Not all bugs squashed.  I've made minor changes.  Ranma does NOT have a
curse.  I think he has enough problems.  Oh yeah, well, otherwise, I did
try to
change somethings, as I felt that I need something compelling to keep people
reading.

Oh yeah, I think this story's tone is basically set by the lurking doom from 
Finals.

Chapter 1: Marriage?

    "What!"  Ranma shouted at his mother.  "You're going to 
remarry!"  Ranma stared incredulously at his mother, who looked 
slightly nervous.  Nodoka Saotome, a widow of six years, had 
finally felt that her children lacked a fatherly figure in their 
life, and she had spent a good two years searching for an 
appropriate man.  Fortunately, she had found one.

    But something else was more important.  "Now, Ranma, please 
calm down so I can explain."  Nodoka tried to soothe her only son, 
before anything could happen.  It was not safe to keep Ranma 
agitated for a long time, and with ever second spent not calm, 
Ranma was closer and closer to death.

    Ranko dumped a bucket of cold water on Ranma, which helped him, 
or rather her, to stop shouting.  "Hey Ranma, cool off, or your 
blood pressure's going to go too high."  The combined efforts of 
his mother, sister, and the pail of icy cold water were effective, 
and Ranma silenced his anger.

    Nodoka sighed somewhat in relief.  The doctors had told her 
that her son's recovery from the accident was a miracle, but for 
the rest of his life, he would suffer from a weak constitution.  
She had to admire her son's tenacity to try to resume a life of a 
martial artist.  He worked hard, he practiced, he trained.  

    At first, Nodoka let her son pursue his dreams of becoming a 
martial artist, but after finding him collapsed on the dojo floor, 
she was adamant in not letting him pursue his dreams.

    "Well, we are going to the Tendo's for dinner, and that's final.
  Mr. Tendo is a good friend of your fathers and he is a good 
father as well.  I'm sure your father would be proud to have Mr. 
Tendo raise you."

    Ranma shot his mother a resentful look, before leaving the 
kitchen quickly.  Nodoka's face was that of slight exasperation.  
There was no telling what Ranma was capable of doing when he was 
angered.  Ranko smiled encouragingly to her mother, and followed 
Ranma out the door.  Well, Ranko didn't have to move far, as Ranma 
was already leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.  

    Ranko tried her best to contain her anger.  "Brother, if you 
have a fascination for death, by all means, exhaust yourself to 
death.  Mother and I feel sorry for you, but don't think that we 
are going to sacrifice 100% of our lives to your standards.  Mom 
has always been there to support you, and I think it's about time 
that you helped her.  Don't blow it at dinner time, or ELSE."  
Ranko tried her best to look threatening, but she failed miserably.

    Ranma his entire life had in some way or another looked after 
her.  Before the accident, he kept the bullies away from his sister,
 and on a few occasions beat the stuffing out boys who mocked his 
sister's preference for pants and boy's clothing.  After the 
accident, he helped his sister with her school work.  Ranma made a 
brief laugh, as he watched his sister try to be stern.

    Grumbling a bit, Ranma looked the other way.  "Fine.  I won't 
be rude at dinner."  Ranko smiled a bit.  "Hey, will you quit 
smiling at me? "  Ranma grumbled even more, as he thought of the 
Herculean task of keeping his mouth shut during dinner.  "Well, 
I've got homework to do.  If you need any help, you know I'll be in 
my room."

* * *

    Soun sat uneasily at the head of the table.  He truly didn't 
know what to say, or what to expect.  During the past couple years, 
he felt guilty for lying to his children about his trips and such.  
In truth, he was really dating Nodoka Saotome, the wife of his late 
friend who had died in a tragic accident.  Surprisingly, both of 
them found the other to be rather interesting and a month ago, Soun 
finally scraped up the courage and money to buy an engagement ring.

    Nabiki sounded a little impatient, but nevertheless still 
agreeable.  "Ok, what's the important news?"

    Soun started to talk.  "Well, it's about me in fact..."

    "I'm home!"  Akane entered the room, and looked quizzically at 
her father seated as if he had an important thing to say.  Dropped 
off yet another gift from her boyfriend, Akane sat down next to 
Nabiki, who seemed to look enviously at her younger sister.

    "So what happened?  Tatewaki gave you a gift?"

    Akane smiled.  "Yes, it was our one year anniversary, and he 
gave me a ring and matching necklace."  Akane had to admit, it was 
strange that she finally agreed to date Kuno that fateful day, one 
year ago.  Before, she had merely thought of Kuno as a rather long 
winded individual, who was really into Shakespeare and into girls.  
But surprisingly enough, he turned out to be an extremely faithful 
person.  However, his sister was a different story altogether.

    Soun looked at the conversation that was developing in front of 
him, and every time he tried to speak, either Akane or Nabiki would 
cut him off.  Fortunately his oldest daughter came into the room 
with some tea.  "Please, let Father speak."  Immediately, Akane and 
Nabiki silenced.

    Soun found himself wishing that Akane and Nabiki had continued 
their conversation, because now, given the green light to tell his 
secret, he found himself not so sure.  "Well, um.  I, um..."  Soun 
found himself stumbling over his words, and he looked helpless as 
he floundered around.

    Kasumi sighed.  "I believe, Father, that you intend to tell us 
about the Saotomes."  Soun's face turned paper-white.  Apparently, 
his well kept secret wasn't so well kept.  

    "Well, we're going to have guests over for dinner, and I want 
you all to be dressed nicely and be on your best behaviors."  Soun 
breathed a sigh of relief, as he finally postponed his announcement 
a few hours.  He knew that Nodoka-chan would be able to take care 
of everything.

    Kasumi only shook her head.

* * *

    The doorbell rang twice, in a brief succession.  Akane and 
Nabiki were both seated on the back porch, talking about various 
things.  "Nabiki, do you think they're here?"  Akane absentmindedly 
fingered her necklace as they heard Kasumi answer the door.

    "Ah, Ms. Saotome.  Please come in."  Kasumi bowed very deeply 
to Nodoka, and allowed the Saotome family to enter.

    Nodoka smiled.  "You're Kasumi, right?  No need to be so formal.
  My, I like what you've done to this home."  Nodoka walked into 
the house, but Ranma stood warily at the door.  Somehow, he just 
couldn't summon the energy to lift his foot and go into the home.  
Before he could even begin to deliberate whether he should go 
through dinner at this place, or go get some ramen from a 
restaurant, Ranko pushed him in the door.

    "Hurry it up, will you!"

    Nabiki turned around, and saw Kasumi leading three people in.  
There was a rather beautiful woman, and two teenagers, all were 
obviously related.  Perhaps it was the eyes.  There was something 
about the boy that she couldn't quite put her finger on it.  She 
did see him before.

    Soun was a little bit in the quick side to rush over and greet 
the newcomers.  "Ah, Nodoka!  Welcome to our home.  Here are my 
daughters, Akane, Nabiki, and Kasumi."  He pointed all of his 
daughters out, and each was polite enough to say hi or wave.

    Nodoka smiled.  "What beautiful daughters."  Ranma almost 
snorted.  To him, he felt that Nodoka was trying to replace his 
father.  Ranma could remember when he last saw his father, just 
before his father died.  Ranko could see Ranma clench his fists.

    Ranko whispered into Ranma's ears.  "What's wrong?"

    Nabiki too had reservations about having guests over.  'Hmph, 
it's one of Father's attempts to find a "decent mother."  Great.'  
Nabiki feigned a smile.

    Nodoka gestured to Ranma and Ranko.  "These are my children, 
Ranma and Ranko."

    Akane and Kasumi were both rather friendly, but Nabiki remained 
aloof.  Kasumi suddenly remembered that she left something on the 
stove.  "Oh great!  I forgot something.  Father, dinner should be 
ready in thirty minutes."  Kasumi rushed out of the room.

    Akane felt particularly cheerful that day, so she decided to 
talk a bit with Ranma and Ranko.  "Hey, so how do you guys feel?"

    Ranma immediately looked the other way and muttered something 
that seemed to be "I'm fine, and you?"

    Ranko elbowed her brother in the ribs, and Akane was surprised 
to see Ranma fall back, winded.  He did seem visually to be in 
excellent shape.  Ranko practically gasped, and pulled her brother 
up.

    "So what do you two like to do?"  Akane looked at Ranma and his 
younger sister.  Immediately Ranma shrugged his shoulders, but 
Ranko answered immediately.

    "I like martial arts."  Akane's eyebrow raised, since she was 
also interested in martial arts.  

    Akane smiled as a plan formed in her head.  "Hey, you two want 
to spar with me?"  Ranma's face twisted slightly while Ranko showed 
immediate interest.  Ranma sighed, and nodded, knowing that his 
sister would more than gladly spar.

* * *

    Akane stood across from Ranko, her hair slightly messy with a 
slight grin on her face.  Ranko was pretty good, in fact she had a 
vast advantage in speed.  However, Akane had the advantage in 
technique and training, and on numerous occasions she landed her 
blows on Ranko.  Ranko was breathing heavily.

    Akane quickly looked out the corner of her eye, and noticed 
Ranma looking bored, while sitting on the floor.  Ranma was looking 
intently at the fight, and during the current lull, he motioned to 
Ranko.  "Ranko, hey Ranko.  Come over here."  Ranko shrugged her 
shoulders, and broke off from the fight to listen to her brother.

    Akane watched Ranma whisper something into Ranko's ear, and 
almost immediately Ranko's eyes opened wide as if she just realized 
something that was blatantly obvious.  Ranko nodded, and she walked 
back to the center of the Dojo, returning to sparring with Akane.

    "Hey, Ranko.  What did he say?"  Akane was curious, as there 
was a small smile on Ranko's face.

    "Oh nothing.  Get ready!"  Ranko charged Akane, and Akane 
unleashed a barrage of attacks to notice that Ranko dodged under 
her attacks, and sweeped Akane's legs out from under her.  The 
entire dojo whirled back as she landed on her back on the floor.

    Ranko was there to help Akane to her feel.  Akane felt sheepish,
 as she knew that she allowed her confidence to overshadow her 
caution.  "You're pretty good, Ranko."

    Ranko giggled.  "Oh it's nothing.  My brother really beat you.  
He told me what to do."  Akane flashed a look at Ranma who was 
breathing heavily just from standing up.  He certainly didn't seem 
like a person who was good in martial arts.

    The door to the dojo slid open, and Nabiki leaned in the 
doorway.  "Hey, Kasumi finished cooking.  You should come over for 
dinner."

* * *

    During dinner, Ranma didn't seem to eat a lot.  Well, in fact, 
he never ate a lot.  It just that he never had a strong appetite, 
like his sister.  During dinner, everyone sat there watching with 
surprise and envy as they saw slim and slender Ranko consume large 
amounts of food.

    "May I be excused?"  Nodoka stared at Ranma who had barely 
touched anything at all, and she nodded.

    "Ranma, try to be back soon?"  Ranma nodded, and he walked 
outside, and lied down on the backporch.

    Soun looked at Nodoka.  "What's wrong?"  Nabiki bend down to 
retrieve a fallen napkin, and she couldn't help but notice Soun's 
hand holding Nodoka's.  Nabiki almost dropped her chopsticks.

   Nodoka shook her head.  "I'll tell you later."

    Meanwhile, Nabiki was trying to digest what was happening.  'So 
this was what Father wanted to tell us this morning.'  Almost 
immediately, Nabiki felt an anger grab a hold of her, but unlike 
Ranma, she controlled it rather well.  'How dare Father think of 
marrying another woman!'

    "Well, I'm not that hungry.  I guess I'll go do something."  
Nabiki stood up, and left the room.

    Kasumi sat down next to Akane.  "So Ms. Saotome, when is the 
ceremony?"  Akane looked surprised.

    "What ceremony?"  Akane chewed carefully on some food, while 
looking at her father and Nodoka.  Soun seemed slightly put off.

    "You didn't tell your children yet?"  Nodoka stared at Soun for 
a moment.  "Well, Akane, your Father proposed to me last week.  We 
are going to get married in three weeks."  Akane froze, as the 
suddenness of the news almost overwhelmed her.  However, unlike 
Ranma or Nabiki, she was sort of supportive of her father.

    "That's great!"  Akane smiled at her Father, who was glad that 
none of his daughters had complained.

* * *

    Ranma sighed as he lay on the porch, trying to get some rest.  
To no one in particular, he muttered.  "Just great.  Mom's going to 
marry Mr. Tendo.  She's probably forgotten all about Father."  
Images of a Genma Saotome flashed through Ranma's mind.  The extra 
attention his father gave him.  His training with his father.  His 
father's attempts to help him with school work.

    Ranma knew that his father was a good man, and for that fact, 
he knew that no other man could ever take his place.

    Meanwhile, Nabiki was having similar thoughts about her mother. 
 But at the same time, Nabiki was thinking about that boy.  She had 
remembered him from somewhere else, but she just couldn't put her 
finger on it.  Leafing through one of her ledgers, Nabiki checked 
for debts that people owed her.  Then she came across an old entry 
which stated that she had her friend pay 8000 yen to a certain 
Ranma Saotome.  'Oh great, it seems that I owe him money.'

    'No wonder I remember him.  It seems that I had owed him a debt 
a while ago.'  Nabiki reveled in the silence, trying not to think 
what her father was doing outside, when she realized that someone 
outside was voicing her exact same opinion.  Leaning out of the 
window, she realized that Ranma supine on the porch.

    A plan began to brew in Nabiki's mind.  "Hey you!  Ranma!"  
Nabiki hissed loudly.  Immediately, Ranma's eyes locked onto Nabiki.
  "Come up here.  I want to talk with you."  Ranma pushed himself 
off the ground, paused to catch his breath, and he walked slowly 
into the house.

    Ranma seemed monotone as he walked quietly past the dining room.
  'Nabiki Tendo.  I believe that she still owes me 4000 yen.'  
Taking a deep breath, Ranma looked at the stairs in front of him, 
and with a sigh he walked up.

    Nabiki sat on her bed, somewhat amazed that it could take a 
person over a minute to get to her room from outside.  There was a 
knock at her door, and in the background, she could hear heavy 
breathing.  Opening the door, Nabiki was greeted with the sight of 
Ranma, leaning against the wall, looking as if he had swam for 
hours.

    "So why did you want to see me?"  Ranma seemed to catch his 
breath extremely quickly.

    "Let's say I have a business proposition.  One that might serve 
both of our interests, concerning our parents."  Nabiki noticed 
that Ranma had been giving her a stare the entire time, and she 
unwillingly fidgeted.  It seemed that Ranma had an ability to 
intimidate without really doing anything.

    "Is that so?"  Ranma looked hi watch.  "I certainly am 
intrigued."  Nabiki indicated with her head, and Ranma walked into 
the room.

* * *

    "Where is Ranma?"   Ranko peered around, semi-worried about her 
brother and at the same time, somewhat worried that he could be 
doing one of his lame-brained, and successful, money making schemes.


    Ranko raised her voice, and rudely shouted.  "Yo, Ranma!  Where 
are you?  We're getting ready to leave!"  Ranko looked around the 
silent house, as if trying to find some hiding space.  "Hey, 
Ranma!"

    There was a creak as someone walked down the stairs.  Ranma 
gripped tightly onto the handrail, as if it was all that was 
keeping him from loosing his feeting and falling down.  Nabiki 
muttered quietly.  "It would be nice that you hurried."

    Ranma muttered back.  "As if it were all my fault.  Be quiet or 
I'll double your debt."

    Nabiki snickered.  "Oh, you scare me."

    "I have proof that you juryrigged the kendo match last week.  I 
know tons of people won't be happy."  Ranma maliciously smiled at 
Nabiki who looked some what shocked.

    "Me?  Of all people, rig a fight for money."  Nabiki tried her 
hardest to look innocent.

    "Yeah right."  Ranma stopped talking, and he carefully walked 
out the door, taking extra care not to trip as he walked down the 
steps.

    Nabiki spoke out loud as the door closed.  "Geesh, what a stiff.
"  Nabiki smiled evilly.  'But it would be well worth it to get 
back at him.'


Chapter 2

    "So Ranma what were you doing?"  Ranko peered at her brother as 
he walked home.  Something in the back of her mind told her 
something was weird.  At school, Ranma would rarely ever talk to a 
person, unless he really had good reason to.  And he did spend a 
lot of time with Nabiki during dinner time.

    "It's nothing."  Ranma continued onwards, not speaking as usual.


    "Oh, is that so?  May be you like Nabiki Tendo?"  Ranko landed 
playfully in front of Ranma.  Ranma's face barely made a twitch.

    "Nabiki?  I'm not interested in her the slightest."  Ranma 
walked on, his breath heavy as he tried to keep a force pace.  'If 
I keep doing this, I'll be able to endure more...'  But even 
determination was not called for, as an attack of coughs broke 
through, and Ranma bent down, trying to regain his breath.

    Ranko sounded angry.  "Brother, pace yourself better!  Here, 
rest on my shoulder."  Ranko stepped next to her brother, but was 
surprised when he pushed her away.

    "No.  I can do it."  Ranma took a deep breath to calm his 
composure, and he continued.

    Ranma stumbled in the door, sighing as Ranko had spent the 
entire trip berating him for be a stubborn idiot, and for being too 
attracted to money.  "Ranma, if you weren't as stubborn, I'd never 
worry about you!  If you didn't take money from others, then I 
don't have to worry that a bunch of kids are going to bang you up 
after school."  Ranma didn't bother to retort, as he learned the 
hard way, his sister was even more stubborn than him.

    Ranma had used his standard reply  "Yes, I'll do what you say." 
 Ranko sighed, as she knew that her brother was not the slightest 
interested in changing his life style.  Ever since seeing him lose 
his strength, Ranko could feel a drastic change in Ranma.  He 
rarely smiled.  He was never happy, and he started to derive his 
joy through monetary means.  How Ranma managed to produce money to 
help pay for the family bills, it was something that amazed Ranko.

* * *

    "Ranma, I really have a problem.  I can't scrape up the money 
to pay you!  Please, this will be the last time..."  The boy in 
front of him looked so guilty, that Ranma felt that it would be a 
crime to take advantage of him.  Ranma gritted his teeth, and 
leaned against the tree.

    "Well, you know me.  I really need that money.  I have my debts.
"  Ranma looked squarely at the boy in the face.  Ranma feigned a 
long pause, and he seemed to be deriving pleasure from the fact 
that he was the most important thing in his client's life.  "Very 
well.  I give you a three day extension.  Don't tell anyone, or 
else."  Ranma sighed and walked away.  The boy stared at Ranma, 
with a sort of surprise.  Something must be bothering Ranma so much.
  He rarely ever relaxed his terms of an agreement.

    Well, in reality, Ranma did feel sorry for people who truly had 
problems in paying back.  But then again, he became a vicious 
vulture if he found out that someone had abused his sympathies.  
Ranma did have a whit of decency within him, but he just didn't 
like to advertise it.

    As Ranma walked, a little unsteadily, through the schoolyard, 
students slowly moved out of his way, as if not willing to anger 
him.  "Ah, is this the esteemed Ranma Saotome?"  Ranma stared at 
Kuno, and immediately alarms rang off in his head.  'Damn it, 
already I'm at a disadvantage.'  Ranma stared envious at Kuno's 
healthy body.

    "It has come to my attention that you haven't been honorable to 
women.  Is it true that you demanded payment from Karin Aijima?"  
Kuno pulled out a bokken at Ranma.

    "Yes it is true."  Ranma stood still.

    Kuno shouted.  "Fiend!  How dare you prey on women?"  Kuno 
shouted, and with a quickness he slashed at Ranma.  Ranma had long 
since seen the sword coming at him.  He slid to the side, allowing 
the sword to bounce ineffectively against the pavement.  Taking the 
opening, Ranma launched a couple blows against Kuno, and leaped 
backwards.

    Already, Ranma felt his body quickly loosing its strength.  As 
he landed, he lost his footing, and fell back.  He struggled to get 
to his feet, but his lungs burned as he tried to force air in and 
out of them.

    Kuno slowly approached Ranma.  "You are good.  Very well, I 
won't feel guilty when I smite thee."  Kuno swung his sword 
mightily, and Ranma rolled out of the way.  However, Kuno was on 
top of things, and he drove his foot into Ranma's back.  Ranma 
groaned as he lay still.

* * *

    Ranma's eyes fluttered open, and he looked at his environs.  It 
was the nurse's office.  He had been here a few times in his high 
school career.  Once when he tried to actually participate in 
physical education.  Once when he ran up the stairs, when he was 
late for class.  Sitting up slowly, Ranma looked around, and his 
eyes rested on Nabiki, who had a slight smile on her face.

    "Sorry to hear that you got beaten by Kuno.  He really hates it 
when other men take advantage of his favorite women."  The tone of 
Nabiki's voice clued Ranma in.  She had the slightest tremor of 
nervousness.

    "Ah is that so?"  Ranma's voice was flat, unemotional, giving 
Nabiki not a single clue of what was on his mind.  'Yes you, admit 
that you did it.'  Ranma continued.  "I'm late for class."  Ranma 
sat up slowly, and pushed himself off the bed.

    Immediately, things went wrong.  As soon as Ranma left the bed, 
all the strength left him, and he landed on the floor.  Nabiki 
looked at Ranma, determined, slowly pushed himself up.  "You 
alright?"  Nabiki teetered nervously, as she had never really come 
into business contact with Ranma before.  And he already seemed to 
have the upperhand, except for his apparent weakness.

    Ranma basically grunted, and he somewhat limped out of the room.
  Nabiki sighed.  She didn't blame Ranma for having really bad 
manners.  It seemed that he didn't enjoy life.

* * *

     Ranma walked down the hall, his mind furiously at work.  
Personally, he didn't really want to take any action against Nabiki.
.. at this point.  Both had somewhat struck a deal last night, and 
as a decent businessman, Ranma did not intend to break his end of 
the deal.  But that didn't mean that he couldn't have a little 
revenge on Kuno Tatewaki.

    Actually, revenge on Kuno wasn't so difficult.  All Ranma had 
to do was pick at Kuno's weaknesses, until he had to concede defeat.
  Ranma looked at Kuno from the end of the hall, flirting with 
another girl.  A thin smile appeared on Ranma's face.  "Perhaps 
it's time that I brushed up on photography."

    Sometime later, Kuno was talking with a bunch of admiring girls,
 when he heard a soft voice behind him.  "Hey, Kuno."

    Tatewaki turned around, "Ah, if it isn't the wretched Saotome.  
Coming back for more, I presume"  There were a few giggles as a 
small crowd began to collect.

    "Hey, isn't Saotome going to get it this time?"  Other whispers 
could be heard.  "Yeah, I never forgave him when he confiscated my 
watch.  I hope Kuno pounds him into the ground."

    Ranma was grinning as if he had a cat.  With a brief flourish, 
Ranma produced a small 3x5 photograph out of thin air.  Ranma 
tossed it at Kuno.  "Tatewaki, consider this.  I'm pretty angry 
about this morning, and I demand 100000 yen as repayment for your 
deed.  Consider that as a little reminder."  Ranma indicated the 
photograph.  

    Tatewaki cautiously bent down, and retrieved the photograph.  A 
quick look was more than enough to make him start trembling.  "You! 
 You!"  Kuno's voice started breaking up.  "How did you get this 
picture!!"  Ranma smirked, and with a quick movement of his hands, 
a small, yet respectable stack appeared in his hands.

    "I could mail these photographs to a certain friend of yours."  
Ranma stood there, watching Kuno grovel and grumble.  Ranma laughed.
  He had always found it strange when he derived pleasure from 
another's misfortune.  But then again, Kuno did attack him without 
provocation, so it was sort of an elaborate revenge.

* * *

    Nodoka sighed as she watched Ranma come home.  From the distant,
 she could tell that Ranma didn't quite have a good day in school.  
Well, first of all, Ranma was not quite walking normally, as his 
back was still somewhat sore.  Ranma waved somewhat to her, tried 
to run to the door, but half way, he had to slow down.  Nodoka 
opened the door.  Ranma dumped an envelope into his mother's hands.

    "Taidama.  That should cover this month's bills."  Without 
another word, Ranma slowly made his way up the stairs.  Nodoka 
stared at the bundle of bills in her hand.

* * *

    Nabiki grumbled as she leafed through her ledger.  Ranma had 
managed to amaze her as he turned his loss, into a pretty hefty 
profit.  She heard that he managed to extort 100,000 yen off Kuno.  
'Darn it, with that money I could have at least gotten some new 
clothes or pay off that damned tax collector.'

    Leaning over her desk, Nabiki picked up her telephone, and 
dialed.  "Come on, I know you're home.  Answer the phone."  Nabiki 
listened to the telephone ring.  Nabiki had looked at the clock, 
and knew that it had been an hour that her father allegedly went to 
pick up a pack of cigarettes.  'That's it.  He's gone out on a date.
'

    The phone picked up.  Someone sounded hoarse on the other end.  
"Hello?  Saotome Residence."

    "I want to speak with Ranma." There was a long silence, and a 
muffled cough.

    "I'm Ranma.  Surprised you didn't recognize my voice."  She 
heard more coughing.

    "Hey, is your mother home?"   Nabiki wanted to double check.  
Chances were if Ranma's mother wasn't home as well... that could 
mean that Nodoka had run off to some date with Soun.

    There was a bitter laugh.  "No.  Why do you think I'm trying to 
practice?"  Ranma started coughing again.

    "Well, my father isn't home.  He left an hour ago, for what he 
said, cigarettes."  Nabiki's voice was soft, as to not introduce 
any attention.

    "Then it would seem a coincidence, or not?  My mother left an 
hour ago as well."  Nabiki listened to Ranma's voice, and was quite 
surprised that he sounded so definite.  "I would be willing to bet 
that they went to some restaurant...  Perhaps that new French 
place?"

    "That would seem like a good place to start.  Tell you what, 
I'll come over to your place."  She heard the phone hang up on the 
other end.  Nabiki stared at the handset.  "I guess that means yes.
"

* * *

    Nodoka smiled as she watched Soun fidget helplessly in his seat.
  "So what do you think about dinner, Soun?"  Nodoka looked at 
Soun's dish which was still filled with untouched food.

    "Um, it's quite delicious.  Just that I can't believe that we 
are actually going to get married in three weeks."  Nodoka's 
eyebrow's arched upwards as she daintily attacked her food.

    "Is that so?"  Nodoka placed her fork and knife on the table so 
that she could wipe her lips.  "Having second thoughts?"  Nodoka 
smiled.

    Soun shook his head quite vigorously.  "Oh no, no.  Not that."  
Soun began to babble, but Nodoka shushed him.

    "Don't worry, everything is going to go smoothly."  Nodoka 
smiled reassuringly at Soun who tried to relax, and started to eat.

* * *

    Ranma leaned over the edge of the roof as Nabiki stared at the 
couple in the restaurant through a pair of binoculars.  Nabiki 
watched, slightly sickened at her mother and father both laughing 
in the middle of a restaurant.  "For Christ sake, the two are 
acting as if they were already married."  Ranma grabbed the 
binoculars from Nabiki's hand, and took a look.

    Nabiki scowled.  "Hey you could ask for them, you know."  Ranma 
didn't reply.  He was too busy trembling with anger.

    "I'm going to go down there and give them a piece of my mind!"  
Ranma, uncharacteristically stood up quickly, and walked briskly to 
the door.

* * *

    "So have you decided who to invite to the wedding?"  Nodoka 
helped herself to some wine.  Soun shook his head.

   "No, not really.  Although, I thought it would be great that we 
invited some friends."  Soun offered helpfully.  Actually he hadn't 
really given a though to the guest list.

    "Well, I thought I might invite Father over.  I mean, he hasn't 
seen Ranma or Ranko in a long time."

    "You're inviting your father?"  Soun paled somewhat.

    Nodoka nodded.  "He's such a sweet, old man.  And he really 
likes children."

    Soun's mustache drooped.  "You wouldn't say."

* * *

    Ranma tugged on the door, but for some reason, the door 
wouldn't open.  Nabiki, who had retrieved her binoculars, spoke 
without taking her eyes off Soun or Nodoka.  "Having trouble 
opening the door?"  Cursing out aloud, Ranma kicked the metal door.

    "Someone locked the door."  Ranma sighed, as he sat down next 
to Nabiki, his back against the low wall.  "I guess, we have to 
stay here for the night."  Ranma sighed, and muttered something 
about cold air.

    Nabiki too sighed.  "Great, you forgot to prop the door open."

* * *

    Nodoka and Soun slowly walked home, reveling in the calmness 
that night provided.  All was still, nothing for endless miles 
stirred at all.  Just the occasional insect, or cat, sounded in the 
night.  

    "So Soun, how are you feeling about this?"  Nodoka smiled, as 
she grabbed Soun's hand.  Almost immediately, Soun managed to trip 
over nothing, as the cool, hard but yielding texture of Nodoka's 
hand shocked him.

    Soun stammered out.  "How I feel?"  Soun seemed to be stumbling 
on words, but a quick squeeze from Nodoka kept Soun on track.  
"Well...  I feel lucky."  Soun continued onwards.

    Nodoka seemed puzzled.  "Lucky about what?"  She had been 
expecting a more elaborate answer from Soun.

    "I feel lucky that I have nice daughters who are loving, and I 
feel lucky that I have a second chance at doing something right in 
my life for once."  Soun scraped up the courage to smile, and it 
was his turn to squeeze Nodoka's hand.  "Maybe I can redeem myself 
in this second marriage."

    Nodoka laughed.  "Redeem?  From what I've seen of you, there is 
nothing wrong with you."  Nodoka snickered.  "And I've seen a lot."

    Soun blushed immediately.  He hissed.  "Nodoka, not out in the 
open."  Soun looked around nervously.

    "Worried that someone will learn about our marriage?"  Nodoka 
laughed, as she pulled Soun along.  "Come on!  We'd better hurry 
home then, before anyone finds out!"

* * *

    Nabiki huddled up against the wall, in an attempt to fight off 
the cold night air.  'Just great, I'm going to get a cold before 
the night is up.  I just have a feeling.'  Nabiki looked over at 
Ranma who was staring at the sky.  Occasionally, he's stare 
wheezing, and would grab his jacket even closer to himself.  Nabiki 
couldn't help but shiver.

    "You cold?"  Nabiki looked at Ranma, who didn't blink back.

    "Yeah, I'm cold."  Nabiki felt extremely uncomfortable looked 
at Ranma.  Fortunately, something flew in the air at her, and it 
broke the mesmerizing link between her and Ranma.

    "You owe me."  Ranma turned over, and curled up.  Soon he was 
asleep, but it wasn't restful at all.  It was filled with dark 
dreams and eternal silence.

* * *

    "Ranma, boy!  Where are you!"  A voice echoed in the darkness, 
and one point in the darkness, there was a tiny circle of light.   
A little boy laughed.

    "I'm here Father!  I'm right here!"  The boy started to run 
towards the opening of the cave.

    "Father!  There is a beautiful lake in here!"  The joy on the 
boy's face was evident as he ran to his father.  He ran and ran, 
but for some reason, the opening of the tunnel never reached him.

    Genma shouted something, but that couldn't be heard, as his 
voice was drowned out as the entire world shivered and shook.

    All that Ranma could see was the tunnel collapsing around him, 
and there was suddenly darkness.

* * *

    The next morning, Nabiki sat up and found Ranma hacking his 
lungs out.  Every cough wracked his body, and he seemed to be in 
constant convulsions.  "Hey, are you fine?"  Ranma looked at Nabiki,
 and with great effort, he silences his coughs, but occasionally 
one would break from his lips.

    "I think we might be able to make it to class just on time.  
That is if someone would open that door."  Ranma, with great effort,
 fought his way to his feet, and he walked to the door.  Taking a 
deep breath, Ranma started to pound on the door, and in a few 
minutes, his efforts were paid off when an irate businessman yanked 
the door open.

    Nabiki walked behind Ranma, who seemed to be forcing his body 
to walk forwards at a high pace.  He was sweating profusely, and 
his ragged cough seemed to be getting worse.  "Hey, Ranma, you know 
you talk in your sleep?"

    Ranma shrugged his shoulders.  "I do?  So what secrets did I 
tell you?"  Ranma leaned against the wall, as he felt his knees 
give up, and he fell.  "Damn it!"

    Nabiki looked at Ranma.  "Hey you don't look so good."  She 
watched Ranma as he struggled back to his feet.

    "No shit."  Ranma was more cursing himself as his lack of 
ability rather than Nabiki's pointless observation.

    "Maybe you want to see a doctor?"  As soon as Ranma got to his 
feet, he felt all strength leave his body, and he collapse to his 
knees again.

    "My doctor is half way across town.  I don't think I can make 
it there."  Ranma struggled to his feet again.  Nabiki surveyed the 
surrounds, and she grabbed Ranma and helped him to his feet.  "Our 
family doctor is around here.  I'll take you to him."

    Almost immediately, Nabiki felt Ranma pull his arm free.  "I 
don't need any help, I can do it myself."  Nabiki grumbled to 
himself.  'He's more stubborn than a mule.'

    Nabiki pushed open the door to the clinic, and held the door 
for Ranma.  A young man of 19 was sweeping the front room.  As soon 
as he heard the door open, he looked up, and carefully pushed his 
glasses into their proper place.  "Nabiki!  How is Kasumi?  What 
brings you here?  I almost never get to see you."

    Nabiki smiled.  " Hi Tofu, is Uncle in?"

    Tofu smiled.  "No, Master Hirokawa is out.  He had to make a 
housecall.  Maybe I can help."

    Nabiki nodded.  "Ranma needs help."  Nabiki grabbed Ranma, and 
surprisingly found that she could easily push him forwards.  Tofu 
Ono grabbed Ranma's shoulders, and started to give a preliminary 
look over.

    "He doesn't look that good."  As if to reinforce Tofu, Ranma 
started coughing in spasms.  "Well, that cough doesn't sound good 
either."

* * *

    Tofu listened carefully with a stethoscope, and for a few 
minutes, he concentrated hard, as if trying to discern something.  
After a few minutes, Tofu took off the stethoscope.  "Ranma, have 
you ever had any respiratory illnesses?"

    Ranma nodded.  "I think I had pneumonia when I was 10."

    Tofu seemed to understand.  "Well, there isn't that much that 
is too bad.  Just that you have a pretty nasty cold, and that will 
definitely hamper your performance for a few days.  And since you 
had a serious illness before, the effects will intensify.  I think 
you will need bedrest."  Ranma sighed.

    Nabiki asked Ranma as he walked home.  "You should know that 
staying on the roof last night could have killed you?"  Nabiki 
could remember what Tofu had whispered to her.  If Ranma was 
reckless with his own welfare, next time it could be worse.

    "Yeah, yeah.  Whatever.  I'm going home."  As Ranma walked off, 
he shouted hoarsely.  "And don't think being good to me will cancel 
your debt."

* * *

    Nabiki barely made it to school.  In fact, she was 40 minutes 
late.  The teacher however was pretty understanding, considering 
the fact that the teacher's son owed Nabiki some 100,000 yen, and 
Nabiki made a deal to cut the debt not to be punished.  Nabiki 
really didn't care at all, since the teacher's son was addicted to 
gambling.  'He'll rack up his debts by next Friday.'

    Nabiki found that she couldn't focus on her schoolwork as a few 
things were bothering her.  For one thing, her father seemed to be 
getting too friendly with Nodoka.  Secondly, she owed Ranma a 
pretty hefty sum of money.  With these two problems on her mind, 
Nabiki found herself not focusing on schoolwork.

    Akane sat down next to Nabiki during lunch.  "So, where were 
you last night?  Father almost freaked out.  Kasumi and Nodoka had 
to restrain him from doing some weird things."  

    Nabiki grumbled.  "What was Nodoka doing?  Trying to prolong 
her date?"

    Akane seemed surprised.  "How did you know that Father had a 
date last night.  He only told Kasumi.  "Nabiki, you weren't 
following Father around all night?"

    Nabiki nodded.  "And if Ranma wasn't stupid enough to...  I 
could have at least marching in on them, and broken up the date."

    "Ranma was with you?  Why wasn't he in class?  He never showed 
up today.  Even his sister didn't know where he was.  Ranko was 
practically panicking the entire morning."  

    "He was with me.  Let's say that he's really ill."  Akane 
nodded in agreement, she seemed to know something.  Nabiki looked 
at Akane out of the corner of her eye.  "Akane, you know something 
that I don't?"

    Akane leaned over, and whispered into Nabiki's ear.  "Ranma 
used to be normal, but this really bad accident happened when he 
was 6.  Kasumi sort of overheard Nodoka taking to Father about it.  
Kasumi thinks that Ranma actually saw his Father die."

Chapter 3

    "Where were you Ranma, last night?  What are you doing out of 
school?"  Nodoka seemed surprised to see her son home, right before 
lunch time.  Ranma scowled, and didn't answer.

    "You went out on a date with Soun last night, didn't you?"  
Ranma stood there, staring at his mother.  Nodoka definitely hated 
it when Ranma acted like this.  It just seemed that he was unable 
to express any true amount of joy.  Sure he laughed at good jokes, 
but right after the joke, he'd return to his brooding self.  Never 
happy, always angry at something.

    Nodoka, after lots of experiences, knew that the best way to 
handle this situation was to be calm.  "Yes that's right Ranma.  I 
went out to dinner with Soun."

    Ranma shouted.  "How could you do that!"  Nodoka watched as her 
son collapsed against the wall as he started coughing.  "How could 
you betray Father like that!"  Nodoka walked forwards, to try to 
help Ranma, but he ran to his room.  Nodoka heard a door slammed 
shut, and she shook her head.  She knew that this marriage would be 
hardest on Ranma.

    'How on earth did he find out about the dinner?  But then again,
 how does he come up with the money for our bills?'

* * *

    "He saw his Father die!  That's absolutely terrible!"  Well it 
would seem terrible to Nabiki.  Nabiki never truly saw her mother 
die.  Nabiki remembered being in the hospital, showing her mother 
her schoolwork, and telling her about class.  And thus it had went 
for months, when out of the blue, her mother had asked her not to 
come the next day.  Nabiki remembered listening to her mother, and 
the next day, her dear Mother had died.

    "Yeah, I just can't help but feel sorry for him.  No wonder 
he's such a stiff.  You know, even he managed to scare off the 
teacher.  He just stared at her straight in the eyes, and the 
teacher just flew off."  Akane sighed.  "I guess you have to have 
something that bad happen to you to make you that messed up."

    Nabiki grabbed at her jacket next to her, when she realized it 
was really Ranma's.  "Maybe."

* * *

    Ranko ran in the door.  She saw a particularly sad look on her 
mother's face.  "Is Ranma home?"  Nodoka nodded in response.

    "Is he alright?"  Ranko didn't think that anything bad happened 
to Ranma.  Nodoka nodded.  Ranko seemed perplexed about why Nodoka 
didn't seem that happy.  "Did Ranma find about the date?"   Ranko 
wasn't so sure, but she had tried to keep it a secret from Ranma, 
lest he interfere.  Ranko had seen many times in school, when Ranma 
wanted something to screw up, it really screwed up big time.

    "Yes he did, and he was quite vocal about it.  Besides, he 
didn't seem to be in the best of health."  That was what truly 
bothered Nodoka, Ranma's health.  Recently, it seemed to be slowly 
waning.  And for the entire day as well, she could hear him 
coughing in his room.

    Ranko walked silently to Ranma's room, and she placed her ear 
against the door, as if to listen.  "Ranko, spying on your brother 
is not a good thing."  Ranko cursed herself.  It was possible that 
Ranma had heard the muffled squeak of the floor.

    Ranko opened the door, and helped herself into the room.  "So 
Ranma, Mother told me about this morning.  Do you want to tell me 
what is going on?  I've heard from Akane, that Nabiki was missing 
last night as well."  Ranko thought for a moment, and her eyes 
narrowed as she smiled knowingly.  "Don't tell me.  You two are 
dating?  I hear Nabiki has a great figure."

    Ranko's enthusiasm didn't quite rub of on Ranma.  Considering 
the fact that Ranma was in a half dazed state, and really wanted to 
cry, he did not smile.  "I'm not the slightest interested about 
Nabiki or the Tendo family.  Especially since, she practically got 
Kuno to beat me up pretty badly."

    Ranko looked at Ranma for a bit.  "Are you sure about that?"

    Ranma looked at Ranko.  "The day after I formally meet Nabiki, 
Kuno finally notices me and challenges me to a rather pointless and 
onesided dual.  I think that must be the lamest coincidence that 
I've ever seen.  But I don't care.  I made sure Kuno paid up.  He 
paid our utility bill."

    Ranko resisted the urge to give her brother a slap.  "You mean 
to say that you don't care that someone trashes you?  That's a load 
of bullshit.  I mean, if I were you, I'd be marching over to the 
Kuno Estate and pounding in that womanizer's face."  Ranko cracked 
her knuckles.  There were plenty of times that Kuno and the school 
Kendo team tried to fondle her, and she felt it was some time for 
payback.

    Ranma frowned.  "As if I could do anything.  I can only last 
ten seconds against a martial artist of that magnitude.  After that,
 I'm a goner."  Ranma sighed.  Sure, during the fight, he had 
noticed a multitude of flaws in Kuno's attack, but he lacked the 
strength and fortitude to make any progress against Kuno's 
endurance.

    Ranko grinned.  "Don't worry, big brother.  I'll be back soon." 
 Ranko closed the door.

    "Ranko, now, don't go.  I'm telling you don't go!"  Ranma 
struggled out of his chair, and tried to walk briskly after Ranko, 
but his legs gave up and the most inopportune moment, and he went 
down.  Cursing his fate, Ranma pulled himself against the bed, and 
sighed.  He stared at the packet that was on his desk.  Should 
anything happen to Ranko, that packet was going to be in everyone's 
mailbox by tomorrow morning.

* * *

    Fortunately for Kuno's sake, Ranko did come back, without a 
single scratch.  She sat across from Ranma at dinner time, with a 
bright smile on her face.  "It was a cinch, Ranma.  He was 
completely overwhelmed with my strength."

    Ranma muttered.  "He was most likely stunned by your face."  
Ranma stared at the soup and bowl of rice in front of him.  Idly, 
he fiddled with his chopsticks, but unable to force himself to even 
eat something, he stood up, and left the room.

    Nodoka, who was sitting quietly at the head of the table, 
sighed.  "Why does Ranma have to be so difficult?"

    "At least he hasn't become a murderous rampaging loony."

    Nodoka sounded harsh.  "Ranko, that is not funny."

    Ranko sighed.  "Sorry Mother."

* * *

    Darkness, and a smothering weight over him.  Ranma cried out as 
he struggled, unable to find the light.  Unable to find his father. 
 Suddenly, he heard muffled shouting.

    "Ranma!  Ranma!  My boy!  Where are you?"  There were the 
sounds of a man desperately clawing away the soil with his hands.  
Ranma felt a need to shout, but as he opened his mouth, nothing 
came.  Nothing at all.  Instead, he felt a weird concentration that 
surfaced from his stomach, and up his throat, and it popped in his 
mouth.  It tasted salty.

    Ranma tried to kick his leg, but unfortunately he couldn't move 
his leg.  Well, let alone move his leg, he couldn't feel it 
completely at all.  All he could felt was a certain coldness that 
was slowly creeping up from the lower end of his body.

    But perhaps Fate was smiling on Ranma, or frowning, and after 
an hour of waiting in the darkness, his mind screaming at the 
loneliness, the isolation, the stale air, there was a shifting, and 
some earth slid down to reveal his Father furiously cleaning away 
the soil.  Genma looked at Ranma for a moment, and he spoke 
breathlessly.  "My God.  Ranma are you alright!  Ranma!"

* * *

    Ranma sat up straight in bed.  Sometimes, he felt that he was 
forced to pay a penance, forced to endure dreams filled with dark 
and unhappy memories.  He just had a feeling that today was going 
to be a bad day.  Well, to be more truthful, Ranma always expected 
his days to be bad.

    Ranma got up, and staggered to the bathroom, where he took a 
really quick shower.  He had already bathed last night, but somehow,
 he felt a need to cleanse himself, a need to wash away his 
memories.  It seemed that when he was tired, his memories would 
surface.

    The morning was mediocre.  Ranma slowly walked down the stairs, 
not after waking up his sister by pounding on her door.  Half way 
down the stairs, he had to somewhat smile when he heard his sister 
scream.  "I'm going to be late!"  For a girl who was a lot more 
active than him, she sure was a heavy sleeper.

    Ranma slowly ate his rice gruel, not truly hungry, but just out 
of desire to at least make his mother happy.  Grabbing his lunch, 
Ranma made it out of the door, just before Ranko leaped down the 
stairs.

    As usually, Hiroshi and Daisuke were waiting outside for Ranma. 
 Hiroshi used his standard greeting for Ranma.  "Hey Ranma, you 
look like shit."

    Ranma as usual, used his standard response.  "I feel like shit.
"

    "Hey Ranma, so where were you yesterday?  A bunch of kids gave 
us their dues."  Daisuke handed Ranma an envelope.  Ranma looked at 
the envelope and he tossed it back to Daisuke.

    "Take it.  I don't feel like I want the money."  Daisuke looked 
at Ranma for a moment, and then he grabbed the envelope and handed 
Hiroshi a half of the money.

    "Hey Ranma, not feeling ok?"  Daisuke looked at Ranma.  Well, 
the first thing he saw, besides the blood shot eyes and the dark 
spots under Ranma's eyes, was that Ranma's eyes were dim.  In short,
 he just looked like a walking zombie.  "Man, is something 
happening?  Need any help?  Need to get some sex?  I know this girl 
in school who'd..."

    Ranma grabbed Daisuke's collar.  "Stop trying to make me feel 
better.  Feel free to leave me alone."  Ranma marched off, leaving 
Daisuke and Hiroshi behind.

    "If I'm not mistaken, Ranma is a little angry."  Daisuke 
commented, as he carefully placed his newly won cash into his 
wallet.  "I kind of feel sorry for boss.  You think we should try 
to cheer him up?"

    Hiroshi shook his head.  "Sometimes I just think Ranma likes to 
be depressed.  That's just the way he is.  Maybe we can ask his 
sister what's up."  Hiroshi practically drooled with lust as he 
thought about Ranko, her perfect breasts, waist, her creamy white 
skin.

    Daisuke sighed.  He, unlike Hiroshi, was going steady with his 
girlfriend of two years, and he was pretty much devoted to her.  
Although, sometimes he sort of hated her laugh.  Actually, he had 
to thank Ranma for her, since, well, Ranma figured a way to make 
her fall in love with him.  "Eh, she's ok.  I guess.  But you know, 
I think Kodachi has a better figure."

    Hiroshi glanced at Daisuke.  "Kodachi?  She gives me the chills.
  Her laugh..."  Hiroshi shuddered.

    Daisuke shouted.  "She's really a caring person.  Just that she 
is a little bit uninhibited."

    Hiroshi laughed.  "Yeah, where were you yesterday?"  Daisuke 
blushed.

    Daisuke tried to change the subject.  "Well, shouldn't Ranko be 
coming around soon?"  And true to his prediction, a black haired 
beauty came charging down the street on top of the fence.

    Hiroshi shouted at Ranko as she passed by.  "Hey, Ranko!  
What's wrong with Ranma?"  Ranko managed to catch Hiroshi's 
question, and she flipped off the fence and landed on the ground in 
front of Hiroshi.  Hiroshi went slightly numb as he watched Ranko's 
front heave up and down in an alluring pattern.

    "What was that you said?"  Hiroshi remained blank.

    Daisuke sighed and hit the back of Hiroshi's head.  "Well, we 
were wondering what is wrong with Ranma?  He's more depressed than 
usual."

    Ranko looked Daisuke.  "Oh.  Our mom's going to get married, 
and Ranma really doesn't like it."  Ranko looked at Hiroshi, whose 
mouth had slowly opened wide, and he was drooling on himself.  "Hey,
 what's with him?"

    Daisuke kicked Hiroshi in the shins.  "Oh, it's just his 
hormones.  Never mind him."

* * *

    Ranma walked into the school yard.  So far his entire day had 
been boring as hell, and he was already predicting today's lessons. 
 However, that was soon to change.  Ranma could feel the hairs on 
the back of his neck tingling, and he quickly side stepped.  It was 
fortunate that he did, for a bamboo umbrella flew past him and 
imbedded itself into the concrete floor.

    "Ranma Saotome, I have traveled thousands of miles in hopes 
that one day I might stand triumphant above your broken body!"

    Ranma stood there for a moment, and he slowly turned around.  
"I know that voice."  Ranma completed a 180 degree turn, and found 
himself face to face with a muscular boy roughly his age.  Ranma 
quickly assessed him.  'There is no way I could fight my way out of 
this.'

    "Remember me Ranma?  Remember the pain you inflicted on me in 
first grade!"  The boy reached into his hair and started to fling 
an endless swarm of bandannas at Ranma.  Ranma tried his best to 
dodge, but after the first 10 bandannas, he lost his footing.

    The boy picked up his umbrella, and slowly walked over to Ranma.
  "Amazing.  You are now even more pitiful than what you used to be.
"  Ranma shrugged his shoulders.  "Saotome, you coward!  My life 
has became a living hell because of you!  And now you go to hell!"  
The boy stood up.

    Ranma stared at the person who wielded an umbrella as a sword.  
"Well isn't it Ryoga Hibiki.  It certainly has been awhile.  I made 
your life a living hell?  At least I tried to compensate you for 
the damages."

    Ryoga shouted at Ranma.  "I don't think a payment for all of 
the meals that you took is enough!  And how does five loaves of 
noodle-bread compensate for the 10 years wasted spent looking for 
you!"  Ryoga started to tremor violently.

    "Exactly.  Who made you go on that 10 year journey?  I 
certainly didn't ask you to come along with me."  Ryoga started to 
growl, as Ranma was slowly degenerating his rationalization for 
killing Ranma.

    Ryoga decided to revert to a more basic argument.  "You ran 
away from our duel, you coward!  Now stand like a man and let me 
kill you."

    "I in no way ran from the duel.  You never showed up at the 
appointed time and place, and I was decent enough to keep a three 
day vigil.  As for having me stand at this point, I don't think I 
can stand.  So go ahead and kill me you coward.  Show me your 
courage when you decide to kill someone who couldn't possible fight 
back."

    Ryoga screamed as he felt that all of his rationalizations for 
cold blooded murder were effectively neutralized.  Ryoga stood 
there unsure what to do, but 10 years of wandering, without home, 
and starving most of the time, it was quite understandable when 
anger got the better of him.  But as Ryoga swung his umbrella back, 
ready to decapitate Ranma, he looked into Ranma's eyes.

    Ranma barely blinked as he stared at Ryoga.  There was no fear 
of death.  Not a single out of animated emotion.  Ranma was 
effectively sitting there as if he were waiting for dinner or 
something unimportant.  Ranma looked at Ryoga, and shouted.  "Will 
you make up your mind.  If you are going to kill me, do it now!"  
Ryoga blinked, as he never imagined his final confrontation with 
Ranma to be something like this.

    No, this was very different.  He had never expected Ranma to be 
tell him to do the deed.  Ryoga shrugged his shoulders, as he 
realized it was guilt that was preventing him from striking.  
Looking at Ranma just helplessly sitting there, there was no 
question that he could easily kill Ranma.

    But then again, since Ranma told him to do so.  Ryoga stood 
there unable to decide. "You idiot!  Get away from my brother!"  
Ryoga felt a strong blow to his back that sent him flying.  "Ranma, 
did he hit you?  Damn that coward!"  Hiroshi and Daisuke pulled 
Ranma to his feet.

    Ryoga rolled on the ground, and he when he landed, he sent two 
bandannas flying in the general direction.  The rushed furiously in 
the air at the person who had the audacity to attack him.  But 
before they could reach their intended target, they were snatched 
out of the air.  Ranko looked at the bandannas, and tossed them 
onto the ground.

    "You beat up my older brother, and I'm going to make you pay."  
Ryoga didn't quite respond, as he was staring at Ranko.  A small 
trail of blood trickled from his nose.

    Ranma cleared his throat.  "Sis, I think it was time that you 
started to wear a bra.  Flash those around, and you'd kill most men.
"  Ranma turned his head the other way.  Ranko looked down, and she 
gasped as she tried her best to hide her bosom, which was showing 
through her torn clothing.

    Ranma laughed.  "Sis, you are getting slower!  Heck, when I was 
eight I could deflect those bandannas away before they got two feet 
from me."  Ranko stomped on Ranma's foot.  Ranma gritted his teeth, 
and tried to ignore the sharp pain.

    "Baka.  I think I'm going to girls locker room, and find a 
change of clothes."  Ranko looked at Ryoga who was still staring at 
her.  "You idiot!  Stop looking!"  Ranko picked up a rock and 
landed in between Ryoga's eyes.  Without the slightest noise, Ryoga 
collapsed backwards.

    "Sis, being a little harsh?  I mean, look at Hiroshi."  Ranma 
indicated Hiroshi, who was still dazed.  Ranma took off the 
outermost layer of his school uniform, and handed it to Ranko.

    "What's this?  Defending the person who was going to kill you?" 
 Ranko accepted the jacket, and put it on.

    "He's a good person.  Just that he doesn't think before acting. 
 Anyways, he wouldn't have killed me."  Ranma winced as he felt the 
bruises and cuts on his arm.  "He's not that kind of person."

    Ranma picked up his school books, and left the school yard with 
his friends.  Ranko headed towards the girls locker room.  The 
small crowd that had gathered to watch the fight, dispersed before 
the first bell.  The only thing left in the school yard was Ryoga, 
who was still on the ground, completely unconscious.

* * *

    Lunch time was a completely different situation from morning.  
Ranma was calmly seated alone, staring at the lunch his mother had 
prepared for him.  Unfortunately, he just couldn't stomach it.  The 
food wasn't bad, but Ranma just didn't feel hungry.  Someone seated 
on the bench next to him.

    Ranma didn't even bother to look up.  "Hi Ryoga.  So what 
brings you to seek a cripple like me?"  Ranma picked up his bookbag.


    "That girl this morning, she's your sister, right?  She's 
beautiful."  Ranma pushed himself up, and teetered slightly.

    "Here, have this.  Don't bother me, or ask any questions about 
my family.  It's none of your business."  Ranma tossed his 
still-wrapped lunch at Ryoga.  "If you want to ask Ranko out on a 
date.  Ask her, I don't own her or anything.  But believe me, if 
you do anything stupid, your life be worse than hell."

    Ryoga stared at Ranma.  What still amazed him, was that Ranma 
was able to answer his question without even listening to it.  But 
then again, Ranma and Ryoga used to be decent friends, and Ranma 
had quite a good grasp of Ryoga's feelings and reactions.  Ranma 
also knew his sister pretty well.  He smirked as he tried to 
predict the outcome.

* * *

    "Say Brother, who was that asshole who nailed you today?"  
Ranko walked home next to Ranma.  She just felt instinctively 
protective of her older brother.  "Maybe I gave give him a surprise 
visit at his home."  Ranko punched her palm a few times, and tried 
to sound cheery.

    "Oh, he was a friend of mine."  Ranma didn't feel like talking 
a lot.

    "Some friend, he must have bruised up you arms and body pretty 
bad."  Ranko gingerly touched a spot on Ranma's arm.  Almost 
immediately Ranma twitched.  Ranko started to growl.  "That bastard.
  I'm going to pound his face in."

    "It's nothing.  And I don't think that you really want to pound 
his face in.  He's a pretty decent person, that is, when he isn't 
angry.  He can be quite civilized."

    "Yeah right, I'm still going to pound his face in for trying to 
pick on you."  Ranko seemed adamant.

    "Even if he was a certain Ryoga Hibiki?"  Ranma smirked at his 
sister, knowing all too well that as a child that Ranko had a 
certain crush on Ryoga.

Chapter 4

    Nodoka laughed as Soun looked befuddled.  "So, Soun, this is 
the tenth time, that I won?"  Soun stared helplessly at the Go 
board, and found that Nodoka had led him into a giant trap.  The 
four free white pieces arranged in a line seemed to scream at Soun.

    Soun smiled, and he poured some tea for Nodoka.  "Very well, 
eleventh time's the charm."  He cleared off the Go board, and 
waited for Nodoka to put down the first move.

    "You must have said that 10 times already."  Nodoka couldn't 
help but giggle at Soun's unwillingness to stop playing without 
winning at least once.

    "Well, I guess that's me.  I just can't stand to lose."  Soun 
placed a black piece down.  "Say, how is Ranma?  He seemed pretty 
angry the last time we met."

    Some joy leaked from Nodoka's face.  "I don't know.  He just 
doesn't want us to get married.  I mean, he's been acting more 
depressed than usual.  He really loved his father."

    Soun nodded, as he sipped from tea.  "That is bad news.  But 
don't blame your son.  Genma was a good man.  And especially, 
considering, well you know.  I don't blame Ranma."  Soun fell 
silent as he didn't want to talk about fallen comrades.  Nodoka 
rubbed her eyes with her forearm, trying to get rid of the tears 
before they could fall.

    Soun tried to comfort Nodoka.  "Don't cry.  I know that this is 
going to work out in the end."  Soun sighed.  "Well, school is 
almost over, and I'm afraid this will have to be our last game.  I 
have to teach a class in thirty minutes."

    Soun smiled encouraging at Nodoka, and he kissed Nodoka.  Never 
before in his life, except for his wife, had anyone truly made him 
feel at ease.  Marrying her was the right choice, there was no 
question about it.

    Nodoka sniffled a little, and waved goodbye.  As soon as she 
was gone, Soun walked to the Dojo to work out and warm up for 
classes.

* * *

    Ranko looked with disbelief.  "Ryoga Hibiki would actually 
stoop that low to pick on you!"  She shook her head as if she 
wasn't so sure what to believe.  "You know, I used to think he was 
a good kid."

    "No kidding, you practically got tongue-tied whenever he showed 
up at school."  Ranko half-heartedly kicked at her brother, who 
stopped just in time to let the foot pass in front of him.  "Well, 
I guess you overcame your shyness today.  That sure was a mean 
pitch to the head."

    Ranko turned and shouted.  "Ranma will you just shut up about 
Ryoga!"

    Ranma laughed bitterly.  "Ironic, isn't it?  He never noticed 
you, when you were most interested in him.  And now, when you want 
to tear his guts out, he's completely head-over-heels for you.  I 
guess that's just life.  Nothing seems to work the way you want it 
to."  Ranma went silent, as his mind was occupied with more 
pressing matters, primarily, the marriage.

    Ranko too didn't feel like talking.  Her mind was occupied 
filled with images of Ryoga.  He sure was nice, at least, the Ryoga 
that she remembered.

* * *

    A little girl screamed as a big dog chased her down.  Crying, 
with tears streaming from her cheeks, the little girl shouted.  
"Someone help me!  Someone help me!"  Looking over her shoulder the 
large, terrifying dog was gradually approaching her, and the 
resulting burst of adrenaline allowed the little girl to push 
herself faster.

    But with her head looking over her shoulder, she couldn't help 
but notice the curb in front of her, and she tripped on it, landing 
on the ground.  There was not way she was going to get away from 
the dog.

    All of a sudden, an umbrella crashed into the dog, sending it 
whimpering off in some random direction.  A boy kneeled next to her.
  "Hey, are you ok?  I don't think that mean doggie will bother you.
"

    The girl sat up, and tried to speak, but her mouth was filled 
with dirt and she was completely befuddled.  However, in the end, 
she was able to speak.  "What's your name?"

    "I'm called Ryoga Hibiki."  He walked over, and easily picked 
up the umbrella.

* * *

    Ranma looked at Ranko, who seemed to be wandering in her dreams.
  How could Ranma figure that out?:  Perhaps, it was the fact that 
Ranma had to pull Ranko to the side before she crashed into a tree.

    "Hey sis, you'd better pay attention before you damage 
something."

* * *

    "What's wrong, Ranko?"  Nodoka noted that today was one of 
those rare moments that Ranko was actually depressed over something.
  Nodoka at least knew that Ranko would be more able to share her 
feelings, unlike Ranma, who kept to himself.

    Ranko sighed, and started to eat some potato chips.  Nodoka 
sighed.  'Oh no, she starting to eat junk food.  That isn't a good 
sign.'

    Ranko paused to swallow.  "Mother, did you ever have any 
trouble trying to decide how you feel about a boy?"  Nodoka smiled. 
 'Ah, the problem isn't that hard.'  Nodoka had found out that she 
had been worrying about too much.

    Nodoka sat down next to Ranko.  "Well, Ranko, what do you 
think?"  Almost immediately Ranko grumbled about something, and she 
shoved yet another handful of potato chips into her mouth.  "Hey, 
slow down, or you're going to end up choking."

    Ranko swallowed a huge mass of mashed up potato chips.  "I 
don't know.  That's why I'm asking you."  Nodoka almost laughed.

    "It's these questions that are hard to answer, because you have 
to answer them for yourself.  It has to come from your heart.  It 
isn't something that you can reason out."  Nodoka helped herself to 
a potato chip, and indulged herself on the deep fried, salty, 
sliver of potato.

    Ranko sighed, and seemed even more dejected.  Nodoka however 
wasn't finished.  "For example, take your Father, Genma.  I mean, 
at one point, I didn't know whether to love him or to hate him."

    Ranko seemed quite interested.  "Really?  Tell me what 
happened?"

    Nodoka sighed, as she really didn't want to think about her 
husband.  "He broke Grandfather's jaw, during a sparring session."  
Ranko seemed shocked.

    "He did!  And you still married him!"  Ranko seemed surprised 
and shocked.

    "Yes, in fact, with Grandfather's blessing.  He sure was 
adamant about our marriage.  He practically forced the two of us 
together.  And to this day, I haven't regretted the decision to 
marry.  Genma was a very good man."  Nodoka sighed, and grabbed a 
handful of potato chips.

    "So you're telling me that I should follow my heart?  I'm kind 
of surprised, because Ranma was kind of... well sort of telling me 
that it was _ok_ for me to date him."  Nodoka had to smile at her 
son's efforts at playing match maker.  Of course, he chose not to 
be blatantly obvious.

    "Well, I think you should accept Ranma's suggestion, and go on 
a date with this boy.  It would solve you a lot of grief.  I mean, 
you can't make a decision without experience."  Ranko immediately 
turned flush.

    "You want me to go on a date!"  Ranko seemed surprised, as 
before, her mother had been quite apprehensive about letting Ranko 
date boys.

    "Well, you're an accomplished martial artist.  I don't have to 
worry about you.  If the boy tries to take advantage of you, at 
least you could break his arm."  Nodoka started to laugh.

    Ranko seemed quite put off with her mother's comment.  
"Mother!"

* * *

    "Ranma, speak to me!"  The man furiously patted at the boy's 
face, but the boy by that time barely responded.  "Aw, shit."  
Furiously, the man began to scratch away the dirt and rocks that 
pinned Ranma down to the ground.

    The sudden movement and sounds helped the boy to focus his 
wandering mind.  "Father," the boy moaned.  "I can't move.  It 
hurts everywhere, I feel cold."  

    The man felt his throat get stuck, and he tried to swallow it, 
but it wouldn't work.  "Don't worry Ranma," the man's voice seemed 
to be falsely hopeful.  "I'll get you out of this mess."  Genma 
furiously worked hard to clear away the debris, and pretty soon, he 
had successfully dug out Ranma's head, all the way down to his 
waist.  The rest of his son was buried under a large slab of stone.

    "Father, what's wrong?  I can't feel my legs."  Ranma sounded 
afraid.  For the first time in his life, he was truly afraid.  
Genma kneeled beside his son, and tried to comfort him by resting 
his hand on his son's shoulders.  

    "Nothing is wrong.  Don't worry, I'll get you out of here as 
soon as possible."  Genma looked at the stone that was pinning 
Ranma to the ground, and taking a deep breath, threw himself 
against it.  He felt his sinews stretched to their limit, his 
muscles screaming at the sudden load put on them, his feet slowly 
sinking into the ground.  Genma was disheartened to see that even 
using his full force, he was barely making any headway.

    Suddenly, after what seemed like an agonizingly useless 
expenditure of  energy, the rock slowly rolled back, seemingly 
resistant as it didn't want to move.

* * *

    "Ranma, you look like shit."  Hiroshi greeted Ranma at the 
usual corner.

    Ranma barely acknowledged Hiroshi's presence.  Daisuke was 
leaning against the fence, his cloths a rather nice looking silk 
shirt with a peculiarly strange black floral prints.  Daisuke 
patted Ranma's shoulders.  "Didn't sleep well last night?  Man, you 
should really get a girlfriend, someone who you can tell all your 
problems to."

    Hiroshi snickered.  "You mean like Kodachi."  Hiroshi pranced 
up to Daisuke, and in a girly manner clasped his hands together.  
With a false girl's voice, he intoned.  "Oh, Daisuke-sama!  You 
seemed troubled, shall I kill someone for you?"

    Daisuke punched Hiroshi in the stomach.  "Hey man, if you keep 
acting like that, you'd scare away girls.  Besides, Kodachi's 
really a nice person.  Right Ranma?"  Ranma nodded, barely.  "I 
mean, she's been pretty good about not using poison again.  I've 
told her to stop that."

    Hiroshi laughed.  "And she listens to you?"  Daisuke nodded.  
"How about her laugh?"

    Daisuke had a wicked smile on his face.  "I think it's pretty 
nice that she laughs like that.  It makes her look sexy."  Hiroshi 
started to laugh.  Ranma was silent as ever.

    Hiroshi turned to Ranma.  "Yo, Ranma, do you think I could date 
your sister?"  Ranma almost felt his muscles tensing up.  In fact, 
at school, when most people talked to him, it was regarding 
permission to date Ranko.  Everyone knew that despite Ranko's 
physical superiority, she did respect her brother's wishes.

   Ranma shooked his head.  "I don't think it would work.  Besides, 
if you date me sister, chances are, she could break your leg if you 
were late or said something that came out the hard way."  Hiroshi's 
face drooped slightly.

    "Geesh man, is there something you could do?  I mean, you 
practically did the impossible by making that loony-bin girl fall 
in love with Daisuke."  Hiroshi pointed over his shoulder at 
Daisuke, who was fuming.

    "She ain't crazy, you idiot!"  Daisuke shouted at Hiroshi.  
Hiroshi waved Daisuke back with his hands.

    "No, Kodachi was easy.  She's basically lived a very lonely 
life.  She just needed someone to show some compassion, and bam!, 
she is yours to keep."  Daisuke kind of shuddered.

    "Hey man, you'd better stop talking like that.  You're 
beginning to make me feel guilty, like I took advantage of Kodachi.
"  Suddenly there was a sprinkling of black rose petals from the 
sky, and there was a flash of black, that materialized in front of 
Daisuke.

    "Daisuke, dear.  I've was so lonely last night.  I thought you 
would come as usual.  You know how I hate it when the bed gets cold.
"  Kodachi wrapped her slender arms around Daisuke's neck, and 
leaped into his arms.  "Are you going to be around tonight?"  
Daisuke seemed to be blushing way past red into the infrared 
spectrum.

    Hiroshi was just standing there staring at Kodachi, as she had 
obviously been running.  Her breathing was heavy enough to make her 
front go up and down in a disconcerting sort of way.

    "I'm sorry Kodachi, I really have a killer test today, but 
today's Saturday, and I can come for dinner earlier than usual."  
Daisuke spoke rather quietly, as if he didn't want anyone else to 
hear.

    Kodachi's eyes opened.  "Really?  Oh, fantastic!  I can't wait 
till tonight!"  Flexing her firm thighs, she leaped into the air, 
presumably off to her private school.

    Hiroshi muttered as he walked to school.  "I need at girlfriend.
  I need a girlfriend.  Geesh, Ranma can you help me?"

    Ranma looked at Hiroshi.  "Look here, Daisuke was kind enough 
to tell me that he wanted Kodachi, and offered me a little fee for 
the trouble.  I gave him the standard 50% discount I give all my 
friends.  If you want me to match you up with someone, just give me 
a name and 5000 yen.  Ok?  Consider it well spent money.  I won't 
go through the trouble of breaking your relationship later."  Ranma 
grumbled, and he marched off, leaving Hiroshi and Daisuke behind.

    Hiroshi looked Ranma as he tried unsuccessfully to march off.  
Problem was, stomping his feet into the ground had numbed his legs, 
so he had to stop a block away.  "Hey, Daisuke, who do you think 
would be a good match for me?"

    Daisuke shrugged his shoulders.  "I don't know.  You tend to 
zone out when girls are around.  That's a big turn off for them.  
Most girls like guys who can say the right thing at the right time.
"

    Hiroshi felt his shoulders droop.  "Geesh, and I thought Ranma 
could do something about it."

    Daisuke shrugged his shoulders.  "Well, Hiroshi, it's like this.
  Ranma kind of knows what would turn a girl on, so you'd better 
give him a name so he can make a plan for you.  I mean, he knew 
that Kodachi would permanently imprint on the first person to be 
nice to her.  Well, see you.  I have Chemistry first period."  
Daisuke ran off into the school.

    Hiroshi stood there, quite confused and thinking about girls, 
when someone landed on his head, and slammed his face into the 
ground.  Understandably, he didn't stand up.  Ranko barely even 
noticed Hiroshi.  "Oh, I'm going to be late!" she shouted as she 
tore into the building and zoomed up the stairs.

* * *

    Ranma was alone as usual during lunch.  This time he was seated 
against a tree in the schoolyard, not really doing anything. During 
class, he had received a note from Hiroshi, asking for Nabiki.  
Ranma sighed, as he noted that this was definitely going to be a 
challenge.  As he recalled, Nabiki was one of the top ten most 
eligible girls in the school.  The problem was that Hiroshi was a 
complete loser around girls.

    "What can I do?"  Ranma muttered to himself.  Ranma stopped 
himself from thinking any further.  'Why am I doing this?'  He 
answered himself.  'Because you want to feel useful.  You can't do 
anything else except for this.'  Ranma sighed and he leaned against 
the tree.  Recently, he had been feeling useless, as usual.  His 
efforts to stop his mother have all but failed.  She didn't really 
seem to mind that Ranma wasn't interested in the marriage.

    Even when Ranma got nasty, and canceled dinner reservations, 
his mother and Soun went elsewhere for dinner.  And every time, his 
Mother would come home, as happy as ever.

    "Hey, Ranma.  Are you busy?"  Ranma looked at the newest 
student at Furinken High.  "Damn you are hard to find.  I must have 
wandered this entire school yard for 5 minutes." 

    Ranma looked at Ryoga critically.  "I'm here, writing on paper, 
and otherwise not paying attention to the world around me.  I think 
that qualifies has having me busy."  Ryoga turned to leave.  "But 
you broke my concentration, I'm free now."  Ranma's voice seemed to 
carry an undertone of 'You'd better have a good reason for 
interrupting me or else.'

    Ryoga sat down next to Ranma.  "About your sister.  I mean, I'm 
not sure whether it would be right, but you know..."  Ryoga seemed 
to stumble on words.

    "Let's see.  You want to date her, and you kind of want my 
blessing since you tried to kick the shit out of me the other day.  
Absolutely no."  Ryoga stood up, and brandished his umbrella.  
"That is what I would say to an ordinary person.  But you, I think 
you'd find it surprising to know that my sister always had a crush 
on you."  Ryoga laughed nervously, and allowed the umbrella to fall 
behind him.

    Ryoga seemed quite encouraged by that fact.  "Ranma, could you 
give this message to your sister?  I want to meet her in the park 
today after school, on the northern shore of the lake."  Ranma 
barely grunted in acknowledgment.

* * *

    Nodoka sighed as she cleaned away Ranma's meticulously neat 
room.  Actually, his practically empty room.  Well, to be more 
exact, his room wasn't that empty to begin with.  On the walls were 
photographs, of a younger Ranma and his father, both sparring.  
Grabbing her broom, Nodoka swept under Ranma's futon, in an attempt 
to get rid of the dust.

    Not only did dust come out, but fragments of wood and metal.  
Curious, Nodoka looked at the peculiar trash, and after 
comprehending what it was, she shook her head sadly.  It was the 
mangled remains of one of Ranma's old Kendo trophies.  Looking in 
the trash bin, she found a photograph of a really happy 6 year old 
boy holding a small wooden sword and a trophy, next to a proud 
father.