Light came through the window signifying one thing.
	Morning.
	It was morning, and as Soun looked at the light arriving through the
window, he shuddered.
	For the first time since his wife died, he wanted to stay in bed and
forget the world existed.  Everything that he had worked and sacrificed for
had been ruined with one simple statement.  The previous evening had
destroyed many hopes that he had for the continuation of the school past
his daughter�s generation, and all because of a curse from China.
	The young man whom he had hoped would become his son-in-law, and the
father of his grand-children had become a girl, willingly.  In addition,
she was a lesbian, and was now engaged to his youngest daughter who didn�t
mind.  In fact, Akane was encouraging the relationship and was extremely
protective of Ranma.
	If only there was a cure, or something to reverse the effects of the
water, but there wasn�t.  Genma, his best friend and Ranma�s father, had
searched for just such a cure and had failed to find one before arriving.
There was little hope of rectifying the curse.
	There was no hope to continue the school, or the line.
	He should have realised something was wrong and taken steps to correct it.
 If he had known of Akane�s leanings and feelings earlier, he would have
instituted the appropriate measures to insure that she would like men.
There were signs, things that he encouraged not realising the eventual
effect.  Her naturally violent nature, the tomboyishness that she always
displayed, and her vocal hatred of all males.
	His daughter was willingly engaged to another woman, and there wasn�t a
thing he could do about it.

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter Seven:

What troubles me about...

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei, and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1998 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Morisato Keiko, Natsume Sayoko, Masumato Yukio, Yoshida Kyoko, Suzuki Ryu,
Tanaka Hiroshi, and Tomiyoshi Hikaru are copyright 1996, 1998 by Ichinohei
Hitomi

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:		Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	As Ranma and Akane left the house, they were feeling slightly guilty over
what they had done the night before.  Everything was going according to the
plan they had come up with the first night and they should have been well
on the way to dissolving the arranged marriage but so far, other than some
protests, their fathers had yet to officially end the engagement.  They
were not about to push matters, however, as the air in the house had been a
bit strained.
	First, Akane�s father had not come down from his room, apparently
preferring the safety of his bed to dealing with the situation.  Kasumi
even went up to his room to see if she could get him to at least come to
the breakfast table.  However, it was to no avail.
	Next, Ranma�s father had refused to spar with her, leaving the young
martial artist with nothing to do.  It was the first time in memory that
Genma had refused to spar with his child, and that hurt her deeply.
Exploring her feelings was something that Ranma did not have any experience
in.
	Both girls were left wondering what to do, and since Akane did not want to
go jogging that morning, they left for the breakfast table where things got
progressively worse.  There Genma had refused to even look at Ranma, or
acknowledge her existence.  To everyone in the family, it was painfully
obvious that he was at the point of denying her very existence.
	Although she would never admit it, even to Akane, Ranma was feeling the
loss of her fathers love.  Up to this point in her life, he had always
acknowledged her presence and her well being, no matter what the situation.
 To have that suddenly taken away hurt worse than any physical pain she had
ever faced.  Ranma�s opinion on the plan that they had come up had changed
drastically that morning, and she suddenly felt like she should change her
mind and do what their fathers wanted.  But it wasn�t her decision alone;
Akane�s feelings also had to be considered, and she wanted out of the
engagement.
	What she didn�t understand as of yet was that Akane had already noticed
all that had happened.
	Seeing Ranma�s expression that morning hurt, and Akane silently took the
smaller girls hand into her own, giving it a small squeeze.  Although it
was intended to give Ranma some courage, she could feel the sudden tensing.
 Soon she felt Ranma begin to relax as the reassuring message that she was
trying to send got through.  She would make sure that Ranma would not
suffer.  It was her fault that the turquoise eyed girl was feeling like
this, and she would protect her.
	For Ranma, that slight squeeze made her feel better, less vulnerable in a
way.  In a quiet voice, she said, �Thanks Akane.  I needed this.�
	Akane put her arm around Ranma�s shoulder and squeezed lightly.  �It�s OK
Ranma.  No matter what happens I�ll be there for you.�
	The smaller girl gave a sigh, �It�s just that I never needed no-one
before.  I don�t understand why I�m acting like this.�
	Akane halted the two of them, grabbed Ranma by both shoulders and looked
her in the eyes.  �Ranma, you�ve always had someone, although you never
knew it before today.  Your father was always there for you, no matter what
happened.  He loves you, and you always felt that love, and knew it was
there.  This morning, he did not show that love, and you don�t know how to
handle it as yet.  That�s what is happening to you.  You are learning to
have different emotions, and to deal with them properly.�
	Looking into those clear turquoise eyes that were slightly wet with tears
that wanted to be released, but wouldn�t come, she continued.  �It helps to
talk about it Ranma. It helps to cry.  Nobody will judge you badly if you
cry, and sometimes the release feels better than letting your anger out.
If you feel sad, let it out.  I�ll always be here for you, and I promise to
always try to understand your feelings.  Do you understand?�
	Ranma sniffled, and the tears started to flow.  For the first time she
could remember, she cried, and the years of sadness which had previously
been held in check started to flow.  She couldn�t stop herself as she
started to sob uncontrollably, and felt Akane�s arms wrap around her,
seeming to absorb the hurt and protect at the same time.

***

	Kasumi had held Nabiki back when she was about to leave  to talk with her.
 Although all four of them had discussed many matters the night before, she
didn�t want her younger sister taking advantage of Ranma this particular
morning.  �Nabiki, I want you to look out for Ranma and Akane.  The events
that have occurred so far have been...unfortunate for both girls, and I
don�t want them to hurt more than they have to.�
	Nabiki snorted, �You don�t have to tell me.  Father didn�t come down for
breakfast, and Ranma�s father couldn�t even be bothered to say hello to his
own daughter.  You�d think that he�d be more sensitive to her situation
given that he also fell into one of those pools.�
	Kasumi nodded, �That�s why I want you to watch out for them.  Before they
left, Akane was looking angry, and Ranma was trying to bury her feelings.
Both of them do not really know how to handle their emotions; Ranma because
she was raised as a boy, and Uncle Saotome taught her that boys do not show
any emotions; and with Akane, you know that she has very rarely shown any
emotion other than anger since mother died.�
	Nabiki narrowed her eyes a bit, putting things in place with this small
speech.  �You�ve never been as oblivious as you make yourself out to be,
have you?�
	Kasumi sighed.  �No.  I know most of what has been going on, and being
�oblivious� allowed me to deal with the situations and defuse any bad
feelings that may have resulted.  I think father knows, but if he does,
he�s never mentioned it.  In case you�re wondering, I know that what you�ve
been doing has been the only way we�ve been surviving.  I�m not saying that
you should give it up, but perhaps you should start looking for something a
bit more honourable to do.�
	Nabiki looked around a bit as she replied.  �I been trying to think of
something else, but I really don�t know of any profitable venture that
solves our immediate money problems as well as what I have been doing.  In
any case, we should be doing something to try to get father to understand.
Being lesbian does not change who they are, or what they can be.  All it
means is that they love each other.�
	Kasumi sighed.  �I�m afraid father and uncle Saotome will refuse to
understand that.  At least for now.  They�ve been putting all their efforts
into this marriage in order to combine the schools, and all that they see
is that their dreams have died.  Without an heir to the school after the
next generation, the Art will die.�
	Nabiki shook her head.  �Don�t they understand that this does not mean the
end of the school?  Akane and Ranma could adopt a child, or several
children for that matter.  If they decide not to adopt, what about our
children?  They could be trained to do Martial Arts and if we do not have
children, then there are the children of other parents.�
	�They are trapped in the old ways Nabiki.  To them, the family line should
have control of the Art, and the premier practitioners should be of their
line.  Any other way is to disregard the trust of the Kami.�

***

	Akane had managed to calm Ranma down enough so that they could continue on
their way to school.  However, Ranma still wasn�t feeling very well, and
the crying fit she had made her feel a bit weak, at least in spirit.  No
matter what, she should not have cried like some little girl.  Except, that
was exactly what she was now.
	Feeling a bit insecure at that thought, Ranma shifted around a little,
unconsciously snuggling closer to Akane who had her arm around her
shoulder.  She closed her eyes, and let Akane lead her as she tried to
think about what was happening with her mind, and her emotions.  And if her
new body was beginning to become the bane of her existence.  If it was, and
her body was affecting her mind, then what would happen?  She had
effectively become female full time instead of only some of the time.
�Akane, am I doing the right thing?�
	�What do you mean?�
	Ranma took a breath, her eyes still closed.  �I know that we want to get
out of the engagement, but the way our fathers acted, we hurt them a lot.
I was always taught not to hurt people unless they are trying to hurt you.
They were excited and thought we would be happy with the arrangement.�
	Akane sighed.  She had expected this, but was hoping it would occur after
school.  Even though they left early, it wasn�t enough time to really
explain things, or to properly console her friend.  �Ranma, trust me, we
weren�t trying to hurt them.  What we did was right for us at the time, and
we didn�t think that the reaction would be this extreme.�
	She started to stroke the shorter girl�s hair.  �I don�t think you realise
how much you have to learn, how much we both have to learn.  I need to work
on being able to really trust others, especially boys, and you have to work
on being able to show and release your emotions.  About the only thing I
can suggest for now is to let yourself have those emotions, and to come to
me if you have troubles with them.�
	Soothed, Ranma let her head rest on Akane�s shoulder, �I�ll try.  I�m
really not used to all this mushy stuff though.�
	Akane raised an eyebrow and just led her through the schoolyard and into
the building, ignoring the stares of the people around them.

***

	He made it back.
	Somehow, he had arrived back in Japan without incident, and without
anything embarrassing happening.
	The young man growled as he left the boat and walked inland.  He had
originally left the islands in a quest to get his revenge for being left
behind, and enduring the humiliation of being called a fool.  After all the
humiliation he had taken in the school, this final one had been too much.
By refusing to answer his challenge, his foe had dishonoured him.  He had
followed as best he could, and then been given a fate worse than death.
Reaching down to the ground, he picked up a rock, and crushed it.
	Now that he was back in Japan, he would find his once rival, and now enemy.
	Ranma would pay for refusing his challenge.
	Hibiki Ryouga would make him pay for making his life a living hell.

***

	Genma sat in the centre of the dojo contemplating everything that had
happened up to this point.
	Since they had arrived at the Tendo Dojo, events had not gone as planned,
and in many cases, had deviated from the normal in a drastic and heart
rending manner.  The unexpected rain which caused them to arrive as a panda
and a girl.  Akane�s reaction to Ranma�s girl form and the reaction and
exclamations about his boy form.  Ranma�s seemingly easy acceptance of the
engagement in spite of earlier protests.
	The warnings were there, especially since the boy had been rather vocal
about not wanting to be engaged since he had to search for a cure.  If he
had heeded those warnings, he would have realised that Ranma had given
everything up, and that he was essentially turning his back on his
responsibilities.  If he did do so, then the boys future in society was over.
	Even today Japanese society was a patriarchal one, still dedicated to the
ideals of Bushido, and to the older feudal ways.  No matter how much
changed on the outside, or how many ideas were brought in, Japan and her
people would change very little.  The people of Nihon knew how to
experiment and try the things that seemed to be of benefit, and then
imitate and improve on the best of the outside world.  Progress with
limits, understanding with restraint, the people before the self; this was
the way that allowed Japan to survive through so many centuries.
	These ideals were what defined the very being of the Japanese, and it was
seen in the actions of their leaders.
	Warriors and leaders were there to lead the people and be their servants.
Their positions of power was acknowledgement of their responsibilities to
the people.  There may be huge rewards, but those of monetary dictate were
not the ones that mattered.  It was the rewards of honour that were more
important.
	A leader knew that they sacrificed themselves before their people, and
they should be the first ones to die.  The wrong decision of those that
lead would cause hunger and strife, leading to the destruction of those
that they cared for.  Taking responsibility was the first requirement.  A
leader who refused to take responsibility for decisions and place himself
as the first sacrifice would induce a moral decay which was more dangerous
than the original pain.
	There were times in the history of Japan, the last being about two hundred
years before, where the people choose the wasteful outside ways.  They were
willing to sacrifice their people, their country, and their moral fibre to
gain the meaningless trivial of �prosperity�.  Man turned their back on the
fruits of Nature and allowed themselves to have the audacity to place
themselves above it.
	Thankfully, whenever there had been the danger of that happening, a person
had shown up to lead the people back to the True Way.
	A person cannot give money to solve a problem, they must show how to do
something and teach others how to live with the natural way.  In an
impoverished area money leads to moral decay, yet take away that money and
show how to use their resources properly and that place will be more
bountiful than the rest of the country.  It is why the Emperor always
plants rice himself, why the farmers were respected beyond all others.
This was the Art of Love.
	Was the cycle beginning again?
	Japan was becoming more and more like the outside world, and again taking
on their sensibilities.  Government officials were willing to be corrupt,
accepting bribes and money instead of acting upon their honour.  Americans
were attempting to influence and corrupt the school system, reducing the
education of the young.  Companies were willing to sacrifice the people
they had sworn to in order to get more profit.  It was becoming a growing
cancer within the people.
	Was this affecting his own family?
	Was his son the latest victim of this trend?
	Genma had taken years of his life, sacrificed and given up his personal
happiness in order to train and give Ranma a moral directive and the boy
was now going to throw all of it away.  Because of a curse, an ancient and
damnable curse, he was going to throw away his responsibilities, his
honour, and his very being in order to become a weak girl.  As a girl,
Ranma would have virtually nothing.  His career choices would be severely
limited, respect would only be grudgingly given, and he would be dependant
on someone else.  Ranma would have given up the school and anything
meaningful in order to become Akane�s lover.
	Who would accept a _female_ Sensei?
	Certainly not himself, or anyone who really wanted to learn the Art.
	Women were not meant to be warriors, and those few that rose to that rank
were aberrations, to be hidden and denied to the world.  Genma would never
permit his son to become a woman; a pale, weak imitation of himself.  How
could he even accept a son willing to become a woman?  �There is no choice.
 I must speak to Soun and we must come up with a plan to return my son�s
manhood, or give up any hope of truly joining our families.  I will either
have a son, or I will not have a child.�
	He got up slowly, painfully, and left the dojo.  Soun will have to have
come down by now, and they had much to talk about and decide.  His decision
was already made.
	A faint chill was left in the dojo, and any who entered would have doubted
it was due to the weather.

***

	For the students of Furinkan High School, things had changed and no one
was sure if that was better or worse.
	Since the start of the term, the school had seen fights and battle to
rival that of any movie, and the action that occurred in the schools
courtyard was always more intense than anything from Hong Kong.  After the
first two weeks, most of the girls in the school stopped making bets on
which boy would win, especially since it was obvious that Akane could take
on the entire pack without perspiring.  The boys on the other hand...
	Well, Nabiki was always making money on almost all of the schools young
men betting on themselves being able to defeat Akane.  All of them, at one
time or another, actually believed that they had a chance on defeating the
premiere martial artist in the school.  Boxers and fighters, kendoists and
jujitsu practitioners, they all conveniently forgot the years of fights
that Akane had, her expertise with boken, rapier, and most other types of
swords, her ability at hand to hand combat, and how she could adapt to any
situation.  Pure arrogance on the boys part easily lead to their being
defeated.
	The most famous of her bettors was Kuno Tatewaki, the one who had created
this unusual tradition of being beaten every morning.
	To every girl who saw what he did and how he did it, shuddering was a
noticeable event.  As observers, they saw a man with a misplaced and
unnerving type of love.  Of course, they knew he wasn�t entirely stable and
did not realise that his actions were wrong, even if he received a well
deserved beating every day.  They did have to admit that he was a great
source of laughs however.
	So it was with some surprise, that they observed him calmly walking into
the classroom, no exclamations, no unorthodox speeches, and a serious look
on his face.  For once, the madness that usually consumed his features was
gone, and the usual air of arrogance had disappeared.  His actions could
have been taken as those of a normal and ordinary student, except that
wasn�t what he was.
	To see Kuno acting like this was scary.
	�Good morning, Kuno-chan.  I�m afraid I wasn�t able to get the information
that you require.  Ranma is not feeling up to meeting anyone new today.�
Nabiki said as she came into class.
	Tatewaki looked up at Nabiki and smiled.  �Perfectly all right
Nabiki-chan.  I had the night to think about it, and I have decided to
challenge her.�
	Sighing as she heard this, Nabiki replied, �I don�t think that will endear
you to her Kuno-chan.  Remember, she is engaged to my sister.�
	He chuckled, and that was when Nabiki noticed that Kuno had none of his
usual pompous and overbearing tones in his voice.  �I realised that last
night Nabiki-chan.  What I meant was to invite her to join the Kendo team,
and then train.  I have a feeling we can learn from each other, even if
it�s only how to accept a defeat.�
	Taking out a ball-point pen instead of his usual inkstone and brush,
Tatewaki turned to complete the homework he had actually done the night
before.
	Nabiki stood there for a few seconds with a surprised look on her face,
and the class shuddered.  Kuno acting like a normal person, Akane openly
displaying affection for her girlfriend, and Nabiki being left surprised
and speechless.  The constants that ruled the universe they lived in had
changed, and they were not sure if it was for the better.

***

	Soun looked at Genma as they sat across from each other, knowing that they
had no choice but to broach the serious situation that faced their families
and the school.  Although he would have wished to rest for a while and let
things go as they may since the children had decided to accept the
engagement, their being lesbians was not an acceptable option.  �Do we
cancel the engagement old friend.  Such action would dishonour both of us
were we to do so, and the girls would renew it when we declared our
decision.  Children such as these have a notorious tendency to turn their
backs on the old ways.�
	Genma winced.  �I would prefer that you do not refer to my son as a girl.
At least not yet.  Your daughter is the one who has badly influenced him
and made him a girl.  If Akane�s tendencies could be lessened, or a cure
could be found, then there may be hope for a union left.�
	�Are you saying that the fault lies with my child, Saotome Genma?�  Came
the cautious, but angry words.
	Genma pushed his glasses up his nose.  �Soun, it is obvious that Akane has
been a lesbian for quite a while now.  Your daughters knew it, the school
knows it, and her friends have to know it.  It was your daughters who
pushed Akane towards Ranma given his curse.  It was your daughters
exclamations about her not liking boys that stands out about that night.
Ranma returned from the dojo still female and told us that he was accepting
the engagement.  The talk they had led my son to give up his gender.  The
fault is with your daughter.�
	Soun glowered at the man he considered his brother.  �And there is no
fault with your own daughter?  Ranma was quick to give up her manhood.  She
has remained female since they accepted the engagement.  She is willing to
be protected by my daughter.  And she was more than willing to defer to
Akane�s judgement.  Would this not indicate that your daughter had these
tendencies before Jusenkyo, and does it not show that she was only waiting
for an opportunity to let herself be who she is?  No, there is just as
much, if not more blame to be given to your daughter since she chose to be
who she is.�
	Just as Genma was about to reply angrily, Kasumi came in with some beer.
�Here you are.  Isn�t it wonderful how well the children are getting along?�
	Both men just stared at the eldest Tendo daughter, not quite sure how to
take what she said.  To them, it seemed that she was completely oblivious
to what was going on around her and to her family.  Yes, she had been the
one to initiate the two youngest girls to be engaged to one another.
Kasumi had accepted Ranma naturally as a woman.  She was also extremely
calm and happy all the time:  Either she was burying the truth deeply from
herself or had not noticed the distress of the family.  Probably the later.
	�To think, Akane wasn�t angry this morning,� she continued, �And Ranma is
relaxed because she has a home.  I do hope they follow the proprieties of
being engaged however.  I certainly don�t want them fighting in school
anymore.�
	Soun frowned, somehow disturbed.  �What do you mean by fighting?�
	Kasumi�s eyes widened a little, �I thought it was all right with you that
Akane fought in school every morning.  After all, she has been fighting
most of her life.  Ranma fought in school as well when a young man insulted
Akane.�
	�Ranma defended Akane?�  Genma said, suddenly interested in what Kasumi
had to say.
	Getting up, she said.  �Oh yes.  She was angry that anyone wanted to fight
and possibly hurt Akane.  I do like the fact that they are sticking up for
one another, but given how lonely both of them are, it was easy for them to
bond quickly.�
	As Kasumi left for the kitchen, Soun looked back at Genma, �Perhaps we
were too quick to assign blame.�
	Genma suddenly snorted, �Both are to blame.  As of this moment, I no
longer have a son, and I cannot accept that.  With your permission, I would
like to search for a possible cure, but it may be a couple of months before
I can return.�
	Soun relaxed, the situation had not caused a breach in their friendship,
�I will come with you.  It is almost time for me to make my annual journey
around the country and check in on the towns that have requested my help.
We could combine our purposes and look into every possibility instead of
only a few and it will be less lonely that way.�
	The stocky man looked at the thinner one, a slight grin on his face.
�Shall it be like it was when we were younger and training under the Master?�
	Soun grinned in return.  �Except for some aspects, I think that would be
enjoyable.  However, we must not leave in haste and make plans for the
children to be able to contact us in case of an emergency.  While I agree
that their actions are... unacceptable, we should not make it seem as
though we are blaming them.�
	Genma nodded, not saying that, to his mind, they should have left
immediately.

***

	He was staring occasionally at the young woman who sat a couple of seats
over from him, pushing herself into the work that was before her.  Ranma
was intriguing.  Small, pert, cute, with a very feminine figure, and an
excellent martial artist.  She had been able to take on Kuno and defeat him
with little problem, something that the boys had either been unable to do,
or unable to bring themselves to attempt.  The mysterious appearance of
this girl had taken the rumour circuit by storm, especially with some of
the more interesting speculations.  It was well known that this new
addition to the school was Akane�s lover, as demonstrated earlier in the
day.  And he was fantasising about her.
	Hikaru couldn�t help himself.
	He knew it was wrong, and that he should not let himself be distracted by
a girl who was already taken, but somehow Ranma triggered feelings within
him that he had never experienced before.  Yesterday it was an opening of
his eyes and a feeling of friendship, today it was a protective instinct
that he never even knew he had.  Why was this girl that he didn�t even know
making him feel this way?
	OK, so she was cute, but then again so were most of the girls in the
school.  It wasn�t as though she had something that the others didn�t.
While her figure was a little better, thinner at the waist, and larger in
the bust and hips, it wasn�t that pronounced that he would be more
interested.  That couldn�t be it.
	She had come to school the day before in Chinese clothing, but that was
only of passing interest, and it was natural for her to be wearing such
clothes since she had only just arrived back from an extended trip to the
Mainland.  She didn�t have a uniform at that point, it only being her first
day at a new school, and wearing what she had was to be expected.  Besides,
since she now lived with Akane it was possible that all of her clothes had
not yet arrived.
	Ranma knew Martial Arts.  She had to in order to be able to take care of
Kuno.  If the rumour was correct, then the person who taught her was Akane.
 Given the youngest Tendo�s violent tendencies, and her deep interest in
the Art, that made a certain amount of sense.  It even made the previous
rumours that Akane was holding back in order to not seriously injure other
students seem correct.  Besides, given the amount of skill she had
displayed the day before, Ranma didn�t need Akane�s seemingly superhuman
strength.
	It just did not make any sense that he would be feeling so protective.
	Sighing a bit as the class bell signalled lunch, Hikaru got up and went
over to her at the same time Akane had.  Noticing Akane�s stare, he cleared
his throat.  �Sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if I could invite
the two of you to have lunch with me.  I realise you may not want to, given
my previous stupidity and actions, however, I am hoping we may at least
become friends now that Kuno�s statement is declared null and void.�
	Akane�s eyebrows rose, and she asked suspiciously, �You�re not here to
challenge Ranma or myself?�
	Ranma looked up at her fiancee, �Give him a chance Akane.  He wrote a note
to me yesterday and wants to help us adjust to what�s going on around here.
 Besides, it would be nice to make a few friends.�
	Akane remembered the conversation that they had a couple of nights ago,
and smiled at Ranma.  She knew how lonely the shorter girl had been given
all of the years of wandering she had done, and was willing to indulge her
in making friends, even if it was with a boy who had proven himself a bit
of an idiot.  Ranma also had a point; he was trying to apologise, although
he didn�t really know how to do it.  �All right Ranma, it�s up to you.  Do
we accept his invitation?�
	Ranma smiled back, and then turned to Hikaru.  �We accept your invitation.
 Shall we go outside while there is still some time left in the season?�
	Chuckling, he bowed.  �In the words of a larger idiot than myself, �In
your noting my grand presence and great ability, I am well pleased with
your decision on where to dine, My Lady.��
	The three of them had a good laugh as they left the classroom.

***

	Ranma was in this city.  He had to be, given the papers he had found at
Jusenkyo.  In them, Ranma�s father, Saotome Genma had registered his rival,
his hated enemy, in a school located in the Nerima district of Tokyo.  A
place called Furinkan High School.  A place that, ironically enough, would
be the end of Ranma for the crimes committed against himself in another
school.
	Ryouga hated Ranma because of all of the times that he had been beaten to
the last special bread for the day, western style food that was amazingly
delicious, and about all that Ryouga usually managed to get during the day.
 In the junior high school that they had attended, fighting during the
lunch break was not unknown, and the cook had a habit of throwing the last
of the specials to the crowd, encouraging the fights.  Ever since Ranma had
arrived, Ryouga had never been able to get a hold of one.
	Finally, it had become such an embarrassment to him, the person who was
supposed to be the best Martial Artist in the school, that he had
challenged Ranma to a fight.  Ranma had reluctantly agreed, telling him
that he did not want to battle, but if Ryouga wanted it, he would not turn
down the challenge.  Glad for the chance to show up his rival, this person
who so casually beat him to the best food of the day, he prepared.  The
area where they were supposed to meet was located nearby, in a lot very
near both their houses.
	It had taken him three days to get there.  Three days of travelling, of
embarrassment, and of frustration.  When he had arrived on the forth day,
Ranma had disappeared.
	After a bit of fruitless investigating, and finally asking the school
authorities where Ranma had gone, Ryouga had taken off for China, closely
following the trail that had been left by the Saotome�s.  Always, he was
weeks, or days, behind them.  Never seeming to catch up.  At Jusenkyo, he
had missed them by only a few hours.  A few hours in which he was cursed,
nearly eaten by a tame panda and a Chinese man, and had to dredge his
clothes up without touching that damned water.
	Ryouga now hated Jusenkyo, the place that had stolen his humanity; hated
cold water for being able to change him; and hated Ranma for leading him to
such a place.
	And he _really_ hated pandas as he never knew that they were omnivorous
before.
	Ranma had to pay for this.
	He finally approached a school, and being impatient, grabbed one of the
boys.  �Where is Furinkan High School?�
	Ryu gulped a bit at this crazy person who had just grabbed the front of
his school shirt.  If this person was as unstable as he seemed, then it
would be best to get him on his way as soon as possible.  He pointed behind
himself to the sign beside the gate.
	Ryouga looked up and read the sign.  He had found the school, and now to
find his hated enemy.  �Where is Saotome Ranma?�
	Ryu had now become very nervous.  This person was strong, angry, and
looking for Akane�s girlfriend.  Given how Akane had a tendency to hit men
before talking to them, he wasn�t about to stand in the way and get hurt.
In fact, he wanted to be out of this madman�s grip and run as far away as
possible.  He pointed to a tree where Ranma, Akane, and Hikaru were sitting.
	Ryouga looked at where the man he had in his hands had pointed.  Under a
tree with his back to him, Ranma was talking to two girls.  They were
laughing, having a good time, and were without a care in the world.  This
angered Ryouga more than anything else that had happened to date.  Ranma
had come back to Japan, back to Tokyo and hadn�t suffered a bit.  He was
here talking to two of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen, and he
was enjoying himself.  Ryouga would have to destroy his happiness.
	He let go of the boy he had been holding and started to walk towards his
enemy.  Reaching behind himself, he loosed the umbrella that was held
there, readying it for a move that he had learned on the trail of his
enemy.  Ranma would be surprised, and hopefully terrified over what could
be done with a simple bamboo staff in the correct hands.
	Of course, he wasn�t taking any chances.
	Ryouga had picked up several tricks, and had applied them appropriately.
Thin silk bandanna�s that had been modified and weighted, a razor edged
belt that if held right became a sword, and the umbrella reinforced with a
steel shaft and razor sharp titanium-steel alloy tines.  His weaponry
seemed like ordinary items, but was very deadly.  Perfect for what needed
to be done.
	Running, he leapt upward, the years of doing the Art enabling him to go
beyond what ordinary people would think possible.  As he was on his way
down, he started to smash his umbrella.  Ranma would pay...

***

	Akane was enjoying herself immensely.  She had no idea that some of the
boys in the school were actually nice, especially given how they usually
acted around her.  For the first time, one of the boys in the school was
actually talking to her instead of about her or trying to beat her up.  It
was much more pleasant than having to deal with their usual attitude.
Besides, he had been able to make Ranma happy.  For a while the shorter
girl had been able to forget their fathers actions.
	Ranma was laughing along with Akane and Hikaru.  He was pretty nice, and
he wasn�t treating Akane and herself as strange or unusual.  In fact,
Hikaru was being very pleasant.  A lot of what he was talking about with
them were the stupidity of the boys who wanted to, �teach those two girls
what real men are.�  He had a lot of humility and an ability to laugh at
himself.
	That was when Ranma sense of danger activated, and she suddenly tackled
Hikaru without really knowing why she did so.  All she heard was an
explosion behind her as they fell to the ground.  She turned quickly to see
if Akane was all right, scared that something may have happened to her and
noticed the young man in the crater.

***

	...All of a sudden, the pig-tailed girl leapt and removed Ranma from
danger, and Ryouga�s impact created a small crater in the ground.  He had
expected that, after all Ranma was an excellent Martial Artist in his own
right and would not be easy to hit.  What he had not expect was a girl
removing him from danger.
	Seeing that Akane was all right, Ranma looked up from where she had
knocked Hikaru away.  That idiot with the umbrella had almost killed her
new friend.  �Who are you and why were you trying to hurt him?�
	Ryouga looked at the small girl who seemed somehow familiar.  �I�m Ryouga
Hibiki, and I have business with Ranma, who I see is now hiding behind
women�s skirts.  I knew he didn�t have any honour, but to allow a girl to
fight his battles for him?  He does not deserve to live.�
	The named triggered some associations in her memory and she shouted
angrily, �Ryouga, you idiot!  I�m Ranma, that�s Akane and this is my friend
Hikaru!  Don�t you realise that you could have hurt us?  He hasn�t trained
in the Art!  What were you thinking, doing such an idiotic thing?�
	Hikaru looked on, still dazed, unable to really grasp what was happening
as he saw the man in the yellow and white shirt.  The surprise and
disbelief on the face of that man echoed his own internal confusion and the
last thought he had before he fainted was, *He called Ranma �him�?!?*

***

Hitomi

Ichinohei Hitomi
"The beginnings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."