Author's notes. I'd like to say I'm sorry that this took so very long to come out, and that it's so short. It also does not likely cover matters that many of you have hoped to see covered. That is part of the problem. In addition to real life, and a bad case of being bone idle, the sheer volume of material I needed to put down to take this chapter to the point I had originally intended was so daunting, that I could not work up the enthusiasm to work on it. That brings me to this section. I have decided that I am simply going to let the story move at it's own pace, and will work on it as steadily as I can, publishing chapters whenever I feel I've come to a good point to end my current section. I hope that this will allow me to publish material far more often than I have been. 'Knock on wood.' Last chapter I promised Kagato. Ain't going to happen. Not for some time I'm afraid. I don't know how many chapters it will take to move through the coming together of my two story lines, but until that has happened I will not be moving on to Kagato. So, once again, I say I'm sorry for the slow progress, and hope that this smaller chapter will keep you for now. I won't promise a new chapter soon, but I will try to work more consistently on it. And don't stop writing. Letters from fans are the only reason this section exists. Knowing there are people who like your work, and want more is a great incentive for any author. Now, enough of my blather. On to what you're here for. The story. Oops, but before I do. Many thanks to the great pre-readers who stuck around and contributed advice to this despite my long delay. Now for the story. Tenchi and Ranma, Together, Forever!? Chapter 13 It would likely come as a surprise to many people, but for an acknowledged space pirate, Ryouko was really not very good at being sneaky. Now, mind you, this wasn't out of any sort of moral compunctions. Ryouko didn't believe in those. It was rather because her idea of a stealthy approach ran more along the lines of kicking in a wall instead of a door. Unfortunately, due to the light-of-her-life's rather narrow view on assault and battery, she had been forced to adopt a different modus from her preferred in the current situation. Despite that, she was not as handicapped as others might have been. Her natural ability to phase through solid objects, and to teleport over short distances, did give her certain advantages not available to your average ninja wanna-be. When Ryouko poked her head up through the floor of the girl's bedroom, she was pleased to see that she'd lucked out. She had come up just behind, and out of the line of sight, of her target. Her eyes glinted evilly, as she floated up high enough to expose her shoulders and arms, not to mention a healthy amount of cleavage. It was almost a pity that there was no one awake in the room to appreciate the view. Ryouko was reaching toward her unsuspecting victim, her fingers bent into claws, when she was shocked to find a tanned arm circling around her neck. The fierce space pirate suddenly found herself pulled backward against a body that was even better padded than her own. A wash of scented blond hair fell over her face as her attacker snuggled up close to her body. Mihoshi murmured happily in her sleep, and hugged Ryouko tightly. The former pirate found herself being strangled as the deceptively well muscled blonde exerted pressure. That, is, until she remembered she actually had no real need to breathe. Her situation was made worse by the fact that she didn't dare make any loud noises, lest her intended prey wake. She did not even dare phase, as her sudden absence might wake the idiot blonde and blow the whole setup. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Ryouko forced her hands under Mihoshi's arm, and slowly pressed the limb outward till she was able to slip herself free. Holding the arm with one hand, she shoved a loose pillow into the place formerly occupied by her throat and let go. The soft cushion was pressed flat, and Mihoshi once again murmured happily, loudly enough this time for Ryouko to make out the name Kiyone. The opportunist in Ryouko filed the name away for future reference while the rest of her returned its attention to the petite redhead laying on her side in front of Ryouko. Much to the curvaceous brigand's pleasure, Ranma had not woken during the struggle with Mihoshi. Ryouko reached forward once again and this time was not interrupted as her hands latched onto Ranma's shoulders. A second later, Ryouko, Ranma, and Ranma's bedding shimmered out of sight. The last trace of the pair was Ryouko's rather evil smile, which seemed to hover in the air for a fraction of a second longer then the rest of her, before finally fading from sight. *************************************** In a household bathing room a tall well-formed, brown-haired boy lifted a wooden bucket and dashed the contents over his head. "Brrrrrrrrr! Cold," Ukyou said with a shiver, as the water washed over his head. The cursed girl, currently male, was sitting on a stool in the Tendos' bathing room. Near him, a large furo was filled with steaming water. At another time Ukyou would have been looking forward to the upcoming hot soak with great anticipation. Real hot baths were a rarity in his life. A life on the road did not lend itself to private baths. And the public baths was not an option for her, or him. When he had been nothing more than a girl, pretending to be a man, she could not risk a public bath, and exposure. Now that she was a girl, who was cursed to turn into a male, the situation was even worse. Between the cold wash, and the hot soak, he'd be in trouble no matter which bath she used. None of that was in Ukyou's mind at the moment, however. One thought crowded out all others. Ranma Saotome was alive! The object of Ukyou's long quest for vengeance was staying at a place only a few hours by bus from this present location. Ukyou, and his prospective adoptive mother, Nodoka, Ranma's mother, had been on their way to the bus station to make that very trip. The two of them had, in fact, reached the gate to the street when they had been stopped by Akane's older sister, Nabiki. That girl, slightly out of breath, had informed them that she had just checked, and that if they left now, the bus schedule for the area they were going to would leave them stranded in the middle of the city when the busses stopped running for the night. Neither Ukyou or Nodoka had the means to pay for a hotel at the moment. So they had been forced to take the Tendos' offered hospitality. It was one thing to camp out in the wilds of China, quite another to do so in a Japanese town or city. The last thing Ukyou wanted to happen this close to his goal was to be picked up for vagrancy. That did not stop him from burning with desire, however. He would have his long awaited vengeance soon. "Your ass is mine, Ranma!" Ukyou vowed, as he stood up and moved toward the furo. The sound of the door sliding open behind him startled him. Reflexes honed over ten years of disguise kicked in. Ukyou crossed an arm over his chest, and a hand over his groin as he turned a head to see who had just entered the room. "Oh, my!" The girl in the doorway said, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," Nabiki exclaimed, pulling the very small towel she was holding tighter against her body. The small scrap of cloth just barely covered Nabiki's torso. Her breasts expanded above it, pushed up by the forearm she had crossed over her chest, and the bottom hovered tantalizing high on her thighs. Ukyou gulped, and hastily moved his visual focus to Nabiki's wide brown eyes while silently cursing her curse. "I didn't know there was anyone else in here," Nabiki said apologetically. Ukyou suddenly remembered that he had no current need for an arm across the chest and let it drop. Adding his now free hand to the one currently covering those bits that still needed coverage. For a brief moment he gave into temptation, and let his eyes roam slightly over Nabiki's barely covered form, and then quickly wrenched his eyes away before two hands became inadequate for the task of maintaining modesty. Thank goodness his back was still toward the door. Unseen by Ukyou, Nabiki's mouth quirked into a knowing smirk, and then quickly resumed its previous expression of embarrassed surprise. She let her eyes roam freely down Ukyou's sculpted back, to a pair of the finest male cheeks it had ever been her pleasure to view. He even has dimples, she thought in pleasure. The tableau held for an eternity to Ukyou, and far to short a time for Nabiki, when a voice from behind the voyeuristic girl sounded a rescue. "Why, Nabiki, how nice. Have you come to join me and Ukyou- kun in our bath?" Nodoka's voice asked. Nabiki eyes opened wider, this time in genuine surprise, and the blush on her cheeks became suddenly much deeper and widespread as she jerked a quick look behind herself. As she did, the towel she was holding drooped slightly, and Ukyou, who had dared a glance back over his shoulder spotted the top of a bathing suit peaking out from under it. Annoyance warred with amusement, and a slight bit of disappointment, quickly suppressed, inside Ukyou. Amusement won. The small interruption had been enough to let Ukyou regain his control. He'd spent years perfecting his flirting technique while still being one- hundred percent female. Even having to cope with an idiot body was not enough to lose all that. Dropping the hands that had been cupping his groin, Ukyou turned around. Smirking slightly, he said, "Why yes, why don't you join us, Nabiki-chan. I'd be happy to . . .wash your back for you." As he said the last few words, Ukyou dropped his voice an octave. Nabiki's head jerked back around toward Ukyou, and her eyes dipped slightly as she suddenly took in his new position. The red in her cheeks became incandescent, and she backed away from the doorway quickly. "No, no, that's all right. I'll just, er, wait my turn." "My, such a nice girl," Nodoka said as she came into the room, her head turned so she could, presumably, watch the departing Nabiki. She paused for a second, and then continued. "That is very rude, Ranko. I'm sure Nabiki had no such idea in mind. And I don't think she's very manly at all. A bit forward perhaps, but not so crass as all that." By the time Nodoka turned her head back Ukyou had entered the furo, and the hot water had converted her back to her natural state of femininity. A brief look of disappointment flashed across Nodoka's face, quickly replaced with one of good cheer. Ukyou was not fooled. She knew that Nodoka would prefer it if she stayed male at all times. She was also not deceived by the bland look of cheerfulness Nodoka assumed as she began to wash up. Ukyou knew the older woman had to be as eager as she herself was to find Ranma, if for different reasons. That was a matter she intended to discuss with her future mother. *********************** Nabiki Tendo did not stomp. Such a thing was unthinkable for the self-controlled girl. Her sister . . . sisters, stomped, and bashed, and otherwise carried on in noisy and demonstrative ways. But Nabiki did not. Therefore, she was not currently stomping down the hallway of her home in a high dudgeon. She was simply walking with great vigor. "How dare he!" She exclaimed with venom. In her mind, she could still see Ukyou's supercilious expression as he had called her bluff in the bathroom. Nabiki fumed. She was used to being the one in control, and leaving her partners baffled and befuddled. How dare that, that, that male, act like that! "Nabiki, are you alright!" a concerned voice asked in stereo. Nabiki looked up to see her sister . . .sisters, looking at her with worried expressions on their faces. The sudden visual reminder of the weirdness that had invaded her life acted as a very effective cold shower. Nabiki gave her head a shake, and smiled tightly at her sisters. "Nothing that I can't handle. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to go and get dressed for Daddy's big announcement." "Big announcement?" the Akane who was holding a small black pig asked. "What big announcement?" her twin said at the same time. "You'll find out in a while. I'm sure that Daddy's just waiting for Ukyou-kun and Aunty Nodoka to finish their bath before giving it." Nabiki started down the hall toward her bedroom, and then paused, turning back toward Una and Annakane. "Say, girls, is there anything between you and Ukyou-kun?" Both Akanes blinked at Nabiki in surprise, then together flushed red with anger, and said with great heat," What!? What sort of a pervert do you think I am, Nabiki!?" "So, he's not deeply, madly in love with either, or both of you?" "What! NO! Wait! What have you heard? He isn't is he?" both Akane's chorused in perfect harmony, genuine distress on their faces. A look of satisfaction crossed Nabiki's face. "Sorry, forget I said anything. Just wanted to check that I wasn't treading on any toes," she said over her shoulder as she resumed her walk toward her bedroom. "Or that I'm not wasting my time on a lost cause," she added softly to herself. "The nerve of her!" Annakane, fumed to her twin. "Yea, accusing us of being interested in another girl," her twin agreed. "So when did she find out Ukyou was really a girl?" a gravely voice asked. Annakane looked down at the small pig nestled in her arms, a frown on her face. "What?" she asked. "I asked when did your sister find out that Ukyou was a girl?" "I don't think she has," Unakane said in a doubtful voice. "Though I suppose she might have. Nabiki's very good at finding out secrets," she added in a voice that contained just a bit of bitterness. "So, how could she have been accusing you of being interested in another girl?" the pig asked. "Well . . ." the twins both said, and both trailed off. "I suppose," "She couldn't have been," they said with some reluctance. "Hey!" Unakane suddenly said. "She was asking if we were interested in," "Ukyou as a boy!" "And what she said after," Annakane said, her eyes going wide. "She's interested in 'him'!" Unakane finished in shock. "We have to tell her the truth!" Both girls chorused and headed for Nabiki's room. Nabiki looked up with a frown as her sisters barged into her room. She had dropped her towel, and was covered in only a skimpy one piece bathing suit. In front of her the door to her closet was wide open, showing a wide selection of outfits. She hastily shoved about half of them out of her sister's line of sight. The half that had originally hung in Akane's room. "Nabiki! I have to tell you about Ukyou!" the twins yelled. "Wait, let me guess," Nabiki said, holding up the palm of her hand to silence her sisters. "He's not what he looks like. Right?" "That's right! He's a. . ." "Dirty pervert. Who's not to be trusted, and who'll take advantage of me the first moment he's able. I've heard the song before, Akane. . . and, Akane. Well, guess what? I'm a big girl, and I can squash a pervert with the best of them." "Nabiki! You don't understand!" "Oh, I understand perfectly," Nabiki said, turning back toward her closet. "But not all of us are so lost in our own private world. Believe it or not, little sisters, some girls actually have good times with boys. Some of them even enjoy the fact that they are a little perverted. God knows, if it weren't for their hormones, my bank balance would be a lot smaller. So why don't you let big sister get ready, and you can go do whatever boy hating tomboys do." "Nabiki!" "Shoo, shoo," Nabiki said, waving a hand in a dismissive gesture toward her bedroom door. Her attention was fully on her clothes cupboard, and it was clear that as far as she was concerned, the conversation was over. Annakane fought down the urge to slam Nabiki's door behind her as she left. The last time she'd done that, they'd needed to replace a large section of wall. But she wanted to. "I can't believe her!" Annakane groused to Unakane. "Yea, we were only trying to keep her from making a big mistake, and embarrassing herself." "Yea, she can't blame us now, we tried," Annakane said, and as she spoke, her eyes widened slightly, and her face took on a look that would not have looked out of place on her feline form. "You know," she started to say. "She's going to be really, really embarrassed when she finds out," Unakane finished. "Especially if it takes a while," her twin mused. "Yea, like weeks." "Or even months." Both girls were now grinning in anticipation, but then their expression sobered a bit. "But what if Ukyou," Annakane said. "Does something perverted?" "Yea, she's got that boy type body now." "What if it makes her crazy?" "Like real boys are?" Nestled in Annakane's arms. Agent P gave a sigh, and shook his head in disgust. He didn't say anything however. Sometimes it was just better to let matters go at their own pace. When dealing with stubborn students it was often the only way they learned. While these thoughts went through the small pig-like alien's mind, the girls had been thinking themselves. "We're just going to have to make sure," "That Ukyou doesn't try to take advantage of Nabiki." "I'm sure she'll listen to us." "If we ask her right." Both girls grinned at each other with smiles that showed a lot of teeth. ********************************* Despite the hot furo she was sitting in, Ukyou gave a shudder as a cold chill ran down her back. Boy, I needed this hot bath more than I thought, she thought. Settling herself deeper into the hot water she turned her attention toward Nodoka, who had just joined her in the furo. Ukyou gave silent thanks for the effect of hot water on curse victims. She'd just spent five minutes listening to Ranko rant about the evil Nabiki, and how Ukyou had better not fall into her clutches. Somewhere in the yelling Ukyou had finally picked up on Ranko's real problem. Nabiki had as good as called her a liar earlier in the evening, after the first panda attack. It seems Ranko was not one to forgive such thing easily. Having had her say, Ranko had given into Nodoka's urging, and had washed up and entered the hot furo. Barely giving Nodoka time to settle, Ukyou asked, "That panda, it was Genma. Wasn't it?" "Yes, I believe it was your father," Nodoka said with a sigh. Ukyou flinched. She'd forgotten that little detail. The thought of Genma as her father was not a happy one. If she'd not already felt that way, the trip through China would have assured that. Time after time they'd come across stories of Genma and Ranma dining and dashing. Hanging was too good for them to Ukyou's restauranteur sensibilities. Despite that, it looked like she was going to have to get used to the idea. Obviously, Nodoka still intended to adopt her, even though Ranma was still alive. She put this into words. "Why do you need me as a 'son'? You have Ranma now?" Nodoka looked hurt. "You don't think that's the only reason I asked to adopt you, do you? My Husband made a promise to you, and the only way I can honor it, even in part, is by adopting you into our family. But even if that was not the case. I would be honored to call you son. You have shown yourself to be manly in trying circumstances. You have all the qualities I could ever wish for in my son." With each comment Ukyou winced. Even if she was starting to admit that she was not a very feminine female, it was painful to hear herself declared a paragon of male virtues. Once Nodoka finished, Ukyou said, "But the reason that was the only way you could settle the debt owed me was because Ranma was dead. With him still alive, you could make him honor the original agreement. I could still join your family the traditional way now," she finished in a slightly bitter tone. "I could marry, Ranma." An expression of surprise crossed Nodoka's face. "Marry Ranma!? I would have thought that would be the last thing you'd consider." "It is!" Ukyou affirmed with vigor, suppressing an old desire. How could she possibly confess all the dreams she'd had where her old childhood playmate had begged forgiveness, after she had beaten him to within an inch of his life, and then asked to be her husband. She was an adult now, and had put such childish wishes behind her. "I was just pointing out that there is another way for me to join your family. If I don't want to marry Ranma, that's my choice, and your honor is not involved." "I see. . ." Nodoka said thoughtfully. "Still, it would be nice if you would reconsider that, now that I think of it. If you were to marry Ranma it might be a solution to the problem." Nodoka's voice and expression had a distracted quality to it. Looking at her, Ukyou realized that Nodoka was focused on something besides what they were discussing. But if that were the case, what problem was she talking about? Before she could ask, Nodoka continued, "I have to think about this, Ukyou. Could you please give me this evening. I promise I'll let you know before we reach the shrine." Ukyou felt a sense of unease that told her to push the matter. She started to do that, but when she looked into Nodoka's eyes, and saw the expression of entreaty there, she couldn't. "Ok, I guess I can wait," she said. Mentally, she made a wish that she wouldn't regret not pushing. A knock on the door drew both of their attentions, and Ukyou submerged till only her eyes were above the water, just in case. "Aunty, are you in there with Ukyou-kun?" Kasumi's voice asked. "We're both here, Kasumi-chan," Nodoka asked. "Do you need the furo? We're almost done." "No, I just wanted to let you know that Daddy would like to see you and Ukyou-kun downstairs as soon as you are done and dressed." "Very well. Would you please tell your father that we will join you as soon as we can." "I will, Aunty." "Now I wonder what Tendo-san wishes to speak to us about?" Nodoka mused, as she exited the furo. ********************************* The old pine was the patriarch of the valley. One of the few trees to survive the battle that had stranded Yosho there over seven hundred years before. It had only been a sapling at the time, sheltered behind a rock outcropping that was striped away in the avalanches that followed the crash. Over the years it had grown in solitary splendor, head and shoulders above the secondary growth that moved in to replace the pine's destroyed siblings. With abundant sun, good soil and frequent rainfall, it had grown tall and wide. It was well over a hundred feet in height, but that was not what made it stand out from its fellows. With no competition, it had spread out, as well as up. Its lower branches were larger than most trees, and stretched for yards from its trunk. A shimmering light appeared above a particularly massive branch. One that was almost a yard thick. Gently, with not even a bump, Ryouko materialized Ranma and her bedding onto this branch. Slowly, she withdrew her hands, holding her breath in anticipation. Ryouko let out a sigh as Ranma stayed where she was, snuggled in her bedding, and oblivious to her change in circumstances. "I suppose I could just leave you like that, Red," Ryouko murmured in a soft voice. "But that wouldn't really be fair. After all, you were considerate enough to make sure I'd wouldn't have a hard landing. The least I can do is return the favor." So saying, Ryouko floated downward. A few seconds later, indistinct sounds floated up from ground level. ******************************** Ukyou paused in the doorway to the Tendos' common room. The setting in front of him had a slightly strange quality to it. Kneeling at the head of the dining table, Akane's father was smiling broadly, tears streaming down his face in rivulets. Kneeling on the right hand side of the table, and next to her father, Akane's oldest sister, Kasumi, was serene and quiet. She seeming oblivious to the strong emotions her father was displaying. Her brown eyes turned toward Ukyou as he came in the door, and they seemed to measure him, in a very polite way. Despite that, he found himself blushing slightly under her gaze, and not knowing why. At the opposite end of the table, still on the right hand side, Annakane and Unakane knelt. Their faces were puzzled and wary, and the look they gave Ukyou was both apologetic, and belligerent. All this Ukyou took in quickly as the bulk of his attention was drawn to the kimono clad beauty kneeling beside the dinning room table between Kasumi and the twins. For a second Ukyou was puzzled, thinking this was a new sister, then his eyes widened as he recognized her. It was Nabiki, but not the brash forward Nabiki who had brazenly burst in on him while he'd been washing. This was a demure lady of exquisite appearance and manners. Ukyou felt like he'd been punched in the gut. Demure and modest the kimono might have been, but the fine silk clung to her body like a second skin, revealing, and concealing, and making Ukyou's mind imagine things he didn't want to. Then the girl lifted her head and looked at him. There in her eyes was the same girl he had met in the bathroom, and he relaxed, giving her a cheeky grin, and taking pleasure in the small blush that colored her cheeks as she ducked her head in confusion. He still had it, he thought with satisfaction. A slight nudge from behind brought Ukyou back to himself, and he stepped forward and allowed Nodoka to enter the room behind him. "Come, sit down. Join us," Soun Tendo exclaimed with barely contained excitement. "What is it you wished to talk to us about, Tendo-san?" Nodoka asked as soon as she and Ukyou knelt down at the table, opposite the four sisters. "I wished to formally present my daughter's to you," Soun answered her. "I beg your pardon?" Nodoka said in surprise. Soun, had already moved on. In an voice that was barely coherent from excitment, he pointed at Kasumi and said. "This is my oldest daughter, Kasumi. She's 19. She is an excellent housekeeper and cook. Her husband will be well fed, and never lack for clean clothes." Kasumi blushed slightly, but said nothing. Soun next indicated Nabiki. "What the heck is going on here?" Unakane asked sharply. Soun ignored Unakane, and said, "This is my middle daughter, Nabiki. She is 17 years old. She is skilled at money management, and will manage her husband's finances well. He will never have to worry about his finances with her." "Daddy, what the heck are you doing?" Annakane asked in an annoyed tone of voice. She was blushing at her father's behavior. "Be quiet you two," Nabiki hissed under her breath to her two sisters while she directed a demure smile Ukyou's way. "And this is," Soun started to say, pointing toward Annakane. Then he paused, and his finger swivelled toward her twin. "And this is . . .?" "Unakane, and Annakane," Nodoka said in an amused, voice. 'Yes, ah, right, exactly," Soun babbled. He took a deep breath, and made a conscious effort to get back on track. "Ah, Akane, I mean Unakane, and Annakane, are skilled martial artists . . ." he paused, and looked questioningly at his twin daughters. "You still are skilled martial artists aren't you?" he asked. "Of course we are," they both answered in impatient voices. "What is this all about, daddy?" Again Soun ignored them. "So these are my daughters. When you meet your son Ranma, I hope you will be able to advise him on which one you think would make the best wife for him." Nodoka and Ukyou stared at him in surprise. "What!?" Unakane and her sister shouted out in shock. Nabiki was not far behind them. Her demure facade vanished as if it had never been. She scowled at her father. "What the heck do you mean, Ranma!?" She asked with some heat. "Ukyou's right here." "Yes, I know, but he's only an adopted son. And does not use the Saotome school of martial arts. Genma and I agreed to merge our schools, so even if Ukyou were a blood Saotome, he would not be suitable." "I am sorry you feel that way, Tendo-san," Nodoka said in a quiet voice that still managed to cut through all the conversations and yelling going on. It also brought Ukyou out of the shock he'd experienced on learning that Genma had arranged another marriage for Ranma, besides the one he had set up with Ukyou's father. "I don't understand." Soun said. "I'm afraid that Ranma can not marry any of your daughters." Nodoka said flatly. "But Genma and I promised each other. It's a matter of honor." "It is also an impossibility. Ranma can not physically marry your daughters due to an accident that befell him on the trip he and Genma took." Soun's face collapsed. "No," he whispered in protest. "This can't be. Now our houses will never be joined. All my dreams, dust." Tear started to run down his cheeks in streams. "Are you sure?" he asked Nodoka in a voice begging for hope. He didn't get it. "I am truly sorry, Tendo-san. As I said, it is not possible for Ranma to marry your daughters. His accident makes it out of the question." Ukyou listened to this with mixed feelings. He had known there was something wrong from the way Nodoka had been behaving. He had not realized it was this bad. Ranma had suffered some sort of injury that made it impossible to marry? Male instincts he didn't know he had made him wince, and press his legs tight together. Part of him wanted to cheer out, 'couldn't happen to a nicer guy', but part of him still remembered the boy he had played with all of one hot summer, back when he was still a girl, legally, and physically. The best friend he had ever had. Ranma was also the one who had betrayed him the worst of anyone in his life, however. For a few minutes Ukyou juggled those two halves, the good and the bad Ranma. To his regret he couldn't simply absolve Ranma. There was too much pain for that, but he could forgive him, just a little. Maybe enough to not need his long sought vengeance. After all, it there would be no honor in assaulting a cripple. A vision rose in Ukyou's mind of a Chibi-Ranma, trembling with weakness and leaning on two canes. He clapped his hands together three times, and said a brief prayer for the poor unfortunate. Ukyou suddenly blushed as he realized what he'd done in front of everyone. He hurriedly looked around, but no one was looking at him. Instead, everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. Tendo-san was crying, Kasumi and Nodoka were kneeling in silence, each thinking private thoughts. Nabiki looked annoyed, and Annakane and her sister were exchanging looks behind their middle sister's back. Even as Ukyou watched, they leaned forward, evil smiles on their face. Ukyou felt a sudden irrational fear. "Wait!" Annakane, said, standing up as she did so. "You were too quick to dismiss Ukyou, daddy," she said. "He's a really good martial artist. I'm sure he could learn the Saotome style quickly once he has been adopted." Soun's face brightened, and he turned to look at Ukyou, who was waving negative signs at Annakane, which she was blithely ignoring. "Well, he does look very fit," Soun mused. Ukyou looked at him in shock, and turned to his future mother in the hopes she would inject some sanity into this discussion. To his horror she looked like she was actually considering the insane ideas. Nabiki was watching her father and Nodoka intently. She really had no intention of marrying Ukyou, well, not without knowing a lot more about him, but on the other hand, he was handsome, seemed intelligent, and best of all, didn't know her. Now if she waited for just the right minute, she could likely get her daddy to agree to a provisional engagement, one that Nabiki could break off if Ukyou could not master the Saotome style. She was confident she could convince her father he hadn't when the time came for her to seek greener pastures. She opened her mouth to speak. "Nabiki will marry him." "Yea, she's perfect for him. Nabiki suddenly found herself bracketed by both her younger sisters. Each one holding her arm and pushing her forward slightly. "Really, you think so?" Soun asked eagerly. "Oh yes, it's a perfect match, trust us," both girls chorused. "No wait a bit," Nabiki tried to say, but she was drowned out by her father. "It's settled then. Ukyou will marry Nabiki. I'm so happy," he cried out, breaking down completely. "Mother, I can't do this. You have to tell him," Ukyou said frantically, tugging on Nodoka's sleeve. Nodoka seemed oblivious. "It would satisfy family honor," she mused out loud, much to Ukyou's dismay. She suddenly gave a firm nod of her head, and said, "I think this would be for the best. Ukyou will marry Nabiki." "What?" Ukyou and Nabiki exclaimed in shock. "What if he can't master the Saotome style, daddy," Nabiki said a bit frantically, eager to get her loophole in place. Soun waved this concern off as he continued to cry tears of joy. "I'm sure that is not a problem," he sobbed in joy. "Your sisters vouch for him after all. If they think he can do it, I trust her judgment." Nabiki directed a dirty look toward both her sisters, who looked back with innocent expressions on their faces." Kasumi stood up. Her face wore its usual expression of neutral good cheer, with maybe just a touch of disappointment around the eyes. "Oh my, I guess I should get out some tea and cakes so we can celebrate, and maybe a little sake," she added before her father could. "Could I talk to you two," Ukyou hissed angrily, taking both Akanes by their arms. He practically dragged them out of the room. "ARE YOU CRAZY!" he whispered in outrage to them as soon as they were clear of the others. Both Annakane and her sister were laughing so hard they could barely stand. "Did you see her face," Unakane said to her sister. "She was so sure she had it," "All figured out." "Boy, is she in for a," "Surprise." Both girls fell to the floor holding their sides. "This is not funny!" Ukyou yelled at them. He darted a quick look back at the dining room, and then said in a quieter voice, "You know I can't marry your sister!" He said angrily. "Of course not." "That's why it's so funny." the girls said. "Relax, Ukyou. You know daddy won't hold Nabiki to the deal when the truth comes out," Unakane said. "Yea, but until then, Nabiki's going to play it for all it's worth." "Yea, imagine what she'll feel when the truth comes out." "Buuuuurrrrrrnnnnneeeddddd," both girls said as one. "Ukyou," Nodoka said, entering the hallway. "you don't need to worry. I've explained to Soun." Ukyou heaved a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness," he said. "Awwww," Annakane and Unakane said sulking. "He was very understanding about the curse, but as you are a boy in reality, he saw no problem with continuing with the arrangement." All three young people face faulted. Off to the side, a small black pig snickered silently to himself. ******************************** Sunrise came late to the Masaki valley. The surrounding hills kept the valley floor in shadows till the sun was quite high in the sky. That meant the day almost always started in the dawns early light. Sasami woke earlier than most everyone else in the general course of things, though often Ranma would be up ahead of her, and out in the yard training before breakfast. Rubbing her eyes, she made out that not only was Ranma not present, but that's she'd also rolled up her futon and put it away for the day. "I'd better get a big breakfast on," Sasami yawned to herself. "Ranma deserves a reward for being so neat." Unspoken was the hope that a little reward might encourage the party in question to keep up the good habit. She departed the room, scratching an itch as she did so. Behind her, Mihoshi and Ayeka continued to sleep. Mihoshi making little high pitched wheezing noises, and Ayeka snoring in a most unladylike fashion. Up in his room Tenchi sat up in bed, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Stretching, his arms, he gave a long yawn, and then stumbled out of bed. He'd need to bring in a little firewood for Sasami this morning. The house was getting low on gas, and they hadn't yet set up a regular delivery. Downstairs, Ryouko lay on her rafter, her eyes closed, but not asleep. Any second now she thought with glee. There was no need for her to be present. She had set up some recorders salvaged from Ryuu-oh to preserve the moment for posterity. She would have liked to have been present, but didn't want to take a chance of her presence alerting Ranma. Ranma sat up in bed, and scratched herself in an absent minded manner left over from old habits. She gave a yawn, and looked around herself in the dim morning light. "Wha . . ." she exclaimed in surprise at seeing a tree trunk a few yards away. Her startled move was enough to destroy the delicate balance that had kept her in place on the broad tree limb. With a startled yell, Ranma found herself slipping off whatever she was laying on. Her hand flashed out and hooked into the rough bark of the limb her futon had been supported by. Looking down she watched as her bedding fell twenty feet, and landed with muffled thumps on the ground. She could just barely make out their pale shapes against the darker ground in the early morning light. "What the heck," she said to herself. Her eyes widened in understanding. "Ryouko," she said. Lifting her legs, while still hanging from one hand, she spotted the rope tied around her left ankle. "No way, Mummy," Ranma chortled. "Ranma Saotome ain't that easy." She reached out with her free hand, and carefully undid the clumsy knot that secured the cotton rope to her leg. She looked around herself carefully, and spotted what looked like a wooden ball floating a few feet away. Not recognizing it, but guessing at its purpose, Ranma pulled down an eyelid, and stuck out her tongue at the small visual recorder. "Not even close, Pirate," she taunted. Ranma let go of her handhold, and made a controlled fall to the forest floor. Her feet touched down lightly on the forest trash, and kept going. "Wha!" she had time to cry out in surprise before the liquid mud the leaves had covered sucked her under with a wet slurping sound. Sasami almost dropped the bowl of eggs she had just taken out of the fridge when a loud,"Bwhaaahahahahhahahahahah," shattered the morning silence. She stuck her head out the kitchen door, and gave Ryouko, who had fallen off her perch, and was laying on the couch laughing, a chastening look. But Sasami was not one to scold. So instead of reproaching Ryouko, she merely said. "Ryouko-san, could you go and find Ranma, and tell her breakfast is nearly ready." "Don't worry, Sasami," Ryouko said, still chortling. She looked into the small mirror shaped object in her hand. "I think Ranma will be here very soon." She suddenly faded from view. Sasami turned around as her voice resumed in the kitchen. "It's such a nice day, I think I'll have my breakfast up at the temple, and enjoy the sunrise," she said, snatching up supplies. "Say good morning to Ranma for me when she gets here," were her last words as she faded from sight again." End. Next. I hope -_-;;; It's a nice day for a picnic, if not for the space pirates, assassins and assorted police officers.