Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Memories ❯ Volume 01 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: n. statement disclaiming or disowning something. (Reference from The Oxford MiniDictionary)

A/N: There was a mistake in my uploading of chapter hehe. Sorry sorry. I uploaded Volume 1 instead of Chapter 0 as my 1st chapter. Chapter 0 is my prologue. And this Volume 1 is supposed to be my chapter 2. Minus away my prologue, each chapter I will upload it with 6 chapters in a volume.

Title: Lost Memories

Summary: A boy with a forgotten past unexpectedly arrived and came to live together with the Tendo and Saotome family. How will he affect their lives? And how will they affect his life? How will his past affect them when it came to light? A Ranma and Akane pairing.

Volume 01

Chapter 01: The unexpected arrival

Chapter 02: Loneliness

Chapter 03: The awakening

Chapter 04: The meeting

Chapter 05: Forging bonds

Chapter 06: Hardships and sacrifices

Chapter 01: The unexpected arrival

Scene: Tendo Dojo, in the dojo, Friday evening,

Akane: Grr… Ranma stop dodging and attack me for once. How am I supposed to improve myself?

Ranma: (Reading a manga) I don't hit girls. Not even macho chicks like you, Akane.

Akane: (Frowns and two veins popped on each side of her temple) Ranma no BAKA! (Swings down her mallet)

#CRASH! Thud.#

Ranma: (Fingers twitching and kissing the shattered dojo wooden floor) Ite…

Akane: Hmph. (Throws away her broken mallet) (Exits the dojo) (Thinking) Honestly he's such a jerk! I think I'll go take a soak in the furo. (Makes her way to the furo)

Ranma: (Sits up) (Thinking) Jeez. What's the tomboy problem anyway? Thought I was complimenting her. (Rubs his head painfully) (Walks out of the dojo) (Sees Kasumi hanging out wet laundry to dry at the courtyard)

Nabiki: (Approaches Ranma from the house) (Smirks) Having another couple quarrel ne, Ranma-kun.

Ranma: It wasn't my fault, Nabiki.

Nabiki: Ranma-kun... You're so wrong.

Ranma: (Thinking) She can't be here to give me advice. (Begins to speak) What do you want Nabiki.

Nabiki: (Smirking) It seems I have a little business proposition for you, Ranma-kun...

Ranma: Eh… (Thinking) This doesn't sound too good.

Nabiki: Do it for me and consider all your debts paid for this month.

Ranma: What's the proposition? (Thinking) I hope it doesn't involve my girl form and a certain camera.

Nabiki: Good. Well…

#BROO-oom… CRASH! KLAK KLAK! BAM. THUD!#

Ranma&Nabiki: (See the dojo being completely demolished into smithereens leaving behind only a lone side wall standing) (Notice the particular blurred object that had crashed through the dojo continues on its 'warpath' hurtling on the ground closing on to Kasumi)

Kasumi: (Noticing the danger) Ara… (Lays a hand on her cheek in horror while the other hand holds a wet shirt)

Nabiki: ONEECHAN!

Ranma: (Rushes towards Kasumi and pushes her away with himself from the collision line of the devastating object)

#BAMM! Crack.#

The object smashed completely into the stone fence wall shattering the wall. Relatively large amount of dust formed upon the impact. As the dust settled down and cleared up, it revealed a bloodied crumpled body of a boy who looked to be in his teens.

Nabiki: (Approaches Ranma and Kasumi) (Thinking) I'm so relieved that oneechan is fine.

Ranma: Daijobou Kasumi-san?

Kasumi: Ara ara. Arigato gozai masu, Ranma-kun. (Thinking) Ara… That was so close… It was so terrifying at that moment.

Ranma: Ah eh... You're welcome Kasumi-san.

Nabiki: Onee… (Notices the battered body) (Watches composedly) (Thinking) What's going on… Something to do with Ranma-kun again?

Ranma&Kasumi: (Follows Nabiki's line of sight)

Ranma: (Grimaces)

Kasumi: Ara. (Approaches the boy) (Thinking) He may need medical attention if…

Ranma: (Sees Kasumi moving towards the boy) (Moves towards the boy)

Kasumi: (Checks the boy) Ara I think he's still alive, ne Ranma-kun.

Ranma: Hai. Let me carry and put him inside the house. You better call Tofu-sensei, Kasumi. He will require Tofu-sensei attention.

Kasumi: Hai. (Gets up)

Nabiki: (Stops Kasumi) Oneechan you better get the first aid and medical supplies and a futon ready. I will call Tofu-sensei myself.

Kasumi: (Nods) Hai, Nabiki.

Ranma: (Picks up the boy carefully and makes his way into the house)

Nabiki: Baka. Asking oneechan to call Tofu-sensei here? I doubt he will even arrive here tomorrow.

Ranma: (Sweatdrops) Slip of the mind. (Thinking) I feel like there is someone watching us. (Looks around) (Shrugs)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room,

Ranma: (Places the boy onto the futon in the living room)

Kasumi: (Treats the boy's opened wounds) (Thinking) Ara, this is terrible. I hope he will recover.

Ranma: (Watches Kasumi treats the boy's wounds) (Slightly grimaces) (Thinking) They look real painful.

Nabiki: Ja. (Hangs up the phone) (Walks about and looks at the demolished dojo and the newly formed gateway) (Thinking) My, my. I wondered how we would pay for all these damage. Hmm I hope that guy is rich... What will oto-san and Saotome oji-san reaction to these when they come back from their sake drink out.

Akane: (Rushes down the staircase) What happened here?! I heard a tremendous amount of noise when I was undressing myself in the changing room. (A/N: This is Nerima. Neighbors wouldn't blink an eye even if something like this happen. Good example is Happosai's bombs. He bombed here and there when quarrelling with Ranma but nobody really cares except the unfortunate target)

Ranma: (Instinctively) It wasn't my fault Akane!

Akane: I never said it was yours baka!

Ranma: Eh… Heh heh…

Akane: Now that you did mention it, it is possible that you must have something to do with it.

Ranma: …

Kasumi: Akane-chan, someone just crashed into our home when I was hanging out clothes to dry. He sustained a number of severe injuries.

Nabiki: Obliterated the dojo is more like it.

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room, fifteen minutes later,

Tofu's voice: Hello.

Kasumi: Ara Tofu-sensei is here. (Gets up to welcome Tofu)

Akane: Ne oneechan. You better make tea for Tofu-sensei. (Ushers Kasumi into the kitchen)

Kasumi: Ara Akane…

Nabiki: I will go oneechan. (Walks to the genkan) (Lets in Tofu) The sick boy is in the living room Tofu-sensei. (Walks to the living room) He crashed into our dojo. (A/N: Genkan is the entrance area where outside shoes or slippers are left as the owner or guest enters the house)

Tofu: Hello Nabiki-chan. Hai. (Follows Nabiki) Oh. He really looks to be in bad shape. (Examines the boy) Hmm I think the boy seems to sustain these injuries mainly from an all-out fighting. I don't think he suffered much of his severe injuries due to his collision with the dojo.

Nabiki: All-out fighting?

Ranma: It means a fight to the death.

Tofu: (Began to conduct some pressure points on the patient) Yes. From my examinations he had a dislocated shoulder, possibly his left arm suffered a broken radial bone, possibly broken ribs which I hope did not puncture his lungs, and the gash on the back of his head here will probably cause a concussion as the resultant blow in his head knock his brain against his skull hard, plus his numerous visible cuts and bruises all over his body.

Nabiki: (Flinches) (Thinking) Concussion? Darn looks like damage payments will take some time.

Tofu: Erm…

Ranma: Nan de, Tofu-sensei? [What is it, Tofu-sensei?]

Tofu: It's surprising that he isn't dead… (Touching various parts of the boy's body) (Thinking) His condition looks like numerous pressure points was conducted on him recently. I wonder which kind of pressure point techniques was performed. I'm not familiar with these.

Nabiki: (Thinking) Well he seems to have the same amount of luck as Ranma-kun. (Glances at Ranma) Escaping death. Probably the same guardian angel takes care of them. I hope he isn't as broke as Ranma-kun is. That would be so unfortunate.

Ranma: Oh… (Thinking curiously) I wonder how good is he in martial arts. (Thinking worriedly) And who the hell beat him up till this state. I wanna challenge and beat that guy up.

Tofu: (Notices Ranma's worried expression) (Thinking) How nice of Ranma-kun to be concerned about him. They hardly know each other. (Puts a reassuring hand on Ranma's shoulder) (Begins to speak) Don't worry. He should heal after some months. Have to cast his arm up though and pops his shoulder backs to its rightful position. (Begins working on his treatment)

Kasumi: (Walks in cheerfully with her trademark smile carrying a tray of tea set) Konnichiwa Tofu-sensei. Arigato for coming in on such short notice. (Bows to Tofu-sensei after placing the tray on table)

Akane: (Follows Kasumi from behind)

Tofu: Ah, ah Kasumi-san. What an amazing coincidence to see you here.

Kasumi: Ara Tofu-sensei, I lived here.

Tofu: (Takes the cup of tea) Hai hai. (Pours tea over his head) (Speaks gibberish language) (Arms, under the control by a being beyond our imagination, frantically began to reach out towards the nearest object, his patient)

Ranma: Ek! (Stops Tofu from man handling his patient)

Tofu: (Switches his attention to Ranma)

#Crack…#

Ranma: Ahhhh itaiiiiii! (Fruitlessly tries to push away Tofu's roaming hands all over his healthy boy)

Kasumi: (Smiling) (Lays a hand on her cheek) Ara, Akane-chan, isn't Tofu-sensei such a funny guy.

Akane: … (Looks at Kasumi helplessly) (Thinking) How can I ever get these two together?

Nabiki: (Shakes her head)

Tofu: (Continues his Kasumi Mayhem Madness by looking for Betty-chan)

------

Chapter 02: Loneliness

Scene: Tendo Dojo, front gate, late evening,

Soun: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! What happened to my wall?! (Switches gaze from his gate to the hole in the wall periodically, shaking up and down his hands hysterically)

Kasumi: (Comes out of the house smiling and bows) Welcome back oto-san, Saotome oji-sama.

Genma: Yā Kasumi-kun.

Soun: Kasumi. Tell me what happened? Did one of Ranma-kun fiancées pay us a visit? (Stares at the hole in the wall in anguish)

Kasumi: (Smiles) No oto-san. Someone else pay us a visit. Our dojo was also torn down too, oto-san.

Soun: Nani?! (Rushes in to take a look at his dojo)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, courtyard, ruined dojo,

Soun: (Tearfully) My dojo…

Ranma&Akane: (Clearing out the rubble and putting the butsudan dedicated to Mrs. Tendo to a proper spot in the house) (A/N: The butsudan is the small shrine dedicated to the dead that Japanese people often have in their homes. In the Tendo family case, the Butsudan is placed in the dojo. Butsudan are often referred to in English as a "family altar". Each morning, rice is often place in the butsudan as an offer to your family's ancestors)

Genma: Ranma! What kind of a martial artist are you! (Grabs Ranma by the collar) You can't even protect your future dojo? Have you lost your wits, boy?!

Ranma: (Grabs Genma back by his collar) Ano na oyaji! I would love to see you try! (A/N: "Ano na" can be implied as the sarcastic form of "excuse me" or "now look here". If is just "ano" it can be translated as "well…" or "um…")

Ranma&Genma: (End up squabbling on the ground, rolling and kicking out at each other)

Akane: (Frowns)

Nabiki: (Bored) (Mutters) Childish.

Kasumi: Ara. (Lays a hand on her cheek)

Soun: (Wails) My doojoo…

Ranma&Genma: (Roll and roll on the ground and stop in their 'tracks' as they crash into the base of the only standing wall of the dojo) Eh?

#Creak, creak… Crack.#

#Thud. Bam.#

Ranma&Genma: Ite… (Fingers and legs twitching visibly as their body are covered by the fallen wooden dojo wall)

Nabiki: Baka.

Akane: (Thinking) That must be painful… (Sees Ranma shoving off the weight over him) For the dojo.

Kasumi: Ara ara, I better continue preparing dinner. (Hurries herself to the kitchen)

Soun: (Sobbing)

Ranma&Genma: (Continues fighting after removing the crumbled wall over them)

Akane: Stop it Ranma, Saotome no oji-sama! (Splashes a bucket of water over Ranma and Genma)

------

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room, during dinner,

Nabiki: So what are we going to do about the sick boy?

Soun: Hmm.

Kasumi: Oto-san, we should take care of him till he is better. I will look after him in my room. (Thinking) He looks very hurt and he needs someone to help take care of him.

Nabiki: What another freeloader?

Akane: Ne, Nabiki. One more freeloader won't make much of a difference. We already got two bottomless pit freeloaders here. (Looks at onna-Ranma with a poker expression) (A/N: You know this face expression -.-)

Onna-Ranma: Ek? (Looks at Akane) (Sweating) (Turns to Genma) Eh oyaji… (Prods Genma-panda with his chopsticks)

Genma-panda: (Continues gobbling down his food totally ignoring onna-Ranma, acting oblivious) (Thinking) Just go and marry your fiancée, boy! And we will not be considered as freeloaders. We will be one big happy family!

Onna-Ranma: (Turns to face Akane) Heh heh…

Soun: Hai Kasumi. You may take care of our injured friend here.

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room, after dinner,

Soun: (Places a shogi piece onto an advantageous position on the board) Yatta! [Yes! Or Eureka!]

Genma: Eeps! Eh Tendo-kun, why don't you cancel the move and give me a chance?

Soun: (Solemnly) No, Saotome-kun. I cannot.

Genma: Nani!

Akane: Ranma. You better do your homework!

Ranma: Later Akane. It is still Friday. Cut me some slack will ya. (Continues watching the television)

Akane: You will still ask me to cut you some slack even if it is Sunday night, Ranma. (Drags Ranma to her room to do their homework) (Thinking) I can't believe this jerk. He is so lazy!

Ranma: Chotto Akane! Let go of me. (Helplessly trying to get himself free of Akane vice grip on his arm)

Scene: Nabiki's room,

Nabiki: Che… I need extra income coming in to settle this. Ranma-kun must help me to make sure everyone will lose their bets.

Scene: Kasumi's room,

Kasumi: (Blushes as she undresses her patient as modestly as she could) (Thinking) Ara, I think he was wearing his pyjamas. (Wipes away the dry blood and covers up the opened wounds with bandages) (Thinking) I better let him wear oto-san old clothes that he never wears anymore after oka-san… (Exits her room and return with some clothes and dresses her patient up) He's rather cute not really handsome and gorgeous like Ranma-kun but... What am I thinking? (Shakes head) I can't be falling for him. I don't even know him for Kami-sama sake. (Sigh) Why am I taking care of him? Because I wanted to and he needs someone to take care of him. No, no. Because you know you must and he needs to be taken care of because of his state.

------

Scene: Tendo Dojo, kitchen, Saturday morning,

Akane: (Enters kitchen) Ohayo oneechan.

Kasumi: (Preparing breakfast) Ohayo Akane-chan.

Akane: Need any help in the kitchen oneechan?

Kasumi: (Smiles nervously) It is fine Akane-chan. Arigato. Why don't you just go for your morning jog?

Akane: Okay oneechan. Ittekimasu.

Kasumi: Itterasshai.

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room, breakfast time,

Everyone: Itadakimasu.

Genma: (Starts his food raid on Ranma)

Ranma: (Stops his father from intruding chopsticks into his 'territory')

Genma: (Thinking) Ku'so… He's getting quicker nowadays. (Initiates multiple assaults on Ranma's bowl)

Ranma: (Thinking) That's what you think, oyaji! (Performs a blurred raid onto Genma's bowl unseen by everyone)

Genma: (Thinking) Yatta! An octopus ball finally! (Proceeds to pop it into his mouth when suddenly notices something missing in his bowl) (Yells) Nani my sausages!

Ranma: (Scoffs down the sausage visibly into his mouth) That was delicious oyaji.

Genma: (Glares at Ranma) …

Soun: How's our guest eh Kasumi?

Kasumi: He is still sleeping and recovering well.

Soun: Ah sou ka. [I see] Hmm Saotome-kun…

Genma: Nani Tendo-kun?

Soun: Oshishou-sama [Honored Master] was neither here for dinner yesterday nor breakfast today isn't he.

Genma: Ah yes Tendo-kun. Maybe he is finally gone for good!

Genma&Soun: (Facing each other and holding hands) Ah HAHAHAHAHAHA maybe we are finally free from his evil and perverted clutches Tendo-kun/Saotome-kun!

Others minus Kasumi: (Face-fault) (Thinking) That old pervert will soon be back.

Kasumi: (Smiles to herself) (Thinking) I wonder when will he wake up.

Nabiki: (Thinking) I wonder why oneechan is smiling in a slightly different way today.

------

Scene: Tendo Dojo, kitchen,

Kasumi: (Washing and drying the pots and pans by herself)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, porch,

Soun&Genma: (Playing Shogi)

Scene: Kasumi's room,

Nabiki: (Smirks) My, my. I wonder why oneechan want to take care of him.

Ranma: (Smirks) Heh he's not even as good-looking as Kuno or me for that matter.

Akane: Ranma! Don't be rude. (Thinking) He's kinda cute with short raven hair, pale lips, and chiseled nose even with all those bandages covering him but nowhere as… As… As… (Looks at Ranma who is smirking like a maniac) Ranma's a jerk. Hmph.

Nabiki: (Rubs her chin)

Ranma: (Thinking) Nabiki could be thinking of schemes to make money off this poor guy already.

Nabiki: (Grins slightly)

Ranma: (Thinking) Must be. (Switches gaze to Akane) (Thinking) Why is she looking at that guy so intensely... Could it be that she's interested in him?

Akane: (Notices Ranma staring at her) Nani yo Ranma?

Ranma: (Blushes) Eh nothing.

Akane: (Thinking) Eh heh is he jealous? And I was just looking at this sleeping guy. (Smiles happily) (Begins to talk) Why Ranma? Are you jealous of me looking at him?

Ranma: (Thinking) She looks so pretty when she smiled, making me panicky... (Getting tense and begins to talk) Me jealous? (In a louder tone) Of an uncute tomboy like you? No way! (Shake both his hands vigorously in a "never-ever" gesture)

Akane: (Scowls) (Vein pops up) RANMA NO BAKA! (Hits Ranma with a new mallet)

#CRASH! Rumble…#

The whole house shook from the fury blow of an enraged Akane.

Ranma: Ite… (Fingers and legs twitching. Suffering from the full force of the mallet. Face fully embedded into the floorboard) (Thinking) Wrong answer... This is definitely one of her most powerful devastating mallet blows… Certainly in the top 10 most painful category.

Akane: (Walks out of Kasumi's room in a huff) (Turns around) And sorry for being such an uncute fiancée! (Thinking) To think I actually care about that insensitive jerk!

Nabiki: (Shakes head) Good grief, you're pathetic...

Ranma: …

Nabiki: (Smirks) Ah that reminds me. See me when you're in a… Ahem healthier state to hear my proposition Ranma-kun.

Ranma: … (Thinking) Does Kami-sama really dislikes me that much.

Scene: Tendo Dojo, kitchen,

Kasumi: (Felt the tremor) Ara. I hope Akane didn't hurt Ranma-kun too much.

Scene: Tendo Dojo, porch and courtyard with the koi pond,

Soun: (Looks up the ceiling) (Sigh) At this rate when will they get marry Saotome-kun.

Genma: (Moves a couple of pieces on the board while talking) They will soon, Tendo-kun. Do not worry.

Soun: I hope so Saotome-kun.

Genma: (Acting casual) Ah hahahahaha.

Soun: (Turns back to the shogi board) Ara I'm losing! (Narrow eyes) Did you do something Saotome-kun?

Genma: (Scratches head) Heh heh why would I do that Tendo-kun (Laughs nervously) I rely on my own abilities!

Soun: (Widens eyes) Wah look over there! A meat loaf! (Points behind Genma)

Genma: (Turns around) Nani! Doko doko? [Where where?] It must have been mine.

Soun: (Moves back the pieces and begin to talk) I thought I saw one Saotome-kun. My mistake heh heh… Gomen ne.

Genma: (Looks back at shogi board) Ah!

------

Chapter 03: The awakening

Scene: Tendo Dojo, genkan, after lunch,

Nabiki: Ittekimasu oneechan. I'm going out to collect my credit from those who owe me.

Kasumi: Hai, Nabiki-chan. Itterasshai. (Brings up a basketful of clean laundry to her room)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, courtyard,

Akane: Ranma quit moping around and help out.

Ranma: Oi Akane what do you think am I doing. This stuff is heavy.

Akane: If I can carry them, why can't you?

Ranma: 'Cause I'm no macho chick with enormous brute strength like…

Akane: (Gives Ranma an uppercut on the chin that would make "Ryu Hoshi" green with envy) RANMAAAAAA!!!

Ranma: Huh? Ow! (Went off flying into low earth orbit spinning in circles) OMEE WA KAWAIiiikuneee n daaa yoooo… [You're such an uncute tomboy] (A/N: Something like that)

Akane: (Looks at Ranma disappearing form) Grrrr... Ranma no baka! (Thinking) This is all his fault! (Looks around at the rubble) That jerk. Now I'm all alone to supposedly clean up this mess. He must have been planning that all along. That Ranma…

Scene: Kasumi's room,

Kasumi: (Picks up Ranma's shirt) (Thinking) Ranma-kun's. (Folds and places onto a pile) (Picks up Akane's blouse) Akane's. (Folds and places onto another pile) (Glances at the sleeping person nearby and turns back to picking up Akane's pants) Akane's. (Folds and places onto the same pile) (Picks up Nabiki's shorts) (Folds and places onto a different pile) Nabiki's. (Glances at the sleeping person nearby again) (Sigh) Why do I keep hoping that he will wake up soon? (Continues folding the clothes and placing them onto their respective piles)

Nameless boy: (Sits up slowly) (Groaning) Ahh… Ite… Oh my back… (Saw his cast-up left arm) (Rubs his bandaged chest) (Blinks) (Talks to himself softly) Where am I? What happened to me? (Rubs the back of his head)

Kasumi: (Gets up and quickly approaches the guy, kneeling down in front of him) (Smiles sweetly) Kon'nichi wa. You've sustained serious injuries and need to rest. You're resting in the Tendo household. Watashi wa Tendo Kasumi desu. My family found you in this condition yesterday, Mr… (Thinking) His black eyes are rather intriguing… As if they've seen and been through a lot.

Nameless boy: (Surprised upon realizing that he wasn't alone) (Sees an attractive brown-eyed woman with long brown hair tied up with a big white ribbon into a loose ponytail and distinctive cute features approaching him) (Thinking) Who is this sweet-looking girl? (Begins to speak) Ore wa [I'm…] My name is... (Thinking) Ore wa dare…? [Who am I…?]

Kasumi: (Blinks)

Nameless boy: I cannot remember... (Covers his face with his right arm) Who am I? Why can't I remember… What happened to me?

Kasumi: (Comforting voice) It is probably due to the knock you suffer on your head. Tofu-sensei mentioned you could probably be in a concussion. But then instead you just seem to be suffering from amnesia.

Nameless boy: Tofu-sensei?

Kasumi: (Smiles) He's the neighborhood chiropractor.

Nameless boy: I see. (Notices a frowning dark blue short hair girl with brown eyes entering the room)

Akane: (Frowning) Kasumi oneechan, I need… (Sees the awakened boy) (Excited) Hey, he's already woken up.

Kasumi: Yes Akane.

Akane: What's your name?

Nameless boy: Er…

Kasumi: I'm afraid he is suffering from amnesia Akane-chan.

Nameless boy: (Nods despondently)

Akane: Oh… You really cannot recall anything? (Notices frustrations becoming evident in his eyes)

Rukawa: …Rukawa.

Akane: Heh so your name is Rukawa?

Rukawa: I don't really know. The name came across my mind for some reasons or other.

Akane: Hai. We will call you that, Rukawa-kun.

Kasumi: (Nods and smiles)

Rukawa: Hai A-Akane-san.

Kasumi: Akane-chan is my youngest sister, Rukawa-kun. There is also Nabiki my younger sister and oto-san living in our house and two houseguests, Saotome oji-sama and his son, Ranma-kun, who is Akane's iinazuke.

Akane: (Blushes and reflexively speaks) It is our fathers' decision not mine!

Rukawa: (Blinks)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, porch and living room,

Soun: Check!

Genma: Nani!

Soun: You have lost Saotome-kun. (Sips his tea coolly)

Genma: Umm…

Kasumi: Oto-san.

Soun: (Turns to face her) Yes Kasumi. (Sees awoken guest) Ah he's already awake.

Rukawa: (Bows politely) You can call me by my temporary name Rukawa, Tendo oji-san and Saotome oji-san.

Soun&Genma: Ara?

Akane: He has amnesia oto-san.

Soun&Genma: Sou ka na.

Soun: Well Rukawa-kun, you're free to stay with us till you recovered and or remember parts of your life before ending up here. (A/N: Tendo Soun is a kind hearted guy by the way =Dalways allowing people to stay in his house. Ryoga, Satori the mind reading boy, even the ghost from the anime Musashi Kogane you named it)

Rukawa: A-arigato gozai masu. (Bows) But I wouldn't want to impose on your family any further Tendo oji-san. Your family had already taken care of me when I was injured and now being…

Soun: (Smiles) It's no problem Rukawa-kun. Don't worry. Just stay with us.

Rukawa: Hai. (Bows again) Arigato.

Kasumi: Ara I better continue folding up the clothes and keep them. Akane would you please show Rukawa-kun around. Arigato. (Smiles) By the way Akane, where is Ranma-kun?

Akane: Eh... (Face reddens rapidly) Ranma was being a jerk you see…

Kasumi: (Disapprovingly) Now Akane there's no way to treat your…

Akane: (Cuts Kasumi off) Hai oneechan. Come Rukawa-kun, let me show you how you came to be with us. (Pull Rukawa's right arm and leads him to the courtyard)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, courtyard,

Rukawa: (Sees a huge pile of rubble) …

Akane: You fell from the sky some how or other and crashed into our dojo (Pointing to the rubble) and hurtled on the ground till you come to a stop when you crashed into the fence. (Points to a hole in the wall next to the gateway) You must be a martial artist to have survive all these, having a sturdy body.

Rukawa: (Thinking) I arrived here in that manner and survived? I'm a martial artist? I can fight? (Clenches his right fist and looks at it) No… I don't think so… But more importantly... It seems like I completely destroyed the Tendo family property. How am I going pay for all these damages? (Sigh) I'm in really deep trouble.

Akane: (Thinking) Why is he sighing now?

Rukawa: A-Akane-san.

Akane: Nani ga Rukawa-kun?

Rukawa: Su-sumimasen Tendo Akane-san. I-I don't worry I will try to find a way to pay your family for all the damages that I had caused. (A/N: Sumimasen is "I'm sorry" like gomen nasai except it is a more polite and formal form)

Akane: (Smiles) Hai Rukawa-kun. Arigato. Come let me show the rest of the house. (Thinking) He's different from other boys. And certainly not a jerk like Ranma. (Sigh) Why must Ranma be such a jerk? (Continues to show Rukawa around)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, genkan and staircase, later,

Nabiki: (Counting a thick pile of yen) (Thinking) Not a bad collection today. (Grins) (Climbs up the staircase)

Akane: (Climbing down the staircase)

Rukawa: (Following Akane)

Nabiki: (Sees Rukawa behind Akane) Well, well… Our sick boy has awakened at last.

Rukawa: (Nods)

Akane: This is my oneechan, Nabiki.

Rukawa: (Bows) Pleased to meet you Nabiki-san.

Nabiki: You too…

Rukawa: Rukawa.

Nabiki: Rukawa…? (Thinking) This guy only got a family name?

Rukawa: Eh just Rukawa, Nabiki-san. I have amnesia a-and I'm not even sure if Rukawa is my name.

Nabiki: (Raises an eyebrow) (Thinking) That sounds interesting enough for me. (Begins to speak) I see, Rukawa-kun. Well ja ne. (Continues climbing up the stairs and enters her room)

Akane: Let's go visit Tofu-sensei to check up on you, Rukawa-kun

Rukawa: Hai okay.

------

Chapter 04: The meeting

Scene: Front gate of Tendo dojo, an hour later, a lone blurred figure appeared in the horizon. As the figure progressed closer and closer, it distinguished itself as onna-Ranma.(A/N: Ranma-chan doesn't really mean female Ranma. -chan is mainly use to indicate someone very close to you. Like Ukyo calling Ran-chan when he wasn't even cursed. But it does have the feminine "sound" while -kun has the masculine "sound". This is an informal title used for young children and very close friends or family members.)

Onna-Ranma: (Trudging towards the Tendo dojo with a 'walking' stick)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, genkan,

Onna-Ranma: (Enters the house) (Faintly) Tadaima. (Muttering) Stupid violent tomboy. Hit me that far. And of all places, I must end up in a river and being washed downstream. Then meeting Kuno of all people on the way back. And all these happened to me because I merely complimented her brute strength. I will never understand Akane or girls for that matter. I'm gonna take a good long hot soak in the furo.

Kasumi: (Climbing down the stairs) (Smiles) Ranma-kun, o-kaeri nasai. [Welcome home]

Onna-Ranma: Where's Akane, Kasumi-san?

Kasumi: I sent Akane to show our guest, Rukawa-kun who is suffering from amnesia, around the house. I wonder where they are now. They are certainly not at home at the moment.

Onna-Ranma: (Feeling uneasy) Sou. [I see]

Kasumi: Ranma-kun, you need hot water?

Onna-Ranma: Is all right Kasumi. I will just take a hot bath.

Kasumi: Hai.

Onna-Ranma: (Trudges wearily towards the furo and thinking) Whaddya know. I noticed Akane showing interest in that guy yesterday. Hm what's his name now… Kasumi mentioned it just now. Hmm Rukawa if I'm not mistaken. And today she happily showed him around without any of her 'I-hate-boys' attitude as she disappeared with him out of the house. She hardly knew him at all. Che, I happened to plunge into a river when Akane hit me with her fist and this new guy happen to be named Rukawa. Geez sounds like a bad omen. Amnesia huh… (A/N: Rukawa means flowing river for those who doesn't know)

------

Scene: Tendo Dojo, outside the furo, later,

Ranma: (Comes out of the changing room) Ah that was great.

Nabiki: Ranma-kun!

Ranma: (Oyakusoku pozu) Ah Nabiki! (A/N: Oyakusoku pozu posture is the action where the thumb, first and fourth fingers are being extended as a sign of surprise or shock)

Nabiki: Come into my room. We got much to discuss about our proposition.

Ranma: Eh not today Nabiki. I don't intend to have any more bad things happen to me in one day.

Nabiki: (Narrow her eyes dangerously and speaks dryly) Are you sure, Ranma-kun?

Ranma: (Firmly) Ano na, Nabiki! [Now look here, Nabiki!] I am not in the mood and… (Notices that Nabiki is eyeing him in her most dangerous mercenarial look) (Getting nervous) (Voice loses its firmness) I-I d-don't want… (Twiddles his 2 index fingers) to have any more b-bad things happen to me in the future, (Meekly) so I will come see you right now heh heh. (Smiles nervously) (Sweating) (Thinking) She's damn scary.

Nabiki: (Smirks) Very well, come into my room.

Scene: Nabiki's room,

Nabiki: (Sitting down on the chair) (Speaks in an even tone) Now Ranma-kun, I want you to take Akane out on a date.

Ranma: Nani?

Nabiki: You heard me.

Ranma Why would you want me to take out that violent tomboy?

Nabiki: (Smiles sweetly) Because I care for my sister, Ranma-kun.

Ranma: (Sarcastically) Yeah right…

Nabiki: (Acts hurt) (Pitifully) You don't believe me? (Thinking) If I weren't so kawaii he wouldn't take the bait.

Ranma: (Looks at her helplessly) …

Nabiki: (Smirks and thinks) This guy is so easy to manipulate. Oh boy I'm gonna earn so much from the betting pool today at school. It's just so great that everyone bet Ranma will not take Akane out on a date in three days time. Just a bit of manipulation on my part, and all losing bets goes into my pocket.

Ranma: If I do this, you will really cancel my debts?

Nabiki: This month debts. Not all your accumulated debts.

Ranma: Oh. (Thinking) How the hell am I gonna ask Akane. She will send me to Mars before I could finish asking her. But then a date with Akane would be superb. (Shakes his head) Iie da! Iie da! [No! No!] More importantly is that I would be relieved of my debt for this month. (Begins to speak) I will need time to ask her out Nabiki.

Nabiki: You have three days.

Ranma: (Suspiciously) Why is there a time duration?

Nabiki: I don't want my sister to wait too long for her iinazuke to summon his courage.

Ranma: Right... (Thinking) Can't beat her. Somehow I'm getting a bad feeling about all these. A REALLY bad feeling.

Nabiki: By the way Ranma-kun, don't worry. I will not allow your other lovable fiancées to disturb your little date.

Ranma: (Thinking) Why does that bad feeling still doesn't go away. (Begins to speak) Sou ka na. What are you gaining from all these Nabiki-san?

Nabiki: (Shows a hurt look and speaks in a hurt voice) How could you suspect me of making a profit from just helping my sister, Ranma-kun, and my lovable future brother-in-law. Am I that obviously that bad?

Ranma: Okay okay Nabiki. Just wondering. Ja. (Walks out of Nabiki's room) (Thinking) She's too good.

Nabiki: (Smiles slightly to herself) (Thinking) Phase 1 completed.

------

Scene: Tendo Dojo, kitchen, dinner time,

Kasumi: (Preparing dinner)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room,

Akane: Tadaima. [I'm home] (Enters the living room) (Sees everybody sitting and waiting at the dining table) (Sits down on a cushion)

Rukawa: Ta-tadaima… (Follows Akane from behind)

Ranma: Hey Akane where did you go with him all day?

Akane: (Annoyed) Nani yo Ranma! [What's the problem Ranma!] Are you concerned or jealous now?

Ranma: Chot-chotto chotto matte yo, Akane. [Hey hold on, Akane]

Nabiki: Just keep your mouth shut Ranma-kun.

Ranma: (Oblivious to Nabiki's advice) I was just wondering where a kawaikunee tomboy like you would bring…

Akane: (Veins appear on her right temple) RANMA NO… (Grabs her mallet from thin air and swings it down)

Soun,Genma&Nabiki: (Move the dining table away from the incoming danger)

#BAM. Thud…#

Akane: Baka! (Breathing heavily while grasping mallet tightly) Huh huh huh huh.

Ranma: … (Fingers and legs twitching in pain) (Thinking) That hurts as much as this afternoon…

Soun: (Cries and wails) WAH my little daughter hit her fiancé. Now they will never get married!

Genma: Ranma! Apologize to your fiancée at once!

Nabiki: (Slaps her forehead) Baka. (Thinking) Phase 2 gonna be hard if those two keep on arguing. And I only got three days.

Rukawa: (Blinks) (Thinking) They really have their own special way of treating each other. I really feel for the victim. (Notices Kasumi entering the room, unknowingly continues to stare at her)

Kasumi: (Carrying a tray of dishes, smiling) I hope everyone didn't wait too long. (Sets the table) (Sits next to Rukawa)

Everyone: Itadakimasu.

Rukawa: (Whispers) Ne Kasumi-san, are you sure both Ranma and Akane are iinazukes?

Kasumi: (Whispers) Yes they are, Rukawa-kun. They do have feelings for each other but they are both too stubborn to show them plus the fact that any time when they almost came close to revealing their true feelings to each other, something is bound to happen thus preventing them from it.

Rukawa: (Whispers) Sou ka? [Oh really?] (Thinking) What a weird couple. (Whispers) By the way Kasumi-san, your cooking is most delicious.

Kasumi: (Whispers) Why thank you for your compliments Rukawa-kun.

Rukawa: (Whispers) Thank you for the meal.

Nabiki: (Observing Kasumi and Rukawa's little exchange) (Thinking) Is this going to get as interesting as it looks to be.

Akane: (Thinking) Ranma no baka. Ranma no baka. Ranma no baka.

Ranma: (Scowls) (Thinking) Chiku'so! Oyaji stealing my food!

Genma: (Pops in a salted fish into his mouth) (Thinking) My boy is so slow. He is getting sloppy! He needs more training! Ummm! This salted fish is so delicious.

Soun: (Thinking) My daughter is such a wonderful cook.

Genma: (Finishing his food) Ah Rukawa-kun.

Rukawa: (Looks up to face Genma) Nan desu ka Saotome oji-san? [What is it?]

Genma: Since you will be staying with us for some time, you better know that my son, Ranma, have a secret, a curse.

Rukawa: Sou ka? (Turns to Ranma)

Genma: U-mm, nani kara hanaseba yoi no yara? [U-mm, how can I best explain this?] (A/N: How I just love this event)

Ranma: I…

Genma: I know! (Snatches Ranma by the shirt and flings him into the koi pond)

Ranma: HEY!

Soun,Kasumi,Nabiki&Akane: (Blink at the familiar scene of Ranma sailing in the air and…)

#Splash.#

Kasumi: Ara ara. (Places a hand on her cheek)

Rukawa: (Blinks and gapes at seeing a flaming red-haired striking-looking and wet pig-tailed girl emerging out in view instead of Ranma) (Thinking) This is inconceivable… Where did Ranma go? Mahou ka? [Magic?]

Onna-Ranma: (Angrily) Temee, nani shiyagaru! [Why you do that for!]

Genma: (Melodramatic voice with tears falling down his cheeks) Masani higeki! [What a tragedy!] My own son. He turns to a girl when splashed by cold water. How very shameful!

Akane&Nabiki: (Sweatdrop)

Onna-Ranma: Temee! [Darn you!] Who are you to talk to oyaji! (Sends a punch towards Genma)

Genma: (Sees the incoming punch and cleanly dodges it) (Thinking) There's no opening! (Strikes back at her with a thundering fist to onna-Ranma's stomach)

Onna-Ranma: (Instinctively blocks out the incoming blow) Hiyeak! (Tries to initiate a jump kick but… Slips over her wet feet and falls over Genma)

Genma: Oof! (The wind knocked out of his body upon his son/daughter collision) Get off me, Ranma! (Shoves off onna-Ranma)

Onna-Ranma: Temee! (Jumps back onto Genma and grabbing his shoulders)

Genma: (Grabs onna-Ranma's shoulders in return)

Genma&Onna-Ranma: Get off me! Nani! You started it oyaji! (Get entangled with each other and rolled over and over the ground until reaching right at the surface of the koi pond in mid-air then stop struggling with each other and look downwards) Ahhh!

#SPLASH.#

Genma-panda: (Holds out a wooden sign stating "Don't hit me" and then swinging it round revealing "I'm just a harmless cute panda")

Onna-Ranma: (Sitting in the koi pond with the water level around her waist) (Glares irritatedly at her panda father) Grr… Oyaji.

Kasumi: (Gets up and enters her kitchen) (Thinking) Ara. They would both need hot water.

Akane: Rukawa-kun, both Ranma and Saotome oji-sama got cursed in China at Jusenkyo, which has many various cursed springs of drowned victims. They were training the Art and fell into Nyannichuan [Spring of drowned girl] and Shonmaoniichuan [Spring of drowned panda] respectively. Their curses are activated by cold water and deactivated by hot water. Actually if they weren't so ignorant and stupid, they wouldn't have been cursed at all in the first place.

Rukawa: (Eyes getting wider in disbelief as onna-Ranma enter the living room) (Thinking) She and he are one and the same?

Onna-Ranma: I'm still a MAN even if my cursed body form is a girl.

Rukawa: (Stares at Ranma) Eh...? (Meekly) Hai.

Kasumi: (Enters the living room and pours the hot water over onna-Ranma)

Rukawa: (Blinks) (Thinking) What an incredible eye blinking transformation.

Ranma: Arigato Kasumi-san.

Kasumi: (Smiles and proceeds towards Genma-panda)

Ranma: So this is my curse. Losing my manhood and living as a girl half the time.

Rukawa: Urm… (Catch a glimpse of Genma-panda reverting back to his human form) Look on the bright side, you still remain human, Ranma.

Ranma: (Shrugs) (Glances at Akane) Ano Rukawa, can we talk on the roof?

Rukawa: Eh? Hai Ranma-san.

Akane: (Suspicious) Ranma. What are you gonna talk to him about on the roof that cannot be done here?

Ranma: Chotto Akane. Nothing much. Just wanna get to know him you know. Guys talk.

Akane: Elaborate "guys talk", Ranma.

Ranma: … (Thinking) What do guys talk about? Hiroshi and Daisuke only talk to me asking about Akane. Think think.

Akane: Ranma you don't even know what guys talk is all about.

Ranma: Don't worry Akane is just guys talk. Guys talk. Not for macho chicks. (Quickly drags Rukawa off)

Akane: Ranmaaaa! (Thinking) What is he up to now?

------

Chapter 05: Forging bonds

Scene: Tendo Dojo, roof,

Ranma: (Sitting down) How's your chest and arm doing, Rukawa?

Rukawa: (Sitting down) (Relates the visit to Tofu-sensei with Akane)

(Start of flashback sequence)

Scene: Tofu Clinic,

Tofu: It is very weird.

Akane: What do you mean Tofu-sensei?

Rukawa: Heh?

Tofu: Somehow or other, you are recovering or healing yourself at an incredible speed, Rukawa-kun. Though I wasn't sure if you fractured your ribs but I still did treat you, now you seem to be perfectly fine in your breathing indicating no fractured ribs or punctured lungs. This kind of injury takes months to heal. Furthermore I am pretty sure yesterday you had a fractured arm at least even without x-raying you. Yet now you're suffering only from a hairline fracture. I'm not sure what's going on.

Rukawa: … (Thinking) What's going on with my body?

Akane: (Smiles) Isn't it good now you can recover faster.

Tofu: I will need to check on this. (Thinking) Cologne obā-san may know the answers to this. I must go check with her when I'm free. (Begins to speak) Rukawa-kun, please come again on Monday okay. I want to see your progress.

Rukawa: Hai.

Tofu: (Thinking) I'm pretty sure his healing speed is what saved him from death. I never knew anyone with that kind of healing speed existed.

(End of flashback sequence)

Rukawa: It will be fine in a few days. Tofu-sensei said it's just a hairline fracture. Thanks for asking Ranma-san.

Ranma: No problem. You can cut out the -san prefix. Call me Ranma is good enough. (Thinking) I thought Tofu-sensei mentioned a broken rad- bone or something. (Shrugs)

Rukawa: Sure Ranma. Well what is it you want to talk to me about?

Ranma: Oh yah. Ano… Rukawa what do you think about Akane? (Thinking) Is he gonna be my newest rival?

Rukawa: Eh? Akane-san? W-well she has been real helpful at making me feel at home. She's a really nice and thoughtful girl. She brought me to see Tofu-sensei to have him check up on my recuperating wounds.

Ranma: (Frowns slightly) (Thinking) Akane and nice doesn't fit together. Thoughtful? If she were so thoughtful, she wouldn't be feeding me her own cooked meals.

Rukawa: (Notices a queer expression on Ranma's face) You really surprised me when you called your iinazuke kawaikunae, Ranma.

Ranma: Katte ni kimeru na yo! [I didn't agree to this!] Our dads set up this whole engagement!

Rukawa: Still… It is a very hurtful insult to Akane-san, ne? (A/N: Most Japanese girls want to be known as kawaii. That's the highest compliment a young woman can be paid. Kawaii connotes an innocence and naiveté, almost a childishness, which is considered very attractive in girls. This seems to be very serious in Japan thus, Ranma's insult (kawaikunee), is a very hurtful one to Akane. It's not only saying that she doesn't look pretty and uncute, but that she's got a bad personality, she's not attractive at all, and she's very unfeminine)

Ranma: …

Rukawa: (Thinking) I really think Ranma's comments hurt Akane emotionally. Her reaction just now proves it. She's hurt 'cause the person she love attack thoughtlessly at her feminity. She lacks confidence for her feminity side. Does Ranma know that he is hurting Akane deeply? Ranma asking me about what I think of Akane probably suggests that he does care for her besides the fact that he furiously denied he was jealous previously. But then it is possible that its just jealousy because he is her fiancé and engaged to her and not totally because he do care for her. Anyway I do want to know more about Ranma. I could make a friend while living here.

Ranma: (Stares at the stars in silence)

Rukawa: How do you handle your curse Ranma?

Ranma: What do you mean?

Rukawa: I mean it must be pretty embarrassing and inconvenient to change into a girl.

Ranma: (Sigh) Yes it is.

Rukawa: Must have been stressing for you.

Ranma: You don't know half the story.

Rukawa: There's more?

Ranma: (Nods sadly)

Rukawa: Want to talk about it?

Ranma: Sure why not? (Thinking) Not like he will understand what I am going through anyway. Still I would feel better for a while if I get it off my chest. (Begins to speak) Well for starters, I have three fiancées and one maniac after my hand in marriage. Akane is my fiancée, which my oyaji engaged me to before we were born. The marriage is supposed to join the Saotome and Tendo Anything Goes martial arts school. During my childhood, oyaji took me away from okuro [Mother] to train me to become a man among men. He promised her if I do not deem myself to be a man among men in her eyes, he and I would commit seppuku to keep our honor intact. Throughout the training, he "sold" me for food and engaged me to many different suitors.

Rukawa: (Sweating) (Thinking) Sold…

Ranma: He also taught me a forbidden technique neko-ken that resulted in me being terrified of cats. And I am really scared of them. It isn't funny you know…

Rukawa: Okay Ranma. (Thinking) Terrified of cats? (Shrugs)

Ranma: Then we traveled to China for further training. Oyaji had heard of a place to train, Jusenkyo. But because of his ignorance and partly my fault too we became cursed at Jusenkyo as Akane mentioned just now. Due to my curse becoming a girl, oyaji is scared that now, okuro will not find me to be worthy of a man among men and so we more or less hid ourselves from her. Continuing our journey in China we came upon Joketsuzoku, an Amazon village of female dominated society. There we met a Chinese Amazon girl, Shampoo, a champion martial artist who I defeated when I was in my girl form due to some urm misunderstandings. And so by their law, if a female outsider defeats an Amazon girl, she is supposed to give her a kiss of death and eliminate her. Since I defeated her, she gave me the kiss of death and chased me everywhere in China with intent to kill. From there we escaped back to Japan and came to Nerima where oyaji decided to present me to the Tendo family as a suitor for one of Tendo oji-san daughters. After some unfortunate happenings, Akane came to be my fiancé by obligation. Then months later, Shampoo reached Japan tracking after me, still trying to kill me, and through a series of unforeseen events I accidentally defeated her in my boy form. I thought now she gonna kill both my forms but their law states that if a male outsider defeated an Amazon girl, she is supposed to marry him. (A/N: From the anime, I heard Ranma calling Nodoka, oka-san in his imagination in meeting her while okuro in reality as Ranma and onna-Ranma, of course not directly except when he saved Nodoka during the hot water 'geyser'. The rest of the time he called her okuro. Okuro may not be the correct spelling though. I need to watch and listen to the ova series to understand more about this situation)

Rukawa: (Shakes head) (Thinking) Being cursed is one problem to suffer in life but to endure life growing up without a mother must be just as awful. And to have a mother after your head if you're not masculine enough just makes things worst.

Ranma: Eventually she found out that I am originally a boy and went back to China only to return with o-baba. [Old ghoul] I mean her great grandmother and a decision to marry me regardless of my girl form defeating her and my Jusenkyo curse. That's how she came to be my fiancée, a husband under the eyes of her village law. Then some time later Ucchan, an okonomiyaki chef martial artist, appear in Nerima as another fiancée which oyaji engaged me to. She is my best friend when we were young. And there are other fiancées out there who I must had been engaged to without my knowledge thanks to oyaji. The maniac who is after me is Kuno Kodachi who is crazy to think that I'm in love with her. And whenever any of the girls show their passions towards me, Akane will develop into a fit of rage and beat me up. I didn't even ask them to hug me or whatever…

Rukawa: What kind of passionate actions?

Ranma: Glomping onto me, trying to kiss me, trying and forcing to get a date with me, trying to drug me for various reasons... Basically all these. At least Akane doesn't drug me or try (Slight disappointment in his voice) to kiss me or get a date with me... (Thinking) But her cooking is worst than drugging and poisoning me put together. (Shivers)

Rukawa: (Disbelief evident in his voice) Whoa. That is one tough life. (Thinking) Drugging? His fiancées really put a whole new meaning to showing your passions.

Ranma: Huh.

Rukawa: Huh?

Ranma: You don't think that having four girls… Make that three, after you is cool or fun?

Rukawa: Eh. From the way you relate, if you think it is, I think you really are crazy Ranma.

Ranma: (Thinking) I'm beginning to like Rukawa. Finally there is someone who understood me. (Begins to speak) That is why I think my classmates in school are crazy.

Rukawa: So Ranma, Akane gets jealous and mad every time one of your fiancées tried to win your love?

Ranma: Yup. What's the tomboy problem anyway? She's always assuming the worst of me. (Gloomy voice) Is not like she loves me.

Rukawa: Well if you did not encourage it, I don't see any problem at all.

Ranma: (Scratches head) Eh heh heh. (Guilty look)

Rukawa: Heh. From the looks of it, I bet you do.

Ranma: It can't be help! Who could pass up a free okonomiyaki or ramen when he is starving?

Rukawa: (Sweatdrops) No comment Ranma.

Ranma: (Sigh) Anyway about my curse, as you mentioned recently, being a girl may still be human but losing my manhood, my pride as a man… (Slumps shoulder) Also Akane thinks of me as a pervert because of my curse. She always calls me hentai whenever we trade insults. And perversion is something I am damn NOT. Look when we first met, she thought I was a girl. I haven't told her I was cursed and the girl she thought I was is my cursed form. One thing led to another and she happened to walk in on me when I was bathing, thinking on the lines of bathing together with a female friend. I was bathing and had reverted back to my male form currently naked and she came in... Nude. There she exploded and truly mad at me accusing me of being a pervert and all… It wasn't entirely my fault you know. She's the one who walk in on me in the first place. The doorway already states, "Occupied". I hate this curse!

Rukawa: The way you talked about it, it sounded more that you hate your curse tremendously because of how Akane feels about you. You like her but you feel that she is put off by your curse. (Thinking) Well, well. Ranma attack at Akane's feminity hurting her while Akane attack at Ranma's insecurity of his curse hurting him too. These two are really impossible.

Ranma: That's not it. I don't love Akane.

Rukawa: I don't exactly know what a man among men is supposedly to be but it is likely that a man among men wouldn't lie or deny his feelings to himself…

Ranma: … (Thinking) What Rukawa said is rather true.

Rukawa: You may not say you like her but when you spoke you indirectly gives the impression that you does. I'm no Mr. Sensitive but from our conversation obviously show how you feel.

Ranma: I don't know. She doesn't really seem to show that she loves me. I'm a half man. I am cursed. I doubt s-she would have feelings for me.

Rukawa: It doesn't help if you don't show it yourself. You hide your true feelings maybe she does too.

Ranma: It's not my fault. She calls me hentai, jerk and keep malleting me.

Rukawa: You seem pretty good yourself with your own bunch of insults aren't you.

Ranma: …

Rukawa: (Smiles) Hey so you do care.

Ranma: Okay okay. Yeah I do care about her. But I still don't believe Akane feel the same way about me.

Rukawa: Darn. Guess Akane (Looks at Ranma) is not available.

Ranma: (Startled) Nani, omee… [You…] (A/N: The correct spelling is omae but in Ranma his manner of speaking usually end up in "ee" omae become omee, kawaikunae becomes kawaikunee. Osaka dialect)

Rukawa: (Amused) Joking Ranma. Relax ha ha. You should look at yourself.

Ranma: (Blinks at Rukawa) … Got me there didn't you. (Pushes Rukawa mischievously)

Rukawa: (Sarcastic hurt voice) Hey I'm injured you know.

Ranma: Gee I didn't know that my slight push is so painful compared to you colliding with a building a.k.a. dojo.

Rukawa: Yare yare.

Ranma: (Grins)

Rukawa: Back to topic, you really love her don't you? To be able to tolerate her rage and with three other girls after you is a wonder you haven't jump ship.

Ranma: (Looks at the stars and recalling a sight) When Akane smiles at me... How could I let go of her? When she look at me with her beautiful brown eyes and smiles sweetly at me… I can rough out against anything just to be with her.

Rukawa: So Akane is kawaii heh?

Ranma: (Face reddens) Heh heh. Very kawaii. Very very kawaii when she smiles.

Rukawa: She does have a captivating smile, ne.

Ranma: Yup. But sadly I hardly see her smile.

Rukawa: You only know how to make her mad don't you hahaha.

Ranma: Not funny... Rukawa.

Rukawa: Why not Ranma? Lovers tend to make each other happy not mad. You two are really unique.

Ranma: (Thinking) He's right. Nah must show that he isn't right about most things. (Begins to speak) Hey, who says I gonna make her mad all the time.

Rukawa: (Raises an eyebrow) Nani?

Ranma: I'm gonna ask her out for a date and makes her HAPPY. (Grins broadly)

Rukawa: Your first date? Hahahahaha an engaged couple first date.

Ranma: Ahahahaha you're wrong Rukawa.

Rukawa: Haha. Of course Ranma. I never truly expect it to be your first.

Ranma: (Proudly) Is our second date.

Rukawa: (Face-faults)

Ranma: Erm Rukawa.

Rukawa: Yah Ranma?

Ranma: (Introduce his right hand in front of Rukawa) O-tomodachi? [Friends?]

Rukawa: (Smiles and take Ranma's hand) O-tomodachi, Ranma.

(A/N: Finally Ranma forged a bond of friendship with someone. Not a friend/rival (Ryoga) or friend/fiancée (Ukyo) or friends/pervert (Hiroshi and Daisuke). But just as normal friends. I do hope I manage to tell how Ranma and Rukawa began to trust each other and made friends realistically. Seriously this part took me a whole week to finally accept it. Edit my original but still was unsatisfied. Revised it a couple of times before finally achieving this format)

Rukawa: (Grins) So when you gonna ask Akane out, Ranma?

Ranma: Eh. When I summon enough courage then I will go ask her.

Rukawa: Don't wait too long.

Ranma: (Confidently) I will ask her very soon, you see.

Rukawa: (Encouragingly) If you asked the first time before you can do it again.

Ranma: Eh heh heh. The first time was purely accidental... Long story... I meant to play a trick on Nabiki but somehow ended up with Akane. I could really die there on the spot when I found out.

Rukawa: How did you ask out the wrong person? That seems incredible.

Ranma: Nabiki really annoyed me after engaging herself to me when Akane got mad at me. She took advantage of me by selling pictures of my girl form and rented me out for 1000 yen per hour. When I find out she was playing with me… (Relates incident)

(A/N: The following reminiscence is based mainly on Ranma's view thus he doesn't relate anything about Nabiki's discussion with Akane nor why Akane was at the park. Plus this scenario is not exactly the same as the anime)

(Start of flashback sequence)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, living room, evening,

Kasumi: Nabiki, you should give Ranma-kun back to Akane.

Nabiki: I can't bring myself to do it. I've been in love with Ranma-kun for so long…

Kasumi: (Thinking) You can't be serious Nabiki. (Begins to speak) You're kidding, aren't you?

Nabiki: Yep.

Ranma: (Hiding up on top of the sliding doors next to the living room, eavesdropping) (Thinking) WHAAAAAT?!

Kasumi: That's mean, isn't it? Teasing him like that.

Nabiki: But…

Kasumi: (Slightly angry) If Ranma-kun finds out, he'll be angry!

Nabiki: (Waves her hand) Heki! Heki! [Oh, that's no problem] (Smiles and sticks her tongue out) He's such a coward… I'm not afraid of him at all!

Ranma: (Thinking) Heh.

Scene: Nabiki's room, night time,

Nabiki: (Using her calculator, eating)

Ranma: (Knocks on her door) (Opens the door and walks into her room with a big smile) Nabiki!

------

Nabiki: Deito? [A date?]

Ranma: Yep!

Nabiki: (Sitting on her chair, bored)

Ranma: (Sitting on the floor) We're engaged, so it should be OK. Right, Nabiki?

Nabiki: I suppose that's true.

Ranma: (Gives Nabiki the date/time/place of the date) Ja! (Grins evilly to himself) (Thinking) Heh, you'll see, Nabiki! This date will be such a nightmare that you'll wish you were dead!

Nabiki: (Thinking) This is turning into a lot of work. If he gets too attached to me, it'll be a problem. Hmm Akane…

------

Scene: Nerima Flower shop, afternoon,

Ranma: Some roses, please. Those really DARK red ones.

Storekeeper: Here you go. Got a date, hm?

Ranma: Yep. (Thinking about the incoming date) (Walks out of the shop) (Mutters) Heh, Nabiki… You've had me completely fooled until now… (Shouting loudly) But you'll see! Today's date…Will be like your worst nightmare! Hahahahahahahaha!

Passers-by: (Look on, concerned)

Nabiki: (Riding on her bike passing by) (Thinking) Today's date is a trap…?! What horrible thing does he have planned…?! (Cycles on) But… Poor Ranma-kun… After putting so much effort into his scheme, it'll be Akane who goes on the date with him. Please understand, Ranma-kun. (Spots Akane, smiling on her way to her date) Hm? Akane…Wow, she looks really happy…

Scene: Nerima Garden,

Ranma: (Waiting by a bench with the roses)

Nabiki: (Arrives, riding her bike) Ranma-kuuuuun!

Ranma: (Thinking) You've come, Nabiki. You still don't know it's a trap…

Nabiki: (Runs Ranma down with the bike)

#Blam!#

Ranma: Ouch!

Nabiki: (Stops) (Thinking) I'll sacrifice myself to protect my little sister. (Rides off on the bike)

Ranma: (Picks himself up off the ground) H…Hey, Nabiki!

Nabiki: Hohohohoho, try and catch me!

Ranma: Wahahahaha, you little rascal. (Gives chase and jumps on the back of the bike, smiling) Caught you.

Nabiki: (Continues pedaling the bike)

Ranma: Let's get started on that date. (Put a hand on Nabiki's shoulder)

Nabiki: (Looks at Ranma's gesture, slightly concerned) You're certainly acting rather "familiar" with me.

Ranma: (Grins) (Thinking) Heh. This is just the beginning of my revenge!

Nabiki: (Acts worried) Aaah! Akane!

Ranma: (Looks around nervously) Eh? Eh?

Nabiki: (Ducks her head under an incoming low branch)

#WHAM!#

Ranma: (Crashed into the tree branch, knocking him off the bike)

Nabiki: (Relieved) (Cycles off) Hah! Fooled you! If you care so much for Akane, why don't you apologize to her and go back to being her iinazuke?

Ranma: (Runs madly after the bike) Grr… Quit playing with me, dammit! (Follows Nabiki into a hedge maze, wandering around trying to find her) Sheeeeesh... Running away into such a strange place… However… In here, if she cries or screams, nobody can come help her. (Grins and cracks his knuckles) That makes it an even better place for my revenge. (Runs through the maze, looking for Nabiki. (Hears Nabiki as she runs)

Ranma: Over there? (Grabs Nabiki through the hedge)

Nabiki: (Shocked) Aaah!

Ranma: Here? Here? (Gropes his hand around Nabiki trying to secure his prisoner)

Nabiki: Eep! (Worried) (Thinking) What? It can't be… Does he plan on beating me up?!

Ranma: (Comes through the hedge) You've got nowhere to run, now. (Slowly moves in on Nabiki)

Nabiki: (Backs away)

Ranma: How dare you toy with people's feelings like this?!

Nabiki: (Feigns innocent) You mean when I said that I was in love with you?

Ranma: (Cracks his knuckles) You're still holding onto that stale joke of yours?

Nabiki: Ranma-kun… You really… You thought I was joking about that? How horrible! (Runs off with her face buried in her hands, crying loudly)

Ranma: (Surprised) H-hey! (Thinking) Was she joking with Kasumi?

Nabiki: (Hides around the corner, with a satisfied look on her face) Heh. What a sucker. (Crosses her arms) I really fooled him with that straight-faced lie. If I weren't so cute, I'd have never pulled it off. (Laughs loudly)

Ranma: (Hears Nabiki laughing and her comments) Oh?

Nabiki: (Looks up) (Thinking) Uh oh. (Runs off)

Ranma: (Runs after Nabiki, leaping over hedges) You little bitch! I've had enough of you! (Comes upon a hedge blocking his way)

Girl's voice: Hm? That person who just ran past me looked like…

Nabiki: (Running footsteps)

Ranma: (Thinking) Trying to run huh? (Shouts) Here! (Shove his arms through the hedge)

Nabiki: (Turns around upon hearing Ranma's shout) Uh oh.

Ranma: (Grabs Akane and tries to pull her through the hedge)

Akane: Kyaaa! (Thinking) Who is this pervert!

Ranma: (Grins) (Thinking) Heh. Nabiki, I've finally caught you.

Nabiki: (Calls to Ranma) Hey, wait, Ranma-kun! What're you doing to Akane?!

Akane: (Kicks her legs back and forth as she was being pulled through) (Thinking) Ranma pulling me? Ranma!

Ranma: (Continues pulling) (Thinking) Hah! She's not going to fool me again.

Akane: (Thinking furiously) Ra-Ranma… I'm not going to put up with this!

Ranma: (Grins) (Close his eyes) (Thinking) The time for my revenge has finally come. All the pain she made me go through… (Finally pull Akane through the bushes, and pull her to him) Feel my vengeance! (Shouts) Listen carefully…! (Puts both his arms around Akane and holds her to himself in a tight embrace) I LOVE YOU!

Nabiki: (Looks through the hole left in the bushes) Hm?

Akane: (Intensely surprised) (Thinking) He… He…

Ranma: (Chuckles to himself) Yep... To put it simply, if you think I'm going to let you break up with me… You're QUITE mistak… (Notices Akane) (Thinking) Oops…?

Akane: (Still stunned, looks up at Ranma)

Ranma: (Sees Akane's slightly scratched-up face, with leaves in her hair) A-Akane…? (Extremely embarrassed) C-c-ch-chi-chi-chigau! (Jumps wildly in embarrassment all over the place)

Nabiki: (Makes her presence felt) I heard that! I heard it! (Pats Akane on the back) Isn't that great, Akane?

Akane: (Looks back at Nabiki, surprised) Oneechan… (Thinking) What is she doing here?

Nabiki: The two of you should stay friendly with each other from now on, OK? (Waves goodbye and walks away, with a strange look on her face) (Thinking) What a stupid way to get revenge. Shouting I love you? I was worried about that? Jeez.

Ranma: (Thinking) Shiiiiit… (Begins to speak) That thing just now… I thought Nabiki was trying to trick me again…

Akane: Ok, OK. I get the point. Just drop it, will you?

Ranma: (Heads back home) Hey, aren't you going back home?

Akane: … (Looks back at Ranma) What about our "making up" date? Didn't you suggest that we go on one?

Ranma: Eh…?

Akane: (Approaches Ranma and looks at his eyes)

Ranma: (Thinking) "Make up" date? What is she talking about? (Looks at Akane nervously) (Remembering his dark red roses in his hands) (Holds out the flowers to Akane) Want them?

Akane: (Takes the flowers happily) Thanks…

(End of flashback sequence)

Ranma: Why the hell she was in Nerima Garden anyway? I was damn embarrassed by the whole event. But it was worth it to get her back as my iinazuke plus a date. (Smiles)

Rukawa: You really went through a lot for it. (Grins)

Ranma: (Places his arms on the back of his head) Heh heh. Come on let's get back into the house. We've been here pretty long.

Rukawa: Yah is getting chilly…

------

Chapter 06: Hardships and sacrifices

Scene: Tendo Dojo, guest room,

Rukawa: I guess I better go get a futon from Kasumi-san and bunks in here.

Ranma: (Takes a manga) Yah you better. (Hears a knock)

Akane: Ranma.

Ranma: Hey Akane come in.

Akane: (Enters the room and sits down next to Ranma)

Rukawa: Yā Akane-san. Ja. I'm just going to see Kasumi-san.

Akane: Oh okay. Ne Ranma.

Ranma: Yah Akane what is it?

Akane: What did you two talk about on the roof?

Ranma: Oh just guys stuff. We were making friends.

Akane: Oh. (Thinking) Ranma and friends doesn't really go together. (Begins to speak) So you will one day fight with Rukawa and call him names huh, Ranma.

Ranma: Chotto Akane. Why you said that?

Akane: You are always fighting with Ryoga-kun and calling him names. He is your "friend", ne.

Ranma: Eh Rukawa would not be shouting "Ranma, prepared to die" and he isn't a pig like Ryoga.

Akane: Ranma!

Ranma: Relax Akane. You will see Rukawa and me. We will become good friends.

Akane: (Thinking) He really seems sure of himself. (Begins to speak) That's good you really need one anyway.

Ranma: What's that suppose to mean?

Akane: That's what it exactly means baka!

Ranma: Kawaikunee!

Akane: Hentai!

Ranma: Tomboy!

Akane: Jerk! (Leaves the room in a huff)

(A/N: Sheesh those 2 are really good at starting their arguments)

Scene: Kasumi's room,

Kasumi: (Sitting on her bed, reading a medical book)

Rukawa: (Knocks on the door) Kasumi-san.

Kasumi: Come in.

Rukawa: (Enters and sees an already laid-out futon on the floor) I…

Kasumi: (Smiles) Come in Rukawa-kun, let me help you treat your wounds and put on clean and new bandages.

Rukawa: Oh hai.

Kasumi: (Approaches Rukawa and helps in undressing him before taking off his bandages)

Rukawa: (Watches intently how delicately Kasumi treats his injuries and covers them up with clean bandages) (Thinking) I really don't know what to think.

Kasumi: Ara is there something wrong with my face Rukawa-kun?

Rukawa: (Blushes upon realizing he was staring at Kasumi the whole time) Eh oh sumimasen Kasumi-san. I just couldn't help staring at you. There's er nothing wrong with your face. I just saw…

Kasumi: Hmm?

Rukawa: (Thinking) The unconditional gentleness reflected on your face, as you were engrossed in applying medicine to my opened wounds. The kindness and compassion that you unknowingly showed from just doing a simple thing like treating my cuts. How caring your touches are when you are treating my wounds. How your selfless actions radiate love and concern like a mother to her child. Mother. I wonder what happen to the Tendo matriarch.

Kasumi: (Sees Rukawa seemed to be rather absorbed in his thoughts) Rukawa-kun?

Rukawa: (Notices Kasumi) (Utters lamely) Saw… H-how lovely you are Kasumi-san.

Kasumi: (Smiles) (Thinking) That's what everybody says. (Begins to speak) There… All better now, Rukawa-kun. (Pastes up the last bandage)

Rukawa: Arigato Kasumi-san. Erm guess I better take this futon to the guest room, ne.

Kasumi: Oh you can sleep here. The guest room would be too crowded with Saotome oji-sama and Ranma-kun. It wouldn't be very comfortable for you all. And I'm supposed to take care of you. (Thinking) I would not mind your company, Rukawa-kun.

Rukawa: I see in that case let me sleep elsewhere I wouldn't want to impose on you any further Kasumi-san.

Kasumi: (Smiles) You are not imposing at all Rukawa-kun. I already laid out the futon too.

Rukawa: (Thinking) How do I get out of this "mess"? Tendo oji-san wouldn't be too happy to see me sleeping in the same room as his eldest daughter, right?

Kasumi: (Smiling sweetly) You're welcome to sleep here Rukawa-kun. In fact it is a pleasure to have your company.

Rukawa: (Defeatedly) Hai, Kasumi-san. Let me tell Ranma about this arrangement. (A/N: Who could reject Kasumi, ne?)

Kasumi: Hai. (Nods)

Scene: Tendo Dojo, guest room,

Rukawa: Ranma.

Ranma: (Looks up) Yo Rukawa. Hey where's your futon.

Rukawa: I'll be bunking in Kasumi-san room it seems.

Ranma: Oh okay.

Rukawa: Ja.

Ranma: Ja. (Laid on the futon holding a manga) (Thinking) Hmm… Rukawa and Kasumi together? Well it does seem strange that Kasumi wants to take care of Rukawa. Nah Kasumi is kind and takes care of everyone.

------

Scene: Kasumi's room, later,

Rukawa: (Lying down on his futon) I hope you don't mind me asking Kasumi-san, what happened to your oka-san?

Kasumi: (Lying down on her side on her bed, facing the futon) (Slightly shaky voice) N-not at all Rukawa-kun. O-oka-san left our family because of a disease about eleven years ago when I was still nine years old. Akane-chan was deeply affected by it. She was only six at that time and didn't understand what was happening. I had to look after her and allowed her to slowly understand that oka-san is resting and will be with us in our hearts. Nabiki reacted to her death by secluding herself and later on kept herself busy with money. Oto-san simply broke down and become a shadow of his former self. Now he is slightly better after Saotome oji-sama stays with us. Since and before I finished my current school, my life is focus mainly on taking care of my family and their needs, cooking meals, cleaning the house, the daily chores and so on.

Rukawa: (Thinking) Kasumi-san has a pretty hard life. Becoming the pillar of strength to her family at such at a tender young age. (Sigh) When I was her age I was... Duh. I don't even remember what I was doing yesterday. At that age she is already carrying a heavy responsibility. (Looks at Kasumi who was lying on her side facing him) (Sits up and approaches Kasumi)

Kasumi: (Thinking) Ara, why is he sitting up now?

Rukawa: (Places a hand on Kasumi's shoulder gently) Gomen ne Kasumi-san. I hope and wish you would have a better life from now on. You deserved some happiness besides finding the happiness from just looking after your family.

Kasumi: (Smiles warmly) Arigato Rukawa-kun. (Thinking) I wish one day I would have an understanding husband who could lighten my load and takes care of me…

Rukawa: (Squeezes her shoulder gently before lying back on his futon) (Thinking) Since I'm injured and have nothing to do, I guess I should assist Kasumi-san in her daily household chores. Looking after six people is no mean feat. It must have taken a lot out of her.

Kasumi: (Smiling to herself) (Thinking) Arigato Rukawa-kun. Your simple tender gesture far exceeds any form of comforting words that people can muster to console me. (Begins to speak) Oyasumi nasai Rukawa-kun.

Rukawa: Oyasumi Kasumi-san.

----

End.

A/N: Morning people! This volume focuses on how Rukawa adapts to his new life and gets to know the Tendo and Saotome family. And yah I know the name Rukawa is rather similar to my nick Rokawa, but no is not a self-insert =P nor is Rukawa the character from SlamDunk. It is just a name plus it may not be his name at all either. Rukawa is my own created character and is no bishounen like Rukawa Kaede. He's no Mr. perfect or sensitive. Everyone have his or her weakness ne. His weakness will surface more and more as the story progresses if you can spot it.

Thanks for reading. Ja peeps.