Ranma . . . in Love!?
by Christopher Bair
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This work is a piece of fan fiction, and is only copyright able by concept, not by characters,
depictions of such, or the trademarks, copyrights or other ownerships designated by others.
Copyright (C) 1996 Christopher Bair for the work, and other copyrights, trademarks and
ownerships owned by their respective owners. This work may be distributed freely by electronic
means, or downloaded onto one machine with access to the work, or made into a single hard
copy. Distribution by other means is restricted without the permission of the author or the owners
of the trademarks, copyrights and ownerships here within. All rights reserved.
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Part Three--"Izumi's Past"
"Oh," Kasumi began, placing dinner on the wooden table, "is this another friend, Ranma?" Izumi
walked in, and sat at the table, apparently famished. Genma nodded. Ranma waited at the
doorway, keeping an eye on Izumi.
"So, Genma," Soun started in, "is this another female to whom you've betrothed Ranma to?"
"No," Izumi spoke up, "I'm not. I'm Ranma's student."
All eyes peered up at Ranma. All, save for Izumi's, for she was busy eating away a bowl of
ramen. Ranma bowed his head down a bit as Genma placed his hand on Ranma's shoulder.
"Now, now, boy. You made the promise, now you've got to uphold your word. That's the way
of a true martial artist."
"But you were the one who skipped out on them, Pop! I just wanted to help her!"
"Boy!" Genma began, anger filling his mien. "You've gotta stand up for yourself, accept your
responsibility!"
"But, how am I supposed to teach anyone martial arts? I'm still learning and training myself--"
"That's all part of being a martial artist," rang in Soun," Ranma. Everything in life is a part of
training."
"Yeah, but--"
"Ranma, you ingrate! Follow through with something for the first time in your life!"
"Like you ever did, Old Man! C'mon, why don't you train her, then?"
Hands slammed down on the table, bits of chopsticks flying astray. Izumi rose, splinters in her
hands. "So," she began, clenching the sticks tighter, "you don't wish to train me?"
"Uh . . ."
"How's this," she began, tossing the chopsticks aside, "if I face you in battle, and win, will you
train me in the methods of the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts?"
"No way! I ain't fighting no girls!"
Genma grabbed a bucket from somewhere behind him, and turned it over atop Ranma's head. The
cold water thoroughly doused him with the transforming catalyst. Where the male, black-haired
Ranma stood, now was a bewildered female, red-haired Ranma.
Izumi stepped back a few paces, then fell against the thin wall, her eyes bugged. "But, you were
just a . . . a GUY!"
Ranma turned to his father. "Whacha do THAT for?" he asked.
"Well, will you face her as a girl? The sake of the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts is at
stake. No one from the Anything-Goes School declines a challenge, no one!"
Eyes turned to Izumi, who slowly got to her feet. "That, that trick . . ." Preoccupation
overwhelmed the young lady. She shook her head, clearing her mind, and readied a fighting
stance. "Then, I resubmit my challenge, Ranma Saotome!"
"If you want me to train you, then why are you going to fight me?"
"To show you that you don't have much farther to go!" Izumi stepped to her right, and leaped
straight at Ranma. The latter stepped sideways, allowing Izumi to land outside, in the yard. Izumi
readied herself for Ranma, who leaped out into the backyard as well.
"Well, ready when you are, Ranma Saotome!"
Ranma's brow dropped a bit, and his teeth bit into his lip. No, he wasn't going to fight a girl he
barely knew, even as a girl. No way.
Izumi flipped back onto her hands, and cast herself into the air. She whirled about as she
descended, creating a whirlwind of dust, drilling its way toward him. Ranma rolled out of the
way, but Izumi did not land. Ranma searched the skies.
"Where'd she go?"
Ranma heard something from behind him, and immediately jabbed a punch that would merely stun
an opponent. Izumi caught it with her hand, and twisted the punch forward, catching Ranma's
arm in a lock. She then thrust her knee into Ranma's side, and flipped him onto his back.
Ranma stood, stunned . . . Izumi had caused actual physical pain. She was indeed strong.
"So, do you concede, and in doing so, will train me, Ranma Saotome?"
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continued soon in . . .
Part Four--"An Opponent Worthy"
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