Honestly I'd wished I'd brought Ranma up instead of my incompetent husband sighed Nodoka. Time twisted horribly and then straightened into what for us is an all too familiar pattern. Nodoka could have sworn she heard the wind whisper 'Granted.' Running ------ Time twists and there is a tiger and a young man. "I'm not going to get married like this." "GRRRR" The meaing is perfectly clear though. The young man looks down at the tiger from quite some distance. "I need some hot water." The tiger waves a paw at a sign. The young man shivers and looks carefully at the sign. Though the sign is battered and the writing faded. In the formal style it says Tendou Doujou. "Okay Mother you win. Please stay away from me!" ---------------------------------------------------------- Nabiki's Diary. (Morning) Well, a possble marriage. Now if I only had a chance to talk before. I don't like this. If there is one thing my young sister and I agree on its arranged marriages-especially this way. A incredibly cute young man came through the door followed by a tiger. Dad was most upset especially after hugging the young 'man'. Turned out to be a brilliant fiancee. Still it was fun teasing her. There's a wary intelligence in her eyes. Back again. More suprises than you can shake a stick at. Later I was asked by the girl to guard the bathroom door and make sure no-one came in. Well I wondered why. I didn't even bother to purvey the naked man some clothes. My rep in the family has gone downhill. I ran out terrified. Turns out the boy is the girl - and I just got elected to be his fiancee. The tiger is his mother. He's always over-formal. He does have the art of subtle insults which makes me wonder why after my first blackmail attempt he's started calling me a mercenery bitch. Hardly subtle and not much of an insult. Then why was I so offended? I'm NOT in love with him!(1) ----------------------------------------------------- (1) That's what she thinks. Part 1b Ranma sat up. He looked in the mirror of the blade and shivered. Why the hell did he have to look like has stupid idiotic, avaricious mother. How long till she cut and ran. He wouldn't not this time. No way. If he had to marry Nabiki he would. Still getting to know her would be nice. Okay so she was a year above him. But she was. NO he wouldn't go there.. *Concentrate Ranma this is a match. Don't get distracted by.* A fist plummeted into Ranma. "..Nabiki" finished Ranma. Time to get this guy down. Still at least this was only the first round. And though Ranma might have lost this. He wouldn't lose the next two. ----------------------------------------- In her room Nodoka is cursing the damn spirit for its slow release of information. Each time she makes a mistake, it seems to delight in giving her the memory of the other world. So far she has engaged Ranma to more fiancees(1) than Genma did. Taught Ranma with the Neko-ken(2) and fallen into the pool of drowned tiger. At least Genma originally had the luck to fall in pool of drowned Panda. Still the engagement was different. But the only difference was they were warring with words, not violence. It could yet degenerate. And was pretty likely to. And Genma had the advantage of not being able to read Chinese. Then she realised something. A loud shouting. Someone totally at sea. Either a tourist or No not him Not him. "WHERE IS FURINKAN HIGH SCHOOL?" Needless to say it was. Hibiki Ryouga. One time friend and rival of Ranma and now enemy. What was the enemy doing here. Also one time unrequited love. She was glad she had got out of there The seppuku promise would have to have been fulfilled. She still could hold it. The fates had assured there was a cure for her son. -------------------------------------------------------- (1) She didn't even need bribing. (2) No, she didn't turn over the page. Though in her case it wouldn't have made much difference if she had. "Ryouga, I need to talk to you privately." "DIE, RANMA!" "Look, why are you so mad.?" "Thanks to you I have seen HELL." "Ryouga, tell me the matter and a might be able to sort it out." "SHUT UP AND FIGHT!" Running part 2 --------------- "I have seen hell, thanks to you and you want to talk?" "That's why" Ranma emphasizes. "You should die!" "Ryouga, you can't kill me. Beat me up yes, kill, no. Talk and we can get back to being friends." "Yes I can. What about our" "Shh! I've just discovered I'm engaged by Giri." "WHAT?" "You heard. My mother neglected to mention that to me." "She would. Like her?" "Like that MECERNARY BITCH!" "I see you do then. You replied to none of my letters." "I never received them." "NODOKA! YOU WILL DIE!" Ranma shook his head as Ryouga charged in completley the wrong direction. He hadn't changed a bit. He gets Ryouga going in the right direction. But best to find out why things happened. Once they arrived at the house. "Letters, Oh god. Genma will be arriving. Is my katana sharp. I must...." Kasumi pours cold water on Nodoka and on Ranma. Instant change. "They were just challenge letters, Mom." The tiger wipes her brow. Somewhat abashed she purrs.. "Here use this." Nabiki pulls out a block of wood. "We get the point" ---------------------------------------------------- Running part 3 Nabiki glared at Nodoka. 'Was this engagement your idea?' "Actually no, My husband, Genma, and your father agreed upon it. Funny Genma must have been drunk, he isn't normally that traditional." "*and* he felt you wanted it, Mother," Ranma said with ill-disguised distaste,"Worse, it *still* has the force of Giri behind it." "Uh -oh, I'll be late." cried Akane and dashed off without so much as a by your leave. "Bring your fiance Nabiki." "Whats the matter with her?" "Oh great. I've got to arrive before her." Nabiki ran rushing out with Ranma. "Slow down Nabiki. I might get .." As if on cue a little old lady throws water out of a window. It lands on Ranma. Nabiki doesn't notice it though. Or if she does has more important things on her mind. "Nabiki, I can't turn up to school like this." "Like what? Oh - I'll get a kettle before you register. This ought to stop Kuno attacking you though he might glomp you. Living under the same roof as Tendo Akane speech." Nabiki breathes a sigh of relief. And points to the mob. She leaves Ranma next to the kitchen and heads of to find Kuno. "Hello, Kuno. Some photo's for you." "Ah, images of the tigress Akane. What is this I here about a man moving in with you. Not someone else after the beauteous Akane?" "No, he's my fiancee." "What, not liking Akane, I shall smite him!" "He's too sneaky for her. I'm probably a better match." "But who is this ravishing beauty who blesses us with her divine presence. So tranquil, yet full of mystery." "Um, hadn't you better go and defeat Akane?" questions Nabiki "I shall be back presently, osage-no-onna" Kuno calls to Ranma-chan "Whatta pervert! Hitting on me is one thing but me and Akane at the same time." "Don't worry only Akane ever lasts. And before you point out I shouldn't be selling photos of my sister, I agree but the family needs the money besides this is the worst one." Nabiki shows the picture. Ranma looks at it. It is a very good and decent photo. It could well take pride of place in a competion. "Ever thought of entering a photography competion Nabiki?" "It's nothing special." "You're a very good photographer. Competition money should come in useful. You should get prizes and it is more honourable" "Competition, true but I'll need a better model." "How about me?" says Ranma looking very feminine. "Careful, I might take you up on that - as a female model." "Oooh, I'm scared. The hot water?" Nabiki gets Ranma hot water. They then seperate into the different classrooms. However they are both late so get sent into the hall. Outside Nabiki glares at Ranma "This is the first time I've had to stand in the hall Thanks a lot Ranma." "If ya hadn't talked to Kuno." "How was I to know he'd hit on ya?" "Ya knew wot he was like. At least he ain't in my class." "I didn't expect for ya ta follow me ya know. Yer being a tad overprotective." "Violence can't always be avoided, Nabs. Trust me. Ya saw Ryouga. He don't want to kill me." "So he don't need ta." "Not that simple. He's umm, err." "ex-boyfriend?" Nabiki sees Ranma's embarrassed nod,"Oh great! How far? No, don't tell me. Fiance's or equivalent. Not good. If he's even half as honourable as you are- problem. And ya can't tell ya mother - instant seppuku." -------------------------------------------------- 1) Ranma is more comfotable with his curse. He's using it as a quiet rebellion against his mother. That doesn't mean he won't get rid of it if opportunity arises. 2) If Nodoka knew how close Ryouga and Ranma were she'd insist on them upholding honour. Nabiki is sharp enough to realise the difference between Ranma's version and Nodoka's. Running 4 --------- Genma sat down. He would find his son yet if it was the last thing he did. Now where had Hibiki gone? Hibiki... Now what was it about Hibiki's, oh yeah, family curse. Their sense of direction was non-existant. He offered a quick prayer to the gods, hoping that his son was still alive. He should have never let her sign that seppuku promise. He had a completely different definition of manly to Nodoka. Please Nodoka don't commit seppuku yet. He'd find them, he promised himself. --------------------------------------------------------------- Nabiki wondered exactly what she had got herself into. Why hadn't she listened and sent Akane up instead of investigating herself. Still he was cute. No don't think like that Nabiki. Remember business today, you'll need to concentrate. Be merciless and resolute. I know Ranma won't like it but you have no choice, not until he changes his mind about female clothes anyway. Its like he's putting limits on it. Of course Nodoka is a problem, no the problem. Why was she so obsessed about honour? What the hell had she done? Something to be investigated definitely. It would have to wait anyway. -------------------------------------------------------- "Cute Pig. Sumo, isn't it?" Ukyou asked her companion. "Yes, it is. I'm heading to Tokyo for the prize pig competition there" Akari said. *Better not tell him the truth. He'll think I'm weird.* Ukyou replied "Oh yes that all-comers competion. I plan to demonstrate my art there." *Better not tell her the real reason. She'll think I'm weird.* As they entered Tokyo they seperated, both not realising there quests were the same. Find Saotome Ranma and make him pay. --------------------------------------------------- Xian Pu shook her head. Her shieldmaiden was the best. Strange that everybody took it that she was ultimatly confident in her abilities. But where was he now? Unless he accompanied her, he would be dishonoured. She didn't want that for him, since despite the fact he was annoying, he was the best training partner she'd ever had. Hell that was probably why he was the best. She had to go full out against him every time. The girl was good. The Law of the Amazons were pretty clearcut: If a outsider girl defeats an Amazon then she must be hunted down and killed. A male shieldmaiden gave her an advantage because there was a loophole. If a insider warrior male wishes then they can be adopted by marriage. Of course there are no warrior males. That was the only reason that loophole had been left in. What the hell was a duck attacking her for? A duck? Throwing Knives? Stamped with Joketezu Steel? Not another training exercise. And weren't those glasses rather unique? Xian Pu threw one of her bonbori hard at the duck who swerved out the way. She got the feeling the duck was sticking its tongue out. Impossible for a duck she knew. Good, the bonbori was coming back down. 3..2..1.. The duck plummetted down straight into the river which fortuanley was at temperature greater than body warmth. So the duck now had his head above water. Sorry man had his head above water.. "Sorry I'm late Xian Pu. The Elders had to used there combined might to fight off a threat." "What sort of threat?" "Why would the elders tell me? After all I'm merely a man. And the one who sees me as something more *hates* me. Unfortunatley there wasn't much choice. I pointed out to the ghoul," Mu Tsu notices Xian Pu's glare, "Sorry, your great grandmother, that I should be here. I know a little about magic. And I could travel fast. Especially if I got cursed in Spring of drowned duck. Khu Lon doesn't trust me." "She's right not to. That loophole you pointed out to me." "Still don't you find that a relief. You might not have to kill her." Running Part 4 "Damn Sorceress!" "We may have to bring out the ultimate weapon?" "Opening *THAT* cave, Saotome?" "Cologne. I can probably beat her, but I'd destroy your village!" "As the head elder. DO IT! "Face me, sorceress!" "You have power. But you are no Amazon Elder. A coward." Genma powwers up his battle aura. Of course even a cornered coward will fight. And Genma is powerful. The most powerful martial artist in this world (at the moment). Genma is spending chi like water. He starts on his ultimate techniques. Despite the shielding the sorceress has, Genma's vacuum bolts get through. At the same moment Khu Lon uses the Dragon Ascension Defeat., Using Genma's vacuum bolts as the center. "Invented them yourself?" "Yes I did." "Go, before anyone tries to fight you." "Don't worry I'll use fierce tiger crouching!" Cologne remembers the scond reason for thatn name as she sees Genma take off. He was good. Maybe the should get him in the tribe. Especially if his son was dead. But best to start on repairing the shattered village. Genma had told the truth. ------------------------------------------------------------------- (Nerima) "PERVERTS!" "Another normal school day, eh Nabiki?" Nabiki shook her head. Why was she engaged to this. Then she remembered the flower on the roof. He was romantic. And yes it was time to take him up on his offer. She smirked. Anyway Ranma had more brains than she gave him credit for. The combintion one-two of there parents being twisted into pretzels and losing the weeks earnings well... Lets just say things had calmed down. But as wusual with Nerima and Ranma a short period of calm means it will get worse in as short a time as possible. Mousse and Shampoo are approaching Furinkan High School, as is Ryouga. "DIE RANMA!" "DIE RANMA!" "DIE RANMA!" "DIE RANMA!" Nabiki blinked. They were approaching from four different directions. She was standing next to Ranma. She was dead. "Can you land?" "Not well." "Hold on. Get out of here NOW! I hold them off. Go through Kuno!" Crunch. Kuno faints. Ryouga launches his bandanda's. Ranm in't dodging them thouggh. He's trying to catch them. Not really succeeding that well but he has given Nabiki an escape route. Nabiki takes it. She see Ranma move quickly to Ryouga, trying to use him as shield. Dishonourable No miss interpreted. As a launch. Then she notices Ranma is female. Ranma jumps And deflects the sharp implements into the ground. Ah girl behind him. What next to do. Wepons. So disarm. Move into attack being careful not to expose weakness. Hold it on and now. Two down. Now dodge using the weeaplons to take down the other approach. Good, she's pinned. Now attcj hard and fast. Oh dear Tied up. Bonbori coming in. Ryouga should come back in _NOW_. Chains broken. "Ranma is mine by honour." As the three martial artists start fighting each other. Ranma heads into school. And soon gets thrown back into the fight. Good Chains. Dogdged. THe girl was dtied up. And the next fight. "Why two?" "Amazon Law must kill you." Ranma kicks hard out of the way and pours hot water on himself. This time things stay calm. HE sits down in the empty desk. And looks at the board and starts writing things down. Bloody mother! Outside "Lost her." "Damn." "She'll be back Xian Pu."