Ranma: Inhibitions "Nnnh" He rolled over. "Nnnh". When the cold water hit him, Ranma screamed and leapt to the ceiling. Staring down the girl with the bright red hair glared at her fiancee. "What did you hafta' go and do that for Akane?" "Come on, Ranma. If you don't get out of bed now, we're going to be even later for school than usual!" Akane threw the bucket at her and stormed out of the room. Ranma dropped from the ceiling, mumbling something about uncute tomboys and heading to the bath. She just had her head out the door when Akane's mallet slammed into her. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Running alone the fence on the way to school, Ranma mused over the misfortunes of a day that could not get much worse. He was so late that Akane had headed off without him, leaving the kitchen unattended long enough for Pop to steal his lunch, and Kasumi had already packed the breakfast away. Up ahead he spotted the familiar form of his fiancee (well, his uncute fiancee). Putting on a burst of speed, he started to gain ground on her. "Akane. Hey, Akane will you just stop for a moment?" Akane turned around. If he was willing to call for her in the middle of the road, perhaps there was something important. When all she saw was a frantically waving Ranma holding a snuggling Shampoo, Akane flared bright blue. Reaching back she brought out one of her bigger hammers "Ranma no BAKA!!" As Ranma sailed into the distance, arms akimbo, the two girls squared off. "What violent girl do that to husband for?" "Humph. As if I care what that pervert does with you. It just makes me so mad the way that he tries to grab every girl within reach." Shampoo shook her head, "Violent tomboy know that she need Ranma since no other boy want her." Akane snarled and took a step forward, preparing to smear Shampoo. "Oh my God! I'm going to be late! Ranma this is all your fault." Spinning around, Akane deserted her adversary and sprinted into school just at the bell was ringing. When Ranma finally arrived he spent most of his first lesson standing in the hallway holding buckets for being so late. It did help his humour that he had landed in a fountain after Akane had hit him, and was still a girl when he had arrived at school. Ranma's day just kept heading down hill. Akane and every other girl in his class wouldn't speak to him, Nabiki was selling some new set of photos (where she got them he had no idea), and Kuno had tried to kill him again. Twice. It was dark when Ranma finally walked out. Miss Hinako had insisted that he stay behind to make up the lost time this morning. Nabiki had sent him a note saying that Akane still was not speaking to him, and she was going home without him. Hanging his head, Ranma made it all the way to the front gate before yet another fiancee grabbed him. "Ranma." Ranma just hung his head and kept walking, Kodachi trailing along behind him, like a girl shaped cape, holding onto head neck and chest in a tight embrace. "Ranma." "Listen, Kodachi. Will you just leave me alone. I can't cope with you today. You've really picked the wrong day. Just leave me alone." Flinging off her arms, Ranma trudged home The Tendo's home, make that. He still couldn't speak to his mother without worrying she'd insist that he'd commit seppuku. So drowned in his own sorrows, Ranma didn't even see the giant baseball bat that Kodachi pull from her leotard (No, I'm not going to tell you how she hid it). The next thing he knew he was on his back and the world was just coming into focus. He could feel he was lying on the ground, but something soft supported his head. A face started to come into view and he blinked several times. "A-Akane?" Gently the blurry face brushed the hair from his eyes. "Here drink this, you'll feel much better." A glass was held to his lips, and he sipped at the sweet liquid. He had barely started when the head above him snapped into focus. Not Akane: Kodachi. And he had just drunk something from her. Lurching to his feet, he jumped away from her. "What have you done to me this time you crazy bitch?" "Oh Ranma, darling. You know I would never hurt you. I just gave you something to make it easier for you to admit your love for me." Knowing he never hit girls, Kodachi slid up to him and rubbed her hands over his handsome chest. "Ranma, darling, can't you feel the inhibitions just slip away? Go on Ranma. Admit your feelings for me. Show your true feelings for me." Moving close she lay her head on his chest and sighed contentedly. Deep inside him, Ranma felt something stir. Feelings, emotions long held in check were aided by the potion. Ranma moaned and tried to fight what he felt. * * * It was late when Ranma arrived home. Waving goodnight to Kasumi, who had waited motherly for him to come home, he sneaked upstairs, just wanting to go to bed and sleep for a week. At the top of the stairs he stopped suddenly as Akane came out of her room. "And where have you been Ranma. Even Miss Hinako wouldn't keep you this late. Did you go over to Ukyo's again?" "No, no. Honestly Akane. It was Kodachi. She" SMASH!!! "Oh! Not satisfied with just three fiancees you pervert! Now you're trying to seduce Kodachi too! Ranma no baka!" Eventually Ranma dug himself out of the floor and crawled onto the futon. Akane just cried herself to sleep again. Did he really care so little for her? * * * The next day Ranma awoke feeling better than he had for months. Perhaps this is the turn around on yesterday. All the balance and perfection that Kuno's always babbling about. Yesterday bad, today good. Bounding downstairs, he landed in the kitchen with a smile and a bow to Kasumi who was preparing breakfast. "Good morning Ranma-kun!" Kasumi beamed at him. When Kasumi smiled the warmth could be felt across a room. Sucking in a deep breath of the beautiful morning air, Ranma bowed to her. "And a good morning to you, Kasumi-chan. May I say how beautiful you are looking this morning. Breakfast looks as lovely as it always is. Hmmm, is that the time. I suppose I ought to go and wake Akane." With that he grabbed a bucket and fairly bounced out of the room. "Oh my." Akane stirred briefly at the sound of the door opening, it was probably just oneechan coming to wake here for school. When the cold water came crashing down, she screamed and leapt out of bed. A smiling Ranma looked up at the dripping girl and smiled even wider. "Good morning, Ak-chan. Time to rise and shine." Glaring at him, she continued to drip feeling the anger rise. Suddenly she realised she was just wearing pyjamas. Thin, wet, pyjamas. "Eeek! What are you looking at, pervert!" Doing a good imitation of a Cheshire cat, Ranma's grin widened. "You... Breakfast time!" Bouncing out of the room, Ranma easily dodged the flying mallets and bokkens. At breakfast Ranma was still beaming, enjoying what was proving to be an excellent day. Kasumi was all fluttery, Akane was fuming, and Ranma was half way through Genma's portion by the time he climbed out of the pond. "See Pops, that'll teach you to steal my food." Akane and Ranma were almost to school without having said a word. Ranma was on the fence, humming happily, and Akane was walking along, boiling slowly. Sure, she doused him with water most mornings, but he deserved it. And then standing there staring at her while she was wet. Ohhh, that Ranma! Akane's aura was just starting to go blue when Shampoo launched her morning attack on Ranma. "Nihao, Ranma. You date with Shampoo tonight?" Curled up against him, she wondered how long it would be until he pushed her away again. Her Japanese may not be very good, but she knew that whenever Ranma was with violent tomboy girl Akane he could never say anything nice to her. "Sure, Shampoo. See you at seven. Gotta keep moving." As she stood stunned, he disengaged her arms, pinched her butt, and then kept jogging along the fence. Akane and Shampoo just stood there, both too shocked to move. Eventually the both did; Shampoo bouncing away screaming "Aiya, Shampoo date with Airen!" Akane just looked at the fence where Ranma had stood and felt the tear drip down her cheeks. "Ranma, how could you." At lunch time Nabiki confronted Ranma, dragging him off to an isolated section of the school. "I don't know what you did to Akane this morning, but she ran home crying. How could you, Ranma, how could you?" "What? I didn't do nothing." "Don't give me that, Ranma. I know you and Akane fight, but whatever you did to her this morning really hurt her. She's my sister and I won't let you or anyone else hurt her. Do you understand me?" "Feh! Why would I do anything to Akane? And I don't know what you would do about it anyway. She my fiancee, not yours." Ranma turned and started to walk away. Nabiki just snarled and pulled some photos of Ranma from one of her pockets. "Listen here, Ranma. Fiancee you may be, but you don't act like it. If you ever do anything to Akane like that again, I'll make damn sure you can never show your face in public in this town again. Do you understand me?" Ranma stopped and turned back to face her. His face was set. The smile he normally wore was nowhere to be seen. "Never bluff, Nabiki. Never threaten me unless you're prepared to carry it out." Nabiki just smiled her predatory smile. "Don't try me, Ranma. If you ever cross me or my family you'll regret it for Urk!" Ranma slammed her against the wall of the gym, holding her off the ground with his left hand. He was applying just enough pressure that air could just get in and out, just Nabiki's breath hissed in and out in small gasps. "Nabiki. You're a bitch. I've always known it, and I used to tolerate it. But not now. If I ever suspect, SUSPECT, that you've tried to do anything to me, I shall kill you." Ranma's voice was very low, and deep breaths heaved his chest as he battled with a killing anger. With a grunt, he punched the concrete wall next to Nabiki's head, burying his fist almost to the elbow. "Never threaten me. Never threaten Akane, and don't even think of trying to get between us. Akane would be really sad if you died, and that would upset me. But it won't upset me enough to stop me. Do you understand?" When she was released, Nabiki dropped to the ground, gasping for breath. As she sucked in breath, she saw the red flicker of Ranma's battle aura. My god! I've never seen him so mad. Looking up at him she nodded, not trusting her voice yet. Ranma grunted once, and walked off, slowly reining in his impressive aura. Slowly Nabiki crawled into a ball and sobbed. So close. So close to dying. She didn't even know what it was that she said that set him off. She sold pictures of him, abused him, conned him, and humiliated him and he had just accepted it. Hardly even a harsh word. Now this. Nabiki was no-one's fool. She realised just how dangerous Ranma was, and now maybe, just maybe, some of that iron control was slipping. Nabiki curled up tighter and kept crying. * * * Ranma was almost home when he saw Ryoga leaping out of the sunset, screaming "PREPARE TO DIE, RANMA!" Jumping to the side, Ranma dodged the devastating blow which shattered the concrete. Before Ryoga could recover, Ranma had leapt at him. With a speed borne of years of training, Ranma had his hand around the bigger boy's shoulders, and was pulling him along the road. "Whoa, good one there Ryoga! How's it going buddy?" Ryoga snarled and shoved his arm aside, launching a crushing attack at where his chest should have been. Landing gently on the other side, of him, Ranma laughed. "Say, Ryoga buddy, I'm taking Shampoo out tonight, you wanna grab Ucchan and make it a double date?" "Ranma, how could you do this to Akane? Why do you torture me like this? And STAND STILL!" Another barrage of fists and feet flew past Ranma. Ranma bounced around for a while, encouraging Ryoga, giving him pointers on style, and encouraging him to come out to dinner with them. After ten minutes with no luck, Ranma used a modified version of the Chestnut Fist to zip in and pat Ryoga on the back before he could strike. "Gotta keep moving old buddy. Can't keep the lady waiting. See you round, ha ha!" Ryoga kept up the aerial pursuit for a while, but eventually lost him when he went to ground. "RANMA SOATOME I SHALL TRACK YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!" Ryoga looked around. "Excuse me, where is the Tendo dojo?" * * * Akane and Nabiki both hid in their rooms that night, crying. Soun and Genma also cried as Ranma walked out the door. Visions of a dynasty of martial artists fleeing before their eyes. "Oh my son, how could you do this?" As he walked past the kitchen, even Kasumi ventured an opinion. "Oh my, Ranma. Are you sure that this is the right thing? Did Cologne drug you again?" Ranma just laughed and gave her a friendly peck on the cheek. "No, no Kasumi, she hasn't. Kodachi was the last one, and I'm sure it's worn off by now. But now that you mention it, I'd better have a chat with Cologne and make sure she doesn't try anything tonight." With that he bounced off to the Nekohaten to get his date for the evening. Kasumi looked around the kitchen in concern. An affectionate Ranma was not a normal Ranma. She felt sure that Cologne must be up to something again. Heading upstairs she hesitated debating which door to try. Eventually she settled on Nabiki's. Akane hadn't seen Ranma all day, and Nabiki was acting oddly tonight also. "Nabiki-chan, can I speak to you about Ranma? I'm a bit worried about him." * * * Shampoo was fairly bouncing around the Nekohaten. Airen had agreed to date with her, and great grandmother had not even needed any potions or spells. Truly beauty, skill, love and persistence did pay off. When Ranma arrived, Shampoo immediately fell into his waiting arms, and Cologne almost fell of her stick in surprise. She was sure that son-in-law had only said he would date Shampoo in an attempt to get rid of her. It shows that even with the wisdom of her age she could be wrong. Fortunately, she was smart enough to have given Shampoo a small vial of love potion just in case. When she saw how Ranma held Shampoo she almost fell off her stick again. He had never seen son-in-law hold anyone like that; no matter what had been cast on him. Ranma held Shampoo the way that Shampoo usually held Ranma. Ranma leaned over and whispered in Shampoo's ear: "Can you wait outside for a minute. I need to have a chat to the old ghoul." Cologne sighed. At least some things never changed. Shampoo moved outside the restaurant, and Ranma motioned Cologne back to one of the store rooms. "I'm going out on a date with Shampoo because I like her and she's probably the best looking girl in Nerima. I don't know what YOU have got planned for my date, but Kasumi reminded me that I can't trust you to leave us alone. So I'm going to ask you once, nicely. Please Cologne-san, what are you planning to do to me tonight?" Cologne sighed. So he realised that they would capitalise on the opportunity. No matter, he was three hundred years too young to beat her at this game. "Nothing son-in-law. I wish you the best on your date." Ranma's eyes hardened. She just wouldn't learn. Well the easy way was out, and there really was no question whether she had something planned. It was more a case of what. "Your choice. You _will_ tell me." Without a moments hesitation or warning, he attacked. Not the usual warm up with kicks and punches, this time he launched immediately for the more effective strikes. "MOKO TAKABISHA!" As a surprised Cologne leapt to avoid the ki blast which destroyed a large section of wall, Ranma followed up without relent. With a flurry of fists, he began to demolish the staff that Cologne used. While frantically dodging, Cologne could only gasp at the speed and power which son-and-law used. Not only would his ki-blast have been lethal if it hit, but the mere fact that he could unleash such power as a mere decoy was a frightening statement. In no time Cologne was solely on the defensive. She had never seen son-in- law so determined, and his power was beginning to show. Only moments into a fight that would normally take hours and he already had sent numerous blows which had hit home. Not only was the speed and power of his attacks increased, but his tactics had changed completely. Before, he always showed restraint, a certain holding back to ensure the safety of his opponent. A weakness to be sure, but now it was one that he had lost. In delicate combination, Ranma would launch a lethal strike, knowing that she would need to dodge or counter it, and when she moved to counter it, a lesser strike would be there, beating on her. It only took only four and a half minutes, and Ranma was standing over her, red aura burning brightly. Both her legs had been broken by his viscous attack, and one of her arms. She certainly wasn't defeated, but if he pressed the fight, she knew she would loose. "Second chance, old ghoul. What have you got planned?" Cologne merely looked at him and snarled. Her, defeated by a man, and this child. She would buy Shampoo what time she could, for he would surely kill her next. "Silent, heh?" A single quick blow and her left foot was crushed to the floor. "Boy, that must have hurt. Tell me." A few minutes later Ranma walked out of the Nekohaten and gathered Shampoo in his arms. "What you and Great grandmother talk about?" Before she could react, Ranma stuck his hand down the front of her dress and grabbed the love potion. Tossing it against the wall so it smashed, he smiled at her, and her instant anger vanished in the warmth of the smile. "Just a minor disagreement on how things should proceed. Come on, I know a nice restaurant and we have so much to discuss." Blissfully the pair bounced off. Shortly the whine of the ambulance sirens split the night air. An anonymous caller had said that an old lady had fallen badly in the back of the restaurant and hurt herself. When they arrived, Cologne was unconscious and badly hurt. By the time they got her to the hospital, the prognosis was looking better. It looked like a nasty fall had broken many of her old bones, but there was no serious internal damage. * * * The next morning at the Tendo dojo was another subdued one. All of the Tendo girls looked subdued, and Nabiki was rather cautious around Ranma. When Ranma-chan came in from a long and strenuous training session with her father, Nabiki moved away from her slightly at the table, and watched her like she had changed into a poisonous snake. When Genma sat down - human again thanks to Kasumi's handy kettle - he looked around the table and took in the faces of the concern. Clearing his throat, he decided it was a father's duty to help his wayward son. "Boy, you shouldn't have taken Shampoo ---" With one punch Ranma sent him sailing out the door and back into the pond where the training always ended. "Don't you talk to me old man! Thanks to you I've got three fiancees I never asked for. For your information I've never wanted more than one, and I'll be dammed if I let this farce go on any longer!" Ranma turned to sit down again after his abuse. Just then Ryoga chose that worst possible moment to come into the room, bristling with anger. Akane saw him and heaved a sigh of relief. Even if Ranma didn't love her, she knew Ryoga was a friend. "Ryoga-kun. Have you seen P-Chan? He was here last night, but I can't find him now." Ryoga was about to say something, but Ranma grabbed him by the arm and started pulling him out of the room. "Don't worry Akane. Ryoga and me will find little piggy. Come on Ryoga you pig." Snarling, Ryoga allowed himself to be dragged out of the room. Again the girls could only watch dumbfounded. The was something up with Ranma. In the dojo Ranma faced Ryoga. "Ryoga. You know you're a friend of mine. And the only reason we fight these days is 'cause we both enjoy it." Reluctantly, Ryoga nodded. Ranma was up to something, what was yet to be seen. But he was up to something. It did not take to long to find out. With a move like lightning Ranma grabbed Ryoga and pushed him against the wall. With his right hand, he drew back and focused his ki. The first thing Ryoga knew he was staring at a huge, awful ball of energy, flaming at the end of Ranma's fist. Ryoga knew he was fast, but not as fast as Ranma. There was nothing that could stop that strike if Ranma decided to hit him. And while he knew he was stronger than Ranma by far, he didn't think he had ever seen so much ki focused into the one attack. Even his own Shi Shi Hokodon seemed to pale into comparison, and that huge roaring fireball was waiting to strike. God knew that it was hard enough to summon ki, but to hold that monster in place must be taking every ounce of Ranma's concentration and effort. Ryoga relaxed slowly. One false move and it would be bacon for breakfast. "All right, Ranma. You win. Put that thing away. Just calm down a bit." Ryoga visibly sweated as Ranma said nothing, then: "P-Chan. If you EVER sleep with Akane again, there won't be enough of you left for a sandwich. Akane is MY fiancee. I don't care if you talk to her. I don't care if you're P- Chan all day. But if I ever hear that you slept with her, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth. Are you absolutely, 100% clear on this?" Ryoga hesitated as he absorbed the words. Why now? What brought on this change? P-Chan had slept with Akane for months and Ranma hadn't cared. The he realised the Ranma was taking his hesitation as refusal. Quickly he nodded and gasped his compliance. This, with an almost superhuman effort, Ranma set about defusing the bomb he had conjured on the end of his arm. As the minutes passed, he dissipated the ki harmlessly, and Ryoga could only watch in awe. That much force would have destroyed most of the dojo and the street beyond, and Ranma was willing to summon it, and could summon it almost instantly; he didn't know which scared him more. Eventually the ball of death vanished and Ranma panted in relief. He hadn't wanted to kill his friend, but somewhere a line must be drawn. "So, did we find P-Chan, or shall we tell Akane we'll look again tomorrow?" Ryoga gulped loudly, then whispered. "Perhaps we'll find him tomorrow." * * * Ranma and Akane made it to school without anything unusual happening. Ranma was vocal and happy, and Akane walked along half asleep. He really doesn't care, she thought. First its off with Kodachi all night, then Shampoo, now he says he's off to see someone else tonight. Then he has the gall the say he wants to have an important talk to me tonight after school. After he's been out with whoever this new girl is. "RANMA NO BAKA!" Peeling himself out of the ground, Ranma wondered where he went wrong. Kuno was waiting for them in the school yard when they arrived. "Saotome you cur, you shall pay for tormenting Akane!" Akane watched in shock as Ranma charged forward and belted Kuno over the school and into the distance. "Go see your sister, Tatewaki. Spend some time together." Akane just stood there stunned as Ranma ran into class. Sure they had both beaten Kuno senseless time and again, but that blow would have cracked his ribs at the least. Ranma was losing his control. It wasn't until lunch that Akane was able to draw Ranma aside and have a quiet talk. "Ranma, what you did this morning was wrong. Kuno could have been seriously hurt by you." Ranma tossed his head and looked sheepish, "Gee, I'm sorry Akane. I forgot that you probably wanted to do it to him." Looking down at his feet, he nervously twisted a toe into the ground. "I just figured since he challenged me, I might as well respond. But, hey, he should be out of hospital in a few days, so if you want, I'll just sit and watch, and you can pound him into the ground!" Akane face faulted. Ranma knew that he had hospitalised Kuno?!? Ranma, the guy who never picked on the weak. Ranma, the knight in, um, no armour. Ranma, mister happy and dependable stuck a friend into hospital for almost no provocation. "Ranma, are you all right? You seem a bit well odd lately." Ranma scratched his head and thought. And thought again. "Nope, I'm fine. But thanks for asking. We go back to lunch now?" Placing an arm around her shoulder he started to lead her away. For a moment she just starred at the arm and marvelled at his audacity. Shrugging it off, she confronted him again, trying to be angry, trying and failing, because no matter what he did, he just seemed so so so _nice_ today. "And what did you mean about visiting his sister? You were sending him to hospital." Once again Ranma looked sheepish. Hanging his head he whispered. "I didn't want to tell you this. I figured that you go off the deep end. No, no! I don't mean you can't handle yourself, I'm just worried about what you do to Kodachi." "Oh! So we're back to Kodachi are we! Well, if that's who you want, fine, I won't stand in the way!" Pushing him out of the way, Akane stormed off, ignoring his pleas to be heard. Ohhh, that boy. * * * After school, Akane was helping Kasumi in the kitchen. Hoping to distract her so she wouldn't cook, Genma entered and asked the loaded question. "So, where's Ranma?" Akane just sniffed, then walked out, trying to pretend that it was onions that caused her tears. Kasumi looked around and smiled one of happy smiles. "Oh he's gone to visit his mother. He told me he's bringing her over tonight after dinner." Genma just gibbered for a few moments, before running around and around in fear. When that was done, he raced up to pack. Even if he couldn't save his dear son, he could save his own life. With Ranma's curse, there was no way that Nodoka was going to let them go without committing seppuku. When the front gate opening announced the arrival of Nodoka and Ranma, Genma was still only partially packed. In fear he ran downstairs and hid under the coffee table. Nodoka and Ranma walked into the kitchen to greet Kasumi. "Kasumi, you remember Nodoka-san, my mother. I need to go upstairs and speak to Akane. Can I count on the two of you to keep everyone else down here." Kasumi smiled, Ranma and Akane didn't talk often enough in her opinion. "Certainly, Ranma-kun. Take your time." Turning to Nodoka, he just held out his hand and she passed him the sheathed Tanto blade. It was the weapon he would use if she requested the seppuku. Silently, with hard eyes, Nodoka unsheathed her katana and moved with Kasumi to the base of the stairs. The Tendo's all gathered to watch and wonder. Ranma nodded goodbye and walked up the stairs. * * * Akane heard the soft knock at the door. Too soft for Ranma, he'd just barge straight in, that pervert. She sniffed again and asked the person to come in. It was Ranma. And he looked so serious. Almost serious enough to think. She almost laughed at that thought. "Akane, I need to talk to you. I've got two things to say, and I need you to promise that you won't interrupt, and you won't fly off the handle until I'm finished. OK?" Akane paused. This was bad. He looked so serious. Maybe Nabiki was right. Maybe he was about to tell her that he had chosen Shampoo. Akane sniffed again and whipped away a tear. She nodded. "Two nights ago I was with Kodachi ---" "Oh, get out! I don't need to hear all the sordid details. If I mean so little that you need Kodachi AND Shampoo, fine, just don't tell me. Just go!" Stung by the viciousness of her words Ranma retreated a couple of steps. "NO! This time you listen to me! You promised. You'll listen to every word I say! Then you talk. Condemn me then. Not now!" Sucking in a deep breath, Ranma waited until Akane was seated on her bed again, looking very cross. "Two nights ago, I was with Kodachi, and and she" Ranma shook slightly, and his voice dropped to a whisper. Shame and fear was in every movement, and Akane could see the pain in his eyes. "she tried to rape me." Akane could barely hear the last two words, and when they finally penetrated, she laughed out loud. The mighty Ranma Saotome, heir to the Saotome school of Anything-Goes Martial Arts raped by a young girl. Then she saw Ranma and stopped laughing. He laughter had hurt him. Yell, scream or hit, he could understand. But to be laughed at by her hurt more than he could take. She saw him glance at something in his hand, and then start to leave. "Wait! Ranma, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed. It it, just didn't seem possible." "She drugged me! That's what she always does, but no-one ever believes me. She said it was something to break down my inhibitions, and I could feel it work, It wore off quickly, I mean, I don't feel any different now, but... God, Akane, you don't know what it was like. I NEEDED her, and she was there and so insistent. I I. I" Deep down inside, Akane burned. That bitch. To do that to Ranma. She'd kill her. She'd take her apart limb by limb. "It's OK, Ranma. We'll contact the police. We have to get them involved this time." "NO! No We can't." "Ranma, you can't defend her. Not after what she did to you. Forcing you to have sex with her like that is worse than despicable!" "No you don't understand! She didn't. She was there and all over me, and and I lost it. All I could think of was you, and what this would do to you and I lost control. I'm a martial artist, Akane. I can't afford to loose control. When I was finished, she couldn't even move. This close, Akane. I came this close to killing her. They only took her out of Intensive Care today. Akane, I've never wanted to hurt anyone like that before. But I just couldn't stop. I just hit her again and again." Finally Ranma broke. He fell to his knees and cried. In moments he cried on her shoulder and she held him and rocked him back and forth. "Ranma. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. It's OK I understand. The worst demons are always the ones inside us." "Akane, I need your help. I tried to kill a girl for loving me more that I loved her. What she did was wrong, but she didn't deserve what I did." Holding his head in her hands, Akane looked him in the eyes and found the words he needed to hear. "Ranma, it's not your fault. You said she drugged you. That's what it was. That's all it was." "But" "No buts. You're not a killer. I can look into your eyes and see that." I can look into your eyes all day. Especially when you need me. "That was the first thing. If you want you can tell me to leave now. I'll go. You know what sort of person I am now. Probably not the sort of person you want living with you sisters, or with you." "Oh, Ranma. I could never do that to you." He sniffled, wiped his eyes and stood up again. One more sniff and he was back to normal. "This next one's gunna take a while to tell as well. So just bear with me. OK. Until I finish, just listen." Akane nodded. "Akane, Ukyo knows this already. I talk to her so often, she understands. Ukyo is my best friend, but that's all. I love Ukyo, but as a friend. She cooks, she nice, she understands me, but I don't love her the way that I should." Akane sighed. She had held her tongue and was proud of herself. Akane steeled herself. Here was the part where he says that he loves Shampoo. She clever, she beautiful, she can cook, she can fight, she is everything a man could want. She's so much more than Akane. Ranma began to speak again. It was evidently difficult for him. "A-Akane. I love Shampoo. She clever, she beautiful, she can cook, she can fight, she is everything a man could want." Akane's heart shattered. Her head fell to her chest, and her breath came in shallow gasps. "I love you Akane, I don't know why, but I do. You can't cook, you hit me, we fight I don't know why, but I love you. Akane, I would go to the ends of the earth for Shampoo or Ukyo. But Akane, I would die for you, and I would die without you. "Akane, to me you will always be a violent, uncute, tomboy. But I need more than that. I need you to be MY violent, uncute, tomboy." Ranma dug in his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was simple, gold with the tiniest of diamonds in it. It couldn't have cost much. However it probably cost all that he had. "Tendo Akane, will you marry me?" * * * Everyone had seen Ranma go upstairs to Akane, but it was only Nabiki which saw the Tanto that he was carrying. A weapon which would kill, as if he even needed a weapon. Shortly they heard the yells and screams which punctured every conversation that Akane and Ranma had. Then the silence. The ominous, oppressive, all consuming, silence. Minutes passed. Initially, everyone was content to wait, then they began to pace. At first Kasumi could turn them back with a smile and a shake of the head. Then a word. Finally even a frown was not enough. Nabiki was about to climb the stairs and help her sister when she saw the naked blade of the Saotome family in the air in front of her. Looking at Nodoka she could see the steel in the woman's gaze. With parents like these, no wonder he turned out the way he did. Nodoka held her gaze a moment longer, then stepped close, the blade still between Nabiki and the stairs. Quietly she whispered so that only she could hear. "My only son has gone there to be alone with one other person. We WILL NOT interrupt him. He told me on his honour that he would return to me this evening to be judged on his fitness as a man. I have waited so long for my son, I can wait this much longer. So will you" Nabiki did not press the issue further. Time passed slowly, then eventually the heard footsteps, and Ranma came down the stairs. He had obviously been crying, and his faced looked puffy. But there was a determined look in his eyes. At the base of the stairs, he kneeled in front of Nodoka and placed the Tanto on the floor, beside it he placed two cups of water. Bowing once, he unsheathed the blade, and again laid it on the floor. Opening his shirt to reveal his flat stomach, he spoke. "Mother. I come before you to be judged a man. Eleven years ago I signed a pact that if I failed to become a man under my father's training, I would commit seppuku. Tonight I allow you to judge yourself." Taking the first glass, he upended it over his head. Moments later, Ranma was replaced by Ranko. Nodoka gasped, recognising the girl she had spent much time with, never realising it was her son. "Mother, while training I become cursed. I am now only half a man at most." Dousing himself with the second glass, he returned to male. "Since that time, I have lied to you, and deceived you. Until now, I have had three fiancees, and have lacked the courage to deal with the problem. I have fought constantly with others, and I have abused my abilities as a martial artist. Worst, I have hurt and tormented those closest to me." "For these reasons I say that I am not a man among men." Everyone had gone silent during his confession. Nabiki wasn't entirely sure whether she was relieved, afraid or just confused. Genma's terror had reached the point that he simply sat and stared. Soun wept silent tears, and Kasumi covered her mouth and looked ready to cry. Nodoka simply stared at the boy who was her son. With no hint of emotion she asked. "And do you have any defence? Is there any reason I should not ask for your life?" "I have only one defence. There is a person, the kindest, gentlest, and nicest person I have ever known: Tendo Akane. She has seen the demons in my soul. She knows the person that I am. She has seen the wrongs that I have done. And this night she has consented to be my wife." Nodoka looked at the girl which had appeared silently behind Ranma. "Tendo Akane, is this true?" "It is." "Then on the day that you marry this man, I shall give you this sword that you may guard the honour of the Saotome line."