[Ranma][FanFic][Dark] Lost Innocence: Recriminations

[Luke Thrythlind Green]

Ranma walked hesitantly into the classroom and glanced at the faceless
teacher before turning nervously to face the class. She glanced around
for Akane and Ukyou, but didn't see them anywhere. Nabiki had said she
wouldn't let Ranma go through this alone either. They weren't there,
none of them.

There was a see of faces she knew only vaguely, and even those she
didn't have a clear view of. There was something wrong with the lights
in the classroom. Only one in the center of the room worked, and, when
the door closed behind her, she could not see the edges of the room.

"Hi," she said quietly. Even so, the sound echoed dully through the
dark room full of unfamiliar faces. "Ya heard the rumors I guess."
There was a shuffling from the class.

Ranma scanned around the room, avoiding the faceless mass before her.
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at her feet. She
was wearing a dress. Her eyes narrowed and she looked around
nervously. She didn't own any dresses.

"Oh, you poor dear," someone from the class said. The voice was low
almost a purr. A small group of people approached Ranma, and she
backed away towards the door.

"We made you a little something to make you feel better," another
voice said. She couldn't identify the speakers, but she could see what
they were bringing her. A steaming bowl of ramen.

"NO!!" Ranma shouted and ran for the door. She found nothing but dirt
walls, Ranma whirled around to face the other 'students'. Now he could
see the faces, all the cats' eyes and ears, and swishing tails. The
hands holding the ramen were thick and slitted, for holding claws.

"Come on, Fluffy," the voice was definitely that Jin girl's, but
rendered cat like. Several hands gripped her and pulled her down,
claws ripping at her dress. "You let everybody else have a taste, why
not us?"

"I don't want to!" Ranma protested trying to curl up against the
pulling, clawing hands.

"Of course you do," the voice was from the light, which wasn't a light
after all, but the exit from the pit. "All girls want it, they just
pretend not to."

"As he has said," Kuno-neko voice declared, as Ranma's panties were
ripped away. "Did you not secretly enjoy our tryst."

"NO!!" Ranma shouted forcefully.

"Airen must have know Shampoo do something to ramen." Ranma could see
the purple cat on someone's shoulder. Strangely, aside from the older
voice above, it was the only totally human voice, but Ranma didn't
care about that right now. "Ranma eat on purpose." She sounded so
confident of her belief.

"Let go of me!" Ranma shouted, lashing outward and slashing out with
hands curled into claws. Her cries as she slashed about grew more
cat-like as time progressed. She was becoming like them.

Even as she fought them down, she saw out of the corner of her eyes
more cats being dropped into the pit and becoming cat-people as they
landed. In the corners she could hear some of the cat-people making
time with each other while waiting for a chance at her. Strangled
birth cries began echo through the pit, like a horde of ghostly
kittens that were seeking more than milk.

More were appearing than she could bring down. Eventually they would
pull her down, and then they would have her. Again. And again.

"Ranma!" the voice came down from the hole in the top of the pit.

A rope came down from the exit, and Ranma looked at it in a mix of
fear and hope. That's where the cats came from, that's where
everything came from. Anything that wanted to hurt him came into the
Pit through there. Besides, she belonged in the pit, she was dirty.

"Ranma, please!" the voice called out again. Was it a trick? Maybe
outside the Pit there was nothing but cats. The distraction was
costing her, the cats were getting further before she could take them
down.

"Spread your legs, pervert," another Jin-neko purred from down below
before Ranma kicked her head in. Kitten-Baby cries continued
throughout the Pit, strangling, drowning in blood.

"Airen skin so soft," Shampoo-neko said, as she clawed down Ranma's
back.

"Let me free you of this spell." Thick clawed hands reached for her
throat.

Ranma had lost her vocabulary now, and she only hissed as she slashed
out and ran toward the center of the Pit, under the light. Maybe Above
was worse, but the Pit was intolerable. How could anything be worse?
She climbed up the rope out of the Pit.

Strong arms held her as she reached the top. But these arms did not
seek to violate her. Somebody rocked her, holding her naked, bleeding
body and comforting her.

"You're slacking off, boy!" a harsh voice shouted. "You need to keep
training." Somebody gripped her by the hair and tried to throw her
back into the pit.

*********

Ranma snapped awake, being held tight in Akane's arms. She wrapped her
arms around Akane and cried into her spouse's shoulder. Akane stroked
her back and rocked her gently. Ranma didn't care that it made her
feel somewhat like a child, she was safe like this. She was out of the
Pit.

"Do you want to stay home tomorrow?" Akane whispered as Ranma started
to calm down and Akane could. Ranma could still feel herself shivering
in remembered terror.

"No," Ranma answered firmly. She caught her breath and checked her
hands for a moment, making sure they were still human hands. She had
never tried the rope before. "I ain't hidin' anymore."

"You've said that before," Akane reminded her.

"Yeah, I know," Ranma said. "Don't let me fall." She said quietly,
holding Akane.

"I won't," Akane answered, kissing Ranma's forehead.

*********

Nabiki stared up at the ceiling until she heard Ranma and Akane go
back to sleep. Then she stuck her head back under one of her pillows.
Her second pillow kept the sun out of her face in the mornings. It
also made an excellent gag, though not so good with only one hand to
hold it with.

Tomorrow was the day.

She curled up under her blankets, awkwardly trying to accommodate her
shoulder, and held down her pillow, hand shaking.

*********

Kasumi woke up again at her normal time, not yet dawn. She sighed at
her appearance in her mirror. At what point had they started to just
accept the black circles under their eyes?

Kasumi was walking down the stairs and heard someone in her kitchen.
She paused a moment to investigate and wasn't too surprised to find
Ranma cooking.

"I woke up early again," Ranma said without turning around.

"Are you okay?" Kasumi asked.

"Yeah," Ranma said. "No problem." She still hadn't turned around. "I
woulda done some training, but Ryouga's still in the dojo."

"Cooking is very relaxing," Kasumi noted.

"Yeah," Ranma said. "It's like katas, sorta. Ain't gonna throw away my
Art for yours." She added the last firmly.

"I would not expect you to," Kasumi said. "Do you need any help?"

"Nah, I can handle this," Ranma said. "You should go back to bed."

"Whatever they say at school today," Kasumi said quietly. "It doesn't
change anything here."

"Thanks Kasumi," Ranma said, pausing a moment, she wiped at her face
before turning around. "I'm figuring that out." She turned toward the
stairs at the sound of footsteps.

"Kasumi is..." Akane breathed a sigh of relief as she came into the
kitchen and saw Ranma.

"I just woke up early again," Ranma explained again, turning back to
the cooking. Akane sighed and glanced at Kasumi before moving to hug
Ranma.

"It'll be fine," Akane whispered. Ranma nodded and leaned back in
Akane's arms. Kasumi was turning to give them some privacy when Akane
asked, "Do you need any help in here?" Kasumi and Ranma stiffened.

"Ummm, could you set the table?" Ranma asked nervously. "I want ta get
this part done myself."

"You sure you don't want me to help with the meal?" Akane asked.

"No, I'm fine," Ranma insisted, sweating. "I just want to do it.
Relaxing you know?"

"Relaxing?" Akane repeated, she had never really found cooking
relaxing. If Ranma did, though, maybe it was better to let her do it.
"Okay, I guess." She kissed Ranma on the cheek and then started to
gather the plates. To the immense relief of Kasumi and Ranma.

"I shall be in the living room if either of you need any help," Kasumi
said. She noticed that she was still in her night robe and added
another comment. "As soon as I get dressed."

"Thanks," Ranma said. She quietly watched Akane taking the plates out
to set the table and smiled briefly then returned to her cooking.

*********

Ryouga came in through the gate yawning, half-wondering when the dojo
had gotten that second bathroom. The one without the furo with little
yellow "m"'s everywhere. He was also curious to know why they had
built it so far away from the living quarters.

He hadn't known the Tendo compound was quite that large, in fact.
Maybe it was like one of those dimensional pockets that was bigger
inside than it was outside. Like Doctor Who's telephone booth or the
Furinkan basement.

From the gate he meandered around the grounds until he came the rear
entrance. Akane was setting the table for breakfast and he heard
somebody in the kitchen and decided it must be Kasumi.

"Ryouga, what were you doing in the courtyard?" Akane asked as she
looked up.

"Going back to the dojo from the other bathroom," Ryouga said as if it
was obvious.

"Right," Akane said. She went back to setting the table. ~Don't ask.~

Ryouga saw Kasumi in the living room, and decided not to wave in case
she was still upset with him. He was too tired to wonder how Kasumi
could be both in the kitchen and in the living room. After all, he'd
been wandering the Tendo compound for several hours trying to get back
to his bed. He continued in his quest for the dojo.

Ryouga was confused when he hit the master bedroom. He was quite
certain that that was supposed to be upstairs. Backtracking he found a
closet, but the closet had another exit through a copy of the master
bedroom. Then he was in another hallway, trying to figure out how the
Tendos moved around their secret passages all the time.

Ryouga stopped as he heard a muffled sob behind a door. Turning he saw
a sign on the door, "Nabiki" written in romanji. His first thought was
wondering what Ranma was doing in Nabiki's room while Akane was
helping Kasumi in the kitchen. Some left over of his long time
tendency to think the worst of Ranma perhaps. Thinking it through, for
once, he found that unlikely.

Ryouga knocked on the door hesitantly. There was some movement on the
other side of the door.

"Hello?" Ryouga said. The door cracked open a little later, and he
could see Nabiki peeking out.

"Tryin' to sleep 'Yoga," Nabiki whispered. "Tomorrow's goin' be hard."

"Ummm, Nabiki," Ryouga said. "It is tomorrow."

"Can't be," Nabiki protested. "Not asleep yet."

"Check your clock," Ryouga suggested. She looked away from the crack
in the door for a moment.

"Masaka." Then there was a thud on the back of the door. "Itai."

"Are you okay?" Ryouga asked.

"Fine," Nabiki said. "Be right out." The door started to close.

"Do you need someone to back you up?" Ryouga asked. Nabiki hesitated.

"Yeah," Nabiki said. "Thanks."

*********

Kodachi was pondering that morning's meal. She had never actually
eaten anything so simple before. Ranma's cooking seemed to involve
rice with a little meat and very little seasoning. That and a salad
she had made on the side. She had asked about it and had been told
that it was camping fair.

"It's a lot tastier when you're in the middle of the forest, made over
a wood fire," Ryouga had said.

"The smoke adds flavor," Ranma agreed quietly. Which had started a
brief discussion about the virtues of different kinds of wood between
Ranma and Ryouga. Kasumi had made suggestions, to Ranma, about how to
duplicate certain flavors in a kitchen environment.

Kodachi listened with interest, missing her roses and pet. It was a
pleasant distraction.

"We should probably leave the cooking to the men," Nabiki said. Nabiki
didn't look like she had slept, and she was obviously fidgeting this
morning. Ranma blushed and immediately quieted down, while Ryouga
scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Nabiki," Akane said, grimacing. Kodachi was confused with the
exchange for a moment.

~She was including Ranma,~ Kodachi realized. She looked to where Ranma
was sitting on Akane's lap. ~Don't they see it?~

Kodachi spent the last little bit of the meal by watching Ranma and
Akane.

*********

"We've been expelled," Ukyou shouted angrily coming to meet them on
the road to school. She was in her boy's uniform, which was smoking
slightly, but without her characteristic spatula.

"What?" Akane asked.

"That Hawaiian freak had us expelled," Ukyou growled. She gestured
around their whole group. "All four of us."

"On what grounds?" Nabiki demanded coolly. Some of the obvious
nervousness drained out of her, but not all, not even most. If the
principal had made her stand impossible today, all he did was prolong
it for a much more public situation later.

"I was busy dodging pineapples," Ukyou growled. She was obviously very
frustrated, and her fists were clenching and unclenching. "But he said
something about moral turpitude."

"What does that mean?" Ranma asked. Ukyou shrugged angrily, but Nabiki
and Akane were pale with anger.

"He's actually going to claim that?" Nabiki asked quietly, gripping
Ryouga's hand.

"What's he claiming?" Ryouga asked.

"We're a bad influence," Akane snapped. "Most likely something to do
with..." she hesitated a moment. "...sex." Ranma winced and held
tightly to Akane.

"He's going to say I wanted it," Ranma said quietly, shaking. "Isn't
he?" She virtually spat the question.

"Maybe," Nabiki said neutrally, fairly certain that was it. "Let's go
see what he has to say."

*********

The Principal was waiting for them at the gates, smiling broadly as
usual. He seemed even more lunatic than usual. A crowd of students had
gathered to see the coming conflict.

"No, no, no," he said, waggling his finger. "You all is expelled. Bad
influence on da Bid Kahuna's keiki."

"We're a bad influence?!" Akane shouted. "What about you?"

"Dis da Bid Kahuna's school," the Principal said. "And you follow de
Bid Kahuna's rools. You is all bad for deesseepline."

"What rules have we broken?" Nabiki asked.

"Oooo, so meeny t'ings." He chuckled and started ticking off points.
"Fighting on de campus, deestruction o property, suspeetion of murder,
lood behavior..."

"He wouldn't take no as an answer!" Ranma shouted angrily stepping
forward from Akane. She faltered at the sudden interest the crowd was
giving her. "So h...he..." Akane stepped back up to her side and
hugged her.

"Tacchi have eeny wahini he want," the Principal said still smiling.
He didn't notice Nabiki smirk at the comment.

"Brilliant the Kuno's aren't," Nabiki muttered. Ryouga noticed the
look in her eyes, the same one she got before she took Shampoo's hair
ornament.

"He couldn't have me!" Ranma shouted, almost crying. Hinako struggled
her way out of the crowd behind the gates and started walking towards
them.

"Why blame someone else for yo' spilt milk," the Principal asked, this
time quietly so the crowd couldn't hear.

"You arrogant bastard," Akane growled, holding Ranma tightly.

Ranma stared at the Principal blankly for a moment in shock. She
clenched her fists angrily and clenched her eyes shut, turning her
face away from Principal.

"Ranma," Nabiki warned. The redhead laughed once bitterly and suddenly
relaxed.

"I ain't gonna fall for my own game," Ranma said quietly but firmly.
She was still shaking in Akane's arms, angry and hurt.

"Let'S go back home," Akane said, kissing Ranma lightly. "We can fix
this later." The Principal looked somewhat disappointed but was
distracted by Hinako-chibi pulling on his sleeve to attract his
attention.

"You know that was interesting what you said about milk," she said. "I
hate wasting milk especially chocolate milk. Oh yeah, I have to tell
you that I and some of the other teachers are going on strike."

"But you can't do that," the Principal protested.

"Oh and we're moving that you be removed," Hinako said. "For running
an unsafe school." She started walking down the street.

"Dis is my school!" the Principal shouted. "And you must follow my
rools! I hired you to enforce deesseepline." He took a step towards
Hinako and she stopped to turn around.

"Principal," Hinako said in a sing-song voice, playing with a coin.
"You wouldn't be thinking of trying to discipline me, would you?"

"All you want is revenge, not disicpline," Ryouga shouted. "And I
should know what revenge looks like."

Small groups of students were passing through the gate and away from
the school. The Principal didn't notice as he was preoccupied with his
teacher and the primary troublemakers. He backed away from Hinako, and
the others.

The Principal couldn't take Ryouga, Ranma or Hinako if they were
alone, much less together. If Ranma had attacked, with no apparent
provocation, he would have had more evidence, the Principal was
unaware that a crowd of witnesses cut both ways, but Ranma had kept
her cool.

"He's finished," Nabiki said smiling. The smile faded and she bit her
lip. "But now everybody will know." She whispered, considering what
was coming. This would hit the news for at least a little while. All
because some jerk on a bureaucratic power-trip wanted revenge for his
worthless son.

"You should go back and get some sleep," Ryouga said. Nabiki nodded.

"You blew it, jerk," Ranma said angrily, tears still flowing, before
she and Akane turned away to firmly walk away from the school. Ukyou
held her position for a moment staring darkly at the Principal before
turning to head for her restaurant.

"Maybe I should have done something more than dump him in the
basement," Ukyou muttered.

*********

The dojo was quiet. Kodachi had gone to school, at her own insistence,
and apparently Kasumi had actually gone to sleep as promised. Nobody
had said anything after leaving the scene with the Principal.

Ranma had cried quietly, but mostly she was just sniffling and fuming.
Akane and Nabiki were also fuming, Akane most obvious of any of them.
Nabiki's expression was the veritable definition of ice, though it was
very strained. Ryouga was nervous, as usual when he was with a girl or
collection of girls, though more so considering the situation. He and
Akane both shared a concerned expression as well, though Akane's was
mostly focused on Ranma.

As they were entering the house, Nabiki stumbled over nothing and
almost took a hard fall. Ryouga steadied her easily before she could
hurt herself. She didn't even protest when he carried her the rest of
the way to the living room and a couch. That certainly brought all of
their attention to her for the moment.

"Nabiki, are you feeling okay?" Akane asked worriedly. "You haven't
looked good all morning."

"I had a little trouble getting to sleep last night," Nabiki said.
Ryouga cleared his throat and Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Okay, I didn't
go to sleep last night." Ranma looked at her closely.

"You weren't planning on going through with that?" Ranma asked. "Were
you?" Akane looked confused for a moment before she remembered what
Nabiki had told Ranma a few days ago.

"Go through with what?" Ryouga asked.

"I told Ranma that I would stand with him," Nabiki said. She turned to
Ranma. "I made that promise, and I intend to keep it."

"You mean..." Ryouga was cut off by Nabiki nodding.

"Nabiki, you don't have to," Ranma said. "Everybody is interested in
me, not you."

"Ranma," Nabiki said her voice trembled a little. "I'm not going to
let you go through this and just sit on the sidelines saying 'don't
worry about them.' That's somewhat hypocritical, don't you think?"

"Nabiki, are you sure?" Akane asked.

"I'm tired of hiding too," Nabiki said shakily.

Nabiki was trying to keep from crying, but it was difficult. She was
far more tired than she was used to, her arm hurt like hell, most of
her energy had already gone to keeping her composure this long.

"I'm giving Ranma all this advice," she said through choked tears,
"and she's doing things I've been too terrified to even consider."

"I didn't make the choice," Ranma whispered.

"But you're surviving! You're doing it!" Nabiki snapped. "And I'm
still scared!" She stood up and paced, fighting to keep her tears
down. Kasumi quietly came down the stairs in response to the shouting
but nobody noticed.

"Nabiki," Akane started.

"Nabiki knows what to do," Nabiki snapped, interrupting Akane.
"Nabiki's the tough one. Nabiki's the smart one. Nabiki is in complete
control of everything." She waved her good arm out to encompass the
room and then turned towards them, virtually screeching now. "Nabiki
didn't fight! Didn't even try! Nabiki," she twisted her name in
self-mockery, "was stupid enough to go inside the guy's house!" She
stood there shaking and staring wildly around. The crying was shaking
her shoulder somewhat, and the resultant pain wasn't helping her keep
composure.

Ryouga hesitantly stood up and reached a hand out to her. She grabbed
it and then broke out into full weeping leaning into Ryouga. The
martial artist cautiously hugged her.

"It'll be okay," Ryouga said, as Ranma and Akane moved over to help
comfort Nabiki.

"There's always things you would do differently if you could," Ranma
said softly, paraphrasing Kasumi.

"It wasn't your fault," Akane added, mostly just to add her voice.

Akane was reminded of when Ranma broke down at school after seeming so
recovered for a month. But certainly Nabiki had let it out to her
support group. It just seemed that she managed to keep it in around
everyone else.

Nabiki was still weeping when Kasumi walked out of the kitchen
shortly, carrying a tea set. Nabiki was still crying heavily, her eyes
puffy, but she turned around to see Kasumi.

"I...didn't mean to wake you," Nabiki said hesitantly.

"It is quite all right," Kasumi said quietly. "Please sit down, it
sounds like you could all use something to calm your nerves." She sat
down and poured everyone a cup of tea. She took her own cup and sipped
at it yawning.

"There's nothing in it?" Ranma asked hesitantly. Kasumi shook her head
and smiled briefly.

"It's just instant tea," Kasumi said with a little self-reproach. She
really didn't feel up to making a good tea at the moment.

"You want to know why we're home so early?" Nabiki asked, sniffing.
She sat down on the floor around the tea set, with a little steadying
help from Ryouga, and shakily took up a cup of tea to sip at it.

"Perhaps later," Kasumi said. "Right now let's just share a cup of
tea, and then some of us can get their needed sleep."

"The Kasumi cure-all," Nabiki laughed, half-hysterical. Ryouga sat
down next to her, watching Nabiki nervously. Her shoulders were still
shivering, and she seemed on the verge of crying again. Akane sat down
next to Kasumi and Ranma, as usual, sat in her lap, both watching
Nabiki.

"You don't want to be like me, Ranma," Nabiki said after about five
minutes of silent drinking. "I'm a coward."

"That's why you faced off against the Amazon's," Ryouga reminded her.
"Humiliated Shampoo in fact."

"It doesn't change the basic fact," Nabiki said quietly. "The Ice
Queen is a coward. And soon everyone is going to know it." She set
down her teacup and started crying again. Soft, silent sobbing this
time.

"You're exhausted," Kasumi said. She arched an eyebrow as Nabiki
leaned her face into Ryouga's shoulder.

"Yeah, Nabiki," Akane agreed. "You'll think better after some sleep."
Ranma shifted uncomfortably.

"You're telling people on your will," Ranma said. She paused and
smirked before continuing quietly. "And if you keep counting on the
Ice Queen bit this'll just keep happening." Nabiki's crying was broken
by several laughs.

"I should charge you for that, Saotome," Nabiki said shakily. She
closed her eyes, her shoulders still shaking. "My shoulder hurts, damn
it." In the next moment she seemed to relax all at once and started
breathing deeply.

"I was hoping she'd fall asleep soon," Kasumi said, sounding tired
herself. "Hibiki-san could you perhaps carry her to her bed."

"Ummm, okay," Ryouga said nervously. Noticing that he still wasn't
"Ryouga" or "Ryouga-kun" again. He cautiously picked Nabiki up,
blushing as her good arm wrapped around him, as he stood up and almost
started to walk.

"I shall show you the way," Kasumi said, beating Akane and Ranma to
the protest. She stood up and started to lead Ryouga away, but turned
back to face Akane and Ranma. "And then I'm going back to bed as
well." She smiled. "As per instructions. You shall be fine?"

"Yeah," Ranma said.

"We can handle things today," Akane said.

~Probably better than I at the moment,~ Kasumi thought. ~Why didn't I
see this coming? And is encouraging 'P-Chan' another mistake?~ She
looked at Ryouga briefly and how tenderly he was holding her sister.
~Perhaps that one is not.~ "Hibiki-san, follow me."

"Hai," Ryouga said nervously.

*********

"Is it true?"

Kodachi looked up from her lunch to face the girl that had asked the
question. She was being remarkably brave. There was no way that she
would have dared approach Kodachi if it weren't for the burns that
made fighting or more or less impossible.

That was as it should have been. She could focus on her studies, and
no one would bother her. Eventually the noise of the other students
would fade into the background. Merely the buzzing of hornets, or the
hum of an air conditioner. The solitude reminded her of...

Kodachi was about to answer but froze, her words catching in her
throat. Quiet. Alone. Empty. Dead.

"Kuno-sempai?" the girl asked. Kodachi laughed snickered at that.

"I am nearly seventeen," Kodachi said softly. "But I am still in the
lowest class rank."

"Oh, are you okay?" the girl asked cautiously.

"I just realized something," Kodachi said. "What are you asking
about?"

"About your brother attacking..." the girl started to explain.

"I have no brother," Kodachi answered firmly. The girl winced.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly and started to turn to leave.

"Please wait," Kodachi called out. "I apologize. That is a touchy
subject right now, and it is not something I wish to discuss."

"Oh, I see," the girl said, uncertain of what to do. Kodachi was well
known to be unpredictable. "They're saying he was eaten by something
right?" Kodachi frowned.

"Is there anything else we can talk about?" Kodachi said, picking at
her lunch. Bending her arms seemed to hurt worse now, but it was the
pain produced by stretching new skin. Her arms were healing.

"You actually want to talk to me?" the girl asked, wary.

"Quite suddenly I would not mind talking to anybody," Kodachi said.
"The school was feeling like home just a moment ago."

"That's a bad thing?" the girl asked confused.

"Home is de..." Kodachi stopped herself and released a frustrated
sigh. "I am keeping you from your lunch, my apologies again. Please
return to your meal, do not worry about me." Kodachi turned back to
her own lunch.

"All right," the girl said. She walked quickly back to her seat to eat
her lunch.

"Well?" one of the other girls asked. "What did she say?"

"She said she didn't want to talk about it," the girl shrugged. "And
that she didn't have a brother. She seems depressed."

"Doesn't surprise me," somebody said. "You know when they found her
collapsed in the locker room last year? I heard she took something to
kill herself."

"Her?" somebody scoffed. "Why would she want to kill herself?"

"Oh you know how those old money, samurai types get," another said.
"Everything has to be so dramatic, it was probably just some attention
getting stunt. What does someone like her know about hard times?"

*********

"We really should get started on something," Akane said.

"Mm hmm," Ranma agreed quietly. Neither of them moved to do anything
though. Nabiki and Kasumi were still asleep. So, other than the
occasional appearance from "Charlotte," they were alone. And they were
still sitting against the couch where they had settled that morning.

Ranma had been mostly quiet since Nabiki was taken to bed. She just
seemed to want to sit curled up in Akane's lap and be held. The
attitude was driving Akane crazy.

"Don't worry," Akane whispered, hugging Ranma. "Everything's going to
be fine."

"I'm leaning too hard on people," Ranma said quietly. The knock on the
door cut off any response Akane might have had. Ranma reluctantly
stood up.

"I'll get it," Akane said, standing up next Ranma.

"Nah," Ranma said, shrugging. "I got it, besides, it's probably just
Ryouga." At which point Ryouga wandered down the stairs and into the
ground floor hallway.

"How many floors does this house have?" he muttered to himself. Akane
and Ranma watched for a moment and turned to each other. Whoever was
at the door knocked again.

"I..." Ranma hesitated.

"Why don't you make sure Ryouga doesn't get really lost," Akane
suggested. Ranma looked at her.

"That's hiding again," Ranma said. "I'll get the door." Akane kissed
her on the forehead after a moment's hesitation and Ranma went to the
door.

The door opened on a nervous looking pair of students in Furinkan
uniforms. Ranma immediately felt like they were dissecting her.

"Can I help you with anything?" Ranma asked, wanting to close the door
already. "Or did you just come to stare at me?" They glanced about in
embarrassment avoiding her face. Ranma growled and started to close
the door.

"Wait!" one of them said.

"What?" Ranma demanded.

"We just came to..." the boy hesitated. "To say thank you." Ranma
stopped shutting the door.

"Thank you?" she repeated.

"You saved us from some muggers once," the girl said.

"Oh," Ranma said, shrugging. "You're welcome, I guess."

"A lot of people are glad you're around," the boy said. "Some of the
jocks were out of control before you got here."

"You saw what was going on with Akane," the girl pointed out. "Can you
imagine what would have happened if they had..." she gasped and
covered her mouth as she noticed Ranma turning pale. "I'm sorry, I
didn't mean..."

"Who is it, Ranma," Akane asked coming up behind. "Ranma?" She noted
the grip Ranma was giving the door and gently encouraged her to hold
her hand instead. She gave a quiet squeeze back and she could feel
Ranma calming down somewhat.

"It's our fault," the girl said.

"Yeah, we should leave," her boyfriend agreed.

"Thanks for comin' round," Ranma said before they left.

"It was the least we could do," the girl said before they continued
toward the gate.

"What did they say?" Akane asked seriously as they left the gate.

"They were saying thank you," Ranma said. She looked to Akane, biting
her lip and looked the other girl up and down a moment. "They said I
kept 'em from getting' mugged."

"That's what's got you so scared?" Akane asked, brushing Ranma's bangs
away from her face.

"Akane?" Ranma asked hesitantly.

"What is it Ranma?" Akane asked nervously.

"Would you accept training from me?" Ranma sounded really nervous
about the question. Akane relaxed immediately.

"Of course I would," Akane answered, and the redhead suddenly looked
as if a load on her back had been lightened.

"Thank you, Akane," Ranma whispered as they walked back into the
house.

The phone rang as they passed it. Akane glanced at Ranma and picked up
the phone cautiously.

"Hello?" she said into the receiver. She turned an angry red and hung
up the phone a moment later. "Jerk."

"That was about me right?" Ranma asked.

"It doesn't matter," Akane hugged her close. "It's just one idiot."
Ranma nodded, looking angry herself.

"I'm gonna make somethin' for lunch," she said.

"Do you want help with that," Akane asked, not noticing Ranma's wince
at that suggestion.

*********

Kodachi dodged aside as the egg came at her. She turned to glare at
the offending party and silently wished she knew more about unarmed
techniques than she did. There was some hesitation from the small
group of boys, each wearing some sort of animal mask, before they
tossed about five more eggs. It was just as easy to dodge those, maybe
a little more so since she actually saw them coming.

"Excuse me," Kodachi said. "What do you think you are doing?" She took
a step towards them and they broke and ran. "Pathetic." She snarled
and shook her head as she walked the last block to the dojo.

"Tadaima," she called out as she entered the genkan. She had to remind
herself to do so. She wasn't used to living in a place with other
people yet.

Kodachi was passing the phone when she noticed the light indicating an
incoming call. Oddly enough there was no ringing sound to indicate the
call. If she hadn't been planning on using the phone anyway she
probably wouldn't have noticed the call. She considered the boys
outside that had tried to hit her with the eggs and frowned before she
picked up the phone and grimaced as she bent her arm to hold it to her
head.

"Tendo residence," she said coolly. "Did you come up with that taunt
on your own? Or perhaps you subcontracted?" Kodachi hung up the phone
with a sneer of disgust. She picked the phone up again and dialed.

"There've been a lot of calls since lunch." Kodachi turned to see
Ryouga. "Some people came to visit too, they were okay, but they
apparently stopped coming."

"I can explain that, there was a group of boys tossing eggs a block
from..." Kodachi turned her attention to phone. "Yes, the estate?
Tomorrow?" She grimaced. "Fine. Oh yes, that advertisement. Have the
papers run it. Yes, I am certain, thank you." She released her breath
as she straightened her arm and hung the phone up.

"Who was that?" Ryouga asked.

"My lawyer," Kodachi said.

"You have a lawyer?" Ryouga asked.

"You think I could run the Kuno fortune, attend school, train and,"
she paused and frowned upon remembering her garden was destroyed. "Do
other things all on my own?"

"Good point," Ryouga said, embarrassed.

"What happened today," Kodachi asked worried.

"Didn't you hear?" Ryouga asked. Kodachi shook her head and frowned
deeper. When Ryouga was finished summarizing the day's events she was
almost livid.

"He did what?!" Kodachi demanded before turning back to the phone.

*********

Ranma came to rest across the dojo, breaking contact to get a good
look at Akane. Neither of them were even breathing hard. Akane wasn't
pushing herself at all. Ranma sighed dejectedly and relaxed from ready
stance. It was almost an imperceptible change, Ranma's ready stance
being more a matter of attitude than position.

"I can't figure out where you are you if you don't come at me," Ranma
said quietly. Akane's attitude didn't really shift as she dropped out
of the physical stance. Ranma frowned.

"Are you sure you're okay, Ranma?" Akane asked moving over to stand
next to Ranma. "You've been acting funny since those first two stopped
by." She leaned worriedly over Ranma and brushed at her cheek.

"I'm fine," Ranma said and then looked down. "Akane, I'm gonna try
this again." She shuffled nervously.

"Okay," Akane said, nervous about Ranma's attitude. "Are you going to
do something different this time."

"Yeeeah," Ranma said hesitantly. ~She needs to be better.~

*********

Kasumi glided down the stairs and smiled at Kodachi and Ryouga
watching the television. Kodachi was acting like it was the first time
she had ever watched television. Kasumi was wondering if that might
not be the case.

Kasumi's pleasant expression faded as she looked about the genkan. It
was by no means filthy, but she usually kept it in much better
condition. Actually, she couldn't remember the last time she had
straightened up the genkan.

She sighed in frustration. The point of keeping things in constant
order was so that it was never a big job. She wondered if the number
of little things she had neglected already equaled that big job. She
started to look over the entryway to see where it needed dusting or
polishing, and noted the phone.

"What did you say this was called?" Kodachi asked.

"Gundam Wing," Ryouga said. "I think it's a rerun." He wasn't
entirely certain of that, but he was fairly certain that he had seen
it somewhere before. If he could find the TV when he wanted more often
he could have been sure.

"Are you aware that the ringer on the phone has been turned off?"
Kasumi asked as she looked into the living room.

"Someone's been calling the house," Ryouga said. Kodachi's rapt
attention was on the screen. Ryouga was somewhat confused at the
attention she was giving the screen. After all, there were no fights
or anything going on. It was just that circus guy moaning listlessly
about his Amnesia.

"You mean prank calls," Kasumi asked.

"Yeah, Akane turned the ringer off," Ryouga said.

"Is it a different caller each time?" Kasumi asked.

"I answered a couple of times," Ryouga said. "I think it was the same
person. They're tying up the phone line though."

"Ah, thank you," Kasumi said. She walked back to the phone and picked
it up. "Hello, Tendo residence. Takeo-chan, is that you?" She blinked
as the phone clicked to a dial tone, and then dialed. "Ichino-san,
hello. Yes, it has been difficult, but Ranma is doing better. Is Takeo
there? He is visiting friends? Oh, then I suppose I'll have to talk to
you about this."

*********

"Why'd you hang up?" one of the three kids asked. "Don't worry about
threats, how are they going to figure out who's calling."

"That was Kasumi," Takeo said, pale. "She used to babysit me."

"So," the third said nervously. "She couldn't have known that was
you." She continued in a small voice. "Could she?"

"I can't believe I said that to Kasumi," Takeo said.

"Are you guys beginning to think this was a bad idea?" the other guy
asked. "I mean what if Ranma was really raped."

"You don't believe that," the girl said. "Do you, Kenichi? This is
Ranma we're talking about."

"And Akane, Nabiki, Ukyou, Kasumi, Ryouga, Sayuri, Yuka, Hiroshi,
Daisuke, and maybe even Kodachi," Takeo said. "Do you think all of
them are lying, Seki?"

"She got my sister fire..." Seki was interrupted as the phone rang in
Takeo's hands. The three of them stared at it as it rang again. The
second ring was cut off as someone downstairs picked it up. Takeo
picked up the phone carefully again and the three of them listened at
the receiver.

"It's my mom," Takeo whispered to the others. The three of them winced
at the next thing they heard on the receiver. "Hey Mom." The other two
backed away and watched him cringing against the phone with a sort of
morbid fascination. At least until Kenichi's mother slammed open the
door.

"I need to talk to you," she said firmly. She turned to Seki. "I think
you should go home."

"Okay, Mom," Takeo said meekly and winced again before hanging the
phone up. "Yeah, she's coming to pick me up." Kenichi's mother nodded.
She took the phone from him and started dialing, looking down at them.

"I really can't believe you children," she said angrily.

*********

The phone rang again.

"Hello?" Kasumi said into the receiver. "Yes, thank you. No, that will
be quite all right. Thank you anyway, but for now it would be enough
for them not to make any more calls. Thank you."

She sighed in relief and hung up the phone. The sound of someone
walking towards the house out of the dojo attracted her attention and
she looked down the hallway.

"Akane, are you hurt?" Kasumi asked as she saw Akane leaning on Ranma.
She immediately left the phone and rushed to check on her sister.

"What?" Ryouga said anxiously. He turned immediately to look towards
the hallway and took in the situation. Akane limping along, leaning
heavily on the smaller girl.

"Is it serious?" Kodachi asked, ripping her eyes and ears away from
the Gundam Wing credits.

Ryouga almost fell into old habits and started yelling at Ranma for
attacking Akane. He clearly caught a look at their faces before he
could though. Akane seemed radiantly happy, while Ranma's expression
looked like it belonged on Akane.

"What happened?" Ryouga demanded. He and Kodachi joined Kasumi to
check on Akane's state.

"I just twisted my ankle," Akane said, waving off their concern. Ranma
helped her sit down on the couch and then sat next to her. She stared
down at the ground and held her hands in her lap.

"You are certain you do not need anything?" Kodachi asked. Akane
nodded happily.

"Kodachi, I'm fine," Akane insisted. "I'll be better in no time."

"You actually sparred Akane for real?" Ryouga asked in shock. Ranma
winced and shrunk in on herself.

"He actually took me seriously," Akane said. "It was a real spar. I
was so busy trying to defend I couldn't get a shot in." Ranma silently
nodded in agreement. Akane scooted closer to Ranma and kissed her on
the cheek. "Thank you." Ranma smiled slightly and allowed herself to
be hugged before standing back up again.

"I need ta make dinner I guess," Ranma said.

"I can do that Ranma," Kasumi said. "Perhaps you can see if Nabiki is
feeling up to eating dinner?"

"Huh?" Ranma shrugged. "Okay."

"Don't try too hard to wake her up," Kasumi said. Ranma nodded and
walked upstairs. Kasumi almost grimaced at what she was about to say.
"Akane can you help me in the kitchen?"

"Sure!" Akane said after a little surprised hesitation. Ryouga turned
pale, Kodachi merely shrugged. She had heard of Akane's cooking, but
surely it was not so bad as the rumors made out.

*********

"I don't know what got him started, Kasumi," Akane shrugged as she
looked for the ingredients Kasumi was asking for. "Is this the
vinegar?"

"No," Kasumi said looking. "That is vegetable oil. The vinegar is in a
bottle with a green label."

"Oh, okay," Akane said looking back into the closet. "Actually, I
think something scared him. Like he's worried he won't be ready if
someone tries to do that again." Kasumi glanced at her sister and
arched an eyebrow. "Is this it?"

"That is soy sauce," Kasumi said. "You need a bottle about the size of
the vegetable oil with a green label." Akane nodded and started
looking again. "About the spar, Akane."

"Uh huh?" she responded.

"Did you make any attacks?" Kasumi asked.

"No," Akane said cheerfully. "I was too busy trying to avoid the
attacks coming in."

"Did you try to attack," Kasumi reiterated. Akane paused and looked at
her older sister.

"What do you mean?" Akane asked. "I already said I had no openings, if
I tried I would have been open too long." She didn't think of that
first, useless round.

"That's okay then," Kasumi said. "That's the vinegar."

"That bottle's not green," Akane protested. "It's gray." Kasumi
blinked at her and looked at the dull green label. She picked up the
vegetable oil that Akane had set to the side.

"What color is this?" she asked, pointing at the pale yellow label.

"White," Akane said a little offended at the question. Kasumi set down
the vinegar and clapped her hands together, looking to the ceiling in
what appeared to be an expression of thankfulness. "Kasumi are you
okay?"

"Yes," Kasumi said, in the voice of someone who has finally found two
pieces that match in jigsaw puzzle. "I think I needed a small
victory."

"A victory over what?" Akane asked.

"You remember what I've told you about color-coding," Kasumi asked.

"Yeah," Akane said.

"Ignore it for now," Kasumi said. "Take the time to read the labels."
Akane blinked in surprise.

"Nabiki's not waking..." Ranma stopped and stared as she saw Akane in
the kitchen.

"Is something wrong Ranma?" Akane asked, worried about the nervous
look on her wife's face.

"No," Ranma whimpered. Akane looked at her doubtfully.

"You didn't answer the phone did you?" Akane asked. Ranma shook her
head and looked down.

"Ranma, do you still want to help?" Kasumi asked. She could talk to
Akane, and maybe Nabiki, about the problem later.

"Yeah, sure," she said.

"Why don't you and Akane prepare the salad," she suggested.

"That sounds like fun," Akane said.

*********

"You're slicing too hard," Ranma said, a few moments into slicing the
lettuce. "You're cutting into the board underneath, see."

"Oh," Akane said, surprised mostly at Ranma correcting her without
insulting her. She realized she shouldn't have been, Ranma hadn't been
very insulting to anyone but herself of late. "So how am I supposed to
cut it?"

"Here," Ranma took hold the knife and slipped in front of Akane. "Hold
the knife."

"You want me to take the knife from you?" Akane asked.

"Nah," Ranma said. "Just hold it over my hand."

"Like this?" she asked, gripping over Ranma's hand lightly. She had to
get right behind Ranma to do it, putting the redhead between her and
the counter. The slight shiver Akane felt from Ranma told her Ranma
had noticed the almost trapped position she was in as well. "Are you
sure you're okay, Ranma?"

"Yeah," Ranma said quietly. "Just let me get started cutting here."
She started slicing through the head of lettuce, guiding both the
knife and Akane's hand. "See its like fightin'. Speed and power are
nice, but not if you're wild. Get accurate first."

"I think I see," Akane said, actually paying more attention to Ranma.
With the side effect of not stressing about the preparation of the
food for once. She kissed the back of Ranma's head as she felt the
tension start to ease away.

Kasumi glanced over from the entree to watch them and smiled.
Successes indeed were a little more invigorating than simple rest.

*********

"My home shall be ready for habitation tomorrow," Kodachi said
suddenly.

"Can you take care of yourself?" Kasumi asked indicating Kodachi's
arms.

"Well enough," Kodachi said. "I believe that I should return,
considering the circumstances."

"What 'circumstances' are you talking about?" Akane asked, narrowing
her eyes.

"Certainly it is in poor taste for me to ask you for hospitality,"
Kodachi said. "With what happened."

"What, because of your loon of a father?" Ranma asked.

"You are welcome here, Kodachi," Kasumi said. "I don't believe anyone
here blames you for a desperate man's action."

"I did promise the Kuno clan would serve Ranma and his family,"
Kodachi said. "We have not done a very good job as of yet." Akane kept
silent on the matter.

"You have done quite well actually," Kasumi said.

"Yeah," Ryouga agreed quietly, remembering Kodachi's second phone
call. "Really."

"And again you are not responsible for your father's actions," Kasumi
continued, glancing at Ryouga.

"Yeah, he's a loon," Ranma said. She said the word without the element
of dismissal that used to accompany it. Loons could be dangerous.

"Well, thank you Kasumi-san, Ranma," Kodachi said. "But I must oversee
the estate as well, and I would like to start a new rose garden."

"We'll help you move back," Akane said. Ranma flinched in Akane's lap.
"If that's okay."

"Thank you Akane-san," Kodachi said, smiling. The phone rang and
everybody froze.

"I thought I turned the ringer off," Akane said.

"You did," Kasumi said, standing up. "I turned it back on. After
speaking to the parents of the prank callers." She walked to phone.
"Hello? Oh. One moment."

"Who is it?" Ranma asked nervously.

"It's a newspaper," Kasumi said. "Do you want to..." Ranma shook
her head firmly. "All right, I'll tell them that."

"Great, now it's news," Ranma whispered. Akane rubbed her shoulders
and kissed her cheek.

"It'll be all right," Akane said. "I'll be right here."

*********

Nabiki snapped awake gasping. First in response to the nightmare that
had woken her up, and then from the pain of jarring her shoulder. The
second brought her back to reality.

"I'm still dressed for..." Nabiki grimaced as she remembered why she
was still in her school clothes. "I can't believe I did that." She
leaned on her good arm for a moment and settled herself down.

Obviously she had been more tired than she had originally thought. She
lay back down on the bed and tired to let sleep come back over her.
Instead of approaching sleep, she found herself staring at the pillow
on top of her head and shivering underneath a thick blanket. She sat
up again and let out a long breath.

"I need to sleep," Nabiki reminded herself, holding a pillow tightly
in front of her. She glanced about her darkened room cautiously. It
felt quite large when she couldn't see the walls, as if it could go
one forever and hide anything or anyone.

*********

Ryouga stretched awake and yawned. Then he went about the morning
ritual of figuring out where he was. The answer was simple, the Tendo
dojo, after all, Kasumi had led him back there when dinner ended after
all. A quick glance around proved that.

Yep, weights, fold-up mats. There was a water bucket over there.
Better avoid that part of the room. Where did those things always come
from anyway? Blankets and pillows piled in the corner. Bo-staves.
Ryouga paused and squinted in confusion.

"Blankets and pillows?" Ryouga repeated to himself.

He glanced about a second time, eventually finding the right corner of
the room again.

"That wasn't there last night. I don't think so anyway." On a second
glance it looked less like a haphazard pile of bedding
than...something else.

He stood up and walked to the corner, careful to keep it in sight.
Getting closer he could clearly see a hand holding down one of the
pillows. Ryouga grimaced as he recognized that whoever it was had
slept leaning on that arm, by now it was going to be rather numb.

Ryouga cautiously reached over to try turn the girl over on her back,
and free up the blood flow to the arm again. He was pretty certain of
who it was, especially with the outline of an arm in a sling under the
blankets. The thought was confirmed as soon as he tried to move her.

"No!" Nabiki's muffled voice gasped, she sat up quickly and looked
nervously in Ryouga's direction.

She was backing into the corner and staring at him when she recognized
Ryouga. The behavior turned a knife in Ryouga's gut. To see Nabiki
acting like that.

"Ryouga," she breathed in relief. Then she continued in her regular
dry tone. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" Ryouga said instantly. "Just...you're laying on your arm."
Nabiki looked at her good arm and frowned, noticing it was numb.

"Great," she muttered tiredly. "One good arm and the floor puts it to
sleep." She started flexing her hand to get the blood moving.

"Do you need help?" Ryouga asked, still nervous about finding Nabiki
asleep in the same room as him. She narrowed her eyes at the
suggestion.

"It's just asleep," she said. Nabiki gathered up her bedding and stood
up stiffly. She almost glared at Ryouga sitting in front of her.
Ryouga returned the look, confused for a moment.

"Oh," he said, then laughed nervously as he stood up and quickly
backed away from the corner.

"Afraid of something?" she asked, sounding amused. Nabiki walked past
him, back into the house. He watched her go in curiosity and concern.
She seemed to be acting normal. If you ignored the fact that she had
come to the dojo to sleep.

*********

Kodachi took a glance at the newspaper personals before she walked out
of the Tendo dojo.

"Kuno Kodachi, daughter of Kuno Chikako, formerly of the Hibiki clan,
seeks contact with her mother's family." It was followed by her
address and telephone number. She set the paper down and nodded in
satisfaction. Then she walked out the door.

Kodachi frowned as she noted an extra car upon walking out of the
Tendo dojo. She frowned deeper as one of the car doors opened and
somebody approached her.

"Saotome Ranma?" the reporter asked.

"Kuno Kodachi," she corrected sharply. "I have to be lea..."

"Any relation to the principal of Furinkan High?" the man asked.

"The man is unfortunately my father," Kodachi admitted. "And, no, I do
not approve." She glanced to the nearest rooftop and leaped upward.
"Good day." Then she continued along other rooftops, heading for
school.

*********

"School walk out," Nabiki read out loud, ignoring the odd looks she
was getting for being more or less awake already. "Staff and students
protest episodes of sexual harassment."

"Harassment," Akane repeated angrily. "That's what they call it?"

"If it weren't for the strike and the walkout," Nabiki said bitterly.
"They'd probably ignore it, but people want to know what's happening."

"What's the article say?" Ranma asked quietly.

"The students and much of the staff of Furinkan High in the Nerima
Ward walked out following a brief altercation between the Principal,
three students and a teacher," Nabiki read. "The teachers stated their
reasons that the Principal had been running an unsafe school."

"That's an understatement," Akane said. Ranma nodded in agreement.

"Several teachers mention times when the principal has directly
endangered the lives of the students," Nabiki continued. "Even one of
the newest teachers, Ninomiya Hinako indicated a level of dangerous
level of delinquency among the athletes, and implied the existence of
multiple victims of some sort of sexual harassment." Nabiki frowned.

"Something wrong with that statement?" Kasumi asked as she noted
Nabiki's expression.

"They wouldn't have said multiple if Hinako wasn't adamant on that,"
Nabiki said, a catch in her throat. She glanced at Ranma looking
honestly shocked. "We might not be the only ones."

"But it says harassment," Ranma said hesitantly.

"Ranma," Nabiki said sharply. "The article says you were expelled over
an 'inappropriate relationship' with a 'prominent member of the kendo
team,' and that you accused the athlete of making 'improper
advances.'"

"What?" Ranma snapped in disbelief.

"They put it on the front page of the local paper," Nabiki said. "But
even then most of the story is page five. We're an embarrassment!"
Ranma looked at her for a moment and shifted uncomfortably in Akane's
lap.

"I'm gonna be in the dojo," Ranma said, clenching her fists. She stood
up and walked stiffly to the corridor.

"I'll come with you," Akane said, following behind her quickly. Ranma
froze for a moment, but nodded and continued on.

"You really think there might be others," Ryouga asked. Nabiki shook
her head.

"I don't know," she said, not sounding enraged any longer. It was more
like, guilt really. Ryouga was confused at that. "I thought I knew
everything about Furinkan." Guilt and something else. Ryouga
hesitantly reached out to lay a hand on Nabiki's shoulder, checking
Kasumi's expression first. Nabiki flinched at the unexpected touch and
glanced at Ryouga.

"It'll be all right," he assured her. Nabiki stopped herself from
denying the need to be comforted. Considering what happened yesterday,
a denial would just put her in a weaker position.

"Thanks, Ryouga," she said, sighing. Kasumi refilled Nabiki's teacup
drawing a somewhat exasperated glance from the girl.

*********

"Are you Ranma Saotome?" a man asked before they'd gotten half a block
from the dojo.

"Are you a reporter?" Ranma asked. The man nodded and Ranma growled
and turned away from him.

"Why in the world are you even here?" Akane asked. "I thought you
people wanted to bury this story." She and Ranma walked past him.

"They won't print anything else with what we have," the reporter
insisted, following them. "The staff are each giving extreme stories
so we can't trust either side, and the police won't release any
information. And yes, they do want to bury the story, but I think this
is important."

"Leave me alone," Ranma said without turning around.

"Ninomiya-san said there were five victims including you," the
reporter said. Ranma stopped and looked down, Akane turned to look at
him, shocked.

"Five?" She asked. "Hinako-sensei said that?" The man nodded.

"You don't have to talk to him, Ranma," Akane said. Ranma nodded and
continued walking along, holding Akane's hand.

"Do you want them to just sweep this under the rug?" the reporter
asked.

"Just turn around and leave," Ryouga said crushing a fair sized rock
in his hand and then turning quickly so as not to lose sight of Ranma
and Akane.

*********

"Where are they going?" Nabiki asked Kasumi, indicating where Akane,
Ranma, and Ryouga had left saying they'd be right back.

"They've finished fixing Kodachi's house," Kasumi explained. "We're
going to help her move back in." Nabiki stared at her for a moment.

"I'm staying home," Kasumi said reassuringly, noting Nabiki's
surprised expression. Nabiki shook her head.

"That's not it," Nabiki said. "Ranma's going with you?"

"Yes," Kasumi said. "Is that a problem?"

"They're taking Ranma," she said, emphasizing the name. "To the Kuno
Estate."

"Oh my," Kasumi said. "I had not considered that." Kasumi stood up and
moved to the door. "They're already gone."

"I guess if there's a problem they'll come back," Nabiki said.

*********

Ranma stopped outside the gates to the Kuno estate and stared up in
terror. She gripped Akane's hand tightly and took a step backwards.
The redhead bit her lip and shook her head.

"Akane," Ranma said shakily.

"Is something wrong Ranma?" Akane asked, turning to face her.

"I can't go in there," she said looking up at the Kuno gates.

"Why n..." Akane started. "Oh. Oh. Ranma, I'm sorry, I didn't think."

"What's wrong," Ryouga asked, confused.

"It's nothing," Ranma said. "I just can't go into...that place. I'll
wait outside."

"You're sure?" Akane asked. "You don't want me to walk you home or
anything?" Ranma frowned and crossed her arms.

"I can protect myself," Ranma said, eyes focused sharply on Akane and
avoiding looking at the Kuno estate. "And..." she glanced down at the
ground in shame. "I can scr...yell if I need help."

"You're certain?" Akane asked. Ranma nodded, walked to the Kuno wall
and sat down facing away from it.

"You should get in there," Ranma said. "Kodachi's gonna need help
movin' stuff around."

"If you're okay," Akane said. Ranma nodded again. "All right, call us
if you need anything."

"Right," Ranma said, looking up and down the street. She still didn't
look at the building she was sitting against. Akane hesitantly turned
away from her and led Ryouga into the building.

"Why's Ranma staying outside," Ryouga asked as they entered the
estate, whispering.

"This is where it happened," Akane answered under her breath. "You
know. It." Ryouga stopped and looked around the courtyard with a new
perception.

"I didn't think of that," Ryouga said.

"Neither did I," Akane added, berating herself. Ryouga glanced at her
and would have said something if Kodachi hadn't stepped out of the
building.

"Akane-san, Ryouga," Kodachi said, she looked around. "Ranma is not
here?"

"He's outside," Akane said. "He felt uncomfortable about coming
inside."

"Yes," Kodachi answered. "I suppose she would." She sighed and looked
down, then shook her head. "Well, this should not take too long. I
only have the bare minimum of furniture required, most of the rooms
shall be empty for now. Ryouga, if you could stay with me, I do not
think Nabiki-san would appreciate it if I lost you." Akane and Kodachi
smirked as Ryouga blushed.

*********

"Five," Ranma said quietly. "Why am I the only one everybody found out
about?"

Ranma pulled her legs up and hugged herself. She didn't like where
things were heading. She hadn't liked the attention she was getting
before all this happened. Now it was like a constant bombardment of
looks and questions. It was like fate wanted to make her some sort of
spokesperson...or sideshow freak.

"Come look and see," Ranma muttered. "A lifetime of martial arts
training, this girl once killed a god, and she still couldn't protect
herself." What was she worth anyway.

Most of her life had been spent only under the eye of her father, and
only her father. The father that had left in the night when his son
was emasculated.

Ranma sighed and looked briefly at the estate walls. Akane hadn't
abandoned her. Actually a lot of people had stayed by her. But they
couldn't know her as well as her father did, could they? Obviously, if
her father had known her the longest time, that meant he knew her the
best. That was right wasn't it? And he had abandoned her.

"Akane sees something in me," Ranma said. "I guess."

She glanced up at the people walking along the street and frowned as
they glanced at her. Some of them probably recognized her, but she
couldn't tell which. A lot of them were staring at her, for the fact
that she was a loitering teenager if nothing else.

"Hey, look," somebody said. Ranma glanced at the group of boys, a
group of jerks from her school. She had hoped they would just pass by
without noticing her. "It's Ranma, we missed you yesterday."

"Go away," Ranma growled angrily, looking over her legs.

"What?" one of them said. "We just wanted to thank you for getting us
out of school." They moved closer, seemingly unaware of what Ranma
could do to them if she decided.

"Leave me alone" Ranma snapped irritably. ~I...don't want to hurt them
that's all.~

"Yeah, no way any of us could have thought up this whole scheme," one
them said. "Much less pull it off."

"Back off," Ranma warned again. She pulled in as tight as she could,
feeling closed in. She'd seen this before, broken up scenes like it in
passing. She'd never been subjected to it before. It said a lot about
how she was projecting herself that they were doing it now, even
knowing who she was. ~Please just go away.~

"You even got Akane out of it," one of them said.

"Does that make you a lesbian?" asked another.

"Fuck you," Ranma snapped angrily, trying to keep from crying. The
Kuno Estate behind her, and the memories weighing down on her
threatening to keep her paralyzed.

"Does that mean you're bi?" one of them laughed.

"Maybe Kuno just didn't do it for you?"

~Are you going to sit here a let them turn you into a victim again?~
Ranma demanded of herself. "No." She whispered

"No?" The speaker placed a hand on Ranma's shoulder, not noticing as
the shaking in Ranma's frame vanished, much less the slight chill in
the air.

"Get. Your. Fuckin'. Hand. Offa. Me." Ranma growled. She reached up
and grabbed the hand, twisting it. "NOW!!"

She continued twisting, driving him to the ground and giving his arm
one good twisting yank that was accompanied by several cracks. She
turned a glare on the other guys as she let go of the screaming boy.
They grabbed their friend and ran. Something clattered to the ground
as they ran.

"You damn jerks!" Ranma shouted after them. "You better hope I never
see you trying that with anybody ever again!" He glared down at the
mask that they had dropped in their flight, a stylish ceramic gorilla
mask. She growled and clenched her fists staring after them fiercely.

"Hey," someone male said behind her. Ranma whirled around, lashing out
with a fist.

*********

"What happened to you?" Nabiki asked as Ryouga came in, sporting a
small bruise and being virtually dragged by Kodachi. Nabiki took a
moment to consider how much it took to actually hurt Ryouga.

"Ranma's stronger than she used to be," Ryouga said, grumbling.

"I said sorry," Ranma said, embarrassed.

"He's not mad at you, Ranma," Akane said, one arm comfortingly around
Ranma's shoulders. "Are you?" Akane said glaring at Ryouga.

"Uhh...Of course not," Ryouga said.

"You hit Ryouga," Nabiki surmised.

"The fool came up behind her without announcing himself beforehand,"
Kodachi explained rolling her eyes.

"I was just seeing if she was all right," Ryouga said, sitting down.
Ranma tensed at Ryouga's comment.

"Oh! Did something happen," Kasumi asked coming into the room. "Nabiki
was concerned about you going to the Kuno estate." Nabiki winced.

"Nah, it wasn't that," Ranma said. She hesitated. "Well, sort of...I
was waiting outside."

"Some boys," Akane said, almost spitting, "were harassing Ranma."

"Oh dear," Kasumi said. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Ranma nodded. "I took care of it."

"If you think Ryouga looks bad," Akane said smirking. "You should have
seen one of the guys that Ranma ran off." Ranma smiled briefly, then
frowned.

"Idiot shoulda known better than to grab me," Ranma said. "What did
they think I was going to do? Just let 'em paw me?" She shivered.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Nabiki asked.

"I'm goin' ta take a bath," Ranma said, walking in that direction,
still holding Akane's hand. She turned to Nabiki and Kasumi. "I'm
okay. I just need to relax." They nodded

"I think I need a bath too," Akane said.

"Yes, you do," Nabiki agreed, Akane gave her an annoyed look. Nabiki
then pointed at Ryouga, "and he'll be right behind you two."

"Great, now I stink," Ryouga muttered.

*********

"They knew who I was, and what I can do." Ranma said quietly, leaning
back against Akane in the hot water. "And they still treated me like
that."

"Ranma," Akane said. "You haven't been acting dangerous lately. People
forget things if they're not reminded."

"I almost freaked out again," Ranma said. "I had time to prepare
for...Him."

"You were fine Ranma," Akane assured her.

"I woulda been," she took a breath and continued in a rush. "I might
as well have eaten another bowl of Shampoo's ramen if that had
happened."

"It didn't happen," Akane reminded her. "You'd run them off before any
of us got there."

"But I almost..." Ranma said.

"You were fine," Akane insisted. "The way that jerk's arm was hanging
I say you'd broken it in three places."

"I crushed his hand and dislocated the shoulder too," Ranma said
succinctly. "But what about next time."

"If you keep worrying about it," Akane whispered. She shook her head.
"I mean, Ranma, you laid out Ryouga in a single punch."

"Uh, heh, I was lucky." Ranma lost some anxiety as embarrassed
amusement replaced it. Then she shook out her hand with a little bit
of a grimace. "And it hurt. But don't tell him that."

"Is that a little ego I hear?" Akane asked in amusement. She kissed
Ranma on the cheek as the redhead smiled.

*********

"Umm, Nabiki," Ryouga started, glancing toward the kitchen where
Kasumi was, and towards Kodachi watching television until she felt it
was time to go back to an empty house.

"What is it, Charlotte?" Nabiki asked dryly, setting her manga down so
she could change the page. Ryouga flinched, but didn't let the name
distract him.

"What were you doing in the dojo?" he asked.

"Sleeping," Nabiki answered, picking up her manga and starting to read
it.

"Yeah but why?" Ryouga asked.

"Why does anybody sleep?" Nabiki asked, shrugging. "I was tired."

"No why were you sleeping in the..."

"Feeling better, Ranma?" Nabiki asked, glancing up from her manga for
a moment. Ryouga turned around and saw Ranma and Akane walking into
the room. He gave Nabiki a frustrated look, but didn't ask anything
else.

*********

"We're going out," Akane said. Nabiki noted that Ranma was not with
her and glanced about. She found the redhead coming down the stairs
and zipping up a light jacket. She arched an eyebrow and turned back
to face Akane.

"Okay," Nabiki said, then turned back to the morning shows she usually
had to miss for school.

"Do you want to come?" Akane asked.

"Where are you going?" Nabiki asked.

"Ucchan's, maybe a movie," Akane answered. "Might as well get some
rest before we tackle that jerk."

"Be good to know what Ukyou is thinking about, too," Nabiki nodded.

"So are you coming?" Akane asked. "Kasumi wants to catch up on some of
the cleaning, so she's staying."

"I think I'll stay," Nabiki said after a moment. "Talk to...Hinako.
Just stay in all day."

"Okay," Akane said, shrugging. "Just me and Ranma then." She moved to
join her spouse waiting nervously at the door.

"See you later," Ranma said, before they walked out. Nabiki considered
Ranma's behavior. On the one hand she was comfortable enough that she
wasn't virtually hanging off Akane or anybody else. One the other, she
was obviously agitated.

"He's getting ready for something," Nabiki said. Whatever it was,
Ranma didn't seem to want to deal with it. Which reminded her of
something else.

A while later she stood up and looked back to the dojo, and then the
television. Kasumi came into the room, carrying some light cleaning
supplies.

"Excuse me, Nabiki," Kasumi said, cheerfully. "But I'm going to go
over this room now."

"That's fine," Nabiki said. "Sorry if I'm in your way."

"Don't worry about it, Nabiki," Kasumi said, smiling. "It's pleasant
to have someone else around the house during the day." She went to
work as Nabiki left the room and glanced at the phone. She really did
need to talk to Hinako. Before the teacher did something reckless. She
almost went to the phone but sighed and walked down the corridor to
the dojo instead.

"Listen, Ryouga," Nabiki said, walking into the dojo. She stopped and
noted the camping materials neatly stacked against the wall where
Ryouga had left the day before. "You idiot."

*********

"Business looks good," Akane said.

"I'm open about twice as much," Ukyou said, exaggerating. "So word is
spreading a little more."

"That's good," Ranma said. "No problems from..." He glanced at the rug
that had been put over the blood stain that she and Konatsu were
slowly working out.

"It's actually working for me," Ukyou said, not sounding particularly
pleased.

"What?" Akane asked. "People are coming here because of that?"

"Weird," Ranma agreed.

"They're like vultures," Ukyou said angrily. "Just sitting around and
waiting for an opportunity. I've got people coming in and asking
about..." Her face shot up to look at Ranma and she stopped. "Anyway,
it's really starting to bug me."

"Yeah," Ranma said quietly glancing around. Some of the customers were
looking at them.

"There was a reporter hanging around outside our place a couple days
ago," Akane said. "He might still be around."

"If Mousse hadn't done all that," Ranma whispered.

"Damn, amazons," Ukyou agreed. "The only good thing about this is the
whole Kuno mess."

"At least it wasn't one of us that did it," Akane said. Serving a
table behind them, Konatsu tightened up.

"I guess it's good to have clean hands," Ukyou said, watching Akane.

"Are you okay Ukyou?" Akane asked confused. "You sound upset. Oh! I
forgot it is you! I'm sorry Ukyou, I didn't mean to remind you
about..." She glanced at the rug. Ukyou looked at Akane's honestly
concerned face and relaxed.

"That's okay, sugar," Ukyou said. "I'm just a little wound up." Ranma
sighed, unnoticed by the other two women, and slumped.

"Ucchan," Ranma said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"What for, Ranma?" Ukyou asked, watching him with her own cautious
look as she handed a plate to Konatsu. "You didn't do anything."

"Yeah, I know," Ranma said.

*********

Nabiki took a breath as the door closed behind Kasumi, Ranma and
Akane. Ryouga still hadn't managed to return to pick up his stuff.
Nabiki had moved his things into her room on the second day, to get it
out of the dojo. It was in the way of Ranma and Akane's training after
all.

She stared at the phone and tapped her fingers impatiently. She really
needed to talk to Hinako. There was, of course, the school situation.
She'd already missed more than half a week, she really didn't want to
miss much more.

Misery loves company, and Nabiki wanted to know who else Hinako had
seen. The problem was that talking to Hinako would pretty much close
the book on her ability to keep from going public.

"You've already told Ranma," Nabiki reminded herself, trying to forget
that Ranma had said she wasn't expecting Nabiki to step forward. It
was certainly a case of easier said than done. ~This is what you
insisted to stay home for.~

Nabiki grabbed the phone receiver, took a deep breath and picked up
the phone. She dialed quickly.

"Hinako," Nabiki said after hearing the voice on the other end. "It's
Nabiki, I just want to know what you and the other teachers are
doing?"

*********

"I hate this stuff," Ranma said, pulling up her pants. She sat down on
the stool and pulled her legs up to rest on a support between to legs.
She leaned forward and hugged around her knees.

"It's the only way we have," the doctor said apologetically.
"When I was a girl it was all men doctors." Ranma stared at her and
shivered.

"I couldn't do that," Ranma said.

"You don't have to," Inohara assured her. She took a breath and tossed
the gloves in the trash. "You could have canceled the appointment. I
expected you to, actually. You seem to be getting enough poking and
prodding as it is."

"I just need ta know," Ranma said. "I mean, they told me that I could
still...after I...when...you know."

"I understand, Ranma," Inohara said soothingly. "And you don't have to
worry. The hospital didn't lie, you can still have children." Ranma
gave deep sigh of relief.

"I never thought I'd want ta hear that," Ranma said quietly.

"Never wanted children before?" the doctor asked. The small talk was
calming Ranma down a bit.

"Not like this," the redhead answered.

"No, I don't expect so," Inohara agreed, only half-right as to what
she thought Ranma was talking about. She changed the subject. "I think
it's time I met your's and Nabiki's family."

"Yeah," Ranma said slipping off the stool and walking to the door. In
the waiting room, Akane-kun and Kasumi.

"Hello," the doctor said, extending a hand to Kasumi. "I don't believe
I've met you yet. I'm Doctor Inohara Nui, you must be Kasumi. Nabiki
is tightlipped about her life, but she's mentioned you, and so has
Ranma."

"Yes, Nabiki can be fairly reticent," Kasumi agreed. "You must be a
good doctor for Nabiki to suggest you."

"I would hope so," Inohara said. "May I speak to you for a moment?"
Kasumi exchanged a brief look with Ranma and Akane.

"Certainly," Kasumi said, and followed the doctor off to the side.

"I just want to ask about how Ranma is doing at home," the doctor
said. "I did not get a chance to know her before."

"Well, Ranma is hard to describe," Kasumi said.

"I can tell, can you tell me if she's improving at all?" Inohara
asked.

"Certainly," Kasumi said, before beginning to talk to the doctor in
earnest. "Is there anything else?" She asked as the doctor seemed to
be satisfied with the provided comments.

"Yes," Inohara said. "I'm having trouble finding Ranma's medical
records, who was her last doctor."

"Dr. Ono Tofu," Kasumi said. "Our family doctor, but he has been on
sabbatical for the last few months. I do not know before that."

"Do you know where she lived?" Inohara asked.

"On the road," Kasumi answered. "Ranma she has spent most of her life
with her father to study the Art."

"So, she probably doesn't have a paper trail," Inohara said, Kasumi
had mentioned Ranma's martial arts skills already. She had been
surprised, and concerned, about that. The little she had seen of the
girl hardly seemed like a highly skilled martial artist. "Well, I can
try to track down your family doctor, but that's it a suppose. Thank
you for taking the time to speak to me."

"That is perfectly all right," Kasumi said. "I have no problem with
trying to help Ranma with...the situation."

"Any word of her parents?" Inohara asked.

"Not as of yet," Kasumi said. "If they followed Ranma's father there
is a chance they do not have access to a telephone or such methods of
communication. Ranma's mother limited her trip to two months however,
and she only left two weeks ago."

"And the school situation?" Inohara asked. "I only know what they said
in the article."

"She's dealing with it," Kasumi said. "She is more angry than
depressed about the situation."

"Sorry to keep you here," Inohara said. "But I need to talk about
somebody else now."

"Nabiki?" Kasumi guessed, the doctor nodded. "She is somewhat more
difficult to pin down."

"I know," Inohara said. "What can you tell me about her behavior?"

"Well..." Kasumi started, taking a deep breath.

*********

"Tadaima."

Nabiki heard the three voices and relaxed.

"Okaeri Nasai," she called back. They walked into the living room.
"The prognosis the same as what the hospital said?"

"Yes," Ranma said, in obvious relief. "Did you talk to Hinako?"

"I did," Nabiki answered. The other three looked at her in surprise.
Nabiki had been saying that she would call the teacher for the last
couple of days now, but hadn't yet. "The hearing is set next Monday.
She was getting ready to call us soon anyway."

"Why?" Akane asked.

"She wants us to testify," Nabiki said dryly. She sighed and continued
in a quiet voice. "This is going to be a circus."

"I don't think Hinako would try to make a big deal about this," Akane
said. "She acted fairly discreet so far."

"She's known all this time," Ranma said quietly.

"Hinako's just taking action," Nabiki said. "Somebody had to.
Principal Kuno made it a circus when he expelled us."

"Are you okay, Nabiki?" Ranma asked.

"Are you?" she asked in return.

"I don't know," Ranma said. "I don't think I'm going to have much
choice."

"You don't have to testify," Akane reminded her. "Either of you."

"I have to," Ranma said. "Everybody already knows anyway."

"We both have to," Nabiki said. ~But can I?~

*********

"What's she doing here?" Akane asked irritably as they sat down.
Everybody else turned to see the girl from the theater sitting in a
chair and glaring at them.

"I don't know," Nabiki said, wringing her hands. "They're more
interesting." She dismissed the girl and turned her attention to a
group of five boys, one of which had a cast wrapped around his arm.

"That's those jerks that wear the masks," Ranma said angrily.

"Aren't they the guys that were bugging you, Ranma?" Akane asked.

"Yeah," Ranma said, tearing an angry glare away from them towards the
Principal as he strutted down the aisle, wearing a conservative suit
and a hat. Probably trying to cover the pineapple tree. He smiled in
the direction of the Tendos and Saotomes and continued on to take his
seat.

Kodachi came separately a few minutes later. Her father directed a
betrayed expression in her direction, but she did pay attention to
him.

"I am sorry to be late," Kodachi said.

"You aren't yet," Akane said. "They haven't started."

"Oh good," Kodachi said. "Then I have not missed a chance to provide
aid."

*********

"I am Saotome Ranma," Ranma said. It helped that most of people here
had already heard her story. They were already dissecting her
appearance and attitude. She really couldn't get more sideshow if she
tried. And she was using the soul of ice again. For this, she would
need it.

"Your student records say that Saotome Ranma is male," one of the
board members said.

"I was born male," Ranma said quietly. They were probably the only
people in the room that weren't all Nerimans who knew about Ranma.
Certainly this was a topic Ranma was more used to

"So how is it that you are now a girl?" the board members asked.

"I have a shape-changing curse," Ranma explained. "It...it went crazy
after...what happened. I can't change back yet."

"A curse?" someone said doubtfully. "You expect us to believe that?"

"We brought some pictures..." Ranma started. One of the board members
shrugged.

"This could be your brother for all we know," one of them said.

"Excuse me," Akane called out standing up and walking to stand next
Ranma.

"Akane, what are you doing?" Ranma asked.

"You can't expect us to keep secrets while you do this," Akane said.

"Tendo-san?" a board member called out. "You have not yet been
called."

"My name is Saotome," Akane said to a collection of startled gasps. "I
took it when I married Ranma." There were disturbed looks from the
board.

"What you say is impossible, miss," one of them said. "It is against
the law for two women to marry in this country."

"I am just going to be up here long enough to set the curse matter to
rest," she said, holding a small canteen.

"Your significant other," the speaker used an unfriendly amount humor,
"has already said that she can't change back, what do you plan to do?"
He was already jotting down mental instability on his pad.

Akane simply poured the water over herself, growing several inches and
her figure definitely attaining a male figure. He shook the water out
of his hair and extended arms with an expression of challenge on her
face.

"Satisfied?" Akane asked. "Does this prove the curse? Or do you want
me to drop my pants in both forms?" She asked the last angrily.

"No," someone said sweatdropping. "Just, how did this...affliction
happen?"

"I got mine in China," Ranma explained quietly. "My father has a curse
that turns him into a panda, someone else we know turns into a
piglet."

"And what about your...spouse?" someone asked. "Is this
affliction...contagious?" Suddenly there was a nervous murmur in the
room.

"No, I gave myself the curse," Akane said. "For my own reasons."

"I see," one of the board said. "This does make the Principal's
accusations seem less likely, you may sit down Tendo...I mean
Saotome-san."

"Fine," Akane said, sitting down in an empty chair right behind Ranma.

"Saotome-san." The board turned their attention back to Ranma, who
reminded herself that Akane and other friends were right behind her.
"Your Principal claims that you seduced his son and then helped to
kill him. You say you were raped?"

Ranma shuffled a little and looked down at the table in front of her.
She glanced back at Akane, who reached forward to grip the hand Ranma
sent back.

"Saotome-san?"

"Yes," Ranma said quietly. "He...He...raped me."

"And you blame Principal Kuno for that?"

"No," Ranma said, gripping Akane's hand tightly. "He didn't have
anything to do with that. That was his...son and this girl that
drugged me."

"Why didn't you report this to the police at the time?"

"They were both skilled martial artists," Ranma said. "Sending the
police would have been a slaughter."

"So you handled it yourself then?" The voice sounded disapproving.

"Yes," Ranma said. "I didn't want to see anybody die. And...And I
didn't want anybody else to learn about what he did."

"You didn't lead him on, perhaps?"

"I was drugged," Ranma said. "I didn't have very much control, but I
Did say No!" Ranma's voice cracked and she had to take a moment to
rebuild her soul of ice. "I didn't want to."

"Okay!" One of them interrupted, snapping Ranma back into shape by the
rudeness of it. "Assume the rape did happen." His attitude drew an
angry glare from Ranma and Akane. "What does this have to do with the
Principal and his administrative method?"

"When he expelled us," Ranma said, almost growling. She turned to
glare at the principal. "He told me not ta blame other people for my
spilt milk. He also said that his son could have any girl he wanted."

"And this represents an unsafe administrator?" The same person asked.

"It does sound like a desperate father defending his son," another
board member added reluctantly.

"He throws around exploding pineapples," Ranma said. "He sent live
lobsters to attack students, nearly drowned us in an artificial flood,
he once put a live shark in the swimming pool with Akane! And Akane
can't swim!"

"Okay, Saotome-san," one of them said after a long silence. "You may
return to your seat." Ranma nodded and stepped away from the table,
staring at the ground. Akane stood up to meet her as she turned away
and hugged her.

"Are you going to be okay?" Akane asked.

"I need to go the bathroom," Ranma said, quietly.

"Ranma," Akane said firmly. "Are you okay?" Ranma nodded as they
walked along towards the doors to the chamber.

"Excuse me, Ten, Saotome Akane," somebody said. "I believe it is your
turn."

"Hey..." Akane protested. Ranma laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be fine," Ranma said. "And...I'm just going to the bathroom."

"Saotome-san." They sounded impatient.

"Just get it over with," Ranma said. "And I'll be right back."

"I guess so," Akane said. He kissed Ranma on the forehead and hugged
her tightly. "You're sure you're fine?"

"Yeah," Ranma said.

*********

The faucet was running, cold not hot. Ranma didn't want a reminder at
the moment as she splashed her face with the running water. She let
out a long breath and let go of the soul of ice as slowly as she
could. Her shoulders started shaking as she quietly sobbed gripping
the side of the sink, growling low between sobs.

She immediately tensed up and quieted as the door opened behind her.
She didn't really want to look up in the mirror to see who it was.

"You!" the newcomer shouted angrily. Now Ranma really knew she didn't
want to look up, but she already knew who it was. "You lying little
piece of perverted fluff."

"Go away," Ranma said, still looking down into the sink.

"There aren't any other bathrooms," the girl snapped. Ranma could hear
her edging toward one of stalls. "Otherwise I would have just turned
around and left. Do you think I want to be in the same room as a some
sort of freak rug munching publicity hound like you."

"Leave me alone," Ranma growled, moving her eyes up to look at Jin's
reflection in the mirror.

"If all you want to do here is practice your acting for all the idiots
out in the stands," Jin said, crossing her arms. "Then get out and let
me do my business." Ranma whirled around and was suddenly in the other
girl's face.

"What is your problem!" Ranma demanded. Jin flinched back against the
wall. "What did I do to you? You think I like people poking at me? I
hate this! I HATE IT! Do I prefer women? Fuck yes! I'm supposed to
like girls! I'm supposed to be the father! I'm not supposed to...know
what it's like...ta BE one!"

She punched the stall door to the side of Jin's head and pushed away.

"Well now I am one," Ranma said. She continued under her breath,
quietly coming down from the rage. "Maybe in more ways than one."

Ranma sniffed at the air and snorted irritably. She walked to the sink
and took a deep breath and splashed her face to wash away the tear
tracks.

"Sorry," Ranma said reluctantly. "But at least you don't need to use
the toilet anymore." Jin stayed plastered against the wall, staring at
Ranma wide-eyed. Ranma shook her head in disgust at the girl. One
minute a rabid dog, but as soon as any resistance is shown she's a
wallflower.

"You forgot who I was, eh?" She asked quietly. "Those jerks forgot
too, you saw the cast?" Jin nodded nervously, Ranma continued on
without turning to see it. "He grabbed me." She turned fiercely
towards Jin. "Nobody is going to touch me like that except Akane, got
it?"

"Yeah," Jin said, nervously.

"Get yourself cleaned up and stay out of my face," Ranma snapped,
irritable again. She seemed actually shrink as she stalked to restroom
exit. "Why the hell are you even here?"

Ranma walked out the door shaking. As soon as the door closed, Jin
slumped to the floor releasing a long breath. She swallowed and
starred at the sink, noticing the finger marks where Ranma had been
gripping the ceramic.