As the school day drifted by, the students of Farina High welcomed the bell that signaled the end of the morning classes and the start of lunch.

Ranma and Akane sat together as they usually did, at one of the many picnic tables that were scattered around the school grounds.

"So how’s Ryoga doing?" Akane asked as she handed half her lunch over to Ranma.

"Thanks. Yeah Ryoga’s doing fine. You know it’s kind of weird," Ranma said. "We’ve been in close contact with each other for a whole week, and we haven’t even fought or anything."

"Yeah well, you two do get rather chummy when your not trying to kill each other," Akane laughed.

"And how’s Akari?"

"She’s getting by," Akane answered, then took on a more serious tone. "But I think she’s being affected by this the most. If something should happen to Ryoga, she’s going to be alone again. I saw her last night, just sitting out near the koi pond. She had a strange expression on her face, it was like, emptiness," Akane shook her head; she poked Ranma in the chest with her finger. "And I want you to promise me that you’re going to make sure nothing happens to Ryoga."

"Aw c’mon Akane, he can take care of himself," Ranma groaned.

"Ranma," Akane said sharply. "It doesn’t matter if you think he can take care of himself, I want you to make sure he doesn’t get lost or he doesn’t go overboard like Ryoga has a tendency to do. Now I want you to promise me that you’re going to keep him out of trouble."

Ranma sighed and looked straight at Akane.

"I promise."

Over at the Cat Café, it was business as usual. Cologne finished dishing up the last of the orders and sat down at an empty table.

Ranma had not been by in awhile. Though Cologne had been anticipating this, it was unsettling. After what had happened at the failed wedding, Cologne had been expecting Ranma to up and blow off any recognition of the laws that had engaged him to Shampoo.

Cologne was startled when Mousse set on order of fried rice and wonton in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Cologne asked. Mousse raised his glasses to his eyes and stared intently at Cologne.

"I must say sir, you’ve certainly shriveled up since I was last here," Mousse said.

Cologne thumped Mousse over the head with her staff.

"Take this order to the table over there!" Cologne pointed.

Mousse walked over to several more tables before he finally arrived at the proper table. On his way back to the kitchen, Cologne stopped him.

"You’re not going to hit me again are you?" Mousse asked cautiously.

"No child, I merely ask you for your assistance," Cologne responded. Mousse perked up at her response and Cologne instantly regretted calling him child.

"What is it?"

"I ask that you go over to the Tendo household and ask Ranma if he could meet with me," Cologne told him.

"All right," Mousse nodded to a nearby plant and dashed out the door.

Ranma, in female form, stood outside of Furinkan High school.

"Damn lousy weather," Ranma muttered as the car pulled up.

Ishii unlocked the back door and Ranma climbed in. They sped away from Furinkan.

"How did you know it was me?" Ranma finally asked.

"There was an incident today at the facility," Ishii said calmly.

"Uh oh, what happened?" Ranma asked, smiling.

"I’ll let Hibiki explain it."

Ranma walked into the room he and Ryoga were sharing.

"What happened Ryoga?"

Ryoga shook his head angrily and looked at Ranma.

"You’d think that in a facility this built up they could have separate faucets for hot and cold!" Ryoga snarled.

Ranma tried to hold back but she burst out laughing.

"It’s not funny Ranma," Ryoga glared at her.

"I’m sorry Ryoga," Ranma laughed, wiping tears from her eyes. "So who found you?"

"Seiji walked into the bathroom and found my clothes, I was trying to move the faucet with my head but I accidentally broke it. Seiji saw me and I think he made the connection. He took me to his office and I tried to explain the situation as well as a pig can, but he didn’t understand. After a few more attempts I just gave up and grabbed his tea in my teeth and dumped it over my head," Ryoga said.

"Lucky there was tea there," Ranma noted.

"That’s what I thought too. But it seems Seiji had a meeting planned with one of his secretaries and she chose that moment to come in. Needless to say, she did not expect to see a naked boy sitting on Seiji’s desk. To make things worse she screamed and Ishii and a bunch of guards came running in."

"Is that so," Ranma said as she turned around, suppressing the laughter that threatened to escape. "So what happened next?"

"Well, after I got my clothes back on and everyone calmed down, I explained all about Jusenkyo and all the crazy crap that’s happened in the past year and a half. He found the stuff about what happened in Jusendo particularly interesting. Seems all that has just reaffirmed his belief that we are two of the strongest martial artists in the world."

Ranma smiled and poured hot water over her head from a nearby tea kettle.

"So what’s Seiji’s plan for the mission were supposed to be going on?" Ranma asked as he dried his hair.

"You’ll love it."

Ryoga led Ranma down a corridor. With each step they took the sound echoed for what seemed an eternity. Ryoga stopped at one of the doors and opened it.

"It’s in here," Ryoga motioned for Ranma to enter. Ranma walked through and fell down a steep incline. He would have fallen completely down the slope if it were not for Ryoga grabbing his hand.

"Sorry about that Ranma," Ryoga lifted Ranma back up the slope with one arm.

"What is this place?" Ranma asked as he readjusted his clothes.

"Seiji says this is an exact replica of some rice fields located 5 miles northeast of Tokyo." Ryoga answered as he led Ranma down a winding path. "It seems that this Maruyama fellow has been using these fields as places to store the drugs coming into the country until it’s ready for distribution. According to Seiji, were going to be inserted at the fields a few days earlier than it’s reported that a team will come to collect the drugs. Were supposed to call Seiji on a encrypted cell phone when we see that team come; then Seiji will send another team to intercept the drug pushers and capture them. Then we get to torch the drugs. Seiji says this could cripple the drug market for months.

"Where do we sign up?" Ranma smiled.

"We leave in two days," Ryoga said. "Were going to be practicing tonight and then we’ll have a practice run tomorrow."

"Doesn’t sound too hard."
"That’s what I said."

Cologne finished putting the remaining dishes away when she heard the front door slide open. Mousse walked in and Cologne confronted him.

"Well?" Cologne asked. "Will Ranma meet with me?"

"He’s not there," Mousse answered.

"Where is he?"

"Akane said Ranma and Ryoga are working on some surprise for her and Akari."
"Who?" Cologne asked, not knowing who Akari was.

"Akari, she’s some pig farmer that Ryoga got engaged to somehow.

"And she said Ranma and Ryoga were working on something?"

"Yep."

"Since when could those two get along," Cologne said to no one in particular. She left the room without a word.

"You’re welcome," Mousse said.

"Oww!" Ranma yelled as the wax bullet struck him on the shoulder.

"I told you to stay down," Ryoga said as he crept below the reeds.

"How the hell are we supposed to tell where the shooters are if we can’t even stick our heads up for a second!" Ranma shot back.

"I don’t know, but were supposed to find the shooters and eliminate them without taking too many hits," Ryoga stopped as reached a body of water.

"I’ve got an idea Ryoga."

"What?" Ryoga asked as he looked back at Ranma.

"Just head to the bottom of the ridge over there," Ranma pointed. "And try not to be seen, and when I give the word you jump."

Ranma slithered into the water and emerged silently on the other side. Ranma moved cautiously and only moved her head above the weeds at odd intervals. Ranma crept closer and closer to the hill that she believed the shooters occupied. Once she had moved behind their positions, Ranma approached them from behind.

"Hey there boys," Ranma said in her best seductive voice.

As the shooters turned to face the threat, Ryoga leapt form below the ridge and snatched the guns away from the shooters as he landed.

"We win," Ranma smiled.

The lights in the room turned on and a voice came on the intercom system.

"Well done," Seiji congratulated. "I think you guys will be ready for the practice run tomorrow. And Ranma?"

"Yeah," Ranma replied, knowing what Seiji was going to say.

"Keep your head down," Seiji laughed as he left the intercom switched off.

Akane entered Akari’s temporary room.

"How’re you doing?" Akane asked as she sat down.

"Okay," Akari answered unconvincingly.

"Look, I know its hard Akari but, you’ve just got to trust them."

"I do trust him, it’s just that…," Akari trailed off.

"Just what?" Akane asked.

"What will I do if he doesn’t come back?" Akari asked quietly.

"Akari, listen," Akane said, staring at Akari. "Ryoga is quite capable of taking care of himself. He’s a great fighter and he isn’t exactly stupid you know. Even if he gets in trouble Ranma’s going to be there as well. And we don’t have to worry about Ranma taking care of himself."

Akari looked at Akane and smiled.

"Oh, and why is that?"

Akane looked confused for a moment. Why would she think that Ranma can’t take care of himself.

"Ranma’s one of the greatest fighters I’ve ever seen. He’s defeated every opponent he’s ever faced, even Saffron."

"Ryoga told me about what happened with him, you guys were very lucky," Akari said sympathetically. "He also told me what happened after you had been rehydrated."

Akane blushed and looked away.

"Ranma loves you Akane," Akari told her. "And I know you love him too."

Akane glared at Akari and was about to deny it, but she realized that Akari was probably the only person she could admit this to, without having to worry about what they would do afterwards.

"Yes, I do love Ranma."

"Well it’s good to hear one of you admit it," Akari smiled.

"That bit of information doesn’t leave this room," Akane told her seriously.

"Okay, okay," Akari laughed. "Akane?"

"What?"

"If it’s not too much trouble, can you come with me to my farm tomorrow?" Akari asked.

"Sure!" Akane answered enthusiastically. "I’ve never seen you’re farm before."

"I have been wanting to see the pigs, and it will help to get my mind off of Ryoga."

I doubt it, Akane thought, I really doubt it.