DRAFT

Here it is.. got it out, its out.. Everyone's happy.. :) C&C Would be 
appreciated...

           Chapter Seven: Dilemma of the Golden Edge Part 1


	Kinami sighed as she stepped into the car. All was right now. 
Ranma was no longer a cat, two more people learned of Ranma's secret, 
and it was late. Nabiki got into the car and turned the key.
	Kinami smiled and waved goodbye to the small collection of 
people that had gathered at the gates of the Tendo home. Kasumi and 
Tofu were there, just about to leave. Ranma, Soun and Mousse were 
speaking to them. The only ones to wave back were Kasumi and Mousse. 
Kinami sighed again.
	A soft laugh escaped the Nabiki's lips. She turned to see an 
amused smile on her friends face.
	"What?"
	Nabiki shook her head, visibly amused. "You like him."
	A blush soon consumed Kinami's face. "No I don't. He's 
just... A nice guy."
	"Even though he was going to kill us?"
	Kinami lost the blush in order to argue. "That wasn't him! 
You even said so yourself earlier! That was not Mousse!"
	Nabiki smiled and looked at her dead in the eyes. "Gotcha."
	Kinami's blush grew again. "I.. Uhh.. It doesn't matter 
anyways, I've got Genken."
	Nabiki laughed out loud. "That freak? Are you kidding me? I 
thought you called it quits with him!"
	"Well, I was going to...", she put on a mock smile, "But then 
he promised--"
	"Promised that he wouldn't do it again, right?", Nabiki 
finished.
	Kinami looked at her friend and nodded. She knew what was 
going to come next.
	"Look, jerks like that don't keep those kind of promises. 
Goddamn it Kinami! You're a better fighter than he is, and you still 
let him wipe the floor with you!"
	"But I lo--"
	"No, you don't. He just makes you think you do. Listen to me 
Kinami, people like that don't change easily. How many times has he 
promised you the same thing?"
	"Well--"
	"Countless times. What makes you think this time is any 
different?"
	"He promised!"
	"He always promises. I'm telling you Kinami, I can only help 
you so much. But you've got to take the first step!"
	"I--"
	"Oh my god.", Nabiki gasped as they pulled up to the 
restaurant.
	"What?"
	Nabiki could only answer by pointing out the window, at the 
front door of the restaurant. Standing in front of the restaurant, 
looking seriously annoyed and randomly banging on the door was the 
man they were talking about. It was Genken.

	"Genken? What's wrong?", Kinami asked, stepping up to her 
boyfriend.
	"Kinami? What the hell? I thought you were inside...", he 
began, suspiciously eyeing Nabiki.
	"I'll be inside", Nabiki said, opening the door.
	Genken watched until she opened the door and closed it, then 
a few seconds later began to speak to his girlfriend again.
	"Where the hell were you?", he asked.
	Kinami answered defensively. "We were at a friends place."
	"Which friend? Do I know them?"
	"Nabiki's fathers house."
	"What were you doing there?"
	"Look, Genken, I don't see--"
	"WHAT WERE YOU DOING THERE?"
	"An old friend of Nabiki's needed help!", she shot back 
defensively.
	"I thought you said you were at her father house!"
	"We were, thats where--"
	"No!", he interupted, "Something fishy is going on here. 
You're lying to me, aren't you?"
	"No, Genken, I--"
	"AREN'T YOU?!"
	"NO!"
	"What the hell? After all I've done for you, you treat me 
like this? Don't you know your place, girl?"
	"Genken, I was only--"
	"SHUTUP!", he said, lashing out to hit her. Kinami dodged 
easily, which left Genken a little more than mad.
	"Genken, I didn't--"
	"SHUTUP BITCH! YOU'RE LYING TO ME!", he punched again, this 
time connecting with her side, sending her bending over. He then 
proceeded to pound her several times in the shoulder.
	"Genken!", Kinami cried, "Stop it! I didn't--"
	"Shutup I said!", then he stopped hitting her. "Goddamn it! 
See what you make me do? If you'd just be more truthful, this 
wouldn't happen!"
	Choking between sobs, she tried to continue, "I was telling 
the tru--"
	"Don't lie anymore!", he snapped, "It'll only make things 
worse."
	Kinami could only sob. It was at this moment that Nabiki 
could stand it no longer. She burst out of the restaurant and started 
to yell.
	"Get the hell out of her Genken, before I call the police!"
	Genken snapped back at her, "You don't want to mess with me, 
girl... This is a private matter!"
	"I've messed with people worse than you and come out on top!"
	Genken laughed, "I'd like to see that happen with me, bitch."
	"Get the hell out of here Genken. I'm warning you--"
	Genken jumped towards her, "No, I'm warning YOU, bitch. You 
don't want to mess with me. I'll shoot you in the fucking head and 
leave you to...", he stopped and laughed for a moment, "Damn, bitch. 
You're not even worth it.", he turned towards Kinami, "I'll be back 
tomorrow. Be ready.", and with that said, he left.
	Nabiki waited for him to leave her sight, and then proceeded 
to help Kinami up from the sobbing mess she was in on the ground.
	"See what I mean, Kinami?", she pleaded.
	"It's my fault, I--"
	"You what? You lied? You told him the truth, Kinami. He 
doesn't trust you, he hits you. I'm willing to bet anything he thinks 
you're screwing around on him!"
	"I'm not."
	"I know you're not. If you're not with him, you're with me. 
He's a monster, Kinami. He may not look it, but he is a MONSTER."
	"Nabiki, I can't deal with it."
	"You could have dodged those punches easily. The only reason 
I didn't come out earlier is because I thought you would have stood 
up for yourself. He needs to be taught a lesson. And if you don't do 
it, I'm going to get someone who--"
	"NO!", she screamed. "I'll take care of it myself. Mousse 
doesn't need to know about it!"
	Nabiki stood silent for a minute before continuing. "Kinami. 
Mousse will know about it. I'm not going to tell him, but he will 
know. And so will Ranma."
	Kinami looked her friend in the eye as she helped her inside 
the Restaurant. "Genken has something coming to him. He deserves it."
	"I said I'll take care of him myself."
	"Whatever, lets just take care of that shoulder okay?"
	Kinami looked at her friend and nodded.

	"What?! They're WHAT?!", Ranma asked.
	Mousse chuckled. "I suppose we should have told you right 
away. They'll probably be here around 7:00..."
	"But, what about me?!"
	"They doesn't know about you yet, Ranma", Soun informed 
him. "But it will be hard to hide."
	"My parents are coming here. They'll be here in..", he 
glanced at the time, "Thirty minutes, and you choose _NOW_ to tell 
me?"
	"Well, we never really thought about it last night after 
you 'came back'..."
	"But thirty minutes?"
	"Well, we could prepare. It _IS_ daytime, so you will be a 
bit harder to hide, especially to a martial artist like your father."
	"I could go out again...", Ranma suggested.
	"I wouldn't do that. It was enough of a risk for you to go 
out yesterday, which was a business day. There weren't many people 
out on the streets. But today is a bad idea."
	"So what am I supposed to do? Go up to my parents and 
say 'Hi'?"
	"Why not?", Mousse suggested.
	"Eh?"
	"Why not? They don't have to know its you. We could just say 
your an old friend of mine."
	"And what about when they ask about you?"
	"Well, I don't have any problem with them knowing I'm alive."
	"But what if they ask about me?"
	"We tell them the truth. Ranma Saotome died five years ago at 
the hands of Kenoru."
	"But--"
	"Just relax. I'll just say your a friend of mine from China, 
the custom is for religious purposes. They won't question it."
	"But my voice..."
	"You his from your mother in plain sight, Ranma. Your father 
notices crap."
	"Yes, and his sister never met him before, so--"
	"Whoa!", Mousse interupted. "Sister?"
	"Yeah. Apparently I've got one now."
	Mousse shook his head, "Wow. Complications up the wazoo."
	"Anyways, lets prepare. Umm, won't Ranma need a name?"
	"Good point. Uhh. Wonton?"
	"I'm not a dog-man."
	"Oh right. How about a Joketsuzoku name, it would make the 
story more believable."
	Ranma shrugged. "I guess, as long as its nothing to do with 
cosmetics."
	Mousse laughed. "Believe it or not, thats not intentional."
	"Oh sure, with names like Cologne, Shampoo, Perfume, Lotion 
and Mousse I'm supposed to believe that?"
	"Okay, fine. Lets scratch that idea."
	"Look, just call me Hiruken, and we'll leave it at that."
	Mousse shrugged. "Okay."
	"Theres not going to be a class today, is there?"
	"No, but remember Akane said that they would stop by today 
sometime."
	"Yeah, god I hope its not until later. Otherwise I'll have to 
hide in plain sight as Hiruken."
	"Well, hopefully there won't be any surprises later on."
	"Hopefully."

	Ukyou couldn't believe her eyes. She had expected to go to 
the restaurant, and then slowly work her way back into the lives of 
her friends, but standing not three feet away from her in the crowded 
train, were the parents of Ranma Saotome.
	"Ukyou?", Genma asked, adjusted his glasses.
	Nodoka smiled and cradled a child in her arms. She looked to 
be about four years old, with red hair and alot of Ranma-like 
features.
	"H-hi Mr. Saotome... Mrs. Saotome...", she replied.
	"Well, I'll be!", Genma bellowed, "Ukyou's come back to 
Nerima!"
	Ukyou feigned a smile. This would be harder than she had 
originally planned. She decided to turn her attention to the child in 
Nodoka's arms.
	"Hello", she smiled, "And who might you be?"
	The child seemed shy for the most part, and hugged her mother 
tighter.
	Nodoka smiled and began to speak. "It's okay, Ranko. This is 
your Auntie Ukyou."
	Ranko managed a small smile and a very meek, "Hi." To Ukyou.
	Ukyou laughed. At least, as much as she could manage, and 
began to speak again. "Ranma's little sister?"
	Nodoka nodded, and then let her smile drop for a moment.
	"He must be proud.", Ukyou continued with a smile. This 
brought the attention of both parents directly on Ukyou. Genma stared 
at her, jaw to the floor.
	"What?", she asked.
	"Ukyou, you mean.. You don't know?", Genma asked.
	"Know what?", Ukyou did not like what was being implied.
	Nodoka tried her best to keep a straight face, and began to 
inform Ukyou of the events that had transpired five years earlier.
	Three stops later, Ukyou couldn't speak. She was too shocked. 
Ranma was dead, something she had never expected in a million years. 
And killed no less, by a martial artist.
	She shook her head. It wasn't possible. Ranma always 
survived. He would always find some way out. He couldn't be dead.
	Genma adjusted his glasses and continued, "I'm sorry, Ukyou. 
We thought you knew."
	Ukyou felt like running away. She had to. It wasn't right.
	She shot her head up and fixed a gaze on a spot on the train 
window. *No.*, she told herself. *I've come too far. Ranma's dead, 
but there were other reasons I was coming back. To make peace. To 
help run the restaurant alongside Nabiki, if such a thing was 
possible. I can't turn back now.*
	"I'm sorry. I should have stayed in contact. It's just...", 
she shook her head, choking back a tear. "I came back to make peace 
with Akane and the others."
	Genma managed to put a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright 
Ukyou.", he said, caringly.

	The knock came rather suddenly, but not unexpected to the 
trained ears of those at the Tendo home.
	"Is it them?", Ranma asked, looking at the time. "They're a 
bit early."
	"I don't think so. They don't have a car, do they Mr. 
Tendo?", Mousse asked.
	Soun shook his head. "No."
	"Then its someone else."
	"AKANE?", Ranma asked.
	"No, her car sounds a little out of shape, this one sounds 
new."
	Soun stepped up to the door and peeked through the window.
	"What is _HE_ doing here?", Soun asked.
	"Who?"
	Soun opened the door.
	"Yes?", he asked.
	"Ahh, the honourable Soun Tendo. I come here seeking the 
answer to a question I have recently been fixated with."
	Ranma groaned quietly. He had expected Kuno to come looking 
for him after what had happened yesterday, but the timing was _WAY_ 
off.
	"I'll take care of it", Ranma said, stepping to the 
door. "What do you want, Kuno?"
	Kuno gazed deep into Ranma's eyes, seeming to be looking for 
something.
	"Then it is true.", he said. "Ranma Saotome has come back 
from the pits of hell."
	"So you finally believe me, now?"
	"Indeed.", he looked down. "I apologize for my past misdeeds 
against you. Although," he looked up again. "I wish to know the 
methods which have brought you back amongst the living."
	"Hey Kuno!", Mousse waved from inside the house.
	It took Kuno a moment to realize who was waving at him. His 
eyes widened, and jaw dropped. "Mousse as well? How have you done 
this, Saotome? Were you truly dead as thought, or were you merely 
masquerading?"
	Ranma shook his head. "If I explain, do you promise not to 
try and attack me again?"
	Kuno nodded, "After the events that transpired yesterday, I 
will have to agree."
	Ranma let Kuno in and took him to sit down in the tea room. 
Five minutes later, he had finished explaining what had happened.
	"So. You were truly dead.", Kuno lowered his gaze.
	Ranma could only nod.
	"It is unfortunate that I had realized my misdeeds only after 
you had perished. But it is even more unfortunate that you had 
perished at all.", he stood up, "You may include me in any plans to 
avenge your death. And I will provide the way of travel."
	All three of them perked up. "What?"
	Kuno nodded, "It is the least one can do to repay."
	All three of them smiled, "Are you serious?"
	"Yes. I will make the necessary preparations."
	Ranma was speechless. He knew Kuno could be nice when he 
wanted to, but this was too much. The only thing he could say 
was, "Thanks."
	Kuno nodded and smiled.

	Ukyou walked down the road, thinking. Even after having heard 
the horrible news of Ranma's death from his own father, she found it 
extremely hard to accept.
	Genma and Nodoka had offered to bring Ukyou with them while 
they went to the dojo. Genma had said somebody was having trouble 
with the Cat-Fist technique and wanted to go and help out.
	Ukyou scoffed as much as she could under the current 
circumstances. When did that old goat ever help with anything? During 
the course of his life, he made it almost a religion to complicate 
Ranma's life further. From Amazon Fiancees to the Cat-Fist, and 
several other instances. Even his curse. All Genma's fault.
	Ukyou shook her head. There was no point in placing blame on 
anyone but herself. He had been dead five years. Five years. She 
could have done something if she had still been around. Gone with 
Mousse, Shampoo and Ranma. Maybe at least Ranma would have survived 
if she had gone along. As it was, Shampoo only remained of the group.
	Ukyou thought a bit harder. She knew from what Genma had told 
her that a man named Kenoru was the man who killed Ranma. She could 
try and hunt down this man, and exact her revenge through her own 
methods. Kenoru probably wouldn't suspect her until the last moment, 
and by then it would be too late. If only she could--
	She stopped. Blinked twice and realized where she stood. She 
had unconsciously walked right into her restaurant, and found herself 
standing in the middle of the floor.

	Kinami looked confusedly at the woman who had just walked in. 
She carried a guitar case over one shoulder, and a fairly heavy pack 
on the other. It looked like she was ready to move in.
	"Can I help you?", Kinami asked. "We don't actually open for 
about 5 minutes."
	"Oh. Uhhh.. I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't thinking about where 
I was going."
	Kinami nodded, "Oh thats fine. I guess I should have locked 
the door last night anyways."
	The woman gave a quick confused look and decided to sit at 
the table.
	"So, what can I get for you?", Kinami asked.
	"Well, actually... I'm looking for someone."
	"Oh? Well, you may have to wait a little while.. As I said, 
we don't open till seven, and the regulars show up about 15 past."
	"Well, Actually I'm looking for someone who I _THINK_ may 
still work here."
	Kinami thought for a moment. "Well... I'm the only worker, 
there was another guy a few months ago named Tarou, is he who you're 
looking for?"
	The woman blinked. "Panyhose Tarou?"
	Kinami nodded. "Funny name eh? Was he who you were looking 
for?"
	The woman shook her head. "Uhh, no... I'm looking for Nabiki 
Tendo."
	"OH!", she exclaimed, "Nabiki! Sure, she's probably still 
sleeping... We were up pretty late last night. I'll call her."
	"Great, I was worried she might have--"
	"NABIKI!!!!!!", she yelled at the top of her lungs. A moment 
later, a loud, audible thud was heard upstairs, and the woman was 
busily trying to stop the ringing in her ears.
	"Sorry, we don't have any way to communicate other than that."
	"I see.", she nodded.
	"So anyways, my names Kinami Yabui, Resident chef here at 
Ucchan's fine diner!", she bowed.
	"Uhhh... I'm Ucchan.", the woman replied.
	Not quite getting it, Kinami gave the woman a confused 
look. "Eh?"
	Ukyou managed a short laugh, temporarily forgetting what she 
had been told earlier, and was about to speak when an audible gasp 
was heard from the door leading to the stairs.

	Nabiki gasped. It was the only thing she could do for the 
time being. She had not expected Ukyou to show up now of all times, 
but there she was, sitting at the grill bar talking to Kinami.
	Nabiki thought she would be happy to see Ukyou again after so 
long, but she found herself becoming increasingly annoyed.
	"Great!", she shouted to nobody in particular, "Who next? 
Kirin? Prince Toma? How about Herb?"
	Ukyou remained visibly stunned by Nabiki's explosion, while 
Kinami just let her jaw drop to the floor.
	"Uhh, Nabs?", Kinami asked.
	Nabiki shook her head. "Sorry Ukyou, but since yesterday 
morning my life has been filled with reunions and surprises. You were 
kind of unexpected."
	"Yeah, I know what you mean. I got an interesting surprise 
when I arrived here. What kind of surprises did you get?"
	Kinami chose this moment to but in, "Oh, well, first these 
Yakuza freaks showed up and tried to extort more money out of Nabiki, 
then Ra--"
	Nabiki unnoticedly placed her hand over Kinami's 
mouth. "Nothing!", she shouted, recieving some teeth from Kinami.
	"What?", Ukyou asked.
	"I uhh..", Kinami continued. "Well... Uhhh... You see.. I 
uhh...."
	Nabiki shook her head. "It doesn't matter, what surprise did 
you get?"
	"Oh.", Ukyou looked towards the floor. "I found out about.. 
Ranma.."
	"Whoa!", Nabiki yelled, "You mean you didn't know?"
	Ukyou shook her head. "No. I was in Africa for a few years, 
then I spent last year in Los Angeles."
	"America?", Kinami asked. "Is that anywhere near San 
Fransisco?"
	Ukyou nodded, "Not far. Why?"
	"Hey!", Kinami yelled, "What a coincidence! We're going there 
ourselves!"
	Ukyou smiled. "Vacation?"
	"No, we're helping Ra--", she began before getting cut off by 
Nabiki.
	"We're uhh... Helping.. uhh.."
	"Nabiki...", Ukyou frowned. "I know somethings up, you might 
as well tell me before I get it out of someone else."
	"I.. uhh..."
	"Whatever.", she turned towards Kinami. "You tell me."
	Kinami smiled and nodded. "We're helping out with avenging 
Ranma's death. A bunch of us martial artists are getting together to 
put this Kenoru guy out of commision."
	Ukyou looked confused. "You sound like you knew him."
	"Well, I've only known him a day, but I think I've got the 
basics sorted out."
	"Wow, you only knew him a day? And you're helping out?", 
Ukyou shook her head. "Count me in."
	An audible groan was heard from Nabiki, when the question 
came about. "Can you pay for yourself?"
	Ukyou smiled. "Yeah, no problem."
	Nabiki smiled and went about her work.
	"So who else is going to come along?"
	Kinami picked up the question really quick. "Well, theres me, 
Nabiki, Mr. Tendo, Mousse, Ranma, Ryouga might come, And now you..."
	Ukyou mentally tallied the names in her head when something 
clicked.
	"What?", she asked, noting the look on Nabiki's face like the 
proverbial cat had been let out of the bag.
	Kinami also noted what she had said, but assumed that she 
already knew Ranma had come back, but was just taking it very well.
	"Uhh...", she replied.
	"Mousse and Ranma?"
	"Uhhh... Well, Mousse never really died, Ukyou.", Nabiki 
replied. "We only found that out yesterday."
	"Ranma?"
	"Well... He did die, but something... Happened. Its really 
hard to explain."
	"Explain.", she said as she put her guitar case on the stool 
next to her.
	Nabiki noted the shape of the guitar case and immediately 
knew what was contained within, as she started to explain.
	A minute later, after a brief, but thourough explanation of 
the events of the day earlier, including the cat-fist the previous 
night, Ukyou stared at the wall, in complete shock.
	"Impossible.", she began.
	"Genma only thinks its someone else under the Cat-fist."
	Ukyou shook her head. "How is he?"
	"He's still Ranma, but he has become a bit... Distant."
	"How do you mean?"
	"It's too hard to explain, you'd have to see for yourself."
	"At the dojo?"
	"Yes."
	"Can you close the restaurant for the day?"
	Nabiki thought for a moment. She would go out of business 
soon if she didn't keep the restaurant going, but this was important. 
Kinami wouldn't stay behind either. She nodded.
	"Hey, I'm coming along too, right?", Kinami asked.
	Ukyou gave her a quick look. "Hows your shoulder?"
	"Eh?"
	"Your shoulder is injured, are you going to be okay to come 
with us?"
	Kinami blushed for a moment and then fixed her face. "Yes.", 
she said blankly. "I'll be fine."

	"SAOTOME!", Soun exclaimed.
	"TENDO!", Genma replied.
	The two men immediately hugged and proceeded walk into the 
house. Nodoka and Ranko soon followed.
	However, Genma and Nodoka both stopped dead in their tracks 
as son as they saw the two other occupants.
	The man in the mask gave a half-hearted, disinterested wave, 
while the other put a meek smile on his face and greeted the 
two. "Hello Mr. Saotome, Mrs. Saotome."
	"Mousse? Glory be, son! How.. Why... HOW?!"
	"Well, the long and short of the matter is that I survived."
	Genma adjusted his glasses and fixed them on the man standing 
next to Mousse. A Bit tall to be Ranma, he thought to himself, and 
continued with his next question.
	"So Ranma is..."
	Both of the men nodded. Mousse spoke. "Yes, he did die. I'm 
sorry."
	Genma shook his head. "No need to son, he died with honour."
	Mousse nodded.
	Genma laughed and proceeded to pat Mousse on the back 
roughly. "So, who's this?", he asked.
	"This is a friend of mine from China."
	"Glad to meet you, son.", Genma shook his hand. He pulled his 
face over towards Mousse and whispered something to him about his 
friends apparel.
	Mousse nodded. "Hiruken is from a neighbouring village. His 
people have strict laws about letting themselves be seen or heard 
outside of their homeland. So you won't hear him speak or see his 
face while he's here."
	Genma nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, its still nice 
to meet you, boy.", he turned back towards his wife. "Mousse, I'm 
sure you know Nodoka, and this here is Ranko."
	Mousse laughed. "The resemblance to Ranma's girl half is 
uncanny!"
	"You noticed it too, eh?", Genma laughed.
	"So," he continued. "Hiruken, are you the one who was under 
the Cat-Fist?"
	'Hiruken' nodded as a reply. Genma looked him over and 
smiled, "Nasty technique, isn't it? If I had known its side-effects, 
I never would have taught it to Ranma. Still, the Cat-fist got us out 
a quite a few nasty situations I'm not sure we would have survived 
otherwise."
	Soun smiled and invited his friend over to their usual seat 
by the Go board as Genma excused himself without another word. 
Leaving Nodoka and Mousse to talk.
	"So Mousse, how is Shampoo these days?", Nodoka asked.
	"Well, actually, Shampoo is in San Fransisco right now to the 
best of my knowledge. I haven't really spoken to her. She still 
thinks I'm dead."
	Nodoka 'tsked' and shook her her head. "Thats too bad. I was 
almost certain you two would have gotten together."
	Mousse nodded. "So was I at one time."
	Nodoka let a restless Ranko go from her arms to roam around 
the dojo for a little bit as she continued. "So, what have you been 
doing to keep yourself busy?"
	Mousse went wide-eyed for a moment and looked towards the 
floor. Trying his best to keep a straight face. "Oh, this and that."
	"Thats nice."
	"Who are you?", Ranko asked the masked man, seemingly 
unafraid.
	"Ranko, thats not nice.", her mother scolded her, "This nice 
man is Hiruken."
	Ranko smiled and extended her hand to shake. "I'm Ranko!"
	The costumed man nodded and extended his hand in reply. A 
smile was scarcely visible under his cowl.

	Ranma enjoyed it. He really did. Well, the introduction his 
sister had just given him, that is. Not the rest. It reminded him too 
much of his past where he was masquerading around as Ranko.
	Here he was, not only hising his identity in front of his 
Mother, but his Father and new sister as well.
	Well, his sister was hardly new. She was, after all, four 
years old. But from his viewpoint, she was _NEW_.
	After he had finished shaking hands, she smiled and looked 
into Ranma's eyes. "Want to play?", she asked.
	The surprising thing was, that Ranma actually _WANTED_ to. He 
wanted to be in close corners with his family as long as humanly 
possible. Maybe even longer.
	He nodded and proceeded to get up to go play with Ranko in 
the corner.
	"Ranko," her mother called, "Don't go far.", she said with a 
smile.
	Ranko nodded and pulled Ranma into the corner to play with a 
small assortment of toys that had been collected there specifically 
for the purpose of little Ranma & Ranko's amusement.
	Ranma then began to play with his four year old sister.

	"Will she be okay with him?", Nodoka whispered to Mousse.
	Mousse smiled and nodded. "Oh sure, he wouldn't hurt her any 
more than he'd hurt his own sister."
	Nodoka then continued to smile and nod. She wasn't one 
hundred percent sure the laws of his village pertaining to harming 
family, but it would have to do for the time being.
	The knock then interupted the conversation. Nodoka offered to 
get up and answer the door, but it opened by itself after a moment. 
Nabiki walked in and looked stunned for a moment to see Nodoka, then 
smiled.
	"Oh, hello Nabiki.", Nodoka greeted.
	"Hello Mrs. Saotome. How are you?"
	"Oh I'm fine. Do you have Ukyou with you?"
	Ukyou meekly walked in and smiled. "Hello again Mrs. Saotome."
	Nodoka smiled in return, "Hello again, Ukyou. It's nice to 
see you're smiling again."
	"Hey, Mrs. Saotome!", Kinami greeted.
	"Oh my, its just one big reunion here, isn't it? Hello 
Kinami!"
	Kinami walked into the room and proceeded to sit next to 
Mousse at the table, as everyone sat. Ukyou gave several detached 
looks in the direction of Ranko and 'Hiruken'. And then noticed Soun 
looking blankly at her.
	"Ukyou? Is that you?", Soun asked.
	Genma turned around and smiled, "Hey Ukyou, looks like you 
made it here after all!"
	Soun returned his look to Genma. "You knew she was here?"
	"Of course, we met her on the train. We were going to tell 
you, but we wanted to make it a surprise."
	"Well, it _WAS_ a surprise!"

	Ranma could only stare. The past day or so had been filled 
with Reunions and confrontations. But he had thought the last of the 
reunions until they arrived in San Fransisco had been done. He was 
wrong.
	From the looks he was getting from Ukyou, she knew who he 
was. He would have to talk to Nabiki about that afterwards. Even 
though he almost knew it was Kinami who had revealed it.
	The look he was getting from Ukyou was unsure. It could have 
been a look of shock, joy, adoration... He wasn't sure.
	He decided it would be best to get Ukyou away from his family 
before she revealed something he didn't want revealed.

	"Whats he still doing here?", Kinami asked.
	Mousse suddenly clicked in on the situation. Neither of them 
knew the situation that was happening right now.
	"Oh, Hiruken decided to stay for another day.", Mousse 
covered up, looking directly at Kinami. Nabiki caught on right away.
	"Oh, isn't he expected back today though?", she continued.
	They both got a confused look from Kinami. Ukyou, however was 
still totally intrigued in the man in the corner.
	"What are you guys--", Kinami began, then recieved the looks 
of warning from both of them. "Oh, right.", she continued.
	Mousse finally decided to say something about what he noticed 
the moment Kinami had walked into the room. "What happened to your 
shoulder?"
	Kinami looked down and replied, "I uhh.. Bashed it on the 
corner of a table when I tripped."
	Mousse didn't need the look from Nabiki, or even the sound of 
Kinami's voice to tell him she was lying. He knew it was impossible 
to hurt the back of ones shoulder while falling forward towards a 
table. And even still, she was good enough a martial artist to avoid 
hitting the table if necesary. Still, he decided not to push it until 
afterwards.
	"Hey Ukyou, long time!", he greeted the woman sitting across 
from him, who was still staring in Ranma's direction.
	Ukyou snapped back for a moment and smiled, "Oh sorry, hey 
Mousse. Hows it going?"
	"Oh fine.", he continued, then decided it was futile since 
Ukyou had gone back to staring at Ranma.
	"Umm... Hiruken, can I talk to you for a minute?", he asked 
the costumed man in the corner, then turned towards Ukyou. "You too. 
Excuse us, Mrs. Saotome. Kinami. Nabiki."
	After recieving a nod from the three of them, he brought his 
two friends into a parallel room.

	"Ranchan?", Ukyou asked.
	The costumed figure meekly nodded. "Yeah. Hey, Ucchan."
	The smile on Ukyou's face could not have grown wider. She 
wasted no time at all to take her friend and former fiance in a bear 
hug that would have put Genma out of commision.
	Muosse chuckled for a moment. "It's a good thing I brought 
you guys in here.", he began, "Ukyou, you've got to stop staring at 
him like he's the center of attention. We're having a hard enough 
time already trying to hide his identity, and with his parents here, 
its going to be even harder."
	Ukyou released her bear hug and meekly nodded. "I 
understand.", she replied.
	Ranma chose this moment to say something. "Ucchan, its good 
to see you again, but he's right. We're in a sticky situation right 
now, and what we need to do is make this inconspicuous as possible. I 
promise we'll have time to talk afterwards, but for now I've got to 
lay low."
	Ukyou nodded again. "Okay."
	"Now, get out there and mingle. Chat. Do all that girl 
stuff!", Mousse intructed her. He recieved a playful punch in the arm 
as she departed. "I want to talk with you after as well, Mousse!", 
she smiled, and then ran out into the living room.
	"So?", Ranma asked.
	"What?"
	"What do you think really happened to Kinami's shoulder?"
	"Oh. That.", Mousse replied. "I don't know. But I know you 
can't damage your shoulder that easily."
	"Obviously.. Nabiki seems to know something about it, should 
we ask her?"
	"Is it really any of our business?"
	"Well, she's hurt. And she's hiding that fact from us. Its 
safe to say she doesn't want us to know. But I still think somethings 
up."
	"Yes.", Mousse nodded, "Past experiences have led me to 
believe that more may happen if we don't find out whats wrong."
	"So, should we ask Nabiki?"
	"Theres no guarantee that she'd tell us."
	"A full on 'attack' of questions to Kinami would probably 
help her avoid the truth even more. We should work on it."
	"Yes. You can't talk, so I'll talk to Nabiki."
	"Agreed."

	Moments later, Ranma had returned to his place in the 'toy 
corner' with Ranko, Ukyou was engaging in a steamy conversation with 
Nodoka and Kinami, and Mousse had pulled Nabiki out of the way long 
enough to talk with her.
	"Nabiki, I've got yo ask you--"
	"I can't tell you."
	"What?"
	"Kinami made me promise I wouldn't tell you guys. You've got 
to guess."
	"I... Guess?"
	"Yep."
	Mousse shook his head. *At least she doesn't break promises 
straight out.*, he thought to himself.
	"Okay, start guessing.", Nabiki said.
	"Well, she's hurt. And I know its not from tripping and 
catching it on a table. Right?"
	Nabiki nodded.
	"Which leads me to believe that someone hurt her."
	Nabiki nodded.
	"Intentionally?"
	Nabiki nodded.
	"Someone I know?"
	Nabiki shook her head.
	"Was she attacked last night?"
	Nabiki nodded.
	"Mugged?"
	Nabiki shook her head.
	Mousse thought a bit harder. There were only a few more 
possibilites.
	"Does she have a boyfriend?"
	Nabiki nodded.
	Mousse felt something inside him break for a moment, but 
ignored it and continued. "Did he do it?"
	Nabiki placed her finger on her nose.
	"Damn.", he muttered. "Its not the first time either, is it?"
	"No."
	Mousse shook his head. It wasn't his place to but in like 
this, but something inside of him seemed to be pushing him to. "Can 
you give me any more details?"
	"She's had a boyfriend for about four months now. Genken...", 
she chuckled, "I still don't know his last name, and I doubt Kinami 
does either. But anyways, certain events that I'm not allowed to talk 
about have happened on and off, but without fail. The first was three 
months ago. She would come back from dates with a Black eye, a limp, 
one time she came home with blood soaked clothes. I thought she had 
finally broke it off with him about two weeks ago, because the 
incidents had stopped, and Kinami was becoming alot more energetic. 
But last night he showed up again."
	"What happened?"
	"I promised not to tell. But I can tell you this much. He's a 
martial artist. He thinks he shit-hot, but in truth, even Kinami 
could beat him. I've seen him fight before. Heck. Even Kuno could 
beat him. I don't mean this Kuno, I mean the old Kuno who studied 
Kendo."
	Mousse nodded in understanding. He knew the type, he had done 
in a few of them before. Paid to do so by the fathers of 
the 'victims' and in some cases, the 'victims' themselves. It was the 
only part of his job he enjoyed. Something quickly clicked in his 
mind after the mention of Kuno that he had forgotten to tell Nabiki 
earlier.
	"By the way. Looks like you won't have to worry about paying 
for us to get to San Fransisco..."
	"Eh?"
	"Kuno's flying us there."
	Nabiki smiled and did an inward 'Yes!' as she continued.
	"So, can you do anything about Genken?"
	Mousse nodded. "I can. I won't kill him, but I'll certainly 
make him think twice before messing with Kinami again."
	Nabiki smiled and gave a thank-you hug to Mousse, and then 
continued her way back into the tea room.
	Mousse stood at the door for a moment looking at the sky, 
before deciding to go back inside.

	Wow.. I didn't know it would be this long.. Originally, I had 
planned to have the dillema cleared up by the end of this chapter, 
but it looks like I'll have to spread it over to the next as well... 
Amazing, eh?
	Anyways, I've amptly called this Chapter 'Dilemma of the 
Golden Edge Part 1', and the continuation will be in the next chapter.
	Until the next chapter then, I bid you adeiu.

-------------------------  
|     The TydRipper     |  "Abandon all hope, ye who enter 
|                       |  here." 
| Master of the Tides,  |  - Dante's Inferno; Canto 3:9 
| Keeper of the Old Way,|  "What really interests me is 
| Writer of the Fanfic, |  whether or not God had any choice 
| Baka to the end...    |  In the Creation of the Universe." 
-------------------------  - Albert Einstein 
 
Questions? Comments? Flames? Email Me. 
 
~ The TydRipper 
 
Whose Many projects include: 
 
http://westwood.fortunecity.com/versace/189/ - Tyd's Fanfic Emporium 
http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/suikoden/783 - Rysing Tyd's 
Audioplays 
http://members.xoom.com/cultureshock - My brothers old page. 
http://members.xoom.com/nrlmeltdown - Team: Neural Meltdown, again, 
my Bro's. 
 
[In the year 1999 and seven months,
the great, King of terror will come from the sky.
It will bring to life the King of the Mongols.
Before and after, Mars reigns happily.]
Nostradamus - Century 10: Quatrain 72 
 


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