DISCLAIMER: Ranma Nibunnoichi is the property of Takahashi Rumiko,
Shogakukan Inc, Shonen Sunday Comics, and Viz Video. It is used without
their permission and is not intended for profit but only for the
enjoyment of fans of the Ranma series. All characters within this fic
that are not the property of the above mentioned are copyrighted to the
author, Joseph Kohle, January 1997. This work of fiction is the result
of the author's hard work and is for the enjoyment of others. Please do
not change, modify, or use any segment of this story without the
author's knowing and written consent. Feel free to archive this work.

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

                       Meiyo Ai soshite Nikushimi

                       A Ranma Nibunnoichi Fanfic
                            by Joseph Kohle
       		       
                       Part III: The Golden Apple
                      Chapter IV: Aphrodite's Gift                   


     Ranma walked through the darkened streets of Nerima. The city
lights and shop signs adding pools of light to the blackness that
surrounded him. The clouds above covered the moon and stars like a
jealous lover. The day was ending, yet Ranma was still moving about his
tasks. Undaunted, he continued on relentlessly. Cologne was next on his
list, and then back to the Tendou's to explain everything to Akane.
     Surprisingly, he was not becoming tired. Although his mind was
weary from his troubles, his body was gaining its strength back more and
more each hour he forced himself on. The dinner Mousse paid for hadn't
hurt either. 
     The meal had only been a means to an end. For him, the important
part was Mousse. The man was the answer to his problems. Maybe not the
best, but the only one that had a good chance of working. He had tried
to explain that to Mousse, and he hoped he had gotten it through the
guy's skull. The next few weeks would tell him whether or not it had
worked. That is what dinner had led to; an agreement between them. 
     After changing Mousse back into a human, and giving him his
clothes, they entered a small restaurant and sat down at a secluded
table. Ranma was silent and preoccupied as he scanned the menu. Across
from him, he occasionally saw Mousse simply watching him in confusion
and at times gratitude. It disturbed him a little, and finally forced
him to break the silence, since Mousse was obviously not going to.
     "I want you to marry Shampoo," Ranma said finally, placing his
menu flat on the table.
     Mousse was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "I've tried for
fourteen years to win Shampoo's heart, but she refuses me all of the
time. I give her my affection, my love, my undying servitude, yet she
still treats me as nothing."
     "Mousse you are nothing..."
     "Maybe you see it that way, Saotome!" Mousse growled. "But I'm
better for Shampoo than you'll ever be."
     "Will you shut up and let me finish!" Mousse clamped his mouth
shut at Ranma's anger. "I'm sick of people interrupting me and jumping
to conclusions. Do it again and I'm beating you senseless and not doing
a damn thing for you." His anger slowly cooled as Mousse nodded in
acceptance. Taking a few deep breaths, Ranma mentally ran over a few
calming exercises before he continued. "As I was saying. To Shampoo
you're nothing. She sees you as a servant or some such. No matter how
much you say you love her, she'll ignore you and keep going after me."
     "Why don't you just tell her you don't love her," Mousse suggested.
     "You think I haven't tried that? Hell, I dumped her and she still
came after me. It's like a curse or something, and I ain't too fond of
it. I wanna stop it, before I'm forced to marry her. To do that, I need
another eligible groom, you."
     "She won't marry me though. She always denies me and pushes me
away," Mousse protested.
     "Just beat her, you idiot."
     "I've tried, Ranma, but I can't do it. I can't beat her. Somehow
she always wins, no matter what I do." Ranma groaned and shook his head.
How did the fool not see the obvious? Was he blind mentally and
physically?
     "Let me tell you something Mousse." Ranma spoke slowly like one did
when explaining things to Kunou. "You're a good fighter. I've seen you
fight, and I've fought against you. Against Shampoo you should beat her
more than half the time, but you never win. Why?"
     Mousse started to answer, but Ranma cut him off. "Because you
stick to the same things over and over again. I've seen only a few new
moves out of you in the past few months, and they are used against me,
giving Shampoo the chance to see them and how they're defeated. Not
smart Mousse."
     "What do you want me to do? Stop fighting you and fight her
instead?"
     "Yes! Stop wasting your energies on me and challenge Shampoo. Do
you think she'll go to you because you spout better poetry than me?"
     There was silence from Mousse, and then he stood up. "You're right,
Ranma. I can see my errors now. I will go and challenge Shampoo at this
moment before I do anything else." He started to walk away from the
table.
     "Will you sit down!" Ranma snapped. Several people gave them
nervous glances, but when Mousse returned to his seat and nothing else
happened they resumed their own meals, although an occasional curious
glance was still directed their way. "Are you trying to screw everything
up?" Ranma hissed as Mousse sat down.
     "But you said..."
     "I know what I said! But that don't mean I want ya to go rushing
out and do it. Baka! That's just what I need, Cologne and Shampoo onto
my plans. You're not going to beat Shampoo until we're out of Japan,
preferably back in your village."
     "But why?"
     "Weren't you listening? Never mind, just listen. I'm not trusting
you to beat Shampoo. You've got this thing against hitting her. I've
seen it when she attacks you."
     "You don't attack Akane or any of the other girls, why should I be
different?" 
     "This isn't about me, it's about you. You'll hit a girl, I won't.
Hell man, you kidnaped Akane and were planning to turn her into a duck,
but you've never hit Shampoo. I'm not taking a chance with you. Until
I'm sure you could possibly beat me, you're training under me. Got
that!"
     Mousse glared at him for a moment and then nodded his head. "What
choice do I have? I must accept your offer. How else may I have my
Shampoo? When do we leave?"
     "Tomorrow morning. I wanna talk to the ghoul. She might just
release me from these promises."
     "You've mentioned those before," Mousse interrupted, "What promises
are you talking about?"   
     Ranma was quiet a moment. He was reluctant to let Mousse in on
everything that had transpired, but he'd have to tell him sooner or
later. As long as the possibility existed that Mousse might have
information about the statue, Ranma realized that he had to tell Mousse.
Xian Lin was too important to him not to tell Mousse. "I'll tell tomor-
row, or maybe later, but I don't have time to go into it now. Let's just
say it involves giri." Mousse nodded in understanding. 
     "Where will we meet?"
     "The Tendou Dojo tomorrow morning. The earlier the better. Knowing
my pop, I doubt I'll have a place to sleep tonight anyway." He paused
for a moment. "Don't tell anyone you're leaving, and whatever you do,
don't go back to the Nekohanten. I ain't giving away any advantage," he
warned and then picked up his menu before Mousse formed an answer.
     The conversation had died down at that point, there had been
nothing left to say. After eating quickly, he had left Mousse alone in
the restaurant. Despite his warning to Mousse, Ranma was dead serious
about his intentions to confront Cologne. Although he doubted the Amazon
would bow to his requests, he had to make sure they stayed off his back
until he was ready to face them.
     Like when he ran along the fence, he was beginning to realize there
was a delicate balance he had to maintain. Lean to far one way or the
other and he would loose his precarious position. At one moment he was
convincing Nabiki to trust him, the next he was contemplating how to
make Cologne believe he was actually going to accept the oaths. He had
to keep Akane happy and content, while disappearing to train Mousse. He
had to keep Mousse away from Cologne and Shampoo until Mousse was ready.
He had to keep Shampoo and Cologne away from him until he was able to
crumble their designs. Each time he cleared one obstacle, two more
appeared ahead, forcing him to comnpensate. He knew that sooner or later
one would knock him from the fence. He just hoped it was later.
     Turning down a street he saw the Nekohanten in the distance. One
more obstacle to overcome. As he walked, he wormed his hand into the
pouch at his belt and gently caressed the smooth stone figurine with his
fingers. From it he could feel the confidence and reassurance that had
accompanied Xian Lin like a shadow radiate into his heart. Bolstering
his confidence, he grasped the idol firmly and walked toward the
Nekohanten, prepared to attempt juggling two more balls.

     Toweling off the last plate, Shampoo placed it on a stack of clean
plates. Wiping her hands, she glanced with annoyance at the grill and
prep areas. She did not feel like cleaning them, and knew that they
would still get a few more customers before closing. So what was the
point of doing it? There was none.
     If there was one thing that truly angered Shampoo, it was cleaning.
The cooking she did not mind, nor did she mind serving the customers. In
fact, those two aspects of owning a restaurant she enjoyed. She took a
perverse delight in the feel of the men's eyes following her body with
desire and the envious glances many women cast her way. She enjoyed the
compliments on her cooking and on the speed with which she prepared it.
But were was the glory or praise in cleaning? It was demeaning work
where her hands wrinkled, and her hair dampened and hung in unflattering
locks across her shoulders and brow. 
     If not for Ranma, she would have left Japan months ago, but because
of him, she was forced to stay and clean like some common housewife. The
word itself was a condemnation in her mind. She was an Amazon warrior,
brought up to be the next leader and eventually a Matriarch of the
Tribe. To be relegated to cleaning, and even serving others, was well
beneath her dignity, but she did it. For Ranma she did it.
     Where did Ranma disappear to? Her great-grandmother had assured her
that it was impossible for Ranma to stay away forever. Yet she could not
shake the certainty that the longer he remained away the more the chasm
separating them grew. His words of so long ago walked her dreams like
dirge singers, planting seeds of uncertainty and fear. "I don't want to
marry you. I am not your husband-to-be. Is that understood? Now leave me
alone!" 
     She pushed aside Ranma's voice. It was impossible for him not to
love her. How could he hate her when she threw herself at him? Was that
not what all men dreamed of? She could see it in the faces of her custo-
mers. They all wanted her, but not Ranma. She refused to believe it was
because he did not love her. No, he had to love her, she was just not
tying hard enough. So with each failure she tried harder, did more. For
him she would have done anything, but he had still pushed her from his
arms time and time again.
     To chase after a man like she did was a blow to her pride. From the
moment she had learned to walk, she had held a weapon. "You will be the
best one day," her parents had told her after each technique she
learned. "The girl is gifted," the villagers had whispered. "I will make
her my equal one day," her great-grandmother had promised again and
again. She was a warrior born and raised. In her blood ran the fighting
spirit of the Amazon's. Obtaining the goal at all costs was a philosophy
she had always upheld.
     Yet at all costs meant she was demeaning herself as a warrior.
Though she knew little Japanese, she could hear the words whispered by
Ranma's friends as she walked through school or when they ate at the
restaurant. In their words, she learned they thought of her as a woman
for all men, an easy girl. What was the Japanese word? Yariman? Yes that
was the word. She was a slut in their eyes, all because she threw
herself at Ranma.
     She knew she should leave him, return to China, but then her honour
would tell her it was her duty to say, and then she would see him and
hear his voice. Her heart would melt taking her resolve and taking her
inhibitions with it. When she heard his voice...
     "Yo, Mummy!" Ranma's voice demanded angrily from the dining area.
"Where the hell are ya? I've gotta few things to discuss with you."
     All doubts left her, and she was filled with a sublime joy. Throw- 
ing down the apron, she bolted from the kitchen and threw herself onto
Ranma. hugging him tightly to her body. She felt his body tense, the
muscles going rigid from the surprise, but that was normal. "I'm not in
the mood for this," Ranma said. She missed the annoyance in his voice
and simply held on tighter.
     "Shampoo thought Airen leave her for good. Now know Ranma love
her." An instant later Shampoo found herself on the floor as Ranma shook
her off none too gently. Her eyes mirroring her hurt and shock, she
could only ask, "Why?"
     "Later Shampoo. I'm here to talk to Cologne," Ranma said by way of
dismissal. "Where is that old bat?" His eyes scanned the dining room,
the pass-through to the kitchen, and finally the stairs where a steady
thump was emanating from.
     "So Son-in-law," Cologne's voice called as her wrinkled face came
into the light, "I see you've finally come to give in. It was inevit-
able." She hopped off the last step and stood on her cane regarding
Ranma as if he were a horse at the track.
     "I never give in." Shampoo heard Ranma mutter softly. It was obvi-
ous her great-grandmother did not hear though as Ranma quickly answered
out loud. "I want you to release my family from those ridiculous pro- 
mise. If you wanted me, you should've challenged me."
     "There was nothing ridiculous about those promises, Son-in-law. I
gained them fairly. They were given freely."
     Ranma snorted derisively, and Shampoo flinched visibly from her
position on the floor. No one had ever taken tones like Ranma was taking
with her great-grandmother. She did not want Ranma hurt. "Ranma? Shampoo
not think..."
     "Be quiet Shampoo," Ranma and Cologne snapped simultaneously. Of
the two Shampoo feared the latter more. Though Ranma's had the bite of
anger, his had not been the sharp, cold tone of Cologne's rebuke. Uncon-
sciously, Shampoo moved closer to Ranma. To her relief, Ranma did not
push her away.
     "I'm sure they were freely given, but what choice did they have?
Give  em or let me die? Some choice."
     "It's your own fault, Ranma. I've warned you about flouting Amazon
Law. Our honour must be..."
     "Honour? You call this honour. My father has more honour than you.
But then Oyaji always said that next to food and sleep honour was the
most important part of life."
     "So you're going to break your family's word, disgrace your
father, your mother, Akane? That is like you. I knew your father had
rubbed off on you, Son-in-law." Shampoo stiffened at Cologne's words.
She glanced up at Ranma and only saw an unreadable expression.
     "I never said that."
     "So you are accepting. I knew you were a smart one, Son-in-law."
     "I never said that either. There are more than two options."
     As she tried to fathom Ranma's words, Shampoo heard a small cough-
ing sound and looked at her great-grandmother. Cologne was laughing, a
small smile on her face. "I didn't think you had it in you, Son-in-law." 
     Shampoo pulled herself to her feet as Cologne laughed and clung to
Ranma's arm. "What great-grandmother mean?" she asked fearfully.
     "I'd hate to have all your hard work go to waste, Ghoul." Shampoo
glanced back and forth between the now smiling Ranma and her chuckling
great-grandmother. She couldn't help but feel she was missing something,
but whatever it was remained beyond her grasp. "Once more Cologne.
Release me from the promises." The smile dropped from his lips and the
impact of his words finally hit Shampoo.
     "Iie!" she screamed as she grabbed Ranma's arm in a vice-grip,
"Husband marry Shampoo. Husband promised to Shampoo. Not Violent Girl,
not Spatula Girl, not Crazy girl. Ranma is Shampoo's!" She could feel
the tears on her face as he turned and pried her hands from his biceps.
Their eyes meet at that moment, and a piece of her died as she saw the
sadness in them. He doesn't love me echoed through her mind.     
     Dimly, she heard him speak again. "Release me, Cologne."
     "I don't think so, Son-in-law. Either way I win." Even Shampoo
could hear the malicious glee in Cologne's words.
     Through a haze of tears, Shampoo saw Ranma's reaction. It was a
memory that would haunt her for the rest of her life. His jaw clenched
in frustration. His hand went to a pouch at his side, grasping it
tightly. For several moments his body remained rigid and unmoving, then
he bowed his head in defeat. "As long as the promise can be held, I'll
hold it." His voice was soft and filled with an aching loss. 
     "It is the only choice, eh Son-in-law?" Cologne asked.
     "Not the only. The necessary one." Though a part of her mind told
her she should be happy, Shampoo could only see the sadness on Ranma's
face, the sorrow in his voice, the slump in his shoulders. It was not
the man she had fallen in love with. He had been invincible, a rock
the waves crashed around. Here stood a statue that had finally succumbed
to the elements. Its features rubbed away, the sharp lines of its body
gone. She was not gaining Ranma; she was gaining an empty shell.
     "I will meet you in Juketsuzoku, in two months." Ranma announced,
his voice cutting through Shampoo's depressed thoughts. 
     "You will leave with us. I will also take back my statue,
Son-in-law."
     Suddenly, like a snake striking, Ranma was his old self. "You
don't get the statue back. Ever!" he snapped. "This," his hand grabbed
the pouch, "Stays with me till I die."
     "We will see, Ranma. We leave tomorrow."
     "You may leave tomorrow, but I will not be leaving with you."
     "I don't trust you to meet us in Joketsuzoku," Cologne admitted.
     "I swear."
     "That doesn't hold water with me, Son-in-law."
     "A month in Hong Kong," Ranma suggested.
     "I still don't believe you."
     Ranma did not answer with words, he swung his open hand down on a
chair, shattering the wood. Shampoo saw him intentionally hit it wrong.
A long splinter ripped a gash in his palm. Blood quickly welled up and
began to drip on the floor. Gritting his teeth, Ranma grabbed a napkin
from a table and dipped a finger in his blood. With a few slashes he
made his mark on the napkin and handed it to Cologne. "I swear on the
blood of my ancestors that I will be in Hong Kong in one month." 
     Shampoo watched Ranma in shock. Even if he did not know it, he had
made the strongest oath known to an Amazon. He not only was putting his
honour and his family's honour on the line, but the entire Saotome clan
that had ever lived or ever would live. Cologne knew this, and Shampoo
realized that Ranma had gotten what he wanted.
     "One month," Cologne conceded, "No more, no less. And when we're
in China, we'll talk about the statue." Shampoo heard the implied threat
in the promise this time, but Ranma did not seem to care. He only nodded
and left the restaurant as silently as he had entered.
     Her eyes followed his form as it disappeared down the dark street,
her mind a tumult of emotions and doubts. "Shampoo!" Jumping guiltily,
she glanced over at Cologne. "Go finish cleaning. Tomorrow we start
selling this place. We are going back to China." The words ignited a
fire of joy within Shampoo. She was going back to China and her tribe.
She was going back in honour with a powerful husband. How could she ever
have doubted her great-grandmother? With a small smile, she returned to
the hated cleaning, missing the scowl that darkened Cologne's face as
she hopped back up the stairs.

     Akane glanced at the glowing television screen with bored eyes.
Nothing interesting was on, and she was still tired despite sleeping
most of the day. With a sigh she pushed herself from the couch and
started to walk from the room. "Are you gonna watch anymore of this?"
Nabiki asked. Akane only shook her head in answer. "Okay." The sound
changed as Nabiki began to flip through the channels.
     Murmuring goodnights to her family scattered about the living room,
she left the room and headed for the bathroom. A few minutes later she
was climbing the stairs, her steps slow. Despite being physically tired,
a warm tension filled her heart and body. It was because of Ranma,
because he had returned to her. 
     Waking from her slumber, she had remembered feeling his arms about
her, his comforting words. At the time she had thought it a dream. Her
mind had been too certain that he would never return, but the tray with
two bowls of cold soup and the tea kettle next to her bed had trans-
formed dream into reality. After that, it had been all she could do to
keep herself from beaming like an mooncalf or grabbing everyone into
a loving embrace.
     The only mar on her happiness was worry about Ranma. When they had
talked, she had been paying little attention, concentrating more on him,
the sound of his voice, the feel of his body against her own. She had
only caught tidbits of his words, small fragments that really made no
sense. She knew he had promised never to leave her. She knew he had told
her he loved her. She remembered his concern for her health. Other than
that she only remembered something about Ranma having to go somewhere
for a little while. 
     It was because she could not recall where he had gone, what he had
gone to do, that worry was gnawing at her. In her mind she knew that
he could take care of himself, but because she had almost lost him, she
was being overly protective. Realizing how much he meant to her and
having him disappear again so quickly scarred her. With Cologne and
Shampoo she knew the worst could happen. And what if he went to see
Cologne? She had banished that thought instantly, but she still worried. 
     Despite the worry though, she felt like she was walking on air. A
silly euphoria bubbled within her. More than anything she wanted to see
Ranma again, touch him just to be certain this was not another dream.
After two and a half weeks of suffering, even the fact that he had not
been there when she woke, even the small doubts in the back of her mind
could not suppress her cheer. In a single moment, her life had become
brighter; her psyche lifted from a suicidal plummet to a soaring
ecstasy. Nothing could shatter that. She felt invincible as she walked
into her room.
     After her first step, she halted in shock. The light next to her
desk was on, and in its glow she could see a shadowy form sitting on her
bed. Fear seized her and she felt a scream catch in her throat as she
started to back from the room. "Akane! It's me." Ranma's voice calmed
her fear and she leaned against the door frame in relief for a second
before the anger hit her.
     "What the hell are you doing in my room? In the dark no less," she
demanded sharply. 
     "I-I." Ranma stuttered as he leaned forward a bit.
     "And where the hell did you go, baka?" she asked stepping forward
toward him, swinging the door shut. It latched with an audible click. "I
was worried. What if Cologne drugged you? Or someone else? Sometimes you
can be so dense. Didn't you realize who's looking for you? I didn't go
through all that shit with Cologne to lose you like that." 
     "I-I'm sorry, Akane," Ranma whispered as he leaned forward into
the light. The apology itself was enough to halt Akane's anger, but the
look of sheer exhaustion and defeat in Ranma's face wiped all of her
misplaced rage into her original concern.
     "Ranma, are you okay?" she asked tentatively, taking a few steps
forward and sitting on the bed in front of him.
     "Tired. I've had a busy day," Ranma explained leaning back against
the wall. "I'm sorry I left you. I had to figure things out. I think
I've got this thing worked out."
     "Where'd you go?" Akane asked curiously. 
     "The Nekohanten," Ranma answered absently, his voice sleepy, "But I
got the answer I needed, or at least one that works. I'm sorry that I
didn't tell you, but I had to get it done. I've gotta leave tomorrow. I
have to meet Cologne in Hong Kong in a month."
     "Hong Kong? Cologne?" Akane asked incredulously.
     Ranma continued talking. "So much to do. I've gotta take care of
Mousse. Help Xian Lin. Salvage my honour. So much."
     Akane heard his words and than replayed them in her mind. He
couldn't have said what he had just said. It was impossible. Hadn't he
promised her? Hadn't he said that she meant more than his honour? And
now? Now he was salvaging his honour, going to Hong Kong with Cologne,
dealing with Mousse. He was leaving her.
     Akane could not even muster anger. It was impossible for her mind
to conceive what was happening. Finally a single word traveled through
her mind. Betrayed. He had betrayed her, led her on a leash and cast her
off at the first moment. 
     In her shock she did not even hear him continue to speak, explain- 
ing himself. She wanted to hate him, to hit him, scream at him, but she
was unable to. Instead she felt the tears begin to roll down her cheeks.
It had been her reaction to almost everything over the past few weeks,
and now it came against her will. "No. You can't. You promised to stay
with me. You promised!"
     A spark of anger lit within her, and she threw herself against the
startled and now very awake Ranma. Her fists pummeled against his chest,
more to vent her frustration and grief than to hurt him. She twisted as
his hands grabbed at her shoulders, and her hand slapped him. "You pro-
mised. I won't let you go. You're mine. Not Shampoo's, not Ukyou's, not
Kodachi's, not Raiko's, but mine! Mine!" 
     Ranma grabbed her again. This time she didn't try and move. Her
body went limp, and she collapsed against him. Ineffectually beating her
hands on his chest and shoulders, she twisted in his arms as he pulled
her tightly against him. Envelopping her in a warm glow.
     As time passed her anger cooled and finally died. Ceasing her
struggles she laid against his chest, listening to the frantic pace of
his heart as tears streamed down her face to fall and dry in his silk
shirt.
     "Are you done?" Ranma asked in a voice Akane had heard many parents
take with their small children. He didn't wait for her answer, which was
lucky, since she was unable to even think of an answer. "If you are
done, then you can listen. I promised you that if I ever had to leave
I'd come back. I'm sorry Akane, but I have to leave."
     "Why?"
     "Because of Cologne." His voice burned like acid as he said
Cologne's name forcing Akane to glance up into her fiancee's face. She
quickly turned away as she saw the burning hatred in his eyes. Although
she knew it was not against her, the face she had seen chilled her heart
because it was not Ranma's. It reminded her of a painting she had seen.
A man had been pulling the strings of a puppet, oblivious to the puppet
which was glaring up at him, its lips twisted in a half-smile of eager
glee as the red eyes burned in a wooden face void of emotion. For nights
afterward, she had woken from nightmares of that leering face, and the
face she saw on Ranma was that face.   
     Taking a shallow breath she turned her face upwards and gently
reached out a hand and touched the hideous visage. "Let it go. Please,
Ranma. Something horrible will happen if you continue. Please just stay
with me." Under her hand, she felt his jaw relax, and then his arms were
tightening around her.
     "I wish I could, but it has gone too far. I went to talk to her. I
know I shouldn't have, but I had to try and play her game. I asked her
to ignore the oaths. She wouldn't. She laughed at me and demanded..." He
stopped for a moment as fear crossed his face. 
     "What? What did she demand?" Akane asked fearfully.
     "Nothing. It's not important to you," Ranma answered shaking his
head. "She's wanted me dead all along. She didn't care about Shampoo.
She was going to let me die. Only Toufu-sensei saved me. I know. I could
feel everything happen. And when I confronted her, she laughed. She
laughed like it was some amusing play. I'm not letting that go Akane.
Whatever she might say later, whatever might happen, one day I will
crush her. I will make her apologize."
     "Is it worth losing to do that?" Akane asked.
     "She forced it all on me. I had to give her a blood oath to
please her, dammit!" He lifted his hand in front of her face and she saw
the bandage wrapped tightly around his palm. "How can I deal with a
person like that. She wants the drastic, the unattainable. Well I've
never been beaten, and I will move the earth to defeat her in this. She
won't take you from me."
     "And that's why..." She didn't finish, couldn't finish the thought
as the sheer joy his words caused spread through her. She had won his
heart. It was plain as the sun in the sky.
     "Hai. Tomorrow I leave with Mousse. I'm going to train him. He'll
beat Shampoo, and my claim on her will fall away. I never beat her
fairly, it wasn't a contest. Cologne won't have two feet to stand on
then. She will be disgraced, I will make sure of that, and then return."
     "As long as you come back," she whispered in response. She was too
euphoric to argue with him. She only wanted him to come back and promise
to do that.
     "I will. It will probably take two months to finish this. I promise
I will be back in ten weeks at most. I will always come back to you. I
love you." He glanced down at her, and Akane inwardly gasped. In an
instant his eyes had gone from cold diamonds to vivid pools of water.
Gazing into them, she felt herself slipping away. She was still touching
his cheek, the skin burning her hand and sending a fire across her
nerves. Pulling slightly away from his chest she tilted her head and
gently guided his head down to hers.
     She never broke eye contact until his face was a few inches from
her, then she closed her eyes and pressed up against him, their lips
brushing lightly. She felt Ranma stiffen at first and pull away, but a
moment later he was leaning back into her, their lips touching lightly,
sending chills across her skin and down her spine. 
     Another tentative kiss followed, but this time she pulled him
tighter against her, lengthening the contact, increasing the pressure
and heat between their bodies. A wave of heat passed through her body as
she kissed him, her arms slipping around his neck and holding him
tightly as his lips slid across hers.
     Around her the world disappeared as she lost her self in the
intimate press of their bodies, the sensual play of his lips on hers,
the sweet taste of his kiss. She reveled in the shivering pleasure his
hands left as they caressed her back and stroked her hair. She was no
longer in her room but was floating in the clouds above, wrapped around
her lover, giving herself to him like clay is given to a sculptor,
allowing him to mold her emotions and carry her away.
     Lost in this bliss she was surprised as his tongue gently parted
her lips and tentatively caressed her own. An electric shock ran through
her body, and she responded in like to him, gently pressing back against
his exploring tongue and then slipping past his to share the intimate
kiss with him. 
     It was like nothing she had ever experienced. A shiver of delight
ran down her spine as he caressed her tongue and at times sucked gently
in response to her exploring. Closing her eyes, she allowed him to lead
her as the world disappeared once again and she was falling within
herself. Only their intimate sparring, his ragged breath on her face
when they released the kiss long enough to breathe registered in her
conscious mind. A warm sensation was growing in her stomach and then
slowly began to spread across her body gathering speed and washing
over her before starting once more in her stomach. 
     Akane could feel her heart pounding in her chest beating in time
with Ranma's own. In her ears, their shallow breaths echoed as he
caressed her skin. The sensations were driving her wild, igniting her
entire body on fire as his hands roamed across her body, touching,
caressing. The intoxicating scent of sweat mingled with his distinctive
odour simply deepened her response. Deep inside her mind she knew what
was going to happen, the same thing she had dreamed of since their first
time, and she realized she wanted this more than anything as both a
confirmation and an act of her love for him. 
     Slowly she pulled him down on top of her as she reclined back on
her bed. She ran her hands along his back, feeling the tight play of
muscles, but then he was pulling away from her, pushing himself off of
her, leaving her empty and incomplete. She snapped her eyes open to see
a wild-eyed Ranma staring down at her. He was shaking his head
nervously, looking at her as if she was a leper.
     Disappointment filled her and was quickly followed by anger and
sorrow, but before she could speak her mind, Ranma spoke. "I-I, gods I
almost did it again. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Can you ever
forgive me?"
     "Ranma, what are you talking about?" Instinctively she knew the
problem lay with him and not her. The wild look in his eyes she had
only seen twice before, once when he was kneeling in her room and before
that as he fled from her in the forest, told her so. For the first time
a few pieces of the puzzle that was Ranma snapped into place and she
found a part of him laid bare before her eyes. What she discovered both
worried her and filled her heart.
     Deliberately she rose from the bed until she was kneeling before
him and snaked her arms around his neck. He pulled back slightly, but
she refused to let him go. She kissed him again. It was soft and
reassuring with no threat of the intimacy she realized Ranma feared.
"Akane, I..." 
     "Shh!," she answered pressing a finger against his lips. "Don't
talk, just listen." He nodded in response. "You've gotta stop this,
Ranma. You didn't hurt me. You never did. I wanted to be with you just
as much as you wanted to be with me."
     "I know I didn't ra-ra, force you, but I still took advantage of
you. I can't let that happen again," he argued, shaking his head
vehemently.
     "So you're never going to sleep with me because you're afraid of
taking advantage of me? Of using me? Ranma, how can you use me when I
want to be with you?"
     "But you're sick," Ranma argued lamely.
     "I've felt fine since this afternoon. I've just been sick the past
few mornings, that's all. I'll be fine, especially since I don't have to
worry about you." The last words came out softly as she blushed in em-
barrassment. She was still uncomfortable openly expressing her feelings,
but if she didn't, she feared they would grow apart.
     "If it keeps coming back you should see Toufu-sensei," Ranma
admonished her.
     "Stop changing the subject. How I feel is of little importance
right now," she answered, but shook her head in denial as a thought
crossed her mind. "Actually how I feel is the most important part of
this. Ranma you can't force me or use me or take advantage of me when I
want to be with you. I want to be with you. I've wanted to for so long,"
she finished with downcast eyes, a blush colouring her cheeks.
     "You want to have...?" Ranma left the thought unfinished. 
     Akane did not feel inclined to answer with words. Lifting her face
to his, she kissed him, deepening the kiss as Ranma's muscles relaxed
under her hands. She let the kiss die of its own accord, enjoying the
warmth and scent of his body while they were embraced. 
     When Ranma pulled away from her she found herself swimming in his
eyes again. They were still wary, but the desire and love she saw
smoldering in them drew her more. His eyes ignited the spark within her
that had died with his rejection. Kissing him again, she leaned back
until she was laying on her bed, dragging his comfortable weight on top
of her as she went. 
     "You're leaving me tomorrow," she whispered against his cheek.
"Tonight I want to be with you. Please." She kissed his cheek and ran
her lips across the rough skin of his jaw as he pressed down into her.
She felt his body begin to relax, his hands flow across her body as he
nuzzled her neck. She felt his breath vibrate against the sensitive skin
of her neck as he whispered, "Anything for you, anything for my Akane."
But by then words were not needed.

     The room was lit with the dim glow of early morning when Ranma
opened his eyes. He tried to stretch but found his arm trapped. Confused
he glanced down to find Akane snuggled against his chest, her head cra-
dled on his arm. Though at first surprised and worried by her presence,
his body and mind relaxed as the previous night's events unfolded in his
sleep fogged memory.
     Sinking back into the pillows and warm sheets, he pulled her warm
body tightly against him and soaked in the peace that flowed from her
closeness. Even after their night together, the sweet scent of her hair
still surrounded him. Closing his eyes, he rested his chin on her hair
as his hands gently caressed her body.
     For the first time in his life, he felt whole and fulfilled. It was
not only because he had made love to her, but that was part of it.
Though they had been together once before, this time it had opened a
different world inside of his soul. At the moment he remembered little
of the physical side of the night. Although her body was familiar under
his hands, he could not tell what they had done besides make love. It
had gone beyond physical pleasure for him. For a time they had been one;
two souls, intertwined completely, submerging their identities until
Ranma and Akane had not existed as separate people.
     That completeness was with him even now, and he was reluctant to
remove himself from her arms. If it was possible, he would have remained
beside her for the rest of the day, but he knew he had things to do. It
was still hard to force himself to move, though. More than anyone he
understood how long it would be before he saw her again. He had promised
ten weeks, but in the back of his mind he was expecting to be gone at
least three months, but it was worth it. Three months was a small price
to spend his life with Akane.
     With that in mind he slowly untangled Akane from his arms, and
slipped from the bed. She mumbled when he finally slid out of the bed
causing him to halt and glance back at her. She was reaching for him.
He saw her hand search the bed and pillow next to her. After a moment
she stirred a little and opened her eyes. "Ranma?" She called out
looking at the empty space next to her. "Ranma!" There was fear in her
voice this time as she turned to him. Ranma watched as relief flooded
through her face when she found him standing beside her bed.
     Although he would have preffered slipping away quietly, after
seeing Akane's reaction to his absence, he felt lucky that she had
woken. He did not want to hurt her anymore. "I've gotta get going,"
Ranma explained as he began searching her room for his clothes. 
     "Just like a man to sleep and leave," Akane answered. 
     Ranma, busy pulling on his boxers, missed the playfulness in the
reply. "You know I've gotta go," Ranma explained. "If not because I need
to train Mousse and make sure Shampoo has no claim on me, then because
of this." He held up his bandaged hand.
     "I was only teasing," Akane answered in a hurt voice.
     Her tone halted Ranma as he was pulling on his dark trousers. He
looked up at her and saw the dew of tears in her eyes. Idiot, he berated
himself. Quickly pulling on his pants, he grabbed his shirt as he went
to her bedside. "I'm sorry, Akane. I've just got a lotta things on my
mind right now." He kissed her forehead. "I promise I'll be back."
     "But what if you don't? What if you get hurt, or d-d-die?" He could
hear the fear in her voice and did not know how to react to it. He knew
there was very little chance of him dying. She had to realize that.
Besides he had promised, and she knew he had never broken his word. How
much more did she want from him?
     "I'll crawl back and die in your arms then. Besides, no one can
beat me in a fair fight." he answered lightly, but changed his tone as
he saw her worried expression. "No matter what, Akane. I'm coming back.
How could I not? You're all I have now." He pulled her tightly against
him and held her. He could feel the warmth of her body pressed against
his bare chest, her heart pounding rapidly in her breast. For a moment
he wanted to join her in bed and show her how much he loved her, but he
did not have time. There was also the fact that he was still hesitant
about such things. He could not bring himself to make an advance on her,
and last night had been more than satisfying for him; so why not for her
also?
     "I trust you," Akane whispered against his chest. "You'd never
break a promise. Just try and hurry. I'll be waiting for you, Ran-chan."
     Ranma smiled and pulled away from her reluctantly. "I'll write or
something," he promised as he slipped on his shirt and then tied the
pouch that held the idol around his waist.
     "Baka!" Akane rebuked him, "Where are you going to find a mailman
in China or wherever you're going? You are so dense sometimes."
     Ranma shrugged. "Maybe I'll see Ryouga. If I was on the moon, I
wouldn't be surprised if he showed up."
     Akane threw a pillow at him which he dodged. "Leave Ryouga alone.
What has..." Akane stopped as she grimaced.
     Ranma was back by her side in an instant. "Are you okay?"
     She nodded her head and gave him a wan smile. "I'll be fine. I
guess I wasn't completely over that flu. Don't worry it comes a goes.
See." She smiled for him and kissed his cheek. "It's already gone."
     Ranma was torn between conflicting duties. He wanted to stay until
Akane was better, but he needed to get going. He only had a month to
train Mousse, and he was doubting whether it would be enough. "Go see
Toufu-sensei. Promise me you will." It relieved him when Akane nodded in
agreement. Although he wasn't completely satisfied, it was enough to
allow him to go without feeling he had deserted her.
     "I've really gotta go before anyone wakes up." He kissed her
forehead again and then her lips. Akane didn't let him get away with a
short peck, but a little delay was worth one of her kisses. When he
broke the kiss, he smiled at her. "Ten weeks. I promise, Akane-chan. Now
go back to sleep." She smiled at him and slipped under the covers again,
curling into the warmth of the bed.
     "I love you, Ranma," she said, her voice already becoming sleepy.
     "Me too," Ranma smiled and disappeared out her door. He quickly
padded to his room and slipped inside. His father was curled up as a
panda on the floor, snoring loudly. Though he wasn't worried about
waking his father, Ranma moved about the room quietly and gathered all
of his gear together and then began packing.
     A few minutes later he was descending the stairs. He skipped the
creaking third stair by leaping over it and landing softly at the base
of the stairs. He then went into the kitchen. He needed food, and
decided that the Tendou stores would have to do. What he didn't count on
was Kasumi cleaning the kitchen.
     He stopped in his tracks as he saw her and she saw him. Smiling
sheepishly, he walked into the kitchen, dropping his backpack on the
floor. She returned his smile and took in his traveling clothes and
camping gear. "Are you going somewhere, Ranma-kun?" she asked in a sweet
voice.
     "I've gotta go to China for a while."
     A sad expression flitted across Kasumi's face for a second. "So
you're agreeing to the promises?"
     "No, I've..I'm gonna try and find a way out of them. Please don't
tell anyone. I don't want the ghoul to find out. She thinks I'm going
along with her."
     "What about Akane? Are you just going to leave her? I don't want
her hurt anymore." Kasumi said in a worried voice.
     Ranma blushed and scuffed his foot against the floor. "Ah-I-I
already told her. She understands. She doesn't like it, but things will
work out. I'm not too worried about it. But I want her to be okay."
Ranma stopped speaking for a moment. He did not want to give too much
away, but he wanted to be sure that he was not deserting Akane. "Will
you make sure she goes to Toufu-sensei. She's still sick, and-and I'm
worried about her?" Ranma asked in an embarrassed whisper.
     "Of course I will, Ranma-kun. I'd never let anything hurt,Akane."
She gave him a quick glance, causing Ranma to start guiltily. "I hope
everything works out. We've missed you these past weeks." Kasumi answered
in a cheerful voice, her normal expression of blissful content returning
to her face. "Now why don't we get you some food for your trip?"
     "Arigato, Kasumi," Ranma answered a little nevrously as he followed
her around the kitchen. Several minutes later he was heading out the
back door as Kasumi watched him.
     "Ranma?" He stopped and turned as Kasumi spoke. "If things don't
work out. You'll always be welcome here."
     "Arigato, Oneechan." Then he was out the Tendou gate, leaving
Kasumi slightly stunned yet smiling and happy. Maybe the situation was
not as hopeless as she thought. Time without Ranma could be a blessing
in disguise. It was time that she could use to build up her younger
sister's confidence, teach her the skills she had always lacked. Her
mind filled with new possibilities and bright prospects, Kasumi returned
to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. Soon a cheerful song
could be heard floating on the wind. 

     Mousse nervously paced back and forth. He was waiting across the
gate to the Tendou's backyard as he had been for nearly two hours.
Although Ranma had said to meet him there as the sun rose, he had been
unable to wander the city of Nerima all night. His steps had finally
brought him here, and here he had stayed.
     Now the sun had risen and was starting to climb into the sky.
Ranma was late, and it worried Mousse. If Ranma had lied to him and this
was just a trick to keep him out of the way, he was going to kill the    
son-of-a-bitch. Shampoo would be his bride if he had to rip out his own
heart and give it to her.
     He continued to pace back and forth his worry and anger increasing
to a furious pitch. Just as he was about to explode, the gate to the
Tendou household swung open and Ranma stepped out, a backpack slung
across his shoulder and soft smile on his lips. Mousse stopped in his
tracks and starred at Ranma, relief flooding through him.
     "What took you so long?" Mousse demanded in an irritated voice.
     "I had to say a few goodbyes," Ranma answered with a casual wave
of his hand. "C'mon, we've gotta get going. We only have a month and
then I've gotta be in Hong Kong."
     "Why?"
     Ranma held up his bandaged hand. "I made a blood promise to Cologne
to be in Hong Kong in a month. If I hadn't, who knows what might've
happened."
     "I see. You're smarter than you look, Saotome."
     "Thanks," Ranma answered dryly, "Just watch your mouth. I don't
wanna hurt you, I wanna make you a better fighter. You're my student
now, and a little respect is in order." 
     "Gomen, Ranma," Mousse apologized, "You were late, and I was
angry."
     "No prob," Ranma answered, "But we've gotta get going." With that
Ranma settled his backpack in place and began to walk away. Mousse
quickly grabbed his small pack and followed.
     "Where are we going?"
     Ranma shrugged his shoulders. "Wherever. We'll wander and train
until we get to Hong Kong, then you'll fight Shampoo."
     "If you say so," Mousse responded. Unlike Ranma, he was not certain
things would be that easy. He understood the Amazons much better than
Ranma ever could, and because of that he knew that eventually problems
would arise, slight flaws neither of them could hope to guess at, and
only he could possibly understand. Despite his misgivings, he was not
about to shatter Ranma's illusions. There were contests that he was
unable to win unless he improved. If he wasn't trained by Ranma, he
would never have a chance. He needed this training more than anything,
so he remained silent and followed his new teacher as they left Nerima.

     Opening the door, Akane stepped into the waiting room of Toufu- 
sensei's clinic. She was relieved to see the room empty, mostly because
she was using her lunch hour to see Toufu and because she was embar-
rassed to seek him out for something as harmless as the flu. Kasumi,
however, had insisted that she go see Toufu. Akane was sure Ranma had
told Kasumi that she was not feeling well, and although it annoyed her,
it felt nice to have someone worry over her like that. 
     Even if it was because of concern for her well-being, she did not
want to be here. She had been sick before and a little nausea was not
going to get her down. Besides hadn't she felt a little better this
morning? Unlike the day before she hadn't thrown up, although she had to
fight the feeling down. It wasn't a marked improvement, but it was an
improvement. She had been able to make herself go to school, despite the
lingering queasiness that had lasted much of the morning. So what was
the problem?
     Maybe she stayed because she wasn't sure there wasn't a problem.
Or maybe it was because Mio and Yuka had commented on how green she
looked. Whatever had prompted her, whether Kasumi and Ranma, or her
friends, she had come and she knew it would be silly to leave now.
Besides she was getting tired of being sick. A little medicine wouldn't
hurt.
     With this in mind, she entered the pristine waiting room and sat
down on a cushioned chair, nervously grabbing a magazine. A few moments
later Toufu-sensei came out of one of the back rooms, and smiled at her.
"How are you doing, Akane-chan?" he asked as he walked over to her.
Akane hurriedly droped the magazine and looked up at Toufu-sensei.
     As always, Toufu was dressed in his plain gi, open at the chest to
reveal a triangle of slightly tanned skin. He carried himself confident-
ly with an easy graceful stride, his hands moving fluidly by his side.
From experience, Akane knew how skilled those hands were, soft and gen- 
tle yet strong as they tended her hurts. It was those hands and the
smiling face that had drawn her to him, but that was before Ranma had
entered her life. Her affection for Ranma didn't deter her affection for
him, or her gratitude. According to Ranma, she owed Toufu his life. For
that and much more, he was and always would be very special to her.
     "I wanted to thank you, for Ranma," she said blushing a little
under his knowing gaze.
     "I like him too, Akane-chan," he answered, placing a hand on her
shoulder, "And he did not deserve that."
     "I know. It's just that..I'm sorry for doubting you," she blurted.
"I wasn't thinking right. I shouldn't have said what I did. You were
right. There always is hope." She could feel her eyes begin to mist. "He
came back to me. He said Cologne wanted him dead, and you saved him. I
can't thank you enough."
     "I'm a doctor, Akane," Toufu answered as he sat beside her, his
arm encircling her shoulder. "If I don't look after you both and help
you, than I don't serve a purpose. Now why don't you tell me why you
came here. Ranma was already here. He thanked me enough for both of
you."
     Akane smiled shyly. "I could never fool you, Toufu-sensei. Ranma
and Kasumi wanted me to see you. I've sorta been sick, and they were
worried."
     "Well, why don't you come in the back, and I'll take a look at
you," Toufu suggested as he pulled her to her feet.
     "No really, I'm fine," Akane protested. "It comes and goes that's
all."
     "Why don't you let me decide that, Akane-chan. It is my job after
all," Toufu admonished her as he led her into an examination room. She
allowed him to guide her to the table and then she hopped onto it of her
own accord as he went about the room gathering his equipment.
     "What is wrong exactly? Do you have a fever or is it just exhaus-
tion, or something else?" He asked as he grabbed a stethoscope and op-
thomoscope from one of the many drawers.
     "I'm tired a lot, but I think that's from these last few weeks. I
guess it's the nausea I don't like."
     Toufu laughed a little. "Most people don't like nausea, Akane- 
chan. Are you feeling sick right now?" he asked as he walked over and
began to check her lymph nodes.
     "No. It only seems to come in the morning and sometimes at night.
Yesterday I didn't feel better until the afternoon. I even threw up a
few times, but I was worried about Ranma. No one knew where he was."
     "Worry sometimes upsets the body, but I've never heard of it coming
and going like that. There are a few things that might cause that and
one or two that definitely would. Whatever it is, I don't think it is
the flu or worry, especially since none of your lymph nodes are
swollen."
     "Then what's the matter with me?" Akane asked in a fearful voice.
A thought suddenly entered her mind. Her mother had been sick a lot
before she died, throwing up and complaining of nausea and dizziness,
being too tired to work in the house. "It's not what my mother..It
couldn't be that, could it?" She began to tremble uncontrollably. 
     Toufu grabbed her shoulders. "Don't overreact. I seriously doubt
you have cancer. What your mother had doesn't show up until it is too
late, and I've been testing you girls every year. None of you seem to
have inherited it. So don't overreact. There are a lot of simple solu-
tions. Now all I want are a few more answers and then I'll run some
tests, and we'll know what's wrong. Okay?"
     "Hai," Akane answered with an embarrassed blush.
     "Have you been eating regularly?" Akane nodded. "How about sleep?
Have you gotten enough?" Akane nodded again. Toufu frowned a bit and
then asked another question. "When was your last period?"
     "About two weeks ago, I think. It was all so confusing with what
was going. But I don't remember it a week ago, and three weeks ago was
when Ranma got out of the hospital, just before all this happened. It
had to have been two weeks...Oh god!..I..last night..Ranma and me...we
didn't use any protection!"
     Her outburst stopped Toufu's scribbling and he looked at her.
"You've been sleeping with Ranma?"
     "Just twice," Akane hurriedly explained, her mind still whirling
from the sudden shock. "Five weeks ago and last night, but last night we
didn't...I could be.." She couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes
and spilled down her cheeks.
     "Akane, I wouldn't worry about last night. You've been under a lot
of stress and that generally throws off your cycle. You've always been
regular, haven't you?" She nodded her head absently, too worried to hear
the uncertainty in Toufu's voice. "Let me just get a few samples and
I'll test them, okay? I'll have this problem tracked down in about an
hour." Numbly, Akane nodded her head and taking the proffered cup from
Toufu, made her way to the bathroom.

     It was Ranma's fault. Everything was Ranma's fault. His curse, his
bad luck, his inability to confess his feelings and now he was again
lost because of Ranma. Even if Ranma had not been at the Tendou dojo, it
was still his fault. By being gone he had forced Ryouga to go and look
for the bathroom so he could change back into a man and tell Akane how
he truly felt. That had been four weeks ago, and he still hadn't found
the bathroom yet, only a famished sumo wrestler's cooking pot, and that
had to be Ranma's fault too!
     Deep down he knew he was being irrational, but then again ration-
ality and Ranma were not close friends. Besides, four weeks was longer
than he had been lost since he had traversed the length and breadth of
China and Japan to find Nerima and Ranma a year and a half ago. Four
weeks in which his beloved Akane was left in the presence of Ranma where
she could be hurt and mocked and made just plain miserable. He hated it
when he was lost. During those times, Akane had no protector, no
confidant. Being lost was almost like betraying her, and betraying her
burned like a fire-brand in his side.  
     Growling in frustration, he took a quick glance up to see where he
was. Turning his head to the left he saw shops and people as the Neko-
hanten passed by on his right. He then craned his neck to the right as
he turned a corner and began walking down another unfamiliar street. Why
was he cursed with this infernal sense of direction? He had no answer to
that one, so it had to be Ranma's fault. 
     Cursing Ranma under his breath, Ryouga continued to wander Nerima
until he was sick of walking and dizzy from hunger. Sitting down against
a fence, he pulled out the last of the dried rations he had been eating
since his money had disappeared two weeks ago.
     Biting down on the bland victuals, he mulled over his problems. It
was not just Ranma that had his emotions wound tighter than a spring and
his mind a chaotic whirl of uncertainty. For the longest time he had
been doubting his love for Akane because of a small girl named Akari. 
     It stupefied him more than anything. He knew he cared for Akane,
but when he thought of Akari he felt the same warm glow within himself.
At moments like that he almost envied Kunou who had given into the
madness and stopped dealing with his problems. Ryouga knew it would be
easy to do such a thing, but he also knew what Akane's reaction would be
if he became like Kunou, and he could only guess at Akari's. So he
continued to let his problem spin around him and he did nothing about
it, hoping it would resolve itself.
     Yet six months had passed since he had meet Akari, and nothing had
come of it. She claimed to love him, she was willing to wait for him and
was always ecstatic when he stumbled upon her home. But Akane had won
his heart first, and although she did not know of his curse, he knew she
adored her P-chan and eagerly awaited his return. But what about him?
Whenever he returned she took it in stride. She would wave hello and
smile at him. Sometimes she'd stick up for him against Ranma, and she
had been interested in his adventures when they had been together at his
home, even though Ranma had ruined it with his dumb disguise.
     Once again this thoughts turned to Ranma and he smashed a crater
into the asphalt road with his fist. Always Ranma. He just wanted a
moment alone with Akane so he could express how he felt. Maybe she did
love him or care for him enough to give him a chance. That was all he
wanted, a chance, but there was no chance form him. By being her confi- 
dant, he knew, despite how much he tried to deny it, that she genuinely
cared for Ranma, but how about him? Was there a place for Hibiki Ryouga
in her heart? That is what he wanted to find out.
     If there was, he knew he would pursue her to the ends of the earth
and find a way to defeat Ranma. If she didn't, he knew he would be happy
with Akari, but he still loved Akane, had loved her first and would
always care for her. Why didn't she see that?    
     He sighed and put away the rest of his rations. One thing traveling
had taught him was to conserve food. He did not know when he might get
another supply so he tried to make what he had last and pick up more
whenever he could.
     He knew sitting here was not going to help him find Akane. Nor was
it going to end his problems any sooner. Pushing himself to his feet, he
straightened his pack and raised his head to choose a direction to
proceed in. What he saw stopped him though. The Tendou Dojo stood before
him in all its quaint glory. 
     A wave of joy swept through him. Tonight he'd get to sleep with his
beloved Akane-chan, and maybe he would get a chance at besting Ranma. He
still owed Ranma one too many scores to let him go off easy. Leaping
into the Tendou backyard, he stowed his gear in the dojo and quickly
splashed himself with cold water before venturing into the house.
     With Ryouga, however, it became a real adventure as he traversed
the house from one end to the other, top to bottom, searching in vain
for his owner's' bedroom. After wandering into the closet for the fifth
time, he bweed in frustration and plopped his rump on the floor in the
middle of the hallway. Waiting for Akane was the best thing he could
do. He was not going to take the chance of getting lost again.
     Kasumi found him like that an hour later when she almost tripped
over him. "Bwee!" Ryouga squealed in fear, as Kasumi, who was carrying
a laundry basket, planted a foot an inch in front of his head. The
reaction was predictable. Kasumi jumped backward dropping the clothes
basket beside Ryouga, spilling clean clothes over him.
     "Oh, I'm sorry, P-chan," Kasumi exclaimed as she quickly began to
pick up the clothes. Ryouga squealed his own apology and tried to shake
off the annoying article of clothing that was wrapped around him. 
     Kasumi turned to face him as he squealed and began laughing as she
saw what the little pig was struggling with. "That doesn't suit you at
all, P-chan."  Ryouga found himself lifted as he tried to remove the
straps that were wrapping around his small legs, missing Kasumi's state-
ment. He did not miss the bra she disentangled from him, however.
     Blushing furiously, even for a pig, he scrambled out of Kasumi's
grip, accidentally scattering the clothes once more. "Now you're being a
nuissance, P-chan. I can't have you ruining my work all day long. I
think you'd be better in Akane's room." Ryouga nodded furiously, agree-
ing with Kasumi as she motioned for him. 
     He went to her, and she picked him up. Cradling him in her arms,
she took him upstairs and depositied him on the bed. "You stay here,  
P-chan. I'll get you some food andsome thing to drink," she said as she
turned to walk from the room. She stopped at the door though and looked
back. "I'm glad you came back, P-chan. It's going to make Akane very
happy, and she needs something to cheer her up, especially with what is
going on." The door closed, locking P-chan in Akane's room, completely
confused by Kasumi's words and just as worried.

     Nervously, Akane sat on the edge of the examination table and
twiddled her thumbs as her eyes moved about the room fixing on nothing
but noticing everything. She felt sick to her stomach and worry and ner-
vousness were sending her insides turning as her mind whirled in fright.
She wanted to get out of the clinic and just run until everything dis-
appeared, but she couldn't she had to know what was wrong, if she was...
She violently shook her head. She wasn't. She had had her period. But
she wasn't sure anymore.
     After Toufu had left her alone, she had begun doubting her own
memory. She had thought she had had it, but the last few weeks had been
so confusing that she could not determine whether she had or hadn't. And
if she had had it, what about last night. She and Ranma hadn't used pro-
tection. She hadn't even thought about it. Could she be? Was she? She
didn't want to know. 
     She wanted to deny it, to make it go away. But the chance and facts
remained, and she was terrified that she knew what the answer was. For
an hour those thoughts swam in her head, causing her unending torture
and doubt. Where was Toufu? How long could it take? Maybe she was just
sick, or maybe it was something like cancer. How could he know for sure?
But maybe it was just nerves and nervous tension.
     She hoped it was the latter. She did not want to have to deal with
any of the others. Especially by herself. She wouldn't have Ranma. He
was gone for almost three months. She did not even know where he was
going except Hong Kong, and finding a person in Hong Kong would be
impossible. So she was left behind to suffer on her own. It scared her
more than anything ever had. 
     "Just please let it be nerves," she whispered over and over again.
But it did not help, and the tension continued to mount until she felt
as if she was going to burst, and then the door clicked open. 
     Fearfully, she faced the door and watched Toufu-sensei walk into
the room. Her heart dropped as she saw his face drawn up in worry and
almost sorrow. She was already shaking her head as he spoke. "I'm sorry,
Akane. You're pregnant."
     She felt her world begin to spin as her voice choked out a stran-
gled sob. She couldn't be. She couldn't be pregnant. But she saw the
serious look on Toufu's face, the pity in his eyes. Her emotions broke
and she began sobbing uncontrollably into her hands.
     Dimly, she felt Toufu embrace her and begin to rock her back and
forth, but she wasn't interested. "I'm pregnant" kept repeating itself 
over and over in her mind as if it were a judgement cast against her.
She was pregnant and Ranma wasn't there. She was alone again. She was
lost. She didn't know what to think or do and so just clung to Toufu and
cried her heart out in fear, desperation, and despair.


     Author's Notes:

     Don't look at me like that. You all knew it was coming. I dropped
enough hints. I practically beat you over the head with it. So I had to
do it...well maybe I didn't have to do it, but it would have been silly
to end it with "Akane you've got a rare case of the flu...." But the
original premise of the story was to deal with an Akane pregnancy, and
although it is now just another part of the story, I don't want to
change it because then I'd have to rethink all of my future chapters.
And you don't want me to do that, do you? Don't answer that. It was
rhetorical.
     What is there to talk about? Well as always I'd like to thank my
pre-readers. They are doing a great job and helping me find the problems
in this mess. Believe me it is a mess.
     As you've probably guessed by now, I have a little more realistic
view of the characters, or maybe a fantasy novel view. I like to find
out why they are like this and so I'm changing the characters as I go
along and creating backgrounds that seem consistant with the characters.
Of course some of these backgrounds I'm pulling outta my arse, but not
in a bullshit way. I'm trying to stay true to the characters, but at the
same time I'm trying to give them a depth that just sin't there. We all
know that Akane is violent and Kodachi insane and Kunou kinda insane and
all the others, but why? And that is one of the questions I'm trying to
answer in my series. That is one reason you might see Ranma as less of a
boy in my story(that and the fact that he's had a lot happen to him),
and Akane less prone to violence at times(note the at times). Some
characters will remain more true because I just can't decide how to
explain them yet. 
     If some of you are wondering why I didn't put a lime warning or
someting like that in the begining. It is because this is a drama, and
I've found that drama is real life and I shouldn't have to make a
disclaimer. Violence, hatred, language, death, heartache, love, sex, and
hundreds of other interactions make up our lives and as such I think I
can not worry about saying this section is dark, or this is sad or this
has sexual situations. As a whole, you should expect that from my work.
I will guarantee one thing. There won't ever be a full lemon scene in my
story. At least I can see no place where one is needed. And I guess that
is the key. Is what I write needed to the story. And I say yes even if
some ight disagree and say that it is not, but I believe in life and
life is not a bright cheerful place with super-deformed people running
around catching butterflies. Sounds boring doesn't it. Any way consider
this Author's Note as my discalimer for the entire series. 
     Expect the unexpected, anticipate the worst, hope for the best and
just enjopy the tale I weave.

     Thanks for your time and the interest in my story.

     Joseph Ashira Kohle

     "To write is easy, to write well is difficult,
      To write and inspire is a gift"
     "To write is to see the Pattern of Human thought"

          -words to myself


  ----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----
   All rights and priveleges to Ranma Nibunnoichi       
   belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The characters of her        
   series are used without her permission for the       
   purpose of entertainment only. This work of fic-
   tion is not meant for sale or profit.                    
                                                                         
   All original characters are the creation of the
   author. All copyright privileges to these chara-
   cters are reserved for the author.

   This story is a product of the author's hard work    
   and imagination. Do not modify, add to, or make 
   use of any part of this work without the author's 
   knowledge and consent. Please feel free to archive 
   this work.                             
            
   Comments and criticism are welcome.                   
   Written by Joseph A. Kohle, (c) 1997.                 
   Send all comments to Ashira@worldnet.att.net
   Find my fanfics at 
   http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/index.html