Since the FFML is back up I feel like I should post something.  So
here's the fic I wrote in response to the "evil Ryouga" challenge on the
Ryouga mailng list a while back.  I've been meaining to do a revision,
but except for the ending, I haven't gotten around to it yet.  I case
anyone is interested, I've included both endings. Any and all comments
are welcome.  Oh yeah, in case you haven't guessed, bad things happen to
Ranma.

  On a seperate note, if anyone commented on the repost of "Nabiki's
Plan", I won't have recieved it.  If that bothers you, resend comments
to krhyam@yahoo.com .

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi created these characters, I'm just
borrowing them.  Rights in North America owned by Viz communications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

     It wasn't fair, but that was nothing new to Ryouga.  The so-called
"sacred spring" really had cured his curse, but he wasn't going to get a
chance to enjoy it.  The scroll had mentioned a demonic guardian and he
was starting to wish he'd paid more attention to that section.

    "Bakusai Tenketsu!" As his attack went home, the sight of his
enemy's right arm exploding into rubble rewarded Ryouga.  An instant
later he desperately threw himself backwards, barely in time to prevent
a back handed blow from the other arm from crushing his skull.  By the
time he regained his balance, enough fragments of the monster's
destroyed arm had coalesced to restore it up to the elbow.  Ryouga
didn't waste the breath necessary to curse; the scene was far too
familiar.

     "YOU ARE PERSISTANT INSECT, BUT I WILL FINISH PLAYING SOON!"  The
creature's voice was the sound of tombstones being crushed and the
chuckle that followed it was even more ghastly.  A ponderous footfall
shook the floor of the cavern, although Ryouga knew from bitter
experience that his foe could move quickly when it desired.

     The brief pause gave Ryouga a chance to collect his wits. Sekishou,
the guardian of the spring was certainly an imposing presence.  A
faceless gray figure with a seemingly unfinished body and only the
glowing red suggestion of eyes, it stood twice his height and was easily
three times as broad.  The was only of minimal concern, with the Bakusai
Tenketsu it would only take him five seconds to destroy it; with pure
strength, he could accomplish it in thirty.  However, as long as it
healed as quickly as he damaged it, that was meaningless.

     Suddenly bursting into motion, Ryouga charged towards Sekishou, at
the last moment ducking beneath a clubbing blow and continuing to on to
race towards the distant exit.  He already had his cure; there was no
reason for him to stay and die.

     There were no footsteps behind him.  As Ryouga neared the exit, he
silently gloated, at least until he caught sight of the stone of the
floor flowing upward and taking shape in front of him.  He wasn't going
to let him self be stopped though, his momentum gave him an advantage.

     "Bakusai Tenketsu!"  This time, Ryouga connected not with one of
his adversary's limbs, but with the center of its chest.  Through the
blinding spray a shrapnel, Ryouga saw a shining red orb, twice the size
of his clenched fists.  A wolfish grin twisting his face, Ryouga's hand
blurred towards the first vulnerable spot he'd found, only to pass
through empty space as his target merged with the stone beneath his
feet.

     Starting towards the exit again, Ryouga abruptly fell face first to
the floor, as a grip powerful enough to pulverize stone closed on one
leg.  Even as he twisted around, the young martial artist felt his bones
begin to bend alarmingly.  Slamming his hands down on the appendage
holding him, Ryouga shattered the fingers and jerked his leg free.

     Scrambling to his feet, no sooner had Ryouga decided that his leg
would hold him, than Sekishou flowed out of the floor, once more between
him and escape.  Ryouga braced himself for an attack as best he could,
but it didn't come.  Instead, a chasm gaped open in the center of
Sekishou's blank face, a grim parody of a mouth.  Before he had a chance
to react, a silent scream burst from the creature's non-existent throat
and slammed into Ryouga like a tidal wave, the sheer force knocking him
over a dozen yards backwards.

     Ryouga landed hard; a spider's web cracks marked the spot where
he'd slammed into the stone floor.  He lay there stunned for a moment
and then the pain and fear seemed to fall away from him like an old
cloak.  He was dimly aware of bruises and aches long minutes of combat
and a dozen glancing blows had left on his body, but they didn't
matter.  Neither did escape.  He wanted to hurt the monster that was
trying to kill him and he knew how.

     Climbing easily to his feet, Ryouga faced Sekishou's unmoving
form.  "Are you ready to die?"

     "ISN'T THAT MY QUESTION?"

     "No."  Still buoyed by a strange sense of exhilaration, Ryouga met
Sekishou's charge head on, his hands lashing out to strike each section
of his enemy's body in turn.  Head. Arms. Chest.  Legs.  Ryouga ended
his attack by kicking off of Sekishou's chest to propel himself out of
reach.

     "AM I DIEING YET?" Sekishou asked; a mocking lilt buried deep in
its landslide of a voice.

     "Yes."  Ryouga smirked as the huge body facing him dissolved in
mid-stride, flying apart in a cloud of gravel that surrounded a glowing
red core.  Instead of falling to the ground, the cloud seemed to
hesitate in the air and then begin to contract.

     "Too slow."  Ryouga wasn't depressed anymore, but he had more than
enough anger.  More than enough hate.  "Shi Shi Hokoudan!"  The sphere
of acidic green light flew from Ryouga's hands and slammed into the
crimson glow with a roar that shook the earth and a flash that drove the
sight from his eyes.

     When Ryouga could see again, the only sign of his foe was a few
scattered shards of opaque red stone.  He raised an eyebrow as one
fragment rolled down a slight irregularity in the cavern floor, coming
to rest against another piece.  It was probably just a coincidence,
but... "No sense staying here."

     Wincing in pain every few steps, but smiling broadly nonetheless,
Ryouga began the long climb back to the surface.

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

     Ranma had seen many strange things, but even so he had trouble
believing his eyes.  A somewhat battered Ryouga was walking down the
street towards the Tendos' home.  A livid bruise covered one cheek,
partly healed scrapes covered his hands and the way he was limping
hinted at other injuries.  That wasn't the strange part, although Ranma
had never seen anyone besides himself inflict that kind of punishment on
the lost boy.  No, the strange part was the Ryouga was whistling
cheerily.

     "What's up, P-chan?"

     Ryouga stopped abruptly and turned to face the fence that Ranma
perched atop, but his smile didn't waver.  "Nothing, Ranma.  Except..."
Ryouga's grin grew so broad it threatened to split his face in half.
"...I'm cured."

     "What?  You're not joking, are you?"

     "Nope.  And there's even more good news."

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

     "You don't get lost any more either?  That must be some spring."
Ranma shook his head in wonder as he settled back to lie beside Ryouga
on the Tendos' roof.

     "It is.  There was a demon guarding, so things weren't easy.
Nothing I couldn't handle though," Ryouga boasted.

     "You killed it?"

     "Dunno.  But, if it's still alive, it won't forget me."  Ryouga
closed his eyes contentedly.  It was about time Ranma gave him a little
respect.

     "It couldn't have been very tough then."

     "What?"  Ryouga's eyes shot open in outrage.

     "Well, I mean if you could beat it I wouldn't have any trouble."

     Ryouga glared at Ranma's smirking face angrily.  Even with the
Bakusai Tenketsu, it had been a miracle he survived and Ranma wouldn't
have stood a chance.  Abruptly, the same energy that had filled him in
the cavern came flooding back and he unclenched his fists.  Ranma
wouldn't stand a chance.  "A weakling like you couldn't hope to win."

     "Wanna bet.  I seem to remember kicking your ass a couple of
times."

     "You can see for yourself.  I've got some things to do, but I'll be
back in a week. We can go then.  In the meantime, you can look at the
map."  Standing, he bent over to rummage through his pack. After a
moment, Ryouga pulled out a battered square of much-folded paper and
tossed it to Ranma.  "We'll see who the real martial artist is then."

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

     "What do you mean Ranchan isn't here."

     "I told you, he left five days ago."

     Absently responding to Kasumi's greeting, Ryouga walked deeper into
the house, towards the sound of squabbling fiancees.  "Did you say
Ranma's gone?  We were supposed to go find his cure today."

     "Cure?"  That word ended Akane and Ukyou's dispute abruptly.  If
there was one thing the two of them had in common, it was that they
cared for Ranma.

     "Yeah.  I found a spring that can cure any curse, like my direction
sense."

     "Or Ranma's problem with cold water," Ukyou finished.

     "That's right."  Ryouga fought down the irritation that rose when
the two girls ignored his cure.  It probably didn't matter any more.  "I
hope he didn't go alone.  It's guarded by a huge stone demon that I
barely beat with the Bakusai Tenketsu."  Ryouga let his features slip
into a frown.  "Plus, it doesn't give off any hot ki, so Ranma couldn't
use the Hiryuu Shoten Ha."

     "Ryouga, do you remember where the spring is?" Akane asked
quietly.  At Ryouga's nod she spoke again.  "Then I think we'd better go
there right away."

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

     Ryouga walked confidently down the gently sloping passage that led
to the spring, his footsteps the only sound.  He'd insisted that Akane
and Ukyou remain at the entrance so they wouldn't be in any danger.  He
smiled softly.  Sekishou couldn't leave the cavern containing the spring
and he had no intention of entering there.

     The brightening of luminescent blue lichen that lit the tunnel
indicated he was drawing near to the end.  Ryouga briefly wondered about
the source of the lichen's  light and then shrugged.  It wasn't that
strange.  He rounded the final turn that led to the cavern and then
halted abruptly.

     Sprawled on the floor in front of him was Ranma, for some reason in
his cursed form, lying beside a small pool of water that had collected
in a depression.  Unsure if his rival was still alive, Ryouga squatted
and prodded one shoulder.

     With a nearly inaudible groan, Ranma lifted her head and opened
azure eyes.  "Ryouga, you came."

     "That's right, Ranma, I'm here."  As Ranma fell back unconscious,
the edges of Ryouga's mouth tugged upwards in a cruel smile.  He'd
expected Ranma to be dead, but this was even better.

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

     "I'm going after him."  Before Akane could take more than two steps
towards the mouth of the cave, Ukyou grabbed her shoulders, physically
restraining the shorter girl.

     "Calm down, honey.  I'm sure Ryouga and Ranma will be back any
second.  In fact, we probably missed Ranma and he's back in Nerima right
now."  Apparently, Ukyou was more successful in calming Akane's fears
than her own, because she felt some of the tension flow out of the other
girl.

     After Ukyou released Akane, the two stood silently for a moment,
until Akane spoke.  "Do you hear that?  Someone's coming."

     "Yes, I..."  Ukyou's voice trailed off as Ryouga stepped out into
the sunlight.  Her heart seemed to pause for a moment as she caught
sight of the small figure cradled in his arms.  Then Akane spoke,
echoing her thoughts.

     "Ukyou, his leg..."

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

     Lying in a hospital bed with a broken leg in traction might not
have been most peoples' idea of a fun time, but Ranma didn't mind.  It
had been three days since Ryouga had carried her out of the cave and
she'd spent four days trapped there before that.  There wasn't any doubt
in her mind which she preferred.  The only complaint she had was that no
one had thought to splash her with hot water before the doctors put a
cast on her leg.  It was understandable she supposed.  She had been in
pretty bad shape and had only woken for a few moments at a time.

     "Ranma, the nurse said you're finally awake."

     Ranma looked up from her musings to see Akane cautiously peering
around the door.  "I sure am.  Come on in."

     "Right away, Ranchan."  With a friendly wave, the okonomiyaki chef
pushed her way past Akane and into the hospital room.

     "You're here too, Ukyou?"

     "Everyone is.  They're only letting you have two visitors at a time
though, so we got to go first."

     "I'm afraid we can't stay long, but we brought cards and flowers."
Akane thrust her offering towards Ranma almost defiantly.

     Meanwhile, Ukyou moved around the bed to stand beside Ranma.  "That
pillow looks a bit flat, Ranchan.  Let me fluff it up for you."

     Ranma smiled broadly.  "You guys didn't have to go through all this
trouble for me.  Ukyou, I'm serious.  The pillow's fine."  Ranma's
protests were ignored as Akane joined in Ukyou's assault on the hapless
pillow.

     After Ukyou and Akane left, the parade of visitors continued.  It
wasn't just the people she would expect, like Shampoo, Mousse and the
other Tendos, but many more as well.  Her parents were among them, of
course, along with Miss Hinako and some of her class mates.  Several
people that seemed only vaguely familiar, she assumed were neighbors of
the Tendos.  All of them saying the same things, wishing her a speedy
recovery.  Except for Kunou, who had vowed to punish the "treacherous
villain Saotome".  There was one person whom she'd expected and who had
been notably absent.

     "I'm not disturbing you, am I?"  The familiar voice caused Ranma to
sigh in exasperation.  Ryouga's timing hadn't improved much.

     "Nah.  I was just thinking about you."  There was something
different about Ryouga and it took Ranma a moment to realized what it
was.  The yellow tunic, black pants and bandanna were the same, but far
cleaner than she'd seen them.

     "I'm sorry."  After that short sentence, Ryouga stood silently
apparently expecting her to know what he meant.

      "What are you talking about?  I ought to be thanking you."  Ranma
gestured angrily, when Ryouga seemed ready to disagree.  "Listen, if
you're blaming yourself, I got hurt because I didn't listen and did
something stupid."

     "If you say so."  Ryouga seemed relieved to not have to discuss the
situation any further.

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

       Ryouga sat on the couch in families living room.  His parents
weren't home, but Checkers, sprawled across his legs was surprisingly
good company.  Musing over the events of recent days, he absently
stroked her fur.

     Life, he decided, was going well.  Ryouga doubted anyone had told
Ranma just how badly injured his leg was and he'd resisted the
temptation to do so.  So far, instead of being angry with him, everyone
was grateful.

     Abruptly, Ryouga reached a decision.  He'd go visit the Tendos.
Ranma had returned from the hospital today, and it would be fun to see
him again.  Besides, it would be the perfect excuse to spend a little
time with Akane.  If there was one thing he'd learned, it was that you
had to make your own opportunities.

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

     Ranma set the book she was trying to read aside and rubbed her head
wearily.  Kasumi's taste in literature was varied and not at all what
she'd expected, but that didn't make it any more interesting for Ranma.
Even if it had, she still would have been happy to see her latest
visitor.

     "You don't seem to be enjoying yourself," Ryouga observed in a dry
voice.

     "It's not so bad, but everyone is being so nice to me."  Ranma's
words were entirely inadequate to express her irritation.  "The girls
are bad enough, but Mom's trying to make up for lost time.  Nabiki only
charged me a hundred yen for a glass of water and Pop won't even try to
steal my food.  At least Kasumi hasn't changed."

     "Weird.  You break your leg and complain when people worry about
you."  Ryouga chuckled softly.  "If it would make you feel better, I
could beat you up a little."

     "I'll pass.  It's nice talking to someone who understands.  I was
almost glad when Shampoo tried to give me a sponge bath.  It gave me an
excuse to kick her out for a while."  As she spoke, Ranma felt her
tension ease.  It was hard to talk to someone about what's bothering you

when they're the problem.  "So, how are things going for you."

     "A bit dull, but I enjoy the change.  I've started attending school
regularly."  Ryouga shifted uncomfortably before making up his mind to
speak bluntly.  "What happened to you in the cavern?  I mean you didn't
get cured and I don't see how you could escape with your leg like that."

     "I suppose I should tell you.  You've got as much right to know as
anyone and I've already told the story half a dozen times.  At first I
thought everything was going well..."

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

     Ranma restrained himself from rushing forward, but his body almost
vibrated with eagerness.  He'd thought he'd had cures before, but he
already knew this one worked and if Ryouga could get it, so could he.
It would take more than a monster that might or might not still exist to
stop him.

     When he arrived at his destination, it almost surprised him. The
walk downward had seemed interminable and then after a sharp turn the
tunnel widened out into a vast cavern.  If not for the strange blue
illumination he could almost believe he was outside. The sound of
splashing water from the far end told him exactly where the spring was.

     The faint stirring of air across the back of his neck was all the
warning Ranma received as he dove to one side just as a thunderous blow
crashed into the spot he'd been standing.  Easily converting his jump
into a forward roll, Ranma came to his feet and turned to face his
attacker.

     The blocky stone giant bore a striking resemblance to a shattered
statue glued inexpertly back together.  However, a fact of greater
importance occupied Ranma's attention.  Ryouga should have easily been
able to defeat something like this using the Bakusai Tenketsu.  That
he'd had difficulty was a disquieting sign.

     Resolving to be on his guard, Ranma went on the attack.  His
demonic opponent could strike with incredible force, but that was
useless if it couldn't land a blow.  Unfortunately,   Ranma faced a
similar difficulty.  None of the punches or kicks he lashed out with
succeeded in making any impression on his enemies huge bulk.

     "Sure you wouldn't like to talk this over?  I didn't catch your
name the first time."

     "I AM SEKISHOU.  I AM DEATH"

     "Not much for conversation are you?" Ranma asked, grinning.  The
fight was about to get serious.  "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken!"  Where one
blow had no effect, a hundred delivered in the space of heartbeats was a
different matter.  The right side of the stone head splintered and flew
apart in a spray of rock and dust.

     Any triumph Ranma experienced was short lived, as the shattered
visage swiftly reformed.  To his disgusted eyes, it almost seemed to be
wearing a complacent smirk as it watched Ranma back away.

     Once there were a dozen yards between them, Ranma halted his
retreat and waited, absently fingering the end of his pigtail.  When
Sekishou charged, Ranma dropped his confident pose and stepped forward
to meet it.  As the wind from Sekishou's punch ruffled his hair, Ranma
seized the gray monolith by its waist and leg.  With an immense effort
he hoisted the stone giant over his head and then used its momentum to
send it crashing into the floor behind him.

     The sound of the impact was the crash of shattering stone, but the
pieces of Sekishou flowed back together like water and it rose unmarked
from the wreckage.  This was, Ranma decided, an ideal chance to use the
Saotome Secret Technique.

     Before he had the chance, a fang-toothed crevice of a mouth swung
open and a wave of unseen energy struck Ranma with brutal force.  For a
brief moment, he was conscious of flying through the air, and the he
came to an abrupt halt, his vision swimming with black spots.  Head
pounding with the strain, Ranma struggled to his feet, just in time to
feel Sekishou's cold grip close on his shoulder.

     "STILL ALIVE?  GOOD."  With a casually flip of Sekishou's wrist,
Ranma flew through the air again, this time crashing into one of the
cavern's wall with bone numbing force.

     The impact brought a fresh spike of pain to the shoulder Sekishou
had gripped, but Ranma didn't pause to assess the damage.  As soon as
his feet touched the ground once more, he was sprinting towards the
cave's exit.  At first Sekishou's pursuit sounded like a boulder rolling
downhill, but the noise swiftly diminished and then stopped.  Ranma
didn't slacken his pace, but mere feet from the exit he a crushing grip
closed upon his leg and jerked him to a halt.

     Desperately, Ranma tried to free himself, but with an injured
shoulder and no leverage the stone hand that sprouted from the floor
proved impervious to his best efforts.  When the bones of his leg
snapped, Ranma couldn't hear it over the roar of blood in his ears, but
he felt the surge of agony it brought.  Then, to Ranma's disbelief, the
hand began to sink back into the floor, pulling his leg with it, as if
the stone were no more substantial than mist.  At first Ranma feared he
would be pulled completely underground, but the process soon halted,
leaving his leg encased in solid stone up to the knee.

     Trapped, Ranma could do nothing but watch Sekishou rise out of the
floor behind him with agonizing slowness.  His mind raced feverishly,
seeking a means of escape, until he remembered the canteen he'd brought
with him.  He'd intended to use it to hold some water from the spring,
but drinking water still filled it.  For once the sensation of his body
shrinking as he upended the canteen over his head was welcome, she only
prayed it was enough.  Her first frantic heave pulled her leg only a few
inched upwards, but her second had more success.  Her imprisoned limb
slid free of the rock and she fell forward.

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

     "After that I sort of passed out, but I'd landed outside the cave.
When I woke up I was thirsty so I crawled until I came to some water."
Ranma paused and looked at Ryouga nervously.  "I knew I wouldn't be able
to crawl all the way out, so I had to wait for help.  I was worried, but
I kept telling myself that you'd find me."

     Ryouga considered Ranma's story, thinking how Ranma must have felt
lying there, knowing that only one person had any clue where she might
be.  Feelings of guilt brushed lightly over his mind, but he pushed them
aside.  His argument with  Ranma had only been a momentary lapse and it
wasn't really his fault.

     "So, how did you beat it?"

     "What?" The abrupt change of topic caught Ryouga off guard.

     Ranma smiled brightly at Ryouga.  "I've got to get ready for the
rematch, don't I?  Once my leg heals, I mean."

     "There was a red crystal buried in its chest, but it would always
repair itself before I could smash the crystal."  Ryouga began warming
to the topic, gesturing animatedly as he relieved his victory.  "I had a
plan though.  Whenever I use the Bakusai Tenketsu there's a tiny pause
before the rock blows up."

     "I think I understand."

     "Right."  Ryouga nodded excitedly.  "I hit the breaking points
onSekishou just a little softer, so they weren't triggered for several
seconds.  Then, before it could repair the damage, I used a Shi Shi
Hokoudan to destroy the gemstone."

     "I suppose the toughness from Cologne's training helped as well."

     "Yes.  I got hit by a lot of the same stuff you did.  It doesn't
have much imagination I guess."

     "Probably not.  It was loud too.  Sort of reminded me of Kunou.
Why don't you go get some snacks from Kasumi and we can talk some more?"

     "Sure, sounds good."

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

     "Is Ranma feeling better?"  Akane had met Ryouga at the foot of the
stairs and quickly ushered him out of the house to talk.

     Ryouga paused before replying, using the moment to gaze at Akane's
beautiful face.  "I think so.  He doesn't seem to understand about his
leg though."

     "Ranma's so confident that no one wants to disappoint him.  The
doctors did talk about it a lot, but they never came right out and told
him."

     "Are you sure that's a good idea?"  Ryouga had only a vague idea
about the extent of Ranma's injury, but he didn't think a full recovery
was likely.

     "They want to encourage him to participate in physiotherapy.  I'm
worried about how Ranma will react when he finds out though."

     Ryouga waved a hand dismissively.  "I don't see what's such a big
deal.  He may have a few problems but a limp won't slow Ranma down that
much."

     "But, it will make it hard for him to run the dojo."

     Ryouga's heart seemed to freeze in his chest at Akane's oblique
mention of her eventual marriage to Ranma.  Mustering his resolve,
Ryouga forced words past his constricted throat.  "He won't be doing it
alone.  You'll help."

     "Yes, but..."

     Ryouga mentally completed Akane's protest and silently damned Ranma
for the insults he'd heaped on Akane.  "If you concentrate on your
training, there's no reason you couldn't be almost as good as Ranma or
me.  I'd help and I'm sure Mr. Saotome would as well."  Ryouga was sure
his hastily formed plan would work.  With a perfect sense of direction
and Ranma injured, he'd be able to spend hours with Akane each day."

     "You would?  That means a lot to me, Ryouga."

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

     "I think it's great that you spend so much time visiting Ranma,
sugar.  Especially since the two of you used to fight all the time."

     Ryouga smiled broadly at the young chef as she handed him a plate
of okonomiyaki.  "It has to be hard for him, Ukyou.  If his leg doesn't
heal properly, he might not be able to carry on the Saotome school of
martial arts."

     "What do you mean, Ryouga?"

     "He'll still be able to practice martial arts of course, but the
Saotome school uses a lot of kick and aerial maneuvers.  If he can't
perform all of them..."  Privately, Ryouga considered this very
unlikely.  He just hoped setting Ukyou off would start a fight between
Ranma and Akane.

     "I'll have to think about this.  Does Akane know?"

     "I don't think so."

     "Good.  The okonomiyaki's on the house, sugar."

     Inwardly Ryouga congratulated himself.  Even if nothing came of it,
the trip would have been worth it for the food alone.

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

     "Don't worry Ranchan.  Your leg won't stop you from helping with
the restaurant after we're married."

     Standing on the stairs leading to Ranma's room, Ryouga strained to
hear.  When he'd arrived at the Tendos', Kasumi had told him that Ukyou
had stopped by to deliver some more flowers to Ranma.  He hadn't
intended to eavesdrop, but he couldn't resist.

     "Why would it?  And I ain't marrying anybody."  Ranma's voice was
relatively calm, but tinged with puzzlement and irritation.

     "Well, everyone says-"  Biting off her words, Ukyou took a breath
and started again.  "I mean that when you..."  This time Ukyou's voice
trailed off into silence.

     "When I what?"

     "I'd better go Ranchan.  I have to open Ucchan's soon."

     The rest of the conversation was lost because Ryouga took this as
his cue to back down the stairway and duck out of sight.  When Ukyou
descended soon afterwards, Ryouga decided to go see if Akane was in the
dojo.  He'd see Ranma a bit later.

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

     "Hey, Ryouga, Kasumi said you were here."

     Turning away from his inspection of the dojo, the sight of Ranma
moving easily on a set of crutches greeted Ryouga.  "What are you doing
here?"  Even as he spoke, Ryouga realized that the question sounded
exceptionally silly.

     "I wanted to ask Akane something, but she's out.  So, I guess I'll
talk to you."

     "About what?" Ryouga asked nervously.  Some of the things he'd said
to Ukyou could cause problems if Ranma learned he'd said them."

     "Ukyou said some stuff about my leg.  About how it isn't going to
get better.  I want to know what she meant."

     "Ranma I'm not sure-"

     "Ryouga, I'm going to find out eventually.  Trying to protect me
won't do any good."

     "All right."  Ryouga had always wanted to be the one to tell Ranma
anyway.  "When Sekishou crushed your leg, he didn't just break the bone,
there was damage to the muscles and to the tendons in the ankle.  Plus,
there were complications because your leg got infected in the cave."

     "I've already heard all of this.  What does it mean?"

     "No one knows.  You'll need a lot of therapy and your leg won't
fully recover, but everything else is a guess."

     "Oh."  Suddenly, Ranma seemed to shrink in on herself.

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

     The day hadn't gone well for Ranma.  Returning to school injured
and stuck as a girl had been a bit embarrassing, but Ranma hadn't let it
get to her.  However, her attitude had changed since she found out it
might be more than a temporary setback.  Which was why she found herself
leaning on the gate to Furinkan.

     "Waiting for Akane, Ranma?  She had volleyball practice you know."

     Ranma slowly blinked.  She still didn't know how Nabiki could sneak
up on her, but she'd gotten used to it.  "Nah.  I'm just not in the mood
to go anywhere."

     "Too bad.  I'm taking you shopping."

     "I don't have any money."

     "Not a problem.  I-I'm...paying."

     Ranma lifted his eyes to stare at the middle Tendo sister's face
with incredulity.  "Are you sick?"

     "Never better," Nabiki announced with a forced smile.  "Let's go.
It will cheer you up."

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

     Ryouga climbed the stairs wearily.  His plan to get closer to Akane
was working, but there were a few drawbacks.  Visiting with Ranma was
one of them.  Last time he'd lost four consecutive games of shogi to
Ranma, who he was sure was cheating, even though he couldn't prove it.
After all, Ranma had learned by watching her father play.

     "Prepare to taste defeat, Ran-.  Is that a dress?"  The article of
clothing in question certainly seemed to be a rather modest blue and
white dress, but Ryouga wasn't sure he was seeing it correctly.

     "Yes.  Nabiki took me shopping and bought it to cheer me up.  I
think it's a girl thing," Ranma added as an explanation.

     Ryouga's already shocked brain threatened to shut down entirely.
"Nabiki...bought?  Is she well?"

     "I think so.  But since she almost ruptured something paying for
this, I figured I should at least wear it a couple of times."

     "I brought you something myself," Ryouga said, pulling a stack of
dog-eared books from the plastic bag he was holding.

     Curious, Ranma picked a book off the top of the stack.  "Vampire
Hunter D?"

     "The complete series.  Last time I was here you said you never
anything to read.  Since I enjoyed reading these while I was on the
road, I thought you might as well."

     "Thanks.  Now help me set up the board.  You did say something
about the taste of defeat."

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

     "I'm surprised you're the first one here, Ryouga."  Cologne
chuckled dryly; at a joke only she could hear.

     "When Mousse came by and said you wanted to see me, I was
curious."  Ryouga would never admit it, but he'd always been a little
nervous around the Amazon Elder and meeting her at the Nekohanten made
it worse.

     "You'll find out what this is about when the others get here and I
think I hear them now."

     Before Ryouga could ask who the others were, the door opened and
Ranma, Akane and Ukyou entered the back room Cologne had designated as
the meeting spot.

     "Now, I'm sure you all want to-.  Is that a dress?"

     "Nabiki bought it for me," Ranma replied grumpily.

     "I hope she's feeling better.  In any case, I've asked you here to
discuss the spring of rebirth."

     "Is that what cured Ryouga's sense of direction?" Akane asked.

     "I believe so.  However, that is not its true purpose.  Instead it
allows one who bathes in its waters to be spiritually reborn, laying
doubt and uncertainty aside."

     "It sounds like you know a lot more about this than I do.  The
scroll I found just described a monk journeying there and fighting a
demon to have curse lifted."  To himself, Ryouga admitted this probably
did explain why he was more decisive.

     "There is one thing you know that I do not.  I attempted to take
Shampoo and Mousse there, so that they could remove their curses, but we
could not locate the entrance.  Despite having a map."  Cologne raised
one pointed finger.  "I find this ominous."

     "I had the same problem," Ranma stated.  "I'm sure I went past the
entrance a few times before I saw it."

     "I didn't have any problems," Ryouga protested.

     "That's right," Ukyou agreed.  "He led us right there."

     Akane frowned thoughtfully.  "I don't think I could find my way
back there.  Do you Ukyou?"

     "I...no, I don't."

     "I suspected something of the sort.  Places of magic are often
associated with powerful spirits and it wise to be wary.  Ryouga was
selected to go there and the others that did so received guidance from
him.  You, Ranma, from the map he gave to you."

     Ranma closed her eyes and groaned.  "I hate magic."

     The discussion continued after that statement, but nothing of
substance was added.  Finally, Ryouga and Cologne were the last
remaining.

     "Cologne, can I ask you something?  It doesn't have anything to do
with the spring."

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

     "You're improving even faster than I expected Akane."  Ryouga used
a spare bandanna to wipe the thin sheen of sweat from his face.

     "I'm glad," Akane gasped, from her position on the dojo floor.
"You and Mr. Saotome are both good teachers," she said, pausing several
times to regain her breath.

     "It's still impressive.  Let me help you up."  Extending his hand,
Ryouga easily pulled the prone girl to her feet.  Unnoticed, he used the
opportunity to press a pressure point on the inside of her wrist.

     "I bet Ranma will be impressed."

     "I'm sure he will," Ryouga agreed, with a smile.  "You've learned a
lot in the past three months."

     "I think I'll show him after he has his cast removed tomorrow."

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

     The sound of a ringing brought Ryouga racing out of his room.  The
only people who would call this house were his parents and he hadn't
heard from either of them in longer than he cared to think about.  As
soon as it was in reach, he snatched the phone off the hook and jammed
the receiver against his ear."

     "Hello."

     "Is that you, Ryouga?  It's me Nabiki."

     "I'm Ryouga.  What do you want?"  His reply was more than a little
blunt, but he honestly couldn't imagine what would make Nabiki call him.

     "I think you'd better come over here.  Ranma and Akane just had a
really bad fight."

     "I'll be there as soon as I can."  Fighting the urge to grin
wildly, even though no one could see him, Ryouga hung up.  The delayed
anger pressure point he'd used on Akane had worked better than he'd
expected.  The martial arts scrolls he'd borrowed from Cologne were
certainly proving their value.

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

     "Do you want to tell me what happened, Ranma?"  His ability to
suppress his feelings of jubilation and  speak in a sympathetic voice
surprised Ryouga.  He supposed  he'd been getting a lot of practice
lately.

     "I sure can't talk to anyone else.  It was all my fault.  I was
depressed because the doctors said my leg wasn't healing as fast as
they'd hoped, so I'd have to wait to have my cast taken off.  When I got
back, Akane wanted to show me something out behind the dojo."

     "What was it?"

     "The Mouko Takabisha."

     Ryouga's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.  "Your father must have
taught her that."

     "Pop always did try to rush things.  Anyway, I said something crazy
about her double crossing me and trying to steal the school."

     "She's already heir to the Tendo school," Ryouga observed.

     "I know that!   I was just thinking about that stupid stuff Ukyou
said.  Anyway, Akane said I was just trying to hold her back because I
was jealous.  Then I called her an uncute gorilla tomboy."

     "What did Akane do?"

     "She broke off the engagement.  And this time I think she meant
it."  Unshed tears glistened in Ranma's eyes, but her voice remained
steady.

     "Ranma, it isn't really your fault.  You had a bad day and then you
said something stupid.  I think that the real problem is that both you
and Akane were under a lot of pressure and everything came out at once."

     "Then you think she'll forgive me?" Ranma asked eagerly.

     "Well, I'd give her a few days to calm down first and then
apologize.  I do think you can get through this."

     "Thanks, Ryouga.  I think you're the only one that really
understands me.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised, we always did have a
lot in common."

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

     "...I know I shouldn't have broken off the engagement, but he made
me so mad.  Now I'm not sure how to fix things.  I can't just say the
engagement is back on."  Akane had to resist the urge to get up and
pace, since her room really was too small.

     "I don't think you'll have to.  Ranma had just had a big
disappointment when he said those things.  I'm sure that if he cares
about you he'll apologize soon."

     "We are talking about Ranma.  Are you sure?"

     "I didn't say he'd do a good job.  I really don't think you have
anything to worry about."  Ryouga smiled comfortingly, but his mind was
far away.  When Ranma didn't apologize, he was sure Akane would see who
really loved her.

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

     Little changed over the next to weeks,  Akane accepted Ranma's
belated apology and the quarrel between them did not resurface, but a
degree of reserve remained.  The one person who seemed to  be
unsatisfied was Ryouga.  Despite numerous hints and romantic gestures,
Akane steadfastly refused to consider him anything more than a friend.
This finally led him to seek advice from a person who at least shared
some of his goals.

     "I just don't know what to do.  Akane and I are spending a lot of
time together, she and Ranma aren't really getting along, but I still
can't get anywhere."  Ryouga really wasn't sure what talking to Ukyou
would accomplish, since she hadn't had any better luck than him, but he
didn't have anything to lose.

     Ukyou sighed and lay her spatula down on the grill.  "Your problem
is that you're too nice, Ryouga."

     "I am?"  Amazement dripped from Ryouga's voice.  He certainly
thought so, but somehow he doubted that others would agree.

     "That's right.  Sometimes, a girl just wants a guy who takes charge
and goes for what he wants.  You're waiting for Akane to notice you, but
that's not going to happen unless you do something."

     "Maybe you are right."  Ryouga considered Ukyou's idea.  If nothing
else, Akane wasn't good at catching subtle clues, and direct action had
a certain appeal.  He'd only have one chance though, so he'd need to
make sure he got it right.  Timing would be the key to his plan.

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

     "Ranma, can I talk to you for a minute?"  Ryouga's voice was quiet
and serious.  He seemed to be more than a little nervous.

     "Sure."  With a shrug, Ranma followed Ryouga to a corner of the
school ground, moving easily on her crutches.  She knew there was
definitely something wrong.  Ryouga didn't attend Furinkan and wouldn't
show up there without good cause.

     "It's about Akane, Ranma.  I know the two of you are having
troubles."

     "Akane and I are fine.  A couple of arguments aren't-"

     "I'm serious Ranma," Ryouga interrupted, his voice heated.  "You
and Akane hardly talk anymore.  If you're not careful, you'll lose her
to someone willing to admit he cares."

     "Like you?"  Ranma regretted the words as soon as he spoke, but
something in Ryouga's eyes resurrected old suspicions.

     "It might be better.  But no, I'm just giving you fair warning."
Without a backward glance, Ryouga jumped over the fence surrounding
Furinkan and disappeared from sight.

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

     "Are you sure we should be here, Ryouga?"  Akane glanced around the
small tea shop nervously.  They had a party planned for when Ranma
returned from having his cast removed and she didn't want to miss it.

     "I have something very important to tell you before Ranma gets
back."  Ryouga chuckled nervously and ran a hand through his hair.  "For
a long time I was in love with you.  I guess I still am."

      "Ryou-"

     Ryouga held up a hand to silence Akane.  "Let me finish.  That was
one reason why Ranma and I fought so much.  He felt the same way.  I
know the two of you are having trouble and that Ranma lets his pride
stops him from telling you how he feels.  All the same, I hope the two
of you can make things work out."

     "You're a good friend, Ryouga."  Akane smiled sadly.  "If things
had been different..."

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

    Ranma was very unhappy.  This was surprising because he was a guy
again for the first time in months, walking (albeit unsteadily) on two
legs and at a party in his honor.  The problem was the Ryouga and Akane
weren't there.  Worse, Nabiki said that they'd left together.

     Ranma tried to assure himself that he was overreacting.  It was
probably the lousy weather's fault, he decided.  The chill and dark
clouds were making him nervous.  Just as Ranma was about to go back into
the Tendos' house and try to enjoy the party, he saw to figures approach

the gate and pause there.  Then as he watched, Ryouga reached out and
gathered Akane into a gentle embrace, one she didn't struggle against.

     The next thing Ranma was aware of he was charging towards the pair,
hampered only slightly by his injured leg.  He thought he was screaming
something, but he couldn't hear it over the roar of blood in his ears.

     Ryouga easily sidestepped Ranma's first wild rush, letting the
pigtailed boy stumble past him.  However, that was enough to let Ranma
regain his focus.

     "Ranma don't be stupid.  I-"  Ryouga stood relaxed, his voice only
faintly tinged with irritation, while Akane stood frozen in shock at his
side.

     Ranma took the opportunity to hammer a hard right into Ryouga's
temple, following it up with a brutal rain of near Amaguriken speed
punches.  Ranma knew that his only chance to win was to keep Ryouga on
the defensive.  With his injured leg he wouldn't stand a chance of
avoiding the overwhelming power of Ryouga's offense.

     Except that Ryouga wasn't trying to attack.  Instead he was
ignoring the gaping holes in Ranma's defense to try to block a whirlwind
attack his eyes could barely follow.  Bleeding from a cut under one eye,
he slipped and fell into a half-crouch on the grass of the Tendos' lawn.

       Ranma was moving to take advantage when a shove from the side
sent him staggering and directed his punch through empty air.  When
Ranma regained his balance, he found Akane, fists clenched, standing
defensively between him and Ryouga.

     "A-Akane?"

     "I won't let you hurt Ryouga anymore."

     "You don't understand what he's trying to do, you stupid-"  Ranma
bit back his words at the expression on Akane's face.

     Akane's voice rang with anger.  "He was trying to talk me into
giving you another chance.  But, I don't think I will."

     The sudden realization that he'd just lost Akane hit Ranma and his
shoulders sagged.

     When the doors of the house opened moments later, Nabiki and Ukyou
saw Akane using Ryouga's bandanna to dab at his face while a small
red-haired girl stood unmoving, her tears mingling with the quiet rain.

     None of them noticed Ryouga's smile.  Nice guys didn't have to
finish last after all.

End.

Kent Hyam.

The original ending.

     Little changed over the next to weeks,  Akane accepted Ranma's
belated apology and the quarrel between them did not resurface, but a
degree of reserve remained.  The one person who seemed to  be
unsatisfied was Ryouga.  Despite numerous hints and romantic gestures,
Akane steadfastly refused to consider him anything more than a friend.
This finally led him to seek advice from a person who at least shared
some of his goals.

     "I just don't know what to do.  Akane and I are spending a lot of
time together, she and Ranma aren't really getting along, but I still
can't get anywhere."  Ryouga really wasn't sure what talking to Ukyou
would accomplish, since she hadn't had any better luck than him, but he
didn't have anything to lose.

     Ukyou sighed and lay her spatula down on the grill.  "Your problem
is that you're to nice, Ryouga."

     "I am?"  Amazement dripped from Ryouga's voice.  He certainly
thought so, but somehow he doubted that others would agree.

     "That's right.  Sometimes, a girl just wants a guy who takes charge
and goes for what he wants."

     "Maybe you are right."  Ryouga considered Ukyou idea.  If nothing
else, Akane wasn't good at catching subtle clues, and direct action had
a certain appeal.  He'd only have one chance though, so he'd need to
make sure he got it right.  There were just a couple of things he needed

to take care of before he could get to work.

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

     Seeing Ranma back in male form after all this time was odd, but he
wore the same cheery smile that had greeted Ryouga in past weeks.

     "I see you finally got your cast off, Ranma."

     "Yeah.  They've got a physiotherapy program set up for me, but its
only a couple of hours a day so I'm going to do some extra work with
Pop."

     "I bet you'll be back in form in no time.  Too bad I won't around
to see it."

     "You're leaving?"  Ranma's face fell at the suggestion.

     "I've been planning on going on a training trip for a while, but I
put it off."  Ryouga paused.  "Is Akane here?  I should tell her as
well."

     "No...she had to go out."

     Ryouga's eyes narrowed at the undertone to Ranma's voice, but he
let it pass.  "Okay.  I guess you'll have to pass it on for me."

     "Sure.  Listen, you aren't leaving right away are you? "

     "No, I'm leaving tomorrow.  Does it matter?"

     "I just don't want you to miss all the celebrations.  Come on; I
want to show you something."

     Following Ranma to his room, Ryouga couldn't help noticing Ranma's
pronounced limp.  The pigtailed martial artist didn't have any problems
with the stairs though.

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

       Ryouga smiled happily as he watched the crushed pill dissolve in
the glass of water he held.  At first the half a formula for something
called a "lifetime love pill" that he'd found with the rest of Cologne's
scrolls had seemed a useless curiosity.  Searching Happosai's room for
the other half had proved rewarding however.  After that it was just a
matter of assembling the ingredients.  It had taken longer than he'd
thought, but in only a few minutes more, Akane would be his.

     "Ryouga!"

     Ryouga barely had time to turn around before a sudden rush almost
barreled him over.  As he steadied himself, he was surprised to find a
weeping girl clinging to his chest.  The bright red pigtail her hair was
drawn into made identification easy.

     "R-Ranma, what's wrong?"

     "Akane left me," the muffled voice came.  "She's dating this new
student at school, Kenichi something-or-other."

     Ryouga stiffened in shock, but after a moment of surprise, found
that he didn't truly care.  There was no reason to change his plan, but
for some reason it had lost much of its appeal.  Akane was good looking
and he liked her, but there were plenty of other girls.  Besides, at
least she hadn't wound up with Ranma.  The only question this
realization left was what to do with the glass of drugged water he was
holding.  Shampoo was out of the question, Ukyou wasn't his type and
Kodachi was a loon.  He supposed the other Tendo sisters were
possibilities, but he'd really prefer a martial artist.

     Suddenly, a fiendish smile split Ryouga's face.  "Here, Ranma,
drink this."  As Ranma's tears slowed and her grip became less
desperate, Ryoga stroked Ranma's hair.  "I promise everything is going
to be fine."

     Nice guys didn't have to finish last after all.

End.

Kent Hyam



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