Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Ranma 1/2 - A Different Life ❯ Part Four ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A Different Life

Written by: Gyran

Author's Note 05/12/2003:

Okay everyone. I know it's been a while, but things happen, y'know? I've
managed to squeeze some time in over the last few months and have finally
finished the revision of Chapter Four. Since I am so amazingly busy, I can't
say when the next revision, or the next new chapter will arrive, but I am still
trying to work on it, for those of you who even care that I am ;). Any
questions or comments, feel free to email me at rplanas@pacbell.net. Thanks
all!

Here's the usual disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and its characters are property of
Rumiko Takahashi. I am not making any profit off of this story so please don't
sue me. I'm but a poor student. Any characters that I make up belong to me, if
you wish to use any of them, which I highly doubt anyone would, but if you do,
please ask permission first and give credit to their creator, namely me.
Thanks.

“Dialogue”
*Emphasis*
<Thoughts>
/Signs/

Part Four Section One: The Love Of A Doctor

Ranma and Akane were running to school on Monday. They weren't late, it
was just one of those days when they just felt like running. As usual, Akane
was running on the ground, Ranma was on a fence. It was not long until they
arrived at the school, but as they went through the gate they witnessed an
unusual sight.

Kunou and Nabiki were walking into school together...holding hands. The
students in the area were watching this strange occurrence with looks of shock
or amusement. Part of the shocked group, Ranma and Akane stared, mouths open,
as Kunou and Nabiki left the scene, going into the building and heading for
class.

"You know, Ranma?"

"Hmm?"

"Even after knowing what was going to happen last Friday..."

"Yes?"

"I wasn't really expecting this so soon."

"Uh huh."

The two of them continued to stand immobile as the other students headed
for class.

"We should probably get to class, Ranma."

"You're probably right."

But before they reached the safety of the building, rain started to fall.

Ranma-chan had a disgusted look on her face. "Well that's just great.
Now what am I supposed to do?"

Akane sighed in resignation. She had thought they would be on time for
class that day. Apparently the weather had other ideas. "Come on, Ranma. You
can wait in a storage room while I get you some hot water."

****

Akane and Ranma were standing in the hall...again. They each had a bucket
of water and depressed looks on their faces.

"Sorry about this, Akane."

"It's okay, Ranma. It wasn't really your fault."

"I know. It was all yours."

Akane turned to glare at her grinning fiancé. "Is that so? Well then,
perhaps you should spend the rest of the day as a girl!"

She held up her bucket of water, threatening to loose its contents on a
now-panicking Ranma.

"Okay, okay! I was kidding! Kidding!"

She smiled and lowered her bucket. "That's better."

He pouted in such a pathetic way that Akane couldn't help giggling.

"Hmm," a new voice interrupted. "I never noticed punishment to be a
laughing matter."

The two turned to see Nabiki and Kunou coming their way. They both had a
bucket of water.

"Nabiki! What are you doing out here?"

The other couple began to blush, prompting Akane and Ranma to stare
questioningly at them.

"We...uh...kinda weren't...uh...paying attention in class." Nabiki
blushed even more as Ranma and Akane smirked in amusement. Kunou said nothing,
just put his back to the wall and began taking his punishment.

"So, enough about us," Nabiki said, in a desperate attempt to change the
subject. "What were you giggling about, Akane?"

Her sister giggled again. "Just this." And she raised her bucket in the
direction of her fiancé.

"Hey! Cut it out already!" Ranma had both his hands out in protest,
still holding his bucket.

The girls burst out laughing. Kunou, on the other hand, looked confused.

"What behavior is this, Saotome? Are you afraid of a mere bucket of
water?"

Ranma glared at the kendoist. "I ain't afraid of...AHH!"

Akane was holding up her bucket again while Nabiki was doubled over
laughing. Kunou had a disdainful look on his face.

"You must get over your fear, Ranma Saotome. Allow me to assist you."

Without warning, Kunou took his bucket and splashed its contents at an
unsuspecting Ranma.

"Hey! What'd you do that for!?"

Kunou, eyes wide, stepped back. "Wha...What manner of sorcery is this?"

Ranma-chan looked down at herself. "Aw great. Thanks a lot, Kunou." She
looked carefully for any roaming professors before she ran off to the bathroom
to change.

Kunou turned to Nabiki who had a disbelieving look on her face even as
Akane placed her head in the palm of one of her hands. "What is going on,
Nabiki? What happened to Saotome."

Nabiki sighed. "It's a long story Kunou-chan. It all started when..."

****

When Ranma returned, Kunou had been filled in on the details. He had a
sympathetic look on his face. "Truly you are cursed, Ranma Saotome."

Ranma snorted. "Yeah, no kidding."

"I apologize for my earlier actions."

Ranma waved it away. "Don't worry about it."

The four stood silently for a while, waiting out their punishment. The
quiet began to get disturbing, prompting them to fidget.

"So, Nabiki," Akane spoke up to break the silence. "When are you two
going out?"

Nabiki's blush returned. "Um, I don't know. I haven't been asked yet."
She gave a sidelong glance at Kunou, who also began to turn red.

"Uh...I...uh..." he stammered. The other three found it strange to find
the kendoist at a loss for words.

Akane snickered. "Well, never mind then."

But Nabiki wasn't about to let her off that easy. "Oh? What about you
and Ranma, Akane? When is *your* big date?"

Now the whole group was blushing in embarrassment.

"I don't know when it'll be," a red-faced Ranma answered. "I mean, I've
been beating her whenever we train, but she says she still won't go out with
me." He grunted suddenly as his fiancée's elbow met his side.

Kunou burst out laughing to the surprise of the others. "An amusing jest,
Saotome."

"I don't see what's so funny," Ranma said in a mock serious tone. "I
still haven't gotten a date out of her, no matter how many times I beat her."
Kunou laughed even more and Nabiki snickered. Akane was directing a dangerous
look at them.

A professor entered the hall and glared at the group. "You are supposed
to be quiet! If you cannot do that I will come up with a more appropriate
punishment for you jokers!" The four of them quieted down as the professor went
back into the classroom. They looked at each other for a second. Then they
started laughing again.

****

"This is all your fault, Ranma."

"*My* fault! Kunou was the one who started laughing!"

"If you had not made your jest, Saotome, I would not have been amused."

"Kunou-chan's right, Ranma."

"Well if you hadn't asked the question about a date, *Nabiki*, I wouldn't
have made the joke."

"Hey! It was *Akane* who asked about a date first!"

"Hey yeah. It *was* you who mentioned it, Akane!"

"So you're saying it's *my* fault, Ranma!?"

"Uh...well...yes?"

"You jerk!" *BAM!*

"OW! What'd you do that for!?"

"Children, children please. Let's not resort to violence now."

"I agree with Nabiki!"

"You just don't want me to mallet you again!"

"That's right!"

"Hey! You kids stop your yammering and get back to work! If those aren't
clean by the end of the day then all four of you will have detention for a
week!" The professor from earlier looked down at them from a third floor
window.

"Yes Professor!" all four of the answered.

"C'mon you guys. We'd better finish cleaning all of these." Ranma picked
up another pair of chalkboard erasers and began pounding the chalk out of them.

"Yeah. I guess you're right, Ranma. We can say it's your fault later."

"Hey!"

"Now, now you two. We want to finish this don't we?"

"Verily. It would not do for Tatewaki Kunou to receive detention for a
week."

The four of them looked at the hill of erasers behind them and the small
pile they had finished in front of them. They sighed and got back to work.

****

The four students were rather tired at the end of school, but they did
manage to finish their work.

"Ugh. I'm beat." Akane wiped the sweat from her brow.

"You said it, Akane. I don't think I'll be able to even *look* at an
eraser for at least a week." Ranma was brushing chalk dust off of his clothing.

"C'mon, Kunou-chan. You can walk me home." Nabiki linked her arm with
the Blue Thunder.

"It would please me greatly to do so, Nabiki." The two of them started
walking for the Tendou Training Hall.

"See you guys later!"

"Bye Akane!" Nabiki waved back to her sister.

Ranma looked at Akane. "Can we go now too?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "I suppose so. Would you like to carry my school bag,
Ranma?"

Ranma was tired, so it was only natural that he wasn't thinking straight.
"You've got arms don't ya? Carry it yourself."

*BAMBAMBAMBAMBAM!*

****

Ranma was twisted up on the hospital bed. He made incoherent sounds and
had a glazed look in his eyes.

Dr. Tofu had a worried look on his face as he examined Ranma's injuries.
Akane sat in a chair next to Ranma, her hands on her lap and her bottom lip
between her teeth.

"How terrible!" Doctor Tofu was saying. "Look at his injuries. The
dislocated joints! The bruises!" He turned to look at Akane. "Who did this to
him?"

"Uh...well...I...uh..."

Ranma stirred a bit and his eyes came into focus briefly. He looked as if
he wanted to say something, so Doctor Tofu leaned forward to catch his words.

"Akane did this," he whispered. "Very violent...uncute even...." He did
not get farther than that as Akane's fist met his face again.

The doctor turned to face her. "You did this, Akane?"

Her face went red with embarrassment. "Uh...well...he...I..."

Doctor Tofu started to smile. "Aha! I knew this damage looked familiar!"
he said as he began to laugh. Ranma was not amused.

<Yeah sure. Laugh it up why don't ya! He ain't the one who got
pulverized by Akane!>

He had come to the decision to sulk when Doctor Tofu began fixing his
dislocated joints. Ranma then decided that screaming would be a better idea.

"AHH! Stop! That hurts!"

Doctor Tofu, his face startled, said, "Really? Where?"

Ranma sat up and examined himself. Except for the bruises, all the pain
was gone. "Hey! I'm not hurting anymore!" The doctor smiled and went to the
sink to wash up. Akane giggled.

"Of course! Doctor Tofu is the best!"

Ranma turned to look at her. She suddenly went quite and her hands began
twisting each other in her lap as she stared at them intently. When a third
hand joined her two, she looked up, startled. Ranma was still looking at her, a
rueful look on his face.

"I'm sorry about what I said, Akane. I guess I wasn't thinking."

"Hmph! That was fairly obvious!" She was still a bit miffed by what
Ranma had said to her.

He smiled sheepishly. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, the bruises
you gave me still hurt a lot."

She tried to keep an angry look on her face, but she failed and a giggle
escaped her. She put her hand to Ranma's cheek. "You really don't think about
what you say, do you?" she said softly. "You're such a jerk."

Ranma scratched his head, still smiling. "I guess I don't, you uncute
tomboy." Akane's hand suddenly tightened over his cheek and his eyes widened.
"Hey! I thought we were just playing around!"

She laughed and her grip loosened. "I know." Then she poked Ranma on the
nose. He began pouting and Akane laughed even more. It was then that the door
opened and a giant panda walked into the room.

"Pop!?" asked an incredulous Ranma.

Genma-panda growled and waved at his son. A sign flashed out and said,
/Your mother wanted me to get a job, so I applied here./

"What's the matter, pop? Couldn't get anything at the zoo?" Ranma and
Akane both snickered as the panda glared and began sweeping up the floor.

"This is your father, Ranma?" asked Doctor Tofu. "I must say, I can't see
the family resemblance." He started laughing while Ranma explained about how
they got the curses and how they worked.

"I see. That's very interesting and it explains your...unusual condition.
I'll have to see if I can do some research on these curses." He pushed up his
glasses. "But for now, back to business. Let me take a look at that new bruise
on your face." Akane blushed again. "I think I have something here that you
can put on it to keep it from swelling.

He put his hands on Ranma's face and began applying an ointment. While he
was doing this the door opened again. Akane looked up to see who had walked in
and gasped. <Oh no!>

****

"Good afternoon, Kasumi! Running some errands today?"

Kasumi smiled at the shopkeeper. "I'm on my way to see Doctor Tofu."

The shopkeeper went dead white. "Uh...well...how...err...nice Kasumi.
Have fun!" <I'd better spread the word! Everyone had better stay away from
Doctor Tofu's! To go there now would be like committing suicide!>

Kasumi smiled and waved. She continued on her way, a book under one arm,
and a basket in the other.

****

Doctor Tofu looked up as the door opened. His face took on a goofy
expression as soon as he saw her.

"K-K-K-Kasumi!?" he stuttered, his glasses strangely fogging up.

Kasumi smiled as she entered the room. "Hello Doctor Tofu! I came to
return the book you lent me. It was very helpful for my exam last week." She
set the book down on the counter.

If Doctor Tofu knew what she was talking about, he gave no sign of it.
With his hands still on either side of Ranma's head, he said, "Well hello there,
Kasumi. Fancy meeting you here of all places." Then Ranma gave a yell as he
felt his neck being bent into a ninety degree angle to the side.

"Oh my! Are you alright Ranma?" Kasumi had her hand to her mouth.

"Oh! Do you know Ranma, Kasumi? He's becoming one of my regulars. He
keeps coming in with all sorts of new injuries" He turned to look at Akane.
"How are you doing, Ranma?"

Akane was at Ranma's side. He was still in pain and she was trying to get
his head back into the correct position. "Doctor Tofu, help him, please!"

"What's wrong, Ranma?" he asked Genma-panda, who turned him to face the
right way.

Ranma screamed, "It hurts!"

Doctor Tofu sighed. "You injured yourself again?" He put his hands on
Ranma's head once again. He bent it 180 degrees so that it was now bent in the
other direction. "How's that?"

"AAAAHHHHHH!"

Kasumi came up behind Tofu and put her hand on his shoulder. "Is he going
to be alright, Doctor?"

His eyes widened and he jumped up, tripping over a stool. "He'll be fine,
Kasumi," he said from the floor.

"That's nice. Oh! Here you go! I almost forgot I made these for you!"
She was holding out the basket she had brought.

"A gift for me? How thoughtful. Thank you, Kasumi." He stood up, took
the basket from her and looked inside. Kasumi smiled.

Akane helped Ranma to his feet. "C'mon Ranma. You won't be able to get
help here for a while." She turned to her sister and said, "Me and Ranma have
to go now, Kasumi. We'll see you at home."

"Alright, Akane."

Akane walked out with a head-bent Ranma at her side.

****

"What was all that about, Akane?"

Ranma and Akane were sitting next to each other on the porch of the Tendou
home. His head was still not in place.

Akane sighed. "For as long as I can remember, Doctor Tofu has been in
love with Kasumi."

"No kidding? He must have it bad, the way he was acting."

"Yeah. It gets so bad that no one comes to his office if they know Kasumi
is there. He just can't function when she's around."

"I noticed," he said miserably. He tried to lean his head on his hand,
but it was too awkward. He sighed. "So what am I supposed to do about my
problem? I can't go to school like this tomorrow!"

She glanced over at him. "Well..."

"Well what?"

"There might be one way to fix it, but it's probably going to hurt."

"Well, let's do it. I'd rather go through the pain of that, rather than
showing up to school like this."

Akane winced. "Are you sure, Ranma?"

"Yes, I'm sure! C'mon Akane! Tell me how to fix my head already!"

*BAM*

"OW! Hey! What'd you do that for! Huh?" Ranma moved his head around.
"Hey! You did it! Thanks, Akane!"

She smiled.

"So does Kasumi know about the doc's feelings?"

Akane shook her head. "Not as far as I know. She always mistakes his
actions for joking around."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Akane."

Ranma and Akane looked behind them to see Nabiki and Kunou approaching.

"What d'you mean, Nabiki?"

"I mean, oh unobservant one, that Kasumi is well aware of the good
doctor's feelings. If you watch her carefully when she visits him, you'll
notice it."

Akane was dumbfounded. "Are you sure, Nabiki? Kasumi doesn't seem to
notice that he acts...well...nuts when she's around."

Nabiki smirked. "Of course I'm sure. And as I understand it, Kasumi
feels the same about him, but she hasn't done anything about it."

Ranma scratched his head in confusion. "Why not? If she feels the same
way, why doesn't she...err...talk to him about it or something?"

Nabiki gave him a 'you're hopeless' look. "Because of the way he acts
around her, Ranma. Doctor Tofu has to be able to control himself before he and
Kasumi will talk. Because of his condition, he's the one who'll have to make
the first move. Once he's able to speak to her coherently, then they'll talk."

Kunou nudged Nabiki and motioned towards the gate. Nabiki smiled.

"If you'll excuse us, we're going out."

Akane and Ranma gave the other two amused glances. "Okay, Nabiki." She
waved as her sister left with Kunou.

"Tell Kasumi and Auntie where I went, will you Akane? I won't be back for
dinner."

"Alright."

A few moments passed when they heard a strange sound coming from up the
street. Akane sighed and Ranma looked puzzled. "What's that noise?"

"C'mon. You might as well see it. I'm sure you'll be seeing it again."
She got up and walked to the gate of the Training Hall, Ranma right behind her.
When they got there, they heard the noise again. They turned to look.

It was Doctor Tofu. He had his skeleton, Betty, on his back and he was
running through the streets, laughing, dancing, and swinging Betty around. He
ran right past Ranma and Akane who both watched as he continued down the street,
turned a corner, and disappeared.

"Akane?"

"Yeah?"

"Did I just see that?"

"Yes you did, Ranma."

"Okay. And why, exactly, was the doc doin' that?"

Akane sighed. "He always does that after a visit from Kasumi."

"Oh."

They stood there for a while, not saying anything. A truck drove by.

Eventually Ranma turned to Akane. "You feel up to sparring?"

She smiled. "Sure! Let's go!"

****

Akane limped into the house. Her smile was wide as Ranma walked in behind
her. Nodoka noticed the two coming in from the kitchen and spoke up.

"Hey you two! How was the sparring session?"

Akane grinned. "I'm getting much better, Auntie. I don't get hit as much
anymore." She limped upstairs to clean up as Ranma went into the kitchen to
talk with his mother.

"So, Ranma, it seems Akane is improving?"

"Yeah, she is. I still have to hold back though. Otherwise she'd be hurt
more than she is now. I began working on her speed. She's getting a lot
faster, but she still needs work if she wants to avoid getting hit." Ranma had
a worried look on his face that his mother immediately noticed.

"You still don't like hitting her, do you son?"

He sighed. "No, I don't. But if I don't hit her, she gets all depressed.
It's weird. She's actually more happy when I do hit her than when I refuse to."

Nodoka smiled. "She is rather unique." Her face got serious all of a
sudden. She looked around carefully before speaking again. "Ranma, I must
speak with you about something important."

"Sure, mom. What is it?"

"I know about your sleeping habits with Akane." Ranma's eyes widened.
"Now don't worry, I just have to know that you two aren't doing anything more
than sleeping."

"MOM! Of course not! We...uh...we just sleep. That's all."

Nodoka relaxed. "Well, good. Just make sure it stays that way. At least
for now."

"Err...yeah, sure mom." Ranma's face was bright red.

"Now, why don't you get cleaned up before dinner?"

"Alright," he said quickly. Anything to keep her from asking any more
embarrassing questions. He stood to go, then remembered something. "Oh, mom?"

"Yes, Ranma?"

"Nabiki won't be here for dinner. She went out on a date."

"A date? With who?"

"This guy from school. Tatewaki Kunou."

"Ah, the one Nabiki's been pining over for years now?"

"You know?"

"Ranma, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't notice these kinds of
things? Now go on."

"Uh, okay." Ranma headed for the bathroom and went in. He walked to the
inner door and knocked.

"Yes?" came a voice from the other side.

"Just checking to see if you were still in there, Akane. Let me know when
you're done, okay?"

"Sure, Ranma. And thanks for knocking,” he could hear the amusement in
her voice.

"Uh, yeah." He was blushing as he went to his room.

****

Late that night, Ranma and Akane were sitting on their sofa. Everyone
else had gone to bed, including Nabiki, who said she would answer their
questions in the morning.

"Umm, Akane?"

"What is it, Ranma?"

He looked uncomfortable as he spoke. "My mom kinda talked to me today."

Akane had a puzzled look on her face. "What's wrong with that?"

"Well, she said that she knows about our...uh...sleeping arrangements."

Her eyes went wide. "She *knows*? What'd she say?"

His face was going red. "Uh, she wanted to know if we...uh...what
we...uh...do."

Her face went as red as well, to match her fiancé's. "What'd you tell
her?"

"I just told her we sleep! That's all!"

Akane relaxed a bit, but her face was still colored. "So, she didn't have
any problems with it?"

"No. She just doesn't want us doing anything more than...uh...sleeping."

"Well, she doesn't have to worry about that," she muttered.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?"

Akane kept her smile hidden. "I just mean that it's not like I'd want to
do *that* with *you*!"

"Hmph. Well, it ain't like I'd want to do that with you either, you macho
chick!"

Akane's eyes narrowed and she turned to slam Ranma to the ground, but
first she ran into his expression. He was grinning at her. She pouted at him
and he chuckled.

"Guess you won't try that again, will you tomboy?" Ranma asked with a
smirk.

She couldn't help it. She giggled and gave him a hug, which he gladly
returned. Then she gave him a peck on the cheek. "C'mon. We better get to
sleep. We do have class tomorrow." She lay down on the couch as Ranma just sat
there, still frozen by the kiss. She eventually bopped him on the head. "Go to
*sleep*!"

"Uh, right." He lay down next to her. The last thing he heard before
falling asleep was the sound of her giggling.

****

Part Four Section Two: A Lost Boy And A Chef

"This was *not* my fault."

"I know. It was my fault this time."

"Good, I'm glad we agree."

"Hmph."

"Come on Akane, if you hadn't forgotten your schoolbag we would've been
right on time."

"Alright, I know!"

"Hey, give me a break! For the first time it ain't my fault! I want to
get as much out of this as I can."

"Do you want to spend the rest of the day as a girl?"

"Err...okay, I'm done."

Once again the two of them were standing in the hall with a bucket.
Halfway to school that morning, Akane had realized that she had forgotten her
schoolbag. Not wanting her to go back to the house alone, Ranma went with her.
Of course they were late.

Their punishment was over soon and they returned to class. Not that it
mattered. Ranma was bored throughout all the lectures. Even when the professor
showed a film, he couldn't stay awake. He *tried* to pay attention, but for
most of the day he was sleeping. Akane made attempts to wake him up, but they
were only temporary at best. The last class period went by and school was over.
Ranma was so glad to get out of there, he was being rather exuberant.

"Ah! Free at last! At least until tomorrow. And the best part is that
we didn't get assigned any homework!"

Akane laughed at him. "Actually we *do* have homework. You were
sleeping, so you missed it when it was assigned."

His face fell a bit, but it brightened back up after a while. "Oh well,
at least I've got you to help me out, right?"

She gave him a warning look. "You'd better not fall asleep when I'm
trying to help you."

Ranma faced her and poked her on the nose. "But you get so boring
sometimes!" He started running towards the school gates as she ran after him,
both of them laughing. At least until Akane noticed something.

"Ranma! Look out!"

****

Daisuke was hanging around outside the school gates. School had just
gotten out and he was waiting around for Hiroshi, who had to talk to a
professor. Leaning against the wall he looked around. Coming from his left was
a boy dressed in a yellow, long-sleeved shirt and black pants tied at the cuffs.
He had black hair and a yellow and black bandana tied around his head. He also
had a pack on his back and he was holding a red, bamboo umbrella. As soon as
the boy got to him, Daisuke got the crap scared out of him. Without warning the
boy grabbed him by the shirt and raised him off the ground.

"Where is Furinkan High School!" shouted the boy.

Daisuke was too scared to speak. He had noticed the fangs on the boy and
didn't want to get bitten. He just pointed to the plaque next to him. It said
"Furinkan High School". The boy smiled as he looked at it. "I made it! I
actually made it!" He turned his attention back to Daisuke. "Now! Tell me
where Ranma Saotome is!"

He pointed again, this time into the school. The boy released him and ran
through the gates crying out Ranma's name. Daisuke collapsed to the ground.
"Ugh. I wonder what the hell that was about?"

****

"Ranma! Look out!"

"Huh?" He looked back to see Akane pointing at the sky. He saw someone
coming down fast, right at him.

"Ranma Saotome, prepare to die!" Ranma barely got out of the way as a boy
with an umbrella smashed into the ground where he just was, creating a small
crater. The boy looked up at him smiling. "I found you! I finally found you!"

Ranma was startled. "Who are you?"

The boy stood up and glared at him. "What do you mean, 'who are you?'?
You run out on our duel and you don't even remember me!?"

Ranma scratched his head as Akane, Nabiki, Kunou, and a bunch of other
students came up behind him. "Hmm. Duel?"

The boy's jaw dropped. "Ranma! How dare you forget!"

"Ranma, who is this boy?"

He turned to look at Akane. "Uh, I'm not sure, Akane," he told her, his
expression puzzled.

The boy with the bandanna was dumbstruck. "You really don't remember me?"

Ranma shook his head. He put a hand to his chin, deep in thought.
Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Ah ha!"

"Oh, so now you remember me, Ranma!?"

Ranma pointed at the boy, his expression absolutely sure...then his face
fell. "Uh, no. I still don't know."

"ARGH! I search for you for years and you don't know me!? All those
years being lost for no reason!?"

Ranma's eyes then lit with recognition. "Lost boy!?"

"Hey! Don't call me that!"

Akane looked puzzled. "Lost boy? Why are you calling him 'Lost boy',
Ranma?"

"We went to junior high together. He has the worst sense of direction
you'll ever see. That's why I gave him that nickname."

"The name's Ryouga Hibiki! Enough of this! Tell me why you ran out on
our duel!"

Ranma had an angry look on his face now. "Hey! I waited for you for
three days, stupid! It ain't my fault you didn't show up!"

Akane wasn't sure she heard right. "Three *days*!?"

Ryouga ignored her. "I was there on the fourth day, Ranma! You could've
waited one more!"

"Hey stupid! The lot where we were gonna fight was practically your
backyard! You should have been there a lot sooner than that!"

"Shut up! You were supposed to take me there first, Ranma!"

"Hey! What kind of duel would it had been if your *opponent* took you to
the place it was gonna happen?"

"Ranma? What was this duel about anyway?" Nabiki interrupted, looking on
with interest.

"Huh? Oh it was about...uh..." Ranma scratched his head. "Actually, I
forgot. Do you remember, Ryouga?"

Ryouga was red with anger now. "You don't remember that either!?
Ranma...!"

Ranma wasn't paying him any attention. He was still trying to remember
what the fuss was about. Then it came to him. "Oh yeah! Wait here a sec,
Ryouga." He ran past the confused Lost Boy and out the school gates. Ryouga
just stood there not knowing what just happened. Soon Ranma returned with a
grocery bag. He reached inside and tossed something. "Here!"

Ryouga looked at what Ranma had given him. It was a loaf of curry bread.
"What's this?"

"Geeze! Okay, I guess one loaf ain't enough." Ranma started pulling out
several loaves of bread and tossing them at Ryouga.

"You think this is about bread!?" he shouted.

Ranma was taken aback. "Uh...yeah."

Akane bopped him on the head. "What's the deal with the bread?"

He began to explain. "Well, our junior high was an all boys school. The
lunchtime crowd was like a battlefield..."

****

The cafeteria was packed again, just like it was the day before. Just
like it would be tomorrow. Over at the lunch counter, boys were packed in, all
of them trying to get something to eat.

In the center of the horde stood Ryouga. <Heh> he thought. <This will be
a cinch. All I have to do is wait for the lunch lady to toss something into the
air.>

"Here's the last of the curry bread!" the lunch lady then shouted. She
launched the loaf high into the air.

<Here's my chance!> Ryouga took quick note of the bread's trajectory and
leaped into the air to intercept it.

"It's mine!" he cried out.

But it was not to be. All of a sudden, a pair of feet slammed onto the
top of Ryouga's head, sending him sprawling to the ground. When he got back up,
his bread was in the hands of the new kid in his class. Ryouga never learned
his name since he was absent that day, but that didn't stop him from getting
pissed.

"Curse you!" he shouted at the pigtailed boy. "Who do you think you
are!?"

Ranma, eating the loaf of curry bread, stared at the fanged boy who was
glaring at him. "I'm Ranma Saotome."

Ryouga's eyes narrowed. "Ranma Saotome, I, Ryouga Hibiki, will get my
revenge on you for stealing my bread!"

"Calm down! It's just bread!"

****

Akane still didn't understand what the fuss was about. "Okay. So you
stole a loaf of bread from him. What's the big deal?"

"Well, it wasn't just *one* loaf." Akane's eyes narrowed as Ranma
continued to describe how it kept happening over and over again, day after day.

"So, everyday it happened. Curry bread, meat bread, seaweed bread, cutlet
sandwich, soup bread...wait, there's no such thing. Anyway, Ryouga eventually
challenged me to a duel. It was supposed to be in an abandoned lot around the
corner from his house. I got there at the time he said, but he wasn't there.
So I waited for three days. He never showed up so I left." He was sitting
down, absently munching on a piece of bread.

Ryouga, sitting next to him, put down the loaf of bread he had been eating
and stood up. "That's enough, Ranma! It's time to settle this!"

Ranma groaned. "Aw, can't we do this later, Ryouga? I'm kinda tired
right now."

"NO!" He charged at Ranma, his umbrella stretched out like a lance.
Ranma leaped, from his sitting position, over Ryouga. The "Lost boy" looked
around having lost sight of his enemy. Suddenly a shadow appeared from above
him. He looked up to see someone ready to attack.

"Ryouga Hibiki, prepare to die!"

****

Hiroshi found Daisuke outside the gates. He was sitting on the ground
pretty shaken up.

"Hey, what happened?"

Daisuke was still a little rattled. "Some crazy boy just came by looking
for Ranma. He picked me up off the ground and practically threatened to *kill*
me!"

"Geeze, you okay?" Hiroshi saw him nod and looked around. "So where'd he
go?"

"I pointed the way for him and he went into the school."

Hiroshi scratched his head. He hadn't noticed anything. It was probably
happening on the other side of school. He shrugged and was about to help
Daisuke up when he was lifted up off the ground by the back of his shirt. He
was turned around in midair and was soon face to face with an amazingly cute
girl. She had long, dark brown hair tied back with a white ribbon. Her violet
eyes were flashing.

"Where's Ryouga Hibiki?"

Hiroshi was speechless. A beautiful girl was looking at him; talking to
him too! He soon regained the ability to speak after the girl smacked him.

"Uh, who's Ryouga Hibiki?"

The girl glared at him. "He's a wandering idiot with a yellow and black
bandana and fangs."

Daisuke looked up at the description. He spoke up so Hiroshi wouldn't be
pounded into a pulp. "Uh, he went into the school." He pointed in the
direction he had before.

The girl put Hiroshi down and ran into the school. Hiroshi dropped to the
ground, a dreamy expression on his face. Daisuke had a disgusted look on his
face. "Now why couldn't I have been assaulted by *her*?"

****

Ryouga dodged out of the way as a giant spatula was embedded into the
pavement. Ranma looked on with a confused look. "Uh...why does this look a bit
familiar?"

Ryouga looked at the one who had attacked him. It was a girl dressed in a
rather boyish outfit. She had long, brown hair tied back in a ponytail with a
ribbon. There was a bandolier strapped across her front that held mini
spatulas. "Who are you!?" he demanded.

The girl glared at him. "I finally caught up with you, you jackass! Do
you know how long I've been trying to find you, you idiot!?"

Ryouga had no idea what was going on. "I don't even know what you're
talking about!"

The girl, if possible, got even more angry. "You don't even remember me!?
Ryouga, you jerk!" The girl swung her giant spatula at Ryouga who barely
managed to get out of the way. Still, the spatula nicked his shirt, ripping a
fine line into the sleeve.

"Will you calm down, you crazy psycho!?"

Ranma snorted. "Look who's talking."

"Shut up, Ranma!"

The girl suddenly lowered her spatula and turned to stare intently at
Ranma. "Ranma Saotome?"

Ranma backed up quickly. <Aw man. I hope she's not gonna try and kill me
too.> "Who wants to know?"

The girl brought the spatula up again and pointed it at Ranma. "Just
answer the question!" she shouted.

Ranma continued to back up. "Uh, yeah, I'm Ranma Saotome." He flinched
waiting for the strike to come. It never did.

"Ranchan! I can't believe it's you!" And the girl dropped her spatula
and grabbed Ranma in a strong hug.

"Ranma!" Akane was furious. "What do you think you're doing!?"

Ranma turned his head in every direction possible, his arms waving around.
"Akane, I don't know what she's doing! I swear! Hey! Let go already!"

The girl released Ranma and stepped back. "Ranchan, it's me. Ukyou."

His eyes widened. "U-Ucchan?" The girl nodded. "Oh my God! I can't
believe it!" Then Ranma swept the girl up into his arms and swung her around,
both of them laughing.

"RANMA!"

He turned to see Akane glowing blue. Nabiki, Kunou, and everyone else in
the vicinity had backed away from her. Ranma had only seen her glow once. The
last time she was like this, he got pummeled. He quickly put Ukyou down. "Calm
down, Akane," he said, his arms held out in front of him. "It ain't what it
looks like, okay?"

"Then *tell* me what's going *on*!"

"Me and Ucchan met while me and pop were on the training trip. I think we
were about six?" he asked looking at Ukyou who nodded. "Well, me, her, and this
other kid would play together. We got real close. But just friends, right
Ucchan?"

"Yep!" answered Ukyou. "You must be Akane, right?" Akane nodded slowly.
Without warning Ukyou grabbed her and gave her a big hug. "Ranchan told me
sooooo much about you! I can't believe I'm finally getting to meet his
betrothed!"

Akane slowly returned the hug. "Uh, so he mentioned me to you, did he?"

Ukyou released Akane and laughed. "*Mentioned*? Barely five minutes
would go by before he would start talking about you. Every other day he would
be getting his dad to write you a letter. The other days he would be bringing
over a letter that you wrote and getting his dad to read it to us. Sugar,
*mentioned* is *not* the word." Ranma and Akane were both blushing by the time
Ukyou finished speaking.

"Uh, so Ucchan, what are you chasing Ryouga here for?"

Ukyou gave Ranma a weird look. "You should know. I mean you were there
after all!"

Ranma was confused. "There? What are you talking about Ucchan? How do
you know Ryouga?"

Ukyou was still giving Ranma a strange look. "Ranma, we used to play with
him, remember? He was staying with me and my father?"

Ranma and Ryouga looked at each other quickly. "*You* were *that* Ryo-
chan!?" Ranma asked, incredulous.

"*You* were *that* Ranchan!?" Ryouga looked equally shocked.

Ukyou looked at the both of them, confused. "Um...so, if you don't
remember playing with each other as kids, how do you know each other."

The two boys scratched their heads, embarrassed looks on their faces.
"Uh...we kinda went to junior high together." Ranma was staring at his shoes,
too embarrassed to look up.

"Yeah. I kinda want to kill him." Ryouga couldn't look Ukyou in the face
either. He had remembered her as soon as her name was mentioned. But he was
unable to remember why she was angry with him.

Ukyou glared at the both of them. "You two are *both* jackasses! You
more than him, Ryouga!"

Ryouga's head snapped up. "Hey! Why am I more of a jackass than Ranma!?"

"Because at least he didn't *run* from his fiancée! He was forced to
leave her! But *you* took off, you jerk!"

Ryouga was startled. "Fi-fiancée? Bu-but I don't have a f-f-fiancée!" he
stammered.

Ukyou's expression darkened and her spatula was in hand again. "You don't
have a fiancée!? Argh!" And she swung her spatula and connected with Ryouga's
face. He went flying face first into a nearby tree. She regretted it as soon
as she noticed the dent in her spatula.

"Great. I guess I swung too hard."

"Don't worry Ucchan. I'm sure he's okay."

"I was worried about my spatula."

"Oh..."

****

Back at the Tendou home, everyone was gathered together. Sitting around
the dining table was Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Kunou, Ukyou, and Ryouga. Ryouga was
not exactly sitting. Actually he was still unconscious, laying next to Ukyou
with a pillow cushioning his head.

"Um, so Ucchan, when did you and Ryouga get engaged?"

Ukyou elbowed the still form next to her. "We were engaged right before
you left, Ranchan. Don't you remember?" Ranma shook his head. "Well my father
thought it was neat for two young ones to be engaged at such a young age like
you and Akane. So he told us that, when we were old enough, Ryouga and me would
get married." She snorted, "Like I'd want to marry this idiot!" Ryouga was
elbowed again.

Ranma scratched his head. "Uh, okay. But why was Ryouga staying with you
again?"

She sighed. "My father found him wandering around one day. Apparently he
had gotten lost. My father couldn't just let him wander off by himself so he
decided to take care of him. He figured the jackass's parents would come back
for him." Ukyou snorted. "If Ryouga inherited his sense of direction from
them, then it's no wonder they never came back."

Ranma and Akane exchanged looks, as did Nabiki and Kunou. "Umm, so what
happened Ucchan?"

Her face became angry. "One day, a couple years later, when we were about
eight, me and Ryouga were going for a walk. Actually, it was Ryouga who wanted
to go walking, but I had to go with him or else he might have gotten lost. But
anyway, we were walking along and I brought up the subject of our engagement. I
asked him what he thought about it." She scratched her head. "I mean, we never
talked about it. My father just told us one day that we would be married, and
that was it. So I brought it up. He never answered me so I turned to look, but
he was gone!"

Ukyou's eyes began to go red. "The jackass ran off the very moment that
the word engagement left my mouth! We were only eight for crying out loud! It
shouldn't have scared him like that!" She was heaving with anger by the time
she finished explaining. The others looked worried, afraid she was going to
explode.

"Uh, Ucchan?" She turned to look at Ranma. "Isn't it possible that he
never heard you? He might have just walked off and got lost."

Her face scrunched up and she scratched her head. "Uh, you know, I never
thought of that."

Everyone else banged their heads on the table.

"So you've been chasing Ryouga for eight years?" Akane couldn't believe
that someone would spend half their life searching for someone.

"Oh, no! I just started looking for him a few years back." Ukyou was
absently stoking Ryouga's hair, running her fingers through the strands. Akane
and Nabiki both noticed this and smirked. "I picked up his trail near where we
had grown up. Looked at the school records and went on from there. It was a
while back when I lost track of him, so I had to give up the search for a while.
I was staying in this town on the coast, going to school and working, when I
picked up his trail again. This was a couple of weeks back. I guess he ended
up in China for some reason."

Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, and even Kunou flashed worried looks at each other.
Nabiki got up and went into the kitchen quickly. She was back in a few moments,
a glass of water in her hand.

"What's that for, Nabiki?" Ukyou had noticed everyone look at each other
when she mentioned China.

Nabiki didn't say anything. She poured half the glass onto the sleeping
Ryouga. He vanished.

"What did you do to him!?" Ukyou cried, freaking out a bit. "Where is
he!?"

Ranma sighed and reached into Ryouga's bundle of clothes and pulled out a
sleeping black piglet. It had a yellow and black bandana tied around its neck.
"Don't worry, Ucchan. He's fine, see? He's just turned into a pig, that's
all."

"That's all!? That's all!? He turned into a pig! How can you be so calm
about it!?"

Ranma sighed again and grabbed the glass of water from Nabiki. "Because I
can change too." He dumped the rest of it onto his own head. Ukyou fainted as
Ranma-chan appeared.

****

She awoke to see everyone staring at her worriedly.

"Are you ok, Ukyou?"

Ukyou sat up and found that she was on the sofa in the living room.
"Ugh...yeah, I'm fine, Akane." She looked around and saw Ranma-chan holding a
still sleeping black pig. "Wha-what's going on? Why are you a girl, Ranchan?
And why's Ryouga a pig?"

"It's a long story Ucchan. You see, a couple of years ago, my pop decided
that we should go to train in China. He heard of some legendary training
grounds. It took us a while to find it. It was only several months ago when we
did. When we got there..."

****

Ranma-chan finished her story up to the point where she and her father
returned to the Tendou Training Hall. "And that's pretty much it. Ryouga said
he's been trying to find me since me and pop left for China, so I'm guessing he
followed us there and wound up at Jusenkyou and fell into a spring."

Ukyou was speechless. She just stared between Ranma-chan and the little
pig. It was at this point that Ryouga woke up. He sat up and shook himself a
bit. He turned to see who was holding him. Finding himself being held by a
beautiful redheaded girl, a trickle of blood came out of his nose and he
fainted.

"That idiot." Ranma-chan was shaking her head. She gave the pig to Akane
and went into the kitchen. A minute later Ranma returned with a wet head and
Ryouga's clothes in his hands. "Here, let me have him, Akane. I'll go change
him back in the bathroom." Akane handed over the pig and Ranma went to the
bathroom.

Once he got there he placed Ryouga on the ground and turned on the shower.
When it warmed up, Ranma sprayed the pig.

Ryouga sat up spluttering. Then he saw Ranma. "Ranma! How dare you!"
He sprang at him, but Ranma just threw the lost boy's clothes in his face.

"Get dressed, pig-boy."

Ryouga's eyes widened. "Y-You know?"

Ranma nodded. He turned the shower to cold and splashed his head. Ryouga
went into shock as he discovered he was naked in the bathroom with a girl. He
fainted again. Ranma-chan sighed in disgust and changed back. Then he woke up
the idiot.

Ryouga sat up again. "Ranma, you just turned into a girl!"

"I know that, you idiot. I fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl. You, I
assume, fell into the Spring of Drowned Piglet."

Ryouga nodded his face growing angry. "Ranma! This is all your fault!"

"My fault!? How is it *my* fault!?"

"If you hadn't run out on our duel I wouldn't have had to follow you!"

"Hey! It ain't my fault you got lost!"

"Shut up!"

"Will both of you shut up already!?"

Ukyou had walked into the bathroom. Ryouga scrambled to make sure he was
covered. "Ukyou! What do you think you're doing walking in like that!?"

"Be quiet, Ryouga. Now you two stop fighting and get back to the living
room. I want to hear your story, Ryouga. Now move it!"

Ranma quickly left the bathroom and went back to join the others. When
Ryouga made no sign of moving, Ukyou's eyes flashed. "Well! What are you
waiting for!?"

Ryouga got mad. "I'm waiting for you to get out so I can get dressed!" he
shouted. "Or maybe you wanna watch while I do!?"

Ukyou blushed. "Uh, right. Sorry." She turned and left. Ryouga dressed
and followed her back.

****

"Well, I discovered the direction Ranma and his father were going. I
followed as best I could but I...uh...got lost again."

Ranma snickered a bit.

"I managed to get to China after a while. It took me some time to pick up
Ranma's trail again. Eventually I came to a cliff overlooking some pools of
water. I was looking down when I heard a loud snapping sound coming from behind
me. I got startled and turned around too quickly. I slipped off the cliff and
fell into the spring. It was hell I tell you, pure hell!" Ryouga had his eyes
closed and hands clenched into fists. "I was discovered by the guide. He
changed me back and I asked about Ranma and his father. He told me which way
you had gone. I...uh...got lost again." More snickering. "I eventually
discovered that you had decided to return to Japan, so I began making my way
back."

"How did you find out?" Ranma asked.

Ryouga winced as he turned to Ranma. "I ran into a couple
of...friends...of yours."

Ranma went pale. "Did you have any trouble with them? They didn't follow
you, did they?"

Ryouga hesitated at first, but then slowly shook his head. Ranma sighed
in relief.

"What are you two talking about!?" Akane demanded to know.

"It's nothing, Akane," Ranma said quickly. "Don't worry about it."

"Ranma!"

His expression became pleading. "Please, Akane. Don't ask. Maybe I'll
tell you someday, but for now, it's better that you not know."

Akane's expression turned sulky for a bit before she sighed. "Alright."

He let his breath out and looked back at Ryouga. "Go ahead and finish."

"Well," Ryouga continued. "When I returned to Japan, I went back to our
old school and discovered that Ranma had already begun attending a school called
Furinkan. I began looking for it. That was about a week ago. I found it
today."

Ryouga ended his story. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing how to
react. Ranma spoke up once again and asked a question.

"It took you *that* long to find me?"

"Shut up! Because of you I've seen hell!"

Ranma snorted. "Whatever. If you hadn't been so stubborn and followed me
over some stupid loaves of bread, you wouldn't have your problem."

"Stop it you two! It's not Ranchan's fault what happened to you, Ryouga!
You were the one who followed him, so stop blaming him for your mistake!"
Ryouga bowed his head after receiving Ukyou's rebuke. "And you still haven't
told me why you ran off that day eight years ago. Start talking!"

Ryouga gulped and began talking again. "Uh, well...I don't remember too
well what happened. It was so long ago and I kinda forgot about you..." He
trailed off as Ukyou's face burned with anger.

"I can't believe you forgot about me! How...I..." Ukyou couldn't find the
words. Her eyes filled with tears and she ran from the house.

"Ukyou!" Ryouga called after her, but she did not listen. He got up to
follow her but someone's hand held him back.

"No, Ryouga," Akane told him, standing up. "Let me go. I think it'd hurt
her more to see you right now."

Ryouga nodded and sat back down as Akane went after Ukyou. Ranma was
glaring at him. "Nice going moron. Now you went and made her cry."

"Shut up, Ranma," Ryouga said in a dead voice, not even in the mood to
fight.

"Well what'd you go and say those things for?"

"I...I don't know. I figured it'd be best if I was honest."

Ranma gave this some thought. "I suppose so. But couldn't you have said
it another way?"

Ryouga shrugged. "I couldn't think of anything else. I was trying to
explain and it just came out." He got up and stood next to a wall. Then he
began banging his head against it.

Kunou then stood up. "Forasmuch as I would enjoy the remainder of this
conversation, I must depart to my humble abode. Farewell Saotome. Farewell
Hibiki."

"Later, Kunou."

Ryouga didn't respond. Instead he continued to bang his head into the
wall.

"I'll walk you out, Kunou-chan." Nabiki also stood up and she and Kunou
left.

****

Akane found Ukyou sitting on a rock, under the tree next to the koi pond.
She was staring into the pond, watching the koi swim and jump around. Her tears
had not ceased and were falling unhindered down her cheeks. Akane sat down next
to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Ukyou turned her head into Akane's
shoulder and began sobbing. Akane hugged the weeping girl and said nothing as
she cried her eyes out. Soon the sobbing ceased and Ukyou sat up.

"Thank you, Akane." Ukyou tried a smile, but failed.

"You going to be okay, Ukyou?" Akane had a concerned look on her face.

"I...I think so. I just can't believe he forgot about me. He...I...How
could he do that to me? I never once forgot about..." Ukyou paused and took a
deep breath. "And to think I spent the last couple of years looking for someone
who didn't even remember me. The years before that, spent thinking about
someone who had forgotten me. I've been wasting my time."

"No. You haven't wasted your time, Ukyou." Akane lifted Ukyou's bowed
chin so that she was looking her in the eyes. "What you did was follow your
heart, right?" Ukyou hesitated before nodding. "It's never wrong to listen to
your heart, Ukyou. It can lead you into trouble at times, but what your heart
tells you is never wrong."

"I...I guess so. But what am I gonna do now? I couldn't possibly face my
father after coming all this way for nothing."

Akane bopped her on the head. "Hey, you don't know it was for nothing.
Why don't you stick around? We have plenty of room at the dojo. Maybe you can
still salvage something for your effort. Maybe Ryouga isn't a totally lost
cause."

"I can stay here? You mean it?" Ukyou couldn't believe it. She had been
traveling for so long, a place to stay sounded wonderful.

Akane smiled. "Of course you can stay. You can share my room. Would
that be alright?"

Ukyou's answer came in the form of a crushing hug. "Thank you, Akane!
Thank you!"

"You're welcome. Now, do you want to come back inside? Ryouga still has
a story to finish."

"I'm not sure I want to hear anymore."

"C'mon. At least hear what else he has to say."

Ukyou sighed. "Alright. Let's go."

****

"Um...well, while we were walking, Ukyou, I wasn't really paying much
attention." Ryouga began finishing the story that had just recently surfaced
from his memory. "I kept walking, not noticing that you had stopped. Soon I
was lost."

"There's a surprise."

Ryouga glared at Ranma, but didn't respond to the taunt. "I wandered
around for a while trying to find you. I found myself in a small village. Soon
I heard voices calling out my name. I turned to look and saw a man and woman
hurrying towards me. It was my parents." Everyone listening was a bit startled
to hear this. "They said they had been searching for me for years but were
about to give up because they couldn't find where they lost me. Anyway, I went
with them to our home. It took us a few months to find it, but at least we made
it together."

He paused, but decided to ignore Ranma's snickering. "So that's where I
was. I tried to find you later, Ukyou, but I couldn't. I just kept getting
lost. After a few months of trying, I gave up. I began attending school again
and, in time, I guess my memories of you faded into the background." He winced
as she glared at him.

"At least it explains where you went," Ukyou said, her voice cold.

Ryouga winced again but he continued on. "I went to school as often as I
could, but I kept getting lost. The only time I actually went to school
consistently was in junior high when..." his voice trailed off. His mind
wandered back to another almost forgotten memory.

****

"Hey, Ryouga! What are you still doing around here?"

Ranma had to stay after school for a little bit to get some help on his
math assignment. As he was leaving he found Ryouga standing at the gate of the
school looking scared to leave.

"Go away, Ranma."

Ranma barely heard him, he was so quiet. It was not like the Ryouga he
had known for the last week. The Ryouga *he* knew was loud and angry.

"What's the matter, Ryouga?"

"Nothing. Just leave me alone, please."

Ranma was getting *really* worried now. "Come on, Ryouga. You can tell
me."

Ryouga burst out in anger. "I'm afraid to leave school because I don't
know if I'll be able to make it back! Okay!? You happy now!?"

"Whoa! Calm down! What do you mean you don't think you'll be able to
make it back?"

Ryouga sighed. "I...I have a lousy sense of direction, Ranma," he
admitted with a shameful face. "I get lost easily. If I leave school and try
to get home, I don't know where I'll end up."

Ranma looked at the other carefully. After a moment, he determined that
Ryouga was serious. "Alright, wait right here for a sec. I'll be right back."

"Huh? Where are you going?" But Ranma had already run back into school.

He returned moments later with a piece of paper in his hand. "Okay,
Ryouga, let's get going."

"What are you talking about, Ranma? What's that paper for?"

Ranma held up the sheet. "It's directions to your house, stupid. I'm
taking you home."

"What!?" Ryouga couldn't think of anything more embarrassing. "Ranma!
How dare you make a fool out of me!?"

Ranma bonked him over the head. "Hey! Let's get going! I still have an
assignment to finish after I get back to my own place!"

Ryouga reluctantly followed Ranma, who led him home. Whenever Ryouga
began to wander off, Ranma grabbed his sleeve and yanked him back onto the right
path. <Geeze,> thought Ranma. <He said a lousy sense of direction, but I
didn't think it'd be 'this' bad.>

When Ranma yanked on his arm the fifth time, Ryouga got angry. "Ranma!
Stop doing that!!"

"Well if you would go the right way, I wouldn't have to!!"

Ryouga shut up and continued on to his house, following Ranma more closely
so he wouldn't be yanked about again. When they got there he mumbled "Thanks"
and turned to go inside when Ranma's voice stopped him.

"I'll be here in the morning to take you to school! See ya, Lost-Boy!"
And he ran off, not giving Ryouga a chance to protest.

****

The next morning, Ryouga was prepared to attempt go to school. He
gathered all of his things, school supplies as well as survival gear. Then he
jumped out of his window. It was the only sure way he knew to get outside
without getting lost. Once he hit the ground, he began walking towards the
direction he thought the school was in.

"Hey! Ryouga!"

Ryouga turned around to see Ranma, dressed in his uniform and his school
bag over his shoulder, running towards him.

"What do you want, Ranma?" Ryouga asked when the pigtailed boy had reached
him.

"Hey, why didn't you wait for me? I said I'd take you to school."

Ryouga's temper flared up. "Look, I don't need you to get me to school,
Ranma!!"

Ranma held his hands up defensively. "Okay, okay! I was only trying to
help. Forget it then." Then he began walking away.

"Where you going?" Ryouga asked.

Looking over his shoulder, Ranma replied, "I'm heading for school, where
else?"

"You're going the wrong way!" Ryouga shouted. "It's this way to school!"

Ranma stopped and turned around. "Oh really? Tell me, Ryouga, where's
your house at?"

Ryouga glared at the other boy. "You think I'm stupid, don't you? My
house is over there!" He pointed.

Ranma just crossed his arms and jerked his thumb where Ryouga's house
really was.

When Ryouga saw that Ranma was pointing at his house, he winced and slowly
turned towards where his own finger pointed. *If that's my house, then what's
over...?* He turned to see that he had claimed an abandoned lot as his home.
He blushed.

When he turned back to Ranma, he found that the other was still waiting
with his arms crossed. Ryouga sighed and walked over to him.

"Alright," he said. "Let's go."

Ranma grinned and began leading the way to school.

****

Ryouga had an embarrassed look on his face as the memory faded. He turned
to Ranma, who also looked uncomfortable.

Akane noticed this and spoke up, an amused look on her face. "You didn't
attend school regularly until what, Ryouga?"

"Uh...when Ranma would take me to and from school." He could barely be
heard, he said it so quietly. He closed his eyes in thought. <What's wrong
with me? If it wasn't for Ranma I would have been missing school a lot. It was
amazing that I even graduated from elementary school. My grades there were
horrible. Thanks to him I was actually doing well in class. I've been an
idiot.> He opened his eyes and looked up to find everyone staring at him,
except for Ranma, who wasn't even in the room anymore. "Where'd Ranma go?"

Akane pointed outside and Ryouga stood up. "Excuse me, please," he said,
and he walked out the door to find Ranma sitting on the porch, watching the sky
as the sun set.

"Hey, Ranma."

Ranma glanced at him then looked back to the sky.

He flinched and asked, "You mind if I sit down?" Ranma grunted, which
Ryouga took for an approval. He sat down next to him and began looking at the
sky, too.

"Nice sunset."

He just grunted again.

Ryouga sighed. "Look, Ranma. I...I..." he couldn't finish. So he tried
again, "I...I'm..."

Ranma, growing impatient said, "You're *what*, Ryouga?"

"I'm sorry! There I said it! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for blaming you for
the things that were my own fault! There! You happy now!?"

"Actually...yes, I am."

"Huh?" Ryouga looked at Ranma and saw he was grinning. Ryouga glowered
and hit him in the arm. "You jerk!"

Ranma just chuckled. Soon Ryouga couldn't help it and began chuckling,
too. "Seriously though, Ranma. I am sorry. After what you did for me in
junior high I shouldn't have been so stupid." His voice became angry. "Even if
you did steal my bread everyday!"

"Aw c'mon Ryouga! Forget about it, will ya!? For crying out loud! You
were weeping over a loaf of bread!"

"Hey! I'll have you know those were tears of anger!"

Ranma stared at him in disbelief. Soon he was laughing hysterically.
Ryouga continued to glare at him for a while before he joined in the laughter.

Akane smiled from the doorway and went back inside the house.

****

Dinnertime came around. The table was packed with people and food.

"Wow mom! What's with all the food?"

"Well Ranma, we do have two new mouths to feed. Plus, Ukyou wanted to
help out to thank us for letting her stay here."

"You're staying with us, Ucchan?"

"That's right, Ranchan! At least for now."

"That's great! How 'bout you, Ryouga?"

"Uh..." Ryouga looked at Ukyou who refused to look back at him. "I don't
know, Ranma. I haven't thought about a place to stay."

"Then you can stay here!"

"Ranchan!"

"What's wrong, Ucchan?" he looked over at her, frowning slightly. "He
doesn't have anywhere else to go. I can't let him go wandering off. It
wouldn't be right. Besides, we have plenty of room here. He can share my room.
How's that, Ryouga?"

Ryouga smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Ranma." He stopped smiling as he saw
the look on Ukyou's face.

"Alright everyone. Let's eat." Kasumi began serving the food. In
addition to what she and Nodoka cooked there was also okonomiyaki made by Ukyou.

"The okonomiyaki is just like I remember it, Ucchan!"

"Thanks, Ranchan!"

Soun, curious about the two new guests, raised an important question. "So
will you two be going to school tomorrow?"

Ranma, Ryouga, Akane, and Ukyou exchanged glances. "Uh," Ryouga began, "I
don't know. I suppose I should. It's been awhile since I attended classes."

Ukyou was a bit hesitant after hearing Ryouga's response. Reluctantly she
replied, "I guess I haven't been to school in a while either."

Akane turned to her sister. "Nabiki, could you...you know."

Nabiki smirked. "That will be two thousand yen each."

"Nabiki!"

She sighed. "Alright, alright! I don't know how you expect me to run a
business if I keep doing this kind of thing for free, Akane. I'll set the two
up tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Thanks, Nabiki," said Akane, Ryouga and Ukyou.

She just shook her head. <I must be getting soft.>

****

<Why does that jackass have to be staying here too!?>

Ukyou sat in the bathroom's furo contemplating the events of the last few
hours.

<Why can't he just go wander off like he always does!? He always manages
on his own! Why does he need to stay with the Tendous!?>

She sighed. <Nothing I can do about it now. I'll just have to keep away
from him as much as possible.>

She stood up to grab her towel when the door opened. She turned to see
who had entered. Her eyes narrowed and flashed when she saw exactly who it was.

****

Ryouga and Ranma had finished sparring. It was an almost even battle.
What Ryouga lacked in speed, he more than made up for in strength. However, he
was unable to best Ranma. Both of them were exhausted and collapsed on the
floor against the wall afterwards.

"Whew. That was a good match, Ryouga."

"Yeah. Next time, though, I'm gonna beat you."

Ranma smirked. "I'd like to see you try it."

Akane walked into the dojo dressed in her gi. "You ready, Ranma?"

He groaned. "Aw geeze. You still wanna spar tonight, Akane?"

Akane grinned evilly. "Why of course! Don't tell me you're not up to
it."

Ranma winced as he stood up. "You just wanna spar now because you know
I'm tired. You might actually be able to hit me when I'm in this condition."

Her eyes widened as she touched a hand to her cheek. "Why Ranma! You
don't think that has anything to do with my wanting to spar, do you?" She took
up a stance and Ranma followed suit. "What a thing to say! I would *never* do
that!"

Ranma's eyes rolled. "Whatever. Let's get this over with."

Ryouga, grimacing as he stood, said, "I'm just gonna get cleaned up before
bed. I'll see you guys later."

Ranma gave a negligent wave. "Yeah, see ya, Ryouga." He never took his
eyes off Akane.

Akane didn't answer. She was determined to score a hit tonight. Ryouga
chuckled as he left the dojo. He was not chuckling for long though. He found
himself on the sidewalk outside the training hall for some reason.

"Argh! Where'd the house go!?"

"Oh my! What are you doing out here, Ryouga?" Kasumi had come out to
close the gate. Ryouga let out a sigh of relief.

"Uh...I was trying to find the house, Kasumi. Umm..." he was scratching
his head, an embarrassed blush on his face. "Do you think you could show me to
the...uh...bathroom. I wanted to get cleaned up before bed."

Kasumi smiled. "Of course. Just follow me, alright?"

"Umm, yeah. Thanks." Ryouga made sure to keep Kasumi in sight as she led
him back to the house and then to the bathroom.

"Here you are."

"Thanks again, Kasumi."

"You're welcome, Ryouga."

Ryouga sighed as he opened the door and found that he was indeed at the
bathroom. He went in and undressed. He grabbed a towel from a cabinet. He
opened the door to enter, but he realized that it led back out into the hall.
Blushing he turned around and walked to the sliding door on the other side. He
opened it and walked in. Just in time to see a naked Ukyou emerging from the
furo. True to form, he got a bloody nose and fainted.

****

The first thing Ryouga saw when he woke up was a look of disgust on
Ukyou's face.

"Wha...What happened?"

Ukyou bashed him on the head. "You walked in on me, you jackass."

Looking around, Ryouga saw he was lying on the floor of the bathroom.
Ukyou was covered in a towel. Looking at himself, he was relieved to see that
his own towel had covered him. He got bashed on the head again.

"Ow! What!?"

"You walk in on me again, you're gonna get worse than a smack on the head,
got it?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I guess I should have knocked."

Ukyou shook her head in disgust and started to leave. She was stopped by
Ryouga's voice.

"Hey Ukyou?"

"What, Ryouga?" she asked, not even turning around.

"Umm, is it alright with you if I stay here? With the Tendous, I mean?"

She sighed. "Ranma already said you could, Ryouga. It doesn't matter
what I think."

"It does matter," he said emphatically. "If it isn't okay with you, then
I'll leave and find some place else."

Ukyou closed her eyes. <That jerk! Why does he have to be generous about
it!? It's so hard to stay angry at him when he acts all noble! Argh!> "It's
fine Ryouga. You can stay. Besides, Ranchan wouldn't forgive me if I kicked
you out." <There! Make him think that I'm worried about what Ranchan would
think.> She began walking out again but, once again, she was stopped.

"But what if Ranma didn't care? Let's say Ranma had no say at all in
whether I stay or not. Let's say it was all up to you. Would it be alright?"

Ukyou began getting angry and whirled around to face him. "Ryouga, will
you just drop it! Ranma said you can stay and I don't have a problem with it!
Okay!? I don't mind! You can stay! There! Can I leave now!?"

"Yeah." Ukyou was walking out again. "And Ukyou..."

"Argh! What!?"

"Thanks. It's been so long since I've had a place to stay."

Ukyou heard the door slide closed behind her and heard Ryouga begin to
wash up. She sighed and headed for Akane's room.

Ryouga turned on the shower and got a blast of cold water.

"Bwee!"

****

Ranma limped into the house. Akane looked worried as she walked in right
behind him.

"Are you sure you're alright, Ranma?" she asked for the fifth time.

"I said I'm fine, Akane."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you so hard. I just saw an opening and
went for it."

"That's good, Akane. Anytime you see an opening you're supposed to take
it so long as you're sure it ain't a trick. For all you know I could have been
giving you an opening so that I could use it against you. This time, though, I
just got sloppy."

"You weren't sloppy. You were just tired. I shouldn't have made you
spar. It was selfish." She looked miserable.

"Aw, come on, Akane. I've been hitting you for days now, it's only fair
that you get a shot, right?" He smiled at her and she brightened up a bit.
"Now, since I got pummeled, I get to clean up first."

She smiled at him. "Okay, Ranma."

Ranma went upstairs and Akane went into the kitchen to find Nodoka and
Kasumi sitting at a small table. They both had smiles on their faces.

"So you hit him, huh?" Nodoka filled a glass with water, which Akane
accepted gratefully.

"Uh, yeah," she said as she blushed. "I hit him kinda hard though."

"Oh my! A little eager, Akane?" Kasumi was watching her closely.

"Umm...I guess so." She stared into her glass. Then she began to glare
at the other two as they began laughing.

****

"Bwee! Bwee!"

Ranma entered the bathroom to the sounds of an angry piglet. He sighed
when he saw Ryouga trying to turn the knob on the shower to hot.

"You're pathetic. You know that?"

Ryouga squealed angrily at him.

"No, you are. Why didn't you just jump into the furo, moron? It's still
hot in there you know."

The pig stopped squealing and began to blush. Ranma sighed as Ryouga
jumped into the furo and changed back. He emerged with an embarrassed look on
his face.

"Oops?"

****

Ryouga awoke in the middle of the night. He had been having a nightmare
about a crazy cook coming after him with a cleaver and a boiling pot of water.
Wiping the cold sweat off his forehead he looked to see if he had awakened
Ranma, only to find that he wasn't there. Puzzled, he arose from the spare
futon he had been using and left the room. He left the door open so that he
knew which door to go back into when he went back.

Out in the hallway it was quiet, well almost quiet. Mr. Saotome's snores
could be heard, but they didn't count. He tiptoed down the hallway to the
stairs. He slowly went down to the first floor, trying to make as little noise
as possible. He got to the bottom and looked around. Still no noise. He
decided to check out the kitchen but began walking towards the living room. He
nearly tripped and fell when he ran into something. It was Ukyou.

"You jackass!" she whispered. "Watch where you're going!"

"Me!?" he whispered back. "What are you doing crawling around on the
floor!?"

"I was looking for Akane. I woke up and she was gone."

"Akane too?"

"Huh?"

"Well, Ranma isn't in his bed either."

"Weird."

"So why are you on the floor?"

"Because I heard someone's breathing coming from the living room.
Listen."

Ryouga did and soon picked up the breathing from the next room. In fact,
as he listened longer, he could distinguish between two different sets of
breathing.

"There're two people in there."

Ukyou stared hard at him. "You sure?"

Ryouga nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay, I'm going to take a closer look." She started moving into the
living room, crouched down.

"Not by yourself, you're not." Ryouga followed right behind her.

They entered and immediately pinpointed the source of the breathing...the
sofa. Creeping closer, they got right behind it and stopped there. Slowly,
they rose to peek over the top of it.

Ranma and Akane were sleeping just like they had been for awhile now.
They lay next to each other, facing one another, but not really touching.
Ryouga and Ukyou's eyes widened and they ducked back behind the sofa.

"What are they doing?"

"Umm, sleeping?"

"I *know* that you jackass! I mean why are they sleeping here? And
together, now that I think about it."

Ryouga shrugged. "Who knows. It's not any of our business so I'm going
back to bed. I'm tired." He slowly left the living room and went up the
stairs. Up in the hall he went through the open door, crawled into the extra
futon that was set up, and attempted to get some more sleep. He did not get
very far since only a minute passed before he was being nudged, hard.

"Wake up, you idiot!" came an angry whisper.

"Huh? Wha?" Ryouga opened his eyes and looked into the face of an angry
Ukyou. "Aw, what do you want? I'm trying to sleep."

"Yeah! I know! In *my* futon!"

"Huh?" Ryouga glanced around. He was not in Ranma's room. He
immediately sat up. "Wha...where am I?"

"You're in *Akane's* room! Go back to Ranma's!"

"But I went into the room with the open door! I should be in Ranma's
room."

"I left the door open too, moron! Now get out!"

"Okay, okay! Geeze! You'd think I did it on purpose or something."

Ryouga got up and went back into the hallway. Ukyou watched him leave.
"Idiot." And she lay down to go to sleep.

Looking around Ryouga saw another open door. Walking in he recognized
Ranma's room. He lay down on the futon and tried going back to sleep again.
<Great. Now she's even more mad at me. It's not as if I wanted to go into the
wrong room.> His thoughts drifted around for a bit before he finally fell
asleep.

****

He awoke to the smell of breakfast. Opening his eyes he found that he
wasn't dreaming. It was early morning, the sun not yet risen. The scent of
food was still in the air. He got up and was surprised to find Ranma back in
his bed. Deciding to let him sleep, Ryouga left the room and carefully made his
way to the kitchen. To his delight, he found it. He also found Ukyou at the
stove cooking. She turned with a smile to see who had entered. The smile
deflated when she saw who it was.

"Oh, you. Morning." She went back to cooking.

"Uh, yeah. Good Morning." He took a seat at the small table. He just
watched Ukyou as she cooked. She kept glancing at him occasionally, feeling his
eyes on her.

"Do you *want* something?" she asked irritably.

"Well...no, not really. Am I bothering you?"

"Yes! Why don't you go set the table, or do something useful!?"

Ryouga shrugged and went looking for dishes, glasses, and other
necessities. He soon found them and began making trips to the dining area,
always keeping the location of the kitchen in mind. Soon the table was set and
he went back to watching Ukyou cook.

After watching for a while, he spoke up. "Why are you cooking anyway,
Ukyou?"

"I'm trying to do something useful around here so I don't feel like I'm
imposing on the Tendous. Besides, I like to cook."

Ryouga smiled. "Yeah, I remember."

Ukyou whirled around and faced him, an angry look on her face. "Oh
*really*!? I'm surprised, considering how easily you forgot about me!"

Ryouga winced. "Look, Ukyou, I..."

"No! I don't want to hear it! Just don't talk to me, you got that!?"

"Fine!" Ryouga couldn't take it anymore. "I won't talk to you ever
again!"

"Good!"

"Great!" Ryouga stood, went up to Ranma's room and got one of his spare
changes of clothes from his pack. Then he marched to the bathroom to get
cleaned up. He was so mad that he didn't even get lost on the way.

In the kitchen Ukyou tried to hold back her tears. <What am I so upset
for? Now that jerk will leave me alone from now on. So I shouldn't be crying,
right?>

But the tears still fell.

****

Okay, Part Four is done. Part Five will be started right after this.
Hopefully it will be done in the next couple of days. Let me know what you
think. Questions or comments are welcome. Flames will be ignored. E-mail
rplanas@pacbell.net. Thanks.

Gyran