Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of 
Rumiko Takahashi and co.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga and draws ideas from 
the anime also.

Another Time, Same Place

by

Donny Cheng

Chapter 5:  Old Enemies?

	Ranma yawned and the shut the blaring alarm off.  He found himself
in a surprisingly happy mood as he got ready for school.  The training
trip and that situation with Taro had affected him more then he could ever
believe.  He was starting to believe that he could survive in this new
world of his.  He glanced out the window and the bright sky mirrored his
hopes.

	His eyes wandered and rested on the house beside their own.  He 
again felt the dull ache that threatened to collapse his heart.  Akane was
there in the yard with Ryoga and Eiko playing tag.  He wanted to turn
away, but forced his eyes to stay put.  He could do this.  He will get on
with his life and was surprised again to find that it was true.  It was
then he turned away, the smile no longer on his face, but the sadness was
also missing.  In their place was acceptence and that would have to do for
now, Ranma felt.  He went down to get some breakfast.

			* * * * *

	Perfume eyes briefly wandered again to the back of the boy atop
the fence with Eiko on his shoulders.  She imagined that she could see a
small throbbing bump on his head.  Of course that was just plain silly as
Eiko covered the view.  She guiltily remembered of the rock she had kicked
towards the boy's head yesterday.  It had been quite a large rock.  No,
she told herself.  He deserved whatever he got.

	"Don't worry about it.  He did deserve it," Ryoko said helpully in
answer to Perfume's unspoken thought.  Perfume's face displayed the clear
internal struggle that was happening as emotions wrestled each other upon
it.  Ryoko sighed.



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