Once and Again

Prelude --- 

	A young girl jumped lightly from rooftop to rooftop trying not to disturb anyone living below them.  Quietly she stopped on a rooftop across from a canal.  Peering down below, she heard the bickering of two people.  The wind softly blew around her, and rustled her blue hair this way and that.  With her long fingers she carefully brushed the lose strands back into place, as she looked closer down the road.  Quickly she found the owners of those voices.  Her eyes narrowed a bit while the couple walked passed her, from below.

	"Just stop it Ranma!  If you like groping Shampoo so much, why don't you just go live with her."  Stated the shorthaired girl.  
"What!?  Look ya uncute-” Began the pigtailed boy, when he was cut short.  "Well if I'm so uncute, why are you walking with me!"  Cried the girl as she ran off, her aura a brilliant blue.  
"Ah jeez...Akane!  Akane!!  Wait up!"  Shouted the boy.  
He too vanished down the road leaving a trail of dust clouds behind.

	Nodding her head the girl knew she had finally found the boy who would change her life forever.  Smiling, she jumped down onto the road and began her way home.  Her long search was over with.  The promise made to her years ago, would soon be fulfilled.

Chapter 1--- The New Student

	With the sun well up and in the east, two lone figures ran rapidly towards a two-story building.  The plaque on the stone fence had the name ‘Furinkan’ carved into it.  In the center of the entrance gates, a samurai outfitted man wielded a bokken.  He seemed intent on waiting for someone.  Finally with a brief smile on his face, the man brought his bukotou to a ready stance and ran towards one of the lone figures.  
“Today Ranma, thou venomous spell that holds thy beautiful Tendo Akane will be broken.  For I, her one true love hatht come to destroy thee.”   
“Do we have to do this today Kuno?  I’m really not in the mood.” 
“Doust thou not take me seriously?  Thou shalt pay for thy insolence.”  With that Kuno started his attack on Ranma.  
“Ranma let’s go.  We don’t have time to mess around like this.”  Akane started to go through the gate towards the school building.  
	
“Hey Nabiki, give me 200 yen on Kuno.”  
“What the hell are you thinking?!  Kuno is going to get creamed like he always does.”  
“Nabiki, 200 on Akane.”  
“But Kuno’s pretty serious today.  And why are you betting on Akane?  Ranma is the one fighting.”  
“Heh, You just wait and see.”  
“The betting pool is closed now. Too bad for all of you who were too slow.  Remember the early bird gets the yen.”

	Ranma weaved his way through the strikes of the bukotou, finally with out getting hit; he poked Kuno in the head.  
“Take me seriously thy evil sorcerer.”  
“RANMA!!  I said let’s GO!”  
With a quick clip to the side and a roundhouse kick to the head, Kuno was out and flying via Akane air.  
	“Sorry boys, better luck next time.”  Nabiki handed out 300 yen to the kid with the short brunet hair.  “Your share.”  
Accepting the cash in front of him, the teenager began counting it.  “What the hell?  What is this?”  “It’s called money, and if you don’t want it, I’ll take it back.”  
“But this is only a 100 more.”  
“Are you complaining?  That’s 25% more then you should be getting.  But since you were pretty smart, I thought I’d give you a little extra.”  
“That’s a total rip!”  
“You put money in my pool, you play by my rules.  If you don’t like it, then go somewhere else for you gambling needs.”  
With that finished, Nabiki coolie walked away from the window and back to her seat.

	“You may all be seated.”  Announced Chibi Hinako-san.  
Right as Hinako-san finished her words, Ranma and Akane came dashing into class.  
“Ranma Akane, take your seats.  I’ll deal with your tardiness once I’m done here.”  
Turning her attention back to the whole of the class, Chibi Hinako-san said in the utmost casual way “We have a new student today.  Will you come up and tell us about yourself?”  Asked Miss Hinako-san bubbling with laughter.  
An average sized, yet beautiful girl with long blue hair walked up to the black board and wrote her name.  
“My name is Kawakami Yui, age 17.”  
“Oh, what did you do before this?”  Inquired Hinako sensei.  
“Huh?  Oh…I traveled around a lot.”  
“Ohhh…where’d you go?”  Squealed Chibi sensei.  
“Um…ah…places.”  
“Like?”  
“The U.S.”  
“Is that all?”  
“Yeah, sure.”  
Nodding her head happily, Chibi Hinako set down her colored crayon asking “Anyone have questions for our new student?”  
“Yeah, do you have a boyfriend?  And if not will you go out with me?”  Was addressed from a student in the back.  
“You baaad boy!  You shouldn’t waste school time for such silly questions.  Happo 5 yen satsu!”  
Sweating, Yui asked, “Um…if there’s nothing more.  May I sit down?”  
“Yes go ahead, you may take your seat Yui.  Ranma and Akane since you two were late, but not very, you’re punishment won’t be as harsh. But you will still be punished.  With a new student, she will need someone to show her around; there fore you two will teach her how the school works.  Is that agreeable?”  
In unison, Akane and Ranma both respond quickly with a carefully voiced “Hai, sensei.”  
“Very well, we will begin class.”
		
* * * *
	“Finally, lunch time!”  Ranma enthusiastically said as he plopped down next to Akane under they’re usual tree.  His hand reaching for a lunch was smacked back by Akane.  
“Ranma where are you manners.  I’m sorry Yuko, don’t mind Ranma.”  
Yui smiled casually while thinking <So this is the Tendo girl I’ve heard about from sensei.  She doesn’t seem too bad.  Why> Akane then interrupted her train of thought.  
“Um…do you have a lunch Yui?  If you don’t you can have Ranma’s.”  
“Hey!  Why don’t you give her…oof.  What’cha do that for?!”  Replied Ranma as Akane removed her elbow from his stomach.  
Rubbing his stomach, Ranma snatched his lunch.  
<And they’re suppose to be engaged to each other?  Hmmm…sensei might be right about this one.  Better be careful. > 
“No, actually I don’t.”  “Oh, here then have mine.”  Akane kindly offered.  
“I couldn’t possibly.”  
“Yes, you can.  Go ahead.”  
“Yeah, don’t worry about Akane.  Plus she’s as stubborn as a mule, so arguing with her won’t get you no where.”  
“You have Phy. Ed class next though.  So you’ll need your energy.”  Retorted Akane.
“Don’t worry about me.  I’ll be fine.  Actually I have cooking class next, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”  
“Well okay, since you insist.”  
Yui and Akane smiled at each other.  
<If this keeps up, maybe we can become good friends.  I just hope she isn’t another of Ranma’s endless list of fiancée’s. >  Thought Akane.

	* * * *
	“All stand.  All right class is dismissed.  Have a good weekend.  Remember, English test on Tuesday.”  The sound of students drowning out the final parts of what Mr. Genji had said.
	“Finally!  Let’s go Akane.”  
Without waiting for a response, Ranma scooped Akane up and jumped through the 4th story window.  
“Eeek!!  Ranma!  Do you want to marry me or kill me?”  Cried Akane, as they were about to land.  
“Wha…why would I wanna marry such an uncute tomboy?”  
“Why you!  Ranma no baka!”  Akane, punctuating the baka part with an uppercut that connected to Ranma’s chin.  
“What’d you do that for?”  Could be heard from Ranma as he entered lower orbit.  
“Huh?  What was that about?” Asked Yui.  
No one had noticed the girl jump out of the same window.  
“What?  Oh Yuko.  Its just Ranma being his usual jerk.”  
“You two are engaged though, right?  So what’s up then?”  
“It wasn’t my idea to be engaged to such a pervert.  Our parents planned it.”  
“Oh, I see.”  
“Hey why don’t you come over?  We can finish the homework, so we’ll have a free weekend.”  
“Homework on a Friday?  You can’t be serious.”  But with the look that she saw on Akane’s face told her other wise.  <Maybe this would be beneficial for me. >  “Um…sure.  How about we head over to your house now?” 
“Okay.” 
But as they were about to leave, Yui found herself being glomped by a mass of purple hair.  
“Eeeek!!”  
“What?!  You not Ranma.”  Said the purple haired amazon.  
“What do you want Shampoo?”  
“What pervert girl do to airen?”  Asked Shampoo pointing a finger in Akane’s direction.  
“What I DID!”  <That little amazon bimboo.  Who does she think she is? >  “Ranma went for a short flight.  He’ll be back soon.”  Replied Akane, through gritting teeth.  
Shampoo satisfied with the response she had received eyed the girl she had accidentally hugged.  
“Who this?”  
“I’m Yui, nice to meet you.”  
“Humph, Shampoo not.  Too many girls after Ranma.  Shampoo tell you now.  Stay away from airen, or Shampoo not so nice.  Aiya!  Shampoo have to go now.  Have errand to do, or great-grandmother get angry.”  
“Wait…who are you?”  Asked Yui as Shampoo ran off.  “And who’s your great-grandmother?  What is an airen?”  
Akane let lose a huge sigh, while shaking her head replied with.  “It’s a long story.  Why don’t I tell you about it while we go to my place.”  
“Okay.”

	*		*		*		*
	“Kasumi, I’m home.”  
“Good afternoon Akane.  Oh my…who’s this?”  Asked Kasumi, smiling at the new girl, her little sister had brought home.  
“I’m Kawakami Yui.  It’s nice to meet you…Kasumi.”  
Showing her kind warm smile, Kasumi said, “Yes, nice to meet you too.  Will you be staying for supper?”  
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”  
“Oh my, no.  You wouldn’t be a bother.  Please do stay.”  
“Yeah, stay.  If anyone is a bother it’s Uncle Saotome and Ranma.”  Added Akane.  
At the name Saotome, Yui’s heart quickened in beat.  <Could he be… >  
“So what do you say hmm?”  
“Huh?  I suppose it’d be all right.  As long as you’re sure, Kasumi.”  
“It’d be a pleasure.  Now go ahead, I’ll call you both when suppers ready.”  
‘Okay’ replied both Akane and Yui before disappearing upstairs.  
	
“Okay, as you were saying Akane.  What happened after the Orochi?”  Inquired Yui as they sat down in Akane’s room.
	
“Hey Kasumi.  What’s with the extra good food?”  
“Hello Ranma, Akane’s new friend is here and will be staying for supper.”  
“You mean Yui?”  
Nodding her head, Kasumi tasted the soup.  Shook her head and added some more spices.  
<Must be her.  Yuko, why does she look familiar?  Please kami; don’t let her be another fiancée.  Akane’d pound the shit out of me, not to mention how it’d ruin her new friendship.  I should go check with pop.  Hopefully he’ll have some answers. >  
Ranma left the kitchen in search of his father.  “Yo, oyaji.  I got a question.  How many girls did ya engage me to?”  
“Son, why do you ask me such a question?  I engaged you only to six, wait no, five.”  A sweat drop quickly appeared on the side of Genma’s face.  <Uh ho, what a time to actually be honest. >  
“What’d you just say POP?”  Shouted Ranma with clenched fists.  “Five!  FIVE!  What in the world were you thinking?!”  
Ranma grabbed his father by the collar of his tunic, and with a very strong throw, threw him into the koi pond.  Once he saw his father come out, as a panda he left, still not emotionally satisfied though.  Holding up a sign, the panda asked what he’d done wrong.
	“Supper is ready.”  Kasumi called just as Ranma walked by.  
“Oh, Ranma would you please go tell Akane and Yui that dinner is ready?”  
“Huh?  Supper’s ready.”  
“Yes, will you please go and get Akane and Yuko?”  
“Um…sure.”

	Ranma walked up the stairs, his mind a jumble of thoughts.  <What if she’s another fiancée?  What’ll Akane do?  We’ve been getting along a bit better.  She can’t be a fiancée.  Pop said there were five, but knowing him there’s probably even more then that.  Damn him for screwing up my life.  Damn him! > 
All these thoughts stopped when he stood face to face with the little wooden duck that had ‘Akane’ written on it.  Ranma brought up his hands, now clenched because of his thoughts.  He pulled it back slightly to knock, when the door pulled open.  An itty-bitty shriek came out of the doorway.  
“…Um…supper’s ready.”  
“Are you okay Yui?”  
“Huh?  Yeah, I’m fine.  Ranma here just surprised me.”  
“Ranma what are doing?”  Questioned Akane.  
“Kasumi told me to get you girls down, because supper’s ready.”  “Thanks Ranma.”  Replied Akane, with one of those heart-melting smiles.  
Together, the two girls went downstairs, giggling.  Ranma followed slightly blushing.

	When they arrived at the dinning room, Yui immediately looked around.  <Where…A panda!  Why in the world do they have a panda? >  
“Oh my, would you like some hot water Mr. Saotome?”  
<Oh mi god!  That’s…that’s…Akane didn’t mention this.  Okay, maybe she did. >  Thought Yui as a brief memory creeped into her head. {“What?!  You can’t be serious?”  
“Nope, he really fell into the pool of drowned panda.”  
“Wow, what bad luck.”  
“Yup, you can say that again.”}  
She looked on as the Kasumi poured hot water onto the panda, and it transformed into Mr. Saotome.  
“Here Yui, you can sit here.”  
“Hey that’s my spot.”  
“So, what’s your point?”  
“You un-cute tomboy.”  
“Oh, that really hurts pervert.”  
“Um… it’s okay.  Don’t fight about it.  Mr. Saotome, right?”  <Ugh…I can’t believe this.  What a crummy act. > Streamed through the girl’s mind.  
“Yes, and you are?”  
“Gomen, I’m Kawakami Yui.  May I sit her?”  
“Of course.”  Replied Genma as he scooted over.  
<Why does she remind me of Nodoka?  She looks just like…and has the same name too.  NO, she can’t be the same.  She can’t. >  Shaking his head, Genma tried to brush a sudden memory away, before it brought its usual sadness.  
“Go ahead you two.  In less you’re waiting for someone else, that is.”  Ranma plopped down next to Akane, who had quietly seated herself.  As Kasumi, filled the rice bowls, tradition begun at the table.  
“What the…Hey pop give me back my food!”  
“You wanna eat this?  Come and get it.”  
<Oh no! >  Akane mentally slapped herself.  <She looks so…so amused.  Can she actually enjoy this? >  
<Gods, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.  I’m going to burst soon. >  With one slip of his chopsticks, Genma sent his cup of warm tea flying up.  Quickly Ranma gave it a little shove back towards his father.  

*SPLASH* There sitting next to Yui was now Genma-panda.  But nobody noticed that.  All were looking at Yui.  <Uh ho…> Ran across Yui’s mind.  “How’d ya do that?”  
“Um…look I can explain.”  
<Oh jeez, what do I tell them? >  
“Yui, how did you stop the water from hitting you?”  Asked a bewildered Akane, who was looking at the water drops that seemed to be hanging in mid air.  “Oh, that was easy.  You just cast manipulate…”  
“You aren’t by chance a goddess are you?”  Inquired Nabiki.  
“Why would ya care anyway Nabiki?  Don’t tell me you want ta make money offa her.”  
“Don’t make me laugh Ranma.  I was just wondering.”   Replied Nabiki with a wave of her hand.  
“No, I am definitely not a goddess.  It just happens that I have some tricks like that.  Nothing big.”  
“Well that’s not so bad, huh Ranma?”  
“Yeah.  Akane’s right.  We’ve had worse than that around here.”  
“So I’ve heard.  Akane told me about your adventures.”  
“Oh my, what a beautiful sunset.”  Spoke Kasumi, breaking everyone’s thoughts.  
“Yes, it’s very beautiful indeed.”  Added Soun.  
Breaking her view from the sun, Yui looked at Ranma and Akane.  
<I wouldn’t doubt they’re thinking the same thing.  They just don’t know it. >  
<Wow, that does look beautiful. >  Thought Ranma, stealing a glance at Akane.  
Akane sensing someone watching her turned her eyes, to meet Ranma’s.  Quickly hoping Akane hadn’t seen him watching her, Ranma turned back to the sunset.  <Oh Ranma.  It is a beautiful sunset. >  
“Well it’s getting late.  I should be on my home.”  
“I’ll go with you.”  
“She means we’ll go with you, Yui.”  Chirped Ranma.  
“That’s okay.  I can get home myself.  Arigato, supper was very good.  Oyasumi.”  
Stated Yui as she left just as quickly.  “Oyasumi.”  Replied both families.  
“Ranma, will you follow her and make sure she gets home okay?”  
Looking back at Akane, Ranma looked at her deep pools of hazel.  <Jeez, how could I ever say no to that face? >  
“Don’t worry Akane.  I’ll go.”  
“Arigato Ranma.”  
“See you in a bit.”  With that, Ranma jumped the stone wall that surrounded the Tendo home.
	*	*	*	*	
<Okay, let’s see.  Where’d she go? >  
Ranma jumped from roof to roof.  
<Brrr…it’s kinda chilly out here.  Wait, there she is.  Better not let her see me. >  
Ranma followed the girl to a big house about 4 or 5 blocks away.  <Wow.  This is where she lives. >  
Ranma was just about to leave when he heard “Who goes there?”  And saw 3 daggers flying like lightening towards Yui.  
<Shit!  Did she go to the wrong house? >  Thought Ranma, as he was about to dive down and save the girl.  Before he could make his move, Yui dodged each dagger as it flew by and called out 
“It’s okay sensei.  It’s just me.”  
“Where have you been child?”  
“I’m sorry Sensei.  I was having supper with the Tendo’s.”  
“Did you find anything?”  
“Some.  Let’s go inside, it’s cold out here.”  
Ranma watched as Yui placed a hand under a slightly old woman’s arm, leading her into the warm house.  
<What just happened?  She shouldn’t have been able to dodge those daggers.  At least not that easily.  What’s she up to? >  Raced through Ranma head as he watched the two figures enter a fairly large room that looked like a dojo.  <That looks like a good spot to watch. >  
Ranma briskly ran over to an oak tree and found a good seat.  
“Did you find them child?”  Questioned the old lady.  
Ranma looked at her.  She seemed to be in her late 90’s or early 100’s give or take a few.  But then again he could’ve been wrong.  White; snow like hair covered up most of her back.  She was probably about 5 feet tall.  
“Yes, I did.  They’re living with the Tendo’s.  Just like you said.”  
“And did you tell them who you were?”  
“Yes, but not nearly enough to figure out who I truly am.”  
“Good.  They can’t find out just yet.”  
“But sensei, I don’t understand why.  Why can’t I tell them?”  
“Are you insane?  You would want to risk it all now?  We’ve come so far.”  
“I know, but…it’s been so long.”  Said Yui in a meek little voice.  
Ranma swallowed hard.  <Oh man, she is a fiancée.  This is great, just great.  Thanks old man. >  
Softening her expression, the old woman spoke less harshly this time.  “Child if you want, I will release you of your duty.  That way you can finally take your place in the Saotome family.”  
Ranma just sat on the tree limb totally dumb founded.  Even though Ranma had never believed in prayer, he didn’t think twice now.  
<Gods, please don’t let Yui be another fiancée.  Please.  It’s not like I don’t have enough as it is.  Please kami, don’t make my fear come true. >  
“No, I can’t do that.  I’ve been with you for so long sensei.  Everything I am I owe to you.  I won’t go back on my word.”  
Smiling the old woman replied, “Yui, you do not owe me anything.  The respect, trust and love you have given me these past years have been more then enough.  You are a daughter to me.  Even if you are not kin.  You have shown more love to me then even my own blood.”  
Bowing down, till her head touched the floor, Yui replied,  “I’ll be okay sensei.  I’ve waited 11 long years.  I can wait a little more.”  
“Can you?  I know you child.  And Nerima is not a place that you can keep secretes.”  
“Then what am I suppose to do?”  Cried Yui, totally confused.  
“You must figure that out yourself.  It is your path you must create.  I have given you lessons.  Now you must spread your wings and fly on your own.”  
“If I tell them, Cologne might not fight me.  But if I don’t, I might just lose them again.”  
Ranma became even more interested now.  
<What’s the old ghoul gotta do with this? >  
Becoming a bit stiff in his legs, Ranma moved oh so slightly, thinking no one would notice him.  
“Stranger, it’s not polite to stay in shadows at a guest’s house.”  
Ranma was totally stunned.  <How’d she know I was here? >  
Before he could think, Ranma saw 3 daggers coming at him.  
“No, Sensei stop!”  Cried Yui once she saw whom it was.  
But it was too late, just as the words left her mouth.  Her sensei had let the daggers fly.  “Brother get out of the way!” Yuko shouted, as her hands began to glow an odd yellowish color. Now, stunned like a rock, Ranma couldn’t think of the daggers.  <Brother…she’s my…I’m a…sister… brother…> 
At the last moment, his mind clicked back into gear, but it was too late.  He closed his eyes, ready for the blow, but it never came.  Instead he heard the sound of the daggers clinking against something and then hitting the ground.  Opening his eyes, Ranma saw a yellowish glimmer surrounding him.  
“Ahhh…what is this?”  
“It’s what just saved your life, boy.”  
Looking up Ranma’s eyes met with that of the old lady’s.  
“It’s a barrier of light.  Don’t worry brother it won’t hurt you.”  
“What are you talking about?  How are you my sister?”  
“Well, Dad and Mom fell in love.  They got eventually got married.  And then they did…”  
“Ack!  I didn’t mean that part.  If you’re my sister, then how come I don’t know you?”  
“You really don’t remember me at all Ranma?”  Questioned Yui, with tears in her eyes.  
*Gulp*  “No, I’m sorry.  But I don’t.”  
Slowly her tears grew larger until one rolled down her cheek.  
“You should go home boy, it’s late.  Your father will be worried.”  
“But what about…”  
“When you get home ask your father.”  
“Or you can come by tomorrow, and I’ll tell you.  Bring father too.”  Stated Yui, wiping away a tear.  
Ranma only nodded, as he got up.  The barrier of light having disappeared a while back.  Yui walked up to him. 
“It’s good to finally have you back brother, even if you don’t remember me yet.  It’s been too long.”  
“Come Yui, we should go in.”  
The old lady quietly slipped into the house.  Giving her still somewhat shocked brother a hug and a hopeful smile, Yui too slipped into the house.  Ranma stood there for awhile, until he felt he really needed answers.  Knowing he wouldn’t get them tonight here, he headed for home.


Author's Note:  Okay, so what do you people think?  It's just in the begining processes.  C&C are always welcomed.  Just email them to me at ktrieu84@hotmail.com