When Akane woke up, she stretched and yawned like a cat. Lying on her bed, she looked at her surroundings. She could hardly believe that she was in her old room in her old house. My house, she thought as she smiled. Well, almost. At least not until a year, but for Akane, it did not matter. She knew that it was hers.

Without hesitation, Akane got out of bed. She showered and slipped into her gi. Today was her first day of teaching at the dojo. Surprisingly, she was not nervous. Actually, she was looking forward to this day and was very excited to start teaching again.

Quickly, Akane went to the dojo, hoping to warm up before anyone could arrive. However, when she opened the door, she was surprised to find Ranma already doing some kata.

Ranma barely knew that she was there, however. He was too absorbed and continued to do what he was doing. Akane watched him as he moved gracefully. She had seen him do kata before, but that was so long ago. She had forgotten how fascinated she was by how he did it so perfectly. His gi did no justice of hiding his lean, taut muscles, and she felt her face go warm.

Suddenly, Ranma stopped and noticed her. He smiled. "Good morning."

Akane snapped herself back to reality. "Good morning." Did he see me stare at him? I hope not.

I wonder how long she'd been standing there. What am I saying? It's not that I should care.

Akane checked her watch. There was still a good forty-five minutes left before class started. "Early, aren't we?"

"Like you should talk," Ranma told her.

"You got here before me."

He shrugged. "True. So, are you ready for your class?"

She nodded. "You bet I am."

"Good, but I gotta warn you that you'll be handling more students than you did at Takasaki."

"Don't worry. I'm sure that I can handle it." An idea suddenly crossed her mind. "Hey, why don't we spar just to warm up?"

"No, thanks, Akane."

"What's a matter? Don't tell me that you still don't fight with girls. You haven't changed a bit. Tell you what. You can spar with me in your female form."

Ranma knew that he could tell her that he was cured, but somehow he couldn't. He would feel obliged to tell the truth, and he was not ready to do that. "Well...why don't we just do the kata together?"

Akane shook her head. He was still the same old egotistical Ranma Saotome. "Alright, Ranma. I'll let you off the hook. For now."

***

By the time they finished their kata, class was about to start, and the students were arriving. Ranma and Akane stood at the doorway to greet them. The first batch of students was in the beginning level, and their age group ranged between five to twelve years.

Akane had to smile everytime she saw the small children. They were so adorable in their tiny gi outfits.

"They're so cute!" Akane exclaimed.

"Not after you've spent an hour with them," Ranma told her.

At that moment, Nabiki arrived. She was with her two twin boys, Ryou and Ryota. They were eleven years old and looked exactly like their father.

"Well, well, well." Nabiki smiled. "If it isn't our two favorite senseis of the Anything Goes Martial Arts! Boys, I would like you to meet your Aunt Akane. She's your new teacher."

Ryou greeted in a bored Nabiki-like tone of voice. "Hello."

Ryota bowed before her. "How do you do? Thou has a fair face enough to drive a man to madness."

Akane gave him an amused look. "Well, that's very flattering."

"Thou has a voice sweet as nectar! Ah! Wretched! Why must I be cursed to have such a beautiful aunt!"

Akane rolled her eyes. "Oh, boy! I'm having a Kuno flashback here!"

Ranma turned the young man towards the entrance of the dojo. "Okay. Enough of the poetry, Romeo. March."

As Ryota was dragged by his twin, he pleaded, "Please, Saotome-sensei! Allow her to be my teacher!"

When they were gone, Nabiki said, "Charming boy, but a bit too much like his father."

"No kidding. He's a stamped out miniature," said Ranma.

Nabiki held up two files. "Oh, by the way, I came here to give you the copies of the agreements you signed yesterday." Then she said with a smile, "Isn't it interesting? I never thought I'd see the two of you run this place together. Who would have thought that Daddy was smart enough to draw up the papers? You guys really didn't have a choice. That sure brings back memories of Daddy and Uncle Saotome engaging the two of you."

Both Ranma and Akane turned red. Akane, however, recovered faster. She snatched up the files Nabiki was holding. "Thank you, Nabiki. That will be all."

Nabiki kept on smiling. "Your welcome, my dear sister." She turned to leave as she waved her fingers at them. "Ta-ta. Have fun, you two."

***

With the screaming, running, and playing children at the dojo, it took awhile for Ranma to calm the children down. He finally managed to gather them up in front of him and Akane to start the class.

As he faced the children, he said, "Okay. Now that I have everyone's attention here, we can start. Before we do, however, there is someone I would like you to meet. This is your new teacher. Her name is Akane..." He trailed off, suddenly unsure if he should use Tendo or Sato.

"Sato," supplied Akane.

"Right. Akane Sato." Boy, it sure felt weird saying that.

Akane smiled at the children. "Hello! You may call me Sato-sensei. I'm looking forward to teach you all."

A little voice called out, "What happened to Hibiki-sensei?"

Ranma replied, "Hibiki-sensei won't be teaching here anymore, Tatsuya. Those who were in Hibiki-sensei's class will now be in Sato-sensei's class. So, you kids come with Sato-sensei and me. The rest of you who are in my class, stay put until I get back."

"Ohhh!" Some of them exclaimed with disappointment.

"Why don't we get to be with the pretty teacher?" One of Ranma's students complained.

"Alas!" Ryota dramatically put his hands over his heart. "How unfortunate for Sato-sensei! She will never know what a competent pupil I will be. I, Ryota Kuno, the indomitable warrior of the Tendo-Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts is at loss!"

"Pipe it down," ordered Ranma as he led Akane and her class to another classroom. "Kids," he muttered. "Do you see what I have to put up, Akane?"

"Oh, come on. You love it, and you know it," Akane told him.

As soon as he showed Akane her classroom, he said, "Well, this is it. You gonna be alright?"

"We'll be just fine," reassured Akane before she went inside to start her first class at the dojo.

***

The hour passed by quickly, and class was over before they even knew it. They dismissed their classes and said good-byes to them as they stood at the doorway.

"Goodbye, kids!" Akane shouted.

"Bye, Sato-sensei! Bye, Saotome-sensei!" The little children waved as their parents picked them up.

One of Akane's students, Rina, actually hugged Akane before going. "Bye, Sato-sensei. I hope you stay here with us for good."

"Well, I think I'll be here for a long, long time, Rina. Okay?" Akane affectionately ruffled the girl's hair.

"Okay! Bye, Saotome-sensei!"

"Bye, Rina!" Ranma waved at her as she joined her mother.

As soon as the last student was gone, Ranma turned to her. "Well, Sato-sensei, it looks like you're a hit."

Akane shrugged and gave him an almost shy look. "I guess so."

"I suppose being a parent helps."

Akane noted the envious tone in his voice. She wondered why Ranma and Michiko did not have any children.

"One day, I will be," said Ranma softly as he gazed outside.

"Pardon?"

"One day I'm gonna have a kid of my own. I'm gonna teach him or her the art."

"That's...that's nice, Ranma."

He looked at her again. "It must feel great being a parent."

Akane thought of Hikaru. "Yes, yes, it is."

"He's a good kid, Akane. You and Kouhei must have done a good job raising him." Slowly, he admitted, "You know when I first got married, I really didn't want to have a kid. I figured that with the way I was raised and all, I never could be a parent. Now, things have changed. I really want to become a father."

Should I tell him? He does have the right to know. "R-Ranma?"

"Yeah?"

Tell him! Go on! Akane's pulse raised as her hands started to sweat. "I think you'd make a great father." I can't do it! I just can't tell him!

He gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Akane." He hit his hands together. "So! Are you ready for your next class?"

The serious mood had evaporated. Akane did not know whether to be relieved or to be disappointed. Nevertheless, she answered with great enthusiasm. "Hai!"

***

An older age group belonged to the last class. They were mostly men between the ages of late twenties to mid-thirties. It was also the smallest class, and Ranma decided that Akane should join him.

Ranma was in charge for the most part. Like in all the other classes, he reviewed the last lesson they had. Next, he moved on to teach them a new technique. After seeing that his students were getting the hang of it, Ranma divided them into groups. It was the one way how the students could learn from each other, and it also gave him and Akane a chance to observe them closely and help them almost individually.

While Ranma got involved with one group, Akane continued to look around the classroom. She noticed one man practicing the technique by himself. From the way he moved, she knew that he needed some assistance.

The man introduced himself as Shimada, and he seemed happy that Akane came up to him instead of Ranma. The woman was indeed a beauty.

After Akane re-taught him the technique and saw that there was an improvement in his moves, she said, "Okay. That was good. Just practice, and you'll be just fine."

"Thank you, Sato-sensei," he said.

"Your welcome."

"Perhaps I can repay you by taking you out to dinner?"

"Sorry. I'm not interested." Akane started to leave.

Shimada followed her. "Surely you'll change your mind."

Akane turned to face him. "Mr. Shimada, I'm sorry. I guess you don't understand. My answer is no."

"Are you married? Is that why you said no?"

"No, actually, I'm a widow."

He was pleased. "Well, in that case, that's even better."

Akane's eyes narrowed. "And why is that?"

"Widows are lonely. They have certain needs and wants if you know what I mean." He gave her a leering smile and looked at her up and down. "I'd say that your beautiful body is craving for it."

***

Ranma was just finishing up with one of the groups when he heard it.

CRASH!

"What the hell..."

One of the students ran up to him. "Saotome-sensei, quick! It's Sato-sensei!"

Ranma was alarmed. "What! Akane!"

He followed his student across the dojo. Then he saw the class gathered before a huge hole on the wall. Akane stood where the hole was as she looked outside.

When Ranma got to her, he asked, "Akane, are you okay?"

She replied in a nonchalant way. "Of course."

"What the hell happened?"

She shrugged. "Some guy just didn't understand the meaning of the word no."

Ranma looked outside and saw Shimada with his face buried into the flowerbed as his backside was facing them. "What the..."

Akane told the students, "Help him out of there." She saw Ranma staring at her incredulously. "Don't worry. I was very gentle with him."

***

The best thing they could do was fix the damage. When class ended Ranma and Akane decided to go to the hardware store. Together, they went into town. On their way to the store, they saw Shampoo standing in front of her restaurant giving delivery instructions to her son Mao.

"You make sure you give the ramen while it's still hot. Now, go!"

Mao wheeled off in his bike. Shampoo was about to go back to work, but she saw Ranma and Akane.

"Nihao!" She greeted.

"Yo, Shampoo," Ranma said.

"You both hungry? Come. Come. I just made ramen."

Akane was about to say yes, but Ranma declined. "No, thanks, Shampoo. We're going to the hardware store to buy some wood. Maybe another time."

Akane was surprised. Ranma was refusing food. This was too weird.

Shampoo asked, "Why did you not come to the party yesterday? Mousse and I invited you."

"I was busy."

Ranma knew there was a surprise party for me? But he didn't go? Why? Akane frowned and became confused about how she felt. Was that suppose to hurt?

Shampoo said, "You hardly go to the Nekohanten, but you always go to Ucchan's. I don't understand. Are you angry?"

Puzzled by their behavior, Akane looked at them back and forth. Why would Ranma be angry at Shampoo?

Ranma sighed. "No, Shampoo, I ain't mad. I just have a lot of things going on in my mind. That's all."

"I see." Shampoo gave him an uncertain smile. "Well, you are always welcome at the Nekohanten."

They said their good-byes and went on their way. There was an uncomfortable silence between them until Ranma stopped walking and turned to her.

"Akane?"

She stopped walking also. "What is it, Ranma?"

"What you heard earlier..."

Akane shook her head. "Ranma, you don't have to explain it to me. You wanted to spend time with your wife. She's much more important than the party." She reassured him further. "I understand. Don't worry about it."

So! Akane thought that this was about her and him. The truth was, it wasn't. When Ranma heard that Shampoo and the others were planning a surprise party for Akane, his reaction was, "What for? You guys never liked her anyway." He didn't think that a party was enough to make up for everything they did to Akane, yet it seemed like they did. What am I getting so frustrated about? It's not like I told her the truth. Maybe that's why I feel so guilty. Maybe I should tell her the truth.

"Akane?"

"What?"

Come on! Tell her! Ranma's heart pounded hard. "I..."

"Yes? What is it?"

"You're right. I shouldn't worry." Damn! I can't! I just can't!

"Of course I'm right. We should not make little things like this such a big deal, okay?"

Akane gave him a smile, and Ranma found himself staring at her. She still has that same smile.

She broke the spell by tugging his arm slightly. "Come on. We better get going."

***

They arrived at the Nakamura Hardware Store. An old man was behind the counter when Ranma and Akane came in. He smiled as they approached him.

"Ah, Mr. Saotome! It's been awhile since you came back."

"Hi, Mr. Nakamura," said Ranma.

Akane smiled. "Mr. Nakamura, hello! Remember me?"

The old man stared at her for a long time. His eyes lit up when he finally recognized her. "I know you! You're Soun Tendo's youngest daughter." He went around the counter and stood in front of Akane. "Why, how beautiful you turned out to be! Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. You always were the pretty one."

Akane laughed. "Oh, Mr. Nakamura!"

"Well, I always thought so. Didn't you, Mr. Saotome?"

Ranma was embarrassed to answer. "I guess."

"How's that wife of yours?"

"She's fine. She's back in Osaka again."

"I don't think she likes Nerima very much." He clapped his hands once. "So! What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to buy some wood?"

"What happened? Did one of your students get carried away again?"

"Literally, yes," Akane replied. "I had to teach him a lesson."

"Good for you, Miss Tendo. Or is it still Miss Tendo?

"No, it's Sato now, Mr. Nakamura."

"Of course. Of course. How could someone like you stay single? What does your husband do?"

"Well, nothing really." Akane saw a confused look in his eyes and explained, "He is not with us any longer, but I still use his name."

He was very sympathetic. "Gomen. Gomen. How long ago?"

"More than two years ago."

"And your father just died." Mr. Nakamura shook his head. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Sato."

Akane shrugged and tried to smile. "Well, these things happen. We have no control of it."

"I agree." Mr. Nakamura changed the subject. "Well! The wood is at the back of the store. Feel free to pick out what you need."

"Thanks, Mr. Nakamura." Akane started to head for the back. "Come on, Ranma."

Ranma was about to follow her, but Mr. Nakamura blocked his way with his arm. "What a remarkable, strong woman! How did you ever let her slip away from your fingers?" He asked as the younger man gave him a blank look.

***

Michiko sat in her office. She glanced at the clock and tapped her long fingernails on the desk. It was almost four o' clock.

Suddenly, the phone rang and she quickly picked it up. "Yes?"

"Mrs. Saotome, Mr. Ishida is here."

"It's about time. Send him in."

A man in a dark suit entered. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Saotome."

"Good afternoon. Please sit down." Michiko gestured toward the seat before her desk. "I'm so glad that you came to see me on such a short notice."

He nodded. "I understand that you have a job for me."

"Yes, I do. I want you to investigate something for me. I need some information on the following people. Akane Sato and her son Hikaru Sato."

"New rivals for the Tanaka Enterprises?"

"No, not really. This is personal. You could start your investigation at Takasaki. Both had resided there for quite some time." She leaned closer towards him. "Now, Mr. Ishida, I forbid you to let anyone know this investigation. If you find any information, please report here in my office. Do not call me at my house in Nerima because my husband might answer the phone. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Don't worry. I'll do exactly what you say."

Michiko plopped the check before him. "Here's 10, 200, 000 yen. You'll get the rest later."

Mr. Ishida took the check and smiled as he stood up. "Nice doing business with you, Mrs. Saotome."

"Let me know if you get anything as soon as possible."

***

Ranma covered the hole on the wall as best as he could. It was not until late afternoon when he finished. He went outside and found Akane planting new flowers at the area where Shimada had landed.

"Well, Akane, I'm all done. It's fixed."

Akane looked behind her to observe the wall. She decided that he did a good job. "Okay. Thanks."

Ranma watched her as she turned back to her work. He looked at the flowers that she had already planted. "Hey, Akane, that looks pretty good."

"Thank you."

"I had no idea you had it in you."

"I love gardening. Kouhei introduced it to me. We had this huge garden at Takasaki." As she finished planting the last flower, she said, "There! All done! Now all I have to do is water them."

As Akane grabbed the hose nearby, Ranma said, "You better hope Shimada or anybody doesn't ruin that."

"Yeah, I see what you mean." She started to water the flowers. "Good thing I went to the garden shop in town yesterday after the party. I bought these nice flowers. I really wasn't sure where to plant them until this flowerbed got destroyed. I guess I should be thankful that Shimada landed here."

"Just what in the world did he say to you that got you so angry?"

Akane was suddenly embarrassed. "I'd rather not get into that. All I can say is that he's a real pervert."

"Oh, okay." Ranma was quiet for awhile and then he started to laugh.

Slightly annoyed, Akane turned to him. "What's so funny?"

He stopped. "Oh...nothing." Ranma got quiet and tried hard not to laugh, but suddenly he snickered.

"Ranma," she warned.

"Oh, alright! It's just that when you threw Shimada, it suddenly brought back memories of high school when you used to beat those guys up. When I saw Shimada's face buried in the flowerbed, I was thinking, geez! Akane still that uncute tomboy streak in her." Then he began to laugh, and this time, he was louder than ever.

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Well!"

Ranma continued to laugh until he realized that Akane had not joined in. Finally, he stopped. "Oh, come on, Akane. I was only kidding. It was a joke!" He explained, but she kept ignoring him. "Akane, come on! I really meant it as sort of a compliment because you beat the crap out of him...Akane?"

Akane smiled at him. "Gotcha!" Then she turned and aimed the hose at him.

Ranma's eyes went wide with horror as the cold water streamed out at him. Ever since his curse, he had mixed feelings about cold water. Once he got cured seventeen years ago, he learned not to worry about cold water anymore, but today for some reason, he was. He backed away and shielded himself with his arms, but it was too late. The water had sprayed all over him.

Suddenly, the water stopped, and Ranma put his arms down. He was wet from waist up, and Akane stared in shock with the discovery she just made.

"You...you're still a man..."

Water dripped down his face and clothes. "Last time I checked...yeah."

"Oh, my goodness!" Akane kept staring at him in amazement. "I don't believe it! You've been cured! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well...I...I didn't know how..."

Akane asked, "When did this happen?"

"It was a long time ago...after I married Michiko. It was sort of a wedding present."

Well, not really, but it was close.

"I see." Then she smiled. "Well, that's wonderful." As she turned back to her task, she went on. "I'm happy for you, Ranma. You're back to normal. I mean isn't that what you always wanted?"

Ranma nodded. "Yes."

But, deep down inside, something told him otherwise.

Author's Notes:
I would like to point out that 10,200,000 yen is equal to $100,000. Naturally, I would have used US dollars since I am based here in the States, but I figured that since this story is taking place in Japan, I must use yen here. That's pretty much common sense. Thanks to CNN, I found out that $1 is equal to 102 yen as of this date (January 5, 2000). Of course, this is not really permanent with the currency changing all the time. I simply multiplied $100,000 to 102 yen and got 10,200,000 yen. (I have lived in the Philippines long enough to learn how to convert money my parents sent me while I was there studying.) So, anyway, I just wanted to point out how I got this and that I just didn't come up with that figure at the top of my head. Bye! Thanks again for reading my fanfic! ^_^