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The FFML Refugee List

Disclaimer: All characters that are used belong to their respective
creators. I do this for fun and do not take any money off of it. Please
don't sue me. The stories are mine, so please don't use them without
asking me.
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            01

 Early in the morning, Akane Tendo stood outside of Furinkian High and
looked down at a bunch of boys laying on the ground.

 "Give it up!!" she yelled.  "I'm not going out with any of you!!"

 An eldery woman stepped outside of the school and saw the
battleground.  She gazed at Akane and frowned.

 "Miss Tendo.  Please accompany me to my office."

 Akane gulped and nodded.  She followed the woman into the school and
into a small room marked 'Vice Principal: Meiga Shoshi'.  The Vice
Principal gestured towards a chair, indicating that Akane should sit
there.  Once the she had, Meiga sat down behind her desk and shook her
head.

 "Akane, I don't know what to do with you.  I have told you before that
fighting is not allowed on school grounds."

 "But, those boys are the ones who are attacking me,"  Akane protested.

 "I don't want to hear it.  You are the one responsible for this.
Several boys have gone to the hospitial due to broken bones.  You are
too irritable and prone to anger.  Have you considered meditation?"

 "Kuno is the one who...."

 "I told you I don't hear it," Ms. Shoshi cut in.  "Have you tried
meditation to calm you down?"

 Akane seethed as the Vice Principal refused to hear her side and ground
out, "I have and it doesn't work for me.  I've tried quite a few things
and nothing works."

 The Vice Principal declared, "Well you'd better find something soon, or
I'm going to have to reccomend that you be sent to a sanitarium for
observation.  Of course you could end this by just going on a date with
Kuno and saying that he's your boyfriend."

 "I will not!" Akane shouted. "He's the cause of...."

 Meiga slammed a book down on her table startling Akane into silence.

 "I told you, I don't want to hear it.  Now head back to class."

 Akane seethed as she left the Vice Principal's office.  Her grouchy
mood detered all of her would-be suitors but Kuno.  Trying to keep their
classroom exploding in violence, a number of the female populace of
Furinkian blocked Kuno from talking to Akane by using misdirection and
sheilding Akane from view by using their bodies as a blind.

 After school, Akane in a black rage headed home.  As she walked, her
thoughts were livid.

 'What is with the vice principal(that bitch)?  Why can't she see that
I'm the one who's being wronged?  All those boys think that I'm some
prize to be won.  To them I'm not a person, but a doll.  My life would
probably be easier if I was one.'

 Akane entered her home and saw her dad get the mail.  She shrugged, as
it was probably unimportant.  Changing into a gi, she headed towards the
dojo and started practicing her katas.

 'I've tried everything to calm me down, but nothing works,' she
brooded.  'At this point I'm willing to try anything out once.'
--------------------------------------------
 Reading a letter in front of his dojo, Soun cried, "He's coming,
Ranma's finally coming!"

 Going inside his house, he went to gather his daughters up.  He
quickly found Kasumi and Nabiki and explained what was going on.
Nabiki filled in Akane, after she had been dragged out of the dojo.
Nabiki had changed her clothes to a classic kimono.

 "One of us is going to be engaged to a boy?  What is Dad
thinking?"  Akane demanded.

 "Come off it, Akane," Nabiki chided.  "You know how old-fashioned
Daddy is."

 Akane growled and kept quiet.  Nabiki smirked and heard a
disturbance at the front door.  She went to see if it was Ranma and his
father.  Nabiki quickly ran back and was followed by a panda carrying
an unconscious boy slung over its shoulder and carrying two packs.

 Cowering behind her father, Nabiki asked, "Do you know this
panda?"

 Soun frantically shook his head in the negative.  Ignoring the
panda, Akane went to the unconscious boy and gently shook him.  The
boy's eyes snapped open and he leaped to his feet.

 "Pops!!  Why did you have to bring me here?  I told you I don't
want to get married.  And, I want to find a cure."  the boy yelled as
he kicked the panda out the back door into the pond.

 Soun snapped out of his daze and asked, "Are you Ranma Saotome?"

 "Er, yeah," Ranma said still seething.

 Nabiki stared at the panda and whispered, "And that panda is your
father?"

 "Stupid old man took us to a cursed training ground.  He turns
into a panda whenever he gets splashed with cold water.  If you want to
talk to him, just get some hot water."

 All the girls and Soun looked at Ranma as if he was mentally unwell.

 "You have to be kidding," Nabiki said.  "Magic isn't real."

 "Oh?  Then get some hot and cold water and try it yourself."

 The panda pulled out a sign.  "What about you, boy?"

 Ranma smirked a bit.  "Hey, you're the one who came as a panda.  Not
me."

 Ranma yawning, because he was still tired, sat down as he
watched the Tendo's pour hot and cold water over his father.  At first
they were stunned by the change that occurred.

 "That is impossible," Nabiki said, as she dumped hot water over Genma,
changing him back to a human. "eep."

 Kasumi picked up a glass of water and splashed the former panda with
it.  Genma shifted back to a panda and stared at Kasumi.

 "Growf?"

 "Oh my," Kasumi whispered and sank to her knees.

 Akane, wide-eyed, grabbed both types of water and did a multiple
dousing of the elder Saotome.

 As he switched back and forth, Genma said, "Will growf please growf
that?  Growf want growf talk growf your growf Soun."

Hearing his name, Soun quickly recovered and told his girls to stop
playing with his friend's curse.  He used some hot water to change Genma
back and started talking.  While they were doing that, Akane, still
stunned, came over and sat down beside Ranma.

 "What animal do you turn into?" Akane demanded, loudly.  "You said you
wanted to find a cure, so you must be cursed as well!"

 "I don't turn into an animal," Ranma stated and then whispered so
softly that Akane thought she imagined it, "Anything would have been
better than that."

 Akane asked in a loud voice, "Then what do you change into?"

 "I don't want to talk about it,"  Ranma said bluntly, and tried to
stifle a yawn. "Still tired."

 After finishing his conversation with Soun, Genma walked over to
Ranma and declared, "On your feet, boy.  I'm not going to hide any
secrets from my old friend."

 Ranma jumped up and yelled, "Forget it, Pops.  I don't want
anyone to know that."

 A smirking Nabiki splashed Ranma in the face with a glass of
water.  Her mouth opened in surprise as Ranma's form shrank and became
a girl.  Akane, sitting behind Ranma, had her eyes glued on the now
female Ranma's back.

 "Arrgh!!"

  Ranma ran towards the kitchen.  As she passed by everyone, they
could see the large key sticking out of Ranma-chan's back.  Before she
made it to the tap, the key stopped rotating and she ceased moving.

 Genma wailed, "Oh my poor son!  He fell in the Spring of Drowned
Clockwork Girl.  Now he turns into a wind-up girl whenever he's
splashed with cold water."

 "Oh my."

 The glass Nabiki was holding fell from her nervless fingers and loudly
splintered on the wooden floor of the Tendo home.

 Akane stared at the figure of a living clockwork girl and whispered,
"Poor Ranma."

 Looking at the wound-down girl in sympathy, Akane walked over
to the female toy.  She grabbed the key and started winding the red-
head up.  After the youngest Tendo had done so, Ranma jerked back to
life and headed for the tap.

 "Ranma, wait," Akane called.  "It's all right.  I just wound you
back up."

 Ranma stopped and turned around to see all the Tendo's staring at
her.  Shrugging, she pointed at her father.

 Akane, ignored that, and thought, 'Ranma becomes a living toy?  Must be
nice having a toy like that.  Must be nice having any toys.'

 The youngest Tendo shook her head and turned her attention back to
Ranma.

 "Pops, I am not getting a fiancee.  I have more important things
to worry about," the clockwork girl said and pointed over her shoulder.
"Like this for instance.  I don't want to go through life stopping
every so often and having to wait for someone to wind me up."

 "This is a matter of family honor, boy."

 "Yes, you have a choice of my three lovely daughters to choose
from.  Now, who would...."

 "Father," Kasumi hurriedly interrupted, looking a bit pale, "I think
the best thing for our guests right now is some food and rest."

 Nabiki, trying to keep the panic out of her voice, added, "Ranma
doesn't even know us, so how is he going to make a decision on who would
be best?"

 "Er, I guess you're both right," Soun replied. "Ranma, Akane will
show you the bathroom and the guest room.  Your father and I have a
long overdue Shogi game to start."

 For some reason Akane felt happy, as she motioned for Ranma to follow
her upstairs.  Ranma grabbed her pack and climbed the steps.  On the way
up, the two had a conversation.  The youngest Tendo ignored the ticking
coming from the other girl.

 "You really don't like your curse, do you?" Akane asked, biting her
lower lip in thought.

 "That's an understatement.  If I just turned into a girl, I might
have handled it better.  But, nooooo.  I had to turn into a living
toy."

 Pursing her lips, Akane asked, "How often do you need wound up?"

 The clockwork girl replied, "With no switching back and forth, a
full winding lasts four hours.  If I'm tired or hungry as a boy when I
switch to a girl, I only have a few minutes before I wind down.  If
both, like I was downstairs, I will wind down almost instantly."

 "I see," the youngest Tendo replied, and a sudden thought struck
her.  "Wait a minute!  Are you telling me that winding your girl form
up neutralizes your need for eating and sleeping."

 Ranma snorted, "Figured that one out, did you?  I've slept, but I
haven't had a single scrap of food or drink of water ever since I got
cursed.  Pops just wanted all the food to himself."

 Akane stared at the living toy.

 Seeing her look, Ranma answered, "Pops said that a martial artist
must use every possible resource that he has available to succeed."

 "Well, here's your room," Akane said as she opened a door, and
did her best not to stare at the key in Ranma's back.

 Walking inside, Ranma dropped her pack and looked around the
small, unfurnished room.  She didn't notice a pamphlet and sealed
plastic bag spill out of her backpack.  Seeing the items, Akane picked
them up.

 "Ranma, what are these?"  Akane asked while holding the bag and
booklet up.

 The wind-up rolled her eyes and replied, "The booklet is a
catalog from Jusenkyo Supplies.  The bag is some sort of one-shot
curse.  You open the bag up and pour the contents into water and then
it acts sort of like a temporary Jusenkyo curse.  Once your doused with
hot water, the curse is gone."

 Opening her bag, Ranma showed that she had lots of the pouches.
"Apparently, I won some sort of contest while I was there.  I won all
these packets of one-shot powders.  All of them the same thing.  And,
all of them completely worthless to me."

 Wide-eyed, Akane asked, "Why do you say that?"

 "Because, the packets duplicate the spring I fell into."

 Akane smirked and replied, "Oh come on.  You can't expect me to believe
that, can you?"

 Ranma stared at Akane with unblinking eyes.

 "Even after what you saw, you don't beleive in magic?"

 Waving her hand in a dissmisive gesture, Akane said, "That's different,
but this?  I'm sorry.  Temporary curse packets are a bit hard to
swallow."

 "If you don't beleive me, you can try it out for yourself."

 "How?" Akane replied.

 "Get some hot water and cold water and mix one of the packets into the
cold water and douse yourself with it."

 Akane went back down to the kitchen and filled two glasses up with
water.  When she returned with the glasses, Ranma had already opened one
of the pouches and had a stick out.  Seeing that one of the glasses had
steam rising from it, the clockwork took the other glass and poured the
salt into it.  Using her stick, she stirred the water in the glass to
make sure the salt was dissolved.  After doing so, she looked at Akane.

 "Now what?" Akane asked, setting the hot water glass down and taking
the other glass from Ranma.

 "Douse yourself."

 Akane shook her head, trying not to laugh, and dumped the glass over
herself.  "See nothing."

 Akane realized that her body felt a bit tighter and an intense itch
emmenated from the center of her back.  She reached behind her and tried
to scratch the itch, but her fingers encountered a cool metal shaft
rising from the middle of her back.  Eyes widening in shock, Akane was
about to scream when Ranma picked up the other glass and threw its
contents at her.

 "Don't worry.  That stuff only works once," Ranma said, and then
muttered to herself. "Unlike mine, which is permanent."

 Shaking off her near panic, Akane stared at Ranma.  "That was scary."

 Ranma shrugged and said in a bitter tone. "How do you think I feel?
I'm stuck with it."

 Staring at the doll, Akane felt pity for Ranma and a morbid curiosity
about the alternate form.  Bending down, she picked up one of the
packets.

 "When we have more time, would you mind if I used one of these?  I
think you need someone to talk to who has some idea of what you go
through."

 "Sure.  Take them all if you wish.  I have no need for them.  You
can even have the catalog as well."

 "Thanks.  Oh, I almost forgot.  If you're a boy and asleep, do we
douse you with water and wind you up."

 "NO!!!" Ranma stated, almost yelling.  "If I am asleep or
unconscious when I'm wound up, I'll just walk around like a toy
solider.  Heck, if I'm wound down and you splash me with hot water,
I'll collapse unconscious."

 "Oh," Akane said meekly and changed the subjects.  "I'll get you
some hot water, so you can change back and get some sleep."

 Taking the packets and catalog to her room, Akane thought, 'Poor
Ranma.  Imagine having to go through all that hassle.  Well, I'd better
get Ranma some hot water.'

 After leaving her room, Akane filled a glass with hot water and
returned to the guest room.  Once she was gone, Nabiki snuck into
Akane's room and found one of the packets and the pamphlet.  She
quickly headed to her room and started plotting.

 'Kuno will pay handsomely for pictures of you acting like a doll,
Akane.'
----------------------
 As the morning sun painted the Tendo Dojo gold, Akane woke up and
started her early morning jog.  She ran in the slightly chilly air,
thinking of Ranma's situation.

 'After school, I'll use one of those packets.  I should see what
Ranma does go through when winding down.  Who am I kidding, maybe this
will calm me down.  I almost killed someone yesterday.'

 Akane suppressed a shudder as she recalled encountering that rod
in her back last night.  She didn't have to look in a mirror to see
that it was actually a key, similar to Ranma's.  Although for some
reason, she wanted to feel the rod in her back again.  Snapping her
thoughts back to the present, she saw that she was almost finished with
her run.  Entering her house, she almost ran back out as she heard
sounds of combat.

 'Wonder what's going on,' Akane thought as she headed for the
source of the noise.

  She relaxed as she saw it was just Ranma and his father sparring
over the pond. During one exchange, Genma knocked Ranma into the pond
and landed.

 "You're getting sloppy," he said with a smirk.

 The now female clockwork Ranma threw a tub of water at her
father.  The water hit Genma first and then the tub.  Genma was knocked
down and changed into a panda.

 "Now, who's getting sloppy?"  Ranma asked.

 The panda grabbed the tub and swung it down on top of Ranma's
head.  Instead of knocking the clockwork girl to the ground, it buckled
and broke over the living toy's head with a sound like a shotgun going
off.  Smirking, she grabbed the panda and threw it into the pond one-
handed.

 "You really got sloppy there, Pops," Ranma said, as she walked
towards the Tendo's dining room.

 Genma grabbed a teakettle and poured its contents on himself,
changing back into a man.  He smiled a bit at his offspring as he
showed the kettle was now completely empty.  The wind-up girl ignored
that and entered the house.  She started to sit down, but her key
stopped turning and she jerked to a halt.

 Stepping behind the clockwork, Akane thought, 'This is bizarre.'

 Still intrigued by the novelty, she rotated Ranma's key and heard
ratcheting sounds coming from the human toy. Each time she turned the
key a full revolution and had to switch hand positions, Ranma jerked a
bit each time the key was released.  Shortly she encountered heavy
resistance. Deciding not to over-wind Ranma, Akane released the key.
She watched in morbid fascination as the clockwork girl's key started
unwinding.

 'How does it feel to go through that?,' Akane thought.  'I'll
find out after school.  To have something regulate your movements and
actions that precisiely....'

 Looking over her shoulder at Akane as she finished sitting down,
Ranma said, "Thanks.  I appreciate it."

 Nabiki smirked and said, "Keep it up, Akane, and you'll lose your
reputation for hating boys."

 Looking bewildered, Ranma asked, "Hates boys?  What?"

 "It's like this," Akane started to explain.  "There's this boy at
school called Tatewaki Kuno.  He made a stupid speech saying that the
only way someone can date me is if they defeat me in combat.  Now,
every day I have to beat up the entire male student body."

 The only sounds at the table was the ticking coming from the
human clockwork.  Ranma interlaced her fingers and put her chin on top
of them.

 Akane clenched and unclenched her fists and continued. "The
vice-principal is constantly blaming me for the fights, even though I
don't start them."

 Soun cleared his throat ending that conversation.  "Ranma, I
understand that you'll be going to school today."

 The clockwork girl nodded.  "After I change back, I'm supposed to
attend a school called Furinkan High."

 "Good.  You'll be in the same class as Akane.  Don't worry about
the boys, Akane can take care of them."

  Ranma stood up and headed for the kitchen to get some hot water and
Akane went upstairs after her book bag.  Narrowing her eyes, Nabiki
watched her go.

 Because of you, I lost my boyfriend, little sister.  It's only
right that I get something back from you for that.  Those packets
aren't that expensive and when I get enough money built up, I can order
some water,' Nabiki thought, as she listened to the two fathers'
conversation.

 Genma asked, "Judging by the dust in the dojo, I take it you've
fallen on hard times.  Eh, Tendo?"

 "I'm afraid so.  I haven't had a student for a couple of months,"
Soun replied with a sigh.  "At least your son won't be that much of a
strain on our resources."

 "Hand me the paper, Tendo,"  Genma said, with great reluctance.
"Apparently, I'm going to have to get a job."

 "It's clear that Akane and Ranma seem to be the closest right
now," Soun said.

 "Agreed.  Akane will be my son's fiancee.  We just have to see
how things work out."

  Suppressing a growl, Nabiki shrugged and also headed upstairs to
prepare for school.
--------------------------------
 With wind whipping through their hair and a whooshing sound in
their ears, Ranma and Akane ran to school.  Both of them kept an eye
out for any source of water that would trigger Ranma's curse.

 Akane asked, "Ranma, when we get out of school, will you help me
with something?"

 "Err.  Sure," Ranma called down from the top of the fence he was
running along. "What with?"

 "I'm going to use one of those packets you gave me last night.
I'm going to be hungry when I do so.  I want you to wind me back up. I
am curious about what you go through every day.

 "Uh.  Right," Ranma replied, unsure.  "All right, I guess I can
do that."

 Looking down at Akane, he made an observation.

 "Akane, you might want to change the way you have your hair.  The
way it is now, you might have a problem."

 'It took a long time to get my hair the way it was and there is
nothing wrong with it,' Akane thought angrily, and she spat, "Oh?
Really?  And, what might that be?"

 "Your hair is too long.  It might get caught in the key and jam
it up," he replied, wincing a bit at the vitriol.

 Anger subsiding, the Tendo girl meekly said, "Oh.  I guess I
could put it up in a ponytail to keep my hair out of the way."

 Not commenting, Ranma looked ahead and saw the clock of the
school.  He jumped down to the street and ran beside Akane.

 "Almost there," he called out.  "If we hurry, we'll have twenty
minutes to spare."

 "Stay out of the way," Akane said and started chanting, "Hate
boys.  Hate boys.  I really, really hate boys."

 Casting a concerned glance at Akane, Ranma jumped on top of the
school's fence and looked down.  He watched in a bit of awe as Akane
smashed through a huge group of boys.  Among them were sumo wrestlers,
a baseball team, boxers, and others.  After seeing the last one fall,
he jumped down.

 "You go through that every day?"

 "I'd wish they'd give it a rest.  Let's get into school before Ms.
Shoshi sees us.  I don't want to listen to her again,"  Akane said, and
whispered softly under her breath, "I really hate that bitch."

 "Who's Ms. Shoshi?"  Ranma muttered softly to himself.

 Ranma shrugged and headed for the school's entrance when a shout
caught his attention.

 "You there!  You are being awfully familiar with the fair Akane
Tendo!  What have you to say for yourself, knave?"

 Turning around, Ranma saw a boy slightly older than him, dressed
in a Kendo outfit and carrying a wooden sword.  He cast a glance
skywards and saw dark clouds forming.

 'I have no intention of revealing my curse to everyone,' Ranma
thought, and then replied, "Her father and mine were trained at the
same time by the same person.  Pops is just visiting an old friend."

 Lowering his sword a bit, the boy replied, "I see.  Know this: I,
Tatewaki Kuno the Blue Thunder of Furinkian High, shall smite any man
who threatens the fair Akane's honor.  For a flower such as she can
only be protected by the most noble and brave."

 "Oh brother," Ranma muttered as he rolled his eyes. "I think I'll
head inside.  I don't want to be late for my first day at school."

 Flabbergasted, Kuno stared at Ranma's receding form.

 "Is he not man enough even to try and fight to see if he's worthy
of dating the fair Akane Tendo?  What sort of man is he?"

 Rushing past the dazed Kuno, Akane called, "One who has more
important things to worry about than a date."

 Pursing his lips, the kendoist strolled into the school.  "What
could be more important than Akane Tendo?"

 From a third story window, Nabiki had watched the scene unfold.
She was still a bit miffed that her dad had chosen Akane to be Ranma's
fiancee, but somewhat relieved as well.

 'I'll have to be careful.  If I push them together too fast, I'll
lose money.   But I also don't want to separate them.  I might be
forced to marry that half clockwork.'

 Musing on what she overheard last night, Nabiki thought, 'Akane
said that she'll try one of the packets later.  My guess is after
school.  I've got some fresh film.  Now, all I have to do is convince
Akane to wear that outfit.'
---------
 Near the lockers, Akane and Ranma were putting their shoes in
their respective cubicles.  Ranma kept throwing concerned glances at
Akane, because she was still seething.

 "Are you all right?" Ranma asked.

 Clenching and unclenching her fists in an effort not to yell,
Akane replied, "That daily battle is stressing me out.  Of course there
is Ms. Shoshi's little lectures I have to put up with as well.  Because
of those things, I haven't been able to relax for quite a while now.
Don't even bother saying meditation.  I've tried it and several other
stress reducing activities, to no effect."

 "Oh," Ranma said and quickly changed the subjects.  "Which way is
the classroom?"

 "This way," the youngest Tendo replied and headed down a
corridor.

 Shrugging, Ranma followed.
----------------------------------
 During lunch, Nabiki was interrupted by Kuno, who sat down across
from her.

 "Nabiki Tendo, I require your services.  I need to know who that
boy was that accompanied Akane to school," Kuno said, while sliding a
thousand yen note to her.

 Taking the note, Nabiki replied, "His name is Ranma Saotome.  His
father and mine are old training buddies."

 "So that is the truth.  I had my doubts about that,"  Kuno said,
and then ranted, "Foul cur!  Using your father to get to the fair
Akane.  I must teach you a lesson about that."

 'Just like you taught my boyfriend about not using me?' Nabiki
thought, watching Kuno storm off.
------------
   Sitting outside, Ranma watched Akane and the other girls play
baseball.  Out of the side of his left eye, he spotted Kuno coming
towards him.  He quickly jumped to his feet and leaned against a nearby
tree.

 "Knave!  How dare you use your father's connection to Akane's
father to date her!  You must first defeat her in combat.  Those are
the only conditions that I will accept!"  Kuno ranted.

 "Date her?" Ranma asked, with a smirk on his face.  "I have no
intention of dating anyone at the moment, you flake."

 "You lie!" the kendoist screamed and charged Ranma.

 Ranma jumped out of the way as the bokken sliced through the tree
he was leaning against.  With a rush of falling leaves, the tree fell
over with a loud thud.  Looking at the now dead plant, Ranma swallowed
and dropped into a fighting stance.

 'Okay, he's a nutcase, but a dangerous one.'

 The pig-tailed boy dropped to one knee and leg swept Kuno.
Feeling his legs being knocked out from under him, Tatewaki did a
forward roll and landed back on his feet.  Ranma did a flying kick to
try and knock Kuno out.  The kendoist brought his bokken up and blocked
the kick.  For a brief moment, Ranma's foot was pushing in on Kuno's
bokken.  Kuno used all his might and pushed Ranma away.  The pig-tailed
boy crashed through some bushes and into a ceramic birdbath, shattering
it.  The water in the birdbath was enough to trigger Ranma's curse.  A
rustling in the bushes told the clockwork, that Kuno was coming.
Turning she faced Kuno, unaware of the change.  As the kendoist broke
through the hedge, he spotted Ranma and stopped, confused.  Ranma did a
circle kick to Kuno's head and knocked him out.  Looking down at Kuno,
the living toy heard a shout.

 "Ranma, are you all right?"  Akane called.  "I saw Kuno attack
you and..."

 "I'm fine," Ranma replied.  "Kuno didn't have much in him."

 Akane retorted, "Or maybe, your current form is too much for him.
Didn't you notice that you changed?"

 Ranma closed her eyes and felt the key turning in her back.
Opening them, she spoke to Akane.

 "Not until you mentioned it."

 "Um.  Do you need rewound?"

 Shaking her head, Ranma said, "Not at the moment.  Let's go home.
I don't want to deal with Kuno again today."

 The youngest Tendo thought about it and nodded.  The two girls
headed back home, leaving Kuno lying on the ground.  Moaning a bit,
Kuno regained some consioussness.

 "Who was she?  What a fiery spirit.  I will allow her to date
with me," Kuno mumbled, before dropping back to sleep.
----------------------------------------
 Entering the Tendo kitchen, Akane was carrying a small packet.
She smiled as she found an old plastic cup that no one used.  She
filled the cup with water and headed for the dojo.  Opening the door to
the gym, she spotted Ranma, in his male form, doing katas.  She winced
a bit as her stomach growled from a lack of food.

 "Ranma," Akane called.  "I'm ready."

 Stopping his katas, Ranma turned and saw Akane.  He was a bit
suprised at Akane's choice of clothes.  She was wearing calf high
white boots and a yellow, shiny mini-dress that left her arms exposed.
Plus, her hair was done up in a pony-tail.

 "Er. Akane, what's with the get-up?"

 Blushing a bit, Akane replied, "Something Nabiki said to me
before lunch, made a bit of sense.  She said that this costume would go
well with a life-sized wind-up, like yourself.  Also, it's the only
thing I have that I don't mind having a hole put through the back of."

 "Oh.  Um.  Well let's begin," Ranma said. 'I don't think I could
wear something like that.'

 Taking the glass of water and the packet, Ranma prepared the
concoction.  He splashed Akane with the water when he was done.  As
soon as the water hit her, Akane felt her skin tighten up and harden.
The itching sensation in the middle of her back had returned, but she
was aware of the feeling of a rod in the center of her back revolving.
In her mind, an almost overpowering compulsion to move pushed in on her
thoughts.  Putting her hand on her stomach, she felt something
different about her midriff, beyond the harder and stiffer body of a
doll.

 The clockwork Akane said, "This is strange.  I feel so different.
I was hungry when I came here, so it shouldn't be too much longer."

  The two waited until Akane had wound down.  As she wound down,
she saw that Ranma had lied to her, she was fully aware of what was
going on around her.  Feeling his face flush, Ranma gripped the key in
Akane's back and started turning.  As the key turned, Akane felt as if
someone had plugged her into an outlet.  The wave after wave of energy
coming from her spring being tightened caused her body to tingle.  Each
crank caused her to straighten up a bit more.  She was able to move
again once Ranma had finished winding her up and released her key.

 Looking at Ranma, Akane said, "That was intense.  Why did you lie
about being aware while you were wound down?"

 "I don't want heaps of pity for my condition.  By saying that I'm
asleep, I keep it down."

 "Oh," Akane replied.  Putting her hand on her stomach, Akane
asked, "What is with this?"

 Seeing what she was doing, Ranma replied, "Oh.  That's a button.
I've pushed mine and it does nothing."

 Rolling her eyes skyward, Akane retorted, "Maybe the person
herself can't activate the button.  Did you ask your father about it?"

 "Have you flipped?  If I asked Pops something like that, he would
say I'm not a true martial artist.  Then, he'd probably come up with
some strange training."

 Feeling extremly curious about the button, Akane pondered her
choices.  She could ask Ranma to push it and find out what it did, but
would put her at some risk, or she could forget about it and be left
forever wondering about its function.  She immediately discarded
pushing the button on Ranma's clockwork form.

 Screwing up her courage, Akane said, "Ranma, push my button.  I
want to know."

 Trying to keep his embarrassment down, Ranma's finger darted out
as fast as he could muster.  It pushed in on Akane's belly button.
Both Akane and Ranma heard a loud click.  Stiffing up, Akane marched
around the dojo in a stiff-legged style with arms swing rythmically
back and forth.  Occasionally she would bounce off a wall, as she walked

straight into it.  Every time she did, she left dents in the wood from
where her arms and body hit the wall.

 'She's walking around like a toy soldier,' Ranma thought,
wonderingly. 'She wasn't asleep.  Then how.... The button.'

 With that revelation, Ranma jumped in front of the toy Tendo and
jabbed his finger out again.  Once again a loud click was heard in the
dojo, as Akane dropped back into a more regular stance.

 "Okay," Akane commented, "So, that's what it's like to be a toy
soldier."

 "Akane, are you all right?"

 Having a strange look on her face, Akane replied, "I'm fine,
Ranma.  I just didn't think that would happen."

 Curious, Ranma asked, "How did it feel?"

 Shaking her head, Akane replied, "I'm not going to spoil it for
you.  If you'll excuse me, I'm going to change back."

 Ranma nodded and went back to his katas.  He watched Akane leave
and thought about what had just happend.

 'So, that's what that button is for.  I'm glad I didn't ask Pops.
He would have found some way to use it to his advantage.  Funny, it
almost sounded like she regretted changing back.  Nah, just my
imagination.'
________________________________________________________________________

                  Chapter 02


 Walking a bit stiffly, the clockwork Akane entered the Tendo home and
made her way towards the kitchen.  As she did so, she thought about her
recent activities.

 'I found something that is relaxing, but it is something weird,' Akane
thought.  'If anyone found out that I liked being like this, I would be
thought a freak.'

 Akane headed for the kitchen tap and poured herself a glass of hot
water.  She hesitated and closed her eyes, feeling the key in her back
slowly turning and the spring inside her unwinding.  In a quick motion
she doused herself with the water and changed back to a human being.  As
she changed back, she felt a bit sad about it.  Her eyelids felt heavy
and her stomach growled a bit.  Akane grabbed a sandwich and headed
upstairs to bed, eating on the way.

 'As a doll, I wouldn't have to worry about food or sleep.  Not to
mention that walking around as a toy soldier after having my button
pushed was very relaxing.'

 Finishing her sandwich, Akane entered her room and lay down on the
bed.  She plucked at the vinyl skirt that she was wearing and looked at
the ceiling.  Shaking the tiredness off for a bit, Akane rolled on to
her side and opened a drawer in the nightstand next to her bed.  Inside
the drawer were neat rows of sealed plastic bags with a strange white
powder in them.

 'I'd better find that catalog.  I don't want to run out of packets.'

 Closing the drawer, Akane curled up into a fetal position and fell
asleep.

 After Akane had drifted off, her bedroom door opened and Nabiki sneaked
in carrying a glass of water and a small booklet.  She also had a camera
hanging from her neck.  She doused Akane with the water and watched in
satisfaction as a key sprouted from her sister's back.  She carefully
placed the booklet between the mattress and the baseboard of Akane's
bed.

 "I don't need this now, sis.  I already placed my order and will get a
new catalog.  Thanks for letting me borrow it," Nabiki whispered, with a
smirk on her face. "Now then, let's get you upright."

 Nabiki, with a bit of difficulty, was able to move Akane's limbs and
put her into a sitting position on her bed.  Standing behind Akane,
Nabiki reached out with her right hand and tapped Akane's key.

 "I have all this power over you, Akane.  You can't move unless I wind
you up.  Since you are wound down, I can position you any way I feel
like it.  This is small recompense for breaking Don's arms a couple of
days ago."

 A flash of anger passed across Nabiki's face as she walked around the
bed and faced Akane.  Nabiki drew back her hand and slapped Akane across
the face.  Ignoring the sting in her hand, Nabiki felt tears form in her
eyes.

 "How could you do that to him?"  Nabiki asked the senseless toy.

 The middle Tendo sister stared at Akane's face.  Blinking back tears,
she started posing the doll Akane.  Nabiki managed to get Akane on her
feet when necessary.  After getting a pose that she thought was sexy,
Nabiki took a picture.  In each and every case, she made sure that the
key in her sister's back was visible.  Soon the camera ran out of blank
film and Nabiki's picture taking came to an end.

 "This should prove very profitable, Akane.  I'll probably keep a set
just for myself as proof that I have this kind of power over you.  Thank
you."

 The middle Tendo carefully stood Akane at the foot of her bed, with the
key facing away from the bed.  Akane had her arms down to the sides and
was standing straight legged.  Putting her right index finger against
the back of the clockwork's head, Nabiki pushed hard.  Akane stiffly
fell forward onto the bed.  The middle Tendo crept out of the room with
her camera and glass.  A few minutes later, she returned with a glass of
water that had steam rising from it.  Nabiki carefully poured some hot
water onto Akane.  As soon as the key vanished, she stopped and snuck
back out of the room.

 As she headed to her room, Nabiki thought, 'That was fun.  I'll have to
pace the pictures out until my shipment arrives.  I'd better put some
money aside for the water.  Once I douse Akane with that, I won't need
to bother with the packets anymore.'
------------
 Ranma was still doing his katas when he was suddenly attacked.  Without
thinking about it, he dropped and rolled to one side and evaded a flying
kick.  Snapping back to his feet, he faced the person who attacked him.

 "Ranma, I saw how you just ignored that challenge earlier this
morning.  What have you to say for yourself?"  Genma chided.  "Have I
not taught you that a martial artisit never backs down?"

 Ranma shouted back, "It was about to rain, Pops!  In case you've
forgotten, I have this little problem when I get wet!  I don't want a
bunch of strangers walking up to me and winding me up!"

 "That should not matter to a true martial artist," Genma countered.
"If you had fought him, you would have found his weakness."

 "I did fight him, later," Ranma said through clenched teeth. "And, I
beat him.  So what's the problem?"

 Genma rubbed his temples and said, "Obviously, you need some more
training.  You're getting sloppy."

 Ranma rolled his eyes and went into a fighting stance.  "Ready when you
are, Pops."

 The two Saotomes went at each other for a quite a while.  As the
finished thier sparring session, they broke off and bowed to each other.

 Genma pursed his lips and studied his son.  "Ranma, you seem to be
heading for fast wins and not out enduring your opponent.  Why?"

 "If I become a doll during a fight, I won't have much time to fight,"
Ranma shot back.  "I'll wind down after a little bit."

 "So that's why you evaded the fight.  You're afraid of winding down.
You break your father's heart," Genma said.

 Ranma demanded, "Teach me something to drop opponents quick, and then I
won't have to worry about changing forms."

 Genma stopped his rant and thought about Ranma's request.

 "Hmmm.  You might have a point.  Tomorrow, you are going to be training
in some speed techinquies."

 "Oh?" Ranma asked, intriuged.  "Like what?"

 "You'll find out soon enough," Genma said.

 "This isn't another Cat-fist, is it?"

 "You don't trust me?"  Genma asked, "Well, I'll have you know that I
know the attack myself and I'll train you the way I learned it."

 Ranma remained silent as he left the dojo.  'I wonder what he's going
to teach me.'
-----------------
 In the greyish light that proceeded the dawn, Ranma jumped up and
headed for the stairway.  He was eager to begin his training.  As he
passed Nabiki's room, he heard muffled crying.

 'I wonder what's bothering her?' Ranma thought, as he descended to the
first floor. 'It's not my concern.  I have a technique to learn.'

 Making his way to the rear door of the house, Ranma stopped as he heard
multiple tappings against the screen.

 Shaking his head in denial, Ranma muttered, "No.  Not today.  I don't
want it to rain."

 Wtih a heavy sigh, Ranma walked over to a window and looked out.  He
saw that the rain was falling heavy enough to obscure as bad as fog.
Shoulders slumping, Ranma waited for someone to wake up.  He tried to
figure a way to make it to school.  He sat crosslegged and stared at the
screen, which he opened slightly.

 'If I go out there, I'll change and have to stay a wind-up until we
reach school.   And if my clothes are soaked, I'll change right back if
I use hot water.'

 As he sat there, Akane came down wearing red shorts, a yellow T-shirt,
and carrying sneakers.

 "Hi, Ranma.  I'm heading out for my morning jog."

 "You'll get wet," Ranma replied.  "It's raining pretty hard."

  Akane opened the front door and saw that Ranma was correct.  She
closed the door and sat down beside Ranma.

 "What are you doing up?"  she asked.

 "I'm trying to figure a way to get to school today without staying a
doll."

 "Why don't you want to use your other form?"

 Ranma sighed and said, "I have my reasons."

 "Wait here, Ranma.  I'll get some hot water ready.  We'll put it in a
thermos and use that when we get to school,"  Akane stated, as she
headed for the kitchen.

 A few seconds later, a loud boom echoed throughout the house.  The
sound caused Ranma to dive out the slightly ajar screen and into the
rain.  Feeling the change, the clockwork Ranma rolled her eyes and made
her way cautiously back in.  She had to open the door a bit more, to
allow room for her key.

 "Akane?  Are you all right?"  The female doll called out.

  Akane's voice came from the kitchen.  "I'm fine.  The teakettle blew
up."

 Other voices were heard as the rest of the family had awakened and
headed to the source of the sound.  Kasumi was the first to arrive and
heard Akane's answer.

 "Akane, what did you do?"  Kasumi asked.

 "I wanted the water to get hotter faster, so I plugged up the hole on
the top of the kettle,"  Akane said as she came out of the kitchen,
sopping wet.

 Kasumi replied, "Akane, the kettle blew up because the steam had no
place to go.  I'd better see what else might be damaged."

 Ranma sat down and stared at the kitchen with unblinking eyes.  She
felt the familiar itch of the key slowly turning in her back and the
intense desire to move.  She absently pushed in on her belly button and
felt it click.

 'I wonder what that's like.  Akane knows something about my form than I
don't.'

 "Ranma!  Stop staring like that.  It's giving me the creeps,"  Akane
snapped.

 The clockwork shrugged,  "I can't help it.  That's part of what I am
right now."

 Out of the corner of one eye, Ranma thought she saw a look of anger
pass over Nabiki's face as she looked at her sister.  The clockwork
discarded the idea a second later.

 "Well, my boy.  As soon as you're ready, we'll start training," Genma
said.  "After school, we'll go into special training."

 Before Ranma could respond, Kasumi exited the kitchen and started
talking.

 "The damge from the teakettle exploding is slight, but it did knock out
the hot water throughout the house.  I'll have to get a new kettle at
the market and the plumber doesn't open until ten.  I'm sorry Ranma, but
you'll have to stay in your cursed form until you get to school."

 Turning her gaze to Akane, Kasumi contiued, "If you are going to be
using one of those packets today, you'll be in the same boat as Ranma.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make breakfast."

 Ranma stood and marched back up to the guest room.  She went to the
center of the room and stood at attention.  She heard a knock at the
door.

 "Come in," the clockwork said.

 The door opened slowly and Akane entered.  "Are you all right?  Don't
you want breakfast?"

 The living doll rolled here eyes and replied, "In this form, I don't
eat.  Remember?  And yes, I'm fine.  I just came up here to relax until
it's time for us to leave."

 "Standing up?"

 "I don't get tired and laying down is a problem with a key in your
back."

 Akane bit her lower lip.  "I forgot about that.  Do you need wound up?"

 Ranma simply nodded.

 Akane stepped behind Ranma and grasped the key.  She turned it
clockwise.  Upon each turn, Ranma jerked a bit as her spring was
tightened.  Akane let the key go as soon as she encountered resistance.

  Akane watched in fasciantion as Ranma's key unwound.

 After a few minutes, Ranma said, "Uh?  Akane?  You've been back there
for quite a while now.  Is something the matter?"

 "No.  Nothing,"  Akane relpied with a strange voice.  "I'd better get
downstairs.  Kasumi must almost be ready with breakfast by now."

 Akane left the clockwork girl standing in the middle of the room.

 Standing ramrod straight, Ranma thought, 'Akane's acting strangely.  Oh
well, I guess I should expect some odd reactions to this form.  I still
haven't eaten since Jusenkyo.'
----------
 Running through the rain, Akane kept throwing sideways glances towards
the living wind-up.  She noticed the mechanical precision of Ranma's
gait.  She shook her head and sighed.

 'Ranma doesn't realize how perfect he is right now.  Every movement
precise and unflawed.  Plus he has the best relaxation technique as a
natural part of his body.  I'll have to use one of those packets after
school.'

 Ranma looked over at Akane and asked, "Is something the matter?"

 "No.  Not at all,"  Akane replied quickly.

 Ranma whispered softly, "I guess she thinks that I'm a doll that she
can play with.  I know girls play with dolls, but still..."

 Akane felt a flash of anger and checked the impulse to hit Ranma.  She
had no desire to break her hand, trying to smash some sense into Ranma.

 Seeing they were closing on Furinkan very fast, Ranma scooped Akane up
and jumped to the schoolyard wall.  The clockwork jumped once more
behind the gathering group of boys and dashed into the school.

 Slapping Ranma across the face, Akane said, "Don't do that again
without telling me."

 With unbruised face and unblinking eyes, Ranma stared at the Tendo
girl.  "I didn't want them to see me like this and I need to change."

 "Oh.  Well, come on.  There should be a place where you can change,
nearby."

 Before they went very far, the two heard a shout.

 "Ah, Akane Tendo and the girl who I met yesterday.  How I long for your
comapny," Tatewaki Kuno said as he came rushing up.

 Kuno grabbed Akane and Ranma in a hug.  A second later, he recoiled and
stared at Ranma in horror.

 "What foul manner of creature are you?"  Kuno demanded.

 The living clockwork stared at Kuno and waited to see what the kendoist
would say next.

 "You are mockery of a human.  Nothing but a doll."

 Ranma winced at those words and turned away from Kuno.

 Akane said, "Leave her alone, Kuno.  She can't help the way she is."

 Kuno stared at the key in Ranma's back with disgust and replied, "For
you, fair Akane, I will leave this abomination of a girl alone.  If you
will excuse me, I need to purge myself of contact with such an unclean
thing."

 Akane said nothing as she grabbed Ranma's hand and led her to a place
where she could change back.  Akane thought about what Kuno said.

 "Sometimes, I think the same way," Ranma said. "That I am an
a-a-abomination.  Is that the word?"

 "Ignore him.  He doesn't know of the curse," Akane said and thought,
'Maybe I can chase Kuno away from me as well.'

 As soon as Ranma had changed back into a guy, they headed for class.
As the day wore on, they heard that Kuno had spread the word about the
clockwork girl throughout the school.  Unlike Kuno, there were quite a
few guys who were interested in seeing this girl up close.  A number of
girls also showed a desire to meet Ranma's clockwork side. Ranma felt
nervous every time the subject was brought up.

 As lunchtime approached, Ranma was about to open the lunch box that
Kasumi had prepared for him when he heard a crash behind him and felt
something cold and wet spray him.  The itch in the middle of the back
reappeared as Ranma changed into his clockwork girl form.  Spinning
around, the toy saw a smashed thermos on the ground in a pool of red
punch.  The girl who had dropped it had a shocked expression on her
face.

 "R-R-Ranma?"  the girl squeaked, as she backed away.

 "It's that clockwork girl Kuno was ranting about," one boy said.

 A clearing of a throat silenced the class as they all looked to the
front of the class.  Ranma winced as he saw that Mr. Keipo, the teacher,
was looking on the incident calmly.

 "Ranma, do you want to explain this?"  Mr. Keipo said.

 Before the living doll could say anything, Akane stood up and looked at
the teacher.

 "Ranma, I'll explain," Akane said.

 Ranma didn't know whether to feel releived or worried about that.

 Akane took a deep breath and began, "It's like this, Ranma picked up a
weird curse in China.  He turns into a clockwork doll when doused with
cold water."

  As Akane quickly explained the details of Ranma's conditon, conviently
omiting the details of the instant curse packets, the clockwork watched
the class's reactions.   As she finished, Mr. Keipo looked at Ranma.

 "If you are told something as you are now, can you remember it?" the
teacher asked.

 Rolling her eyes, Ranma said, "I have a photographic memory in this
form.  Anything I see or hear, I will remember."

 Mr. Keipo nodded.  "Very good.  Get used to that form, Ranma.  You will
remain in it during my class... and probably others as well."

 "Huh?  Why?  And, why aren't you freaking out?"

 Mr. Keipo smiled.  "You haven't met the principal yet.  As to why,
you'll learn more in this form.  A teacher's duty is to make sure his or
her students learn and your curse is an advantage I refuse to let you
waste."

 Ranma sighed as she saw that she wasn't getting out of this one.  The
living toy gave a quick nod to Akane's questioning gaze and braced
herself as she felt Akane wind her back up.

 'One thermos of juice and my secret is blown.  At least, I don't have
to worry about hiding the curse anymore,' Ranma thought as she saw the
various gazes that her classmates were giving her.

 Some of the gazes the guys were giving her made her very uneasy.  Quite
a few of the girls had dreamy looks on their faces when they looked at
the living toy.

 Ranma heard one girl whisper, "Just think how lucky Akane is.  She has
a life-sized doll to play with."

 Another girl whispered back, "Yeah.  She has all the guys drooling over
her and now has the best toy in the world.  She is so lucky."

 'I am not a toy,' Ranma thought, fighting the extreme desire to shout
that.

 As the day finished up, each teacher that came in was appraised of
Ranma's situation by the leaving teacher and nodded.  As soon as the
last class had finished, Akane walked up behind Ranma and turned the
clockwork girl's key.

 Instead of running home, Ranma slowly moped along.  She occasionally
kicked a rock.  Casting a concerned glance at Ranma, Akane slowed her
pace down and walked beside the living toy.

 "Are you all right?"

 The doll shrugged.  "I've just been told that I'll be attending classes
as a doll.  I'm not sure how I should feel."

 "At least when it comes to physical activities, you'll be allowed to
turn back into a guy.  It would be kind of pointless to get a doll into
shape."

 Ranma brightened a bit at that.  "True.  And that is the most
interesting part of school."

 Akane looked over Ranma and tapped her bottom lip with her index finger
as she thought, 'Those doll comments got me thinking.  Somehow, I have
to convince Ranma to wear something more appropriate as a doll.  I'll
have to check my old clothes.  I think I have a green version of what
I'm calling my yellow doll suit.'

 "Um.  Ranma?  I think I have something of mine that you could wear as
you are: A green version of the clothes I wore yesterday."

 Ranma angrily shouted, "Forget it! There is no way you're getting me to
wear something like that!"

 Feeling a little smug, Akane asked, "Oh?  Are you afraid that I'm
better looking than you as a doll?"

 "I'm much better looking than you," Ranma retorted.

 "Then why are you afraid of wearing that dress?"

 "Fine.  I'll wear that silly thing and prove I'm better looking."

 Akane inwardly smiled. 'Gotcha.'
-----------------
 Still a little bit mad at Akane, Ranma put the green, vinyl suit on.
The living toy was a bit surprised that the back of the dress was closed
with Velcro brand hook and loop fasteners.  The sections of fastener
cloth allowed Ranma's key to turn freely while at the same time holding
the mini-dress taunt against the doll's body.  After putting the vinyl
min-dress on, Ranma thrust her feet into a matching pair of green, calf
high boots.  She walked out to the dojo and stared at Akane, who was
waiting for her and dressed in her yellow outfit.

 "Well?"  Ranma asked, with a defiant look.

 Akane nodded and replied, "You look great, Ranma."

 "Fine.  Anything else?"

 Akane smiled impishly as she thought of something.

 "Well, yes.  Yes there is."

 "Oh?  What?"

 Akane jabbed Ranma in the belly button, before the toy had time to
react.  With a loud click, Ranma's button was depressed.  The clockwork
girl felt her mind lose control of her body as she marched in a stiff
gait around the dojo.  The rythmic pumping of her legs and swinging of
her arms created a soothing effect for the toy girl.  After bouncing off
a wall and turning,  Akane stepped forward and pushed Ranma's button
again.

 Akane innocently said, "Well, you did wonder what that was like."

 Ranma didn't say anything as she was trying to sort her feelings out on
what had just happened.  Until she felt her key being turned, she was
unaware that Akane had moved behind her.

 "Now it's my turn, Ranma," Akane said, as she grabbed a glass of water.

 She dumped the glass over herself and Ranma saw the key sprout from
Akane's back.  Still a bit dazed by having her button pushed, Ranma
pressed Akane's and watched as the youngest Tendo girl did her
impression of a toy soldier. Akane soon ground to a halt as her key
stopped turning.  Ranma walked behind Akane and grabbed her key.  Before
turning it, she pushed the Tendo's girl midriff and heard a click.
Satisfied, Ranma wound the clockwork Akane back up.  Akane shook her
head and sighed a bit sadly as she went around behind Ranma and re-wound
the red-head.

 The two clocwork girls sat down on the floor and stared towards the
door.

 Akane commented, "We're a matching set.  Aren't we Ranma?  One girl in
green and the other in yellow."

 "Is that why you wanted my to wear this thing?  To match you when you
are a doll?"  Ranma asked.

 Akane didn't answer as she got back up.  Ranma mulled things over in
her mind.

 "If you want me to wear this while you and I are both dolls, I want you
to feel what its like to be me."

 Akane warily asked, "How do I do that?"

 "By remaining a doll until we leave for school tomorrow.  You should
feel what it is like to be wound down for several hours at a time."

 Before Akane could reply, Kasumi came into the dojo and heard Ranma's
last remark.

 She nodded in agreement and said, "You really should do it, Akane.
I'll come out and get the both of you tomorrow and change you back.
Ranma, you should stay with her, since you've been through this before."

 The two clockwork girls stared as Kasumi left the dojo and closed it
behind her.  They both stood up and waited like tin statues for their
keys to stop turning.

 "At least we got our homework done," Akane mumbled, feeling the key in
her back slowly unwind.
---
 Outside the dojo, Nabiki heard Kasumi's procalmation and laughed
quietly to herself.

 'Well, sis.  You're getting what you asked for.  I heard Kuno's rants
about the pig-tailed abomination and what happened later in your class.
Maybe I can't sell to Kuno, but the other guys...'


 Nabiki quietly chuckled as she made her way back into the house to eat
dinner.

 'Too bad, Akane.  More for us,' Nabiki thought, as she grabbed a piece
of suishi. 'So you have a button?  Interesting.'
---
 Later that night, Akane felt her key come to a stop and she tried
moving her body and found she couldn't.

 'So this is what it's like to be unwound,' Akane thought inside her
unresponsive body.  'It's very peaceful like this.  No hunger,
tiredness, or pain.  Just quietness.  I could get used to this form of
life.'
--------------------

http://home1.gte.net/mathews1/

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