-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranma nibun no ichi - 7 - A Mother's Love           [WARNING : Lemon fanfic!]

All characters portrayed in this fanfic are copyright of Rumiko Takahashi
and Shogakukan Inc, etc, etc, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Ranma and Akane's Room, Tendou-ke]

Akane stared up into her husband's eyes, "We're going to have another baby."

Ranma blinked as his mind caught up with the sudden revelation, "Another 
baby?"

Akane nodded, then smiled as Ranma hugged her tightly to him, twirling 
around with her. Slowing down, they kissed softly for a moment, and Ranma 
set her back down on the floor.

"After all that trying, recently... another baby!" Ranma grinned. The couple
had discussed the idea of having another child, and ended up deciding to
plan for their next baby. It still came as a slight shock to Ranma that his
wife was pregnant again so soon after their decision, but he was happy.

They stood in their bedroom, the master bedroom where Souun used to sleep.
Since the couple had moved back to the doujou from their rooms at their old
university, things had changed. 

Nabiki had moved out to live at the Kunou mansion... Kasumi had left to be 
with her husband at his clinic. Genma and Nodoka still lived in the guest 
room, but Souun had moved into Kasumi's old room, to give the new owners of 
the doujou, and the heirs to the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu, a little freedom. 
Akane's old room had been transformed into Miyabi's room.

Now two years old, Miyabi no longer needed to stay in her parents' room.
Besides, her grandparents were nearby just in case she needed anything.

Akane reached up and stroked Ranma's cheek gently, "And we are ready, this
time... And Ukyou and I will be pregnant together!"

Ranma nodded, then hmmmed softly, "I wonder what their kid will be like..."

Akane smiled and rested her head on Ranma's shoulder, "If Ryouga-kun's any
where near as good a father as you are, their child will turn out really
well."

Ranma blushed and hugged Akane.

[Later that day, the Doujou]

Ranma grinned over at Akane and wiped his brow, then hung the towel around
the back of his neck, "Not too bad."

Akane nodded, panting a little, "A little training never hurt anyone."

Ranma smiled back at her, "Though you'll have to take it easy a little later
on... after all, you're still only a weak tomboy!"

Akane growled and punched at him, "What did you say?"

Ranma laughed as he easily dodged her fists, "That's more like it, Akane! Try
to hit me this time!"

Akane, her temper much more even these days, continued to spar with Ranma,
knowing that she would need this practice to help keep in shape for their
next baby. She backed Ranma to the wall, then punched hard, at his face.
Ranma, as always, easily dodged it and her fist crashed through the timbers.

Ranma spun her around as she withdrew her hand, and kissed her lightly. "You
think it's time for us to train Miya-chan, yet?"

"Come on, Ranma, I know you've been trying to teach her on the side."

"Well, oyaji *did* start training me early... And I thought..."

Akane nodded, "I know, Ranma... But she's a little young. Wait a few years...
Her attention wanders too much, you know."

Ranma rolled his eyes, "Don't I know it... She hardly stays still for a 
moment!"

She smiled and took his hand, "Come on... We need a bath after all that...
you're all hot and sweaty."

"Like you didn't try to get me all hot and sweaty the last few nights!"

Akane laughed softly, "Come on..." They both wandered back to the house.

[A Forest, Somewhere in Japan]

The lone figure of a beautiful woman made her way through the forest... As
she moved, she spoke, "I must get to Nerima..."

[Dinner Time, Tendou-ke]

Nodoka set down the meal that she and Akane had prepared together, and
called everyone for dinner. Genma was already waiting at the table, but
Nodoka shooed him away from the food till everyone was seated.

As they ate, Ranma looked around the table at his parents and his father-
in-law, then down to little Miyabi, who was busily eating her food. He
looked to Akane and she nodded, and he took a deep breath. "Akane and I are
going to have another baby."

Souun immediately burst into tears, "Another grandchild! My little baby girl
is going to be a mother again!"

Genma didn't do much other than continue to eat, only giving a slight nod of 
approval to Ranma. Nodoka, on the other hand, clapped her hands together in 
delight, "Yet another grandchild! My son is so manly!"

Miyabi stopped eating and cocked her head to the side, "Baby?" Her voice 
was adorably kawaii, and she looked even more so as she looked at her 
parents with her large, brown eyes.

Akane smiled happily and nodded, "A baby, Miya-chan. You're going to have a 
little brother or sister to play with!"

Suddenly it seemed as if the room was filled with people - Toufuu and Kasumi
turned up, followed closely by Nabiki and her husband. Shampoo and Mousse
appeared as the Amazon knocked down a wall with her bonbori. Ryouga and Ukyou 
also arrived and ended up walking through the new 'doorway'. 

"A baby?" 
"Congratulations!"
"Wow! We're both pregnant together!" 
"Where are we?" 
"Shampoo so happy for you!" 
"You're not Akane, are you?" 
"Welcome, everyone!" 
"Break out the sake!"
"No, I've brought along the champagne!" 
"How could this cur do this to you, yet again, Akane-kun?"

Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Miyabi continued to eat happily,
wondering why on earth all her uncles and aunts had turned up suddenly. Ranma
and Akane did their best to keep things quiet, especially with Kunou, but
eventually it turned into a party...

Nodoka wandered around, preparing and serving foods while Souun and Genma
drifted off to play shogi. The men seemed to make up their own group to talk
about not only children but training and fighting, and a little old rivalry 
thrown in for old times sake. Meanwhile, the girls made up another group...

Nabiki handed around the glasses of champagne after Miyabi had been put to
bed. "So, my little sister is having another baby, hmm?"

Akane glowed with happiness, "Hai, oneechan!"

Nabiki smiled and sipped from her glass, "I wonder if Tacchi and I will have 
a kid."

Kasumi leaned over and placed a hand on Nabiki's arm, "You'll have children
soon enough, Nabiki... Toufuu and I are waiting a little while until we both
feel ready to have children."

Ukyou rested her hand lightly on her stomach, then looked over at Ryouga, "I
think that Ryouga-kun and I are ready..."

"Shampoo think even if you not ready, you still going to have baby!" said the
purple headed Amazon with a playful smile.

Ukyou laughed and turned to Akane, "Do you want a boy or a girl, Akane-chan?
I think that Ryouga-kun wants a boy, though he's not saying."

"I don't mind," Akane said thoughtfully, "Though Ranma would love to have a
son."

Nabiki gave an evil grin, "You know, if one of you has a boy and the other 
has a girl, you can get them engaged!"

"Nabiki-oneechan!" Akane frowned at her sister.

"Well, it turned out fine with you and Ranma, didn't it?"

"Now, Nabiki, don't tease them like that," Kasumi chided gently.

Nabiki sighed and gave a half shrug, "It would be funny, though..."

As the girls talked, Nodoka joined them. "You know, Akane, dear, your mother
would have been very happy to see you, and your sisters, like this."

The three sisters were each overcome by feelings from the past. Akane could
hardly remember her mother, but knew her face by sight. She could best recall
her mother cooking in the kitchen, humming a soft cooking song. Nabiki's
mind filled with her mother's face and half hinted at scents as she thought
back on how their mother cared for them all... giving the child Nabiki a
sense of protection from whatever scared her in her dreams. Kasumi, always
striving to be like her mother, was reminded of all the times her mother
taught her things, of the closeness between her mother and herself.

Ukyou and Shampoo, sensing the new mood, quieted down and just watched their
friends.

Ranma's mother smiled softly, "I'm sure that she's very proud of you all."

Nabiki slowly stood up, "There's something that I need to do that I haven't
done in a while... Akane? Oneechan? I think you should both come with me."

The other two sisters nodded slowly and stood up, almost seeming to share
Nabiki's thoughts, and the three girls turned and left the room, headed to
their mother's shrine.

[Ranma and Akane's Room, Tendou-ke]

As Ranma slid into bed with his wife, he looked at her. His mood was still 
high, but she was a little subdued.

"What is it, Akane?" he asked softly, holding her close in his arms.

"Nothing much, Ranma... I was just thinking about things."

He placed a kiss gently on her forehead, "What sort of things?"

"Well, we were just reminded of our mother..."

Ranma nodded and stroked her hair gently, "I guess it still hurts, ne? I 
still remember how it felt to be without my mother, even though she was 
right here."

Akane sighed a little and hugged her husband tightly, "Just don't you ever
leave me, okay?"

Ranma squeezed her gently, "I'll always be here for you, love."

She rested her head against his shoulder, and eventually drifted off to 
sleep, knowing that he would protect her... 

[Tendou-ke, Next Morning]

Akane came back from her early morning jog to find Ranma and Genma fighting
over the pond. Nodoka was ready with breakfast and Miyabi was sitting on 
Souun's lap, watching her father and grandfather fight.

With a huge splash, both Ranma and Genma landed in the water. Miyabi laughed
and pointed. "Papa and grandpapa fell in the water!" she squealed happily.
It was one of the highlights of her day to see her father turn into a girl,
and her grandfather into a panda.

A sopping wet female Ranma and a giant panda emerged from the pond just as
Nodoka called everyone for breakfast. Ranma started scoffing down her food,
as per normal, "Nice breakfast, ofukuro!"

Akane ate her food more slowly and sighed, "Ranma, the food isn't going to
run away if you eat more slowly."

Ranma paused for a moment and looked at Akane, a few pieces of rice still
stuck around her mouth, "Yeah, right. Oyaji'll steal it as soon as... Hey!"

Genma was already digging into Ranma's meal.

"See? I told you, Akane!"

Akane frowned at Ranma, "It's your fault for not eating slowly to begin 
with."

"Yeah? Well, if you hadn't started on me again about how I eat, oyaji
wouldn't have gotten my breakfast!"

"And you're teaching bad manners to Miya-chan!"

Ranma frowned, the fact that he lost his breakfast making the little problem
seem larger to him, "And what would you know of 'manners,' tomboy!?"

Nodoka and Souun sighed and continued eating. The arguments still happened,
although they were less often and less violent... and they always made up
soon afterwards.

"Tomboy?! You... insensitive jerk! Here, since you want to eat so badly, have
mine!" With that, Akane threw her bowl of rice at Ranma, the bowl upturning
to dump all of the rice over Ranma's head. Akane stood up, turned around and
marched out.

Genma-panda, having finished all the food he could find, held up a sign, 
'Son, haven't you learned, YET?'

Ranma grabbed the sign and slammed it over her father's head, "Shut up, baka
oyaji!"

Another sign was held up by the panda, 'Itai.'

Miyabi looked after her mother, then at her father and the panda, not really
comprehending what was going on, "Papa, where is mama?"

"It's okay, Miyabi. She's just gone off for a little bit." Ranma picked up
her daughter and kissed her forehead, "I'll go and find mama and then bring 
her back to see Miyabi." 

The little girl smiled and scrambled out of Ranma's arms and back to her 
meal... The only reason why Genma hadn't taken Miyabi's meal was the fact
that Nodoka was holding the panda by his ear, her sword half drawn. Souun
started to read the paper, ignoring the usual morning goings on.

Ranma followed Akane, knowing where she would be.

[Miyabi's Room, Tendou-ke]

Akane was sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, where her bed
used to be. Miyabi's cot was on the other side of the window. It had been
changed quite a lot, designed specifically for a nursery... but to Akane,
this was still her room - the place where she went to think.

Ranma knocked softly at the door, looking in, "Akane?"

She sighed and looked up...

Onna Ranma looked down for a moment, then looked into her saddened face, 
"I'm sorry, Akane... You know that I didn't mean that."

Akane nodded and reached out her hand to her. As Ranma entered the room and
gently grasped her small hand in her own, Akane sighed and squeezed her
husband's hand, "I know, Ranma." She gave a half smile, "You know, it's good
that our fights never last long these days... I was just thinking of the
past..."

Ranma nodded and settled down next to her, still holding her hand, "At least
now we know that we love each other... And no matter what I say, you should
remember that." She sighed and kissed Akane's cheek lightly, "I hate hurting
you... but occasionally I still talk without thinking."

Akane smiled and lightly tugged at her husband's red pig-tail, "What do you
mean 'occasionally'?" she giggled playfully.

"Hey! What do you mean by that?"

Akane stood up and helped onna Ranma up, too. She hugged her, "Nothing at 
all, Ranma."

The red head smiled, "Well, now you're all cheered up... there's a little 
girl downstairs who is concerned about you, too."

Akane smiled back, "Just remember that we have a little making up to do, 
tonight."

Ranma couldn't help but grin, "I would never forget."

They walked back downstairs together, hand in hand.

[Later that Day, Ucchan's Okonomiyaki-ya]

Ukyou sighed, sitting down after the lunch hour rush. She placed the small
spatulas down on the grill and smiled, looking over at Ryouga who was still
serving one of the few remaining customers.

She smiled to herself. This was her husband. He, amazingly, managed not to 
get very lost while in the restaurant these days. Even while upstairs in the
house, he didn't wander too far. Though there had been times when Ryouga had
wandered off and hadn't returned for days. Ukyou had learned to deal with the
loneliness of those long days and even longer nights, knowing that he would 
come back to her... as soon as he could find her. But no matter how well she 
coped, she was still lonely. As much as she could, she kept her eye on him.

Ryouga, sensing her watching him, turned and smiled at her.

She continued gazing at him, thinking of all the happy times they had shared 
together over the last year since their marriage. He was protective and 
always sweet... and now that she was going to have their baby, she could see 
that his happiness had increased. These days he hardly ever frowned... Of 
course they had their occasional fights, like any normal couple, but they 
were both happy.

Ukyou smiled back, "Ryouga-kun, the others should be coming around for dinner
tonight. When you're finished, could you help me get the place ready? We're
going to close early."

Ryouga nodded and smiled, "Alright, Ukyou-chan..." He turned back to the 
customer.

[Dr. Toufuu's Clinic]

The doctor was cleaning out the back room when he came across a long 
forgotten vial that had once belonged to Kodachi...

He sat, starting to study the residue of the liquid that had once been in 
the bottle. Toufuu looked up and adjusted his glasses, "Hmmm... I wonder if 
it's possible to make up a batch of this to see what it does... What 
an interesting set of herbs and chemicals..."

Toufuu turned to call out the door, "Kasumi, dear... would you come here for 
a moment?"

Kasumi's sweet voice replied, "Of course, anata... I'll be right there."

The doctor started to study the residue once more...

[Kunou-ke, Living Room]

Nabiki sat on the couch, idly flicking through a business magazine. She 
and Kodachi had managed to make an uneasy truce, although Nabiki was ready 
for any treachery on Kodachi's part. She continued to read as her 
sister-in-law moved through the room to the kitchen... She knew that Kodachi 
was shooting her black looks as she walked passed, but she also knew that 
she wouldn't try anything.

She smiled to herself. She was enjoying life here... she even enjoyed the
challenge of keeping Kodachi at bay. She enjoyed having a servant, too...
She even enjoyed watching Tatewaki and Kodachi beating up their father and
throwing him out of the house whenever he turned up.

She looked up as Kunou entered the room, still rather pompous and still as
stupid as ever, and sat down next to her. As he talked away, she chatted
with him, her mind on the past...

She didn't know when it had happened, but she had fallen in love with Kunou.
As she thought about it, Kunou was the only guy she had ever let near her.
After her mother died, she had surrounded herself with money, knowing that
money didn't leave you, that money could get you anything you wanted. Her
mother had left her... She didn't want to be hurt again in that way. All of
the boys she'd dated were happy to be with her, and to buy her things. They
would have done anything to make her happy... But she had dumped each of
them, not only taking their gifts, but taking their money as well. The same
happened for boy after boy after boy...

There *had* been Kinnosuke... But he was too much like her. She remembered
having feelings for him, but she hadn't been ready to let go of her money
to try for love. And she knew what he was like... She would have been just
like all the boyfriends she had left.

Eventually Ranma and Akane had wed. She had used the love potion, knowing
full well what it would do. But she hadn't planned on Kunou falling for her.
After all, they basically didn't care much for the other... and he was the
only guy in her class not to ask her out. But there was a sort of friendship
between them... a friendship born of business dealings.

She smiled as she listened to Kunou's latest flowery speech about her. She
didn't know why she liked listening to him, because it seemed to annoy just
about everyone else... But he was the only one to really pay attention to
her. After he fell for her, she'd tried to use him like the others... But
no matter what she did, he stayed with her, trying to win her. Flowers, 
chocolates, poetry... She had him basically working as a slave for quite a 
while... But something got to her over time. His consistency, how he never 
gave up. She had found it annoying, for a while... But it somehow opened 
up her need to be loved... and her need to love.

She found herself wanting to be near him. To talk with him. To accept his
gifts and promises of love. He hadn't left her, even long after the time the
love potion was meant to wear off. She had tried... but then gave in to her
need for love. She turned to him, slowly... And had shown him small signs
of giving her love back. No longer did she treat him like a customer, nor a 
slave. She got closer to him... Although she continued to sell him pictures 
of the female Ranma. She knew he would never give up on Ranma... but Nabiki 
was amused by the whole matter. She had come to realise that his love for her
had been love, not just infatuation.

Later they had married... And Nabiki was happily accepting all of his love,
and giving love in return. After all these many years, she was ready for
love again. Her fears had gone... She was still rather mercenary, but she
could at least care once more.

They continued to talk together, Nabiki snuggling into Tatewaki's arms.

[Kunou-ke, Kitchen]

Mikado rested against the sideboard, watching Kodachi. It was strange, for
him - to be near two beautiful women and to only be able to kiss one of them. 
He looked back at Nabiki and Kunou, in the living room, then smiled and
turned back to Kodachi. He had given up his passion for kissing all girls
for his passion for her.

He looked at her for a moment, "Still annoyed at your brother's wife?"

Kodachi started mixing up dinner for the evening, "Feh. She shouldn't be
invading my domain like this."

Mikado ran a hand through his perfect hair and sighed, "You are such a good
sister to my brother-in-law, putting up with things like this. But you are 
an even better wife."

She couldn't help but smile... his flattery always worked on her. "I will
cook you something special for tonight, then, my husband."

He nodded and watched her as she cooked. She was crazy, spiteful and rather
wicked... but that enchanted him. She was the only woman who could surprise
him... Even when he thought that she couldn't find another way of surprising
him, she came up with something new. Kodachi was the only woman who could
captivate him and keep him interested...

As he combed his hair, he continued to gaze at her. He knew he loved her,
but sometimes he wondered what went through her mind. When they fought, she
sometimes tried to poison him, but always made sure that it wasn't lethal.
He wondered why, out of all the aphrodisiacs, poisons, potions, gases and
powders that she created, he could never find anything that could kill a
man. For such a twisted creature (and he meant that in the kinkiest sense of
the word) he couldn't help but wonder about her. So inconsistent...Although
she was rather focused on him.

Kodachi started to hum one of her own special cooking songs as she worked.
But soon the humming turned into laughter to the same tune. Although Mikado
had heard this many times, he always became nervous. Maybe it was the laugh, 
or maybe it was the fact that the 'song' showed the world her mental 
instability...

He fidgeted for a little while, "Kodachi, I've got to go upstairs for a
little while and get my new skating routine worked out...."

Kodachi stopped the laughter song and nodded to him, "You go, my darling
Mikado-sama. Sasuke shall call you down when dinner is ready."

He smiled, and sauntered out, as casually as possible. He gave a backwards
glance into the living room... Nabiki and Kunou hadn't seemed to have 
noticed a thing... He turned to Kodachi and blew her a goodbye kiss, then
fled upstairs.

Mikado gave a sigh of relief, "As much as I love her, that *laughter* could
drive anyone batty..." Then he smirked, "Although that laughter and her
dominatrix outfit *do* go well together..."

[Nekohanten, That Night]

Shampoo packed away the kitchen utensils as Mousse locked up for the night.
He was great help around the restaurant, and actually enjoyed working with
Shampoo. He closed the doors, locked them, and turned to Shampoo. He looked
longingly at the purple haze that surrounded the pinkish blur of her face.
No matter how hard he tried, nor how many times he adjusted his glasses, he
could never see his beautiful wife as more than a slightly ill-defined 
blur. But he didn't love her for her body, his attraction came from deep 
within his heart.

"Well, that's it for tonight, Mousse. We've closed early, so let's watch 
a little tv... There is an interesting love story on soon!" her bright and 
bubbly voice called in Mandarin from where she stood.

He smiled and nodded to her and led her to their living room. His life had
suddenly become a dream, one day. Shampoo had fallen in love with him...That
was all it took to make him happy. He sat down with her, slipping an arm
around his beloved, just to hold her. Although he couldn't see well, his
other senses more than made up for it. He listened to her gentle breathing
as she watched the television... he felt her soft, warm body resting in his
arms. The scent of freshly washed hair... He loved this woman more than
anything...

He continued to hold her as she became engrossed in the movie, both of them
happy.

[Outside]

Azusa and Tsubasa, both dressed in similar frilly, pink dresses, waited 
outside the Nekohanten for it to open. Neither of them bothered to
actually check to see if the restaurant was open. So they waited for the
rest of the evening, chattering away happily into the cold, dark night.

[Ucchan's Okonomiyakiya]

Ukyou opened the door and smiled, "Come in, Ran-chan. Akane. How are you
both?"

Ryouga sat by the counter, watching as the couple entered, "Hi!" Ryouga was
rather cheerful tonight, even if Ranma was here. Ranma really wasn't 
Ryouga's sworn enemy anymore... He was a friend, of sorts. Although they
still had a little rivalry going, it was still a friendship... or at least
a very peaceful truce.

"Hi, Ryouga-kun!" Akane smiled as she entered the okonomiyaki-ya, Ranma
following her.

"Yo," Ranma went straight up to the counter and sat down, waiting for his
food.

Ukyou shook her head and smiled at Ranma, "Ran-chan, you're always in such
a hurry to eat!"

Ranma grinned, "Well, who wouldn't want to miss out on your great okonomiyaki
and that special sauce?"

Ryouga narrowed his eyes a little, "Don't tell me that you're after my wife
now?"

"Hey! I'm just saying what a great cook she is!"

Akane tapped Ranma on the shoulder, "You never say anything like that about
*my* cooking."

"Well, I always eat your stuff... It's okay, but it's not anything like 
Ucchan's cooking."

Ukyou rolled her eyes and whapped Ranma lightly on the back of his head, "I
don't want you two to destroy the place tonight, really."

Akane swallowed a retort, not just because of what Ukyou said. She knew that
she was jealous of his compliments of Ukyou's cooking. He hardly ever
complimented hers, since he was so used to it. She knew that her cooking
still wasn't perfect, but she could cook perfectly edible meals, every day.
Ranma's way of 'complimenting' her cooking these days was to eat it all.

Ranma scratched his head, "Sorry, Ucchan." He looked over at Akane, 
wondering what he'd said wrong. <But as long as she seems to have calmed 
down, I'm sure it's okay... though...> He leaned over to Akane and 
whispered, "Although I do like your cooking, I've got to tell Ukyou how good 
hers is because we're guests, right? But, just between us, you've improved 
your cooking skills the most!"

Akane smiled a little and sat down between her husband and Ryouga. "How's
everything going, you two, anyway?"

Ryouga smiled, turning to look at Ukyou, "I've never been happier."

Ukyou winked at him, "Even on our wedding night?"

The blush on Ryouga's cheeks spread to cover his whole face, "Ukyou-chan!"

Both Ukyou and Akane giggled while Ranma grinned. "You know, I never know
how you survived that night with all those nosebleeds you have, Ryouga,"
Ranma smirked over at the blushing man.

"Hey! That's none of your business!" Ryouga spluttered, still blushing very
deeply... <Though I'm not sure how I managed, either.>

That sent the girls into more peals of laughter. When Ukyou managed to speak
again, she leaned over and kissed Ryouga's cheek tenderly, "You know, you're
so cute when you blush."

Ryouga blushed even more.

"So, what do you two want to eat?" Ukyou smiled at her guests.

"Oh, just my usual, Ucchan."

Akane looked at the menu for a moment, "I think I'll just have a modernyaki
tonight, Ukyou."

Ukyou smiled and set to work, cooking four okonomiyaki for them all. As
she worked, she hmmed, "Ne, Ryouga-kun. Can you get everyone something to
drink?"

Ryouga made his way over to the refrigerator and started to search for
something to drink.

"Ne, Ukyou. How's the baby going?" Akane asked, watching her friend at
work.

"Well... you know how it is. Not exactly the most fun thing in the world,
when you feel sick."

Akane smiled, "But it's more than worth it, you know."

Ranma rested his elbows on the counter, his chin in his hands and looked at
Ukyou, "Even if you have to get someone to babysit when you want to go out."

Ryouga wandered back and poured out a cup of Calips Soda each. "Ukyou-chan
will be okay with all of the changes...?" he wondered.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Ryouga-kun," Akane smiled.

Ryouga turned his eyes on Ranma, "Well, Ranma. Maybe *you* should have a baby
and then tell us all what it's like."

"WHAT?!" Ranma stared at Ryouga.

"Well, since you seem to think that the biggest problem is getting a 
babysitter, maybe you should have a child, yourself to see what it's really 
like."

"Hey! I'm a guy, 'Unca Pii Pii!'" Ranma retorted, glaring at Ryouga.

"Who you calling 'Pii Pii'?!"

Akane and Ukyou both sighed and the girls both bashed their respective
husbands over the head with a chair. "Boys..." Ukyou sighed.

"There's hardly a moment's peace between them." Akane shook her head.

Eventually, they all managed to sit quietly and eat their okonomiyaki 
together. They caught up on recent events, and talking about the children 
who were to be born by the end of the year. Life had been quite quiet in 
Nerima, recently... Neither of the two couples knew that things would 
drasticly change, in a little while...

[The Outskirts of Toukyou]

The woman smirked to herself, "It's almost time... I hope you are ready for
me."

[Unryuu-ke, Akari and Konatsu's Room]

Konatsu, dressed in a fine kimono, with his hair done up in an old geisha
style, knelt down on the tatami mat, across from Akari. She smiled up at 
him, in the midst of knitting a jumper.

"Well, the pigs have been fed for the night, Akari-chan..." Konatsu looked
over at Akari, "So I think that it's time for our dinner. I'll start making 
it..."

"I've already made our meal, Kenzan-chan." Akari smiled, finishing off the
row of her knitting, and placed it down in the knitting basket.

The kunoichi, now part-time pig farmer, smiled and helped Akari up. "Well,
we should go and eat, ne?"

They wandered off to get the food, and brought it to the living room, where
Akari's grandfather awaited the meal, his frail form huddled up at the
low, warm table.

[Ucchan's Okonomiyaki-ya]

The two couples eventually finished their meal, and continued to chat for a
while. Eventually Akane looked outside, "It's getting late... Ranma and I
should go now. You and I both need our rest, Ukyou."

Ukyou yawned behind her hand, "You're right, Akane-chan. It was a busy day
today."

Ryouga looked at his wife, a little concerned, "Maybe you should hire someone
else to look after the restaurant. Then I can look after you and you can 
rest."

Ukyou nodded a little, "We'll see, Ryouga-kun. But I'm fine for the moment.
Thanks for coming, Ran-chan, Akane. We'll see you later."

The Saotomes smiled and took their leave. Ryouga finished tidying up the 
small counter, then took Ukyou's hand, and the couple headed for bed...

Outside, the rain started to lightly patter down on the okonomiyaki-ya
roof...

[A Cave, Somewhere]

A small figure struggled in vain as it tried to escape from its bonds.

[Ranma and Akane's Room, Tendou-ke]

Akane looked at her husband, "Oh, come on, Ranma. You could have run home
fast enough NOT to get rained on!"

The female Ranma shrugged out of her damp Chinese top, "What's it matter,
anyway?" She threw her damp top in one corner of the room, and started
slipping off her damp pants. She wandered over to the window and looked
outside, "Well, what do you know? It's hailing now."

Akane, about to reply to Ranma's question stopped, "Ranma! Get away from the
window!"

Ranma turned and blinked at her.

"Who knows WHO would see you like that?" She gestured to Ranma's bare torso.

Ranma looked down then back at Akane, "There's a wall around the house,
remember?"

Akane frowned a little, "That doesn't stop anyone from peeking."

Ranma sat herself down on the bed and kicked out of her boxer shorts, "The
old hentai hasn't been around in a year, so I wouldn't worry."

Akane sighed and gave up. Ranma would NEVER have any female modesty. She
closed the window and unzipped her damp dress, "We should really take a
bath before we catch a cold."

Ranma grinned, "I have a better way to keep warm..." She moved up behind her
wife, and helped her out of her dress.

Akane blushed a little as Ranma's small hands slid around her stomach, gently
stroking over her delicate skin. "B...but we haven't done it like *this* in
so long!"

She closed her eyes as she felt Ranma's lips lightly kissing the back of her
neck, shivers of pleasure running through her body.

"Well, all the better to try it again..." Ranma breathed softly, the small
feather-like feeling of her breath caused Akane to shiver a little more.

"Oh, Ranma..." she whispered, feeling her husband's hands gently undoing her
bra... slipping it off her shoulders. The piece of lingerie fell to the
floor, and Ranma's small, feminine hands moved around Akane's sides to
gently cup her breasts.

Akane leaned back against Ranma, her heart beat starting to speed up... As
Ranma gently played with her breasts, her nipples tingled and hardened...
and the slow tingling started to build up between her legs... She reached
behind her and squeezed Ranma's hips gently in her hands, pressing back
against her.

Ranma responded by lightly nibbling at Akane's neck, and a hand starting to
make its way down Akane's torso and stomach, going over her fine, soft 
curves, "Mm... you're warm already, Akane..."

"H..hai... let's get... mmm... to bed," she moaned softly, loving the touch,
but feeling her knees weakening...

Ranma gently let go, feeling her own pleasure sending tingles through her
body, just touching and hearing Akane... She led her to the bed, and kissed
her lips, easing her back on the soft mattress...

As they kissed, their lips parting... their tongues slowly probing each
other's mouths, Akane's arms slid back down to Ranma's wide hips. Her
fingertips tenderly ran over her soft skin, almost tickling Ranma as she
stroked... Ranma's soft, curvy body pressed down against Akane's... her
hands running up and down Akane's sides...

As they fondled each other, both of them started to get turned on more and
more, the build up slow and steady. Both of their voices whimpered with
pleasure, both wanting the other to push them over the edge... but both
still wanting to continue just touching their love...

Rolling over, Ranma and Akane continued to kiss, both rocking slightly 
against each other. Akane's breasts rubbed against Ranma's, both girls' 
nipples hard, pressing into each other's skin... And Akane started to grind 
her hips against her husband's... moaning... Ranma's moans echoing hers...

As Ranma pressed back up against her, he could feel her fragrant honey 
dripping down to run over her inner thighs and sex... "Akane..." she 
whispered in between moans... And slid one hand down, between then, to 
slide between her legs.

Akane cried out, softly, needing her touch so badly...she parted her legs
a little further, and shuddered as Ranma's fingertips ran over her pink,
dripping flower...

Slowly, Akane let her hand drop to Ranma's sex... running through Ranma's
soft, red hair... then down to find her clit. Ranma let out a soft, 
shuddering moan of need as Akane's finger grazed her sweet bud lightly.

Soon, the two were stroking each other's special, sweet spot, their
fingertips centering on areas of pleasure... their bodies ground against
each other, damp with sweat as the two worked up each other's pleasure.

Suddenly, Akane cried out and started to orgasm as Ranma's fingers
squeezed her clit gently. She cried out, arching her back as she came,
her whole body shaking with the force of the pleasure she felt...

Ranma, even through her pleasure, gazed at Akane, watching her pleasure
filled face as she orgasmed above her. A feeling of pure happiness washed
through her... and a feeling of satisfaction. As soon as Akane started
floating back down from the waves of pleasure washing through her, she
collapsed on Ranma... and pinched on Ranma's own clit...

And Ranma felt the female sensations of her orgasm flood her, the strong
feelings rushing through her small body. As she came, she felt one of
Akane's fingers slipping inside her as her inner muscles contracted and
squeezed... seeming to vibrate around Akane's fingers... Then Ranma
moaned, half groaning Akane's name... and collapsed back on the bed.

Ranma sighed softly, sliding her arms around Akane as the dark haired girl
rested her head on her shoulder. Both girls panted softly, drenched in sweat
and honey. They snuggled close together for a while, relaxing... just holding 
each other, feeling wonderfully warm... Then they both fell asleep together, 
whispering words of love...

[Dr.Toufuu's Clinic, Next Morning]

"Kasumi-chan, when's the next appointment?"

Kasumi rifled through her appointment book, "Not till this afternoon, anata."
She smiled at her husband.

The doctor nodded and smiled, "Well, maybe I can work a little on this. Do
you have that list?"

Kasumi searched through a pocket in her skirt and pulled out a sheet of
paper, "Here you are."

He smiled and kissed her lightly, "Thank you, Kasumi."

She kissed him back lightly, then sat down next to him. "What is it for?"
she wondered.

"It's something I put away but wanted to study later..." He showed her the
bottle, then the little pile of dried up potion residue.

"Oh, I wonder what it was. It looks like a potion of some kind..."

Toufuu nodded and readjusted his glasses. He scanned through the list, "It
seems very much that way. Hmmm... I think I'll try to make up a sample this
morning to see if I can figure it out."

Kasumi smiled and kissed him on the forehead, "Gambatte, anata. I need to
go shopping for a few things."

He smiled at her, and squeezed her delicate hand, "Come back soon."

She nodded and turned away, making her way to the door... And the doctor
turned back to the list...

[Nekohanten]

As Mousse opened the door, two kawaii, damp creatures in pink and lace
bounced past him into the restaurant.

Mousse blinked, "Anou na..."

The two pictures of kawaiiness bounced down at a table and started giggling
as they waited to be served.

Shampoo blinked at them, then at Mousse, who shrugged. She shrugged a little
back and went over to their table, "What you want to eat?"

Azusa and Tsubasa looked up. "We want gomoku wonton, yakisoba and ebi
chaahan!" they both cried out together, both sounding equally kawaii.

Shampoo blinked, but nodded and went out to the kitchen. "Strange customers
we have these days..." she muttered in her own language, and started the
day's work.

[Beside a Sign, Reading 'Welcome to Nerima, Population: Variable']

The woman smirked and cracked her knuckles, "Now for my revenge." With that,
she started striding into town, a determined look on her face...

She walked past Gosunkugi, who had a young Hinako-sensei walking next to him,
begging him to buy her an icecream.

The woman kept walking. She stopped outside the Tendou Doujou, "Tonight...
I shall put my plan into action." She laughed evilly and continued on.

[Inside the Tendou-ke]

Miyabi sat by the table, gobbling down her meal. Nodoka had prepared lunch,
but had dragged Genma and Souun shopping with her for some new baby clothes
and things. Akane and Ranma were left for the lunch.

Ranma was also gobbling down his food. Akane smiled evilly. <Hmmm... I've
got a way to slow you down, Ranma...>

She took one of the little spring rolls, and dipped it in the pink sauce. She
smiled over at Ranma, who blinked a little but smiled back. Making sure his
eyes were still on her, she parted her lips a little, and ran her tongue,
ever so slowly, through the sauce on the roll. Then she slipped the sauce
covered end of the roll into her mouth.

Ranma stared at her, watching how she sucked on the sauce, then pulled the
roll out from her pretty mouth, and started to dip it in sauce again. 

Miyabi continued eating happily.

Akane licked her lips, this time, her tongue running over her top, then 
bottom lip... her eyes still on Ranma. Then she pushed the roll a little way
into her mouth. As she began to suckle again, she wrapped her fingers around
the base of the food, and started to push it into her mouth. After each
slight push, she pulled it back out, working in a rhythm.

Ranma gulped, forgetting to eat.

She continued with her rhythm, this time bobbing her head a little, up and
down the piece of food... Then she stopped. She took it out again, then let
her lips wrap around the very tip of the roll, and she nibbled gently.

Ranma watched her sweet lips working around the shaft of the food taking
small nips as she ran its length over her mouth, almost like kisses. She
then took one more lick at it ... and dipped a finger in the sauce. She
spread the sauce slowly over the roll... and licked the sauce from her 
finger.

She grinned to herself, watching Ranma start to get uncomfortable. She was
going to leave him in agony for as long as possible. Miyabi, seeing her 
father stop eating, reached over and took his food.

Akane slowly ran her tongue up and down the sauce streak on the roll... then
popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, she took another one. Ranma was a
little startled, but he still couldn't get his mind back into gear.

She worked at the rim, this time. Nibbling at the still flakey outside of
the spring roll. Then she suddenly plunged the shaft into her mouth, her
eyes half closing as if in pleasure. This time she heard Ranma gulp.

Miyabi, now finished, looked at her parents, blinked, then wandered off to
play with her toys in the corner of the room.

Akane started to rock the spring roll into her mouth, swaying a little 
herself. Giving a soft "Mmmm," she worked the roll faster...

Ranma, fidgiting, tried to speak, "A...a...anou... Aka...." He gulped again,
his hands moving to his thighs. He tried again, "A...akane."

Her eyes showed her amusement, and she quickly ate the roll. "Hmm, well. I'm
full. I think we should take Miya-chan for a walk."

Ranma's eyes widened as she stood up, as if she didn't know the effect that
she had made on him. "A..akane!"

Akane wandered over to Miyabi and settled down next to her, "Ne, Miya-chan,
who's this?" Akane held up a tanuki stuffed toy, smiling at her. She left
Ranma, at the table, desperately trying to think of something else so that
he could join the two.

Before too long, Ranma got up and joined his wife and daughter, letting the
little girl climb onto his back for a 'horsey ride'. As he stood up with
her, he leaned over and whispered to Akane, "You're so cruel, love." 

She flashed a grin at him, "Next time, I'll do that to *everything* I eat."

Ranma bit his lip, "Ooooh, I'm going to get you for that." Then he took his
daughter outside to run around the garden. Akane sat on the veranda, 
watching over the two most precious things in her life.

[In a Cave, Somewhere]

Something snapped... And the figure was free. It started to laugh... an
insane cackle issuing from its mouth.

[Nerima, that Evening]

Shampoo and Mousse strolled through the streets, hand in hand. As they neared
the doujou, Mousse abruptly pulled Shampoo with him, flattening them both
against a wall.

"Wha-" Shampoo was cut off by a hiss from Mousse. She looked at him for a
moment... as she saw the serious look on his face, she frowned.

Mousse, as soon as he was sure Shampoo would stay still, looked back towards
the doujou. All he could see was a darker blur, moving stealthily down the
wall of the doujou. But he could hear the almost silent sounds of the
intruder as it moved. And hearing the lack of sounds the intruder was making
told Mousse it wasn't an ordinary person.

As soon as the figure disappeared up the street, Mousse stepped out. He
turned to Shampoo. "There was someone there."

Shampoo nodded, "I saw him. All in black, and carrying something."

"We'd better see what's going on."

The two made their way to the Tendou-ke...

[Somewhere]

A small figure bounded through the country side, laughing evilly. Half
way through it's laugh, it smashed straight into a tree. "Urk."

[Tendou-ke]

Akane woke with a start at someone pounding at the front door. She looked at
Ranma, who was still fast asleep. She sighed and got out of bed, pausing to
put on a yukata.

"Ranma, wake up!" Akane prodded him. Seeing little response, and as the 
knocking at the door grew more incessant , she pushed her husband off the bed,
"Wake up, you!"

Ranma came to as he was slammed onto the floor, half waking as Akane stomped
out of the room. "Whacha do tha' for?" he called after her retreating figure.

Akane rounded the corner and stepped down into the entrance way. She opened
the door with a violent shove, "What?" She blinked at Shampoo and Mousse.

"We're sorry to wake you, Saotome Akane, but - " Mousse was cut off.

"Akane! We saw intruder leaving Tendou-ke!"

Akane blinked again, "An intruder?"

The Chinese couple nodded. "Intruder steal something."

Akane's brow creased into a frown, "I'd better check the house... but I 
didn't hear anything..." She grabbed onto Ranma's pyjama top, "Let's go and
have a look!"

Ranma, who had just managed to turn up, let himself be dragged around the
house. The four people covered the ground floor, searching the closet under
the stairs, the doujou, the kitchen, the livingroom, Happousai's old room
and ended in the bathroom.

Ranma, finally realising what was going on, gave a half shrug, "Nothing's
missing or out of place."

"We haven't looked upstairs yet..." Akane said, a strange feeling coming 
over her. She turned to leave the room, and almost walked straight into her
father-in-law.

"What are you playing at?" Genma asked, rather upset at being awoken and
sent downstairs to investigate by Nodoka.

"Oyaji, Shampoo and Mousse saw someone sneaking out of the house, carrying
stuff." Both Mousse and Shampoo nodded at Ranma's statement.

"There was no-one in our room," Genma frowned. "Maybe Tendou-kun saw 
something." The group made their way upstairs, meeting Nodoka, her sword
drawn, at the landing.

"What's going on? Was there someone down there?" Nodoka asked, looking at
the group.

"Mousse and Shampoo saw someone sneaking away from our house... but there's
nothing missing..." Akane half shook her head, still feeling uneasy.

"Maybe we should finish searching the house, then check the garden?" Mousse
suggested.

As they reached Kasumi's old room, a sleepy Souun opened the door, "What time
of night do you call this to have a party??"

"Tendou-kun, there may have been an intruder. Did you hear anything?" Genma
asked his old friend.

"An intruder?" He turned and searched his room for a moment, "Well, our shogi
board is still here!"

"Wahahah! That's okay, then!" Genma laughed.

Ranma and Nodoka whapped Genma over the back of his head, "Be serious!"

"You, too, Otousan!" Akane glared at her father, who immediately broke down
in tears.

Shampoo opened Nabiki's old room, which was just about empty apart from a few
boxes and crates, "Something missing from room?"

Everyone joined her, shaking their heads.

All eyes turned to Miyabi's room. Akane could feel her heart sinking as she
started to dread opening the last door. She turned to look at Ranma... his
face has turned white as if a premonition had struck him. <Miya-chan...> She
fought back the urge to run away, or to run to the door and slam it open. Her
body moved with a deliberate slowness, even though her senses were screaming
at her to hurry. 

It seemed like an eternity had passed, just to reach the door. She couldn't 
stop her hand from trembling as she reached for the handle. Her heart skipped
a beat as it raced, painfully pumping her blood around her body... Her blood
seemed ice cold, ready to freeze in her veins. Her fingers gripped the handle
as panic gripped her heart. <Miya-chan!> She struggled against her body as it
froze in place... eventually managing to turn the handle...and open the door.

Peering into the dark room, she knew two things. The window was open... and
Miyabi was not there. "MIYA-CHAN!!" She practically flew through the room to
the windows, knowing that the intruder had taken her little girl long ago.
Her hands gripped the window sill as her body trembled with pain and rage.
Someone had taken her daughter. They would pay. She didn't even notice as the
wood crumpled under her hands, "IYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

Ranma, his heart filled with the same pain, confusion and anger, clenched his
fists, forcing himself not to grab hold of Mousse and cream him on the spot.
<Mousse could have stopped that bastard! He could have gotten Miyabi back!
Mousse didn't! Damn him! Damn Shampoo! I'm going to KILL whoever did this!>

As Ranma held back his anger, his pain and his confusion, he felt all of his
emotions swirling inside him. He closed his eyes for a moment... and his
feelings turned into a cold, slow burning anger that flared around him, like
a sea of flickering white flames. "I will get her back. And anyone who gets
in my way will die." His voice sounded empty and cold, even to his own ears.

No-one could meet Ranma's gaze at that moment.

Akane turned to him, "I am going, too."

Even in his current condition, Ranma knew it was no use trying to stop her.
Her chi was a bright blue, tinged with flames of pure blood red. "No-one
will DARE touch my daughter again."

The couple's patents backed out of the room as their children started
advancing to the door.

"Son! You can't go now! You don't even know who did this," Genma tried to
reason with his son. Souun could do no more than blubber, tears streaming
down his face.

"Wait! Shampoo know who did this." The Amazon faced the two young Saotomes
as they turned to her. She held up a small band of cloth that looked as if
it had been torn. A few tassels were dangling from either end, and some
long strands of dark hair were still attached to it. "It Hiibaa-chan who do
this."

Ranma grabbed the hairband from Shampoo's grasp, the chi leaping higher
around him. "The cow dies tonight." He and Akane turned to the door.

Nodoka barred their exit, her katana out. She looked her daughter-in-law in
the eye, "You must do what a mother has to do for her child." She reversed
her grip, offering the hilt to Akane. "You are a martial artist's wife and a 
mother. This is now yours."

Nodoka relinquished the sword as Akane took the hilt, accepting the sword,
and the responsibilities that came with it, from Ranma's mother. With a
slight bow, she and Ranma swept past their family, down the hall to the 
steps.

Mousse looked at everyone, "We will go, too. Shampoo can help them find the
witch." He took Shampoo's hand and followed the younger Saotomes.

As they disappeared down the stairs, Genma sighed, "This battle is Ranma and
Akane-kun's fight alone. Maybe they can help... but the battle is for our
children, alone."

Nodoka nodded, leading the sobbing Souun back to his room, "They need to
take all the responsibility for themselves, the young ones. Although maybe
they will need a few diversions... And Toufuu-sensei will be needed to help
the injured. Although I don't think that there will be much left of the old
one once Akane-chan is through with her."

Genma shivered, slowly nodding to his wife.

[Ucchan's Okonomiyaki-ya]

Ukyou sighed, staring out the window at the street below. She was restless
and couldn't sleep. Ryouga was fast asleep, curled up on the bed, and even
Ryouga's dog and one of her grown puppies were asleep in a large basket by
the bed. She sighed and loosened her silken dressing gown, <One more try..>
Maybe she would sleep this time.

As she turned from the window, a flickering of movement caught her eye. She 
turned back and looked down to the street. She stared for a moment at the 
strange light. "Ran-chan and Akane-chan!"

Her cry woke Ryouga and the dogs. He looked around sleepily, only catching
sight of Ukyou running out the door. "Ukyou-chan, wait!" He struggled to sit
up. Finding his pyjamas, he slipped them on, then followed his wife, letting
his dogs lead the way.

[Dr.Toufuu's Clinic]

The doctor yawned and placed the bottle down on the table. It was finally
finished. He looked at the strange blue liquid, "Hmm, I will have to test it
tomorrow."

He was startled by the phone ringing in the waiting room. He looked at the
clock and sighed, "Who could be calling at this time of night?"

Kasumi squeezed her husband's shoulder and smiled, "I'll see, anata. But
maybe we won't be getting to bed tonight." She went to answer the phone, the
doctor following her. He absently placed the bottle into the fold of his
grey gi.

"Moshi moshi?" Kasumi asked, smiling as the doctor slid his arms around her
waist, gently holding her against him as she talked on the phone.

But her smile soon faded, "Oh, my! We shall see what we can do to help."

Kasumi's brow was marred by a frown. Toufuu had never seen her frown before.
He started to worry.

"Thank you, Oba-san," Kasumi placed the receiver down.

Toufuu turned her around to face him, "What is it, Kasumi?"

"Miya-chan has been kidnapped by Shampoo's great-grandmother," Even though
her voice was as sweet as always, he could hear a certain hardness behind her
words. "We must see if anyone needs your help, because there will be a 
fight." Her words belied what the doctor knew would be no ordinary battle.

"They will probably look at the Nekohanten first. I'd say that Cologne would
try to lure them there, somehow. She knows the place well and will probably
have set traps..."

Kasumi nodded slowly, "Sou... Shampoo and Mousse were out on a dinner date 
when I was in town earlier."

The doctor nodded and sighed, "I will go get my things."

Kasumi sighed and watched her husband get ready. <Maybe...> she thought. Her
frown disappeared and she picked up the phone, then started to dial. A smile
came to her lips as a plan to spring any traps came to her...

[Nekohanten]

Cologne winced as she slammed the cage shut on Miyabi. The girl may be a cute
and innocent toddler, but she could bite! <And her strength! She would have
made a wonderful Amazon... Hmm. Maybe I shall make this one my daughter after
I dispose of Akane... And humiliate son-in-la... No. 'Husband.' And that
other one who defeated me. Ryouga. Humiliate him, too, after killing his wife
and then make him my concubine. She grinned evilly at the little girl in the
cage, the grin marring the beauty of her youthened form, "You are the bait... 
AND the one who will help me crush their spirits!"

Finding no way to escape from the stranger or the small cage, Miyabi curled 
up in the far corner and started to cry. Even she could sense the evil aura
of the Amazon.

[Outside the Nekohanten]

Akane's anger flared up once more, "She's making Miya-chan cry! Ama!!" Before
anyone could stop her, she rushed at the door, breaking it into pieces with
a well-aimed kick, "You're going to pay, you wrinkled, old hag!"

Ranma, his anger flaring to a deep red at the sound of his little girl's 
tears, rushed in with Akane, without thinking.

The other two couples looked at each other, then looked at the broken door.
They followed... more cautiously.

[Inside the Nekohanten]

Cologne stood in front of the cage. <Feh. The fools. Anger will cause them
to make mistakes... All the better for me.> She smirked at her opponents,
"Well, well. If it isn't a group of children playing at adult games. It's a
pity, but I will have to kill you girls." She snorted as she looked at
Shampoo and Mousse, "Maybe I will let you live, ungrateful great grandchild.
But I shall have to kill your beloved husband."

"You will be the one who dies!" Akane cried and ran at Cologne. Before she
had taken three steps, she triggered a tripwire and a net dropped around
her. She struggled against the ropes, but it tightened around her, hauling
her into the air. The katana fell to the floor, the sound of metal striking
concrete reverberated around the room.

The Chinese woman's smirk grew, "The kitten is declawed. Such a fool for
her anger... Now she shall be the first... no the SECOND to die. First
shall be the child." <If husband falls for this, I can beat him...> She
saw his anger growing, <Yes. Attack me husband!>

A strangled cry was torn from Ranma's lips, "Noooooooo!!!" He leapt at the
young Cologne, forgetting all but getting his hands on the woman, wanting
to pummel her to a pulp.

Cologne laughed and ducked under Ranma's reckless attack. She reached  up as
he flew over her, poking his chest.

Ranma's body seized up and he smashed into the wall. He slid down into a
crumpled heap on the floor, unable to move... straining against his frozen
body to get at the woman, to kill the woman who would dare threaten his
family.

"So, reckless groom, you think you could stop me?" The young Cologne laughed,
then contemptuously turned away from him. Facing the others, she readied her
defenses, "Who's next, children?"

Shampoo gripped her bonbori tighter, "You go too too far, hiibaa-san!" She
leapt up onto a table top, knowing her great grandmother quite well. She
knew that she wouldn't think of placing traps on the table top...

Cologne looked coolly at her great grandchild, "So, you think you can get me,
like this? I have learned a few *new* tricks while I've been gone!"

The older Amazon threw something at Shampoo's feet... and explosion and a
puff of smoke blinded the purple haired girl. She stumbled backwards, off
the tabletop... only to be caught by Mousse.

Ukyou, hoping that Cologne would be distracted by the two Chinese, threw
some small, sharpened spatulas at Cologne...

Ryouga took this moment to attack. Rushing in, behind the spatulas, he
attacked with all of his strength...

Ryouga lashed out with a roundhouse kick, seeking to send Cologne into a
corner for a trap. Cologne ducked the kick and ankle tapped him, Ryouga 
rolled with the kick and cursed as pain ran up his leg. He rolled to his
feet and, ignoring the pain somersaulted forwards with a heel kick.

Cologne stepped around it and caught him mid-air, then back suplexed him 
to the floor. Ryouga gasped as his collar bones rammed into his lungs, 
expelling the air from his body. Cologne took the opportunity to slip a 
pill into his mouth. He swallowed it in his desperate attempts to breathe.

Ukyou, seeing her husband downed, attacked in a rage, disregarding her own 
safety or that of her child. She lept at Cologne, covering her entry with 
spatulas. Cologne blocked the projectiles and then unleashed a hail of thin
cables from her sleeves. The ropes few all around Ukyou, wrapping around her 
limb and body and dragging her to the ground, hard.

Cologne laughed as the ropes coiled around Ukyou. She tightened them,
imobilising the girl. As she stepped back, she was hit in the back by a 
bonbori. Rolling with the blow, Cologne lept forwards and rebounded off the
wall at her attacker. She came back at Shampoo so fast that Shampoo was 
unable to counter or avoid the kick the slammed squarely into her face. The 
purple haired Amazon dropped to the floor without a whimper. 

Cologne landed delicately and smiled, "You are a hundred years too LATE to 
beat me! Wahahahahahaha-"

Cologne's laugh was cut off as she was slammed into the wall from behind and
kicked viciously in the back. She turned, throwing a slashing back elbow to
punch her opponent away. As she spun, she was hit in the gut by a ten pound
weight. She grunted as it rebounded off her abdominal muscles. 

Mousse, seeing his attack had failed, leapt back to regroup. As he pulled 
away, Cologne moved in, throwing forearm combinations. Mousse reeled as 
Cologne's punches and elbows sapped his strength. Cologne uppercutted him 
and then, with an acrobatic heel spin, roundhouse kicked him into 
unconsciousness.
He was out before he hit the floor.

Everyone was down... The dark-haired Amazon woman smirked. 

"No more interruptions... Husband, Concubine. You both will be mine... as
soon as I rid the world of these others. But first, you must know what you
have all done to me." Cologne glared at the group of defeated warriors in
the room.

She indicated her new, rather voluptuous, young body. "You see this? After
you *defeated* me," She practically snarled the word 'defeated', "That
lech HAPPOUSAI ... glomped onto me and WOULD NOT LET GO! Floating around
in space, I couldn't get him off. Even when I regained my strength..." Her
words ended in a growl.

"Even THEN, I had to wait for the orbit to decay. When we hit the ground,
I made sure that he was under me. I threw the old lech into a cavern, using
everything I knew to keep him tied up. It took me *months* to get rid of
that ... that ... creature!"

She ran her eyes over them, all of them struggling to escape. Cologne knew
that she had won and they were helpless.

"Then... I spent the rest of my time training, waiting for my revenge. I
have awaited this moment... training my new body, savouring the taste of
revenge. And this new body will be *perfect* for taking the clan back.
And with my two, strong husbands at my side..."

Ranma's eyes dilated with inhuman fury, his anger rising further, heightened 
by his inability to speak...

"NEVER!" Ryouga growled, straining against the paralysis poison as it
coursed through his body.

Cologne ran a hand through her long, dark hair, "Oh, but you *will*. I will
break you, break your spirit. I can see the signs that your beloved women
are to be mothers again. Killing your family before it even starts, my dear
concubine, will destroy you." Her eyes turned to stare at Ranma's hate filled
eyes, "Even you can not survive long with your wife and children dead, 
husband."

The group, struggle as they might, could not escape from Cologne's traps. The
eyes of the captured friends conveyed all of their hate and outrage at their 
captor. Miyabi started to cry again, this time louder. Cologne laughed 
wickedly and picked up an ornate knife, emblazoned with the image of a dragon.

"Now, to finish this..." Cologne purposefully stepped towards Mousse. <Kill
the worthless one first. The waiting will only drive the rest over the
edge.> She grabbed the unconscious man by his long, black hair, dragging his
head back.

She rested the edge of the knife on his exposed throat, "Shampoo! Watch your
husband die, you worthless excuse for an Amazon!" A drop of blood welled up
under the knife edge...

"Nooooooooo!!" Shampoo cried, the anguish in her voice echoing around the
room.

Cologne turned and laughed at Shampoo, yanking Mousse's hair back harder,
the sharp blade slicing at the man's skin, small traces of blood starting
to seep down the blade.

...then the wall crashed down around the elder Amazon and her victim. She
cried out in surprise, dropping the knife.

As the dust settled, a dark shape advanced into the room... it's enormous
proportion blocking the entire opening.

"What is this?" Cologne shrieked, her voice rising a few notches. <I can't
let this happen! If they get free... They will kill me!>

The dust settled, revealing the large girth of Katsu-nishiki, Akari's sumo
pig. The pretty ninja and his wife stepped into the room.

Cologne regained control, "Come to watch your friends die?"

Then Azusa and Tsubasa, the second crossdresser disguised as a walking pot
plant, entered the room.

"Waiwai! That knife is sooooooooooo cute! Mary-chaaaaaaaan!" Azusa managed
to glomp onto Cologne's knife, totally ignoring Mousse's comatose form.

Azusa was soon joined by a chibi Hinako-sensei. A sleepy Gosunkugi arrived,
wearing two lit candles, bound against his head with a long headband. He
yawned a little, destroying the image of a dark, angry shinto magician.

Cologne's smirk returned, "Pathetic... You shall all die."

As she readied her attack on the newcomers, another wave of assailants
flooded the room. The entire Kunou household. Including Kunou-kouchou,
playing his ukulele. And the Sanzenins.

Cologne paled, <With ones as unpredictable as these... I didn't plan for this
occurance...>

Nabiki stood slightly behind her husband and held up a sheet of paper, "You
dare to do this to my little sister and my niece? This paper is your 
downfall."

Kunou readied his bokken, his eyes fixed on Cologne. Kodachi's poisons and
potions were ready. Mikado was ready on his rollerblades, even if it meant
attacking a pretty woman. Kunou-kouchou was ready with his hair shears.

Cologne, backing her words with a confidence she didn't feel, assumed a
defensive posture, "No paper could defeat me."

Kasumi and Toufuu appeared. Kasumi gave a sweet smile, "Oh, but I'm sure that
you should listen to what Nabiki-chan has to say first."

Cologne's face turned a shade whiter. <Damn! The doctor...> She cursed 
silently. <Even *I* don't know his capabilities!>

Toufuu strode into the room and checked Mousse, watching Cologne from the
corner of his eye. The others would keep her at bay while he looked after
the ones she had captured. He tended to Mousse's wound, thankful that it
was only a shallow cut.

Nabiki spoke up, "This is a letter from the Joketsuzoku tribe, stating that
you are no longer fit to be part of the Amazon tribe."

Cologne grinned without humour, "For such a young girl, your lies are 
growing rather fanciful. The tribe is in China, far away from here."

Nabiki smirked and tapped the letter against her cheek for a moment, "I
guess you have forgotten all about that incident at my wedding?"

Cologne's eyes narrowed, "What about it?"

"If you think back, you will remember that the Joketsuzoku were there for
the wedding of your great-granddaughter and Mousse, were they not?"

The youthened woman's eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise.

Nabiki Kunou placed a hand on her hip, the letter swaying in her hand,
almost like a fan, "And the Amazons did not react well to your interruption
of a wedding that they had accepted. Of course I was the one that they
talked to first. The elders couldn't find you to give you your punishment,
so I promised them that I would give you their letter of justice. After
all, you needed to come back for your ... revenge." Nabiki unfolded the
letter with a skilled hand, <And those Amazons paid for me to deliver this
letter - after all, they didn't wish to search the world for you ... 
especially seeing how drunk and hung over they were from the wedding 
banquet!>

As Cologne stared at her, in facinated horror, Nabiki read, "'We hereby 
remove all rights and honours of the Amazon warrior code from you. The one 
who brings disgrace on the Joketsuzoku tribe is no longer one of us. 
Cologne of the Joketsuzoku, you are now Cologne the Disgraced.'"

Cologne's eyes flickered around the room. Her whole life... gone. She was
now... nothing. She had the law to back her up, her whole life. It was her
stability, her foundation. Now... it was gone. She trembled a little. Too
caught up with her past, she did not notice the others freeing her new
enemies.

Kasumi set Akane free, gently holding her back, "Akane-chan, this may be
your fight, but please, you have to take care of yourself, your baby...
And Miya-chan."

Akane, still trembling with rage, glared at the white-faced woman in the
middle of the room, "She's not getting away with this." Akane growled
beneath her breath, her eyes filled with anger. She picked up the katana.

The doctor slipped around Cologne, and started to tend to Ranma. He poked
gently at his chest... and Ranma was free. "Go save your daughter, Ranma.
Then do what you must," Toufuu whispered.

Ranma, still filled with hate and pain, nodded curtly drew back his anger. He
knew he would need the power later. He stood up and moved towards the cage... 
his daughter crying at all the anger and hurt she could feel around her, and 
at the loneliness and coldness of being trapped.

Ranma moved to the cage, behind Cologne. With a crack, Ranma pulled the cage
door off it's hinges and slammed it to the ground.

Cologne jumped with a start, and suddenly the anger of her current position
rushed through her, "I'll kill you, too, 'husband'" She spat out the word,
lunging at Ranma.

But Akane stood in her way, the sword in her hands. "You touched my daughter.
You shall never do it again." Akane spoke softly, but her aura started to
flare around her again.

Cologne backed off a little, "Bah. You can't even handle a sword. If you wish
to die, fight me!"

Akane's lips twitched into a smirk, "If I can wield a bokken, I can use this
katana..." Akane had done kendo in the past, and was quite good at it. But
she hadn't trained with the sword in a long time... She was about to find out
how good she really was. She cooly stared at Cologne, but her aura flickered
behind her eyes. She felt the power... She would defeat Cologne...

Cologne moved towards Akane... And the naked blade of the sword flashed in
front of the older woman.

Akane slashed downward with the katana, forcing Cologne back. The former 
Amazon moved in, knowing that she had to disarm her opponent. She lunged at
Akane, her hand outstretched. One touch was all it would take...

Akane swept the blade upwards in defense, forcing Cologne to pull away at 
the last moment. Cologne frowned, the girl was more skillful then she had 
anticipated... 

Cologne rushed in, hoping to get inside the swords rage before Akane could 
force her away again. Akane saw her coming and swung wildly at her. Cologne
ducked under the attack and closed in just as Akane swung around and tried
to strike her legs. Cologne was forced to improvise and jumped over the blade,
rolling on the floor to regain her balance. She rolled to her feet in front of 
Ranma, who, still holding Miyabi, shoved Cologne at Akane.

The momentary distraction was enough. As Cologne faltered, Akane struck, 
swinging the katana in a wide arc.

As the steel flashed towards Cologne again, the cold metal cruelly sliced 
into her cheek. Cologne felt the sting of the shallow cut... reaching up, she
ran her finger over the blood that started to ooze from the wound, "You dare
cut me? It's impossible! You can't beat me!"

Akane grimly stared at the woman. She readied herself... this time the blade
would strike deeper. <She made my daughter cry... she would dare to kill my
child...> She felt the cold rage building up inside her as she stepped to the
woman...

And Ranma pulled Akane back. He thrust the crying Miyabi to Akane, "Take 
care of Miyabi. I will finish the fight."

Suddenly Akane's anger dropped from her... the sword clattered to the ground
and she clutched her daughter to her. A flood of joy filled her, mixed with
her pain and anger. She started to cry, holding the young girl to her, "M..
Miyabi..."

Ranma looked to Kasumi, who gently led Akane to the side. Akane collapsed at
the table, sobbing and holding her daughter. Her will to fight died, fading
away as she held her precious child in her arms.

Ranma turned back to Cologne, "Now you'll find out what it's like to be one
who threatens my family..."

Ranma glared at Cologne for a moment and then slammed his foot down on the
floor as he dropped into his guard, shaking the entire building. "Attack my 
family and die! I WILL break you!" He pointed at her, to emphasize his point.

Cologne faced Ranma calmly. She knew he was good. The best. He was her finest 
student. Possessed of all the attributes of a true warrior, he would be a 
dangerous foe. He reverie was cut short as Ranma attacked.
 
Ranma dashed forwards, throwing a series of spinning punches and kicks. He
didn't expect them to hit, but it forced Cologne on the defensive and allowed
him to close in. Having cornered her, he jumped into the air and pivoted,
shifting his weight midair so that all his weight was behind his kick. He
swept his foot around, catching Cologne on the jaw. The kick snapped her head
around and slammed it into the wall. Ranma followed up, grabbing her hair and
slamming her into the ground with it. 

From the floor, Cologne rolled and kicked Ranma to the ground. He rolled away
and then jumped easily to his feet. Cologne, likewise, rose to her feet and 
stood opposite Ranma. They glared at each other for a moment and then 
attacked.

Running towards each other, Ranma and Cologne leapt into the air. Ranma weaved 
as Cologne kicked at him. He rolled behind her and grabbed her shoulders, then 
dropped to the floor, slamming his and Cologne's combined weight down on her
back. They bounced off the floor as they hit and flew apart. Ranma rolled
to his feet and ran straight at her.
 
Cologne got to her knees before Ranma's slide kick hit, sending her rolling 
across the floor again. Ranma stood up slowly and watched with grim amusement
as the Amazon woman struggled to rise to her feet. After a moment, she stood
unsteadily and moved to her guard. She was dizzy and winded. Ranma had become 
more powerful than she remembered...
 
Ranma, seeing Cologne was ready for more, attacked. He was going to make her
suffer for what she had done. He was eager for it to last a while...

Cologne reeled back as Ranma's punches forced their way through her guard.  
She tried to pull away, but Ranma followed, hammering all of his rage and
hate into her. His right fist slammed into her ribs and she heard bone break. 
He spun and heel kicked her across the room, sending her with the impact.
 
Cologne fell to the floor, gasping and coughing blood. "So... You did learn, 
after all..."
 
Ranma did not speak, his face said it all. There would be no mercy...
 
He drew his hands back, gathering cold wind around his fist and charging it
with the energy of his rage. He knew the blow would not kill her. That, he
wanted to do with his hands. He felt his chi reach it's peak and drove his 
hands forward...

"SHINKYUUHIRYUUSHOUTENREPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" 

Ranma's fist surged forward, every ounce of his considerable power behind the
blast. A swirling spiral of charged energy roared out of his outstretched 
palms, streaking across the room and slamming Cologne unmercifully into the
wall. The blast held her there for a moment, continuing to pour it's energies
into her. 

Finally, the blast died down and left nothing but wisps of smoke in the air. 
There was silence. No-one spoke. Cologne lay on the floor against the wall, a 
charred mark leading down to where she lay. She sat limply on the floor and 
her clothes were burned and torn so as to be almost unrecognisable.

Ranma dropped his hands and slowly walked over to where battered woman lay.
His eyes betrayed no emotion as he stepped up to her. He drew his fist back 
and held it, looking contemptuously down at her. Ranma prepared his final 
blow, drawing on all of the cold, hard, hateful emotions within him, he grated 
with rage, "You will NEVER threaten my family again!"
 
He slammed his fist towards Cologne's head, not caring that the concrete
would break her skull... And a fast, small shape knocked his hand out of the
way. Ranma's fist smashed straight through the wall, next to her head, the
concrete cracking under the power of his blow.

The shape attached itself to Cologne's chest, "Sweet! Cologne-chan, Happi's
back!"

As Ranma staggered back and regained his balance, he stared, "JIJI??"

Kasumi blinked, "Oh, my."

Cologne, too badly injured to fight against the lech, fainted.

Ranma, broken out of his anger, blinked as if waking from a dream.

Finishing with freeing Ryouga from the effects of the potion, Dr Toufuu sighed 
and made his way to Cologne, "I guess we will have to do something with her. 
But this fight is over."

Ranma nodded a little, dazed. He turned to watch Akane and his little girl,
being looked after by Ukyou, Akari and Nabiki. Kasumi stood close by, making 
sure that they were fine. Shampoo sat with Mousse at the table, the Amazon
watching over both her husband and her friend. Even Kodachi, sitting a little 
way off, showed her concern for her ex-rival and her child. Ranma slowly made 
his way over, and sat next to Akane, sliding an arm around her, "It's over, 
Akane..."

She looked up at him, tears still streaming down her face. Then she buried
her head against his shoulder, holding the softly crying Miyabi to her.

Konatsu looked at Cologne, who still had Happousai snuggling against her
breasts, "What will happen to her?"

Toufuu shook his head, using a cloth to wipe the blood from Cologne's cheek.
"She'll recover... Her aura is still strong. But I don't think she can stay 
around here. She may cause more damage..."

Azusa and Tsubasa looked at her. As Azusa searched, Tsubasa shook his kawaii 
head, "Maybe you can send her away somewhere."

Auzsa didn't find anything kawaii on Cologne.

Toufuu shrugged a little, "Well, she can't go back to the Joketsuzoku."

Azusa found something to hit Cologne with. "Waai! Kawaikunai! Kawaikunai!"

Hinako joined in, "Delinquent! I'll give you a detention!"

Gosunguki just slumped down and sighed.

As Toufuu tried to stop her, the bottle that Azusa was holding spilled all
over the unconcious woman's face. The doctor blinked, "That looks like..."

Cologne spluttered, the liquid waking her up. She swallowed, gulping until
she could breathe properly. "What the..?" 

Happousai stared up at her, "Oh, my darling Cologne-chan!"

As stared in disgust at the old man, her emotions changed... "Happi-chan!"

Ryouga and Mikado looked sick. Kouchou started to shave Cologne's hair.

Kodachi walked over and pulled out a spray, "This is one way to get rid of 
this problem." Before the doctor could stop her, she sprayed both Cologne and
the old man with her potion. "You deserve this for challenging the Kunou
family... even the very distantly removed members." 

Kodachi looked over at Nabiki and her sister, watching the group of friends 
around them. <Even though we may be enemies, sister-in-law, you are family. 
Sometimes I wish...> She shook her head to rid herself of the thought and 
stood up. Mikado slid his arms around her.

Cologne looked around, seeming confused. Happousai continued to rub his face
against her cleavage.

Tatewaki looked at his sister for a moment, appraising her. He nodded with
approval, finally, "Sister, thank you. You have acted honorably."

He stood Cologne up, then led her outside. He pushed her gently into the
waiting taxi, and handed over a wad of cash. Smiling with satisfaction, he
re-entered the Nekohanten.

Everyone blinked at him.

He looked at them, extraordinarily pleased with himself, "The two are off to
visit the wonders of the gaijin city of New York, thanks to the wonderful
Tatewaki Kunou." He bowed. "Err... that WAS a potion of memory loss, was it
not, sister dearest?"

Everyone facefaulted.

[A little later]

Leaving the Nekohanten, the sleepy crowd stepped out into the first rays of
the morning sunlight. As the sun rose, it's light spreading over Nerima,
people started to awaken.

The early morning risers were greeted with the sight of a crowd of tired,
rather drained people... half of them still only wearing their night 
clothes.

Being good Nerimans, they ignored them, going about their business.

Soon, everyone from the group made their way home to rest. The Kunou clan
headed for the Kunou mansion... kicking Kunou-kouchou out again as they went. 
Hinako was walked back to her apartment, then Gosunguki himself headed home. 
Akari and Konatsu left for the Uunryu residence... Kasumi and Toufuu 
eventually found their way to the clinic, while Ryouga and Ukyou left for 
Ucchan's. Shampoo and Mousse waved goodbye from the Nekohanten as Ranma, 
Akane and Miyabi headed for home, then set about cleaning up the mess...

Soon, Nerima seemed just like any other suburb. Peaceful and quite.

At the Tendou-ke, Genma, Nodoka and Souun welcomed their children and their
grandchild home.

The tired couple and their child were taken to their room. Ranma and Akane
went back to bed... this time with Miyabi, sleeping between them.

Nodoka quietly took her sword, "A mother's love conquers all... Not this
weapon." She closed the door, leaving the family to rest.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranma nibun no ichi - A Mother's Love                             [Epilogue]
_____________________________________________________________________________

About a month later, a young Cologne with an okappa hair style sat in the 
middle of New York city, holding Happousai to her chest. She looks around 
her, watching all the gaijin staring at her. "Where am I? I still don't
know," she whispered in Chinese. She looked down at the old freak who was 
happily nuzzling between her breasts, "And who are you? But whoever you 
are... I love you!" She hugged him tighter.

A rough looking gaijin approached them, "Hey, girlfriend! Wanna give me some
of that, too?"

She started at the man for a moment... then turned and ran, confused, lost
and alone. She didn't know what was going on... but she knew that she would
find out...

Cologne found her way into the building that they had made their home. She 
settled down on the carpeted floor. She smiled as she eyed Happousai, "You 
want your love to give you more?"

Happousai looked up, his eyes shining. He could understand her, even though
he didn't know how or why. "Sweeto!"

Cologne slid off her dress, exposing her sweet, young lingerie clad form to
the old man. "Take me, I am yours."

Happousai tried to glomp onto her panties... but she evaded and stripped them
off, dropping them to the floor, "THIS is for you." She indicated her naked
form... her soft, luscious curves... her sexy body.

Happi's eyes grew big and he glomped tightly onto her.

Then the potion wore off.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! GET IT OFF ME!!!!!!"

Happousai went sailing out the window, up over the New York skyline. He had
never been happier.

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

Ack, I spent so long trying to edit this thing that I can't remember who all
gave me C&C ... If you did and you're not on the list, please remind me and
I'll put you on the list of people who've helped me.

Thanks to Plunger, Skuld@fanficMUX, Sean Gaffney, Sebastian Weinberg, Kergma,
Rui Madeira, errr... damn, I forgot everyone's names sorry... So, thanks, 
too, to all the people from the FFML who C&Ced this... Oh, yeah, thanks to 
Jimbo, too... Salomon Farin, as well! Thanks to the sweet guy who made up 
Miyabi's name, way back, who I forgot to credit previously... You know who 
you are. ^_^

Well, please e-mail me so I can put your name down here! ^^;;; Gomen!

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

Send all comments to kunoichi@thekeep.org

Kun-chan...
--
**********************************************************
* http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi                       *
* http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/cor.html              *
* http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/fanfics.html *
*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
* See my Anime Expo (and Contiki) trips:                 *
* http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/ax_images/   *
*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*