't you tell us that they'd been dating!"
	Nabiki's face went still as she pondered the information.  *Why
couldn't they have waited to do that someplace more private, like their
rooms.  Now besides being known as lesbians, the two of them are openly
displaying affection.* she thought as she said, "Actually, Akane keeps her
private life quiet.  We didn't even know that Akane was interested in her
before she came to live with us."
	"Ranma's living at your house?"
	"Are they sharing a room?"
	"How often do they kiss?"
	"Her parents allowed her to move in with Akane already?"
	"When are they planning to get married?"
	"Nabiki sighed.  She had been so flustered that she accidentally
added one more thing to be added to the rumour mill.  She needed something
to take her mind off of this.
	"Tendo Nabiki, may I please be allowed to speak with you concerning
a personal matter?"
	Nabiki turned around instantly.  Kuno was finally taking an
interest in her, and he offered a partial solution to the current mess she
was in.  "Of course Kuno- chan."  Turning back to the girls, she said,
"Sorry, I have to speak with him in private."
	Kuno held bowed for her to precede him and they started to walk up
to the roof.  "Nabiki, I would like for you to further my apologies to
your sister.  I was very wrong in what I attempted to do.  I have also
wronged your family with my disgraceful acts."
	Nabiki sighed as she opened up the door, "No problem Kuno-chan. 
No real harm was done.  Besides, she's now engaged, so the family does
appreciate a cessation of the violence."
	Kuno smiled, a genuine smile this time, not one of his pompous
ones that he usually gave to the underclassmen.  "I thank you Nabiki-chan. 
I had not expected such a greeting."
	Nabiki blushed a bit, "Don't mention it.  Besides, is this all you
wanted to talk about?"
	Kuno turned to look out over the schoolyard, "No Nabiki.  I wish
to talk with you about Ranma."
	Nabiki turned wary, "You're not going to try to fight her again
are you?  She's living at my house and I don't think Nabiki would
appreciate it."
	Kuno smirked, "Nothing like that I assure you.  What I wish is to
get to know her, and I was hoping for an introduction.  I believe that she
may be the beauty, the supreme goddess I have search for all my life."
	It was lucky his back was turned or he would have seen Nabiki's
eyes bulging out in disbelief and a slight yellowish aura start to glow
around her... 

***

	In Akane's classroom, everyone was quiet as the teacher called
everyone to order.  In front of the room, Ranma was standing in front of
everyone, waiting for introductions to be made.  The teacher then looked
at the card that Ranma had brought with her.
	"Everyone, I would like you to meet Saotome Ranma, who will be
joining this class.  She has recently returned from a long trip to China
where she has been training in several of the martial arts.  I'm sure that
you will make her welcome."
	The Sensei smiled as the pig-tailed girl.  "Since it is already
well known that you and Akane-chan are engaged, I would ask you to sit
next to her.  Also I expect you to be wearing a proper school uniform
tomorrow."
	Ranma immediately responded, "Hai Sensei!"
	As she walked to her desk, she noted everyone staring at her, the
girls with a lot of curiosity, and the boys with open admiration.  She was
uncomfortable with the attention, because she was sure everyone was
wondering about her and Akane.  Ranma's face grew red as she went to her
seat.
	As she sat down, and the Sensei went to teaching, she saw a note
being passed to her from a boy.  Tasking it, she opened it and read the
contents: 

		I'm sorry for the way everyone has been acting towards you, but
	you have managed to peek their curiosity.  Don't worry, it will
	calm down in a little while, like it does with anyone who joins
	the school.  It might take a little longer given the fact of your
	engagement to Akane, but don't give it a thought.  What you want
	to tell them is up to you and none of their concern.
		If you ever want to talk about it, I'm always here to listen. 

		Tomiyoshi Hikaru
		'A first class fool in a school of fools.'

	After she finished reading the note, Ranma smiled over at the boy
who handed her the note before tuning to listen to the Sensei.  *Maybe
things aren't so bad after all.*

***

Hitomi

Ichinohei Hitomi
Hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca
http://204.112.189.3/~hitomi
"The beginings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."