Too much control and too little control

Ranma-chan awoke in the debris of the destroyed training hall that just a 
few hours earlier was to be the site of her wedding to Akane Tendo. 
Absently Ranma-chan nursed her shoulder while noting that the muscles and 
tendents had been stretched a little bit beyond their normal range of 
movement. However, Ranma-chan didn't much care about that and so just began 
looking around. A few seconds later, she noticed the shrine Soun kept in 
the training hall to his wife, which had been destroyed leaving only misses 
Tendo's picture intact. With a morbid curiosity, Ranma-chan picked up a 
photo and actually looked at it for a change instead of ignoring it 
completely.

The woman Ranma-chan found in the picture wore a bright red tube top, a 
pair of orange slacks, and a long light forest green cape that came over 
her shoulders. In addition, the cape was open enough to reveal that it had 
a royal purple lining. Her distinguishing features were her height which 
was six feet even, long sky blue hair, and a set of piercing Emerald green 
eyes which showed even the most inexperienced that she was far far older 
than she looked. In addition, whoever the woman was she was quite muscular 
and had a build that was a combination of a classical Amazon warrior and a 
supermodel. Strangely, the fact the woman was muscular didn't seem to 
detract anything from her beauty considering her extremely large build 
enabled her to 'wear' that muscle as if it hardly was even present. Even 
stranger was the fact the woman had an elegance and force of will that 
surpassed that of anyone Ranma-chan had ever met in her life despite her 
clothing which unusually told Ranma that the woman before her was even more 
boyish then Akane while at the same time being more feminine than even 
Kasumi.

"Well I guess it's easy to see where Akane got her strength and looks from. 
Considering misses Tendo could make a supermodel go green with envy," 
Ranma-chan commented absently before sitting the picture aside. However, 
the second the picture touched the ground the world around Ranma-chan 
dissolved into gray. Needless to say, the redhead was thoroughly spooked by 
this turn of events. Quickly scanning the room for the source of the 
grayness Ranma-chan found the woman she had just been looking at sitting on 
a pile of rubble at the far end of the training hall staring right at her 
with piercing Emerald green eyes that seemed to be even more intense then 
the eyes Ranma-chan had seen illustrated in the photo. Ranma-chan having 
had experience with angry spirits before gulped loudly considering he 
figured misses Tendo's temper would be larger than even Akane's.

However, after what seemed like an eternity to Ranma-chan misses Tendo's 
spirit closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning away from 
Ranma-chan only to look back out of the corner of 1 eye.

"Who are you?" Ranma-chan finally managed to ask after managing to get over 
the fear of how much energy she was sensing from the spirit.

"I am Hishizuka Tendo, Akane's mother," the spirit said with an elegance 
and power Ranma-chan had never encountered in her life.

"Let me guess you're extremely ticked off," Ranma-chan said.

"Yes to put it mildly I am most definitely extremely ticked off but 
surprisingly not at you. I'm only slightly miffed at you. Of course I have 
blasted people into vapor for getting me slightly miffed before so you're 
not out of hot water by any means Ranma," Hishizuka said as she stood up 
and walked over to Ranma-chan, "...but I won't."

"That's a relief," Ranma-chan said before Hishizuka sat down next to him.

"A wise man one said too much control is as dangerous as to little and 
Ranma I'm afraid you have too much control. So I'm afraid I'm going to have 
to wipe out all of your subconscious inhibitions and restraints," Hishizuka 
said before moving her left-hand onto the back of Ranma-chan's skull so 
fast Ranma-chan couldn't even perceive it. As she held Ranma-chan's skull 
with an iron grip Hishizuka commented, "Now this is going to hurt a little 
bit."

Ranma-chan's last coherent thought as 10 million watts of electricity 
entered her skull was something about now knowing where Nabiki got her 
sense of humor.

As Ranma-chan, phased back into the normal time stream Hishizuka scratched 
her chin thoughtfully while going over her database of things to do to 
someone when she was extremely ticked off at them. Fortunately, for the 
intended victim this database was extremely large and would take Hishizuka 
quite a while to sift through before she decided on what to do.

***********************

As Ranma-chan awoke, an unknown amount of time later she found she had the 
worst headache she had ever had in her life. Naturally, this put Ranma-chan 
in a very foul mood as she absently wondered how she had gotten the 
headache. Sense nothing that had fallen on her would've done enough damage 
to give her a headache. Ranma-chan's only reply to this was to grumble 
slightly before getting up and heading off to get a bath. Strangely, she 
was able to do this without any interference. However as Ranma entered the 
tea room after getting his bath he found the entire Tendo faintly waiting 
for him

"WHAT!" Ranma snapped surprising everyone in the room.

"The 'what' is your other fiancés and rivals boy," Genma said as he entered 
behind Ranma.

Ranma's reply to this was a visceral snarl as he punched Genma right in the 
face. The resulting blow not only KO'd Genma but broke his nose.

"As if 'he' has any right to say anything about that," Ranma snarled before 
turning to Nabiki.

The uncaring look in Nabiki's eyes as she looked over a few ledgers while 
deciding how to best sell the wedding gifts made Ranma's blood boil to the 
point he replied with a visceral growl that scared even Soun. Less than a 
tenth of the second later Nabiki found herself pinned against one of the 
support beams of the house with Ranma's forearm under her neck. So shocked 
by Ranma's brutality all everyone in the room could do was stare in shock.

"You bitch!!! You sold us out again," Ranma's spat in Nabiki's face before 
the forearm he was using to put a chokehold on Nabiki began to glow with a 
red aura. "Listen to me right now bitch. If you ever so much as think about 
interfering with me or Akane again or selling information about our 
whereabouts and what we're doing there won't be enough of you left to 
cremate using a THIMBLE!!" Ranma screamed in Nabiki's face before launching 
off an energy blast using his free hand.

The resulting energy blast vaporized a section of the dojo's exterior wall 
neatly and completely leaving no trace -except for a large crater- that it 
had ever been there in the first place.

Seeing this Nabiki did the only logical thing someone in her position would 
do; she wet her pants and fainted.

Ranma's reply to this was to let Nabiki fall onto the ground after which he 
turned around and stared at Soun who upon making eye contact with Ranma 
started to run. However as soon as Soun turned around he found Ranma 
staring at him.

"Tendo, if you ever try one of your schemes again. I will make sure you and 
pop will be staying in the hospital for the next year. Am I making myself 
clear?"

Soun who by this time had been hoisted into the air by Ranma only nodded 
frantically. In response, Ranma tossed Soun away like a sack of potatoes. 
After Soun landed, he scurried off like a frightened rat

By this time, Akane was shaking and feared what Ranma was going to do next. 
When Ranma turned to her, she saw something in his eyes she had never seen 
before and that frightened her even more.

"...and you miss high and mighty need to get off of your high horse of 
pervert bashing and take a good look in the mirror. And another thing: I'M 
NOT A PERVERT AND I'VE NEVER HAD SEX IN MY LIFE!!" Ranma shouted before 
continuing in a sad and pleading voice," and another thing. Is it too much 
to ask for you to trust me? *now beginning to shout again* Is it too much 
to ask for you to trust me long enough for me to get more then a squeak or 
grunt out of my mouth! IS THAT REALLY TOO MUCH TO ASK!? IS IT!!?"

Akane, who by this time, was crying harder than she had the day she 
witnessed her mother's death only shook her head as she looked away from 
Ranma shamefully.

Now sounding calmer Ranma said, "Good. Now if you'll excuse me I think I 
need to take a nap," before fainting and falling onto the tea a table where 
predictably a glass of water fell on him.

Seeing her fiancé faint Akane screamed and immediately begged Kasumi to 
find out what was wrong with Ranma. Kasumi replied to this by examining 
Ranma-chan with all of the precision one would expect from an ER doctor. 
However in the end Kasumi scratched her head and shrugged her shoulders as 
she said, "it looks like he just fainted," while looking confused.

"Why?"

Kasumi only replied by saying, "I don't know but he should be fine after a 
few hours of sleep."

Akane's reply to this was to carry Ranma-chan off to her room.

A few moments later however, Kasumi heard crying from the other corner of 
the room. Unusually however, Kasumi ignored Nabiki's crying and poured 
herself another cup of tea as an almost unperceivable crooked smile 
appeared on her face.

****************

When Ranma next awoke, he found himself lying on a semi soft bed with a 
gargantuan headache. Setting up, Ranma found out that he was in Akane's 
room. Naturally, Ranma panicked slightly at this turn of events. After 
looking around the room for an angry Akane with her mallet ready to pound 
him Ranma was relieved and shocked to find Akane sitting on a chair holding 
his hand while sleeping.

Shaking his head to clear it, Ranma wondered how he had ended up in this 
situation when he felt a pressure and slight electrical jolt run through 
the back of his head. After this, he remembered what had happened in the 
tearoom after he had finished his bath. "What in the kami-sama's name hit 
me in the head hard enough to break my control like that?" Ranma asked no 
one in particular.

"An I-beam maybe," Akane commented crookedly as she woke up and yawned.

Upon seeing that Akane was awake Ranma turned away and started to look 
shameful as he said, "I'm sorry okay I totally lost control and there's no 
excuse for that."

"There's also no excuse for what everyone's done to you including myself," 
Akane said before adding, "before you blew up this morning no one really 
knew how much you hated what we did to you. We thought well Nabiki thought 
you were a fool but right now, she's too scared to come out of her room. 
Daddy and your father haven't been seen since you blew up and neither has 
your mother. Kasumi said they've probably gone over to your parents' house 
until you quote cool off." Akane said before starting to cry. Akane however 
managed to get herself under control only a moment later at which time she 
continued, "...and your absolutely right about what you said Ranma you're 
supposed to be my friend and my fiancé. Yet most of the time I don't trust 
you because I thought you really were out there ...well you know," Akane 
said before trailing off as she turned around to hide her shame.

"Why do you always think that anyhow?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Like you so elegantly put Ranma I was on a high horse of pervert bashing 
and couldn't see the forest for the trees. In other words, I was so caught 
up on pounding you because of all of the perverted situations you end up in. 
That I never took the time to really look at your face and see that you 
didn't want to be there any more than I wanted you to be there," Akane said 
as she continued to face away from Ranma.

"Yeah no one likes to get raped," Ranma commented rather darkly.

"Raped?" Akane asked while blinking and sounding very confused.

"Yeah raped, you know being forced to have sex against your will or through 
some kind of coercion such as love potions, paralyzing potions, poisons, 
toxins, magic, a conk on the head that alters the memory, and numerous 
other such things," Ranma explained.

"Raped?" Akane asked again while starting to sound angry. A few moments 
later Akane slow burn erupted like a volcano as she began to rant and rave 
about the escapades of Ranma's other fiancés while sounding even more 
furious with them then she had ever been with Ranma. Ranma still having a 
splitting headache quickly got annoyed with Akane and tapped a pressure 
point on her neck causing her to fall onto the floor as stiff as a board. 
"RANMA!" Akane growled before noticing Ranma was befuddled at his own 
actions.

"Hmm, sorry but you were getting out of hand there," Ranma said while 
looking at his other hand before sighing deeply and using the counterpoint 
on Akane after which Ranma added, "what ever wrecked my control seems to be 
permanent."

"Look at it this way, Ranma, this will enable you to start over again and 
maybe this time you'll develop even better control," Kasumi said from the 
doorway with she had just opened.

"Yeah I guess you're right I just hope I don't kill anyone in the 
meantime," Ranma said while looking slightly depressed.

"I'm sure you won't, Ranma, unless the circumstances absolutely demand it," 
Kasumi replied nonchalantly.

"Yeah me to," Ranma muttered.

"I don't think you have to worry about it, Ranma. Now when you're ready to 
eat dinner is ready," Kasumi said before Ranma vanished out the door. This 
left Kasumi to giggle and Akane to roll her eyes.

"I hope someday he acts like that about my food," Akane finally commented.

"Oh Akane, as long as food is edible Ranma always reacts that way," Kasumi 
said with a giggle causing Akane to start fuming.

"...and you're saying mine isn't edible," Akane practically growled.

"Sis, have you ever tried your own food?" Kasumi asked before leaving and 
before Akane even had a chance to reply.

After a long moment of silence, Akane answered the question anyhow with a 
simple word, "no," before getting up and heading downstairs.

****************

A few moments later downstairs Akane enters to find Ranma happily munching 
on some food. However, Ranma was smiling as he did so and this spooked 
Akane thoroughly. 

'Ok this is beyond weird,' Akane commented to herself before shrugging her 
shoulders and adding, 'not that I'm complaining.' After that thought was 
concluded, Akane sat down by Ranma and began eating dinner. However, at 
that very moment the wall exploded revealing Shampoo. Akane of course 
started a slow burn at this point while thinking about how tactless Shampoo 
had been. Ranma however burned out in less than a second and attacked 
shampoo by pinning her against a support beam.

"Shampoo, if you ever think about hurting Akane again I will break every 
bone in your body and if you or Cologne try to slip me anything I will kill 
both of you. Do you understand me?" Ranma growled.

"Shampoo no believe husband wou," shampoo managed to get out before 
screaming in horrific pain as Ranma broke her arm by simply pressing it 
against the dojo's wall with his bare hand. After shampoo had managed to 
regain her composure, she looked at Ranma with horror etched on her face. 

"I'm dead serious shampoo and if you ever call me your husband again I will 
eviscerate something very important to you," Ranma said as he poked shampoo 
just below her bellybutton.

The buxom Amazon's reply to this was to go blue in the face before Ranma 
tossed her out the hole in the wall she had made. After which shampoo ran 
off faster than a bat leaving hell.

After shampoo was gone, Ranma started to breathe heavily and nearly fainted 
again.

"Are you okay Ranma?" Akane asked.

"Yeah I think," Ranma said as he regained his breath.

"Are you sure?" Akane asked again.

"Yeah I just need to meditate a little bit. It'll help me regain some 
control," Ranma said before walking out to the koi pond.

"Sis, what do you think is wrong with him?" Akane asked while sounding 
worried.

"I don't know but ...no I really have no idea or even a hint on what's 
going on," Kasumi said before starting to look extremely thoughtful. 'That 
word; I know for a fact nothing like that word should be in Ranma's 
vocabulary, but he used it in a rage which shows that it's definitely in 
his vocabulary,' Kasumi thought before scratching her chin and walking off 
to the kitchen.

**************

Later at the Cat café, Shampoo enters nursing her broken arm. Seeing this 
Cologne responded by shaking her head while thinking, 'I told her going 
over so soon was a bad idea, and since Ranma not only hit her --but broke 
her arm-- Amazon law states their tribal marriage is null and void; which 
means we're going home tomorrow after we get done packing.'

Mousse who was sitting nearby however took only a minute to go nuclear and 
run out of the cat café screaming vengeance.

"He really should stop hanging out with Ryouga so much," Cologne muttered 
to herself.

**************

A while later back at the dojo we find Ranma meditating by the koi pond 
when he sensed Mousse attacking. Despite the meditation he was doing to 
control himself Ranma snapped as he heard the words 'die Saotome' and 
replied with a ki blast that slammed mousse against the dojo's exterior 
wall like a pancake. Surprisingly however, Mousse did not lose 
consciousness and because of that so saw Ranma walking towards him and 
attacked with a Chinese broad sword. Ranma's reply to this as his battle 
aura flared was to catch the sword and break it in two with little effort -
if any- before picking mousse up by his throat using one hand.

"Listen to me closely Mousse if you ever try to attack me again I will not 
hold back anything and I will obliterate you like I did Saffron. Am I 
making myself clear?"

Seeing the deadly calm of Ranma's face and the stone hard look in his gray-
blue eyes Mousse only nodded before he was chucked away like a sack of 
manure.

A few moments later Ranma leaned against the dojo's exterior wall and 
rubbed his temples while shaking his head to clear it.

"You okay Ranma?" Kasumi asked as she walked up behind Ranma.

"Yeah my control was fine -although my response left something to be 
desired," Ranma said as he continued to rub his temples.

"But?" Kasumi asked as Ranma sat down.

"But it was like I wasn't myself there for a second it was like something 
was in my head," Ranma said as he continued to rubbed his temples.

"What did it feel like?" Kasumi queried as she sat down by Ranma.

"I don't really know Kasumi and the really strange thing about it is I know 
what ever it was, was a part of me and not something about the curse," 
Ranma said while actually looking spooked.

Kasumi's reply to this was to look thoughtful for at least a minute before 
saying "Hmm, Ranma tell me besides the Neko-ken has your father put you 
through any other extremely horrible training methods?"

Ranma's immediate response to this was to take up his usual confused 
position. However, about a minute and a half later Ranma held up his hand 
and held up three fingers as he said, "there've been three other really 
horrible things pop has done."

"I want you remember what you felt like before and after each of those 
training methods and when you get done I'll be waiting in the kitchen ok," 
Kasumi instructed Ranma before walking off.

Ranma's reply to this was to shrug his shoulders and began meditating again.

*****************

Meanwhile in Nabiki's, room we find the normally cold-hearted mercenary 
barricaded in her room, hands tightly clutched around a katana as she 
watched every corner of the room while expecting even the floor to be 
destroyed upon Ranma's entrance to vaporize her. At the slightest sound, 
Nabiki would panic and scream while expecting that Ranma was about to come 
through the wall to kill her.

Watching all of this from her point of view --out of phase with the rest of 
reality-- was Nabiki's mother, who had just made the mental comment of, 
'Considering the way she's freaking out, I don't need to do anything. Well 
for the moment anyhow.'

*****************

Meanwhile in Akane's room, we find Akane looking at a mirror. However, she 
was not looking at how she looked but remembering how she had behaved and 
so far, she didn't like what she had seen.

"Ranma had too much control and I have too little," Akane commented to 
herself before sighing and returning her gaze to the mirror.

*****************

Later the kitchen we find Kasumi thinking quietly as she waited for Ranma 
to enter. As Kasumi continued to wait she wondered, 'What kind of trauma 
would cause Ranma to act so strangely.' Her final thought on the subject 
was that Genma probably had created traumas the medical community had never 
even dreamed possible before getting up to clean the kitchen.

However, after a few moments Kasumi stopped cleaning and sat back down in 
her favorite chair at which time she pulled a large locket out of her shirt. 
As Kasumi opened the locket, she found a picture of herself and her mother 
squaring off on opposite ends of the training hall.

"Oh, mother what am I going to do? No one knows who I am anymore, not even 
Dr. Tofu. *sniffs quietly* If only you were still here mother then you 
would know what to do."

***************

Meanwhile back by the koi pond we find Ranma distractedly gazing into koi 
pond while trying to remember the details of everyday life before and after 
each one of his father's near fatal training techniques. Ranma had already 
remembered the circumstances around two of them and was now concentrating 
on the third when he heard the shout of, "where on earth am I now?!!!" 
Wisely, however Ranma just ignored the shout and went back to thinking. 
However, that thinking was interrupted when the dojo's exterior wall 
exploded --coincidentally without the aid of any explosives-- to reveal 
Ryouga, who upon seeing Ranma's stone cold gaze started to look sheepish.

"Listen Ranma I got lost and honestly Ranma I wasn't there break anything 
up," Ryouga stuttered out while looking extremely embarrassed.

Ranma's reply to this was to turn away from Ryouga while rolling his eyes 
and saying, "considering the way you get lost I'm not surprised."

"Hmm, Ranma, you wouldn't know how to get to Akari's house would you?" 
Ryouga asked while sounding rather inpatient.

"Sorry I don't," Ranma, answered causing Ryouga to sigh deeply before 
turning around and walking off.

"That certainly was anticlimactic," Kasumi said as she walked out of the 
tearoom with her usual complement of construction supplies.

"Yep it was," Ranma said distractedly as he continued to think.

Kasumi's only reply to this was a raised eyebrow as she walked past Ranma 
to repair the wall.

An hour later Kasumi finished repairing the wall, stood up, and dusted off 
her hands before nodding at her work and turning around to face Ranma who 
was gazing at his reflection in the koi pond.

"So, have you remembered everything yet?" Kasumi asked politely.

Ranma's only reply was a nod before he started to speak. "First, after the 
Neko-ken there was a training technique pop came up with to help me control 
my emotions. I don't think I've been able to freely express my emotions 
since; although I think the curse did me help some," Ranma explained 
without lifting his gaze from the koi pond.

Sighing deeply while she shook her head Kasumi pulled Ranma into a motherly 
hug before urging him to continue.

"Second, after the Neko-ken pop came up with the way to help me learn 
skills and new moves faster. It backfired royally. Nowadays, I learn things 
half as fast as I did before. It also seems to block anything but doesn't 
have to do with the art," Ranma said as he continued to look into the koi 
pond.

Kasumi's reply to this was to clinch her jaw tightly as she tried to subdue 
her temper.

"...and the third training method pop came up with was his worst ever. 
After I went through it, I couldn't remember any of the armed fighting 
styles, techniques, and forms I learned. However, what was really bad about 
it was the fact I couldn't remember all of the reading I did on math, 
science, technology, philosophy and everything else like that after I went 
through that training method. Another thing, just after that training 
method, I had a really bad Neko-ken fear attack and it wiped out a lot of 
my memories. Memories that I'm now getting back, memories of doing things I 
never knew I could do. Memories that are so unlike who I am now, that I 
wonder if they actually are my memories or someone else's."

Hearing this Kasumi stood up glowing with a bright red aura that not even 
Akane could match and said, "Excuse me Ranma I just remembered I have to go 
do something," with an icy calm.

"Let me guess? Panda stir fry," Ranma said.

"An interesting suggestion, Ranma," Kasumi said as she walked out of the 
dojo.

"I don't think I've seen Kasumi that angry in my life," Akane said from 
behind Ranma.

Ranma's only response to this was a quiet nod before yawning.

************

The next morning Ranma awoke to the rising sun with a loud yawn and a smile 
on his face. "Without the panda around I can actually get a good night's 
sleep," Ranma said while sounding satisfied with himself. A moment later 
Ranma hoped up and got ready for the day.

A few moments later Ranma arrived in the tearoom to find Nabiki who looked 
absolutely horrible holding a katana along with Kasumi who was sipping some 
tea.

Seeing Ranma Nabiki freaked back into the corner and started screaming, 
"stay away Ranma I know how to use this!!" as she wildly swung the katana.

"Nabiki, put the katana away right now," Kasumi, commanded before adding, 
"Before you get Ranma angry," in a calm voice.

Nabiki's response to this was to set the sword down beside her as she 
continued to look frightened at Ranma's mere presence.

"Why are you up this early Ranma?" Kasumi asked politely as she poured 
Ranma a cup of tea after he had sat down across the table from Nabiki.

"Without the panda snoring I actually got a decent night's sleep," Ranma 
responded.

Kasumi's only reply to this was a nod as she stealthily moved the katana 
away from Nabiki.

"Speaking of the panda what did you do to pop last night?" Ranma asked.

Kasumi's only reply to that was a small malevolent grin as she got up and 
left the room with the katana.

"Now that was scary," Ranma commented.

Nabiki's only reply as she frantically started searching for the katana she 
had placed on the floor was a nod.

Taking a sip of his tea Ranma said, "Kasumi left with the sword."

Nabiki replied to this by panicking and jumping into a nearby convenient 
corner.

Ranma replied to this by swirling his tea into a waterspout using his ki. A 
few moments later the spout dissipated and Ranma sipped his tea before 
saying, "I was serious about yesterday Nabiki I don't want you interfering 
with me and Akane again and if you do you'll wish I vaporized you."

Now looking even more terrified than a few minutes before Nabiki asked, 
"and what could possibly be worst thing being vaporized?"

Looking up at Nabiki with his blue gray eyes which at the moment appear to 
be made of stone Ranma said, "having your skills as a martial artist 
evaluated by me and Akane," with a smirk identical to Nabiki's.

Nabiki's response to this was to run right through the door that led to the 
koi pond.

A few moments later Kasumi entered the room laughing and clapping her hands. 
"Ranma I don't think I have ever seen Nabiki's squirm that much in my 
life."

"Neither have I and yesterday she wet her pants," Ranma said with a chuckle.

"You know she hasn't done that since she was six," Kasumi said as she 
continued to laugh.

After this, both Ranma and Kasumi began to laugh hysterically.

***********

Meanwhile upstairs Akane sat alone smiling despite the fact she had been 
crying all night.

"Oh Ranma what am I going to do?" Akane asked with a deep sigh before 
summoning her courage and heading downstairs for a bath. As she passed the 
tearoom, unnoticed Akane breathed a sigh of relief. Considering she didn't 
want Ranma to know, she had been crying all night.

***********

Back in the tearoom Ranma and Kasumi had managed to stop laughing 
themselves silly.

"Gods that felt great," Ranma commented as he accepted another cup of tea 
from Kasumi.

"Mother always said laughter is medicine for the soul," Kasumi said with a 
smile as she absently looked out at the koi pond.

Ranma's only response to this was nod.

A few minutes later Kasumi sighed and turned to Ranma with a sad expression 
on her face. "Ranma I know you can cook quite well and I'm afraid I'm not a 
stern enough teacher to ever teach Akane how to cook," Kasumi explained 
sadly.

"...and you want me to teach her out to cook right?" Ranma asked to which 
Kasumi only replied by nodding. "I'll try Kasumi but I don't know how much 
success I'll have," Ranma said with a heavy sigh.

"Don't worry about Ranma I'm sure you'll figure out away to do it," Kasumi 
said reassuringly before adding, "after all it is just another challenge 
for you to overcome."

Ranma's response to this was to walk off to the kitchen with a determined 
look on his face after saying, "tell Akane I'm waiting for her in the 
kitchen."

**************

Later that day at the Saotome household we find Genma who is in a full body 
cast --except for his arms-- playing shoji with Soun. Surprisingly the two 
were not cheating.

Watching the two old friends from across the room was Nodoka who wondered 
why Kasumi of all people would have pounded Genma into the bloody pulp she 
had found the previous evening. Especially considering, she was the one 
that usually did that that much damage to Genma. After a heavy sigh and a 
long moment of thought, Nodoka decided that Kasumi must've found out 
something about Genma's treatment of Ranma that warranted even her drastic 
actions. With that, thought concluded Nodoka picked up her personal katana 
and slipped it under the belt of her kimono before getting up and leaving 
her home in the direction of the Tendo dojo. Shortly after she left Genma 
and Soun began cheating.

**************

As Nodoka walk through the gates of the Tendo dojo, an hour or so later she 
smelled the evidence of Akane's latest cooking attempt and sighed as she 
shook her head. A moment later Nodoka decided to not enter the house using 
in normal manner and so walked across the yard to the koi pond where she 
found Kasumi who appeared to be quite nervous throwing pebbles into the koi 
pond.

"If you're out here, Kasumi, who's in the kitchen with Akane?" Nodoka asked 
while sounding concerned.

"Ranma and it's been quiet for the past hour. I don't think I have to tell 
you that makes me very nervous," Kasumi said before absently throwing 
another pebble into the pond.

"I'm inclined to agree with you but what I want to know is why you broke 
almost every bone in Genma's body," Nodoka stated with an icy calm.

"When Ranma gets done teaching Akane to cook ask him what Genma has done to 
him over the years and you will understand," Kasumi replied.

"How much longer do you think that will take?"

"Minutes, hours, days, months, maybe even years" Kasumi replied.

"Nope," a triumphant and very blackened and stained Ranma said as an 
equally blackened and stained Akane placed a pot of something that was 
steaming on the tea table.

"So what did she manage to cook today?" Nodoka asked while sounding 
frightened.

"Rice, plain white rice," Ranma said while sounding quite proud with 
himself.

"You me to tell me it took you six hours to teach her how to cook rice!!" 
Kasumi shouted while sounding astonished.

"Yep," Ranma said before turning around to see Akane eating a bowl of rice 
as if it was the food of the gods.

"By kami-sama he's managed to do you six hours what I couldn't do in 6 
years," Kasumi said as she shook her head while looking astonished to say 
the very least.

"Well if you don't mind I'm going to go get a bath," Ranma said before 
walking off to do just that.

"Do think I should go into the kitchen right now?" Kasumi asked.

"No," Nodoka said as she shook her head.

A few meters away Akane ate the rice she had prepared with Ranma while 
tears ran down her soot covered of her face. These tears were a mixture of 
happiness, sadness and the hot spice that had gotten in her eyes.

A half an hour or so later Ranma returned from his bath and whispered 
something in Kasumi's ear. This caused her to go pale before running off to 
her kitchen.

After Kasumi was gone, Ranma turned to his mother ran his hand through his 
hair and motioned her to follow him.

***********

"So what do you want to talk about?" Ranma asked as he and Nodoka walked 
along the streets of Nerima.

"For starters, why did Kasumi, of all people, break almost every bone in 
your father's body?" Nodoka asked.

"Shortly after we left, pop found this training manual on a technique 
called the Neko-ken..." was Ranma starting point of telling his mother 
about all of the things his father had done to him.

************

Meanwhile in Nabiki's room Nabiki had finally exhausted herself and fallen 
asleep.

Out of phase with the rest of reality Hishizuka scratched her chin and 
decided to implement plan 35,222 which was the good old-fashioned 3 
spirit's visiting the greedy and ruthless whomever; Cliché yes but 
nonetheless effective. Hishizuka however decided to modify the plan and 
play the role of all three spirits herself. 

With the formulation of the plan concluded, Hishizuka used her powers to 
pull Nabiki's spirit and body into the ethereal realm where she was.

"Wake-up my little diamond," Hishizuka whispered causing Nabiki to wake.

"Mommy?" Nabiki questioned as she saw her mother.

"Yes my little diamond it is me. I've been watching you and I am very 
disappointed. Don't you remember who you were when you were young? You were 
happy loving child but now you're as cold as ice," Hishizuka said as she 
walked over to Nabiki.

"I'm not that person anymore I'm a business woman!" Nabiki shouted.

"No you're not a business woman. You're a mercenary hard and cold as 
diamonds and you must be shown who you were. What you have done to others 
and what will be your end if you continue to travel down the path that you 
are on," Hishizuka said before putting her hand on Nabiki's head after 
which her eyes began to glow frightening Nabiki greatly. Nabiki however had 
no time to react before electricity raced through her body.

After Hishizuka was done with Nabiki, she let her daughter phase back into 
the normal time stream.

"Well the dream seed I planted should take care of her. Now who do I deal 
with next?" Hishizuka asked herself as she walked through one of the walls 
in Nabiki's room.

****************

"Mom promises me you won't kill pop," Ranma stated as he finished his tale 
some hours later.

"I won't kill him son. Death is too quick of a punishment for what he has 
done to you," Nodoka said as she glowed with a fiery red aura. "Now if 
you'll excuse me I have to be getting back home," Nodoka said before 
walking off still glowing with a bright red aura.

"I hope pop survives the night," Ranma commented to no one in particular 
before heading back to the Tendo dojo.

*****************

Back at the dojo, we find Akane soaking in the furo. 

'I have to get more control over my self. There's, just, no other option 
and no excuse for me not having control of myself,' Akane thought to 
herself.

*****************

In the kitchen, which looks like it had been devastated by a battle between 
superpowered martial artist that could level planets. Kasumi sits on what 
remains of her favorite chair shaking her head in disbelief.

"I don't know if I can clean this up. I mean I've never in my life have I 
seen a mess this bad," Kasumi's said in disbelief.

"Look at it this way Kasumi it's just another challenge for you," Ranma 
said with a smirk of as he walked into the kitchen.

Yes your right Ranma this is a challenge perhaps the biggest one I've faced 
yet," Kasumi said with a fiery determination as a blue aura appeared around 
her.

Ranma made no comments about this as he stealthily left the kitchen only to 
find Akane staring at him.

"I want you to train me," Akane stated in a no-nonsense manner.

"You do realize that the first thing I'll be doing his training you on how 
to have control?" 

"Yes I do," Akane said with an icy calm.

"Ok but I'm warning you right now," Ranma said as he led Akane off to where 
he was going to train her.

******************

"Cologne and the Amazon crew are leaving so I can ignore them. Soun and 
Genma as well as Nodoka won't be of any problem for the moment. Hmm, I 
guess that leaves Happosai and the Kunous. Now what can I to that pervert? 
Oh, the possibilities," Hishizuka said with an evil grin as she floated 
above Nerima.

Ten or so minutes later, Hishizuka let out a maniacal laugh that would 
scare even the most hardened of super villains before streaking off in a 
flash of light to find a certain small ageded pervert, who she found in 
less than a minute. Smiling mischievously as she licked her lips like a 
predator about to feast on its prey Hishizuka pulled Happosai into the 
ethereal realm.

Upon seeing Hishizuka, Happosai began salivating like a fool before 
launching himself at Hishizuka with the intent to glom her. Hishizuka 
however just materialized a large mallet, which she used like pro-cricket 
player. Needless to say, Happosai was knocked out cold.

"Now my little pervert I'm going to do a bit of spell casting on you," 
Hishizuka said with a grin before beginning her work.

*******************

That night Kasumi finally finished cleaning the kitchen. 

"Ranma was right, this was just another challenge," Kasumi said 
triumphantly before opening the refrigerator and pulling out a Coke. "I 
definitely deserve this," Kasumi said with a smile before opening and 
downing the drink in one gulp. After finishing the drink, Kasumi entered 
the tearoom to find Happosai ironing a pair of panties that Kasumi was sure 
had to be from a sumo wrestler's wife. 

However upon seeing Kasumi Happosai screamed, "Ack get away from me you 
ugly woman!!"

Hearing this Kasumi started glowing red as she approached Happosai with a 
huge mallet.

However, 2 seconds later Akane Ranma-chan and Nabiki ran into the room 
where upon Happosai screamed about more ugly women.

Hearing this even Ranma-chan started glowing red with anger as she accepted 
a mallet from Akane.

Watching this from the ethereal realm Hishizuka only laughed hysterically 
as she watched Happosai being pounded into a bloody spot on the floor of 
the tearoom.

A few moments later, Kasumi of all people finished Happosai off by punting 
him over the horizon.

With the job of pounding the pervert done, everyone went back to what they 
were doing; including Hishizuka who started to muse over what she was going 
to do with the Kunous.

*********************

Meanwhile back up and Nabiki's room Nabiki with shaking hands pulled out a 
notepad and began doing something that was possibly the hardest thing she 
had done in her life. She began writing an apology to Ranma for her actions 
over the past year.

"Mother if you're listening to me now I'm sorry for what I have become and 
I won't continue down the path of self-destruction anymore," Nabiki said 
aloud before steadying her writing hand.

**********************

Somewhere else in Nerima Hishizuka just smiled before turning her attention 
back to the task of what to do with the Kunous. After a moment, Hishizuka 
tapped her fingers on her chin and floated away deep in thought. After an 
hour or so, of watching the Kunou manner Hishizuka shrugged her shoulders 
and flew down to Kunou who was practicing as usual.

After cracking her knuckles, Hishizuka reached out through the ethereal 
realm with a massive amount of electricity, which left Kunou smoking.

"Well that should take care of the insanity but I'm not going to break 
Kunou's delusion myself. After all I can't deny Ranma the look on Kunou's 
face when he finds out who he's been chasing," Hishizuka said with a smirk 
before floating off to find Kodachi. When she did so Kodachi was watching 
TV and looked rather sad. Raising an eyebrow at this Hishizuka scanned 
Kodachi's mind deeply only to find no trace of insanity there. "Most 
interesting most interesting indeed," Hishizuka, said before floating off 
while wondering why Kodachi acted the way she did. After a long moment of 
thought, Hishizuka shrugged her shoulders and decided to arrange for 
someone to notice Kodachi while she was in her current frame of mind.

***********************

Later back at the dojo we find Ranma-chan lounging by the training hall 
looking at the remains of misses Tendo shrine, specifically misses Tendo's 
picture. 'Maybe this is why Akane is so sensitive about her looks. After 
all, Misses Tendo could win any supermodel contest without trying to,' 
Ranma-chan thought before hearing someone behind her. Ranma-chan 
immediately knew it was Nabiki and so asked, "What do you what Nabiki?"

"This," Nabiki said through a cracked voice as she handed Ranma-chan a 
letter.

Ranma-chan's immediate reply to this was a raised eyebrow. However, Ranma-
chan said nothing before starting to read the letter and after Ranma-chan 
was done reading the letter she said, "Apology accepted on the condition 
you confess and apologize to Akane."

"Now?" Nabiki asked while sounding worried. Considering at the moment Akane 
was swearing at the training hall, which she was trying to rebuild by 
herself.

"No after all you have to survive the confession and apology for it to mean 
anything," Ranma-chan said with a smirk.

Nabiki's only reply to this was an annoyed glare before noticing the 
condition of her mother's shrine, which made her sigh deeply. "That's 400th 
time mother's shrine has been destroyed this year," Nabiki commented as she 
sat down and began rifling through the pieces of the shrine.

"So did it get destroyed often before I showed up?" Ranma-chan queried.

"Depending on the classes that daddy would teach and how angry Akane was 
three or four times a month," Nabiki said with a shrug.

Ranma-chan's only reply to this was to nod before asking, "So what was she 
like?"

"She was a living Paradox, Ranma," Nabiki explained before looking off at 
the training hall. "She could fight with the best of them or she could say 
a few words and end a fight before began. Her temper --which thankfully 
none of us actually saw --was supposed to be real wrath of the kami stuff 
but she was also kinder than Kasumi. Her beauty --witch made super models 
go green with envy-- was always there but no one ever seemed to turn into a 
blithering idiot when she walked into the room. Not to mention that outfit 
she wore. I mean you would think everyone would be screaming about it but 
no one ever seemed to notice it. Then there was the fact she was a tomboy 
not even Akane could compare to but she was most definitely feminine. I 
could go on and on giving you a list of paradoxes Ranma but we would be 
here for a year before I got halfway through the list."

"She sort of sounds like Cologne. You know always has one more trick up her 
sleeve -- or maybe that should be hidden in her cape."

"Very true, Ranma, very true," Nabiki replied with a sigh. "To bad one of 
those tricks wasn't a way to resurrect herself from beyond the grave," 
Nabiki added a moment later.

Ranma-chan's only response to this was to nod her head before asking, "So 
how did your mom die anyhow?"

"Well no one really knows exactly, except for Akane but what I do know for 
sure is that the funeral pyre didn't even singe her cape and later I found 
out the police forensic scientists couldn't even cut her skin with a 
diamond coated saw blade," Nabiki explained while sounding spooked by the 
information.

"Your joking?" Ranma-chan queried while sounding like she didn't believe 
what she heard.

"No joke Ranma I was watching as they attempted to do the autopsy. The saw 
blade just sparked like it had hit solid steel. Hell it sparked less when 
he hit the steel examination table after jerking out of the doctor's hand."

"So did they ever finish that autopsy?" Ranma-chan asked morbidly.

"No but they certainly did have fun trying to find something that would cut 
her skin open. Guns, knifes, katanas, explosives, axes, you name it they 
tried it."

"...and they didn't even scratch her?" Ranma-chan asked.

"Not even a blemish," Nabiki replied before shrugging her shoulders and 
adding, "daddy wasn't even angry when they finally gave up all he did was 
shrug his shoulders and arranged for a coffin burial."

"Damn that's one tough mama," Ranma-chan commented roughly.

Nabiki's only reply to this was to nod in agreement before glancing over at 
her sister who had been inventing new and colorful ways to curse at 
inanimate objects.

"By the way, why is Akane rebuilding the training hall instead of Kasumi?"

"Training. I figure when she finally manages to put it back together again 
that she'll have gained a considerable amount of patience," Ranma-chan said 
with a smirk before adding, "not to mention it's fun watching her curse at 
something besides me," so quietly only Nabiki could hear.

Nabiki's reply to this was to actually smile not that she let Ranma notice 
that smile however. 

**********************

Meanwhile somewhere else in Nerima we find Nodoka fuming as she walked back 
to her house using the long way in a vain attempt to allow her temper to 
cool when she encountered Ukyou who was sitting on the edge of a drainage 
canal bridge looking at the water below looking extremely depressed. 

Seeing this Nodoka's motherly instincts took over as she walked up to Ukyou 
and asked, "Is there anything wrong Ukyou-chan?"

"I tried to blow up my two best friends. What do you think?" Ukyou replied 
rather sharply as she continued gazing into the waters below.

"Do you know why you did it?" Nodoka asked.

"No but if I had to guess I would say my actions probably had something to 
do with the short visit Shampoo made before the wedding began," Ukyou said 
as she continued to look into the waters below.

"You mean some kind of magic drug made you do it?" Nodoka asked.

"I can't think of any other reason why I would do what I did. I'm just not 
the kind of person that can kill but for those few hours, I was in a 
murderous rage. Konatsu was so scared by what I did he left last night and 
I don't blame him either," Ukyou explained tearfully.

"So what are you doing here?"

"Looking at the water. When Ran-chan's troubled, he always looks at the 
water to help him clear his head so I thought that maybe it would help me 
as well."

"Has it?" Nodoka asked curiously.

"Not really but then again I've only been out here a few minutes," Ukyou 
responded.

"Well I wish you luck Ukyou-chan," Nodoka said before walking off leaving 
Ukyou to stare at the water alone.

********************

Meanwhile at the Kunou manner we find that Kunou has just awakened from his 
electrically induced nap.

"By the gods what a headache," Kunou commented as he opened his eyes. "I 
shall need to take a long walk to clear my head ... after taking a 
considerable amount of aspirin of course," Kunou added before getting up 
and heading to the bathroom for the aforementioned aspirin.

*******************

Meanwhile back at the dojo Ranma-chan noticed Akane was running low on 
supplies and so got up and started to leave to get some more.

"Where are you going Ranma?"

"To get more supplies," Ranma-chan said casually before hopping over the 
dojo's perimeter wall without any effort.

Nabiki reply to this was to guiltily look off at the training hall before 
nodding to herself and heading for her room where she used her computer to 
access all of the dojo's accounts as well as her own personal accounts. 
After taking a deep breath, Nabiki transferred a million yen out of her 
personal Savings account, which she divided appropriately into the dojo's 
accounts. 

"Well looks like I won't be getting that new surveillance equipment anytime 
soon," Nabiki commented to herself with a sigh after she had turned off her 
computer's monitor.

********************

Meanwhile outside of Nabiki's room Ranma-chan just smiled as she stealthily 
stop looking through Nabiki's door, which was slightly ajar.

'Maybe there's hope for her yet,' Ranma-chan thought with a smile before 
deciding to take a short detour to the kitchen for some hot water.

********************

Two minutes later Ranma had left the dojo on a b-line for Nerima's largest 
home improvement store -- the biggest in Tokyo in fact. As Ranma walked 
down the street, he started humming to himself as he watched the goings on 
around him. Absently Ranma wondered why he had never noticed this simple 
beauty of the things around him. Ranma of course shrugged this off as 
another side effect of what had happened to his control, which in fact it 
was. Ranma also noticed Kunou started following him 10 minutes into his 
journey.

********************

'I can sense magic from him but why am I not sensing evil anymore,' Kunou 
wondered to himself as he followed Ranma from a discrete distance away.

3 minutes later Kunou noticed the ladle lady watching down her porch as per 
usual and thought nothing of it except that Ranma was about to be splashed 
due to looking off in the opposite direction. However when Ranma was 
splashed Kunou's magical senses went off the chart as he saw better than 
any other except for a trained user of the magical arts Ranma's 
transformation. Kunou's reply to this was to duck into a nearby alley where 
he promptly proceeded to lose his lunch.

"kami-sama," Kunou said after managing to recover.

"So you finally got it clear look of the transformation," Ranma-chan said 
as she walked into the alley.

Kunou's reply to this was to pick himself up and straighten himself up 
before handing Ranma-chan a single white rose.

"A strange way to surrender Kunou," Ranma-chan commented.

Raising an eyebrow Kunou said, "It's not as strange as some of your 
behavior Ranma."

Shrugging her shoulders as she turned around Ranma-chan said, "what ever do 
you mean Kunou-chan," in her cute as 1000 buttons voice.

Kunou for his part actually managed to stop himself from throwing up as he 
followed Ranma-chan out of the alley. However, by the time Kunou did exit 
the alley Ranma-chan was already well ahead of him. This however didn't 
stop Kunou from continuing to follow Ranma-chan at a distance.

**************

30 or so minutes later Ranma-chan had arranged for the needed supplies to 
be delivered to the dojo and been told by several people that Kunou was 
still tailing her. Ranma-chan of course knew Kunou was still there but was 
choosing to ignore him until she could find a convenient source of hot 
water. She found that source of hot water when she walked by a quiet café 
that Akane occasionally visited. Watching the whole time from the shadows 
Kunou waited patiently until Ranma had found a way to reverse the magic he 
was sensing. When Ranma finally did so, Kunou entered the Café, which 
promptly developed an exodus of customers considering everyone in Nerima 
knew that being in the same room with Ranma and Kunou was hazardous to 
one's health to say the least. 

Kunou however did not attack Ranma but instead ordered a very strong blend 
of coffee in an equally large coffee pot. After Kunou's order had been 
filled, he sat down on the opposite side of the table Ranma was sitting at 
sipping tea and poured himself a cup of coffee. After downing the scolding 
hot coffee in one gulp Kunou poured himself another cup and said, "What 
reparations do you want me to make Ranma?"

"You can start by not chasing me and Akane around anymore," Ranma said 
flatly, as he sipped his tea.

"Agreed," Kunou, said before taking a large gulp of his coffee. 

"You can stop calling me a foul sorcerer," Ranma said flatly, as he sipped 
his tea.

Kunou's response to this was to glare at Ranma, "Ranma I can smell the 
presence of magic from a mile away and you reek of it."

"I have two magical curses Kunou and maybe even more that I'm not aware of 
ok," Ranma replied while keeping a lid on his temper.

"The transformation?" Kunou asked as he had the courtesy to look apologetic.

"Yes. As well as a curse that makes my hair grow at an accelerated rate if 
I don't tie it up with a dragon's whisker," Ranma answered.

"... and you suspect you have other curses besides those?"

"Well let's put it this way it wouldn't surprise me if I did considering 
everyone tries to use Magic on me for some reason or another," Ranma 
replied rather casually.

Kunou remembering the few times he had done such look extremely apologetic 
before saying, "I apologize for accusing you of using magic for foul 
means."

"Forget about it magic loves to give me trouble," Ranma said while sounding 
annoyed.

"From some of the magic I've sensed around you it seems like magic delights 
in torturing you as much as a mischievous poltergeist," Kunou said as he 
crossed his arms.

"Tell me something I don't know," Ranma commented as he rolled his eyes.

"I cannot at the moment but the Kunou library does have many magical tones 
may perhaps one of them will contain a spell that may help you," Kunou said 
calmly.

"So basically all of this time you're the one that's been practicing 
magic," Ranma said with a chuckle surprising Kunou in more than one way.

"Alas no Ranma I have the ability to sense magic and read it but the last 
time I attempted to cast a spell it backfired and cost me my sanity," Kunou 
said while looking very glum.

Ranma's response to this was nothing but a raised eyebrow, which Kunou 
didn't notice considering he was staring intently into his cup of coffee.

A few moments later however, Kunou sigh deeply and turned his attention 
back to Ranma before asking, "So is there anything you can tell me about 
the curses you're under.

"The first is from the cursed Springs of Jusenkyo," Ranma said before being 
interrupted by Kunou who's face had paled several shades.

"A friend of my mother's once told me of that place Ranma. It is said that 
two extremely powerful kamis fought a great battle that even a samurai of 
the highest caliber could not imagine. All that watched the battle from the 
distances of safety all ready knew which of the two would win considering 
it was apparent one was playing with the other like a cat toys with a mouse. 
However, that set the stage for the battlefield to be cursed in the end. I 
believe the words the natives say about it are 'it was a very tragic 
story'"

"Ashura," Ranma said as he scratched his chin.

"Yes that was the name of the loser of the battle but how do you know of 
it?" Kunou asked.

"I had to fight somebody that fell into that spring that's how," Ranma said 
as he shook his head.

"You defeated someone that had the power of a kami?"

"Three times I figure, one guy called Herb, the crazy bitch that fell into 
the spring of the drowned Ashura, and a guy called Saffron who was some 
kind of half Phoenix or something like that," Ranma explained causing Kunou 
to pale considerably as he realized Ranma could kill him a thousand times 
over without even breaking a sweat. Ranma of course noticed this however he 
didn't say anything as Kunou quickly downed another whole cup of coffee. 
"So do you know anything else about Jusenkyo?"

"Only that the kami that won was female and always belittles her powers to 
that of a very powerful magic user. If I remember right, this particular 
kami always called herself a Master Magi even though her powers far 
exceeded any true master magi."

"Was this kami friendly?" Ranma asked while already suspecting the answer 
would be no.

"I do not know. However I do know this kami was never worshiped by anyone, 
which means her name is not recorded anywhere," Kunou explained.

Ranma's reply to this was to mutter something unintelligible before asking, 
"So is there any way to summon a kami?"

"Only if the kami wishes to be summoned and even then it is a risky 
proposition to say the least," Kunou replied.

"Forget it then not even I go looking for a fight with a kami on purpose," 
Ranma said while sounding annoyed.

"Agreed but the library at the Kunou manner may have a spell that can break 
the curse nonetheless," Kunou said before developing a smirk before he 
added, "...or may perhaps one that can manipulate its magics to suit your 
own devices even better considering you obviously enjoy using the magic to 
your advantage on occasion."

Ranma's replied to this was to give Kunou an extremely dirty glare.

"Not that I'm judging you on that behavior. After all, even the best of 
samurai occasionally employed the methods of a ninja," Kunou said 
surprising Ranma greatly.

"Such as a magic wishing sword?" Ranma said coyly.

Kunou's only response to this was a nod as he poured himself another cup of 
coffee.

'Hmm, Kunou's not such a bad guy when he's sane,' Ranma thought to himself 
before pouring himself another cup of tea.

*****************

Later Ranma returned to the dojo shaking his head to find Nabiki waiting 
for him.

"So what are you shaking your head at?" Nabiki asked.

"Would you believe Kunou's gone sane," Ranma stated.

"Not unless I saw it," Nabiki replied before handing Ranma a piece of paper 
and saying, "I made an error in my calculations on your debt Saotome and 
here's the update on how much you owe me." With that, said Nabiki walked 
off around a convenient corner leaving Ranma to blink a few times before 
opening the paper to reveal its said 0 yen.

Ranma's only replied to this was to shake his head considering he knew he 
owed Nabiki at least 100,000 yen. 'Nabiki you fool I know what you do with 
the money you collect from my debts,' Ranma thought to himself before 
making a mental note to find out some way to pay Nabiki back.

A few moments later Ranma found his way back to the training hall, which 
Akane was still cursing at. Ranma's only reply to this, was to sit back 
down where he had been sitting earlier that day and in order to continue 
watching Akane who had probably not even noticed he had left and returned.

****************

"Well it looks like I'm going to deal with Kodachi another time," Hishizuka 
said to herself before walking off to find Kunou. When she finally did find 
Kunou, he was looking through a library underneath the Kunou manner, which 
contained several hundred magical tomes mostly dealing with mind-altering 
magic. "...and people wonder why the Kunou family has a high insanity 
level," Hishizuka said with a chuckle before she went back to watching 
Kunou.

10 or so minutes later Kunou growled in frustration and shouted, "what were 
my ancestors thinking there's nothing in here but magic on how to drive 
people insane. Of course, considering all of my ancestors enemies and 
rivals mysteriously went insane that isn't surprising. Nevertheless it's 
still does not solve the problem of not having any information on the 
cursed springs."

Hishizuka's only replied to this was to begin floating in mid air as she 
crossed her legs. After a minute or so, Kunou sighed to himself and walked 
over to a small vault where he took out a single magical scroll.

"I hope this kami is in the mood to be summoned and will not kill me for 
doing so," Kunou said with a sizable amount of fear in his voice.

Hishizuka's only reply to this was to materialize a scroll in her hand, 
which she been tossed into the material realm and directly into Kunou's 
face.

Kunou's reply to this was to drop the kami summoning scroll in order to 
catch the scroll that had just appeared in mid air. After Kunou had done so, 
he looked around while looking very wary.

"I thank you whomever you are Kami-sama," Kunou said before opening the 
scroll which had immediate instructions for him not to attempt to use it. 
"I shall not make an argument there considering I do not want to suffer 
another bout of insanity," Kunou said to himself into whomever was 
listening before reading the description of the spell's function which was 
to rewire a Jusenkyo curses trigger mechanism as well as the instructions 
on how to use the scroll. The instructions were quite simple and specific: 
give the scroll to Ranma and stand back. "It appears this kami knows Nerima 
well ... not that, that is surprising considering the gods probably watch 
this ward as entertainment on a continual basis." Kunou said before pulling 
out his cellphone and dialing the number of the Tendo dojo.

~"Moshi moshi,"~ Kasumi was heard saying on the other end of the line.

"This is Tatewaki please tell Ranma that the kami of the cursed springs has 
delivered a magic scroll specifically addressed to him that will rewire the 
curses trigger and that I will be over shortly to deliver it to him," Kunou 
said before hanging up after Kasumi acknowledged.

*********************

A few moments later back at the dojo Kasumi tells Ranma of what Kunou had 
told her.

"Too convenient, its way too convenient," Ranma muttered.

"Do you think it's another one of his tricks?" Nabiki asked as she walked 
onto the scene.

"No Kunou maybe loony but I can't remember him ever lying. Twisting the 
truth to fit his reality yes but I don't think he's ever directly lied," 
Ranma said thoughtfully before developing a small headache that lasted only 
long enough for Kasumi to notice it.

"So basically what you're saying is some kami is toying with you," Nabiki 
said after a moment of thought.

"That thought has crossed my mind more than once Nabiki," Ranma said while 
sounding extremely annoyed.

"Well maybe the kami in question is actually trying to make up for the 
trouble it's caused you," Kasumi suggested.

"That I don't believe. Trust me something is going to go wrong. It might 
not have anything to do with that magic scroll. Hell this mysterious kami 
may not even be toying with me but I do know the day I arrived in Nerima 
was the day the universe decided to put me under the curse of 'you shall 
live in interesting times' and made sure pure chaos followed me like my 
shadow does," Ranma responded while sounding exasperated and annoyed.

"Oh come on Ranma everyone knows you love the chaos around you," Nabiki 
said with a smirk.

"Even I need a vacation sometimes Nabiki," Ranma stated glumly while 
wondering what the universe was going to do to him next.

********************

Meanwhile at the Saotome household we find Soun tending to his friend Genma 
who had just received a severe beating from his wife. "I told you not to 
say anything Genma," Soun said as he reset a few of his friend's bones. 
Genma's only reply to this was to grumble quietly.

Meanwhile a few meters away from this spectacle Nodoka fumed while 
practicing a sword kata on a Genma shaped practice dummy. 'dammit Genma 
don't you know how important those things are to someone in this day and 
age,' Nodoka thought angrily before snarling and slashing the practice 
dummy three times in rapid succession after which Nodoka sat down and 
sheathed her personal katana. 'No of course you don't you're too caught up 
in a false history to realize the present requires more than just martial 
arts. Too caught up in my idiotic father's definition of a noble samurai 
kind of samurai that never really existed. Kami-sama father was such a 
fool ... well that's what you get when you don't study history and only 
listen to sexist fool's that wanted to rewrite history,' Nodoka thought 
angrily before remembering what her mother had said to her long ago. 

Yin and yang child everyone is both and to be complete everyone needs to 
accept they are both.

'Father never accepted that bit of wisdom and neither did Genma,' Nodoka 
thought to herself as she picked up a nearby sharpening stone which she use 
to sharpen her katana after practicing with it. However as she sharpened 
her blade she thought about Ranma and the time before she learned of the 
curse. This of course drew Nodoka's attention to the Saotome honor blade, 
which she had returned to its resting place the day after the failed 
wedding. 'A man amongst men. What does that mean in the end. It certainly 
means a master of the fighting arts but to me it means so much more than 
just a master of the fighting arts. However, what comes to my mind when I 
think of a truly great man includes much of what Genma considers feminine. 
Of course, Genma considers anything that doesn't have to do with stealing 
and bashing someone's head in feminine so that's not saying much,' Nodoka 
thought before turning gaze away from the family honor blade. "Mother I 
need your help," Nodoka whispered to herself while hoping her mother would 
believe her tale.

With that said Nodoka got up and headed for the phone where she hit the 
first speed dial button.

~"Moshi Moshi"~ a kind voice on the other end of the line replied.

"Mother I have something to tell you about Ranma so please come over as 
soon as possible," Nodoka explained.

************************

Later at the Tendo dojo, Kunou arrives and is greeted by Nabiki before he 
even had a chance to walk through the gates of the dojo.
 
"I told you so Kunou-baby," Nabiki said with a smirk.

Crossing his arms while looking annoyed Kunou said, "You've been waiting 3 
years to say that haven't you?"

"3 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, and 34 seconds to be precise," 
Nabiki said with a smirk.

"I still loathe you," Kunou said with a growl as he got an inch away from 
Nabiki's face.

Nabiki's only reply to this was to kiss Kunou passionately and after Nabiki 
broke the kiss she said, "Tomorrow six o'clock Kunou-baby," before walking 
back into the dojo.

'As fearsome of a woman as she always was,' Kunou thought to himself before 
walking into the dojo and out to the training hall where he surmised Ranma 
was. However, upon seeing the training hall --and who was trying to rebuild 
it-- Kunou felt very sorry --for the training hall that is. "How long as 
she been at that?" Kunou asked Ranma who had just walked up beside him.

"Since this morning," Ranma said plainly before he and Kunou left Akane to 
continue her work.

A few moments later Kunou and Ranma arrived at the koi pond where Kunou 
handed Ranma the magic scroll.

"The instructions on the scroll say for you and you alone to read that 
magic text," Kunou informed Ranma.

Ranma's reply to this was to mumble something under his breath before 
opening the scroll and reading it. As he read over the magical script, it 
started to glow indicating it had been read and when Ranma finally finished 
a small beam of energy struck him squarely in the sternum. This blow 
appeared to do nothing. However, both Ranma and Kunou knew magic was not 
something that did nothing even if it appeared to do nothing. 

As second, later before Ranma even could make a comment the scroll and his 
hands disintegrated leaving nothing but a small shard in tact. That shard 
now read.

Only by thine will shall it happen henceforth.

"This Kami must like old English," Ranma commented before accepting a glass 
of water from Kasumi. 

After taking a deep breath and looking at the water as if it was acid Ranma 
up ended the glass of water on his head while making sure to keep his mind 
clear of thoughts such as expecting to change when the water hit him. The 
result of this test was conclusive and apparent to all gathered; Including 
Ranma who had not changed due to the water.

After giving Kasumi, the empty glass Ranma commented, "I know this means 
trouble ...big trouble ... extremely big monumental trouble," as he walked 
off before hopping over the dojo's outer wall.

"Excuse me for being denser than usual but shouldn't Ranma be happy about 
this?" Kunou asked while scratching his chin.

"Kunou-baby every time Ranma has gotten close to cure your of any kind the 
universe has thrown him a curveball even he had a hard time fielding. So 
right now Ranma's waiting for the universe drop the other shoe," Nabiki 
explained as she walked into view sipping a soda.

"Tiss a wise man that learns from experience," Kunou said as he nodded his 
head considering even he knew Ranma's life was crazier than any other 
person's life he knew of.

"...and a bit paranoid," Nabiki added.

"Nabiki dear, its only paranoia if no one's out to get you," Kasumi said 
pleasantly.

"You do have a point there, sis," Nabiki said while nodding.

***********************

A few hours later we find Ranma walking alone eating ice cream cone he had 
bought a few minutes earlier in an effort to cheer himself up. However, by 
the time Ranma had finished his ice cream he still did not feel any better 
and so decided to go back to the ice cream store for another serving. 
However, when he got there Ranma had to blink more than once considering he 
found a tall long red haired woman wearing a skintight green dress that 
looked almost exactly like her mother buttering up the waiter like a 
Hollywood seductress.

'That can't be my mother,' Ranma thought before the waiter appeared to turn 
into putty as the woman in the dress scratched him underneath the chin 
while smiling at him. 

"Now be a good boy and get me some ice cream," the red haired woman said as 
she pushed the young man away with a finger placed on his chin.

The waiter's reply to this was to walk off in a stupor while the red haired 
woman just chuckled to herself as she sat back in her chair. However, as 
soon as she saw Ranma the red haired woman looked out from behind her 
sunglasses while raising an eyebrow. 

"Ranma, is that you?" The woman asked causing Ranma to sweat considerably 
before replying with a nod.

Surprising Ranma greatly the woman just motioned Ranma to sit across the 
table from her.

"Hmm, do I know you?" Ranma asked after he had sat down.

"Of course you do, Ranma, I'm your grandmother Ranko," the woman said with 
a wide smile.

Hearing this Ranma fell off his chair and took up standard shock position 
before hearing his mother shout "MOTHER have you gone insane."

"Don't be such as shrew No-chan I still look as good as I did when I was 
25," Ranko said as she purposefully wiggled in such away that caused her 
feminine assets to bounce around a bit.

"...And the fact your twice that age now means you should act with some 
degree of maturity," Nodoka scolded only to be bopped on the head by her 
mother.

"I'm still your mother, child, and you have no right telling me how to 
act," Ranko said with definite motherly tone to her voice before the waiter 
returned with her ice cream still a stupor.

Ranko's response to this was to dig in with as much vigor as Ranma-chan 
usually did. This left Nodoka to mumble something unintelligible as Ranma 
picked himself up off of the floor.

Ranma for his part said nothing as he watched his mother glow with a dim 
red aura that was only visible to someone that was trained to see auras.

After Ranma's grandmother had finished her ice cream in record time -for 
someone not using the Tenshin Amaguriken that is- she was accosted by 
several of the mothers in the ice cream shop asking for her secret. Ranko's 
only reply was to flex her muscles and proclaim she was a martial artist, 
which seemed to be enough of an explanation for most of the women that 
approached her.

'I wonder if calling mother was such a good idea,' Nodoka thought to 
herself as she gazed intently at the floor.

Ranma on the other hand me the mental comment of, 'for some reason I know 
this means the other shoe has dropped.'

***************

"So how do you think the other shoe will drop Nabiki?" Kasumi asked as she 
and Nabiki watched Akane trying to rebuild the training hall.

"Well considering the craziness factor around here I'd say girl training by 
Nodoka," Nabiki replied.

"Do you really think so after all Aunt Nodoka is very traditional," Kasumi 
replied.

"Good point but something still tells me girl training is going to happen 
and Nodoka is going to be involved with it," Nabiki answered.

"It does seem like a strong possibility doesn't it," Kasumi commented.

"Considering the way things are around here I'd say it's the only 
possibility but it's probably not going to happen like we think it's going 
to happen," Nabiki replied before Akane started cursing louder than normal.

Kasumi's only reply to this was a thoughtful nod.

**************

An hour or two later Grandmother Ranko had been informed of Ranma's curse 
and the latest development concerning that curse. Ranko's response to this 
was to start laughing hysterically.

Nodoka's response to this was to fume while Ranma-chan wondered about her 
grandmother's sanity.

5 or so minutes after, Ranko managed to compose herself enough to speak 
again.

"Oh gods I would've paid any amount of money to have see the look on 
Genma's face which he saw you come out of that spring Ranma," Ranko said 
with a hearty chuckle.

Ranma-chan and Nodoka's reply to this was to blink a few times before they 
roared in laughter.

After another five minutes, Ranma-chan managed to stop laughing herself 
silly.

"That was priceless," Ranma-chan commented before adding, "after all it was 
the first time I ever saw a panda with eyes the size watermelons," with a 
laugh.

Nodoka despite her best efforts to stop laughing couldn't for another two 
minutes because of that comment. However, after she did so Ranko said, "So 
what's the problem No-chan?"

Nodoka's reply to this was to give her mother a glare before saying, 
"Ranma's grown up exclusively with Genma that you any clue."

"A big one, dear; speaking of which why don't you go make sure he stays 
put," Ranko said with a slight edge to her voice that communicated the 
message of 'leave now and don't give me any sass about it young lady'. 
Nodoka's reluctant response was to do just that after which Ranko put her 
arm around Ranma-chan before saying, "now my dear grandson we're going to 
do a little bit of bonding."

"Ok," Ranma-chan said worriedly.

Ranko's only response to this was to wink at her grandson before grabbing a 
gym bag and walking off to the bathroom.

"Good luck Ranma," Sayuki said from a nearby booth.

"Ditto Ranma," Yuka added.

Ranma-chan's only replied to this was to nod solemnly before waiting for 
her grandmother to reemerge from the bathroom.

When Ranko finally did reenter, she was dressed in a black leather jacket 
that had a loose fitting T-shirt underneath it; that revealed she was not 
wearing a bra. In addition to this Ranko was wearing a pair of slacks that 
had about 10 pockets on each leg as well as a pair of nylon cut off gloves 
along with a hat the looked like it was perfect for spelunking around a 
jungle. Furthering the look was a belt that had two large pouches each of 
which were the size of a purse along with four smaller pouches.

All in all Ranko looked like a video game heroine ready to do battle in 
some lost tome. In fact the only thing she was missing was two very large 
magnums and the holsters to put them in. however the two katanas that were 
strapped to her back made up for that nicely.

A moment later Daisuke wolf whistled and screamed, "You're one sizzling hot 
grand-mamma!!"

Ranko's reply to this was to polish her fingers on her shirt before blowing 
on them and saying, "Don't I know it," while sounding very sassy.

The response gained from everyone in the ice cream parlor but Ranma-chan 
was to begin laughing and cheering as Ranko walked by. Ranma-chan on the 
other hand banged her head on the table hard enough to break it before 
getting up and following her grandmother out of the store.

"Come on we have got to go tell Akane about this," Hiroshi said as he 
started to laugh.

"Agreed," Daisuke, Sayuki and Yuka, said in unison before they took off to 
the Tendo dojo.

*********************

"So where are we going?" Ranma-chan asked her grandmother.

"My place after all I haven't seen you sense before your father took you 
away on that training quest of his," Ranko said.

"Ok," Ranma-chan said while sounding rather weary.

*********************

Later that the Tendo dojo we find Nabiki Kasumi and Akane --who had finally 
run out of building materials-- staring in something resembling disbelief 
as Yuka, Sayuki, Hiroshi, and Daisuke finish their description of Ranma's 
grandmother.

"So what you're saying is Ranma's grandmother is a 50 year old redhead 
that's still red hot and flaunts it like a Hollywood seductress or a 
certain video game heroine that goes around tomb raiding for living. Except 
Ranma's grandmother carries around to katanas instead of a couple of 
magnums," Nabiki summarized as she smirked widely while not being in the 
least bit surprised about Ranma's grandmother or the fact Akane was 
radiating enough ki to fry an egg.

"Yeah that's about it, Oh, and Nodoka got bopped on the head for sassing 
her mother about what she was wearing," Hiroshi added.

Nabiki's response to that line was to start belly laughing as she got up 
and left. Kasumi's only response to this was a small giggle while Akane 
struggled between wanting to fume even more and laughing her head off. 3 
seconds later laughter won the battle and Akane begin laughing hysterically 
at the thought of anyone bopping Nodoka on the head especially her mother.

*********************

Meanwhile back at the Saotome household Nodoka grumbled about baka parents 
as she kept a close eye on Genma. Genma for his part didn't say anything 
not because he couldn't but because, even he knew it was best stay clear of 
a fight between Nodoka and her mother.

********************

An unknown amount of time later Ranma-chan and Ranko finally arrived at 
their destination, which was a warehouse on the outskirts of Nerima.

"You live here?" Ranma-chan asked.

"Yep it's the only place I found that can hold all of the stuff I gather on 
my adventures around the world," Ranko said before the two entered the 
warehouse.

What Ranma-chan saw before her were more artifacts, bones, paintings, and 
various other miscellaneous items that could be held in 20 museums. Seeing 
this Ranma-chan didn't even bother making the comment of 'wow' as she 
followed her grandmother up a nearby flight of stairs to a flat that was 
above the warehouse's main floor. 

The flat as Ranma-chan discovered was modeled after a traditional Japanese 
home except for the fact the ceilings were all eight foot high instead of 
the usual 6 found in most Japanese homes. Ranma-chan of course dismissed 
this considering she knew enough about her family to know everyone in it 
was tall by Japanese standards.

"It's good to be home," Ranko commented to herself as she took off her 
steel-toed boots, belt, jacket and hat while Ranma-chan just took off her 
shoes.

"So what do you do for living anyhow?" Ranma-chan asked curiously.

"An archeologist, an adventurer, a researcher on magic, and numerous other 
things," Ranko said as she led her grandson into the tearoom of her home 
were the two sat down at the tea table. "So what you think of your father -
-besides the obvious of course?" 

Ranma-chan's only replied to this was to sigh deeply before walking over to 
a window that overlooked the inside of the warehouse.

"Nothing really he's made a mess out of my life for as long as I can 
remember but despite all of that I don't want him dead just in severe pain 
for the rest of his life," Ranma-chan said with a fair amount of steel in 
her voice.

"I'm not surprised Genma may be a brilliant martial artist but he's a lousy 
human being," Ranko said rather dryly before looking at Ranma-chan closely 
and scratching her chin silently as she made a mental note of something she 
considered peculiar. 

"So why did mom call you about anyhow?" Ranma-chan asked as she sat down by 
the window.

"You and I'm guessing she's concerned about the transformation," Ranko said 
before getting up and walking over to a mini-fridge that was concealed in a 
floorboard. After opening the fridge, Ranko pulled out two cans soda pop 
one of which Ranko through to Ranma-chan as she walked back to the tea 
table.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Ranma-chan asked suspiciously.

"There's nothing I can do about it I've never encountered magic quite like 
what seems to have affected you grandson," Ranko said after drinking some 
soda. "But look on the bright side you can flip the coin anytime you 
please," Ranko added with a wry smile that confused Ranma-chan greatly. 
Seeing her grandson's confused look Ranko only sighed, "if I know Genma 
he's probably convinced you that until you rid your self of the 
transformation that you won't be a quote whole man."

Turning away Ranma-chan muttered, "Well it's the truth you know."

"According to Genma's philosophy it is," Ranko said rather casually as she 
toyed with a remote control that was sitting on the tea table.

"Pop doesn't have any philosophy he's too idiotic," Ranma-chan commented 
while looking at Ranko out of the corner of her eye.

"Ranma philosophy doesn't have to be written down in a book or preached to 
be real. Although Genma probably does preach his philosophy like a broken 
record on a bad day," Ranko replied as she tapped the remote control, which 
caused music to start being played in the background.

"So basically what you're saying is everything pop spouts off about is his 
philosophy"

Ranko's only replied to this was a quiet nod as she took another gulp of 
her soda before added, "... and there are many philosophies you can live by. 
Hell you can even make up one to suit your self."

"So what kind of philosophy says I'm not a half man?" Ranma-chan asked 
rather roughly as she turned her attention back to the window.

"Yin and yang," Ranko replied without delay before continuing, "Under the 
philosophy of yin and yang every person is both male and female however 
they are not male and female in equal amount. You however probably would 
have an equal share of male and female sense you have both a male and a 
female body."

Raising an eyebrow Ranma-chan stated, "Probably?"

"Well it depends on how real that female body of yours is Ranma," Ranko 
said off handedly.

"A little to real if you ask me," Ranma-chan muttered darkly as she took a 
sip of her soda.

Smiling crookedly Ranko said, "I'll assume that means you do have a period 
every month."

Hearing this Ranma-chan choked on her soda, which promptly came spewing out 
of her nose. After recovering Ranma-chan turned around and gave Ranko a 
dirty look. Ranko's crooked smile didn't even flinch.

"... and I'm also guessing that's the first time someone has ever been 
blunt about that subject with you," Ranko added with an even wider smile.

Now blushing Ranma-chan turned back around and hunched over as she started 
to fume.

"Come on, grandson, it's no big deal," Ranko said rather flippingly.

"It is for me ok!" Ranma-chan shouted.

Ranko response this was to roll her eyes and shake her head before saying, 
"you know brooding about this doesn't do you any good."

"Then what will," Ranma-chan demanded.

"Well to put it bluntly, Ranma. GET THE FUCKING HELL OVER IT AND LIVE WITH 
IT!!" Ranko shouted loudly enough to rattle Ranma-chan.

However Ranma-chan's reply to this was to pick herself up before leaning 
against the window she had backed into a moment ago and look at her 
grandmother before saying, "and how in the hell am I suppose to do that. I 
don't even understand my real body half the time let alone this one." 

Ranko's response to this was to shake her head as she rubbed her temples. 

"Grandson, how much has Genma told you about sex and sexuality?"

Ranma-chan's response to this was to shrug her shoulders while looking 
mostly blank.

Ranko response to that was to bang her head on the table, which broke as a 
result of the impact before saying, "why in the hell am I not surprised." 
After shaking her head a few more times Ranko turned to Ranma-chan and said, 
"It's going to be a long night for you, grandson considering I have to 
explain the birds and the bees twice to you."

********************

Late that night around midnight, Ranma arrived back at the dojo to find 
Akane waiting for him. Naturally, Akane was fuming but as soon as she saw 
Ranma step into the light of the dojo's entryway, she noticed he was 
blushing from head to toe along with the fact he looked 'rather' nervous. 
The combination of these things made Akane ask, "What happened Ranma," 
while putting her anger on the back burner --or maybe that should be 
incinerator.

"Grandma explained the birds and bees to me," Ranma answered while 
practically shaking.

Seeing Ranma's reaction to being informed on this subject Akane didn't know 
whether or not to laugh hysterically right then and there or wait until she 
found something to muffle her laughs with. However, a few moments later a 
little voice in Akane's ear said something rather interesting 'you know 
what you've accused him of being a mega-pervert when he's actually known 
nothing about sex'. Akane's reply to this little voice was to blush as red 
as her namesake as a cruel reality clubbed her over the head like a mallet 
impacting on Ranma's skull. That's why 2 seconds later Akane wanted to find 
a very deep and dark hole to crawl into.

The 'little voice' who happened to be Hishizuka on the other hand just 
started laughing hysterically from the ethereal realm as Akane ran off to 
her room at a high rate of speed.

********************

Meanwhile at the Saotome household we find Nodoka has just gotten off the 
phone with her mother- actually Nodoka just crushed receiver in her bare 
hand.

A moment later Nodoka dropped the crushed receiver and walked calmly into 
the tearoom of her home where Genma sat playing shoji with Soun. 

A moment later, the surrounding neighborhood was interrupted ever so 
briefly by the scream of, "GENMA NO BAKA!!" and the sounds of someone being 
tortured. 

********************

An hour or so later, we find Ranma trying to get some sleep as he 
remembered what his grandmother had told him. While the conversation had 
filled in a lot of gaps, it also left him quite rattled considering he now 
knew he was sexually attracted to Akane in both forms. 2 so minutes later 
Ranma managed to fall asleep.

"Well under normal circumstances I wouldn't interfere with someone in 
Ranma's position but Ranma's psyche is battered enough all ready," 
Hishizuka commented before gently lifting Ranma's spirit out of his body 
and into the ethereal realm where she implanted a psychic suggesting. That 
suggestion was a simple challenge. The challenge was to let go for a day 
once as himself and once as herself. The challenge also had no specific 
time in which it had to be completed or started.

With her work completed, Hishizuka allowed Ranma's spirit to return to his 
body after which she walked through a convenient wall.

********************

Meanwhile in Akane's room we find Akane crying quietly. "I'm sorry Ranma I 
truly am," Akane mumbled quietly before another voice in her ear telling 
her to make it up to Ranma. "I know I have to make it up to Ranma but how?" 
Akane asked herself before falling asleep.

*********************

The following morning Ranma awoke with a nagging feeling that someone had 
challenged him to do something however considering he couldn't remember 
anyone challenging him about anything lately he shrugged his shoulders 
before walking off to get this morning bath. However, before he got to the 
stairs, he remembered that he was training Akane and developed a large 
smirk on his face. 'You're in for it Akane,' Ranma thought with a chuckle 
before mentally making a comment about enjoying his day.

**********************

Half an hour later, Kasumi watched Ranma walked by with a bucket of water 
and a grin on his face. Naturally, this raised even Kasumi's eyebrow. 
However, 2 seconds later she realized what Ranma was going to do with the 
bucket of water and pulled out a convenient pair of headphones usually used 
by heavy construction equipment workers as she smirked.

15 or so seconds later, a feminine scream of rage shook the Tendo dojo 
after which Kasumi said, "turnabout is fair play," with a smirk usually 
expected from Nabiki.

2 seconds thereafter a very angry and wet Akane stormed by grumbling about 
Ranma. 10 seconds after that Ranma entered and sat down by Kasumi with a 
satisfied smile on his face.

"So what's on the agenda for today Ranma?" Kasumi queried.

"A cooking lesson then I help her put the training hall back together," 
Ranma answered as he watched the koi pond while looking more relaxed than 
Kasumi head ever seen him in his life.

Kasumi's reply to this was to shake her head and shrug her shoulders while 
wondering if she would ever understand Ranma.

***********************

A couple of hours after that Nabiki wondered into the tearoom looking as 
she usually did first thing in the morning-- absolutely horrible.

"Good morning Kasumi," Kasumi said cheerfully.

Nabiki's reply to this as usual was a grumble.

"So where are Akane and Ranma?" Nabiki asked after sitting down.

"In the kitchen, Oh, and before I forget Ranma must be having a period or 
something today because he's cheerier than I am," Kasumi said plainly.

"Ranma cheerier than you that's not possible Kasumi," Nabiki said. 

"Argh!! Stop being so cheery Ranma!!" Akane was heard screaming from the 
kitchen.

Ranma's reply to this was a chuckle as he said, "come on Akane loosen up 
and have some fun."

Nabiki's reply to this was to look at Kasumi with a mixture of horror and 
shock etched on her face.

Kasumi's reply was to shrug her shoulders.

*********************

Meanwhile at the Kunou manner Hishizuka levitated aimlessly on the opposite 
side of the room from where Kodachi was watching TV.

"What am I going to do with you, Kodachi?" Hishizuka said absently before 
Kodachi got up and left the room however as she did so Hishizuka sensed 
powerful sentient insanity magic appear around her. Surprisingly this 
actually made Hishizuka blink a few times before she said, "now this as an 
interesting turn of events some kind of sentient insanity magic seems to 
have attached itself to her," Hishizuka muttered to herself before looking 
around the room she was in for some kind of secret magical ward. Hishizuka 
found that ward only moments later in the very timbers that constructed the 
room. "Whoever constructed this room wanted to make sure no kind sentient 
magic ever entered this room ...but why?" Hishizuka said before floating 
off with the intent to search the Kunou manner in every possible way she 
could think of.

**********************

Later at the dojo, we find Kasumi and Nabiki watching Ranma coaching Akane 
on how to rebuild the training hall. However, Ranma's constant smile was 
unnerving Akane to no end and this was making the indigo haired tomboy make 
more mistakes than usual.

"I don't see how Ranma has managed to keep his cool after all they've been 
at it for three hours straight now," Nabiki commented.

"Frankly Nabiki, I don't know how he's managed to keep his cool --let alone 
remain cheery," Kasumi replied while looking genuinely confused.

"I suppose it proves the old point that Nerima can always get crazier," 
Nabiki muttered in a rather odd tone of voice.

Kasumi's only response to this was to nod.

*******************

Meanwhile somewhere else in Nerima we find Ukyou walking along absently 
thinking about Ranma and her behavior when she saw a group of men that 
looked like they were ready to do serious damage surrounding a redheaded 
woman that was very tall by Japanese standards.

Ukyou's reply to this was to pull out her battle spatula and get ready to 
do damage to the men however, Ukyou stopped cold when she heard the woman 
speak.

"You should have some respect for your elders after all I'm just elderly 
old woman of 55," the woman said as she took off her sunglasses to reveal 
her piercing sapphire blue eyes.

"We don't care how old you are Granny we're gone a tear you apart," one of 
the thugs said.

"I can't say I didn't warn you children," the woman said before cracking 
her knuckles and motioning the five men around her to come and get some.

Ukyou's reply to this was to look away as she heard the sounds of bones 
breaking and joints dislocating. After the sounds had stopped Ukyou looked 
back just as the woman put her sunglasses back on and wiped some imaginary 
dirt off of her nose in the same exact manner as Ranma always did before 
she started walking down the street towards Ukyou. Seeing the woman coming 
her way Ukyou demanded to know who she was.

"Ranko Saotome," was the woman's simple answer as she continued to walk 
along.

"Are you related to Ranma Saotome?" Ukyou demanded.

Ranko's reply to this was, "yep I'm his grandmother," as she continued to 
walk along.

Ukyou's reply to this was to develop a serious jaw drop.

"You know if you leave your mouth open too long girl you're liable to 
swallow a fly," Ranko said as she walked around a corner.

Hearing this shook Ukyou out of her stupor after which she ran off after 
Ranko.

******************

Meanwhile back at the Kunou manner Hishizuka found herself looking at a 
purple small box, which had contained a very rare kind of sentient magic.

"Charming a magic sanity Leach," Hishizuka commented as she shook her head 
in disgust. "In the name of the ancients why do people ever use these 
things," Hishizuka added before looking back at the box only to notice that 
it was meant for two. "I won't even bother to guess where the other one 
went," Hishizuka said as she rolled her eyes while walking through a nearby 
wall as she thought about how to get rid of the sanity Leach.

*******************

"So are you Nodoka's mother?" Ukyou asked Ranko.

"Yep," Ranko answered before adding, "She was always the black sheep of the 
family."

Ukyou's reply to this was to have eyes bulge to twice their normal size as 
she thought, 'Nodoka's the black sheep of the family!!!!'

*******************

Meanwhile back at the Kunou manner Hishizuka prepared a magical trap to 
capture and destroy the sanity Leach that had attached itself to Kodachi.

"There done," Hishizuka said as she finished. "Now all Kodachi has to do is 
walk into her rose garden and the trap will do the rest," Hishizuka added 
before floating away as she thought, 'After doing a few more things 
everything should be settled here in Nerima and then I'll return to 
Avalon,' as a few tears streamed down her face.

******************

"So why is Ranma staying here again," Ranko asked as she and Ukyou arrived 
at the Tendo dojo.

"It's a long story and I really have to be getting back to my store," Ukyou 
said as she left.

"'My store'," Ranko said with a raised eyebrow before making a mental 
comment about her grandson leading an interesting life as she walked 
through the gates of the dojo. Not finding anything in her immediate 
vicinity Ranko began exploring the dojo and quickly found her way to the 
training hall where she found Ranma coaching Akane on how to rebuild it.

"Is that little ne-kun?" Ranko said aloud attracting both Nabiki and 
Kasumi's attention to her.

"Grandma Ranko!!" Kasumi shouted as she noticed Ranko.

A moment later Kasumi head bowled over Ranko in a hug.

"k-kun, is that you I must say you've grown considerably since I last saw 
you," Ranko said as she held Kasumi and arms length. "Although that house 
dress doesn't suit you in the least," Ranko said as she gave Kasumi a 
loving hug and after she broke that hug she asked, "so where's that crazy 
mother of yours? I haven't seen her in at least 10 years."

"She's been dead for 10 years," Kasumi replied sadly.

"Dead no I don't believe that that woman could get hit by a freight train 
and kill the freight train. Believe me I know," Ranko said in disbelief.

"That day after you left to go to Africa on your 9-year expedition mommy 
died. Only Akane really knows what happened," Nabiki explained as she 
looked at Akane and Ranma.

'Hishizuka you damn kami what the hell happened?' Ranko thought before 
saying, "Well it looks like Akane is busy so I'll ask her another time. But 
in the meantime I'm going to pick both of your brains for everything that's 
happened around here in the past 10 years."

******************

Later that day after Ranko had been given a general outline of the 
happenings around Nerima we find her standing by the koi pond thinking 
about the mysterious Mrs. Tendo and a time when she was just a 6-year-old 
child.

'She rescued me from a runaway freight train a mile long just by holding 
out her hand and stopping the train dead in its tracks like some kind of 
superheroine on steroids. Metal and shrapnel hit her with more force then a 
hail of bullets could and she didn't even a scratch on her,' Ranko thought 
to herself as she shook her head. 'There's just no way -- short of another 
kami attacking her-- that she could have been killed. Hmm, another kami 
know that could be a possibility,' Ranko thought before sitting down by the 
koi pond.

A few moments later Ranko looked up to find Akane looking at her with a 
rather disgusted look on her eye.

"You've certainly developed a nasty habit ne-kun and one your mother 
wouldn't approve of," Ranko stated.

"And what's that?" Akane asked brashly.

"Judging people on first impressions," Ranko replied.

Akane's response to this was to look away shamefully before asking, "Kasumi 
said you wanted to know how mom died."

"Yes I would," Ranko replied.

"Some guy just appeared in front of me mom at the park and through a Black 
sphere at mother. She tried to resist its power but in the end, I saw her 
spirit leave her body. Just before mother's spirit vanished, she held up 
her hand and used some kind of spell on the man. I'm not sure but I think 
that spell destroyed his soul," Akane explained as she rubbed her shoulders 
to keep her self warm.

"Tell me did the sphere have small red points dotting it's surface?" Ranko 
asked as she stared back at the koi pond.

Akane's only reply to this was a nod.

"Soul cleaver a magical artifact created to cleave the soul of a kami from 
it's body," Ranko said sadly.

"... but why in the world would anyone use something like that on mother?" 
Akane pleaded.

"I don't know maybe she was a kami," Ranko said as she rubbed her chin in a 
thoughtful manner.

"Do you know anything that can put her soul back in her body?" Akane asked 
hopefully

"No and if she really is a kami any attempts to use resurrection magic on 
her body to cause it to be transformed into a divine mummy. I faced one of 
those creatures long ago Akane and it took the intervention of a kami to 
destroy it," Ranko explained.

"What kind of monster was it?"

"3 of my best archeologists where turned into dust before my very eyes and 
a few seconds after that the dust changed into another mummy. Does that 
give you any clue on what kind of monster a divine mummy is?"

Akane's only reply to this was to pale five shades before walking off.

"So why did you come over?" Ranma asked as he walked out of the tearoom.

"Well if I know my daughter Ranma. Right about now she's probably coming up 
with some harebrained scheme that will have to do with your fairer half and 
I figured we would conveniently vanish before she got here," Ranko said 
with a smirk.

"What's the catch?" Ranma asked suspiciously.

Chuckling Ranko said, "Don't worry Ranma I don't expect you to do anything 
you don't want to. I have a personal credo the states let people be 
themselves."

"Ok," Ranma said warily.

"If you don't feel comfortable about being with me alone why don't you 
bring Akane along with you, grandson," Ranko said casually before turning 
her attention back to the koi pond.

"Ok," Ranma said before walking off to find Akane.

Ranma found Akane only a few seconds later looking distant.

"Ranma you heard with your grandmother said. Do you think it's possible 
that my mother was really a kami?"

"I don't know Akane but if she really is maybe there's away to contact 
her," Ranma said.

"Then what, if she really did have divine power why hasn't she just brought 
herself back to life?"

"Maybe that soul cleaver thing prevents her from doing that?" Ranma said 
with a shrug.

Akane's only reply to this was a sad sigh.

"So have you two decided yet?" Ranko asked as she walked up behind Ranma.

"RANMA!!" Nodoka was herd calling as she stepped through the gates of the 
dojo.

"We better go now unless you want to get dressed up in a girl's school 
uniform," Ranko warned.

Ranma's only reply to this was to pick Akane up before running off.

Seeing this Ranko only smiled before following at a similar pace.

A few moments later Nodoka walked into the room and looked around only to 
find no trace of Ranma.

"He left with your mother 3 seconds ago," Nabiki said as she walked into 
view.

Nodoka was reply to this was to start fuming before she screamed, "MOTHER 
NO BAKA!"

*************

A few moments later we find Ranma, Akane and Ranko walking along.

"Anything bugging you Ranma," Ranko said as she looked over her shoulder at 
Ranma.

"How did my mom and pop ever meet in the first place?" Ranma asked while 
sounding extremely curious.

Stopping dead in her tracks Ranko said, "Now there's a 100 million yen 
question," as she looked down at the ground.

"If it brings up to many bad memories forget about it," Ranma stated.

"No. not bad memories Ranma memories of how things and people were," Ranko 
said with a halfhearted smile. "Tell you what let's go over to my home and 
I'll make a batch of my special monster chocolate chip cookies and I'll 
tell you both about Genma and who he was."

**************

A couple of hours later we find Ranko Ranma and Akane sitting in the 
tearoom of Ranko's flat.

"It was a dark and stormy night quite literally when Genma came into your 
mother's life. You see he broke into our house and tried to rob us. 
*smirks* unfortunately for him Nodoka always carries around her katana and 
quite often raided the fridge at around midnight. Needless to say, by the 
time me and my husband got downstairs Genma was in a corner with several 
slashes already cut in his clothing," Ranko explained with a smirk before 
picking up a chocolate chip cookie that was at least 12 inches across which 
she munched on few times.

"So what happened next?" Akane asked while sounding very interested in the 
story.

"I started laughing at poor Genma. My husband however started giving Genma 
the classic 'what would your parents think of this' parental speech. Genma 
however interrupted by screaming that he didn't have any parents. My 
husband's response to this was typical at least for him and he immediately 
decided that Genma would be staying us. Nodoka didn't like this and 
immediately accused Genma of be a pervert," Ranko explained while noticing 
Ranma was using all of his control to stop himself from laughing while 
Akane was looking rather uncomfortable. "well continuing on as the days 
past Genma for the most part got over his leaving ways unfortunately my 
husband was taught a false history and his definition of honor and most 
everything was skewed by that and considering he was Genma's only role 
model Genma developed those traits as well. As time went on Nodoka and 
Genma became very close friends. However, the night after my husband died 
the two got extremely drunk ... and will to put it bluntly had a fucking 
good time quite literally. And as luck -depending on your point of view 
that is- would have it Nodoka was fertile that night."

Hearing this both Ranma and Akane developed a severe case of jaw drop.

"Now before you jump to any conclusions I'll tell you the truth both of 
them were absolutely delighted. That is after they got out over the shock, 
which shook them both into a stupor for about a week. Their marriage was 
short and sweet and since my husband had died, I went back to archeology 
and adventuring after you were born, Ranma."

"How old was mom then?" Ranma asked curiously.

"A few months shy of 19 and Genma was 23 at the time and he had already 
gone through Happosai's training," Ranko replied causing both Ranma and 
Akane to pale considerably.

"So mom and pop were all alone after you left?"

"No Nodoka had 2 sisters 3 brothers and a multitude of other relatives to 
fall back on while I out of town. Of course before Genma took you away when 
you were six I visited regularly."

"A result of one to many drinks," Ranma said hauntingly.

"Grandson, listen to me if it hadn't been that night it would have been 
very soon after that considering there were already plans for their 
marriage being arranged," Ranko said reassuringly.

"Ok," Ranma said while still looking haunted.

"So when did the rift between them appear?" Akane asked.

"Rift? Are you talking about the way they fight?"

"Yes," Akane replied.

Ranko's only reply to this was a hearty chuckle, "ne-chan those two have 
fought from the day they met and will fight each other till they die."

Both Ranma and Akane replied to this by turning bright red. Seeing this 
Ranko just shook her head and smiled crookedly to herself as she picked up 
another cookie and began to munch on it.

"Did you and Grandpa fight?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Like cats and dogs till the day he died," Ranko replied with a smirk 
before adding, "...and just like my husband requested we partied all night 
long as his funeral pyre burned in the background."

"Why?" Ranma asked.

"My husband who was also named Ranma coincidently never did like the 
tradition of morning since he considered death to be only the beginning of 
the next journey. Therefore, sense the beginning of all journeys are to be 
celebrated the beginning of such a large one has to be celebrated even more. 
Not even I could come up with anything to argue that so when his time came 
we partied all night long," Ranko explained.

Neither Ranma or Akane could think of anything to say as a reply to this.

"So what do you want to do next?" Ranko asked.

Ranma's only reply to this was a shrug before Ranko leaned back and looked 
at a photo of her family which drew Ranma and Akane's attention to it.

The photo consisted of a black haired man that bore an uncanny resemblance 
to Ranma standing next Ranko. In addition sitting in front of the duo there 
were six children three of which were redheads. Because of the fact there 
was only one red headed girl Ranma and Akane immediately knew that had to 
be Nodoka.

Looking at the picture closely Ranma asked, "how old was mom when that 
picture was taken?"

"17," Ranko said as she continued to study the picture.

"But she's as tall as I am in that picture," Akane said.

"I know what you're thinking. Why isn't Ranma that height when he's in 
female form? However I haven't got a clew why there is such a height 
difference."

"Well I did fall into the spring of the drowned YOUNG girl," Ranma muttered 
darkly.

"Young ... Hmm, when Nodoka was about 12 I believe she was about as tall as 
your female form is," Ranko said thoughtfully.

"Do you know of any magic that can solve that problem?" Akane asked 
curiously.

"Unfortunately whoever was responsible for the springs is probably the only 
one that knows how to correct the problem," Ranko said with a sad sigh.

"Gee great," Ranma, commented sarcastically as he crossed his arms while 
looking frustrated.

Watching this from the ethereal around Hishizuka mulled over whether or not 
to just fix the rest of Ranma's curse with a few quick motions or do 
something a little bit more elaborate.

"Well I think me and Akane should be going home now," Ranma said before he 
and Akane left.

"Hishizuka I know you hear me so I'm going to be blunt about this: get off 
your five millennia old ass and get back to the dojo," Ranko said plainly.

"Maybe I will maybe I won't Ranko," Hishizuka mumbled to herself before 
floating off after Ranma and Akane.

10 minutes after this Nodoka barged into the room looking very angry.

"Do you want a cookie, dear?" Ranko asked her daughter who facefaulted in 
reply.

********************

A little while later we find Ranma absently humming to himself as he and 
Akane walked back to the dojo.

"Are you okay Ranma?" Akane asked nervously.

"Yeah, and for some reason I'm not really surprised either," Ranma said as 
he kicked a stone into low earth orbit.

"So what do you want to do next?"

"Besides avoiding my mom nothing I suppose," Ranma answered.

********************

As Ranma and Akane returned home, they were greeted by Kasumi who 
immediately said, "Kunou just called he said that Kodachi wants to speak 
with both of you he also said she has gone sane as well."

"RANMA!" Nodoka was heard shouting.

Ranma's only reply to this was to grab Akane start roof hopping.

"Is Ranma here Kasumi?" Nodoka as she gasped for breath.

"no but I'm sure he'll be home anytime now so why don't you wait," Kasumi 
said politely.

"No I have to keep looking," Nodoka said before running off while wondering 
where Ranma could be.

After Nodoka was well out of sight Kasumi's eyes narrowed as she thought, 
'she's serious about this girl training thing but doesn't she realize what 
it could do to Ranma and will do to her relationship with him? No if she 
did she wouldn't be doing this.'

With this thought concluded Kasumi looked off in the direction Nodoka had 
left in for a few moments before she began glowing with a Psionic aura.

"If I have to use my power stop her from forcing Ranma into girl training I 
will. After all I have already spent too much time on the sidelines 
watching and not helping because what happened between me and Dr. Tofu 
because my power,' Kasumi thought as the aura around her strengthened 10 
fold.

*****************

"Sister, are you feeling well?" Kunou asked his sister.

"No, brother I am not," Kodachi, said as she tended to a few of her roses.

"Are you planning to do something when they get here?"

"Apologize," Kodachi said deftly.

Kunou's response to this was to reluctantly leave.

After he had done so, Kodachi sat down on a nearby bench. "I have been a 
wretched creature because of that sanity Leach father released and it will 
take me some time to find out who I am without it plaguing my mind."

*****************

Meanwhile in another part of Nerima we find Ranma and Akane walking towards 
the Kunou manner.

"Are you sure is not going to start spouting poetry?" Akane asked while 
raising her eyebrow.

"No," Ranma replied causing Akane to roll her eyes.

****************

15 minutes later Ranma and Akane arrived at the Kunou manner and were shown 
to the Rose Garden where they found Kodachi sitting alone reading a book. 
Upon seeing Ranma and Akane, Kodachi put the book down and spoke.

"Shortly after my mother died by father found a box containing a powerful 
magic he believed would bring mother back to life. Unfortunately, the box 
contained two sentient and magical lifeforms called sanity leaches and I 
don't think I have to tell you what they did to me and my father. I cannot 
hope for your forgiveness for what I have done but you had the right to 
know the truth," Kodachi explained before getting up and walking into her 
garden.

"I have heard of the magic my sister spoke of it is of the most vile that 
my ancestors collected to destroy their enemies," Kunou said as he walked 
up.

"How long ago did your mother die?"

"10 years ago and I fear because the sanity Leach has been attached to her 
for so long she has almost no sense of self because of it," Kunou said 
sadly before walking off.

"I think we should just leave now," Akane said quietly.

Ranma's only response to this was a quiet nod before the two left.

*************

Meanwhile at the Saotome household Nodoka returned home exhausted and 
mumbled, "I'll catch up with him tomorrow for certain."

************

That night at the Tendo dojo, we find Ranma, Akane and Kasumi eating dinner 
when Nabiki entered dressed in her best casual outfit. "Well I'm going out 
so I'll see you 3 later," Nabiki said before leaving with a smile.

"Where is she going?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Before Kunou went insane two years ago he and Nabiki were dating and now 
that Kunou is sane again I'm sure she's going to restart the relationship. 
Probably by any means necessary," Kasumi explained.

"Nabiki and Kunou?" Ranma asked as he blinked repeatedly.

"They have known each other sense they were in kindergarten, Ranma, and 
there was little doubt the two would marry until Kunou's insanity struck," 
Kasumi added before continuing.

"Wow," Ranma commented as he shook his head.

Akane's reply however was to mutter something unintelligible before 
returning to eating her dinner.

**************

Later that night after everyone had gone to sleep we find Hishizuka looking 
at Ranma who was sleeping peacefully. "I can make sure the curse doesn't 
reform his female body every time he changes forms quite easily but 
accelerated growth has to be completed in one go which means he cannot 
change back until it is completed. I could easily make the accelerated 
growth process happen in a matter of seconds and I know Ranma could take 
the stress of that process but I have to personally oversee it if I make 
the process take less than a day. However, I don't think it's time for me 
to do that yet after all Ranma still needs to do several things. What I'm 
surprised about is the fact wiping out all of his inhibitions didn't 
completely crack open the sealed areas of his mind. The Neko-ken has to be 
handled first sense it is a phobia that quickly develops into a ki 
poisoning. However Ranma needs that technique at its core unfortunately 
that requires Ranma defeat the cat with in and for that he will need my 
direct help," Hishizuka said before sighing deeply and entering Ranma's 
mind.

**************

Meanwhile in Ranma's mind we find that Ranma is having a nightmare a very 
familiar reoccurring nightmare; The nightmare of the Neko-ken training.

"DADDY HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ranma 
screamed.

The shadow of Genma that was above the pit only stood silently as Ranma 
continued to beg for help first to his father then his mother and finally 
to anyone.

The part of Ranma that was conscious throughout this nightmare knew no help 
would come. None ever did.

However, just as the final strike to his face was happening everything 
froze.

So shocked was Ranma by this that his conscious mind fully entered the 
dream and was able to look around the room where he found Hishizuka.

"You again," Ranma said after blinking a few times.

"Yes it is," Hishizuka replied before looking up at the shadowy figure of 
Genma. "Do you want to end this nightmare forever and regain the memories 
the Neko-ken has stolen from you?"

Ranma's only reply to this was to cross his arms and ask, "What's the 
catch?"

"The catch Ranma is defeating the Neko-ken will be harder than defeating 
Saffron," Hishizuka replied before walking through a portal.

Ranma's reply to this was to follow while muttering something.

****************

As Ranma stepped through the portal, he found himself staring at a room 
that was almost completely destroyed.

"What is this place?"

"A representation of parts of you that have been severely damaged by your 
father's training methods," Hishizuka answered.

"So what do I do?" Ranma asked.

"For the moment nothing," Hishizuka said before pointing to a nearby door 
which looked like it was made of solid steel - or something even tougher.

"Is that where it is?" Ranma asked.

"Yes," Hishizuka answered.

"I don't really stand any chance against it right now do I?" Ranma asked 
rhetorically.

"No opponents with in your self and of your self have their power 1000 fold 
and the Neko-ken is twice as powerful because it infects your ki," 
Hishizuka replied.

Ranma's only reply to this as he sat down on a nearby piece of rubble was 
to mutter something quite colorful. Hishizuka responded to that by 
wondering where Ranma had come across that particular phrase as she smirked.

"So are you going to do anything or are you going to let me fight this 
battle alone?"

"I will only help by telling you this Ranma you must find a way cut the 
Neko-ken's power sources. In addition, these other rooms and what is 
contained within them will be of no help to you now because these rooms 
have been sealed by your father's other training methods and the damage 
created by those methods is protected by the Neko-ken," Hishizuka said. 
After this Hishizuka materialized a katana that was longer than she was 
tall before turning around and slashing the steel door before her into 8 
pieces with 4 slashes of the sword. 

Ranma replied to this by adjusting his shirt considering the door was solid 
and at least two feet thick.

After the sword disappeared from her hand, Hishizuka turned around and gave 
Ranma a crooked smile before vanishing.

Ranma's response this was to look annoyed before walking through the door.

**************

As Ranma stepped through the door, he found himself in a huge arena of some 
sort. In the middle of the arena, there was a cat the size of large 
dinosaur chained to the floor. Ranma of course started being affected by 
this site immediately however a few seconds later he felt around his neck 
after which the fear disappeared.

"This will only protect you for 3 hours Ranma," Hishizuka was heard 
whispering from somewhere.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself Ranma examined the scene 
before him with more scrutiny then he could before. After mere seconds, 
Ranma noticed 3 pulsing wires of energy coming out of the cat and heading 
off into the distance.

'Those must be the power sources,' Ranma thought to himself before deciding 
to follow one of the energy wires to its source.

*****************

About a half an hour, later Ranma found himself staring at a source of the 
cable he had followed. The source that Ranma was looking at was best 
described as a mass of swirling images that were being trapped by a huge 
net that was connected to cable Ranma had followed. Ranma's only reply to 
this was to crack his knuckles and walk over to the net with the intention 
of ripping it apart. However as soon as he touched the net he was 
electrocuted and sent flying against a nearby boulder, which cracked upon 
impact. After shaking his head to clear it Ranma noticed Hishizuka sitting 
on a nearby boulder to the one he had impacted on.

"Did you honestly think it was going to be that easy?"

"Well it was worth a try," Ranma muttered as he sat up.

Hishizuka's only replied to this was a small nod.

Ranma's reply to this was to set up and look at what was before him for a 
moment before throwing a rock at it. However, the rock just bounced off.

"Hmm, what did that science teacher say about electricity?" Ranma asked 
himself before remembering the science teacher said electricity flows 
through wires to the point of least resistance and grounding something 
always short-circuits a circuit. "Hmm, I need to short-circuit that net but 
how?"

"Now there's a 50 million volt question," Hishizuka said with a smirk.

Ignoring Hishizuka, Ranma continued to remember the lesson on electricity 
and grounding something after about five minutes of thinking Ranma snapped 
his fingers and said, "I need a lightning rod and a metal cable."

"You mean like that one over there," Hishizuka commented as she thumbed in 
the direction of a nearby metal rod that was buried in a huge boulder. In 
addition to this, the metal rod had a long length of steel cable tied to it.

"Yeah like that one," Ranma commented with a raised eyebrow before walking 
over to the boulder and throwing the cable at the net after which he got 
out of the way to avoid being shocked by net grounding itself.

After the smoke cleared, Ranma poked his head out from behind the boulder 
he had hidden behind to find that the cable leading away from the net had 
vanished. Smirking at this Ranma walked back over to the net and ripped it 
open. In doing so however the mass of swirling images in the net washed 
over him as they escaped from their confinement. After the net was empty 
Ranma whispered, "Memories, all of the memories it stole from me," before 
shaking his head and walking back in the direction of the arena he had come 
from.

*******************

As Ranma arrived back at the arena, a half an hour later he found a cat was 
now slightly smaller but still as large as a dinosaur.

'Guess I'll have to keep chopping away at its power sources,' Ranma thought 
to himself before following the next cable.

*******************

As Ranma neared the end of the second cable, he found himself looking at a 
huge river of glowing energy that was being heavily taxed by the cable, 
which was connected to a huge pump.

"Is that what I think it is?" Ranma asked himself

"If you're wondering if that's your ki. You would be correct," Hishizuka 
said as she walked up beside Ranma.

"I'm guessing I have to get rid of that pump to stop the Neko-ken from 
tapping my ki," Ranma stated before starting to walk towards the pump, 
which was at least I half a mile away --luckily all downhill from where he 
was standing.

As Ranma did so, he wondered how he could stop the pump and by the time, he 
reached the massive machine Ranma had decided a few boulders of varying 
sizes would do the job. However, there were no boulders to be found 
anywhere near the pump.

"Damn, the one time I need to use boulders I can't find them," Ranma 
grumbled indignantly while Hishizuka smirked in the background. A few 
moments later however, Ranma blinked and noticed that there were now 
boulders everywhere.

"Don't look at me this is your mind," Hishizuka commented.

The only reply Ranma gave to this was a shrug before throwing boulders into 
the river upstream of the pump. After chucking about 20 boulders into the 
river the machine started making odd sounds, which Ranma took as his cue to 
take cover. 

10 seconds later the pump exploded sending debris flying everywhere. 
Sitting behind a convenient boulder Ranma just smirked with satisfaction 
before waiting for everything to calm down. Once it did, Ranma stepped out 
from behind the boulder to find nothing of the pump left but a lot of scrap 
metal and a blast pattern.

"Well that takes care that pump," Ranma said with a smirk before heading 
back towards the arena 

Once there he found that the cat had once again shrunk.

'One more cable to go,' Ranma thought to himself with a smirk before 
following the last cable.

What Ranma found at the end of the last cable made him stick to his stomach 
just from the stench alone.

What he found was a sea of noxious purple ooze being pumped out of the 
cable causing everything it touched to discolor and twist unnaturally.

"What in the hell is this stuff," Ranma said while holding his nose.

"Ki poison and it is beyond your capability to anything about Ranma," 
Hishizuka said.

"So basically I have to fight that cat right now," Ranma said while raising 
his eyebrow.

Hishizuka's only reply was a nod before saying, "however I can do something 
about the poison but it will only last for 2 hours."

"What are you going to do?"

"A containment spell and if you do not defeat the cat in that amount of 
time the poison will escape," Hishizuka said before raising her hand and 
creating a small black sphere of energy which she then through at the 
poison which started to disappear into the sphere. "Go," Hishizuka, stated.

**************

As Ranma reentered the main arena, he found the cat had been shrunk to the 
size of a puma. Ranma's reply to this was to smile and attack. However, at 
just that moment the protective necklace Ranma was wearing ran out of power 
and shattered. 

Needless to say, Ranma's fear of cats came rushing back causing him to back 
away as he tried to subdue the fear using his will power alone. While this 
was happening, however the cat awoke and shattered its shackles with little 
effort.

"Ranma you must regain control and attack," Hishizuka commanded.

Ranma's response to this was to growl viscerally at the cat as he regained 
some measure of control.

'I can hardly move,' Ranma thought as the cat circle around him like the 
predator it was.

"Focus your ki," Hishizuka commanded once more.

Taking Hishizuka's advice on instinct alone Ranma began to flare his ki in 
an attempt to resist the fear. This allowed Ranma to defend himself against 
the cat but no more and after 15 minutes Ranma had taken serious damage.

"I can't stand this up much longer," Ranma managed to get out as he nursed 
his arm.

"I can only say one thing to help you. Make the fear consume you and its 
power shall be yours," Hishizuka said before vanishing.

Ranma's only reply to this was to look at the Panther that was chasing him 
and drop his guard as he charged with all of his strength.

As Ranma and Neko-ken collided, a bright flash of light erupted with an 
immense force destroying the arena and leaving nothing but dust.

After that dust had cleared, Ranma stood alone glowing sword like curved 
claws at least three feet long growing out of his hands.

"The Neko-ken is mine," Ranma muttered before collapsing.

*********************

When Ranma next awoke, he found himself looking at the concerned faces of 
Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane.

"What the kami-sama's name happened Ranma?" Nabiki demanded to know.

Ranma's reply to this was to look at his left hand before summoning the 
Neko-ken, which caused his claws to appear, "the end of a very old 
nightmare," before fainting.

*********************

Meanwhile above Nerima we find Hishizuka absently thinking of Ranma. 
"Emotions. That is what he needs to unseal first," Hishizuka said to 
herself before thinking about what would cause the biggest emotional blow 
to Ranma. A few moments later Hishizuka developed a look on her face that 
was a cross between a frown and a smirk. "That would definitely work and it 
would teach Akane a valuable lesson but would it cause more harm in the end 
then good?" Hishizuka said as she mulled over her idea before noticing 
Nodoka heading towards the Tendo dojo. "I'm sorry Nodoka but you're going 
to have to get lost as Ryouga for the day," Hishizuka said before using a 
simple time-limited directional curse on Nodoka who immediately started 
heading the wrong way. "I could just give Ranma nightmare but that just 
doesn't have quite the impact I want. However, I don't want to risk hurting 
Akane so the nightmare is my only option."

********************

Later that day Ranma awoke and headed downstairs to find Kasumi and Akane 
sitting alone in the tearoom.

"Are you okay Ranma?" Akane asked worriedly.

"Yeah," Ranma said as he sat down.

However before he could say anything the doorbell to the dojo was heard 
ringing.

"I'll get it," Kasumi said before getting up and heading out of the room.

"So did you really overcome the Neko-ken?" Akane asked.

Ranma's only reply to this was a nod before Kasumi reentered the room with 
a slightly crooked smile. "Guess what's in here."

"What?" Ranma and Akane asked in unison.

"Na...," was all Kasumi managed to get before she tripped on a lose floor 
mat which sent the box she was carrying flying. Luckily, for Akane Ranma 
caught the box before it hit her on the head. Unluckily the bottle of water 
in the box still had enough momentum to break through the bottom of the box 
and hit the side of the tea table, which caused it to burst and soak Akane 
to the bone and further. As was apparent when a transformation occurred 
just as Kasumi managed to finish what she had been saying was the second 
earlier. "...nnichuan."

Ranma's reply to this was to stagger backward for a few steps before 
clutching his head and screaming as something within his mind shattered as 
well as the room around him.

"A dream?" Ranma asked no one in particular before noticing where he was 
and the fact one of the sealed rooms had been fully opened. Almost 
mechanically, Ranma walked through the door. After he did, so tsunami after 
tsunami of emotions washed over him. After the massive waves subsided Ranma 
collapsed on beach he was standing on out like the proverbial light.

When Ranma next awoke, he found that he was still on the beach only now 
Hishizuka was sitting next to him wearing her usual outfit as well as a 
large straw hat and sunglasses.

"Are you doing okay?" Hishizuka asked as Ranma sat up.

"Did you just give me that nightmare?" Ranma asked while sounding rather 
angry.

"Sorry but it was necessary to crack open the seal on your emotions," 
Hishizuka said as she took off her sunglasses.

"Whatever," Ranma muttered darkly before turning to the ocean before him 
and gazing into its depths.

"The ocean invokes many memories for you doesn't it?" Hishizuka asked 
rhetorically as she watched Ranma gazing into the ocean.

Ranma's only reply to this was a quiet nod before getting up and walking 
into the waters. Hishizuka's only response to this was to walk up next to 
Ranma and sit down on the water surface where she noticed Ranma was staring 
at his own reflection. A moment later Ranma looked at his hands and willed 
the change to happen. 

"Too many memories," Ranma-chan said before collapsing to her knees.

"Talk about it, Ranma," Hishizuka encouraged as she pulled the redhead onto 
her lap and into a motherly hug.

"Why? Why does it have to make me feel the way it does and why do I have 
to?" Ranma-chan asked before trailing off in tears.

"Ranma, you do not need to feel shameful because you take pleasure in being 
a woman," Hishizuka said reassuringly.

"But!"

"Listen to me Ranma this female body is as real as your male one and does 
not do anything or not do anything a normal woman's body does. You should 
also know that it belongs to you and you alone just as your male body does 
and always has belonged too you," Hishizuka said before wiping a few tears 
away from Ranma-chan's face and saying, "Both bodies are real and complete. 
You inhabit both a male and female body, which doesn't make you a man that 
can change into a woman but both a man and a woman. In other words you are 
BOTH."

"Both?" Ranma-chan queried before standing up and changing back.

"Both?" Ranma asked once again before looking at Hishizuka.

"We've you are ready to accept your femininity I will use my magic to age 
your female body to the proper age," Hishizuka said before getting up and 
starting to walk off.

"Wait how will..." Ranma said before Hishizuka interrupted.

"The next time you change into your female form will be the signal for me 
to use my magic. You should know that the process will take one day to 
complete during which you will not be able to change back," Hishizuka 
explained before vanishing.

**************

When Ranma next awoke, he found himself looking at Akane who was sitting 
near by looking at an old photo album.

With a week smirk Ranma said, "Hia tomboy."

Replying with a smirk of her own Akane said, "Bout time you woke up baka."

"You know me always a heavy sleeper," Ranma replied.

"Yep as heavy as a ton of bricks," Akane said as she leaned down towards 
Ranma who immediately smelled alcohol on Akane's breath, which caused his 
eyes to widen. Akane's reply to this was to smile rather crookedly before 
saying, "don't worry, baka, I only had two Kasumi made sure of that 
considering she had the rest of the bottle along with Nabiki."

"You're still drunk," Ranma said as he sat up only to have Akane wrap her 
arms around him tightly as she nuzzled Ranma under the chin.

"I'm not as drunk as you think, baka," Akane said lovingly.

"So what are you looking at there?" Ranma asked.

"A photo album Kasumi has kept over the past year," Akane answered before 
the two started looking through the album. "What do you think of it?"

Noting the photograph Akane was looking at which coincidently was a photo 
of Ranma-chan wearing her first swimsuit Ranma tensed slightly before 
thinking back to the springs. 

A few moments later Ranma finally said, "I don't know anymore. I really 
don't especially now that I have control over it."

Akane's only reply to this was to remain silent as she looked at the photo, 
which clearly showed herself looking even more indignant and angry and 
Ranma-chan.

"How many times have I hurt you?" Akane asked confusing Ranma greatly. 
"Kasumi said that I hurt you every time I accused you that you would rather 
be a girl than a guy as well as all of the times I called you a pervert and 
didn't trust you."

"You hurt me a lot with all three of those things Akane," Ranma answered 
truthfully.

"I'm sorry but I was so confused I didn't know what else to do but fight."

"I know were both guilty of that one, tomboy," Ranma answered quietly.

"Do you think it's wrong that I'm attracted to you even when you're a 
girl?" Akane asked.

Hearing this question Ranma's eyes widened considerably.

"It's so confusing sometimes I know I'm not a lesbian but I constantly 
fantasize about having sex with you in every possible way. A few times I've 
even dreamt I used instant Nannichuan on myself..." Akane said before 
feeling Ranma go limp as he fainted. After picking herself up off of Ranma, 
Akane looked at Ranma before falling on top of Ranma and thinking, 'maybe I 
am, a wee bit, more drunk then I thought,' before deciding Ranma's chest 
would make a good pillow.

****************

Meanwhile just outside Ranma's room we find Nabiki and Kasumi both of whom 
were extremely drunk.

"See I told you she drunk enough to tell him, sis," Nabiki said 
triumphantly as she pounded her chest before hiccupping.

"So how much do I do I owe you?" Kasumi said in a slur before taking 
another belt from a large bottle of saki.

"I don't know about another round to celebrate Ranma's greatest victory," 
Nabiki said before grabbing the bottle and taking another swig.

"I'll drink to that and toast Ranma's victory over the Neko-ken for the --
hmm, oh yeah-- for the 17 time," Kasumi shouted in a drunken slur as the 
two elder Tendo sisters walked off.

****************

When Akane next awoke, she found it was early evening and she was sleeping 
on Ranma's lap. Naturally, Akane's response to this was to bolt up right, 
which had the undesirable effect of causing all of the blood to rush out of 
her head. After the world stopped spinning Akane looked over at Ranma 
before blinking a few times and remembering what happened that afternoon. 
This caused Akane to blush so brightly her face looked like a light bulb.

Tentatively Ranma asked, "Are you okay?"

Akane's only response to this was to shake her head violently while 
thinking the kami she only had two glasses of saki.

"So are you going to laugh at me now?" Akane asked tearfully.

"No. I've had fantasies to you know. None that involved the use of instant 
Nannichuan mind you but I have had ones where we were both girls," Ranma 
said as he moved so he could see Akane's face, which at that moment 
brightened even more. "Why Instant Nannichuan?" Ranma asked with a 
curiosity similar to a cat's.

"You know I'm jealous of your female body but I guess I'm also jealous you 
can be both," Akane said shamefully as she looked down at the floor. "I've 
always been accused of being boyish and after while I guess ... well I 
guess I started to wonder what it would really be like to be one for real. 
I didn't dare tell anyone not even Kasumi. Then you came along and with no 
more than a splash of water, you could be either. That's another one of the 
reasons I called you pervert. It was to defend my darkest and deepest 
secret and desire. I suppose it's also the reason I got so mad at you for 
hating being a girl since I always saw what you had as a gift ... a gift 
that was a little unpredictable but still you basically had what I wanted: 
the gift and luxury of ultimate sexual freedom."

"I've never thought of it like that," Ranma admitted.

"Of course not for you you're entire life has been 'being a man' and 'being 
the best martial artist ever'. So, you've never had the luxury of choosing 
what you wanted to be. I did, and I chose to be a martial artist," Akane 
said.

"True," Ranma said thoughtfully before adding, "but since I hit the springs 
I've had to grapple with being a girl for real."

"Just like I always had to grapple with being boyish," Akane replied.

"Two different things but in the end they basically deal with the same 
problem," Ranma said flippingly.

"In a weird kind of way your right," Akane replied before Ranma stomach was 
heard growling followed shortly by Akane's.

The only response the two gave to this was a chuckle before getting up and 
heading downstairs.

*******************

As Ranma and Akane entered the tearoom after making themselves something to 
eat, they found Kasumi and Nabiki passed out on the floor with a nearby 
bottle of saki.

Whispering to Akane, Ranma asked, "by the way, why did everyone start 
drinking?"

"To celebrate your victory over the Neko-ken," Akane said with a smile 
before the two went back to the kitchen to eat.

"Kasumi, do you remember the last time we got this plastered?" Nabiki asked 
as she awoke.

"No," Kasumi replied.

"Neither do I, and let's make sure we don't do it again," Nabiki answered 
before the two passed out again.

*******************

Meanwhile in the kitchen Ranma and Akane ate quietly while simply enjoying 
each other's company.

"So do you want to do anything tonight?" Akane asked.

"Not really, tomboy," Ranma replied.

"Baka," Akane answered with a smirk.

"Tomboy," Ranma shouted back as he stuck out his tongue.

"Baka!" Akane said as she through some food at Ranma.

After this, things quickly deteriorated into a full-scale food fight. 
However, this food fight was hardly serious considering both Ranma and 
Akane were struggling not to laugh themselves silly. In the end, however 
they were not successful as was apparent when they collapsed covered with 
food and laughing uncontrollably.

After the two had managed to stop, laughing Akane moved beside Ranma and 
said, "Baka," before putting her arms around Ranma.

Tentatively Ranma put his arms around Akane, which put the two only inches 
away from each other. As the two sat there the smell of food and each other 
acted in an intoxicating manner, somewhat so that it took only moments for 
the two kiss each other passionately. The kiss lasted at least a minute 
after which the two looked at each other for a moment.

After that moment Akane asked, "Are we good enough friends for it to happen 
yet, baka?"

"I don't know but I'm willing to take the risk and to find out," Ranma 
replied.

"I am as well but if it starts to feel wrong we shouldn't push it," Akane 
said.

"Agreed," Ranma replied before the two got up and headed for Akane's room.

***********

Somewhere else in Nerima, we find Nodoka who had been lost for the entire 
day at finally found her way home.

"I'll find Ranma for certain tomorrow," Nodoka said as she breathed heavily.

***********

The next morning Akane awoke to find herself naked except for her panties, 
which Ranma had his hand in. in order to give her rear a gentle but yet 
firm squeeze. Blinking a few times Akane found that Ranma who was sleeping 
next to her was in a similar state of undress as well as the fact she had 
her hand inside of Ranma's boxer shorts and was squeezing Ranma's posterior. 
Akane's reply to this was to blush slightly as she remembered the previous 
night.

"You awake?" Ranma asked as he adjusted his grasp.

Akane's only reply to this was a nod before the two sat up in bed.

"So you okay with what we did last night?" Ranma asked with a small bit of 
nervousness in his voice.

Akane's only reply to this was to squeeze Ranma's ass a little bit harder 
as she smirked.

"Oh where back to the squeezing game again are we?" Ranma asked 
rhetorically before reaching up with his free hand and squeezing Akane's 
left breast gently before tracing his finger on her nipple as he released 
his grasp.

After recovering from the tingle of pleasure that ran through her body 
Akane leaned against Ranma and asked, "Did you enjoy last night, baka?"

"Yeah I did, tomboy," Ranma replied as he gave Akane a one armed hug.

"I did to," Akane stated before breaking the hug and looking at Ranma for a 
moment before looking off. "It feels so natural to be this close doesn't 
it."

"Yeah it does," Ranma said as he traced his hand along Akane.

"I heard mom tell Kasumi once that the best lovers are the best of 
friends," Akane said absently as she and Ranma leaned against each other.

"Well if last night was any indication I'd say she was right," Ranma 
replied before a long silence fell over the two.

"Do you feel any different about me?" Akane asked.

"Yes and no. Yes because of ... well things have gotten crazy in the past 
few days and we've both changed. No because you're still you, tomboy," 
Ranma said with a smirk.

"Baka," Akane replied before sticking her tongue out at Ranma. 

After that fierce exchange, Ranma and Akane fell under a peaceful silence 
before Akane remembered how close they had gotten to going all the way, 
which caused her to let out a frustrated sigh considering she didn't know 
why she had started feeling so uncomfortable. This of course did not go 
unnoticed by Ranma.

"What's wrong?" Ranma asked.

"I'm sorry I just..." Akane said before Ranma interrupted.

"No worries okay. Remember we promised only to do what felt right," Ranma 
said with a smile.

"You're right, baka," Akane replied before smirking and asking, "So do you 
want to see if we're comfortable enough with each other to have our morning 
bath together?"

"It's worth a try but I'm not going to change into a girl in the bathroom 
ok," Ranma stated.

Akane's only reply to this was a hidden smirk before she left the room 
dragging Ranma along for the ride.

******************

An hour or so later Akane entered the tearoom to find Ranma sitting alone 
rubbing his cheek.

"Don't worry about it okay," Ranma said with a smirk.

"I still feel bad about," Akane said as she sat down while been careful to 
step over Kasumi who was still passed out on the floor.

"I know but after we get with training today I'm sure you won't feel so bad 
about it," Ranma said with a smirk as he got up and headed towards the 
training hall.

Akane's only reply to this was to go blue in the face before following.

*************

Later around noon at the Saotome residence, we find Nodoka has just left 
leaving Soun and Genma alone.

"Do you think she'll actually make any headway today?" Soun asked.

Genma who was completely incased in a body cast just made a few sounds Soun 
took as a no.

"Agreed," Soun, replied.

*************

"Mhh, I have feeling Nodoka is going to be up to something today," Ranko 
said as she sat alone in her home. Before getting up and adding, "So I 
better run interference so Ranma has some peace and quiet," before she left 
her own.

************

"I'm almost there," Nodoka said to herself before somebody tapped her on 
the shoulder.

"Ranma's very busy today training Akane, daughter, and can't be disturbed," 
Ranko said from behind Nodoka before dragging her daughter off by the ear 
much to her chagrin.

Kunou who had been watching this interchange only blinked before shrugging 
his shoulders before walking into the Tendo dojo where he found Nabiki and 
Kasumi nursing large cups of coffee in the tearoom. Wisely, all Kunou did 
response to seeing this was to quietly leave the tearoom and head for the 
training hall where he found Ranma and Akane sparing. Actually, Ranma was 
just dodging and pointing out holes in Akane's defense. Kunou being 
familiar with this kind of training routine just sat down and waited for 
Akane to collapse, which happened only minutes later when Ranma pointed out 
a large hole in Akane's defenses.

"You're a strict sensei, Ranma," Kunou commented as Akane tried to keep her 
breakfast in her stomach.

"At least I'm not insane like pop is," Ranma commented while Akane glared 
daggers at his back. Ranma however didn't notice this considering he was 
intrigued that Kunou was simply wearing a pair of blue jeans and a gray T-
shirt along with a leather belt that held his bokutou along with a pouch of 
some sort.

Kunou's response to this was to chuckle slightly at both Ranma and Akane's 
comments before saying, "I would say that is a matter of opinion."

Ranma's only reply to this was to shrug his shoulders before sitting down 
and waiting for Akane to recover.

"So what are you doing here Kunou?" Ranma asked.

"I was planning on spending some time with Nabiki but it appears she has 
had a considerable amount of alcohol and has an extremely large hangover," 
Kunou explained.

"I'm not surprised Kasumi and Nabiki polished off one of daddy's largest 
bottles of saki last night," Akane said after managing to contain her 
nausea.

Raising an eyebrow Kunou asked, "...and why did Kasumi and Nabiki drink 
that much saki?"

"They were celebrating Ranma's victory over the Neko-ken," Akane answered.

"Ahh, such a victory as that is reason to celebrate and heartedly at that," 
Kunou said as he nodded.

"No argument there," Ranma said rather casually before turning to Akane and 
asking, "you hungry, tomboy?"

The reply gained from this was a growling sound from Akane's stomach.

"I think we can safely assume that is a yes," Kunou said with a chuckle 
before getting up and adding, "Come I know of a restaurant that can satisfy 
even the appetite of a Super Saiyan."

Ranma and Akane's only reply to this was to raise their eyebrows.

"Believe it or not I do have other likes in the world besides kendo and the 
samurai code," Kunou said as he put his left hand in his pocket. "Now shall 
we go?"

"Yeah sure," Ranma replied before he and Akane followed Kunou.

****************

"The international all you can eat buffet," Akane said with a raised 
eyebrow.

"Yes this buffet as foods from the Americas to Zimbabwe and everything in 
between," Kunou said before the three entered the buffet at which point the 
trio was greeted to a tsunami of smells all of which were almost divine.

"By the gods," Akane commented as she inhaled deeply while looking at the 
buffet line, which had to be a mile long.

"It is good to see you again Kunou-san," a man dressed in a very expensive 
suit said as he walked up.

"It is, sir," Kunou said before introducing Ranma and Akane after which 
Kunou asked, "Has anyone yet manage to complete the house's culinary 
challenge?"

"No the challenge still stands as does the reward of 100,000 yen to 
whomever can complete the challenge," the man replied.

"Would you to make a wager on the challenge?" Kunou asked with a smirk.

"What kind of challenge?"

"I bet you 100,000 yen that Ranma Saotome can complete your challenge and 
if he loses the money I lose will be added to the pot."

Looking fairly confident the man said, "I accept your wager Kunou-san," 
before handing the three a large buffet plate after which he walked off 
chuckling.

"So what's the challenge?" Akane asked.

"It's quite simple really Ranma must eat one serving of every food the 
buffet offers in 24 hours," Kunou replied with a wide smirk.

Shrugging his shoulders as he walked off towards the buffet Ranma replied, 
"That shouldn't be too hard."

Akane's reply to this was to shake her head as she tried to stop herself 
from laughing.

After Akane managed to stop chuckling she asked, "Exactly how long is the 
buffet?"

"It is quite literally one mile long," Kunou replied with a smirk before 
adding, "win or lose it will be an exemplary show," with a smile.

"You do have a point Kunou," Akane replied before the two entered the 
buffet themselves. Curiously Akane noted that the inside of the buffet seem 
to be larger than the out side. 

"I haven't figured it out either, Akane, and I stopped trying to some time 
ago," Kunou remarked before adding, "after all the most important thing 
about restaurants is if they serve good food or not."

"Good point. Now let's hurry up and eat that way we can watch the show," 
Akane said with a smirk.

6 hours later a very satisfied looking -as well as slightly round- Ranma 
left the international all you can eat buffet counting 100,000 yen while 
Akane and Kunou followed.

"Simply amazing as well as disgusting," Kunou commented.

"No argument there," Akane replied before walking and Kunou to catch up 
with Ranma.

"Anything wrong, Akane?" Ranma asked.

"Not really," Akane replied.

"Is it about Kunou?" Ranma asked in a whisper

"Yeah he's changed a lot now since he's sane but I can't help but wonder if 
its temporary and how its going to hurt Nabiki when he changes back," Akane 
replied as she whispered back with a sigh.

"Don't worry Akane things will work out," Ranma said reassuringly.

"As do I," Kunou said causing Akane to jump and turn around.

However, after Akane recover from the shock of Kunou hearing her she 
noticed a tears streaming down Kunou's downcast face. This of course 
surprised both Ranma and Akane and in more ways than one.

"She means the world me she always has. When I regained my sanity, I felt I 
had done something worse than just betray her something that defies being 
put into words," Kunou said as he looked off at the sky while not even 
caring about the tears that were running down his face before adding, 
"...and I to fear that the insanity will return."

Hearing this neither Ranma nor Akane could come up with anything to say 
however a moment later Kunou straightened himself up and used a 
handkerchief to dry his eyes before saying, "but as my mother always said 
fear not what is to come for if you do all that will come is misery the 
like. Not to mention we should be celebrating right now after all, Ranma, 
you must have just beaten several personal records," Kunou said with a 
smile before Ranma and Akane nodded and continued walking along.

A few moments later Ranma and Kunou had fallen behind Akane.

"Why?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Only those that are truly foolish deny the humanity their own emotions 
give them," Kunou said as he gave Ranma a piercing gaze before sighing and 
walking off.

***************

Later that day we find Ranma sleeping on the roof.

~~~~~~~~~~

A curious side was all Ranma gave as he looked around at the room he was in.

"Knowledge, skills, fun, femininity, fear," Ranma said as he looked at the 
doors before him along with the rubble that blocked any access to the doors.

A moment later Ranma walked over to the door of knowledge and began 
clearing the rubble from around it.

Watching Ranma shadows Hishizuka only smiled before deciding to go find 
Akane.

**************

"Control what is so hard for me to remain in control of myself?" Akane 
asked herself as she sat alone in the training hall.

"Maybe it's because you're a spoiled brat," Kodachi said as she entered.

Hearing this comment Akane's temper flared quickly and fiercely enough for 
her to attack. However, she didn't get very far before being wrapped up in 
Kodachi's ribbon.

"I'm only trying to help Akane," Kodachi said after Akane managed to calm 
down.

"And how does calling me a brat help?" Akane demanded after Kodachi had 
released her ribbon.

"Well if you weren't a spoiled brat you never would reacted like you did," 
Kodachi said plainly.

Akane's reply to this was to look distinctly uncomfortable.

"We're both brats in a way. Both of our mothers died when we were very 
young. Leaving us with no role models on how to act and just like your 
sisters had to take up the responsibility of running the house so did my 
brother which insured that they grew up but both of us were left basically 
to continue being children," Kodachi added a moment later before sighing 
and getting up and leaving.

*****************

"MOM why are you interfering!" Nodoka demanded to know.

"Because if you go along with what you're thinking of you'll end up 
damaging your relationship with your son to the point he respects you as 
much as he does Genma," Ranko said flatly, as she glanced over at Nodoka.

Nodoka's response to this was to flinch momentarily before shaking her head 
and leaving.

Ranko's reply to this was to pull out her cellphone and phone Kasumi.

***************

As Kasumi hung up the dojo phone, she took a deep breath before starting to 
glow with a psionic aura. "I won't allow Nodoka to hurt Ranma anymore," 
Kasumi stated before dismissing her aura and calling for Ranma and Akane 
whom she would get out of the dojo by giving them several errands to do.

***************

As Nodoka arrived at the dojo, an hour or so later she found Kasumi waiting 
for her glowing with a powerful psionic aura.

"I won't let you hurt Ranma," Kasumi stated flatly before projecting her 
aura at Nodoka.

Nodoka's reply to this was to raise her arms defensively as the aura washed 
over her however as it did she realized what her mother had said was true.

"Don't force Ranma to do anything he doesn't want to it can only lead to 
more suffering," Kasumi stated simply before turning around and walking 
back into her home.

Nodoka's only reply to this was to turn around and leave in a daze.

Meanwhile we find Kasumi hyperventilating and looking like she was about to 
faint. Thinking quickly Kasumi dialed Dr. Tofu and was able to say, "Help 
me," before fainting.

***************

Meanwhile in another part of Nerima we find Ranma and Akane walking along.

"You ok?" Akane asked Ranma.

"Not really I've got a lot to think about," Ranma answered before the two 
continued on their way.

**************

"Are you okay Kasumi?" was the first thing Kasumi heard as she awoke.

"Tired," Kasumi mumbled as she opened her eyes to see Dr. Tofu

"What in the world happened to you?" Dr. Tofu asked.

"Used power stop Nodoka hurting Ranma," Kasumi said before fainting again.

"Kami-sama no not again," Dr. Tofu mumbled to himself before picking Kasumi 
up.

***************

As Ranma and Akane arrived home sometime later, they found Dr. Tofu caring 
for Kasumi who was out cold on the couch.

Before either Ranma or Akane could ask what was wrong Dr. Tofu said, "She 
used for Psionic powers," as a few tears streamed down his face.

"Ahh fuck," Ranma explained shocking both Dr. Tofu and Akane however Ranma 
quickly explain himself, "I knew someone with Psionic powers once he didn't 
get any training on how to use them and he had to use them in a panic one 
time and it nearly ended killing him. After he recovered, he still had 
temporary amnesia that lasted a good 3 months."

"Kasumi had some training but not enough to stop herself from using her 
full power," Akane explained.

"What was the last time Kasumi did this?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Shortly after I had a close encounter with an exotic red stemmed Black 
orchid that Akane's mother made a certain kind of extremely potent spice 
with. She used her full power and then some but I never did fully recover 
and Kasumi almost went into a coma because of the amount of psionic power 
she used," Dr. Tofu explained sadly before turning his attention back to 
Kasumi who seem to be sleeping is only.

Akane seeing that Ranma was about to open his big mouth just elbowed Ranma 
in the ribs before getting him a look and hurting her head towards the 
training hall. Getting the general picture Ranma left with Akane leaving Dr. 
Tofu alone with Kasumi.

***********

As Ranma and Akane entered the training hall moments later Akane sigh 
deeply before saying, "the day after mother died Kasumi picked one of 
mother's red stemmed Black orchid's --the last one in fact-- so she could 
give it to Dr. tofu. Kasumi loved him even back then and Dr. Tofu well he 
would turn tomato red every time she walked into the room. Also, most 
people don't know this but Dr. Tofu really is a doctor as was a 
chiropractor, a master of shiatsu, and herbal healing arts and he always 
used to Kasumi a full physical as well as a monthly check up." At this 
point Akane trailed off as her voice became very shaky.

"Monthly?" Ranma said before realizing what Akane was talking about, "you 
mean he gave her a gynecological check up every month."

"Yes," Akane replied while looking at Ranma strangely. However, she decided 
to postpone her question in order to continue her story. "Kasumi brought 
the Black orchid to Dr. tofu the day of her check up ... Dr. tofu 
immediately recognized the orchid but it was too late sense Kasumi had 
already gotten it close enough to him that he and inhaled the pollen. That 
Black orchid is the root ingredient for the most powerful passion spice 
known and in its raw form," Akane said before trailing off in tears.

"Kami-sama," Ranma said in nothing more than a whisper before looking at 
Akane who only nodded her head.

"Kasumi told us everything, Ranma," Akane said sadly before turning around. 
"After Dr. tofu recovered physically he was absolutely racked with guilt 
but Kasumi being Kasumi wouldn't let him suffer so she used her power to 
remove as much of the guilt as she could well also projecting what her 
feelings about what happened were directly into Dr. tofu and she did it 
with a kiss."

Ranma's why to this was to shake his head.

"Was she affected at all?"

"Not by that but having to take up mother's position changed her in a lot 
of ways most of them subtle but there were a few major ones," Akane said 
before sighing deeply and sitting down on the floor of the training hall. 
"Like Dr. tofu said she almost went into coma because of all the energy she 
used. Even after she woke up, she was still very weak and didn't fully 
recover for a week."