This story is based heavily on events and situations
from the preceeding ones, which are available on my
Web Site:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay/9295

As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.


Destiny, Truth and Fate - Part 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------


	Akiko woke slowly the next morning, her mind still
troubled by the events of the previous day.  In the air hung the
smell of miso soup, and she could hear noises coming from the
kitchen downstairs.  Realizing what that meant, she smiled happily
and shook her head, wondering what would prompt him to do such a
thing.
        Sliding off the bed, she opened her wardrobe and reached
for her housecoat, as per usual.  Abruptly, she stopped, noticing
her collection of kimonos at the far end of the unit.  Smiling,
she picked one out and slipped it on.
	As she stood before the full-length mirror on the back of
her bedroom door, she wondered what he would think when he saw her
in this.  She hadn't worn one since she last lived in Japan, and
it felt good to be in it again.
	Taking one last look to be sure everything was in place
and proper, she happily headed down to the kitchen.


	Natako worked intently, preparing a very special breakfast
for Akiko.  He chose a traditional Japanese fare, hoping that it
would impress her, and help her to forgive him for what had
happened the day before.  In the process, he found that he really
liked cooking, and discovered that he could do some pretty fancy
knife work to top it all off.  As if to prove it to himself, he
rinsed a fresh tomato, and tossed it into the air.  Spinning the
knife like a drumstick between his fingers, he swung in on it,
slicing it into neat wedges, each landing in a perfect circle on
the previously prepared bed of lettuce.  Next, he sliced a carrot
into perfectly even medallions with ease, and flipped them up into
the wok with a sweep of the knife blade.
	Behind him, Akiko appeared in the doorway, and stood
quietly watching the show.
	"Ohaio, Akiko-chan"  Natako greeted, without turning
around.
	"Ohaio, Natako-kun.  This looks great, and smells even
better.  Nice work."  she observed, happily.
	"Domo.  I thought I owed it to you, especially after
yesterday."  he replied, turning to face her.  As soon as he saw
her standing demurely in the doorway, dressed in her kimono, he
felt his knees go.
        "You look... beautiful." he breathed, totally in awe of
the vision before him.  His heart felt like it was going to jump
right out of his chest, and the knife he held slipped slowly
from his hand, embedding itself in the floor inches from his
foot.  She was absolutely gorgeous, and he couldn't stop staring
at her.  Akiko had to giggle in response.
	"What's wrong?" she asked cheerily.
        "Not a thing... in fact, things couldn't be better.  You
look fantastic, Akiko-chan… what's the occasion?"  he asked,
trying to regain his composure.  This was not what he expected
at all, and it had really thrown him.
	"I smelled the miso from upstairs, and thought that I
should follow suit.  Do you like it?"
	"I love it." he responded, smiling warmly.  Reaching for
her hand, he took it gently, and walked her to her seat.  Once he
had her seated, he turned back to his cooking, quickly finishing
the last details, then joining Akiko at the table.
	He watched nervously as she tried the soup, hoping that
he got it right.  Her satisfied smile told him he had.
	"You have quite a talent for this.  I'm not near this
good."  Akiko stated, taking another sip.
        "I don't know why... I just did it, not really sure if I
could.  But, after yesterday, I wanted to do something nice for
you.  This seemed the perfect idea."
	"After yesterday?  If you mean what happened outside the
store, don't worry.  You did nothing wrong.  It was me.  I wasn't
expecting it, and it caught me off guard."  she explained, hoping
that he wouldn't push the issue.  She wasn't yet ready to bare her
soul, thinking that she had to be more certain of her own feelings.
"And I have to apologize for being so rude last night.  I went
upstairs to calm down, and fell asleep.  I never meant to leave
you alone in a strange house."  she continued, bowing her head
slightly.
	Relief washed over Natako like a flood, and he sighed
audibly.  "You're not mad at me?  I was sure I had ruined..."  he
stopped abruptly, realizing what he was about to say.  "...our
friendship."  he continued, haltingly.
	"Hm?"  Akiko replied, catching the slip despite his
efforts.  "No need to worry.  I have a feeling we'll always be...
friends."  she stated, looking him in the eyes.
	"Uhn."  Natako agreed, picking up his soup and drawing a
big sip.


        Later, Natako sat alone on the roof of the deck overlooking
the back yard of Akiko's house.  His mind was awash in thought as
he tried to sort out what had happened that morning.  He had
expected that Akiko would be upset, but she instead dropped a
strong hint that her interest in him was becoming more than
friendly.  Now, he was really confused.
        His reverie was interrupted abruptly by the sound of his
new name being called urgently from below.  Leaning forward a bit,
he peered over the edge of the roof to see Akiko standing in the
yard below, looking up at him curiously.
        "Natako-kun... what are you doing up there?  I thought
you had left."  she asked, obvious relief in her voice.
        "Just taking a moment to think... you know, shake out the
cobwebs."  he replied, leaping off the roof and landing gently
beside her.
        "You had me worried... I really thought you had left the
house, and I was..."  she began, stopping short when he looked at
her with his eyebrows raised.
        "You were what?"  he prodded, suddenly very curious to
hear the answer.
        She felt her cheeks going again as she desperately searched
for a response.  "...worried about you." she added, slowly.
        "Oh."  he answered, giving her an 'it was more than that,
wasn't it?' look.
        Akiko chose to let it slide, not wanting to expand any
further than she already had.  In the back of her mind, she had
been deathly afraid that he had taken off after she dropped her
hint at breakfast.  That thought had scared her so much that she
was literally panicking, and was now having a hard time covering
it.
        Gathering her wits as best she could, she tried to change
the subject.  "I was going to go for a walk to the store... do
you want to come?"
        "Hai... sounds good.  I could use the exercise.  I can
feel a lot of stiffness from spending so much time in the
hospital."  he answered, wondering privately just what she was
so upset about.
        "Okay... let me change, and we can head out."  she
responded, happily.  Turning, she headed back into the house,
with Natako trailing close behind.
        As Akiko headed up the stairs, he went to the kitchen to
get a glass of milk, and was amazed to see that any and all
evidence of his little gesture was gone from the room.  In
fact, the room literally sparkled.  He had to admit, it was
impressive how she had done it in the few minutes he had been on
the roof.  As he stood admiring her work, he heard her coming down
the stairs, and turned to meet her.
        "Ready, Akiko-chan?"  he asked, setting his glass down.
She looked at him with a frown.
        "Please put that in the sink... it will leave a ring."
she stated, pointing at the glass.
        "Oops... Should have known.  Sorry Akiko.  I'll watch it
from now on."  he responded sheepishly, placing the glass in the
sink, and wiping the wet ring up.
        "It's okay... I just can't stand a messy, cluttered
kitchen."  she explained, in an almost conciliatory tone.  "But,
enough of that.  We're wasting a great day."  she smiled,
gesturing toward the door.
        Natako, all too willing to get out of his current
situation, dashed to the door and graciously held it open, a
silly grin on his face.  Giggling, Akiko strode out it.


        The two walked back to the downtown, mainly since it was
only a few blocks from her house, and began to window-shop in
earnest.  Natako was thoroughly enjoying touring the grocery
stores, almost as if he had never experienced such a great display
of goods.  Akiko, meanwhile, picked out the few things she
wanted, and was ready to head back toward home.  Finally, after
a little polite convincing, Natako gave in.
        As they began the walk home, Natako suggested they detour
by way of the beach, since he wasn't quite ready to go back.  Akiko
agreed, just glad to finally be out of the stores.
        Akiko pointed out a shortcut to the park just ahead of
them, and they cut down the narrow street as soon as they got to
it.  About half a block down, Natako spotted a weathered signboard
hanging from a nondescript old building.  It read 'Kenemaki Dojo'.
        "Akiko!  A Dojo!  Just what I needed right now!"  Natako
exclaimed, leaping into the air.  His trajectory carried him to a
small car, which he bounced from, and ended up landing right in
front of the Dojo's door.
        Akiko just stared, totally shocked by what she had just
witnessed.  He had covered a distance equivalent to two city blocks
in two leaps... and hadn't broken a sweat.
        "Akiko-chan!  C'mon!  I have to check this place out!"
Natako yelled, snapping her out of her trance. "H-Hai!"  she
stammered, running over to him.
        "Looks like nobody's used it for a while..."  Natako
observed,  looking the building over.
        "I used it for a few months just after we arrived here."
Akiko stated, breathless.  "I had to stop when school started
up again."
        "D'ya think anyone's here?" 
        "No idea... "
        "Well, I guess there's only one way..."  Natako stated,
pushing the old door open.  It moved heavily, it's hinges groaning
in complaint.
        "Wow... "  Natako exclaimed, stepping into the dark
structure.  "I guess this town ain't into Martial Arts.  This mat
has an inch of dust on it."
        "Sad...  This was a nice facility once."  Akiko added,
looking around.
        Suddenly, Akiko felt a ripple in the back of her mind.
Natako noticed something as well, jumping in front of her and
setting himself to defend.
        "All right!  Show yourself!"  Natako ordered, staring
into the darkness.
        "You need not fear me, Warrior.  Nor you, Spiritualist.
I come to greet you with open arms."  a very senior voice soothed
from the darkness.
        "Spiritualist?"  Natako repeated, casting a querying
glance at Akiko.
        "I'll explain later.."  she responded, sounding angry.
        "Greetings.  I am Master Kenemaki… this is my Dojo."  an
aged Japanese man stated happily, as he stepped from the dark.
        "Sensei!"  Akiko blurted, stepping up to him with a deep
bow.  Natako lowered his guard, and followed suit.
        "How are you my child... I see the year has done you well.
Do you continue your studies?"
        "Hai, Sensei.  I am nearly done."  Akiko responded, proudly.
        "Ah!  I see you have a friend."  the old man continued,
stepping up to Natako.  Without warning, a staff swung out from
under his robes, straight for Natako's head.  Natako dodged it
easily.
        "Hey!  Is this the way you greet a guest?"  Natako snarled,
jumping back to a set position.
        Akiko gasped, stunned by the attack.
        "You have done well, my child.  He is a great warrior.  So,
tell me, Warrior.  Why do you come here?"  the old man asked,
totally unflapped.
        "I came hoping to train.  I didn't expect to be attacked!"
Natako shot back, angrily.
        "Then train you shall.  If you wish, we can begin now."
The old man answered, flinging a brace of shuriken straight at
Natako.  Natako caught every one and fired them right back.  The
Master deflected them easily with his staff.  After his throw,
Natako leapt into the air, heading right at the Master.  After
deflecting the stars, the Master brought his staff across to
block Natako's attack, but Natako was ready for him.  Catching
the staff in mid swing, he used it to lever himself around, and
deliver a two-footed hammer to the old Master's chest, sending
him crashing through the back wall of the hall.  Natako landed
gracefully, staff in hand, and spun it into a ready position.
Patiently, he waited, staring at the new passage to the back
office.
        "Natako!"  Akiko shouted, finally regaining her voice.
        "Stay back!" Natako ordered.  "This ain't over yet!"
        As he predicted, the old Master flew from the hole,
diving straight at Natako.  Natako dropped, raised the staff in
a faked block, and once the old man had hold of it, he hooked
the staff around, using the Master's inertia to drive him into
the floormat.  Leaping to his feet, he regarded the prostrate
old man cautiously.
        "Sloppy, old man.  I expected better."  he remarked, still
watching his opponent carefully.
        "I concede."  the old man muttered from the floor.  "You
have defeated me."  he continued, rising to a sitting position.
        "Just what exactly was that all about, anyway?"  Natako
demanded, angrily.
        "I sensed you were a great warrior when you first came
in.  Your Chi is extremely powerful...  It emanates from you like
the waves of tsunami.  I was obligated to challenge you...  you
know the code."  the old man responded, breathlessly.
        "Yes... I do." Natako replied, his demeanor changing
completely.  As he spoke, he sat across from the old Master.  "So
tell me... why is this place empty?"
        "There are no more who seek the grand Arts.  We have not
had any students for many months.  I fear that I have outlived my
purpose."  the old man continued, sadly.
	Akiko, face a mask of fear and worry, had moved hurriedly
to Natako's side, and quickly checked him for injury.  Finding
none, she sighed audibly and sat very close to him.  Natako
looked over at her, and nodded his okay.
	"I can identify... right now, I don't have a clue what
my purpose is."  Natako replied to the old man, shrugging.
        "I thought I sensed a deep trouble within you... you do
not have peace.  However, your choice of companion should aid you
in that quest."  the old man observed, smiling weakly.
	"Akiko?  Yeah, come to mention it, you called her
'Spiritualist', didn't you?"  Natako recalled, casting a
questioning glance at her.
	"It's true."  Akiko sighed, turning to him.  "I have
been involved in the Spiritual Arts since I was a little girl.
My grandmother sensed it in me, and guided me through the
study.  I... was afraid to tell you because I didn't want to
scare you off."  she continued, sheepishly.
	"Scare me off?  No way!  I think it's great that you
have that skill.  Real Spiritualists are rare, especially today,
since nobody cares about the rituals of the past anymore."
Natako responded, excitedly.
        "You... like it??"  Akiko sputtered in disbelief.
        "Hai!  I even want you to have a look at me... find out
whatever you can about me."
	"You mean it?"  she asked, her eyes starting to shimmer.
Privately, she felt like jumping for joy.
	"Absolutely.  I like this stuff."  Natako stated, turning
to face Akiko.  "Go for it!"  he encouraged, smiling.
	"Hai.  I will try."  Akiko answered, reaching into her
purse.  From it, she withdrew a small, ornately carved dagger with
a green stone blade.  She also produced a necklace with a similar
stone on it, and two wide metal rings that she slid on to the
first and second fingers of her right hand.  Taking the knife
up in her hands again, she closed her eyes and began to chant
quietly.  As she waved the knife before her in a careful pattern,
Natako could feel the air begin to crackle around him.  Without
warning, Akiko shouted three words he had never heard before in
any language, and jammed the knife into the floor between his
knees.
	Raising her hands together, and forming a loose circle
with them, she opened her eyes and stared through the opening
directly into Natako's eyes.  The circle began to fill with an
eerie greenish glow that eventually expanded to almost four feet
across.
	As Natako watched wide eyed, an image began to form in
the glow, taking shape quickly.  It was Natako himself, standing
alone.  However, from within his image, a second image took shape,
that of a short, attractive red-haired Chinese girl.  Natako
erked, wanting to hide from the image.
	Akiko noticed his reaction, and quickly motioned the
images way.
	"What does that mean?"  he asked breathlessly of Akiko.
        Akiko sighed, looking sadly at him.  "You would have
found out sooner or later."  she began, slowly and evenly.  "That
girl is a second Chi that shares your body.  Through a curse,
she inhabits you, lending you her strength, life energy and
even... her body."  she continued, looking him in the eye.  "I
actually felt her presence yesterday, but until now, I didn't know
the truth.  You have been cursed by Jusenkyo; the Pools of Sorrow."
        "Cursed...?  What do you mean?"  Natako repeated, stunned.
	"I will show you."  Akiko replied, rising and heading for
the back of the hall.  As Natako watched curiously, she returned
with a glass of water.  Standing before him, she took a quick sip.
	"Prepare yourself for a major shock."  she warned, firmly.
	Natako gulped, set himself, and nodded.
	With a flick of her wrist, Akiko tossed the water on him,
closing her eyes.  When she opened them again, she saw, sitting
where Natako had been the moment before, the Red-Haired Chinese
girl from the images.  Even though she knew it was going to happen,
she was still shocked.
	Onna-Natako sat in stunned silence, except for her heavy
breathing through tightly clenched teeth.  The water had shocked
her, but the transformation had shocked her even more.  She could
tell she was smaller, and could see that her hands were very
feminine looking.  Gulping, she reached for the front of her
shirt and ripped it open, revealing a very healthy set of breasts.
Her shocked scream echoed through the empty dojo for several
seconds.
        "I'm a girl!!"  onna-Natako exclaimed, eyes wild with panic.
"Akiko!  What the hell did you do to me??"
        "No!  You are not a girl!  I have only called forth the
other Chi.  You're still a man, but now have the body of a girl."
Akiko explained, quickly.  "This is not permanent... all you need
is to be splashed by warm water, and you will change back.  That
is the curse of Jusenkyo."
        "Curse... of Jusenkyo?  How ..?"  she asked, eyes welling
with tears.
        "I suspect you went there to train.  The curse affects
those who fall in the pools... they take on the body and Chi of
whoever or whatever drowned in that pool."  the old man asserted,
levelly.  "I also know of this place... I almost trained there
myself."
        Onna-Natako's eyes widened, and she started to shake from
head to toe.  Snapping her head up, she stared imploringly at
Akiko with wet eyes.  "Akiko... Akiko-chan... Help me..."  she
begged, dissolving into a mass of tears.
        Akiko, without a moment's hesitation, dropped beside the
wet, sobbing Chinese girl, and hugged her tenderly.  "It'll be
fine, Natako-kun... You'll see." she soothed, quietly.
        Onna-Natako buried her face in Akiko's chest in response,
unable to stem the tide of tears.  Everything just seemed to catch
up to her at once... the memory loss, the disorientation of being
in a strange land, and now the curse... All the pent-up emotion
that Natako had repressed was now flowing out freely in
onna-Natako's tears.


        Several minutes later, Akiko stood alone, worriedly
watching onna-Natako look herself over in the dusty remains of a
wall mirror.  She jumped when onna-Natako suddenly punched the
mirror, breaking off yet another large section.
        Onna-Natako continued to stand before the now smaller
mirror, soon directing another punch at the wall beside it.  The
dry old wood splintered amid a cloud of dust, and she smiled
briefly.  Abruptly, she leapt up, rolling backwards through the
air, landing beside a practice dummy.  With a vengeance born of
total anger, she landed a barrage of kicks and punches on it until
it was splintered to it's last twig.  Breathing heavily, but
smiling with satisfaction, she stepped back from the shattered
dummy, and took off the remaining portion with a roundhouse kick.
        "Feel better now?"  Akiko asked, walking tentatively up
behind Natako.
        "Hai.. I actually do... Mass destruction does wonders
for depression."  she replied, grinning wryly.  Abruptly, her
expression changed to one of mild distaste.  "Oohh... I have a
weird voice now."  she commented,  holding her throat and
looking to Akiko for a reaction.
        "It's not so bad.  Natako... Let's go home.  I've had
enough excitement for one day."
        "Uhn.  Good idea.  Akiko-chan... I'm sorry about all this."
Natako stated, bowing deeply. "I... had no idea I was a freak of
nature.  I would... understand if you would rather that I ..."
        Akiko jumped in immediately.  "You don't have to leave!
It doesn't bother me at all.  Remember, I knew of this the first
day we were out together!"  she blurted, anxiously.
        "You mean.. you really don't mind being near someone as
strange as me?"  Natako stammered, disbelief edging her voice.
        "Baka... You're not strange at all... Just unique."  she
countered, smiling.
        Natako's face softened, and her head lowered.  "Arigato,
Akiko-chan.  I... really need a... friend right now."
        Akiko stepped up and placed her hands on the small girl's
shoulders.  "I told you... I know we'll always be friends.  And,
by the way... better close up your shirt."  she advised, winking.


        Back at the house, onna-Natako was still fuming over a gang
of boys that had whistled at her when she walked home with Akiko.
She had almost attacked them, in fact, but Akiko intervened,
convincing her it would have done no good.
        "Well, you are cute."  Akiko jibed, returning from the
kitchen with two cups of tea.
        "Funny."  onna-Natako snarled, staring into space.  "I think
I'm going to have a bath...  I want to be myself again."
        "Hai.  I'll keep your tea.  Use the Master Bath... it has
a tub."  Akiko called after him.
        As Natako disappeared up the stairs, Akiko sighed wistfully.
She was actually glad all the cards were on the table now, and
there was no more worry.  She had been surprised by Natako's
response to her being a Spiritualist, and was relieved that he was
okay with it.   With Japanese being so superstitious, she was sure
he would have been disturbed by someone who regularly battled with
shinma, and used the powers of the Spirit World to aid her in her
struggles.  But, she reasoned that he was an exceptional
individual, and could handle almost anything.  The events of the
day had certainly proven that.
        Just then, Natako wandered into the room, now back in male
form.  He stood quietly before Akiko, looking as if something was
on his mind.  She returned his gaze, wondering what he wanted.
He finally broke the silence with a resigned sigh.
        "I must have changed myself back and forth ten times up
there.  I couldn't feel a thing.  About all I really noticed was
that my girl-form isn't quite the same person I am... some of her
personality must come through, too."  he stated thoughtfully,
moving to sit beside Akiko.
        "You know, this hit me today like a ton of bricks... Me,
mister 'great warrior', turning into a girl when I get splashed
with cold water.  I thought my life was over... again.  But now,
I assume because whoever I was knew about this, I'm actually
okay with it. "
        Akiko nodded, taking his hand in hers.  "It is said that
those who get cursed at Juenkyo are chosen by the Fates to be so
cursed.  That makes you very special."
        "I dunno... right now, I don't feel too special."  he
replied, sadly.
        "These things have a way of sorting themselves out...
Just give it time.  Don't worry."  Akiko assured, smiling sweetly.
        Natako looked her in the eyes for a moment, then nodded
his agreement.  "I hope so."  he finally said, optimistically.
        "Good.  I am going to make supper, so you just relax here
for a while.  It won't take long."
        "Hm.  Want some help?"
        "Nope!  My turn.  You stay here."  she admonished, tapping
his nose as she rose from the couch.
        "Hai.  You talked me into it."  he assured, rubbing his
nose comically.


        After supper, Natako found his Japanese channels again, and
spent the evening flipping through them.  He couldn't help but
notice that Akiko, despite fretting over the house,  seemed to be
staying very close to him, a situation which he certainly didn't
mind.  As he thought about her,  and how much she had come to mean
to him, he actually found himself thinking that she was the kind
of girl he'd like to have for a wife eventually, whenever his life
settled back down.  She was already proving to be exceptional, in
that she took everything that had happened lately in stride, even
his 'curse'.  It seemed as if she was in total command of her life,
and he was almost envious, since he respected that in a person,
male or female.
        Not only was she exceptional as a person, but she was a
very good-looking girl, too.  The blonde hair was unusual, but
her physique, demure manner, and lovely face more than balanced
it out.  She was a caring, happy, intelligent person, and always
managed to make him feel great just by being around.  Natako
sighed quietly, wishing he had the nerve to ask her on a real
date.  However, he figured that she'd never agree anyway, and
it would probably just screw up what he already had.
        Akiko, meantime, noticed him following her with his eyes,
and saw the silly look on his face.  "What are you looking at?"
she teased, flashing him an accusing stare.
        "Huh... Nothing!"  Natako blurted, caught with his guard
down.  "Kuso... you startled me."  he spat, holding his chest.
        "I see that... what were you thinking about so hard?  Must
have been something quite interesting."  she intoned, shooting
him a knowing look.
        Natako grinned widely.  "Hai, it was."  he implied,
looking Akiko directly in the eyes.  She was taken aback by that
response, not knowing what to say.
        "Gotcha!"  Natako quipped, mocking a gun with his fingers
and pretending to shoot her.  An angry look flashed across her
face, and she threw the dustrag she carried directly at him.
He caught it and tossed it back, landing it on her shoulder as
she strode for the kitchen.  She went to reach for it, then broke
out laughing.
        "You're impossible!"  she blurted, between laughs.
        "So, are you going to put that away and come join me, or
do housework all night?"
        Akiko seemed stunned for a moment, then grabbed the cloth,
tossed it off her shoulder, and headed for the livingroom.
        The two of them ended up watching a few more shows
together, then finally Natako announced he was ready to call it
a night.  Rising, he bade Akiko good night, and after a long
stretch, headed up the stairs.
        Akiko watched him go, missing him already.  In her mind,
she ran over the events of the day, her heart aching for Natako who
had endured so much.  She could not help but admire his strength,
since even in the face of so much chaos, he was still such a
wonderful person.
        After shutting down the house, she made her way up to her
bedroom, and stood regarding herself in the mirror.  Almost as if
he was actually there, she could see Natako standing at her side,
his arm about her slim waist.  Closing her eyes, she pictured them
standing together, his strong arms holding her to him.  It felt
wonderful.
        Opening her eyes, she looked to the mirror again, saw the
flush on her cheeks and the emotion in her eyes, and made up her
mind.
	Undoing the buttons on her blouse, she slid out of it and
carefully hung it up.   Stepping out of her skirt, she neatly
folded it on her dresser.  Next, she removed her necklace and
bangles, and finally her earrings.  Sitting on her bed, she removed
her ankle socks, again folding them neatly, and placing them near
the skirt.  She did the same with her panties, then walked back
over to the mirror.  She looked her nude form over carefully,
inspecting it for any flaws.  Her chest passed, still firm and
perky despite no bra all day.  Her tummy looked good, and turning,
she checked her tight, perfect backside to see that it still was.
Next, she checked the meticulously coifed delta of blondish hair
at the top of her thighs, ensuring that it was still neat and
even.  Finally, she reached up and untied her hair, which had been
rolled up to keep under control.  It flowed down her smooth back,
the ends just tickling the tops of her cheeks.
	Satisfied, she stepped into the ensuite bathroom and had
a quick shower.  After drying, she walked to her closet and
removed a housecoat to wear, choosing one that hid her virtues
well.  With a last quick glance at herself in the mirror, she left
the room.


	Natako was now flat on his back and sound asleep, his big
day having tired him out completely.  He didn't hear the bedroom
door open slowly, nor did he hear the soft gasp that escaped
Akiko's lips as she saw his bare chest and arms.  She covered her
mouth quickly, not wanting to give herself away.  Standing beside
the bed, she slipped the housecoat off her shoulders, letting it
fall to the floor.  Lifting the blanket off of Natako, she almost
gasped again as she discovered that he slept nude.  A rush of
desire flew through her, and she felt her knees go weak.  Quickly,
she slipped her diminutive frame in beside him, snuggling up to
his warm, naked form.  Resting her head on his powerful chest
like a pillow, she smiled contentedly.
        "Akiko..."  Natako breathed, bringing his arm down over her
back, resting his hand on her shoulder.
	"Never go to bed without me again, Natako-kun."  she
whispered, kissing his chest.


	The rising sun washed in the window of Natako's room,
bathing it in an almost surreal brilliance.  Slowly, he roused from
his deep sleep, feeling far more rested than he had in a long time.
As he moved to get up, he felt Akiko's weight on his chest and
froze in his place.  Looking down at her in shock, his face began
to flush as he realized that the slight warm itch on the outside
of his thigh indicated that she was totally nude.
	Swallowing hard, he gently tried to slip out from under
Akiko without disturbing her.  She moaned softly and a slight smile
crossed her slumbering face, as she reacted to his delicate
movements.  He finally succeeded in getting out of the bed, and
stood beside it breathing heavily for several minutes, trying to
figure out why she was there.
	Only yesterday, he had fantasized about this sort of thing
between them, but having it happen like this was a bit of a shock.
	As he stared at her naked form only barely covered by the
top sheet, he noticed that she was indeed a very sexy woman, and
could feel his own interest rising.  Panicking, he grabbed a
housecoat from the closet and beat a hasty retreat to the bathroom
before he changed his mind.


        Sipping thoughtfully at a glass of milk, he sat quietly in
the livingroom, fingering the ring he had found in his room at the
hospital.  He had stuck it on his finger where he had noticed a
pressure mark, assuming that it was his.  The mark was on the
second-last finger of his left hand, and he remembered quite well
what that usually meant.  As well, it might explain the familiarity
he noticed about that woman he had to identify, especially since
she had one on, too.
        Sighing, he wished once again that he knew the rest of the
story, particularly since he knew  he was falling in love with the
woman who had been his reason for fighting back to health.  Akiko's
little surprise only served to heighten his anxiety, not to mention
the effect it had on his feelings for her.
	Sighing again, he slid the ring off his finger and looked
at it sadly.  He wished it could tell him it's story,  so he would
know what he was supposed to do next.
	Abruptly, the ringing of the phone intruded on his
musings, and he turned to listen for Akiko to answer it.  It took
a few rings, but she finally picked it up.  He could hear the
muffled conversation plainly, but since it was in English he
couldn't tell what was being said.  As the dialogue continued,
he suddenly got the feeling that the news was not good.
	A few moments later, Akiko hung up, and came down the
stairs looking for Natako.  Spotting him on the couch, she walked
up to him with a worried look on her face.
        "Ohaio, Akiko-chan... what's wrong?  You look upset."
Natako observed, regarding her questioningly.
	Looking him in the eyes, she took a deep breath and set
herself.  Natako's chest tightened as he heard the crack of
emotion in her breathing.
        "Natako... That was the Police.  They've identified the
woman who was in the car with you."  she began, levelly.
	Natako could feel his heart sink as he anticipated her
next statement.
	"She was a Japanese tourist named Saotome Akane, arrived
from Japan in Toronto about two months ago.  She was also..."
Akiko continued, her eyes closing as a single tear made it's way
down her cheek.  "... your wife, Saotome Ranma."
        The words hit him like a bolt of lightning... too stunned
to even react, all he could do was stare at Akiko in utter
bewilderment.  Akiko returned his stare for a few moments, then
sniffing, moved to the couch beside him.  He continued to stare
into space, unable to think.  Akiko rested her head on his
shoulder and held his hand, attempting to comfort him even though
she was not sure what he was feeling.  They stayed like that for
quite a while, neither moving or speaking... until suddenly
Ranma broke the uneasy silence.
	"H... Have they contacted the family yet?"  he asked,
flatly.
	Akiko, surprised by his speaking, had to think about the
answer before replying.  "Ano.. Hai.  Last night.  They're on
their way to claim her."  she replied, wiping her eyes.
	"What do they know about me?"
        "I don't know... they didn't tell me that.  I assume they
told them everything, since they called here to inform me.
	"Is there any way we can find out?  I have to know."  he
replied, his eyes narrowing.
	Akiko was a bit taken aback by that statement, but
thought it over anyway.  After a few moments, she came up with
an idea.
	"I'll call the Police back, and see if they know where you
are... As I recall, they didn't ask for you or about you, they
just called me to tell me that they traced the identity of the
people in the car through the rental agency.  They had me listed
as a concerned party."  Akiko related, sitting forward on the couch.
        "Okay... let me know what they say... I'm going to get
dressed."  he stated, his tone still serious.  Akiko started to
worry about what he was thinking, being so unaccustomed to seeing
him like this.  It was as if he had turned all emotion off...
reminding her of a Martial Artist preparing for an assassination.
Her heart skipped a beat at that thought.
	For her part, Akiko became afraid that now that he knew
his name and that he had been married, he would decide to return
to Japan with his family and try to pick up his life.  If he did
that, she felt that her life would essentially end with his
departure.  She had let him into her heart, her soul, and the very
core of her being, and could not bear the thought of him walking
out of her life... ever.  She possessed the means to prevent that
from happening, but she cared too much about him to ever use it.
Inwardly, she knew that he had a right to reclaim his life if he
so chose, regardless of the effect it would have on hers.  And
she also knew that his family would never accept her usurping his
deceased wife's position, especially under these circumstances.
	Lowering her head, Akiko began to cry, already missing him.


	A while later, Akiko sat before the phone in her room,
trying to talk herself into making the call.  She didn't know what
he was going to do with the results, and that uncertainty made her
extremely hesitant to pick up the phone.  Finally, upon summoning
a supreme effort of will, she snatched the receiver off it's hook
and quickly dialed the number.  When the police answered, she
asked for the woman she had spoken to earlier, and was duly
transferred to her office.  Swallowing, she wrung up the strength
to ask if they knew the whereabouts of the other person in the car.
The woman replied that they had no idea where he was.  He had been
released from the hospital, and had left no contact information.
The family had also asked, she mentioned, and were extremely
upset that he was missing.  Not sure what to think of this
revelation, Akiko thanked the policewoman and hung up slowly.
	Akiko tossed this tidbit around in her mind as she dressed,
wondering what 'Ranma's' reaction would be.  Unable to predict his
response, she eventually resigned herself to the fact that she
would have to just tell him, and find out then.  Steeling herself,
she strode out of her room and straight down to the livingroom.
	Ranma sat on the couch, his face a little less emotionless
than it was earlier, but he was still solemnly quiet, and still
staring into space.  At that moment, Akiko would have given all
her powers to know what he was thinking.
	As she approached him, she took another deep breath, then
knelt in front of him to tell him her news.
	"Ranma... I called the police… they have no idea where
you are.  They know you're alive, but that's it."  she stated,
watching his face nervously for a reaction.
        His eyes closed slowly, and she could see what looked like
the old softness washing over his visage.  Slowly, he drew a deep
breath and let it go, his shoulders relaxing in time with it.  His
eyes opened, then he turned and looked Akiko directly in the face,
smiling happily.
        "Perfect!"  he responded with a quick sigh of relief,
completely confusing Akiko.
	"Nani?"  she sputtered, totally thrown off.
        "Akiko… I don't know what you'll think of this, but... I
*don't* want to meet those people.  I don't remember anything about
them, or even about that poor woman I was married to.  I feel that
I knew her, but I… don't remember any of it."  he began, regarding
Akiko sadly.  "I've been thinking about a lot of things in the last
few minutes… including some things that I didn't think I'd have to
worry about this soon.  The problem I have is that I've only just
started putting my life back together... and if I meet them, they'll
want me to leave with them.  The thought of doing that seems so
wrong it almost makes me panic.  I want to stay here… and make a
new life... with you, Akiko-chan."  he stated tenderly, reaching
for Akiko's hand and holding it gently.  "If you'll have me."  he
continued, smiling weakly.
	Akiko's mouth dropped open.  She had assumed that he
would want to rejoin his family, and had prepared herself to deal
with that very unpleasant possibility.  But when the words finally
sank in and she saw the sincerity in his eyes, her heart felt
like it wanted to explode with joy.  Her body trembled as tears
began to roll down her cheeks, but she still smiled widely.
        "Natako... Ranma... I love you!"  she exclaimed, jumping
into his arms and hugging him passionately.
	Ranma hugged her back with all the emotion he felt, and
found tears welling in his eyes as well.  At last, he felt free
to say the words that he so desperately wanted to say.
	"Akiko-chan... I know now that love you, too."  he
whispered, starting to cry.


	At the local airport two days later, Ranma and Akiko
watched from behind a partition as a Japanese family oversaw the
loading of a casket into a plane.  Ranma felt a deep sadness wash
over him as he saw the family members crying,  but it was not
enough to make him alter his decision.  Akiko could feel his
sadness, and slipped her arms around him to lend him strength.
        As the casket rolled into the plane, he and Akiko both
offered a silent prayer for the woman within it and to the grieving
family.  Ranma then turned to Akiko and smiled weakly, motioning
toward the exit.  Nodding, she joined him in taking one last look
at the plane, then together, they turned and slowly headed out of
the terminal.



=================================================================
END - Part 2 of 2                    A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva


Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com