Hello all!

=======================================================================
Author's foreword:

This is the conclusion to "The Money Pit" and is the longest fanfic that 
I had written up to this point (24 pages at 60k). 

The previous parts to "The Money Pit" began with a poem. I did that as I 
started to re-write them. I've decided not to do a poem for the 
conclusion, 'cuz I like the lyrics that are interspersed through out the 
story.

The first time around I received comments and encouragement from the 
following and I would like to thank them for their comments and C&C:  
Kun-chan, Blackbird and Korhonen Kai Petteri.

Please enjoy the stories and C&C if you feel the leading.

And remember, "There Can Be Only One."
=======================================================================

I recommend biting off more than you can chew, to anyone.
I certainly do.
I recommend sticking your foot in you mouth, at any time.
Feel free.
Throw it down (the caution blocks you from the wind)
Hold it up (to the rays)
You wait and see when the smoke clears.
You live, you learn.
You love, you learn.
You cry, you learn.
You lose, you learn.
You bleed, you learn.
You scream, you learn.


"You Learn" by Alanis Morissette

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Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction
"The High Cost of Loving - Chapter Two"
"The Money Pit - Part Five of Five"
by Suds-kun (suds1964@tir.com)

Version 1: 1/28/97
Version 2: 2/1/97
Version 3: 12/3/98
=======================================================================
Ranma 1/2 characters are created by and copyright Rumiko Takahashi.
Published by Shogakukan Inc. and VIZ Comm.
Story copyright Shaun Schillinger.
Intended for the sole non-profit use of fans.
=======================================================================

===

Shampoo rolled over in her futon to look at the alarm clock, it read 
5:00 a.m.  With a sigh she sat up and stared at the door. Slowly she 
crawled out of her bed and stood.  She stretched her arms in the air, 
almost as if she was scratching an unseen tree. After turning on the 
dresser lamp, a smile came to her face as the light shown on the door. 
Her hand reached out to the picture on the door, caressing it. Her 
fingers traced the well-worn path over the face of Ranma, then over the 
others and came to rest upon the face of Mousse. A small sob escaped 
from her lips.  In a hurried rush she returned to her futon and wrapped 
her arms around her legs in a tight hug.  "Stupid Mousse." She repeated 
over and over.

===

Ukyou sighed as she looked at the clock on the classroom wall. She 
really didn't look forward to lunchtime.  The last few days Ran-chan had 
been eating lunch with Akane. "What a 'welcome back to school' that 
was." Her thoughts were brought back to reality as she heard the lunch 
bell ring. She stood and followed her classmates out of the room.

As she made her way outside, she looked for a place to set up her 
portable griddle.  She noticed Akane sitting by herself. "That's three 
days in a row.  I hope nothing's happened to Ran-chan." Ukyou hid her 
worry with a friendly smile as she walked over to Akane.


"Konnichiwa, Akane."

"Konnichiwa, Ukyou." Replied a slightly depressed Akane.

Ukyou setup her griddle and watched Akane out of the corner of her eyes 
as she made her lunch. "Is everything O.K.?"

"I guess so." Shrugged Akane.

Ukyou sat next to Akane, eating her okonomiyaki "Where's Ran-chan?" She 
asked as she finished her lunch.

"I don't know." Akane frowned and looked at her half eaten lunch.

Ukyou looked at Akane with a little concern. "What happened?"

Akane sighed and turned to Ukyou.  "Did you know that Ranma was living 
at the Kuno mansion?"

Ukyou shook her head in surprise.

"Well, Ranma made a deal with Kuno-sempai to let the pig tailed girl 
stay at the mansion for a week.  If Kuno-sempai didn't toss her out 
before the week was up, then Ranma would release her.

Ukyou nodded her head in understanding, "So, that explains how the Kuno 
mansion was destroyed. It was Ran-chan."

"Actually, it was Kodachi, Ryouga and Kuno-sempai attacking Ranma. I 
haven't seen him since."

"You were there?" Ukyou said as she started to get nervous. "Something's 
up." she thought.

"Yeah. Ranma asked me over for dinner and I saw the fight."

"He asked you out on a date?" Ukyou tensed a little at the thought of 
Akane and Ranma dating again.

Akane looked at Ukyou and then bowed her head. "Ukyou, I've wanted to 
tell you this for a while.  It was my idea to ask you and Konatsu out on 
that double date."  Akane looked up at Ukyou, who now looked a little 
shocked. "Gomen nasai, Ukyou. I didn't mean for Konatsu to die or for 
you to be hurt."

"Akane," sighed Ukyou, "it's not your fault that Konatsu died. He died 
saving those children."

"But,"

"No 'buts,' Akane. You didn't kill him. I lost a friend to some copycat, 
sick-o and I'm not going to spoil his memory by letting his death ruin 
my life. You shouldn't either."

Akane took a deep breath and looked at Ukyou. "Ukyou, did you love him?"

Ukyou bowed her head, her voice quiet. "He was a friend. He said that he 
loved me when he died. But I didn't feel the same for him. Oh, the date 
was fun and I did let him get a little close. I just thought of him as a 
friend."

Akane sighed and looked at the schoolyard. "Ukyou, do you know why I 
kicked Ranma out of the dojo?"

Ukyou stared at Akane in confusion at the way the conversation changed 
subjects so drastically. "I thought you didn't want to marry Ran-chan."

"It's not that. I," Akane took a breath, "I was afraid of going through 
what you went through with Konatsu."

"Nani? What do you mean?" Ukyou's confusion increased.

Akane turned and faced Ukyou. "I didn't want to love someone and have 
them die in my arms." There was a slight tremble in her voice.

The color in Ukyou's face disappeared as she started to remember holding 
Konatsu's head in her lap, his dying confession of love and then her 
scream.

Noticing this, Akane reached for Ukyou's arm in a show of support. "Oh, 
I'm sorry Ukyou! I didn't mean for you to go through that again!"

Ukyou waved Akane's hand a way.

Akane again looked down. "I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I 
speak without thinking and hurt others. Gomen, Ukyou. I really wasn't 
thinking."

"That's O.K., Akane." Ukyou replied, also looking down.

"No, it isn't." Akane turned and looked at Ukyou. "Before that 'date,' 
Ranma and I had told each other that we cared for one another. We 
decided to start dating and made sure no one knew about it. We had gone 
out only twice, before the double date." Akane looked at her lap as she 
started fidgeting with her fingers. "After that, we started back to 
arguing and fighting. I was even mean at times. And then, daddy made 
that announcement. 'Get married or Ranma moves out.' I kicked him out, 
literally. I was so mad, that I thought I'd be happy with him gone."

Ukyou blinked as she listened and watched Akane ramble on. "Akane, you 
don't need to be telling me all of these things."

Akane was too engrossed in her tale to hear Ukyou. "But, these past few 
days of sharing lunch with him have been so wonderful. I forgot all 
about the pain and loneliness. When we went to Kuno-sempai's, I was 
really happy. He even asked me to bring P-chan along. But, when I saw 
Kodachi grab him, I snapped. I kicked him, marched off without
P-chan and went home. While I was in the tub, trying to relax, he 
stopped by and dropped off P-chan. He... he didn't pick on him, or me, 
or anyone else. I didn't even get to see him and thank him. Now, I don't 
know where he is and it hurts."

Akane looked up at Ukyou. Tears were running down her face as she paused 
before continuing. "What's wrong with me, Ukyou? I.. I can't seem to do 
anything right. He was so nice to me this week and it felt so good when 
we were together. I even hated going home alone. And when Kodachi 
attacked him, I immediately pounded him. I know it was wrong now, I 
didn't even give him a chance to push her off of him. I hope he's not 
mad at me. I.. I don't know what to do, Ukyou. All I can think of is 
that Ranma is gone and I want him to come back. What's wrong with me?" 
Akane's tear filled eyes pleaded for help from Ukyou.

Ukyou was still in shock from the tirade that she had just witnessed. 
Her mind slowly started to process the information as her thoughts 
replayed Akane's words. "Nice.  Good. Together. Alone. Wrong." She 
looked at Akane and saw the pleading in her eyes. The red, puffy eyes 
that looked so alone and devastated. Ukyou's heart seemed to stop as she 
realized what had happened. She looked down, trying to hide her pain and 
sadness. Her hands started to involuntarily shake and she clenched her 
fists in an effort to regain control of them. She slowly stood, feeling 
Akane's eyes follow her.  Her arms were straight and at her side, fists 
still clenched.

"Akane, you... you're," Ukyou paused as she took a deep breath, "you're 
in love." Ukyou then ran away, not daring to look back. Her own tears 
blurring the way.

Akane watched Ukyou run away. "But, I'm NOT in love with that pervert!" 
Akane shouted as she shook her head. "I don't need him! I can live 
without that loud mouth baka! He's an insensitive, selfish, girl 
chasing, sex changing hentai! I DO NOT LOve ... him." Akane's voice 
trailed off as she began to think about the possibility of Ranma leaving 
her.  "But I ..." she whispered. She slowly shook her head as she placed 
her face in her hands. She argued with herself as she tried to deny her 
feelings. "Is it love? Do I really want to be with him all of the time? 
Do I ..." Minutes passed as she rocked back
and forth with her hands holding her face. She slowed down to a stop and 
sat for a while. Akane then sighed and wiped her tears away. "Yes, I 
think I am in love with that fool." A small, hesitant smile slowly crept 
onto her face.

Akane stood and looked around. The schoolyard was empty and she realized 
she was late for class. "Well, I might as well head home. I want to talk 
with Kasumi and see what she says about getting Ranma to come back to 
the dojo." She picked up her school bag and slowly walked home. Her 
steps were heavy at first, but picked up the pace. A soft tune came from 
her lips as she started to hum.

===

Kasumi walked up to Nabiki's door and took a deep breath.

*knock* *knock*

She heard some shuffling, a drawer close and the click of a lock

"Come in."

Kasumi opened the door and walked in. "What's she trying to hide?" She 
thought as she closed the door. "Nabiki, we haven't talked about father 
and Uncle Genma's plans lately. Has something happened?"

Nabiki looked at her sister with a blank expression. "There's nothing 
much to talk about."

Kasumi smiled at her sister and cocked her head to one side. "Oh?"

Nabiki's face remained emotionless as her mind began to race. "'Oh?' If 
you want a fight, oneechan, you shouldn't have come in my room. This is 
MY territory and I won't tell you anything that I don't want to say." 
She kept her voice cool as she responded. "Oneechan, daddy hasn't seen 
Uncle Genma since they made their plans for the Kuno mansion. My guess 
is that the destruction of the Kuno mansion was an ad-lib by Uncle 
Genma. Somehow, he was able to get Ryouga there at the same time as 
Kodachi. He's got blind luck on his side."

Kasumi stared at her sister. "I don't want to fight," she thought, "we 
should be working together." Kasumi walked over to the bed and sat next 
to her sister. "You're upset about Tatewaki-san, aren't you?"

"I am not!" Nabiki protested. "It's all Uncle Saotome's fault. He's the 
one who came up with this plan and is dragging daddy along with it."

Kasumi's smile faltered at her sister's outburst. She looked at her 
sister and could feel the hurt in her soul. "Just like Akane." She 
thought. Without warning, Kasumi grabbed Nabiki in a hug.

"Stop it!" Nabiki shouted as she struggled to get free.

"No! I don't want to get in a fight with you!" Kasumi locked her hands 
together, preventing Nabiki's efforts to break free. "We've worked 
together for so many months on getting Akane and Ranma together, we 
can't let it fall apart like this."

Nabiki stopped struggling and looked down at the floor. "But why did 
Kuno-chan have to get hurt? For the past two days, he's walked around 
like a zombie. Whenever I mention Akane or the pig-tailed-girl, he shuts 
up and walks off. He doesn't even talk to me anymore!" She clenched her 
hands in anger at the memory. "Well, I've come up with a plan to get him 
back."

"Did you want me to help you?" Kasumi still had her arms locked around 
her sister.

Nabiki shook her head. "No. It's pretty simple and it should get Ranma 
back here with Akane." Nabiki turned to her sister and frowned. "Gomen, 
oneechan, I'm sorry for fighting with you." Nabiki then returned her 
sister's hug.

After a moment, Kasumi let go of the hug and smiled. "Akane's working in 
the garden, I'll be there helping her."

Nabiki watched her sister leave the room. When the door closed, she 
smiled. "Hah!  There was no way I was going to lose that fight, 
oneechan." Nabiki turned to her desk, unlocked her drawer and pulled out 
her notebook. "The first phase should be underway in a couple hours."

===

"Just a minute!" shouted Nabiki as she made her way to the door. She 
opened it and looked at the visitor. "Oh, it's you."

"Konnichiwa, Nabiki. Can we come in?" asked Ranma.

"I guess so. Akane is out back with Kasumi." Nabiki's apathetic stare 
turned to ice as she saw Genma. "Daddy's outside at the go board." 
Nabiki then shut the door and headed to her room. Her heavy footsteps 
echoed through the room.

"She's still mad." Stated Ranma as he headed toward the backyard. Genma 
followed him and greeted Soun.

Ranma stared in surprise at the yard he no longer recognized. There was 
a path from the pond to what looked like a paved area that covered 
almost a quarter of the yard.  The corner of the yard, where the walls 
met, seemed to be growing outward with cement. The ground was covered in 
intricate designs and a series of footpaths around the designs. They  
even looked like furniture made out of cement. His eyes came upon two 
figures on their knees, working with some flowers. Kasumi wiped her 
hands on her apron as she leaned away from what looked like flowers. 
Then he noticed Akane. She was carefully removing a potted flower from 
its confines. She looked at Kasumi and laughed at what must have been a 
joke. Her smile and laughter was care free as she planted the flower.

"Akane." Ranma's voice was low and quiet. He didn't even realize that he 
had said anything. His heart was beating loudly and he wondered if 
anyone could hear it.  Akane then noticed Ranma. Her smile grew even 
larger as she stood and started toward Ranma.

"Ranma!" shouted Akane as she quickly followed the footpaths to the 
young man standing in awe. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged 
him. Slowly he came to his senses and returned the hug. "I missed you." 
She whispered as she rested her head on his chest.

"You, you're not mad at me?"

Akane just hugged him closer in response. The two stood there, holding 
each other.  No one spoke or moved, just the quiet rustling of leaves 
from the breeze could be heard.

Kasumi cleared her throat and spoke. "Why don't you show Ranma your rock 
garden, Akane?"

"It's 'our' rock garden, oneechan. You designed it." Replied Akane.

"But you built it." Kasumi said as she smiled to her little sister.

Ranma looked at Akane in shock. "Arguing with Kasumi? What's happened 
here since I left?"

Akane giggled as she tugged on Ranma's arm, "Come on, let me show you 
what we've done."

He followed her leading as she pointed out the different designs and 
their meaning.  Ranma wasn't paying close attention to her explanations, 
but was watching the way she smiled as she talked excitedly.  They made 
their way to the center of the garden, and kneeled at a large cement 
table.  Ranma ran his hands over the table, noticing that the table was 
made up of varying sizes of broken cement blocks.  The pieces fit 
together perfectly and seemed to be cut and fitted into place.  "Did you 
hire a contractor to build this table and the bench?"

Akane smiled mischievously.  "No, Kasumi designed and laid out every 
thing and I put the pieces together."

"But some of these pieces are smooth on the sides."  He was now on his 
hands and knees as he looked at the cement table and the cement path.

Akane's smile grew broader with pride.  "Tofu-sensei showed me a new 
technique on smoothing and cutting the cement after I went to him for my 
bruised hands."

Ranma sat up and took one of her hands in his, looking it over. "They're 
so small." He thought. Ranma looked around at the rock garden and its 
many paths, flowers and then at the table. "Akane did this." He thought, 
then looked at her questioningly.  "Where did you
get all of the cement to build this?" He asked as he waved his arm 
toward the sight around them.

"Oh, I used the broken cement blocks left over from my afternoon 
training sessions.  I didn't know what you did with them, so they kind 
of piled up." She looked down in embarrassment at the thought of why the 
pile grew so fast, but quickly recovered. "Oneechan came up with the 
idea of this garden and the two of us then went to work.
While building the garden, I learned a lot about how to focus and 
control my ki."

"Your ki?" Ranma said in surprise. "Akane had never shown any 'ki' 
abilities." He thought.

"Like I said, Tofu-sensei showed me a couple new techniques. One was to 
strengthen my hand and especially the fingers.  I didn't know it at the 
time, but I was already using the technique when I was training and 
breaking the blocks. The other technique was to focus,
uhm, 'heat' in my hands.  That's how I was able to smooth the broken 
blocks.  Also, I used the technique to glue or fuse the blocks together.

Akane watched Ranma look at her hands, then the cement table.  He looked 
closely at the cement and ran his hands along the cracks.  She smiled as 
he took her hand in his. "They're so large and gentle." She thought.  
She smiled as he again looked her hand over.

"I should show you how to do some of those 'ki' based attacks.  So you 
can find one that works for you."  Ranma then looked up and returned her 
smile.

Suddenly, his smile disappeared.  "Akane, the reason why I stopped by 
was to tell you that pop and I are going on another training trip. It 
seems that I have another curse.  Any place I stay at gets destroyed."

Akane squeezed his hand as she looked in his eyes. "That's not true, 
Ranma."

"But it is." He interrupted. "Yesterday, I really thought about what has 
happened this past month.  Your dad couldn't afford me living here. The 
hot spring we visited on that training trip was destroyed, so was 
Ucchan's and the Neko Hanten. Then the Kuno mansion.  Now, you have this 
garden that's so ... beautiful. I'm afraid that something will happen to 
it, if I'm here."

Akane looked at Ranma's downcast face. "Why is he getting blurry?" She 
thought. "Oh." she said as she let go of his hands and wiped her eyes.

Ranma watched her trying to keep from crying. "Don't worry, Akane.  I 
promise to return.  I just don't want anything to happen to you. Right 
now, anything I get near is hurt, and I don't want you hurt."

Akane grabbed his hands. "I don't want you to leave, Ranma. Can't you 
just stay here? No one will make you leave."

Ranma squeezed Akane's hands in return. He smiled and began to reply.

"Ranma!"

Akane gasped as she looked in the direction of the voice.

Ranma tensed and a big sweat drop appeared on his head. Slowly he 
turned. "Mom?"

"My son!" Nodoka said as she made her way to the shocked couple.

Akane noticed Nabiki leaning against the outside wall and smiling. 
Seeing Akane's stare, she smiled and then entered the house.

"Let me get a good look at you!" Nodoka exclaimed.

Ranma nervously bowed to his mother, as did Akane.

"Auntie Saotome, we weren't expecting you to drop by today." Stated 
Akane.

"Oh? Nabiki called me earlier today and said that Ranma and dear would 
be hear at this time." Nodoka turned and smiled at her son. "Ranma!" She 
grabbed hold of her son and gave him a hug.

The shock slowly wore off and Ranma returned the hug. "Mom." He 
whispered.

Akane turned toward the growing laughter and watched as her father and 
Uncle Genma made their way toward the rock garden. Nodoka also turned, 
let go of her hug and moved toward her husband.

"Dear!"

Genma froze at the sound of her voice, like a deer caught in a car's 
headlights. A big sweat drop appeared on his head. Before he could move 
she caught him in a hug. A bear hug, if you will. He struggled to 
escape, but failed. "I'm so glad to see you, too, dear." Nodoka said in 
response to his efforts to flee.

Nodoka released the hug and held Genma at arms length.  "Nabiki told me 
all about Soun's ultimatum and I have a solution for you. Move back home 
with me!"

Genma face faulted, as did Ranma, Akane and Soun.

"Nodoka? Are you serious?" Asked Genma.

"Yes. You can tell me all about how manly Ranma is. He looks so manly 
and I want to know for certain that he acts manly, too." Nodoka looked 
at her son and beamed with pride.

"I have tea for everyone." Announced Kasumi, interrupting Genma's 
attempt to escape.  She set the tray on the cement table and everyone 
kneeled around it. Including Nabiki, who had followed after Kasumi.

Kasumi struck up a conversation with Nodoka about Genma and Ranma moving 
back home.  Soun and Genma looked at each other nervously. Akane and 
Ranma sat next to each other, never looking up or at each other. Only 
looking down in sadness at the tea cups in front of them.

Nabiki noticed this and felt a twinge of guilt. "I'll get Ranma back 
here, Akane, just you wait." Nabiki put on her fake smile as she 
continued thinking. "It may hurt at first, but you'll be the only one 
left."

"Oh, my!" Exclaimed Kasumi. "Ranma's birthday is only two weeks away?  
Why, that mean's Akane is only a month younger than Ranma!"

Akane and Ranma both looked up in shock, and stared at Kasumi and then 
Nodoka.

"That gives be an idea." Announced Nodoka. "I'll plan a little birthday 
party for Ranma after they get settled at home. Everyone here is 
invited."

The group seemed to relax and everyone joined in the conversation. Soun 
commented about how Akane and Ranma can get married on Akane's birthday. 
Genma just kept saying how manly Ranma was, no matter what the topic of 
discussion. At the end, everyone congratulated Kasumi and Akane on the 
rock garden as the Saotome's stood to leave.

"Dear, Ranma, it's time to go home. Kasumi, arigatoo for the tea." 
Nodoka bowed to Kasumi and began to leave, Genma following behind her.

Ranma turned to Akane. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, right?"

Akane nodded her head, "I'll bring an extra lunch for you, just like 
before."

Ranma smiled and followed his parents out of the garden, into the house 
and to the front door.

Soun followed them to the door, leaving his daughters in the garden.

Akane watched as they disappeared from view and then slowly slid to her 
knees.  Kasumi and Nabiki kneeled beside their little sister as she 
quietly began to cry.  "It's just not fair," she sobbed, "it's just not 
fair."

Kasumi hugged Akane and gave a look at Nabiki. Nabiki returned an "I 
know what I'm doing" look at her older sister and then joined the hug.

===

And I'm bluer than blue, sadder than sad.
You're the only life this empty room has ever had.
Life without you is gonna be, bluer than blue.
Bluer than blue.

===

Ranma jumped down from the fence and walked next to Akane. He took her 
hand in his as they walked down the street. "I can't believe it's been a 
week since I moved in with mom."

Akane nodded her head in agreement. "Does she suspect anything about the 
curse?"

"I don't think so," replied Ranma, "but Pop and I have been telling her 
about our training trips and we even described Jusenkyou and it's curses 
to her. She has asked us why we always want a tea kettle of water 
warming on the stove."

Akane giggled. "Has 'Ranko' visited, yet?"

Ranma gave her a scowl. "No and there won't be a 'yet.' I'm not going to 
change into a girl in front of her as long as I can help it."

"I know you, Ranma." Laughed Akane. "You're a water magnet at times. 
It's just hard to believe you haven't gotten splashed all week."

Ranma smiled in response. "It's been great this week. Mom, pop and I 
acting as a, somewhat, normal family." Ranma squeezed Akane's hand. 
"We've even been able to sneak out to see a couple movies together." 
Ranma took a deep breath and looked at Akane. "Did you want to go see 
the Jackie Chan movie tonight?"

Akane stopped walking and looked at the ground. Ranma walked in front of 
her and took her other hand. "I.. I'm sorry, Akane. We can go see 
another movie."

Akane shook her head. "No, let's go see it, but just the two of us, 
okay?"

Ranma looked into her eyes and smiled. "Great! Let's stop at my house, 
mom said she'd have some lemonade for us to drink. I'll walk you home 
after that."

Akane returned the smile and pulled Ranma after her. "Let's go, 
already."

The two continued talking as they made their way to the Saotome home. As 
they neared, they heard yelling coming from the inside. They quietly 
sneaked up to the front door to listen to the shouting.

"You two did WHAT?"

"We just wanted to eliminate all of the other fiancees. Now, put away 
that sword!"

"Oh, my little girl was always hurt by those other girls chasing him."

Ranma and Akane looked at each other questioningly. Ranma shrugged and 
opened the door.

"If they should find out..." Nodoka stopped as Ranma and Akane entered.

"If we should find out what?" Asked Ranma.

Nodoka looked at Genma.

"A.. About your birthday surprise!" Shouted Genma as he jumped up and 
shoved his son to the table in the middle of the room. "Now that you're 
home, we won't talk anymore about it. Right, Nodoka?"

Nodoka sheathed her sword and nodded. "That is correct, dear."

"Akane, glad you could stop by. Did you want some lemonade?" Genma 
looked nervously at his wife.

Nodoka turned and headed to the kitchen. "I'd like to talk with the two 
of you as we have our refreshments."

Akane kneeled at the table beside Ranma. Nodoka came out with a tray of 
glasses and a pitcher of lemonade.  She set the tray down and served a 
glass to each one at the table.

"Dear and Soun were explaining to me about the number of girls that are 
interested in you, Ranma."

Ranma swallowed. "So, they told you about Ukyou, Shampoo and Kodachi?"

Nodoka nodded and took a sip from her glass. "Have you taken advantage 
of their advances toward you?"

Ranma started to sweat, big time, and looked nervously at Akane.

She returned the stare with a smile and a devious glint in her eyes.

"Well, as his fiancee, I must say that I have had to intervene more than 
once. I've caught him in bed with Shampoo and once with Ukyou."

"Hey!" Interrupted Ranma. "She was sick!"

Ignoring the outburst, she continued. "I caught him in our bath with 
Shampoo. Also, whenever we went to a public bathhouse or a hot spring, 
he would always sneak over to the girls' side." Akane turned and looked 
directly at Ranma. "I also caught you in bed with Kodachi once, right 
after I found those pictures of the two of you kissing."

"I see." Stated Nodoka as she took another sip of lemonade.

Ranma looked at his mother and then Akane. A look of utter fear was on 
his face as he waited for his mother's reaction.

"So, you _have_ taken advantage of them and even peeped on other girls." 
Nodoka looked at Akane. "Has he done anything like this to you?"

"Well, there was the time when he tricked me into thinking a girl was in 
our bathroom taking a bath. I walked in, ready to take a bath, and there 
he was, staring at me. Of course, I screamed and ran out the door."

"Hey! You left and _then_ screamed!" Ranma stopped short as he realized 
what he said then looked at his mother.

"Uh, oh."

Nodoka stood up and took out her katana. She looked it over and then 
looked at Genma and Ranma. Quietly she set the family sword on two pegs 
on a wall. Then, she unwrapped the tanto blade and set it on the wall, 
above the katana.

"Dear, it appears that you have kept your agreement. Ranma is a manly 
man. Peeping on the girls chasing him, and even on his fiancee, Akane."

Genma and Ranma both face faulted.

Akane leaned over to Ranma and whispered in his ear. "Kasumi has been 
talking with Auntie this past week and discovered that she thought 
peeping was manly. Kasumi came up with my little speech and thought it 
would give Auntie the excuse to drop the manly requirement."

"Couldn't you have warned me?" He whispered back.

Akane gave a wry smile and took a sip of lemonade. Time started to slow 
down as she watched Nodoka refill Ranma's glass of lemonade. Ranma 
reached for the glass just as his mother was lowering it to him. It hit 
the top of his hand and started to rise in an arc toward his head. He 
caught the glass in mid air before Nodoka could react. Nodoka's reaction 
was to grab the falling glass. Instead, she knocked it out of Ranma's 
hand and onto his head.

Time froze as everyone stared at onna-Ranma.

"Ranma? You, you're Ranko?" Nodoka stepped back in shock and leaned 
against the wall.

"Mom! I can explain!" Ranma shouted as she jumped up.

Nodoka quickly grabbed her katana from the wall and held it in front of 
Ranma and stared at him. No words were spoken for an eternity as all 
eyes were focused on Nodoka and waiting for her next move.

"Is this how you tricked Akane into thinking there was a girl in the 
bathroom?"

Ranma looked at his mother's face and could not read anything from it. 
"Hai. Uhm, do you remember pop and I describing our training trip to 
Jusenkyou? Well, I fell in the spring of drowned girl. I turn into a 
girl when splashed with cold water and turn back into a guy when hit 
with hot water. I was getting out of the bath tub when Akane walked in."

"And you did the same thing at the hot springs." Nodoka lowered the 
sword. "What an ingenious method of peeping." Nodoka turned to Genma. 
"You took him to the springs to make sure he would be manly, didn't you 
Dear?"

Genma quickly recovered from his shock and long face fault and nodded 
his head.  "That's right, Nodoka! I told you I would make him a manly 
man!"

Nodoka replaced the katana on the wall and walked over to her son, now 
daughter.

"That explains why Ranko always acted like a tomboy and refused to wear 
a dress or bra." Nodoka's face lit up and she quickly entered the 
kitchen. She returned with a teakettle. "I was wondering why you two had 
me keeping a tea kettle of water warm on the stove." She then poured the 
kettle on onna-Ranma and watched her son return.  "It also explains why 
Ranko was afraid of tea kettles. I had wondered about that for quite 
some time." Nodoka give her son a quick hug.

"Uh, Mother?" Ranma stepped out of the hug and looked at his mother 
1with a straight face. "There's something else you should know." Before 
anyone could react, Ranma grabbed the pitcher of lemonade and tossed the 
contents onto his dad.

"Dear!"

===

Nabiki walked into the Neko Hanten and looked around. She smiled to 
herself as she noted that there was no evidence of any explosion or 
destruction in the restaurant.  She quietly made her way to one of the 
large booths in the rear of the restaurant and looked at the group of 
people waiting.

Her eyes first came upon Ukyou. She was sitting in the rear of the 
booth. Probably the first one to arrive. She was staring into a bowl of 
cold ramen in front of her.  She would roll some of the noodles together 
with her chopsticks and then let the ball fall into the bowl. She didn't 
look up or acknowledge Nabiki's presence.

Nabiki then looked at Kodachi and Tatewaki Kuno. She suppressed a sigh 
as she looked into Kuno-chan's eyes. She noticed that they were distant 
and had an air of impatience. Kodachi was whirling a noodle of ramen 
with her chopsticks and then snapping the noodle at her brother. Every 
so often she would laugh quietly.

"We are all here."

Nabiki turned and then bowed to Cologne. "I am thankful that you all 
were able to respond to my invitation."

"Invitation?" Barked Kuno. "The great Tatewaki Kuno received an urgent 
summons that said I would learn the identity of the one behind the 
cowardly destruction of the great Kuno mansion!"

"Tell us who this vile person is!" Shouted Kodachi as she snapped her 
noodle on her brother's nose.

"I also want to find the one responsible for injuring Mousse." Shampoo 
was standing beside Cologne, with Mousse behind her. He had his glasses 
on and stood quietly. As if he was waiting for an attack.

"What about you, Ukyou?" Asked Nabiki.

Ukyou just shrugged her shoulders and let the rolled up ball of noodles 
fall from her chopsticks. "All I want is to make them pay for destroying 
my restaurant and making me lose Ran-chan." The chopsticks in her 
fingers broke with a loud snap, making Nabiki jump. Ukyou's expression 
never changed, but there seemed to be a slight glow around
her.

"That reminds me..." thought Nabiki. "Has anyone seen Ryouga?"

Everyone responded in the negative.

"If you see him, don't let him leave. I want him involved in this, too." 
Nabiki then gave a quick glance at each one present. "I want everyone 
here to understand one thing, no one goes running off and 'exacting' 
their revenge on their own. If you do, I will make your
life a living hell. Understand?"

Everyone present nodded in agreement.

Nabiki paused before continuing. "The plan will be to destroy his home, 
just like he destroyed yours." Again she paused, this time for emphasis. 
"The one behind the attacks was Genma Saotome."

"The cur!" Shouted Kuno.

"But Genma and son-in-law are living on the road." Cologne said as she 
hopped closer to Nabiki.

"Besides," interrupted Ukyou, "Ran-chan and his dad are on a training 
trip. Have been for two weeks."

Nabiki shook her head. "Genma and Ranma have moved back with Auntie 
Nodoka, Ranma's mother. They have been living there the past two weeks."

"Nani?" Shouted Ukyou. "Ran-chan has been here for two weeks and never 
stopped over?  That inconsiderate jackass!" Ukyou started to glow 
brighter.

"Spatula girl, stop!" Shouted Shampoo. "You going to destroy restaurant 
like Ryouga!"

Ukyou looked around and then calmed down. "He stole my childhood and 
then tried to destroy my life as an okonomiyaki chef. He's going to pay 
dearly." She muttered. The glow around her died down until if finally 
disappeared.

Cologne hopped in front of Nabiki. "I find it hard to believe that Genma 
would be that smart."

"He isn't." Nabiki replied. "He's had tremendous luck on his side. With 
Ryouga appearing each time and then tricking Happosai, he was able to 
accomplish his goal."

"What was that?" Asked Kodachi as she sharpened the spikes on one of her 
clubs.

"I can't say right now, but nothing has happened to anyone here for two 
weeks.  Right?" Nabiki then pulled out some sheets of paper from the 
satchel that she had been carrying. "I want to coordinate an attack on 
his house tomorrow. Now here is my plan."

"Why are you doing this, Nabiki Tendou?"

Nabiki looked at Kuno and smiled. "Because he destroyed you're house, 
Kuno-chan, and I want him to pay for that mistake." Nabiki then turned 
to the others and handed a sheet of paper to each one present. They all 
started discussing what exactly Nabiki wanted done.

Except for Mousse. He stood quietly, ready to once again protect 
Shampoo.

===

Katsunishiki nudged the arm of his master and looked at her. She didn't 
respond.  Again he nudged her, but more forcefully this time. She 
responded by swatting him on the nose. The giant pig bowed and stood 
next to her, awaiting her command.

The girl sighed and began to wipe away the tears from her eyes. "Ryouga-
sama, I've waited patiently for more than two months for you to return. 
You would always find your way back to me, no matter what." Once again 
the tears began to flow down her cheeks. "I just want to tell you that 
it was all a misunderstanding at the hot springs."

Clutching her chest, the dark haired girl turned away from the window 
and closed her eyes. Her mind replaying the circumstances of when she 
last saw her love. She absentmindedly touched her lips at the thought of 
Ranma-san's lips touching hers.  She hugged her chest at the thought of 
Ranma-san's hug in the hot spring. She dropped to her knees and covered 
her face at the memory of Ryouga-sama's scream of hurt and rage. She 
started to sob as she remembered Ryouga-sama being attacked and carried 
away by a group of angry women. She fell into a heap on the floor as she 
remembered the look of pain and betrayal on the face of her one, true 
love as he was carried off. She hit the floor with the flat of her hand 
as she remembered slapping Ranma-san and screaming at him to bring her 
Ryouga-sama back.

Katsunishiki bent down next to his master and nuzzled her arm. Slowly 
she reached out to him and held on to one of his legs. Carefully he 
straightened to stand, helping her to stand in the process.

"Arigatoo, Katsunishiki, you are a faithful friend." She took some deep 
breaths as she dried her eyes. "We are going in search of Ryouga-sama, 
Katsunishiki. The first place to look for him will be the Tendou dojo. 
He always seems to be there whenever I wanted to contact him."

The giant sumo pig grunted and bowed to his master, who was now starting 
to smile. A smile that had been missing for many months.

===

I want to love somebody.
I hear you need somebody to love.
I wanna love somebody.
I hear you're looking for someone to love.
Cuz you need to get back in the arms of a good friend.
And I need to get back in the arms of a girlfriend.
I didn't know nobody and then I saw you coming my way.
I didn't know nobody and then I saw you coming my way.
Don't you need to get back in the arms of a good friend.
Oh, cuz honey believe me, I'd sure love to call you my girlfriend.

- Matthew Sweet

===

"Come in, come in!" Nodoka greeted the Tendou family as they entered the 
front door.

"Oh, the room looks so beautiful and happy for a birthday party." Kasumi 
smiled as she looked at the trimmings on the walls and the table in the 
center of the room.

Nabiki also bowed as she entered. "Here are copies of the insurance 
papers that you had me file, Auntie Nodoka."

"Arigatoo, Kasmui." Nodoka took the papers and then bowed to Akane.

Akane returned the bow while removing her shoes. "Thank you for inviting 
us over." She said as she set them next to her sisters' shoes.

Nodoka smiled and then greeted Soun.

"Here are some cakes that Kasumi made." Soun bowed as he handed the box 
to Nodoka.

"Arigatoo, we'll have these with the cake I prepared." Nodoka followed 
them to the table and kneeled next to her husband. She then began 
pouring tea for everyone.

"Here is a present for you, Ranma." Akane smiled as she handed the box 
to Ranma.

A sweat drop appeared on his head as his mind kicked into panic gear. "I 
hope she didn't cook me anything." Carefully, he lifted the lid of the 
box and looked inside, ready to shut it quickly. Instead, he smiled and 
set the lid aside. "You made this yourself, didn't you?"

Akane nodded her head in response. "What do you think?"

Ranma picked up the picture frame. The picture frame was made of 
concrete, but was polished smooth and very light. On the top of the 
frame was the word "Lunch." On the sides were his name and Akane's. On 
the bottom was an intricate design of a series of koi swimming. In the 
frame was a picture of Akane and himself. She was feeding him some sushi 
with her chopsticks. He smiled at the memory.

"I made the frame." Akane smiled as Ranma looked up at her. "Kasumi 
designed the carvings for me and Nabiki took the picture a couple weeks 
ago."

"Arigatoo, Akane." Ranma looked at Kasumi and Nabiki and bowed. 
"Arigatoo, to you, too. This is a wonderful present."

"You probably thought she cooked you some cookies, didn't you Ranma?" 
Nabiki gave a sneaky smile.

"Uh..." Ranma started to sweat.

"Ranma!" Akane glowered at him.

At that moment the front door exploded inward.

"It figures." Ranma mumbled.

Shampoo walked in the doorway, but didn't say anything. Mousse followed 
her in.  Ranma noticed that Mousse's glasses were different. They were 
like his pop's. "He doesn't want to lose them in a fight." He thought. 
Followed by Mousse were Cologne and then Ukyou.

Ukyou threw an okonomiyaki, which Ranma easily caught. He looked down 
and noticed that she had made her usual cute designs. Then he noticed 
that the heart looked different. It had a jagged line through the 
middle. It was broken. He looked up and Ukyou turned her gaze away from 
him. Ranma's attention returned to the gaping doorway and watched 
Kodachi walk through, followed by her brother.

Ranma stood up, followed by his father and mother. "What's going on 
here?" He asked.

Cologne hopped on her old stick over to Ranma. "We have found out who 
was responsible for the destruction of our homes, Son-in... Ranma."

"What?" Ranma was more surprised at her calling him Ranma than her 
revelation.

"Our homes were systematically destroyed by the plans of one person in 
this room." Cologne looked at Genma. "We will be returning the favor, 
Genma."

On cue, Shampoo and Kodachi started breaking out the windows and 
knocking holes in the walls.

"No!" Genma yelled as he jumped toward Shampoo. He was wrapped in chains 
and thrown backwards by Mousse, who simply stared at him. Shampoo then 
blew a large hole in the wall.

Meanwhile, Ranma jumped at Kodachi and pinned her arms behind her.

Kodachi immediately took the opportunity to kiss Ranma on the lips. "Oh, 
Ranma-sama! I'm sorry, but I must return to my duty." With a twist, she 
slipped from the shocked Ranma and leapt toward the stairs.

"Do not interfere any further, Saotome!" Shouted Kuno as he swung his 
bokken at Ranma, forcing him back.

"OHOHOHOHO! Thank you, brother dear!" She screeched as she continued 
breaking windows. "I'll continue our joyous reunion later, Ranma-sama."

Ukyou had moved toward Akane and her sisters. "Stay put, and I'll make 
sure nothing happens to you."

"Stop this, immediately!" Shouted Nodoka.

"No." Ukyou's voice was dripping with icicles. "Genma destroyed my 
childhood and then tried to destroy my life as an okonomiyaki chef." 
Ukyou then turned to Akane.  "And you've kept Ran-chan all to yourself 
for two weeks. I want some revenge and this house is going to receive 
it."

Just as she finished saying this, she protected Kasumi and Nabiki from a 
shower of broken glass using her battle spatula.

Using the chains that he unwrapped from Genma, Soun threw them at 
Shampoo. At the same time Genma jumped toward Kodachi.

Mousse deflected the chains away from Shampoo and let them crash through 
the wall.  He then threw three chains, each about a meter long, at Soun. 
The spikes on the ends of the chain dug deep into the wall, pinning 
Soun.

Cologne tripped Genma in mid jump, sending him crashing into the stairs.

Ranma grabbed Kuno's bokken and flipped him out the doorway. Ranma 
didn't notice the sound of Kuno hitting someone.

"Stop this now!" Shouted Ranma.

In response Kodachi and Shampoo turned and stared at him. "This is 
ridiculous!  Destroying my home is no answer! If my pop is behind this, 
then I'll deal with him!  But don't take this out on my mother or her 
home!" Ranma was shaking with anger.

Shampoo stepped back and lowered her bonborri. Mousse silently stepped 
ahead of Shampoo, but did not block her line of sight.

Kodachi looked around. "Where is my brother?"

"Ranma, prepare to die!" Everyone turned toward the direction of the 
shout.

Standing in the doorway was Ryouga. He tossed the contents of a bucket 
at Ranma.

"So you brought the pig-boy to finish the job?" Onna-Ranma moved into a 
ready stance.

"Ranma?" Shouted Kodachi. "What is going on? Where have you gone?"

Ryouga turned and stared at Kodachi. "You stupid cow. Don't you 
understand that Ranma and the pig-tailed-girl are one and the same?"

With a shriek of anger and disgust, Kodachi launched herself at Ryouga. 
He simply backhanded her away. Mousse quickly caught the unconscious 
girl and set her next to Kasumi.

"Why are you doing this, Ryouga?" Onna-Ranma's anger was growing and her 
patience was disappearing.

"Why? Because of you I have seen hell! Because of you I have lost the 
women I love.  You are now going to pay!"

Before Ranma could react, Genma jumped at Ryouga. Ryouga feinted a punch 
to Genma's face, then grabbed his leg and tossed him into the wall. This 
knocked the katana and tanto from their pegs on the wall. Genma also 
fell from the wall. He let out a scream of pain and shock as he watched 
the blade of the katana slowly protruded from his right shoulder.

"Dear!" Shouted Nodoka as she ran to her husband. Carefully she removed 
the katana and resheathed it. Before anyone else could react, she picked 
up the tanto and threw it at Ryouga.

Ryouga easily caught the blade and in one motion, sent it back the way 
it came. 

"No!" Genma covered his wife and screamed in pain as the tanto blade 
buried itself in his left shoulder. Genma then collapsed on the floor.

Ukyou rushed over to him and removed the blade and looked up in shock.

"Ryouga? Why are you doing this?" Akane looked at Ryouga with a mixture 
of disbelief and slight fear.

"Why? He's made my life hell! When I find joy or happiness or even luh, 
love, he either takes it or drives them away!" Ryouga's fists were 
shaking as he started to glow.

"Ryouga! I'm going to..." Before Onna-Ranma could finish, Ryouga brought 
his hands together as a blue ball of energy began to form in front of 
him.

"Shi Shi Houkoudan!"

Onna-Ranma braced herself and tried to absorb as much of the blast as 
possible.  Unfortunately, the blast blew her backward into her mother 
and Ukyou. The three landed hard against the wall, and part of the wall 
collapsed upon them. Shampoo and Mousse immediately ran to the pile of 
bodies and debris.

"How could you?"

Ryouga turned toward the shout and saw Akane. She was standing in front 
of her sisters and father. Nabiki was sobbing uncontrollably as Kasumi 
tried to console her. Soun also had an arm around Nabiki and was staring 
in anger at Ryouga. Akane had the chains that originally held her father 
against the wall. She threw the chains at Ryouga and stayed in place, 
protecting her family.

Ryouga caught the chains and let them drop to the floor. He looked at 
Shampoo as she pulled an unconscious Ukyou from the pile of debris. 
Mousse removed a chunk of the wall from the back of onna-Ranma and 
carefully checked her for injuries.

"That is enough." Ryouga turned to a very angry Cologne. "If you do not 
leave now, I will force you to leave. Be thankful you did not injure my 
great-granddaughter."

Ryouga turned his attention to the moan of pain from onna-Ranma. He 
gasped as he saw Nodoka. Her arm was pointing in an unusual direction, 
but her face is what shocked him. Blood trickled from her nose and mixed 
with the bloody foam coming from her mouth.

"What have I done?" Ryouga whispered.

"MOTHER!"

Mousse pulled a shaking Onna-Ranma away from her mother.

"We've got to get her to a hospital." Mousse said as he looked directly 
into onna-Ranma's eyes.  "Before you do anything else, she needs medical 
attention."

"Kasumi, take Nabiki next door and call an ambulance." Soun said as 
helped his daughters make their way out of the house through one of the 
holes in the wall that Shampoo had made. Kasumi had an arm around her 
sobbing sister as she tried to quickly leave. "No one was supposed to 
get hurt." Nabiki repeated over and over.

Mousse slowly shoved his way between onna-Ranma and her mother. "I'll 
look after her until the ambulance arrives."

Onna-Ranma nodded and then staggered to her feet. She turned toward 
Ryouga, who was still standing in the doorway. "Leave, pig-boy, and get 
lost. If I ever see you again, I swear I'll kill you."

"I... I didn't mean for this to.."

"Go, Ryouga." Interrupted Akane.

Ryouga looked at her and then at his surroundings. Ukyou, Kodachi, Genma 
and Nodoka were unconscious. Mousse and Shampoo were carefully attending 
to the injured Saotomes. Cologne, Akane and onna-Ranma were staring at 
him in defiance, sadness and anger. At this he turned and ran out the 
front door. As he left he tripped over the unconscious Tatewaki, then 
gathered his footing and continued running.

Onna-Ranma ran out the door and to Kuno. At the sound of sirens she 
looked up and saw an approaching police car. She quickly ran to the 
street to flag it down.

===

Akane smiled as she looked at her sisters. "Arigatoo, everyone. This has 
been the best birthday I have ever had."

"I'm glad you liked the picture." Ranma smiled as he adjusted the 
picture frame setting on the table. "This is just like the first time I 
saw you in your garden."

Akane looked at the picture of herself and Kasumi planting a flower. 

"Nabiki, did you take this?"

"Moi?" Nabiki asked as she feigned ignorance.

Ranma grabbed Akane's hand and stood up. "Let's you and I go out to your 
garden."

Akane stood up with Ranma's help and walked toward the porch. The 
assembled group watched as the couple left the room.

Genma sighed. "It would have been better if they got married today."

Nodoka poked him in the side wither her cast. "Dear, I'm glad they made 
you and Soun promise not to force them into marriage."

"Now they'll never get married!" Bawled Soun.

Genma shook his head, as did Nodoka. "Tendou-kun, control yourself."

"It will all work out, father." Kasumi tried to comfort him with one of 
her smiles."

"Auntie and uncle? Have you decided what you will do when the insurance 
company settles your claims?" Nabiki asked, trying to change the 
subject.

"Well, dear and I have been thinking of rebuilding the house. But our 
neighbors still are nervous about us moving back in. We may just buy 
another house with the settlement. That insurance policy you arranged 
for us will cover whatever we decide to do. Also, your offer to let us 
stay hear as long as needed is quiet helpful."

Nabiki smiled and nodded her head. "Arigatoo. I'm glad the two of you 
have recovered from your injuries so well."

"The cast helps to keep dear in line." Nodoka whapped Genma in the 
stomach for emphasis. "The ribs are more of a problem. Dear has been 
helping me with breathing techniques to ease the pain." Genma blushed as 
she smiled and poked him in the ribs.

Kasumi quietly cleared the table, carrying the empty dishes to the 
kitchen. No leftovers. She smiled at the thought and the warm feeling it 
gave her. She stepped out of the kitchen and looked at her family. 
Father was smiling as well as Nabiki.  It had been so long since they 
were able to relax and just talk. Auntie was leaning against uncle and 
looked very pleased. There were no worries or fears in any of them. She 
wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to the porch.

She sat down at the edge and let her feet dangle. The garden looked so 
beautiful. Ranma had helped with the planting of some small trees and 
bushes. A warm breeze caused her to sigh and turn her attention to the 
couple sitting on a bench in the garden.  Ranma had an arm around Akane. 
They were talking, but she couldn't hear what they were saying. The two 
took turns speaking, occasionally Akane would poke Ranma in the side.

Nabiki kneeled next to her. "So this were you went."

Kasumi turned and smiled at her sister. Soun kneeled on the other side 
of Kasumi. To their far side, Genma sat cross-legged with his back 
against the wall of the house. Nodoka sat in his lap and leaned against 
his chest.

The group then turned their attention to the couple in the garden. Ranma 
and Akane were continuing their discussion, oblivious to the audience 
now present. Every so often, Akane would smile. In response Ranma would 
stop talking and just stare at her. Eventually he would continue. The 
entire time he had his arm around her and would draw her close.

Without warning Akane slapped him and moved away from him. Her shout of 
'Baka!' was all that was heard. He placed his hand on hers and acted as 
if he was pleading for her to listen to him. Slowly she turned toward 
him, a scowl on her face. The two looked at each other with out 
speaking. Slowly Ranma stood, never letting go of her hands. Then, he 
kneeled in front of her. The silence continued for a moment, until he 
spoke something quietly.

In response Akane jerked her hands away from Ranma and clutched her 
chest. Ranma set his hands on his legs as he remained in his kneeling 
position. Slowly Akane started to sob, her shoulders slightly shaking. 
Ranma again said something and Akane slid off of the bench. She wrapped 
her arms around him, hugging him fiercely. Her head nodding up and down. 
In response Ranma hugged her and lightly stroked her hair.

Kasumi's hands flew up to her face as she started to cry. She felt her 
sister hug her. She, too, was crying. Before she could return the hug, 
their father joined in the hug.

Genma humphed and whispered to Nodoka. "You can tell they're Tendous."

She looked at the three crying beside them and then at her son and the 
girl crying in his arms. Her eyes twinkled as she whispered something in 
her husband's ear and then stood.

Genma blushed and followed his wife. He took her good hand in his and 
walked with her into the house. A silly grin on his face.

Nabiki was the first to let go of the group hug. She wiped her eyes and 
looked at Akane and Ranma, who were still hugging each other. "Come on, 
daddy." She said as she took him by the hand and helped him stand.

Kasumi dried her eyes and face as she watched her sister lead her crying 
father into the house. She turned toward the garden and smiled at the 
sight of her other sister in the arms of her love. Kasumi stood and 
walked to the doorway into the house. She stopped and turned to again 
look into the garden.

It was then that Ranma looked up and noticed Kasumi. He smiled and spoke 
into Akane's ear. She wiped away her tears and looked up. She smiled and 
waved at her sister. Ranma joined in the wave.

Kasumi returned the wave and then entered the house. As she walked to 
the kitchen, she heard scratching at the front door. "P-chan!" She said  
as she picked up the little black pig. "Akane will be so happy to see 
you. She's missed you this past month."

Kasumi carried the struggling pig and set him in Akane's room. "Akane 
will be here in a few minutes, P-chan. So don't get lost in her room." 
Kasumi shut the door and smiled. "Everything is turning out perfect."

===

Akane carried a tray with two cups for tea, a tea bowl and a pitcher of 
hot water.  Ranma followed her up the stairs with a pitcher of lemonade 
and two glasses. He looked at the closed door to his room and sighed. "I 
guess I won't be getting any sleep in there tonight."

"You're used to sleeping downstairs, anyway." Akane giggled at the 
thought of the recent sleeping arrangements. "Help me open the door."

Ranma nodded and opened the door for her and then followed her in. He 
sat the lemonade on her desk, next to the tray of tea. As he turned 
around she gave him a hug.

"Do you want some lemonade?" He said as he returned the hug.

Akane looked up at him and smiled.

"Uhmm."

In response she cocked her head to the side and gave an even cuter 
smile.

"Uhhhh."

===

"Where am I now!" Ryouga shouted to himself. "How can I get lost in 
Akane's room?"

The little pig looked around in the blackness and could make out some 
shapes. The first thing he noticed were some shoes. These are Akane's 
jogging shoes. What are they doing here? He looked up and to his side. I 
must be in some cave, how could I have left her room and not known it?

At that thought he heard some noises. That sounds like voices, but I 
can't make out any words. In fact it sounds like someone saying one word 
at a time. Ryouga looked in the direction of the voices and saw a light 
in the distance. Carefully he made his way toward the source of the 
light. Occasionally he would look away, trying to understand what the 
voices he heard were saying. Eventually he came to a wall with a crack 
in it. He looked through the crack and saw Akane's bedroom. With a 
little effort, he scratched at the crack and widened it. He squeezed 
through the opening and turned around.

"Her closet? I was in her closet?" The little pig sat down in disbelief. 
He turned his attention to the sound of the voices he had been hearing. 
His eyes lit up as he recognized the voice.

"Akane!"

The little black pig ran and jumped onto the bed.

===

You're my best friend, best friend with benefits.
What took me so long?
I've never felt this healthy before.
I've never wanted something rational.
I am aware now, I am aware now.
You've already won me over, in spite of me.
Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet.
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are.
I couldn't help it, it's all your fault.

- Alanis Morissette

=======================================================================


===

CD's listened to, while trying to write part 5.
Ranma 1/2: Complete Vocal Collection Vol. 2
Ranma 1/2: DoCo Best Collections
Maison Ikkoku: Complete Vocal Collection ~ TV Series ~
KOR: Sound Color 1
Dread Zepplelin: No Quarter Pounder
Matthew Sweet: Girlfried (CD single)
Rock of the 80's Vol 11
The Presidents of the United States
Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill
and (at work) WCRZ 107.9 which kept playing the Barry Manilow remake of 
"Bluer Than Blue" (AARRRRRGGGHHHHH)



suds-kun (Shaun Schillinger)
suds1964@tir.com
 http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/8222/
"THIS time, we didn't forget the graaavy!" Cat & Mouse to Dog