Subject: [FFML][Fanfic] Rift Asunder Chapter 1 Part 5
From: "Knight_Hawke" <knight_hawke@glblnet.com>
Date: 4/18/1998, 7:19 PM
To: "Fanfic Mailing List" <ffml@fanfic.com>

* * * * * * * * *

 Listening from the staircase, Mousse closed his eyes, remembering
the incredible training that he himself went through, `Soon Saotome.' a
smile
cracked the marble like features of his face, `.Soon I'll have your head on
a
platter for making my beloved Shampoo cry.'

* * * * * * * * *


 The pair reached Uuchan's Okinomiyaki-Ya. Ranma turned and
thumbed the sign, "This is it!" he called out as he went inside.
Shrugging his shoulders, Hawk walked inside, then the wonderful
smells attacked his nose. `Smells like a good choice to me.' he trailed off
as
he spotted Ranma at one of the stools at the counter, who also spotted him
and
waved him over.
 Uukyo saw Ranma take a seat and someone else sit next to him, they
are laughing about something. Having completed and dished out the last of
the
orders for awhile, she trotted over to them, "Hey Ran-Chan, what can I get
for
you and your friend here?" she said as she gestured to Hawk.
Hawk looked up to the menus on the walls, looking inquisitive with
his hand to his chin, "Hmmm.I'll try the Pork Deluxe for right now."
She nodded and quickly jotted it down on a notepad, "Ran-Chan?"
she inquired, he was gazing at something.
Ranma started when Uukyo called him, "Uhhhh.I'll have the same."
He said just a little to quickly, she nodded and went to fill there orders
in.
Ranma turned to Hawk and asked, "JUST where DID you get those rings?"
 `I knew this was coming, so what am I worried about.?' Hawk
coughed, "Well.a friend made those for me."
Trying to keep it on subject, "A friend that I met on a few accidental
side trips on the way here.to this dimension."
Ranma raised an eyebrow to that, "Oh.there's another universe like
this one then?" he said, remembering the infinite universe theory that Mai
briefly explained to him.
Hawk shrugged, "Yep.confusing as hell.and the good thing is that
there's only two of those made in the entire mega-verse!" laughing out loud,
perhaps a little to loud.
Uukyo caught the tail-end of the conversation and inquired, "What
two are the only ones made in the.mega-verse? Mega-Verse? What is that?"
she asked to Hawk as she gave the two their orders.
Shrugging again, wondering if he is ever going to keep this ring a
secret while digging in his pocket, he pulled out the ring-case, "Well."
opening the case and handing it to her, "THAT is one of them." he started
when she squealed as she saw the ring.
She looked at Hawk with wide eyes, "It's GEORGEOUS!! Where did
you find this?" she asked him.
"A friend made that for me.not cheaply, mind you." Hawk stated,
pointing his index finger into the air.
 Uukyo closed the case and handed it back to Hawk, "So.who the
lucky girl, hmmm?" said with a beaming smile.
Pointing his finger in the air again, but with a twist, "THAT, my
dear.Is my little secret, but will be revealed at the proper time. Also.
*PLEASE*, please keep the knowledge about this ring to yourself." He
dodged any further inquiries by digging into his okonamiyaki with gusto.
The exasperated Uukyo shrugged, "Suit yourself, suger." She said as
she turned to fill out more orders to the other customers.

* * * * * * * * *

 Meanwhile, Ranko, out on a search for her brother, having need to get
away from the Tendo's for awhile.
 Namely from the middle Tendo daughter, who tried to get her into an
outfit she REALLY didn't care about wearing right now.
She walked into Uuchan's.
Ranko saw him at the counter, sitting next to someone that she
thought she recognized.
She sighed sadly and walked up behind Ranma, putting her hand on
his shoulder, "Hey Ranma!" she called out to him.
He turned around with a start and with a piece of okinomiyaki
hanging out of his mouth. She giggled when he stuck the rest of it into his
mouth and swallowed it, "Hey, Ranko-Chan! What's up?" he asked.
She closed her eyes and bapped him upside the head, "Baka! We are
supposed to go to Mom's house and say `Hello'!! Remember??" he groaned as
he hit his head on the counter, "Damn.how could I forget?!?!" he yelled to
no-one in the ceiling above him.
 Finishing his lunch, Hawk turned around to see Ranma get slapped
upside his head. Leaning on the counter with his elbows, fingering his helm
up, "I think it is a great idea, Ranko-chan!" he called out to her with a
smirk on
his face.
Ranko looked up to who called her, eyes widening for since she
recognized the voice. `It's him!!' she thought as she jumped into his lap,
hugging him tightly, "You're back!" she cried out to him, face buried in his
chest.
He curled his arms lovingly around her, "Yep, I'm back, and I'm here
to stay.at least for a few years anyway." He finished off saying, not
bothering to cover his excitement of that fact.
 Not able to keep her joyous tears from flowing, she kissed him, rather
hard-like, producing howls from the crowd in the shop. After a few minutes,
she reluctantly let him go.
Hawk wiped the tears from under her eyes, "There, there. This time I
don't have any previous engagements to take me away from you, in fact, I am
actually thinking about retiring." He finished with his hands on her upper-
arms, going down to her hands, "Now I'll pay the bill here and then we can
go
and say `Hi' to your Mom, OK?" she nodded affirmative.
He dished out a couple 1000 yen bills from his pocket and gave them
to a very stunned Uukyo, "Keep the change, Uukyo." He stated as he got up
and walked out of the shop, hand in hand with Ranko and with Ranma trailing
not too far behind.
 Still with the bills in her hand, `Wow.I wonder what their story
is.' she thought as she rang the register to put the money away.

* * * * * * * * *

 During their walk to the train-station, Ranko eventually looked up to
Hawk and asked, "So how did you get here so quickly anyway?"
Looking thoughtful for a moment, Hawk looked down to Ranko, "A
friend help me rebuild my Dimensional Jump drive on my ship so that there is
controllable time dilation between dimensions." he trailed off to the look
of
blankness on the twin's faces, ".What I mean is that, I can arrive in a
universe at almost the same time that I left.Exactly how he did that, I have
no idea." shrugging his shoulders, ".even Max and Ritsuko haven't quite
figured it out yet, but is trying to while we are talking!" he finished with
a
laugh.
He felt Ranko-chan squeeze a little tighter, he looked down toward
her again, "We're here." She stated flatly, pointing to the sign in front of
them.
"Kewl!", the guys chorused, she rolled her eyes and dragged Hawk
into the station.

They got into line for the tickets they need.
Hawk noticed Ranma digging into his pockets for money. Raising his
hand, "No need to, Ranma. My treat." Hawk completed with no small amount
of flourish as he went into his own pocket to bring out a rather sizable wad
of
10,000 yen bills.
Ranma whistled at the sight, "Remind me to ask you for cash instead
of Nabiki!"
Chuckling at the thought, Hawk paid for three tickets to the other side
of Tokyo, "At least I won't charge an arm and a leg in interest!" he said as
he
clapped Ranma shoulder, who also laughed at the thought.
The train arrived a few minutes later, the ride was totally uneventful
during it.

They got off the train, Hawk with Ranko on his shoulders, "You take
it from here, Ranma. I have NO idea where the hell to go from here." Hawk
said with a gesture to the expanse of roads in front of them.
Ranma chuckled as he started off, "Thank GOD I don't have the
sense of direction like someone else we know!" Ranko and Hawk howled in
laughter when they quickly figured out who he was talking about, "Disaway!"
Ranma said as he ran off pointing in front of him.

* * * * * * * * *

 Nadoka Soatome sighed as she flipped through the family photo
album, `I wonder where they are right now.' she thought to herself, sighing
again as she closed the album, `Most likely off on another training trip
again.
It has been too long Genma dear, bring my son home to me!'
A tear ran down her cheek, `Maybe this time I will see them at the
Tendos.' she thought as she gathered her things for yet another trip to the
Tendo home, hoping to meet her husband and son, complete with the family
katana.

* * * * * * * * *

 The troop slowed to a stop in front of a rather plain looking house,
but one can feel the history and the honor of the one that still resides
here.
Well kept during the long absence of the only two males that once
lived here. Hawk gazed at the house in wonder, "Well.I think I should go up
to the door and knock first." pointing to both Ranko, whom he just set down,
and Ranma, ".and you, Ranko, should come with me. " she nodded,
".and you Ranma will surprise her when the intial introductions are done."
Ranma also nodded. Hawk crossed his arms, "That's the plan, well." he held
out his hand to Ranko, who promptly grasped it, "Let's get to it!"

* * * * * * * * *

 Nodka was just finishing her preperations and heading to the door
when she heard someone knocking on it, `Now, who could that be?' she
wondered.
Opening the door a moment later, "Welcome." she started when a
blur of red hugged her tightly, almost making her lose her balance. Quickly
recovering from her shock, she shifted her gaze down to Ranko's clear blue
eyes, which is starting to water now.
First to speak, "Ookasan!! [Mother]" Ranko cried out. Nadoka
blinked and looked up again.
Noticing that she is now looking at him, Hawk bowed formally,
"Mrs. Nadoka Soatome, I presume?" he said coming up from his bow.
 Nadoka blinked again in surprise, "Yes?" she said unsuringly, "May I
help you?"
Hawk took this cue, talking in his most gameshow host like type of
voice, "Yes you can, and may I introduce to you your long lost DAUGHTER,"
he emphisized, gesturing to the red-head clutching to her, "Ranko Saotome!"
Ranko let go of Nadoka when she fell to her knees, hand to her
mouth, "But.I didn't have a daughter, even though I really wanted to have
another child." she trailed off when a rather large man tromped up to the
door, wearing a chinese style red shirt with no sleeves and loose black
pants
and he tapped Hawk on the shoulder.
Taking his last cue, "Also your SON," gesturing to the man off of his
side, "Ranma Saotome!!" Hawk said with a lot of flair.
 Nodoka's eye's widened at the size of him, and his musculature, then
they started tearing up. She quickly got up, as Hawk moved off to the side,
she
almost ran to Ranma and hugged him ever so tightly, Ranma responded in
kind.
Hawk felt an arm curl around his, he looked down to see Ranko
watching this scene with tears of her own, he removed his arm from her grip
and wrapped it around her shoulders. She wrapped her own arm around his
waist and snuggled warmly to him.
 Nadoka reluctantly let go of Ranma, as if not wanting to lose him
again. "You won't lose me again, Ookasan.Not if I have something to say
about it." Ranma said softly in her ear, wiping the tears off her face.
She started, "How.?" was all that she managed to get out, not
trusting what she might say.
"This may take some time to explain." Hawk chimed in, then
gesturing with his hand toward the inside.
Nadoka nodded in affirmative, now having full control over her voice
again, "Yes, let's talk. We have A LOT of catching up to do!" she beamed as
she closed the door, then darting off into the house.
The threesome looked at each other, shrugged and followed.
 They arrived at the dinner table, all quietly sat down Ranma on one
side while Hawk and Ranko took the other, but Nadoka is not yet there.
 A moment later, she arrived with a tray, filled with light snacks and
the customary tea set, she set it down in the middle of the table and gave
everyone, including herself a tea-cup and filled them one by one. Nadoka sat
down at the end of the table.
She looked over to Ranma, `My.how much you have grown in the
past ten years.'
Hawk shrugged inwardly and is the first to speak, he coughed to get
attention, "Well.first off. Ranma, why don't you explain life on the road
with
your dad early on?"
Ranma looked thankfully to Hawk for breaking the silent tension
around the table. "Ok." he started off in explaining how many times that
Genma has sold him off for food, in getting the mother-load of iinazuke's,
the
Neko-ken training,  which dripped with rancor when he explained those
particular traumatizing sessions.
Which he and Ranko finally mastered that incredible fear to their
advantage, of his current iinazuke troubles and how that he couldn't choose
one for fear of hurting them, lastly the sisters that challenged his past
girl side
and Akane.
 "That was when I was given the choice that changed my life and
outlook forever.." he finished lastly, a few hours later, and took a few
deep
breathes for getting that pressure off of his chest.
Nadoka first looked flabbergasted at the harsh life he lived, then
curious, "What was that choice, dear?" she inquired.
Ranma took in another deep breath, "Just to let you know right now,
Mom.that was the first choice that I was EVER given any say in
whatsoever.that choice was to travel with Mai Nakajiima to another world to
train in the long lost art of `The Four Dragons Elementals' style. At the
time, I
have only heard of the LEGENDS and MYTH pertaining to that art, so of
course I have agreed and eventually became a master of the Earth Element."
He finished with a bright smile.
 Nadoka put her hand to her mouth in awe that her son has
acclomplished to what many would consider impossible, especially at his age,
but something was nagging at her being that he didn't tell everything, "But
for
how long did you train in that style, Ranma dear?"
Ranma's smile fell , gulped heavily, "Almost one hundred years, both
me, Ranko and." he started when he heard a tea-cup clatter onto the table.
He
looked up to seeing his mother backing away from them, absolute fear in her
eyes.
Both Ranko and Hawk stopped her, trying to pull her back to the
table. "I believe I can better explain the reasons why he, correction, WE
have
lived for so long." Hawk said, while trying to reassure the Saotome family
matriarch, whom nodded numbly.
He took in a breath and started, "First." He explained in detail, but
in laymen's terms the Aristan Conversion process, that GREATLY increases
the lifespan of the recipient, also enhancing the mental and phyical
capabilities
of that recipient, with a few added bonuses along the way.
 Hawk also explained the world that they trained on, the people they
have met, the places and things that they have seen on that decimated
planet.
He choked when he gotten to the point where the troop have met,
stopping there for the memory was horrid. He felt a soft, firm hand clasp
his,
looking up to Ranko, who nodded for him to continue.
Hawk was about to open his mouth, "What is it dear?" It was Nadoka,
trying also to reassure him with her own hand on white-knuckle-clentched
fist,
"Is it something that is.unpleasant?"
 He nodded, "Yes. Yes it is, quite even.I wish that we could have
met under better circumstances, But I'm babbling a bit here." he half-
heartedly chuckled and looked up, "When I was walking through a stretch of
forest, I heard the most chilling scream you could ever hear..It was
Ranko's.I ran there as quickly as I could, rifle in hand and saw her..her
clothes were being ripped off, a bunch of Juicers holding her down."
Hawk choked again at the memory, tears coming out of his closed
eyes and his hand covering them. He felt someone snugly hugging him,
opening his eyes, he saw Ranko's loving blue eyes.
She kissed him on the forehead, "It's ok now.go on.." Ranko said
softly in his ear. Nodding again, he straightened himself out.
 Wiping his eyes, he sniffed, "Sorry about that." he chuckled again,
"Like I was saying.a bunch of Juicers held her down, one was taking his
pants off to. to rape her.another, a BIG titan Juicer held Ranma face down
into the ground.I was so enraged at the sight, I cannot even begin to tell
how
I felt at the time.I cranked my rifle to beyond full power, took aim at the
one
that was taking his pants off.and blew him apart, and some of the others as
well.I also took a pot-shot at the titan, only managing to take his arm
off.but that was more than enough for Ranma when the guy fell onto his
back.I threw my rifle to the ground and helped Ranma here beat the living
tar out of the remaining stragglers." He took a relieved breath of air,
wiped his
eyes again, he laughed half-heartedly for a few minutes.
 He looked up to Nadoka, whom is also wiping her eyes, "And the rest
is History!!", he laughed again, this time with a lot more happiness when he
waved his hand through the air while holding Ranko close.
Nadoka and the others joined in his laughter, lasted for many a
minute.
Now calming herself down, she looked to Ranko curiously, "But that
still doesn't explain how Ranko here is my daughter."
Both Ranma and Ranko put their heads into their hands, Ranma is the
first to speak, "Ummm.Are you familiar with the legends of Jusenkyo?"
At Nadoka's nod, Ranma continued, "Well.that was the last stop
before we headed here to Japan.the Legandary CURSED Springs in
Mainland China, it was there that I originally picked up the curse of
Nyannuchuan.Spring of Drowned.girl."
Nadoka gasped at this, "It was because of the curse that Genma
decided to cowardly hide Ranma here behind a curtain of subterfuge and lies,
also scaring him to half to death about the nill possibilty of Seppuku,
ordered
from you." Hawk finished, gesturing to Nadoka, who nodded at the insight
about the seppuku and signed him to continue, "About where Ranko came
from is quite a mystery.from what I was told, these two," jutting his head
to
both Ranma and Ranko, ".seperated from the same body when Ranma it was
the massive energy flow coming out of Mai's prototype Rift Jump Drive, it
was that massive flow of energy that forced the two bodies to separate.it
would seem that same energy might have overloaded the curse at the time."
he trailed off, scratching his head, not really knowing what else to say and
holding his arms up.
 "When we did separate, rather painfully at the time.I.I had a hard
time adjusting.afterwards." chimed in Ranko, who was looking sheepishly
around the table. Everyone laughed at the look on her face, she slapped Hawk
on the shoulder, "Hey! I don't find that funny!!" she pouted.
Hawk wrapped his  right arm across her back, "That wasn't that,
Ranko-chan." Ranko looked up, "It was the look on your face after you said
that." He said as he `beeped' her nose.
 Before things can degenerate any furthur, "Ranko-chan?" asked
Nadoka, "I haven't seen you with your hair down since you got here." she
continued when the red-head looked up, changing the subject and with
Ranko's 4� foot braid in her hand.
Ranko started, wondering where this came from, then nodded.
She stood up, took a few steps backwards,the end of her braid in
hand. She took the tie off, unraveling some of the hair. Letting it go, she
flipped her head forward to loosen it all.
 Hawk was watching this with interest, with his elbow on the table and
his head resting on his fist.
When Ranko came back up and fluffed the hair out a little.
To say `Sudden Change' is putting it mildly, Hawk's elbow slipped,
hitting his head on the table, Ranma's jaw his the table as well and his
eyes
bulged out quite a bit.
Ranko's flaming red hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her
delicate face incredibly, and it *flowed* down past back of her knees.
 Nadoka gasped at the sudden change from Ranko, her hand to her
mouth, "Absolutely STUNNING , dear!" she cried grasping her hands to
Ranko's shoulders.
"HERE, HERE! I do so agree!!" Hawk laughed when he came to his
senses, rubbing the part of his head that he smacked the table with.
Placing her finger to her chin, Nadoka looked Ranko over
inquisitively, "Definitely got to do something about those clothes though."
she started when Ranko quickly hugged her.
"REALLY?!?!?" Ranko cried as she hugged her mother tightly.
Nadoka laughed lightly, "We are definitely going to have to go
shopping soon."
Hawk perked up and stood beside them, "I'll buy.or at least pay.."
he said sheepishly, with his hand behind his head.
 Nadoka turned to him, "Your generosity is admirable." she looked
at him and put her finger to her lips, "I'm Sorry.I never did get your
name."
He perked up instantly, "KnightHawke.David KnightHawke, that's
with a `K'! You can call me Hawk if you want to." he said as he extended
his hand, Nadoka grasped it and Hawk kissed the top of it.
Nadoka gasped, "M'Lady is kind as she is beautiful.and I have need
to speak to you. ", looking at both Ranma and Ranko, who rolled their eyes
at his previous statement, ".in private." Hawk finished.
The Saotome family patriarch nodded, then walked out into the yard
gardens. Hawk turned to his friends, "I need you guys to stay here for a
bit,"
clicking his fingers, "OH yeah! And turn off your hearing amplification
okay.this is something that I really do need to talk to her about
privately."
Ranko was about to say something, but stopped short when she met
his pleading eyes, then waved him off. Hawk quickly turned and followed
Nadoka out into the back yard.
Ranko looked to Ranma, "What is that all about?" she asked him,
who just shrugged unknowingly, even though he does have a GOOD idea as to
what Hawk is going to ask her.
 Nadoka reached the furthest most garden, stopped and turned around,
"What is it that is so important that you have to ask me in private, Hawk?"
she
asked.
Hawk gestured for one moment and spun her around so that her back
is to the porch, checking to make sure that he wasn't being watched, he dug
into his pocket and pulled out the ring-case, "This is the reason.", he
paused
before opening it, gesturing to Nadoka for her to keep quiet, then open the
case
and shown her the contents.
She would have squealed herself, if not for the knowledge that Hawk
wants her to keep quiet, "This is for Ranko." he stated with a wide smile.
Nadoka came closer to him, eyes VERY wide, "That ring is
incredibly superb..and I believe I know the question that you are asking."
she paused for a moment, stepping back and deep in thought, also looking him
one over, "Yes.I approve." she started when she saw the barely restrained
glee in Hawk erupt from him, "But who else knows about this?" pointing to
the ringcase, which is now closed.
 Hawk stuffed the case back into his pocket, "Just myself and
Ranma.who also has another ring just like this.for that special girl that he
may someday find." he trailed off as he started laughing softly, ".and
before you ask.No, I do not know who he is going to eventually marry, nor is
it my business to say who he does and I gave him that ring since he is one
of
my best friends and also is my Sensei." he completed with his finger in the
air.
Nadoka nodded, "When are you going to present this to her, hmmm?"
she said with her apparent maturity dropping off like a rock.
A little stunned, "Well.I will when the time is right.and for the
most dramatic effect.", he looked off to the sky, "I was thinking of
throwing
together somekind of lavish party somewhere here in Tokyo.with a fairly
large crowd of friends and family or maybe at a nice, quiet, EXPENSIVE
resteraunt, then I will propose." He said, shifting his gaze back to her.
 She nodded again, very approvingly, "But I just don't want to many
people to find out how much I am worth until then.Hell, not even Ranko and
Ranma know for sure, and I CERTAINLY don't want Genma to find out."
Her curiousity piqued, Nadoka prodded him on, "Why wouldn't you
want HIM to find out?" she asked warily.
"Mostly because he'll be trying to take me for all that I am and run
.not like he hasn't done something like it before, he can be one of the
worst
thieves that I have heard of most of the time and he does it without any
thought to whom it may hurt.even his own son, quite possibly his own
daughter as well.", Hawk shook his head disgustedly and sighed.
 He looked up to see Nadoka almost shake in pure anger, one fist
cletched white-knuckled tight in front of her chest, eyes clamped shut, her
head shaking to either side in denial.
She felt a strong hand clasp her shoulder, she open her eyes to meet
with Hawk's concerned ones, "He will get his also when the time is right,
let's
just scare him a bit before you anything.rather rash.", his eyes glittered
of
mischief, "And just so that you know.he also drowned in one of the springs,"
he paused at her startled expression, "He transforms into a BIG panda.whom
I believe you are familiar with?"
She smiled a feral smile as she nodded, "Very well.." she said as she
turned back to the house, `She sure knows how to pick them.'she thought to
herself, watching Hawk's form retreat back into the house.
 Hawk walked into the house, very quietly, Ranko's back to him. He
noticed that Ranma saw him creep in, motioned to keep silent. He moved his
own head close to the side and back of Ranko's and waited.
Eventually, she turned a bit, did a slight double-take, jumped to the
side with a sharp gasp, eyes VERY wide. Hawk just stood there with a stupid
smile on his face.
Ranko bapped him on the shoulder as he sat, "DON"T DO THAT!!"
she exclaimed, as she tried to get her rabbit-paced heart back under
control.
Chuckling audibly, "Gomen.Couldn't resist such an open
oportunity." Hawk sat down behind behind her and gather her up into his
arms,
she didn't resist.
 He looked up quickly, "OH! Before I forget.", Ranko and Ranma
chorused `Again!', "HEY!! I object to that slander! ANYway.", pausing for
a moment, watching Nadoka also sit down, "You guys remember that one
vacant lot that you guys always got challenged on?"
The twins nodded, not knowing where this is going, "Well.I just
bought it!" he was postively beaming now, "And I am going to build a house
there.in fact contruction should be commensing in about a week from now!
Should be a fairly large house, but still on the sensible side."
 Ranma's jaw dropped.
 Nadoka looked stunned beyond words.
 Ranko.well.she just squealed loudly and hugged him very tightly.
A little too tightly.
 Nadoka regained her composure first, "Ranko,dear?", the red-head
turned, still not letting go of Hawk.
"HAI!! OkaaSan??" Ranko squeaked, turning to her mother. Nadoka
didn't say anything, just pointed to Hawk's unconsious and VERY purple face.
Ranko quickly let go, hands to her lips and eyes wide in shock. As
soon as she let go, Hawk hit the floor, took in a long, pained breath, color
now
coming back to his face.
His eyes opened slowly, then he coughed fitfully as he tried to breath
in again. He rubbed his head, nursing a headache and he sat up,
"Itetetetetetetetetete [owowowowowowow], I DEFINITELY gotta be more
careful with big news around you, Ranko-chan." He chuckled a bit and then
saw her pained expression, "No need to worry.you have seen me take
MUCH worse.I'll survive."
He couldn't say anymore as Ranko hugged him again, much more
carefully this time and kissed him, "Gomen." she said as she backed off a
little bit, reluctantly letting him go.

 They chatted a bit more, mostly about life and other such things. It
was dark,and they had to leave. Ranko and Hawk were the first out of the
door, hand in hand as usual, with Ranma going solo as usual.
They were a bit delayed when both Ranko and Ranma extended their
goodbyes with their Mother, Nadoka Saotome.
 A bit more down the street, Hawk broke the happy silence, "I'd say
that went pretty well! Don't you think so?" he said, looking at both of the
twins.
Ranko gripped his hand a little tighter and snuggled up to him a bit
more, "Hai." was all that she trusted herself to say, reliving the memories
of
the encounter in her mind.
Ranma looked to Ranko and chuckled a bit, his hands behind his head
while he walked, "Yeah.it was great meeting Mom after so damned
long.mostly without Pop trying to ruin it." he trailed off into thought for
a
moment then clicked his fingers, "OH,Yeah! What was it that you needed to
talk to Mom about so for?"
 Hawk GLARED at him, "It was mostly about your Dad.she was
none to happy to find out what he truly is.dishonorable."
Ranma got what the glare ment, then howled at what he said, "Gee.I
wonder she's goin' to do to the old fart anyway??"
 Grinning,"Well.." he stopped when he heard a ancient cackle ring
through the crisp night air.
All three turned to the sound and saw a little old man bouncing house
to house, carrying a satchle behind him that is many times his own size.
Both Ranma and Ranko groaned, "Happosai." Hawk looked
confused for a moment, then it dawned on him.

 It dawned on Hawk just a little too late.
Happosai quickly bounded over to the troop, dropping the sack in the
street, he quickly glopped onto Ranko's amble bosom.
He looked at her as he snuggled and beamed, failing  to notice the
tears of fear coming to her eyes, "You came back!! For me??"
Another thing he failed to notice was the flaming red aura directly
next to him that ignited exactly when he latched onto her.
 Happosai looked over to the young man with the Rabbit-Ears Hat,
"Let an old man." he never could finish when the aura flared to an
impossible magnitude, that wasn't what silenced him.
It was the man's eyes.
They are no longer there.
They were replaced by a pair of pure flaming red globes.
His long, brown hair also flamed upwards while Happy held on and
snuggled fearfully into her.
 The eyes bore into Happy, "LET. HER. GO. *NOW*!!!" his words
echoed throughout and felt of pure heat, fire and almost unreasoning RAGE.
Happy slowly complied, still reluctant to let go of Ranko ample
breasts.
 Ranma looked to his friend's drastic change, to the slowly moving
Happosai and  backed away, slowly, `What in the hell came over him?'.
 But not quickly enough. Hawk snatched Happy's head with speed
that the aging master couldn't possibly match and brought him nose to nose.
Happy's face glowed from light of Hawk's eyes.
He stopped struggling in Hawk's almost skull crushing grip and just
stared into those eyes, unable to draw away from them.
 When Hawk open his mouth, a tongue of flame lashed at Happy face,
scorching the one side, "YOU EVEN LAY A FINGER ON HER
AGAIN.YOU DIE!!" he drew him away from his face and tossed him into
the air, straight up.
Happy continued on his trip WAY up for a few moments.
 Hawk cupped his hands together to form a ball of raging Ki and grew
to an almost frightning level until Happosai's decent.
When Happy was about in the angle of fire, Hawk snapped his arms
up and let the blast fly, "MEGA-BUSTA PERFECT SHISHIHOUKODAN!!"
he bellowed, the cry echoing througout.

 The resulting firey blast, as it went up, lit the city for many miles
around ,destoying the walls on either side and incinerated the ground to
melted
slag, and Happosai was caught in the very middle and was launched in High
Earth Orbit.
On the acent the clouds cleaved apart, giving a wide bearth to the
rage incarnate.

 Many city blocks away. Ryouga, looking up from his upside down
map of Berlin, turned to the echoing battle-cry.
He watched the blast reach upwards to the sky. Remembering the
words and the color of the blast itself, "Kami-sama." was all that he
managed to mutter as the map fluttered to the ground.

 Now all the enraged energy released, Hawk's eyes went back to their
normal hazel-green, the flaming aura stopped altogether and collapse into a
smoking heap on the ground with a long, pained groan.
Ranko, the first to snap out out of seeing the awesome display of
power. Ran over to him, "Hawk-chan!!", she flipped him over to his back, she
breath a sigh of relief as she saw his chest rise and fall.
She spun over to Ranma, "We need to get him to a Doctor!!" she
cried out to him, forgetting the knawing fear she had earlier.
Ranma nodded as he ran over to them.

* * * * * * * * *

 Hawk awoke in a strange bed.the air smelled almost.sterile, but
strangely sweet at the same time.
His eyes fluttered open to see a very organized room about him.
He heard a moan come from somewhere.
Looking around a bit, Hawk found Ranko sleep almost at the foot of
the bed, head buried in her arms.
Looking around a bit more, he found Ranma stretched out on a
nearby couch, arms and legs splayed all over it, lightly snoring.
Going back to Ranko, she looked like she's been crying a bit, judging
by the tear streaks on her face and her slightly puffy eyes, but looking
like she
is having a rather good dream by the smile on her face.
A _VERY_ good dream indeed, judging by her unconsious twitching.
Not wanting to disturb her, Hawk slowly leaned back into the pillows,
losing himself in his thoughts.
 He wasn't lost for long. The doctor came into the room.
A rather strange looking man, bare footed, dressed in what looks like
some sort of Gi with circular glasses on his face.
The doctor looked him down a little bit, "AH! Good.your awake!
You really tapped out your Ki reserves there.been unconsious for almost 24
hours." he trailed off as he looked at Hawk curiously, "I wonder what on
earth could tap out your rather large reserves so much to make sleep for so
long.."
 Hawk started, then looked down at the peaceful Ranko, "Happosai."
He said disgustedly.
The Doctor merely nodded and chuckled, "That would do it alright."
Then he looked over to the sleeping twins, walked to each, gently
nudging them to the land of the living.
 Ranko, the first one at least partly awake, shook her head to get the
cobwebs out, "What time is it?" she slowly looked over to Hawk, thinking
that
he was still unconsious.
She started, eyes watering quickly latched onto Hawk in a fierce hug,
"You're finally awake!!" she cried, then as fiercely, kissed him.
When she disengaged from him, she reared back a bit and ferociously
slugged him across the face, "DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!! You
nearly scared me to death!!" she screamed into his surprised face, tears now
running freely down her face.
 Jarred from his sleep by Ranko's yelling, he stretched a little then sat
up straight on the couch, "I told ya he would be fine! He was just too far
tapped." Ranma said as he walked to the bed.
Hawk rubbed the back of his neck, wincing a bit from the pulsing red
knuckle-print on his face, he looked to Ranko and sighed, "I suppose I
deserve
that.but I hardly ever get that enraged, only when something happens to
someone that is VERY important to me, and I think that you are." he never
got to finish, Ranko's lips to his stopped that and flopped him to the
matress.
When she got off him, she collapsed in a fit of giggles.
 Hawk binked, blinked again, then it came to him, "Don't tell me.the
look on my face right?" he said looking over the edge of the bed, where she
has partly collapsed, when she paused for a moment, looking at him again,
nodded quickly.
She then howled in laughter, falling completely to the floor.
He was about to retort when someone slapped him on the back.
 Hawk looked back over to his shoulder.
A fairly dark skinned man, with long straight black hair, thick
moustache and is wearing a tattered brown Gi.
He appeared to be fairly estatic.
Looking a little more behind the man, he spotted a group of three
girls.
 Hawk was about to ask what is going on, but didn't get a chance to
when moustached man spoke up and quickly grabbed his hands in front of
him, "You did a good thing my boy!!" he choked back a sob, "You rid us of
the terrible master!", now unable to contain himself, he bawled a waterfall.
 Putting his hand behind his head, "Uhhh.it was nothing?" Hawk
drawled out, completely missing everything, shrugging his shoulders.
 One of the girls stepped foreward, one with short, black hair.
She loooked at the man crying on the floor and shook her head
disgustedly, "Don't mind him.he always like that." She then smiled, "SO,
what martial arts style did you train in that beat Happosai?" she asked,
quite
intrigued at meeting someone that beat Happosai so handedly.
Hawk just shrugged, "The Four Dragon Elementals style." He stated
matter of factly, not really thinking anything of it.
The crying man instantly stopped crying,"NANI?!" yelling into
Hawk's face.
He balked at the man's face, "What did I say?", now regaining his
composure a bit, "AND you are?"
 The man straightened himself out, "Soun..Soun Tendo and these are
my Daughters..", gesturing to the girls behind him, "My eldest, Kasumi."
The girl, dressed in a simple dress with an apron over it with fairly
long brown hair, turned to Hawk and bowed lightly, "My middle daughter,
Nabiki."
Another turned and waved, wearing short shorts and t-shirt, "And you
already met my youngest, Akane."
 Hawk narrowed his eyes to Soun, "SOoooo..You're the one who
was trying to ruin the lives of one of your daughters just to join a pair of
dojos,
correct?"
Soun balked when he looked into Hawk's eyes, "Ummm." losing
control of his vocal cords under Hawk's dark, scrutinizing gaze, "AND almost
losing one of your daughters to such actions as well.you probably would
have if you and the lard-ass Genma kept pushing them together to marriage
just when they are just trying to get to know each other."
Hawk now swung his legs over the bed, casting a postively Arctic
look over Soun, "Also while they were too damn young to even think about
such things."
Shaking his head disgustedly, "WHAT IN THE HELL WHERE
YOU THINKING??!!"
Soun, now bawling his eyes out again from the serious guilt trip
Hawk laid onto him with Kasumi trying to comfort him.
Nabiki looked Hawk one over, "Touche!" she lightly applauded,
liking what she see is seeing and hearing.
Akane, now recovered from her shock, "How.How did you
know??" she asked Hawk. Disarmed a bit, "Well." looking to Ranma and
Ranko, "Ranma told me just about everything while I was training with
them." he trailed off, not knowing what to say when a dark expression
crosses her face, "A lot of what they told was fairly good, in fact.Except
for
the infamous temper." he chuckled a bit.
Akane was perplexed, `Ranma.telling good things about me??' She
looked over to the man in question with wide eyes and all that Ranma did is
look a little sheepish and wave a little.
Hawk snapped his fingers, "OH YEAH!!" Turning back to Ranko,
"We were supposed to go out shopping with your Mom today.or was it
yesterday?" he finished off with a lot less enthusiasm, looking around for a
clock or something.
Ranko's face dropped in shock, hands upto her face, "OH NO!! I
completely forgot about that!!!", tears now threatening to make themselves
known in her eyes.
Nabiki's eyebrow went up, `More than meets the eyes it seems.let
me see if I can dig anything up on him." she thought as she jotted a few
notes into her ledger.
Hawk swung his gaze back to Ranko, "Welp.I guess that sinches it,
we are going out!" he got off the bed.
Then he slapped his chest, looking down at, seeing that it is bare and
also noticed that his customary helm is missing, "Umm.were's my shirt??
AND my hat??"
The almost musical giggle behind him said all, "Ranko-
chan.where's my shirt?" he drawled out, leading to her unleashing a flurry
of
more giggles.
Ranko walked over to a nearby table and tossed him his shirt and
helm, still giggling.
"Arigatou." Hawk said as he put the shirt and helm on.
Akane stood off to the side, confused about Ranko, `Why is she
acting like that? I thought she'd act more like Ranma than anything else.',
looking over to Hawk, then to Ranko, "Can I come with you guys?"
They looked at each other and shrugged and choused, "Sure."
Hawk shrugged again, "Kewl." then looking over to Ranko, "Ready
to go Ranko-chan?"
She nodded, "OK! We go then!" he beamed as he walked out the
door, then stopped with his hand out.
Ranko strode up to him and took his hand.
She turned back, "Are you coming, Akane?" she called out, snapping
Akane out of her thoughts. "Hai!" Akane called back as she ran up to them,
then noticing that they are holding hands.
`Huh? What in the world.?' she thought, also wondering what could
bring them together as she walked with them to the business distict.
Hawk looked back through the door, "RANMA! You best stay here
and get reaquaintended with the others here! And be sure to them about us!!"
Then darted back out into the street.
 Taking notice of Akane's thoughtful look, "What's up, Akane?"
asked Ranko.
"OH! Nothing." Akane hestated a little, "Well.I was wondering
what brought you two together." she trailed off when Hawk's face spun in
her direction, but Ranko continued.
"Well.It sorta started when he rescued me from a bunch of guys
that." she stopped as the memories flooded back, a dark, very pained
expression marred her face, a tears rolled down her cheek as she remembered
the men ripping her clothes off.
 Akane gasped, "You don't mean.?!?!?" eyes wide at the possible
implication, Ranko nodded sadly, "My GOD!" she took in a sharp breath, "I'm
sorry, Ranko. I didn't mean." she stopped when Ranko waved it off.
"It's alright, Akane.its in the past, don't think anything of it, `k?"
Akane nodded, deciding to change the subjest to something MUCH less
sensitive.
"So what are you planning to get?" Akane beamed.
 Ranko looked thoughtful for a second, "Dunno.since it is summer
time already, I was thinking of getting something for this season." leaning
over to Akane closely, "Maybe something to knock him for a loop, ya'know?"
pointing over to her significant other.
Both girls giggled heavily at the confused look that Hawk gave them.

* * * * * * * * *

 In High Earth Orbit, Happosai pondered his vengence on the one that
blasted him up here in the first place, `How DARE they do this to their
Master!!'
Knowing full well that he cannot take him on himself, he pondered
somemore on what 'hellish' things he could call upon.
 Not to mention, when he was going to come down.

* * * * * * * * *

 The threesome reached the Mall, then walked to the nearest clothing
store.
Hawk nudged Ranko, "Go ahead and pick out some stuff.maybe I
would get something myself."
He kissed her full on the lips then fished into his pocket and gave her
a small wad of large bills, by stuffing them into the front of her partly
open
shirt, carefully not touching anything, "I'll meet you right back here." He
finished, walking into the nearest men's clothing store.
 Ranko, took the bills out of the front of her shirt, put them into her
pocket and turned back to Akane, who had a stunned look about her face,
confused, "What?" waving her hand in front of her face, "HELLO!!" she
called out, that snapped Akane out of it.
She didn't get a chance to speak, "Hey, Akane! Over here!" some girl
called out from just outside the store.
 Both the girls turned to the sound. "Hey you guys!" replied Akane,
waving to them and running over to her friends, Sayuri and Anemi, standing
over by the fountain.
 Ranko just shrugged her shoulders and walked over to where Akane
took off to.
When she got there, Ranko noticed that they are a bit shorter than
herself by a least a few inches, same with Akane, `Now why didn't I notice
that earlier?' she pondered to herself, but shoving that question off to the
side
for right now when someone called out to her, "I'm sorry! What was it that
you just said? I didn't hear." she said sheepishly, cheeks reddening
slightly.
"Who as that cute guy, who just walked in that store?" inquired
Sayuri, nudging her in the ribs.
Ranko looked back into the store, "That's Hawk-chan..", turning back,
cheeks even redder than they were before, "I've known him for quite some
time now."
 Sayuri and Anemi looked at each other and chorused, "Already
taken!" they cried.
Not liking where this is going, "So.Where do we go first?" asked
Ranko, changing the subject.
Anemi put a finger to her chin, "Don't know.let's just go and see
where our feet take us!" The other three girls nodded in agreement and took
off.
They came to the entrance of a Lingerie shop. Ranko stopped for a
second before the others dragged her in, all giggling at her slight
hestation.

Akane's been strolling the aisles for a while now, looking at various
negligie, lingerie or anything that sounded French.
She stopped to gander at a particular frilly looking bra when some
commotion erupted from the changing rooms and Sayuri popped her head out
of the changing rooms and waved Akane and Anemi over.
"Hey Akane, Anemi! Came take a look!" she called out to them,
while trying, unsuccessfully, to pull someone out of the changing rooms.
"NO! Don't look!!" cried Ranko's voice from the inside of the rooms,
sounding quite embarrassed.
Sayuri tugged harder but Ranko persevered. "Where?!? What?!?"
Anemi cried out as she neared the rooms.
Ranko was eventually pushed out of the rooms and the other girls two
jaws dropped open.
Ranko was topless save for the frilly bra that barely covered her
breasts. Ranko tried desperately to get back into the change-room.
The three other girls felt twindges of jealousy at Ranko's generously
endowed attributes and her incredible figure, but managed to push those
feelings out of the way.
"Why didn't you have a bra on underneath, Ranko?" chimed Sayuri,
from behind her.
"I.uhhh.didn't pack any when I came here to Tokyo?" she said,
somewhat truthfully, crossing her arms over her chest and blushing
furiously.
Managing to regain some composure, "That really does looks good
on you, ya'know!" comment Akane.
Still flushed red, "YEA!!" Ranko deadpanned, "Now can I go back in
and get this tight thing off?? It's strangling me!!" she cried to Sayuri,
who did
let her dive back in, "And hand me the next size up, will ya?!?" shouted
Ranko
from inside the booth.
Sayuri sighed after she handed Ranko the next size up, "I think that is
how she snagged that one cute guy we saw." looking over to Anemi, who
nodded in agreement.
"Yeah! She can be absolutely georgeous when she wants to be!"
Sayuri dug out the next sized bra and handed to Ranko inside the
booth.
A moment later they heard, "AHH! Much better!! Think I will have a
few more of this size then!!" Ranko said, a moment later, she came out of
the
booth, holding the bra in its package in front of her, like some sort of
prize.
The other girls blinked, then laughed hystericly.

* * * * * * * * *

With the money lent to her by Hawk, Ranko bought that one bra, a
few others, some normal panties, some not-so normal, and a few `risque'
nightgowns that the rest of the girls laughed about when Ranko commented
that she wanted to knock her boyfriend for a loop, especially the dress and
swimsuit that she has bought, and then the four of them went from store to
store.
Purchases mounted quickly, as if some demon or other has gotten
onto all the girls backs, compelling them to BUY BUY BUY and soon both
Akane and Ranko were carrying an armload of stuff each.

* * * * * * * * *

Walking into the Food Court, Sayuri chimed in, "I still can't believe
that he just gave you that MUCH money!!", indicating the amount of bags that
Ranko is carrying.
Anemi nodded, "Yeah!" then started nudging Ranko on the ribs, "Is
he rich or something, ne???"
Ranko just blushed furiously, not really answering them and just sat
down at the nearest open booth in the court.
A chorus of stomach growling stopped them from ribbing Ranko
about her boyfriend.
For awhile at least.

They all set there purchases down beside the booth, Sayuri and
Anemi went off to get some food.
"Akane, I'm going to go and get me something to eat, ok?" Ranko
said, starting to get up out of the booth.
They both heard, in a thick, and very faked British drawl, "Pardon
me, but wouldn't you have some Grey Poupon?", they both looked up and saw
Hawk standing there in front of the booth, carrying a rather sizable tray of
munchies.
Ranko's face lit up as she saw him, also saw the few bags that he was
carrying on the other arm, `Goddess, she can light up a stadium with that
smile.' he thought to himself and smiled also.
"Hawk-chan! Sit down!" Ranko beamed as she scooted over to let
him in.
He set the tray down first, in front of Ranko, then set the bags down
and slide into the booth, "Hello, Akane." He then slid his arm over Ranko's
shoulder, "So how did your day go, Hon?" he chimed to her, then kissed her.
She laughed a bit, "So far, so good.but it is getting better!" she
finished as she bumped her shoulder playfully ino him.

Akane felt another twindge of jealousy, `At least she's got
somebody.' she thought sadly to herself.
Before she could delve any farther into her depression, Sayuri and
Anemi came back, both with their own trays of something to eat.

Hawk noticed the two girls hovering nearby, "Hello! I take it that you
are Akane's friends?" he asked, getting them out of their daydream, `GAH! I
do hope that it is not about me!' he admonished to himself, 'Scratch that
idea.they are.'
They nodded and sat down. Soon idle chatter overcame them all.
Anemi looked over to Ranko, then to Hawk, both were eating
heartily, "So how long were you two going out?" she asked them.
Hawk looked up to the ceiling, as if trying to count something,
shrugging his shoulders, "I'd say, quite a few years now." he stated,
instictively pulling Ranko closer to him, since they both now finished
eating.
The girls now had stars in there eyes. Hawk gulped when he saw the
looks on their faces, an idea formed in his head, "Hey! I was thinking of
throwing some sorta welcoming party for Ranko here and her brother.dunno
when it is going to be though." Hawk started when Sayuri and Anemi both
said, "HAI!" quite loudly, "Akane? What about you as well?"
Akane just nodded, not saying a thing. "Well.you could bring
whoever you like.but the limit's at three people that I'd invite..hell, tell
your sisters and Dad that they are invited as well." trailing off, looking
to the
ceiling again, deep in thought, "Gotta invite Mrs. Saotome too." he said
quietly to himself.
Then someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked over. It is
Uukyo, "Hello!" she said smiling, wearing a deep blue blouse and a black
mini-skirt and, like the other gals and himself, carrying a small cargo of
new
clothing and other new stuph.
"Hey!! Uukyo!!" scooting inward the booth, "Sit down, take a load
off!" Hawk chimed.
Now since things arre getting a little tight on Hawk and Ranko's side
of the booth, Hawk just put his arms over the top of the seat to make room
for
both of them, "AHH! Tight quarters with two beautiful women at either side!
I'm in heaven!" he beamed.
Both said girls elbowed him in the ribs, "Hey! You're mine!" Ranko
said with A LOT of almost false jealousy, "Flattery will get you no-where,
sugar!" Uukyo giggled.
Hawk looked crestfallen, which produced a round of laughter around
the table. Bringing his head up, "It was worth a try!" shrugging his
shoulders.
Hawk looked back up to Uukyo, "So what brings ya here?" he asked
her. She shrugged, "Well.Since it is Saturday and this mall opens before my
shop does, I usually come out here to relax every once in a while." she
said,
leaning back into the seat, "Even I would like a little variety from
Okinomiyaki now and again too!"
The others nodded at that.
"Well.since you're here." Hawk started, something was giving
him a sort of a feeling, pushing the thought out of the way for the moment,
"I
was thinking of inviting you to a party I'm throwin' sometime soon, dunno
when yet `till I get things prepared though" he shrugged.
"Sure! I'd love to come.just let me know when it is, ok?" looking at
her watch, "OH I gotta get going!" gathering her stuff up from the side of
the
booth, "Have to open the store! Hope to see you guys there!! Ja-Ne!" she
finished as she shot off.
Looking a little stunned from the sudden departure, looking to the
others, "Was it something I said?" he said, utterly confused.
Shaking his head a bit, then looked at his own watch, "Welp.guess
we all gotta get going.I would guess that you girls cash supply got depleted
as well, huh?"
The three girls on the other side of the table nodded sadly as Ranko
and Hawk got up and out of the booth, "Well.I hate to cut and run, but it
has
been great talking to you all.Ma-Ta-Ne!" he waved to them and walked
away with Ranko holding his right hand, with the day's purchases in the
other.

* * * * * * * * *

When they got outside, they instantly wilted in the heat. "YEEEESH!
Didn't think it was that DAMNED hot out today!" exclaimed Hawk, wiping
his brow, "Bleh!" hanging his tongue out.
Ranko just nodded, "Yeah.but look on the bright side!" she beamed,
"At least I get to try out my new swimsuit that I just bought!"
Hawk just blinked as the realization hit him, "Whoa.this I gotta
see!" he said excitedly, she just laughed a little as she ran down the
street,
Hawk following closely behind, with a lecherous look on his face and laughly
manically.
 When she saw his face, Ranko squealed playfully while she ran away
from him.

A little ways down the street, Hawk noticed something strange about
Ranko, `Hmmm.NOW her growth agents are kicking in.,' He thought with
no small measure of technical satisfaction, `Be a sight to see when she
grows
about a foot or so."
Ranko took notice of his inquiring gaze of herself, "What's up?
You've been looking at me like that for the past 10 minutes!" she asked,
rather
exasperated.
He shrugged, "Well.it looks like that you are going to have to go
shopping again in a few days.", he chuckled a little bit at Ranko's blank
expression, "What I mean is that NOW your implanted growth agents are
starting to kick in.and almost with a vengence I'd might add." he trailed
off
when she squealed, loudly, while jumping up and down in glee.
While she is jumping, "Looks like I'm gonna have to pospone your
upgrades for awhile."
She instantly stopped jumping around, "Huh? Why?"
Shrugging his shoulders again, "Well.since you are growing right
now.can't toss in any unknowns into the equation here. " he said, rather
thoughtfully, still walking down the street, then pouted with his chin to
his
chest, "And I wanted to see the new speed you would have after the upgrade
too!!"
Ranko picked his chin up, "Don't worry.." she quickly kissed him,
".You'll get to play with you new toys soon enough."
Hawk's eyes widened in response to her `playfulness', "I guess that I
can wait." kissing her again, they heard a loud strangled gurgling sound.
They spun around to see Ryouga, he looks like he is having trouble
breathing as he stands.
"Ryouga!?!" Ranko cried.
That snapped him to reality, "RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!!" he
yelled as he took to the air.
Ryouga punched the depleted uranium umbrella down to Ranko's
head.
Only to have Hawk superimpose himself into its way and grabbed the
end of it, suspending both Ryouga and the umbrella in mid-air, "Go away!
Can't you see that we are having a tender moment here!?!?!" Hawk yelled up
to him and tossing him to the side of the street.
Ryouga got up, growling out, "This does not concern you GAIJIN!
This is a fight between men!!"
Hawk's eyebrows shot to his hairline, ignoring the veiled insult,
"Where?? The only men that I see here is you and I!" eye's narrowing, "AND
YES! It does concern me if you attack my girlfriend here!!"
Turning a bright red, "You are one sick mother." he didn't get a
chance to finish as something grabbed his throat, almost cutting off
circulation
to his head.
"I am one sick.WHAT??" Hawk growled into his face, then
realization came to his face.
Letting him go, Hawk fell to the ground, howling in laughter,
"You.You.didn't know!!!" splitting the air with more laughter.
Still gasping for much needed air, Ryouga's face burned red again,
"WHAT DON'T I KNOW?!?" he grated out between his teeth, thinking of
attacking him but thinking the better of it for one that nearly crushed his
throat.
Getting up, then wiping his eyes, "Heh.well.How could I put it to
where you'll understand." he said to himself, only to be hefted off the
ground by his shirt.
"Are you calling me an IDIOT?!?!?" Ryouga yelled at Hawk's face,
he just look down to him calmly.
"Put me down.Ryouga, isn't it?.I don't wanna have to hurt
you." looking to him with a quick fire-blaze in Hawk's eyes, "But I will if
I
am pushed to." He finished as Ryouga set him back onto the ground.
Hawk dusted himself off, "There was no need to pick me up, man!
Geez.don't take everything so damned personal." Looking back up to
Ryouga, "Anyway.SHE.." gesturing to Ranko, who walked up to Hawk and
intertwined her arm with his, "..is NOT Ranma.she is Ranko, seperated from
the one body of Ranma many years ago."
Ryouga started, "He got a CURE?!?" not really trusting himself to
say much more.
Hawk nodded, "But the cure proved to be as much as the curse."
Ranko bapped him upside the head, turning to her, "That was uncalled for, I
was just trying to prove a point.ANYways, they experienced an
INCREDIBLE amount of pain and trauma during and after the seperation
process, knocking them out for.what?.almost 50 hours?" he asked to
Ranko, who nodded, "and that Ranma's mind only stayed in the male
body.For a while, Ranko had a difficult time adjusting to her completely
girl
body with the residual memories of Ranma's past life."
Ryouga just stood there, frozen for long minutes as the information
finally clicked in his brain, then it checked out for lunch.
In short, Ryouga fainted at the thought of that much pain, being out
for that long and the thought of being, permenently, a pig.
"Great! More baggage that I haveta carry!" complained Hawk as he
hefted Ryouga onto his shoulder, "Now where do we take him?"
Ranko put her finger to her chin, "Hmmm.I would guess the Tendo
Dojo, since that IS the only place he ever truly wants to find." she trailed
off
in a gush of laughter.
Hawk nodded and chuckled himself, "True, the Dojo it is then!" He
shifted Ryouga's weight a little, picked up at least his bags from the mall
and
they were off.

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