I know it's a bit late for Christmas. I also know there have been a few similarly theme'd stories lately.

I can't help that. I had this idea many months ago but I am a slow writer, when I can get round to it.

I hope you enjoy:


Ranma - AMG - Scrooged

By Jason Ashton
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Set sometime before the last story. Before Nodoka has been reunited with her family.

All thanks to Rumiko Takahashi and Kosuke Fujishima.
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Ranma staggered into his room and collapsed onto the futon. It had been a very busy day.

Girls... Who could figure them out. No matter what he did it was always wrong. Be nice to Ukyou and he was yelled at and malleted. Try to be friendly with Shampoo and he was attacked. Try to joke with Ryouga and he was accused. Try not to hurt Akane and he was poisoned. Try to be civil to Kodachi and they all left him alone. Who could figure them out? 

Eight fights, two malletings, one poisoning, and an unending stream of insults. Today had been one of his busiest and he had done nothing but stall.

Stalling had become his favourite tactic. Stall long enough and things should sort themselves out. Fianc�es would drift away, cures might be found, tempers cooled and things might just be better. They certainly couldn't get any worse. 

Ranma undressed and crawled under the blankets. He wondered how long he could stall them for. Surely by now some of them must be getting the hint. They had to. It wasn't as if he didn't like them all, well perhaps most of them, he did. But to make a move would be to hurt most of them. Besides who knew which direction to move.

Girls... 

Somewhere in the distance the phone began to ring. Ranma rolled over and tried to ignore it. It rang and rang and rang and rang and Arrrggghhh! He hoped up and ran to pick it up. Just as he brought the phone to his ear they hung up. Irritably he punched a few numbers just to see if the damn thing was working.

"Good evening, you have reached the Goddess...<click>" Ranma hung up. Yep, phone still worked. He trudged back to bed, his mind still on the mess he called his life.

Girls... How come if he was a girl some of the time he still couldn't understand them? They obviously didn't think like normal people. He shivered at the thought of suddenly thinking like he imagined a girl did and was glad he didn't. He was a man, even when he wasn't. Thankfully.

And so he stalled... and kept stalling. Hoping that someone would get their act together and sort it all out. That was all he wanted. "I just wish that someone, the right someone, would sort it all out." He muttered to himself. "I can't go on too much longer than this."

Behind him a hall mirror glowed and a head poked out just in time to hear his muttering. Ranma closed his bedroom door on the flash of light and rumble of thunder, still too wrapped up in his own thoughts. He collapsed back into his bedclothes and was almost immediately asleep.

***********************************

 "Raaaannnnmmmaaaaa..... Raaaannnnmmmmaaaa...."

Reluctantly Ranma woke. He glared blearily about, but seeing who had woken him he sighed. 

"Kasumi...?" He tried to hang on to his peaceful sleep.

"Come on Ranma... time to wake up." The hall light behind her created a ghostly halo around her whole body.

"Huh...?"

"Up you get. The first of your visitors is going to arrive."

"Oh gods..." Ranma pulled his pillow over his head. "Who is it this time? Shampoo? Kuno? Can't I just get some sleep?"

"Now now Ranma, you did invite them. They're coming to help you sort things out."

"Tell Nabiki I can see her in the morning." Ranma's muffled voice came from under his tightly clutched pillow.

"Now I've got a pot of tea and four cups for you. There are some crackers here as well, it should do for a visit so late don't you think?"

"yeahwhatever..." Ranma muttered.

"Now you will listen to them and pay attention won't you Ranma?" Ranma snored. Kasumi poked him gently and he looked at her sleepily. "You will listen to them won't you Ranma?"

"Yes Kasumi, I'll listen to em." Ranma's brain caught up with his mouth several seconds after Kasumi had left, and wondered what that had been all about. Two seconds later he was asleep again.

***********************************

"All right lover boy. Up and at em!" Ranma ignored the clear sultry voice and turned over. "Yo! Kendo Kidd!"

"oaway..." Whoever it was they were persistent.

"We could get all wet and comfy..." The soft voice whispered in his ear.

"ot ow kane." Why couldn't they let him get some sleep.

"Course we could always cuddle like two cats..#" 

"Aaarrrrggghhh!" Ranma leaped up and started climbing the far wall. It took him a few seconds to realise there wasn't a cat nearby. 

There was something almost as bad standing by his futon. A six foot, platinum blonde, bronze skinned woman in very revealing clothes. She watched him as he slowly slid down the wall, her face lazy with anticipation. 

"Urk.?"

"Hi there..." She purred as she sauntered over to him. "Aren't we a cute one."

"Um... Ah... Yo... You're not another fianc�e are you?"

"Well... I could be if you wanted me to..." Ranma began to sweat. "But no. I here to take you on a little trip."

"Trip...? I ain't goin nowhere."

"That's right lover boy, that you are." She pointed a finger at him and in a burst of light they both disappeared. 

***********************************

-"What the..! Where the... Where are we?"- Ranma found himself floating outside in a world suddenly translucent. He turned to see the woman nearby, just out of reach. 

-"Relax honey. The ride will be that much smoother."- She began to gesture and chant softly to herself. Ranma waved his arms and legs about, trying to do anything other than float. Unsuccessfully. He began to get annoyed.

-"Look lady, I don't know what mental institution you escaped from but I'm telling ya you better stop it."- She ignored him. -"Have it your own way."- He began to build up his chi, focussing it forward at his hands. A pulsing ball began to form when suddenly the world lurched and he lost concentration. The ghost world that was surrounding him began to move. Slowly at first, but picking up speed. Ranma looked about in dismay.

-"Hey! Why's everyone walking backward?"-

-"Cute, but dumb. People aren't moving backward, we are."-

-"Huh?"-

-"We are going back in time lover. Back to the past."-

-"Wadda you want with me?"- Ranma looked a bit shaken. This was a power beyond him.

-"We're going on a trip. You have been lucky enough to have been granted a wish, signed sealed and soon to be delivered."-

-"Crazy... I knew it."-

-"The Lord has decided that you need to see a few things of your own past. So naturally he asked his favourite goddess to give you a little tour. Who else but Urd for a trip to the past."-

-"Goddess huh?"- Ranma suddenly felt better. -"I've dealt with a few petty gods before. Can't imagine a girl god being much trouble."- There was a soundless explosion as something hit him in the stomach. The woman was suddenly face to face with him, her slit pupiled eyes glaring into his, her whiskers almost touching his cheeks, her pointed ears...

-"C.. c.. c.. cat!!!!!"-

-"Now behave yourself,"- She purred, -"or I'll alter your curse to one of a more... feline nature."- Ranma gulped and shut up.

Soon the backward pace began to slow and the world regained some of its solidity. They glided sideways a little before there was another lurch and things began to go forward. They were outside a small house in a neighbourhood unfamiliar to Ranma. The door opened and a young boy was pushed out, followed by a large balding man.

"Come on boy! The road awaits us."

"Do you have to go..." The female's voice was soon followed by a very lovely woman. She stood at the door and watched the young boy, her eyes wide. The young boy was obviously uncomfortable, he shuffled about drawing pictures in the dirt with his foot.

-"Mum..?"- The ghostly Ranma floated nearby.

"Now Nodoka. We went over this last night, and the night before, and the night before. You don't want Ranma to grow up a sissy do you?"

"no..."

"We'll be home before you know it. Come on boy, say goodbye to your mother." The little boy slowly dragged his feet back to the doorstep. When he got close to the woman he lunged at her and hugged her tightly.

"You take care of yourself my little samurai. Get your father to write to me and come home soon." She held him so very tightly. "I love you..."

"I love you mummy..." The little boy whispered back to her, his face wet with tears. The ghostly Ranma was having a hard time himself. The father and son duo turned and slowly walked into the distance. Ranma and the goddess waited behind.

-"Why are we here!"- Ranma turned to face Urd. She gestured to Nodoka. Ranma turned and watched as the tears coursed down his mothers face. They drifted closer so they could hear her faint whispers.

"Oh my little baby... I miss you all ready..." She watched the road long after they had disappeared from sight.

~~~+++~~~

Ranma stepped out into a forest glade just in time to see a purple haired girl sneaking into the clearing. She paused, looking back the was she came before gleefully bouncing to the centre. She stood there with visible impatience until she was attacked.

With a cry of "Sha-poo!" a young boy jumped her and together they rolled around on the ground in a fight just short of serious. To Ranma it looked identical to himself and Ukyou in another age.

~~~+++~~~

The world blurred again and they slid elsewhere. In the blurring landscape Ranma could still see the look of emptiness that had filled his mothers face and the happiness that had filled Shampoo and Mousse's. The blurring stopped and he found himself just outside a village that looked very familiar.

There was a shout and a rumble of wheels. Ramna whirled around just in time to see a large man bearing down on him at full speed. He was about to jump out of the way when he saw the man's face. 

-"Pop??"- Ranma snapped a quick punch at his fathers midsection and was startled when his fist met no resistance. He stumbled forward and his father and the cart he was pulling passed through him. -"What the...??"-

He stood there, blinking in confusion. By the time he looked around Genma and the cart were just disappearing over the horizon. To one side Urd began to laugh. Ranma whirled and glared at her.

-"Ha ha ha. The look on your face."-

Ranma's hands closed into fists but one look at her face, her slitted eyes, reminded him of her power. He looked away in disgust just in time to see a child running toward him. Jumping to one side he watched as the child stumbled to a halt. Tears coursed down the child's face as he fell to his knees.

"Ranchan...! ranchan.." Ranma started forward and crouched beside the child. Indeterminate gender, sparsely dressed with an empty bandoleer. 

-"Uchann..? I remember this.."- Ranma turned towards Urd. -"Why are you showing me this?"-

-"Watch."- The young girl picked herself up and listlessly trudged back to the village behind them. She walked slowly up to a rundown house where a large man stood outside. He glared at her, she shrank back.

"Dad.."

"Silence!" The man looked up from her to stare over her head. 

"But.."

"I have no daughter." Ukyou went white with shock. "Not any more." The man shook himself and glanced at the child before him. He smiled. "Come son. It's time to go."

Ranma could see the struggle on Ukyou's face. She was losing her father, losing her family name. She.. No. He shook her.. himself and hurried after his father. His sister may have abandoned the Kuonji name but he wouldn't.

~~~+++~~~

A small boy stumbled down a road of a village. His clothing was worn and dirty, his face pinched from lack of food and his eyes glimmering with unshed tears. He stumbled up to an adult and tugged on their shirt.

"Home?"

"What?" The adult turned around and looked down. "Where did you come from." The little boy offered him a piece of paper. "Hmmm. 'Hello, my name is Ryouga Hibiki. My parents live in Tokyo...' Bla de bla de bla. My goodness you are a long way from home little one. How did you get here."

The little boy just looked up with large eyes, still glimmering.

"You'd better come inside while we contact your parents."

~~~+++~~~

The classroom was quiet. A young girl stood hesitantly and walked up to the front of the class. The teacher gestured encouragingly. She turned and began to write something on the blackboard. She turned and smiled shyly as the teacher nodded her head. It took Ranma a long second to reconcile this calm, quiet girl with the lunatic he knew her as. 

~~~+++~~~

Finally the world stopped spinning. 

Ranma found himself in a graveyard. The sky was grey, the wind unsettled. There were a multitude of headstones and shrines about but only one person. A young girl, nine or ten, was kneeling beside a small stone. Ranma drifted forward.

"hi mum.. its been another year."

The voice was familiar, but Ranma couldn't quite place it. He moved hesitantly forward, unwilling to interrupt.

"Dad's not so hot these days.. he misses you. Kasumi's doing her best, but.. I don't know about Nabiki, she won't talk to me much lately."

This was Akane? Ranma peered round her until he could see her face, there were tears streaming down her cheeks and her eyes were dull. He reached forward to place a hand on her shoulder but it passed through.

"Its, been so long Mum. So long.. Why'd you have to go and die? It's not fair. How could you! Why?" She began to shout, pounding the headstone with her fist. "How could you leave us like that! Why did you have to go? Why... I... I... miss you mum. I miss you so much." She hugged the headstone and sobbed quietly for a while. Ranma could only watch silently. Eventually her eyes dried and sat back.

"Thanks Mum." She patted the gravestone and stood. "I needed that." Akane turned and slowly left the graveyard.

Ranma turned to Urd, tears gathering in his eyes.

"So now what huh!? Gonna show me Hiroshima? The Dynasty wars? Or how about when my Goldfish died?"

Urd regarded him silently for a moment before bowing her head. The world suddenly swirled around them in a fantastic tornado. Faster and faster until Ranma could hardly see the goddess.

***********************************

"Noo. Ot 'nother one" Ranma tossed restlessly, half asleep. "lea ee a'one..."

"Raaaannnnmmmaaaaa..... Raaaannnnmmmmaaaa...."

"No ow asumi..."

"Ranma, please wake up."

"Huh..? What is it Kasumi." Ranma opened his eyes reluctantly and came face to face with a stranger. "Wha..?"

The strange woman half bowed from her seated position and smiled at him. Her smile cut through the sleepy fog of Ranma's brain waking him at a speed he didn't think possible.

"Ahhhh..."

"Good evening Ranma."

"Errr..."

"That's all right. Just take my hand." Ranma reached out a hand automatically. She grasped it and he was yanked upwards, right through the roof.

"What the..?"

"It will be faster travelling in the spirit form."

"Oh no.." Ranma groaned. "You're another one of those lady god things aren't you?"

"Why yes Ranma. My name is Belldandy, Goddess of the present."

Ranma just buried his spiritual head in his ghostly hands.

***********************************

-"So.. uh.. why?" Ranma was having trouble focusing. Perhaps it was because he was floating some distance from the ground in the middle of the night with a stunningly beautiful goddess beside him. 

-"Pardon?"- 

-"Why are you doing this to me?"-

-"This?"-

-"Look you.. uh.. Belldandy, why are you goddesses showing me this stuff?"-

-"Because the Lord has decreed that you deserve to see, that you need to see, that you wish to see."

-"Huh?"-

-"Because it is the Lord's wish, your wish. Ah, we are here."- Their flight halted and when Ranma glanced down he could see they were outside Uchanns. As they floated gently down he could see that Ukyou was talking to someone at her back door. 

"..will need twice this much for next week Taoken."

"Twice as much Ukyou? While I will be the first to admit that your dishes are beyond compare surely you're not doubling your customers in just one week?"

Ranma frowned at the guy. He was clearly trying to 'chat up' his best friend. His eyes were fixed on her alone, there was a catch in his voice and a slight colour about his cheeks. Ukyou smiled brightly and shook her head.

"I've had a booking for a large graduating party next week, they booked the entire restaurant for the whole evening." 

Taoken smiled broadly. "Great. It looks like your fame has spread. If you're not careful your regular customers won't be able to visit, you'll be booked solid."

"Well... I have been thinking of opening a takeaway section, just in case of nights like this one."

"Hmmm..." Taoken whipped out a pad and pencil, and began scribbling a few notes. "Not a bad idea. Your regular supply order would increase. You'd need containers, I know someone who can supply them, at near cost. Unless you want them with a logo?"

"It's just an idea so far. You needn't go to any trouble." Ukyou looked both uncomfortable and extremely interested.

"No trouble. No trouble at all. Have you thought about advertising this service?"

"Advertising... No I haven't. I don't suppose you know anyone..."

Ranma and Belldandy began to drift upwards. Ranma looked with disgust at the young man before turning to Belldandy.

-"What was all that about? Why show me this?"-

-"What did you see Ranma?"-

-"Huh? Just Ukyou getting food stuff and that weakling making eyes at her."-

-"Really? You didn't hear the passion Ukyou had for her craft?"-

-"So?"-

-"So.....?"- Belldandy stretched it out long enough that Ranma began to feel guilty about his answer, belittling something he knew was important to Ukyou. Belldandy smiled. -"Taoken is such a nice young man. Did you know that his parents died when he was just thirteen. That he managed to support himself through school and start his own business."-

-"So? I doubt he can fight worth a damn."-

-"And fighting is so important in a relationship? What about security Ranma? What about honest hard work and principles?"- Ranma began to look uncomfortable, he opened his mouth to say something scathing but stopped at Belldandy's look. Kasumi could have had lessons. "Be honest Ranma, if you do not choose Ukyou then what is left for her. Look how she doesn't even see Taoken's attempts to befriend her. How many friends do you think she has?"-

-"Ah.. well.." Ranma honestly couldn't think who else was Ukyou's friend. He felt uncomfortable with that thought.

Before the conversation could continue they began to drift up into the night sky once more.

~~~+++~~~

This time they slowly descended to the Nekotan, stopping before they reached the ground. A window creaked with the sounds of flesh hitting flesh as they drifted closer. The curtains within opened with a gesture from Belldandy to give them a clear view of the interior.

Shampoo had obviously just finished beating up Mousse. Ranma was silent as he watched her drop the semi-conscious matial-artist and turn towards the door. Cologne was perched on her staff, her presence enveloping all. Shampoo glanced at her Great Grandmother, back at Mousse and at her bedside table before leaving the room. Just as she left Ranma could see a tiny gleam from her cheek as a solitary tear slowly fell. 

He looked at the bedside table as saw several photos and pictures. There were images of mountains, a village, the usual crowd from Nerima, other people and hidden right at the back an image he had seen not long before.

Two youngsters in the woods. The boy a blurred shadow, uncertain in form. The girl clear and precise, each line drawn with care.

Ranma turned to Belldandy. -"Why was she crying?"-

-"Why would she smile?"- Ranma had no chance to reply as they were again gliding into the air.

~~~+++~~~

This time as they flew they went slowly and closer to the ground. Ranma was able to see that they were leaving Nerima. Even from this vantage point Ranma was able to spy a small black piglet running for it's life from several hungry looking cats. He gulped at the sight of a yellow spotted bandanna. And he thought a female curse was bad.

They came to a small faceless flat, just one out of many. Belldandy gestured and they floated through the doorway. Inside was a mixture of proud heritage and desolation. Priceless jade statue's rested on a battered table, an immaculate fan hung against a wall with peeling wallpaper. There were other signs, too many. Ranma looked about, confused.

-"Where are we..?"-

-"Wait."- 

Seconds passed, Ranma began to fidgit until there came the sound of a key in the lock. The door opened and a weary Nodoka entered. Ranma felt his mouth drop as he watched his mother come home.

-"What..? Why's Mom in a dump like this?"-

-"Where did you think she lived Ranma? She has no family to support her, no husband working. She was lucky to get work in town."-

-"But.. these antiques?"- Ranma gestured to an ancient looking tanto in a small stand.

-"Mrs Saotome is a proud person Ranma. Her family, her traditions mean much to her. She could no more sell those than sell a piece of her soul."-

Ranma watched as his mother put down the case she had been carrying and took out her sword. She placed it carefully in a place of honour before turning to the kitchen and starting dinner. Ranma watched her closely, her movements were slow, tired.

When she had finished preparing her simple meal she sat and, with movements that showed she performed the ritual every night, she placed several photos about the table. To her left there was a picture of Soun, younger and more vital. Below the photo she placed a gold ring. To her right lay Akane in a summer dress with a reluctant 'Ranko' beside her. Below this Nodoka placed another ring, an older one that gleamed. In font of her there was a photo of a child bravely trying not to cry, his hand cut from the katana that lay on the floor. Below this Nodoka reverently placed a lock of hair, darker than that of the child. Ranma realised that she must have collected the strands from her visits to the Tendo house.

Nodoka bowed to her 'family' before starting to eat.

Ranma and Belldandy began to drift from the flat.

~~~+++~~~

They entered a world of light and noise. Down through spotlights and flashing signs. Past dark rooms of uncertain intent. Down to a cavern of darkness and drink, dancing and dismay.

Ranma shook his head as they landed on the floor. 

-"What the f.. heck are we doing here?"-

-"This way."- Belldandy began to drift to a shadowy corner. -"Here we find another acquaintance."- Ranma followed until they reached a corner booth with a number of girls within. They had their heads together so they could hear each other. One of them said something and they broke apart, each taking a drink from their glasses.

Ranma was astonished to see Akane in the group.

They leant together again and began to talk. Belldandy frowned at them ever so slightly. She gestured and suddenly Ranma could hear them clearly.

"...are pigs, all of them." "You would think that, especially about Ryouga." "Ryouga? He isn't nearly as bad as most of them." "...with all those muscles and those cute little teeth..." "Ha! I prefer Mousse." "Blind boy?" "Have you seen his eyes? And talk about devotion, unheard of in men." "Okay, how about Sayoko?" "Too tall." "Too weedy." "Nice butt though." They laughed. 

"Kuno?" "Get serious." "Might as well mention Mikado." "Talk about a pathetic kisser." "You didn't?" "Sure I did." "And..." "Like I said, all talk and no action." "Taoken?" "A bit plain if you ask me." "Maybe we should ask Ukyou." "Naa she's to busy looking elsewhere." "At Ran..."

There was a silence as all the girls glanced guiltily at Akane. Akane merely sighed and drank from her glass.

"Okay, no way round it. Sooner or later we're going to mention him Akane. You might as well spill the beans now and get it over with."

"What do you mean?" Akane looked nervous.

"You're shacked up with the hottest piece of meat in the neighbourhood and...?" "Hey! Way I hear it he may look hot but there's nothing inside." "And that curse of his." "Could be interesting." "All beef and no brain." "Just the way I like it." "Not me, who wants a stud if he can't support you, or be romantic, or care about anyone but himself." "I do." "Sure you do." "Well, for a week of intense physical..." They broke off laughing while Akane went bright red. She began to protest with her usual phrases but withered a little under their stares.

"All right Akane. No more lies. We're your friends right?" "Yeah, you can trust us." "We tell you about our problems." "Your turn now."

"It's... Ranma..."

"It's always Ranma..." They chorused. Akane sighed before talking quietly, almost to her self.

"You're right that Ranma's nice to look at. He's the best martial artist around, and all that. But he's so thoughtless. We're... together... only in name, and only because our fathers arranged it. I mean take Shampoo. If he's so good at the Art why can't he avoid her? Or why does it take so long to get free from her? And then there..." She began to warm to her subject. 

Several minutes later one of the other girls broke in.

"Isn't there anything good about him?"

"Well..." Akane began to get a wistful expression on her face, almost a smile. "In his own clumsy way he can be... almost... romantic. There are times... when..." She looked down briefly. "But they never last. Always something happens, or he says something wrong and things go back the way they were. I wish..."

The noise of the club intruded into the booth just then. Ranma frowned and looked at the goddess beside him. Belldandy just smiled and together they began to drift towards the ceiling.

***********************************

"ov e or no ov e" Ranma mumbled in his sleep and turned over. 

"Humph..! Don't know what they see in you Ranma."

"'m aseep. 'm aseep."

"No you're not. Come on! Wake Up!"

Ranma just turned over again.

"All right, you asked for it. Aim for the head... think... furry, legs, perky face... BUG!!!" Ranma's sleep was knocked into the floor below by a small but very heavy hammer.

"OW!!!" He looked around to see yet another strange girl in his bedroom. This one somewhat younger than the others. He was about to comment with his usual comebacks when he noticed that she was hovering nearly a foot off the ground. "You're..."

"Yep, I'm another goddess. You'd better get up, we've got a long way to go."

Ranma reluctantly climbed to his feet.

"What do you mean we got a long way to go?"

"You are going to be lucky enough to see my area of expertise Ranma." The sprightly goddess attached something to her hammer before beginning to swing it in a fashion Ranma didn't like. "Prepare to be launched..." Her swings grew more and more pronounced. Ranma tried to back away but found he couldn't move. "into the limits of your perceptions..." The hammer was a blur now, edging closer and closer with each swing. "by none other than the Skuld Mark VII Inter-trans-dimensionally para-de-temporalising force-coupled impulse destabiliser." The hammer hit him.

There was a sense of movement and the world rapidly grew darker. Ranma was just able to hear the goddess voice as he flew into a void.

"Wow..! I think it even worked..."

***********************************

He landed on something soft. The blackness was slow to clear but he could feel the softness beneath him move, shoving him to one side.

-"Wah..?"-

-"Will you get off me!"- Ranma landed on the hard ground. -"Gez.. I was a bad shot back then."-

The darkness cleared enough for Ranma to see a slim woman standing over him. She was dressed in flowing robes and had a hammer strapped across her back. The facial markings immediately told him he was looking at another goddess, but the young woman before him was clearly older than the one that had hit him. As he lay there staring she began to tap her foot impatiently.

-"Well.., I can see something there. You are kinda cute when all's said."

Ranma scrambled to his feet. -"Who are.."-

-"Am I? Skuld."- She casually linked arms with Ranma. Ignoring him as he tried to shy away she spun around and began to drag him down the street. -"Do try and keep up, we've a lot to see."-

-"But..?"- Ranma tried to reclaim his arm without success.

-"Huh.. Mortals."-

There was a blurring between one step and another and Ranma found himself in a pale corridor with heavy shuttered doors. Skuld released his arm and stood to one side.

-"What are we..."- Ranma stopped as he noticed the labels on the doors. 

Lee, Soon Cha
Laku, Chen
Kuno, Kodachi

Ranma hesitantly stepped over to the door and looked through the barred window.

Inside there was a faded older woman, entwined in a straight-jacket. She sat listlessly on the edge of her bunk. Ranma shuddered as he looked into her eyes. There was nothing there.

-"At least in her youth she lived."- Skulds voice made him jump. 

He turned to face her just as she grabbed his arm and pulled.

~~~+++~~~

Another forest glade.

Ranma stumbled a bit before standing beside a heavy-set man sitting calmly beneath a tree. 

-"What is this?"-

-"Observe closely Ranma."-

Ranma looked closer. It was Ryouga, many years older. His clothing was still sturdy and worn, he still sported a spotted bandanna and large backpack but there were changes as well. A vivid scar that crossed his forehead and another down one cheek. A touch of grey to his hair. A gold ring on his finger.

As Ryouga sat there he pulled out a wallet and opened it to some pictures inside. Ranma looked over his shoulder and saw several pictures of children, most sporting the dental peculiarities that so marked their parent. Ryouga rubbed his ring and sighed at a group photo. It was a weary sigh.

-"He's still lost huh?"-

Skuld looked at him silently. Ranma's remark had been without his usual mocking tone.

~~~+++~~~

Another step, another place.

A very familiar restaurant this time. Only now the decor was obviously classy. Ranma looked around. The dinning room he was used to was slightly patched, with second hand tables and a cheap floor covering. But now this room clearly belonged to a place that was doing very very well.

An older version of Ukyou was just closing up. Ranma looked at her closely. She looked in good health, few grey hairs but no rings on either finger. 

Two youngsters, a boy and a girl, came out from the back and bowed to her.

"Ukyou-sama, everything has been cleared up."

"Thank you you two. You'd better get going or you'll miss the bus." They bowed to her again and left. Ukyou locked the door behind them. She switched off the lights, looked round the silent room for a moment before ascending up to her equally quiet apartment.

Ranma looked at Skuld questioningly.

-"One needn't get lost to be alone Ranma."- 

~~~+++~~~

A village this time. Ranma glanced about warily, seeing where he was. Amazons of every description moved about, the few males to be seen moved more furtively than most. 

A strong grey haired woman in nondescript clothing virtually designed for fighting moved slowly, but with purpose from the main street to the edge of the village. Everyone gave way for her, including many elders.

Skuld gestured and together they moved to follow. They quickly came to a graveyard with many headstones. The woman paused at one allowing them to catch up. On closer examination Ranma could see that this was Shampoo. She was handsome now rather than beautiful, her face strong but worn with worries or battles. She wore her hair short now and her clothing looked worn, as if she wore little else.

The first gravestone she had stopped at bore Cologne's name. She soon moved to another and Ranma was shocked to see Mousse's name. He looked at her face but her expression did not change.

"Another year Grandmother. Another year my friend. The village is well. We prosper." She waited as if expecting a reply then turned and headed back to the village. 

Ranma turned to Skuld perplexed. She just grabbed his arm and pulled.

~~~+++~~~

The Dojo was next. Ranma looked with surprise at the glowing woods, the shiny floor and the cabinet of trophies in one corner.

As no-one else was in the room he walked over to the display to have a look. There was a bewildering display of photos, cups and badges from tournaments both nationally and internationally. Many names were listed, his, Soun's, Ryouga's, others and Akane's. Akane was even listed as having come first one year when Ryouga was second. Ranma shook his head.

A door opened and a middle aged woman walked sprightly in, several young children at her heels.

"Okay everyone. This is you first session here at the Tendo Dojo. I'd like you all to have a good look around. Look at the weapons you may learn at a later date, at the rules of kempo, at the ground you'll be practising on etc. When you've had a good look I'll begin."

The children scampered to all corners. Akane walked slowly over towards Ranma, and almost through him to the cabinet. Ranma gulped slightly as he looked to the calm, poised, beautiful woman before him. She looked well, very well. But as with Ukyou he could see no rings on her fingers. What confused his more was a gold ring on a necklace round her neck.

Akane reached out a hand to one of the few group photo's on display and smiled a slight, almost sad smile. She turned abruptly and clapped her hands loudly, gathering the children to her.

Skuld gently caught Ranma's arm and pulled him away.

~~~+++~~~

-"Why is everyone alone Skuld? I can understand Ryouga. But at least he has someone waiting for him."-

Skuld just looked at him and shook her head sadly.

-"What's that supposed to mean? What'm I supposed to understand?"-

Skuld slowly raised her hand and pointed behind him. Ranma immediately felt a chill to the bone. Reluctantly he turned. 

He was confronted with a large ornate gravestone. Granite and marble mixed, fancy scrolling and gold lettering. There were many flowers at it's base and the grass was trimmed to a blade. Ranma slowly looked up at the writing.

               Here lies Ranma Saotome.
     One of the greatest martial artists of his time
                  he leaves no heirs.

Ranma felt a lump in his throat. No wife? No children? That was it?

He turned to face Skuld but there was someone in his way. An old woman, back bent with age yet as straight as possible, her cane a Katana. 

Ranma gasped as he watched his mother slowly approach his grave. Tears streamed down her face as she slowly knelt, staring at the gravestone.

Ranma stalked from her to Skuld.

-"What's the point in this? Why show me all this?"- Skuld was silent, her arms crossed and her head bowed slightly. Ranma noticed that she wore a black armband. 

-"Damn it, answer me! Why?! Why's everyone so alone? Why all so sad? Why?!?"-

Skuld pierced him with a look. -"Everyone is responsible Ranma. Everyone. It is a two edged sword that cuts both ways. If you don't take it up you'll be on the receiving end."

She gestured and the world turned black.

***********************************

"Aaaarrrrrggghhhhh! Wadda you mean!!!??!!" Ranma woke suddenly, his voice echoing through the household. When he opened his eyes he saw sunlight streaming in through the windows.

He panted quietly with the effort of waking, his mind a turmoil of all he had seen. Closing his eyes he counted slowly to ten, but it didn't help much. What had caused such an awful dream? Akane hadn't cooked the other night, and he hadn't had any food from Shampoo or Cologne. Perhaps a little exercise would calm him down.

As he rose from his futon his eyes fell on a tray by the door. A plate of a few crackers, a tea pot and four cups. Ranma shuddered.

He crept hesitantly downstairs and into the kitchen where Kasumi was busy at work.

"Uh..."

"Ranma. Good morning. You're up early."

"Yeah.. uh... did..?" Ranma stumbled. All of a sudden Kasumi reminded him of nothing so much as a goddess.

"Breakfast won't be ready for a short bit yet."

"Oh.. right. Listen Kasumi, did you.."

"Oh, I'd better get the tea tray. I hope you listened to you guests." Ranma was left staring in her wake as she left. His mouth open. He gave a strangled gurgle and ran out the door.

Akane was just coming back from her run when Ranma sprinted past her looking as if the hordes of hell were on his tail.

~~~+++~~~

Ranma ran. 

'Things couldn't be that bad could they? Things wouldn't end up as they had would they?'

He ran. Leaping over obstacles. Dodging people, cars and buildings. At a particularly busy intersection he took to the rooftops.

'Stalling wasn't going to work. Damn it. It wasn't going to work. But if he couldn't stall what could he do??'

Rooftop to rooftop. Avoid the roof with the swimming pool. Bounce off the apartment building. Wide berth, there be cats. Running.

'He'd have to make a decision. Have to choose. To do something himself.' 

The park was in view now. He bounced from the last few roofs and dashed into the greenery. A quick bit of darting around and he was under the bridge. Sanctuary. 

Ranma paced in the peace and quiet. For some reason he felt clear of head, as if he had slept well.

'Choice, choosing, decisions, taking a step. For so long now he had stepped aside, but he couldn't do that now. Damn it. And if he made one step, then he'd have to take others, people would be hurt, people might get hurt. There were several choices to make too. Fianc�e's, friends, family. Damn it. Damn it.'

He sat then, quiet for a moment. 

When he stood back up his shoulders were straight, his face clear. 

He'd decided.

~~~+++~~~

"Where's Ranma?" Akane asked as Kasumi began to dish up breakfast.

"Fool boy ran out on practice." Was Genma's response, garbled by a very full mouth.

~~~+++~~~
 
Mousse jumped to one side as a red blur dived at him. Five knives shot out from his sleeves, and missed as the blur dodged behind him. The chains shot out next. This time the blur intercepted them, redirecting them back to the source. Before Mousse could blink he was bound by his own weapons. The blur became Ranma.

"Ranma you fiend!"

"Shut up Mousse. You want Shampoo don't you." Mousse growled. "Listen to me! I. Don't. Want. Her."

Mousse just blinked in surprise but he didn't stop struggling.

"I'm not lying. I've decided." Those words stopped Mousse cold. 

"You are still hers, by law." Mousse's words sounded as if they had been dragged out of him.

"Come to the dojo, tomorrow. We can train until you're ready to beat her."

~~~+++~~~

"Nabiki, you haven't seen Ranma have you?" Akane poked her head into her sisters room. Nabiki looked up from her computer with surprise.

"It's Sunday Akane."

"I know that. It's just that we usually..." Akane stumbled and Nabiki smiled, regretfully.

"Sorry kid. I don't know where he is."

~~~+++~~~

"Ah... Excuse me sir."

"Hey!? How'd you get back here." The police sergeant looked surprised at the young girl before him. She smiled cockily and handed him a large plastic bag.

"You're the drugs section aren't you? I think you'll find that very interesting." Before the officer could comment she was gone.

The sergeant scowled and opened the bag. His eyes opened in surprise as he pulled out a small but well planted marijuana plant and six cupcakes still in their baking tray. The name 'Kuno' was on both the pot the plant was in and the tray.

~~~+++~~~

"Ranma!!!!! You won't lose me that easily!!" Ryouga shouted to the fleeing boy as he ran after him. They had been running for a while now.

Suddenly there was an 'Oink' and something hit him below the knees. Ryouga stumbled and fell face first into some mud. When he raised his head Ramna was gone.

"Raaannnmmmaaaaa!!! You coward!!!"

"Ryouga?" Ryouga turned and found himself face to face with Akari.

~~~+++~~~

Ukyou had just finished cooking a meal for a customer when a red blur shot in through the door of the restaurant, grabbed her and yanked her out the back. 

"Wha..?" Ukyou found her arms pinned as Ranma (in female form) had her in a tight hug. Ranma's head was beside hers over her shoulder

"Don't speak Ucchan. I don't know if I can do this if you say anything." There was a pause. "You've been one of my best friends Ucchan. I only wish... I've made a decision Ucchan, the decision." Ranma squeezed even tighter, even if Ukyou's stunned mind wanted to speak she wasn't sure she had the breath for it.

"It's not you Ucchan. You're my friend. Perhaps in time... But there's someone else."

Blood drained from Ukyou's face and she began to get dizzy. Ranma released her and bounded away. She was just able to hear Ranma's comments before she passed out.

"I... You're like a sister to me Ucchan. I... Later..."

~~~+++~~~

When Akane found Ranma it was sometime later in the day. He had just finished pouring a cup of hot water over himself.

"Ranma? Where have you been? I've been looking for you all..#"

"Akane. Shut up for a moment will you." Akane's face went red and she opened her mouth. Ranma hurriedly added "I mean. Can you let me speak." He waited until she nodded, her face set.

"We've.. a rough time..." He drew a breath and tried to start again, pacing a little.  "I mean with everyone... Pop... I dunno if the curse will... Ryouga... Arguing... Mushrooms... Then you almost... And I..." Ranma stopped and looked at Akane.

The anger had gone out of her face and she was watching him curiously. He smiled slightly and she smiled slightly in return. He straightened his shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Akane..." He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him slightly. She stumbled a bit but seemed to surprised to react. The frightened expression on his face helped. "Thank you." Ranma brought her hand up and met it half way. The kiss was light but firm and set Akane's palm tingling. Ranma blushed, closed her fingers and took off.

"Raaaannnmmmaaaa!!!" Akane's outraged voice held an odd quality to it. It was hard to sound angry when your mouth was trying to smile.

~~~+++~~~

Nodoka has just finished getting the ingredients out for her evening meal when there was a knock at her door. She paused. She didn't get many visitors and most were invited by herself.

She opened the door hesitantly and was confronted with a young man, a very nervous young man. He looked up uncertainly and she was caught by his face. There was something... familiar about it.

"Can I help you young man..?"

"I'm.. Ranma..... Mom." Nodoka half collapsed as she grabbed Ranma in a hug.

"Ranma..??" Ranma hugged her back.

"Uh... Mom... There's been a lot of... well... I... may not be all..."

"Shhhhhh... You're MY son. You've come back to me."

~~~***~~~