Morning broke unnaturally over the occationally quiet district of
Nerima in Tokyo.  For once, this particular Saturday began not with
the violent shouts and sounds of destructive combat, but with a
peaceful breeze, the chirping of awakened birds, and the calm activity
that a weekend should retain at all hours.  In fact, many residents
gazed out of their windows in wonder, curious that they could hear
their own thoughts without having to don the SoundFilter5000 headset,
a $40 purchase in any downtown shop in Nerima.

Not everyone was pondering the unnatural quiet of the morning hours.
There were those intelligent enough to harnass the availability of
such a random occurance, who were seen performing such activities as
glass setting, model building, and body piercing.  Some merely took
the opportunity to accumulate a few extra hours of heavenly repose in
their beds, thanking whatever gods existed for their good fortune
before promptly zoning out.

Then, there were two who did not ponder upon the silence merely
because they knew of the reason.

"I wonder how the tournament is going, Auntie," Kasumi said as she
carried a tea set into the family room of the Tendo household.  "Ranma
seemed so very excited about it."

Nodoka smiled from her seat at the table.  "I'm sure my son was merely
anticipating the prize."

"That's probably why many of the others followed him," Kasumi observed
as she seated herself across from the Saotome matriarch and began
serving.  "I was rather surprised that Akane wished to follow as
well."

Nodoka giggled as she accepted a cup.  "You shouldn't be, Kasumi.
Both you and I know that the poor dears care for each other.  They
just don't know how to show it."

Kasumi giggled in response.

The both sat in silence for a while, enjoying the chirping of birds
from outside.  A koi lept high out of the pond and lingered for a
moment before returning to the waters.  Kasumi smiled, then turned,
picking something up from behind her.  "Since we've got time,
Auntie... and a little quiet..."  Nodoka smiled.  "...we could take a
look at this photo album you've been so anxious to see..."

Nodoka's face glowed.  "I would be delighted, Kasumi dear."  The
copper-haired woman stood and hastened to Kasumi's side.  The eldest
Tendo daughter shifted to hold the book between her and the eagerly
trembling Saotome matriarch.

As Kasumi opened the book, she began to narrate...

"I started making this album about a year ago, a couple weeks after
the Saotomes arrived.  Nabiki captured most of these, though I don't
agree entirely with how she acquired them..."

"Oh!!!  Is this Ranma's first day at school?  What is he doing up
there?"

"I think he was waiting for Akane to get done with her morning
practice session, Auntie."

"I wasn't aware that Akane practiced at school..."

"Well, I don't think she does anymore, Auntie."

A giggle.  "Look at the poor dear, his mouth agape!  He must have been
captivated even then!"

A responsive giggle.  "I think so, Auntie!  Now, this one was taken
later in the week..."

Conversation dwindled, save a couple shufflings of paper and random
comments over how 'wonderful' and 'innocent' the children looked.
Another page was turned, and Nodoka nearly choked on her tea.

"Why is Ranma in his cursed form and wearing a leotard?!?"

Kasumi tried to stifle a polite laugh, and only partually succeeded.
With a flushed face, she semi-calmly explained the Martial Arts
Rhythmic Gymnastics competition and the circumstances that lead to
Ranma's participation.  Nodoka was placated, and even managed a place
a positive spin on such 'unmanly' behavior.  "He did it for Akane's
sake, the poor dear.  Heaven knows, he probably hated wearing that
cursed pink thing."

Kasumi giggled again.  "It took all three of us, my sisters and I,
about an hour to convince Ranma to wear it.  I'm suprised he stood
against Nabiki as long as he did."

"There's more to Ranma's life than I thought..." Nodoka mused.

"You have no idea, Auntie."

They continued perusing the album, stopping only once for a twenty
minute rant after Kasumi explained the pictures of Ranma while in the
Neko-ken.  Eventually, Nodoka saw reason, though it took a few cups of
herbal tea and a long, soothing conversation with her prospective
daughter-in-law.  After all, raging at nothing would gain her that in
return.  However, once Genma came home...  Nodoka smiled ferally in
anticipation, unaware of the shattered tea cup in her hand.

Smiling worriedly, Kasumi attempted to distract her aunt's disturbing
(but understandable) train of thought.  "I think you'll like these,
Auntie.  They were taken a bit later in the year, but Ranma and Akane
looked so nice..."  Tentatively, Kasumi displayed a collection of
pictures for Nodoka's approval.

Nodoka blinked, then stared long and hard at the pictures.  Her eyes
automatically tracked to the centerpiece, a lovely portrait of Ranma
and Akane.  The pig-tailed youth was blushing profusely and trying
hard to ignore both the camera and the fact that Akane was standing
beside him.  Akane, for her part, was crimson-faced as well, and
lightly fingered her dress as she smiled timidly off to the side.
While this picture portrayal of young love was enough to sate *any*
mother's passion, Nodoka was riveted by something else entirely.

"That was when Ranma and Akane performed in the school production of
Romeo and Juliet," Kasumi provided helpfully, a hint of sisterly pride
in her voice.  "Don't they look sweet?"

Nodoka stared at the photo.  "Is... is... did Ranma play as Romeo?"

Kasumi nodded.  "And Akane as Juliet.  I'm afraid they took a few
liberties with the script..." Kasumi continued sadly.  "But the
performance was truly wonderful!  They both had a great time!"  She
considered Ranma's response afterwards.  "Well, mostly."

Nodoka began to tear.  Delicately, she traced Ranma's features in the
photograph.  "Did... did Ranma decide to join himself?  Or was he
pressured into the role?"

Kasumi tilted her head back in thought.  "I'm positive he took the
role himself, Auntie.  Though there was a bit of a problem in
competition for the role...  Many others had their sights on being the
Romeo to Akane's Juliet."

"But he claimed the role in the end, right?"

Kasumi nodded.  "Of course!  None of the others stood a chance!"

Nodoka smiled through her few tears, encouraged by this new window
into Ranma's life.  "Oh, my son!  My manly son!  You make your mother
proud!"  She hugged the portrait to her chest.

Kasumi smiled as well, blissfully unaware of the future ramifications
her supportive comments would incur...




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



Those Miserable People...

  by John Rossmaier (the_rossmage82@hotmail.com)



Disclaimer: Before reading this, you must understand that Ranma ½ is
not mine, no matter how much I wish and pray for such an honor.  The
boy is owned by Rumiko Takahashi, and there's no way I would dishonor
her work by attempting to make a profit off of it.  At any rate,
here's the fanfic.  The storyline begins a couple months after the
last manga volume.



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




As a great saying goes by someone I can't seem to remember, "All good
things come to pass," and even in a place as squirrelly as Nerima,
this statement holds true.  For lo and behold, the pleasent quiet of
Nerima's first restful weekend in months was shattered Sunday
afternoon by the siren call of an extremely irate redhead.

"DAMN THAT RYOGA!!!"

"Oh, come on, Ranma!  You've fumed enough, haven't you?"

"NO!!!  How could he do this to me?!?  It's not like he'll be able to
USE his prize!  He always gets lost on the way!"

"That's life, Ranma, my boy.  A martial artist must take the good with
the bad.  Isn't that right, Tendo?"

"Quite right, Saotome.  'The path of a true martial artist is frought
with peril.'  Why, I remember when..."

"Not another story...  Ran-chan, can't you shut them up?  And would
you get OFF me, you blind featherduster?!?"

"Oh, Shampoo!!!"

"Shampoo's over THERE, you jackass!!!"

"No tell stupid duck-boy!  This Shampoo's first breath fresh air!"

"Why so adamant, Ukyo?  I'm sure Mousse would make a much better
husband for you than son-in-law."

"Tell that to Shampoo, you withered old prune."

"DAMN THAT RYOGA!!!"

"How dare you, you meddling pizza chef!  You're messing with three
thousand years of Chinese Amazon history!"

"I think that's enough, Ranma.  There's nothing you can do about it."

"...we'd be performing various... acts... for our master, when
suddenly..."

"People, people.  Quiet for a moment, please?  I need to count these
final betting figures..."

"I'll tell you where you can stick those three thousand years, you..."

"Shampoo!!"

"Leave me alone, you jackass!"  *WHANG*  "Stupid Mousse..."

"Sh-sh-shampoo..."  *CRUNCH*

"Urg..."

"Hey, Kuno-baby, you're conscious again."

"Cursed Saotome!  When I get my hands on him I'll... Oh!  Pig-tailed
girl!  Come, jump into my arms!"

"SHUT UP!!!"  *WHAM*

"Great.  Now I must carry him again!"

"That's the least of your problems, Sasuke.  Kodachi's still
unconscious back at the tournament."

"WHAT?!?"

"DAMN THAT RYOGA!!!"

And the whole of Nerima relaxed once again, for things were back to
normal.  Well... in a sense, that is...


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


"We're back!" Nabiki called as she stepped through the door, a wad of
cash in her right hand and a clipboard in her left.  All in all, the
tournament had been *extremely* profitable.  She knew better than to
bet on anyone who could possibly have some use for a trip to China, so
she placed her money on Ryoga.  And sure enough, ole Lost Boy came
through.

"Welcome home!" Kasumi called from the living room.  "Did you have a
fun time?"

"Not everyone," Nabiki grinned.  "Ryoga beat Ranma to it again.  I
should know by now that Ranma'll never get a chance at a cure."  She
slowly ascended the stairs, counting her winnings for the fifth time
that day.

"Must be bad karma," Kasumi giggled as she entered the front walkway.
"Is father still outside?"

"Sure is.  The whole crew of them, I think," Nabiki called from
outside her room.

"Maybe I should prepare more than usual for dinner," Kasumi murmured
to herself before leaving for the kitchen.  Moments later, the front
door slammed open.

"That idiot!  Sheesh, you'd think he'd be able to stop ranting after a
few hours or so, but NO!  He's gotta keep badmouthing poor Ryoga!
Hmmph!  Why, NEXT time I won't even GO with him, the shapeshifting
pervert..."  Akane's voice dwindled as she entered her bedroom, though
it was overwhelmingly clear she wasn't close to terminating her rave
session anytime soon.  Kasumi sighed, then returned to the dinner
preperations.

A second time, the front door slid open, and a pair of jovial
masculine voices followed.

"Well, I'd consider this to be a rather interesting weekend, wouldn't
you say, Saotome?"
"Quite right, Tendo.  An informative, not to mention inexpensive,
training exercise."
"Why Saotome, you jokester, you.  You went for the free buffets."
"Well... so I did!  HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

The laughter faded towards the backyard, where the two were, without a
doubt, setting up camp for another game of shogi.  Kasumi shook her
head, then dried her hands and left for the front door.  Before she
could reach it, the door slid open, revealing a disheveled,
disgruntled Ranma.  "And that's that!!!" he shouted over his shoulder
before slamming the door shut.

Ranma locked eyes with Kasumi for a short moment before he skirted a
quick bow.  "Sorry 'bout that, Kasumi."

Kasumi smiled and shook her head.  "It's alright, Ranma.  I just
wanted to let you know that your mother would like to speak with you.
She's waiting in your room."

Ranma blinked, then righted himself and dusted his shirt lightly.
"Okay, Kasumi.  You know what she wanted?"  Kasumi shook her head as
she tried to supress a grin.  Ranma frowned for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright.  Thanks, Kasumi."

"Not a problem, Ranma," Kasumi called to Ranma's receeding back,
finally allowing a smile to form.  "I hope you're prepared, Ranma..."
she whispered as she turned back to the kitchen.


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


Ranma bounded up the stairs, taking four steps at a time dispite the
throbbing pain in his left leg.  *Damn Mousse.  Lucky shot...*  Half-
limping to the guest room, Ranma stopped and pulled the door open.
And blinked.

Normally, Ranma kept his room rather spartan.  Hell, he was a martial
artist.  The only possessions he needed were a couple sets of clothes,
bedding, a washrag and towel, a set of cooking ware, and a backpack to
carry it all in.  Ranma didn't even need the drawer space available in
the guest room.

So it came as a complete shock to find his room covered from one
corner to the other.  Stacks of books and papers littered the floor.
Posters covered the walls, and more were leaning against the far
corner.  Figurines of all shapes and colors coated the previously bare
shelf, and any leftover spaces were stuffed with more clothing than he
had owned in his entire lifetime.

And his mother sat in the middle of it all, pouring over a thick,
bound book much like a witch perusing an ancient incantation.  Ranma
blinked, flabbergasted, too startled to move.

"Ranma, is that you, dear?"

"Uh... yeah, mom...  What's all this?  And why's it in my room?!?"

Nodoka looked up to see Ranma frantically waving his arms, trying to
encompass the whole of the room with a mere gesture.  "It's for you,
son!" she smiled brightly.

"Wha...?!?"

Laughing, Nodoka stood and carefully made her way to her bewildered
child.  "You should have told me you were interested in the theatrical
arts, my son!!" she cried happily as she embraced him tightly.  "I'm
so proud of you!!"

Numbly, Ranma hugged her back, wondering what in the seven hells had
gone wrong with his life *this* time.


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


"Alright!  That makes for a hundred thousand yen profit!"  Nabiki
grinned as she stuffed her ledger into the top drawer of her dresser.
"Can I call 'em or what?"  She stretched luxuriously before flopping
onto her bed.  "Only another hundred thousand more and I'll have the
*second* year of college covered.  Nabiki Tendo, you are *such* a
master!"  Lazily, she reached behind her and turned her stereo on.

Eyes closed, she relaxed in her room, listening to some nameless radio
station while she waited impatiently for dinner to begin.  Dispite the
lunch special provided at the tournament, she had been too busy
collecting bets and taking names to eat a proper lunch.  She'd been
starving since their group had left the train.

Her stomach groaned noisily, agreeing with her present train of
thought.  Nabiki grimaced, then stood, turning her stereo off.  With
one last glance about her room, she opened her door and left to head
downstairs.

"You want me to WHAT?!?"

"Hmm?"  Startled, Nabiki glanced towards the guest room.  "That
sounded like Ranma..." she murmured, a finger at her chin.  A grin
slowly spread across her face, and she tiptoed slowly towards the
sliding door.  "I suppose dinner can wait for a few minutes..."





To be continued...?



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