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PART 1
Ranma Saotome walked back to the Tendo Dojo. It had been over a year since he had decided to leave in search of a cure for his curse. Now that he was almost back at the only place he could call home for a long time, he was very happy, he would see everyone again. *I wonder how many things have changed. I bet Akane still tries to poison everyone with what she calls cooking.* Ranma thought with a smirk as he could now see the walls of the dojo. He had left with only one goal in mind, and returned with more than he ever dreamed possible.
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Akane was at the Tendo Dojo training one of her latest katas. It had been incredible the way her skills had improved since Ranma left. She had been attacked by Shampoo, and nearly killed since Ranma was no longer around to protect her. She hardly made it, and started training under Happosai. *And to think I doubted him.* Akane thought, as she could feel the sweat running freely. The old lecher had offered himself to train Akane as her heir since Ranma had left the dojo in search of a cure for the curse. Akane was reluctant at first, but Happosai took the training seriously, and now Akane was in another league when it came to Ranma's other fianc?. Even though Shampoo trained under Cologne to keep up, Akane had a certain skill for learning and increasing endurance and power more than the Chinese girl. She felt the hair now flowing in a cut similar to which she had a few years ago, not as long, but certainly more feminine. Her body had matured as well as her face. She was nearly nineteen years old now, with a strong yet feminine frame. Her movements could put to shame the way Ranma fought when he first arrived at Nerima, she had increased her skills tenfold, primarily because of a reason. Training was the only thing that made her forget about Ranma's quest to find a cure. *That Baka* She thought angrily as she started a series of kicks and punches that ended with a back flip and a jump forwards with a spinning kick. Ranma had left without much of a warning, just a letter that told he would come back. Akane smiled to herself as she made a couple more of kicks that ended in a powerful roundhouse. *Wait till he returns. I'm gonna kick his butt so he no longer leaves.* She was still angry at having been abandoned without notice. *But he'll be back, he promised.* She continued the kata with a precision and power that the dojo walls were shaking. When she finally finished, she was sweating and breathing heavily, but otherwise could continue for another hour. The noise of clapping came from a window, and Akane quickly turned ready in a fighting stance. Kasumi was out on the market. Genma and Nodoka had left for the Saotome residence after two weeks from Ranma's leaving. Nabiki was studying with some friends right now. And Soun was talking with some people about his new post as Nerima mayor, so that left Akane alone at the dojo, and it was not a class day. She saw a figure drop to the dojo floor, and lift itself to be well over five inches taller than her.
"It's good to see you've improved Akane." Said the figure, which was still not entirely visible because the sun rays hit Akane directly on the face while looking at this new person. His voice was low and his tone was confident. Akane could distinguish certain features. The guy had his long black hair in a mess over his shoulders. His shoulders were broad and he had a duffel bag over one of them. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt, black leather pants and high leather boots. Akane kept her ready stance, and all her assessment was made in the blink of an eye. She could tell the guy was a martial artist because he made hardly a sound when walking, and his movements were fluid, although his attire was the one of a biker. The guy seemed to notice for the first time that Akane was ready to jump at him, and he smiled widely. "Are you that mad at me?" He asked.
Akane began to recognize some of the features. The voice was more mature, but she could relate it to one she knew all too well. The features of the face were starting to become more clear, and recognition hit her like one of her mallets. "RANMA!" She cried as she launched herself forward, taking by surprise the other fighter. She quickly embraced him, and after making his brain cells work again, Ranma returned the embrace. Akane could feel her eyes getting wet with tears, but she did not mind, all she knew was that Ranma was back. After some minutes of enjoying the closeness of the other, they reluctantly broke apart. "Where the hell have you been you baka? We were worried sick about you!" Akane said shaking Ranma by the shoulders, and Ranma as usual gave no resistance.
"It's a long story Akane, and I don't feel like telling it right now. All I could think of for the last week was getting back." Ranma said resting his duffel bag on the floor. "So how is everyone?" He asked. Akane wasted no time in telling him about all her family, and when she was done. "And how about you?" Ranma finally asked, a concern filled gaze on his eyes.
Akane saw the gaze, but instead of getting angry as usual, she felt good that Ranma was worried about her. "I've missed you." She said finally, after some minutes of silence. A wicked grin appeared on her face. *Oh, you are gonna pay Saotome.* Then to Ranma. "Say Ranma, are you too tired for a spar?"
Ranma smiled back. "You never give it up do you?" Akane shocked her head. "Very well, I've missed our sparring sessions as well." Said Ranma, as they both walked to the center of the dojo. Akane assumed her fighting stance. Ranma assumed his fighting stance as well, open fists in front of him with his legs shoulders length apart and the left one a little to the front, but not before saying. "Just be careful Akane. This time I'm not taking anything back."
Akane was surprised by the comment. Never before had Ranma fought her seriously. *Doesn't matter. I'll fight full out as well.* They only nodded, and jumped to each other. After the first exchange of blows, Akane could tell Ranma had not lacked any training, he was faster than before, and his technique had changed somewhat. Akane could also tell that Ranma was surprised by Akane's moves, and she used that to punish him with a few well placed kicks. They separated after some furious seconds. Akane was breathing normally, while Ranma was having difficulty breathing. "What's wrong Ranma, afraid of the tomboy?" She asked teasingly, and as expected, Ranma threw himself into attack with recklessness. Akane let him wear himself down, only feeling some minor hits on her midsection. After several minutes, she saw Ranma throw himself with a punch to her face, which she ducked and uppercuted him. But she was not done with him yet. She followed the movement with a spinning kick to the midsection, and using the same spin, sweeped his legs from under him. While Ranma was falling forward, he was stopped by Akane's knee to his face, and then she punched him hard on the chest, sending him backwards to crash noisily against the wall of the dojo. Akane finished the attack by crying "AIR BLOW" and punching the air. Ranma felt as a chi blow hit him squarely on the chest, and his lungs protested for the lack of air. Akane saw the form of Ranma fall to it's knees and place a hand in front for support. *Guess I over did it.* Then with concern. "Are you OK Ranma?"
Ranma then lifted his gaze to regard Akane, and she was taken aback. Ranma had a small line of blood coming out of his grin. Then his grin turned into a full out laugh as he got up to his feet. After having the best of his mirth, he said. "Very good Akane, you have improved more than I expected." Then he became serious. "But the fight is not over yet. We are in the same condition."
Akane was angry at his cocky behavior. "What are you talking about you baka? You have hardly touched me." Her anger rose as Ranma smiled again, this time bringing his open palm in front of him upwards. He closed the hand into a fist, and Akane then was the one to fall to her knees. She felt a terrible pain all over, and could not find an explanation for it. Suddenly her eyes opened wide. *All those little taps.* She stood up, eyeing Ranma with a new respect. "So, you fought in that way to distract my attention from your real assault."
Ranma lowered his fist. "You expected for me to loose my focus on the fight because of anger, so I used your overconfidence against you." He then spat some blood to the side. "Besides, I wanted to see how much damage you could make to my body. And I must say I'm surprised, you can certainly give Dr. Tofu some serious work." He said mockingly.
Akane controlled her rage, remembering that was how Ranma made many of his rivals commit the last mistake in his fights. "What do you say we finish the fight? I guess you have recovered your air after my attack." Akane taunted expecting Ranma to attack again.
Ranma crossed his arms over his chest and said. "The fight is over Akane. I can see you have improved to beat the old Ranma, but I'm no longer in that level."
"You sound so sure of yourself. Why don't you prove it to me instead of stand there and talk?" Akane taunted again. Ranma sighed and took his fighting stance. Akane ran to Ranma and started the attack. "KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN" She cried, as she punched hundreds of times in a second. Ranma recognized the technique, and was surprised once again, this amaguriken was even better than his own. His old own that is.
Ranma cried back. "KACHU NEKO TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN" He used the chestnut trick combined with the cat fist, so when they both separated, Ranma was badly beaten, while Akane had small cuts all over her arms and clothing. Akane saw he had changed the amaguriken, but he had received the heavier damage. She smiled, until she heard the sound of crashing wood behind her. She turned to see the wall of the dojo fall to pieces. When she turned to face Ranma again, he smiled and said. "Sorry about the wall." Akane attacked again, hoping to end the fight with an attack combination.
She had seen the way the wall came to pieces, and knew Ranma had not hit her directly, or she would fall down just like it. The next seconds were a blur, as Akane attacked without letting Ranma take the chance of touching her. Ranma was dodging most of the blows, and blocking the rest. *Why can't I hit him? He was never this fast before.* Akane thought without loosing her cool, Ranma would smith her if she did. They broke apart again, and they both were breathing heavily again. "You've improved as well Ranma." Akane said between gasps.
Ranma smiled and said. "You improved more than I dreamed Akane. I knew you had the potential." Ranma said controlling his breathing as he stood still, his breathing completely normal and his stance relaxed. "But then again, I trained for the whole time." He said. And suddenly he vanished. Akane tried to react in time, but felt a strong punch to her midsection. She jumped back, to see Ranma retreating his arm.
*How the hell did he do that?* Akane asked herself as she tried not to fall over in pain. Ranma vanished again, and this time Akane hit in front of her out of a reflex. Ranma appeared in front of her, his hand caught her fist, while his other arm cocked back and gave her another punch to her bruised abs. Akane could not take it this time, and she fell over Ranma. *Damn.* Was all she could think before losing consciousness.
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Akane opened her eyes to find herself on the floor of the dojo. She tried to get up, but could not find the strength to do so. "Good fight." She heard to the side. When she turned she saw Ranma looking at her, a smile on his face. "I bet you can take anyone here in Nerima right now."
Akane grimaced in pain. "Not enough to beat you." She said weakly. Although she was happy Ranma had proven he could do anything once more. "Now would you help me get up? I'd like to take a bath." Ranma helped her to her feet, and they both stared at each other for a moment before entering the house. Ranma picked up his duffel bag on his way inside. "You can take your old room. Kasumi kept it just as you left it for when you returned." Ranma nodded, and Akane went to the bathroom. When she entered the room she stripped out of her gi and went directly for the tub. The hot water relaxed her hard muscles, and she could see that her abs were bruised. Obviously from the blows that Ranma connected to end the match. *It's the first time he hits me.* Akane thought, not really knowing how to feel. She had wanted Ranma to fight seriously with her, but now that Ranma had finally done what she wanted, she had crossed feelings about the issue. She was hurt that Ranma had laid a finger on her, but was also happy that he finally took her seriously. She felt the muscles relax even more with the hot water. *Well, he did hold back on his attack. I thought he could only do that with the Nekoken.* Akane got out of the water and examined herself. She was surprised to see that only her bruises from the last two punches were left, not one from the first assault. *Guess I'll ask him about it later.* With that, Akane left the room to put some clothes on.
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Ranma had finished unpacking his few belongings, and was now resting in the living room. His ideas kept him too occupied to notice movement in the room until he heard a voice call him. "Ranma?" Ranma turned to see an open mouthed Nabiki who had just returned from studying with Kuno. Ranma noticed the changes Nabiki had undergone during two years. There were practically none. She still had her hair the same way, her expression was the same as before (as soon as she recovered from the shock). Physically she was practically the same as well.
"Hey Nabiki!" Ranma greeted without getting up from the couch he was seated on.
Nabiki had recovered her cool after the first moments of knowing Ranma was back. "So, you're finally back Saotome." Nabiki said evenly. Ranma could not tell if she was happy about it or not. "I see you changed your wardrobe."
Ranma looked at his clothes and nodded. "Well, I ran out of Chinese tunics." He said non-challantly. "How have you been Nabiki?"
Nabiki responded as if she had seen Ranma just that afternoon. "I'm studying business administration in college. If you had continued with your studies you would be graduating with Akane this summer." She said accusingly.
*The first time she points out my leaving. This is going as expected.* Ranma thought, then to Nabiki. "Well, I can't say I spent these past months studying, but I surely did not waste any time."
"What do you mean?" Nabiki asked curious.
Ranma shrugged. "Simply that I prepared myself in more than fighting." Nabiki wanted to know more, but knew that Ranma was very stubborn and would not give any information if he didn't want to, so she left it at that.
The conversation continued for a while, and Nabiki noticed something about Ranma that Akane had not. He had changed a lot this year. He had matured and controlled his temper, his eyes revealed patience and experience together with his resolve and stubborn spirit. His body language had changed as well, he seemed more confident. *If that's even possible.* Nabiki almost laughed aloud at the concept of Ranma being even more self-centered than before. "I suppose you already met with Akane." Nabiki stated.
Ranma nodded. "We sparred a little. It was a pleasant surprise to find out she improved so much." Ranma said with a smile.
Nabiki knew that smile. "You beat her up again, didn't you?" Ranma kept the smile. Nabiki shook her head. "Saotome, you are never gonna change are you?"
Kasumi chose that moment to walk into the living room, with a bag full of groceries. "Oh my." Was, as usual, her only show of surprise as she saw Ranma talking to Nabiki.
Ranma stood up and went to Kasumi, they exchanged a quick hug. "Hello Kasumi-san. Good to see you."
"Ranma-kun. I'm glad you are back." Kasumi said, without drooping her groceries but at the same time hugging Ranma tightly. They parted, and Kasumi eyed Ranma carefully. "Ranma-kun, you have surely changed." Ranma smiled back at her.
Akane went into the room, holding a wide eyed black piglet in her arms. "Mind telling us where the hell were you all this time Ranma?" Akane asked, and the pig seemed to nod to her question.
Ranma eyed the pig with some suspicion, but he answered the question. "Sure. I went to Jusenkyo looking for a cure, but found none. Then I spent the rest of the time in the surroundings." Ranma said matter of factly.
"That's it?" Nabiki asked, and she was as surprised to hear this as everybody else in the room. Ranma nodded and smiled.
"Mind if I go take a bath? It was a long run." Kasumi was the first to react and lead Ranma to the bath to give him a towel. Akane saw P-chan jump out of her hands and run out of the room before she could react. She then saw Nabiki, and the second Tendo sister just shrugged and went upstairs.
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Ranma was relaxing with the hot water when he heard the sound of someone running at the bathtub, a splash, and then the words. "RANMA, PREPARE TO DIE!" As Ryoga got ready to smash his head with a fist.
"Hey Ryoga, nice to see you too." Ranma said sarcastically without opening his eyes, his position totally relaxed. Ryoga stood before Ranma dumbfounded before speaking again.
"Ranma, I said I'm gonna kill you!" Ryoga said menacingly.
Ranma shrugged and said. "You always say the same thing, but I'm sure you won't go all the way. We are friends after all." These words disarmed Ryoga more than all the hits Ranma had ever given him. Friends? Ranma considered him a friend?
"What are you talking about you coward?" Ryoga asked, but his voice had little conviction now.
Ranma opened his eyes and smiled. "I said we are friends Ryoga. I really enjoy fighting with you, but have never tried to hurt you badly."
Ryoga was confused, but used anger to eliminate all doubts. "RANMA, BECAUSE OF YOU I'VE SEEN HELL." He said menacingly waving a fist in front of Ranma.
Ranma laughed aloud and Ryoga was taken aback. He had never heard Ranma laugh so carefree before. After Ranma finished his mirth, he said. "You have seen nothing Ryoga. What you call hell is but an entertaining life compared to what I've seen and suffered during these years." Ryoga was about to launch himself at Ranma when he put a hand in front of him and continued. "Enough. I haven't slept in days and need the rest. If you are still around tomorrow morning we will fight as you wish, but right now I'm too tired." And with this Ranma got out of the tub.
Ryoga's eyes widened in horror. *What the hell?* He was shocked to see the scars Ranma had. One of them was from his shoulder all the way to his lower back. A horrible gash made by obviously a predator. Ranma also had the marks of teeth on his left side, marks that made Ryoga stutter. Ranma had been in the jaws of some kind of animal that nearly cut him in half. "Ranma?" He managed after Ranma had gotten out of the tub and was opening the door.
Ranma turned and smiled. "They weren't as painful as they seem." Then he said seriously. "Better turn back to P-chan Ryoga, you don't want to be discovered in the bathroom with no clothes." And with that Ranma left the room, leaving a very confused Ryoga.
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"Well, at least life will become interesting once again with Ranma here." Nabiki said to her sisters and her father on the table. Ranma was sleeping now, and asked not to be disturbed until tomorrow.
"What do you mean Nabiki?" Asked Soun, who had cried of joy for a good half an hour before sobering enough to talk with his daughters.
Nabiki eyed him incredulously. "Come on daddy. You know with Ranma here there will be an increase in danger and mass destruction. He is a trouble magnet."
Akane fumed. "That's not fair Nabiki, he never asked for any of that to happen."
Nabiki smiled at her. "That's exactly my point. He attracts trouble either he wants them or not. Have you thought about what will you do when Shampoo and the others find out Ranma's back?" Akane seemed like she was going to reply, but found no words coming out of her mouth. "Just what I thought."
Kasumi interfered in the discussion. "Don't be mean Nabiki. We are all in a state of shock because of Ranma's arrival. We will have enough time to think about it in the morning." Nabiki was defeated by a few words, as usual, from her eldest sister.
Soun seemed to be thinking about something, and finally said it. "I hope the master takes the news lightly. He has been reasonable because the school really needed him, but now that Ranma is back..." He left it at that, and everyone nodded their agreement. "It's a good thing you called the Saotomes Kasumi, that way they'll be here in the morning as all Sundays but will not be shocked seeing Ranma is back."
There was a long silence. Akane then said. "I find it difficult to believe Ranma spent the entire time training. He is proficient in fighting, but his eyes reveal much more things than what he said." Kasumi and Nabiki nodded their agreement. "As usual, that Baka is trying to hide something from us."
Soun said. "Well, he didn't give the details of his training. I've heard of spiritual training that makes a person mature in more than martial ways." His daughters didn't seem convinced by his explanation, so he decided to keep silent in the matter.
Nabiki offered. "What about we talk to him in the morning? He will sooner or later talk about his experiences." It seemed like a good idea, so everyone left to sleep, including a certain cat that heard the whole conversation from the backyard.
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The next morning. We see Ranma and Ryoga facing each other in an empty parking lot. "Why did we have to come here Ranma?" Ryoga asked.
Ranma answered. "Do you want to destroy everything around you again Ryoga?" Ranma then motioned for the surroundings. "This way we can fight without fear of hurting someone or destroying property." Ryoga nodded his consent and waited for Ranma to speak again. "This is a sparring match Ryoga. But hold nothing but the killer blows back, we can have fun in this place."
Ryoga and Ranma smirked and as one leaped against each other.
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Akane was awakened by a knocking on the window. *Ranma never gets up this early in the morning.* She thought, and went to open the window. "Master." She said looking at a serious looking Happosai.
"Get ready girl. We need to go and see a good fight." Happosai said with a tone of command before jumping to the back yard that Akane changed into her gi and jumped out there in a matter of seconds. No more words left the old lecher's lips as he started jumping from roof-top to roof-top, Akane close behind.
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Ryoga could not remember the last time he had so much fun. No, that's not true. He remembered quite clearly, it was his last fight with Ranma before he left. Now he was having more fun than ever before. Ranma was not fighting as usual, but was blocking instead of dodging, punching and kicking instead of teasing. It was the fight Ryoga had wanted to have with him all along. He could feel terrible pain each time Ranma hit him, like if he had not trained the Bakusai Tenketsa, but it didn't matter, Ranma was in the same situation. They exchanged blows that could bend steel with a grin on their faces. Sweat was all over them and their breathing was hard, but it did not matter, they were having fun.
Akane and Happosai arrived just as the match was starting, and Akane could feel her mouth open in amazement at the show of pure power and stamina. Both fighters were pummeling each other with blows that would kill a normal person. Their arms and legs were a blur of motion, which sounded like a bomb. Most impressive of all for Akane. *Ranma is not dodging out of the way as usual, he is actually holding his ground in Ryoga's style.*
Happosai seemed to read her thoughts, and said without taking his eyes from the fight. "Very impressive indeed. Ranma seems to have increased his strength enough to match Ryoga's." After a few seconds of silently watching the fight, he said. "Too bad Ryoga is so strong, Ranma will loose this fight if it continues like this." Akane was surprised by the words of the master, but eyed both combatants carefully and agreed. Ranma seemed to be getting slower in his movements. Bruises all over his body made his movements have less strength behind them.
Ranma and Ryoga parted after furious minutes of devastating the other. Ryoga was breathing hard and sweating while Ranma was clutching his stomach. "Not bad Ryoga, seems like you continued with your training." Ranma said smiling.
Ryoga smiled back. "Come on Ranma, you never fought like this before. No matter how much you try this is my kind of fight." His smile disappeared. "Better fight at your best, or you will lose."
Ranma nodded and assumed a stance with open hands in front or him. His right leg supporting his entire weight while his left leg was bent forward. Ryoga smiled again and attacked. The attacks he launched were dodged with ease, but it did not matter to him, he was just trying to know what were Ranma's speed and agility now. He found Ranma leaping over one of his punches, using his head as support for a somersault that ended with a kick to the back. Ryoga ended up on the floor, watching as Ranma ended the maneuver with a back flip and assumed the same stance.
"So, he is finally fighting seriously." Happosai said.
Akane was amazed at the speed Ranma had. He had made a maneuver she could do as well in about one tenth of the time she would take. *He was holding back with me, afraid of hurting me.* She thought.
Happosai spoke again. "Tell me Akane, did Ranma use that technique before?"
Akane answered. "No master, it is the first time I see it, but it's kind of familiar." Happosai nodded as they remained silent to see the fight.
Ryoga got to his feet and said. "Now that's more like it Ranma, I was clobbering you. What do you say we finish this?" Ranma nodded and they both prepared to end the fight. A pink blur stopped them on their tracks and a voice was heard.
"Good to see you're back son-in-law." Cologne said from a few feet away. "Now you should come with us back to China." She stopped as she saw Happosai and Akane leap next to Ranma, and Ryoga assume a stance with his rival from a few moments ago. She saw the little form of Shampoo-neko rubbing herself to Ranma's legs. *At least he won't be any trouble. But Happi and Ryoga seem to want and protect him, and Shampoo is no match for Akane. Good thing I brought Zin Dar.* "I brought a friend to help me take son-in-law to the tribe." She said as a form leaped from a near roof and crouched next to her.
"And what if I don't want to go?" Ranma asked in a calm voice. Everyone gaped at Ranma, even the cat, which jumped to his head. Ranma non-challantly took the cat from his head and threw it at Cologne, who caught it with one hand.
Cologne smirked. "I see you overcame the fear to cats son-in-law. Now you have no weaknesses except for your overconfidence, you will truly make a fine addition to the tribe."
"I said I'm not going." Ranma said dangerously. Akane grabbed his arm, and Ranma smiled at her.
Cologne saw the exchange, and lost it. "I challenge you to a fight son-in-law. If you win you are free from marrying Shampoo. But if Zin Dar wins you will marry Shampoo and come with us."
Ranma nodded and said. "Just give me half an hour to recover." Cologne nodded and sat down. Ranma walked with the people surrounding him and stopped when they were far enough as to not be heard.
Ryoga was the first one to talk. "Ranma you fool. You just fought with me and you are seriously bruised." Ranma smiled and raised his arm for Ryoga to see. His bruises were disappearing as they spoke. "What? How is that possible?"
Happosai answered the question. "You mastered the Nekoken Ranma. You truly surprise your master."
Ranma nodded. "Thank you for keeping your promise master." He said with more respect than Akane ever remembered in his voice. He then turned to face his to be opponent. "What do you know about that Zin Dar?"
Happosai looked at the opponent as well. "It seems like she is a pretty." He said with wide eyes. The young woman had green hair to her waist, with a body that eclipsed the one of Shampoo. He then sobered. "I also heard that there was one warrior that knew all the amazon techniques in her early years. I think her name was Zin Dar."
Ranma nodded. "So that means I'm fighting the strongest of the amazons."
Happosai then added. "Cologne is stronger because of her experience. But bringing someone from the tribe to beat you is a good idea, that way Cologne can simply worry about me while she does her work." Happosai said ruefully, looking at the old amazon.
"Ranma." Akane said to him, and he regarded her with a smile. *Baka, you are too confident, as usual.* She eyed Ryoga, who was recovering from the fight as well, and was looking at the amazons with what seemed was rage. "Ryoga, are you OK?"
Ryoga turned and smiled. "Yeah, just tired of those people." *And tired of watching you being worried about Ranma, Akane.*
"Don't worry Akane." Ranma said with confidence. "I'm not loosing this fight no matter what they do. There is a person I made a promise to."
Akane felt weird. *I hope it isn't me. I now know I've always had a love relationship with Ranma, but not the romantic type. I know since last night.* "Who is it Ranma?"
Ranma shrugged. "You'll see in a few minutes, she said she would come and find me."
"She?" Ryoga asked very interested.
"Yeah, we spent most of the time in China together."
Akane could tell by the way he said those words, that Ranma was in love with that she. "You love her, don't you?" She said, not in an accusing tone.
Ranma eyed Akane carefully and nodded. "Sorry about this Akane. I know I've said I love you, and I do." He saw Ryoga turn a shade of red due to pure rage, and quickly added. "But that love is more like the love of a brother for a sister."
Akane nodded. "Yeah. Our parents are gonna kill you, but you are right." Ranma smiled and put a hand on her shoulder.
A sound of steps to the side made them all except Ranma adopt fighting stances. They all regarded some big shapes with wings. "Good to see you again Saotome." Said Saffron with a smirk, Kima posed by his side.
END PART 1
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