------------------------------------------------------------

20:31, Mano's residence.
Nerima district, Japan

        Mano Madoka hung up the phone. She just received a
call that would certainly change a lot of things. Saotome
Ranma was back at his family house. What should have been a
joyous for both families was tarnished by a promise made by
the father of the child. She had expected anything to happen
to the child. He might have not lived long enough to marry
her granddaughter, he might have been killed by a Demon and
he could have been lost somewhere forever. Until a few
moments ago, she still thought that the last one had
happened. That why she never told Yohko about the
engagement. She never imagined that another engagement would
come in the way of the union of the two clans.

  [ There nothing I can do about that right now. I better
tell Yohko about Ranma. ]

       With that in mind, Madoka left the kitchen and climbed
the stairs. She then walked toward Yohko's door. Madoka
opened the door and looked at a scene she saw dozen of times.
Yohko's best friend, Chikako was sitting on the chair near
the desk and Yohko's apprentice Azuka was sitting on a corner
of the bed. Yohko was on the head of the bed her back to the
wall and looking depressed while holding a pillow against her
chest.

  [ Yep! She been 'dumped' yet again. The count now of
forty-three. ]

       Madoka walked to the center of the room without
disturbing the various object lying in her path.

  " Yohko, there something we need to discuss. "

       Madoka words didn't seem to get the attention of her
granddaughter.

  " I was so sure that he was right guy this time. "

       No they definitely didn't.

  " You must look at the bright side mistress... You only
been wrong three times this week. "

       At that Yohko seem even more depressed.

  " That was the forty-fourth one this year. "

       Yohko hid her head in the pillow.

  " Did I miss one? "

       That seem to attract their attention. Yohko even
lifted her head from the pillow. Chikako took out her pocket
organizer and seem to be verifying something.

  " Yes, Mano-San it was while you left for the out spring
with your daughter. Just after Azuka arrived here. "

  " Oh yes! It was when mistress Yohko was brought into
another dimension. "

       Asuka comment made Yohko put her head back into the
pillow.

  " Yeah! She thought that the guy she had to save was in
love with her. But he was in love with a girl that she freed
too. "

       Now Yohko was literally crushing the pillow with her
arms and knees. She looked like she wanted to disappear in
the pillow.

  " But the best part... "

       Yohko didn't let Chikako finish. She threw her pillow
in her best friend face and got off the bed.

  " Enough already! Can we talk about something else. "

       Now was the moment Madoka had waited for.

  " Actually, I have something important to discuss with
you Yohko. "

       The Mano elder looked at the two others girls in the
room and they seem to have understood what she meant.

  " Look at the hour I am better get going or my mom going to
kill me. Bye Yohko! See you tomorrow. "

       Chikako was the first to go, but Azuka wasn't far
behind.

  " Mistress I will be in my room doing my homework. "

       The devil hunter in training while following the older
girl.

  " I thought that she had done them already. "

       Azuka closed the door behind her. Madoka walked to the
bed and sat on it motioned her granddaughter to do the same.
After Yohko had sat beside her, she began.

   " Yohko what I have to tell you will change a lot of thing
in your life. "

       Before Madoka could continue Yohko spoke first.

  " I'm adopted? "

       Madoka calmly answered.

  " No."

  " I got breast cancer? "

  " No. Yohko... "

       Before she could finish sentence Yohko spoke again.

  " I'm cursed? "

  " No.. Yes, but that not what I'm here to talk about. What
here for is..."

       Again Yohko interrupted her.

  " I'm CURSED! "

       Madoka resigned herself.

  [ I should as well tell her. ]

  " Yes, you are cursed, so is Azuka. "

       A loud noise could be heard from the other side of the
door. It sounded like someone hitting the floor. Madoka
quickly went to the door and opened it. Azuka was halfway
from back on her feet as for Chikako she was about to walk
down the stairs.

  " What are you two still doing here? "

       Madoka looked at Yohko who had just spoke. Like her
last comment indicate it she was slightly angry, but
definitely annoyed. Before either of the girls could come up
with some excuse Madoka spoke.

  " You two may as well come in. "

       Azuka quickly passed between the two Mano and took back
her previous place on the edge of the bed. Chikako walked
toward the door, but stopped in front the two devil hunters.
The girl looked afraid and embarrassed at the same time not
daring to look at them directly.

  " It just to know like that.. Heh.. Can it be
transmitted? "

       It's a good thing that Chikako wasn't looking at Yohko
face right now, because she would have mistaken her for a
demon. An angry one. Madoka answered the girl.

  " No it's can't "

       Relieved Chikako went through the door and sat on the
chair like before. The two Mano took back their respective
place on the bed leaving the door open this time. Just after
they sat the first question was asked.

  " Could you describe the curse Mano-sama. "

       Madoka looked at the young girl. She tried to hide
it, but it was clear that she was afraid.

  " The source of the curse go back about three hundred years
ago. A powerful demon tried to take over Japan to then
conquer the rest world. The devil hunters were able to
defeat it, but at a high cost. Of all the clans that fought the
demon and it army only three survived the war which only two
remain now. "

       Madoka looked at three girls who were all listening to
her attentively. She always liked to tell the stories that
formed the glorious past of her clan. It was sad that she
never the chance nor the time to tell it to Yohko. Without
waiting further she resumed her task.

  " While dying the demon cursed the three clans so that no
women born or wed in their clans would give birth to a son. "

       Before she could continue Chikako stopped her which
earned her disapproving glance from the two others girls.

  " Why that? Why no more sons? "

  " In those times, the pride of every families was their sons.
From making the women of the clans unable give birth to a son
the demon was stealing away the pride of the devil hunter. Or
so he thought. "

       Now after Chikako it was Yohko turn to ask a question.

  " So now all the clans composed of women. "

  " No Yohko. Only the West clan, if there any still
living, the East clan, which is our, and the North clan. "

  " What about the South clan? "

       Madoka looked at Chikako after she asked her question.

  " The South clan didn't fight that demon and so they were
not cursed. "

       When she spoke of them she put as much disgust in her,
but Chikako didn't seem to have remarked it.

  " Hey Yohko! One of those guys would make a perfect
boyfriend since he would be a devil hunter too. "

  " Maybe... "

  " I FORBID IT! "

       The eyes of the three girls were on the Mano Elder.
She had moved to be just in front of Yohko. None of the girls
had ever seen her act that way.

  " The members of the South clan are selfish and
untrustworthy. They will never admit their faults. The
reason why did not fight with the others clans is because they
were trying to find some kind of treasure. And anyway
Yohko... "

       Madoka had somewhat regained her calm by now.

  "... you already have a fiancé. That I wanted to discuss
with you. "

       The next question came from the three girls at the same
time.

  " WHAT? "

  " His name is Saotome Ranma and a member of the North
clan. "

  " But you said the no devil hunter of the North could have a
son... Is he adopted? "

  " No, Yohko. He is the living example that the curse can be
broken. "

  " As Yohko's manager I got the right to know why her. "

       Both Yohko and Madoka looked at her for a moment. The
first with some embarrassment the other with some amusement.

  " Firstly, it's to reinforce the bond between or two
clans. Secondly, the Saotome and the Mano always cooperate
with each other even before the alliance between the two
clans. As for why precisely Yohko, she is the current
possessor of the family ring. "

       There was a long moment of silence and Madoka thought
that they had no more question and walked toward the door.
But Yohko stopped her before she was out.

  " Grandma. What do he look like? "

  [ I should have expected that one. ]

       Madoka turned around to face the three girls.

  " If that can be of any indication he was a very cute boy
when he was five years old. "

  " You didn't meet him when he was older Mano-sama? "

       Madoka stayed quiet for few second before answering
Azusa.

  " No, because Ranma was taken on a training trip by his
father when he was six. "

  " Why that grandma? "

  " The official reason is that his father wanted train him
to be the best martial artist ever and he thought his wife
would only soften Ranma. "

       Madoka held her hand in front of Yohko who was about to
ask her another question.

  " The real reason is that his clan feared for is life.
Yohko, you must understand that you and Ranma can strengthen
the fragile alliance between the East clan and the North clan
and there many being that will do anything prevent that from
happening. And not all of them are demons. "

       The room fell quiet as the words sink in. Madoka
never had wanted any of her child to be used like this. That
she refused to join the head of the clan. Ranma's birth
changed all that. Once again walking toward the door she
stopped. Not turning she spoke again.

  " Yohko since tomorrow is Saturday you will be moving into
your fiancé home in Juuban. "

       That seem to shake them out of their thoughtful state.

  " What? "  " What about me Mano-sama? "  " Juuban!! "

       They all spoke at the same time, which made it difficult
to understand them, but Madoka knew they answer the wanted.
She looked at Azuka who seemed to be slightly worried.

  " As for now Azuka I will take over your training if that
fine with you. "

       The expression on the young girl told her that she was
Relieved.

  " I would be happy Mano-sensei. "

       Yohko looked hurt by the cheerfulness in her former
disciple, but she remembered that Azuka was always cheerful.
Before Madoka could continue, Chikako spoke first.

  " What about me? I can't be a good manager if Yohko is
going to live in Juuban. Who is going to keep track of her
improvement? "

  " I believe that Mrs. Saotome will take care of keeping track
of that since she will teaching both her son and Yohko. "

       It was Yohko turn to interrupt her.

  " What can she teach me? I am good enough with my
sword as it is. "

  " Nodoka, Ranma's mother, also use a sword and I am sure
that she can teach you a few trick. She is also an experienced
magic user and she will train you in her art. "

  [ The time training together will not only improve Yohko's
skill, but her relationship with Ranma. ]

  " That a good reason for me to go, but it doesn't totally
explain why I have to move at his place... It sound like one
of mom's idea. "

       It did sound like one of Sayoko's idea. Madoka
couldn't help herself but smile at that. After years of
fighting her daughter to kept Yohko a virgin, she was now
asking her to move into a boy house.

  " The reason is that although Nodoka knew about the
engagement she didn't tell her husband about it. Not knowing
about it Ranma's father engaged him to the daughter of his
best friend. Since neither want to break the engagement they
decided to give a fair chance to the two engagements and let
Ranma choose whom he will marry. "

       It did not take long for Yohko to react.

  " Let me get this straight. Not only I am fiancé to a guy I
never met, but I have also to fight for him against a girl
with a valid claim on him. "

       Madoka simply nodded. Yohko thought for a second.

[ He better be worth it... Hell I'm desperate. ]

" Ok, I will go for it. "

--------------------------------------------------------------

20:45, Tendou's residence.
Nerima district, Japan

       Soun Tendou put back the phone on the hook. That last
phone call was both the source of great hope and greater
despair. For the first time in years he heard the voice of
Genma, his old friend and co-disciple. It was an enormous
joy to talk to him again, but the news he giving was an other
matter completely.

  [ The union of our school is in peril. ]

        By now two streams of tear was visible on his face.
His friend had informed her that not only his wife was against
the marriage of Ranma to one of his daughter, but that she
was engaging her son to another girl.

  [ It is a good thing that Genma was able to make her see the
importance of the union between the two families. ]

        Genma's wife had been convinced to let Ranma decide
which girl he was going to marry. Like Genma had mentioned
the Tendou had a advantage. He had two wonderful daughters
where they only had one ordinary girl. Too bad that Kasumi
was recently engaged to the good doctor Tofuu. Plan of how
to win the Saotome boy started to emerge. He then remembered
something important.

  [ I'm better tell the girls about the engagement. ]

--------------------------------------------------------------

Author note :

        At last I finished the second chapter! I can't
believe how many hours I spend working on this chapter alone.
The hardest part was to make the whole story stick together.
As for Madoka telling Yohko having to have only one rival it
is because Genma didn't tell Nodoka that Soun had more than
one daughter ( he didn't know before the phone call ). For
those who are asking themselves if this is going to be
all-the-girls-chases-Ranma type of fic the answer is : It is
not the main plot. I think I dropped enough hint on what
going to be the main plot.

       What going to happen in the next chapter? I'll give
one hint. The title is :
                         Demons, girls and more demons.

Please don't hesitate to send C&C.

Micronime@hotmail.com