The Spring Of Drowned Thief

Recruiting Troops


Akane stared blankly at Ryouga for a few seconds. “I still don’t get it. Why is he going through all this trouble to get us to China?”

Nabiki tapped her foot while leaning against the door. “Yeah. And what was the point in erasing our memories and what’s with this fake diary?”

Ryouga waved his hands. “Hey, let me think here. It’s still kind of hazy. If I remember right, every one got really depressed when he went into the psych ward. He asked that no one visit him. He just wanted to be alone for a while.” He passed a glance at Akane. “You got really bad. You were constantly worrying about him, and always wanted to see him.”

Akane raised her head up. “Is that why I have anti-depressants in my bag?”

Ryouga went quiet for a second. “Well… No actually… You went on them after you heard about his suicide attempt…”

“Huh!?”

Ryouga looked at Nabiki this time. “This diary is filled with more half-truths, than lies. He did start getting more and more depressed, but that scene that he described about being a human experiment was actually a dream he had. It’s one of his fears.”

Soun had a question to ask. “But why erase our memory? Surely some thing must have happened.”

Ryouga shook his head. “Some thing DID happen. Actually a lot of things happened. I almost don’t want to remember them.”

“Why he also take away our memory? What happen to us?”

Cologne hushed up her granddaughter. “Let him tell us in good time. He’s probably having a hard time right now child.”

Ryouga gave it a round about thought in his head and tried to think of what to say first. “I think he found out what happened while he was gone and felt bad. First Akane went hysterical when she found out Ranma had almost killed himself. You guys had to go to a few family-counseling meetings, but it wasn’t enough to help. Then there was the day after he had cut himself up that he asked for me to come see him. I tore you guys up that he only wanted to see me at the time. He asked for me to get the Phoenix Pill, and we had a bit of a talk…”

Nabiki raised an eyebrow. “About?”

“I’d rather not go into that right now. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

Nabiki chuckled a bit. “Oh. THAT kind of talk.”

“Yeah…. Any ways every thing went downhill after a while. Ukyo being here didn’t help either.” Ryouga passed her an apologetic look. “Sorry, but you busting into the institute and yelling at Ranma didn’t help any of us, or him for that matter.”

Ukyo bowed her head a little. “Ok, so maybe I over reacted…”

“That’s a bit of an understatement. As soon as you found out he was in there you left yelling and screaming. You caused a lot of property damage over there.”

“Well, what do you expect!? I was abandoned by them 10 years ago, and what do I find when I finally track him down!? I find out my father-in-law is dead, so I can’t take my revenge on him, and I find out that I was married to an insane, bipolar, transvestite that couldn’t even remember me! I have every right to be angry!”

Akane stood up in a rage. “He has a Jesenkyo curse! He’s also been through a lot more then you could ever understand!”

Ryouga backed Akane down and looked hard at Ukyo. “Calm down! We’ve had this conversation a hundred times already! He didn’t remember you because you two haven’t seen each other in so long. And he didn’t know that his father engaged you two for a food cart. His dad conned your family!”

Ukyo simmered down a bit. “Err! Fine! But it still pisses me off! At least he remembered me after a while… But still! The nerve of those two!”

Kasumi played the peacekeeper at this point. “Ryouga. What were we all doing while Ranma was gone?”

“Eh? Umm… Not much. Every just moped about I guess. There were too many reasons to not be happy. Heck, Nabiki started smoking because she was so stressed out.”

Nabiki got a confused look on her face. “I thought I had an urge to do some thing, I just couldn’t think what it was…”

Soun looked evilly at Nabiki. “YOU SMOKE!?”

“I guess so, but so do you daddy.”

“HA! I’M QUITTING RIGHT NOW! AND SO ARE YOU!”

“Sure daddy. What ever you say.”

Ryouga snapped his fingers. “Yeah, like that. That’s what every one started doing. We all started snapping at each other, over every little thing. Kasumi even cooked a bad meal. That’s when it was really bad though.”

”Oh, my!”

Mousse got up. “But what about us? What were we doing?”

Ryouga shrugged his shoulders. “Not sure. I wasn’t everywhere you know? I have a hard enough time finding my own room in this house let alone where you guys live. That reminds me though. When Ranma got back we all got a divorce.”

Shampoo smiled and clapped. “We divorce!?”

Ukyo went back into her rage. “ALL OF YOU WERE MARRIED!?”

“Oh yeah… I forgot you didn’t know that… Well, we’re not married any more.”

Cologne became angry. “What is this about? How did this happen!? I will not stand to have my granddaughter dishonored like this!”

Both Mousse and Shampoo spoke in unison. “I don’t mind.” They both looked around to see where to echo came from, but didn’t catch on.”

“Ranma was doing a lot of reading in that place. He found a series of loopholes in the laws that not only got us out of the marriage, but apparently we’re of some high warrior class now. He has it all marked in red ink in his copy of the Amazon law book.”

Cologne kicked Mousse off to find it while the conversation went on. Ryouga continued. “The last three days are the ones that started getting really weird though. First he was happy to be back, and we all decided it would be a good idea to just not let him know about all the problems. I guess he found out we were hiding something. The day after he got back he was acting even more unusual then normal. He’d start walking through the house while talking to himself. When I asked him about it he said it was nothing, but he started going to sleep at odd times and when ever he woke up, or some one woke him up he’d start screaming. I caught him cutting himself in the dojo and staring at his wounds. I was going to stop him, but the cuts just kept healing themselves. I didn’t know what to think about it. Every thing just happened so fast. There’s probably more of a story at the institute.”

Nabiki grabbed Mousse just as he was coming back into the room. “You and me got some work to do. Let’s go.”

Mousse was caught off guard, but he tossed the book over to Cologne and started following Nabiki out the door. “Were are we going?”

Nabiki kept walking and talking. “Guess. Hey Akane. You and Ryouga start finding the people on the list. Dad and Kasumi. You guys pack our stuff, I think we’re leaving today.” Nabiki paused for a few seconds. ‘Wonder were that came from?’ She looked at the remaining Amazons and Ukyo. “You guys might want to start getting ready too.”

Every one stared at Nabiki’s sudden burst of authority and slowly started doing their thing.


Akane and Ryouga were fresh out of the door on their way over to Kuno’s mansion. “What do you think all that was about? I know my sister can be bossy at times, but it was really sudden.”

Ryouga got a really odd frown on his face and tried his best to stay cool. “Ah… Well… I didn’t want to say this in front of every one, but I think that was Ranma’s doing.”

“What do you mean?”

Ryouga rubbed his chin for a few seconds and came up with the words. “Look. I need you to keep some thing secret. For both our sakes.”

Akane slowed her pace down and gave Ryouga a questioning look. “Sure. What is it?”

Ryouga went a bit pale and shuffled his feet a few times. “Look. Ranma’s a real twisted thinker. Every thing Ranma planned to happen today happened. I don’t know how, but it did.”

“I’m not sure I’m following here…”

“The last thing he said to me last night was, ‘You’ll remember tomorrow, so tell them.’ He knew I was going to get my memory back, maybe he planned it that way, I’m not sure, but I know that Ranma’s a lunatic now…”

Akane stopped cold in her tracks and gave him an evil glare. “Ranma’s not a lunatic. I know him better then that.”

“Then why did he try to kill you last night?”

Akane kept glaring. “He wouldn’t try to kill me. What the hell are you going on about Ryouga?”

Ryouga crossed his arms and said. “Look. Last night he woke up screaming again. We woke up and tried to calm him down. He eventually stopped, but then looked at us like we were something disgusting. He pulled out a knife and slashed up my arm and tried to slit your throat. I booted him off of you in time, but you fainted. I tried to hold him down, but he got the better of me and through me across the room. Kasumi came in to see what was going on. He started foaming at the mouth and went after her next. It was nothing short of a stroke of luck that Nabiki was behind her with a bat. She broke Ranma’s jaw and he seemed to be back to normal for a bit. He looked scared for a few seconds and looked around. I tried asking him a few things to him, but he didn’t answer. Kasumi went over to help him, but he ran away from her. He knocked over a cup on a dresser and turned into a girl. Hell, that only made things worse from there. He started screaming again. I wanted to help him, but I didn’t know how. That’s when she started glowing. I thought she was going to blow up or some thing, but light started shooting everywhere. My arm was healed and my head started feeling weird. Ranma grabbed onto me, looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’ll remember tomorrow, so tell them.’”

The two stood there in silence in the street with Akane going over things in her head, still in disbelief. “You see what I mean Akane? Something is wrong with him. Every thing is wrong right now as well. We’ve all been acting too normal. But some thing changed as soon as we walked out of that house. I started feeling how I should feel right now. I think you noticed it too. He wants us to follow him to where ever he’s going and save him. There’s something about those springs that’s making him go back. He’s going to a gathering, and he wants us to bring people to help him out of it.”

Ryouga turned to face the wall and started punching it, leaving impact marks. “Damnit! He cast some sort of spell to keep us calm! I don’t want to stay calm! Damnit! Damnit! DAMNIT! THAT BIG JERK IS USING ME AS A MESSAGE BOY!”

There was a loud smack that slightly dazed Ryouga with Akane on the other end with a tear in her eye. “Don’t speak about him that way… I love him!”

Ryouga grabbed her hand and pulled her close to his face. “Don’t think you’re the only one…”

Akane took a step back. “Y-you do!?”

Ryouga kept launching his attack against the wall. “You saw the damn tape! And now you heard me say it! I LOVE RANMA! My best damn friend!”

Akane looked at Ryouga with a wondering stare. “Then why are you saying such things about him…?”

“Because he’s gone nuts! It’s like he’s, two different people. Whenever he was talking to himself, it sounded like he was in an argument. Whenever he screamed, it was like he was dying. It’s not Ranma any more. It’s just some one else using his body. I won’t believe it’s the same Ranma from before, and now he’s running away from us, yet luring us in. Sending mixed messages every which way. I don’t know what else to think, except that he’s either gone nuts, or something unknown to us might have some thing to do with it. I want to save him, but I don’t know how. He’s so damn secretive that I don’t know if this is just some sort of game or if it’s actually happening. DAMN! It pisses me off!” Ryouga gave one last punch and the wall crumbled.

Akane started walking forward back onto the path. “You know? I had a dream last night, which you just explained quite well.”

“Huh?”

“My thoughts exactly. Some thing tells me we’ll figure it out in the end, so why not go with the flow. I have faith, how about you?”

Ryouga shook his head and started walking. “Fine… Lets get these people on the list…”


Mousse adjusted his glasses to read the sign. “So, why did you want me to come with you?”

Nabiki stopped and turned to him. “Master of hidden weapons right?”

“Yeah…”

“Can you hide random objects as well? Like office documents and other forms of information?”

“Oh. I guess they wouldn’t just hand that over would they?”

“Nope. I need the one guy who might have deeper pockets then Ranma. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, but we should return it eventually.”

Nabiki started walking forward with a wave behind her. “We will, we will. Come on.”


“I wonder why Ranma go to Musk?”

Cologne packed up a travel bag and gave it a thought. “Well, the Musk do have many treasures… I can see how he would be tempted. But if he’s going the rout I think he’s going, it’s the quickest way to the springs. It’s just dangerous that’s all.”

“Oh… By way. How I get divorce and keep honor?”

Cologne rubbed her temples as if trying to sooth a reoccurring headache. “I don’t want to go into it right now. Let me just say that I’m dismissing the ‘Piñata Beating Contest’ as soon as we get back home. Good lord this is embarrassing. I knew she was always a bit out there, but I really should have read the Elder changes more carefully before I came into power. That and the Sombrero law… I’ve always wondered why every one wore one on a leap year…”

“What is you talking about?”

“Nothing child… Have you packed Mousse’s bag yet?”

Shampoo held up a toothbrush and smiled. “I bring his toothbrush. All he need!”

Cologne smiled. “I’ve trained you well granddaughter…”


“Are you sure you want to come dear? I don’t want you getting hurt over in China…”

“Why father, I simply couldn’t stay here all by myself. Besides, I’ve always wanted to visit China.”

“But what if some thing happens to you? I don’t know what I’d do.”

“I’m sure there’ll be someone there that will always looking out for me.”

Soun cried. “My little girl is so brave!”

Kasumi let the slyest smile cross her face for only a split second. ‘Oh, I’m very sure someone will be there for me. Tee hee hee.’


“Ahhh… For it is the fairest Akane. What brings your unmatched beauty into my presence? Surly you wish to gaze upon my manliness.”

Ryouga looked at Akane. “And why did we come here again?”

Akane let a smile come out. “Well, I thought that we should get the most annoying one out of the way first. On the bright side I get a good ego stroke, even if it is minor.”

“What do I get out of it?”

“A show.”

“Ahh.”

‘They speakith as if I am not here. Surely they are shocked to be in front of me as we speak. Maybe I canst woo them with my poetry.’ “Hark, for lo thou art. You-“

Akane cut him off before he could start. It was abrupt and the only way it could have been worse is if they both simultaneously kicked him in the nuts. “Look Kuno. We’ve got a problem. Ranma’s missing and we need your help.”

“HA! And why should one such as I help an evil sorcerer such as him? He is nothing compared to me!”

Ryouga gave a thought for a second and smiled. “He has your maid.”

There was a stunned silence. Kuno turned around and walked. A few moments later he was back with a big stick. “I shall aid you in your quest to rescue the fire-haired-goddess. For where are to set off to?”

Akane tilted her head a little bit. ‘I can’t help but think he likes Ranma more then me…’ “Meet us back at my place. Bring your cheque book too.”

Kuno brushed the hair from his face and gave a dramatic pose. “Aye! For my love knows no bounds!”

The two turned around and Ryouga gave the final word. “Bring a toothbrush too.”


“So explain to me again Mousse. How exactly did you shove two filing cabinets down your pants? The shear physics behind it are astronomically, and theoretically impossible.”

“Well….”


“Wow, he was easier then I thought. I thought for sure we were going to have do something for him.”

“Ranma did mention that Kuno had a real thing for his female side…”

“Sort of like you, Ryouga?”

“You’re one to talk…”

“Hey, I was born like this, what’s your excuse?”

“Where does this next guy live?”

“You have a cute way of avoiding the subject.”

“Yeah, you’ve told me before. Where does the guy live?”

“Just down the street here. But really, what’s your excuse?”

“Can we not get into this now?”

“How come guys never talk about their feelings?”

“How come you’re acting like this?”

“I was thinking about the three way marriage you mentioned and I’m trying to find out what I like about you.”

“Damnit! We’ve been through this already!”

“Well, I don’t remember.”

“Quite acting cute. I’d like to meet this guy with out a nose bleed.”

“Ooo. You think I’m cute.”

“Damnit! Why do you have to be doing this now!?

Akane bowed her head with a small smile. “Sorry… I’m just trying to get my mind off of Ranma right now…”

“Oh…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“You know? You are really cute when you smile.”

“…Really?”

“Unbearably cute.”

“Thanks…”


Gosunkugi Hikaru was in his basement conducting another failed experiment with magic. To date he had never actually performed any magic, and had almost given up, until some one looked his way and smiled. A guy named Ranma Soatome had stepped into his life only a few days ago, and had turned a true eye in his direction of life. Hikaru was astounded as he watched Ranma look into his magic book behind those bushes at in the park, and said, “Hmm, well your technique is right, but I think you’re missing the feel for it. It’s like this.” And with that Ranma had taken over some poor guys body and started making him break dance in front of his girl friend. He followed up by saying, “See? You can’t break eye contact. As soon as you look back down at this thing for reference, all you concentration is gone and you’re back at square one.” Hikaru’s mouth had dropped at this. Not only has some one acknowledged him, he also new a lot about magic, he was one of the most popular guys in school, and he had Akane as a fiancé. Hikaru asked for Ranma to teach him the secrets of magic. Ranma just smiled and thought for a few seconds. He finally said, “How about a field trip in few days?” Hikaru’s baggy eyes lit up and he nodded happily. “Good. Study your books like crazy and some one will come to pick you up for the trip. Make sure your bags are packed.” Hikaru couldn’t believe what he was hearing and he was going through a moment of bliss. He’ll finally master it! And one day Akane will be his! His world of happiness was shattered a moment later. “Two conditions though.” Hikaru was willing to do any thing. “First, stay away from Akane. You’ll be traveling with her, but if you go near her, I’ll break every last bone in your body and use your rib cage as a toast rack.” Hikaru shook and tensed up. His plans ruined. He finally accepted and asked what the second condition was. “Oh, yeah… For the love of god, lose the candles. You look stupid and you’re going to set your hair on fire like that.” After yet another self-esteem pummeling, he accepted and laid in wait of his trip.


Knock Knock

“This guy is so creepy…”

“How come I’ve never noticed him at school before?”

“He hides in the bushes a lot and takes pictures of people. Me especially.”

“I can understand that he likes you, but yeah, that is kinda creepy.”

“You don’t know the half of it…”

A lovely woman answered the door with a smile on her face. “Hello, I hope you’re not here to see my husband.”

A simultaneous “Huh?” was their respond.

Akane answered again. “Ummm. We’re here to see Hikaru. Is he here?”

The lady looked like she was on the verge of a heart attack but nodded cheerfully and welcomed them in. On their way down to the basement they took note of a devilishly hansom man in the kitchen. She pointed down the stairs and said. “He should be in his room. Please stay as long as you like.”

The two started going down the stairs. It was black and the only thing lighting the way was dimly lit candles. “Wow, and I thought I was a messy guy…”

Akane shook her head in disappointment as she stepped in a pile of old instant noodle cups. “Me too...”

They both stopped at the door. “Well, you know him better then I do.”

“I guess, ‘ladies first’ is mandatory around the cowardly.”

“Just knock…”

“A-A-A-A-Akane! W-w-w-w-w-what brings you here!?”

Akane was about to answer, but the 6000 pictures of her pinned to Hikaru’s wall seemed to catch her attention. “AHHH!”

“That IS creepy…”

“AHHHH!!!”

“Hikaru looked back and gave a shriek as well, and all her pictures were down in record time, but she kept screaming. “Ahh! Did I miss one!?”

(The 6000 pictures of her pinned to Hikaru’s wall *SEEMED* to catch her attention.)

“Oh… Yes THAT is creepier.”

“AHH!! WHY DO YOU HAVE A GIANT POSTER OF RANMA FLEXING HIS ARM ABOVE YOUR BED!?”

“I could have seen his female half, but that was just plain unexpected.”

Hikaru gave another shriek. “AHH! I can explain that!”

“Don’t worry. I think we get it. But Ranma’s committed to Akane, you know?”

“No! It’s not like that!”

“THEN WHAT IS IT!?”

“Well…! Err…! He’s m-m-my idol…. I r-r-really look up to him!”

Akane seemed to calm down bit. “And why would he have any thing to do with YOU?”

“W-w-w-well…”

After a bit of explaining every one seemed to collect them selves. Ryouga rubbed his head in a bit of disbelief. “You see what I mean now? He DID plan this all out.”

Akane passed him a look. “You think he’d plan to hurt us? Because I don’t.”

Ryouga started looking sluggish and down. “No… But it’s not knowing what’s going on that gets to me.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. Anyways are you ready to go Hik- Was Ranma posing for that poster!?”

“…yes…”

“Can we please get out of here, please?”


“Take good care of the office while I’m gone Betty-chan! Ahh! I finally get to take a vacation, relax, go on a cruise, and visit China… I need to do this more often.”


“I’m just concerned about your well-being Kasumi dear. Are you sure you want to go? I’ll be very dangerous!”

“Oh, father you worry too much. I’ll be fine you’ll see. Now do you want to bring your blue or green toothbrush?”

“Green please….”


“So what else do you have down your pants?”

“Well, I had to move a few things, but right now 3 swords, a kendo stick, 2 maces, pepper spray, and 10 pounds of C4.”

“C4!?”

“Nahh. I’m just joking. I only have 3 pounds.”

“C4!? And that’s just in your pants!? With the two filing cabinets!?”

“Yes.”

“I need a smoke…”


“So are we going to find Ranma’s mother as well?”

Akane shrugged. “I guess so… I’ve always had the impression that she was dead though.”

“We do you say that?”

“He just never talked about her. I just assumed that she was gone. I didn’t press the matter because I still have a hard time talking about my mom.”

Ryouga went into thought. “So where do you think we should look?”

Akane started thinking back. “Well, Ranma did say that he used a phone book to find our house, so why not look up Soatome?”

“Sounds like a plan.”


“Ok, it’s the only Soatome in the phone book and we can’t find it any where… Have you ever seen this address Ryouga?”

“Why are you asking ME?”

“Yeah… Why am I asking you? How about you Hikaru?”

Hikaru just gulped and shook his head. “M-maybe we should ask?” True to his word he wondered off and found a woman in a komodo walking down the street. “Umm. E-excuse me, but do you know where a Nodoka Soatome lives? W-we can’t seem to find this address…”

“Oh, certainly she lives in that house down the street. The second last one on the right. Now may I ask why?”

Hikaru wasn’t one to tell people to mind their own business, and well, he just wasn’t one to do things that required a backbone. “Oh… Err…. Uhhh… We-we-we are just looking for our friend’s mother.”

Hikaru was really caught off guard when the woman grabbed him and started shaking him violently. “YOU FOUND RANMA!? YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS!? TAKE ME TO HIM! NOW! I NEED TO SEE MY SON!”

Hikaru’s flimsy form was tossed around like a rag doll as the frantic woman questioned him. Things only became worse for him when Akane came in with a full-blown haymaker. “BEING A PERVERT AGAIN I SEE!” Hikaru flew into the air, but he was already out cold to know what was happening. “I’m sorry. He can be a real pervert some times. Did he offend you?”

“NO! HE KNOW’S WHERE MY SON IS!”

Ryouga stepped in. “You’re Ranma’s mother?”

“You know him too!? Take me to him now! I need to see him!”

“Calm down Miss. Soatome. He’s not her right now.”

The woman got a disappointed look on her face and looked like she was about to cry. “Oh… I see…”

Akane put a hand on her shoulder. “When was the last time you talked to him?”

Nodoka collected herself and started walking. “This isn’t a place to be talking. Please come to my house. It’s been so long since I’ve heard from my son…”


They approached the house as Hikaru landed on the porch in a heap. Whether or not Akane had planned that will forever be a mystery, but it seemed to work out. Nodoka placed some tea on the table and waited patiently to hear about Ranma. “Where may I ask is Ranma? I have not received any letters from either him or my husband for five months now. I was beginning to get worried.”

Akane took a deep breath and thought of where to start. “This may be tough but please listen…”

The conversation went on with help from Ryouga at times. Nodoka was on the verge of tears when she heard of her husbands death, and she kept asking about Ranma, and if he was ok. By the end of the conversation Nodoka was in tears and heart broken. “So he’s run off to China… My husband has been dead for 3 months… Ranma has two curses… And now you don’t know why he’s run off to China…”

Ryouga crossed his arms and looked away shyly. “Yeah, that’s about it…”

She looked at them both. “Why didn’t he come home to me…? Why did he stay away…?”

Akane thought back for some clues as to why. “I don’t really know. He only really opened up to me, but he still kept things secret. I know deep down he was afraid of his curse, but he always tries to make the best of it. Looking back, I can’t help but think he was faking a smile all along… He also seems to think that he’s honorless, because of what he did back in China… I guess he was afraid to see you again after what he’d done.”

Nodoka sniffed a few times and started crying into her hands once again. “I… I never should have made him sign that promise! He would have come back to me!”

Ryouga put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. “Hey… What promise?”

Nodoka explained all about the point of the training trip and the pact that Ranma signed to become the man amongst men one day. “I was foolish to think that Ranma would be ok with his father… If I had known it made him afraid of his own mother, I never would have allowed it… Please tell me… Where in China has he gone? I have to find him and tell him every thing is all right. I can’t let him think of me as some monster…”

Akane stood up. “We’re all going to China. He wants us to follow him there. He’s leaving us clues to find him, but it looks like he’s heading back to Jesenkyo. My sister Nabiki thinks we’re leaving today. Want me to help you pack?”

Nodoka wiped the tears from her face. “Yes, please Akane. You’re his fiancé right?”

“Umm… Yes Miss. Soatome.”

“Please call me Aunty until your married…”

Akane gave her a smile. “Ok, Aunty...”


The trip back to the Tendo Dojo was filled with many tearful stops whenever Nodoka thought of her child in a psyche ward, or thinking that he didn’t want to see her, because of the contract. She thought about her husband, and how she was oblivious about his death. Every time she was about to break down, she found strength within herself to wipe away the tears and keep walking. It was a lot to take in, in such a short amount of time, but she’d been waiting ten years to see her son again, and she wasn’t going to wait any longer. She would go to China and find him no matter what. She walked down the street with a suitcase on wheels and some thing in a bundled cloth over her shoulder. “So tell me more about Ranma, Akane. Is he manly?”

Akane was taken back by the question a bit and wasn’t sure how to answer it. “I guess so… Before he started acting weird, he was the sweetest guy in the world. I’m always happy when I’m around him… He understands me, and he doesn’t mind talking about things. He helped me with a personal problem I had a while ago too… He doesn’t look down on people either.”

Nodoka didn’t seem all that impressed for some reason. “Hmmm… Given his father mostly brought him up, I thought he was going to be a bit crude in some area’s…”

Akane thought for a second. “Well… When we first met he followed me into the bathroom for a peek… Completely shameless about it too, might I add… And there was that one time he was in his girl form standing in front of a mirror and jumping up and down naked… I never really got over that one, but I tossed him a shirt and launched him out the window. He’s also a real jerk about the bathroom and usually drains the hot water tank before any one else gets a chance to use it… Speaking of which, he doesn’t put the toilet seat down. Actually, now that I think about it I bet he makes an effort to do so. His table manners are gross. He just shoves food in with no modesty what so ever. He doesn’t even taste his food, I can’t even count the amount of times I’ve had to hit his back to get some thing lodged out of his throat. Some times that guy goes through the kitchen at night and makes the biggest racket when going around the house. It’s not like he doesn’t have the ability to be quiet, lord knows he’s gone on a midnight panty raid or some thing... You should see some of the questionable things he comes home with. He like a dog… God he’s such a pervert some times!” Nodoka seemed to smile at Akane’s words and thought inwardly to herself. ‘My! How manly!’


They entered the Tendo residence and were greeted by a few more people then they started with. The first thing that happened though was a love rush from Kuno. “Akane my sweet! Let us embark on our Journey of romance! We shall find the pig-tailed-girl and have a triple date!”

Although he had a flying leap at Akane he was on the ground out cold by unseen forces. Nodoka stepped over him and said. “She’s engaged to my son. Look else where for your outbursts of love.” All that could be heard from Kuno was a gurgling sound, which made if sound like he had swallowed some of Akane’s cooking. A new voice entered the room and it sounded disappointed.

“Oh, brother dear… What ever shall we do with you? Running off declaring death for my beloved Ranma, yet you fail to stand up to this old crown. Ha! You don’t stand a chance against my darling Ranma!”

Ryouga rubbed his head in annoyance. “Sorry, Akane. I forgot to mention Kodachi. She’s Kuno equally delusional sister…”

Kodachi only increased the solitude of Ryouga’s statement by laughing insanely and bouncing off to the tearoom leaving a brigade of black rose petals behind. Nodoka looked to Akane and Ryouga while standing on Kuno. “You two have some very…. Colorful… Friends.”