Disclaimer: All characters that are used belong to their respective creators. I do this for fun and do not take any money off of it. Please don't sue me. The stories are mine, so please don't use them without asking me.
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    Ranma awoke early in the morning.  She slowly tried to slip away, so she would not wake Akane.

    Still asleep, Akane muttered, "Don't go."

    Even though Akane was asleep, Ranma was still forced to obey the order and froze.  Akane shifted a bit and grabbed hold of Ranma and held the genie like a sleeping child grasped a teddy bear.

    "Hold me, Ranma."

    The genie's arms moved jerkily and wrapped around her master.

*This can't be happening.  Akane's talking in her sleep.  I should be able to ignore this,*  Ranma thought.

    "Kiss me, Ranma."

    *NO! Nononononononononono.  I don't want to.  Not like this.*

    Ranma fought every millimeter of the way to prevent kissing Akane.  Despite the struggle, her face edged ever closer to her master's face.

    *I have to resist.*

    Trying with all her might not to, Ranma kissed Akane.  As soon as the genie's lips touched her master's, Akane awoke.  Akane jumped out of bed with eyes blazing.

    "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, while raising a chair above her head.

    Ranma backed up.  "It's not what you think, Akane. You were talking in your sleep."

    Akane stalked closer to Ranma. "So?"

    Ranma sighed and pointed at the ring.  "You said 'Kiss me'.  And, even though I knew you were asleep, I was still forced to carry out your order."

    The chair dropped from Akane's fingers.  Ignoring the thud, she stared at the ruby closely.

    *One minor slip, and I'm back to my old self.  I'm going to have to watch that,* Akane thought and then said, "I'm sorry, Ranma.  I'll try to be more careful in the future."

    Ranma-chan sighed in relief.  She was certain that she was going to be pounded into mulch.

    *That was close.  Akane apologized?  Maybe, there is a benefit to this condition after all,* Ranma thought.

    Trying to distract herself, Akane looked at a nearby clock and saw that there was still plenty of time before they had to get ready for school.  A sudden idea came to Akane and she started concentrating on the ring.  Ranma found herself standing up and walking around in a jerky fashion.  After a few seconds, Akane let out a long breath.

    "That was tiring.  Sorry, Ranma.  I just wanted to see if I could do that."

    Ranma angrily demanded, "Why?"

`    "Because, if I ever get tied up and see that you are going to be ambushed, I can use that link to tell you,"  Akane calmly explained.  *It's also to remind me that I have to be extra careful from now on with regard to your feelings.  Of course I can also use it, to stop you from doing something dumb.  Like, challenge Happosai.*

    Ranma stomped off, shaking her head.  She looked down at her clothes and sighed.

    *Better for her to practice in relative safety, than discovering that while I'm in combat,* Ranma thought as she plucked at her silk shirt.  *I'd better see if I enchanted this properly.*

    Ranma took a kettle of water and set it on the stove.  After it was hot enough, she used the kettle to pour water on herself.

    Looking down, the male Ranma muttered, "Good, that worked.  My clothes changed back to normal as I changed back  into a guy.  Now, I'd better check the reverse."

    Ranma used the kitchen faucet and splashed himself with cold water.  After changing, the genie nodded at the fact that her clothes had not changed.

    "Good.  At least, my clothes will remain normal," Ranma muttered.

    Ranma opened the refrigerator and cupboards and pulled out food to make breakfast.  She soon had fixed a large meal and stared at it.

    *What's wrong with me?  I should be digging into this food,* Ranma thought, as she stared at the food.

    As Akane came into the room, the genie started moving.  She set plates down before her master and waited until she was seated, before sitting herself.  Ranma watched as Akane ate.

    Getting nervous, Akane demanded, "Ranma, why aren't you eating?  And, why are you acting like that?"

    Feeling the compulsion, the genie answered, "You are my master.  Since, I was out before you had breakfast, I fixed it for you.  I am allowed to eat what you leave behind.  It is my duty."

    "You didn't act like this at our house."

    "Kasumi was there and it was your Father's house.  This is your house.  Different rules apply," Ranma replied. *How much lower can this ring drive me? I-I-I don't think I can take to much more.*

    Akane shoved a quite a few plates over to Ranma. "Here, Ranma.  Eat up.  I'm not going to have you follow that rule."

    Ranma looked at the food and then Akane. Feeling a release, Ranma started eating.  Blinking back tears, Akane watched Ranma.  Taking a few bites of her own food, she wondered what to do.

    *Ranma, I don't want this.  There has to be a way to free you.*

    Akane shook her head and stood up.  Turning so Ranma couldn't see, she rubbed the tears out of her eyes.

    "Ranma, can you teleport us both to school?"

    Looking up from her food, the genie answered, "I think so.  Why?"

    A wry grin came across Akane's face.  "Because, I am quite sure everyone heard of your storming off and I really don't want to deal with all those boys attacking me before I get to school.  I also want to dodge Ukyo and Shampoo."

    Ranma nodded.  "I think I can do that without you having to wish for it.  I do need to practice with my powers."

    Akane put her left hand on Ranma's shoulder.  "Thanks, Ranma.  We'll find a way to cure you."

    Ranma looked away. *I don't know if there is a way.*
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    Ranma and Akane looked out their classroom window.  They had used Ranma's ability to teleport to appear in the school with no one knowing. The genie had grabbed some hot water from a sink and changed back.  Both were having a grand time watching as the male student body of the Furinkan waited for Akane to come charging towards the gate.

    "Akane, do you think we should tell them that we're here?"

    Akane shook her head.  "Not yet.  I want to get back at them for constantly getting in my way.  I also owe them for causing me to think that the only way to deal with boys is to flatten them."

    Ranma remained silent.  *It all comes down to other people trying to force us into what they want us to be.  My pop and Akane's.  Kuno, Shampoo, Ukyo, and the old ghoul.  No one ever asks what we want.*

    He shook his head and saw that Ukyo and Shampoo were pressed up against the courtyard wall.  Sighing a bit, Ranma tried to figure out what to do about them.  After last night's question and answer session with Akane, Ranma decided to try and look at his relationships clearly.

    *I don't want either of them knowing about my condition.  Shampoo thinks I'm a prize to be won, no matter what.  Ukyo-  Well, something about her unnerves me.  I can't put my finger on what, just yet.*

    "Ranma, what are you thinking about?"  Akane asked.

    Ranma replied, "How to deal with Ukyo and Shampoo."

    Akane nodded and looked back out the window. Hearing the clock chime, she decided it was time to put an end to her game.

    Calling out the window, Akane yelled, "Don't you think it's time to get to class?  Ranma and I have been here for the past half-hour."

    The mob of boys and the two girls turned around and stared up at the window.  When they saw that Akane and Ranma were waving at them, their faces hit the pavement.

    Looking out another window, Nabiki thought to herself, *Good one, Akane.  You just made a lot of money for me.  Other than the four of us, no one knows about Ranma's genie condition, yet.  And, I'm going to do my best to keep it that way.  When I can talk to you in private, I'll tell you about Ryoga.*

    Nabiki smirked as she imagined that Ms. Hinako would have a field day with all the tardy students.  She resolved to keep tabs on Ukyo and Shampoo as best as possible. She had no desire to see her sister's heart break.
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    After the students had recovered from Ms. Hinako's discipline, they were allowed back in their class.  With a angry light in her eyes, Ukyo glared at Akane.  She was a bit miffed that her fiancee had not told her where he was, but did tell Akane.

    *I don't know what your game is, Akane, but I'm not letting you win.*

    Noticing Ukyo's stare, Ranma sighed and figured that he had better talk to her at lunch.  A feeling of danger swept over him, and he leaped out of his chair.

    Raising a coin, Ms. Hinako demanded, "Ranma, what are you doing?"

    A crashing noise answered her, as Shampoo rode her bike in through the wall.  The falling debris clonked Hinako on the head and knocked her out.

    "Ranma, you take Shampoo on date? Yes?"  Shampoo said as she landed her bike on Ranma's desk.

    Ranma clenched his fists and stated, "I am at school.  I have no intention of going on a date with you, just because you demand it.  Go home, Shampoo.  I have no interest in playing this game any longer."

    Shampoo blinked. "Why Ranma say that?  Is Amazon Law that you are my husband.  He should take me on date, since he hasn't been around for a couple of days."

    Ranma sighed and slowly explained, "Look, I'm getting tired of this craziness.  THAT is why I left.  I need time away, so I can figure out what to do."

    "Shampoo not understand," the Amazon replied.

    *I want to figure out how to get rid of you, Ukou, and Kodachi without revealing that I'm a genie, now,* Ranma thought as he said, "Like, how to convince my pop to stop trying to run my life.  And for that, I need to be left alone."

    Ukyo relaxed a bit. *He's going to ignore that damn furball and do the right thing:  marry me.  I still want to know where he's at, just to make sure Akane doesn't have any undue influence over him.*

    Shampoo smiled as she replied, "Ranma is going to ignore his father and follow his heart.  I understand now."

    Shampoo got on her bicylce and rode off, while thinking, *Great grandmother will be pleased.  Ranma will soon follow Amazon law and marry the one he truly should.*

    Akane hid a smile as she thought, *Well, that's one way to delay the explosion.  Both of them probably thought that Ranma is going to marry them. I guess I should help Ranma figure a way out of this situation.*

    She frowned and sighed, as her thoughts continued, *Until this genie mess is resolved, I'd better try and keep Ranma calm.  I don't want him to blow that secret.  And now that I know he loves me and not them, I don't have to worry that he will go with them.*

    Uncovering his desk from the rubble, Ranma sat back down and started stdying his book.  Soon, Ms. Hianko woke up and stared at Ranma.  After a quick question and answer session, the child teacher decided to get class running again.
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    Elsewhere in the school, Nabiki was trying to figure out a place to talk to Akane in private.  She wasn't having much luck.  At lunch, she met Akane.  She and Ranma were having lunch outside, under a tree.

    *I hope I can regain her trust,* Nabiki thought, as she approached her sister.

    Looking up, Akane saw her sister coming.  "Yes, Nabiki?  What do you want?"

    Steeling her courage up, Nabiki replied, "I need to talk to you, in private.  There are some things I need to tell you, and I don't want anybody overhearing."

    Akane examined he older sister closely and saw that she was very nervous and kept glancing between Ranma and her left hand.  The slight paranoia she had about the ring kicked in at full force.

    *I have to know if she knows," Akane thought.  *Maybe I can use that screwed up wish to help me.*

    Ranma also noticed the middle Tendo sister's flickering gaze and thought, *Oh great.  Nabiki knows that I'm a genie.  There goes my life.*

    Akane slowly said, "I'll talk to you underneath the bridge that we used to play under when mother was alive.  I'll meet you at five-thirty."

    Nabiki nodded and walked off, *At least none of Ranma or Akane's suitors or rivals know exactly where that is.*

    "Akane, what are you up to?"  Ranma whispered.

    Akane whispered back, "I need to know.  I hate to say this, Ranma.  But, I want you in the ring while I'm talking with her.  I'll want a quick exit to hide where my house is."

    Ranma nodded and replied, "Okay.  I do need to recharge a bit."

    "You seem to be more accepting of it now.  Why?"  Akane asked, as she gazed at Ranma.

    The pig-tailed martial artist shrugged and said, "What choice do I have?  Besides, I want to study that book of martial arts some more."

    *Oh, that's why.  He wants to master his father's three techniques.  I should have known,* Akane thought. *Well, I'll find out what Nabiki wants and knows.*
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Tom Mathews a.k.a Disruptor

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