Yosh! It's me. Just decided to bother you all with this next verison.
As always, C&C is welcomed, flames filed into that round folder called
'Bucket', and Disclaimers wanted: Apply here, here,
and                        Way o'er here in the back.
             -JJ


JJ Corley Presents:
A Ludicrous Configuration! Production
Ranma 1/2 & Tenchi Muyo!:
     The Chaos Cronicles
          Chapter 1:
     A Time for Change

     Ranma-chan sighed as she looked out at the backyard of a house
she didn't remember living in. "it's been so long.." She whispered
quietly.

     "What is wrong, my son?" Asked Nodoka as she came into the
dining room, laden with tea and cookies. Ranma turned to gaze at her
mother. Nodoka Saotome was beautiful. How Genma was able to gain her
as his wife was beyond Ranma's comprehention, and Nodoka was lothe to
explain.

     "I'm just thinking." Ranma-chan voiced, still looking at her
mother. It was their sixth secret meeting; with Genma being such a
coward, Ranma had been forced to find out where his mother lived on
his own. Then he had introduced himself. The first meeting was very
trying, and Ranma had thought he had given up his life as soon as he
had shown her his curse; but Nodoka was quick to assure him that it
was not so. She recalled her mother's words, 'I can not hold you to
your father's promise of Seppuku because you have proven to be three
times the man I had hoped you to become: First, by putting up with
the $h^# your father has pulled. Second, by coming here without your
father's permission; and Third, for revealing to me that which would
null your manlyness and cost you your life in its stead, when you
could have hidden it from me. Truely, you are a man amoung men.'

     ~Yeah, the only man amoung men who can be a woman too.~ Ranma
mused bitterly. Another arguement over his curse had sent him here,
via Tendouu Akane's Mallet Express. He had landed head first into the
barrel of rain water Nodoka kept for watering her flowers. Ranma had
to admit, it was a good, money saving idea; and also one which worked
exceptionally well in Nermia..

     "..oun to be wed.. Ranma?"

     Ranma shook herself out of her reverie. "What? I'm sorry mom, I
was out of it for a sec."

     "So it would seem. As I was saying, I believe it is too early
for you to be married, and for Soun to be wedding you against your
will to one of his daughters.. Even if it is a matter of Family
hono.." Nodoka trailed off, and a thoughtful gleam entered her eyes.

     "Mom? You ok?"

     Nodoka smiled. "Tell me truthfully, Ranma: Do you have feelings
for, or would you want to wed, Tendouu Akane?"

     Ranma blinked. "Well.. *Sigh* If you had asked me five months
ago, I coulda said yes.. But now..."

     "But now..?"

     Ranma did some quick soul searching. "I loved her, mom.. But,
well.. We've grown apart. I just can't stand her constantly beating
me everytime something she does goes wrong. And I hate how she
insults me every time she thinks I did something she doesn't like!
She never gives me the benefit of a doubt! She always jumps to
conclusions! And her cooking is toxic!" Ranma-chan rubbed her cheek
indignatnly, "AnD tHaT _DaMn_ mAlLeT Is dRiViNg Me nUtS!!" Ranma
would have been seething from the gills at this point, except she
didn't have any; the author blatently ignored this and used the
expression anyway.

     "..."

     Ranma-chan held her breath for a few seconds, then exhaled and
relaxed. "I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to get so mad."

     Nodoka smiled. "Don't worry, my son. I may have a solution for
you. Let me make a call."

*

     Yosho was sitting in the Masaki Shrine, taking his time on a
prayer strip. Then the phone rang.

     "Hummn..? I wonder who that could be?" The old man rose to his
feet and picked up the reciever. "Moshi-moshi."

     "Hello, Father."

     "Ahh.. Nodoka-chan.. It's been a long time.."

*

     "Arigato, Otousan. I shall see what my son thinks. I thank you.
Good bye." Nodoka hung up and smiled.

     Ranma-chan finished off her fourth cookie. ~Mom was on the phone
for a while.. Wonder what that was about..?~

     Nodoka seated herself in front of her son. "Ranma, what would
you do to get out of your engagement to Akane?"

     "Anything."

     "Even commit Seppuku?"

     Ranma shuddered. "If it came down to it.. yeah, even commit
Seppuku."

     At this, Nodoka knew Ranma would listen to what she would say
next. "Would you renounce your name?"

     Ranma paused. "Renounce my name?"

     Nodoka nodded as she explained, "Even though I do not approve of
your father's past actions, he is still the head of the family. You
are still bound by the vow, since you are Saotome. If the Saotome
line were to end with you, then there would be no reason for Soun
Tendouu to force the issue, because you will no longer be associated
with that idiot, Genma."

     "W-What do you mean?"

     "Ranma, My parents died just before you were born. Two years
after that, my brother's wife also died. My only extended family
other than you and your father, are my brother and my father-in-law."

     "Mom, I.. I didn't know.."

     Nodoka nodded. "The reason I brought this up is this: The head
of my family's household is my father-in-law."

     "Is that who you called 'Father' on the phone?"

     "Yes. I have talked to my father-in-law, and you are free to use
my maden name of Masaki. Both my father-in-law and my parents were
quite against my marriage to that fool, Genma, and I see now that
they were right. In fact, the only good thing that ever came from him
was you. But Genma has used you for his own ends with no regards for
your opinions, feelings or welfare. I rather suspect that he arranged
the marriage with the Tendous so that he could live off the dojo.
With your curse and the threat of Seppuku, I feel that he had no
intention of ever contacting me. I thank the powers that be for
allowing me to meet my son and for showing me how big a fool that man
truly is. If he had wanted all those arranged engagements you told me
about, he should have come home to make certain there were children
to uphold them!"

     Ranma nodded, as she too had come to that conclusion before.
Genma had never worked for anything in his life. Not if he could use
her to get something for free. The multiple engagements were proof of
that. Although she was not totally uncomfortable with losing the
Saotome name, she had always prided herself on being Ranma Saotome.

     "I want you to take my family name and move to my brother's and
father-in-law's house in Okayama."

     "Mom, I.." Ranma started.

     Nodoka held up a hand and motioned for him to listen. "Do not
worry about my well-being. I am quite well off. The Masaki family is
very wealthy, as it is descended from a noble samurai line. That is
one of the reasons that I think Genma married me. My parents opposed
the match, but I assured them that I would not let Genma get his
hands on any of my fortune. That is why I chose to live simply. I
contacted my father-in-law and told him of what has happened and my
plans. He has agreed to let you take up the Masaki name and is even
more than willing to name you as an heir. You will no longer be Ranma
Saotome. Your new name will be Ranma Masaki. However, I will not
force you to do this. Your life has been controlled by others long
enough. I will let you make your own decisions."

     Ranma-chan was silent for a moment. Then a single tear ran down
her cheek. "But, mom, I don't wanna to lose ya after finding ya
again!!"

     Nodoka smiled wanly and pulled her son into an embrace. "I know.
I feel the same. But, I also feel it best for you to escape from this
situation. And this is an honorable way out."

     Ranma nodded. "I'll do it. Heck, I've done it already. But.. I
think that I should try to tie up a few lose ends first."

     "Of course."

*

     Ranma-kun stood outside the gates of the Tendou Dojo. His mind
was set, his commitment firm, his mother behind him. "Wait here
untill you get the signal to come in.

     Nodoka nodded. "Do you remember what to say?"

     Ranma smiled. "I think so. You made me memorize the script
twice."

     Nodoka nodded. "Good luck, my son."

     With that, he entered the Tendou-kan. Kasumi met him at the
front door. "Hello, Ranma! Have you eaten?"

     "Yeah, thanks Kasumi. Is everyone here?"

     "I believe so.. why?"

     Ranma smirked. "I have an announcement to make." He entered the
living room to find Genma and Soun playing Shogi. Genma was in Panda
form. Nabiki was slouched against the table, reading a Manga. She was
also drinking a glass of hot tea. Not anymore.

     The cup made a graceful 360 in mid air after connecting with
Genma/Panda's skull, then dumped its contents on the fuzzy animal.
Instant Irate Idiot. "RanMa! What is the meaning of this?!"

     "Si'ddown Genma. I got a anouncement of sorts ta make." Noticing
he had even Nabiki's attention, he called "Akane! Kasumi! Could you
come in here, please?"

     Kasumi came in, followed by Akane, who had been in her room
upstairs. Upon seeing Ranma, Akane scowled.

     "Save it for later, 'Kane."

     Everyone blinked. Ranma never addresed Akane like that. Soun
finally spoke up.

     "Well, we are here. What is is you wished to say?"

     "Tendou-dono," Ranma said, speeking to Soun, "I say this with
the utmost respect: I thank you for your patience and your
hospitality."

     Soun, taken back by Ranma's use of an honorific, could only nod.
Ranma continued.

     "However.. I am unable to fulfill the vow set by Genma and
yourself. I can not and will not marry any of your daughters."

     Soun blinked. This was a common thing for Akane to say in anger,
but Ranma? He was calm, collected, and waiting for a reply. Soun gave
it. "Why do you wish to bring dishonor to your family by not keeping
with the vow your father and I both took? What is wrong with my
daughters, that you want none of them to be your bride?"

     Ranma Sighed. ~At least he hasn't broken into crying yet...~
"Tendou-dono.. I find nothing wrong with your daughters. Each is
smart, beautiful, strong, and I am sure they will gain alliances that
shall only serve to strenthen the Tendou family. However, I,
personally, am not fit for them. I believe this has been proven by
not only my actions, but your daughters actions as well." Ranma
looked at Akane. She squrimed. He looked at Nabiki. She raised an
eyebrow. He looked at Kasumi. She met his gaze and nodded. "None of
them wish to marry me, and I do not wish to marry any of them."

     Soun shook his head sadly. "Be that as it may, Saotome-kun, you
must marry one of them. The vow states that a Saotome must wed a
Tendou, and carry on the school of Anything Goes Martial Arts."

     Ranma smiled. "Then again, I state that I can not personally
fulfill the vow."

     Genma decided that it would be a good time to be an ass. "What
do you mean, boy? You can not be exempt from the vow! You are
Saotome! There is no escape! Resistance is futile! You shall be
acclimated!"

     Ranma shook his head. He handed his father a small slip of paper
with the exact instructions to read it after he was finished. He then
opened the door to the porch and walked out into the yard. Everyone
watched Ranma, except Genma, who was still puzzling over the slip of
paper he held. Ranma cupped his hand to his mouth and yelled as loud
as possible.

     "Listen up! I, Ranma Saotome, hereby RENOUNCE MY FAMILY NAME!!
And, furthermore, under permission of the head of its clan, have
taken the name of Masaki!"

     Of course Genma, never being one to heed instructions, had read
the slip of paper during Ranma's anoucement. His anger was cut short
by the short message.

     Nodoka is outside.

     A very loud 'EEEEEEEEEP!' followed by an equally loud 'HIDE
MEEEEEE!!' erupted from Genma. He turned, twisted, and sought a place
to crawl into, only to find himself looking at the point of a Katana.

     Nodoka smiled serenly. "Hello dear. Its been a long time."

     Ranma shook his head at his father, who was begging for his
life, and at the Tendou's, who were looking at him in shock. "It's
over.." He said softly. Soun, realizing that a union between his
family and his best friend's was now impossible, did as expected. He
started bawling.

     Akane broke the semi-relitave silence first. "You don't love me,
do you..?"

     "I did, but.. I'm sorry, Akane. I didn't wanna to hurt ya."

     "Well.. You did. Deeply."

     "I tried to make it work. But, like my mom said: 'a
relationship, like a friendship, is fueled by love, and needs two
people to keep it going.' We never had that down. We're always too
busy fightin' to let each other know how we felt." Ranma looked down,
and quietly said "Now, it's too late."

     Akane nodded and began to cry. She was the reason he had loved
her; but she was also the reason his love had been lost.

     Soun finally managed to get something past his lips.
"Renounce..?"

     "Yes, Tendou-san. I ain't a Saotome. You can't hold me to your
vow any more."

     "WAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA!!!"

     Nabiki swore a soft curse and hastily stalked upstairs. Ranma
watched her go, then turned to Kasumi. "What can I say? You've been
a sister to me, and the closest thing I had to a mother for a long
time."

     "Ranma-kun.. I care for you as a brother. Though you will never
be my in-law now, If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you. I'll
always be here for you, Ranma-kun.."

     Ranma nodded as Kasumi got up from her position on the floor
next to Akane, and stood in front of him. The two embraced, and
Kasumi gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good luck in your new
life, Masaki-kun."

     "Thank you, Kasumi."

     Kasumi withdrew to her room, passing Nabiki, who was coming back
down the stairs with Ranma's backpack.

     "Here." She offered. Ranma hesitantly excepted. "I went ahead
and packed your room up for you. Everything that didn't scream
'Genma' is in the bag. That and a thirty persent commision of what I
made off those photos of you.."

     "Thanks, Nabiki. This means a lot."

     Nabiki embraced him, and kissed him on the lips. "we could have
had something together. nothing seems to work out right for either of
us, though.." She whispered in his ear.

     "At least you wern't engaged to five different guys." He
whispered back. Nabiki laughed at Ranma. "Write a book about my time
here. You'll make a fortune."

     "Now there's an idea." She smiled. "I'm gonna miss ya, you
silly, muscle brained, Yen factory you."

     "Same to you, Nabiki."

     Nabiki smiled, punched him in the shoulder playfuly, and bounded
back up the stairs.

     Ranma shook his head, then looked at the youngest Tendou
daughter. She stood before him, wiping her tears away. "Ranma.. I'm
sorry."

     "It's not your fault Akane. In some other place, universe,
Fan-Fic, we did it right, and probably got kids. But here.. It's a no
go."

     She nodded, then did the unexpected. She kissed him, full on. It
was one of those kisses which are indended to clean out most of your
small intestine in twelve seconds. It would make a vaccume envious..
Hell, it was one of those kisses the Coneheads would die to be able
to preform. She finally broke it, and whispered, "goodbye, Ranma."

     "Goodbye, Akane."

     Soun watched this strange prosession in awe.. Well, as much awe
as a man in tears can watch something in.. Then it came his turn to
say goodbye to the young man who had become a staple in his life. As
he stood in front of Ranma, all Ranma could think was ~If he kisses
me, I'm gonna barrow Akane's mallet and whap him a good one..~

     He was relieved to find Soun only extending his hand. After a
firm shake. The two men nodded, and Ranma turned to go.

     "You ready, mom?"

     Nodoka scowled at Genma -who was still groveling for his life-
one last time. "Let's go, Ranma. I have no further business here at
the moment." As mother and son walked out the door, Nodoka called
back to Genma: "I'm filing for divorce."

     If the poor man said anything, neither of them heard, or would
have cared to have heard, it.

     As he shut the gate, Ranma took one final look at the place he
had called home for over a year. "I am free.."

     He smiled a sad smile, and left without looking back.

*

     Nodoka spoke first. "Do you regret your desision?"

     "No." Ranma said as he shook his head. "I'm glad it's over. The
next part, however.."

     "Ah, yes.. That Shampoo girl. What are you going to do?"

     Ranma sighed as he and his mother began the walk to the
Nekohanten. "I think I know of a way.. But it will make me look bad."
He sighed again. "Not that I care any; I'm not planning on coming
back here."

     Nodoka nodded as they neared the Cat Cafe. Ranma motioned for
his mother to stay outside, and gave her his bag. He entered,
causiously, expecting a glomp and a 'Woto Airen!'. He got neither.

     Mousse looked up from the cash register. He had his glasses on,
so he was able to see who came in. "Oh, it's you, Saotome."

     Ranma bristled. "Is Cologne here? I need to talk to her."

     Mousse shrugged. "No. You and me are the only ones here.
Cologne's out shopping and Shampoo went to make a delivery."

     "Ah. And it's not Saotome anymore, Mousse. I renounced my name
to get out of the engagement. It's Masaki now."

     The Chinese boy frowned. "So you've come here to take away my
Shampoo, have you? I'll never allow it!" Mousse pulled several
katanas out of his sleeves, and advanced on Ranma. Ranma held out his
hands and backed up.

     "Then help me think of a way to get out of marryin' Shampoo! You
know I don't wanna marry her!"

     Mousse stopped his advance and put away his weapons. "You beat
her, she has to marry you. There is no way out."

     "I beat her on accident the second time! She was tryin' to hit
Akane with her bonbarri! I kicked it out of her hand and it hit her
in the head! When she woke up, she was all over me, has been ever
since! I don't want her, Mousse! I didn't beat her on purpose!"

     "Then my great-grandaughter has no claim on you and we have been
here wasting our time!"

     Ranma and Mousse both turned towards the kitchen. Cologne was
staffing there, looking annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me this
sooner?"

     "I thought Shampoo told you when she went back to China.."

     "No. All She said was that you had beaten her in combat. Since I
see this was not the case, then you shall just have to fight her
again."

     Ranma shook his head. "No. I do not want Shampoo as my wife. I
refuse."

     "Then you shall fight ME!" Cologne screeched, leapt twords Ranma
on her staff, And..

     Stopped short. Make that Shorter. A strange woman weilding a
Katana had lopped off the end of her stave. Clean cut, too.

     Cologne then realized she was wrapped in about twelve feet of
chains. She blinked. Even that Imbicile Mousse could trap her when
she was distracted. "Mousse, remove these from me, now."

     Mousse shook his head. "Nope. Not gonna."

     "That was not a request, Mr-Part-time."

     "Neither is this.." The chinese boy intoned, pulling on the
chains in his sleeves. Cologne felt the chains tighten around her.
"..Give me Shampoo, or you can embrace death like a true warrior."

     As Ranma heard the inevitable 'you shall never have my
great-granddaughter', he motioned for his mother to step back, as he
himself did. He could tell the hidden weapons master wasn't kidding
by the mask of rage Mousse's features were twisted in.

     "Then you shall die." Mousse said simply. He tugged on one of
the many chains, and the entire mass o metal constricted.

     "Shouldn't we do someting..?" Nodoka asked her son.

     "No.. the laws of the Amazons clearly state that the punishment
for inturruping a marrage duel is death."

     Cologne's eyes began to bug out as she realized Ranma was using
her own laws against her.

     The last thing Joketzu Village Elder Colonge uttered was a curse
on any children Mouse and Ranma might have. Then, there was a sicking
crunch, and blood dripped from the remains of a wooden staff.

     Mousse shuddered. He couldn't believe he had actually done it.
He had killed Cologne. Shampoo was his. He could weave a cover story
so intricate, even the other Elders would be forced into believing
it. Dead Amazons tell no Tales.

     "Well, be seeing you, Mousse.. Take care of Shampoo, K? Heh
heh.. Bye." Ranma really didn't want to be there when Shampoo
arrived. He grabbed his gawking mother and headed out the door.

     Mousse dropped the chains connected to Cologne's body. He'd
probably have to clean it up, too.. Best wait untill Shampoo saw the
evidence, though.

*

     Ranma quickly explaned to his mother that what had occured
inside of the Nekohanten was legal, according to the Amazon's laws..
But Nodoka was still silent as they headed for Ukkyou's.

     "Well, he beat her in combat. Finally.."

     Nodoka looked at her son harshly. "Do you truely feel nothing?
We saw a woman.. Or maybe a troll, murdered in front of us!"

Ranma shrugged. "I feel sorry for her, sure.. But it was her choice.
*Sigh* Those laws the Amazon's live by are kinda like that promise of
Seppuku dad swore us to. The have to live by them, or else.." Ranma
shuddered. "Some things can be worse than death, mom.."

     Understanding, of a sort, gleamed in Nodoka's eyes. "I see."

     Ranma stopped in front of Ucchan's. "You going to be ok, mom?"

     Nodoka nodded and Ranma opened the door of Ucchan's Okonomiyaki
Shop for her. She went inside and Ranma followed.

     Ukkyou was in a lamentable mood. First that hussy Shampoo had
shown up, then Kodachi arrived and scared her coustomers away. Thus
Mass Violence had ensued. And ensued, and ensued, and ensued. There
was little left of Ucchan's Okonomiyaki-ya. The tables were scattered
and broken, chairs were streun every which way, the main griddle was
a mess.. and the south window had a distintive, Ukkyou shaped hole in
it.

     Ukkyou surveyed the view, taking in the destruction of her
livilyhood. "This just isn't fair!" She whailed, beggining to cry.

     Ranma was floored, literally. As soon as he was past the door,
he had suffered a massive facefalt. Nodoka blinked twice, making that
really cool *Squeegy-Squeegy* sound. That was when they heard Ukkyou
say it wasn't fair. Ranma quickly recovered and went to where the
Okonomiyaki-style martial artist was kneeling.

     "Ucchan.. What happened? You ok?"

     "Yeah, Ranchan.. I've seen better days though.." Ukkyou looked
up at Ranma, the first tears beggining to fall. She quickly wiped
them away and stood up to face her fiancee. "Shampoo an' Kodachi blew
threw here, hon.. And left a nasty mess for me, too. Oh! If it
weren't for you bein' here, Ranchan, I'd just leave, and sick my
lawer on 'em.."

     "Pack your bags.." Nodoka said from behind them. Ukkyou turned
around.

     "Oh, I'm sorry.. The resturaunts closed.. If you could come back
tomarrow.." Ukkyou stopped as Nodoka smiled at her. "What?"

     "Ucchan, I'd like you to meet my mom, Sao.. Err, Masaki Nodoka."

     Ukkyou blinked. It took a second for this information to sink
in. "You're.. Ranchan's Mom?"

     "Yes, I..." Nodoka would have gone on, but she suddenly found it
hard to breathe. She was the recipiant of a rather tight bear hug,
which Ukkyou was only too happy to deliver.

     "Oh! I'm so sorry!" Ukkyou said as she released Nodoka from the
hug, and held her at arms leangth. "I thought you were a coustomer!
I'm Konji Ukkyou, Ranchan's fiancee! I'm so glad to finally be able
to meet you, mom!" She smiled warmly and Nodoka laughed.

     "Well, it is a pleaseure to meet you as well, miss Konji.
Unfortunatly, this is not a time for happy news. I believe my son has
something to discuss with you."

     Ukkyou turned to Ranma, concern sketched over her features.
"What is she talking about, Ranchan..? Please, don't tell me you're
leaving me!" She ran to him, and buried her face into his shoulder as
she began to cry again. "Please don't leave me, Ranchan! You're all
I've got!"

     Ranma, as usual, didn't know what to do with a distraught woman.
He made some rather pathetic gestures at his mom, and she motioned
for him to hug Ukkyou. Ranma tried to hug her, but his arms were
shaking almost as badly as the girl in them. "Ucchan.. Please don't
cry.."

     "Ranma, honey, I love you."

     Three words. Oh, how they make a man freeze and think: ~My god,
what do I do? What do I do? Ack!~

     ~Ucchan's my friend! But, she's also my fiancee.. NO! I don't
feel that way about her! I Don't! I Don't! I Don't! I Don't! I Do!~
Ranma paused. Ukkyou looked up at him.

     "You do what?" She said shakily.

     Nodoka watched as her son made an ass of himself. "So much like
Genma.. And so unlike him, as well."

     Ranma stared into Ukkyou's brown eyes, as she stared into his
grey ones. "Ucchan.. I dunno how to say this.. You've always been
here for me when I needed you, and all I've done is ignore you.. Ah,
damit." After a moment, Ranma sheepishly said, "I.. Uh.. Renounced my
name so I could get out of the engagement to Akane.."

     Ukkyou wiped away her tears and smiled. "I'd still marry you,
even if you didn't have a name to give me, Ranchan!"

     "Well, yeah, umn..." Ranma fidgeted while Ukkyou continued to
beam at him. Finally she asked what was bothering him. "Well.. My
father left you behind last time, and I don't wanna hurt you again..
It's your choice now. I'm leaving this damn town. I want you ta Come
with me, Ucchan."

     Ukkyou blinked. "Just lemme pack my bags and call my lawer. Then
I'll let ya take me to any place in the world!"

     Ranma smiled. "Will Okayama work?"

     Ukkyou nodded, then seperated from their embrace. "I've got to
go get my things.. Wanna help?" Ranma nad Nodoka nodded, and with
that, the three went past the main grill and headed towards Ukkyou's
apartment.

     Nodoka whispered to her son. "You seem to respect her and she
seems entirely devoted to you. Yet, you hesitate to start a
relationship beyond your friendship. Why?"

     Ranma looked at his mother, a blank expression on his face. "I
dunno.. She's always just been Ucchan.. You know? The one person I
could talk to when everyone else wanted my head.. Besides, if I had
tried somethig, it coulda screwed up our friendship, and I don't want
that to happen.."

     Ukkyou stopped in front of Ranma, turning to face him. "Ranchn..
You really care about me, don't you?"

     "Well, yeah, Ucchan.. You're my best friend. I don't wanna hurt
you if I can help it."

     "If all I can be to you now is your friend, then that's what
I'll be; But I want you as my husband, Ranchan.. Engagement or no."

     Ranma shruuged. "Ok.. If that's how ya feel about it. Kodak, see
what developes." Ukkyou looked at him in a strange way.

     Nodoka smiled. "You two.. You may be reminded of your life here,
the way things go on over at my brother's.. That is, if I can believe
Father.. He is quite a character. You two should fit in fine."

     "I dunno if I should feel comforted or not.."

     Ukkyou opened the door to her room. "Belive me, mom.. Between
what Ranchan and I 'ave both seen, nothin' could be like this
place.."

     "You'd be surprised." Nodoka said quietly, and all three began
to pack Ukkyou's meger belongings.

     "Hey, mom..?"

     "Yes, my son?"

     "How we gettin' there, anyway?"

*

At Tokyo International Airport, a plane took off. It had been a new,
stylish 747, but now.. Several scorch marks were plastered over the
white paint. Inside, in seat 303, Ranma muttered "Damit, Ryouga.. Do
ya always gotta fight me..?"

     In seat 305, Ryouga leaned forward so he could stare at his
one-time-rival. "Shut up! I didn't know, OK? It's all your fault
anyway, Saotome!"

     Ranma grimaced. "I Told you it's MASAKI, P-chan!"

     "Who you callin P-Chan, Masaki? Wait, I mean.."

     In seat 304, between the two woul-be-combatants, Ukkyou
smouldered. "Will you to be quiet? First you almost wreck the plane,
and now you're arguing!"

     "Sorry."

     Ryouga looked confused. "What he said?"

     Ukkyou growled. "Just shaddup and watch the movie."

     The PA system *pinged* to life as Ukkyou started to place her
head phones on. "Due to the minor damage the plane recieved on the
ground, the projector for this afternoon's movie has been damaged
beyond repair. We apologise for the inconvienance.."

     Ukkyou decided to listen to the radio. Static. She attempted to
move the tuning nob, but it didn't budge. "Broken.. Figures, with you
two around.. What ar you doing here, anyway, Ryouga?"

     "I got a letter from my dad through the Tendou's last week. He's
somewhere in Nagisa and says he found a way to keep us Hibiki's from
being lost.. How 'bout you two? Off on your honeymoon?"

     "No." Ranma said quietly.

     Was that a bit of regret in Ranma's voice..? Ryouga and Ukkyou
both wondered silently.

     "Like I told you in the terminal, I dropped my family name. Now,
I'm gonna go live with my mom's side of the family."

     "Good move."

     "Thanks."

     "So Akane's.."

     Ranma groaned. "Go for it."

     Ryouga's eyes went wide. Akane was his! Well.. Would be! Yeah!
She would be his!

     Ranma turned to look past Ukkyou to gaze out the window. This
was the first time he had been in a plane. Because being punted into
Low Earth Orbit was much the same as flying, he didn't feel
uncomfortable at all. In fact he was feeling rather drowzy..

     Ranma looked over to his right. Seats 306&7 were empty. Good.

     Ukkyou was surprised to find Ranma looking up at her from her
lap. He was comfortably sprawled out along three seats, and was
trying to use her as a pillow. Ukkyou giggled as he asked if it was
ok. "No problems here, hon; but if the Hostess catches you, you're in
trouble."

     "Next Giant twinkie I see, I'll run." He said, sleepily. Ukkyou
smiled and played with his bangs.

     Ryouga *humphed* from his seat, realizing how that looked.
"Honeymooners.." he explained to the gentalman who was in the seat
infront of him. The man nodded, turned back around, and decided to
mind his own bussiness.

     The last thought Ranma had befor slipping into dream was ~Ukkyou
sure is warm..~

---------