A Ranma 1/2 alternate universe mini-series. Genma and Soun are captured by the Musk when they seal up Happosai. Only Soun escapes. A PG-13 rating for language and situations.

This story and a few others can be found on my web page at
http://www.oocities.org/jlfenton65/
jlfenton65@yahoo.com

Ranma 1/2 is a trademark of Viz Communications, Inc. and was created by Rumiko Takahashi.
This story is of my own derivation and is not intended for commercial purposes, so please don't sue me.

Last chapter, everyone returned home where Nodoka, Nabiki, and Kasumi learned of the curses. Ranma and Akane ran into Ryoga after school and brought him home. After a little scuffle with Soun, Nodoka straightened things out. Ryoga decided to stay with the Tendos until some way of dealing with the curses could be found.

     Ryoga glanced nervously from side to side as he followed Ranma and Akane down the street. "How did I ever let your mother talk me into going back to school? Especially with my curse?"

     Ranma glanced back and smiled. "Yeah, she's got a way of making you do just what she wants." He shook his head. "I can't remember the last time I actually managed to avoid doing something she wanted."

     Nabiki picked up her step and fell in beside Ryoga. "Given your trouble finding your way around, you're better off sticking with us anyway."

     Ryoga looked distinctly uncomfortable. He had told the two families about his problem getting lost the previous evening. Nodoka had pointed out his three choices: wait around the house most of the day, try to find his way home and probably wind up lost again, or accompany the teens to school. The last had appealed to him the most - at least it had last night. Today, he was busy keeping an eye out for water, his umbrella at hand.

     He decided to change the subject. He nodded toward where one Akane was well ahead of them. "What's she so happy about?"

     Nabiki grinned. "She won the right to beat up Kuno this morning."

     Ryoga frowned. "That doesn't sound very honorable."

     Nabiki shrugged. "You haven't met Kuno yet." She made a mental note to keep an eye on the boy so she could determine what odds to post when he finally did run into Kuno.

     The four teens entered the school gates to find Akane already faced off against the upperclassman.

     "Fear not my virtuous flower! I shall once more endeavor to free you from the grasp of yon treacherous blackguard!"

     Ryoga looked blankly at Nabiki. "What did he say?"

     Nabiki translated for him. "He's going to try to beat her up to make her quit dating Ranma."

     Ryoga scowled and took a step forward. Nabiki put out a hand to stop him. He frowned at her interference.

     "Why did you stop me? You just said he was going to try to beat up your sister! How can you allow that? Why does Ranma allow this?!"

     Nabiki sighed. "Didn't you listen earlier? Akane won the right to fight him this morning." She nodded to where Akane was thrashing Kuno. "Just watch."

     They were running early to help get Ryoga registered, so Akane dragged the fight out longer than usual. Ryoga winced at the pain inflicted on the older boy. Then he remembered what the boy had proclaimed before the fight and nodded. This Kuno certainly had it coming. He followed Nabiki into the school and down to the office. He sighed - placement tests... again. He couldn't count the number of times he had taken them due to his family curse.

     It was a couple periods into the day before a knock at the door interrupted class. The teacher opened the door, allowing Ryoga to enter. He handed her a note.

     The teacher looked over the note. "Class - we have a new student today. His name is Ryoga Hibiki." The teacher frowned at the rest of the note, but kept quiet. It claimed that Ryoga had a curse similar to Ranma and Akane's, but that the boy changed into a small black pig. She would have laughed at this had she not seen Ranma and Akane's curses. She could see why they wanted to keep this boy's curse quiet. It would cause more trouble for him having it known than to keep it quiet and have him vanish at odd times. The office decided the teachers would just excuse any "absences" as long as he kept up his school work.

     Ryoga bowed to the class, then took a seat near the window.

     The teacher had barely started lecturing again when the door burst open. Everyone looked over to see an enraged Kuno.

     "WHERE IS THE LECHEROUS DOG RYOGA HIBIKI!!"

     Most of the students immediately pointed at Ryoga.

     Kuno pointed his bokken at the boy. "HOW DARE YOU TRY TO STEAL THE TWIN OF MY DELICATE BEAUTY, AKANE TENDO!!" He charged the stunned boy.

     Ryoga sat frozen until the last second, then dove to the side. Kuno stumbled over him, his momentum carrying him over the younger boy and through the window. Ryoga stood up and glanced out the window. He turned to one of the Akanes and pointed out the window.

     "Is he going to be all right?"

     Akane shrugged. "As long as he landed on his head, he'll be fine - unfortunately."

     Ryoga sat with Ranma, Akane, Akane, and Nabiki in the shade of one of the trees in the school courtyard. Kuno had attacked him twice more that morning.

     Ryoga opened the lunch Mrs. Saotome had given him. He paused before starting. "What's the problem with Kuno? Why does he think I'm after Akane?"

     Nabiki shrugged. "I might have mentioned that you were staying at our place. Anything else is all in his head."

     Akane glared at her sister while Akane laughed. "Now Nabiki, you know there's nothing in his head."

     Nabiki nodded. "That's the problem with him." She looked over Ryoga. "You don't seem any worse for wear. Guess you can handle him."

     Ryoga looked smug - the first time anyone had seen that expression on him. "Kuno doesn't have what it takes to beat me."

     Ranma nodded. "You should have seen his pack, Nabiki. It's even heavier than the ones we took on our trip."

     Nabiki looked skeptical.

     Akane nodded. "It's true. I'm looking forward to sparring with him. Ranma is getting too easy to beat."

     Nabiki and Akane laughed while Ranma choked on a mouthful of rice.

     "HEY!"

     Akane punched him in the arm. "Stop being so uptight. You know I was only joking."

     Ranma frowned and resumed eating.

     Nabiki decided to dig for more information on the boy. "So, Ryoga. What had you wandering around Japan - and China - in the first place.

     Ryoga immediately turned downcast. "I was looking for my fiancée."

     The teens quit eating and stared.

     Nabiki spoke for them all. "You have a fiancée?!"

     Ryoga nodded. "When I was younger, my dad took me to the park. We wound up in the Kansai region -"

     "I thought you lived here in Tokyo?" Ranma interrupted as Ryoga frowned at him.

     Akane punched him in the arm again. "Let him finish!"

     Ryoga glared again, then continued. "We met up with a practitioner of Martial Arts Okonomiyaki."

     Ranma opened his mouth, but quickly shut it as the others glared at him.

     "His daughter Ukyo and I got along pretty well, so our fathers decided to engage us. They gave us their yattai as a dowry. Dad and I got lost again and I've been looking for her ever since."

     Akane sniffed. "That's so romantic! How long have you been looking?"

     Ryoga looked thoughtful as he worked out the figure in his head. "About ten years."

     The others face-faulted. "TEN YEARS?!"

     Ryoga laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

     "RYOGA HIBIKI! YOUR DOOM IS AT HAND!!" Kuno came charging out of the main building.

     Ryoga hopped to his feet. "Excuse me a moment." It was just the distraction he needed.

     Things had been pretty quiet the last week. Ranma or Akane would beat up Kuno, Kuno would attack Ryoga, Ryoga would pound Kuno into the ground... same old, same old. The only strange thing was that Kuno had yet to discover Ranma's curse, for which Ranma was exceedingly grateful.

     Nabiki and Akane preceded a female Ranma and Akane down the street. A small black pig followed them. Ranma kept checking periodically to make sure Ryoga was still with them. She was looking back to check on Ryoga when she ran into Nabiki.

     "Hey! What did you stop for?"

     Nabiki gestured at the sign above the door of the small restaurant. "Lunch. Unless you're not hungry -" She found herself talking to thin air. She rolled her eyes and followed at a more sedate pace.

     Inside, Akane picked up Ryoga and handed him to Ranma. "Take him to the restroom so you can both change."

     Ranma nodded and headed off. He was back quickly as Akane, Nabiki and Akane sat at the counter. He sat between his girlfriends. "Ryoga's getting dressed." He turned to check out the menu.

     An effeminate young man with long brown hair, wearing the traditional okonomiyaki seller's outfit, stopped in front of them. "Welcome to Uc-chan's. What would you like?"

     Ranma made up his mind. "I'd like a double pork okonomiyaki and some tea."

     Both girls punched him in an arm. "Ranma! I can't believe you!"

     Ranma swiveled his head back and forth between the pair. "What?! I like pork! You expect me to give it up just because of his curse?!"

     The twins glared at him for a moment, then placed their order. "We'd like a shrimp okonomiyaki and some tea."

     The cook looked back and forth as the girls spoke in unison. "Never met twins before." He shrugged and moved over to Nabiki.

     "A beef okonomiyaki and water."

     The chef nodded and went to gather the ingredients.

     "There'll be another in our party as soon as he gets out of the bathroom," Akane added as the chef started pouring the batter.

     He nodded to let her know he heard her, his attention on the food. This okonomiyaki-ya was unusual in that you didn't prepare the okonomiyaki yourself. The chef handled everything with a certain flare that had the teens wondering. Ranma was the first to voice his suspicions.

     "Hey! You wouldn't happen to practice Martial Arts Okonomiyaki, would you?"

     The chef was surprised, but kept his attention on his cooking. "Yes. I'm surprised - hardly anyone ever picks up on that."

     Akane shrugged. "We're martial artists, except for Nabiki." She gestured to her side at her older sister.

     Her twin nodded. "We still might not have put it together except that our friend is engaged to someone who practices Martial Arts Okonomiyaki."

     The chef flipped their pies onto plates, spread the sauce, sprinkled them with bonito flakes, then slid the plates in front of them. "Oh? Who's that?"

     Akane took a bite. "Wow! This is great!" She glanced toward the back. Ryoga was just coming up the aisle. "There he is." She waved. "Ryoga! Over here!"

     The chef stared in disbelief. "Ryoga? Ryoga Hibiki?!"

     Ranma nodded as he wolfed down his food. "Yeah. You know him?" He was surprised as the chef grabbed a large baker's peel and vaulted over the counter.

     "RYOGA HIBIKI!! PREPARE TO DIE!!"

     Ryoga looked shocked. This made it two people in a week trying to kill him. He dodged as the boy swung the peel, trying to slice him in half. He frowned. "I don't know what your problem is, but if you want a fight, I'm more than happy to oblige!"

     The boy swung again. Ryoga stepped inside the swing and grabbed the shaft of the weapon - err, cooking utensil, stopping it abruptly. He lashed out with his free hand, knocking the chef into Ranma.

     Ranma had been drinking his tea when the boy fell against him. He splashed his tea on himself and changed. "Hey! Watch it! I'm trying to eat lunch!"

     The chef stopped in shock. "Were - weren't you just a guy?"

     Ranma clenched her fists. "I STILL AM A GUY!!"

     He squeezed her chest a couple times. "Uh... you could have fooled me."

     Ranma was red-faced in a combination of anger and embarrassment.

     Both Akanes jumped to their feet. "Hey! That's our boyfriend you're groping!" A fist flashed out from each.

     The boy was caught flat-footed and flew back into the wall. "Ooooo..." He rubbed the back of his head.

     Ryoga reached down and grabbed the boy by the collar, hauling him to his feet. He poked him in the chest with his free hand. "Look, jerk! You want to fight, we'll take this outside, but leave my friends out of..." he trailed off, still poking the guy in the chest. Something wasn't right here.

     The chef slapped Ryoga across the face. "You pervert!"

     Nabiki frowned. "He's a pervert? You were just groping Ranma!"

     The chef was livid. "Yeah, but it's different when a guy does it as opposed to a girl!"

     Ranma and Akane looked puzzled. "Huh?"

     Nabiki and Ryoga made the connection at the same time.

     Ryoga poked her in the chest again. "You're a girl!"

     She picked up her peel and slammed him over the head. "Stop touching me you pervert!" Ryoga fell over dazed.

     The chef slammed him over the head a couple more times while Nabiki thought about it.

     "Uc-chan..." Nabiki pointed to the girl. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Ukyo, would you?"

     The chef paused. "Do I know you?"

     Nabiki shook her head. "No, but I thought you'd be happier to see your fiancé after all this time. He has been looking for you for the last ten years after all."

     Ukyo looked shocked. "He's been looking for me?!"

     Akane nodded. "Yes. He's been all over Japan -"

     Ranma interrupted, "and China -"

     The other Akane whacked her in the back of the head. "Shut up, Ranma."

     Ranma glared, but kept quiet.

     Akane looked at the pair a moment, then continued. "He's been all over looking for you since he and his father got lost."

     "Got lost? We thought they had run off." The girl looked torn. She looked over at Ryoga, who was still down.

     Nabiki nodded. "Seems to run in the family. They were just going to the park near their home here in Tokyo when they ran into you and your father."

     Ukyo dragged Ryoga to his feet. "I'm sorry, Ryo-chan! I didn't know! I thought you ran out on me!" She pulled him into a strong embrace.

     Ryoga struggled to breath. First the girl was trying to flatten his head, now she was trying to strangle him. He collapsed on the floor as she finally released him.

     Ukyo turned to Ranma. "You were a boy when you first came in! I know you were!" She remembered something the girl had said. "You said Ryoga was in China. What's going on here?!"

     Ranma sighed. "It's a long story..."

     Much later...

     Ukyo pointed at Ranma. "So you're a boy, but you change into a girl when splashed with cold water."

     Ranma nodded. He was back to his guy form again after demonstrating his curse.

     Ukyo pointed at the twins. "And she's just one girl, but is under a curse as well."

     More nods.

     "And their father changes into mountain goat."

     Vigorous nodding.

     "And Ryoga turns into a small black pig?!"

     Ryoga turned red and nodded.

     Ukyo put a hand over her face. "Okay, let me get this straight - I'm engaged to a boy who gets lost at the drop of a hat and turns into a pig when splashed with cold water?!" She stood up. "Excuse me a moment." She made her way to the store room in back.

     Ranma watched her go. "Well, she seemed to take that pretty -" He was interrupted by a piercing scream. He continued with a wince, "badly."

     Ukyo came back into the room and sat at the counter. "Why did I ever think I'd have a normal life? Was I a serial killer in my previous life?" She missed Ryoga's wince and depressed air.

     Akane put an arm around her. "Cheer up! Things aren't that bad!"

     Nabiki smirked. "Yeah. You could be cursed yourself, hounded by a perverted idiot, and engaged to a boy who changes into a girl when splashed with cold water."

     Ranma, Akane, and Akane glared at her. "Hey!"

     Ukyo gave Ryoga a small smile. "Sorry Ryo-chan. I guess it isn't your fault. I should have waited to hear what you had to say before attacking."

     Nabiki gave her an appraising look. "So what's your story? Why are trying to pass yourself off as a guy?"

     Ukyo sighed. "Well, after Ryoga and his father ran off -" she broke off. "Sorry. After we thought they had run off, I swore off my femininity and trained for ten years to get revenge. I practiced my family martial arts by the seaside, making occasional trips to different prefectures looking for Ryoga. I learned that Ryoga had enrolled in Furinkan and set up shop here to be close so I could plot my revenge. I had planned to confront him in school."

     Akane looked curious. "So why haven't you been to school yet."

     Ukyo looked embarrassed. "I have to take the placement test still. Ten years practicing by the seaside and searching the country didn't leave me much time for classes. Once I'm officially enrolled at Furinkan, I'll still be getting most afternoons off to work at the restaurant."

     Ryoga stood in front of her. "I'm sorry for all the trouble we caused. If only we had found you sooner." He held up a hand. "But I swear by my honor, I'll always be there for you!" He paused, then laughed embarrassedly. "Excuse me. I have to go to the rest room." He turned and walked to the door.

     Ranma jumped to his feet. "Ryoga! Wait! That's the front door!" He sprang to the door and looked out. He closed the door, walked back to the others, then shrugged. "Uh... I suppose he'll be back eventually. He knows we're all here."

     Ukyo just started banging her head on the counter.

     Ukyo entered the class. Akane noticed and hurried over.

     "Ukyo! You finally got enrolled! Are you in class with us?"

     Ukyo nodded. She was dressed in a boy's uniform with her baker's peel strapped to her back.

     A boy in the class approached the pair. "Wow! That's a big spatula!"

     Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Would you like a closer look?"

     The boy nodded excitedly. Ukyo unslung her peel and swung it in a short arc.

     CLANG!!!

     The boy fell over unconscious as she reslung the peel.

     Akane joined Akane and Ukyo. "Was that necessary?"

     Ukyo nodded. "Sugar, when you've heard it as many times as I have..."

     Akane held up a hand. "Sorry. Guess it would irritate me too."

     Ukyo looked around. "Have you seen Ryoga?"

     They shook their heads. "No, but I'm sure he'll be back."

     The class door opened again, Ryoga staggered in, and collapsed at Ranma's feet. "Ranma! What are you doing in Sapporo?"

     Ranma smirked. "This is Furinkan. You made it back - and in less than a week!"

     Ukyo ran over, pulled Ryoga off the floor, and gave him a big hug. "Ryo-chan!"

     Ryoga froze in shock at having a girl hug him. Half the class froze in shock as someone they thought a boy hugged Ryoga.

     "A thousand yen Ryoga beats the crap out of the new guy!"

     "No way! Did you see what he did to Daisuke? Two thousand on the new guy!"

     Ranma, Akane, and Akane glanced around at their classmates. They were going to have to straighten things out.

     The wall to the hall exploded as girl with purple hair in two tails and wielding a pair of heavy colorful maces smashed her way into the class. She pointed one of the maces at Akane. "Akane! You I kill!" She glanced around to make sure none of the weak outsiders would interfere. Oops! There was Akane over there! She pointed her mace at Akane. "Akane! You I kill!"

     The other Akane moved next to her twin as Ranma got ready to pounce.

     "You already said that."

     The girl blinked at the two girls. "Which girl Akane?"

     The both spoke as one. "I am!"

     The girl looked between them, then shrugged. She'd just get rid of both, then continue looking for her husband.

     "Shampoo!"

     She looked around as someone said her name. She lit on Ukyo hugging Ryoga. She was instantly clinging to Ryoga's side as Ukyo slid down the wall. "What stupid outsider boy doing with Shampoo's airen?" She turned to beam at her wayward spouse. "Ryoga come back to village, yes?"

     Ukyo scowled at the girl. "Leave my finacé alone!"

     Everyone in the class face-faulted, but of course, they weren't aware of Ukyo's true gender.

     Shampoo frowned at the strange boy. "Outsider boy very strange. Must be girl to marry boy."

     Ukyo turned red in anger. "I AM A GIRL!!"

     Everyone fell over again.

     "She's a girl?!"

     "I got knocked out by a girl?!"

     "Idiot! Akane's knocked you out several times!"

     "Maybe she's just got a curse like Ranma's."

     Ranma and both Akanes groaned in embarrassment. Ukyo was developing a nervous tic. Ryoga was still frozen from receiving hugs from both Ukyo and Shampoo.

     Shampoo shook her head. "Ryoga Shampoo's airen. You get in way, you obstacle. Obstacles are for killing!" She swung the heavy mace at Ukyo.

     Ukyo parried the heavy mace with her peel. "You better believe I'm an obstacle, Sugar!"

     Ranma and both Akanes moved to encircle her. "So are we. You take on one of us, you take on us all! You aren't in your little village in China anymore."

     Shampoo looked around. She knew how good Akane was. If her twin was as good, she was in trouble. Add the boy and the strangely dressed girl who claimed her airen and she stood little chance. She did a flip over the boy and landed by the window. She smashed through the wall with one of her maces. "Shampoo be back! You no take Shampoo's airen." She leapt through the hole.

     Ranma went to the hole and shrugged. He gestured at the open window. "She's really strange!"

     A light rainfall started. Some of the rain blew in through the hole and the window, changing Ranma to his cursed form.

     Ukyo shook her head. "Says the boy who turns into a girl." She moved over to Ryoga. "Now, what is all this about you being her 'airen'?"

     Ryoga laughed self-consciously. "Um - I guess I kinda forgot to mention part of my trip in China."

     Ukyo glared. "I guess you did!"

     Ranma moved over next to him. "It's not his fault. This village has some really stupid laws. If a guy beats a girl, he's supposed to marry her."

     Several guys surrounded Ranma.

     "Really?!"

     "Where's this village?!"

     "Do all the girls look like that one?!"

     Ranma looked nonplussed.

     Ukyo brandished her peel and the guys retreated. "I guess I can't blame Ryoga for that." She gestured at Akane. "So what's the story with her? She was threatening Akane before she noticed Ryoga."

     Ranma nodded. "Well, those same laws say that if a girl beats them, they have to hunt her down and kill her."

     Akane looked nervous. "And now she's here."

     Ranma gave her a hug. "Nothing's going to happen to you. This isn't China. We have the advantage here."

     Her twin came up on his other side. Ranma put an arm around her.

     Ukyo looked over their little group and shook her head. "Definitely a serial killer. Or maybe a politician." She smiled sweetly at Ryoga. "So when are we going on our date?"

     Ryoga's hair stood on end. "WHAT?!"

     Ukyo put her hands on her hips and scowled. "Ryoga Hibiki! If I'm going to be threatened by some Chinese floosy who thinks she's your fiancée because you beat her in a fight, the least you can do is take me on a date!"

     Both Akanes confronted Ranma. "Same here! Uh - sort of!"

     Ranma sighed and looked at Ryoga. "I guess we can make it a double-date."

     Ryoga looked slightly relieved and nodded frantically. After all, there was safety in numbers.

     Ranma helped Ryoga into a sports jacket. They were in his room at the Tendo house, preparing for their double-date with Akane and Ukyo.

     Ranma looked at the other boy with a critical eye. "I can't believe you had a suit in that backpack."

     Ryoga tried to check himself out. It was difficult without a mirror. "Me neither. Good thing though - I'd have never made it in time if I tried to go home for one. I guess Mom put it in there the last time we were both home."

     Ranma shook his head. "How often do you see your folks?"

     Ryoga scratched his head. "Uh..."

     Ranma waved his hands. "Never mind. Let's go downstairs and wait for the girls."

     Nodoka was waiting downstairs. "My! Don't you both look handsome!"

     Both boys blushed and shifted nervously. They moved to the shogi board and started a game. They had almost finished their second game and were starting to cheat to alleviate the boredom.

     Ryoga stretched and looked toward the stairs. "I hope the girls are ready soon."

     Ranma, being more familiar with dating, clued in his new friend. "I wouldn't count on it. The best I can figure it is, girls use this time while preparing as some form of bonding ritual."

     Ryoga turned back. "How did you figure that out?"

     Nabiki spoke from the stairs. "Easy. He paid me to explain it to him."

     Both boys glanced over, then did a double-take. Nabiki was "dressed-to-kill" as the saying goes.

     Nodoka shook her head as the boys gaped. "I take it you also have a date tonight?"

     Nabiki nodded as she slipped on a light dress jacket. "I'm meeting him at the nightclub."

     Nodoka gave her a motherly embrace. "Be home at a proper hour, young lady."

     Nabiki tried to keep her composure in the face of Nodoka's assault, then crumbled. "Yes Auntie." She moved to the door, then waited instead of leaving.

     Ranma gave her a curious look. "Waiting for something?"

     Nabiki nodded toward the stairs. "That."

     Ranma looked over toward the stairs and froze in shock. He and Akane had been on dates before, but they were generally casual affairs. He should have realized this was different when the girls asked him and Ryoga to wear suits. Akane was wearing an off-the shoulder blue silk gown that accentuated her figure. Ukyo was just as resplendent in a green gown. Ryoga joined Ranma in staring at the girls. There were some flashes as Nabiki took photos of their expressions.

     Nodoka gave them an appraising look. "Where are you going for dinner?"

     Akane gave Ukyo a wink. "We thought we'd skip dinner and head right to a Love Hotel."

     There were a couple of thumps as Ranma and Ryoga passed out. Nabiki just kept snapping pictures of the pair.

     Nodoka shook her head. "How much did you pay Nabiki for that little joke."

     Akane smiled. "Just the pictures."

     Nabiki put away her camera and moved to leave. "It was worth a free prank just to see the look on their faces."

     Ranma stirred. "Not funny Nabiki!" He stood and started brushing off his jacket.

     Nabiki laughed and darted out the door.

     Akane laughed a little, then gave Ranma a peck on the cheek. "You should have seen the look on your face." She thought about it a moment. "Hmm, you probably will tomorrow after Nabiki has those photos developed."

     Ranma frowned, then glanced back at the stairs. "Are you - all together?"

     Akane nodded. "I didn't feel like waiting around all evening with just Daddy while you're off having fun."

     Ranma looked worried. "But your curse -"

     Ukyo joined the pair after helping Ryoga to his feet. "We did a little experimenting earlier."

     Akane nodded. "I got some water-proof, smudge-proof base. You usually just use it on your face before applying your makeup. I found that using it all over will keep me from changing as long as I'm careful and don't fall in a fountain or something similar." She shrugged. "It's pretty expensive using that much base, but I think it's worth it for an evening out with you."

     Ranma blushed and stammered. Akane had gone to a lot of trouble and expense for this date. The base, the dress - he hoped nothing would spoil their evening.

     Ryoga was still red. "I - I don't think I'm ready for this! I've never done anything like that before -"

     Ukyo slapped him on the back of the head. "It was a joke! Sheesh! We're just going out for dinner and a little dancing!"

     Ryoga chuckled nervously. "Uh - I knew that. I was - uh - just joking myself."

     Ukyo rolled her eyes. She took him by the arm. "Are we ready?"

     Ranma offered Akane an arm. "I think so."

     Nodoka held the door for the couples. "No Love Hotels, and I want you all home by eleven."

     All four of the teens blushed.

     "Auntie!"

     "Mom!"

     Nodoka smiled as they left. She headed back to the kitchen and took a covered dish from the refrigerator. She returned to the main entryway. She looked over as Soun entered the living room. "The children are all out for the evening. Will you be okay here alone?"

     Soun nodded. "Yes. You go have fun with your friends. You deserve a night out after all you've had to deal with this week." He gestured outside. "I'll probably do a little work in the yard. I find it relaxing."

     Nodoka smiled and left.

     Soun sighed as he contemplated the empty house. Kasumi was back at her dorm, his little girls were both on dates, and Nodoka was meeting her friends. He wondered how long it had been since he was truly alone. He slid open one of the shoji and entered the yard. He shook his head as he looked around. The four youngsters sure had made a mess of the yard sparring the last week. It would probably take him most of the evening to get things straightened out.

     From four houses down, Shampoo watched the Tendo residence. First, the oldest girl left. Some hours later, the girl with short brown hair left. Soon afterwards, Ryoga emerged with a girl hanging on his arm. The one called Ranma and one of the twins were right behind them. Shampoo almost moved to confront them, but stayed in place. Her airen could wait. She now had a prime opportunity - one of the twins was home with just the two parents. She could get rid of one of the twins... perhaps it was even the one she had given the kiss of death.

     She started to rise and froze as the female parent departed with some dish in hand. Perfect! Now it just the girl and some weak old outsider male. When Nodoka was far enough away, she started to move once again - then froze as Soun moved into the yard. She shook her head. What fools! They had left one of their number completely unaided and at her mercy!

     She quickly slipped over to the compound and over the wall opposite where the father was working. She slid over to the house and made a quiet entrance for once. This was a time for stealth. She quickly mounted the stairs. Her observations had shown her that the twins had the room upstairs on the end. She drew her sword as she put a hand to the doorknob of the girls' room. She threw open the door and lunged inside - the girl wasn't there.

     Shampoo started back down the hall, checking each room as she got to it. Where was she? She slid the door to the guest room open. A glance showed it to be empty like all the other rooms. Shampoo growled quietly in displeasure. She slipped back down the stairs and started a methodical check of the rooms.

     Soun pulled himself out of the koi pond, wobbling a little as he adjusted to having four legs. He bleated as he berated himself for not watching his step on the slick rocks around the pond. He trotted back to the house; a quick dip in the furo would have him back to normal. He nosed open the shoji and entered the house, moving back toward the bathroom.

     The sound of the furoba inner door sliding open and a shadow against the washer alerted Soun to the intruder. He stood absolutely motionless as he reviewed his options. His goat form was rather limited in its fighting ability, but he wasn't sure if he'd get the chance to change. A shadowy figure slipped back out of the bathroom and started toward the master bedroom. Soun remained still, knowing the slightest movement would draw attention to him. The slight glint of light off the edge of the sword showed the intruder to be armed. He'd best slip back out when the intruder entered the room.

     The figure slid the bedroom door open slightly, their upper body leaning in to check the room. Soun would have taken that moment to leave, but some instinct in his cursed form stirred - the target was just too tempting... he charged, lowering his head at the last second to bring his large curved horns into position.

     The figure gave a short exclamation as they were hit square in the rear and blasted head-long across the master bedroom. The intruder smashed through the outside wall of the house and toward the boundary wall surrounding the property. While the wall of the house proved too thin to arrest their flight, the boundary wall proved up to the task.

     Soun took the opportunity to use the furo to change, then hurried out to where a young girl was staggering to her feet. The unsteady girl waved the sword in his direction. He slapped the sword to the side.

     "Sorry about this."

     The intruder slid into unconsciousness as Soun struck quickly. Soun stood for a moment considering, then moved into the dojo to get some rope. He recognized the girl from the Amazon village. She had followed them all the way across China. He had hoped she would give up the pursuit after they crossed the sea to Japan. After trussing the girl up securely, he moved back into the house to call Nodoka.

     Nodoka moved to the entryway as laughing voices were heard. Akane was changing into her house slippers as Ranma wrung out her sport jacket. Nodoka smiled at the happy faces of her children. At least they managed to have one nice evening out. She had a feeling those would be more scarce from this point.

     "I take it you both had a good time?" Nodoka smiled as the two nodded. She didn't bother looking out the front door. "Where are Ryoga and Ukyo?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

     Akane laughed as Ranma looked embarrassed.

     Ranma answered her. "When we got to the park, Kane-chan and I decided to sit by the lake and feed the ducks while Ryoga and Ukyo went for a walk." She scratched the back of her head. "It seems Ukyo forgot she was supposed to be the one doing the leading."

     Nodoka shook her head, smiling. "They called from somewhere in Chofu district. They're okay and headed back."

     The two teens gave a sigh of relief.

     Ranma moved into the house, headed for the bathroom to change. "That's good. I should have reminded Ukyo -" She trailed off.

     Akane moved into the main room to see what was the matter. A girl lay on the couch, tied up to prevent her from moving. The girl glared at Akane from her prone position.

     Akane stood in shock, then pointed a shaky finger. "Shampoo! What's she doing here?!"

     Nodoka came up behind Akane and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Don't worry. Your father was able to subdue her. We can straighten all this out right here and now."

     Ranma looked thoughtful. "If Uncle defeated her, does that mean she's got to marry him?"

     Everyone was rendered momentarily speechless.

     Shampoo shook her head. "No! Shampoo already have airen!"

     Ranma persisted. "But Ryoga told us that the ceremony hadn't been held before he escaped."

     Akane nodded. "That's right! Doesn't that mean they aren't officially married?"

     Shampoo couldn't answer.

     Nodoka thought it over. "If you were to marry Soun, how would that effect the kiss of death you have against Akane?"

     Soun looked at Nodoka in shock. "Nodoka! I can't marry her! I'm old enough to be her father!"

     Ranma looked over to Shampoo. "So what do you do if you are defeated by two outsider males before you get married?"

     Shampoo shook her head. "Not know. Shampoo never hear such thing." She shrugged. "Possible both fight, see who airen. Great-Grandmother know."

     Nodoka moved next to the tied-up girl. "Your great-grandmother has some authority in your village?"

     Shampoo nodded. "Yes. Great-Grandmother matriarch. Great-Grandmother word law in village. Is why Shampoo must chase outsider girl so far."

     Nodoka reminded the girl of her earlier question. "What about the kiss of death?"

     "If Akane father Shampoo airen, Akane Shampoo daughter. No can kill daughter." Shampoo looked as if the thought were distasteful. Akane appeared to share that particular feeling.

     Akane voiced her dilemma. "Aaaarrrrgggg! Have Shampoo trying to kill me, or have her as my step-mother! How do these things happen to me?"

     Ranma put an arm around her. "Don't worry. We'll figure something out." He gestured at Shampoo. "So what do we do? Leave her tied up until she can contact her great-grandmother?"

     Nodoka shook her head. "I don't think that will be necessary." She crouched down by Shampoo to look her in the eye. "Do you give your word to leave Akane alone until we sort this mess out? If you don't, we'll have no choice but to turn you over to the authorities."

     Shampoo thought about it for a long moment. "Shampoo agree. No kill Akane. Shampoo contact Great-Grandmother."

     Soun looked leery, but started on the knots. Shampoo stood as the last rope was removed and shook out her arms to stimulate her circulation.

     Nodoka nodded. "You can stay with us while you wait to hear from her. It would be rather difficult without an address where she can contact you otherwise."

     Shampoo bowed. "Shampoo thank you. Shampoo not like fighting all Akane friends." She looked torn. "Shampoo not like, but must follow village law."

     Nodoka smiled at the girl. "I'm sure your great-grandmother and I can work out something suitable."

     Soun just remained quiet. Marry a girl hardly as old as his daughters, or have her continue trying to kill his youngest daughter. That trip to China had really been costly.

End Chapter 3

Next chapter, more Amazons, and more fun with Kuno. The Tendo house is overflowing with guests!

Author's Notes: Ever notice how most people call Ukyo's weapon a battle spatula? Even I do from time to time. What Ukyo uses is a baker's peel, also called a pizza peel in the US. You'll see them at fine pizzerias and bakeries where they still cook their pizza or breads in an old-style oven. They come in a variety of styles and materials and run from $5 US to $50 US depending on the length and materials. I thought I would have some fun with Ukyo getting tired of people asking about her "battle spatula" in this chapter.

More Author's Notes: An okonomiyaki-ya is a small specialty restaurant where people can only get okonomiyaki. They usually have one long communal table with a griddle built into it, or smaller individual tables with built-in griddles. At most okonomiyaki-ya, they bring out the batter, sauce, and meat, then you make the okonomiyaki yourself. Here's a typical recipe for okonomiyaki. Go buy a pizza peel from the internet and practice the recipe below - now you too can pretend you're Ukyo!

Sauce

1/4 cup tomato ketchup
1 1/2 tbl Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp smooth French-style mustard
2 tbl mirin (sweet cooking wine)
1 tsp soy sauce

Combine in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil, then cook it for 3 minutes.

Batter

1 cup cake flour
1 cup water or dashi (fish stock)
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbl grated yama-imo (Japanese mountain taro) or potato starch

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl, add the water or dashi, add the salt, then add the taro or potato starch and mix. Divide into two bowls.

Main Ingredients

2 ounces beef sirloin
2 ounces pork sirloin
4 headed, pealed, and deveined raw medium shrimp
1/8 head of cabbage
1/4 cup thin green scallion rings
2 tbl minced benishoga (pickled red ginger)
2 eggs

Slice the beef and pork sirloin thinly, and cut the shrimp in half length-wise, then put half in each bowl of batter. You can use any of the three main ingredients, or all of them! Shred the cabbage and add half to each bowl. Add the scallions and pickled ginger. Don't mix any of it yet! Make a small depression in the middle of each bowl and break open the eggs, putting one in each bowl in the depression. Heat the griddle to medium, then coat with 2 to 3 tbl of vegetable oil. Pour off any excess oil. Mix all the ingredients in one of the bowls of batter using a soup spoon and pour entire bowl onto the griddle. Spread the batter to a diameter of about 6 to 7 inches. Cook until the bottom is a golden brown, then turn it over using two spatulas. Press it to flatten the bottom, then cook until golden brown. Spread some sauce over the surface using a pastry brush, then sprinkle with nori and bonito flakes. Add more oil to the griddle and cook the second bowl the same as the first.

This recipe is from "The Japanese Kitchen" by Hiroko Shimbo. Enjoy!