"Hehehe... Forgive me, Ranma.  I didn't mention my name.  
I'm Tendo Akane, and-"
     Ranma heard Akane's voice break off abruptly, and she knew 
that she must be revealing some of what she felt on her face, but she 
didn't think she could help it.  In shock she noticed things that she had 
glanced over as she had been speaking with this young girl.  Except for 
the hair, it was the image of the Akane of her world.  And the smile.  
And perhaps something else she couldn't name.  But Ranma was still 
surprised she hadn't put it together before this.
     She analyzed all this with a fraction of her mind, and her heart.  
Instead, the majority of her thoughts and emotions were dealing with 
being blind sided by the image of Ucchan's death.  She saw the two 
maniacs bursting into the inn, shouting uncontrollably; saw the fight going 
outside, and the fatal strike on the old pillar; mercifully Ranma didn't 
see the retreat with Ucchan's broken body, or her final words.  But 
Ranma knew that they were there and it was the fault of someone 
with this woman's face.  And she faced the fact that that woman and 
her partner would never see justice for their crime.  This process ran 
through her mind, and her eyes grew cold with hate and rage.  Her 
laughing face stilled to a mask of barely controlled fury.  
     Ranma had not felt this angry over the incident for weeks.  
She could speak with the Akane and Ryouga of her world without 
any of this rage seeping out.  It was still there, but it had banked itself, 
and was dying, slowly, from a lack of fuel.  Ranma knew that the 
coals would be there her entire life.  She was dealing with it, and she 
figured in a few years she may even be able to say she had forgiven 
those two for their part in Ucchan's death.  
     But this tension was something she had grown used to keeping 
in control.  She must have relaxed her control, here on Ukyou's world.  
And so, she was taken by surprise, and the force of her raw emotions 
nearly blinded her for a moment.
     Akane, for her part, was in shock.  She was no stranger to 
temper, lord knows. And she and her Ranma could raise each other's 
ire with ridiculous ease.  She believed that she had seen every one of 
Ranma's expressions, and how he would express any emotion.  
     She was wrong.  In the space of a tenth of a second she 
watched this new Ranma go through shock, horror, grief and settle 
into a final murderous fury.  It was frightening, both the rapidity of 
the change, and that...
     God above...  It was all directed at her.
     Akane flinched back a step.  Then another.  Her eyes were 
wide in fear and horror, her hands before her mouth, and tears were 
flowing down her cheeks.  She was frozen.  She didn't know whether 
to run, or to fight.  Her heart was racing, and she felt more alert than 
she had ever been before.  But she was being torn in two by 
something she couldn't defend against: the expression on Ranma's face.
     Ukyou felt the shock from these two people.  And she knew 
what had happened. 
     Recognizing the true danger, and the person who was most 
important to her, she stepped between Ranma and Akane, facing
Ranma.  As she broke the eye contact between Akane and Ranma 
she heard Akane make her first sound since her voice had stopped 
a moment before, a gut wrenching sob.  Then Ukyou heard Akane 
fall to her knees, choking back sobs.
     "Ranma.  This isn't her.  She's done nothing to you."  
Speaking calmly, but sternly she addressed Ranma.  She kept her 
face as stern as her voice.  "I'm sorry I hadn't introduced you right 
from the bat, or at least warned you who I had recognized.  But she 
has done nothing to deserve the fear you have just shown her."
     For the first time Ranma's eyes acknowledged that it was 
now Ukyou in front of her, not the murderer of her own world.  
Especially not the innocent girl of this world.  She blinked once.  
And raised her hand to her face massaging his forehead.  "God.  
Ukyou.  That was intense."
     "I'm sorry.  It hit me from nowhere.  I was happy.  I was 
seeing you happy in greeting a friend.  I was thrilled seeing you 
reclaim something you had lost.  It was wonderful, and I was on 
top of the world, and I was with you.  And that's all I was thinking of."
     "Then I heard her name.  And it all crashed in on me."
     "Shhh..  I know.  I know."  Ukyou stepped forward, and 
gently drew Ranma into her arms.  
     Ranma accepted her embrace.  "And I wasn't ready for it.  
It was like it happened yesterday, and she was there, smiling and 
worst of all..."
     "Worst of all I had forgotten about her death.  And it was all 
so wrong, and I needed to do something, but I couldn't..."
     "Let it go, Ranma.  Let the anger go.  Whatever else, she's 
innocent.  I warned you about this, and we can do it.  Just let it go."  
Ukyou bent her head onto Ranma's shoulder.  Trying to give some 
of her calm to the woman in her arms.  With a tight squeeze and 
release Ranma accepted her help, then pushed Ukyou to a distance 
so Ranma could look into her eyes.  
     "I think we have to talk to your friend, too.  I don't know what 
she saw in my face, but I hadn't been that angry since you first stopped 
me from killing them that day."
     Reminded of Akane, Ukyou turned to where the girl was still 
on her knees.  Looking at them with a tear stained, crumpled face.  
Seeing the two concerned expressions looking at her she calmed down 
even further.  "Ukyou, Ranma.  Why?  What..."  She sniffed.  "What 
did I do to you?"
     Ukyou took her arms away from Ranma, and started to turn 
to go to Akane, when Ranma walked over to Akane first.  She was 
standing a bit stiff, anger in her stride, but it was in control, and it was 
not directed at the girl here facing them.  She stopped about a meter 
from Akane, and dropped into a crouch, and looked at her calmly for 
a moment.  Ranma looked into her face, searching for something, and 
then nodded, to herself.  
     As Ranma performed her inspection Akane noticed details 
about this girl before her.  Her hair, again, different from the pig tail 
that her Ranma wore.  But mostly the face.  There were lines there 
that had taken time to grow:  sorrow; joy; grief; and of course anger.  
But the biggest difference was in the eyes.  Not the presence of rage 
there, but an absence, a lack of something precious....
     "Tendo-san.  You are mistaken.  You have done nothing to
me.  And for what you may have done to Ukyou, she has forgiven 
you, so I cannot act on that.  By any standard, then, I have no right 
for the anger and rage I showed you just now.  I am sorry for my 
lack of control."  She bowed her head, humbling herself to Akane.  
Ukyou came up behind Ranma at this moment, and put her left hand 
on her shoulder, even as she extended her right to help Akane to her feet.  
     Dazed, Akane took the proffered hand and rose to her feet.  
"But why, then?"
     Ranma stayed where she was, still crouched down.  Still 
repentant.  Ukyou squeezed Ranma's shoulder, and smiled a sad smile 
to Akane.  
     "You know that my doppleganger in the other world is dead?"
     "Ranma said something about that.  But I didn't think much 
about it.  Why?  You mean I-"
     Ranma shot to her feet, and with a fury that astonished all 
three of them spoke to Akane.  "No!  You did nothing!  You are 
not your doppleganger!  And you can't accept any guilt for any action 
she may have taken."
     Akane again flinched from Ranma's vehemence.  "But you know 
what I mean..."
     Gathering her strength Ranma, calmed himself.  She had to 
make her see, and Ukyou, too.  "Akane, I have to believe that you 
and she are different people.  Otherwise I will not be able to see 
you again.  And I don't want that."  
     "Not that I care really about you, but Ukyou wants to see 
her 'Ranchan' and that means seeing you, too.  And I want to train 
with him, if I can."  Ranma offered a feeble grin.  She sobered 
again quickly.  "Your doppleganger and a friend of hers-"
     "Ryouga."  Ukyou continued to watch the faces of both 
these people even as she clarified details.
     "-killed my Ucchan.  My fiance.  It was unintentional, 
but it happened while they were trying to beat me within an inch 
of my life.  It was murder, pure and simple.  And they will never 
come to justice for it.  And I have to live with that."
     "Before I met this Ukyou," She pointed at the woman at 
his side.  "I couldn't imagine letting that happen.  I would take 
justice in my hands, and then...  And then..."  
     "When Ukyou came to my world living with these 
circumstances became a possibility.  Once she decided to stay, 
I believed it was likely.  But I still wish, from time to time, for justice."
     "It took months before your doppleganger would even 
admit she had killed anyone.  And weeks after that before she 
even tried to apologize for what she took from me.  Does it 
surprise you that I don't care for her?"
     "And here, I was off my guard.  I didn't know you 
until you gave your name.  And the surprise, added to the lack 
of guilt and remorse in your eyes brought all my emotions and 
frustrations to me stronger than they had been in months."
     Ranma paused, and swallowed.  Both Akane and 
Ukyou were waiting patiently.  Certain that there was more 
to come, but unsure what it might be.  "I won't apologize for 
what I feel.  I really don't care what you choose to believe 
about my feelings.  But I had no call to direct those emotions 
at you, an innocent.  It is not your fault."
     "I'm sorry I disturbed you with my loss of control."  
     Akane looked back at Ranma's face.  It was...  Odd.  
Not hating, not angry, but tense.  Intuitively Akane knew that 
Ranma would never again relax around her like she had first 
seen her, and she was obscurely saddened by that knowledge.
     "Ranma.  I can't tell you it's all right now.  You frightened 
me terribly.  But from what you tell me I can understand your 
reactions.  I'm sorry for your loss, and I can understand why 
my face is such a burden to you.  I still think you would be 
welcomed for dinner with my family, and my invitation stands. 
As for my doppleganger's actions, you have said that she and 
I are different people.  If that is so, you will have to treat us
differently.  
     "And not just hide your emotions for her around me.  
Otherwise it does feel like you blame me for something.  I saw 
the face of someone a moment ago who wanted me dead.  
Painfully dead.  I know it's not entirely your fault, and your 
apology and explanation were all I could ask for.  But you 
have to act like you believe your own words.  Otherwise I 
won't believe you."
     Ranma nodded.  "I'll try.  You know, it's going to be 
hard, don't you?"
     Akane returned her nod.  "Of course.  But you aren't 
afraid of this challenge are you?  I know I'm more afraid of 
walking away from it right now.  How about you?"
     "Me?  Afraid of any challenge?  Ha!  I'll be able to do 
this...  Ukyou, why are you laughing again?"
     "Because, silly, you're doing it again.  Once the word 
challenge comes out, you'll do anything.  And even Akane here 
has learned to use this.  It's priceless.  But thank you, Ranma, 
for making this effort.  And thank you Akane for listening"
     Akane offered a wry grin to Ukyou.  "Hey, after Ranma, 
er how are we supposed to tell these two apart?"
     Ukyou smiled a sad smile.  "Well, what we've done is to 
call the Ranma of this world Ranchan.  And, of course the Ukyou 
of his world is Ucchan.  It at least keeps things straight in our minds."
     Ranma spoke up quietly.  "And we both have memories 
of people we loved who used those names.  We had to make a 
break from our pasts, and seeing those names used only for people 
who were lost to us, made it somewhat easier to accept that loss."
     "I see.  Well, as I was saying, after you left, 'Ranchan'
 had no one else to talk with, so he kept coming to me, and I 
learned to listen a bit."  Akane blushed.  "Not to imply that he 
won't be thrilled to see you back, and safe."
     Ukyou grinned.  "I know.  But thanks."
     "Anyhow, will you join my family for dinner?"
     Ukyou looked to Ranma, who nodded.  "Sure.  Let's go."
     As they walked off towards the dojo, Ukyou asked, 
"So what else is new? And why isn't Konatsu running the Ucchan's?"
     "Oh.  Well, Ukyou, you know that he was never...  
The entrepreneur that Nabiki is."
     Ukyou laughed.  "Well, yes.  But so few of us are."
     Akane wasn't sure if that was as innocent a comment 
as it appeared, but did not press it.  "Well, he tried.  At least 
he wanted to, but first it took me and 'Ranchan' about two 
weeks to get him to stop attacking Ranma because of what 
Ranma did to you.  And there was that time I malleted him a 
bit too hard, he was concussed for a few days.  He came in 
even accusing me of wanting you dead, for no reason at all.  
As if what you-"
     Akane stopped embarrassed.  Ukyou looked at her, 
and smiled a sad smile.  "It's okay, sugar.  We both have 
made and admitted mistakes.  I know you must have been 
doubly furious with him.  And I never did see much benefit 
to Konatsu's temper."  Ukyou paused and looked at Akane's 
face.  Why not, she thought.  "He reminded me too much of a 
certain rival I had."
     Akane turned to Ukyou in shock, her eyes wide.  She 
saw Ukyou's wry grin, and Ranma watching them both calmly.  
It was that calm expectation that kept her temper in line.  She 
was waiting, ready to protect her love.  And she expected 
danger.  If Akane was to ever see anything more friendly than 
that calm from this Ranma she would have to earn it.  And that 
meant keeping her temper.  
     After a moment Akane started to grin.  If it was a little 
forced, no one commented on it.  Ukyou's laughter had an 
infectious quality that soon eased any begrudging aspects to 
the grin.  Even Ranma cracked a grimace.  
     After a moment, Akane continued her explanation.  
"Once Konatsu accepted that 'Ranchan' had no further news 
about you he went to the Nekohanten, and talked to Cologne 
about the likelihood that he might be able to find the person 
who had told us you were gone."
     "Huh?  Who told you I was gone?"
     Akane looked surprised.  "You didn't know this?  Well, 
it was an odd woman.  Not really young or old.  She just was.  
And her hair was sort of multihued...  Like a prism, constantly 
in motion, changing its colors moment by moment."  
     Ukyou thought a moment.  "Had Shampoo and Cologne 
already given up on Ranchan?"
     "Lets see...  Yeah.  They gave up the day after Konatsu 
went into the hospital.  I was in a bad mood then."  Akane 
pointedly did not comment on Ranma's start at that phrase.
     "Sorry, rock in my shoe."  Ranma flushed under Ukyou's stare.  
     "Go on, Akane."  
     "Well, they had given up, and Mousse was pretty 
ecstatic about it.  They were talking about maybe staying for a
bit longer, or going back to China.  Mousse wanted to stay.  
Shampoo wanted to go home, but Cologne was not decided.  
The funny thing is that the day after Konatsu talked to Cologne 
they were selling the store, and any fixtures they couldn't carry 
on their backs.  They were out of town by the end of the week.  
And they wouldn't slow down long enough to even tell anyone 
why they had made up their minds so quickly."
     Akane looked at her companions.  They seemed to be 
sharing a private joke, great grins spread across their faces.  
"What's so funny?"
     "Hold on.  You know that woman you met?  Well, she 
apparently has had some 'dealings' with the Amazons before.  
And the Amazons have not forgotten her.  We saw her talk 
down Shampoo and she intended to the same to Cologne.  
Since we haven't seen any of them, I can only assume that 
she did what had planned."
     Akane goggled at the idea.  The only person she had 
even seen to change Cologne's mind had been Shampoo.  
And that had been a weeks long process that focused on 
convincing her that Shampoo did not want her 'husband.'  
Whatever else Cologne was, she did not want her great 
granddaughter to be unhappy.  That this stranger could talk 
Cologne into changing her mind on her own in a single 
conversation was unthinkable.  
     "Yup.  And that was when Cologne had a reason 
and a law to back her up.  Let's just say that the Amazons 
hadn't very fond memories of this woman.  I got the distinct 
impression that she had indulged in a few atrocities in the past.  
So when Cologne had no more reason to stay, and the news 
that 'Rainbow Hair,'I think Shampoo called her, had showed 
up, Cologne would have decided that discretion is the better 
part of valor."
     Akane shook her head, uncomfortable with memories 
of talking back to this person who scared one of the most 
formidable people she had known.  "Any ways Konatsu 
told us that since Cologne knew of this person, he was 
going to follow her.  He hoped that she would show him 
how to summon her.  I think she brought him along just so 
that she and Shampoo would be able to salvage more from 
the Nekohanten."
     Ukyou giggled in spite of herself.  "That's terrible!  Poor
Konatsu!"  Akane looked at her, and started giggling in turn.  .  
The conversation drifted in a mostly friendly manner as they 
walked towards the dojo.  


     Genma was worried.  But he wouldn't show it.  He 
checked the storeroom, and seeing no one there he went 
back out the front room of the Ucchan's.  He sat down and 
picked up the newspaper that was lying next to his seat.  
The front room of the restaurant was spotless, the grill was 
polished, and the floor gleamed.  Genma didn't seem to 
notice the paper was upside down as he sipped from the 
cup of tea next to him.  It had been six hours since his son 
and his new friend had left. 
     Six hours, ten minutes and thirty... five seconds, now.  
Not that he was counting.
     He set the cup of tea down, and walked back to the 
back room once again.  It was still empty.  
     Sit down, read the paper, sip his tea.  He was calm.  
He was relaxed.  He was enjoying his evening alone in the 
closed store.  
     He wanted to scream in frustration.  Worse, he wanted 
to call Nodoka, and ask for her support.  
     Six hours, thirteen minutes, and...  Forty seconds, now.  
     Check the back room.  Still empty.  
     Back to the newspaper, and the tea.  This time the 
newspaper is right side up, but he still doesn't notice that the 
tea had gone cold hours ago.  He takes his sip, and stares at 
the paper for as long as he can.  Then he gets up, and walks 
back to the back room.
     No one.  Not that he expected anyone there.  He was 
just checking the inventory.  They were going to need more 
flour soon.  Say in a week or so.  But it looked good.  
     After his cursory look at the room Genma left again, and 
went back to his newspaper, and his tea. He looked calm.  
Except when he fidgeted, turning to look at the doorway leading 
towards the back room.  He wasn't worried though.  He knew 
his son, and heir, could handle anything that was thrown at him.  
He tried not to think about what had happened after Ucchan had died. 
     Six hours, eighteen minutes, and...  Ten seconds, now.  
     But he wasn't worried.  Not him, not Genma Saotome.  
     He was terrified.  
     

     Ranma and Ukyou returned to the back room of their 
Ucchan's with as little noise as they had made when they left.  
Ukyou looked much the same as she had when they left. At 
some point, Ranma had returned to his male body, and his clothes 
looked a little more unkempt than they had when they left.  He 
also had a series of bruises on his face.  They looked about at 
the neat, orderly room, filled with supplies, and both seemed to 
relax a little.  
     "Ukyou, I'm glad we wont have to see that other place again."
     Ukyou smiled at Ranma.  "I know, but we would have 
looked awfully silly, showing up at the Tendo's this evening."  
Looking at him, she spotted the bruises on his face, and guilt 
covered her face.  "I'm sorry that Ranchan was so mean to you.  
I thought he would behave better than that."
     Ranma smiled at her.  "Ukyou.  If you'll recall I gave as 
good as I got.  Besides, I went there for training, remember?  A 
few bruises are nothing."  He paused and looked at Ukyou.  She 
seemed a bit tired, and he had good idea why.  "Besides, I know 
exactly why he was so jealous."  He drew her into a hug.
     Ukyou looked into Ranma's eyes.  "Oh?"
     "Yup.  I was taking his Ukyou away from him.  And leaving 
him with only that violent maniac."
     "Ranma!  She's not..."  Ukyou stopped.  "Okay, she is.  But 
that isn't the whole story.  Still-"
     At this point Genma entered the room.  Ranma and Ukyou 
were too busy looking into each other's eyes to notice the relief that 
came over his face, momentarily.  "Ah.  You're back.  I'm glad to 
see both home, hale and hearty."
     With a start, the two broke apart, and looked at Genma.  
Embarrassed flushes grew on both of their features.  Genma 
started, as he noticed the bruises on his son's face.  "What 
happened to you?"
     Ranma winced to hear the concern in his father's voice. 
 "Ah, pops, it's nothing.  I just clocked myself a few good ones 
during practice today."
     Ukyou growled.  "Some macho idiot wanted to see if 
Ranma was up to the job of 'protecting' me.  So he kind of went 
a bit too hard on his student."  She grimaced at the memory.  
"Though it was amusing when Akane came to Ranma's aid." 
     Ranma looked at Ukyou in surprise.  Amusing hadn't 
been the word he had been thinking, actually.  Fascinating, perhaps.  
Or even mind boggling, but not amusing.  She had reached back to 
somewhere and pulled out a large mallet, and proceeded to drive 
'Ranchan' into the ground, like a tent pole.  While calling out her 
battle cry, "Ranma no baka!"
     Genma looked at Ukyou in shock as well.  "Akane?  You 
met her today?"
     Ukyou smiled her sad smile.  "Yes.  Remember, where I 
came from your dream of uniting the Tendo and Saotome schools 
is going to become a reality.  Ranchan and Akane seem to be on 
the verge of marrying anytime now."  Before Genma could do 
more than blink at this news, her face turned ugly with anger.  
"All it took was shattering my dreams, and abandoning me as 
a child."
     Ranma put a hand on Ukyou's shoulder.  "You know, 
if I can't blame that Akane for what her doppleganger did, you 
can't blame my father for what his doppleganger did."
     Ukyou looked at Ranma, shock and understanding on her 
face.  He noticed and smiled at her.  "I know it's hard.  But, please, 
let it go."  Receiving a nod from her, he turned back to Genma.
     "Well, pops.  I have now a date this Saturday afternoon for 
another lesson.  And the Tendo's of that world are going to throw a 
real welcome home party for Ukyou at the same time.  But in the 
meantime, we have to get to bed.  Is that enough for you for now?  
We'll tell more later.  But it's been a long day for both of us."
     Genma nodded.  "No problem.  Everything is all cleaned 
up for tomorrow.  Go to bed."  He smiled at them both.  "And 
welcome home."
     Ukyou looked from one to the other.  Yes, it was home.  
That was the hardest thing that she had seen today.  Even if she 
wanted to go back to her universe, she wouldn't fit in there anymore.  
This was home for her now.  She smiled at Genma.  "Thank you, 
father."  Then she and Ranma left the stunned and flushed Genma 
alone in the storeroom as they sought their beds.


     Ranma sat on the roof of the dojo.  He was thinking.  Not 
avoiding anyone.  Just thinking.  
     Or maybe he should call himself 'Ranchan' now.  It seems 
that no one else would be doing that for him on a regular basis.  He 
sighed.  
     It had been great to see Ucchan.  No, not Ucchan, that was 
the dead one.  It had been great to see Ukyou again.  But it hurt a 
bit, too.  Her first words to him had been the worst.
     He saw her come through the entrance to the dojo, with 
Akane and some other girl.  In his joy he ran forward to her.  
"Ucchan!  You're back!"
     He didn't understand why she, or the redhead had winced 
when he called her that.  "Ranchan.  Yes.  I'm back.  Could you 
do me a favor, please?"
     "Anything Ucchan.  You know that."
     Ukyou had sighed.  "Don't call me that.  Please."
     It still hurt to think of that.  He knew that he had lost some 
of their old closeness when he had talked to her after the wedding 
fiasco.  But he hadn't expected that to change so greatly.  And 
finding out that she had replaced him with that imitation had also 
hurt.  He was glad that she was happy, but...
     And so, he was on the roof, looking for some way to come 
to acceptance of what he had learned today.
     He was still staring out over the city when Akane climbed up 
next to him.  
     For a few minutes they both stared out at the city in silence.  
     "I know how you feel, Ranma."
     "Do you?  I feel like I lost my best friend today.  My only 
childhood friend, and now she's gone."
     Akane grimaced, and slapped him on the back of his head.  
Not hard, but enough to punctuate her muttered, "Ranma no baka."  
     He looked at her with an expression of hurt, and anger.
     "Ranma, she still wants to be your, no our friend.  But she has 
to get on with her life.  Would you like it better to see her constantly 
moping about, looking at you with a secret pain in her eyes?  Does 
your ego really need to feed on that amount of pain?"
     "Besides, it's obvious that the other Ranma thinks that the 
sun rises and sets in her eyes.  And he even managed to tag you a 
few times in your 'spar' in spite of the way you took advantage of 
him.  Do you need to have her give that up?"
     Ranma started as Akane's words sank in.  "No, I want her 
to be happy.  But why couldn't she be happy here?"
     Akane looked at him.  "I guess it just didn't work out that 
way.  You know, you weren't the only one to get an unpleasant 
surprise today."
     Ranma looked at her.  "What do you mean?  What could 
be worse than losing your best friend to yourself?"
     Akane looked at him in shock.  This idiot was so wrapped 
up in his own pain, he thought it was the only thing that mattered.  
"I saw someone wearing the face of my fiance today, someone who 
wanted me dead."  That should shock Ranma out of his self pity.
     Ranma stared at her.  "He did what?"  Akane was obscurely 
pleased to see the change in his expression.  Fury was on his face, 
and his fists were clenched.  Yup, she had been right to wait until 
after the two travelers had left before sharing this news with him.  
"I'll kill him Saturday, just you wait.  I'll-"
     Akane reached out, and put her hand over Ranma's mouth.  
"No you won't.  He had reasons, for his emotions.  And he 
apologized.  It was just a case of mistaken identity."
     "You know how his Ucchan is dead?"
     Ranma, his mouth still covered by Akane's hand, nodded.
     She sighed.  "Well, according to what he and Ukyou 
told me, it's my fault."
     Ranma stared at Akane, not understanding, but not able 
to ask anything coherent, either.  
     "Well, not me, but the other me.  You know?"  Ranma 
nodded.
     "That's why he was so mad at me."  Akane took her hand 
from Ranma's mouth.  "And for one moment, I looked into his 
eyes as he recognized me.  And I could only think that it was you 
that was hating me so much, and I felt so alone."
     Akane looked at Ranma, her eyes glistening.  "So, I know 
a bit how alone you might be feeling now.  I just want you to know 
that you aren't alone.  Even if Ukyou's not going to be around all 
the time, there are people here who want to help you, and see you 
happy.  Okay?"
     Ranma nodded silently, not trusting himself to say anything.  
     Akane waited a moment.  "Look, I've got to get some sleep.  
Goodnight.  And don't stay out here all night, Okay? 
     "I still have some thinking to do, Akane."  He looked out at 
the city a bit longer.  "Goodnight Akane, I'll be down eventually."
     Akane nodded, then, started to climb back down off the roof.  
     Ranma turned just before her head sank out of sight.  "And 
Akane, thanks."
     Akane stopped still for a moment, then smiled as she 
dropped out of sight.  
     Ranma sat on the roof of the dojo.  He was thinking.  
Not avoiding anyone.  Just thinking.  
     But he was no longer thinking about Ukyou, nor his 
doppleganger.  


          The end.


  All C&C welcomed.  Please send it to me @ OtakuLoki@aol.com.  Thanks again.