Sore wa Nibunoichi Megami-sama.
(That's 1/2 My Goddess.)
A Ranma 1/2 - Oh! My Goddess meld fanfic by Scriviner
c&c to ebon@i-manila.com.ph

Of Serious Plays and Whimsical Theatre...

	Tonight was the last night. The Martial Arts Varsity had been working
overtime this past month because tomorrow... tomorrow would be opening
night for their production of the 'Golden Comb', a traditional Japanese
fairy tale. There hadn't been a particular reason why they'd decided on
doing this play, beyond the fact that it had two female leads and one male
lead. Perfect for Ranma and the Tendo cousins, Akane and Ranko.
	Admittedly, there were other plays considered for the fair, including
Gosunkugi's insistence on 'The King in Yellow'. Fortunately cooler heads
prevailed. Likewise, there was a small faction within the Varsity team,
mostly comprised of a few newbies, who had wanted to do 'Castle of
Cagliostro' for the simple reason that several of them had already acted in
it back in high school. Also considered was the musical Sunset Boulevard,
adapted into Japanese. With Ranma as Joe Gillis, Ranko as Norma Desmond and
Akane as Betty Schafer. Unfortunately, Ranko had totally refused to be made
up as an aging silent film actress past her prime and no one was able to
come up with a decent translation of the songs anyway, thus that idea was
scrapped.
	Ticket sales were already through the roof. They were going to have the
auditorium packed. In a few cases, members of the respective Saotome and
both Tendo fanclubs had purchased multiple tickets just to spite their rivals.
	Nabiki's offer to do the auditing for a small cut of the fee was well
received by the senior Varsity members because they wanted to be free to
concentrate on the play... of course, Nabiki neglected to mention she was
going to use some of the money to invest in certain... other activities.
There may be more on that later.
	Natsume's 'one week visit while she's looking for an apartment' had
extended itself indefinitely. She'd become a part of the household quite
quickly, becoming fast friends with Akane... Kurumi had been sent home at
the end of the week. They didn't want their parents to worry... or drop in
for that matter.
	Ukyou, out of pity, had offered to cater their practices for a small
fee... Ryouga, of course, immediately accepted.
	But that was the past... tomorrow afternoon would be the performance... 
the play was the thing and tonight was the last night... 
	Ranma spoke to Ranko, "So all this time... I was... um... er..."
	Mousse winced and stood suddenly from the cloth chair which had 'Director'
written across its back. He'd insisted on bringing it. He was dressed in
his regular white overcoat, but he wore a red beret slightly askew. He
pulled a mega-phone out of his coat and shouted into it, "Cut! Cut! CUT!!!
Saotome, tonight is our final run through and you still haven't memorized
your lines?!
	Ranma frowned at Mousse, doing his best to control his nervousness and
irritation. It wasn't really his fault it had to be admitted... for some
obscure reason, the story had originally been given to Shampoo to turn into
a play. She had managed to create a wonderful stage play out of the
traditional fairy tale. Complete with stirring dialogue and elegant metered
prose. Unfortunately, she'd written the original script in Chinese, before
translating it into Japanese. Despite Mousse's tutoring in the matter, her
Japanese still stank abominably. It was eventually corrected by Mousse, but
up until this late date, errors still kept popping up.
	Ranko, the current source of Ranma's unease, draped her arms languidly
around him, "Can't I at least finish the kissing scene?"
	To one side, Ryouga crossed his arms and glared at Ranma. He was annoyed
at the delay in general and Ranma in particular. This was not new.
	What was new, was that Natsume had her arm linked with Ryouga's and was
looking as if she were enjoying herself just a little bit too much... She
had volunteered to play Ryouga's wife and was giving a very convincing, if
occasionally entirely too enthusiastic performance, much to Ukyou's
simmering annoyance and Ryouga's utter obliviousness.
	From offstage, Akane shouted, "It's a cut, Ranko! When it's a cut you stop
the scene! Haven't you learned that yet?!"
	Ranko turned to Akane, a grin on her features as she winked, "What're you
getting so jealous about? I mean you've got two kissing scenes with him, I
only get one."
	That was another problem. They hadn't managed to practice any of the
kissing scenes at all, because something, somehow, would inevitably
interfere. Falling sandbags, flying okonomiyaki, thrown hammers, rabid
fans, even an escaped alligator. Not a single kissing scene had been
practiced yet. Not surprisingly Mousse was exceedingly annoyed.
	Mousse threw his megaphone onto the ground and jumped up and down on it a
few times until he felt better, "That does it! Everyone take five! We'll
try it again afterwards!!"
	Shampoo, holding a clipboard, followed Mousse, giving an apologetic
backward glance towards the rest of the crew.
	Ranko leaned close to Ranma, whispering playfully into his ear, "You
know... we could always slip away and practice the scene on our own behind
the auditorium..."
	Ranma pulled away from Ranko, a worried grin pasted onto his face,
"Erhm... thanks, but no, Ranko." It was taking all of his willpower to keep
from transforming into a girl... Admittedly, the transformation was now
triggered by an act of will, but Ranma had discovered the he still tended
to transform into a woman while in close proximity to Ranko... Nabiki
claimed it was just an ingrained reflex, but no one was exactly certain.
	Akane stalked towards them, "You can let him go now, Ranko."
	Ranko did, smiling cattily at Akane, and favoring Ranma with a saucy wink...
	Akane turned to Ranma a frown still marring her features, "And you... try
not to look so much as if you're enjoying yourself!"
	"But I wasn't..!"
	"Yes you were!" Ranko called back as she walked away.
	Akane's frown deepened, looking intently at him, "So what are you smiling
for then?!"
	"But he was supposed to look like he's enjoying himself." Ryouga muttered
darkly as he walked offstage... "He's kissing her, for goodness sake, he's
supposed to enjoy himself right?"
	"If you say so, Hibiki-sempai." Natsume cooed adoringly from his arm.
	"Right," Ryouga muttered, not realizing who'd answered him.
	"I wouldn't really know... I've never been kissed..." Natsume murmured
meaningfully to him.
	He finally realized who was saying this, "Erhm... shouldn't you let go of
me now?"
	"Should I?" she asked innocently.

	Mousse moved quickly towards the prop managers, still on a low grade
simmer... the newbies in charge gave a fearful glance towards him then
quickly consulted among themselves...
	"Everything set, I hope?" Mousse asked, heavy emphasis on the last two
words...
	"Er... everything but one," the pink-haired freshman of uncertain gender
replied, "We... er... we couldn't find a golden comb..."
	"WHAT?!" Mousse blew up, "How can we call this play 'The Golden Comb' if
we don't have a golden comb?!"
	Shampoo put a hand on Mousse's shoulder, "Mousse-sempai stay calm... no be
good to anyone if no calm!"
	"Er..." the newbie tried to say, "We... er... we did find... um..."
another member was shoved to the fore, "You show him!"
	"We got this." Said another freshman... a somewhat unremarkable though
handsome redheaded man, holding a long piece of shaped black plastic in his
hand...
	Mousse blinked at it through his glasses. He paused for a moment to wipe
his glasses clean on his sleeve, hoping against hope that it wasn't what he
thought it was.
	He put his glasses on. Blinked again then finally said, "Is... that..." 
	Shampoo peered at it and blurted, "Ai-yah! You want to call play, 'Black
Hairbrush'?"
	"This is unacceptable!" Mousse roared.
	"No! No, it's okay!" the pink-haired freshie soothed, "We found some gold
paint... and well..."
	The other freshman held up a can of gold spray paint, and spritzed the
hairbrush... it turned a rather unconvincing shade of dark metallic
yellow... just like black plastic that had been sprayed with gold paint...
	"What did I do to deserve this..?" Mousse muttered.
	
	Ranma yawned hugely as he stepped out of the rest room straightening the
kimono that was his costume... this entire thing was going into overtime
again. It was already past ten and Mousse was apparently not going to let
anyone sleep until they had at least one perfect run through. No one had
any idea how long it would take to get one of those. It was bad enough he
had two roles in this production...
	"Oh, Ranma..." a silken voice cut through his thoughts...
	Ranma turned around to find that Ranko was leaning against the wall next
to the restroom door.
	"What do you want Ranko?" Ranma asked, carefully.
	"You." Ranko said, smiling at him as she approached quietly...
	Ranma backed away nervously, "Ranko, I... you know I'm not... erhm..."
	"No need to deny it Ranma... you can feel it too..." Ranko continued,
"This continuing denial of your feelings isn't healthy..."
	"No... no... no..." Ranma stuttered.
	"I know why you keep turning into a woman whenever I'm nearby Ranma... and
it's not this 'conditioned reflex' thing Nabiki says..."
	"Er... that's all very nice Ranko, but..."
	"You know it's because I turn you on..."
	"Wha--?!" Ranma choked, stopping in surprise, "Where'd you get that idea-"
	"No use denying it," Ranko said smiling hungrily at him, "I can feel your
pulse rate rise when you look at me... I can feel the increase in your body
temperature... I know you want me..."
	"That's not..."
	Ranko wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured softly, "Liar."
	"Ran-ko! Stop that..." Ranma cried trying to pull away... despite himself,
she was starting to affect him... Ranko was a devastatingly gorgeous woman
after all... and he was a man... a very tempted man...
	Her eyes twinkled merrily, locked with his, "Yesss... you are enjoying it
aren't you?"
	"No..." Ranma denied vaguely and without much conviction, "It's..."
	Ranko lifted her face up to meet his, "You know you want me... and the
only way you think you can avoid it is by turning into a woman..."
	It was only Ryouga's timely arrival that totally spoiled the entire scene,
"Finally found the bathroom..." he muttered.
	Ryouga had to take a second look before the scene occurring just next to
the bathroom door registered. He gave a tiny squeak before he collapsed
from a nosebleed. Some things his system just couldn't deal with... two
Rankos, one with long hair and markings on her forehead another with
shorter hair, locked in a passionate embrace was one of them.
	Ranko took a moment to glance at Ryouga, then glanced back at Ranma who
she realized belatedly was now her height and another gender entirely...
she found her own face smiling sheepishly at her, "You can let go of me
now, Ranko..." Ranma said in her voice.
	She gave Ranma another catty smile, "You know... I really must tell you
that changing into me isn't going to stop me from doing this... I mean I
know that body pretty well, if I do say so myself..." she rubbed up against
him a bit more pushing their chests together and giving Ranma some rather
interesting new and surprisingly pleasurable sensations to process... 
	Ranma's eyes widened in panic, "You wouldn't... not with another girl..!"
	"Try me," Ranko replied with a grin, running a moist wet tongue across her
lips, "I know it's still you in there... just because you're me now doesn't
stop me from feeling what I do about you..."
	"But I don't feel the same about you!"
	"That's why I intend to teach you, right?" Ranko murmured, gently pulling
Ranma towards her...
	"But Akane..!"
	"One chance, Ranma... just give me one chance and I can guarantee you'll
forget her..."
	"Ranko-sempai! There you is! Mousse-sempai ready for next run-through...
Ai-yah!" Shampoo stopped short when she noticed the two. Her eyes widened
and she blushed, hiding quickly behind her clipboard, "So sorry to
interrupt..! If want kiss-kiss go ahead, no mind Shampoo!"
	Ranko rolled her eyes and sighed, "Always these interruptions..."
	"Erhm... we'll be right there, Shampoo." Ranma answered.
	"Who you?" Shampoo said peeking out from behind her clipboard with a
curious expression on her face, "And where Ranma-sempai?
	Ranma started to reply, "I'm... um..."
	"Shampoo, I'd like you to meet my twin..." Ranko said shifting slightly.
She still had an arm around Ranma's waist, and gestured at the transformed
Saotome with her other hand resting playfully on Ranma's shoulder. She
grinned. It wasn't a lie at all... Ranma was currently Ranko's twin.
	"I'm... uh..." Ranma glanced down at the unconscious Ryouga and quickly
grasped at the first name which popped to mind, "Ryou-er... Ryouko... yeah
that's it. I'm Ranko's twin, Ryouko... heh... heh..." she laughed nervously.
	Shampoo looked relieved and she smiled at the two of them, "Oh, so very
happy to see you two very... er... very close sisters. Very close... um...
what happen to Saotome-sempai and why you in his costume?"
	Ranko smiled smoothly and replied, "Ranma had to go to the bathroom. He
didn't want to wrinkle the costume..." she nodded at her twin, one hand
sliding slowly down Ranma's back...
	"Oh, Shampoo make you put it on first so it no wrinkle! Shampoo see now. I
go tell Mousse-nisama you be ready in little while is okay?"
	Ranma smiled nervously, "Yeah... er that's it..."
	Shampoo nodded and smiled as she walked away, "Ai-yah... need find Natsume
too..."
	Ranma pulled away quickly from Ranko, his body shifting quickly back into
his male form, filling the uniform out, "Ranko, please stop doing this! I'm
not interested!"
	Ranko laughed, "That's not what your body keeps telling me..." she kissed
her fingers lightly and pressed them to his lips, "A little reminder...
come on, we've got a show to put on..." She grinned as she walked away.
	Ranma sighed in relief... he wished she wouldn't keep doing this... his
nerves were frayed to the breaking point. He'd had to deal with this sort
of behavior all through out the practice, but for some reason she was being
especially aggressive tonight... he hoped with all his might that it
wouldn't continue. Save for that tiny part of him kept hoping it would...

	Ryouga collapsed onto the mat backstage, exhausted... it was already four
in the morning, and he'd wasted precious minutes of rest just looking for
the damn mat... Mousse had been utterly merciless, practicing them over and
over all because of Saotome constant slip-ups!
	He curled up quietly hoping to get more than a few hours of sleep... he'd
be needing it... 
	Natsume smiled from the curtain as she watched Ryouga slip into sleep.
Ryouga's mat was in a fairly isolated corner, far from everyone else.
Everybody else had collapsed in various other parts of the auditorium,
except Ranma and Akane who were still going over their lines in Ranma's
dressing room... no interference there. She moved very quietly towards the
mat and lay down next to Ryouga. She felt that she was being
uncharacteristically bold... sleeping next to him... but it was so hard to
resist a chance like this!

	Mousse blearily inspected the equipment that would lift Ranko up and fly
her off the stage for the big finale... it looked to be in good shape, even
though the equipment was old and they did have to borrow it off of the
drama club. They had been up the whole night and they had yet to complete a
faultless run through. It was already nine in the morning, everyone having
barely managed to catch two or three restless hours of sleep. Mousse was
really feeling it...
	Once more all of the kissing scenes had been muffed... those were to be
their major selling point and they hadn't gotten them right once! Not once.
A stumble here... a slip there... always just short of total liplock! It
was almost enough to make him take his beret off and jump up and down on
it... 
	Shampoo ran up to Mousse with a worried look on her face, cutting through
his musings, "What's the matter, Shampoo-chan?"
	"Mousse-sempai! Sayuri say she no can go on as samurai's wife! Have
bad-bad headache! Can barely move... Kisaragi-kun take her to infirmary."
	"She what?! She can't do this to me!!! Not now! We need a replacement!"
Mousse looked frantic. His eyes narrowed behind his glasses and he stared
at Shampoo, "There's no help for it, Shampoo-chan! You'll have to go in her
place!"
	"Ai-yah!" shampoo blushed, "Mousse-sempai too-too believing in Shampoo. No
can do that, Mousse-sempai! Shampoo not same dress size as Sayuri-san. Also
Shampoo have very bad stage fright! No can do!"
	"But who else can we get?! We picked Sayuri because she was as tall as Ran--"
	"Ryouga you total jackass! How could you?!" A voice screamed from backstage.
	Another voice called out, "Alright you little... what do you think you're
doing?!"
	"What's going on back there?" Mousse demanded as he stormed off in that
general direction.
	Shampoo shrugged and ran after him...

	Ryouga stirred, still half asleep... he couldn't feel his right arm...
not so good... last time that'd happened, it was because he'd gotten into a
particularly nasty fight... unfortunately, he didn't recall fighting
anyone, so that was out. There was another odd sensation... he hadn't had
this particular one in a while... there seemed to be something warm and
soft pressed against his side... and on his chest... was... that's a hand.
No... wait... that's two hands... Soft slender hands... the last time he'd
felt this... was a few years back... when Ukyou was still his fiance...
	He sighed happily... she'd forgiven him... he was sure of it... he swung
his other arm around so he could hold her properly in his arms... he was
content. There was the sweet scent of her shampoo... hmmm... since when did
she start using that brand... and she seemed a bit... taller than she used
to be...
	Nevertheless he was luxuriating in the warm happy glow of this close
contact... just as the voice screamed in his ear and totally ruined the
tender mood...
	"Ryouga you total jackass! How could you?!"
	Ryouga's mind, still only operating at half capacity, (which given his
full capacity really wasn't all that much to work with) tried to process
this. That was Ukyou's voice. It was her angry voice. The one she used when
she was mad at him. Why would she be mad if she was lying next to him? The
voice didn't come from next to him... this did not compute. His brain still
not entirely willing to give up the remaining portion which was asleep
decided to consult with the other senses... in this instance... the one
most necessary appeared to be vision... hence... eyes... open... 
	Hair. Long. Brown. Ponytail... Matched with Ukyou's... wait! That's not
her face. Conclusion? Not Ukyou.
	He wasn't hugging Ukyou. That snapped the rest of his mind into action.
	The actual Ukyou was standing off to one side, in a righteous fury. In her
hands the gigantic spatula... the sound of the shout had also attracted
other attention... 
	Ranma and Akane burst out of his dressing room looking mildly disheveled.
Other members of the team who saw that quietly took note... Ranma saw just
precisely WHO was in Ryouga's arms and charged forward, cracking his
knuckles, "Alright you little... what do you think you're doing?!"
	Akane merely had a surprised and sad look on her face, "All this time I
thought he was still in love with Ukyou..." she murmured.
	Ryouga looked at the furious faces gathering around him... and the
numerous curious ones... this... did not look good. It did not look good at
all. He took a second look at the girl he was embracing. Her face hadn't
changed at all. It was still Natsume.
	"This is not what it looks like!" He cried holding one arm out as if to
ward them off, "This is SO not what it looks like!"
	Ukyou and Ranma asked simultaneously, "And what is it then, hmmm?!?!"
	Ranma cracked his knuckles individually, each one like a rifle crack,
around him a pale blue aura was beginning to form... most people took note
of this as well and backed off... Akane stared at it in surprise... no
human should be able to do that...
	Ranko peeked in on the gathering and grinned at the sleeping Natsume,
"Whoo! You go girl!"
	Akane turned to glare at Ranko.
	Natsume gave a small happy moan in her sleep as she pulled Ryouga even
closer, pressing her chest into his side... people looked to one another
and all agreed. This did not look good for Ryouga at all.
	This was precisely the scene as Mousse and Shampoo popped into view.
	"What's going on here?" Mousse demanded.
	"Ai-yah!" Shampoo blurted, murmuring to herself, "There whole lot of love
on this production..."
	"I'm going to kill you!" Ukyou screamed at Ryouga.

	Mousse stepped in front of the enraged woman and said hurriedly, "You
can't kill him! We still need him for the performance!"
	"Okay... fine..." Ranma muttered darkly, his aura flickering brightly
around him, "We finish the performance, THEN Ukyou and I rip his lungs out."
	Mousse smiled at Ranma, "An excellent notion, Saotome!"
	"Mousse you traitor!" Ryouga called out from his, let's face it,
comfortable position.
	Mousse shrugged at Ryouga, "Sorry, Hibiki-kun."
	Shampoo looked quite worried, "But if we no find person to replace Sayuri
we no can put up performance anyway!"
	"There is that." The bespectacled man conceded.
	Ukyou smiled coldly, "Does that mean we can rip Ryouga's lungs out now?"
	"What happened to Sayuri?" Akane asked.
	Shampoo replied, "She have bad-bad headache. No can perform."
	Ryouga, it must be noted was trying to get himself away from Natsume
without waking her... it wasn't working...
	Mousse eyed Ukyou myopically, "Say... Kuonji-san... you're about Ranma's
height, aren't you?"
	Ukyou gave Mousse a strange look, "Yes?"
	Mousse peered closer at her, adjusting his glasses. His gaze resting
specifically on certain frontal portions of her anatomy, "And I'd venture
about a 34 B..."
	Shampoo blushed and gave Mousse a thump on the back of the head with the
clipboard, "Mousse-sempai look like pervert doing that!"
	Ukyou gave Mousse a quick annoyed whack with her spatula, "What does that
have to do with anything?!"
	Mousse grabbed onto Ukyou's ankles, "Please! You have to take Sayuri's
role! You'll fit right into the costume and you've been here every night!
She's only got two lines! Please!!!"
	Ukyou only gave a startled cry. Ranma blinked in surprise at that, his
aura guttering out. 
	Shampoo thumped Mousse repeatedly with the clipboard, "Mousse-sempai! Show
some dignity!"
	"Wha..? Me? But I..." Ukyou struggled to free herself of Mousse.
	"PLEEEEEEEAAAAAASE!!!!"
	Ryouga frowned slightly, "Hey! Sayuri's role is as Ranma's wife in the
early part of the play isn't it?"
	"Yeah it is." Ranma answered.
	"No way!" Ryouga shouted in a jealous rage, "I forbid you from taking that
role!"
	"It's just a play, Ryouga... what are you getting so jealous for?" Ranko
murmured playfully. "Worried he's going to charm her permanently away from
you?"
	"I'm not jealous!!" Ryouga shouted at her.
	Ukyou's eyes narrowed, "You forbid me?" She stomped towards Ryouga
dragging the unresisting Mousse along, "YOU? Forbid... ME? You haven't got
any right to do that you jackass! We aren't engaged anymore! If I want to
take the role, I'll take the role!"
	"Um... maybe forbid was too strong a term to use?" Ryouga tried weakly.
	Mousse muttered from her ankles, "Please say you'll take the role..."
	"I'm taking it," She shouted at Mousse stomping back to Ranma and linking
her arm with hers, "Choke on THAT Hibiki!"
	"Erhm?" Ranma managed.
	Akane cleared her throat and took Ranma's other arm, giving Ukyou a
quizzical look. Ukyou merely continued to glare at Ryouga.
	Ranko stepped quietly behind Ranma and whispered in his ear, "Mmmm... my
aren't we popular Saotome.
	Natsume yawned awake at about this point and was surprised to find herself
and Ryouga surrounded, "Oh... um... this is awkward..."
	Mousse hopped to his feet, grinning madly, "Excellent! Now that everyone's
up we can do another run through and hopefully we'll get it right this time!"
	Everyone groaned in unison.

	"Very well, you little thieves!" Natsume proclaimed in a laughing voice,
"I will allow each of you to take one item from my jewelry box, but only
one." She continued holding up a finger.
	"Very well, mother." Ranko said airily, "Ahh... what is this?"
	"It appears to be a golden comb..." Akane replied.
	Ranko suddenly put her hands to her hips, "Ahh... feh. Who are we kidding?"
	"Ranko! Stop breaking out of character!" Akane snapped at her.
	"The guys in the props department still haven't found something for us to
use as a golden comb." Ranko sighed, "This is kinda pointless."
	"We may as well keep practicing you know. We've only got a few more hours
til curtain and I'm sure they'll come up with something." Ukyou replied
from the corner. Natsume looked thoughtful for a moment and seemed as if
about to say something.
	The four women were in Akane's dressing room going over their lines one
last time. After the third muffed run-through Mousse had told them rather
despondently to go off and get some rest. They were already in costume and
doing their best to go over their lines. The rest of the cast had gone off
for some lunch, but the paper plates bearing remnants of okonomiyaki
scattered about the dressing room were all that remained of the four
women's meal.
	"I don't know... my heart isn't exactly filled with confidence, with
Mousse in charge of this thing." Ranko sighed.
	"Or Ryouga..." Ukyou muttered darkly.
	"Ukyou-nesama, I know you and Ryouga-sama had some problems in the past,
but is it really fair to stay angry at him for so long?"
	Ukyou tsked at Natsume, "If we hadn't cleared up your sleeping next to him
sooner, I'm not sure what Ranma and I would've done to him."
	Natsume's eyes glazed over a slight goofy smile on her face as she clapped
her hands together, "But he's such a handsome and honorable guy, how could
you..."
	"You didn't get left at the altar by him." Ukyou snapped at her.
	"Are you jealous?" Natsume asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that what
it is?"
	Akane stepped between the two, holding her hands up, "Hold it! Wait, this
bickering isn't getting us anywhere, besides I thought we had it all sorted
out, nothing happened."
	Ranko smirked, "True enough, but there's a lot that can happen with...
ahem... nothing happening."
	"What're you..?" Akane started.
	Ranko sidled up to Natsume, putting an arm around her shoulders playfully,
"So... did you at least get a kiss off of him? Or get a nice long feel of
those muscles..? Or maybe..." she whispered something into Natsume's ear.
	Natsume's eyes widened, "Ranko! What a thing to say!"
	"Honestly!" Akane sighed at Ranko.
	Ranko grinned at Ukyou, "Perhaps a learned opinion over there? How DOES
Ryouga kiss, Ukyou?"
	Ukyou's face clouded as she folded her arms, "He's not bad a kisser... not
as good as Ranm... I mean... um..." she realized what she nearly said and
blushed deeply.
	Akane, Ranko and Natsume's eyes all suddenly widened, "WHO?!"
	Natsume bounced over to Ukyou, "You actually kissed big bro?"
	Akane needless to say was in shock. 
	A slow catty smile spread over Ranko's features, "You did, didn't you?"
	Ukyou blushed, "Hey! Aren't we supposed to be practicing?!"
	Natsume grinned, "Yeah, but this is more interesting. When was this? Tell!"
	The redhead nodded in agreement, "Well if you don't want to talk about it,
that's fine, but he IS a very good kisser."
	Ukyou and Natsume turned quickly to look up at Ranko, "You kissed him too?!"
	"Mmmm... yes. Full on the lips, at least a full minute, right Akane?"
Ranko grinned, turning to look at the now glaring young goddess.
	Akane grumbled something under her breath, "You don't exactly have to brag
about it you know."
	Natsume looked puzzled, "But I thought Akane was his fiance?"
	Ukyou, glad that the heat was off her, "I still don't understand their
relationship and I've known about the three of them for months..."
	"I am his girlfriend, yes." Akane said in a tight controlled voice,
stomping to Ranko, "It's just that SOME people can't seem to control
themselves!"
	Ranko laid a hand on her chest and replied innocently, "But he seemed so
enthusiastic..."
	"He was fighting for air, you idiot!" Akane snapped back.
	"Which is only distracting us from the original point which was, Ukyou
kissing Ranma..." Ranko deflected, smiling at Ukyou.
	"Wait, wait, wait... to think I always thought of my bro as the shy
type... well, let's get to Ukyou in a moment, but I guess this means you've
kissed him too, right?" Natsume asked Akane.
	"Um... well..." Akane shifted uncomfortably.
	Ranko's jaw dropped, "You mean you two still haven't even kissed after all
this time?!"
	"We have. Sort of. Well, I'm not like you okay?!" Akane snapped at her.
	"You've got to be kidding! I heard you were spotted with him walking into
a love motel!" Ranko sputtered.
	"No kidding?" Natsume boggled, "Wow, I didn't realize 'Nichan had gotten
so... so bold."
	"It's not what you think!" Akane shouted. 
	"Yeah it probably isn't," Ranko smirked, "I mean neither of you would
dare..."
	Akane continued glaring at Ranko as the red head turned to the blushing
Ukyou, "So... about your kiss with Ranma?"
	"Hey, wait! I want to hear about 'Nichan in a love motel!"
	"Fine we'll have Akane tell us later, Ukyou first." Ranko grinned.
	"Er... it's no big deal... we were still in high school, we'd just
finished the only real date we ever had then he kissed me goodnight.
Actually I kissed him... it was... nice." Ukyou still seemed a bit
embarrassed, stealing an occasional glance at Akane, but there was a
certain dreamy undertone to her voice as she remembered.
	Akane gave a defeated sigh. She drew a breath, getting ready to say
something when the door suddenly burst open and a purple haired woman
rushed into the room, "Ai-yah! Still no comb! No one find any golden comb!
Mousse say he make play 'Black Hairbrush' and we hope no one notice!"
	"I knew it." Ranko sighed languidly.
	"Ranko-sempai, what happen to twin, Ryouko-sempai?" Shampoo blinked.
	"You have a twin?" the other three girls asked simultaneously. Akane's
eyes narrowed, knowing only one possible person THAT could be.
	"She's around..." Ranko replied vaguely.
	"Well if see her, better say Mousse-nisama tell everybody not with varsity
go away. Close up backstage."
	"I will if Ryouko shows up again, but I don't think she will." 
	"In meantime Shampoo have to go look for comb to use... that or change all
signs."
	"Well the play doesn't hinge on the comb right entirely, right..? Akane
asked slowly.
	"But is title! Is major plot part! Is too-too important!"
	"Hey, I think I've got something that could fit the bill!" Natsume said
after a moment, "Just let me root through my purse if it's still... in...
here... aha! Got it!" as she pulled out what appeared to be a small
plain-looking and battered metal hair comb, a dull metallic yellow in color.
	"Hey, I recognize that. Didn't Ranma give it to you on your fourteenth
birthday?" Ukyou remarked, looking at it.
	Natsume giggled, "Actually, I found it in his sock drawer looking for my
gifts."
	"I remember now! He forgot to buy you anything so he let you keep it."
Ukyou snickered.
	"He didn't even know how it got in there..." Natsume added.
	"That perfect!" Shampoo said taking the comb in her hand, "Okay, maybe it
not perfect, but it close enough!"
	Ranko blinked in surprise as she stood up next to Shampoo peering at the
comb, "Hey, Akane! Doesn't this thing remind you of that thing we used to
have when we were kids?"
	"What thing?" Akane asked, perplexed.
	"You used to have a comb like this when we were... I don't know... ten or
something? I remember I kept trying to take it away from you."
	Akane moved closer to Shampoo who was still turning the comb this way and
that in her hand, "You did? I don't remember."
	"Yeah... I don't remember what happened to it either... I think you lost
it somewhere." Ranko said uncertainly.
	"I really don't remember at all," Akane said a small frown on her face.
	Natsume giggled, "That would be funny."
	"What would?" Ukyou asked.
	"What if the comb is actually Akane's but somehow Ranma found it
somewhere, then tucked it in his sock drawer, forgot about it and ended up
giving it to me?" Natsume smiled.
	"Wow! Big-big coincidence."
	Ranko looked at Akane who traded a confused glance back to her, "Nah... I
don't think so." The cousins said simultaneously.
	Ranko shrugged elegantly. At least she hoped it wasn't... the potential
implications of THAT would be... 
	"Comb look okay. Shampoo borrow it for while Natsume-san?"
	"No problem, Shampoo." Natsume replied.
	"Curtain in hour and half! Everybody make sure make up and costume is
ready!" And with that Shampoo left the room, murmuring softly to herself,
"Maybe if use metal polish..."
	"Where were we anyway?" Akane asked.
	"Your last line was '...golden comb'," Natsume replied, "Then I say,
'Ahh... how did that get in there?'"
	"Right."

	Show time. The house was packed. Pretty much everyone from the university
was there. Not to mention quite a number of last minute arrivals when word
got out the Ukyou would also be participating. No small number of Office
Ladies and other students managed to finagle tickets from scalpers. Suffice
it to say they would most likely be surprised if they'd known before hand
what Ukyou's actual role was. 
	Nabiki was standing just off stage with Mousse. Nabiki was giving him a
small, satisfied smile. He simply looked close to collapse.
	"Our final net take, less taxes, expenses, accounting and handling fees..."
	"What accounting and handling fees?!
	"Mine, of course."
	"You never said anything about..."
	"I sincerely hope you aren't thinking of NOT paying me..."
	"Erhm..."
	"In ANY case, here's how much the Varsity made." As she flashed him her
calculator where a certain figure had just been tapped onto the screen.
	Even behind his glasses, Mousse's eyes boggled, "That much..?" he whispered.
	Nabiki grinned.
	Mousse returned the grin. Life... was good. And with that befuddled,
caffeine-addled grin pasted to his face, Mousse promptly collapsed into a
deep sleep.
	Nabiki smiled and slipped a few pieces of papers into Mousse's hand...
orders signed by him. Not exactly what he would've said himself, but close
enough to suit her. Price paid, she smiled. 
	She glanced in Shampoo's direction as the purple haired amazon adjusted
her glasses worriedly, running up to Mousse.

	Outside the audience was getting restless. Admittedly, it was still ten
minutes to curtain time, but the majority of this group was composed of
people who weren't exceptionally good at waiting. There were exceptions, of
course. Kasumi Tendo for instance, who was seated front row center was
engaged in a rather fascinating if one-sided conversation with the people
to either side of her. One of who appeared to be asleep. The other looked
about ten years old.
	Backstage, people rushed back and forth as last minute preparations were
being completed.
	"Who's got my hairpiece?!"
	"What happened to the winch?!
	"Gosunkugi, you're supposed to be OUTSIDE to take the photos!"
	"Who has my facepaint?"
	"Put those away for later!"
	"Flower delivery for Ranko Tendo... flowers for Ranko!"
	"Over here!"
	"Who're they from Ranko?" 
	"Oh no, not him again..."
	"Not who again?"
	"Oooh, a bouquet of red roses? These're expensive..."
	"Where's the card?"
	"It was here somewhere." 
	"I'd rather not talk about it."
	"Tatewaki Kuno?" a number of voices chorused.
	"Orders from Mousse-sempai!"
	"Last minute script change AGAIN?! Who authorized this?"
	"Who else, sugar?"
	"Use our real names? But why?!"
	"No ask Shampoo, is Mousse-sempai order."
	"Where is he!?!"
	"He sleep. You no interrupt, Ryouga-sempai..."
	Suffice it to say that chaos was a mild, though appropriate, word to use.
	But that was then and this was now. The packed theatre began to darken...
and the curtain began to rise.

	"Once upon a time," a reedy, yet somber voice spoke, "There were two noble
samurai families that served under a powerful daimyo."
	The stage lit up showing two sets, the interiors of two homes with the
middle of the stage done up obviously to represent the street. As the
lights illuminated the house on the left, Ranma in a resplendent red and
black brocaded kimono wearing a rather convincing fake mustache and his
ponytail tucked under his collar, sat next to a beaming Ukyou, also in a
similar kimono. To the right sat a rather disgruntled looking Ryouga, in a
kimono of gold and black, an adoring Natsume clinging to his arm looking
quite ecstatic.
	Spontaneous applause broke out among the audience.
 	"I believe," Ranma spoke, "I shall visit my old friend Ryouga." There
seemed to be a slight angry emphasis on the word 'friend'.
	Ukyou smiled demurely at him, then cast a glare in the general direction
of the other house, "Oh, yes. It has been a while since you saw him." Angry
emphasis on him.
	Ranma nodded slowly, "Yes... why don't you get some rest, darling. I will
just be a moment."
	They both stood, Ranma helping Ukyou up. Ukyou as she stood appeared to be
well into the advanced stages of pregnancy, her stomach swollen immensely,
looking ready to give birth at any moment. Her earlier posture had hidden it.
	As Ukyou glided offstage, Ranma began to walk towards the other half of
the set.
	Ryouga suddenly perked, "Ahh... I think I hear Ranma coming over." His
voice was light and perhaps almost cheerful, but his face looked as if it
were set in stone.
	Natsume smiled at him and simpered, "Oh, he hasn't been by in so long, but
I suppose with his wife's pregnancy he has been quite busy."
	Ryouga's face darkened, "Yes... Ukyou's pregnancy..."
	Ranma finally opened the door to Ryouga's home and strode in, smiling,
"Ryouga, how are you my friend?" his smile was fixed but looked ready to
fall off.
	"Ranma! How good to see you!" Ryouga said with little enthusiasm, bearing
a similar smile.
	"Well... I believe I shall leave you two to talk..." Natsume said rising
to her feet. She too was hugely pregnant as she glided offstage.
	The two men stood staring at each other smiling for a long while. Their
stares challenging. 
	"So... how's Ukyou?" Ryouga asked with false cheer.
	"Oh, she's _wonderful_ the doctor says she could give birth as early as
this very evening. And how's Natsume, Hmmm..?" Ranma asked pointedly.
	"She's also well. Our doctor also says she could give birth tonight."
Ryouga replied.
	There was a pregnant pause.
	"Well." Ranma said. Their staring match resuming.
	"Well, well." Ryouga replied.
	There was another long pause.

	From the audience there were already quite a number of murmurs, "Aren't
they supposed to be friends?", "I remember this story, maybe they're trying
to add in backdrop?", "What that the samurai Ranma is playing is married to
someone the samurai Ryouga is playing is in love with? No way...", "Why
not?", "Interesting start...", "Didn't that Natsume look cute?"
	From offstage, Shampoo whispered fiercely, "Say next line!"

	"Well," Ranma continued finally, "Seeing as how we've been friends for so
long, what do say if we were perhaps to cement the union?"
	"What do you mean?"
	"Well, since our wives are pregnant and could give birth any day now... if
one of our children is a girl and the other a boy..."
	"... perhaps we should engage them to be married when the time comes?"
Ryouga interrupted.
	"Precisely."
	"I like the idea." Ryouga said unenthusiastically.
	"Let's shake on it." Ranma smiled falsely.
	"Yes." said Ryouga, grasping Ranma's outstretched hand...
	They clasped hands and there were long moments as both their faces strained.

	Shampoo finally realized what was going on and called out in a harsh
whisper to the two freshmen, "Fade lights!"
	Ranma and Ryouga continued to squeeze each other's hands as the lights
dimmed to darkness. There was the sound of feet stomping across the stage
followed by two quick whacks and a soft voice with a sing-song Chinese
accent muttering fiercely, "Do play right or Shampoo withhold both you pay!"

	The reedy voice started again, "And so it came to pass that that very
night, a boy was born to Ranma's family who in his pride named the child
after himself and a girl was born to Ryouga's family, who was named Ranko.
The lights turned on again for a moment to depict the two proud fathers, in
each of the their homes, smiling as their respective wives held small
bundles in their arms... from each bundle small pigtails stuck out.
	"Thus, the agreement that when the boy and the girl were to be betrothed
to one another was sealed between the two fathers..." as the voice spoke,
Ranma and Ryouga approached each other, bearing happy smiles that didn't
reach their eyes, bowed formally to each other. 
	"As a bride price and a gift to seal the betrothal, Ranma gave to Ryouga's
family, with all due pomp, a beautiful golden comb."
	At this Ranma said, "Here ya go." And flipped a glittering golden object
into Ryouga's hand who glared at him. There were brief titters from the
audience. From offstage Shampoo gave an agonized groan.
	Ranma with an arm around Ukyou's shoulders walked off stage. Their heads
low. Ryouga's face was impassive as he stood next to Natsume, who was still
holding the little bundle with the red pigtail.
	"And many years passed and things changed." The voice continued, as the
curtain dropped...
	From behind the curtain were a number of muffled cursings and rattlings.
As the curtain rose again, Ryouga's home was now center stage, around it
were what appeared to be gardens.
	The lights illuminated Ryouga sitting happily at a dinner table, next to
him was Natsume. Their hair appeared lighter colored, Ryouga's hair was
shot through with silver.
	"Ryouga prospered and his family grew by one more after the birth of a
second daughter, Akane."
	Ranko and Akane walked onstage. Ranko skipping merrily along and Akane
gliding in with serene dignity. There was loud applause and catcalls from
the audience, Ranko taking a moment now and then to wave to them or to wink
as someone. Ryouga nodded once and stood up, smiling fondly at the two.
Ryouga walked offstage.
	"The two daughters, were so different in temperament that many were amazed
that they were sisters. The elder, Ranko was lively, happy and playful,
while Akane was the more sedate and calm."

	Ranko whispered to Akane, too low for the audience to hear, "What a lie..."
	Akane turned to glare at Ranko. The audience noticed this. 

	"But despite this, the two sisters were devoted to each other."
	"Mother!" Ranko called merrily out to Natsume, "See what Akane and I have
found!"
	Natsume saw the box in Ranko's hands and raised an eyebrow, "Ahh... what
have you found indeed. If I did not know better, I would say that that is
my jewelry box." She smiled fondly.
	Akane nodded, "We found it in your room mother and would ask if we could
look through it, perhaps for a little something for ourselves?" she asked
hopefully.
	"Very well, you little thieves!" Natsume proclaimed in a laughing voice,
"I will allow each of you to take one item from my jewelry box, but only
one." She continued holding up a finger. Ranko and Akane set the box down
onto the table, opening it eagerly.
	"Very well, mother." Ranko said airily, "Ahh... what is this?" as she held
up the golden comb.
	"It appears to be a golden comb..." Akane replied in a surprised tone.
	"Ahhh... I thought that had been long since lost! I'm afraid not, my
daughters, ask for any other item, but not this."
	"Why not, mother?" Ranko pouted, "You said we could have one item, and I
believe I like this one."
	Natsume looked down, regret obvious on her face, "That comb has a tragic
story attached to it, my daughter. I fear you would not want it if you but
knew..."
	"Why not tell us mother?" Akane asked, eyes shining eagerly, "It seems so
lovely, how could it have such tragedy?"
	"I will tell you then," Natsume said composing herself, "When Ranko was
born, that same night, so too was born the son of one of your father's
friends... another nobleman... his son, was betrothed to you, Ranko."
	Ranko's face showed surprise, "Why wasn't I told of this before?"
	"Alas..." Natsume said, continuing regretfully, "Many years ago, before
even Akane was born, the family of your betrothed was exiled by the daimyo.
There was no explanation given and that nothing had happened to stain their
family honor, but it was deemed necessary that they leave."
	"How sad." Akane murmured.
	Ranko held the comb tightly in her hand, her eyes shining, "You mean,
there is someone out there who is meant for me? My betrothed is somewhere
out there and I not only have never seen him, but will in all likelihood
never see him?"
	"I'm afraid so, my daughter." Natsume replied, lightly stroking Ranko's hair.
	The lights dimmed and the spotlight turned on Ranko who sat at the table,
still beautifully posed. She gazed longingly at the comb, "I do not know
you... I will never know you... and yet... I suddenly feel so incomplete,
where once I was a whole, now I am no more than half..."
	Ranko rose slowly to her feet pacing the stage slowly...
	The narrator's voice spoke, "The hours stretched into days... the days to
weeks and the weeks to months... Ranko pined away for her unknown
betrothed... for sight unseen, she had fallen in love with him and longed
to meet him that they could be complete... but still he did not appear, and
she knew it was futile, but still she pined for him..."
	The spotlight followed Ranko as she paced the stage, until she slipped
into a futon off to one side and lay quietly, the comb still tight in her
grasp.
	"Until at last she died of a broken heart. Longing for her betrothed."
	Around Ranko Ryouga, Natume and Akane gathered heads bowed in silence,
weeping softly.

	From the opposite end of the stage, a bedraggled Ranma, now in tatters,
the false moustache gone and his pigtail free lurched slowly across the
stage, followed by a second spotlight, just as the first began to fade.
	"Exactly one year had passed since Ranko's unfortunate demise when Ranma
appeared, son of Ryouga's friend, the elder Ranma, Ranko's betrothed."
	The stage lit up again, Ryouga alone at the table, watching Ranma warily
as he approached.
	"May I help you?" Ryouga asked coldly.
	"Um... sir, my name is Ranma..." Ranma bowed.
	"I had a friend named Ranma once..." Ryouga said thoughtfully.
	"I know, sir. I'm his son."
	"What?" Ryouga spoke, "No... really? What happened to you? You look
terrible!" he stood up.
	"I know sir... since my family's exile our fortunes have taken a turn for
the worse... both my parents are dead and I am all that is left."
	"I'm sorry to hear that."
	"I.... I came here to honor my father's last wish, sir."
	"And that is?" Ryouga asked.
	"He told me about the betrothal just before he died. I know I don't have
much, sir, but I'm willing to work hard and I have a strong back. Allow me
to work in your service until such time as I can prove worthy of my
betrothed and I will..."
	Ryouga's eyes grew sad as he looked at Ranma, "Oh, my boy... I'm so
terribly sorry. You have arrived too late. My daughter has been dead this
long year. I'm afraid you have come here for nothing."
	Ranma looked stricken.
	"But if you wish to work for me, I shall be more than happy to accept your
service... you are the son of my oldest friend and I couldn't possibly turn
you away. Live in my home, work upon my grounds and I shall treat you as
you deserve."
	"That is very magnanimous of you, sir."
	"Not at all..." Ryouga replied getting to his feet and clapping an arm
around Ranma's shoulders, "Walk this way... how much gardening experience
have you had?" he asked as the lights faded again.

	"And so it came to pass... Ryouga took the younger Ranma into his service."
	As the lights came up again, Ranma walked around the new set, puttering
with gardening tools. Most of the stage resembled nothing so much as a
garden. To the left of the stage was a small cottage, open to the audience,
which showed a futon and a desk.
	"Because of Ryouga's excellent treatment, Ranma found that he liked his
new position in life and worked diligently for his master, tending to the
grounds with the utmost care and devotion."
	As Ranma continued to work, Akane slowly walked across the stage... Ranma
paused long enough to watch her, a longing look in his eye as she passed,
but the narration continued, "He worked for many months, only occasionally
catching glimpses of the family as he tended to his duties. His glimpses of
the younger daughter Akane he treasured most, though he would scarce admit
it to himself. Neither the younger daughter, nor Ryouga's wife was informed
of his parentage, and it appeared to please both men."
	"Until one evening. That the family returned late from an engagement..."
	The lights dimmed somewhat and Ranma stood at the side of the stage away
from the cottage. A large palanquin, covered and presenting only the
silhouette of the three figures inside, was carried across the stage on the
backs of several heavyset men... there was a slight flash and a tinkle as
some object fell from the palanquin.
	Ranma bent over showing surprise as he picked the item up. The palanquin
disappeared offstage and he held up the object which he had taken. It was
the golden comb. Once more murmurs passed through the audience as Ranma
contemplated it.
	"What's this? Ahh... the samurai's daughter must've dropped it as the
palanquin passed." Ranma spoke aloud, "Well, it's late. First thing
tomorrow morning I shall return it to her."
	And with that he slipped it into his pocket walked towards the well-lit
cabin. He began pantomiming his preparations to go to bed... but as he did,
in the darkened garden a figure began moving to and fro among the bushes,
obviously searching for something.
	Ranma glanced out in surprise, "What could that be? An intruder? Or
perhaps a ghost?" an expression of worry crossed his face just as a sudden
loud knock came from his door, the gliding silhouette which had been
searching the garden was now sanding next to it, knocking hurriedly.
	"Who is it?" Ranma called out.
	"It is Akane," the figure called out as a spotlight bloomed on her. 
	"Lady Akane?" Ranma asked in confusion as he opened his door. She stepped
inside looking apprehensively at him.
	"It is so late at night, my Lady, what are you doing up?"
	"Have you found my comb? A golden comb? I must have lost it as we were
returning and I must find it."
	"Oh. I did find something... is this it?" as he produced the comb.
	"Yes!" Akane said enthusiastically. Ranma handed it over to her
wordlessly, but as she took it in her hands she swooned into his arms.
	Ranma blushed, "L-l-lady, Akane!"
	As her eyes opened a languid smile appeared on her face, her arms snaking
up to encircle his neck, "My love... it is you..."
	"M-m-my lady..! This is..!" but before he could complete his statement,
she pulled him down into a deep kiss, much to the delight of the audience.
	Ranma struggled briefly in surprise... this wasn't in the script! He
thought to himself... but then again he should be enjoying himself... this
was Akane... wasn't it... but then he blinked as the kiss ended...  he knew
that kiss... that particular guilty pleasure...
	To the audience it appeared as if Akane and Ranma clung to each other
lovingly. In actuality Ranma was whispering harshly, "Ranko! That's you
again!"
	"Mmm... you know me so well..." 'Akane' giggled softly.
	"Where's Akane? You're ruining the scene!" he continued whispering.
	"Ruining, nothing." She smirked, "The audience loves it. Now say your next
line..."
	"But where's Akane?!"
	"In the bathroom... door's locked. She'll get out soon." She winked, "Next
line, handsome."
	"Er... um... ah... my lady! What's come over you?!" Ranma said in a tight
voice, trying to pull away.
	"You are the man who was betrothed to my sister those many years ago, were
you not?"
	"I... yes, but how did you know?"
	"My father told me... and I have watched you these many months and the
comb is but the last proof I need. I love you..." she said.
	Ranma gaped, "But... you... I..."
	"Please..." she begged, "I would be with you. Thought I know you were
promised to my sister, let me fulfil the promise your father and mine
made... come away with me..."
	"But my duty to your father... though I have often watched you... and I
too have feelings for you. I l-l-lo..." Ranma tried to complete his line
with difficulty.
	Shampoo frowned offstage, whispering, "Why Ranma-sempai having trouble
saying word? He always get right in practice! What wrong?!"
	Ranko touched her fingers to his lips, silencing him, "Say no more... I
know how you feel for me as well my love."
	"I can't leave..!"
	"Would you leave me alone then?"
	"I... I can't.
	"Let us quit my father's home this very night. If you will not then," she
smiled slyly, "I shall call my father and scream loudly that you have
forced your unwelcome attentions upon my young body... that you tore away
at my clothing fully intending to ravage me and take me for your base lusts
and savage pleasures." She opened the neckline of her kimono somewhat,
exposing a bit of Akane's pale white shoulder to Ranma's view.

	A number of men in the audience got nosebleeds... offstage, Ryouga
fainted. Shampoo simmered, muttering, "Ai-yah! That not on script either!
Why Akane improvising?!"
	"Whoa I didn't know she'd do something like that..." Ukyou murmured back,
standing next to Shampoo, "Looks more like something Ranko would do..."

	"If... if... whew... if you put it that way, fine then!" Ranma sputtered,
"My father had a friend who lived near where we stayed during those years
we were away, I figure I could crash there for a while..."

	Shampoo's jaw dropped, she muttered, "Now Ranma-sempai improvise!"

	The lights dimmed, and the narrator spoke up again, a trifle breathlessly,
"Er... yes... So the two young lovers fled Ryouga's estate. And moved into
their new home.
	The lights came up again to show Ranma and Akane smiling at each other,
Ranma somewhat stiffly. A scene of domestic harmony as 'Akane', now wearing
an apron and the golden comb in her hair, smiled lovingly at Ranma.
	"A year passed for the two of them... living as man and wife in all but
name. Their love grew by leaps and bounds until they were practically
inseparable. But exactly a year to the very day..."
	Ranma glanced out of one window, "Dear? There is a palanquin outside with
your father's crest!"
	'Akane' gave a playful smile, "It means that it is time for us to return
home, my love."
	Ranma turned to Akane incredulously, "Return? You demanded that we leave
and now we simply return? Do you have any idea what he's liable to do to me
for running away with his daughter?!"
	'Akane' winked saucily at him, "Do I hear complaining?"
	"Well... not precisely..."
	"Do this one last thing for me, my love. Let us return to my father. It is
time."
	"If... if you say so." Ranma said still somewhat confused.
	The stage darkened once more, a spotlight focusing on the palanquin as it
made its slow way across the stage. The silhouettes of Ranma and Akane
obvious within.

	From offstage, Akane stomped loudly next to Ukyou, "Where is SHE?!" she
whispered angrily.
	"Akane? If you're here... who's in there?!" Ukyou asked, glancing from the
palanquin to the furious Akane.
	"Ranko."
	"Wow, our make up department is good... she looks just like you... but
isn't she supposed to be in a later scene?"
	"I will KILL her." Akane muttered.
	"Better not, sugar. Your scene's coming up.
	Akane started, "Ohmigosh, you're right, scuse me..."

	As the palanquin reached the other end of the stage, the lights came back
on, showing Ryouga and Natsume on the opposite end of the stage, sitting
quietly at a table. Ranma looked back into the palanquin, "Why do you not
alight? We are here."
	"Not yet," came Akane's voice from the palanquin. "Go ahead, speak to my
parents. I shall wait her until you call."
	Ranma gulped nervously, "Are you certain?"
	"Of course..." her hand slipped out from the palanquin and pressed the
comb into his hand. "If they do not believe you as you tell your tale, my
love, show them this."
	"Provided I have enough time to speak and he does not kill me outright."
Ranma replied, which she answered with a wry chuckle.
	He walked calmly across the stage. Behind him, the palanquin slipped away.
As he reached the table Ryouga and Natsume were at, Ryouga surged to his
feet, a furious expression on his face as he shouted, "YOU!"
	"I'm dead." Ranma muttered loudly enough for the audience to hear.
	Ryouga rushed forward, charging at Ranma, Ranma crouched, preparing
himself for the worst, but as Ryouga reached him, he clapped Ranma on the
hsoulders and said, "Where've you been? If you were so unhappy serving
under me that you needed to leave you could've told me first. I would've
given you references."
	"Ahh... er... so you're not mad?" Ranma smiled disbelieving.
	"Why would I be mad? A little disappointed in you perhaps, but not mad.
Would you like your old job back?" Ryouga smiled.
	"Bu-bu-bu-but... you're taking this awfully calmly considering I just ran
off with your daughter a year ago..." Ranma blurted out.
	Ryouga's face clouded in fury as he heaved Ranma off the ground. Natsume
rose to her feet smoothly, frowning slightly, "Please do not make bad
jests, Ranma... our daughter has been in bed all this past year. Sleeping
so deeply that nothing we've done has been able to awaken her."
	"What? But that's impossible!" Ranma protested, "We've been living
together for all of the last year, she told me I had to come back with her
here... did you not send the palanquin which fetched us?"
	"We sent no palanquin," Ryouga replied, still holding Ranma up.
	"But it's right there!" as he pointed to the other side of the stage where
the palanquin was already long gone, "Hey, where'd it go?"
	Natsume placed an hand on Ryouga's arm, "Perhaps his brain has been addled
by his journies, my husband?" Ranma thought she was purring the last word
slightly.
	Ryouga frowned a bit, "Perhaps."
	"Honestly! I swear it, she was with me, look!" Ranma said holding up the
golden comb, "See? It is her golden comb... I've never seen her anywhere
this past year without it."
	Both Ryouga and Natsume's eyes widened in surprise, "It's impossible!"
they said at once.
	"What is?" Ranma asked stupidly.
	"But that comb was burried with our firstborn daughter, Ranko... how could
you have it?" Natsume said, looking flustered.
	"But this is Akane's comb." Ranma protested.
	Natsume persisted, "That is the comb which was given as a brideprice for
my firstborn daughter Ranko... but she died of heartbreak before the groom
could come to her...
	Ranma seemed staggered, "She did? But I was to be her groom... my father
and Lord Ryouga..."
	"No... impossible..." Natsume seemed shocked.
	Ryouga glowered, "Enough of this foolishness! Follow me, I shall show you!"
	As the lights dimmed, the three were caught in a spotlight as they walked
across the stage, they doubled back, the light brightening again to see
Akane lying in a futon sound asleep.
	"It is as we have told you. She has slept like this for the past year."
Ryouga said in a soft voice which carried over the audience.
	Ranma fell to his knees next to her, "But it is impossible... she was with
me the past year..."
	Natsume shook Ranma by the shoulder, "Come with me, young sir... we have
disturbed her enough..."
	As the three moved away from the sleeping Akane, the lights dimmed once
more, the spotlight returning to the three of them.
	"How can this be?" Ranma asked the parents.
	"We are baffled." Ryouga replied.
	"How could she have been with you and yet sleeping here this whole time?"
Natsume added to their questions.
	"Perhaps I can answer that," Akane's voice spoke from out of nowhere. A
second spotlight focused on her, coming towards them from the opposite end
of the stage, she was dressed in beautiful layered robes, totally unlike
her bedclothes.
	"You are awake!" Ryouga said, breaking into a relieved smile.
	"Yes father... and I am afraid I have a great deal of explaining to do to
Ranma and to both of you..." 'Akane' (Ranma still wasn't certain if it was
the real one or Ranko again but the scene called for Ranko) smiled demurely.
	"Please do." Natsume said.
	'Akane' shook her head once, her black hair becoming red, and long braid
cascading down her back from out of nowhere, her features shifted subtly,
"I am not Akane, but the spirit of Ranko."
	
	From the audience, gasps and murmurs of awe... after all... this was
certainly better effects and make up than they expected.

	Ranko smiled lovingly at Ranma, "I'd loved him from even before I'd ever
laid eyes on him... and I love him even more now, having known him for so
long..."
	"But we thought you were dead!" Ryouga sputtered.
	"I was and I am." Ranko replied, "But I made a contract. That I be allowed
one year to return to this world from the next that I could spend it with
the man I loved..."
	"But why did you look like Akane?" Natsume asked.
	"I could not allow anyone to know who I was, not even my beloved..." as
she stroked Ranma's face gently. Her eyes shining with emotion.
	Ranma couldn't help but swallow involuntarily... she isn't just acting...
she really means it, he thought.
	"So I struck a deal with my sister... that I would borrow her face and
form. For the one year I would spend on this world..."
	"So... all this time... I was with you..?" Ranma asked in a dumbfounded tone.
	"Yes, my love. But now my time is up... and I must return." Ranko
continued, "I have loved every moment that we spent together, Ranma. Every
single one. I do not regret this past year.
	"But..." Ranma felt odd... almost as if she trully were speaking to him.
And not merely acting out her role... she couldn't be THAT good an
actress... could she?
	"I have two last requests," Ranko said to Ranma, "I ask you not to mourn
for me but to remember me only with happiness."
	"Yes." His voice choking involuntarily. He was surprised to find tears
rolling down his cheeks.
	"Second, I wish for you to marry Akane when I have gone. For while I
shared her face and form, she has also shared my feelings and thoughts...
she loves you too. As deeply as I."
	The three stood mute. A palpable silence had descended on the audience as
Ranko slowly lifted up, floating perhaps a foot above the stage.
	Ranko turned to Ranma, leaning towards him and kissing him gently on the
lips, "Four, Ranma. Four stolen kisses," she whispered to him, no one else
hearing, "Each sweeter than the last... how I'm going miss you."
	"Ranko..." Ranma called out softly, his voice little more than a whisper.

	From offstage the two freshmen in charge of the winch gave the awed,
though approving Shampoo a tap on the shoulder. She turned to them and
whispered, "Ai-yah! Why you two not at winch?! What if Ranko have go up
more?!"
	"That's what we came here to tell you! It broke down, the winch doesn't
work!"
	"So how Ranko flying?" Shampoo asked, turning to look back at the stage.
	Everyone else merely watched.
	
	"Goodbye." Ranko said softly, spreading her arms, her body limned in
light, which cut through the audience.
	All anyone could do was watch.

	From the audience Kasumi's eyes widened in surprise, "Oh my... this is
much too early!"
	The little girl with the long black hair in the charming black dress next
to her simply smiled sweetly, "Looks just right to me..."
	From the wings, Nabiki signalled to Kasumi frantically, "It's too soon!"
she mouthed.
	Kasumi could only shrug helplessly and watch in wonder.

	There was a final bright burst of light that caused everyone to sheild
their eyes as Ranko vanished from sight.
	Ranma, Ryouga and Natsume, stood on stage, staring blankly at the spot
where she had vanished. Ryouga murmured desperately to Ranma, "Was that in
the script?"
	"How'd she do that?" Natsume whispered to them.
	As the lights brightened again and Akane stepped close to the group,
"Hello, everyone. Hello, Ranma." She smiled tentatively.
	"Akane... that is you, right?" Ranma asked uncertainly. He didn't
understand what was going on. 
	Akane nodded, moving towards him. "Yes..." there seemed to be a subtle
change to her. He couldn't place it for certain, but somehow... he shook
his head clear as he and Akane met in an embrace.
	"Um... this is yours, I think." Ranma said to her, pressing the comb into
her hand. Her eyes lit up in recognition. There was a feeling... a curious
sensation as if everything in the universe had suddenly gone 'click' as the
pieces all slid into place. 
	She grasped it tightly in her hand and looked up into his gray eyes, her
voice a whisper, "I love you."
	Ranma stood in shock... he stared at her face, the face that had become so
dear to him that he knew it better than his own, every line, every feature,
from her goddess markings to her beautiful eyes... he knew for certain she
had meant that. He knew to the depths of his soul that this wasn't acting.
This was real. That was truth. The rock hard foundation of his entire
existence, "I love you." He whispered back, with complete certainty.
	They simply stood for a moment, eyes locked, savoring the closeness and
intimacy despite the audience. Everyone else had ceased to matter, there
was only the two of them. Ranma leaned his head down. Akane lifted her lips
to his.
 	They kissed. 
 	The long months of fear and uncertainty and hesitation forgotten.
	All that they'd gone through together... all for this moment.
	The years of waiting ended.
 	Time stopped. 
 	And then time roared anew as the applause broke out simultaneously
everywhere.

	Kasumi joined in the applause, but there were tears in her eyes... beside
her the little girl had vanished... thought the curtain slowly began to
come down on Ranma and Akane's kiss... Kasumi knew with absolute unshakable
uncertainty that the final curtain was still to come.

To be concluded...

----------------------
If you want the rest of this series (That's 1/2 My 
Goddess) you can get it at the Scriviner's Vault: 
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/1227/

For private correspondence email the Scriviner at: 
ebon@i-manila.com.ph.