-----------------------------
                    -----------------------------



Dragon and Serpent, a Tale of Twin Saotomes


  by John Rossmaier (the_rossmage82@hotmail.com)



Disclaimer: Alright, we've somewhat taken to the skies.  Chapter 2,
everything's goin' good, right?  Well, it ain't a blockbuster just
yet, so don't start throwin' the hammer at me.  I don't own Ranma ½,
and the likelihood that I will ever possess the insidious desire to
sell this for profit is about the same as Shinji Ikari asking Asuka
Langley Sohryu on a romantic date.  Yeah, you understand how futile
your attempts to sue really are, don't you?  Anyway, just read the
fanfic.  And as always, try to keep the burning flames of spiteful
criticism to a minimum, eh?



                    -----------------------------
                    -----------------------------



Chapter 2 : Subterfuge! The Saotome Guide to Lasting Relationships



Nabiki groaned, flailing about for a moment before curling up beneath
the covers.  Sunlight continued to stream through the curtains,
spilling a generous amount of accursed white illumination throughout
the room.  Wincing, she covered her head with an extra pillow and
willed the morning away.

But only for a moment.  Slowly she sat up, glancing about the room
while trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes.  And wondering why she
felt a little bit off.

Okay, so yesterday had been quite a different experience for her.  For
Kenichi's enrollment's sake, she'd woken early, managing to steal her
shower before most of the household.  Her morning dealings helped
regain a pitiful sense of normalcy, which was greatly offset by the
raging inferno that was Kuno the Terminally Clueless.  Upon Kenichi's
suggestion, she'd eaten lunch with no less than four other people, all
of whom had no interest in borrowing money, placing bets, or shaking
down a slacker who was four weeks behind payment.  And after dinner,
her new fiancé had left until way past sundown, citing an excuse that,
by all rights, might have been true, had it not sounded so practiced
and transparent.

That was the real problem right there, Nabiki decided, blinking as her
eyes adjusted to the daylight.  Judging from classes yesterday morning
and their antics the night before, Kenichi seemed rather quick on his
feet, having both a smart head and a perceptive eye.  While Nerima was
a rather large district, there's no way such someone that insightful
could simply get lost while heading across town.

But what on earth could he have been doing in the meantime?  If he
hadn't been searching for Kuno's stupid challenge lot, where else
could he have been?

Nabiki had a few ideas about that, actually.

"Who would have thought Ranma's brother could be that damn social?"
she muttered, running a hand through her unruly morning hair.
"Keeping tabs on him is like policing a hyperactive five-year-old in a
toy store.  Turn around for a moment and he's already shooting the
breeze with a complete stranger... like they were best friends or
something!  I'd be surprised if he wasn't out last night, adding a few
more acquaintances to his social roster."

Which, under the right circumstances, might have been a perfectly
ordinary and natural course of action for a transferring student on
his or her first day attending a new high school.

Something Nabiki hadn't exactly anticipated from a member of clan
Saotome.

"Shit!  The whole plan's shot to pieces now!  There's no way in hell I
can monitor him, much less convince everyone else they've got to come
through ME just to talk to him."  She sighed, long and hard, before
gently massaging her temples.  "Damn, I've gotta figure out some other
way to pull this one off.  And before I can do that..."

Groaning loudly, she left the comfort of her bed, stepping lightly
through Kenichi's discarded pajamas before exiting the room, heading
towards the kitchen, and more importantly, her morning coffee.

Nothin' like a glass of sweet synthetic adrinaline to get the neurons
firing correctly.

A change in plans seemed to be in order, however, once she reached the
family room.  The kitchen lights were still off, meaning either Kasumi
had overslept (a fantastic improbability) or else she was busy
elsewhere.  And the only place anyone here could be busy at early in
the morning...

Grimacing, she headed towards the dojo.

And sure enough, there was Kasumi, standing just inside the entrance.
Come to think of it, the whole household was there, paying her no
attention whatsoever as they continued their silent vigil of the dojo
interior.  Curious, Nabiki stepped up to her sister... and blinked,
her somnolence vaporizing like a feather in a blast furnace.

Kenichi posed in profile, bare-chested, in the center of the floor,
his katana held before him in a relaxed grip.  Slowly, deliberately,
he traced a complex series of exchanges with an imaginary opponent,
grunting softly with each powerful thrust.  Sweat glistened off his
skin as he danced, weaving effortlessly across the dojo floor.  The
blade thrummed loudly, whipping through the air like a vicious
metallic extension of his body.

*Good lord, and he said he was merely 'competant?'* Nabiki thought
numbly.  *Looks like we've got a new challenger for the regular
tournament leagues.  Strike that about a screwed situation...*  She
stared in amazement as Kenichi leaned back slightly, muscles
tightening as he pulled his sword into a two-hand grip.  Releasing a
battle cry, he shot forward, delivering a staggering barrage of
thrusts before slicing his weapon sideways, dragging a potent arc
through the chest of his imaginary opponent.

Even Ranma had to whistle appreciatively at the effectiveness of that
calculated strike.

"He's good," Akane murmured, "isn't he?"

Soun nodded, his eyes twinkling with pride.  "Quite good, Akane.  He
could be a real master someday, if he continues to train as he has
been."

"He's not half bad... with a weapon, that is," Ranma eventually
conceded.  "Sure could give Kuno a run for his money."

"I bet you couldn't beat him," replied Nabiki absently as Kenichi
crouched, weapon held at eye level before starting another kata.

"What did you say?"

"Just what you think I..."

Nabiki trailed off as Kenichi suddenly turned, facing the opposing
wall and assuming a more aggressive stance.  The collective audience
gasped, seeing the long dark scar tracing from Kenichi's upper back,
across his side, and down towards his stomach.  Obviously a sword
wound, judging from the thickness and cleanness of the brownish line
of scar tissue.  Quite old too.  A childhood injury, most definitely.

Kenichi blinked, apparently disrupted by the startled outcry.  He
turned, catching the troop staring wide-eyed from the dojo doorway.
"Good morning, guys.  I just thought I'd practice a bit before
tonight.  Sorry if I woke any of you up."

"Kenichi... your scar..." whispered Kasumi pointing fearfully at his
side.

The boy's face clouded slightly before offering a sickly half-grin.
"Ah... there's a story behind that.  But I don't want to talk about it
right now."  Turning, he made his way towards his equipment.  "It's
not something I like to discuss that often."

"If you say so..."

"Does it hurt?" asked Akane softly.

"Not too much," he replied curtly before promptly donning his shirt.

Taking the hint, Nabiki tried shifting the conversation.  "That was
excellent, Kenichi!  Your mother must be something to teach you
techniques like that!"

Kenichi flashed her a grateful smile.  "Thanks Nabi-chan, but mom
wasn't the one teaching me all the time.  I surpassed her a few years
back, though she's still quite good.  Much better than she used to be,
or so she tells me."

"Really, now?  Who's been training you since then, son?" asked Soun.

Kenichi grinned sheepishly.  "Well... actually, I've been training on
my own for a while.  There weren't any kendo instructors in mom's part
of town, so I had to experiment with the select number of books and
scrolls I could get my hands on.  I managed to do alright, though most
of the special techniques were a bit harder to understand without
someone showing me how to do it."

Soun whistled, impressed.  "Say, son.  I used to be rather capable
with a sword.  How would you like to train together?"  He pumped his
fists, posing somewhat dramatically.  "I may be an old man, but I've
still got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Ranma snickered, while Akane politely rolled her eyes.  "Daddy..."
Nabiki sighed, shaking her head.

Kenichi considered the Tendo patriarch for a moment before smiling and
skirting a quick bow.  "I would be honored to be your student, Tendo-
sensei.  Thank you for considering me worthy of your instruction."

The two men clasped hands, pumping twice to confirm a teacher-student
bond of trust.  Soun then turned to his eldest daughter, favoring her
with a wide smile.  "Kasumi dear, how about whipping us up something
extra special for breakfast this morning?  I feel like celebrating a
bit."

"Absolutely, father," she gushed in return before fluttering off
towards the kitchen, a delighted smile on her face.

"Well now, son.  We'll start early tomorrow morning, since you've got
that challenge later on tonight.  Don't try to wear yourself out,"
Soun called, heading into the family room.

"I don't think that'll be a problem, sir," Kenichi dead-panned,
causing the other three to snicker.

"Ranma, I think we'd better get ready for school," Akane mused after
the laughter died down.  She grabbed her fiancé's arm and lead him
into the house.

Nabiki and Kenichi stood silently inside the dojo for a long moment,
before the latter offered a grateful smile.  "Hey, thanks for changing
the subject back there."

"No problem.  You wouldn't mind telling me about it sometime, would
you?"

"I suppose not," Kenichi sighed.  "But it won't be anytime soon, that
I can assure you."

"Fair enough."

Kenichi checked his wristwatch.  "We'd better get ready for school,
too.  I've heard some horror stories about what happens to late
students here, and I don't want to check their validity."

Nabiki nodded.  "Good idea, Ken-chan.  Trust me... whatever you do,
it'd be in your best interests to steer clear of the Principal."

"I'll keep that in mind..."



                    -----------------------------



Ukyo idly fidgeted with her ponytail as she waited outside Furinkan
High's front gates, her satchel clutched at her waist.  And tried once
again to convince herself that she was waiting to see her own beloved
fiancé, and not his suave, considerate, and more available brother.

Sighing softly, she shuffled her feet against the pavement, wondering
just what she was going to do now.

She knew she was growing interested in Kenichi.  After all, the pony-
tailed boy had spent the evening in her bedroom, smiling guilelessly
as they carefully examined her hearty collection of notes, laughing
unabashedly while divulging childhood secrets as easily as one might
discuss the weather.  His earnest expression, the comforting lilt to
his voice, his twinkling eyes and open demeanor...  She'd never felt
so accepted by anyone in her entire life.  Not by her old childhood
friends, especially not after that fiasco ten years ago.  Certainly
not by her family, who'd practically disowned her after the Saotomes
had escaped with her father's yatai.  Not by her new friends from
Furinkan High either, who never could seem to realize that there was a
person hiding behind that okonomiyaki vender's outfit.  Not even
Ranma...

Now that's hardly fair, she chastised herself before that thought
could fully manifest itself.  Ranma had been her first good childhood
friend, someone she could play with and who understood and relished
the martial arts.  And she'd had very few childhood friends, which
made Ranma's friendship that much more significant.

But Ranma had run out on her.  Left her for ten long years, even if
his bastard of a father had practically dragged him along.  He sure
didn't seem too sad at the time, seeing as how he was leaving his only
playmate behind.  What kind of a best friend would casually wave
goodbye while riding atop... or rather, stealing... her own dowry?

She shook her head.  But he didn't know he was stealing it, she
reminded herself.  Could he be faulted for something his old man did?

Then again...

Ukyo sighed despondently, running a hand through her bangs towards the
back of her head.  Her fingers brushed something soft, and she reached
up to pull lightly at the white bow she'd used to secure her ponytail
earlier that morning.  Sighing again, she glanced down at her blouse
and stroked the light green fabric, wondering again about her
spontaneous decision that morning to wear her uniform.

Normally, she digressed, preferring her dark blue vender's outfit to
the regulated norm.  After all, Ranma and Kuno could get away without
wearing uniforms.  She figured it wouldn't be that much of a problem
for her to do the same.  Those two probably hated the straight-jackets
as much as she did.

But there was one occasion when she willfully donned the light green
material.  Some time, a couple months back, when she thought she could
change her relationship with Ranma.

She learned more than she wanted to after that whole disaster.  For
one thing, the situation with Ranma was a powder keg waiting for a
handy match.  One couldn't spend any type of quality time with the
pigtailed martial artist without the expeditious unanimous approval of
all parties involved, which apparently included the greater portion of
the Furinkan High student body, as well as the usual troop of fiances,
rivals, relatives, and centenarian gnomes.  Such approval was about as
likely as Ranma proclaiming his undying love for Kuno.  Before the
entire student body.  While in male form.

Ukyo grimaced at the mental picture.  Like *that* would ever happen...

For that matter, it seemed entirely unlikely that Ranma would choose
*anyone,* audience or not.  Although she arrived much later on the
scene than the other three major contenders for Ranma's heart, Ukyo
quickly figured out that Ranma was as wishy-washy as he'd ever been
when it came to love, romance, and marriage.  For a long time, she
thought that the problem was at her end, which spurred her quest to
entice Ranma with her hidden feminine wiles.

That's when she discovered the other little relevant tidbit from that
fiasco.

Ukyo shuddered, reaching up to wipe a pair of stray tears from her
eyes.  Even after two long months, she still felt her heart ache as
his brutally honest response to an important question echoed
throughout her mind...

'If you're asking if we're friends, then yeah, we're buddies, ain't
we?'

Buddies, he had said.  *Buddies.*  Her fiancé, the one man she
respected and adored most in the world, thought of her as 'one of the
guys.'  And as the days rolled on, Ukyo realized that he would always
think of her in that way, no matter how she acted.  She would always
be his 'cute fiancé,' but he would never consider her anything more
than friendship material.

But Kenichi did.

Ukyo blushed, recalling the previous night.  Anticipating no evening
company, she'd changed from her vender's outfit into something more
comfortable, a light white tanktop and mid-thigh shorts, before
starting on her evening studies.  Thus, she remained clothed as such
when Kenichi arrived at her window.  Though she was slightly
embarrassed of her attire, she couldn't help but feel an illicit
thrill the first time Kenichi's eyes lit up as he assessed her
figure...

Goosebumps sprang up along her arms, and she hugged herself tightly
across her waist.  If she concentrated hard enough, she could still
feel the warm, comforting touch of Kenichi's arm as he gripped her
lightly at her side while they poured over her vast collection of
notes.  And downstairs, as they gazed into each others' eyes before he
kissed her lightly on the cheek...  Ukyo shivered, a hand at her
heart.  Oh, if only Ranma would look at her that way.  But as she
closed her eyes, picturing the smiling pigtailed martial artist in her
mind, she couldn't help but wonder, was it Ranma she was dreaming
about, or Kenichi?

"Hey, Ukyo!"

Ukyo jolted, her eyes focusing as she glanced down the street.
Kenichi waved, his demeanor light as he walked next to Nabiki.  Ranma
and Akane were arguing behind them, too caught up with each other to
notice Ukyo's change in attire.  Hesitantly, she waved back, suddenly
shy about her choice of apparel.

"Good morning, Ukyo-chan," Kenichi called again, a gleeful smile
gracing his features.  Nabiki merely nodded, her expression
unreadable.

"Morning," she replied somewhat shakily as the group strolled up.

"Ukyo?" asked Ranma, before leaping off the fence.  He glanced at her
for a moment.  "It is you.  What's with the funky getup?"

Ukyo flinched, suppressing an awful sense of deja vu.  Before she
could reply, Kenichi intervened.  "It's a school uniform, bro."  He
chuckled, then added, whispering suggestively, "And c'mon, don't you
think it's actually rather pretty?"  He favored Ukyo with a smile and
a wink, causing her to blush and twiddle her fingers.

"I, uh..." Ranma blinked, then glanced upwards, placing his hands
behind his head.  "I dunno, ya know?  I guess it is kinda pretty...
but it's just a uniform."

"Ranma!" the youngest Tendo growled, advancing on her fiancé.

"Aw, jeez Akane!" Ranma retorted defensively.  "You wear the same
thing, ya know!  I wasn't sayin' Ukyo was better lookin' than you or
nothin'!"

Partially mollified, Akane only back-handed Ranma into a nearby tree.
After sniffing disdainfully in his direction, she turned towards her
rival.  "Speaking of which, why *are* you wearing a uniform, Ukyo?"
asked Akane, a familiar tinge of suspicion in her voice.

Ukyo shrugged, willing her heart to stabilize.  "Nothin' else was
clean.  This was all I could find."

Akane blinked, her suspicion dissolving.  "You're sure?"

"You ever tried doing your own laundry?"

"Well..."  Akane blushed, recalling a sordid occasion dating a few
months back - that time when Kasumi had fallen ill.  Apparently, light
blue detergent should never produce black suds.  And in such massive
quantities.  The utility room tile suffered grievously that day...

"Suffice to say, Akane made a rather valiant attempt," Nabiki
commented dryly.

"About as I had expected..."

"Heh.  Well gang, we'd better get going," called Kenichi, striding
towards the tree containing his wayward brother.  "It's almost time
for class."

The group reluctantly agreed before following the conscious Saotome
towards the school entrance.  Ukyo sighed in relief before skirting a
quick glance towards her fiancé's brother once more, her resolve
reaffirming with each step.  No, she still wasn't sure which Saotome
colored her dreams anymore, but she was positive that discovering her
future through Kenichi would be more rewarding than through Ranma.
She just hoped it wouldn't be more trouble than she anticipated.

As the group passed through the double doors, Kenichi wondered aloud,
"Hey, did anybody see Kuno this morning?"



                    -----------------------------



"Demonic wretch," Kuno seethed, perched atop the school building, his
katana laid out beside him.  His teeth ground as he watched the
Saotome twins escort those three defenseless maidens into the school
building.  Once departed from his view, he stood, clutching his sword
dramatically at his side.  "Hear me now, foul doppleganger," he
breathed, rasping from lack of sleep.  "Thy time is short.  Once thou
hast been banished to hell, I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall defeat the heinous
Ranma Saotome once and for all, lying to rest his sorcery and infernal
perversions forever!"

Lightning crackled in the distance, followed by a loud clap of thunder
which shook Kuno to his knees.  He wavered for a moment before
collapsing on the roof.  "Perhaps... I shall rest for a moment
first..."



                    -----------------------------



Soun blinked, glancing out the backdoor as he sipped his morning tea.
"I didn't think the weather report mentioned any storms today," he
murmured, favoring his eldest daughter with a questioning glance.
Kasumi merely shrugged before returning to her mid-morning dusting.

"Must have been my imagination," Soun sighed, allowing his thoughts to
wonder once more onto the topic of Genma's absence.  His old friend
had yet to return to the Tendo household, causing Soun's worry to
magnify exponentially.  Something about the whole ordeal rubbed him
the wrong way, mostly pertaining to the fact that neither of the
Saotome's had even mentioned their own home or family.  And that Ranma
would think his own mother was dead...

Soun shook his head, bemoaning the fact that there was nothing he
could do to help.  Ranma knew nothing about his home, could barely
remember what his mother had looked like.  Kenichi, even having lived
with the woman for twelve years, could offer no assistance either, as
his mother had never shared such information with him.  That left his
old friend as the last source of information about Nodoka and the
reasons for his and Ranma's continued stay at the Tendo household.
Oh, if only his old friend could show up and confess, for once,
*before* any problems arose...

So distracted by his thoughts, Soun barely noticed the large figure
crawling laboriously across the back lawn.

"Father, isn't that Saotome-san?" Kasumi asked pointedly, tapping her
father on the shoulder.

Soun blinked, then glared at the bedraggled panda slowly creeping
around the koi pond.  "Saotome!"  The panda jolted, looking about for
a moment before blearily holding up a sign.

[Hey there, Tendo.]

"Hey there, indeed, Saotome," Soun returned, a bit frostily.  He
stood, making his way towards the large beast.  "I believe it's time
you explained yourself."

[Wh-what do you mean, Tendo?]

"Don't you dare try to weasel your way out of this one.  Don't you
dare."  Soun fixed the cringing panda with a level stare.  "Your son
has not seen his mother in twelve years.  Not only that, you lead him
to believe that she had died.  I'm sorry, my friend, but even I cannot
excuse such behavior."

[I did it for his growth as a martial artist, Tendo!]

"I don't care why you did it, Saotome.  The point is, your wife, and
Ranma's mother, is still alive.  Mothering influence or no, Ranma
should meet her."

[He can't!  You have no idea what you're doing, Tendo!]

Soun narrowed his eyes.  "Then inform me, Saotome.  Or else, if you
don't tell me why you haven't returned to your wife after all these
years, I'll have Kenichi personally escort Ranma home.  Whether you
like it or not."

The panda cringed, fumbling with his marker and signs for a long
moment as he shakily drew a response.  [Alright, Tendo.  I'll tell you
the whole story.]  Flip.  [Just let me rest for a bit first, okay?]

Soun sighed, then offered Genma his hand.  "Alright, my friend.  We'll
continue this discussion after lunch.  Kasumi, some tea, please."
Clutching his friend's furry shoulder, Soun carefully eased the
battered panda into the living room.



                    -----------------------------



"What the hell's going on here?"

Nabiki rolled her eyes, glancing over the roiling sea of classmates
towards her fiancé.  "You're the 'young genius.'  What do you think?"

Kenichi glowered in reply, brows knotted tightly above his suddenly
piercing eyes.  "I thought I told you the fight was supposed to be
private.  *NO* witnesses."  He waved a tensing hand over the crowd of
frantic students, each boasting a fistful of assorted bills.  "What
the hell's all this, then?"

Nabiki snorted lightly, accepting the pitiful earnings of yet another
headless student.  "It's called economics, Kenichi.  Look, any fight
around here becomes public knowledge in under seventeen minutes, three
if it involves Ranma and Akane.  So you would have dealt with a
audience, regardless.  I just decided to capitalize on the situation
while the opportunity was available."  She flashed him a crafty smirk.
"C'mon, I'm giving you good odds, at least."

Kenichi growled darkly before stalking away, disappearing around the
corner of the school building.

Nabiki blinked, a cold shiver running up her spine as she returned to
her previous business.  *Damn.  That was unexpected...*



                    -----------------------------



*I really should have expected this...*  Ukyo grimaced as she poured
another circle of batter onto an already overstocked griddle.  The
thick material clustered, darkening slightly as the doughy ring began
to sizzle, a sound she had learned to quickly discern and greatly
appreciate.  Something she'd listened to all her life, and hopefully,
for many long years to come.  To her, there was nothing in the world
more relaxing than the sole hiss of a perfectly grilled okonomiyaki.

*Now if only the damn idiots would shut up and leave me alone so I
could hear it...*

"You know, Ukyo, I've always thought you were beautiful..."

"Yeah right, she's mine!  Go find your own girlfriend!"

"But you've already got one!  What's wrong with Taoko-chan?"

"She's battin' eyes at Kenichi!  How do you think that makes ME feel?"

"Dammit!  How many times are you gonna steal MY girlfriend?"

*That's it...*  "Alright, you perverts!" Ukyo half snarled, slamming
the point of a mini-spatula through one of the sizzling patties.  The
verbal riot vaporized instantaneously, leaving a stricken male
audience in its wake.  "Let's get one thing straight here.  I don't
belong to anyone but Ranma-honey, alright?  And don't let me hear ANY
of you saying otherwise, or you'll regret it for the rest of your
life!  Now, who wants their damn okonomiyaki?"

Ukyo stared down each one in turn, eliciting either a *very* tentative
nod or a rapid departure.  Nodding resolutely, she proceeded to set a
personal record for prompt service, clearing the immediate area of
customers in just under thirteen seconds.

Silence prevailed for a time, as Ukyo surveyed the schoolyard, daring
any hapless peer expecting a date to test his luck against her forty
pound combat spatula.  Then she sighed wearily before reaching down to
toggle the ignition switch on her portable grill.  Collecting her
equipment and satchel, she slowly made her way back towards the school
building, berating herself on her hastily conceived retort.

As a waitress and a chef, Ukyo understood the mechanics behind
restaurant growth and approval.  Satisfying, delicious food, combined
with attractive, friendly service, entailed a successful commercial
enterprise.  Or at least the reliable means of a modest existance.
Though small and oft closed (mostly due to extraneous circumstances),
the Ucchan's provided the youngest Kuonji chef with enough capital to
survive until the next onslaught of monthly bills.

In fact, the only times her business suffered a significant slump was
following a standard case of Neriman weirdness... or those wretched
times of the month when her tolerance was low and the desire to reach
out and maim someone came far too frequently for a healthy operation.

Or when she exploded at customers for seemingly no apparent reason.

Ukyo sighed again, spotting a pair of terrified students eyeing her
from across the expanse of Furinkan High's side lawn.  Oh, there was a
good enough reason for this incident; the culmination of that
morning's repeated date attempts, fair-weather compliments, and
possessive declarations had finally eroded her accommodating
tolerance, which probably rivaled only Ranma's in the whole ward of
Nerima.  Over half the student body would have blown up hours ago.

But, of course, the students would never consider her perspective on
the matter.  "Looks like it's going to be another slow month," she
murmured to herself before turning towards the building's side
entrance...

...and colliding directly into a towering mass of masculine rage and
furiously knotted muscle.

"Ouch!  Hey, watch where you're... Kenichi?"

The Saotome twin blinked, his terribly clouded face lightening
immensely.  "Ukyo!  I've been waiting all morning for a chance to talk
with you!  How'd your exam turn out?"

Demurely clasping her hands at her waist, she replied, trying
valiantly to withhold a massive blush, "It was a cinch, thanks to you.
I really owe you one for yesterday."

"No you don't.  It was enough that I could stay the evening."

Ukyo fidgeted, her blush deepening.  "Would you like to go somewhere
and chat for a while?  I've got some batter left over, if you haven't
eaten yet..."

"Sure.  Here, let me get that for you..."  Before Ukyo could object,
Kenichi shouldered her dropped grill.  The chef smiled in appreciation
before jesturing towards one corner of the schoolyard.  Kenichi
nodded, and together, the pair started walking across the Furinkan
High campus.  "Hey, Ukyo... if you're not busy after class, how would
you like to have dinner with me tonight?  Maybe even a movie?  It'll
be my treat."

Time froze as Ukyo's heart began to play a timpani roll on her
ribcage.  She swallowed, gasping softly for breath, as her face began
to flush once more.  After a moment, she worked enough moisture into
her mouth to properly reply.  "S-sure, Kenichi... um... I don't have
any plans for later..."

"It won't interrupt your work schedule, will it?"  Kenichi's eyes
clouded with worry.  "I understand that you earn your own keep around
here."

"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting a large crowd tonight anyway."  She
considered for a moment, her rationale finally catching up with her
emotions.  "But don't you have that challenge with Kuno later?  Are we
going to have enough time for a movie?"

"It's not a problem, Ukyo-chan.  I'll just get Kuno to postpone the
one-on-one."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Don't worry.  I've got an idea, but I think I'll need your help..."



                    -----------------------------



Soun took one long draw on his cigarette before glancing across the
table towards his recently bathed and well-rested friend.  "So,
Saotome.  About Ranma's mother..."

Genma sighed, his massive frame sagging as he gently clutched a warm
cup of tea.  "Alright, Tendo.  I'll give it to you fair and square."
He leaned back, his eyes growing misty as his thoughts turned to the
past.  "It all happened about twelve years ago, when I decided it was
time to take Ranma and begin training him seriously in the Art..."



                    -----------------------------



*The entertainment market must be seriously lacking here,* Ranma
thought disgustedly as he glanced over the massive crowd arraigned
about the designated fighting arena.  *One fight and it's a multi-
media event, or something...*

Well, not exactly, but the mood surrounding the pre-combat lot that
afternoon was rather festive indeed.  Food stands lined the corners,
with fold-out souvenir stores spaced intermittently between them.  The
throbbing mob at the center of one side was the locale for Nabiki's
Wheelings and Dealings, which maintained bidding opportunities up
until the first exchange of blows.

Ranma glared at the surroundings, a cloud of old memories mobbing him
with scenes from his first real fight with Mousse.  Briefly he
entertained thoughts about how Nabiki could manage to gather such a
crowd together anyway, despite the routine blood-baths that broke out
occasionally amongst the Neriman populace.  After a moment, he simply
shook his head, then scanned the crowd for Akane.

Actually, there was a rather simple reason which explained the size
and enthusiasm this particular crowd displayed.  Despite the fact that
fights in Nerima were as commonplace as the morning paper, most of
those brawls tended to break out spontaneously and involved a rather
hodgepodge assortment of fighting styles, most of which held little
similarity to each other apart from the 'anything goes' theme of
fists, technique, and blunt weaponry.

This brawl, however, was something new.  Two swordsman, practiced with
regular forms, meeting at a designated challenge location and
preparing to go at it with drawn steel.  A 'civilized' combat
situation, so to speak, with 'honor, justice, and no sorcery,' as Kuno
himself had vocalized on Kenichi's challenge letter.

Though Ranma was absolutely certain that Kenichi would 'cheat' during
the battle at some point.

Of course, that was provided he showed up on time.

Ranma frowned, glancing towards a nearby clock.  Yup, only about five
minutes until the great battle, and his twin brother was nowhere to be
seen.  In fact, no one had seen Kenichi since the end of classes
earlier that afternoon, when he'd vacated the premises with the speed
of an escaping convict.  Ranma could only hope that his brother would
show within the next few minutes.

Or else, in all likelihood, Kuno would target HIM instead of his
brother.

Wonderful.

"Ranma!  There you are!"

The pigtailed boy turned as Akane emerged from the crowd.  "Hey,
Akane.  Where've ya been?"

"Looking for you."  She glanced about, a worried expression on her
face.  "Have you seen Kenichi?  Nabiki's starting to get fidgety."

Ranma wilted.  "I was going to ask you the same question, Akane.
Hadn't seen him since school let out, and I didn't get to talk to him
either.  If he doesn't show up, Kuno's gonna think that I'M the
'infernal doppleganger.'  You know what'll happen next..."

"Well, he's still got a few minutes.  I guess the only thing we can do
is wait."

And wait they did.  For over thirty minutes, as conversation buzzed
louder and louder, speculation and dissension brewing readily amongst
the disgruntled crowd.	More than once, a jittery would-be spectator
approached Ranma, accusing the boy of prolonging the match and
demanding he fess up to his real identity.  Ranma happily obliged,
sending each sniveling lout away with a couple bruises in the gut.

The audience began to thin sometime around forty-five minutes, and
Ranma read the situation as extremely dire, if the expression on an
approaching Nabiki's face was any indication.  The middle Tendo
daughter stepped up to Ranma and Akane, a dark glare supplanting her
usual shark's grin.  "Dammit!  If he doesn't show up soon I'm going to
have to return all that yen!  Where the hell is he?"

"Don't ask me, Nabiki!" Ranma retorted, raising his arms in a hasty
shrug.  "I didn't get to talk to him after class, and he never
mentioned anything else during the day about the challenge.  Just hold
on!  I'm sure Kenichi'll be here soon, and then we can get this fight
started!"

"It'd still be kinda hard since we'd only have one combatant," Nabiki
ground out through clenched teeth.  "Kenichi's not the only one
screwing this up."

That took Ranma aback.  "You mean Kuno hasn't shown up either?"

"But it was HIS challenge!" Akane exclaimed.  "Why would he forfeit?"



                    -----------------------------



Kuno idly scratched his head as he perused the strange letter once
more, hands shaking slightly.


'Dearest Tatewaki:

   Though it grieves me to postpone your glorious combat, I humbly beg
   of you to reschedule your bout with the insidious doppleganger,
   Kenichi, demon-spawn of the hellish Ranma Saotome.  The reasons I
   provide are sound, and will speak of your eventual victory if you
   should merely heed my words.

   You know of the presumed nuptials between the demon-twin and my
   deceptive elder sister.  You must also know, that the hellspawn has
   corrupted her, polluted her wiles against those who would subvert
   the substantial control of my hated fiancé, Ranma Saotome.  Thus, I
   am sending you a warning.

   Using Nabiki as a cat's pawn, the Saotome twins have spun a trap
   for you at this afternoon's challenge lot.  Under cover of
   midafternoon and before a witness of hundreds, they shall humiliate
   and destroy you through their combined influence.  Even you cannot
   escape the combined wrath of two demons of hell!  I cannot let that
   happen, my love!  I shall not let you die!

   Please, promise me that you shall schedule a new time for your
   glorious defeat of Kenichi, away from the prying eyes of spectators
   and the influential hands and ears of one Nabiki Tendo!  The final
   defeat of Kenichi need not be witnessed; his destruction shall be
   evident in the daily course of time, will it not?

   Alas, I must leave.  Ranma stands watch nearby and might suspect of
   my actions and motives.  Please!  Speak not of this conversation
   with ANYONE!  Please, my love!  I shall love thee always!

      Your precious flower,
         Akane Tendo'


The noble scion of the House of Kuno examined the note for a long
moment, before raising tear-stained eyes to the heavens.  "Oh, my
dearest love!  How you strive to subvert the grave and wretched power
commanded by the accursed Saotome twins!  For you, my love, I shall
heed thy wisdom!"

His gaze hardened.  "And thou, fiendish doppleganger!  Thou hast
survived one day more... but the sands of time continue to flow, and
thy final breath shall be at hand...  So enjoy thy time whilst thou
can, for the hour of eternal judgement cometh..."  Lightning crackled,
and Kuno erupted in crazed laughter before turning defiantly and
departing the grounds of Furinkan High School.



                    -----------------------------



"Hai-atchoo!"  Kenichi blinked, rubbing his nose as he glanced about
the restaurant.  "Hmm... that doesn't usually set in during the fall
season..."

"Maybe it was just some dust, Kenichi," Ukyo commented before
polishing off the last bites of her seafood platter.  She sighed
happily before glancing around, gawking once more at the lush decor
enveloping their private booth.  "I still can't believe you brought me
here!  Isn't this restaurant expensive?"

Kenichi smiled charmingly.  "The prices aren't that bad, and in this
case, the extra cost is worth it."

"Oh you..."  Ukyo smiled in return.  "Thanks, Kenichi.  I only earn
enough to get by, usually.  This is probably the first time I've
actually eaten here, though I've always wanted to come.  So," she
paused, resting her chin in her hands, "you were telling me why you
decided to come to Nerima?"

"Oh yeah.  Well, Mom was starting to get really anxious about Pop and
Ranma.  I mean, they'd been gone for more than twelve years, and I
could see that she was starting to get distressed.  I tried to cheer
her up, and it seemed to work most of the time, but she'd see a
picture of the old man and start crying."  He glanced down at his
plate, poking the remains of his lobster with a chopstick.  "I don't
know what she sees in him," he continued softly, "but I know she loves
him a lot.  That's why I respect my mom as much as I do, because she
tries so hard to hold herself together, even after all these years..."

Kenichi sighed.  "But even so, I think she was about to finally
succumb...  More and more frequently she would leave her work early,
too tired and miserable to concentrate.  I could tell when I got home
from school; she'd be in her room every time, pouring over her meager
collection of old photos."  He poked his food again.  "I'd have to
help her cook those nights.  She's usually an excellent chef, better
than almost anyone else I've met..."  He glanced back up, a pale grin
on his face.  "Present company excluded, of course."

Ukyo managed a bittersweet smile in reply.

"Anyway, I couldn't let things go on like they had.  So I started
looking up some of dad's old contacts, just to see if maybe any of
them had heard from the old man.  And all I found was a single name."

"Soun Tendo," Ukyo murmured, eyes widening in understanding.

Kenichi nodded.  "Exactly.  Dad's old training partner.  There wasn't
a phone number listed, but I did find an address and an old map of
Nerima in his stuff.  So, after I told mom about my planned sojourn
into Nerima, I took off and... well, here I am."  He popped a small
piece of sushi into his mouth.  "Found 'em right from the start,
though the fact that I was right kinda threw me off for a while there.
Plus the engagement thing.  Mr. Tendo seemed adamant about the
business, and I figured, 'Why not?'  So I had Nabiki set up a
transferral for me to stay for a while.  Managed to make a clean break
from my old district."

"So that's why you're living with the Tendos right now.  But don't you
miss your old school?"

Kenichi shrugged.  "Not a whole lot.  Our old district was quite a bit
smaller than Nerima, so there wasn't much to do there except train,
study, or hang out.  And by the end, I was spending so much time
helping out my mom that I didn't see my friends for weeks at a time.
They probably won't even know I'm gone."

"Their loss, my gain, I suppose," Ukyo mused out loud, before erupting
in a fit of giggles.

Kenichi laughed.  "Quite right.  Well, I think I'm finished.  You
ready for the movies, Ukyo-chan?"

"Absolutely... Ken-chan."



                    -----------------------------



"There's your 3000 yen back," Nabiki grumbled, returning the last of
her sizeable earnings to her final waiting customer.  "Thanks for
participating anyway."

Ranma grimaced, looking down at the cash in his hand.  "Naw, you take
it, Nabiki.  There's that loan I still need to pay off anyway."

Surprised, Nabiki accepted her cash once more.  "Alright, Ranma.  I'll
knock this off your debt, then."

"Well," Akane mused, "this afternoon was a complete waste."  She
scanned the now vacant lot.  Everything had been disassembled and
whisked away nearly as fast as the whole arrangement had been set up.
The return of all the gambling bids, however, had taken a great deal
more time.  Akane bemoaned that fact as she stared up into the
darkening sky.  "I think we may have missed dinner, guys.  We should
probably stop somewhere on our way back."

"Good idea," Ranma replied, only to stop short.  "But I just gave all
my money to Nabiki!"

"Don't worry, Ranma," the Tendo mercenary called as she turned to
leave.  "I can probably loan you something..."

"Just great..." Ranma sighed before trudging off behind the other two.



                    -----------------------------



"Are you absolutely sure you didn't mind?" Ukyo whispered, glancing up
into Kenichi's face.  "I mean, you could have picked a different movie
to watch.  There were a few samurai movies showing, and that American
film... what was it, 'Star Wars Special Edition?'  That seemed rather
intriguing..."

Kenichi gently shook his head.  "It's perfectly alright, Ukyo-chan.
An action flick is all and well, but not quite appropriate for a date,
don't you think?"  Suddenly, he grinned, raising a brow.  "Unless, of
course, you're a closet 'Jedi Knight,' huh?"

She smiled.  "Well... I have seen the originals a few years back.
Those Americans can produce some good work every once in a while.  I
suppose it's just been a long time since I've *wanted* to watch a
romance movie."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I honestly enjoyed watching
the movie with you," murmured Kenichi, hugging Ukyo a bit tighter.

"Thanks, Ken-chan," Ukyo sighed, leaning her head against Kenichi's
shoulder as she idly observed the passing of an occasional pedestrian.

The aforementioned movie had not lasted nearly long enough in her
opinion, so once back outside, she had promptly recommended a casual
stroll through a nearby park.  Kenichi had readily agreed, and the
pair had made their way through the waning bustle of evening activity
that typically adorns a modest-sized city.  Wishing for more time to
firm a decision already made, she then gently escorted him to a
secluded park bench whereupon the couple could observe this expance of
city territory from a private vantage point.

Much to Ukyo's delight, Kenichi still hadn't shown any inclination to
leave, despite the half-hour they had already spent here.

"So, what can you tell me about *your* mom, Ukyo-chan?" Kenichi
whispered after a time.

Ukyo stiffened, eyes suddenly drawn to her lap, and wished to hell
that he hadn't just asked that question.

Kenichi noticed her movement and glanced down at the brown-haired girl
beside him.  "Ukyo?  Are you alright?  What's wrong?"  Noting the
tears now coursing down her cheeks, he swiftly gathered the distraught
girl into his lap, embracing her firmly.  "Shhh... it's alright, Ukyo-
chan, it's okay... I'm sorry for asking... shhh..."  Kenichi continued
to whisper apologies as he rocked the young woman in his arms, gently
stroking her silky auburn hair.  Ukyo clutched him tightly in return,
convulsing repeatedly due to wracking sobs only partially muffled by
the fabric of Kenichi's shirt.

Minutes passed, and Ukyo's cries gradually dwindled to the level of
muted sniffling.  Kenichi reached down, gently cupping her tear-
streaked face and raising her reddened eyes to meet his own.  "Feel
better now?" he whispered, worry clouding his features.

Hiccuping once, she nodded before tightening her grip about his waist.

"I didn't--"

"Shhh.  Don't speak, Kenichi," Ukyo whispered, burying her head into
his chest.  "Just hold me, please."

The other merely nodded, tightening his grip once more.

Ukyo sighed shakily as she listened to the frantic pounding of
Kenichi's heart, feeling both incredibly lost and anguished, the old
memories of her mother reopening countless wounds from ages past.  The
pangs of eternal separation still wore at her newfound happiness like
the ocean waves, dashing and fracturing her concepts of joy, peace,
and stability.

Yet at the same time, she felt a warm pulse of security wash over her,
an emotional blanket of boundless love and protection, soothing her
emotional pains and dispelling the haunting recollection of her long-
forgotten mother.  This feeling permeated and reinforced the
fragmenting portions of her mind and soul, providing a strength and
inner peace never before experienced... and a determination to achieve
what she had sought most throughout her entire life...

Acceptance.

"Thank you, Kenichi."

"I... I'm really sorry, Ukyo.  I had no idea you were so sensitive
about that subject."

"It's alright," she replied hoarsely.  "It usually doesn't seem to
hurt this much, though..."  The pair remained silent for a while
before Ukyo leaned back, reaching up to wipe her face.  "Um... sorry
about that, Kenichi.  I guess I needed a good cry.  It's been a while
since I thought about my mother."

Kenichi paused momentarily, gently rubbing her back.  "I hope you'll
feel comfortable about telling me, sometime..."  He smiled, rather
pathetically, and Ukyo couldn't help but bark a choked giggle in
response.

"Alright, Ken-chan... but first..."  She hesitated, biting her lip as
she gently clasped Kenichi's hand with hers.  "First, I... I want to
tell you about why *I* came to Nerima in the first place... and about
an agreement between your father and mine..."



                    -----------------------------



Soun fidgeted.  The tears and wailing had subsided hours ago, leaving
a disturbed restlessness in its wake.  Nervously, he glanced across
the board towards his old friend, absently rolling a few shogi tiles
in his hands as he stared fixedly out the back sliding door.  "So,
Saotome, what are we going to do about this?"

Genma sighed.  "That's what I've been wondering ever since Jusenkyo,
Tendo, and I still haven't the slightest idea.  And now that Kenichi
knows we're here, it'll be only a matter of time before Nodoka shows
as well."  He clenched his fist around the shogi tiles.  "The only
thing I can think of is another long training trip with Ranma."

"The ideal thing would be to cure the curse, Saotome.  Haven't you
enough money to travel back to China?"

Genma snorted lightly.  "You tell me, Tendo.  If we had, don't you
think we would have headed back by now?"

"Well, why did you return to Japan in the first place?  You could have
tried the Nanniichuan while you were still there."

"We would have," Genma replied, dropping the tiles to pick up a glass
of warm tea.  "But the guide mentioned something about conditioning...
that the body had to adjust to the curse before it could be cured.  I
have no idea why, but the guide talked about others who had gone into
seizures after falling into a second pool so soon after the first.
Most of them never walked again.  I REALLY didn't want that to happen
to Ranma, so we decided to head back."

"Why didn't you wait?"

"It takes about four months for the body to become conditioned to a
curse, Tendo.  We didn't have enough time, not to mention money, to
stay and wait."

Soun nodded, fingering his mustache.  "So... you thought that maybe
the engagement might prove your son's manliness, since you couldn't
cure his curse?"

"Exactly, Tendo.  If Ranma were married with an heir on the way,
Nodoka would have no alternative but to acknowledge my son's manhood.
'If' being the case, of course..."  He sipped his tea.  "The fact that
my son refuses the engagement poses something of a problem."

"Hmmm...  Then I suppose that a training trip is the only safe
alternative at the moment.  As soon as they get home, you take Ranma
and go.  I'll keep Kenichi busy so he won't try to follow.  Let me
know of your location, so I can notify you if your wife ever arrives."

The balding martial artist nodded in reply.  "Alright, Tendo.  Thanks
for your support."

"Anything to help."  The pair remained silent for a moment, before
breaking out in tears once more, bemoaning their wretched fates, to
hear them tell it.

"We're home!" Nabiki's voice filtered through the house.

"Kasumi, could you come here for a moment?" Soun called, suddenly
stern and collected as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

His eldest daughter peered curiously out of the kitchen, a dish-towel
in her hands.  "What is it, father?"

"Could you gather your sisters and the Saotomes for a moment?  Genma
and I have something to discuss with you all."

"Of course."  A few minutes later, everyone had assembled together at
the family room table, partaking of the tea Kasumi had thought to
prepare.  Well, not exactly everyone...

"Ranma, where's your brother?"

Nabiki glowered as the young Saotome replied.  "I dunno, Mr. Tendo.
We haven't seen him all evening."

Soun blinked, then considered.  *With Kenichi gone, it'll actually be
easier to get Ranma and Genma out of the house.  Best not waste this
opportunity.*  "Right, well, we have no time to wait for him.  I'll
discuss this with him later."

"And what's to discuss, daddy?" asked Nabiki, crossing her arms.

Genma and Soun shared a glance, then turned to the youngsters.
"Ranma, your father and I feel that your training has grown rather lax
as of late.  It is in our best recommendations that you journey with
your father to accelerate your continued training in the Art."

The four children blinked.  "But we ain't gone anywhere in a while,
pops," Ranma replied.  "Why we gotta take off now?"

"That's exactly why, Ranma!  You've grown soft livin' here in the
city, and it's high time I reconditioned you to the natural elements."
The old man defiantly crossed his arms.  "And I won't take 'no' for an
answer, boy."

Ranma frowned.  "This is 'cause of Kenichi, ain't it?  'Cause we
didn't go home when we got to Japan... ain't that right?"  The light
sheen of perspiration now covering the elder Saotome's face confirmed
Ranma's accusation.  The boy's frown deepened.  "No way, pops.  I
wanna know why we haven't gone home yet."

"That's not your concern, Ranma," his father bellowed, rising up on
one knee.  "Just--"

"Like hell it's not!  C'mon, old man, tell me why we're still here!"

"You're making a big fuss over nothing, Ranma.  Genma simply brought
you here to tell you about the engagement."

"But that was seven months ago," Nabiki pointed out, eyes level.
"They could have gone home anytime after hearing about the engagement.
You're hiding something, daddy, and Ranma has the right to know why
he's been kept away from his mother."

Soun swallowed audibly.  Kasumi and Akane, surprisingly, had not been
vocal as of yet, but their expressions showed total agreement with
Ranma and Nabiki's arguments.  His old friend's masterful plan was
crumbling at their feet, due to the suspicious nature of their own
children.  Shaking, he opened his mouth, preparing to make one last
stand.

"Hey, everybody.  What's goin' on here?"

The assembled group started, glancing towards the doorway.  There,
Kenichi stood, grinning maniacally, with Ukyo smiling at his side.
Chuckling softly, he added, "If it's a family meeting, I'm sorry I'm
late.  I had a few things to do tonight, that's all."

Nabiki reacted first, jumping to her feet and leveling an armor-
piercing glare at her fiancé.  "What about your fight with Kuno, huh?
What happened to that?"

Kenichi merely waved her off before turning to his father.  "Sorry,
Nabiki, but I've got some more important business to discuss.  Ukyo?"

The pizza chef stepped forward and, flooring all but Kenichi, bowed
respectfully to the balding old man.  "Greetings, Father-in-law."

Silence.

"Oh my."

Then, chaos erupted.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME, SAOTOME?!?"

"Not a thing, Tendo!  I swear!  This is absolutely all her doing!!"

"HOW COULD I POSSIBLY TRUST YOU ON THIS?!?"

"RANMA!!  What are you trying to pull?!"

"The hell you talkin' about, Akane?!  I was with you the entire
evening!"

Nabiki remained silent, an odd expression on her face.

The rant session died down prematurely, as Kenichi loudly cleared his
throat.  "Now, before you all start tearing into each other, I think
we'd better explain."

And they did.  By the time Kenichi and Ukyo finished talking, Soun and
Genma bore wide grins, Akane and Kasumi relieved smiles, and Ranma and
Nabiki... expressions of mild shock.

"...and that would preserve the honor of all parties involved,"
Kenichi added.  "If it meets with your approval, father."

"Of course, it does, my son!"  Genma sprang to life, reaching out to
embrace both Kenichi and Ukyo.  "Welcome to the family, Ukyo!  May
your new engagement with Kenichi be a fulfilling one!"

Soun, Akane, and Kasumi applauded enthusiastically.

"But... but isn't Kenichi supposed to be engaged to Nabiki?" Ranma
muttered, his voice oddly pleading.

"Didn't you hear what they discussed, Ranma?" Soun returned, jovially.
"Kenichi would be engaged to Ukyo instead, so both the Kuonji/Saotome
engagement AND the Tendo/Saotome engagement can be upheld!"  *And that
reduces the number of Ranma's fiancées by one!  All that's left is to
get rid of Shampoo, and then... and then...*  Soun burst into tears,
sobbing loudly as he considered the bright and wonderful future
awaiting the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.

"But... but..."

And then, amidst the congradulations and tears and soulful applauding,
barely audible above the verbal tableau, a beautiful voice resounded
softly throughout the house.

"Hello?  Kenichi dear, are you there?"

And Genma paled, eyes wide.

Embarrassed, Kenichi laughed, placing one hand behind his head.
"Oh yeah.  I called mom a couple nights back.  What, didn't I tell
you?"






To be continued...



                    -----------------------------
                    -----------------------------



Comments?  Suggestions?  Tell me what you think!  Email me at
the_rossmage82@hotmail.com.

Next on the dinner plate?  Genma's promise comes to light, as Nabiki
approaches her ex-fiancé about his recent activities.  Nodoka decides
to wait for her son and husband... but what's this?  The Tendos have a
cousin?  And how is that fact making dinner rather hard to hold down?
Or could that be due to the repulsive gnome that's returned to Nerima?
It's just your average abnormal weekend at the Tendo household in
Chapter 3 of Dragon and Serpent!  See you there!