Dual Destinies



                                  Chapter 14

                                 A Time to Talk



     Ranma Red and his brother were sitting on the roof of their mother's 

house. Their bodies were almost fully recovered from their titanic 

battle with the supercharged lecher Happosai, thanks to Ranma Red's 

healing spell and some added power from Taron and Soren. By 

morning, the twins would once again be at full strength and health. 

Happosai however, would take months to recover from his injuries. At 

present, the Immortal Twins had put him into suspended animation.

     Although each brother was glad to be alive, they couldn't help but be 

a little concerned about what they would soon be facing. They were 

barely able to stop a near-godlike pervert. Who knew what the demons 

of the Dark World would be like.

     As of now, their thoughts went back to what was said to them a few 

short hours ago. It was Cologne's statement, which shook them the most.



After the twins had been revived

     "You're joking, right?" Said Ranma Red. "We really don't have to get 

married SO SOON, do we?"

     "Come now son-in-law," Cologne replied, "you should know by now 

that I NEVER JOKE!"

     "Married?!" Ranma Blue exclaimed.

     Cologne looked suspiciously at the twins while Ukyo, Shampoo and 

the others looked on. "I thought that the two of you were eager to marry 

Ukyo and Shampoo?"

     "WE ARE!" Both Ranmas replied.

     "Then what's the problem?"

     "It's just that it's kind of sudden." Ranma Blue answered. "I mean, 

Ucchan and me were planning to get married after we had finished high 

school." 

     Ukyo nodded as she too had become shocked at what her future in-

law had said.

     "I always knew that Shampoo and I would get hitched once we got 

back to her village, but I assumed that it would be after we had beaten 

the Dark World." Ranma Red added. "I was kind of hoping to have some 

time alone with Shampoo before the wedding. Why do we have to get 

married as soon as we pick up the Mystic Sword and Elemental Hammer?"

     "Quite simple, son-in-law. You see, both weapons are considered as 

treasures to the Amazons. Therefore, we cannot simply tell any 

outsider of their secret locations. Especially MALE outsiders."

     "I thought that the existence of those weapons were known only to 

your family!" Ranma Red said..

     "For nearly one thousand years, they were a family secret. However, 

when I became a matriarch, as part of my initiation into the council, I 

was required to reveal all of my secrets to the other elders. I had to tell 

them of the existence of the weapons and my family's involvement in 

the last Contract Renewal. Fortunately, they did not require me to 

divulge the secret of their locations, as they had no wish to incur the 

wrath of the gods. I was still able to keep the vow that my ancestors had 

made to Taron and Soren."

     "I still don't understand why we have to get married so soon." Ranma 

Blue said.

     "It is because of my ancestors' promise to Soren and Taron and the 

laws of the Amazons! The original Cologne and Shampoo had sworn 

that they would tell no one, but a family member of the location of the 

weapons. Furthermore, the laws of the Amazons clearly state that only a 

female member of our tribe may be granted access to our treasures. That 

is the reason why the two of you must marry Shampoo and Ukyo by the 

time we get to the village." Cologne paused as she took a sip of her tea.

     "Please continue." Nodoka requested.

     "Shampoo was dishonored when she returned to the village without 

Ranma. She is considered an outcast until she returns with Ranma Red 

as her husband. Once she marries him, she will be reinstated as an 

Amazon and I will be able to give her the information to the 

whereabouts of the Mystic Sword. She will tell her husband, who will 

then be a part of my family. That way, both the Amazon laws and the 

ancient oath will be satisfied."

     "But what about Ukyo and me?" Ranma Blue inquired.

     "It was passed down from generation to generation, that the 

information concerning the sword and hammer would be given separately 

to each of the Chosen Twins. In order for you to gain the Elemental 

Hammer, you must wed Ukyo. As Shampoo's sister-in-law, she will be 

given honorary Amazon status, as well as become part of my family. That 

way, I can tell her the secret to gaining the hammer, which she will relate 

back to you. Once again, the oath and Amazon laws are satisfied."

     Both twins were left speechless after hearing what was required of 

them. They looked at their respective fiances with slightly 

apprehensive expressions. Both girls' expressions were hard to read. 

They seemed to express a mixture of anticipation, uneasiness and 

something else that they couldn't identify. Right now, they were have 

some wicked speculation going in their heads. They waited in silence 

for their future husbands to say something. 

     Both Ranmas gulped as they tried to form words in their mouths. 

There was no doubt in their minds that they loved them unconditionally, 

but to do such a thing so soon 

     Both Cologne and Nodoka noticed their expressions and nodded.

     "You do not have to be so fearful, you two. " Cologne soothed. "You 

need not have to consummate your unions right after the weddings."

     Both twins looked at the aged Amazon with looks of surprise and a 

relief. The girls became a bit disappointed at hearing this.

     "You two need only go through the wedding ceremonies to officially 

become part of the tribe! As a matriarch, I am authorized to perform the 

ceremonies, but I may only do so on Amazon lands! Once you have 

completed you're training here, we will travel to China and have the 

weddings performed before we reach the village. I will simply introduce 

the both of you as members of my family, since in truth, you will be."

     Nodoka nodded as she understood what Shampoo's great-

grandmother was saying. Although she would have liked to see her sons 

married in a real sense, she knew that it was just too soon for the twins 

to be put though that. She supposed that they could arrange for real 

weddings after all of this Dark World business was done with. The 

Saotome matriarch sighed as she put away those thoughts.

     Ranma Red walked over and took Shampoo into his arms. His 

brother followed suit and had Ukyo in a tight embrace. Both brothers 

gave their loves a long and lingering kiss. After they had separated, they 

held the their hands an d gazed lovingly into their eyes.

     "Ucchan" Ranma Blue began. "I know that this isn't what you 

wanted things to be on your wedding day, but"

     Ukyo placed a finger on her fiances lips and said, "Shhh. It's okay, 

Ran-chan. I know that we have to do this! Let's just think of it as a 

rehearsal for the real thing! I've waited for you for ten years! I can wait 

a little longer." She drew forward and planted her lips on his.

     Ranma Red swallowed hard as he looked at Shampoo. He knew that 

she was eager to become a mother and was more than willing to make 

the marriage real in every sense. "Shampoo"

     Shampoo smiled as she interrupted, "Is okay Airen! Shampoo knows 

you not ready yet. Shampoo also wait too!" She leaned forward and 

kissed him.

     Both brothers let off a sigh of relief as they returned their kisses. 

Behind them, the Immortal Twins nodded their approval.



On the roof

     Ranma Blue and Ranma Red sat in silence as they telepathically 

discussed the day's events. Ukyo and Shampoo had gone home for the 

night, but Cologne had decided to stay awhile to get to know their 

mother.

     {"Man! Am I glad that we only have to marry them and notyou 

know."} Ranma Red said.

     {"I know! Then again"} Ranma Blue shook his head to clear it of 

those thoughts. When he had felt a part of his anatomy harden slightly, 

he knew that he had better take a cold shower soon.

     His brother was not faring any better. When he thought back to the 

time when Shampoo had emerged naked in his bathtub, he began to 

squirm a little.

     Ranma Blue began thinking of his Ucchan and inevitably thought 

back to when he had discovered that she was a girl. He could almost 

remember how soft her He groaned loudly as he tried to quell those 

thoughts.

     Ranma Red suddenly got an image of Shampoo putting a bottle of 

Formula 119 down her blouse. He whimpered as he squirmed some 

more.

     Ranma Blue remembered when he showed Ukyo's chest to Ryoga. 

"Arrgh!"

     Ranma Red remembered how sexy Shampoo looked in that leotard, 

during that Ping-Pong tournament. He squeezed his legs tightly together.

     Ranma Blue just remembered how pretty Ukyo looked in her school 

uniform. Then he started to wonder if she was still wearing those chest 

bindings. <Help!>

     Ranma Red remembered how sexy Shampoo looked in that one-

piece at the beach. <Oh no! I think Happosai is starting to rub off on 

us!>

     Both Ranmas were clearly uncomfortable as they looked at each 

other, nodded, then quickly got up and leapt down to the ground. They 

both ran into the house and headed to the bathroom. A minute later, 

both twins were heard letting out a shriek as cold water relieved them 

of their problem.



     In the den, Cologne and Nodoka were having some tea, when they 

heard the shouts of the twins.

     "What was that?" Nodoka said as she became concerned about her 

sons.

     {"No need to be alarmed."} Soren said from the Realm of Infinity. 

{"Your sons are fine!"}

     <What happened to them?> Nodoka thought.

     {"It was just a normal reaction that all boys get when they start 

thinking about certain things."} Taron explained.

     <Excuse me?> Nodoka thought, very bewildered.

     {"Well, both Ranmas have been through a lot during their ten-year 

training journey."} Soren began. {"Genma had put them through intense 

training procedures. Especially the Cat Fist."}

     <Cat Fist?>

     {"We'll let Cologne explain that. In any case, to keep his son from 

losing any edge, Genma made certain that he had no distractions. To 

that end, he neglected to inform his son about certain aspects about 

life. That was the reason why they were very uneasy about being 

married so soon."}

     <I still don't> Nodoka paused in her train of thought as she 

realized what Soren was implying. <You mean, they DON'T know?>

     {"Oh no! They know the mechanics of it! Thankfully, they didn't 

miss that part of their education in school! It was just that growing up 

with Genma had left them unprepared to deal with members of the 

opposite sex. Genma never had that traditional 'father-to-son chat' with 

Ranma, which left Ranma confused, scared and a little repulsed at the 

notion, especially when puberty hit him!"} Taron explained. {"This was 

part of the reason why Ranma couldn't deal with his multiple fiances 

in the past."} The immortal paused to collect his thoughts before 

continuing. {"The twins know what love is, at least the general idea. 

Since they are now separated, they are no longer inhibited. However, 

they haven't been able to EXPERIENCE love to the fullest and the best 

way to truly experience it is to er, do it. Of course, when they get 

married! Now living with the Tendos and dealing with the Curse of 

Drowned Girl did not make things easier for them. Akane was always 

calling Ranma a pervert, whenever he had these thoughts. Then she 

would pound on him. Genma was always trying to make certain that his 

son did not get any FUNNY ideas. And of course, Cologne can verify, 

as to how bad an example Happosai is."}

     {"So you see Nodoka,"} Soren continued, {"Both boys feel guilty, 

whenever they have such intimate thoughts. They're like bottles of 

raging male hormones that have been corked for too long. The fact that 

they are now engaged to two, very attractive girls has just added to the 

problem."} 

     {"My brother is correct. Those two need to be assured that what they 

are thinking is not wrong. It is perfectly natural! It is how they 

DISPLAY IT that needs to be judged. Showing such feelings toward 

one's future spouse is acceptable, and that's all they were thinking 

about a few minutes ago. That's why they had to take a cold shower!"}

     {"Ha ha ha! You had often worried, when Ranma was away, that he 

might not grow up into a man among men! I would say that they are 

acting like NORMAL, healthy males."}

     Nodoka reddened slightly at those words, then nodded. <It seems 

that I must have a talk with my sons, first thing in the morning. It is due 

to my husband's stupidity that both boys are so unprepared!> 

     {"We appreciate it! We don't want something like this to impair 

them in their training. Good evening."}

     As soon as Nodoka and Cologne could no longer feel Taron and 

Soren, the mother of the twins turned to Cologne and said, "I cannot 

believe that Genma would neglect such a thing!"

     Cologne sighed as she said, "Genma is a fool! Always has been and 

always will be. I am surprised that both boys had turned out so well, 

despite living with him for ten years."

     Nodoka nodded, then decided to change the subject. "By the way, 

Soren mentioned something about a Cat Fist. What is that?"

     "One of the biggest mistakes in martial arts. And Genma was stupid 

enough to repeat it." Cologne answered before beginning her 

explanations.



At the Tendo dojo

     Akane had just finished her latest bout of crying when she headed 

downstairs to practice in the dojo. In the living room, she saw Nabiki 

watching the evening news. The top story of the day was a huge 

explosion that occurred earlier that day near downtown Tokyo. 

Witnesses claimed that they saw a giant troll, which looked like 

Happosai battle some electric dragon. The resulting carnage had 

devastated more than a square block and had demolished several 

derelict buildings. Unconcerned, Akane headed to the training hall. For 

all she cared, the world might have been coming to the end.

     For several hours, Akane went through different katas as she tried to 

forget about her problems. Unfortunately, Ranma Saotome was 

someone whom you cannot dismiss so easily. Every time she threw a 

punch or kick, she would see Ranma in front of her, effortlessly 

dodging her attacks. Her frustration began to mount as she saw Ukyo 

and Shampoo in her mind. Taunting her. Telling her that she had lost. 

They were now the fiances of the Ranma twins. Akane had dark 

thoughts about wrapping her hands around their necks and squeezing 

them until they turned black and blood was spurting out of their eyes. 

As her anger began to build, her movements became erratic and less 

effective. It wasn't long before the young girl realized that she was 

losing control again. She stopped in her movements and stood up 

straight and took a neutral pose. 

     <No. I've got to pull myself together!> Akane thought. <I have to 

stop thinking about them! So they're not my fiance any more. That 

doesn't mean that I have to mope about it like some lovesick schoolgirl! 

I'm a martial artist! I was a martial artist before he came and I'm still a 

martial artist! I don't need either of them! It's not like there's any love 

between us!>

     As soon as she thought about the word love, she caught herself in the 

lie. It wasn't true. She loved him them. She had just recently come 

that conclusion. That was the reason she was so upset. If she did not 

love Ranma Saotome, then she would have been glad to have been 

finally freed of the engagement. Already, she could feel the tears well 

up in her eyes. She bit them back and continued with her katas. In 

another thirty minutes, she could feel some of her tension melt away. It 

was then that she heard the squeal of a familiar friend.

     "Bwee!!"

     Akane looked behind her and saw her pet pig shuffle his way into the 

training hall. He looked a little more battered than usual, but Akane 

didn't care as she rushed over to pick up her P-chan.

     "P-chan! Am I ever glad to see you!"

     Ryoga was fuming a bit since he had once again turned into his 

cursed form. Apparently, he had the misfortune of wandering near the 

site where the Ranma twins had been battled Happosai. As he passed by 

a fire truck, he was inevitably, sprayed by an errant water hose as the 

firefighters tried to put out some of the blazes. He later stumbled 

across the Tendo dojo and was surprised to hear Akane's voice. He 

looked up and saw his beloved Akane rush toward him. With a joyful 

squeal, he jumped into her outstretched arms and was soon cuddled 

near her bosom. As he reveled in his new position, he noticed that 

Akane's cheeks were red and puffy, almost as if she had been crying?

     "P-chan! Where have you been? It's been days!"

     <Oh here and there, Akane! The usual.> Ryoga answered silently. 

Of course, all he could say was, "Bwee."

     "I don't know where you were but I'm glad you're here now." Akane 

walked over to the wall and leaned her back against it. She then let 

herself slide down it until she was sitting against the wall. P-chan found 

himself nestled in her lap. "I need someone who'll listen."

     <I'm listening Akane.> Ryoga looked up at her and waited for her to 

speak.

     "Ranma is gone. He's not coming back."

     <What?!>

     "It's true. He's not my fiance any more. Neither of them."

     <Oh happy day! That means that Akane and I can wait a minute! 

NEITHER of them? What's she talking about?>

     Akane looked down at P-chan's confused expression, then gave him a 

small smile. "Oh that's right, you don't know about it."

     <Know about what?>

     Akane let out a long and tired sigh. "Ranma has a twin brother."

     <Twin brother? Ranma doesn't have a>

     "It's true P-chan. There are two Ranmas now." Akane then began to 

explain to her pet about the events in which Ranma Saotome had 

become twins. After her brief narrative she finished off by saying, 

"and now those two are going to marry Ukyo and Shampoo! Their 

mother has disallowed my engagement to them and" Akane sighed 

again as she tried to keep herself from going into another bout of 

crying.

     By this time, Ryoga had started to become steamed. <Grrrr SO 

THAT"S HOW HE DID IT! He didn't increase his speed! He double-

teamed me! That bastard! When I get my hands on him, I'll rip his stupid 

head off! Both of them!>

     Akane looked down at her pet and saw that he was getting agitated. 

She started to pet his head and tried to soothe him. "Calm down P-chan! 

Getting mad at those jerks isn't going to help. It was my fault that his 

mother had disallowed the engagement."

     Ryoga momentarily forgot his anger and looked at Akane in 

confusion. <You're fault? I don't understand.>

     Akane sighed again as she explained, "When those two announced 

that they were going to marry Ukyo and that bimbo Shampoo, I lost 

control. Their mother saw me as unfit to marry either one of them and 

invalidated the vow between the families."

     P-chan gave her a look of sympathy.

     "It's ironic, you know. I've always been telling people that we're not 

engaged and I'd never marry a jerk like that, but now that I don't have 

to" Akane sniffled a bit before continuing. "What was that saying? Be 

careful what you wish for?"

     <Please Akane, don't be sad!> Ryoga silently pleaded. <That jerk 

Ranma doesn't deserve someone like you! I'm the one who loves you, 

not him! Now that you're no longer engaged, that means that>

     Before Ryoga could finish his thoughts, Akane sniffled again, as she 

finally could not hold back her sadness. As a lone tear made its way 

down her left cheek, she said quietly, "It took something like this to 

make me realize that I love him."

     Ryoga looked like he was having a stroke as his eyes bugged out and 

he let out a strangled squeal.

     <Nonono NOOOOOO!!!>

     Akane noticed her pet squirming in her arms and nodded. "It's true P-

chan. I love that insensitive, arrogant, tactless, rude and obnoxious jerk! 

It should have been me that he's supposed to marry, not those other girls!"

     Ryoga stopped in his struggles when he heard this. He was in total 

shock. Then, Akane had decided to deliver the final blow to his already 

fragile psyche.

     Akane took on a look of determination, as she said, "I'm not going to 

let it happen! Ranma belongs to me! I love him. Both of them! They 

were engaged to me before they were born! They're my fiance, not 

Shampoo's and Ukyo's! I'm going to prove to their mother that I am 

right for them and get married to one of them! I'm going to tell them 

how I feel! I'm not going to take this lying down! I'll win them back! My 

biggest mistake was treating them badly before! Not this time! I'll be 

kind and understanding and patient and P-chan? What's the matter? 

What's wrong?"

     Ryoga could not take it any more. He began to violently struggle in 

Akane's arms and finally jumped down to the floor. He ran out the door 

and promptly got lost. As he went squealing into the night, Akane tried 

to call back her pet.

     "P-chan! Come back! Where are you going? Come back! What's 

wrong?"

     Ryoga ran blindly through the streets with tears in his eyes. Akane's 

decision had struck him where he hurt the most, his heart. The truth was 

out. His beloved Akane was in love with his most hated rival. She was 

going to try to win him back! Now his tender feelings toward Akane had 

transformed into despair, depression and rage toward the Ranma twins. 

<Ranma Saotome! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!! BOTH OF YOU!!!>



The next day

     Both Ranmas appeared in a flash of light near the gates of Furinkan 

High. They were a bit surprised to see that the schoolyard was littered 

with the bruised and battered bodies of most of the male student 

population. At the front doors of the main school building, Ukyo waved 

to them. As they walked over to her, the twins heard several moans, 

groans and mumbling coming from the boys who were sprawled around 

the lawn.

     "Oooh!"

     "Oh Akane!"

     "Date with me!"

     "I'll beat her tomorrow!"

     Just as they got to the front door, they saw Kuno face down on the 

ground. His clothes were tattered and his wooden sword had been 

smashed over his head. He was in a daze as he moaned, "The lovely 

Akane! Her beauty matches her fiery spirit! I will date with thee!"

     Ukyo ran up to the twins and was soon embracing Ranma Blue. After   

exchanging a brief kiss, Ukyo exclaimed, "Hey Ran-chan! You wouldn't 

believe what happened here!"

     Ranma Blue smiled as he said, "These guys were trying to beat Akane 

so they could date her and she massacred the lot."

     "Hey! How did you know about that?"

     "It happened all the time when we first transferred to this school." 

Ranma Red replied. He looked at Kuno's battered body and remarked, 

"Looks like Akane went rougher on Kuno than usual."

     "I suppose that now that we're not engaged to Akane, it's back to the 

old 'beat-Akane-so-you-can date-her' routine."

     "I see. " Ukyo said as she took her love's arm and walked inside the 

building. "No wonder Akane was so steamed when they attacked her. 

Who made this up?"

     "Kuno did." Ranma Red replied. " I guess he wants her now, just as 

much as he did then."

     "Speaking of Akane," Ranma blue said. "Do you have any idea what 

we're going to say to her?"

     Ranma Red shook his head. "Nope. I know we have to talk to her, but 

I'm not sure as to how to do it. She looked really sad after I had beaten 

Mousse."

     "I really feel sorry for her. " Ukyo said quietly. "Not that I want to 

give you up Ran-chan, but"

     "Hey! I'd have to be nuts to leave you Ucchan!" Ranma Blue said as 

he gave her another kiss.

     Ukyo smiled as she returned the kiss, but then her face became a 

little more serious as she said, "Ran-chan. I know that you and your 

brother have to set things straight with Akane. But I can't help but worry 

that"

     "Don't be concerned about it Ucchan!"

     "That's right!" Ranma Red assured. "No way that we're going to marry 

anyone else but you and Shampoo! It's just that we've been with Akane's 

family for a long time, and we think that we owe it to her to explain how 

we feel now."

     Ukyo looked at her fiance and his brother for a moment, then 

nodded, "Okay Ran-chan."



     As Akane waited for the twins to arrive at their homeroom, she 

mentally began planning on how she would win back Ranma's love. At 

least one of them. She was in a bit of a dilemma as to which Ranma she 

would marry. Ranma Red and Ranma Blue were, essentially the same 

person. Furthermore, she had no idea as to how she could convince 

either one to break off his engagement. 

     She did not have the ability to plan as her sister Nabiki could. When 

it was almost noon, she still was no closer to solving her problem. It 

was at that time that her mercenary sibling came along.

     Akane had been sitting alone near the baseball diamond when her 

sister had caught sight of her and walked over. Nabiki could tell that her 

sister was in a very depressed state as she still hadn't touched the lunch 

that Kasumi had made for her. She quickly assessed that her depression 

was due to the Ranma twins and decided to have a few words with her.

     "Hey Akane! If I were you, I'd forget about them!" 

     Akane was a bit startled when she heard her sister's voice. Quickly 

composing herself, she looked up and replied, "What are talking about?"

     "Don't play dumb with me sis. You're not very good at it. You've been 

crying about this ever since the engagement was dissolved. What I'm 

telling you is that both Ranmas are off-limits now. Besides, they've 

been nothing but trouble ever since they came here."

     "Hmpf! You weren't complaining so much whenever you used Ranma 

to make money!" Akane countered.

     "That's different. That was business!" Nabiki said in a calm tone.

     "I don't care what you call it! I'm going to get him back! And I need 

you to help me!"

     "Why should I help you do this? In fact, why should I even bother? I 

mean, it's not like you and Ranma ever got along in the past for more 

than a day. He was more trouble than he was worth. He always insulted 

you, ate too much and caused a lot of damage to our home. Besides, 

Ranma's mother has already disallowed the engagement. Even if by 

some miracle you do convince one of them to become fiance again, 

what makes you think that things will be different?"

     "Because I love him." Akane said in a quiet voice.

     Nabiki was a little more than surprised to hear those words from her 

sister. Akane had never expressed any tender feelings toward anyone 

outside of her family before. To have her admit that she loved someone 

like Ranma, despite of all that had occurred in past, must mean that she 

meant what she said. Nabiki couldn't believe it. <My little sister is in 

love! Now there's a rarity if I ever saw one! Too bad that she's in love 

with a guy who's engaged to someone else. I don't like seeing her like 

this, but>

     "I'm sorry Akane, but I can't get involved with this one."

     Akane's eyes widened as she heard this. "Why not?" 

     Nabiki gave her sister a hard glare before responding. "It's obvious to 

everyone that Ranma and his brother are in love with Shampoo and Ukyo."

     "No they're not!" Akane denied. "They're just marrying those girls 

because of that yattai and that stupid Amazon Law!"

     Nabiki shook her head. "Akane! You can't be this blind to the truth! 

Look at them!" Nabiki gestured to the happy expressions of the twins. 

"Before they got split, Ranma had been loud, rude, obnoxious and just 

too egotistical for his own good! He always put his foot in his mouth 

whenever you were around and he never, ever, showed anything that was 

remotely romantic in public! I've had my contacts watch them in 

school, ever since they appeared! They tell me that both of them have 

been getting very close to Ukyo and Shampoo! They don't shoot off 

their mouths! They don't brag! What's more, they LIKE playing kissy-

face in front of people. From what I've gathered, Ranma Blue kisses 

Ukyo every FIVE MINUTES! Ranma Red would be doodling pictures of 

Shampoo in his notebook! They're not as shy and they're positively 

enthusiastic about their engagements! The Ranma we knew would have 

said that guys don't do mushy stuff! Face it Akane! Ranma changed 

when he became twins! Apparently, getting separated had given each of 

them a total makeover in their personalities! And after seeing what they 

did to Kuno and Mousse, I'm pretty sure that they won't leave Shampoo 

and Ukyo for anyone! Not even for you!"

     Akane simply believe that she was hearing this. <No! It can't be! 

Ranma loves me! Not them! I know he does! I love him! He wouldn't 

have stayed with us for so long if he didn't have some feelings for me. 

Every time Kuno or some other guy tried to hit on me, he'd get jealous! 

He'd always deny it, but I could tell! What about that time we went up 

against the Golden Pair? Or how about when Ukyo set me up with 

Ryoga? No! I know that Ranma loves me! All I have to do is remind 

him!> 

     Nabiki frowned when she looked at her sister's countenance. She 

wasn't getting though to her. It seems that nothing would make her get 

rid of the notion that one of the twins would forsake his current 

engagement. She could feel nothing but pity for her younger sister. 

Finally, she sighed and said, "Akane, I don't think you understand that it's 

over. Ranma's not going to marry you. You should get over him and get 

on with your life!"

     Akane felt her tears come to her eyes. She couldn't believe what she 

was being told. It was unthinkable! Then she looked at Ranma Blue. 

When he gave Ukyo another passionate kiss, she realized that Nabiki 

was right. She had been fooling herself. She had been holding onto a 

dream. A dream that would never come true. The thought of her life 

without Ranma in it was just too much for her to bear. Breaking down, 

she got up and ran off with her face in her hands. Nabiki began to run 

after her sister.

     Unknown to both Tendo sisters, the very same people they had been 

discussing had observed their conversation. Both Saotome brothers and 

Ukyo had noticed Akane speaking with her sister and had seen Akane 

run off crying. 

     "I think it's about time that we had that long talk with Akane." Ranma 

Red remarked.

     "Yeah." Ranma Blue said. "Should we visit her after school?"

     "That'll be okay. Everything should be finished before our training 

session with Soren and Taron."

     Ukyo became a bit apprehensive when she heard this. "I don't know 

Ran-chan. I mean, your father and her father still want you two to carry 

out that promise to unite the schools. They might not let you go once 

you get to the dojo!"

     Ranma Blue smiled as he gave her a reassuring kiss. "Don't worry 

about it Ucchan! There's nothing they can do about it! Pop is still scared 

of Mom and there's no way that he or Akane's dad could keep us there. 

Trust me!"



     It was around five o'clock when the twins arrived at the Tendo dojo. 

As they stood outside the gates of the compound, they looked at the 

place in which they had called home for many months. They began 

reminiscing all the time that they had living there and were none too 

happy with most of their memories. So many fights, misunderstandings 

and arguments had occurred at the Tendo home. They frowned as they 

looked over the roof of the training hall. There were several patches 

scattered across its surface. Reminders of when Akane had lost her 

temper or Happosai getting the drop on them. That usually resulted in 

Ranma being launched though the roof and into the wild blue yonder.

     The walls had also seen better days. There was not one side, which 

did not have less than three holes boarded up or hastily filled in with 

plaster. The constant fights with Ryoga, Mousse, Kuno and others had 

taken their toll. Shaking their heads sadly at the chaos that they had 

inadvertently caused to this family, the twins each took a deep breath 

and headed toward the front door.

     Kasumi was there to greet them when the door opened. As always, 

she seemed her usual serene self. 

     "Why hello Ranma Red! You too Ranma Blue! Welcome back! What 

brings you two here?"

     "Hey Kasumi! Good to see you again!" Ranma Red replied. "Is Akane 

home? We need to talk to her."

     "Well, no she hasn't come home yet. Why do you ask?"

     "We need to speak to her in private."

     "I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her since this morning. It's getting late 

and I'm becoming a little worried."

     "You want us to go look for her?" Ranma Blue asked.

     "Oh would you please? Akane has not been the same since you two 

left the dojo. Nabiki told me that she was very upset today and that she 

couldn't find her any where."

     Both brothers thought back to when Akane had run from the school 

in tears. It was then that they felt a chill come over them. The twins 

shuddered as they felt a feeling of dread wash over them.

     Kasumi noticed this and asked, "What's wrong?"

     "I don't know" Ranma Red began. "For a minute, I could swear that 

I just sensed"

     "Yeah" Ranma Blue said. "I felt it too. It was almost as if"

     Both twins looked at each other, then remembered that Soren had 

told them that their auras had very strong bonds to people who were 

close to them. Closing their eyes, they began focusing their ki energies 

on the disturbance. Combining their auras, they were able to probe 

much further than either could do alone. An image began to form in 

their minds. At first, it was a blurry scene of dark shadows and shapes. 

It then became clearer as lines and colors came into focus. Finally, the 

image became crystal clear. What the siblings saw made their blood run 

cold. Their snapped open and they each had a look of horror on their 

faces.

     Kasumi had become even more concerned. She had never seen 

Ranma that way before, not even when he was in the grip of terror when 

facing a cat. It made her shiver. "What is it?"

     Both Ranmas gave her a panicked look and then bolted from the 

dojo. Before Kasumi say anything else, the twin Saotomes were gone 

from sight.



In an deserted construction site

     Akane was feeling miserable. More miserable than she ever felt. 

Ryoga's famed depression would seem like a jump for joy compared to 

what she was feeling. After running from the school in tears, the 

youngest Tendo daughter had wandered the streets, not knowing or 

caring as to where she was headed. She eventually had come to this 

construction site where the workers had gone home for the day. Finding 

an unlocked gate, she had entered the site and had started climbing the 

girders of the unfinished building on a whim.

     By the time she had reached the seventh floor, the sun was just 

starting to make its daily journey toward the horizon. She decided to sit 

down near the edge to look at the cityscape below and contemplate 

what do with her life, now that Ranma Saotome would no longer be a 

part of it.

     As she looked down at the buildings and streets, she let out a long 

and listless sigh. Her life had been irrevocably changed. There would be 

no more arguments or insults. There would be no more fighting, save 

for those boys who wished to date her at school. She was no longer 

being forced to marry someone against her will. The dojo would no 

longer suffer any further damage since Ranma was not living there any 

more. Her life would revert back to what it was before Ranma had 

entered her life. It would be as if she and Ranma had never met.

     <It's ironic.> Akane thought. <For so long, I've been saying that I 

didn't want to marry him. Then when I finally get my wish, I do 

something stupid like fall in love with him! It's just so unfair. Why did I 

have to fall for him now? Why did I even fall for him in the first place? 

He was nothing more than an obnoxious, selfish, arrogant and self-

centered jerk! I should have bashed him when I first met him! But 

noooo, I had to become a lovesick schoolgirl!>

     Akane let out another tired sigh as she stared at the bright, majestic 

colors that the sun had produced as it neared the horizon. <Now that 

both Ranmas are engaged to Ukyo and Shampoo, they haven't even 

noticed me! It's just so unfair! I had to put up with the insults, the 

fights, those other girls and Ranma's ego! And what happens? I fall in 

love with the dope and he becomes twins and gets engaged to those 

bimbos! I've been suffering for almost a year and I get nothing in the 

end! Why did I even bother?>

     Akane could feel her tears well up again, and angrily wiped them 

away. <No! I'm not going to cry again! Nabiki was right! I've been living 

in a fantasy world! I've been fooling myself! I'll never be able to get 

Ranma back! He loves Ukyo and Shampoo, not me! If only I had been 

able to tell him sooner about how I felt about him! Ukyo and Shampoo 

told him up front and now they're going to marry him. Both of him!>

     Akane stood up and walked toward a girder that was jutting out of the 

side of the building like a diving board. She walked down its length until 

she was standing near the end. The winds blew around her gently, 

cooling her face and the redness that her tears had wrought. Looking 

down at the streets below, Akane saw that several buildings had begun 

to turn on their night lights. The street lamps were also turning on as 

their bright tops began dispelling the many shadows of the darkening 

night. The colors and patterns of luminescence spread out like a giant 

kaleidoscope. In the distance, she saw Tokyo Tower light up like a giant 

Christmas tree, adding its brightness to the city. 

     For one brief moment, all seemed right with the world. Then Akane's 

depression sunk to its lowest depths. Her heart began beating a painful 

rhythm as she felt the awful heartache of unrequited love. Terrifying in 

its newness and unbearable as it was realized far too late. The promise of 

a joyous future with Ranma Saotome had forever been dashed.

     <Nabiki told me that I should forget about him and get on with my 

life. I have two problems with that. I can't forget him and without him, I 

can't see any reason to get on with my life. My life has just been a total 

waste. Far be it from me to live a waste.>

     With a single step forward, Akane was as free as the wind. However, 

her freedom was destined to be short-lived. Akane felt no fear as the 

shadows on the ground seemed open up their arms and prepared to 

welcome her with a dark embrace that would last for eternity.

     Above her, streaking toward her falling form at unbelievable speeds, 

two flashes of light blazed across the sky. One glowed with an intense 

red light, while the one beside it burned with a blue fire. If one could 

see inside the two bursts of brilliance, one could make out a distinctive 

pigtail trailing behind each one.



To be continued



Author's Notes

     I'm probably going to get the most controversy with this chapter than 

any other to date. Ever since I started watching Ranma , I've often 

wondered why Ranma always acted the way he did when it came to girls. 

He seemed to be very immature. He'd always tease Akane and treat Ukyo 

as 'one of the guys.' Considering that he's in his mid-teens , you'd think 

that he'd act like any other boy his age. After all, puberty had already hit 

him and I'd say that his hormones would be acting at full blast. Then I 

remembered that he has had very little experience with dealing with 

members of the opposite sex. Genma was not exactly a great teacher 

either. The decade of isolation had made Ranma Saotome inhibited and 

shy toward girls and I suppose that his Jusenkyo curse had added to the 

problem. Furthermore, he has restrained himself from discussing this 

delicate matter with his peers and his family. Instead, he would hide 

behind a macho mask of indifference and would change the subject.

     Another controversy that I know I'm going to be buzzed on is the 

subject of suicide. Just so you'd know, I do not advocate it. Let's face 

it, it's not a pretty sight. Even though Rumiko Takahashi used the 

ritualistic ceremony of seppeku as a humorous plot device, we really 

shouldn't joke about it in reality. Throughout our lives, we come across 

situations in which we cannot handle. It seems at these times, the easiest 

way to end the problem is to end our lives. Akane is now dealing with the 

pain of losing Ranma to her biggest rivals. Now I do not want to give 

away the outcome of whether or not the Saotome twins will save her in 

time. If she dies, then Akane lovers everywhere will flame me. If she 

doesn't die, then Akane haters will flame me. Can't please everyone!

     I wrote this chapter, not only to give the story a more of a serious 

quality, but also to show that although we see that sex and suicide as 

points of humor in the Ranma  series, we really should be aware that 

they are not points to be taken lightly. 



