Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko takahashi

Tribe of One is owned by TSR 

"OK, just hold on to my hand... That's right, just walk slowly now..." 

<Bitter>  *Why can't _I_ be the one doing this?*

<Ranma>  *Because if you tried to balance on a fence like this, you
would fall, and take Nabiki with you.*


Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki had been walking to school, just like any other day.
However, a few minutes after they had started, Ranma had taken to walking on
the fence adjacent to the sidewalk.  He called it balance practice while the
rest of the tribe, (and Akane), called it showing off.  

Ranma had made it look so easy, that Nabiki had wanted to try it.  So there they
were, standing on the fence, hand in hand.  

<Bitter>  *I still I could do this!*

<Ranma>  *Look, you can practice later, OK?*

<Lyric>  *Bitter is jealous!  Bitter is jealous!*

<Bitter>  *I AM NOT!*

<Ranma>  *Calm down... What's the big deal anyway?*

<Bitter>  *Fine.  I ducking under.  Deal with school YOURSELF today!*

<Ranma>  *Bitter?  Bitter?*

<Guardian>  *Forget it Ranma, he's gone.*

<Ranma> *What do you mean, he's GONE?  Where could he possibly go?*

<Guardian> *There are parts of our mind that YOU that you can't access Ranma.  Bitter
is busy sulking in one of thoses places...*

<Ranma>  *Oh swell... How am I gonna get through class?*

<Guardian>  *Looks like you're going to have to take care of it yourself.  Unless, of
course, you'd rather have Play do it...*

<Ranma> *...*


  *****************************************
     *     *
     *  Raoh the Conquorer presents *
     *          *
     *        A Story of Ranma 1/2   *
     *          * 
     *  A Stained Glass Mind part 9  *
     *          *
     *****************************************

"OK, Ranma-kun. I think you'd better help me down now, we don't want to be 
late for class..."  Nabiki said as she looked longingly at the sidewalk below.

"Hehehe... Sure Nabiki."  Ranma replied as he lifted Nabiki off of her
feet and jumped down on the sidewalk next to Akane.

The three students started running towards school.

"So, Akane, would you like to give it a try?"  Ranma asked as Nabiki gave him
a dark look.

"Why would I want to do something stupid like that?"  She asked.

<Ranma>  *Sheesh... Touchy...*

<Guardian>  *Sigh...  You're better off leaving her alone.*

Just as they were about to turn a corner, someone collided with Ranma.  Both Ranma
and the person who ran into him fell to the ground.

<Ranma>  *Ouch... Why didn't the Watcher warn me?*

<Guardian>  *I don't know.  She couldn't sense him.*

Ranma rubbed his nose and took a look at the person he ran into.  

<Play>  *HEY!  It's what's-his-face!  The loser!*

<Guardian>  *You mean Ryoga.*

<Ranma>  *How does he keep getting past Watcher?*

"Uh... Sorry for running into you like that."  Ryoga said as he stood up.

"Yeah, no problem.  You're Ryoga right?"  Ranma asked.

Ryoga looked at Ranma, a startled expression on his face.

"Are you OK, Ranma-kun?"  Nabiki asked, watching the two men, Akane standing beside her.

"We're fine Nabiki.  Why don't you girls head off to school, Ryoga and I need to talk."

"Sure thing Ranma."  Akane said dubiously then hurried off past them.  

Nabiki glanced at Akane then back to Ranma and followed her sister.

"Do... Do I know you?" Ryoga asked.  

<Guardian>  *He seems really confused, doesn't he?*

"Well, we haven't really been introduced, but the last time I saw you you were
busy making a hole in my fence after trying to kill my father."  Ranma replied with a grin.

Ryoga gave Ranma a blank look and idly scratched the back of his head.

<Guardian>  *He still doesn't get it.*

<Ranma>  *Sigh*

"My name is Ranma Saotome.  Genma Saotome is my father."  Ranma explained.

Ryoga's face suddenly contorted with rage.  

"That... that old man is your father?  I feel sorry for you.  I AM GOING TO KILL HIM!"   

Ryoga grabbed a fist full of Ranma's shirt and demanded, "Where is he!  You'll tell
me right now!  Take me to your house before I hurt you!"  

Ranma hit Ryoga's hand away and growled, "DON'T threaten me.  You won't get anywhere
that way.  I know you have reason to be angry at my father, but I WILL NOT let
you hurt him!"  

"Will not let?"  Ryoga said incredulously.

<Guardian>  *This isn't going as well as I had hoped.*

<Ranma>  *Always the idealist, eh Guardian?  This was inevitable.*

"You can't know... you can't UNDERSTAND what that fool of a father DID TO ME!"  Ryoga
screamed.

"Oh?  Was it something like engaging you to a girl you didn't know, then later
irresponsibly dumping you into a cursed spring so that you change forms whenever
cold water touches you?  Was it something like that?  'Cause if it was, believe
me, I CAN RELATE!"  Ranma replied.

Realization dawned on Ryoga and he almost laughed, "You too?"

Ranma nodded curtly and Ryoga sighed.  

"Then you should HELPING me instead of DEFENDING him!"  

"He's my father, I was just recently reunited with him and my mother.  I'll
do anything I have to protect my family."  

Ryoga turned away, "Suit yourself Saotome.  I will be coming for the old man
soon.  If you want to get in the way, well... it's your funeral."  

Ryoga walked away and Ranma turned towards school and ran.  

<Guardian>  *Another enemy...We REALLY need this Ranma.*

<Ranma>  *What was I supposed to do?*

<Play>  *Well, we could have let him kill Pop...*

<Guardian>  *You need to learn to be less... confrontational.*

<Ranma> *Right, so I was supposed to 'feel his pain' or something?*

<Guardian> *You could probably relate to what he is going through better than
most people.*

<Ranma> *Maybe...*

Ranma reached the front gate of school and was expecting to see the usual
crowd of injured boys lying all over the place.  Instead, the school grounds
looked almost normal.  His curiosity was cut short as the first bell rang, so
he quickly ran to class.  

He smiled at Akane as he sat down at his desk, but frowned as she ignored him.

<Ranma>  *What's with her?*

<Guardian>  *If you had to fight a horde of boys every morning would YOU be happy?*

<Ranma>  *Well...*

<Guardian> *Never mind.  MOST people would be miserable under such circumstances.*

"Hey Akane, how'd the fight go this morning?  Bet ya didn't have to face Kuno,eh?"  Ranma
whispered to her.

Akane turned towards Ranma slightly, glared then turned back to face the class.  Ranma
was about to talk to her again, but the teacher started his lecture.  

<Guardian>  *Pay attention!  Bitter isn't going to help you out today.*

Ranma sighed, turned towards the front of the class and slouched down in his desk.

<Ranma>  *Right...*

  
   **************************************

<Ranma>  *Well I'm glad THAT'S over!  Man, what a mess!*

Ranma walked out the high school gate behind Akane and Nabiki and heaved a 
sigh of relief.  Without Bitter, Ranma was left to his own resources during
class.  The results were far from encouraging.  When Ranma wasn't sleeping
during class, he was answering questions incorrectly.  The teacher, wanting
to stimulate the rest of the class, gave Ranma many complex problems
to solve in front of everyone.  It was obvious that Ranma did not have
the capacity for what the teacher asked of him.  However, Ranma's failure
was seen as a form of rebellion against a class he found too easy.  

After all, the teacher thought, how could a student solve differential
equations one day and not be able to do long division the next?

<Guardian>  *I told you to pay attention...*

<Ranma>  *I don't need to hear it right now!  Bitter?  Bitter! BITTER!*

<Bitter>  *What?*

<Ranma>  *Finally decide to come out, huh?*

<Bitter>  *It's hard to concentrate with you yelling like that.*

<Ranma>  *What do you need to conentrate FOR?!  It wasn't like you were doing
much during class!*

<Bitter> *...*

<Ranma>  *Just wait until the NEXT time you want to show off! I'm gonna-*

<Guardian>  *Ranma?  Shut up.*

<Ranma>  *What do you want from me?  I looked like an idiot today!  My teacher thinks
that I disrespect him or am being overly smug about what he's teaching.  My classmates
think I'm acting like a class clown!  What-*

<Guardian> *Most of that was _your_ fault.  You could have _tried_ to stay awake
during class.  You can't blame this on Bitter.*

<Ranma>  *What about all that stuff he did yesterday?  The teacher is gonna expect
ME to be that smart!  AND I'M NOT!  So Bitter?  If you wanna help, do, if not, stay
the hell buried for as long as you WANT!*

<Bitter> *...*

<Bitter> *I'm...*

<Guardian>  *yes?*

<Bitter> *Well...*

<Guardian>  *Go on.*

<Bitter>  *Oh, you know...*

<Guardian>  *What?*

<Bitter>  *I'm sorry!  THERE!  I said it?  Satisfied?*

<Ranma>  *sigh... Bitter, what was this all about, anyway?*

<Play>  *It's about NABIKI!  Duh!*

<Ranma>  *Bitter?*

<Bitter> *Look, I'm not as strong as you, not as agile, and I'm no warrior... All I have
is an intellect.  Something the REST of you are sorely missing.  I guess, I felt kind
of inadequet today, on the fence.*

<Guardian>  *Bitter, everyone has strengths and weaknesses, even US.  But one advantage
we have over everyone else in this world is that we work TOGETHER as a TEAM.  If 
we don't do that, the whole tribe is in danger.*

<Bitter>  *I know, I know... It won't happen again.*

<Ranma>  *Man, I'm tired... hey Bitter, you wanna walk for a while?  Ask Nabiki
about Akane's fight this morning.*

Ranma ducked under and Bitter took control.  

"Uh... Sorry I had to miss you guys this morning, how did the fight go?  Was
Kuno able to show up?"  Ranma/Bitter asked.

Akane's face darkened and she quickened her pace.  Ranma/Bitter took the opportunity
to walk up to Nabiki.

"Things didn't go well, I take it?"  

Nabiki glanced at Ranma and said neutrally, "I heard you had a tough time in class
today... Things so easy for you that had to make fun of class?"

<Ranma>  *See!  I told you!*

Ranma/Bitter grimaced and said, "Nothing like that Nabiki, I guess... I just wasn't
myself today."

<Lyric> *HAHAHAHA...*

<Play>  *Heh.  That's putting it mildly.  Ranma's as dumb as a post when it comes
to school!*

<Ranma>  *HEY!  Like you could do better...*

<Lyric>  *Bittttarrrrr is Betttaaarrr...*

"Did it have anything to do with the guy you ran into this morning?"  Nabiki asked.

"Uh.. YEAH!  That was it!  He is... WAS one of my father's students... and, well,
I think I'm going to be fight him soon."  

Nabiki looked at Ranma/Bitter questioningly and Ranma briefly took control to
tell Nabiki what had happened; then he ducked back under.

"Woah.  I can see where something like that can break your concentration."  

"Yeah... but that's _my_ problem.  What _did_ happen this morning?"  Ranma/Bitter asked.

<Ranma>  * "That's _my_ problem!"  he says.  Sheesh!*

This time it was Nabiki's turn to grimace.  

"All those idiots gave up on fighting Akane."

<Ranma>  *WHAT?  Why?*

"Uh, why?  What happened?"  

"They saw what you did to Kuno and decided to accept your "engagement" to Akane."

<Guardian>  *This explains why she's so mad.*

<Ranma> *I thought she'd be happy about not having to fight anymore...*

<Play>  *Yeah, but everyone believes she's engaged to YOU...  giggle...*

"But...we're NOT ENGAGED!"  Ranma/Bitter exclaimed.  

"Everyone THINKS you are, Ranma-kun..." Nabiki said softly. 

Then, she hurried after Akane, leaving Ranma/Bitter walking alone.

<Bitter>  *Ranma... You'd BETTER fix this!*

<Ranma>  *How?  YOUR the smart one remember?  WHO was gonna handle the mental challenges?*

<Bitter>  *This isn't an intellectual exercise you idiot!  This is a serious emotional
crisis!*

<Play>  *Then you're BOTH poorly equipped to deal with it!*

<Lyric>  *HA HA...*

<Ranma>  *What's the big deal?  We're not gonna marry ANYONE.  It'll blow over soon...*

<Bitter>  *Perhaps Guardian can-*

<Guardian>  *Oh no!  You leave ME out of this! I warned the BOTH of about something
like this.  I'm not going to complicate the situation... Ranma's right, give it
some time and things might fix themselves.*

<Bitter>  *Might?  Since when did YOU become so apathetic about such matters?  That 
should be MY job.*

<Guardian>  *That's right, it SHOULD.  Besides, my ONLY concern is the welfare of
the tribe...  I can't afford to deal with the emotional roller coaster of 
infatuation and unrequited love!*  

<Bitter>  *You cold-hearted B-*

<Shade>  *ENOUGH*

Bitter and Guardian quieted down, and Ranma took control again.

"Look, fighting among ourselves is not going to get us anywhere...  We'll deal
with things one day at a time, as always."  Ranma said aloud.

<Watcher>  *AMAZON!*

Suddenly, Ranma was tackle-hugged to the ground. Ranma's first reaction was to
attack, but since Shade had not tried to take control, he really didn't see
much danger in the situation.  He winced at the pain from the fall and looked
at the person who had "attacked" him.  He was surprised to see a person who
he recognized.

"Shampoo!  What are you doing in Japan?"

<Bitter> *Uh... Not that I mind, but shouldn't she be trying to kill us now?*

"Shampoo follow Husband."  She replied simply.

<Guardian>  *Oh dear...*

"Uh.. well, you can GET off now..."  Ranma said.

"Hmmm... Shampoo VERY comfortable."  She purred.

<Play>  *I can get used to this....*

<Guardian>  *DO something, RANMA.*

<Ranma>  *Er, right.*

Ranma gently, but firmly, disenaged Shampoo's arms from around him and stood up.

"Now then... You followed me all the way from China?  Why?"

"Airen!  You are Shampoo's husband.  Of course I follow.  There is nothing for
Shampoo in village...  nothing, after Husband defeat Great Grandmother..."

<Bitter>  *Damn, she's smart.  She picked up Japanese pretty quick for a bimbo.*

<Play>  *Well, I like her.  Besides it's RANMA'S fault she's here.  Doesn't that
make her our responsibility?*

<Bitter>  *YOU?  Feeling RESPONSIBLE?  That's a laugh!*

<Guardian>  *Play, you just want her to hug us again...*

<Play>  *I wanna do a whole lot more than HUG!*

<Ranma>  *Enough!  But Play does have a point... It is my fault she's here...*

<Bitter>  *How do you figure that?  It was that stupid amazon law of her's that
caused this supposed 'marriage'!  And lets not forget the Old Ghoul who tried
to kill us when we left!  We can't responsiblity for this one; we have enough
problems to deal with as it is!*

"Shampoo?"

"Yes Husband?"  

Ranma winced, "Please Shampoo, call me Ranma..."

"Ran...ma... Is good, yes?"

"Right Shampoo, Ranma."  

"Hmmm..." She purred again as she glomped onto Ranma's arm and buried her head
in his shoulder.

"Uh... Come on Shampoo. We'd better go home.."

<Guardian>  *This is NOT a good idea!*  

<Play>  *Let me out!  Let me out!*

<Guardian>  *ABSOLUTELY NOT!*

<Play>  *I'll be good!  I promise!*

<Bitter>  *Right, sure, uh-uh...*

<Play>  *I wanna PLAY!!!!!*

<Ranma>  *You ARE Play.*

<Play> *...*

<Play>  *sniff...*

<Ranma>  * oh man, don't start this...*

<Play>  *sniff... you... you...*

<Ranma>  *Play...*

<Guardian>  *Don't fall for this Ranma, know it's an act!*

<Play>  *sniff..  You never let me out... I never get to have fun... sniff..*

<Ranma>  *Come on Play, I'll let you out later, OK?*

<Play> *WAAAAAH!   WAAAAAAH!  sniff.... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!*

<Ranma>  *OK OK OK!  You can come out NOW!  Just stop crying!*

<Guardian>  *RANMA!*

<Play>  *You really mean it, Ranma?*

<Bitter>  *Those tears stopped in a hurry...*

<Ranma>  *Yeah, I mean it. No funny business, understand?  You pull any of
your tricks and I'll yank you back so hard-*

<Play>  *OK!  I said I'd be good!  Let me out!*

Ranma ducked under and let Play take control.

<Guardian>  *This was a baaaad idea...*

Shampoo, meanwhile, had been feeling a bit sad.  As she held on to her "Husband" she
could feel the tension and stiffness in his posture.  For some reason, he didn't
seem to like her; he didn't want to return her affections.  Shampoo was tempted
to just grab him by the face and kiss him into insensibility, but decided that
such actions might scare him more than anything.  *Airen need learn to relax...*
she thought to herself.

Then, for seemingly no reason at all, she felt Ranma relax and he seemed to
push against her, ever so slightly.  She could also feel the tension drain
from his body.  She smiled and squeezed his arm a bit tighter, slowing down
the pace of her walk.  Ranma/Play slowed down with her and gently disengaged
his hand from her's.  Shampoo frowned and looked at Ranma questioningly.

Ranma/Play smiled and put his arm across Shampoo's shoulders and pulled her
closer to him.  Shampoo sighed in contentment as she leaned into Ranma's 
masculine body.

<Ranma>  *Play, What the hell are you doing?*

<Play>  *Hey, I'm not doing anything bad!  I'm just.... being friendly.*

<Guardian>  *Well, see that you don't get any MORE 'friendly'!*

<Play>  *Spoiled sport.*

Ranma/Play walked the rest of the way home with Shampoo in tow.  It was Ranma's
constant stream of threats that kept Play from making any kind of premeptory
moves on Shampoo.  As they finally reached the Saotome home, Ranma took control
once again.  He removed his hand from around Shampoo's shoulder and led
her into the house.

"Okasan?  I'm home... and I, uh... brought a guest."  Ranma called out.

Nodoka walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on towel and smiled at
Ranma, then turned a questioning gaze towards Shampoo.  

"Oksan, this is _Shampoo_.  You know, that _girl_ from the _Amazon_ village
in _China_?"  

<Bitter>  *Ranma, you're about as subtle as a wild horse.*

Understand dawned on Nodoka immediately. 

"Ah... I see."  

"Yeah, she literally ran into me today on my way home from school."

"You Airen's mother?"  Shampoo asked Nodoka.

"Yes dear, I suppose I am."  Nodoka replied with a sigh.

"Aiya!  Shampoo is very happy to meet Mother-in-Law!"  

"Mother-in-law?"  Nodoka turned towards Ranma with a surprised smile on her face.

"What have you been doing today, Ranma-chan?"  She asked.

<Bitter>  *Ha Ha... very funny.*

<Play>  *Weren't you the one you said that we should laugh at ourselves?*

<Bitter>  *That only counts in humorous situations!*

"I think we'd better sit down... we got a lot to talk about."  Ranma pointed out.


   **************************************

Ranma stretched out his arms and yawned as he finally laid down in his futon.

<Ranma>  *Man it sure was a long day...*

<Bitter>  *Get used to it.*

<Play>  *I still don't see why Shampoo couldn't sleep with us...*

<Guardian>  *Forget it Play, we can't explain it to you and you really don't
want to understand anyway.*

After discussing Shampoo's current situation with Genma, Nodoka decided to allow
Shampoo to live in their household for the time being.  She really couldn't throw
the poor girl out on the street.  Shampoo, however, wanted to take things a bit
further and sleep in Ranma's room; in his bed.  Nodoka let Shampoo know in
no uncertain terms what she thought of THAT idea.  

<Guardian>  *We're lucky to have Mother with us...*

<Bitter>  *_I_ certainly wouldn't want to cross her!*

<Ranma>  *All right everyone, let's get some sleep. We're all exhausted.*

Soon, one by one, all the members of the tribe drifted off into sleep.  All,
that is, except for the Watcher; she never slept.  Instead, she stayed awake
24-hours a day, 7-days a week, just waiting for trouble to occur.  She never
spoke unless to give warning.  She was a paranoid being who never wanted
to draw attention to herself.  Because of this, none of the other tribe
members knew of her current agitation.

Twice now, she had failed to notice Ryoga's presence.  Ranma and Guardian
had noticed this fact and had been a bit concerned.  The Watcher's concern,
however, was a hundred times more intense.  For the first time in her life,
someone was able to sneak up on her.  

Naturally, it was at about this time that Ryoga snuck into Ranma's room while
looking for Genma.  *Damn!  This isn't it either!  Well, at least I finally
got out of the kitchen.*  Ryoga thought to himself as he looked at Ranma's
sleeping form.  He considered leaving, but then decided to wake up Ranma
and just ASK him where Genma was.  *Better then getting lost in the house
again, besides, maybe Ranma's come to his senses by now.*  Ryoga was the 
strongest and best martial artist he knew.  Although Genma had caused him 
a great deal of grief, he was also a very talented and sneaky marital artist.
These learned skills coupled with his natural strength gave Ryoga a somewhat logical
sense of superiority and confidence. 

"Hey, Ranma!  Wake up!"  Ryoga whispered.

Ranma just snored.  

"Ranma, wake up!"  Ryoga whispered again, a little louder.

Ranma continued to snore.

"RANMA! WAKE UP!"  Ryoga yelled, his fist flying towards Ranma's face.

Ranma's eyes snapped open and Shade caught Ryoga's fist in vice-like grip.
Ryoga pulled back his hand in surprise and gave Ranma a toothy grin.

"You're not half bad, Saotome... That almost hurt."  Ryoga said, gently rubbing his wrist.

Ranma/Shade wordless stood up and faced Ryoga.

"OK, Ranma, where's the old man?  Speak up!"  Ryoga demanded.

Ranma/Shade wordlessly assumed a fighting stance.  

"You want to make this difficult, eh?"  Ryoga said as thunder started rumbling outside
the house.  

Ryoga took a short step towards Ranma and launched his fist towards Ranma's face.
Ranma/Shade easily grabbed Ryoga's fore arm and through Ryoga through the only
window in the room.  Now, the Saotome home is not a large one, but it IS a two
story house, and Ranma's room was on the second story.  

As soon as Ryoga flew through the window, and the immediate threat was gone,
Shade ducked under and woke Ranma who then took control.  Ranma stifled a 
confused yawn as he quickly ran to the window.  Ryoga was standing no the ground,
an open umbrella in one hand.  Ranma grinned and jumped out the window towards
Ryoga.  At this point, it started to rain rather heavily and Ranma transformed
into a girl.  


"What- Oh... so you DID fall into a spring... Heh... What a CUTE girl you are!"  
Ryoga said smirking.

"Oh?  And what to you turn into?"  Ranma-chan asked

Ryoga frowned and said, "That's none of your business!  Just shut up and fight.
I was gonna kill the old man, but that would be too easy!  I'll go after
you instead!  PREPARE TO DIE RANMA!"

Ryoga charged towards Ranma-chan, his free hand striking out once again.  Ranma-chan
ducked the punch and swept Ryoga's legs out from under him.  The ground was slippery
and wet and Ryoga easily lost his footing.  Just as he was about to fall, he launched
the umbrella at Ranma.  Ryoga was too close and the umbrella was moving too fast
for Ranma to dodge.  Instead she just turned to the side and blocked the Umbrella
with her left forearm.  

<Ranma>  *Ouch... Damn!  That thing hurts!*

<Bitter>  *Yawn...  You're going to feel that one in the morning.*

Ranma quickly turned back to where Ryoga was standing, but he was gone. In his
place stood a small, black, ANGRY cat.  The cat wore a bandana around it's
neck was hissing and meowing ferociously at Ranma-chan.  


"C-C-C-C-Cats!!!!!!"  Ranma-chan screamed; right before she and the rest of
the tribe blacked out.


****************************
The End Part 9
******************

OK, thanks first of all to Phillip Masters who has graciously offered
to host this series.  It's getting long enough to need that now...

Ryoga is coming out a bit meaner than I orignially intended, but perhaps
that will change. 

Notice the hostility building in the tribe?  It's small so far, but can
cause some problems later.  Ranma's situation is far from perfect. 

Next Time:

Uh... actually, I don't have my outline in front of me right now
and the only thing I remember is that Ukyou is coming back and
that Shampoo meets Ranma-chan.

Bye for now!

Namaste

-anand