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



Dragon and Serpent, a Tale of Twin Saotomes


  by John Rossmaier (the_rossmage82@hotmail.com)



Disclaimer: Starting to get the hang of it... putting the whole plan
together...  Problem is, each time I find a new plot to expand upon, I
have to go back and touch up previous segments.  Oh well.  The life of
a fanfiction author is fraught with peril (though the peril can depend
greatly upon how good your work is and how often you update it...).
Anyway, I don't own the Ranma characters (not even Kenichi,) and I'm
not trying to make a profit off this story anyway.  I'm just
respecting the conception of a variable and extensive piece of work.
Thank you, Miss Takahashi!

Necessary cultural note: In the Japanese ritual of seppuku, the
'kaishaku' or 'mediator of wrongs' watches over the proceedings and
then decapitates the dishonored ones once disembowelment is complete.



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



Chapter 3 : The Placating Power of Perversion



"What?  They've just left on a training journey?"  Nodoka Saotome
sighed, her initial bubbling delight visibly draining from her figure.

Soun felt like drooping himself as he watched the poor woman seated
across the table dab her eyes with a handkerchief.  What kept him
alert was the shocked and betrayed expressions worn by Akane, Kasumi,
and Ukyo.  Thank goodness Nabiki had pulled Kenichi from the room or
else he'd be firing a laser glare as well.

Barely restraining the tick of a brow, Soun nodded.  "I'm sorry, Mrs.
Saotome."

"No, it's okay," the copper-haired woman replied, pulling out a pair
of worn photographs.  She studied them intently, a mixture of many
different feelings crossing her face.  "At least I know they're still
alive.  I suppose that's enough, for now."

Silence enshrouded the room as Nodoka inspected her photographs, with
Soun offering pleading expressions to Akane, Kasumi, and Ukyo.  The
three grimaced slightly, but nodded in silent agreement to adhere to
the present story.  Besides, they really didn't know where Genma had
dragged his reluctant shapeshifting son off to anyway.

"So, Auntie Saotome... you've been living with Kenichi all this time?"
Kasumi asked, pouring their visitor another cup of tea.

Nodoka nodded, a soft smile returning to her lips.  "Yes.  Kenichi,
bless his heart.  He has helped me so much during my husband's
absense.  If not for him, I don't think I could have continued living
without the rest of my family.  It was hard enough allowing Genma to
take Ranma away to train."

"Speaking of which, why did you, Mrs. Saotome?" Akane inquired.

"Well, Genma believed it was time to begin Ranma's accelerated
training in the Anything Goes School.  He explained that Ranma's
future was dependant on an early start in the Art.  So I gave him my
blessing before they began their journey."

"Wow," Ukyo muttered.  "Pretty daring of you to trust Ranma's welfare
to Uncle Saotome."

"Well, I married an honorable man," responded Nodoka, a proud smile on
her face.  "In addition, before he left, Genma made a promise to me."

Soun nodded his head as the other three blinked.  Behind the Tendo
patriarch, the shoji leading outdoors creaked ominously, a slight
depression caving the material inwards.

"A promise, Auntie?" Kasumi asked worriedly.  "What was this promise?"

Nodoka savored her tea for a moment, a curious expression on her face.
"Before leaving, Genma swore an oath on his honor that Ranma would
become the best martial artist in his generation, and a man among men.
And if they failed, they would both commit seppuku."

With a loud crash, the rear shoji collapsed, burying Soun in a pile of
wooden debris.  Onna-Ranma lay stiffly atop the heap, a hand at her
ear and a glazed expression on her face.  A moment passed before a
massive panda stepped through the opening, glancing curiously about
the room before waving politely at his unknowing wife.  [Sorry for the
interruption, miss.]

"My goodness, another pair of houseguests," Nodoka smiled, returning
the panda's wave.  "Is that a trained panda?"

"Something like that," Ukyo muttered dryly.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

[The pleasure is all mine, madam.]

"Well, as I was saying, I was rather shocked that my husband would
make such a declaration, but his motevation convinced me.  After all,
he would never agree to such a thing if he wasn't confident in his
methods."  She paused, glancing down into her cup of tea.  "But it's
been so long since I've last heard from him...  His last letter came
about four years ago.  He was still in Japan at the time, but he'd
told me he was planning to eventually travel to China, mostly to visit
a secret training ground he had discovered called Jusenkyo."

The greater portion of the room sweatdropped, glancing towards a
petrified Ranma.

"He had also said he would return shortly afterwards," continued
Nodoka morosely, heedless to the group's reaction.  "I've been waiting
and waiting for my husband to return home, or simply to hear from him
again, but..."  The woman sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a
handkerchief.

Akane frowned, deep in thought.  *So... Genma swore that Ranma would
become a man among men.  But Ranma fell in the spring of drowned girl,
and now he's a girl among men half the time...  No wonder Mr. Saotome
was freaking out earlier.  I suppose that's why the two of them
haven't returned home just yet.*  She shook her head.  *But this nice
woman can't be... she couldn't possibly...*

"Mrs. Saotome," Ukyo prodded hesitantly.  "You aren't really serious
about the seppuku, are you?"

"Well..."  Nodoka solemnly reached to her side, lifting a wrapped
cloth bundle... and carefully withdrawing a steel katana.

The audience sweatdropped again as the Saotomes' eyes widened.

Nodoka stood, brandishing the weapon, and tested the steel against the
open air.  For a few seconds, she calmly displayed her skill in the
art of the sword, slashing through the air with a regal brutality
reminiscent of Kenichi's practice that morning, before stopping cold
with the blade pointing upwards.

Ranma was fairly shaking as she carefully edged back against her
transformed father.

Nodoka breathed lightly for a moment before reaching into her kimono,
withdrawing a tattered document.  "Genma wished to affirm their
honorable intentions, so he recorded his vow on this.  Afterwards,
both he and Ranma signed the document with their fingerprints."  She
closed her eyes, tightening her one-handed grip on the sword.  "As the
wife of a martial artist, I have to take such matters of honor very
seriously.  So I am prepared to do what I must if needs be.  If Ranma
does not become a man among men..."  Nodoka suddenly turned, eyes
glinting dangerously.  "...then I will take the role of kaishaku
myself."

Both cursed Saotomes gulped loudly, shuffling a bit further from their
unsuspecting relative.  Soun coughed, poking his head through the
remains of his back door, before staring wide-eyed at Nodoka.  Akane
shifted uneasily, a bead of sweat coursing down her neck.  *She is
serious!  This is going to be trouble...*

The room remained silent for a period of time, before Nodoka suddenly
sheathed her sword, brandishing a bright smile.  "I have absolute
faith in my husband, though.  I'm probably worrying over nothing."

"Of course," Soun replied nervously.

"But... I can't help but wonder how the two are faring..." Nodoka
murmured, her eyes shimmering.  "It's been so long since I've seen the
both of them...  Oh, I miss them dearly..."

Ranma sighed, an expression of contemplative melancholy crossing her
worried face.  Slowly, she edged forward, kneeling beside her mother.
"Um... I..."

Nodoka blinked, turning towards the pigtailed girl.  "Yes, dear?"

"Well... that is..."  Abashed, Ranma glanced down, twiddling her
fingers.

"Oh my, and I don't even know your name!" Nodoka interjected, a
pleasent smile on her face.  "What is it?"

Ranma started, then raised her head, a determined expression on her
face.  "My name... is Ran--"

The collective audience sans Nodoka gasped, eyes wide, knuckles white.

"My name is Ranko!  I'm Akane's cousin!" Ranma bubbled, a bright,
cheery smile on her face.  She giggled cutely.  "I'm visiting the
Nerima Tendos for this week!"

[And I'm her pet panda!] Genma signed, a relieved expression gracing
his furry muzzle.

"Ah!  Ranko!  Nice to meet you!" Nodoka replied delightfully.

Everyone else refrained from commenting, their own thoughts concerning
the matter being rather detrimental to 'Ranko's' integrity, and other
such related concepts.

Anticipating the need, Kasumi proposed a snack break, allowing all
parties a chance to properly assemble their thoughts about this new
household development.  The group readily agreed, and the eldest Tendo
daughter bustled into the kitchen, where she set about assembling an
evening banquet for her family and guests.

"Hmm..." Kasumi wondered aloud, pausing for a moment in her flurried
preparations.  She tilted her head back, glancing towards the upstairs
bedrooms.  "I wonder if Kenichi and Nabiki would like some, too?"



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



"Alright, Saotome, I think you owe me an explanation."

Kenichi smirked as he reclined in Nabiki's desk chair, his arms
crossed behind his head.  "Aw... what's the matter, Nabi-chan?  Had a
bad day at school?  Or is it that time of the month?"

Nabiki growled darkly in response, brows ticking with barely withheld
frustration.

Her ex-fiancé grinned.  "That's what I thought.  So, how does it feel
to finally lose control of the situation, hmm?  To be outmaneuvered by
someone else?  You're a very shrewd businesswoman, Nabiki, and if I
hadn't encountered your type before, I might have been swept under
like the rest of the student body.  You can bribe and cheat and
swindle all you want, but you won't ever be taking advantage of me."

Kenichi stood, facing the window, before glancing down at Nabiki as
she rested on her bed.  "And if you try to earn money off of my daily
exploits again, I might not let you off with a warning."

Nabiki snorted.  "What warning?  And what are you gonna do about it,
hmm, if I make another bid on you?  Disembowel me with that katana of
yours?  Complain to my father, or even the Principal?  Face it,
Kenichi, you might not be my fiancé anymore, but I can still control
your business in the schoolyard.  I can still earn money from you.
Just you watch."

"Oh, I think you won't," Kenichi grinned, reaching into his jacket.
"Or else the student body might catch sight of these..."

Nabiki's eyes widened, as Kenichi presented a handful of crisp photos,
each one an obvious capture of her, in fully natural splendor.  A
snapshot of her undressing, three while scrubbing down, two more while
in the bath.  And four more as she dried herself, to complete the set.
But for him to get such crystal clear quality and extremely vivid
detail, to obtain the drastically varied angles he used for each
different capture... he absolutely must have been physically present
in the bathing room with her.  Chills coursed down her spine as
Nabiki's stomach knotted, the blatant infringement on her privacy
causing her muscles to cramp rather painfully.  Never before had she
felt so callously violated.

Kenichi's grin broadened upon seeing her reaction.  "Pretty nice,
aren't they?  Even if they are only copies.  And that's just the
start, Nabi-chan.  You should really do a better job of hiding your
personal materials, you know," he continued, pulling a pair of
notebooks from his jacket, as well as an assortment of cassettes and
binders.  "It's really not a good idea to allow a 'guinea pig' full
access to your room."

Nabiki gaped, her mind completely shutting down.  No one had *ever*
discovered her hidden cache of data and surveillance tapes.  And now,
Kenichi possessed the total accumulation of her documented blackmail
material, her outstanding loans, even the times when *she* bended the
rules a bit too far.  He held the very backbone of her operation in
his hands, the means to which she could successfully operate on campus
without altercation or concern.  He also had the power to terminate
her present lifestyle at will.

And he knew it.

"Now, if you behave yourself... keep yourself occupied with the
*other* students on campus... then no one but you or I will ever see
this material.  You understand, Nabiki?"  Kenichi's voice, playful
just a few minutes earlier, had suddenly turned dark and commanding.
Nabiki couldn't help but shiver at the sheer intensity.

A thick silence permeated the room for a while, before Nabiki uttered
a shaky affirmative.  Kenichi smiled, returning the items to his
jacket, before taking a seat beside her on the bed.

"I'm not saying I hate you, Nabi-chan.  But I'm not going to let you
run me over for the betterment of your own wallet.  I know we can only
be friends from now on, because of my engagement to Ukyo, but just to
show there's no hard feelings..."  And before Nabiki could react,
Kenichi cupped her cheek and kissed her, pushing her down onto the
bed.

Nabiki froze, her still-scrambled mind at a complete loss to fathom
this new development.  Her ex-fiancé, who so coldly and casually upset
her entire sense of stability only moments before, was kissing her
soundly on the lips as he gently caressed her cheek and side.  Her
confusion grew as she felt herself returning the passionate fervor,
pressing up against Kenichi as she slowly opened her mouth.  Kenichi
capitialized on the invitation, strengthening his own embrace as he
deepened the kiss.

About this time, Nabiki's brain snapped back into focus and was half-
prepared to give Kenichi the shove, when an overwhelming surge of
pleasure blossomed beneath Kenichi's hand at her side.  She gasped,
her vision swimming in lucious pink as the intense sensations spread
across her body, followed closely by a warm rosy blush.  Spurred by
these intense feelings, Nabiki wrapped her arms tightly around
Kenichi's neck, pulling him even closer, losing herself in the heady
feeling of his body against hers.

A long time passed before the pair separated.  Kenichi returned to
Nabiki's desk chair, breathing hard for a moment before settling on a
contented smile.  Flushed deep red and panting, Nabiki stared blankly
at the ceiling, barely even noting Kenichi's presence.  A light breeze
passed into the room, ruffling the curtains and displacing a small
amount of the heat currently flowing from the two youngsters.

After another pregnant pause, Kenichi stood, chuckling softly, before
heading towards the door.  "I'll be moving in with Ukyo now, so I
won't be a burden to the Tendo family.  Thank you very much for
letting me stay in your room, Nabiki," he murmured, glancing over his
shoulder.  "You've been a most accomodating hostess.  I'm sorry you
were nothing more."  Then, hefting his backpack, he left the room.



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



"I don't mean to be a burden to you," Nodoka hedged.  "I know that
Genma and Ranma aren't here now, but would it be possible for me to
stay here the night?"

Kasumi smiled brightly.  "Oh, absolutely, Auntie!  We'd love to have
you stay."

"Capital idea, Kasumi," Soun added.

Ranma fidgeted, but kept her nose buried in her food to avoid drawing
unwanted attention, and with that, possible discovery.  Genma, true to
form and character, sulked glumly in the corner, cuddling a spare tire
as he munched on bamboo shoots.

"Hey everyone," Kenichi called, entering the room and dropping his
pack near the interior shoji.  "What'd I miss?"

"Good evening, Kenichi," Kasumi replied.  "We were just discussing
your mother's housing arrangements for the night.  She'll be staying
here before returning home tomorrow."

"Ah," Kenichi responded, taking a seat between Akane and Ukyo at the
table.  "Where will she be sleeping?"

"In the guest room with Ranko and her panda."

"Ranko?"

"Yes, Akane's cousin."

"Cousin, hmm?"  Kenichi smiled, finally spying the redhead seated
beside his mother.  "Ah, you must be Ranko-chan, aren't you?  I don't
believe we've met before."

Half the room sweatdropped, glancing nervously between the two
siblings.  Ranma blinked.  "Um... yeah, that's me.  Nice... uh... to
meet you too, Kenichi."

"The pleasure's definitely all mine," Kenichi returned smoothly,
winking towards the redhead.  Ranma quickly turned away, trying
desperately to suppress her gag reflex, much like the greater portion
of the room.  Somewhat peeved, Ukyo elbowed her new fiancé, a slight
frown on her face.  Kenichi grimaced, lightly touching the wounded
area, before smiling and draping one arm around her.  "Sorry, Ukyo-
chan.  You know I was just entertaining company."

"You're not the host here, silly," she replied with a relieved smile,
hugging him tightly in return.

Kenichi chuckled.  "I know, I know."

Nodoka beamed, hands clasped beneath her chin as she watched the two
cuddle.  "Kenichi dear, you didn't tell me you had a new girlfriend!
Won't you introduce me?"

"Oh, of course!  Mom, I'd like you to meet Ukyo Kuonji, my fiancé."

"Hello, Mrs. Saotome," Ukyo said, bowing her head politely.

"Fiancé?" Nodoka tittered, a broad smile of pure delight covering her
face.  "Oh my goodness, Kenichi!  How very wonderful!  A fiancé
already and you've only been here for a couple days!  Oh, you make
your mother proud, my son!"

Kenichi hugged Ukyo tighter, grinning unabashedly.  "Thanks, mom.
Ukyo's a wonderful girl, and I'm sure you'll love her once you get to
know her.  She's just got that kind of effect on people."

Ukyo giggled, burying her head into Kenichi's shoulder to hide a
bright blush.

"Oh, I'm quite sure of that," Nodoka replied, smiling.  "Tell me,
Ukyo, where do you live?"

"Well... I've got a small apartment above my okonomiyaki restaurant."

"You own a restaurant?" asked Nodoka in surprise.

Kenichi nodded.  "The best okonomiyaki vender in town, actually.
She's a magnificent cook, mom.  You'll have to try the specialty
sometime."

"That's a good idea, Ken-chan," Ukyo added, bearing a thoughtful
expression.  She lightly pursed her lips.  "Hmm... how about tomorrow
morning, since our classes were cancelled this Saturday?  Then I can
show you around, Mrs. Saotome."

"Wonderful!  Thank you, dear."  Nodoka chuckled, shaking her head.  "I
was going to ask if you would prefer to move in with Kenichi and I,
but it seems that he'll be staying with you instead for the time
being.  After all, it would be an awful shame to have to relocate your
restaurant."

Ukyo nodded.  "Thanks anyway for the offer, but I'm not ready to move
out just yet."

"That's quite alright, dear."

Everyone remained silent for a time, systematically polishing off the
last of Kasumi's snack preparations as they digested the last
conversation.  After finishing his share, Soun refilled his tea before
posing a question.  "Ukyo, if you and Kenichi will be showing Nodoka
around the Ucchan's tomorrow, why don't you also spend the night
here?"

Kasumi nodded, pausing as she carried an armload of empty dishes
towards the kitchen.  "Why don't you, Ukyo?  You're perfectly welcome
to stay if you wish."

"And that way, you'll be able to guide Mrs. Saotome to your restaurant
tomorrow," Akane added.  "What do you say?"

Ukyo smiled.  "Well... that would be pretty nice, actually.  Do you
have someplace I can sleep, though?  You do have a rather full house,
sugar."

"Oh, we'll make room," Soun chuckled, raising his cup of tea.  "I'm
sure one of the girls will let you borrow her room for the night."

Akane dithered for a moment, then smiled.  "Oh, you can use my room,
alright Ukyo?  I'll spend the night with Nabiki."

"Thanks, Akane."

"Speaking of Nabiki, where is she?" Kasumi wondered from the kitchen
doorway.

"Still upstairs, brooding," Kenichi replied.  "Or maybe calculating.
She asked to be alone for a couple hours while she ran up some
figures.  I opted to allow her the space."

"Good idea," Ranma muttered.

"Well, I believe I'm ready to retire for the evening," Soun said,
placing his glass on the table and rising to his feet.  "I'll see you
all tomorrow morning."

"G'night, dad."  "Night."  "Sweet dreams, father."

Soun waved before ambling off to his bedroom.  Yawning, Nodoka stood
and lightly stretched her arms and shoulders.  "Well, it's been an
eventful day, children, but I'm quite tired from the walk.  I think I
shall retire as well.  Kasumi dear, could you please show me to the
guest room?"

"Absolutely, Auntie.  Let me gather some bedding for you, and perhaps
a nightgown.  Or have you brought your own?"

Smiling, Nodoka shook her head.  "I hadn't intended to stay the night,
child.  But if you should happen to have one in my size, then I
appreciate and accept your offer."

"Alright.  I'm certain that one of mine will be good enough.  If you
could just follow me, then..."

"Of course."  Nodoka turned, bowing slightly towards Ukyo.  "Thank you
again for your offer, Ukyo.  I can't wait for the VIP tour tomorrow."

"Neither can I, Mrs. Saotome," Ukyo happily returned, fighting back a
yawn.  "It was nice meeting you."

"You too.  Goodnight, everyone."

Kenichi smiled, watching his mother and Kasumi leave the room before
lightly nudging his fiancé.  "Well, Ukyo-chan, you ready to hit the
sack too?"

The chef sleepily nodded her head.  "Mmm-hmm.  Say Akane, you wouldn't
happen to have something loose I could borrow to sleep in, would you?
I hadn't planned on staying the night either."

Akane considered, trying valiantly to ignore the obvious discrepancies
between Ukyo's mature figure and her own... well... modestly sized
stature.  And to also ignore the doubly obvious sleeping arrangements,
considering Kenichi's tone and previous sleeping preferences.  She
failed on both accounts, but at least convinced herself that the two
wouldn't try anything dirty in her own room tonight... and that some
people were just luckier than others.  "Well... I do, but they'd
probably be too short on you, Ukyo.  You might try some of Nabiki's
pajamas, though."

"If she'll let you," Kenichi added.

"Alright.  Thanks anyway, sugar.  Well, Ken-chan, shall we go?"

"Absolutely, Ukyo-chan.  G'night, you guys.  Nice meeting you Ranko,"
Kenichi murmured with a nod as he and Ukyo left the room, Akane
following closely behind.

Leaving Ranma and Genma alone.

The redhead and panda shared a glance before sighing morosely and
slowly plodding upstairs, resigned to their wretched fates... and
wondering how on earth Kenichi, having spent two days living in this
insane household, could have completely missed discovering the fabled
curses of Jusenkyo.



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



Nabiki blinked, the swimming purple haze finally fading from her mind.
Groggily, she slowly eased into a sitting position, mindful of another
body currently occupying her bed.  Several stray rays of dim electric
light filtered through the break in her curtains, identifying the
unknown overnight tenant as her younger sister.  Nabiki moaned softly,
a part of her souring in disappointment; she'd briefly hoped that
Kenichi had been her nocturnal guest.

Nabiki sighed, sadly shaking her head.  No, Kenichi was most likely
sleeping with his new fiancé right now, someone who hadn't chosen to
sell him out to the highest bidder, who had yet to instigate the
frosty yet absolutely commanding facet of his personality... and who,
in Nabiki's now enlightened opinion, would be one extremely lucky girl
once it came to their wedding night.

A warm sensation gently embraced her, and Nabiki shivered, clasping
her arms together.  Oh, Kami-sama, if only she'd known beforehand of
what this young man was capable...  If what he shared with her was
merely a goodbye embrace, how could he possibly say 'I love you?'  How
much more did he have hidden up his sleeves, available only to his
chosen betrothed?  And how much more intense would these feelings be
if Kenichi shared them with her?

Money seemed to pale in comparison.

After all, what is money good for other than to acquire that which you
desire most in life?

Nabiki blinked, her mind clamping down upon that idea as she finally
understood why she still felt wholly inadequate.  Despite the repeated
bribing, the cajoling, the lunacy and entertainment freely provided by
Ranma and his friends, the betting pools, the picture shows, even the
college funds acquired from the aforementioned activites... she still
felt that the basic fabric of her present and future happiness lacked
an extremely significant strand.  Even though she was establishing an
entertaining and productive lifestyle, one that could provide for her
monetary needs until the end of her existance... there was something
she was sorely missing, something core to the human existance, beyond
the broad scope of money and fickle amusement.

A significant other.

And not just any other, one such as Kenichi, extremely skilled in the
masculine arts of war, diplomacy, courtship... and love.  Oh yes,
definitely love.

Shaking, Nabiki gently wrapped her arms about her legs, pulling
tightly into a ball.  These new thoughts and feelings startled her
with their intensity, plaguing her with so many new questions and
problems which threatened the stability and supremacy she maintained
through her daily business.  This was not relatively unmarked
territory; the 'Hard Bitch' of Furinkan High might be hard pressed to
find an honest date, but she'd had plenty of experience concerning the
opposing gender.

Such feelings, however, had never been this powerful, nor this
intoxicating.

As such, Nabiki was quite willing to bet that she had never before
shown an inclination to drop her standard business in the total
pursuit of a single individual.

*Yes,* Nabiki considered, firm and dreamy all at once, *I want Kenichi
to be mine.  No matter what it takes.*

However, simply acquiring Kenichi once more posed a rather difficult
and complex problem.  First, he was now engaged to Ukyo.  That point
could not be debated easily; father, Kasumi, Akane, Ukyo, and both of
Ranma's parents clearly accepted and even endorsed the pairing.  Help
could only come in the form of the unknowning Amazons.  But that
itself multiplied the number of uncontrollable variables; Kenichi
could quite possibly prove to be more desirable than Ranma, and if
Cologne managed to convince him to go to China...

Nabiki shook her head.  Best not continue that train of thought now.

Anyway, the second consideration stemmed from the fact that their
relationship remained on somewhat rocky ground at the moment.
Nabiki's handling of Kenichi's duel could have been nicer and more
accomodating as per the twin swordsman's wishes.  The fire piercing
his steely glass eyes couldn't have been any more brilliant, a
wondrous display of her finest failure to date.  Sure, the two settled
those differences afterwards, but only after Nabiki's maneuvering
tactics backfired, burning herself and effectively allowing him
control over a good deal of the future direction of their
relationship.

Time would heal those troubling fissures, though, and their friendship
could bounce back stronger than before.

Which also depended greatly on Kenichi himself.

Nabiki sighed.  Though the lesson was valuable and hard earned, Nabiki
had discovered a bit too late that, while Ranma was undoubtedly the
'Wild Horse' of the family, Kenichi would remain infinately more
impossible to tame, simply because he quickly took control of his
situation whereas his brother did not.

A fact which occupied Nabiki's weary mind long into the night, as she
considered how she could best use her connections to slowly work her
way back into Kenichi's good graces, carefully muscle Ukyo out of the
picture... and eventually get her old fiancé back.



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



One room over, Kenichi smiled broadly in his sleep, his thoughts
embracing some pleasent unknown dream originating deep within his
psyche.  Sighing and offering a soft chuckle, he shifted, gently
tightening his grip about Ukyo's pajama clad waist before drifting
back to sweet, deep slumber.



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



That same night, in another portion of the country, a wizened old man
relaxed in the caboose of a fast approaching train, silken garments
surrounding his reclining figure, powerful sake tainting his raspy
breath, and an eerily similar smile gracing his own well-worn face.

Be wary, dear Nerima.  The Master has returned.



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



"It's been a long time since I've had a slow Saturday," Kenichi voiced
the next morning, stretching his shoulder muscles before reaching down
to collect his shinai.  He breathed deeply, savoring the brisk morning
air filtering through the open dojo.  "School must operate a bit
differently here in Nerima, huh, Mr. Tendo?"

The older man chuckled, tapping his own shinai against his shoulder as
he too savored the morning breeze.  "I couldn't agree more, son.  Life
in these parts does seem to grow rather confusing at times."

"Now that's an understatement," Ukyo commented from the sidelines as
she solely watched the two combatants warm up in the center of the
dojo.  Rich sunlight filtered through the side windows, casting broad
bands of reddish-golden light across the polished, wooden floor.  Ukyo
yawned, idly stretching her bare legs through one such sunbeam and
relishing the revitalizing warmth provided therein.  "I'll bet the
Principal had a hand in this one, though.  Ranma pissed him off
something royal a couple days ago.  It wouldn't surprise me if the
student body had to fight our way to class on Monday."

"That sounds like a treat," Kenichi laughed.  "Probably counts under
'special education,' right?"

"Right, Ken-chan."

"Well," Soun chuckled, arms crossed and a look of mild amusement on
his face.  "If you two are quite finished discussing classwork, I'd
rather like to get started here."

"Heh.  Sorry, sensei."  Kenichi bowed before spreading his feet to
shoulder width, tucking his left arm behind his back.

Soun returned the gesture.  "Alright, Kenichi.  Now, I know you
probably know over half these techniques and katas, but I need to get
a rough impression of your level of training thus far.  Simply bear
with me, and we'll begin the real training in no time."

Kenichi nodded respectfully, his shinai held lightly at his right
side.

"Right.  You've told me that you learned your basic katas from an
Anything Goes phamplet your father left behind, so let's start with
the beginner's sextet of the Anything Goes sword techniques and
continue from there, alright?"

"Yes, sensei."

Soun nodded, and the pair turned, facing the alter on the far wall of
the room.  Both shinai were drawn, tips extended outward to eye level,
and with a barely perceptible grunt, the two began the first of the
six beginner sword katas.

Ukyo watched raptly as the two men danced in near perfect unison
across the dojo floor, wooden blades snapping and parting the air with
each vicious flick of the wrist.  The motions retained a smooth
flowing quality, despite the relative ease of the sword positions, and
Ukyo marveled at the innate talent of both men.  Beginners techniques
or not, a good swordsman could always show a strength of character and
skill through the mastery of his movements.

The training exercise continued for some time, and before too long,
muffled grunts and yelling were heard outside the dojo as a lightly
clad redhead and a brutishly large panda traded insult for growl as
they clashed repeatedly over the koi pond.  By then, Soun and Kenichi
were well into the intermediate techniques and quickly nearing a point
of intermission.

"That's," Soun puffed, stopping a few minutes later to lean slightly
against his sword, "that's enough for today, Kenichi."  He breathed
out a large gust of air.  "My, you've learned a lot more than I had
anticipated."

Kenichi smiled, absently wiping a stray droplet of sweat from his
brow.  "Thanks a lot, sensei.  You're not too bad either for someone
who's been out of practice for a while."

Soun blinked, then chuckled between breaths.  "I suppose my technique
is a little bit rusty.  It's been a while since I practiced with the
sword, after all.  Not since that time Akane came home and thrashed me
during practice for no apparent reason.  After I found our supply of
bokkens destroyed, I decided to forgo any more training for a few
months or so."

Both Kenichi and Ukyo laughed.

"Everyone, breakfast is ready!" Kasumi called from the back door as
she deposited a collection of towels just inside the recently repaired
shoji.  She closed the door merely seconds before a thunderous splash
bathed the backyard.

"Be right there, Kasumi!" Soun replied with a smile, striding towards
the backdoor.  He paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder.
"And before I forget...  Excellent practice, Kenichi.  We'll continue
with the advanced techniques tomorrow morning, alright?"

Kenichi bowed.  "Absolutely, sir."

Soun nodded and turned, heading towards the house.

"C'mon, Ukyo-chan.  We'd better get going too, or we'll miss out."
Grinning, Kenichi and Ukyo clasped hands before following their mutual
host towards the dining room.



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



"That was fantastic!" Soun cried, gently patting his rather full
midsection.  He lifted a half-filled glass of tea.  "You've really
outdone yourselves this time, girls."  Many others surrounding the now
empty table voiced their agreement, with the exception of the silently
bawling panda in the corner.

Nodoka smiled brilliantly as Kasumi bowed, a pleasent smile on her
face.  "I'm just happy I was allowed to assist," Nodoka returned.
"Thank you again, Kasumi dear."

"It was nothing, Auntie."

Onna-Ranma sighed, absently chasing a few pieces of rice about her
bowl as she ignored the idle conversation now engrossing most of the
Tendo family and houseguests.  To put it bluntly, things weren't
sitting well with the world's greatest martial arts prodigy at this
particular moment.  First of all, ole baka-oyaji had made that stupid
promise years ago, and now, her bothersome curse prevented the Saotome
family from completely reuniting.  At least, reuniting with each
member fully intact.  What's more, the die was already cast, and now
Ranma couldn't even tell Kenichi about her dual nature, for he'd
surely break the news to mom... and suddenly, her fiancée problem
would be the least of her worries.

And speaking of a fiancé problem...

As grating as the aforementioned snafu tugged at Ranma's sanity, the
second conundrum remained even more focused in her mind.  Probably
because it was staring her in the face right now.  Her best friend
from childhood was now engaged to someone with whom she shared an
exact genetic blueprint, so to speak.  And she didn't know what, but
the whole agreement really made her feel... well... inadequate,
really.  Sure, women chased her all the way to China and back, and
nothing Ranma did ever seemed to deter their romantic fervor, but
she'd never actually lost a love battle to anyone else, barring male
suitors, of course.  None of his closest fiancée-friends, though, had
ever preferred another man to him.  Her.  Whatever.

And now, Ranma's genetic copy was practically stealing her best
friend.  What's more, Ukyo cared not in the slightest.

Maybe that's why Ranma felt so damn frustrated.  That Ukyo didn't seem
to mind swapping loyalties from one Saotome to the next.  Of course,
it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Ukyo had
practically ignored her since yesterday.  Nope.  Not one bit.

Ranma pouted morosely, jabbing at her rice again.  Yeah, things really
sucked right now.  Not a whole lot could really make it worse...

"SWEETO!  How's it goin', baby?!?"

Ranma grit her teeth, damning the powers that be for rising to her
unspoken challenge.  Her muscles tensed as she watched the shriveled
old fireball rebound off the ceiling... right towards her unsuspecting
mother.  "You leave her alone, you dirty old man!" Ranma screamed,
rising up on one foot.

Startled by the outcry, Nodoka glanced up, before smiling broadly and
placing her cup of tea on the table.  "Oh, grandfather Happosai!
Fancy meeting you here!"

The old man blinked, landing lightly on the table directly before his
previous target.  Suddenly, he smiled, bowing his balding wrinkled
head.  "Well, if it isn't you, Nodoka dear.  It's nice to see you
doing so well after all these years.  I apologize for not dropping by
more often, though I was rather occupied as of late."

"You needn't apologize, grandfather.  I'm just glad to see you again."

"Me too, granddaughter.  Me too."

And the entire room collapsed in a massive facefault as the pair
shared a warm hug.  Ranma spasmed on the table, a glazed expression on
her face.  *Me?  Related to the old freak?!?  Dammit, why can't life
get BETTER for once?*



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



"So, you really are Nodoka's grandfather?"

Happosai nodded towards a rattled Soun, puffing lightly on his thin
pipe as he sat at the head of the dinner table.  "Exactly.  Decades
before you boys were born, my eldest son fell in love with a beautiful
young girl from a wealthy clan living near Tokyo -- the Saotomes.  A
few years later, the two became engaged.  Oh, the wedding was truly
spectacular.  I'm certain you would have enjoyed it."

The old man paused, drawing once more on his pipe.  "At any rate,
Nodoka entered the world shortly afterwards.  I suppose it was blind
luck that I happened to be in town for the celebration.  Throughout
her youth, I was busy training and developing my Art as she blossomed
into a beautiful young woman, though I stopped by occasionally to
check on my granddaughter.  One such time, I happened to bring along a
handful of fresh green students with me.  That's actually when Genma
and Nodoka first met."

A good portion of the room blinked, glancing surreptitiously between
Nodoka and the nonchalantly whistling panda in the corner.

"Suffice to say, it was love at first sight.  The pair became nearly
inseparable, and I often found myself debating Genma's continued
training against my granddaughter's happiness."  Happosai smiled at
Nodoka.  "She usually managed to win, though.  So I decided to stop
bringing Genma by every time we left to train.  Now let me tell you
something... Genma almost never displayed much of a backbone against
me, but when I suggested we train elsewhere, he all but blew his top.
I remember having to use a pressure point to calm the boy down.  After
that, he became rather adamant about seeing my granddaughter
regularly."

Nodoka nodded, a hazy blush adorning her face.

"And the rest, as they say, is history.  Genma and Nodoka wed two
years later, and reared twin boys if my memory serves me correct.  And
that, I presume, catches us up to date."  The old man leaned back on
his cushion, puffing on his pipe.  "I could continue, though.  I
haven't begin to dig into my personal horde of stories, you know.
Like the time when Genma, Soun, and I traveled into India for a brief
spell and Soun here snuck into--"

"Master, I don't believe they wish to hear THAT one," Soun pleaded
gruffly, sweating from the other end of the table.  "You've made your
point clear already."

"Hah.  If you say so."

"So, YOU'RE my great-grandfather," Kenichi, eyes shining, interjected
from his seat between Nodoka and Ukyo.  "My mom's told me so much
about you, sir.  I'm Kenichi Saotome."

"Well I'll be!  You've brought one of your boys by, eh, Nodoka?  How's
the young lad?"

"The apple of his great-grandfather's eye," Nodoka gushed, patting her
beaming son on the arm.  "I've raised him to be as manly as I could,
grandfather!  You would be very proud of him!"

The majority of the room blinked.  Happosai?  Proud of someone?  That
could only mean...

"Really now!"  Happosai snuffed his pipe, storing it inside his gi
before leaping onto the table.  "I'll have to see for myself.  Are you
up to the challenge, Kenichi?"

"Yes sir!"

"Right!  Perform the Anything Goes Spiritual Seizure technique!"

Kenichi nodded resolutely, his aura gushing a bright red.
"Supirichuaru yokodori!!!"  Suddenly, the boy blurred, darting quickly
about the entire room before halting directly before the old man.
Eyes widened and jaws dropped as the pony-tailed boy deposited a
handful of quite-recently-worn brassieres at the Master's feet.
Kenichi bowed low.  "How was that, great-grandfather?"

Nodoka beamed, the only untouched female, as she surveyed her son's
handiwork.  Ukyo and Kasumi blushed an extremely deep red, one hand
covering their unrestrained breasts... and both wondering curiously
about a brilliantly powerful warm flush.  Nabiki dashed upstairs,
valiently trying to hide a dazzled and aroused expression, as well as
a host of goosebumps.  Akane hung in picture-perfect limbo, arms
across her chest as rightous fury and mind-numbing pleasure warred
visibly across her face.  And Onna-Ranma lay twitching on the floor,
her eyes glazed and her mouth slightly agape.

Soun and the panda goggled, faces pale, as thoughts ran in similar
directions.  *Good lord... there's TWO of them?!?*

Happosai remained unfazed as he gazed upon his great-grandson.  "Now,
perform the Rosy South Cross!"

"Hai!  Koushoku sazankurosu!!!"  Again, Kenichi emitted a red aura,
then blurred throughout the room once more.  A matching assortment of
panties and one pair of boxers joined the small pile of bras on the
table.  Kenichi bowed once more, awaiting his next test.

By now, Kasumi felt particularly light-headed, sensory overload
threatening her consciousness while adding a rather vapid, and
extremely naughty, smile to her reddened face.  Ukyo flexed her
thighs, squeezing her slightly flushed legs together as she breathed
in short moaning gasps.  Akane wavered for a moment, an angered, lost,
and tremendously excited expression covering her face, before
collapsing to the tatami.  And Onna-Ranma gurgled from the floor, her
eyes crossed.

"Someone's got odd tastes..." Happosai muttered, fingering the boxers.
He glanced about the room.  "Looks like somebody else escaped during
the interim, Kenichi.  Relocate her and give her the ultimate dosage."

"Hai!  Furumarason aiyoku hadakaninaru!!!"  Kenichi bounced to life,
streaking upstairs before anyone could blink.  A few seconds later, a
piercing shriek, tainted heavily with passion and highly active
hormones, enveloped the Tendo estate, rattling windows and causing
Soun to break out in a full wail.  After an unnerving moment of
silence, Kenichi reappeared in the dining room, cradling Nabiki's
entire outfit and boasting a pleased smile.

Happosai cackled gleefully, bouncing before the young master of the
hentai arts.  "Well done, my boy!  Well done!  You've trained him
better than I could, Nodoka!"

The woman beamed, hands clasped in her lap.  "I knew he'd make you
proud, ojiisan!  He's so manly!"

"Congradulate yourself, Kenichi," Happosai continued, patting the
young man on the knee.  "I thought you'd be just an amateur, but
you're ready for the big leagues already.  Howzabout you and I go
training for a while sometime?"

Kenichi grinned.  "That sounds like a plan, great-grandpa."

"Alright!"  Happosai reached beneath his cushions, pulling out a
bottle of sake.  "To the future of the Anything Goes School of Hentai
Marital Arts!!"

Laughing heartily, the three continued to celebrate Kenichi's
intriguing accomplishments, apparently unaware of the inactivity
currently accompanying every other member of the household.



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



Ranma groaned, ponderously shifting her lead-weighted arms as she
attempted to right her prone, aching body.  She blinked, her vision
clouding with vibrant whites and pinks, and wondered why the hell she
felt so drained... and, in a rather detatched way, excited.

"Ah, you're finally awake, Ranko-chan."

Ranma jumped, backpedaling into a nearby wall, before she recognized
the familiar decor of her own guest room.  The curtains were tightly
drawn, shunting the afternoon sunlight... *Afternoon?* ...though
Kenichi remained visible enough in the darkened room.  Ranma
swallowed, rubbing lightly at the small knot forming at the base of
her skull.  "What happened?  How long was I out?"

Kenichi chuckled.  "All morning, actually.  I suppose I went a little
overboard with my technique.  Most of the other girls haven't even
woken up yet, either."  He chuckled again, crossing his arms as he
glanced smugly to the side.  "I guess I'm just that good at feeling my
way around the female body."

Memories returned with a sudden rush, and Ranma half-gagged, her face
turning at least five different shades of green.  Reflexively, she
skimmed her hips, sighing when she felt the subtle layer of fabric
identifying her boxers.  Then, assuming a frown, she rounded on her
brother.  "Hey, buddy.  Next time keep your hands to yourself,
alright?"

Kenichi grinned.  "Oh, come on.  Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that,
huh?  Your body reacted well enough..."

Ranma blushed the same color as her hair.  "Why... you... PERVERT..."

Kenichi sniffed, leaning slightly to the side.  "Yeah, you're probably
right.  I mean, it's technically considered incest to do that to your
own sister, am I right?"

"Wha...?!?"  Ranma's chin dropped.  "What... how did... who told..."

"It IS you, isn't it... Ranma?" Kenichi murmured, glancing sidelong
towards his twin.  Silence descended as he studied the redhead for a
long time, unnerving Ranma more than slightly.  "Ukyo told me about
the whole 'curse' thing yesterday.  I wasn't entirely sure I believed
her then... but there's definitely no denying those."  He gestured
towards Ranma's prominent breasts, causing the other to stubbornly
cross her arms over her chest.  "Believe me, I checked."

Ranma gurgled, flushing brightly.

Kenichi bowed his head.  "I honestly apologize for doing that to you,
bro.  Or is that 'sis,' now?  Anyway, I just had to keep up
appearances.  I had no idea why you were masquerading as a girl in
front of mom, but it wasn't my place to break the truth to her."  He
sighed.  "It wasn't until great-grandpa filled me in on the seppuku
pledge earlier this morning... that I understood why."

"The old man did?  But how could he have known about it?"

Kenichi sighed again, glancing towards the closed window.  "He's the
one who suggested it to father in the first place."

Ranma gasped, eyes wide.

"Look, you've probably seen how honorable mom is, right?  And how much
she loves her family.  Grandpa knew that she'd never let dad take you
off to train, not without some powerful incentive or promise on his
behalf.  So grandpa suggested that dad swear such an oath the moment
he prepared to begin training you seriously.  Sure enough, mom
accepted the vow, and I'm sure dad did a magnificent job of raising
you to be a strong martial artist."

Kenichi stood and padded towards the window, drawing the curtains back
slightly.  "But now you've got some real problems here, Ranma.  Not
even grandpa anticipated that pops would be foolish enough to travel
to Jusenkyo."  He sighed.  "I'll put it bluntly for you.  Mom believes
you to be a paragon of manliness, supposedly on comparison with me,
actually.  If she catches wind of this curse, and your girlish actions
in the meantime..."

Ranma swallowed, idly drumming her fingertips on the floor.  "I know
that, Kenichi.  And there ain't nothin' I can do about it, either.  I
really don't want mom ta find out about this damn curse of mine,
'cause I don't want her ta be disappointed in me.  I wish I could get
it cured first, but everything the old man and I tried came up dry."

"At least you're working in the right direction.  I really don't like
lying to mom about this, but I don't want to see you killed just
because of a little magical interference."  Kenichi expelled a small
mouthful of air, leaning tiredly against the windowpane.  "Ranma, I'll
try not to give away your true identity while mom's around, but
only... ONLY... if you promise me that you'll start searching for a
cure as soon as she leaves."

The redhead solemnly bowed her head.  "Alright, Kenichi.  I promise."

"Shake on it?"

"Mmm-hmm."

The twins crossed the room, sealing Ranma's vow with clasped hands.
Kenichi smiled faintly.  "Good.  Your problem is far from solved, but
at least I can rest easier tonight."

"Me too."  Kenichi's smile proved to be infectious, and Ranma couldn't
help but reciprocate the expression.

"Hey, we haven't really had a chance to chat yet, have we?"  Kenichi
plopped down beneath the window, jerking his sister along as well.
Quickly seating himself cross-legged, he deftly wrapped his arm around
the smaller girl's shoulders before she had a chance to squirm away.
"C'mon and talk with your big brother."

Ranma gave her twin an ineffective redeye before sighing.  "Actually,
I wanted ta ask you why Happos-- uh... great-gramps was acting as if
I'd never shown up at the dojo before."

"That's actually rather simple to answer, sis.  Since the Master
proposed the idea of the pledge to pop and he already knew about your
curse, I'll bet that grandpa knew what would have happened had he
mentioned your name or identified you to mom.  To put it bluntly, his
Art would have then ended with Soun."

Ranma blinked.  "Why that crazy old..."

"Yeah, but you've got to admit that it worked out good for you anyway,
despite his alterior motives."

"I guess... you may have a point," Ranma conceded sulkily.  "So
where's the old freak now?"

"Plastered on sake, actually.  Mom and I snuck him into his room
earlier this afternoon."

"And where's mom?"

"Should be downstairs talking to Mr. Tendo.  Don't worry about her;
she's quite occupied, so she won't stumble in here anytime soon.  Now,
I've got a couple questions for you.  What's it feel like to be a
girl, Ranma?  I know your hormones still work, at least.  How do you
cope with that?"

The redhead blushed, drawing inward slightly.  "Being a girl?  Most of
the time, it's... really... not that bad.  I can't tell a whole lot of
difference, at least.  Sometimes, I'll change and I don't even know
about it until someone else points it out.  And as for the
hormones..."  Ranma's blush deepened.  "Usually... I can ignore it.
It's actually a pretty rough exercise in control, but I've gotten to
where I can ward off those... feelings... long enough to concentrate
on a fight."

"That's pretty cool.  It's like having an alter-ego, but you don't
feel any different.  Well, a whole lot different, at least."

"Hmm... yeah, that's pretty much it."  Ranma glanced towards her
brother.  "Can you tell me something?  Why'd you change fiancées from
Nabiki to Ukyo?"

Kenichi chuckled, leaning back against the wall.  "Why so curious,
sis?  If you were in the same situation as me, wouldn't you have done
the same thing?"

Ranma considered.  "Of course.  But still..."

"Yeah, I understand what you really mean.  Look, it's completely up to
her which one of us to whom she wishes to be engaged.  Aside from a
couple problems I've had with Nabiki, I simply felt like giving her an
opportunity to field the question for herself."  Kenichi grinned,
patting his twin on the shoulders.  "I hope you're not jealous that I
stole her away..."

"Well..."

The pervert swordsman in training laughed.  "That's about what I
anticipated.  You're rather expressive, aren't you, sis?"

Ranma grumbled for a moment, balled fists resting on her knees.  After
a moment of cooling down, she breathed heavily before again turning to
her brother.  "Okay... so you're gonna be living with Ukyo from now
on, I guess?"

"Yup.  My stuff's still sitting downstairs, just waiting for her to
wake up so we can head on over."

"Speaking of which, what exactly did you to do everyone?"

Kenichi grinned, waggling a finger.  "Now that's... a secret."  He
laughed.  "Really, man.  I can't tell you just yet.  But I CAN tell
you that I used a pressure point.  That's why all you girls were on
hormonal overload for a while there."

"All of us?" Ranma sweatdropped.  "Even..."

"Yup.  Even Akane.  Thus, I'll need to be on my toes for the next few
days around here.  Good thing I'm heading over to Ukyo's, huh?"

"You have no idea, bro..."

"KENICHI!!!  YOU DAMN PERVERT, WHERE ARE YOU?!?"

The pair jolted, glancing towards the hallway.  Then, Kenichi
chuckled, quickly standing up.  "Heh.  Looks like it's my cue to
escape for a while.  If anybody asks, you never saw me, Ranma."

"Alright.  Good luck, man."

"Thanks.  See ya later!"  And with that, the pony-tailed boy blurred,
vanishing into the room somehow.

Ranma marveled at his brother's disappearing act for a moment before
the door slammed off its hinges, emitting a crazed-faced and extremely
irate Akane.  The dark-haired girl briefly scanned the room, teeth
grinding all the while, before spearing Ranma with a wild and
demanding expression.  "WHERE IS HE, RANMA?!?"

The redhead sweatdropped, hastily shrugging her shoulders.  "No idea,
Akane.  I haven't seen him all afternoon."

"Grr... YOU CAN RUN, KENICHI, BUT YOU WON'T GET AWAY!!!"  Battle aura
blazing, Akane turned, charging from the room.

Silently bowing her head, Ranma clapped her hands together, offering a
short prayer to the heavens that her righteously angered, yet
violently brutal, fiancée might spare the life of her poor brother.
She then sighed, heading towards her dresser and pulling out a change
of clothes.  Seppuku pledge be damned... she really needed a hot bath
right now.



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



"Well, it was truly a pleasure having you over, Mrs. Saotome.  Feel
free to stop by anytime in the future."  Kasumi bowed, a cheery smile
on her face.

"Yes.  Consider this another home, Nodoka," Soun added.  "You're part
of the family, too, if not by marriage."

"Why, thank you very much!  I had an absolutely wonderful time, and I
was delighted to meet every single one of you.  Especially you, Ukyo!"
She turned towards the chef.  "I'm sorry I was never able to tour your
home, but now I have an excuse to return, don't I?"

"That's quite alright, ma'am," Ukyo replied, smiling brightly as she
hugged her fiancé.  "Come on over the next time you're in town, okay?"

"I'll do that.  Take good care of my son, won't you?"

"Don't worry, I will!"  The chef giggled, latching tightly onto a
broadly grinning Kenichi.

"I'm sure you will!  Well, I must hurry if I'm to catch the train back
home.  Goodbye everyone!"  Waving, the Saotome matriarch turned,
hastening towards the front gate.  The assemblage of residents and
guests called out goodbyes until their visitor had departed the
premises, whereupon the group turned to head back indoors.

"Alright, Saotome.  You can come out, now."

A large splash sounded from the side yard, moments before the balding
martial artist edged carefully around the corner.  "Whew!  Now I'm
safe for a while!"

"Not hardly, old man..."

Genma's eyes shot open, seconds before a blazing fireball of fury
slammed into his chest.  Father and cursed son tumbled into the
backyard, where fighting began in earnest.  Soun sighed, shaking his
head.  "Some things never change...  Well, let's get inside, girls..."

"KENICHI!!!  THAT'S TWICE NOW!!!  DAMMIT, WHERE ARE YOU?!?"

Said pervert laughed, stepping away from the front door.  "Well, looks
like she's up again.  I'll have to find some other way to calm her
down, I suppose."  He started jogging towards the front gate.  "Ukyo-
chan, why don't you grab my pack and meet me at your place?  I've got
something to do right now anyway.  Alright?  See you later,
sweetheart!!!"  And blowing a kiss to his beloved, the boy lept over
the exterior compound wall.

Moments before Akane tore out the front door.  "GET BACK HERE, YOU
PERVERT!!!  I'LL SHOW YOU!!!"

"You'll show me what?" Kenichi called faintly.  "You ain't got nothin'
I haven't seen already!"

"BASTARD!!!"  The glowing young girl blasted through the wall in the
general direction of Kenichi's voice.  All onlookers sweatdropped.

"Oh well.  All's well that ends well... um, I guess that doesn't
actually apply here, but..."  Scratching his head, Soun sighed and
entered his house, more than ready for a nice relaxing smoke.  Kasumi
followed closely behind, a curious bustling exuberance coloring her
usual personality.

Which left Nabiki and Ukyo standing on the front steps.

The two glanced towards each other and, as if simultaneously
enlightened concerning the thoughts of the other, narrowed their eyes.
"You can't have him back, sugar," Ukyo stated, hands at her hips, a
dark, possessive glare in her eyes.  "You had your chance and you blew
it.  Kenichi's mine now."

Nabiki growled with matching intensity.  "We'll both see about that,
Ukyo.  I haven't yet begun to fight..."

A gust of wind tugged gently at the pair, ruffling their clothes and
the odd strand of hair.  For a long time, neither moved, staring
determinedly into the other's eyes... and realizing morosely that this
extremely intensive, difficult battle... had indeed just begun...

With sparks flying and reddish auras blazing, the two girls marched
stiffly into the house.



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



Across town, a half hour later, a similar gust of wind tugged at the
clothing of two young men, standing opposite each other in the midst
of a foggy, secluded clearing within a nearby forest.  The taller
stepped forward, raising a long heavy object... which glinted in the
late afternoon light.  He laughed, tossing his head snidely to the
side.  "So, foul demon, you actually possess the nerve to show.  Very
amusing, but your ignorance and persistance shall be your folly!
Prepare to taste steel, unholy cretin!  Thy time has come!"

Kenichi smirked in response, unsheathing his own katana.  "Whatever
you say, Kuno.  Just try me..."  A rich crimson aura, laced with
numerous crackling ebony streaks, erupted about the swordsman as he
pointed his blade directly towards his foe.

"So be it!  Prepare to die, wretched hellspawn!!"  A hazy blue aura
sprang about the kendoist, and he charged forth, blade extended...

And so, the battle commenced...






To be continued...



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



Comments?  Suggestions?  Tell me how you think the storyline's
progressing!  I love responses!  Email me at
the_rossmage82@hotmail.com.

Coming up next...  With both Ukyo and Nabiki vying for Kenichi's
attention now, the young master pervert has his hands full simply
trying to please both of them.  Plus, school's a blast, when Principal
Kuno makes a reappearance; can the Saotomes and their fiancés ward off
the headmaster's wrath?  The outcome of Kenichi and Kuno's battle
becomes apparent, spilling forcibly into the mayhem, and just when you
think things couldn't possibly get any more complicated... a gaijin
bombshell returns from her foreign land, ready and willing to finally
take her husband back home... but has she the right Saotome?!?
Insanity abounds in Chapter 4 of Dragon and Serpent -- Battlefield...
Furinkan! Love, War, and Frozen Pineapples!