Pleeeeeeeease send me comments on this guys- really trying to improve my
writing. 

This is my first Attempt at a fanfic - I need C&C 
(unfortunately that's comments and criticism)
Please send me responses to this at TnekG@aol.com
(I will respond to flames by crying)
I also need people who are willing to proofread for me. 

Ranma 1/2 is the creation of Rumico Takahashi: My use of her 
characters is without official permission and is intended for the non 
profit amusement of other Ranma 1/2 fans out there. No Infringement 
of the creators copyright or her authorized publishers or distributors is 
intended: If you like this stuff go buy the real thing it's better; and the 
cash will make Viz happy.


Ps. - this is a continuation fic - meant to pick up at the end of volume 
38 - unfortunately I have only read synopsis's of 38 - my copy should 
be in about the time pigs learn to fly (And Mecha P-chan doesn't count)

Quick notes:
"" - quotes for spoken text.
<<>> - thought bubbles.
{} - sound effects.

	
--------------Begin Episode 2 -----------------------------

Ranma 1/2  - Actions Speak Louder
	Episode 2: What it means to be a man!

	The dawn found Akane up on her morning run. Ranma and Genma 
were sparring in the yard, but neither had managed to gain an 
advantage yet. Nodoka and Kasumi were preparing breakfast for the 
families (by common consent Akane was not notified until breakfast was 
ready). Soun sat on the porch reading the morning paper and brushing 
his teeth in the morning sun. Nabiki had awoken after everyone else 
and was still stumbling about zombie-like.

"Come on Boy! Is that the best you can do?"

"Oh have we started Oyajii? I was still stretching!"

"Right! Come at me then!"

	As Akane re-entered the Dojo grounds Ranma and Genma were in 
midair exchanging kicks and punches at a blinding rate. 
<<I wish I could do that>>
	She made her way into the house to get a bath. She smiled as 
she heard them both crash into the Koi pond.  
<<Serves them right, showoffs.>>

	Akane apologized to Ranma during breakfast. 
"Ranma, I'm sorry about dinner last night I..."

"Don't worry I wouldn't expect gourmet cuisine, much less edible food, 
from a kawaiikune tomboy like you."

"Like a baka like you would know cuisine if it bit you!"

"Yours probably would!"
{WHAM}  Which is when she hit him with the table.

	After breakfast had been cleared away and Ranma's bruises 
attended to, Nodoka called her son into the kitchen.
"Ranma was it really necessary for you to insult Akane when she was 
trying to apologize to you"

".. Gomen .. It's just when .. I have trouble controlling what I say 
around her."

"Very well, but let me say something. While I accept the fact that 
your father has raised you to be a man among men, I do not think he 
has raised you to be a gentleman; and I will not have a barbarian for 
a son."

"H- Hai"

"Don't act so frightened; I'm not threatening you. But I do ask as 
your mother that you try to be more polite to Akane while we stay here.
 We are, after all, her families guests."

"Hai. But what if?"

"No buts - you can manage to be polite to her for a few weeks. I think 
you will find that it is habit forming. Now - off to school with you!"

"Hai, see you after school mother!"

	Ranma's little tete-a-tete with his mother had him running 
late for school again. He grabbed his bag and started to run when he 
realized that Akane was waiting for him at the gates. He slowed down 
and fell into step beside her. Akane had P-chan with her this morning; 
she still looked a little angry. They walked for a while in silence. 
Ranma once again was beside Akane and not walking the fence above her. 

"Ranma is something bothering you?"

"No, just thinking about something my mom asked me to do."

"Oh, some family honor thing?"

"You might say that. Hey - speaking of promises - I promised a friend 
I would find out what a word meant."

"What word is that?"

"Neutered? I think that's what he said."

"Ranma? You don't.. haven't you had a pet before?"

"Um, no. Not unless you count pop."

"Uh, well - Neutered is when you have a pet fixed so they can't have 
children. It makes them more passive and less likely to run away. As 
a matter fact I'm taking P-chan to the vet today!"

	Ranma had started to stare at Akane, then P-chan. As his gaze 
swiveled back and forth it was obvious he was trying to suppress 
something. P-chan for his part had his eyes wide in shock and was 
staring at Akane in a kind of dread fascination.
"And. Hmmpmph. How do they manage this? Tehhmmpph"
"BWEEE!"

"Well, I'm not sure. But in agriculture class they discussed how it 
was done on farm animals like bulls."

"And that is??"

"Well, this is really gross, but they take this really small plastic 
band and...."

	After a few more words P-chan fainted. Ranma had all he could 
do to keep from collapsing himself. He was restraining himself from 
laughing by not breathing and it was beginning to show.

"So who wanted to know Ranma? Why was this 'friend' of yours so 
curious?"

"Oh maybe Ryoga wants to know because of his dog. Mphph."

"Oh but Shirokuro has such cute puppies!"

"Don't worry Akane- I guarantee you that once he knows what it means 
he'll be completely against it."

"Poor P-chan has passed out- I really am overdue to take him to the 
vet. Ranma!!! What's so funny?!?!?"

	Ranma rolled on the ground gasping for air, occasionally 
stopping to bawl in mirth until he once again had himself under 
control.
"S-s-s-sorry, he, heh but I wasn't expecting it to mean that. It's 
kinda funny ..."

"Ranma don't be such a fool - come on we're going to be late!"

	Ranma surprised Akane by picking her up and leaping from roof 
to roof towards the school. They made good time, and luckily avoided 
any sign of Shampoo, the Golden Pair, Happosai, Taro, or feline 
androids on bicycles. They made it to the school gates with a full 
minute to spare.

	Ranma gently set Akane down and dusted his hands. Akane turned and 
looked at him; surprise evident on her face and P-chan comatose in her 
arms. 
"Ranma?"

	Akane was shaking, something about Ranma holding her so close 
bothered her. She would normally have flattened him for grabbing her 
like that but the way he held her had frightened her badly. It felt like 
she remembered her mother holding her; like the time on Mt. Phoenix when 
Ranma had held her and told her that he hadn't had a chance to tell her 
that he loved her. Of course the baka had denied everything later.   

	The school grounds were empty. All the students with any sense 
whatsoever had learned how important it was to avoid the wrath of Miss 
Hinako by not being tardy to class. This left only the foolish; the 
suicidal and martial artists trying to beat the bell in by seconds every 
morning. Ranma and Akane were obviously martial artists; however there 
were always those who fit into more than one category. 

"Hold Villainous Scoundrel! Sorcerous philanderer; prepare to be 
Annihilated! Saotome Ranma you are lowest and vilest of all creatures 
that creep across this fair earth. That you control the fate of lovely 
Tendo Akane is enough to make the heavens weep! But that you also enslave 
my beloved pig-tailed girl is more than any man worth the name could bear! 
I have vowed that, even should it take my dying breath, I shall wrest them 
from your grasp; furthermore I will defeat you in honorable combat- if a 
base knave such as yourself could even be considered a participant in such. 
The vengeance of heaven is slow but sure Saotome; but the vengeance of Kuno 
Tatewaki is nigh upon you!"

	Of course by this point Ranma's attention span had ended. Kuno ended 
his rant bokken held high; only discover that he was alone- and late for 
class....

"Delinquent!!! - You There ! Delinquent! Don't try to run!"

	The sounds of Miss Hinako at play drifted over the campus of Furinkan 
High.

	In class Ranma noticed that Ukyou was absent - he wondered why she 
didn't come to class today and briefly worried that she might have been hurt 
worse than Dr. Tofu had said. Then some small part of him reminded that she 
had almost hurt Akane. He sat in class for the rest of the day with a 
thoughtful look; this caused no small measure of consternation within the 
class. The Teacher, believing that he had finally against all odds reached 
this student nearly had heart failure. Akane couldn't believe that Ranma 
could actually be thinking about class; combined with the other weird things 
he had done this morning had her confused - Ranma was acting ... ?nice?... 
now that couldn't be right could it? Hiroshi and Daisuke were both whispering

about something but were unable to get Ranma to commit to more than a grunt 
during the conversation. 

	By lunch time Ranma was back in normal form however. He sat with his 
friends shoveling away food like a man starved. Akane sat with Yuri and (???)
(somebody give me Akane's other friend's name) quietly talking about what it 
had been like to prepare for the wedding. It had taken a bit of work to get 
her to talk about it, but now that she was getting over her initial
embarrassment
she was finding herself enjoying talking about everything that had to be done

and what her wedding dress was like. 

	Sometime during the discussion P-Chan woke up again. He sat listening 
to the discussion for about 10 seconds and then reality caught up with him- 
#1 he was supposed to be looking for Akari. 
#2 If he stayed P-chan for the rest of the day it would be the last day he 
	spent as a whole man. 
#3 He never wanted to see a rubber band again as long as he lived. 

	Yuri noticed P-chan trying to nonchalantly sneak out of Akane's bag and 
climb down the rungs of the lunch room chair.
"Um Akane - does he normally do that?"

"No but he's been acting weird all day - and running away more than usual. 
I'm taking him to the vet later to have him fixed."

	Ryoga wanted to scream. Specifically he wanted to scream - I'M NOT 
BROKEN! Of course this came out slightly different.
"Bwee Bwee Bweekn!" 

"Is he ever mad! I guess he doesn't like that idea Akane."

	P-chan managed to slip out of Akane's hands and ran down the center 
of the lunch table. Skidding around bento boxes and lunch trays he was well 
on his way to the door outside (which was open to let fresh air in) when he 
found himself being hoisted into the air. 

"Loose something Akane?"

"Thank you Ranma; I can't figure out why he's acting like this."

"Maybe he doesn't feel well. I bet a trip to the vet would do him some 
good."

	P-Chan shot Ranma an evil look. Ranma grinned back at the pig and 
whispered as he handed him back to Akane.

"You brought this on yourself Ryoga! Anytime you're ready to tell the truth 
just let me know."

"Ranma ! What did you say to him? He's gone all pale and shivering!"

"Well he's not trying to run off again is he?"

"Baka. Why can't you be nice to him?"

"Trust me Akane; I've tried to be."

	The rest of the day was a blur for Akane. The time spent in china 
combined with missing school for all the other foolishness Ranma had gotten 
her into had her almost hopelessly behind in her classes. She was working 
hard though and it looked like she would be able to make up enough work to 
pass all of her classes. Ranma however? Did he even realize how much he had 
missed.? Probably would be just like that bakayarou to fail and have to 
repeat a year or go to summer school. Akane to resolved to check with Ranma 
about his classes later. After all it would be real embarrassing to have an 
iinazuke who couldn't pass his sophomore year of high school. 

	Home Ec. Class always relaxed Akane. Today's project was supposed 
to be an easy one; one of the courses that the students would have to 
perfect as part of their final grade. Akane got to work with her usual 
enthusiasm. Soon vegetables, spices, pieces of countertop, lighter fluid 
and anything else too slow or too stupid to not get out of her way was 
dancing merrily in a cooking pan. She only started two fires and the 
explosion was a minor one; so she felt she was making significant progress 
since the last time she had tried the recipe.    

	After school Ranma and Akane parted ways. Akane took P-chan to the vet;
Yuri going along to keep her company; and Nabiki following(for her own
reasons).
Ranma headed to the Ucchan - he had told Akane he wanted to talk to Ukyou
about 
what had happened. Akane was of course suspicous but let the point drop.

	The Ucchan was a mess. Through the front door Ranma could see that most 
of the furniture inside had been smashed. The shop curtain hadn't been put up

today; and it was apparent that someone had made only the most cursory
attempts 
at cleaning up the broken glass and wood splinters inside.

	Ranma went around back and saw that the curtains on Ukyous apartment 
were closed. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to see her right now; part of

him was worried about her as a friend, but lately, ever since the wedding, he

found himself wondering how well he really knew her. Why would someone he 
considered his best friend act like that? He knew she wanted him to consider 
her his true fiancee, but that had never seemed that important to him, or to 
be any kind of obstacle to thier frindship. It was painfully obvious now that

for her the situation had been much more important.

	So - as a friend he needed to be with Ukyou right now for her sake. 
But as an iinazuke? 

	A few moments later a delicate hand scratched at the window of Ukyou's 
apartment. Her red ponytail hanging below her Ranma-chan waited for an answer
as 
she hung from the roof. 

	Things were going badly for Akane, at the vet's she found out that 
P-chan would have to stay overnight; but the Vetrenarian did compliment her
on 
being a resposible pet owner. Nabiki had talked her way into the operating
room, 
saying that she needed a few photo's for the animal husbandry report she had
as 
a semester final project in biology. P-chan had but up a mighty struggle when

he saw the nurse coming with a needle, but in the end he was peacefully
dozing; 
awaiting his turn in surgery. Akane and Yuri sat in the waiting room for a
brief 
while. Shortly Nabiki joined them; she had an odd expresion.

"Well Akane I have good news and bad news; which do you want to hear first?"

"What happend? Is P-chan OK?"

"Yes, he'll be fine - thats the good news. The bad news is that the doctor
must 
not have used enough Anesthesia; when they were washing P-chan for surgery he

woke up."

"Oh no - did he hurt himself?"

"No.... the nurse was so surprised that she dropped him. He escaped out the
back 
door and into the alley- the doctor was so surprised that he fainted."

"Didn't anyone try to catch him?" Yuri asked.

"Yes, I did but other than a couple of very interesting photos - no luck."

"Oh poor P-chan; he must be so scared"

"He'd bett- I mean yes he probably is."

	After a short fruitless search Nabiki conviced the girls to head back to 
the Tendo's. She told Akane that most likely P-chan would find his way back 
there eventually. Ranma-chan returned a short time later; for some reason she

hadn't bothered to change back. She sat on the porch waiting for the water 
kettle to warm.

"Ranma?"

"Yes, Nabiki?"

"How long have you known?"

"Since the second day he was here. Why did you think I kept treating him like

that?"

"I thought it was just machismo.. but this is worth every yen you promised. 
Akane doesn't know does she?"

	Ranma actually smiled at that.
"Would he and I be living here if she did?"

"Maybe, but it would be a lot more painfull. How much is it worth to ya for
me 
not to tell her. After all I can't let someone take advantage of my sister
like
that."

"Tell her if you want, I just promised I wouldn't say anything."

"You must be kidding."

"I have my reasons, but promise me one thing Nabiki, if you tell her - I want

a picture of the expression on his face when he finds out she knows." 

	As the kettle began to whistle Ranma stepped back into the house. Soon 
he was in the Dojo; practicing his kata's and shadowboxing in a transparent 
attempt to unwind. After it became obvious even to him that this wasn't going

to help he dropped into simple stretching exercises and then into breathing 
training. Finally he gave up and just lay on the floor staring at the
ceiling. 
Physical action wasn't helping at all and he couldn't think of any way to
make 
himself feel better about what he had done. It was unlikely that Ryouga would

forgive him anytime soon (if ever). It was also possible the Ukyou would
never 
speak to him again. At one time he wouldn't have worried so much about it but

he had come to realize how obsessive his best friend was. She had after all 
dedicated ten years of her life to a manhunt for him and his father, and had 
given all of that away when he called her cute. Within a week she had opened 
a restruant in his neigborhood just to be close to him. Come to think of it 
in every situation that didn't concern him she could be perfectly rational; 
but somehow whenever he was involved she was just as crazy as Shampoo. 

	Come to think of it Shampoo wasn't that bad, when she wasn't trying to 
get him, either. Neither was Akane - everybody talked about how sweet and
kind 
she was to everybody but him. This brought a disturbing thought, maybe the 
problem was him? He had thought that he was living his life right; he was a 
gifted martial artist; had tried to live Honorably (and considering that he 
had his fater as his only example and chaperone for over ten years he didn't 
feel that he had done that bad of a job of becoming a man. But his mothers 
comments this morning, along with what Ukyou had said had shaken something 
fundamental for him; his confidence. He knew he hadn't set out to decieve 
anyone about how he felt, well there was that incident with Shampoo and the
reversal jewel...

"Ranma? Are you ok?" 

	Akane had been saying something from the dojo door. Ranma was so deep 
into his own mullings over what had been and what could have been that he
didn't 
hear her. Once he knew she was there though he just listened to the way her
voice 
sounded; something about the tonal quality of it combined with his mood made
him 
lay there and enjoy it like music drifting through.

"Good grief - you havn't managed to knock yourself out have you?"

	Akane giggled at the thought and walked over to Ranma and stood over him. 
She didn't know wheather to be concerned or amused. Ranma was clearly out of
it for 
some reason. His Grey-blue eyes stared up at her with no sign of recognition.
His 
mouth was pursed in a serious frown that she had rarely seem on his face. It
was 
like someone had knocked him out cold without laying a hand on him.
Considering the 
company that Ranma kept; that was even a distinct possibility. Since he was
breathing 
fine she just watched him for a moment. 

"You know- Those polka dots still don't suit you."

	Akane blushed furiously, she had been concerned about him and he.. and he!

"Dry up and DIE RANMA!"

	Ranma kippup'd adroitly; rolling away from Akane's kick as he stood. For a
few 
furious seconds he concentrated only on dodging. When Akane was pissed it
took all his 
effort to remain uncontused. Apparently he inspired her to new levels of
ability for 
all the wrong reasons. But for the moment he was enjoying himself, he was
smiling again 
(which only mad Akane madder) and ducking and weaving around the dojo
bouncing  off the 
walls and thowing out taunts as possible. 

"Beeeda!"

"So Where were YOU all afternoon Pervert!"

"Went to Ukyou's like I told ya tomboy!"

"What No Ucchan this time Baka."

	Ranma stopped. 

"No - No Ucchan, maybe not ever again."

	Akane was surprised enough that she put mallet-sama back to whever 
she kept it. 

"What do you mean? Is she Okay? Did I hurt her?"

"No - I hurt her Akane, more than I ever meant to. And Pop hurt her all 
those years ago by betraying a promise to her. She's... not going to be 
around here for a while, maybe not ever again. And I won't be going to 
Ucchans anymore."

"What happened Ranma?" 

"We talked- honestly... Um Akane I kinda don't want to talk about this 
anymore, could we just spar a bit more?"

	So they practiced. Akane was confused. She wanted to know what had 
happened. As much as she resented Ukyou sometimes she was a friend. Akane had

forgiven Ukyou almost as soon as she saw how sorry she was. She was still mad

but considering the circumstances around the wedding and Ukyous rather unique

relation to the Saotomes she could understand in a way how she had reacted. 

	Shortly she remebered why she had been so mad at Ranma in the first 
place. The only warning Ranma had was a brief flash of red and then Akane had

cold cocked him across the room. He bounced off the wall, astounded that she 
had gotten the drop on him again. This time he saw it - the faint pinkish 
outline around Akane. She was manifesting a battle aura! And she was using it

in a way he was unfamiliar with. She was boosting her speed to the point
where 
she was a threat to Ranma, and her strenght to the level that should be able 
to wrestle him or Ryouga. He was so shocked that he stopped dead in his
tracks 
and just stared at her trying to figure out how she was doing it. If he could

master whatever ability she had he would be able to take himself to levels of

ability he had only dreamed of! 

{{{WHAMMMMM}}}}}

	That thought was with Ranma as he shot into L.E.O. care of Akane 
express. 

<<No wonder she's able to boot me so far. >>

	As soon as Ranma landed he startedback for the dojo- this was more 
important than honor or iinazuke's! This was a new technique! 

	He ran through the center of Nerima dodging pedistrians and trafic 
by using rooftops wherever possible. As he streaked by he was unaware of two 
figures following him as best they could.

	At the Tendo residence Ranma was desperately looking for Akane.

"Nabiki quick! Where's Akane?"

"In there Ranma-" Nabiki pointed and went back to her magazine.

	Ranma was already running though, and in his haste he neglected 
to notice that Nabiki had pointed into the bathroom. He threw the door open 
and without a second thought stepped inside.

"Akane how did?...eep"
<<I'm a dead man.>>

	Akane had been enjoying a nice hot soak after practice. her first 
reaction of embarassment had worn off about 9.3 nanoseconds ago and she was 
now in full bore annighilate mode.

"HENTAIIIIIIIIIII!"

	In an immodest move deserving of much lewder desription; she leapt 
from the tub and grabbed Ranma by his shirt collar and belt and prepared to 
throw him bodily from the room. Ranma locked his hands and feet in the 
doorframe and prepared for the worst. This had the unexpected and undesired 
effect of keeping him exactly where he was and allowing Akane (with some 
considerable effort) to rip his clothes clean off him. As Ranma stood there 
wearing only what he had been born with the full situation registered on him 
as he felt an errant breeze play across his backside.
  
"eep"
<<Time to run for it>>

	Akane's momentary shock had worn off. Somehow (she couldn't imagine 
how) the pervert had managed to get into the bathroom with her and he was 
NAKED! With an inarticuate cry of rage she began to chase him grabbing for 
the first thing that came to hand. As the washbucket hit him Ranma had some 
difficultys. After all it's hard to stay at top speed while changing gender 
and with a bucket on your head. Blinded by soap bubbles (and a bucket) 
Ranma-chan failed to notice she was heading outdoors. 

	Nabiki nearly had heart failure. Streaking by (and I do mean 
streaking by) was Ranma-chan wearing only a bucket and a look of sheer
horror. 
Close behind was Akane who - against all probabilty - was also buck naked 
and carrying what looked to be a three foot tall Tanuki statue as if it were 
a deadly weapon and screaming bloody murder.

<<Must find Camera - Where is that Damn Camera!>>

	Later. No make that MUCH Later, after everyone had been calmed down and 
Akane had finished her bath; the families sat at dinner. Ranma was quietly
but 
quickly eating. he didn't look up at Akane for the entire meal and a few
bruises 
were evident on his face. Akane for her part ate quietly and with little sign
of 
emotion. Soun and Genma congratulated each other on how close their children
were 
becoming, Nodoka seemed more dubious. Kasumi was calm as always, but Nabiki, 
Nabiki looked like she couldn't decide to laugh or cry. She had the most
glorious, 
exploitable, income generating pictures of her entire career, and for the
life of 
her she couldn't decide if she should sell it or blackmail them with it.  
   
	There was a knock at the door. Kasumi got up to answer it. 

"Oh My! How nice to see you two again! Please come in! We're sitting down to
dinner 
Right now but I might be able to find enough for to more - I'm sure you're
hungry!"

"Thank you Kasumi- " a failiar voice said.
"Thank you Oneechan" said another female voice.

	Everyone was staring at Kasumi's back waiting for her to move. As Karume 
and Natsumi stepped into the Tendo household for the second time this spring 
everyone stared.

"We're back - and we are ready to challenge you for the right to carry on the
dojo 
Akane." Karume said simply.


-------------------------end Chapter 2-----------------------