CHAPTER TWO

	The clock tower of Furinkan High School chimed melodiously, signifying
the end of the final class of the day.  Almost before the ringing
stopped, however, a pair of figures was already racing out of the
building - through a third-story window, it should be noted - exchanging
punches and kicks.  The other students, used to this sort of thing,
wandered past without a second glance. 
	Ranma fired a barrage of punches at Ryoga's midsection.  "Ambushin' me
as I get outta class, huh? That's pretty low, even for you, P-Chan!" 
	"Don't CALL me that!"  Enraged, the be-fanged martial artist twirled
one of his bandannas and sent it spinning toward Ranma, who dodged it
easily. 
	"Gee, Ryoga.  You complain so much, people might think you got
something to hide."  The rat-tailed boy leapt over his opponent and
landed facing him.  "At least you managed to find the right classroom  -
I'll give you that.  So what are you so mad about this time?" 
	Ryoga straightened up and looked away with a confident smile.  "You can
forget trying to play innocent, Ranma.  You know what you did, and I
swear you'll pay for it!" 
	"Um... nope, you've lost me there.  Couldja maybe give me a hint or
something?" 
	"Shut up!" Ryoga raised a clenched fist.  "I should have known you
wouldn't even confess to your crime!" 
	"What crime?"
	"You know what I'm talking about!"
	A trim, athletic girl with short black hair pushed her way through the
milling students.  "Ranma! Are you picking on Ryoga again?" 
	He stared at her.  "Me? Why is it always my fault? He attacked me! I
got witnesses!" 
	"Oh, I'm so sure!"
	"It's true, Akane."  Ryoga pointed at Ranma.  "He has to be punished
for what he did to me two days ago!" 
	"Two days ago..." Ranma stared into space for a moment, then snapped
his fingers.  "Hey, now I remember! You're talking about when you asked
me where the bathroom was..." 
	Ryoga suddenly looked sorry that he brought the whole thing up. 
	"...and you went into the girl's locker room instead..." 
	"Uhh... yeah."
	"...then when you went for the door, you went into their shower room
instead..." 
	"Right!" Ryoga interrupted hastily.  "Now prepare to..." 
	"...and they all hit you with buckets and stuff..."
	"Shut up!"
	"...and one of the buckets happened to be full of nice cold..." 
	Ryoga quickly hurled his parasol at Ranma, who caught it with one
hand.  "That was all your fault, Ranma! You're the one who told me where
to go!" 
	"Jeez, blame ME for not being able to tell left from right, why don't
you?"  He tossed the parasol back.  "Well, come on, then.  Let's get it
over with." 
	"You're not seriously going to fight him over something stupid like
this, are you?" 
	"Ah, stay out of it, Akane.  I can handle this."
	She glared at him, fury building in her eyes, and the more prudent
students vacated the area quickly.  Finally she turned away.  "Fine!
I've got better things to do than referee a couple of nine-year-olds! 
I'm going home!"  She stomped off, muttering under her breath. 
	"Akane..." Ryoga reached out to her, but she was already gone.  He let
his hand drop. 
	"So, c'mon! You gonna fight, or what?"
	"Damn you, Ranma..."  Ryoga was actually trembling with rage.  "You
*always* have to upset her, don't you?  Well, this is the last straw." 
He leapt at his opponent.  "I hate you, Ranma!" 


	From her first-class seat on the crosstown train, Natsume Akiko studied
the latest MHI profit reports carefully.  Leaving her office for the
weekend was all well and good, but that didn't mean she could totally
ignore her duties. 
	She slowly became aware of being watched, and she turned to look at her
companion.  Nuku Nuku, in the seat next to her, was gazing at her with
an adoring smile and giggling occasionally.  "What are you grinning at?" 
	Nuku Nuku giggled again.  "I'm just happy.  Mama-san's so nice to let
me go on this trip with her again." 
	"Well, if you're going to protect Ryunosuke, you need to learn a little
etiquette.  He will be taking over as head of Mishima Heavy Industries
some day, after all, and we have to show you how to act, how not to
disrupt delicate situations.  And the best way to do that is by
experience."  Akiko turned off her handheld computer, then smiled a
secret smile.  "Do you remember that young man from the formal?" 
	"Eh?"
	"The tall one."
	"Oh!  I remember."
	Akiko glanced sidelong at her.  "Did you like him?"
	Nuku Nuku nodded, not really knowing where this was going.  "He was
nice.  He stared at me too much, though." 
	"Are you looking forward to seeing him again?"
	"I guess so.  Mama-san, I'm not sure..."
	"Never mind, dear.  Don't worry about it."  Akiko sighed silently and
gazed out the window.  It was just as well, she decided, that her
"niece" wasn't yet ready for such things.  Though she had hoped that... 
	A giggle caught her attention, and she turned back to see Nuku Nuku
peering over the back of her seat.  Akiko sighed.  "For the last time,
Nuku Nuku - stop pestering that lady's canary." 
	"Awww..."

	"Hold STILL, Ranma!  Come back here and take what's coming to you!" 
	"Hey, it's not my fault you're so slow!"
	Punch after punch, kick after kick, the two battled their way across
town, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.  They were evenly
matched, for the most part, and neither could land a decisive blow on
his opponent.  "I won't let you run away this time!" 
	"I ain't the one who runs away!"  Ranma grabbed a chunk of wall that
had been loosened by the fight and hurled it at Ryoga, who smirked. 
	"You should know better than that.  Baksai-TENKETSU!"  Stabbing a
finger into the masonry's breaking point, Ryoga reduced it to gravel in
an instant... yet when the smoke cleared, Ranma was nowhere to be seen. 
"What the... Ranma!  You said you don't run away!" 
	*WHOMP!*  Ranma, having finally descended in a high arc from the jump
he had executed after throwing the wall, landed squarely on Ryoga's head
with both feet.  "Yeah, and I meant what I said."  He stepped off the
smouldering heap formerly known as Ryoga and walked off.  "Stupid. Ain't
you ever gonna... huh?" 
	Rounding a corner had brought him face to face with a figure in a
familiar blue kimono.  "Hey, Upperclassman Kuno.  Where you been? Not
that I care or nothin'..." 
	"I was expecting to see you here, Saotome,"  Kuno said solemnly,
grasping his bokken in both hands.  "I knew that a svengali such as your
loathsome self would move heaven and earth to keep me from true
happiness.  And indeed, here you are, a mere handful of blocks from the
predestined train station.  Truly your evil knows no bounds." 
	"What're you talking about?"  Ranma pointed at a familiar sign nearby. 
"We're standing right outside the Tendo dojo.  Of course I'd be here!" 
	"Silence, infidel!"  Kuno shouted.  "I know of your power over women,
all the lovely young girls that have fallen victim to your dark
influence! You cad, you venemous lecher!" 
	Ranma gritted his teeth, getting annoyed.  "Give me a break already. 
You're just jealous because I have better luck with women without even
trying than you ever will!" 
	"Methinks he doth protest too much! Admit to your unholy ways before
it's too late, Saotome, and surrender to my blade!" 
	"Get it through your head, Kuno - it ain't like it's my fault I got all
these stupid girls hanging all over me all the time, hugging me and
giving me presents and... and..." 
	Ranma ground to a halt as he realized that they had acquired an
audience - specifically, the entire population of the Tendo household
had gathered at the doorway, watching him in various degrees of
disapproval. 
	"Oh, dear."
	"Ranma, how could you do this to Akane... you philanderer..." 
	"You're a disgrace to the family name, m'boy."
	"Gee, Ranma, is there something you haven't been telling us?  Another
fiancee, maybe?" 
	Akane said nothing, which was perhaps worst of all.
	Ranma raised his hands, palms out.  "Hey, wait a second... don't go
getting the wrong idea..." 
	Kuno smirked.  "Then you admit to your demonic powers?" 
	Despite the mortal peril he was in, Ranma took the bait.  "No! If it
were up to me, all those girls wouldn't follow me around like a bunch of
puppies, with big wet eyes and... and... hoo-boy." 
	"DIE, RANMA!"
	Akane's uppercut sent Ranma spinning through the air, trailing smoke. 
She remained in that position, still fiercely angry, until she heard
Soun and Genma talking to each other. 
	"Where d'you think he'll land?"
	"Judging from the arc, I'd say the train station."
	"Hmm. And the daily crosstown express?"
	"Due in any minute, if I recall."
	There was silence for a long moment, then abruptly everyone started
running toward the distant station, trampling Kuno in the process. 

	"Do you have our bags?"
	"Hai, Mama-san."
	Akiko looked around in slight annoyance.  "How troublesome.  The
younger Kuno was supposed to meet us here.  Well, we can't wait around
forever.  There should be an acceptable hotel nearby - let's go and find
it." 
	"Mmm!"

	They had barely taken a dozen steps, however, when the cries of alarm
drew their attention.  Several people were pointing upwards - their
gazes followed, and they saw someone falling from a great height toward
them. 
	It was clear that his flight would end on a railroad track... and the
crosstown express was already in sight, roaring toward the station. 
	Akiko turned quickly.  "Nuku Nuku!"  But it hadn't been necessary - the
luggage had already been dropped, and the cat-girl was running toward
the figure, picking up speed.  She leapt... 

	Ranma recovered his senses in time to realize where he was, and where
he was heading.  He paused a moment to let it sink in, then yelled in
panic.  Not even the legendary Saotome constitution would save him from
getting run over by a train travelling at sixty miles per hour.  He
crossed his arms in front of his face, in the feeble hope that it might
help... 
	A sudden concussion, far sooner than expected, knocked the air from his
lungs, and he felt himself inexplicably rising.  He looked up, but in
his stunned state all he could make out was long pink hair. *Wh... what
the...* 
	They ascended a moment longer, then dropped back to the ground, landing
in the middle of the station.  The various travellers and tourists
gasped in amazement at this display, while those native to Nerima gave
it only the barest hint of attention, having seen it all before. 
	Ranma was set carefully to the ground, and a soft, feminine voice spoke
to him.  "Daijobu?"  He turned, and found himself staring into the
biggest, greenest eyes he'd ever seen.  They were set in an undeniably
cute face, which itself was framed by a wreath of pink hair.  Oddly, he
found he didn't have to look down to face her - she was nearly as tall
as he was. 
	The girl bore an expression of concern, and he found himself stammering
a reply.  "Uh... yeah, I'm... I'm fine." 
	She smiled happily.  "I'm glad."
	"Nuku Nuku!"
	Turning, Nuku Nuku saw Akiko beckoning to her; an odd assortment of
people were standing next to the businesswoman.  The cat-girl waved
back.  "Hai!"  Giggling occasionally, she bounded back to Akiko's side,
a rather stunned Ranma following slowly behind. 
	Nuku Nuku screeched to a halt as she approached the others, who all
bore varying expressions - Akiko looked faintly approving, Kasumi was
concerned, the two men looked astonished, and Akane seemed torn between
worry and anger.  Nabiki, oddly enough, was looking at Akiko. 
	As Ranma joined them, Akane finally decided to let her concern win out
- for now.  "Ranma! Are you okay?" 
	"Yeah, I guess so."  He rubbed his head where she had struck him, but
chose not to bring it up at that point in time.  He looked at his
rescuer.  "Uh, thanks." 
	Nuku Nuku grinned.  "You should be more careful - trains are
dangerous." 
	Ranma couldn't help but chuckle.  "You got a point."
	Stepping forward, Genma bowed to Nuku Nuku.  "You saved my son's life,
and we're in your debt.  If we can repay you in any way, no matter how
small, please feel free to ask." 
	The cat-girl developed a sweatdrop of embarrassment.  "Ano... we really
don't need any..." 
	"Now that you mention it,"  Akiko interrupted, breaking off the
speculative gaze she had been directing at Ranma, "it so happens that we
are two poor, lost travellers, and we could use some lodging for the
weekend." 
	Nuku Nuku looked at her in confusion.  "Eh?"
	"I suppose there's a spare room we can loan you."
	"Oh, I wouldn't want to be a bother or anything!"  She leaned over to
Nuku Nuku.  "Get the bags." 
	Genma laughed.  "It's no bother at all.  My house is your house!" 
	"Ah, Saotome... it's my house, actually..."
	"Well, if you insist, then."  She bowed.  "I am Akiko, and this is my
niece.  Her name is Atsuko." 
	The cat-girl bowed as well.  "Hajimemashite.  Everyone calls me Nuku
Nuku." 
	After introductions were exchanged and the ladies' baggage was
retrieved, the group began to walk back to the Tendo dojo.  Ranma led
the parade, talking companionably with their guests, while Akane
followed a short distance behind, seething.  The remaining members of
the Tendo household walked slowly toward home. 
	"That's two more for dinner, then,"  Kasumi noted happily. 
	"Saotome, you know our finances are stretched as it is.  How could you
invite a pair of strangers to stay with us?" 
	"Come on, Tendo.  It's just for the weekend - how much could they eat? 
Besides, would you rather I ignore a debt of honor?" 
	"No, I... suppose not."
	"Oh, chill out, daddy.  If you play your cards right, you won't have to
worry about money for a long, long time." 
	Soun turned and looked at his daughter curiously.  "What do you mean,
Nabiki?" 
	She nodded toward Akiko.  "That lady right there just happens to be
Natsume Akiko, president of the Mishima Heavy Industries corporation,
and one of the richest women in Japan." 
	Soun stared.  "Is that so..."
	"She is a fine figure of a woman, eh, Tendo?  And you're not expected
to be a widower forever." 
	"Saotome, how could you?  I still feel the pain of my loss - it's still
too soon." 
	"Hmm.  Forget I mentioned it."
	There was a short pause.
	"Still... if it's for the sake of the dojo... wealthy, you said?" 
	"Unbelievably so.  I did my Economics term paper on her." 
	"And... single?"
	"Married, but separated.  Apparently she and her husband don't get
along." 
	"Hmm."
	As they approached the dojo, a blue-clad figure covered in footprints
could be seen struggling to his feet.  "The vengeance... of Heaven... is
crunchy... and good with ketchup..." 
	Akiko frowned.  "Tatewaki-kun!"
	This was enough to snap Kuno out of his dazed state - *nobody* ever
called him by his first name!  He stood up quickly and lunged for his
bokken.  "Who dares...?! Oh.  Ah... ah... Lady Akiko..." 
	She looked him over disapprovingly.  "I would not have expected the
heir to the Kuno estates to present himself in such deplorable
condition." 
	"But..."

	"You may tell your father that my niece and I will be staying here over
the weekend.  Come along, Nuku Nuku." 
	"But..."
	"Bai-bai! Nice seeing you again!"
	"But..."
	"Boy, Kuno, you look like hell.  Go get cleaned up."
	"But..."
	"I'd invite you in, but we've already got two new guests, and... oh,
dear." 
	"But..."
	"See ya later, Kuno-baby."
	"But..."
	The street was soon deserted, leaving Kuno to stand there mindlessly, a
brief wind tousling his hair.  "What just happened?"