Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi, oh, so is Urusei Yatsura.

Juxtaposition
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Chapter 6:  I Left Her Panties in Tomobiki
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"Concentrate, Ataru."

"I am, Grandfather.  Nothing seems to be happening."

"Stay focused!" Happosai snapped. "Channel all your energy into the panty."

Ataru stood in the center of the Tendo dojo, a pile of female undergarments stacked beside him.  His eyes were closed and his arms were held straight outward.  He clasped his hands together, a bunched up cotton panty held between his palms.  Ataru opened his eyes and sighed.  "Are you sure this is going to work?"

"Of course this is going to work, son!  The panty will magnify your lecherous energy 100-fold.  It's the most powerful technique I've ever developed."

"If it's so powerful, why don't you do it!" Ataru threw the panty at Happosai.  He had been holed up in the dojo for days, practicing this 'technique' to no avail.  Now, a day away from the fight, he was starting to get a little frustrated.

Happosai caught the panty and copied Ataru's stance.  "Fine!  I will, you little ingrate!"  A bright pink glow appeared between his hands and the panties quickly ballooned out like a large piece of bubblegum.

"What. . . what. . ."  Ataru gaped as the bubble grew.

The bubble exploded and a wave of energy slammed into Ataru, tossing him into the dojo wall and knocking him out completely.  Tears streaming down his eyes, Happosai stared at the burnt remains of the panty in his hand.  "Oh the sacrifice. . . the pain. . . the HUMANITY!"  He walked to Ataru's prone form and slapped him on the face a few times.

"I'm all right, I'm all right!"

"You?  Who cares about you?"  Happosai sniffed.  "Perfectly good underwear, destroyed before its time."

Ataru groaned and sat up in a daze. "Okay, Lum!  You can be a part of the harem," he mumbled.

"Wake up, boy!"

Ataru blinked and looked at Happosai.  "What hit me?"

"I used the Happo-Panty Bubble Burst technique on you."

"You mean it worked?"  Ataru frowned.  "Then why can't I do it?"

"You're just not concentrating hard enough!"  Happosai glanced at his hands quickly then glared at Ataru.  "Get up and try it again."

"Why don't you show it to me on more time?"  Ataru suggested.  "But this time, aim it in another direction!"

"No!"

"Why not?"  Ataru demanded.

Happosai thrusts his open palms in front of Ataru's face.  "I will not destroy another of my precious silky darlings just because you're too stupid to learn a simple technique."

"So the panties get shredded, so what?"

"So what?  SO WHAT?"  Happosai grabbed Ataru by the neck and began to throttle him.  "Those panties are like my children!  Each time one of them is destroyed, it's like a part of me is destroyed with it."  Happosai let go of Ataru's neck.  "I'm willing to let only one more panty be sacrificed.  That will be the one you complete the technique with; after that, you need to build your own collection."

"Collection?  When am I supposed to do that?  The fight's tomorrow!"

"Then you'd better hurry up and learn the technique."  Happosai walked to the pile of panties, picked one up, and tossed it to Ataru.  "Get in position."

Ataru caught the panty, held it out in front of his body with both hands, and closed his eyes.  He tried to find his 'inner lecher' as Happosai had instructed.  "I'm sorry, Grandfather, but this just isn't-"

The door to the dojo opened and Kasumi stepped inside.  "Ataru-kun, Grandfather Happosai, it's time for lunch!"

"Kasumi-chan!"  As soon as he looked at Kasumi, a familiar pink glow grew from between Ataru's hands.  The glow grew quickly and the panty stretched to its limit.

"You did it, my boy!"  Happosai clapped his hands in cheerful glee. Ataru ignored Happosai and he ignored the glow.  He took one step towards Kasumi and the panty burst, sending a wave of energy straight at the still cheering Happosai.

As the wizened old martial arts master flew through the dojo wall, Ataru ran up to Kasumi and grabbed her hands.  "Kasumi-chan, maybe we can go out later tonight, eh?"  He giggled happily.  "You're not busy or anything are you?"

"I really should stay at home and clean, Ataru-kun.  Besides, you need to rest for tomorrow's fight."

"Oh, forget about the fight.  I'm not going to learn that technique anyway." Ataru suddenly found himself face down, flat on the ground, an angry and slightly singed Happosai standing on his back.

"Never going to learn, eh?  What do you think you just did, boy?"  Happosai demanded.

"I see you're still busy.  I'll keep your food warm."  Kasumi walked back to the house.

"Kasumi-chan!  Wait!"

Happosai hopped off Ataru's back.  "Now that you've mastered the technique, it's time to-"

"What do you mean, I mastered the technique?"  Ataru asked as he stood up.

"You just tossed me through the dojo wall with it!"

Ataru blinked and scratched his head.  "When did I do that?"

"Just now, in the dojo!" Happosai screamed.  "Remember?  Kasumi walked in and. . .  oh.  I think I understand."

"Understand what?"

"Let's go start your collection, Ataru.  I'll explain on the way. . . "


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

Ranma spun in mid air as the bullets whizzed by him.  He landed and jumped up once more, as the ground beneath his feet tore and became riddled with holes.  (Damn, I think she's enjoying this a little too much!)

"You won't get away that easily!"  Benten let out a hysterical laugh as she tried to keep Ranma in her machine gun's sight, her finger never leaving the trigger.

"I think that's it for now, okay?"  Ranma called.

Benten let go of the trigger and held the gun up against her shoulder.  She did little to mask her disappointment.  "Are you sure?  I got a grenade launcher too. . ."

"Er. . . no thanks." Ranma sweat-dropped.  "I'm ready for the fight, no problem!  I got the speed, I got the strength, and I got the intelligence.  What more do I need?  Ataru doesn't stand a chance!"

"That's great!  Ataru always was a coward anyway.  So, if you're done for the day, how about some lunch?  My treat?"  Benten had learned rather quickly that Ranma never turned down a free meal.

"That would be great!  I'm starved!"

Benten winced.  She had also learned rather quickly that Ranma ate a -lot- of food.  (Shit!  This is gonna be expensive.  Oh well, at least I get some time alone with him.)  She grabbed ahold of Ranma's arm.  "Let's go!"


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


Lum impatiently tapped her foot on the floor and stared at the girl sitting across from her.  She didn't know enough about Nabiki Tendo to judge her abilities, but she was getting desperate.  She was starting to have doubts in Ranma's plan, and when Nabiki offered to help her catch Ataru, she had jumped at the opportunity.  "Well?  What is your plan?"

"Patience, Lum, patience.  Let me finish my tea."  Nabiki took a slow, languorous sip from her cup.  "Never interrupt a good meal by talking about business.  It can lead to indigestion."  Nabiki didn't believe this, of course, but keeping an eager client waiting was a habit of sorts.  She set her cup down on the table with a soft clink.  "Okay.  You want to marry Ataru, but he's engaged to me or to one my sisters.  My sisters and I don't -want- to marry Ataru, but one of us will end up having to because of family honor.  I figure there is a way we can help each other out."  Nabiki paused. "But it will take a bit of cash."

"I'll ask my parents for a year-long advance on my allowance!  They have the resources.  What is your plan?"  Lum demanded.

(That's juuuust what I wanted to hear.)  Nabiki smiled, leaned forward, and told Lum her idea, and for the first time since this whole mess started, Lum saw the possibility of success.


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


"Pardon me, miss.  I'm here to take your panties, but would you be interested in a date?"  Ataru snagged the pair of clean panties that were hung out to dry on the apartment windowsill as he waited for a response.  The scream was deafening and Ataru managed to dodge the shoe, book, and clock that were thrown his way.

The table lamp, however, hit him squarely on the forehead.  His hold on the balcony railing slipped and he fell.  Happosai snagged him by the ear, and Ataru managed a less painful, if not graceful, landing from his six-story drop.

"You did much better this time, lad."  Happosai took out his pipe and lit it.  "Let's see what you found."

Ataru held out the panty for inspection.

"Not bad, not bad at all.  Nice soft cotton, not too worn out either."  Happosai took a drag from the pipe.  "Let's find our next target."

"Not that I mind meeting all these women, but how many more panties do I need?  I have about fifty of the things now!"

"You can never have too many panties, Ataru."

Ataru sighed.  "Right.  So, what about the technique?"

"Ah, yes.  It seems, for the time being, you need the proper motivation to tap into your lechery.  So, instead of trying to find your inner-lecher, think about the girl you want the most, look at her if she's around, even carry a picture of her, and that should do the trick."

"Oh, so -that's- what happened when I was talking to Kasumi!" Ataru released.  "It felt sorta strange."

"It's arousing and climactic at the same time.  Like feeling the two end points of passion as they meet in the middle."

"Yeah!  It was neat!"  Ataru rubbed his chin.  "Pictures, huh?  Guess I'll have to have a chat with Nabiki."



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


"Daddy, can you sign this for me, please?"

"Certainly, Nabiki.  What is it?"

"Oh, just some tax documents, property assessment, things like that."

"Very well.  It's good to have a daughter who is responsible for such things."

"Thanks, Daddy."  Nabiki gathered up the documents and quickly went to her room.  (Perfect,) she thought.  (This takes care of Ataru and I got paid.  All in all, not a bad day.)

"Oi! Nabiki-chan, are you there?"  Ataru started banging on her door.

Nabiki sighed in irritation.  "I'm too busy to plan our 'date' right now, Ataru.  Go away."

"I'm not here for that, I want to buy another picture of the pig-tailed cutie!"

Nabiki opened the door.  "Need some last minute inspiration before your fight tomorrow?"  she asked dryly.

"Something like that.  I need a copy of the best one you have."

"The best one, huh?"  Nabiki's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.  "I know -just- the one you want.  It's going to cost you though."

"That's fine," Ataru replied impatiently. "Let's see it!"

Nabiki walked to her desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a think manila envelope.  "I have a lot of copies of this one."  She opened the envelope, reached inside and pulled out a picture.  "Here.  Will this suit your needs?"  She handed the picture to Ataru.

"Oh. . . yes."  Ataru licked his lips.  "This will be perfect."


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

The next morning came quickly, and Ataru prepared for his fight.  "Got all my panties and got my picture!  I'm all set to go!"

"I hope you're ready for this, boy," Genma said somberly.  "Ranma should be here shortly."

"Actually, he's already here.  He's waiting in the back yard."  Soun put his hands on Ataru's shoulders.  "You're carrying the honor of both our schools with you, son."

"I won't let you down, Uncle Tendo!  Justice will prevail!"

"Oh, Ataru-chan, you make your mother so proud."  Nodoka dabbed her eyes with a napkin.

"Oh brother. . ."  Akane groaned and put her head in her hands.

Ataru looked to the three Tendo girls.  "You'll all come to watch the fight, won't you?"

"Oh, we wouldn't miss it," Nabiki replied dryly.

"Good luck on your fight, lad.  We'll get together later and celebrate!"  Happosai cackled.

"You're not staying for the fight, Grandfather?"

"No, I'm afraid not.  I have my rounds to make.  Bye!"  Happosai bounced away, a large empty black bag carried over his shoulder.

Genma straightened his glasses.  "Let's get started then."  As a group, they walked out of the house to the Tendo yard where Ranma and Lum where waiting for them.

"You don't have to do this, ya know.  Just give up and marry Lum."

Ataru puffed out his chest.  "For the honor of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, I -must- fight!"

"That's the spirit, boy!"  Genma cheered from where he was sitting on the Tendo back porch.  Nodoka just swooned in pride.

Ranma slowly shook his head.  "You're no martial artist, Ataru.  Get ready." He ran forward and led with a right cross to Ataru's face.  The young lecher bent backwards and watched as Ranma's fist moved above him.

"Nice breeze."  Ranma growled and used his forward momentum to move into a low spin kicked aimed at Ataru's legs.  Ataru had already straightened his body, however, and jumped straight up, kicking his legs out wide.  "Oops.  Missed again!"

Ranma stopped moving after he finished the kick and brought his fists up in front of his face.  (Damn, he's fast!)  Ataru just stood in front of him, a bored look on his face.  To Ranma's gall, Ataru actually yawned.

"Why don't you just give up, and I can meet that pigtailed cutie?"

"No one takes me this lightly!"  Ranma charged forward once more, his fist moving much faster this time.  Punch after punch, kick after kick, and Ranma connected with nothing but air.  He flipped, he spun, he jumped, he soared, and did everything short of using his special techniques.  The temptation was there, but. . . (I won't do it.  I won't go that far against a pathetic loser like him.)

"Well, we've run all over the place, and I'm getting a bit bored.  Are we finished yet?"

"Getting tired you mean," Ranma retorted.  His breathing was still even and he hadn't yet broken a sweat.

Ataru laughed.  "Ha!  I'm Earth's Tag Race Champion, remember?  Jumping around in the backyard for a few minutes doesn't tire me out that easily!"

"Yeah, you're good at dodging," Ranma admitted, "but you can't dodge forever, and there's no way you can win if you don't hit me!"


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


Nabiki sighed.  "Well, this is getting dull."  She turned into the house as the phone rang.  "I'll get it," she told the other spectators.  (It's not like this fight means much anyway.)

"Ataru's rather quick, isn't he, Akane-chan?"

Akane nodded her head.  "Ranma's right, though.  Ataru doesn't stand a chance if just dodges all the time.  Ranma isn't going anywhere near all out yet."

"Oh my.  Do you think Ataru will use Grandfather Happosai's technique then?"

Akane blinked and looked Kasumi.  "You mean the old pervert actually taught him something?"

"Oh yes!  It was rather. . . impressive."

Akane turned back to the fight.  (Ranma. . . be careful.)


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

Ranma ran forward and jumped over Ataru's head.  The second he landed, he jumped straight back up again.  Ataru, who was still in the midst of turning around, looked up as Ranma belted him across the jaw.  He flew across the yard and landed on the ground in crumpled heap.

"Darling!"  Lum gasped.

"Don't worry, Lum.  I didn't hit him too hard."  Ranma smiled and slowly walked towards Ataru.  "Mid-air combat, Ataru.  It is the specialty of -your- school.  You spend too much time starin' at girls' chests; ya need to look up once in a while."

Ataru slowly stood and spit out a couple of teeth.  He rubbed his jaw and glared balefully at Ranma.  "That huuuurt!  If you mess up my face, how am I going to be ready for my date?"

"I pulled that punch, ya know.  The next one is really gonna hurt."  Ranma tried to make his voice sound menacing.  He really didn't like the idea of fighting someone who wasn't adept in the Art.  "You might as well just give up."

Ataru reached into his pants pocket and took out a pair of panties and slightly crumpled photograph.  It was the one he had bought from Nabiki the previous day.  The picture showed a wet, topless Ranma-chan wringing out a wet shirt while looking sheepishly at a glaring Akane.  Ataru stared at the picture longingly for a few moments before turning towards Ranma.  "Give up?" he asked softly.  "And miss out on a chance to date her!?"  Ataru thrust the photo in front of Ranma's face.  "Never!"

Ranma blinked.  "Where did you get that. . .  Nabiki!" Ranma whirled towards the porch.  "Where did she go?" he demanded, noticing that the middle Tendo daughter was absent.

"She went in to answer the phone."

Ataru held up the panty as Ranma turned back towards him.  Ranma shook his head and snorted disdainfully.  "What do ya plan to do with that?"

"With -this- I can finally date the pig-tailed cutie!"  Ataru looked at the picture once more and closed his eyes.  A familiar warmth spread through out his body and small pink glow grew in his hands.

Ranma's eyes widened. "What. . ."

Akane gasped.  (Is this the technique?)

The pink glow rapidly grew and the panty in Ataru's hand expanded.  Ranma took several leaps away from Ataru and readied a ki blast of his own.  "Do ya really thing that sissy looking blast is gonna beat me?"  Ranma's hands shot forward.  "Moko Takabisha!"

The panty in Ataru's hand tore and a blast of lecherous ki collided with Ranma's confidence-based attack. The two blasts cancelled each other out, and Ranma smiled.  "I don't know what the old freak did to ya, but if ya can use your ki, then isn't any reason for me to hold back, is there?"  Ranma stepped forward and confidence swelled within him.  "Moko Takabisha!"

The attack was larger this time, but Ataru was ready.  He dodged to the side and pulled another panty out of his pocket.

He looked at Akane and Kasumi then glanced back at the picture in his other hand.  The pink glow grew more quickly this time and Ataru grinned gleefully.  "What I do now, I do for dating!"

Ranma smiled in spite of himself.  He remembered the time, so long ago, when Ryoga and he had had a similar fight.  It was at that time that he had mastered the moko takabisha.  Recalling some of the things he had said to distract Ryoga, he wondered if a similar technique would work in this situation.  He gasped in mock surprise.  "Look!  You can see Akane's panties!"

"What!?"  Ataru's head swiveled back towards Akane.

"Moko Takabisha!"

Ataru flew back, slamming into the back wall of the Tendo compound and landed limply on the ground.  Lum immediately flew to his side.  "Darling! Speak to me!"

Ataru blinked and slowly lifted his head.  "Akane's. . . panties?"  His head fell back on the ground.

Akane let out an irritated sigh and folded her arms over her chest. "Hmph.  A stupid trick like that -would- work on him."

"I guess that's that."  Ranma grinned smugly.  "Even with a perverted special technique, he ain't a martial artist!"

"Ranma, my boy!  So good to see you!"  Ranma whirled around just in time for Happosai to dump a bucket of cold water on him.  The old master grabbed a hold of the boy-turned-girl's breasts and gave them a squeeze.  "Oh, my student has been defeated!" he lamented.  "Please comfort me in my time of need."  He gave her breasts another squeeze.

"You. . . you. . . old FREAK!" Ranma-chan palmed the top of Happosai's head like a basketball and removed him from her chest.  "Just die!"  She then drop kicked him over the Tendo compound.  Her chest heaving in rage, Ranma turned back towards Ataru and Lum.  "Like I said, I win-"

"Hey, nice to meet you!"  Ataru instantly appeared in front of her, vigorously shaking her hand and scratching the back of his head with his free hand.

Ranma gaped.  "Wha. . . how. . ."

"Darling. . ." Lum growled.  "How dare you flirt with. . . with. . . Ranma?" She fell on her back and started laughing hysterically.

"You're even prettier than your picture!"  Ataru glanced at her chest.  "So much more. . .  alive.  So, are you ready for our date?"

Ranma yanked her hand out of his. "I ain't going out with you!"

"But th-that's not fair!  I won the fight, didn't I?" Ataru protested.

"What do ya mean, you won?  I kicked your sorry butt half way across the yard!"

Ataru blinked.  "You did?  But what happened to Ranma, then?  Oh never mind, who needs that stupid jock anyway?  Let's just go on a date!  What's your name, cutie?"  He grabbed both her hands this time and leaned forward for a kiss.

Ranma freed her hands once more and kicked Ataru in the face.  "I'm Ranma!"  She looked towards the Tendo and Saotome families as Ataru fell to the ground.  (Where's some hot water when ya need it?)

Nabiki walked out of the house, carrying a steaming kettle.  "I figured someone would need this."  She turned towards Nodoka.  "Auntie, that phone call was for you.  I suggest you get it now, it was rather important."  She looked back at Ranma.  "Only five thousand yen, Ranma-kun."

"F-five thousand?" Ranma gasped.  "You never charged me that much before!"

"You no longer qualify for a family discount," Nabiki explained.  "Five thousand.  Take it or leave it."

Ataru groaned and slowly sat up.  Ranma quickly ran to Nabiki.  "I'll take it! I'll take it!"

"Always a pleasure doing business with you."  Nabiki handed the kettle to Ranma.

Ataru looked at Ranma as she poured the hot water over her head.  "Hey cutie, don't be. . . shy."

Ranma changed and Ataru fainted.  "Heh.  Like I was saying. . . I win."  Ranma dropped the empty kettle on the ground.  "Now that pervert has to marry Lum."

Soun began to fume.  "Ataru is honor-bound to marry one of my daughters and-"

"But Daddy, Lum -is- one of your daughters." Nabiki handed Soun a stack of papers.  "You've added her name to our registry."

"What. . . when. . . I did no such thing!"  Soun exclaimed.

Genma snatched the document from Soun's trembling hands.  "This is your signature, Tendo."

"But. . .  but. . ."

Nabiki smirked.  "How many times have I told you to read things before you sign them, Daddy?"

Soun began to cry.  "How could you have tricked your own father like that!"

"Lum paid me well."  Nabiki shrugged her shoulders.  "And besides, everyone can be happy this way."

Akane looked questioningly at Ranma.  "Was that what this was all about?" She asked softly.  "Why do you even care who he marries?"

"Hey! Don't tell me that you wanted to marry that jerk!"

"No! That's not what I meant.  Why do -you- care who he marries?"

Ranma folded his arms over his chest.  "Heh.  I don't.  But Lum loves him, and I decided to help her out."

"That's not the only reason, is it, Ranma?"  Lum walked over to Ataru, sat down next to his prone form and gentle put his head in her lap.

Before Ranma could reply, Nodoka walked out of the house, her face pale.  "Is something wrong, Mo-, er, Saotome-san?" Ranma asked.

She glanced at Ranma's concerned features and smiled faintly.  "That phone call was from Mr. Nakamura."

"The guy at the hospital?"

Nodoka nodded.  "He had a bit of. . . news for us."

Genma felt a slight chill.  "What kind of news, dear?"

Nodoka took a deep breath.  "Ranma and Ataru were not switched at birth."

"What?  You mean we went through all. . . THAT for nothing?"  Ranma demanded.

"It would seem so."  Nodoka smiled.  "But you are my son, and a proper heir to your clan's school."  She walked up to him and gave him a hug.  "We can start planning your wedding as soon as you're rested, Ranma-chan."  She whispered softly.

"Er. . .  thanks, Mom."  Ranma was surprised at how good it felt to call her that.

The Tendo girls all breathed out a sigh of relief.

"So I guess Darling and I can return to Tomobiki now."  Lum happily hugged Ataru to her chest.

"Hey, cutie. . ." Ataru muttered, still unconscious.

Ranma shuddered.  (The sooner, the better!)

Nodoka backed away from Ranma and cleared her throat.  "Well, that's not quite right, Lum-chan."

"What do you mean?"

"You see, the hospital -did- make a mistake.  Ataru -was- switched at birth, just not with Ranma.  Ataru is going to have to go to the hospital to get the details, Mr. Nakamura wouldn't say anything over the phone."

The whole yard became very quiet, finally being interrupted by Soun's crying and Ranma's laughter.


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


Ranma and Ataru stood alone in the Tendo back yard, gazing at the destruction their fight had caused.  (Oh man, that's gonna be a pain to fix up,) Ranma thought.

"You're very lucky, you know that?" Ataru let out an envious sigh.

(Lucky?)  Ranma frowned.  "How do ya figure?"

"All those girls, man!  Any one of them would give it to you.  In a matter of seconds, you could have the harem I've always dreamed of.  All Ukyou ever talked about was her 'Ranchan'. And that Shampoo!"  Ataru scrunched up his hands.  "I didn't really get a chance to talk to her, but she had a really nice set of-"

"Hey!"  Ranma's frown became a scowl.  "I ain't like you."

Ataru just shook his head.  "You're wrong.  All guys are like me, they're just too ashamed or embarrassed to admit it."

"Yeah right," Ranma snorted.

"Oh?  Then why do you keep leading those girls on?  Why don't you just tell them that you're not interested?"  Ataru challenged.

"It ain't that simple.  I don't wanna hurt any of them or cause them to lose their honor."

"Yeah right," Ataru retorted, mimicking Ranma's voice.  "You're just waiting for a chance to sleep with all of them without any of the others finding out!"

Ranma let out a growl.  "I told ya. . . I ain't like that!"

"And that curse!" Ataru exclaimed, ignoring Ranma's protest.  "I wish I had a curse like that."

"What's so great about turnin' into a girl?"

"Think about it, stupid.  Any time you need a quick fix, all you need is a glass of cold water and presto!"

"A 'quick fix'?"  Ranma scratched the back of his head.  "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ataru sighed, leaned closer to Ranma and whispered in his ear.  Ranma's face turned bright red as he pulled away.  "Ewww. . . You're even more of a freak than I thought!"

"Maybe," Ataru conceded, "but it would still be fun to try."


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

Ranma set his backpack on the floor and sat down on the futon.  The room was plain and unadorned, but it had been his for the better part of a year, and it was home.  A knock at door broke him out of his musings.

"Come in."

Akane entered and smiled shyly.  "Hi, Ranma.  Did you get everything?"

"Yeah.  I didn't own much to begin with.  Er, ya wanna sit down?"

"Sure."  Akane sat next to him on the futon before asking her next question. "How did Mrs. Moroboshi take you leaving?"

"She was freakin' out until I told her that Ataru wasn't coming back."  Ranma snorted.  "Now she's eagerly waiting for her new son."

"I wonder where he ended up. . ."

"Ataru?  Ah, who cares. . . He'll be happy as long as there are a few girls around."

Akane giggled.  "That�s true.  Lum ran off looking for him.  It. . . it's hard to believe that she loves someone like him."

"It's as weird as anything else around here, that's for sure," Ranma agreed.

"I. . . I'm glad you're back."

"Me too."

The two sat in embarrassed silence for a few moments, then Akane shyly put her head on Ranma's shoulder.  "Welcome home," she whispered.


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

Elsewhere. . .


"Ryoko-chan!  Come back!"

"I'm going to kill you, you pervert!"

"Hohoho!  He's a perfect match for a monster like you!"

"Ayeka-sama!"

"Unhand me, you lout!  Azaka! Kamadake!  Destroy him!"

"Mihoshi-chan!  Want to take a dip in the hot tub?"

"Oh dear, I really should be on duty, but maybe later, okay Ataru?  Oh my!  Don't touch me there!"

Laser blasts, explosions, and random violence ensued as a young lecher finally found his harem. . .

Or so he thought.


**************************
Chapter 6 End


Notes:

Well, acknowledgements first.  A hearty thanks to Gary Kleppe for prereading, prodding, and encouraging during the last 12 months.  This story is much better than it would have been due to his help.  I have to thank a few other people as well.  Donny Cheng, Steve Cornett, Vince Seifert, and Video Game Addicted Person have all been more than supportive of this story.

This story wasn't very popular, but I've thoroughly enjoyed writing it, so I don't mind.  I suppose more than a few of you will be disappointed with the fight.  I hope you remember that this was primarily a comedy, and if you found it funny, then I've succeeded in my task.  If you didn't find it funny, well. . . sorry. :)

Yes this is the end� however, there is a sequel in the works.  In this story, I concentrated on Ataru in Nerima.  But I never really got into Ranma's life in Tomobiki. . . and even though he's a Saotome again, it doesn't mean Principal Kuno is going to let him transfer back to Furinkan.

So. . .   watch for the first chapter of 'If Life Could Get Any Worse'  coming some time after chapter 7 of 'Heart of the Immortal'

Later folks, it's been a fun 12 months.

Namaste,

Anand

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