Folks--

I've been working on this one for awhile. It just keeps growing... it's
now up to about 100K with no end in sight. So I thought I'd post it here
and get some C&C on what I've got so far before I write more.

To everyone who's sent me C&C in the past: I really do appreciate it.
Thank you. *This* one, though, I want to be my magnum opus. Don't hold
back. If there's something you don't like about it, speak up! No kid
gloves.

A few things that I already know about:

1) Principal Kuno is somewhat out of character, and also doesn't have
his distinctive speech patterns.

2) I got the geography of the Dojo wrong. The bathroom is downstairs.

3) Parts of it are a little *too* sugary sweet. I'll tone it down a bit
in the final version.

And now, without further ado...

=====

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

A Ranma 1/2 fanfic by Jonathan S. Haas

=====

Soun Tendo was overjoyed. Life had been going *so* well these past few 
months. First, he had managed to engage his youngest daughter to a true 
martial artist, one who would carry on the tradition of the Anything 
Goes school. And now, he was about to engage another daughter in an even

better match. This marriage would unite his family with one of the 
oldest, most respected houses in Nerima. One of the oldest, most 
respected, and *richest* houses, that is. His smile, already wide, 
increased another notch. It was all he could do to keep from crying. He 
sat in a room in a huge mansion, across from his daughter's soon-to-be 
father-in-law. True, the family was a little on the strange side... but 
then, what Nerima family wasn't? He was sure that his daughter would 
learn to find happiness here. And if he and the house of Tendo should  
profit from it... hey, why not? His gaze wandered over the almost 
ostentatious opulence which surrounded him... rare paintings, Ming 
vases, a display case full of glittering jewels...

He looked at his future son-in-law's father and allowed his smile to 
widen still farther. The man held a respected position of authority in 
the community. What an *honor* it was to join with his family! He wore a

smile to match Soun's own. And then he spoke.

"What a perfect match this will be, Tendo! Your daughter's financial 
wizardry will help our house greatly. And the resources of our house 
will of course always be available to help run the Tendo dojo. Truly, 
this is a great day!" He nodded his head vigorously at this point, 
causing the miniature palm tree he wore atop his head to shake.

"So be it! Ten days from now, your daughter Nabiki will marry my son, 
Tatewaki!"

---

Tatewaki Kuno was not in a very good mood. At school, he had once again 
challenged his hated rival, Ranma Saotome. He had been secretly working 
for months on perfecting a new technique, and he was sure that he could 
finally vanquish Ranma. But Ranma had dodged right around the whirlwinds

generated by his bokken as thought they weren't even there. And then, 
after closing ridiculously fast, Ranma had contemptuously knocked him 
out with a slap to the chin. Ranma hadn't even taken him seriously 
enough to treat him like a real opponent.

And then, after he'd regained consciousness and started the long walk 
home, thinking about his latest failure, he'd heard a cry that was all 
too familiar to his heart. It was the voice of his beloved pigtailed 
girl, yelling, "What did you do that for?" For some reason, she seemed 
to say that a lot. Why she said it, Kuno could not fathom, but he always

reacted the same way: he ran as fast as he could towards the voice. 
Leaping a fence, he beheld his vision of beauty standing before him. 
Dripping wet (as she often seemed to be), she stood in a battle stance 
against a giant panda. As Kuno stood transfixed with delight at the 
loveliness of the scene, she expertly kicked the panda high into the 
air, to come crashing down on the other side of the fence. Kuno felt his

heart leap almost painfully at this display of the pigtailed girl's 
strength. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he charged her, crying,

"Pigtailed girl! I would date with theeeeeeeee...", the last word being 
drawn out, as he found himself flying through the air on much the same 
trajectory as the panda. "She kicked me..." was the only thought he had 
time for before he landed on his head on a hard concrete sidewalk, and 
lost consciousness for the second time that day.

It was late afternoon by the time he awoke and walked home, considering 
his failure. "Why does she reject me?" he thought ruefully to himself. 
He touched his chin, right where she had kicked him. "Am I not a 
striking young warrior? Have I not the manners of an 18th century 
samurai? Do I not exhibit the grace of a true nobleman?" He considered 
the problem, and came to the same conclusion he always did: Ranma. It 
was Ranma's fault that the pigtailed girl spurned him. Ranma had used 
some sort of black magic to ensorcell her, and that was why she treated 
him so. He remembered the horror he felt when Nabiki first told him that

the pigtailed girl's soul and *body* both belonged to Ranma. He imagined

once more Saotome placing his filthy hands on her pure flesh, and 
shuddered violently.

And Saotome was the cause of his difficulties winning the ferociously 
beautiful Akane Tendo, as well. Ranma had become engaged to her against 
her will. How often he saw Ranma taunting Akane and treating her like 
some rude peasant. How often he heard Akane curse Ranma, and even resort

to physical violence against him. He was obviously making her life 
miserable, and the poor girl was trapped in a loveless engagement with 
him. Kuno clenched his fists and saw red briefly.

It was all Ranma's fault. And, Kuno admitted to himself in a rare moment

of personal honesty, he could not defeat him. He'd just spent hours 
every day for the last several months training to beat Ranma, and Ranma 
hadn't even treated him like a serious threat. No matter how hard he 
fought, he was no match for Ranma.

It was thus with a bleak mood on his shoulders that Kuno arrived at the 
front door of his mansion, his jaw aching from the two solid blows. 
Wearily, he turned the knob of the front door, and shuffled inside, his 
ever-present bokken slung listlessly over his right shoulder. He slowly 
turned to close the door... and leaped back in shock when he saw his 
father standing not three inches away from him. "Father! Don't startle 
me like that!" he yelped.

"Tatewaki", said his father, wearing a broad grin along with his 
trademark Hawaiian shirt. "I have some wonderful news for you!"

At this, Kuno brightened slightly. Good news was what he needed to hear 
now.

"I've secured a bride for you from the House of Tendo!"

Kuno gasped in shock... then again in joy, when the impact of his 
father's words sank in. He was going to get to marry the beauteous 
Akane! His head swam with visions of Akane... her flashing eyes as she 
broke cinder blocks with her fists... the way her gi tightened around 
her chest as she lifted heavy dumbbells... the sheer power of her foot 
as it connected with his face. Truly, any man would be blessed with a 
bride such as that. But wait... what about his pigtailed girl? She would

surely be stricken with overwhelming grief were he to marry Akane over 
her. But how could he pass up the opportunity to join forever with Akane

Tendo? But the pigtailed girl would be then be trapped with that lecher 
Saotome. But this could be his opportunity to free poor Akane from the 
clutches of that same Saotome! But once his attentions could focus 
solely on the pigtailed girl, Ranma would surely make her life 
miserable. But Akane would shower him with grateful affection for 
rescuing her from Ranma! But the poor pigtailed girl would live out the 
rest of her life in Saotome's bed. Just as the internal conflict was 
about to make Kuno scream with indecision, his father spoke again.

"A week from next Friday, you marry Nabiki Tendo!"

"NANI?!?!!!"

---

"NANI?!?!!!"

Nabiki's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she'd just

been told.

"That's right, Nabiki!" cried a cheerful Soun, oblivious to his 
daughter's shock. "A week from Friday, you're getting married to 
Tatewaki Kuno! Isn't it wonderful?"

Nabiki blinked once, then twice. This had to be some kind of joke. Her 
father would never do that to her. He was just kidding around, trying to

get a reaction. But as she looked at his cheerfully goofy face, smiling 
from ear to ear, tears flowing freely down his cheeks, she realized with

a sinking feeling that this was no joke. She had just been engaged to 
the biggest laughingstock in Furinkan High School. And apparently, the 
wedding was to take place in just ten days. She was going to marry a man

who spouted nonsensical poetry, who strutted as though he were God's 
gift to the world, and who was too stupid to realize that Ranma was his 
'osage no onna', no matter how many hints he got.

Shrugging her father's hand off her shoulder, Nabiki trudged upstairs to

her room. She was going to need some time to think about this one.

---

"Tadaima!" Ranma called, as he walked in the front door. It had been a 
fun afternoon, but he was glad to be home. 

"Welcome back!" Akane cheerfully greeted him from the dojo. "How was 
your day?"

"Great!" replied Ranma. He'd been getting a lot more cheerful greetings 
from Akane recently. Certain events had happened which had made Ranma 
and Akane appreciate each other more, and they didn't get into fights 
quite so often as they once did. And besides, it really had been a 
pretty good day. Ranma'd gone down to the park to practice some of his 
martial arts moves. After awhile, a crowd had gathered around him, and 
it ooh'd and ahh'd his every move. That sort of thing did wonders for 
Ranma's ego.

Ranma looked over at Akane. She looked pretty good. She was wearing her 
gi, and had obviously been practicing. Her cheeks were flushed and her 
breath came in pants. Her hair was mussed and her face glistened with 
sweat. She was, Ranma thought, very appealing. Everything about her 
looked good... everything, that is, except what she held in her arms. A 
small black piglet wrapped in a yellow bandana.

Ranma suppressed a familiar stab of jealousy as she snuggled the pig 
close to her chest and kissed its snout. Then, to his horror, the piglet

began to *lick* her all over her lips and face. Akane only giggled. "P-
Chan! That tickles!"

Inwardly, Ranma seethed. This time, Ryoga was going too far! He was 
taking advantage of his cursed body to *lick* Akane! Enough was enough, 
Ranma silently vowed. He would put an end to this. He glared at Ryoga 
with a hatred that was almost tangible. Ryoga glared back, then gave 
Akane a big lick on the cheek, causing her to giggle again. Ranma swore 
silent oaths against Ryoga until his reverie was broken by Akane. 
"Ranma," she said, "I'm going upstairs to study. When Kasumi-oneechan 
comes home from the market, could you come and get me please?"

"Huh? Oh... sure thing, Akane," Ranma replied. His mind was on other 
things... like how to stop Ryoga from using his pig-form to get close to

Akane. Akane looked at him quizzically, then headed upstairs and closed 
her door. Ranma sat on the floor in the lotus position, and meditated on

the problem of Ryoga. How to get him away from Akane without getting 
himself beaten to a pulp was the main difficulty. It was early evening 
before he came up with a solution... and implemented it.

Quietly, he crept up the stairs to Akane's room. He silently opened her 
door a crack. Akane was inside sitting at her desk, deeply buried in a 
book. It wouldn't be hard not to disturb her.

Ryoga was sitting on Akane's bed, watching her. The dreamy look in his 
eyes showed that he was totally distracted. Quick as lightning, Ranma 
reached through the doorway, snatched Ryoga by his bandana, and pulled 
him back into the hall before he had time to protest. Ranma wrapped his 
fist around Ryoga's snout to avoid any outbreaks of squealing, then went

down the stairs as quietly as he came up.

Once downstairs, he slammed Ryoga as hard as he could against the dojo's

wooden floor. Before he could run away, Ranma grabbed him again, held 
him up to his face, and began speaking, in a cold, ruthless voice.

"Listen good, Ryoga. This time you've gone too far. I've put up with 
your garbage from Day One, and I'm not putting up with it anymore. Akane

is my fiancee, not yours, and I'm not going to let you keep doing what 
you've been doing."

Ryoga answered with a low growl. Ranma silenced him with an icy gaze, 
and continued. "No more P-Chan. You're not crawling into Akane's bed 
ever again. You're not pretending to be Akane's pet anymore. You'll 
never *lick* her again. You got that? P-Chan is dead."

At this, Ryoga bared his teeth, but Ranma had more to say. "I mean it, 
Ryoga. Get out of this house. And never come back. I'll give you until 
tomorrow at noon. If I see you here after then, I'm telling Akane who 
you really are."

Ryoga's eyes widened, then he squealed and grunted and did his best to 
convey general consternation. Ranma said, "I know I promised not to 
tell. And so far, I've kept that promise. I have honor. But *you*, 
Ryoga, have *no* honor. You're taking advantage of a girl's trust in her

pet to *sleep* with her. You are a dishonorable man, and I have no 
obligation to keep any secret of yours. I'm giving you a chance to get 
out with your secret intact. I suggest you take it. If you don't, you'll

be exposed. Now shut up." And with that, Ranma once again wrapped his 
fist around Ryoga's snout, muzzling him. He set him down at the top of 
the stairs, outside Akane's room. In a whisper, he hissed, "Say your 
goodbyes. Then get out and don't come back." He walked downstairs 
feeling much better. One way or another, the problem would be solved.

Ryoga trembled upstairs. I've never seen Ranma so angry, he thought. Not

even when I was trying to kill him. What am I going to do? Then he 
gathered up his nerve, and waddled through Akane's door, still slightly 
ajar. The sight he saw in her room nearly made him faint.

Akane was standing in front of her bed, and she'd removed her shirt. 
Seeing him, she smiled. "Oh, P-Chan! There you are! I was wondering 
where you'd wandered off to." And before Ryoga could utter a word, or a 
squeal, she'd scooped him up in her arms and was cuddling him against 
her chest.

Ryoga's head swam, and he shook it to clear his dizziness. His cheek was

pressed up against her bra, and his snout was pillowed in her cleavage. 
>From there, he had a pretty good view of the curve of her breast. Her 
skin was smooth and creamy white, and lightly dotted with freckles. She 
was beautiful.

The moment was all too brief, as Akane lifted him from her chest and 
held him up to your face. "P-Chan, you're *so* huggable. And such a good

listener too." Ryoga squealed and did his best to look as cute as a 
piglet can possibly look. Akane smiled, kissed his snout, and said, "I 
love you, P-Chan." 

Ryoga gave her his cutest smile. Akane giggled again, then set him down 
on her bed. "I'm going to take a bath now, P-Chan. You'll wait for me, 
won't you?"

Ryoga's eyes widened as Akane reached for the clasp of her skirt. Almost

automatically, he turned and faced the wall. He felt his heart thump as 
he heard the rustle of Akane's skirt falling to the ground. A bead of 
sweat formed and rolled down his face. His blood roared in his ears, and

he thought, "Tonight might be the last night I see Akane. After 
tomorrow, I may never see her again. All this time, I've loved her from 
afar. Tonight, I want to see my goddess in all of her glory. Just once, 
before I leave her life forever." And with that thought, he turned away 
from the wall and faced Akane.

She was standing clad only in bra and panties, and Ryoga wept at her 
loveliness. Her upper body was tight from years of martial arts 
training, and it narrowed down before flaring out into slim, soft hips. 
Her thighs were strong, yes, but also somehow very feminine. Hers was 
the body of a young woman just coming into her full adult beauty. As she

shrugged out of her bra, Ryoga's eyes bulged, and his vision went 
blurry. When it cleared, Akane had removed her panties and was walking 
away from him, towards the door. "Bye, P-Chan! I'll be back in a little 
while!" She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself, then headed 
out to the bath.

Ryoga's breath came in pants, and his heart was pounding wildly. His 
piglet body was sheened with sweat. He stood, dazed, for several 
seconds, then leaped off the bed and made a mad dash for the bathroom.

Fortunately, the door was ajar, and he could squeeze through. Akane was 
sitting in the bath, surrounded by clouds of steam. She looked like 
Aphrodite rising from the waters. Ryoga, heart still pumping like mad, 
took one step towards her, then another.

Akane looked up and saw him. "P-Chan," she laughed. "You couldn't bear 
to be away from me, eh?"

Ryoga took another step closer, then batted his eyes at her. Demeaning, 
he thought, but effective.

Akane giggled. "You're so silly, P-Chan", she said. And then she did 
what Ryoga never thought she'd do.

She playfully splashed him with water from the bath.

What followed then was not at all pretty.

---

Few people realize the way Ryoga's curse works. As it turns out, his pig

body is at about the same location in space as his head. And so, when he

becomes doused with cold water, he feels his legs, torso, and arms all 
contract towards his neck. His eyes move up a little bit on his skull, 
sliding under his bandana, and his hair retracts. He grows fur. His nose

moves up to form a snout. His mouth shrinks and curves around that 
snout. His ears become pointed and leaf-shaped. And once they have 
contracted far enough, his legs and arms swivel around to become four 
little feet.

When his pig body contacts warm water, as for example when Akane 
splashes him from the bath, the same process occurs, only in reverse. 
The hotter the water, the less time it takes. Akane's bath water wasn't 
very hot. When Ryoga's pig body touches bath water, it takes a few 
seconds for the transformation to be complete.

And during those few seconds, Ryoga had much to think about. "Oh my 
God", was something he thought several times. "What am I going to do?" 
was also up there. "She's going to kill me," occupied some space in 
Ryoga's brain, and was probably fairly accurate.

Akane's thoughts similarly shifted during those few seconds. At the 
beginning of them, she was quite happy. Her day had been peaceful, she 
hadn't gotten into any fights with Ranma, and now she was enjoying a 
nice relaxing warm bath, and playing with her beloved pig P-Chan. 
Perhaps a half-second after the bath water hit Ryoga, she realized 
something was wrong. And then she realized that P-Chan was transforming.

And then, it struck her with horror that P-Chan was really a man, a 
Jusenkyo-cursed man, who had only been *pretending* to be a pig. And 
then she remembered that she had told P-Chan all her secrets, that she 
had cuddled him in her bosom, that she had *undressed* in front of him. 
And finally, she looked down, and she recognized the person that P-Chan 
had turned into.

No, it's safe to say that Akane wasn't nearly as happy at the end of 
those few seconds as she was at their start.

"RYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGAAAAAAAA!!!!!" Akane's voice bellowed, reverberating 
off the walls of the bathroom and shaking the foundation of the house. 
Downstairs, Ranma heard it. Uh oh, he thought. That didn't sound too 
good.

Back in the bathroom, Akane was standing, dripping wet and naked, over a

terrified Ryoga. Her eyes fairly glowed with hatred, and her teeth 
protruded under her lips in a snarl. She was breathing very heavily. It 
might have been just a trick of the light, but Ryoga could've sworn he 
saw her surrounded by a blue aura. That was all his mind had time to 
register before a foot connected with his gut with superhuman force. He 
grunted as the breath was knocked from his lungs, and then he went 
soaring into the air. He crashed through the ceiling, snapping rafters 
with his head and body. And then he flew through the sky, to come 
crashing down into the center of the street.

An old woman, walking down the street working late, splashed his 
bruised, battered, naked, and unconscious form with water.

---

Akane wiped her forehead, put on a robe, and shivered. P-Chan was Ryoga.

She couldn't believe it. All this time, she'd thought Ryoga was so 
nice... a perfect gentleman. And P-Chan... P-Chan was her loving pet. 
She felt betrayed. All the things she had shared with P-Chan, she had 
shared with Ryoga. P-Chan had heard all her darkest secrets, all the 
things she could never tell anybody else, not even Kasumi. She hugged 
her arms around herself and wanted to cry. I trusted him, she thought. I

trusted them *both*... and they both betrayed me. I never knew Ryoga was

such an honorless person. No wonder Ranma doesn't like him.

Wait a minute.

Ranma doesn't like Ryoga.

Ranma doesn't like P-Chan, either, for some unknown reason.

Ranma calls Ryoga "P-Chan" and "Charlotte".

Ranma acts like he *knows* P-Chan, and says that P-Chan has a lousy 
sense of direction.

Ranma tried to sneak into my room while P-Chan was there. He was 
carrying hot water.

Akane's eyes widened and she clutched at her chest, when she saw where 
this was leading.

Ranma *knew*.

Ranma knew all along that Ryoga was P-Chan. Ranma could have told her at

any time, but he didn't. Whenever she was cuddling P-Chan, or playing 
with him, all Ranma would have had to say was, "Yo, Akane, did you know 
that Ryoga turns into P-Chan if you get him wet?" He hadn't said it. He 
had known that Ryoga was using her, was tricking her, was *betraying* 
her, and he didn't do a thing about it. He'd let him get away with it. 
He probably got a good laugh out of it. Akane felt her rage growing 
again.

"RANMA!" she shouted, as she leapt down the stairs. She found him 
sitting cross-legged in the practice room. Without pausing, she charged 
at him, then jumped in the air and aimed a kick at his face.

Only his face wasn't there. Sensing it coming, Ranma dodged to his feet.

Akane punched at first the left, then the right side of his head, 
forcing him to swerve one way, then the other. He kept dodging, 
marveling at how Akane's speed had improved, and managed to shout, "What

is it, Akane? What did I do this time?

Akane, still pressing her attack furiously, shouted back, "I'll *tell* 
you what it is, hentai!" *kick* "This is because you *knew*" *punch* 
"about Ryoga" *punch* "and you never told me!" *kick* *kick* "You *knew*

Ryoga was P-Chan, you bastard!" *punch* *punch* *kick*

"Oh," said Ranma, and stopped dodging. Akane's next kick caught him 
squarely in the side of his head, and down he went. Akane stood in 
shocked surprise for a moment, then knelt down next to him.

"Ranma. Hey, Ranma. You okay?" she asked. The meaty thump his head had 
made when it struck the wooden floor didn't sound too good. His body was

sprawled out in an unnatural position. His eyes were closed.

"Ranma?" Akane slapped him lightly across the face. "Are you okay? Hey, 
wake up!"

Ranma still showed no signs of motion. Akane felt a sudden constriction 
in her chest. She grabbed Ranma's hands and screamed, "Ranma! Wake up, 
God damn you!"

Ranma groaned, and his eyelids fluttered. Then they opened to the sight 
of Akane kneeling over him, clutching his hands in hers, her eyes filled

with worry. "Are you okay?" she asked.

He slowly propped himself up on one elbow, and lifted the other to his 
throbbing head. Ouch, he thought, as he probed the spot where she had 
kicked him. I'll be feeling that one for awhile. "Yeah... yeah, I guess 
so," he said.

Akane's features showed relief, then anger. "Damn it, Ranma! Why didn't 
you dodge that?"

Ranma sat up, rubbing his head. "Because I deserved it."

Akane couldn't quite believe she'd heard right. "What? What did you 
say?"

"Because I deserved it," Ranma repeated. "You're right. I should have 
told you about Ryoga long ago. I should have told you on that first day.

I had made a promise not to, but that's no excuse. He was treating you 
dishonorably, and it was my duty to tell you. I'm sorry I didn't. I want

you to forgive me. Will you?"

Akane was surprised, to say the least. Ranma rarely apologized to her, 
and when he did, it was never this abject. He must really mean it, she 
realized. And with that, she got an idea.

She allowed her frown to relax just a bit. "Maybe," she said, in a voice

filled with poutiness. "Maybe? What do you mean maybe?" replied a 
confused Ranma. "I'll forgive you," she said, "if you'll let me cook 
dinner tomorrow. And you have to *eat* it before you say it's bad."

Ranma stood up and shuddered. His head still throbbed. It was going to 
be a long evening.

---

Nabiki leaned back, frowned, and tapped a pencil against her teeth. On 
the desk before her was a piece of paper, on which she'd listed the pros

and cons of marrying Kuno. One of the first things you learned in 
business was that before entering any situation, you must take stock of 
it. If she was going to be forced into this marriage, at least she'd be 
entering it with her eyes open. This is what she had written.

PLUSSES AND MINUSES OF TATEWAKI KUNO:

Advantages:
   o  Rich

Disadvantages:
   o  Stupid
   o  Arrogant
   o  Spouts bad poetry all the time
   o  Obsessed with Akane
   o  Obsessed with Ranma
   o  Lives in a weird house
   o  Has weird ninja servant
   o  Has insane sister
   o  Sister is also obsessed with Ranma
   o  Wannabe martial artist
   o  Gets beaten up frequently
   o  Embarrassing to be around.

Nabiki frowned again. The disadvantages outweighed the advantages, but 
just barely. It wasn't an easy call. In this case, though, she supposed 
it was somewhat academic. Her father and his father had already made the

wedding plans. A Kuno family dressmaker was visiting tomorrow to measure

her for her bridal gown. Her father, she might have been able to talk 
out of it. But Principal Kuno was not the type to easily bend, once his 
mind was made up. She had no doubt that he would be able to talk her 
father out of any postponement she asked for. She might as well get used

to the idea.

Several blocks away, in the Kuno mansion, Tatewaki Kuno was also having 
misgivings, but for very different reasons. "Oh, Akane Tendo," he 
moaned. "How unfortunate it is that I must marry another, and our love 
must be forgotten. And osage no onna... to think that I shall never 
again be able to touch your lovely red curls. Truly, this is a tragedy 
of Shakespearean proportions." Tears streamed down his cheeks as he 
soliloquized.

"And yet... how nobly does the dragonfly beat his wings in the wind. The

glittering blue Pacific stirs restlessly, as a giant in its sleep. Those

who flourish must be brought low." Kuno was very proud of his poetry, 
and wished he'd remember to write it down more often. When the mood 
truly struck him, he was magnificent. After savoring this new gem, his 
thoughts turned, as was perhaps inevitable, to his prospective fiancee. 
Nabiki Tendo.

The cold-hearted wench who had been responsible for the massive drain on

his cash reserves all his life. True, he was rich enough that Nabiki's 
regular tithes didn't hurt him, but each time he was forced to crawl to 
her for favors or information, it humiliated him. It was a black mark 
against the Kuno family honor, and she was responsible for it. Sister to

the beauteous Akane Tendo, and yet she had never once picked up on his 
hints for her to put in a good word for him. His teeth clenched. Why 
must I be cursed with such a wife?

But of course he knew why. Money. Rumors had been whispered among the 
mansion's staff for weeks that the Kuno fortune had been terribly 
mishandled, and was now a fraction of its former magnificence. The Kuno 
family was losing status, and influence. If the drain continued, the 
Kuno family might well become... broke. And so Kuno was being married to

a fiscal genius, who could turn the slide around, and restore the Kuno 
fortune to its former glory.

A marriage of convenience, he thought. The curse of the nobleman. Forced

to cast aside the two I love, so that my family might prosper. He cried 
aloud, "Oh, how blessed are the lowborn, that they have the luxury of 
marrying for love!"

His anguished cry brought Kodachi to his door. She was wearing her 
leotard, and had evidently been working on some new moves. A black rose 
was tucked behind her ear. "Why, whatever is the matter, brother dear?" 
she smirked. "Feeling a little bit down that soon Akane and that 
pigtailed wretch will be forever out of your reach?"

Long experience had taught Tatewaki to keep his cool when Kodachi 
taunted him. As she was both female and his sister, Tatewaki could never

strike her, and in a war of insults, Kodachi invariably won. He bit back

his acerbic reply, and said evenly, "What concern is it of yours, 
sister?"

"No concern at all, dear brother," Kodachi laughed. "Merely glad to see 
such a deserving person as yourself suffer. I certainly wish it had 
worked out differently... a fitting punishment for either Akane or the 
pigtailed girl would be the horror of marriage to you."

Once more, Tatewaki held his temper with difficulty. He said through 
clenched teeth, "If you don't mind, sister, I'd like some time to 
myself. I'm not feeling very well." And with that, he slammed the door. 
He could hear Kodachi's laughing giggle as she returned to the gymnasium

for her workout.

Tatewaki flopped down on his bed. That flop was most unbecoming one of 
my social stature, he rebuked himself. Must not do that in the future. 
But that concern was far from his mind, as he contemplated the fate 
which awaited him.

In his mind, two faces appeared. The face of Akane Tendo, with her wide 
eyes and cute mouth. In his vision, that cute mouth was set in a grimace

of concentration, as her fists flew and shattered a wooden training 
pole. Next to her, the pigtailed girl. In her distinctive Chinese 
clothes, hair red as a sunset, her deep blue eyes boring into his mind. 

And then, next to them, a third visage appeared, that of Nabiki Tendo. 
Her cold gaze, sharp as a katana. Her severe bowl haircut. Her face, 
icy. She wore a look not unlike that of a cobra about to strike. Her 
expression clearly said, "Keep away." This was the woman who was to be 
his wife.

Kuno shuddered, and tried to fall asleep. He lay awake a long time. And 
when sleep finally took him, his dreams were not good.

---


Nabiki Tendo walked to school alone. Sometimes she would walk with 
friends, or accompany Ranma and Akane, but today, she wanted some time 
to herself. At school, she'd surely encounter Kuno, and she wasn't quite

sure how to deal with him.

One thing she had decided for sure was that she was *not* going to marry

him. This was the '90s, after all. Parents didn't *own* their children, 
and her father couldn't *force* her to marry anyone. Oh, he'd cry, she 
was sure, but she could deal with that. Better her father be slightly 
offended than she spend the rest of her life married to Kuno.

The subject of her thoughts was waiting for her at the school gate. 
Usually, he waited for Akane or Ranma, but today he was waiting for her.

When he sighted her, he immediately strode towards her. At least, she 
supposed, he was willing to confront their situation, rather than hide 
from it.

"Nabiki Tendo," he said. "I have something for you." He handed her a 
small, cream-colored envelope, then added, "My father asked me to give 
this to you."

Nabiki looked at him quizzically, then opened the envelope. She groaned 
when she saw what it contained. She should have known. A wedding 
invitation.

                            YOU ARE INVITED

                        to witness the union of

                             NABIKI TENDO

                                  and

                             TATEWAKI KUNO

        at Noon on Saturday, June Eleventh, at the Kuno Mansion.

              The lyre of Orestes trills through the air,
               The raindrops twinkle in the mighty trees,
       How the howl of the wolf mingles with the midnight breeze,
                  So is the joy we shall witness here.

Nabiki winced at the poetry. So that's where he gets it, she realized. 
She handed the invitation back to him. "We're not getting married, 
Kuno."

Kuno's face did not change at all at this pronouncement, and yet somehow

still registered sadness. "No, Nabiki Tendo, I'm afraid you are wrong. 
Though I wish with all my heart it were not so, there is no turning back

my father from this course."

Nabiki felt her ire rising. "So? I simply *refuse* to marry you. What 
will your father say about that?"

Kuno lowered his eyes. "I fear, Nabiki Tendo, that he will find some way

to bend you towards his will. From whom do you suppose my sister Kodachi

inherited her devious methods? He will stop at nothing to get his way, 
and he will use means that will make you tremble."

Nabiki unsuccessfully stifled a laugh. "That old fool? I'd like to see 
him try. You tell him from me, Kuno-chan, that I will not go through 
with this farce, and if he doesn't like it, tough."

Kuno's face was a mask. "I will tell him, Nabiki Tendo. I fear for the 
consequences, however." And without another word, he turned and strode 
back into the school.

---

It's not easy being obsessed. And, if the truth be told, obsession is a 
fairly rare affliction. There aren't many people who can become utterly 
fixated on one person, to the exclusion of all else. And so, the sheer 
number of residents of Nerima who are so obsessed is quite a statistical

anomaly. One would suspect something in the water... if so many of the 
afflicted weren't immigrants.

One of those immigrants was humming softly to herself as she engaged in 
her second-favorite pastime, cooking. Her favorite pastime, of course, 
was chasing after Ranma. As she expertly mixed the ingredients for a 
perfect dish, her thoughts drifted back to an earlier time, when things 
were simpler.

She'd been but a child, but the deep and selfless love she felt for 
Ranma had been present even then. He was everything to her... confidant,

best friend, future husband. She smiled as she remembered how cute he'd 
been as a little boy. So full of energy, as he was today, but he turned 
that energy towards childish pursuits. Endless games of tag, play-
wrestling, climbing the highest hills... he was honing the skills that 
today made him a champion martial artist. She fell in love with him 
almost the first time she saw him.

Her father, caring and sensitive, had seen how she felt about him. He 
understood. He saw the happiness radiating in his daughter's face every 
time she was near Ranma. And she remembered how she'd nearly died with 
joy the day her father told her he'd arranged an engagement for her. Her

dream of a lifetime with Ranma was to be fulfilled.

And then, joy had turned to bitter tears, the day that Ranma's father 
had carried him away from her. Not only had he stolen her heart, he'd 
stolen her father's yatai. That yatai was all that they had in the 
world, and its loss left her father a broken man. And, to add insult to 
a deep, deep, injury, she'd been taunted by all the girls at school, for

the loss of the boy she'd thought would become her husband. Her life had

never, never been the same.

Her love had turned to burning hatred then. Ranma and his father had 
built up her dreams and put her on a pedestal of joy, only to smash her 
to the ground in one callous gesture. They'd destroyed her life. And 
she'd vowed to make them pay. She'd turned to the cooking martial arts, 
with the goal of becoming good enough to punish Ranma and his father.

She remembered the first time she saw him, after that. At the sight of 
the boy she'd loved grown to near manhood, her heart had broken anew. 
Throughout the years of training, she'd thought that she'd managed to 
eliminate the last vestige of her love, but she'd been wrong. She'd 
challenged him, but all the while her heart had been throbbing painfully

in his presence.

And it had turned out to all be a big misunderstanding. Ranma's father 
was the cruel cad who had victimized her father, but Ranma himself was 
innocent. He hadn't known of the engagement... in fact, he hadn't even 
known she was a female. Her cheeks burned with that memory. All that 
time, she'd thought her love for Ranma was reciprocated, but Ranma 
hadn't even known her gender.

But once she'd realized that Ranma had never meant to hurt her, her old 
love bloomed anew, full strength. Everything she'd loved him for as a 
boy was still there... and so was a new adult confidence that made him 
seem invincible. As a boy, he'd been so nice to her, and he was even 
nicer now. When she was feeling down, he called her "cute". As a friend,

he was always there for her. A girl couldn't ask for a better husband.

And yet there was one problem. Her rival.

Ukyo snorted, as she poured her batter onto the hot griddle. What does 
Akane have that I don't have? She's a klutz. She's violent. She's always

pounding on Ranma with that stupid mallet. Her cooking could kill a 
horse at 200 meters. She's *certainly* not as cute as I am... Ranma even

says so. What right does she have to be my Ran-chan's fiancee?

Akane, she knew, was her only true rival. Kodachi Kuno was insane, and 
Ukyo'd never seen Ranma slow even a tiny bit of affection for her. 
Shampoo was more formidable... but she and her grandmother had tried too

many dirty, underhanded tricks for Ranma ever to trust her. Ukyo was the

only one that Ranma was ever nice to. 

If only Ranma would *look* at me, she thought. He's not really engaged 
to Akane. Both of them say it all the time. It's just a stupid 
arrangement their fathers made. So why couldn't he at least take me on a

date? If we got a chance to be alone, I'm sure I could convince him that

I'm the only one for him.

Ukyo paused to flip the okonomiyaki over. It was a perfect golden brown,

and Ukyo picked up a brush to write "I love you Ran-chan" on it in 
sauce. Ukyo's sauce was custom-blended, and was justly famous throughout

Tokyo. She had a secret blend of spices she used to give it just the 
right kick. She'd even been known to subtly alter her recipe for 
individual customers, to suit what she suspected were their tastes. That

blend of spices was a closely-guarded secret, passed on to her by her 
father, as one of the only things he could give her after his beloved 
yatai was stolen.

Her crusts were always crispy on the outside, with an inner layer that 
was softer and chewier, once you bit through to it. This particular 
okonomiyaki was her super-deluxe special, Ranma's favorite. Three kinds 
of meat were blended into the batter, along with just the right 
assortment of colorful vegetables. He loved them. And this one was being

made to serve a special purpose.

If she were Shampoo, she might have slipped some sort of aphrodisiac 
into the food. But Ukyo didn't do that sort of thing. She wanted Ranma 
to love her for herself, not because of some weird drug. She had enough 
self-confidence to know that she could offer Ranma anything he needed, 
without chemical assistance.

With one well-practiced twitch of her spatula, Ukyo sent the okonomiyaki

spinning into the air. It flew like a Frisbee, coming to rest on a plate

Ukyo slid under it. She quickly packaged it in a box, then flipped her 
sign to "Closed". It was nearly dinner time, and she knew Ranma would be

getting hungry. This special treat she'd made just for him would be sure

to win his heart. She jogged cheerfully towards the Tendo dojo.

She was met at the door by Akane. Akane's eyes narrowed dangerously as 
she saw Ukyo approaching. "What do *you* want?" she demanded, blocking 
Ukyo's entrance.

Ukyo craned her neck, trying to see around Akane. "Is Ran-chan home?"

"Yeah, he's home. So what?"

"I'm here to give him this!" Ukyo opened the box, showing the 
okonomiyaki to Akane. She knew this would upset Akane in two ways: it 
would remind her that Ukyo was and always would be the better cook, and 
the "I love you Ran-chan" written on it would remind her that she was 
not alone in Ranma's affections.

Akane glared at the okonomiyaki. "He doesn't need that. I've already 
started making dinner tonight."

Ukyo's hand went to her mouth in shock that looked mock, but wasn't. 
"Oh, thank goodness! I'm so glad I'll be able to save him!"

Akane bared her teeth. "Why are you always giving him stuff like that, 
anyway? 'I love you Ran-chan?' Honestly!"

Ukyo looked straight into Akane's eyes. "So why do *you* care?"

Akane looked back. "Huh?"

"Why do *you* care?" Ukyo repeated. "You're always saying that he's not 
really your fiancee. Every chance you get, you badmouth him to anyone 
who'll listen. You call him a jerk and a pervert. You *hit* him all the 
time. Why do you care what I give him?"

Akane looked blank. "But I..."

"And here's another thing," Ukyo said, pressing her advantage. "He 
obviously doesn't want *you* either. He's always insulting you. And he 
always tells people *you're* not really *his* fiance, either. He hates 
being engaged to you. You're making his life miserable. What gives you 
the right to tell me that I can't give him whatever I want to? Maybe I 
can make him happier than you've made him."

Akane's mind was awhirl. She tried to come up with a snappy comeback, 
but couldn't.

Ukyo noted Akane's muteness, and realized she'd won. "And I'll tell you 
something else, Akane. I'm going to give him this okonomiyaki, and I'm 
going to do something that you never would."

Akane snapped out of her thoughts enough to ask, "What's that?"

Ukyo smiled wickedly. "I'm going to kiss him."

*That* got Akane's attention. "You're going to WHAT?"

"You heard me. I love him. I love him like you never will. I'd never 
beat him up, or call him a pervert, or kick him out of my window to land

in a pond. And I'm going to go to his room, and give him this 
okonomiyaki. And then, I'll ask him to kiss me. It will be beautiful." 
Ukyo sighed.

"You can't do that! He's *my* fiance."

Ukyo gave her a cold, steady look. "So? I don't care about that. You say

all the time that he's not really your fiance. You just said it this 
morning, at school. It's none of your business what I do with him. 
You've got no right to care." And with that, Ukyo swept past a stunned 
Akane, into the house, towards Ranma's room.

Akane stood, speechless, in the doorway. She heard a knock, and she 
heard Ranma's door slide open. Ukyo's voice carried to her... "Ran-chan,

can I come in? I've got something for her." And then she heard the door 
slide closed again.

Akane waited a few more seconds, then raced into the house, towards 
Ranma's room. She stopped in the kitchen to pick up an empty glass. 
Carefully, she set the glass against Ranma's door, and listened to the 
conversation within.

"Thank you, Uc-chan, that was delicious." She recognized Ranma's voice. 
Her features deepened into a scowl at Ranma's next words: "And you saved

me from having to eat Akane's toxic cooking tonight."

"Anything for you, Ran-chan." Ukyo's voice seemed softer and quieter 
than usual. "Ran-chan... can I ask you something?"

"Hmm? Sure, Uc-chan, what is it?"

"How do you feel about Akane?"

There was a long pause, which seemed to Akane to stretch out forever. 
Finally, Ranma asked, "What do you mean?"

"Do you love her?"

There was another pause, then an uncomfortable laugh. "Love her? Who 
could love such an uncute, macho, sexless tomboy?" Akane flinched. Every

word was like a dagger in her heart.

"Then would you do something for me?"

"Eh? What's that, Uc-chan?"

Once more, there was a pause inside the room. Even from outside, Akane 
could feel the tension building. Then Ukyo's voice again: "Would you 
kiss me?"

Even though she knew this was coming, Akane nearly dropped the glass. 
Ukyo's voice reverberated through her head: "You call him a jerk and a 
pervert. He *hates* being engaged to you. He obviously doesn't want you.

You have no right to care. Ran-chan, would you kiss me? Would you kiss 
me? Would you kiss me?"

But I do care, she realized. Even if I have no right to. She had a 
mental image of Ranma holding Ukyo, his lips glued to hers, and her 
world spun around her and went dark. It was painful even to think about 
it.

Ukyo's soft voice again: "Are you thinking about Akane? You don't love 
her... you just said so yourself. She's always insulting you and hitting

you. The whole engagement thing was a joke... you both know that. And I 
love you. I *really* love you. Let me make you happy. Please, Ran-chan."

Akane nearly sobbed. Every word was true. She'd lost Ranma, she knew. 
She'd never told him anything about how she felt, and he might very well

believe she hated him. And now Ukyo was in there, seducing him, offering

herself to him. He had no reason to refuse. She listened desperately 
though her glass for the telltale sounds of the kiss. She didn't want to

hear, but she couldn't turn away.

Seconds ticked by, each one with agony. She strained to listen, but 
heard nothing but silence. All she had was her imagination to tell her 
what was going on in there. She pictured Ranma smiling his dazzling 
smile at Ukyo, and moving in close to her, taking her in his arms. Her 
mind's eye showed her Ranma lightly brushing Ukyo's bangs out of the 
way, and stroking her cheek. She saw Ukyo's eyes filled with love as 
Ranma lowered his face to hers. She saw Ukyo close her eyes and part her

lips, looking cute and desirable. Irresistable. And then... and then... 
and then...

And then she heard Ranma's voice, so soft that she could barely hear it.

"I'm sorry, Uc-chan. I can't."

"W-what? Why not?" Ukyo sounded hurt and confused.

"I just can't." And then, even more softly, "You'd better go."

A muffled sob came from the room. Hearing slow footsteps coming towards 
her, Akane scurried out of the way and hid in the kitchen. Seconds 
later, a weeping Ukyo ran out of Ranma's room, and out the front door. 
Akane peeked around the corner. Ranma himself was standing in his 
doorway, leaning against the frame, looking sad. Then he sighed, and 
slid the door shut.

Now that it was over, relief poured over Akane like a waterfall. He 
didn't do it! Alone in his room with Ukyo, with Ukyo asking, no, 
*pleading* for him to kiss her... and he didn't do it. Akane didn't know

why he'd refused her advances, but she wasn't going to question it. She 
still didn't know why she cared so much... but she did care, there was 
no denying that. If she didn't care, she wouldn't feel nearly as weak-
kneed with relief as she did now. She sighed happily as she replayed the

whole incident in her mind.

A sudden acrid odor snapped her out of her reverie. Oh no... her dinner!

She threw open the oven and was greeted by a cloud of noxious black 
smoke. She had never made this particular casserole before, but she was 
quite sure it wasn't supposed to be that strange color.

Oh well. She'd scrape off the burnt top layer, and it would be as good 
as new. She knew Ranma's appetite, and knew one okonomiyaki wouldn't 
satisfy it. And she'd worked so *hard* on this dish, that she was just 
*sure* he'd enjoy it.

Humming softly to herself as she used a hammer and chisel to scrape away

the carbonized casserole, Akane did her best not to feel any sympathy 
for Ukyo. She wasn't totally successful.


---


The next morning. Once again, Nabiki walked to school alone. She felt 
none of the tension she'd felt yesterday... she'd told Kuno that there 
would be no wedding, and that was the end of that. In fact, she would 
have walked to school with Ranma and Akane today, but they were running 
late. Ranma had refused to get out of bed, claiming an acute 
stomachache, and Akane was trying to force him up. Nabiki had seen a 
casserole pan caked with a strange glowing substance among the dinner 
dishes, and she doubted that Ranma would rise anytime soon. So she 
decided to go on ahead.

Once again, she was met at school by Kuno. She tried to ignore him and 
go around him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She 
looked up at him and said, annoyed, "What do you want, Kuno-chan?"

Kuno's face was strangely pained. He handed her a large manila envelope 
and said, "For you, Nabiki Tendo. My father asked me to give you this."

Nabiki opened it. It seemed to contain copies of legal documents of some

kind. As she read them, Kuno said, "I want you to know, Nabiki, that I 
had no part in this. It was all my father's idea."

She was confused. She looked at the documents, then said, "I don't get 
it. This is a copy of the deed to Dr. Tofu's chiropractic clinic."

"Indeed it is, Nabiki Tendo. My father has purchased the building from 
its owner. He wishes you to know that if you persist in your refusal to 
assent to the marriage, he will terminate Dr. Tofu's lease, and have him

evicted. He also wishes you to know that he will purchase any building 
Tofu attempts to lease, and evict him from there as well. He will drive 
Tofu out of business, and into starvation."

Nabiki was baffled, unable to comprehend what she'd just heard. "But... 
why?"

Kuno sighed. He sounded like he was repeated words memorized by rote. 
"He understands that your sister Kasumi has something of a relationship 
with the doctor. If he hurts the doctor, he hurts Kasumi... and through 
her, you."

Bafflement turned to rage. "He... he can't do that!"

"I'm afraid he can, Nabiki. Furthermore, he also wishes you to know that

if this does not persuade you, he is prepared to undertake still more 
drastic measures. He hopes he will not be required to do so."

Nabiki trembled. "This is an outrage!"

Kuno nodded. "I did warn you, Nabiki Tendo."

Nabiki shoved past Kuno and stormed towards the school. She heard Kuno's

voice raised behind her: "Nabiki, my father requires an answer by 
tomorrow."

She stopped, turned around, and shouted, "You bastard!" Fuming, she went

in to class.

---


"HYAAAH!" shouted Akane, as her fist flew towards Ranma's face. Ranma 
dodged the punch easily, then ducked under the kick which followed it. 
Akane yelled and followed up with a quick combination, two punches at 
his face then a kick to his midsection. With his superior speed, Ranma 
was able to keep out of the way of her attacks, but a lesser opponent 
would have been devastated. Not letting up at all, Akane launched into a

powerful jumping kick, with a final kendo cry. At the last minute, Ranma

leaped up over her, and her foot struck the dojo wall, cracking it. 
Ranma landed behind her, touching a finger to the back of her neck.

"Not bad, Akane," Ranma said. "You're really improving."

"Thank you," Akane replied, breathing heavily. "Thanks for helping me 
spar." As was usual after her sparring sessions with Ranma, she was 
bathed with sweat. What was unusual was that *Ranma* was breathing a 
little harder, and had broken a sweat of his own. Her skill was 
definitely increasing.

As they stood in the dojo relaxing, coming down from the workout, they 
were interrupted by a loud cry from outside. "AKANE! TENDO AKANE! COME 
OUT HERE!" The voice was deep, sultry, and determined. It sounded 
familiar, but it was hard to recognize from outside the house. "TENDO 
AKANE! I CHALLENGE YOU!"

Akane looked at Ranma with a puzzled look. "Who could that be?"

"Gee, Akane, who would challenge you?" said Ranma sarcastically. "You've

only got about six people holding serious grudges against you."

"You're one to talk," scowled Akane. "It seems like all of Nerima has 
tried to kill *you*."

"I guess that's true," said Ranma with a grimace. "But this time, the 
challenge is for you. Wanna go see who it is?"

Akane shrugged. "I guess we'd better." As she'd just been working out, 
she was still clad in her gi, so she had the perfect attire to answer a 
challenge. If you gotta do it, might as well do it with style. She and 
Ranma headed for the front door of the house.

When they slid open the front door, at first it seemed as though the 
leaves were falling. Then they realized that the objects being swirled 
around outside and blown through their door weren't leaves. They were 
petals. Black rose petals. Akane and Ranma let out a simultaneous groan 
as it became apparent who their visitor was.

When the blizzard had died down, Kodachi stood in the front lawn, her 
head thrown back and her mouth smiling, laughing her trademark laugh. 
Kodachi's laugh was hard to classify. It wasn't exactly a giggle, or a 
chuckle, or even a cackle, but it was definitely distinctive. It was 
instantly recognizable as Kodachi's own laugh, and once you heard it, 
you never forgot it.

Kodachi was twirling her ribbon in front of her, and this was creating a

wind blowing directly towards Akane. The breeze fluttered Akane's hair 
and made her look especially majestic in her gi. Kodachi clearly had her

brother's flair for the dramatic. She was wearing a different leotard 
than she usually wore... this one was black, with lightning streaks of 
silver sequins. Her hair was out of its ponytail, and flared around her 
shoulders like a lion's mane. She wore shiny silver bands on her wrists 
and ankles. With a flourish, she stopped twirling the ribbon and snapped

it between her fingers. "Tendo Akane! I challenge you!"

Akane was flabbergasted. "Why? What for?"

Kodachi pointed her ribbon at Akane, snapping it like a whip. "For 
Ranma! I will fight you... and if you lose, you give up my darling 
Ranma-sama!"

Akane blinked. "You what?"

Kodachi's malicious grin grew broader. "You heard me! Fight me, Tendo 
Akane! Or are you a coward?"

Akane darkened. "I am not a coward!"

Kodachi laughed. "Then fight me! Come on!"

Akane grit her teeth and pulled her lips back in a snarl. So that's the 
way she wants it, is it? She took a step forward and got into a 
defensive crouch.

But Kodachi didn't attack. Instead, she relaxed her guard and said, 
"First, say it."

Akane was puzzled. "Say what?"

"Say that if you lose, you'll give up Ranma, of course. That *is* what I

challenged for. If you lose, Ranma-sama is mine... and I want to hear 
you say it."

"You've got to be kidding!"

"I'm not kidding, Tendo Akane. If you win, you have nothing to worry 
about, right? Or are you afraid you'll lose?"

Akane snarled. "Fine! Have it your way! If you win, he's yours! I'll 
gift wrap him for you. Now DIE!"

At this, Ranma stepped forward. "Hey, wait a minute. I'm not..."

"You stay out of this, Ranma!" snapped Akane. And with that, she 
launched a flying kick at Kodachi's head.

Only Kodachi's head wasn't there. She easily dodged out of the way, and 
snagged Akane's foot with her ribbon. "She's gotten faster," was all 
Akane had time to think before she hit the ground, hard. As she sat up, 
she was struck full in the face by a thrown gymnastics rubber ball.

"Akane!" shouted Ranma, and leaped forward. Akane spared him a glance. 
"You stay out of this, Ranma!" she snapped at him. "I can handle this!"

Kodachi laughed, long and loud. "No, you cannot, Tendo Akane! Ranma-
sama! Soon you shall be mine!" And with that, she launched her attack.

Ranma ground his teeth. That *idiot!* He could tell, the minute he saw 
Kodachi, that she had been training. *Really* training. Her stance, her 
ribbon work, her confidence all spoke volumes. She'd gotten *good*. 
She'd probably been practicing for this very moment. And Akane... she'd 
just had a tough workout. She'd pushed herself to the limit against him,

and she'd be worn out. This would *not* be an easy victory. And if she 
lost... Ranma shuddered at the thought of a date with a Kuno. He'd heard

that poor Nabiki was going to be marrying the other half of the insane 
brother-sister duo, and he wanted no part of that family.

[INSERT: Big Fight Scene (tm).]

---

It was late evening. Akane was in her room preparing for bed. She sighed

as she looked at herself in the mirror. It had been a long day. Her body

still ached from the brutal fight with Kodachi a few hours ago.

Suddenly, she heard a thump on her roof.  "What could that be," she 
wondered. She slid open her window, then climbed on the windowsill to 
take a peek.

Ranma was on the roof, in female form. She'd been accidentally splashed 
earlier in the day, and hadn't bothered to change back. She was lying on

her back, with her hands behind her head. She looked comfortable.

"Ranma?" Akane asked. "What are you doing up here."

Ranma looked down at her. "Akane. It's a beautiful night. I'm looking at

the stars. Want to join me?"

"Join you? Okay." Akane climbed up to the roof, then walked over and lay

down next to Ranma.

Ranma was right. It really was a beautiful night. The sky was crystal 
clear, and it was filled with stars. The air was crisp and still. 
Crickets could be heard chirping by the pond. The crescent moon shone 
bright in the sky. Venus sparkled in the east. Akane could make out lots

of constellations. She picked out the Big Dipper, and then the North 
Star.

"How are you feeling?" Ranma asked.

Akane winced as she rubbed her sore muscles. "Okay, I guess. Still a 
little stiff."

"Oh," Ranma said. "I'm glad you won."

"Really?

"Yeah." Ranma grimaced. "A date with Kodachi wouldn't have been fun."

Akane giggled. "I don't think even you deserve such a fate."

Ranma looked at the stars, then at Akane, then back at the stars, then 
back at Akane again. "Akane," she said, "would you mind waiting here for

a minute?"

"Eh? Why? Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back." With that, Ranma got to her feet, and jumped down 
to the ground.

"I wonder what that was all about," Akane thought. Within minutes, Ranma

appeared at her window. He climbed up and rejoined her -- this time in 
male form.

"Hmm? Ranma? Why did you change back?"

Ranma sat crosslegged next to her. He avoided her eyes. "Akane", he 
said, "It's just... I..."

Akane sat up, her face curious. She looked at Ranma. "What is it?"

Ranma fidgeted with his fingers. Then he looked up at her and said, 
"Remember when Mikado Sanzenin kissed me?"

"Huh?" Akane was puzzled. "Yes, I remember". Why on earth did he bring 
*that* up? As far as Akane knew, Ranma's kiss from Mikado was the most 
humiliating moment of his life. Ranma felt a deep and burning shame 
every time he thought of it, and he'd nearly killed Mikado for it. He'd 
made it clear that he didn't even want to *think* of the incident, much 
less talk about it. So why was he mentioning it now?

"Well, I..., uh..." Ranma averted his eyes from her again. "...do you 
remember after the fight, in the dojo, when you said I could kiss you if

I wanted to?"

Akane felt a flush of blood rush to her cheeks. Her heart started 
beating a little faster. Yes, she remembered. She remembered it very 
well. It had all started off when she'd told Ranma that the reason he'd 
been kissed was that he didn't have enough practice. That had led to 
Ranma launching a sneak-attack kiss on her. She'd been totally 
unprepared. Of all the things she'd expected Ranma to do, this was not 
one of them. And suddenly, she'd found herself in Ranma's lap, his face 
inches from hers.

A few agonizing heartbeats later, he'd hastily backed away from her, 
telling her he wasn't going to *kiss* her or anything. She'd taken a 
gamble: she'd taunted him as a coward for not kissing her. She knew that

the surest way to get Ranma to kiss her would be to make it a point of 
pride... and just for that moment, she wanted him to do it. The 
sensations of being held in his arms, gazing up into his eyes were just 
too powerful. As she told him, "I'm sure, but only if you have the 
guts," a part of her was whispering *oh god, please let this work, 
please let him kiss me.*

He had come close. So close. He'd asked her to close her eyes, and she'd

complied. She could feel his breath on her lips as he'd drawn closer to 
her. And then, he'd backed off again, saying that this was only 
something you should do with people you'd liked.

She'd been crushed. She'd tried not to let it show. She'd turned away, 
and said, "I see... and you can't do it with me?" He'd yelled back, 
"That's not what I'm saying!" and then gone very quiet. Then he said, "I

just meant... if you don't mind."

Akane went very quiet herself. She looked down at the floor. She knew 
that he'd take her silence for consent. He'd just admitted, in his own 
way, that he wanted to kiss her. And by not laughing at him, or slapping

him, or even walking away, she was telling him to do it. Forget about 
everything else... forget about the bogus engagement, forget about all 
the fights, forget about all the insults hurled on both sides... just, 
for this moment, one kiss. Just one. He wanted to do it. She wanted him 
to do it. And they'd almost done it. Ranma had started to lean forward 
again, when he was interrupted by a strange whirring sound... the whirr 
of a camcorder. And the whole thing had broken up. Both of their 
families had been sitting there, calmly watching, Genma recording the 
rare moment for posterity. Nabiki'd snapped, "Are you guys going to do 
this, or what?" Obviously, the mood shattered like glass.

And here, on the roof, on a beautifully romantic night, Ranma was 
bringing it up again. After she'd fought a vicious fight for the right 
to keep him. After he'd deliberately turned male again for this moment. 
It could mean only one thing. Akane felt her pulse quicken still faster.

She looked at him. A slight breeze had finally stirred up, and his 
ponytail fluttered lightly. He was dressed in his usual Chinese clothes,

golden dragons embroidered on his shirt. He was beautiful.

She closed her eyes. She knew that would be all the answer he'd need. 
She knew he'd know that she'd understood why he mentioned the scene in 
the dojo, and she prayed that he would find the courage to go through 
with it.

Once more came the agonizing pause. And once more came the feel of his 
breath on her lips. Akane fought to relax, and waited, waited, waited 
for the pressure of his lips on hers. And then it came. His lips were 
warm, soft, and slightly moist. Even with her eyes closed, she could 
sense his presence, closer to her than ever before. She slightly parted 
her lips, and was answered with the feel of Ranma's tongue tentatively 
poking into her mouth, lightly touching her own.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him even closer. She felt his

arms go around her and hold her tightly. His tongue became more bold, 
exploring all over her mouth. She slid her own tongue into his mouth, 
and did a little exploration of her own. The sensations threatened to 
overpower her. She drank in his odor and his taste and the feel of him 
in her arms. Involuntarily, she let out a soft moan. And then, ever so 
slowly, it was over. Ranma loosened his grip on her, and slowly pulled 
back, pecking lightly at her lips as he broke the kiss.

He looked into her eyes... they shone with tears. His arms were still 
around her, and hers around him. I should say it, he said to himself. 
Now is the time. He formulated the words in his mind: "Akane, I love 
you."

"Akane," he said. "I... I..." He stopped. Somehow, he couldn't get the 
words out. "I... I lo... I lo..." He stopped again. "I love you! I love 
you" screamed his brain. But his mouth refused to form the words. He 
tried again. "I lo... Akane, I lo..." In frustration, he went silent.

Akane gazed back at him. She looked confused. "Akane! I lo..." He just 
couldn't say it! What was wrong with him?

And then, Akane's mouth curved up in a smile. She looked at him with 
eyes filled with happiness and understanding. "She knows," Ranma 
thought. Akane took his hand.

"Come on, Ranma. Let's go inside. It's getting cold out here." She stood

up, and Ranma followed her. The two of them climbed together into 
Akane's room. Ranma stopped outside her door.

"Goodnight, Ranma... and... thank you," Akane said.

"Goodnight, Akane," Ranma said. "I love you." Or at least he said it in 
his mind. He still couldn't say it out loud. But Akane seemed to hear 
him anyway. She smiled beautifully and pecked him on the cheek. "See you

tomorrow." And with that, she closed the door, leaving him to go 
downstairs, to lie awake on his futon.

---

The sun beat down heavily on the Furinkan High soccer field, as two 
angry figures stood across from each other. A small crowd, growing 
larger, surrounded them at a respectful distance, buzzing to itself as 
crowds do. One of the members of the crowd was Nabiki Tendo, and she was

working. Nabiki's business enterprises were both numerous and diverse, 
and today, she was engaging in one of the more profitable if somewhat 
disreputable businesses: bookmaking. Anytime a fight was brewing, 
opportunities abounded for the enterprising oddsmaker, and Nabiki was 
never one to turn down an opportunity.

Not that this particular fight would prove to be interesting. At school,

Hikaru Gosunkugi had accidentally tripped and fallen onto Shampoo. 
Unfortunately for him, he had landed on somewhat intimate anatomical 
territory, and even worse, Mousse had been present. Although Shampoo had

scarcely seemed to have noticed Gosunkugi's misstep, running off to find

Ranma, Mousse had taken offense. He'd immediately challenged Gosunkugi 
to a duel, to "avenge Shampoo's honor", as he put it. And to the 
surprise of the onlookers, Gosunkugi had accepted. Many of them 
concluded that he'd been wearing his headband a little too tightly.

Setting odds is a tricky business. A really good bookmaker will 
carefully balance the odds each way so that she'll make money no matter 
who wins. If she makes even a small misstep, she stands to lose a 
fortune. But after years of practice, Nabiki Tendo was an expert.

She'd set the odds on this fight at 50-1, in favor of Mousse, of course.

Few doubted that the scrawny, anemic Gosunkugi was no match for the 
longhaired master of hidden weapons. Even with snappy odds like those, 
she found few takers. Not many were willing to take a chance on 
Gosunkugi.

After she'd done all the business she could, Nabiki stepped away from 
the crowd, to count her holdings, and to calculate her expected profit. 
It wouldn't be much. As she scribbled in her ledger, she was interrupted

by a shadow falling over the page. She turned to see a tall, lean man 
standing over her. He looked down at her with a smile.

"Excuse me," he said. "I was driving through this neighborhood when I 
saw this crowd. Can you tell me what's going on?"

Nabiki was struck dumb for a few seconds. The man was incredibly 
handsome. His features were finely chiseled, and aristocratic. His dark 
hair came down to his shoulders, and fluttered across his forehead in 
wispy bangs. On his head, he wore a stylish, banded hat. His chin was 
solid, his mouth firm, and he wore wearing a disarming smile. His body 
was lean and wiry. He was clad in a very expensive Italian suit, and a 
medium-sized diamond glittered in his left ear. His leather shoes were 
buffed to a high shine. Everything about him screamed *power*. The only 
thing that marred the effect was a slightly *too*-cheerful look in his 
eyes, betraying low intelligence. He was almost goofy-looking.

"There's going to be a fight," Nabiki told him. And then, with an eye to

perhaps benefiting from this rich stranger, she added, "I'm taking 
bets."

"Really?" The man's smile broadened. "Oh, I just *love* to gamble, 
although I don't seem to do very well. Who are the players?"

Nabiki pointed at the field, where the combatants still glared at each 
other. "It's Gosunkugi versus Mousse. The fight's not scheduled to start

for," she checked her watch, "another five minutes."

"Go-sun-ku-gi?" the stranger said. "What an odd name! I rather like it. 
What are the odds?"

She stood up to face him. "Fifty-to-one against him, sir," Nabiki said, 
trying to sound businesslike. What a rube! He must have inherited his 
wealth, she decided. Here he was, about to place a bet on a fighter just

because he liked his name. No wonder he didn't seem to do very well at 
gambling.

"Fifty to one! How marvelous," he said. "I do believe I'd like to place 
a bet." And with that, he reached for his wallet.

Yen signs swam in front of Nabiki's eyes. Inwardly, she smiled. Money on

Gosunkugi was money in her pocket. And here she didn't expect to do much

business today. And then, she started in shock at the size of the wad of

cash the stranger was holding.

Still maintaining that blank smile, he held the wad out to her, and 
said, "Will half a million yen be enough?" Nabiki felt faint, just 
looking at the money. That was more than she made in months. When she 
thought of all the things that much money could buy, her head swam. She 
suddenly understood how Happosai felt, returning home with his bag full.

What a haul! Her hand trembled as she reached out to accept the money.

She forced a smile, trying hard not to let her giddy excitement show. 
"Thank you for your bet. Enjoy the show, Mr..." She stopped, realizing 
that she didn't know the stranger's name.

He touched his hand to his hat, then turned to go. Walking away, he 
said, "Just call me Sekino. Nice doing business with you." She couldn't 
see the glint in his eye as he added, under his breath, "...sucker."

---

The fight went pretty much as predicted... at least, at first. Gosunkugi

was clearly outclassed, and managed to frantically dodge two hurled 
spears, before taking a flowerpot straight in the face, going down. 
Mousse pressed his advantage, shooting snakelike chains at Gosunkugi, 
wrapping him tightly. Swinging the chains around, Mousse slammed 
Gosunkugi into the ground over and over again. It wasn't more than 
fifteen seconds into the fight, and Gosunkugi was down for the count.

And then it happened. Later on, some in the crowd would swear they heard

a sudden rush of air, like a blowgun had been fired. Others thought it 
was magic, or divine intervention, or plain dumb luck. Whatever it was, 
the left lens of Mousse's glasses shattered, and then the right. He was 
suddenly blind, and wasted precious seconds rubbing at his eyes, trying 
desperately to restore his vision. It gave Gosunkugi the time he needed 
to scramble free of the chains and stagger to his feet. While Mousse 
looked around, trying to distinguish his opponent from the blurry blobs 
which suddenly surrounded him, Gosunkugi crept in for the kill. With all

his strength, he slugged Mousse in the jaw.

Of course, in Gosunkugi's case, "all his strength" is not very much. 
Under normal circumstances, Mousse could easily withstand Gosunkugi's 
best, without even staggering. But the circumstances were not normal. 
Again, some in the crowd would later on claim to have heard a blowgun...

but nobody ever discovered the tranquilizer dart in Mousse's leg. When 
he woke up, hours after the fight's completion, it had fallen out, and 
been carried off by a curious small animal.

That didn't happen for quite awhile, though. The immediate effects were 
that Mousse's eyes went blank and rolled up into his head. With his face

a mask of unconsciousness, he toppled forward, to crash on the ground. 
None doubted that the fight was over for him.

Nabiki watched the proceedings with surprise, then shock, and then, 
dawning horror. "Oh boy..." she thought to herself. Then she quietly got

up, and tried to creep away as inconspicuously as possible.

She didn't get far. Her path was blocked by Sekino, who had somehow 
managed to get in front of her unnoticed. "How about that?" he asked 
cheerfully. "I won! Amazing, isn't it?" And then, as Nabiki stared, all 
traces of foolishness vanished from his eyes, to be replaced by a cruel 
gleam of intelligence. "I believe you owe me twenty-five million yen, my

dear."

Nabiki looked around her desperately. There wasn't much room to run. 
"Er... I don't have that kind of money on me, Sekino-san."

"Really?" Sekino's face showed mock astonishment. "How unfortunate. You 
*do* have the money, though, right?"

Nabiki managed a nervous laugh. "Of course I do. I wouldn't have 
accepted that bet if I couldn't cover it, would I?"

"I certainly hope not." Sekino's face had gone cold. "You'll fetch it 
for me, won't you? I must be going soon."

Nabiki nodded. "Sure thing! I'll just go right home and get it for you, 
Sekino-san!"

"Good." Sekino looked at her meaningfully. "I would hate for you to be 
lying. You see, it might be just a coincidence, but everyone who's ever 
cheated me has had something terrible happen."

Nabiki swallowed. "Really?"

"Oh yes," Sekino said. "There was one man... what was his name? I
forget. 
But he didn't pay up after a bet we made. The police found his body at 
the bottom of the river. Poor man must have killed himself, I guess."

Nabiki was trembling. "How tragic."

"Certainly. And then there was this other man, whose name also eludes 
me. He too cheated me, and there was an explosion at his house. Poor 
chap was killed, as were his wife and daughter. People who cheat me seem

to have terrible luck."

She swallowed again. "I'll get you your money."

Sekino gave her a predatory grin. "I know you will. I'll be waiting 
right here. I shall expect you back in fifteen minutes. Good day." He 
turned away from her... and as he did, Nabiki caught a glimpse of
gunmetal 
inside his suitcoat.

Nabiki turned and ran for her life. Once she was outside of Sekino's 
sight, she slowed down, found a hiding place under a bridge, and stopped

to think.

She didn't have twenty-five million yen. *Nobody* she knew had that kind

of money. The family dojo wasn't worth that much. What was she going to 
do?

She cursed herself for several kinds of a fool. She'd been blinded by 
the lure of easy money, and hadn't wanted to look a gift horse in the 
mouth. Now she was doomed. She'd misread Sekino at first sight, but she 
was sure she wasn't misreading him now. The man was a killer. And if he 
didn't get his money, she and her family would be in danger.

There was no help for it. She'd have to leave town. She'd have to run as

far and as fast as she could, and pray that Sekino didn't find out who 
she was. If he learned her identity, he might go after her home. The 
story of the family that he blew up chilled her to the bone.

She wasn't sure how long she'd have to stay away. A year, at the very 
minimum... and probably five years would be safer. She'd have to 
constantly be on the run. She trembled at the thought, but she had no 
time. None at all. She had to get going *now*, to get as big a head 
start as she possibly could.

She got out from under the bridge, and started jogging across it. No 
time to go home and pack anything... all she had were the clothes she
was 
wearing. And half a million yen and change, she amended, which would 
help. At least she wasn't broke. 

She was too occupied with her problem to notice that she was being 
followed. And, to save her strength, she wasn't running full-out. At the

end of the bridge, the man who was following her easily caught her, and 
grabbed her by the shoulder. She spun around, to find herself looking 
into Sekino's eyes. She felt a fist of terror squeeze her heart.

"Why, my dear, wherever are you going?"

"Um... home to get the money?" she stammered.

"Is that so?" Sekino's eyes narrowed dangerously. "If I'm not mistaken, 
Nabiki Tendo, your home is the other direction."

Nabiki's throat went dry, and she found herself at a loss for an excuse.

"Um... but I'm..."

Sekino looked weary. "You disappoint me, my dear. I'm sorry to have to 
do this."

Nabiki's heart beat wildly as Sekino drew a knife from somewhere 
underneath his clothes. The blade was bright and finely polished, and 
about four inches long. The edge glinted evilly in the sunlight. He was 
faster than her, and a trained killer. If she tried to run, he'd be on 
her in seconds.

Nabiki started to cry. Maybe, she thought, I can get him feeling sorry 
for me. If I do that, he might give me an opening.

"P-p-please don't kill me," Nabiki blubbered. "I'm so sorry... please, 
please... I'll get you your money, I *promise*. It'll just take a few 
days, that's all. Don't kill me!" Tears freely streamed down her cheeks,

as Nabiki put on her most pathetic face. Her knee tensed, as she 
prepared to thrust it into Sekino's groin.

Sekino looked bored. "*Very* good, my dear. A bit over-theatrical, 
perhaps, but still very good. You don't really expect me to fall for 
that, do you, my dear? And if you even *try* to kick me, I will ensure 
that your death is very slow and painful."

Desperation settled on Nabiki like a heavy blanket as she realized that 
her ploy had not worked. She was going to die. She wasn't even going to 
get to say goodbye to anyone. What had been a harmless money-making 
pastime had turned deadly. She had so much left she wanted to do in her 
life, and now she wasn't going to get to do anything. 

Sekino reached back with the knife, in preparation for a slashing blow 
across her neck. Hopeless, she closed her eyes. She didn't want to see 
it coming. She didn't want her last sight to be her own blood spurting 
from her throat, her vision fading to black as she lost consciousness 
forever. She stood and waited for the final blow.

It never came. She heard Sekino scream in pain, and his knife clattered 
to the wooden bridge. She opened her eyes and saw Sekino holding his 
wrist, his knife hand transfixed by a small throwing dagger. Blood 
dripped from the wound.

She spun around to look behind her. And there, in his full samurai 
regalia, stood Kuno. His left hand was still in front of him after 
throwing the dagger, and his right held his bokken in an en garde 
position. "Hold, villain!" he said in a commanding tone of voice. "What 
are you doing with my fiancee?"

Sekino straightened up, his face contorted in pain. "I'm killing her, 
you fool. What does it look like?"

Kuno stepped forward, lowering his bokken to point straight at Sekino. 
"You would dare to do violence upon the body of Nabiki Tendo? You shall 
pay the price in your own blood!"

Sekino laughed cruelly. "Who are you kidding, samurai-boy? You're not 
man enough to stop me." As he said this, he backed slowly away, dropping

into a battle crouch. 

Kuno swung his bokken. "Have at thee, villain!" And with that, he 
charged.

"Kuno, look out!" screamed Nabiki. "He's got a g..." Nabiki was caught 
short as Sekino's good hand dipped inside his suit coat, pulling out a 
compact handgun. It was Sekino's injury that saved Kuno's life. Had he 
been able to use his right hand, he surely could have drawn and fired 
before Kuno reached him, but his injury slowed him down enough. Before 
he could bring the gun to bear, his hand was shattered by a vicious 
bokken strike. The gun fell out of his useless fingers and clattered to 
the bridge.

Unarmed and wounded, Sekino was no match for a vengeful Kuno. Strike 
after strike from his bokken took its toll, and blood and teeth flew. 
One particularly nasty strike to his chest knocked him to his back, 
defenseless on the bridge. He raised his arms in a desperate attempt to 
protect his head.

Kuno stepped forward, his eyes burning with fury. He raised his bokken 
high above his head, and spoke in a voice like doom. "You dare to offer 
my fiancee physical violence. I shall send you screaming to hell, foul 
dastard!" 

He would have split Sekino's head like a watermelon, had Nabiki not 
stepped forward. She'd seen enough blood spilled. Grabbing Kuno's arm, 
she cried, "That's enough, Kuno! Don't kill him."

Kuno looked at her, his expression unreadable. "As the lady wishes," he 
said. And with that, he picked up Sekino's broken body one-handed, and 
brought him to eye level. "Hear this, knave," he hissed. "By the 
merciful word of Nabiki Tendo, you are spared. If you dare to show 
yourself near her again, you will not be so fortunate. Do I make myself 
clear?" A barely-conscious Sekino nodded dumbly, whereupon Kuno hurled 
him into the river. The current would carry him far away before 
depositing him on shore.

Now that it was over, Nabiki felt the weight of the whole event crashing

in on her. She still clutched Kuno's arm, and leaned on it for support 
to keep from falling down. She looked in his eyes. His face was stern, 
noble. As she watched, he carefully sheathed his bokken.

"Thank you," she said. She meant to use a normal tone of voice, but it 
came out as a whisper.

"No thanks are necessary, Nabiki Tendo. I was merely doing my duty."

"Why did you do it?" she asked. "Why did you save me."

"Because, Nabiki Tendo, whether I like it or not, you are my fiancee. An

honorable man protects his fiancee against all harm."

Nabiki looked down. "Is that the only reason?" she asked in a small 
voice.

Kuno looked at her proudly. "No, Nabiki, it is not."

Nabiki waited mutely. Kuno continued, "We have often sparred in the 
past, but I must admit a certain fondness for you. I would not wish to 
see you come to harm. My life would not be the same without you."

Nabiki's eyes shone, and she suddenly felt very close to this big man 
who had saved her. She had truly feared for her life. She was *certain* 
that she was going to die, and she certainly would have, had Kuno not 
shown up. Sekino had a gun, and Kuno risked his life to save her. The 
way he threw that knife, hitting Sekino's hand straight on... Ranma 
himself couldn't have done better.

Impulsively, Nabiki stood on tiptoe and kissed Kuno on the cheek. "Thank

you," she said again. Kuno looked astonished. He turned to her as if he 
were going to say something, then changed his mind. He gently put his 
hand on her shoulder.

"Nabiki... shall I escort you home?"

Nabiki smiled and took Kuno's arm. Together, they walked to the Tendo 
dojo. A strong and handsome man walking her home, and half a million yen

in her pocket. All in all, Nabiki decided, it had been a pretty good 
day.

---



Akane and Ranma ran to school together, silently. After all that had 
happened lately, neither really felt like throwing the daily insults at 
each other. But neither one was comfortable yet with the idea of 
actually being *nice* to the other. And so, they had nothing to say to 
each other. The silence that grew as they ran was almost painful.

Akane snuck a glance at Ranma. "Baka," she thought. "After what he did 
last night, why doesn't he come out and say it? He loves me. I know he 
loves me. Why can't he tell me? Why is he ignoring me?" She developed a 
small pouty frown.

Ranma's thoughts were similarly on Akane. "Baka!" he yelled at himself. 
"Say something! Do something! *Look* at her, at least!" He turned his 
head over to Akane. Seeing her staring at him, he quickly looked away.

Akane's frown deepened. Letting out a small "Hmmph!", she too turned 
away.

Together, they arrived at the gates of Furinkan High School. As they 
approached the door, they simultaneously groaned at the sight of a 
familiar figure leaning against the frame. Kuno hadn't greeted them at 
the door lately, and they'd begun to hope that perhaps he never would 
again. But now he was here. It looked like it was back to the usual.

Ranma struck a defensive pose, one hand held high, one curled in to aid 
his balance. "Okay, Kuno!" he said. "Ready for your daily pounding?"

Kuno turned to look at him with a sneer. "Fool!" he said. "I may no 
longer challenge you for the hand of Akane Tendo, you know that. I am 
not here to give you the beating you so richly deserve. Instead, I come 
merely to talk." He fairly spat the words, a look of utter loathing on 
his face.

Ranma blinked. "Huh?"

Kuno walked up to Akane, and took her hand. Looking deep into her eyes, 
he said, "Alas, Akane Tendo, our love will never come to fruition. It 
must die, as a rose cut off at the bloom. Know that I will never forget 
you, or how much you meant to me. But now, it is not to be. Fairwell, 
sweet Akane. Tomorrow, I forget you."

Akane stared, bewildered. Kuno's face was filled with love and longing 
as he clung to her hand. His eyes pleaded with her, right up intil he 
received a nasty kick to the chin. He was thrown backwards to crash into

a sturdy tree.

"Hey!" said Ranma, his leg still in the air. "Let go of her hand!"

Kuno sat up, rubbed his jaw, and pointed at Ranma. "And I have a message

for you as well." Kuno's voice and expression softened. "I will forever 
remember your sweet face, and your lovely big eyes, like twin full 
moons. Those few times I was able to hold your body in my arms were the 
brightest days of my life. How I long to tenderly kiss those soft lips 
of yours."

"Giyaaa!!!" Ranma contorted himself into an extremely uncomfortable-
looking position. "Stay away from me, man! You're scaring me!"

Kuno composed himself, then spoke again, his voice cold. "Give that 
message, exactly as I have repeated it, to the pigtailled girl, if you 
please. And then tell her that I must say my goodbyes to her, as well. 
Convey that I mourn for my love, but I must do what is honorable."

Akane stared at Ranma. Ranma stared at Akane. Neither seemed to have the

faintest idea what Kuno was talking about. Finally, Ranma worked up the 
nerve to say, "Er... w-w-what are you talking about, sempai?"

Kuno turned away, his head lowered, his fist clenched. A tear dripped to

the pavement. "Do you not understand? I must wed Nabiki Tendo. My honor 
dictates that I marry the woman my father chooses. It would no longer be

honorable of me to remain in the company of Akane Tendo or my pigtailed 
girl. I must bid farewell to both." And without waiting for an answer, 
Kuno walked slowly into the school.

Akane and Ranma stared after him. After awhile, Ranma spoke. "Well, at 
least one good thing came out of this."

"Yeah". Akane sighed. "Poor guy."

Ranma did a double-take. "Poor guy? What do you mean? That jerk's been 
chasing both of us for months!"

"So? Look at how much he's hurting! Even if he was a jerk, he doesn't 
deserve that."

Ranma couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you saying you'd 
*rather* have him chasing us? You are *such* an idiot."

Akane flared. "Of course I don't want him chasing us. I just don't like 
seeing him suffer... that's all, you stupid jerk!"

Ranma frowned. "Kawaiikune!"

A loud crack echoed through the air as Akane's hand slapped against 
Ranma's cheek. He froze. Akane lowered her fist, and said, "Ranma... you

are such a... JERK!"

Ranma stopped, his cheek throbbing. "Idiot!" he cursed himself, for what

seemed like the hundredth time that week. "Why did you have to go and 
start something? Things were going so well."

Guess I'd better apologize, Ranma told himself. "Akane," he said, "I... 
I..."

Suddenly, Ranma felt an urgent sensation that he'd felt many times in 
the past. Exactly how it felt, Ranma couldn't say, but after all these 
years, he'd learned to recognize what it meant instantly: *Danger!* In a

split second, his head whipped around. His ears caught the buzz of a 
projectile, incoming at tremendous speed. Almost instantaneously, his 
senses calculated its trajectory, and his well-tuned muscles leaped into

action. His hand thrust to the side with almost superhuman speed, and 
there was a loud *thwack* as he caught something.

And this was the scene a blink of Akane's eyes later. The point of a 
wicked-looking knife was centimeters from her forehead. She hadn't even 
seen it coming. It must have been moving at incredible speed. Ranma's 
fist was gripped tightly around the center of the blade, the muscles of 
his arm trembling. A small amount of blood trickled from his palm. A 
drop of sweat rolled off his forehead. He turned to her, his eyes fiery.

"Akane... are you all right?"

Too stunned to speak, Akane nodded her head slightly, and managed a 
"Mmmm." Ranma looked at her a second more, then he turned away, and 
yelled, "Hey! Who's there?"

There was no answer other than a few crickets chirping. Ranma's eyes 
followed the trajectory of the knife backwards to... there! A solitary 
bush standing in the middle of an otherwise-empty schoolyard.

Ranma charged at the bush, shouting, "Who's there? Who threw that?" He 
arrived at the bush, and demolished it with one swipe of his foot. 
Leaves and branches fell around him, but that was all. There was nobody 
in the bush. A trail of running footprints fled from the bush to the 
entrance to the schoolyard, where they disappeared.

Ranma grit his teeth in frustration. "Damn!" he spat. Then he turned and

ran back towards Akane, who was stil frozen to the spot.

"Akane... did you see anyone?"

Akane shook her head no, still not trusting herself to speak. Her blood 
was pounding... but that hadn't started until after the whole thing was 
over. She hadn't seen a thing. So fast, it must have been moving so 
fast... and Ranma had picked it out of the air as if it were a tossed 
ball. It would have plunged right through her skull, of that she was 
certain. He'd saved her life. And he'd injured himself to do it... that 
cut on his hand didn't look too good. Finally, she found her voice. 
"Thank you," she whispered.

Ranma started, then suddenly seemed to realize what he'd done. He looked

down at his hand, and the blood dripping off it. And then he looked back

in Akane's shining eyes. "I didn't even think about it," he thought. "As

soon as I realized Akane was in danger, I acted." A familiar voice spoke

up in his mind: "Say it! Say it!"

"Akane..." he said, "I... I..."

Akane looked at him expectantly, silently telling him to say it. He 
looked right into her eyes, and his mouth opened. "Akane," he said,
"I... 
I... I'd better get to the school nurse." His shoulders slumped in
defeat.

Akane waited quietly for a second, then smiled at him. "I'll walk you 
there," she said. With her right hand, she carefully took his injured 
arm. Her left arm went around his waist. Ranma didn't object.

---