RANMA 1\2: SPIRIT WITHIN:by Sean D�Anna
                   GRAPHIC NOVEL VERSION: 
                   
 Standard disclaimer I don�t own Ranma 1\2 or any of the characters. ect. ect.
the story is mine so don�t copy it or nothing. you can post it if ya want,
(PLEASE DO AS I DO NOT HAVE MY OWN SITE AND WON�T ANYTIME SOON.)as long as ya
give me credit for it.  E-mail opinions to Catbert25 @ aol.com. I�d love to
hear from you , I think. Sorry I didn�t write a better beginning but I needed
a way for Ranma to think and act like I did and I couldn�t think of any better
way so I made it quick and painless as possible. anyway... on with the show.

-Part5: school daze
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
	Ranma walked blissfully toward his school. �This is going suprisingly well.�
he commented to himself.  He jumped down from the fence he was on and walked
into the gates of Furinkan.  A large group of boys was waiting near the front
of the school , Ranma walked into it towards the school.  �There she is!!�
yelled one of the boys. �Shit.� said Ranma as he was herded towards a very
angry Akane Tendo.  Just as Ranma was about to be pushed into the angry
martial artist he realized. �I don�t have to take this!� and turned on the
foolish boys. Seconds later he and Akane were back to back against the boys,
another ten seconds and it was over. �I didn�t need your help.� she said
coldly. � So, that doesn�t make it right for me to just sit back and watch
does it?� he responded and walked away. Akane staired at him hard, and then
turned to face Kuno, Who was currently issuing his daily challenge. Later,
Akane was suprised to find that the boy was next to her in class.  �This
happens every day?� he asked quietly.  �Whats it to you ?� she asks glaring at
him.  �I heard about it thats all, is it true?� he asked with a grin.  �Yea it
is.�she said a little more relaxed. �Sorry to hear that.�he said simply and
turned toward the teacher.
	At the lunch period Ranma ate his lunch and wandered around the school yard a
bit. �I understand you had words with the fair Akane Tendo this morning.� said
a tall, older boy to Ranma. �So, whats it to you Kuno?�asked Ranma. � That is
Upper classman Kuno to you cur. So, you have heard of me, no doubt I knew it
must be so.�said Kuno proudly.  �Yea, �That asshole Kunos probly gonna give
you trouble for talkin to Akane.�� repeated Ranma with a grin. �What??!! Who
who would dare!!!???�raged Kuno.
	 Daisuke looked on in the crowd and began to sweat. Hiroshi smiled and looked
at him "You know something about that?" he asked playfully. "Shut up!" he said
patheticaly watching the exchange with increasing interest.
	�like I�d tell..�said Ranma smugly.  �What is it you spoke to the fair Akane
about , Tell me!� demanded Kuno. Ranma snorted �none of your business� he
stated simply.  �How dare you !!� snarled Kuno as he pulled out his bokken.
�Put your stick away Kuno, You could beat me to death and I still wouldn�t
tell you now.� said Ranma unfazed.  Kuno growled and took up an offensive
stance. �What makes you think I�d waste my time fighting you anyway? Bye.�
with that Ranma walked calmly away from the enraged kendoist. �Coward did I
give you leave?!! Come and face me knave!!� Kuno was pissed. �Left you in the
cold eh, Kuno baby?�said Nabiki smugly as she walked up to Kuno. �Heh, No
doubt he feared my prowess.� said Kuno smugly. �Actually he�s probably the
only guy in school who doesn�t.� said Nabiki with a snort. Kuno growled �I
shall not forget this insult Saotome.� he muttered. �What was that Kuno
baby?�asked Nabiki. �Nothing.�said Kuno. Nabiki smiled "This Ranma could
be...Interesting." she thought.
	Ranma looked quietly over horizon at the sun set over the rooftops of Nerima.
His first day of school not entirely unproductive. �Humph, I�m doing well not
a single real fight all day.� he mused as he turned to walk home.  �Uh,
hi.�said a familiar voice behind him. �Hello Akane.�said Ranma as he turned to
face her. �How do you know my name?� she asked warily. �I pay attention, how�s
it going?� replied Ranma laughing a little.  �Wow she�s cuter than I thought.�
he thought. �Well, I wanted to thank you for your help today. I know I seemed
to be a little snappy... and please don�t do it again.�she said quietly. �Eh?�
said Ranma a little suprised. �Look I�m sure your a nice guy and all but you
could really get hurt.� said Akane. �I�d love to but thats pretty much
impossible now.� said Ranma. �W-what?!!� said Akane angrily. �See that bush
over there?� said Ranma pointing at a small shrub. �Inside that is Sasuke,
Kunos loyal ninja retainer. He�ll tell Kuno about our supposed �lovers
rendevous�and well you can guess whats next.� said Ranma smiling.  �That is
redic--�started Akane.  �Hey, Sasuke tell Kuno I said hi!�called Ranma. Akane
heard  a small panicked cry and saw a small brown blurr dash from the bush.
�Tomorrow morning every jerk in Furinkan will be gunning for me too.� said
Ranma smugly. �Sorry Akane.� he said sincerely  � As long as I�m in trouble
anyway I might as well walk you home.�he continued. �W-Wh-What?!!� said Akane
fuming. �Cmon Whats the worst that can happen? Besides I don�t really know any
one else yet.� he said charmingly.  �You don�t know me either!!� retorted
Akane. �Your name is Akane Tendo, You do martial arts, I�m guessing That girl
following us is your sister, Nabiki I think her name was. How was that for
starters?� said Ranma obviously Impressed with his knowledge. �But don�t give
away too much...� he thought inwardly. �God he�s such a pri- a perv- obnoxi-
cute.� thought Akane. �OK I�m impressed. Whats your name?� she asked � Cute?
where did *that* come from?� she wondered. �Ranma Saotome.� he answered. Ranma
thought back to the post card sitting on his desk in his room.(Tendo, bringing
Ranma from China, Saotome.) �Almost didn�t get away with that one, she�d
already be mad at me if that thing got out.� he thought. �Well, it was nice
meeting you.�said Akane politely. �See ya tomorrow.� said Ranma. �I�m in the
animation? Sasuke is here mabey its sort of both?� he mused as he walked away.
Akane stopped and staired at her sister. �All right talk.� said Nabiki. �About
what? Didn�t you learn enough just by following us?� Said Akane with a snort.
�Every thing you know about him.�Said Nabiki coolly. �Why?� asked Akane.
�Haven�t you heard?!! he�s the hottest topic around school! He laughed in
Tatewaki Kunos face. Every girl in the School wants him!� she said flatly.
�Present company excepted?�asked Akane smugly. �of course, and as usual you
have him.�snorted Nabiki. �I do not! He�s the first guy I�ve met that hasn�t
looked at my chest during an entire conversation besides my father ever since
I got it!� fumed Akane. �That usually means he�s seen one before.� said
Nabiki. Akane just looked at her and walked away. Ranma smiled to himself
�thats true.� he said as he walked away from the corner.
	The next day Ranma got up early as he had been for months and practiced some
things his father would probably be proud of, but he didn�t want his mother to
find out about.(Not that you uncultured hentai!!)  He heard his father
approaching and quickly stopped. When the goul came he�d be ready, even if he
had to hurt someone, he would not marry Shampoo, at least not until he was
sure if Ukyo was cuter. �Practicing already?! Thats my boy!� said Genma
proudly. �Heh, Yea.� said Ranma as he faced his father for their morning work
out. �Listen boy there is some one I�d like you to meet, today.�said Genma.
�If you think I�m dumb enough to Get sucked into another engagement your out
of your mind.� said Ranma Coolly as he swung at Genma. �How did you kno- I
mean how could you think that about your own father?� said Genma. �Too late
Pop you already blew it.�said Ranma as he knocked his father to the ground.  
	On his way to school Ranma ran into Akane. �Hey Akane how are ya?� he asked.
Akane growled �Men� she spat angrily. � That good huh?�said Ranma cheerfully.
As they approached the gates Ranma and Akane braced themselves as the hoard
approached. But it never reached them, it was stopped by another seemingly
immovable force. Ranmas�s eyes lit up �Ryoga�He called to the boy standing in
the middle of the mess. �Hello Ranma.� said the boy. �What are you doing
here?� asked Ranma pleasantly. �Well In China after we split up I realized we
never finished our fight.� said Ryoga. �You want to fight?� said Ranma with a
big smile. �Yea, I�ll always wonder who would have won.� Said Ryoga with an
evil grin. �Me too actually.�  lied Ranma with a smile. �You just had a fight.
look at this mess.� said Akane. �They thought they could push *me* out of the
way, So whos your friend Ranma, a girlfriend?� asked Ryoga. Akane was about to
issue a loud denial when Ranma smiled and said �Like I could be so lucky to
have one this cute.� Akane blushed and kept quiet. Ryoga grinned and caught on
to what Ranma was trying to do. �Ah, give it time.� he said playfully. Akane
glared at him. Ranma smiled, and continued his conversation. �So, when you
want to do this?� he asked seriously. �After School today? behind the school?�
offered Ryoga. �Wait  for me so you don�t wander off.�said Ranma . Ryoga
growled at his last comment, but let it pass. �Its a challenge then, Don�t
think I�ll go any easier on you just cause I don�t want to kill you anymore.�
said Ryoga seriously. �Wouldn�t have it any other way.� said Ranma
confidently. �Great, see you later. It was nice to meet you.� said Ryoga
smiling. �A friend of yours?� asked Akane a little suprised. �Friendly
Rival.�said Ranma �but, I guess you could call him a friend.�  �oh, ok.�she
said uncomfortably. �He said I was cute?� she thought.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
part 6 one fine mess
-----------------------------------------------------
	During lunch Ranma was pulled aside from his conversation with Ryoga. �But,
Ranma everyone�s saying were dating!� said Akane in a strained voice. �And?�
Asked Ranma. �What are we going to do about it?� cried Akane.
�Nothing.�answered Ranma. �What ??!!� she almost screamed. �Akane, number One:
there really isn�t any thing we can do. Two: It will eventually die down, its
just a rumor Three : Is it really all that bad?�as said this he looked
directly in her eyes causing her brain to freeze up. �H-his eyes are so so-�
she thought but quickly snapped out of it. �but they are asking embarrassing
questions like,�how does he kiss?�� she said with out looking at him. �I kinda
wonder about that.� she thought. �Who said that?�her mind retorted. He put his
hand on her shoulder. �Don�t worry Akane it will pass.� he said reassuringly.
�all right� she sighed and walked away.
	�Ranma Saotome you fiend!� yelled Kuno as he swung his bokken at Ranma.
�Realize Akane Tendo from this obligation at once!� he spat angrily. �Kuno if
I was dating Akane what makes you think I�d stop just because *you* don�t like
it?� said Ranma coolly. �Because I am your superior knave.� said Kuno proudly.
�Heh, you think so?� said Ranma. �I know so.� said Kuno puffing up his chest
�All right Kuno we�ll fight but  we�ll do this right. After school tomorrow,
behind the school.� sighed Ranma. �And if you lose Akane Tendo will be mine.�
said Kuno loudly �Kuno if I  had Akane I wouldn�t be dumb enough to bet her on
something as stupid as this.� said Ranma. Akane gasped and glared at both of
them. �If you lose you don�t bother me again.� said Ranma coolly. �Agreed�
snorted Kuno. The two glared at each other and parted.
	Akane turned away �men� she muttered. �Akane wait!� said Ranma. �Your no
different than the others.� she said as she walked away. Ranma staired at her
helplessly. �what? Why am I so upset I don�t lov--- Oh, no.� Ranma s thoughts
were interrupted by another voice that was his own but not quite the same.
�Thought you�d just be friends and wait for Ukyo or Shampoo to show up did
you? heh heh.� it said evilly. �Shut up.� he mentally told it. �Oooh, touchy,
hit a nerve did I?� it seemed gleeful. �Shit.�he muttered. �I just had to go
and fall in love with Akane.�
	During class Ranma composed his thoughts. �Akane, why? I�m not Ranma really
,well, mostly not. Damn. Love huh? Oh well, its to late now might as well go
for it.�  Akane however was thinking a little differently. �That jerk he�s
just like every other guy here. ... Isn�t he?� 
	Soun and Genma sat across the table from each other and contemplated their
dilemma �Saotome we must find a way to get our children together.� said Soun
solemnly. �Quite so Tendo.� agreed Genma. �but who will we engage Ranma too?�
Soun thought for a moment. �Akane is about the right age.� said Soun happily
not wanting to bring Nabiki into this, he remembered the last time he tried to
make her do some thing he was broke for some time, and Kasumi was almost
twenty. �Then its settled.� said Genma. �Ranma and Akane are engaged.� the two
men laughed and drank themselves silly .
	 Nabiki smiled �This could be fun.� she thought. She removed the headphones
from her head and looked towards the front of the class room. �The longer I
can keep this going the better.� she mused.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
Part 7 : The big match.
----------------------------------------------------------
	Ranma looked across the field at Ryoga and both combatants smiled
confidently. The crowd around them was small, after all it was just some new
kid not Kuno. �Prepare yourself!!� yelled Ryoga as he charged Ranma with his
bamboo umbrella drawn. Ranma smirked. �Here we go...�he thought. The few
students in attendance would remember this day for a long time to come.
	Ranma easily dodged around Ryoga�s attacks and looked for an opening, he
could easily defeat the lost boy, but he didn�t want to humiliate him, he
needed him. Ryoga swung faster and harder frustrated with his efforts �Hold
still damn you!!� he yelled as he wrapped one of his bandannas around Ranma�s
wrist. Ranma frowned �Even with the �Breaking Point� training I might not be
able to take many of his punches.� thought Ranma. �Got you!!� yelled Ryoga as
he put his arm through Ranma�s head. �Through?!!� Thought Ryoga as he was
forced to his knees.  Ryoga grunted �pretty good...but not good enough!!� he
yelled as he jumped twenty feet into the air using one arm. The crowd gasped,
as Ranma dodged Ryoga�s mid air kick and hit him with his own knocking the
lost boy to the ground. Ryoga got up and slashed at Ranma as he landed ripping
his shirt. Ranma ignored him and pressed his attack. Ryoga blocked and swung
with his umbrella but was forced back. Ryoga jumped back and threw the open
umbrella at Ranma like a boomerang. It went by Ranma�s head and carved a deep
gouge into the ground and the crowd behind him. �With out your weapon your
mine Ryoga.� said Ranma smugly. �Think so?� laughed Ryoga as he took a fair
amount of bandannas from his head, and flung them at Ranma. The two dodged and
weaved between them trading blows and avoiding the razor sharp projectiles.
	Akane watched mesmerized as Ranma and Ryoga danced among the dangerous
spinning bandannas. �Wow he�s ...� she said aloud and her friends smiled at
her behind her back. �Wow, she�s got it bad.�said one. �Its about time.�said
the other. Akane couldn�t even hear them. Suddenly Ranma saw several bandannas
spinning towards him. �Damn, Mouko Takabishi!� he said as he used a small Ki
blast to knock them out of the air. The crowd fell deathly silent, Ryoga
stopped dead in his tracks and staired at Ranma wide, eyed the bandannas he
was spinning in his hands spun out of control and went in every direction.
�Huh?� he said dumbly. �Ranma what the hell was that?� he asked. �Just a
little Ki blast.� said Ranma �They haven�t seen one before now?� he asked
himself. �Little!!???� asked Ryoga shocked. �Yea litt- Akane!!!�yelled Ranma
as he saw one of the bandannas spinning toward her head from behind. 
	Ranma called out her name and ran towards Akane �Huh? What the he--� said
Akane dumbly as Ranma tackled her to the ground.  �What did you do that for
you jerk?!!� yelled Akane as she hit Ranma on the head. Ranma looked up
apologetically �Too late.�he said, as she saw something hit the ground behind
him. �That wasn�t--�she thought as Ranma picked her up and carried her off
before the students collected their wits and decided to find out what
happened. 
	Ranma landed in a quiet  area near the school and put Akane down. �What do
you think your doing??!!�she yelled at him angrily.  Ranma looked at her head
carefully and sighed looking relieved. �no, cuts thats good.� he thought.
Akane was pissed she swing and beat on him and he didn�t seem to notice. �Are
you OK? Your not hurt are you?� he asked her. �What why?!! Take me back now
you jerk!!�she yelled and then stopped. �Hurt? why ?�she asked. He looked away
and handed something to her. �Sorry Akane I figured you wouldn�t want anyone
to see. �What? what are you talki--Oh no.�she said aloud, as she felt what was
in her hands. �My hair.� she said quietly as she felt the back of her neck and
found only skin. Ranma jumped on to the roof and waited, �You OK?� he asked
after a while. He seemed to be looking for someone. Akane calmly looked up at
him. �What are you doing?� she asked timidly. �Looking for Ryoga, he probly�
feels bad and he�ll come looking for us.�  he said.  Just then Ryoga came from
behind Akane. �There you are!! Are you OK miss?!!� asked Ryoga with a worried
look. Akane looked at him oddly. Ranma smiled and landed next to him he had
intentionally went in the opposite direction than the one he originally
started to go after he was out of sight of the school so Ryoga could find
them. �She isn�t cut but her hair...� Ryoga seemed to just notice this and
began to apologize... allot. �I�m sorry I really am please forgive me!!� he
said almost sobbing. �I think short hair will look really good on her.�offered
Ranma. Akane didn�t know what to make of the situation she should be mad but
Ranma was nice enough to save her a great deal  of embarrassment by getting
her away from the school. And this poor Ryoga fellow seemed to be sorry,...
too sorry, and so another beating was averted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
Part8:Kuno�s  big fight
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------- 
	Ranma looked at Akane again as she entered her house �You sure you don�t want
me to help explain things?� he asked. �No its OK� she said as she went inside
and greeted her sister. �Oh, hello Akane. your home! who was that nice young
man? A boy friend?� asked Kasumi. �NO! I mean... He�s just a friend....(Isn�t
he?).� said Akane defensively. �Well you should invite him in I�d love to meet
your boy friend, father will be so pleased.� said Kasumi happily ignoring her.
then she turned to see her. �YOUR HAIR!!� she cried.
	Ranma walked towards the Saotome home and whistled to himself. Kuno stood
before him looking angry. �What have you done with Akane Tendo kur?�he asked
gritting his teeth. �Hiya Kuno, our fight is tomorrow.�reminded Ranma ignoring
the question. �Tell me or..� started Kuno. �Or you�ll what?� said Ranma
coolly. Kuno pulled out his sword and glared at Ranma. Ranma�s eyes narrowed
and he looked at Kuno hard. Kuno had a sword, not his bokken. Ranma�s surveyed
the situation carefully. �She had an accident and I took her home.� he said
cautiously.  �You have hurt my love??!!� he roared. Ranma knew he was now
beyond words. Kuno swung at Ranma who ducked to avoid the blade and removed
his bag and took up a defensive stance.  he looked cautiously at the sword and
saw a glowing spot on it. �No he�s far to fast with that for me to risk the
Bakusai tenketsu.� he thought. Kuno bellowed and thrust at Ranma �STRIKE
STRIKE STRIKE...!� He yelled as his blade became a flurry of motion. Ranma
dogged and took a few hits in the arms and chest. Nothing major but enough to
figure out that Kuno�s sword was lighter than a bokken and he could move it
faster. �Die kur!� Yelled Kuno. Ranma faced Kuno and ducked under the blade.
�KATSU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!� he yelled as he hit Kuno hundreds of times easily
breaking several ribs. Kuno collapsed in a heap. Ranma swore �I�ve changed
things I can�t be sure whats going to happen any more.� he thought. After that
he became obsessed with improving his skills practicing every morning, pushing
the Chestnut fist just a little faster, just a little stronger with his Ki a
little more control over the Breaking point. He even stopped practicing with
his father, Genma was suprisingly easy to convince. �He gets up an extra hour
early and I�m getting to old to get up as early besides I can practice with
Soun.� he said proudly. Never mentioning that Ranma was now winning every
practice match.  �Speaking of which...I�d really like you to meet...�  Genma
started. �Can�t busy� said Ranma simply. 
	One day Akane didn�t come to school. �Where�s Akane?� he asked one of her
friends. �Don�t know.� she replied. Ranma went over to her home with papers
from school. He knocked on the door. �Hello can I help you?� asked Kasumi as
she answered the door. �I brought Akanes homework. Is she OK?� asked Ranma.
�Oh yes, she�s fine. She just wasn�t feeling well.� Akane came down the
stairs. �Who is it Kasumi?�she asked �Its just your little boyfriend with your
homework.� said Kasumi cheerfully. Ranma laughed a little. As Akane turned red
and Denied it loudly. �Here you go Akane. You OK?� he asked. �Yea I just
couldn�t bear hearing every one tell me how chivalrous you were the other day,
I mean that was a month ago, It wasn�t *that* romantic... sorry about
Kuno.�she said quietly. �Not your fault, your hair looks really good that
way.� smiled Ranma. �Quit telling me that.� she said not meaning it, any other
guy would stare at her chest and say that, and get knocked into the
stratosphere. Ranma  smiled at this. �Well, Ryoga came back into town and he
and I are gonna get together later wanna come?� He asked. �Sure. Where we
going?� she asked. �Ryoga�s coming.� replied Ranma �Oh.�said Akane smiling.
	 �You should do that more often.�said Ranma as he walked toward where Ryoga
was camped with Akane. �What?�she asked. �Smile, your cute when you smile.� he
said. Akane stopped and laughed a little. �I�m too cute as it is.� she said a
little bitterly. �Believe it or not I know what you mean.�said Ranma Quietly.
Akane smiled, he didn�t think she�d heard him. �Lets go before he tries to
come find us.� said Ranma composing Quickly himself. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------