Healing 4

*thoughts*
<Telepathy>
[Signs]
^emphasis^
SHOUTS 
	Insert standard disclaimer here.  I don't have any money 
anyway so suing me will cost you more then you could hope to gain 
even in satisfaction.

	*This is a mess!* thought Kasumi looking around the 
remains of the Tendo kitchen.  The beam of light had torn the roof 
off of the kitchen and most of the rest of the house.  Pots and pans 
were scattered all over the place, dinner was coating the walls, and 
Ranma-chan and Kasumi were standing in the only clean part of the 
floor.
	"Ah, sorry about that.  I should have mentioned that that 
would happen and we could have stepped outside," said Ranma-chan 
scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
	"Don't worry about it.  I'll clean it up and Nabiki can call 
someone to take care of the roof," said Kasumi.
	"No, no there's no need for you to clean up the mess that I 
made," said Ranma-chan.  She started to chant in the language that 
demons and gods share.  Without fanfare or fireworks the pieces of 
the house pulled themselves back together and the dirt and debris 
sailed out the door in the gentle winds of a dust devil.  "See I got it," 
grinned Ranma-chan.
	"Huh, what did you do?" asked Kasumi looking around in 
wonder at the completely restored kitchen.
	"I told you I'm a god now, I can do a lot of things that I 
couldn't before," answered Ranma-chan smugly.
	"Hello," called a voice from the front of the house.
	"Uh oh.  It's my mom," Ranma-chan said in a panicked 
voice.  Then she shrugged and turned back into a guy.
	"Oh my, how did you do that?" asked Kasumi just as 
Nodoka and Skuld came into the kitchen.
	"Do what?" asked Skuld.  "Never mind," she continued 
when Ranma waved the question off franticly.
	"I heard that Kami-sama has called off all of your 
engagements," said Nodoka turning to Ranma.
	"Ah, yep he sure did," said Ranma.
	"Can I talk to Kasumi for a moment?" asked Nodoka.
	"Sure thing.  I'm going to head home now anyway," said 
Ranma retreating from the kitchen.
	"Do you mind if I speak bluntly?" Nodoka asked, turning to 
Kasumi.
	"Of course not, Auntie Nodoka."
	"I've been thinking that since Ranma has grown past what 
my husband taught him it is time for him to make his own decisions 
and that I would be delighted to have you as my daughter."
	"I, ah, oh my," stammered Kasumi.  "What ever do you 
mean?"
	"What I mean is that it is time for you to give up on living 
solely for your father and sisters.  You are entitled to have a life of 
your own.  And it wouldn't bother me if you and Ranma decide to 
spend it together," explained Nodoka.  
	Kasumi looked over at Skuld just in time to see her wink 
and the tattoos jumped out at her as what they were.  *Those are 
almost the same marks that Ranma has and they're what filled with 
light when he-she granted me my wish.  That means that this is part 
of my wish?  Oh my!  I did wish for someone that would love me for 
the rest of my life!* thought Kasumi.  Then almost as if in answer to 
her thoughts Skuld nodded at her.

***

	*I wonder what mother wanted,* thought Ranma as he 
headed back to his house.  "I'm home," he announced walking 
through the front door.
	"Hey dad," called Goku.  "You have guests."
	"Dad?" asked Keiichi from the couch in the living room.
	"Is there something that you want to tell us?" asked 
Belldandy grinning.
	"About what?" asked Ranma.
	"Whether you'll be living with Kasumi for the rest of her 
life or not, or you could tell us why he just called you dad," said 
Keiichi pointing at Goku.
	"Kasumi didn't wish for me to stay with her, and I found 
Goku here on the streets and offered to let him stay with me.  Now 
he's decided that I'm his father.  What have you two been up to?"  
responded Ranma as he flopped down in one of the chairs.
	"We've been well.  Especially since my sisters decided that 
they didn't need to torment Keiichi all the time," said Belldandy.
	"I understand I have you to thank for that," Keiichi said to 
Ranma with a grin.
	"I may have said something that could have been taken that 
way, yes.  By the way do either of you two happen to know why 
Skuld and my mother would suddenly need to talk to Kasumi?"
	"I have no idea Ranma.  Skuld was in Asgard and after she 
got home I mentioned that you were going to grant Kasumi a wish 
and she yell 'so soon' and ran to the bathtub.  If that doesn't help then 
I have no idea," said Belldandy.
	"Hello," called Hel from the front door.
	"Come on in the door is open," yelled back Ranma.
	"Well if it isn't the love birds," snickered Hel after she came 
into the living room to see Keiichi and Belldandy sharing a single 
cushion.
	"What are you jealous?" asked Ranma.  "I mean Belldandy 
did get him first."
	"Just for that we're all going to dinner and it's your treat," 
shot back Hel.
	"Sounds good and such I'm such a nice guy the four of you 
can pick the restaurant."
	"Four of us?" asked a puzzled Hel.
	"Yep," said Goku from the hallway that leads to the 
bedrooms.  "Dad wouldn't leave me here by myself after all."
	"DAD?  Just what in heavens name have you been hiding 
from us?" demanded Hel in mock outrage.
	"Oh you didn't know?  I thought that everyone knew that 
me and Belldandy had been an item," responded Ranma in serious 
tones while moving over to the couch to make calf eyes at 
Belldandy.
	"You sorry excuse for a mortal how dare thy try to tempt 
the fair Bell-chan," Keiichi denounced him.  "Didn't anyone ever tell 
you to look out for jealous boyfriends?" he continued tossing a low 
power ki blast that took Ranma by surprise and pushed him across 
the room, but didn't do any damage.
	"Ahh, you fiend how dare you strike a lady," shrieked 
Ranma-chan getting up off the floor while trying not to laugh.
	"Um, who are these people, ^Mom^?" asked Goku with a 
grin on the title.
	"Didn't anyone ever teach you to respect your elders boy," 
shot back Ranma-chan.  "And this is Belldandy and Keiichi, two 
good friends of mine, and this is Hel, she's my very own adopted 
sister and I better one I've never had," said Ranma-chan pointing to 
each in turn.
	"Is that really what you think of me?" asked Hel in a 
startled voice.
	"Yes I think that you've been nice to me since I met you and 
you are very dear to me," continued Ranma moving over to stand 
beside her.  "Is something wrong?"
	"It's just, that, I...," started Hel.
	Ranma-chan looked up that the others and asked, "Could 
we have a minute, please?"
	"Of course.  If you need us we'll be out front," said 
Belldandy in a soothing voice.  She all but dragged the others out of 
the house.
	"Is that better?" Ranma-chan asked Hel.
	"Thank you, but I'm sure that Belldandy already knows this 
secret.  The reason that I was upset is because I was hopping to be a 
little closer than your sister," confessed Hel as she started to cry.
	"I, you mean?  I'm so sorry," said Ranma-chan as she pulled 
her into her lap and started to rock her gently back and forth.  "I had 
no idea that you felt that way.
	"Well I guess that I couldn't compete with the people that 
you already have hanging around you," said Hel trying to hold back 
the tears.
	"That's not true!  You're a very beautiful young woman and 
could get a date any time that you decided that you wanted one," 
countered Ranma-chan.
	"No I can't.  Everyone is afraid of the goddess of Death, and 
no one will get near me.  You and the others are the first friends I've 
had in a very long time.  I was just looking for a little bit more."
	"I'm sorry, but I'll promise you this.  I'll be your friend now 
and always."
	"You know in a way I expected this.  I really wasn't sure 
that winning was possible for me," said Hel, wiping the last of her 
tears away.
	"Winning in the game of love is possible for anyone," 
smiled Ranma-chan.  "As long as you have the right partner and as 
you sister I'll help you find him."
	"Really?"
	"I sure will.  Now why don't we go out to dinner, before the 
rest of the gang chews down the door," said Ranma-chan with a 
lopsided grin.
	"Sure thing lets go," said Hel, cheering up a little.

***

	"Just what was it that you two were talking about in there?" 
asked Keiichi after they had sat down at the restaurant and received 
their orders.
	"I don't think that we need to go into that just now," said 
Ranma, his tone was a large hint to drop the subject.
	"Oh well in that case hows about you tell us just how you 
picked up a kid," suggested Keiichi.
	"Well that's easy.  It was just after the balor attack," started 
Ranma when he was interrupted by Belldandy.
	"What do you mean 'balor attack'?" asked Belldandy cutting 
right through Hel's question.
	"I mean that while I was out at a bar I was attacked by a 
balor that said that someone had promised to give it free reign after it 
killed me, but the funny part was was that it knew I was a god," 
finished Ranma thoughtfully.
	"Two things, first what is a balor and second what were you 
doing at a bar and didn't invite us?" finished Keiichi in a feigned 
huff.
	"Well as to the first it's a being from one of the lower 
planes, nasty things, but no match for a god of any variety and 
second I was treating a friend that doesn't get out much.  Does that 
pretty much answer your questions?" inquired Ranma in an ultra 
urban manner.
	"Do you mind?" asked Hel glaring at Keiichi across her 
steak for interrupting.
	"Not at all," responded Keiichi passing the steak sauce.  Hel 
just glared at him.
	"When exactly were you going to tell us that someone had 
sent a balor out to kill you?" inquired Hel with an edge.
	"I think you're in trouble," noted Goku while grinning at 
Ranma.
	"Thanks for the warning," responded Ranma.  "I didn't 
think that it was such a big deal.  After all there isn't a balor alive 
that can challenge a god."
	"Uh Ranma, you do know that that girl over there is 
probably one of Nabiki's people and is making quite and effort to 
listen in on our conversation," mentioned Belldandy, indicating a 
two girls sitting across the way.
	"No problem, I already set it up so that they can't hear us," 
smirked Ranma.
	"DIE RANMA!" bellowed Ryoga as he charged through the 
front door and straight at Ranma's table.
	"Look out!" yelled Keiichi.  He grabbed Belldandy and 
jumped up and over the table next to them, clearing the way.  Goku 
grabbed Hel's hand and pulled her under the same table that Keiichi 
had jumped over.  Ranma however did a standing flip and turned in 
mid air so that he was behind and facing Ryoga, just after he crashed 
into the table.
	"Nice shot pig boy," said Ranma as Ryoga picked himself 
up off the floor.
	"You have hurt Akane for the last time!" declared Ryoga.  
"I heard how you went on a date with Kasumi, and then dared to hurt 
Akane when she confronted you with the truth."  Ryoga came up 
swinging.  He was using a new trick to increases his speed slightly 
hopping that the change would catch Ranma off guard.
	"Uh, I don't think that I hurt anything other than her pride," 
snickered Ranma.  He was dodging Ryoga's swings and grabbed a 
bread stick out of the basket that had landed up right.  After 
swallowing he continued, "As for taking Kasumi out it was just in 
gratitude for fixing all of those meals."  This whole speech was 
punctuated by Ryoga smashing around trying to hit Ranma who kept 
eating, talking, and dodging.
	"Stand still so I can pound you like you deserve you 
womanizing girl!" yelled Ryoga, hoping that being called a girl 
would cause Ranma to try and take the next swing to prove he 
wasn't.
	"OK," smiled Ranma, who had stopped moving but build 
his battle aura into a solid, invisible wall in front of him.
	"DIE!" snarled Ryoga in glee as he swung.  The snapping 
of bones could clearly be heard in the restaurant as his fist connected 
with Ranma's aura.
	"You know you should quit and go home, before my dad 
gets mad," said Goku from where he was sitting next to Hel at the 
table next to theirs.  Unfortunately this put him slightly beyond the 
field that kept Nabiki's chief lieutenant from hearing them.  She 
quickly got up and ran to the pay phone in the back of the building.
	"What?" demanded Ryoga.  "You've cheated on Aknae with 
someone and have a bastard child?  You shouldn't leave the truth of 
your honorless past where everyone can see it!"
	One glance showed Ranma that his words had hurt Goku.  
"That's it pig boy!"  Ranma launched a snap kick that sent an 
unconscious Ryoga flying into the water cooler.  "Check please," 
requested Ranma calmly from the waiter.
	"Here you go sir," said the waiter nervously handing the bill 
to Ranma.
	Ranma pulled out a wallet, grabbed the money for the bill 
and handed it over.  Then he pulled out a few more bills and handed 
them to the waiter.  "Sorry for the inconvenience.  Ok people I think 
we wore out our welcome," said Ranma to the others.  They walked 
out of the restaurant and down the street.  "We have to find another 
restaurant, I didn't get to finish back there," complained Ranma.
	"Well that'll teach you not to get into fights while your 
trying to eat dinner," admonished Hel, who was trying to keep a 
straight face.
	"But that wasn't my fault," protested Ranma.
	"Oh all right.  Then I guess we can find a place to eat."

***

	"Well Ryoga you've gotten your self into a real mess this 
time, haven't you?" Nabiki asked the pig that was wondering around 
the restaurant.  "I'll tell you what, if you explain every little thing 
that happened here then I'll change you back, deal?"
	"Bwee!" squealed the pig, nodding his head vigorously.
	"Fine," said Nabiki pouring hot water over the lost boy.  
"Now what happened?" she demanded while Ryoga was still 
scrambling for his cloths.
	"I came in here to make Ranma pay for what he did to 
Akane but he tricked me and then his son showed how dishonorable 
his really is," said Ryoga, who was getting upset all over again.
	"Did you say his son?" asked Nabiki, like this was totally 
new to her.  *She did hear him right.  I've finely got something that I 
can make him pay for threatening me!*
	"He had his son, some other guy, and two girls with him.  
Now I'm going to make him pay for the hell I've seen," snarled 
Ryoga as he stormed out of the restaurant, or tried to storm out.  A 
tall bearded man with only one hand grabbed him and spun him 
around.
	"You've damaged this restaurant and interrupted it 
customers.  I think that you owe the management for damages and 
an apology to the people here," said the man.
	"This is all Ranma's fault, now get out of my way," yelled 
Ryoga pulling his umbrella out.
	"This was your idea and I hope you don't think your going 
to get me with that umbrella of your," he smiled.  When Ryoga 
showed no sign of putting the umbrella away the stranger pulled a 
sword out of nowhere.  "I really think that you don't want to do this."
	Ryoga ignored him and jabbed his umbrella at the man who 
stepped out of the way and smacked him through the open door with 
the flat of his sword in a very casual move.
	Nabiki noticed the fact that this guy knew just how 
dangerous Ryoga's umbrella was and seem to be way ahead of the 
lost boy in ability decided that she'd better get out.  *I think that I 
can make lots of money off of this little bit that Ranma has a son and 
make him pay for threatening me at the same time.*
	Nabiki walked in the door of the Tendo home to find that 
the amazons, Nodoka, the Tendos, and Ukyo were all there.
	"Hello everyone.  I have some information to sell, and this 
is good stuff," she said.
	"How much are you going to charge us this time?" asked 
Ukyo with just a hint of exasperation in her voice.
	"Oh I think that four thousand yen apiece would just about 
cover it."
	"Really?" asked Nodoka.  "And why do you think that?"
	"Oh of course I didn't mean you Auntie Nodoka.  You're 
welcome to listen in."
	"Are you sure that this is worth it?" asked Cologne.  "I 
mean four thousand apiece."
	"This is one of Ranma's biggest secrets.  One that he's been 
keeping for a long time."
	Everyone finely agreed and paid.
	"So what mercenary girl find?" demanded Shampoo.
	"I found that Ranma was having dinner with a friend, two 
girls, and his son," finished Nabiki like she was explaining the 
weather.  The result was everything that she could have wished.
	"What do you mean he has a son?" demanded Akane, 
Genma, and Ukyo.
	"Husband have son," gasped Shampoo.
	"Oh I have a grandchild," laughed Nodoka.  "My son is so 
manly."
	"Whaa.  The schools will never be united," cried Soun.

***

	Far away from Nerima a group of women gathered away 
from prying eyes.
	"We have all lived with the shame of allowing Cologne to 
take over as Matriarch and allow us to descend to a state that a mere 
boy can defy the laws of the amazons," began the eldest.  "I vote that 
we take the lore that the outsider had returned to us and use it to 
retake the tribe and our glorious heritage!"
	"The world would once more tremble at the amazons 
coming," seconded another elder.
	"Then we are agreed.  We will start studying the lore book, 
looking for the right spells," said the eldest to make sure that 
everyone was sure.  *And then once I have mastered the lost arts I'll 
be able to destroy Cologne and take my rightful place as Matriarch 
of the Amazons!*

***

	In a dark room in Asgard several figures gathered.
	"I don't like this idea.  Why does it have to be me?" 
demanded a large man.
	"Because he'll never suspect that you've anything to hide 
from him.  You have to keep him busy until we're ready to take care 
of him once and for all," explained one of the women.
	"All right I'll get him out of the way so that you can get 
ready for him," reluctantly agreed the large man as he turns several 
of the other figure lean away from the big hammer on his back.

***

	Ranma arrived at the Tendo home late after everyone else 
had already gone to sleep.
	*Hmm, better not wake anyone up after what Goku had 
said at the restaurant,* thought Ranma with a smile at what was to 
come the next day when everyone descended on him to demand an 
explanation for him having a son.  *Mom ought to be happy, but I 
bet the rest of them are going to be furious.  Should make an 
interesting mess but since tomorrow isn't a school day I think that I'll 
just make sure that they can't wake me up until I'm ready.*  Ranma 
continued on up to his room and conjured a dome over him as he laid 
down to sleep.
	The next morning everyone got up as normal and Genma 
noticed his son lying next to him.
	"Boy your getting soft," yelled Genma as he kicked at his 
son.  "YEOWWW," he screeched as his foot connected with 
something solid well short of the boy.
	"Whats the matter?" asked Kasumi coming up to see what 
had caused Genma to yell like that.  "Oh Ranma's home.  I wonder if 
he got dinner last night?" said Kasumi thinking out loud.
	"Did you say Ranma's home?" asked Akane walking down 
the hallway.
	"Yes I did," answered Kasumi.
	"Good!" yelled Akane running out to grab a bucket of cold 
water.  Then running back in she hurled the whole thing bucket and 
all at the sleeping god.  "HUH?" demanded Akane as he jaw 
dropped.  The water had hit something that had briefly become 
visible and then splashed on the floor.
	"Oh my," said Kasumi.  She started to go for a mop until 
the doorbell rang.  "Hello auntie Saotome," she said after she opened 
the door to see Nodoka and Ukyo waiting outside.  "And you too 
Ukyo.  Won't you come in.
	In a fairly small explosion Cologne and Shampoo arrived 
through the wall.
	"I see that everyone is here," noted Cologne in a slightly 
ironic tone.  "So where is son-in-law?"
	"He's upstairs," snapped Akane.
	"I take it that something is wrong?" Cologne asked nodding 
at the fact that Akane was even more upset then usual.
	"We can't seem to get to him Elder," explained Kasumi.
	"Hmm, I'd better take a look."
	They all trooped back upstairs to the guest room.  Cologne 
tried to prod Ranma with a stick and jumped back as the dome once 
again briefly became visible.
	"Did Great-Grandmother find something wrong with 
husband?" asked Shampoo.
	"Well I'm not sure, but that dome was created using magic.  
Powerful magic that I don't think that son-in-law could have cast."
	Rolling thunder echoed in the house as a huge lighting bolt 
touched down in the back yard, right next to the koi pond.  The 
currant occupants all ran over to the window to see out.
	"Ranma, get out here we've got things to take care of," 
roared the large build read bearded man in the back yard.
	The people in Ranma's room were surprised to see Ranma 
sit up and touch the dome with his index finger and it popped 
like soup bubble.
	"Thor always did have lousy timing," noted Ranma then 
looking around he continued, "Or maybe not."  He walked over to 
the window and looked out.  "Didn't anyone ever tell you that you 
shouldn't wake up people that could pound you into next Tuesday?"  
Then without waiting for an answer he launched a Mouko Takabishi 
out the window without bothering to announce it.
	"That's it," shouted Thor as he came up spiting water after 
the blast had knocked him into the pond.  "Get down here!"
	Ranma walked out of the back door and apparently didn't 
notice Akane running down the stairs after him.
	"RANMA NO-EEEP!" she finished in a squeak as her mallet was 
blasted out of her hands by a large war hammer that was followed by 
a spark of lighting that knocked her down and made her hair stand 
on end.
	"Nice hair Akane," commented Ranma turning around to 
look at her.
	"Hahaha," laughed Thor.  "'Nice hair' I like it."  Then his 
face suddenly becoming stern he continued, "Little girl you should 
be ashamed of yourself.  You attacked an unarmed man in the back 
with a weapon no less.  That shows that you have as little honor as 
that pig boy that you seem to side with all the time."
	"How dare you?" demanded Akane.  She grabbed another 
mallet, Mjolnir having reduced her previous one to little bits that 
would have to be glued back together for toothpicks, and advanced 
on the man that was laughing at her.  "I'm a martial artist and I 
challenge you to a dual of honor!"
	Thor blinked loudly.  Then turning to Ranma asked 
incredulously, "Is she serious?"
	"Yep," answered Ranma without hesitation.  "And I don't 
think she has a clue as to what she's getting herself in for.  She 
doesn't even have a battle aura unless she's going after me with that 
mallet of hers."
	"Uh, well since it's a dual of honor I guess I don't have a 
choice but to accept.  However as challenged I can choose the 
referee, which is you.  So that having been said do you have any 
preferences?"
	"Well I guess she's still the sister of Kasumi who has been 
like a sister to me since I got here so you'd probably better not do 
anything permanent or Kasumi'll probably ask me to do something 
about it.  Other than that have at," answered Ranma with his gaze 
flickering to Kasumi during the part about being a sister.
	"I still don't think that I would be fair of you to start 
something because this little wannabe martial artist gets herself 
hurt," protested Thor and then did a double take as Ranma appeared 
between him and Akane or rather where Akane had been.  Now she 
was picking herself up off the ground five feet away.
	"Akane Tendo you have challenged this man to a dual of 
honor and then seek to attack him while he was preparing to meet 
you, this is a serious breach of honor and unless this man agrees 
otherwise I'll have to declare you the loser by default," said Ranma.  
Soun started to move toward Ranma only to get bashed by Cologne's 
stick and Genma was stopped by Nodoka's katana coming to rest on 
his neck.
	"Hey zippy.  When did you get that fast?" asked Thor still 
trying to trace Ranma's rout across the yard.
	"Long story.  Will you allow this breach to pass and 
consent to meet this person in combat?"
	"I will continue to accept this persons challenge," 
conferemed Thor in a serious voice.  Then changing to a 
mischievous voice, "I wouldn't want her to get away completely 
unscathed."
	"Very well.   Are you prepared?"
	"I am prepared," stated Thor solemnly.
	"Are you prepared Akane Tendo?"
	"Lets get started!" snapped Akane with steam practically 
coming out of her ears.
	"Very well.  Begin!"
	Akane quickly charged Thor planning to pound him with 
her patented Pervert Pounder attack, but Thor stepped out of the way 
and grabbed her mallet out of her hands.
	"Hey give that back!"
	"Sure thing," agreed Thor as he launched the mallet with 
considerable force right at her.  She managed to dodge all but the 
trailing edge of the handle, which caught her across the arm as she 
dove aside and the crack was clearly heard just before the mallet 
went through the backyard wall.
	"Ahh, you hit me," said Akane in a surprised voice.
	"Well you did challenge me to a dual, didn't you?"
	"I've never seen you before and I didn't expect you to be 
that good," continued Akane.
	"I see.  Are you ready to give up then?" asked Thor.
	"Never!"
	"Well, I don't think that you need to be bouncing around 
with your arm like that, so good night," as he finished he charged 
forward and used just enough force to knock her out and then caught 
her before she hit the ground.  "I think this fight's over."
	"I declare the winner Thor by knock out," announced 
Ranma, which was completely unnecessary.
	"Huh?" asked Soun who was just coming to after having 
been knocked out with Cologne's stick.  "What happened?"
	"You tried to interfere with a dual of honor and your 
daughter lost, badly I might add," answered Cologne.
	"Oh my.  I'll call Dr. Tofu," said Kasumi running back into 
the house.
	Now that the fight was over Nodoka sheathed her katana 
and turned to her son, "Now what is this about a grandson of mine 
that I've never met?"
	"Gee how'd you find out about that?" asked Ranma 
scratching the back of his head.
	"Mercenary girl sell information," said Shampoo.  "Why 
husband no tell husband have son?"  The rest crowed around to hear.
	"Because up until the other day...," Ranma was lowering 
his voice little by little until everyone was leaning close then he 
shouted, "I DIDN'T HAVE ONE!"  Everyone jumped backward and shook 
their heads.
	"What do you mean?" asked Nabiki while glaring at him.
	Ranma held out his hand.  Everyone just stared at him.
	"What?" asked Cologne suddenly.
	"If your willing to pay Nabiki for whatever she managed to 
uncover then you shouldn't have any trouble paying me for the 
information that I've got," said Ranma.  "My mother is of course 
exempt from this as is Kasumi, for feeding me and putting up with 
my mess."
	"What about me son-in-law?  I've showed you all of those 
special techniques," said Cologne.
	"Yeah and in return I haven't killed you or Shampoo for all 
of the things that you've done.  If you think that either one of you 
would like to take care of Saffron I know a way to let you meet him 
the way he was," offered Ranma.
	Cologne and Shampoo both paled and grabbed for their 
wallets.
	"Sorry son-in-law I didn't realize that you were so serious 
about this," apologized Cologne.
	"Well its just occurred to me that after all of this time 
Nabiki's been making money off of me and it never occurred to me 
to use some of the same ideas to make money off of myself.  After 
all my father did it too."
	"Uh how much were you asking?" asked Ukyo nicely.
	"Oh how about a hundred apiece."
	Everyone grumbled but paid up anyway.  "All I have to tell 
you is that I rescued this kid the other night in an ally and took him 
to get him something to eat and after that he sorta adopted me," said 
Ranma grinning all the while.
	"You mean you didn't...?" asked Ukyo.
	"Husband no been with other girl?" asked Shampoo at the 
same time.
	"Nope," grinned Ranma.  "Well at least not as a guy 
anyway."  This promptly caused all of the people in the yard to fall 
over and by the time they were back on their feet Ranma and Thor 
were gone.
	"Have you ever really slept with someone as a girl?" asked 
Thor as they appeared along side a deserted dune in the Sahara 
dessert.
	"No I haven't.  Why do you ask?" wondered Ranma as he 
started limbering up.
	"Well after what you said at the Dojo I was just 
wondering," grinned Thor.
	"I needed something to distract them for a few minutes and 
that was guaranteed to do it."  Ranma was all set and read to do 
some major damage.
	"Ready?" asked Thor.  Ranma just grinned at him.

***

	"I'll get it Kasumi," called Nodoka.  After recovering from 
her son's announcement they had come back inside the house to talk.  
"May I help you?" she asked the young lady at the door.
	"Yes my name is Belldandy and I'm looking for Kasumi.  Is 
she home?" responded the woman.
	"Kasumi there's someone here to see you," called Nodoka.
	"Really?" asked Kasumi coming out of the kitchen.  *I 
wonder who it could be?  Oh my I forgot that Belldandy would be by 
today to get ready for Ranma's party!*  "Hello, Belldandy.  I 
completely forgot what day it was.  Please come in and of course 
your friends are welcome too."
	"Thank you and call me Bellchan."  Belldandy came in 
followed by Keiichi, Urd, Skuld, Hel, Venus, and a handful of other 
goddesses.  They were all carrying party supplies.  "Now I think that 
I'll help Kasumi in the kitchen and the rest of you can get started on 
the rest of the house."
	"Uh excuse me but who are you?" asked Soun as these 
women walked into his house and started hanging decorations all 
over the house.
	"Oh my apologies.  My name is Belldandy and I'm a friend 
of Ranma's.  We were going to have a birthday party for Ranma and 
then Kasumi offered to let us use the house so we could surprise 
him," explained Belldandy.
	"Oh ok."
	Belldandy procedded into the kitchen to help Kasumi and 
soon mouthwatering smells began to come out of the kitchen.  
Keiichi and the others quickly started draping balloons and streamers 
all over the room.  Then other gods started to arrive with people.

***

	"Well I think that that's about it for today," huffed Thor.  "I 
mean we've pretty much destroyed this area and I'm getting tired."  It 
had been several hours since the two had started and they had 
gradually worked their way up to larger attacks.
	"Oh you need to get out more.  Do some serious workouts," 
teased Ranma.  Then he looked around and had to agree with the 
assessment that they had destroyed the place.  Circles of glass were 
lying all over the sand where fireballs or Ki blasts had hit the sand, 
there wasn't a dune for several miles in any direction, and there was 
a new oasis forming from where Ranma had grabbed Mjolnir out of 
midair and hurled it back at Thor.  It had missed and punched and 
impressive hole in the ground, which had tapped an underground 
spring of some kind.  "Then again maybe you're right."
	"Lets head back."
	"Ok, thunder boy," laughed Ranma.  When Thor tried to 
grab him but missed as he faded into sunlight he only laughed 
harder.

***

	*There is something wrong,* thought Ranma as he stood 
just outside the Tendo home.  *I can't sense anyone around.  Maybe 
they all went out?  Oh well I'll never find out standing out here,* he 
finished the thought as he walked into the house.
	"SURPRISE!" thundered the mob that was weighting for him 
as the lights came on.
	"HUH?" he demanded then it started to dawn on him that 
his was his birthday.  "You guys shouldn't have."
	"Well after what I had to put up with out there to keep you 
away long enough I think that you'd better enjoy this," Thor glared at 
him then grinned.
	"Lets party!" yelled Keiichi from one end of the room.  
Then he signaled Skuld and the music came up.

***

	*Oh, my head,* groaned Ranma as he tried to sit up.  Then 
he looked at the clock.  *Oh my its afternoon!*  Then that last 
thought struck him, *Oh my?  When did that happen?*  "Oh well," 
muttered the hungover god of healing and martial arts.  *Hmm, I 
think that I can fix this myself!*  Using just a twist of power Ranma 
cured himself of the effects of last night's party.
	After a quick shower Ranma headed downstairs to see if 
there was anyone left alive.  A quick look around proved that half of 
the population of Asgard was currently sleeping in the Tendo's living 
room floor.
	*Ha to drunk to make it home last night.  At least there 
weren't any drunk drivers, though those angles might have given 
some people pause,* snickered Ranma to himself.
	A resounding boom exploded into the backyard ridding a 
bolt of lightening.
	"Oh well.  Time to work I guess."  Ranma walked out to the 
backyard and looked at the message.

	To: Ranma class 1category 1 unlimited
	You are here by summoned with all haste to my office 
^RIGHT NOW!^ So I speak.
						Kami-sama
						Lord of Creation.

	*I wonder what I did?  Is corrupting gods a crime in 
Asgard?* thought Ranma with a twist of humor as he arrived in 
Kami-sama's outer office.
	The angel waved him right through, "He's expecting you, 
like right now!"
	"Good morning, Sensei," said Ranma walking into His 
office.
	"Ahh, good morning Ranma.  I've been wondering if you 
were serious when you thought that I should take a vacation some 
time?"
	"Of course.  Everyone needs a vacation, even the creator of 
the universe.  Perhaps especially the creator of the universe," 
finished Ranma thoughtfully.
	"Then you'll be glad to know that I've decided to take one 
after all," said Kami-sama.  *I can't wait to drop this bit of news on 
him!*
	"I'm glad that you've taken my advise, Sensei.  Which 
group of people will you be leaving in charge in your absence?"
	"Oh I'm just leaving one," Kami-sama paused for dramatics.  
"YOU!"
	"^WHAT?!^" asked Ranma after he had picked himself up off 
of the floor.
	"I said that I'm going to take a vacation and am leaving you 
in charge," explained Kami-sama patiently.
	"How am I supposed to run all of creation?" he asked in a 
stunned voice.
	"Just take it easy and let things happen.  I've created a 
special program for you that will notify you if something goes wrong 
and whether it is something that I need to take care of or not.  Also 
I'll be leaving you with a second set of passwords to the Yggdrasil 
system.  They're not toys and I'm only leaving them so that you can 
asses the parts of the system that most beings don't need to use."
	"Hey do I get to use the neat L-mail system?" asked Ranma 
who was suddenly sitting up straight.
	"L-mail?" asked Kami-sama.
	"Yeah, Electronic mail is to tame for what you use so it's 
Lightening mail," laughed Ranma.
	"Hahaha, that's a good one.  Well I guess I'll be going.  Oh 
and I guess you can use the mail system, just don't over do it," teased 
Kami-sama as he disappeared.
	*Well that's it!  I'm all-alone in control of the whole of 
creation. And the responsibility!*

***

	Back at the Tendo house the others were starting to wake 
up and notice what was going on.
	"Does anyone know where Ranma's at?" asked Nodoka.
	"Just a sec, I'll look upstairs," said Skuld.  "Nope," she 
hollered back down.
	"Hmm, let me make a call," said Belldandy reaching for the 
phone.  She dialed a number and quickly talked to the other person 
then hung up.
	"Whats the matter sis?" asked Urd as she noted that 
Belldandy seemed to be crying.
	"Nothing," answered Belldandy turning so that her sister 
could tell that she was laughing.  "Ranma seems to have made his 
point at last, but I don't think that he expected that point to skewer 
him!" she continued laughing.
	"What is so funny?" demanded Urd as she struggled to 
figure out which of Ranma ideas or jokes could have backfired to 
produce this kind of reaction from her sister.
	"Just a second.  I think Ranma's going to show his mother 
and Kasumi something."  Then turning to Nodoka and Kasumi she 
asked, "Can you two keep a secret?  Ranma's going to show you 
something that will be hard to keep quiet, but I think that you'll both 
enjoy it."
	"I know a one or two of Ranma secrets already," said 
Kasumi and before Nodoka could react to that and turn around she 
tapped her forehead right where the goddesses had their marks.
	"Well I'll certainly keep my son's secrets.  You can be sure 
of that," answered Nodoka after giving Kasumi a brief searching 
look.
	In Asgard Ranma sat at Kami-sama's computer and quickly 
typed out a message to the surface, then blinked at what the 
computer had added after his message.  He grinned for a minute and 
then hit the enter key.
	Back on the surface the backyard of the Tendo house was 
once more a target for a message from on high.

	To: Belldandy class 1 category 2 unlimited
	You are herby summoned to my office with the mortals 
Nodoka Saotome and Kasumi Tendo.  So I speak.
				Ranma
				Acting Lord of Creation.

	"Is this for real or is it some kind of joke?" asked Nodoka.
	"No this is about as real as it gets," said Urd.  "I can't 
believe that he did that.  The nerve if him in not calling me."
	The rest of the gods and Keiichi recognized Kami-sama's 
patented mail serves and came to investigate.  Most of them fainted 
right on the spot!
	Several minutes later Belldandy, Kasumi, Nodoka, and Urd 
arrived at Kami-sama's office.
	"Hello ladies," called Ranma from behind His desk.
	"Then its true you've been asked to fill in for Him while 
he's away," said Urd in tones of awe.
	"Son what is this all about?" asked a Nodoka Saotome that 
was very nearly to the breaking point.
	"Well it started like this...." Ranma told his story.
	Ranma had several cases that he had to take care of and was 
nearly losing his mind in the little details that Kami-sama had 
managed for untold centuries when He came back at the end of the 
day.  He had a new tan and looked like his day off had done him 
wonders.
	"If this is what you do every day then I think that you need 
a vacation more often," said Ranma as he hurried and vacated His 
seat.
	"You did very well while I was gone, and when I take those 
future vacations that you just mentioned I'll be sure to give you a bit 
more warning," laughed Kami-sama.  Then he laughed harder at the 
look on Ranma's face.   "Did you get everything straightened out 
with your mother?"
	"Uh yeah I think I did," said Ranma.
	"I think you need to rest.  And I was very serious you did a 
good job while I was gone.  You kept up with the little details and 
didn't even yell at anyone when everyone was hammering on the 
door at once."
	"Thank you!" said Ranma as he caught a sunbeam and 
headed for his house.

***

	The elders of the Amazon tribe had gathered together once 
more.  This time they had gathered to start their quest to restore the 
lost glory to the Amazons.  They had secretly gathered in Nerima to 
use the chaotic energies of that place to add to the spell.
	They had been casting and chanting all night long.  Then 
just after the sun broke the horizon they finished.  A rolling boom 
echoed out from the circle of Amazons as the leader brought her 
hands down in the final gesture of the spell and a massive earthquake 
rocked Japan and the surrounding islands.

***

	Ranma was just returning to the Tendo home when the 
earthquake hit and he dove inside at full speed and two by two 
dragged the occupants out as the house started to collapse.  Then 
only Kasumi was left and as Ranma grabbed her he knew that even 
as fast as he was moving their time had run out!
	The rest of the family watched in horror as houses up and 
down the street collapsed and everyone of them broke down and 
cried as the Tendo home crashed to the ground with Kasumi and 
Ranma still inside.

***

TO BE CONTINUED.

	Hey I know it's been a while but RL has been kind of a pain 
recently.  I'll try and get back to this one soon but I'm back in school 
now so it might be a while.  As always please let me know what you 
think.
	At this time I'd like to thank Akito120, Leonardo83105206, 
Silverbreeze, and Zell Horton for letting me bounce idea's off of 
their heads!  Also again thanks to Lady Cosmos for hosting these for 
me.
				S Jiriki@aol.com