At last, here's the final installment... Enjoy!  C&C encouraged, requested,
demanded!! <G!>
Coutuva.

** In order for this to make sense, you should be familiar with
"Ranma nibun no ichi", all episodes.  My thanks to Kunoichi for
her excellent stories and inspiration.
        Please note!!  This is a Parallel Universe to the one represented 
in Kunoichi's series, and is in *NO* way intended to be a continuation or
addition to her storylines.  Since this is a first effort, I 'borrowed'
from an established line.  If response is good, I'll go out on the limb
with my next attempt.
        All characterizations, circumstances and backgrounds used 
with **Kunoichi's** permission.**
===========================================================================



Almost a Miracle Part 3 of 3 - A Ranma 1/2 FanFic!        <Warning - LIME>
The Thunder of Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

        As the ensuing weeks passed, the Saotome household underwent some
radical and startling changes.  Ranma gradually began to exhibit the
effects of the injections, becoming more female with each passing day.
Her voice softened, her temper relaxed, and she became more polite and
courteous than she had ever been.  She also stopped her personal training,
afraid for her baby.  As well, she would be in the kitchen, doing laundry,
cleaning the house, doing the shopping... in short, driving Akane crazy.
She also became very interested in the gardens, turning them into a
neighbourhood showpiece.
        Genma tried his level best to get some sign of his son to show
through, but with little luck.  About all he managed was to be on the
receiving end of the odd punch when he pushed her too far.
        Another "side effect" manifested itself one morning when Akane
awoke to find onna-Ranma standing before the full-length mirror in their
room, totally naked, and examining herself carefully.
        Akane noticed the expression on her face, and sighed quietly.
She knew what was coming next.
        Ranma heard her sigh, and turned to face her.
        "Akane... do I look fat?" she asked, worriedly.
        "No, Ranma.. you're pregnant.  Your belly is going to get bigger,
no matter what." Akane replied with a groan.
        "But I feel so fat and ugly... look at me.  It's like I have a big
ball in there, and my boobs are sagging." she pouted, cupping her breasts
and bouncing them a few times.  "And my butt is getting wider, too." she
continued, turning to regard the offending area.
        "I know, Ranma.. It happened to me too.  You'll get it all back,
don't worry." Akane soothed, walking up behind Ranma and wrapping a
supporting arm over her shoulders.
        "I hope so.. I always want to be pretty for you." onna-Ranma
responded, snuggling into Akane's chest.
        "Trust me, Ranma.. you're very 'pretty' to me." Akane replied,
biting back what she suddenly felt like saying. "I have an Idea, Ranma..
Let's go shopping for some new clothes for you today... It's about time
to get you some maternity wear anyway, since you don't fit mine." Akane
suggested, trying to change the subject.
        "I know... I'm getting as big as a house." Ranma pouted, glancing
at herself in the mirror again. "Lets go soon, okay?"
        "Right after I get the kids looked after, we can go."
        "Thanks, Akane.. I love you." Ranma replied, kissing Akane's cheek.
        As Ranma headed down the stairs humming happily, Akane stood alone
in their room, looking at herself in the mirror.  She couldn't believe the
feeling that went through her when onna-Ranma kissed her... it was like..
revulsion.  She was stunned to think that she was repulsed by the
affections
of the man she loved, and it troubled her deeply.  As she thought it over
however, it eventually occurred to her why.  In the past, Ranma had always
been Ranma, even when in female form.  Now, Ranma had become very feminine,
and Akane was no lesbian.
        "Now what am I going to do?" she sighed at the woman in the mirror,
her eyes getting moist.

        By the time Akane made it downstairs, Ranma had already made
breakfast, and was getting Miyabi dressed for school.  Akane smiled at
them,
and quickly slipped into the bathroom.  As she finished her bath, it dawned
on her how to deal with her new difficulty... all she had to do was be
male,
and the problem would be solved.  Smiling, she rose from the bath, and
promptly dumped cold water over herself.
        Ranma was still waving Miyabi off when Akane-Kun walked up behind
her.  "Good morning, gorgeous." He greeted, his voice low and seductive.
        Onna-Ranma erked, and turned slowly to face Akane.  Her jaw dropped
briefly, then she smiled brightly.
        "Akane-Kun!" onna-Ranma exclaimed, jumping into his arms and
hugging
him tightly.  Akane could feel that even onna-Ranma was impressed with her
idea.

        Arriving in the mall about an hour later, the two of them walked
arm-in-arm, chattering like a couple of school kids, having not a care in
the world.  From store to store they went, onna-Ranma trying on dozens of
different outfits, till finally they had to take a break.
        Finding themselves a foodcourt caf‚, they indulged in ice cream
and sundaes, onna-Ranma as usual never able to get enough.  Akane-kun had
to laugh at his spouses face full of chocolate syrup, and bent down to get
her a handkerchief from the bags beside them.
        As he came back up, onna-Ranma was in mid air, shouting at him to
get down.  Before he could react, Ranma had landed on him, toppling his
chair and both of them backwards to the floor.  Onna-Ranma, her timing off
on the landing,  hit the floor hard, rolled and ended up crumpled up
against
the outside half-wall of the caf‚.
        Stunned, Akane-kun went to stand up and go to Ranma, but stopped
short when he caught sight of the large dagger embedded in the column
behind
his seat.  His hand involuntarily went to his chest, about where the dagger
would have hit him, had he been there.
        "Kuso... " He breathed, still staring at the large weapon.  It was
then he noticed the red streak along the edge of the blade.
        A crowd had gathered around Ranma, who lay dazed and bleeding from
a large gash in her arm.  Akane-kun, upon regaining his senses, was at her
side in an instant.
        "Ranma.. Are you okay?" He blurted, gasping at the ugly wound to
her
arm.
        "Akane-kun... I'm okay.. Sorry about the push.." onna-Ranma
whispered,
hoarsely.
        "You Idiot!  You could have just told me to duck... now look at
you.
That arm is bad!"  He responded, ripping his shirt to create a quick
tourniquet.
        "No time... you okay?"
        "I'm fine, but we have to get you to a doctor.. You've already lost
a lot of blood." Akane-kun stated, fighting back tears.
        "Good... I was afraid I wouldn't get to you in time." She
whispered,
smiling weakly.  Raising her arm, she looked over at the wound, her face
changing to a grimace.  "It's torn... and I'll never get that blood out...
Sorry I ruined your top, Akane... " She continued, apologetically.
        "God, Ranma.. don't worry about it... Let's get you to Dr. Tofu."
        "Okay.." Ranma replied, trying to stand.  As she tried to put
weight
on her left leg, though, she yelped and collapsed back to the floor.
Grimacing again, she looked imploringly at Akane-kun.
        "Lean over on me, Ranma.. " Akane directed, putting Ranma's good
arm
around his shoulders, and lifting her into his arms.  Onna-Ranma tucked
herself in tight, and closed her eyes.

        Later, at Dr. Tofu's office, Tofu took Akane, now back in her
female
form, aside to talk to her.  The look on his face told Akane that the news
was not going to be good.
        "Well, Doctor, how is she?" Akane asked, fearful of the answer.
        "She's lost a lot of blood, and that banging around didn't help...
she's going to be sore.  Also, she'll have to watch that knee for a few
days... she managed to pop it pretty good, and it will be delicate.
Luckily, she's in excellent health otherwise."  Tofu-Sensei explained,
gently.
"So, tell me what happened to her."
        "Someone threw a dagger at us in the mall... I think it was
intended
for me." Akane began, a chill running down her back as she recalled the
scene.  "Ranma dove across the table to knock me out of the way and got hit
by it, then landed hard on the floor."
        "I see_ that explains the damage to her knee."
        "Now that I think about it, something else *must* have happened...
Ranma would never let herself get hurt like that... I must have missed it."
        " Hm... "She is pregnant, Akane... that's enough to throw anyone
off.
And with the hormone therapy she's on, her timing and balance are severely
affected."
        "I guess they would be... Is the baby okay?"
        "The baby seems to be all right, but it's heartbeat is a bit
irregular and it's riding very low_  Ranma had best not do any more
fighting,
or there's a chance she could injure or even lose it." Tofu replied,
looking
sternly at Akane.
        Akane returned his look, unable to comment further.  Just then,
Kasumi wandered in, carrying several cloths and a small basin.
        "Akane, Ranma is awake now.. you can see her if you like."
        "Thanks, Kasumi." She responded, rising to go to her spouse.

        Going quietly to Ranma's side, Akane had to bite her lip to keep
from crying.  The small Chinese girl lay flat on her back, a large dressing
covering the top of her arm, and her face marred by bruises and scrapes.
The blanket covering her somewhat enhanced the protrusion of her abdomen,
making her seem even more pregnant than she was.  Akane felt a surge of
guilt for Ranma's condition, upset with herself for causing Ranma to get
hurt.
        As Akane stood a few feet back from the table on which Ranma lay,
she was startled by a soft moan from her husband.
        "Ranma.. can you talk?" Akane asked, quietly moving to her side.
        "I'm... okay.. are you safe?" Ranma asked, turning to face Akane
and
grimacing as she tried to reach for her.
        "Don't worry about me, I'm just fine.  Ranma, you scared me... Dr.
Tofu says you're going to be okay, but you have to take it easy.  No more
stunts like that." Akane scolded, gently touching Ranma's forehead.
        Ranma looked away sheepishly.  "I know, Akane.. It just happened..
I saw the dagger coming, and reacted before I could think.  I'm sorry I
scared you." She responded, quietly.
        "It's.. okay, Ranma.. If you hadn't, I might have been hurt."
        "It's more than that, Akane... That throw was meant to kill you.
Someone wants you dead pretty badly to attack you in broad daylight.."
asserted a voice from behind them.
        "Uukyou!" Akane exclaimed, upon turning to face the voice.
        "Yeah.. it was a final, all right.  I saw it from behind the
kiosk near you two.  I was just on my way over to say 'Hi' when Ran-chan
here jumped.  You're timing's way off, honey."  she continued, pointing at
Ranma.
        "I know.. " Ranma replied, sadly.  "I almost didn't get Akane down
in time."
        "And that's not all, judging by this." Uukyou stated, moving beside
the bed and looking intently at Ranma's large dressing.  "You better leave
the rough stuff to others, and take care of that little package you're
carrying." She followed, smiling sweetly.
        "I couldn't help it... I just reacted..." she replied, her voice
breaking as she reached down and gently placed a hand on her tummy.  "I
know
I'm not supposed to do that stuff anymore, but I couldn't help it... You
were
in danger Akane... I had to protect you."  she continued, searching Akane's
eyes for understanding.
        "I know, Ranma... but it's time to forget the "Code" and start
thinking about the baby... After all, you're not the man you used to be."
Akane admonished gently, a wry smile crossing her face.
        "I.. guess you're right.  It's hard though... I've been trained to
think like a warrior not like a... mother to be."  onna-Ranma stated,
resignedly.  As she spoke, she began to gently caress her protruding tummy.
Akane placed her hand on top of Ranma's, meshing their fingers.  Looking
into onna-Ranma's sad eyes, she winked and smiled, then quietly spoke.
        "You once told me I'd make a great dad... I think you'll make a
wonderful Mommy, Ranma."  She assured, smiling happily.  Ranma smiled back
through moistening eyes, and reached up painfully for Akane.  They hugged
gently, then Akane carefully helped Ranma lay back down.
        "You rest now, Ranma... Uukyou and I will leave you alone for a
little while so you can get some sleep before we go home."
        "Okay.."  Ranma agreed, weakly.  "But, Akane..."
        "Yes, Ranma?"
        "Don't go to far... I need you to be close."
        Smiling happily, Akane leaned in and kissed Ranma's forehead. 
"I'll
be right outside the door.  You rest now."
        "I will.  Suke dayo, Akane-chan."
        "I love you, Ranma.  See you in a while."  Akane responded softly,
pulling the blanket up to Ranma's shoulders and tucking it in.  She then
waved her goodbyes and headed out the door, bringing Uukyou with her.
        Once outside the room, Uukyou could contain herself no longer.
        "Akane... Wow!  I can't believe the difference in Ran-Chan!  What
happened to him?"  She asked, totally astonished.
        "He's been on hormones for the baby."  Akane replied, dryly. 
"Why?"
        "Oh, nothing.. I just hope it's not permanent.. it would be such a
waste."  Uukyou observed, wistfully.
        Akane bit her tongue, knowing Uukyou was probably as worried about
Ranma as she was, which might account for her comments.  So, at least for
the time being, she was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
        "Yeah.. Anyway, did you see who attacked us?" 
        "Nope.  Just saw the flash and the flip.  I get the idea that we're
looking at someone who knows, or maybe is Ninja.  They disappeared into
thin
air." Uukyou replied, shrugging.
        "That says a lot, actually..."  Akane noted, thoughtfully.
        "Yeah.. not too many around here who have that background... I
think
you had better talk to Nabiki, kiddo... she may have some answers for you."
Uukyou stated, winking.
	"Oh, don't worry.. I plan on it."  Akane answered, her eyes narrowing.
	
	Later, onna-Ranma lay quietly on a futon set up in the dining room
as Miyabi 'read' to her from one of her storybooks.   Akane couldn't help
but
smile at them, noting how Miyabi would make a point of showing every
picture
to Ranma, knowing she couldn't easily lean up to see them.  Akane also
noticed that onna-Ranma treated Miyabi a bit differently, occasionally
straightening her clothes or fixing her hair, and even at one point tying
her hair in a pigtail.  Miyabi loved it, running around the house saying
she
was just like her Papa now.
	All these things made Akane wonder if she hadn't been to hard on
Ranma in Tofu-Sensei's office... she sure didn't seem like the warrior now
as
she played happily with Miyabi.  However, Akane knew that if she snapped
once, she could do it again, and next time could be far worse.  Sighing
quietly, she hoped they would never have occasion to find out.
	As Akane laid out some tea for her and Ranma, she heard the back door
slide open.  Rising quickly, she darted to the hall to see who it was.
Rounding the far end of the hall, Kuno Nabiki stepped into view, a somewhat
sheepish look on her face.
	"Just the person I was looking for."  Akane stated, eyeing her
sister levelly.  "Come on in.. I want to talk to you."
        "I know what it's about, Akane...  That's why I'm here.  I just
came
from Uuchan's, and she brought me up to speed.  Is Ranma okay?"
        "Yes, but she got hurt pretty bad.  So, tell me... is there
anything I
should know?"
	Nabiki sighed, then turned away from Akane's angry glare.  She began
to fidget with her watch, then finally, she turned to face Akane again.
        "Okay.  Here's the score.  Kuno has been at a monastic retreat for
the last six months, and hadn't heard about the baby, or about  you, Akane.
He got back yesterday, and of course, hears on the street that onna-Ranma
is
knocked up.  Well, you know how he feels about his "Pig-Tailed Goddess"...
he
blew a nut, and has sworn to *kill* the "foul and contemptible swine that
would defile the pure innocence of such a wondrous beauty." end quote.  In
plain Japanese, he doesn't know that the man he saw with Ranma today is
actually you, Akane."
        "You mean... it's Kuno that's trying to kill me??"  Akane gasped,
eyes wide.  All along, she had thought it was Sasuke.
        "'Fraid so, sis... He's really lost it this time, too.. neither
Kodachi or I could talk any sense into him."
	"You talked to him?  Where is he now?"  Akane asked, becoming very
concerned.
	"Don't ask me...  He had a fit, and took off about an hour or two
ago.. haven't seen him since.  You better stay female till he calms down
and
we can get him cooled off, or who knows what he'll try next."
	"Kuso.. this is all we needed.  Nabiki, don't say a word to Ranma..
She'll likely go after him, and in her condition..."
	"Sis, *I* wouldn't even give you odds on that one."
        "Yeah.. Well, Ranma heard you arrive, so let's go say hi...
remember,
you know nothing."  Akane ordered, pointing a finger at Nabiki's nose.
	"Just the way I like to be thought of_"  Nabiki droned, following
Akane to the dining room.

	Ranma healed in her usual rapid manner, and by the time a week had
passed, she was back to annoying Akane again.  Akane tried to be patient
with her, but even an extreme effort couldn't prevent her from telling
Ranma
off occasionally, which usually resulted in onna-Ranma running off crying
to
her room.  One such day, Akane walked slowly around the dojo, needing to
get
a break from the madness.
	"I feel so bad for yelling at her_  But she drives me nuts!  Always
has a better way for me to do things, picking on my cleaning, my cooking...
and even how I handle my kids!  Like she knows!  RRRhhh! She better settle
down soon or I'll tie her to the nearest tree!"  Akane thought, walking
toward
the practice dummy she used to clobber under these types of circumstances.
As she regarded it, almost involuntarily, her arm drew back and her hand
clenched into a fist.
	"Ranma No Bakaaaa!"  she yelled, driving her fist into the dummy as
hard as she could.  She smiled with great satisfaction as she heard the dry
crack of shattered wood echo around the yard.  As quickly as it came
though,
the satisfaction evaporated, leaving her realising that it was not Ranma,
her 'husband' that she was dealing with, but a pregnant, hormone-crazed
female version of him... and that she should try to be more understanding
of
what he was going through.
	Sighing, Akane let her arm fall to her side, suddenly feeling very
guilty about getting so angry.  She thought for a moment about going to
comfort onna-Ranma, but decided that she was the last person Ranma would
want to see... at least for a little while.
	Shoving her hands into her large floppy pockets, she walked slowly
back toward the house, eyes downcast.  As she stepped in, she noticed
Miyabi
and Masao playing happily in the dining area.  She smiled happily as she
did
every time she saw them, and headed over to see if she could join their
little game.
        This, at least, would keep her mind off of her troubles for a
little
while, she reasoned, and hopefully let things calm down.

        Up in their room meantime, onna-Ranma had rolled off the futon and
stood once again before the mirror, wiping the last of her tears away.  In
her mind, she realized that maybe Akane was right, and she should stay out
of her way.  After all, it was Akane's house, and hers to run as she saw
fit.  Sighing, she 
resolved to apologise to Akane for being such a pain, even though she was
only trying to help.
        That decided, she turned to the side and looked over her very
pregnant body, noting how in just a week, she felt as though she had
doubled
in size.  Her belly stuck out almost as much again now as it did a week
ago,
and she noticed that it was having an effect on her posture.. her shoulders
were back and her hips jutted forward, trying to counter the weight of the
baby.  She sneered at that discovery, thinking it was going to take weeks
of
training to get back into shape.
        Abruptly, she felt an itch on the side of her tummy and scratched
it
absently.  As she did, her eyes widened as she thought of what could be
causing it.  Ripping her top off, she stared open-mouthed at the angry red
line snaking it's way across her skin.

        Akane jumped at the scream that echoed through the building, then
two seconds later burst through the bedroom door to see a horrified
onna-Ranma standing topless before the mirror.
        "What happened?"  Akane blurted, breathless.
        "Akane..."  Ranma began, slowly.  "I have.. STRETCH MARKS!!"  Ranma
wailed, diving into Akane's arms.
        Akane, too stunned to react at first, stood holding the sobbing
onna-Ranma, then started to laugh hysterically.  "Stretch Marks??  That's
why
you screamed?"  she finally responded between laughs.
        "Akane.. It's not funny!  I'm ugly, fat, and now I have these...
'things' all over my tummy and boobs... I'm not pretty anymore!"  she
cried,
again burying her head in Akane's chest.
        Akane felt her heart go out to Ranma, as she remembered how she
felt
when all of this happened to her.  She wouldn't even let Ranma see her nude
at first, thinking she was too ugly for him.  Now, when it was happening to
onna-Ranma,  she had laughed.  Suddenly, she felt very small.
        "I'm sorry, Ranma... I know exactly how you feel.  You don't need
to
get upset. All of it will go away, and you'll be right back to where you
were
in no time."  She soothed, gently rubbing the red head still buried in her
chest.
        "But.. I'm not pretty... I want to always be pretty for you.  I
don't
want you to be seen with someone as ugly as me."
        Akane could hear her own words echoing back to her from six years
ago,
and felt her heart twinge slightly.  Before now, the novelty of Ranma's
pregnancy had outweighed the more serious side of things... It had never
occurred to Akane that because of the hormones, the pregnancy and all the
other circumstances, Ranma's emotions might also be out of whack.  Biting
her
lip, she tried to remember what Ranma had said to her back then, hoping it
would have the same effect.
        "Ranma.. you are the most beautiful thing in the world to me.
Remember.. you told me that I was never as pretty as when I was pregnant
for
our children.  It's the same for you... you're absolutely glowing from
carrying this baby.. and I love you.  Don't ever forget that."  Akane
insisted, gently.
        Ranma sobbed quietly for a few more seconds, and then lifted her
reddened eyes to Akane.  "Do you really mean it?  You don't think I'm
ugly?"
She sniffed, wiping her cheeks.
        "I mean it.  I think you're beautiful."  Akane stated, smiling.
        "I love you , Akane."  Ranma responded, hugging her again. "Akane..
I'm sorry about all the trouble I've been lately.. I just ...can't help
myself."  Ranma continued, stepping back from Akane and looking her in the
eyes.  "I didn't mean to be a problem, I just wanted to help."
        "That's okay, Ranma.. I shouldn't have yelled at you like I did...
I was just having a bad day, and I took it out on you.  Can you forgive
me?"
Akane admitted, bowing slightly.
        "Akane.. I could never be mad at you."  Ranma stated, smiling and
sheepishly turning her foot on the floor.
        "Oh.. I have some creme that will help with stretch marks around
here somewhere... do you want to try it?"
        "Yeah!  Where is it?"
        "Just a minute.. I'll look."  Inwardly, Akane sighed with relief.

        Later, the two of them found their way outside, enjoying a lazy
wander in the late afternoon sun.  Ranma grinned from ear to ear, happy
that
Akane wasn't upset anymore, and that she loved her even though she looked
like a kettle with legs.  Akane also smiled, happy that Ranma was so
content.
        Eventually, they sat beside the pond on adjacent rocks, watching
the
children playing happily in the water.  Ranma noticed that Miyabi still
sported the pig-tail and grinned happily, feeling a bit flattered by it.
        "This feels nice, Akane... just our little family together out
here...
I hope it's always like this."  Ranma observed, wistfully.
        "I know.. our lives seem to be so crazy all the time."  Akane
responded, apparently following Ranma's line of thought.  "Sometimes, I
wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else..."  She continued, her
words trailing off.
        "Akane; You too?"  Ranma replied, wide-eyed.
        "Sometimes... I don't think I could ever do it, but I have
wondered...
You know.. what it would be like to live a normal, quiet life...?"
        "Heh.. We'd probably go crazy with boredom."  Ranma quipped,
grinning.  "Maybe, after I have the baby, we'll take a vacation...  Just
the five of us.  It would be nice to have some 'together time' without any
interference.  What do you think?"
        "I think it sounds fabulous.  As long as *I* get to pick the
destination."  She replied, smirking.
        "Deal.  As soon as we can."
        Akane opened her mouth to reply, but instead shrieked in shock as
Miyabi doused her with a bucket of water.
        "Miyabi!  What are you doing?"  Akane-kun snarled, shaking the
water
off of himself.
        "I got you!  I got you! "  Miyabi taunted, giggling.
        Ranma had to snicker at it too, thinking that now Akane knew how it
felt.
        "Oh yeah? Now I'm going to get you!"  Akane-kun threatened,
stepping
toward Miaybi, who promptly squealed and ran laughing out of the pond.
        Onna-Ranma burst out laughing at the two of them racing around the
yard, and ended up sliding off the rock she had been perched on.  Masao
meantime, clapped and laughed excitedly from his vantage point in the pond.
        As Onna-Ranma picked herself up off the ground, she noticed that
the
squealing and laughing had stopped suddenly.  Her warrior instincts took
over,
and she peered cautiously over the top of the rock to see what had
happened.
The sight before her froze her blood in it's veins.
        Akane-kun stood near the corner of the house, and before him stood
Tatewake Kuno,  katana drawn and bloodlust in his eyes.  Miyabi had fled
back
to the pool, and was protecting her little brother.  As Ranma watched, Kuno
and Akane-kun circled each other slowly, each sizing up the other.  As
expected, Kuno spoke first.
        "Thou doest either posses the bravery of the gods, or you have
taken
great leave of the little sense you may have had, knave.  To wantonly
flaunt
your desecration of the Pig-Tailed Goddess in such a shameless manner
*begs*
for retribution!   Better for you to have stayed in hiding like the cur you
are, than to suffer the fate of so many others that have stood before me."
He said angrily, his eyes flashing with the glare of a man possessed.
        Ranma took advantage of Kuno's pontificating to move around behind
him and Akane, using the bushes and rocks for cover.  Ranma knew Akane-kun
would be keeping eye contact with Kuno, so he would not notice her moving
to a strike position.
        At that moment, Kuno raised his katana and set himself for a
strike.
"Know this, base defiler of women;  I am Tatewake Kuno, Blue Thunder of
Nerima, and I mean to see you pay for this travesty with your life!"
        Before anyone could react, Kuno's blade sliced the air, narrowly
missing Akane-kun's head.  Akane-kun dove forward, using Kuno's shoulders
as
a pommel horse to launch himself over his opponent's back.  Kuno spun
around,
again arcing the katana through the air, it's whistle audible to all. 
Again,
the two circled one another, Akane-kun looking desperately for a weapon of
any sort.  Kuno lunged, feinting a swing to the left, then crossing himself
under the swing, brought the weapon back to the right.  Caught out by the
fake, Akane-kun felt the bite of cold steel across his arm and chest, and
his
arm immediately went numb.  Reeling back from the pain and shock, Akane-kun
staggered and fell against the outside wall of the dojo, streaking it with
a
trail of red.  Kuno, smelling blood, raised his weapon for a final attack.
        "Die, worthless scum!"  He shouted, rearing back for a death-blow.
        Ranma launched herself from her hiding spot, catching Kuno square
in
the back and wrapping her arm around his neck.  Suddenly, she realized that
she was out of position to finish the attack, and Kuno reacted predictably.
        His katana dropped to the ground as he reached over, grabbed
onna-Ranma's blouse and flipped her over his head, throwing her hard
against
the dojo wall.  Her back slammed flat into the wall,  sending paralysing
pain
racing through her head and neck.  Stunned, she was unable to right
herself,
and landed face down on the ground from a height of almost five feet.
        Kuno meantime, quickly recovered his weapon, and turned to face his
attacker.  When he discovered who was laying face-down and unmoving in the
dirt before him, his face drained and the katana clattered to the ground
once again.
        "By all that's holy... What have I done?"  he whispered, reaching
for
onna-Ranma gently.
        "KUNO!"  shouted a voice from beside him.  "You stupid Son-of-A-_" 
He
never heard the rest of the epithet as Akane-kun's foot connected solidly
with his temple.  After Kuno landed, Akane-kun stood unsteadily for a few
seconds, watching for him to move.  When he didn't, Akane-kun staggered
painfully over to onna-Ranma who lay deathly still, exactly where she had
fallen.  Her skin had a grayish cast, and around her mouth and ears,
Akane-kun
could see fresh blood, which sent a wave of panic through him.
        "Miyabi!  Miyabi!"  he yelled, hoping she was still within earshot.
        "Hai, Okaasa!"  answered the voice of a tiny angel.  Akane-kun
turned
to see her running toward him, and couldn't help but feel relieved. 
"Quick,
Miyabi.. call Aunt Kasumi and tell her Papa is hurt bad.. she has to come
now!"
        "Okay!  I will, I will!"  the little one responded, racing for the
house.
        Akane-kun turned back to onna-Ranma's crumpled body, and knelt
beside
it.  He felt a chill run his spine as he vainly searched for some sign of
life... but there was none.  He could feel the tears coming, and made no
effort to hold them back.
"Ranma... No Baka..."  he whispered, collapsing in a crying heap across the
body of the one he loved.


	Several hours later, Akane woke up in Dr. Tofu's office, feeling very
groggy and dry-mouthed.
	"Oh, look everyone!  Akane is awake!"  Kasumi announced from her seat
beside Akane's bed.  Everyone that had gathered poured through the doors,
and
swarmed over the barely-conscious young woman, expressing their happiness
that
she was awake, and more or less all right.  Akane greeted the crowd and
tried
to sit up, earning herself a painful reminder of her shoulder wound.
        "Oww... that hurts... Kasumi?  What happened to me?"  She croaked,
accepting gratefully the glass of water offered her by her sister.
	"By the time we arrived at the house, you had already lost a lot of
blood and were unconscious, Akane.  We brought you and Ranma here, and
Tofu-Sensei operated on your shoulder. You'll be just fine."  Kasumi
replied,
smiling sweetly.
	"What about Ranma?"  she asked, nervously.
	The room went silent suddenly, and everyone looked at the floor.
	"Hey.. She's all right, isn't she?"  Akane asked, hesitantly.
	From the door behind the crowd, Dr. Tofu's voice rang out through the
silence.  "I just came from her room.  Could we have a moment alone,
everyone?"  He asked, his face grim.
	After the last guest had filed out, Dr. Tofu walked over to Akane, and
wordlessly sat on the chair at the foot of her bed.  Akane's chest
tightened
with fear as she anticipated what he was about to say.
	Tofu-sensei looked into Akane's apprehensive eyes, and cleared his
throat nervously.
        "Akane.. about Ranma..."

	The office waiting room was full to capacity with guests, and they
all jostled noisily for a comfortable place to stand.  Instantly, they all
froze in their spots at the agonized scream that reverberated through the
small building.
	"NOOOOOO!!!!"


Epilogue
 
	Akane recovered well from her wound,  and it was not  long before she
had complete use of her arm again.  Tofu-Sensei had been concerned about
nerve damage, but thankfully, his concerns proved unfounded.  Kuno,
meanwhile,
had almost committed seppuku, but Nabiki and Kodachi managed, with great
difficulty and several chains,  to talk him out of it.
	Ranma, however, did not fare so well.  When she hit the ground, the
impact caused her some serious damage and severely injured the baby.
Despite the best efforts of all involved, the child died in utero later
that
night.  Akane had the grisly task of authorizing Tofu to remove the tiny
body,
and spent several days in shock afterward.
	When the time came, Akane insisted on a proper funeral for the baby,
which as it turned out, had been a girl.  As she and Ranma had earlier
decided, and as Akane felt was right, the tiny girl was given the name
Miyuki.
A small ceremony was held privately in the Dojo, Akane not wanting to
entertain any well wishers.  She also insisted on formal interment in the
family plots, very near where her mother rested.  Throughout the entire
ordeal, Akane had managed to keep a brave face, but everyone knew that she
had suffered a blow from which she would never fully recover.
	Miyabi was deeply affected by her Papa's injuries, although she was
unaware that Ranma had been pregnant.  Thankfully, Ranma and Akane had
decided that just in case, they would not tell her anything about it until
the baby was actually born.  That only spared little Miyabi from some
sorrow,
however, especially since she had seen onna-Ranma laying on the ground
after
the fight.  She became sad, sullen and moody, all trace of the once loving,
happy child having vanished beneath a wall of anger.

	Two weeks passed, and Akane maintained her bedside vigil over Ranma,
who had since been moved to their home.  She had remained in a coma-like
state since the fight, and because of her head injuries, everyone was
worried
that she may not ever come out of it.  Each night, Akane still cried
herself
to sleep, and every morning, Miyabi was in bed with her when she awoke.

        One particularly beautiful afternoon, Akane knelt beside Ranma as
was her ritual, carefully washing down her face.  Abruptly, she head a
long,
soft moan emanate from Ranma's body.  Immediately, she called out to Miyabi
to come, and watched carefully for more signs of life.  Gradually, Ranma
began to wake up, and to Akane's great joy, recognized her immediately.
Miyabi was so excited that she jumped squealing up onto the futon, and
hugged
her Papa tightly.  As soon as Ranma said her name, Miyabi returned to being
the happy little girl she had always been.
	Akane hugged Ranma tightly as well, bursting out in tears of joy, so
relieved that Ranma was going to be okay.  Dr. Tofu confirmed that fact
later
that day, having been summoned as soon as Ranma had awakened.  In fact, the
Doctor was surprised at the degree of healing that had actually taken
place.  He finally 
passed Ranma with a clean bill of health, and left the family to their
business.
	
        To Akane's surprise, Ranma knew she had lost the baby before anyone
mentioned it.  She explained sadly that she knew before she passed out that
something was seriously wrong.  It wasn't until she regained consciousness
that she knew what had happened for certain.  Once the reality of her
unborn
daughter's death sank in, however, Ranma went into a serious depression,
spending many days crying privately and praying for forgiveness.  She too
would bear the scars of this battle for life.

	Eventually, Shampoo came by and gave Ranma the antidote for the
Full-Body Cat-Tongue, and she immediately  changed back to a man, now very
weary of being female.  Akane was glad to have her husband back to more or
less normal, and Miyabi was so excited she almost bowled him over.  She
liked
onna-Ranma, but had dearly missed her Papa.
	
        As soon as Ranma was recovered enough to get out, he insisted on
visiting the graveside of their deceased daughter.  His heart broke again
as
he approached the ornate headstone, and with trembling hands placed a
cluster
of flowers at the base of the shrine.  Akane moved in beside him, and the
two
of them offered silent prayer for the little girl's soul.
	Rising, they stood quietly hand in hand, their hearts heavy, eyes
full of tears, and minds awash in thoughts of what might have been.  After
a
few minutes, Ranma cleared his throat, and turned slowly to Akane.
        "Akane... I think it's time for a change."  He stated, emotion
cracking his voice.





============================================================================
=End (?) - Almost a Miracle Part 3 of 3 - A Ranma «  FanFic by V. Coutu.


There you have it.. my first mini-series.  I sincerely hope it will be
enjoyed
by all who read it.  My thanks again to Ratiko and Kunoichi for their
kind assistance, and to those who responded to the previous sections.
Please let me know what you think of this latest section... it was great
fun to write.

Comments Welcome, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com







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