For everyone who didn't read the revised version of chapter seven, there
has been a change in motivations.  Ranma is planning to convince Nodoka
to leave by showing her that 'she' doesn't need any help to be feminine.
All comments are welcome.  I should be wrapping up this story line in
one or possibly two more chapters.  I already have some ideas for the
sequel, so if you're interested tell me.

Disclaimer:      The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2 are owned by
Rumiko Takahashi and are used in this fanfic without permission.  That
doesn't really surprise anyone though does it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8:  The Price of Victory
     The day of the match had arrived and the Kolkhoz High arena was
filled to capacity.  At least half the crowd had arrived from Furinkan.
Down on the concrete floor, the two opponents faced one another.  Mikado
was elegantly garbed in a white tuxedo.  In contrast, Ryoga, was wearing
his usual yellow tunic.  As far as he was concerned, this was a fight,
not a fashion contest.  Wearing fancy clothes that would just get
wrecked was pointless.
     "Auntie Saotome, I'm going to go talk to Ryoga."
     "A few last minute words of encouragement?" Nodoka asked.
     "Something like that."
     Ranma walked up to Ryoga, stopping when she was only a few feet
away.  "I just want to wish you luck.  Oh, and one more thing..."  Ranma
leaned closer to ryoga to whisper in his ear.  "If you lose, I swear
I'll hunt you down and make you suffer.
     "You're scaring me," Ryoga replied.  "You know as well as I do that
Mikado doesn't stand a chance.  I'm a lot better than the last time we
met."
     "Just be careful."  Inwardly, Ranma agreed with Ryoga's assessment
of the match.  His confidence grated on her though.  After all, she was
the one that had the most at stake.
     "You'd better get back with the other spectators.  The match is
about to begin."

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

     "I'm telling you they kissed, Akane."
      Akane glared over at the seat beside her.  There hadn't been
enough space for the four Tendo's and Mrs. Saotome to sit together.
However, Akane was beginning to regret sitting beside Ukyo.  "Don't be
absurd.  I told you Ranma and Ryoga aren't dating."
     "Shampoo agree with stupid spatula girl."  Both Ukyo and Akane were
shocked as Shampoo forcibly cleared a space to sit beside them.
     "Shampoo, don't tell me that you believe the rumors about Ranma
too."
     "Great-grandmother warn Shampoo about this.  Maybe no problem yet,
but if Ranma spend too much time as girl it affect his mind.  Look like
kiss to Shampoo anyway."
     "Akane's brow furrowed in thought.  "You know, there was something
different about Ranma this morning.  I can't quite put my finger on it
though."

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

     "Ladies and gentlemen, today we have a grudge match.  Mikado
Sanzenin, one half of the Golden Pair, faces the only man to ever defeat
him in a martial arts figure skating contest.  At stake, the love of a
beautiful girl."  The keener eared spectators could have sworn they
heard the announcer mutter "at least it's not another pig."   There was
a moment of silence before the announcer continued.  "Let the fight
begin!"
     At those words, Ryoga and Mikado began to move towards one
another.  When they met, Mikado ducked Ryoga's punch and used his
greater momentum to slam Ryoga into the floor.  Ryoga was able to move
comfortably on his rollerblades, but Mikado's superior skill at any form
of skating clearly showed.
     As Ryoga climbed to his feet, Mikado turned sharply and repeated
the maneuver, clotheslining Ryoga.  As Mikado approached for a third
attack, Ryoga pushed off the floor with his arms and vaulted over
Mikado.  Landing on his feet, Ryoga began to skate after Mikado.  Mikado
easily avoided Ryoga and retaliated with a kick that caused Ryoga to
veer into the boards that lined the arena.
      "It's almost painful to see someone so badly outclassed.   I'll
defeat you quickly to spare you anymore humiliation."  Mikado began to
spin rapidly on one leg, soon Ryoga was pulled into the whirlwind
created by Mikado's attack and both fighters were nothing more than a
blur.
     Overhead, the voice of the announcer boomed out.  "We're seeing the
Dance of Death, one of Mikado's most dangerous attacks.  This may be the
end of the match right here."
     Suddenly, Mikado flew out of the whirlwind, landing heavily.  Ryoga
was revealed standing with one arm outstretched, a confident smirk on
his face.  "You're stronger than I thought Sanzenin.  I almost felt
those punches."
     Mikado staggered to his feet, eyes wide with disbelief.  "It's
impossible.  You've got to be some kind of monster."
     "I've heard that before. Teikiatsu Kyaku!"  Leaping into the air,
Ryoga began to spin rapidly, landing dozens of powerful kicks on
Mikado.  Mikado stood for only an instant more, before the air pressure
generated by the attack launched him backward.
     Ryoga landed on his feet and then skated over to the unconscious
form of Mikado.  "Now that's how you really do it."
     When the announcer declared the victor he was almost drowned out by
the cheering from the Furinkan students.

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

     "You had me worried for a while there," Ranma said.
     "I told you, Mikado didn't stand a chance."
     "Are you sure?  He hit you over 700 times."
     "Like I said, I barely felt his blows."
     "Then I suppose this doesn't hurt at all," Ranma said, poking
Ryoga's ribs.
     "Ow!"
     "Or this," she said, poking a different spot.
     "Ow! Stop doing that."
     "I will just as soon as you take your shirt off and let me make
sure you aren't really hurt.
     "Oh, all right," Ryoga grumbled, pulling his shirt off over his
head.
     As he did so, the door to the dressing room opened and Nodoka and
the Tendo sisters entered.
     "Ranko, what are you doing?"
     "Nothing Akane.  Mikado was just a bit better than I thought, and
I was worried Ryoga might be hurt."
     "It does look like he'll have some bruises," Kasumi said, as she
examined Ryoga with a critical eye.  Standing in the corner, Nabiki
frowned.  Her older sister couldn't be checking Ryoga out, could she?
     "A few bruises are a small price to have paid for successfully
defending Ranko's honor.  This calls for a celebration," Nodoka
announced.
     "That sound like a wonderful idea, Auntie Saotome."  Ranma smiled.
A party would give her plenty of opportunities to persuade her mother
that her life was fine.
     "Is it all right for me to invite a friend over?" Akane asked.
     "I'm not sure that that's a good idea," Ranma began.
     "Nonsense.  It won't be any trouble.  Don't you have any friends
you'd like to invite?"  Nodoka raised an eyebrow as she questioned
Ranma.
     Ranma was slightly flustered when she recalled what her plan
involved.  Persuading her mother that Soun was doing a good job raising
her would be quite awkward. "Not really.  I just want to spend some time
with Ryoga."

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

     "Ukyo, I'm glad you're here.  I was beginning to think you weren't
coming."
     "Shampoo stopped by to explain some of the her tribe's laws to me.
What's the hurry anyway, Akane."
     "Ranma's been acting really weird all evening."
     "Exactly, how has he been acting weird?"  Akane's obvious worry
about Ranma was sending warning signals to Ukyo in more than one way.
     "Like he doesn't mind being a girl.  All evening it's been 'Can I
get you anything Ryoga?  Let me do that, Ryoga.'  Even worse, she- I
mean he's been sitting beside Ryoga the whole time.  Do you think
Shampoo could be right about what she said?"
     "I don't know.  How is Ryoga acting about this?"
      "At first he was just confused, but I think he's starting to like
it."
      "We'll have to keep Ranma away from him then.  If I sit on one
side of him and you sit on the other, we shouldn't have any problems."

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

     When Ranma returned from helping her mother in the kitchen she
found an unpleasant surprise waiting for her.  Ryoga was talking
nervously with Akane while ignoring Ukyo, who was also sitting beside
him.  Walking over to his father, Ranma grabbed the glass glass of sake
he was holding and took a quick drink from it.  Ranma forced herself to
smile pleasantly, before walking over to Ryoga and sitting directly in
his lap.  "Miss me, Ryoga?"
     Ryoga fought down the urge to do something rash, and replied, "You
weren't gone that long."  When Ranma tightened her grip around his neck,
he continued, "But, I missed you anyway."  Subconsciously, his muscles
tensed, as he prepared to dodge an attack from Ukyo.
     Involve in a conversation with Soun, Nodoka did not miss the glare
that Ukyo was directing at Ryoga or the similar look Ranma was receiving
from Akane.  It seemed that Ryoga was quite the ladies man. There wasn't
anything wrong with that, but she'd have to make sure he made the right
choice.
     Kasumi was noticing the same things as Nodoka, but reaching very
different conclusions.  "Auntie, do you think it would be all right if I
invited someone over?"
     "Certainly, I'm sure every one would enjoy another guest."
     "I'll call him right now then."
     As Kasumi departed Nodoka's thoughts took a speculative turn.  It
was about time Kasumi found someone.  She wasn't getting any younger,
after all.
     Genma Saotome was the only one who heard Kasumi's voice on the
phone.
     "Hello.  Dr. Tofu, I was wondering if..."
     The panda decided that it was time to make an unscheduled
departure.

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

     The level of tension in the room had increased considerably.  Akane
and Ukyo were still busy glaring at Ranma and Ryoga respectively.
Meanwhile, Soun had consumed several glasses of sake and was happily
crying about how he'd found a wonderful husband for his niece.  Ranma
wasn't far behind him in terms of consumption, and had already undone
several buttons on the Chinese outfit Ryoga had bought her.  Ryoga's red
face seemed to confirm her claims about the excessive heat.  Nabiki was
watching the whole situation with the sort of morbid fascination most
people reserve for train wrecks.
     "Oh my.  How nice of you to come over on such short notice Dr.
Tofu."
     "Think nothing of it K-K-Kasumi."
     "Come on in."
     Nodoka smiled as Kasumi guided a befuddled looking young man into
the room.  He was so nervous, it was obvious how he felt about Kasumi.
     "You remember Ryoga don't you?"
     "Why yes I do," Dr. Tofu said, seizing hold of Ukyo.  "You seem to
have lost a bit of weight.  I can fix that right up."
     "EAGH!"
     "Dr. Tofu, you're so silly that was Ukyo.  This is Ryoga."
     Ryoga pushed Ranma off his lap and scooted backward.  "This really
isn't necessary.  I mean I'm feeling a bit tired.  I think I'll get
ready to sleep now."
     The others quickly made there own excuses and the room was soon
empty except for Kasumi and Dr. Tofu.
     "Why Kasumi, what a surprise meeting you here."

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

     "What do you think you were doing?  You were practically crawling
all over Ryoga."
     Akane looked at her fiancee across the bed.  "What are you talking
about?  You were the one all over him."
     "That's different.  In case you've forgotten, I'm not really a
girl."
     "Fine, see if I care if you embarrass yourself over Ryoga," Akane
shouted.
     A firm knock on the door interrupted their conversation.  Nodoka
quietly opened the door, and stepped into the room.  "I hope I'm not
intruding, but the two of you were getting quite loud."
     "What did you hear, Auntie Saotome?" Ranma asked nervously.
     "Just enough to know that you were fighting over Ryoga.  Ranko,
maybe you should go sleep in Nabiki's room tonight."
     "Sounds good to me."  Without further comment, Ranma gathered up
her bedding and walked out the door, almost slamming it behind her.
     "Now, Akane.  I realize that Ryoga is handsome, but your interest
isn't really appropriate.  After all, you are engaged to my son."
     "I don't think about Ryoga that way, Auntie Saotome.  He's just a
friend."  For some reason she couldn't easily identify, Akane was
uncomfortable at the suggestion.
     "Even if that's true, Ranko obviously doesn't think so.  You should
probably try to stay away from Ryoga for a while."
     "I'll think about it."  Akane's tone of voice didn't hold out much
hope.
     "That's all I ask.  Good night."

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

     Ranma paused in the hall standing in front of Nabiki's door.  After
a brief hesitation, she turned away and continued on towards her own
room, stumbling slightly.  Opening the door, she saw that Ryoga was
already asleep.  Shrugging, she slipped onto the futon beside him

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

     As the soft morning sunlight entered the room Ryoga woke.  He
blinked in surprise   as he realized that there was something warm and
soft in his arms.  When his vision cleared he was even more surprised to
realize that it was Ranma.  A moment later he realized two other
things.  Ranma must have been fighting with Akane again, hardly
surprising, and if he moved he'd wake her up.  Mulling over his options,
Ryoga decided to simply wait until she woke up.  His situation wasn't
that unpleasant.
     Fifteen minutes later, Ryoga felt Ranma slowly and with great care
slip free of his arms.  He waited several moments and then moaned softly
and sat up.  "Ranma, what are you doing here?"
     "I had another fight with Akane.  My Mom thought I should sleep
with Nabiki, but..."
     "I understand.  You'd better get out of here now.  Nabiki is
probably in bed, so maybe no one will find out."
     "I doubt I'll be that lucky.  It's worth a try though."

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

     "Good morning, Ranko," a cheery voice said, as Ranma entered the
kitchen.
     "Uh, good morning Kasumi."
     "You don't look well.  Is something wrong?"
     "I'm just a bit hungover."
     "As well you should be.  It isn't ladylike to drink in such
quantities," Nodoka commented severely.
     "You're right.  I should probably apologize to Akane for getting so
jealous."
     Nabiki strolled into the room at this time.  "Good morning
everyone.  A bit under the weather, Ranko?"
     "I think she regrets drinking so much.  You didn't mind her staying
in your room last night, did you?"
     Without batting an eye, Nabiki replied, "Not at all.  In fact I
barely knew she was there."
    "It's nice that you're getting along with her.  Usually you and
Ranko hardly spend any time together."
    "We just don't have a lot in common."
    Ranma had mixed feelings about the exchange.  She was relieved that
Nabiki had covered for her.  On the other hand, Nabiki seldom provided
aid without cost, and she could probably figure out where Ranma had
been.

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

     As Ryoga approached the gates of Furinkan High he groaned.  A large
banner was stretched over them reading "Congratulations Ryoga!" in
bright red lettering.
     "Maybe I should just skip school today."
     Ranma looked at him in surprise.  "What's the matter? You aren't
nervous are you?"
     "I'm just not used to a lot of attention," Ryoga said defensively.
     "Don't worry, Ryoga.  Everyone will be happy to see you," Akane
said, smiling.
     "You think so?"
     "Yes I do."
     Ranma and Akane each grabbed one of Ryoga's arms and pulled him
towards the school.  Behind them, Nabiki watched silently, showing no
sign of her inward turmoil.  She'd gone to sleep later than Ranma, so
she knew exactly what had happened.  However, the pictures she'd taken
could ruin Ranma's life.  It was just that they were worth so much
money.  The first set, of Ranma in the neko-ken, had earned her over
half a million yen of profit.  These would be worth a lot more.

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

     Ranma stared sullenly at her desk.  So far, it seemed as if almost
every one in the school had taken the opportunity to congratulate
Ryoga.  As far as Ranma was concerned beating Mikado wasn't that big a
deal, she could have done it herself.  The worst part of it was that she
couldn't even blame Ryoga for usurping her role.  Being the focus of
attention plainly made the lost boy miserable.
Ranma's attention snapped to the front of the class, as Miss Hinako
spoke.
    "Class, I have an important announcement to make."  Despite her
shrill voice, Miss Hinako could be clearly heard as the class fell
silent.  As you all know, attendance at Friday's dance is mandatory and
the theme of the dance will be Hawaii."
    Both Ranma and Ryoga frowned in surprise.
    Miss Hinako continued, "However, instead of the usual plastic
crowns, the principal has decided that whoever are voted the King and
Queen of the dance will receive an all expenses paid trip to China.
Unfortunately, this will use up the school's entire budget for the
social events."
    Both Ranma and Ryoga had stopped listening by this point.  They were
each busy picturing a joyous curse free existence.
    "The prize will be award to the most romantic couple.  The deadline
to sign up for the contest is Wednesday.  That's all class is
dismissed."
    Ranma and Ryoga became briefly stuck in the door when they tried to
race through it together.