Subject: [FFML][FanFic] Return to Ryugenzawa
From: Martin Bennett
Date: 7/26/1996, 9:45 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com


==============================================================================
Clogged Sink Press Presenst:

Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction - 


                          Return to Ryugenzawa                        

[By:Plunger]

    All characters copyright of Rumiko Takahashi,Shogakukan Inc. and Viz
            Communications Inc., etc., etc., blal, blah, blah...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[Story begins...]

[Ranma steps out of the Tendou house and walks along the street. He walks to
the corner, stops, looks back, frowns and then returns to the gate.]

Ranma: Hey! Akane! Are you coming or not?!

Akane: Just a minute!

[Ranma stews for a little while, tapping his foot. Finally Akane comes out.]

Ranma: 'bout time!

Akane: Sorry, Ranma.

Ranma: Whatever... Can we go?

Akane: (nods) Mhm.

Ranma: Good.

[They walk off down the street.]

Akane: Have you seen P-chan, Ranma?

Ranma: Have you seen Ryouga?

Akane: No. Why?

Ranma: Me, either.

Akane: What do you mean by that?!

Ranma: Nuthin...

Akane: It's not nothing! What are you talking about?! Spill it!

Ranma: I just mean I haven't seen either one lately... It's a stroke of luck!

Akane: I'll give you a stroke!

[Akane wollops Ranma and stomps off. Ranma scrapes himself off the ground and
follows a little behind.]

[A few minutes later they arrive at Furinkan High. Kunou is waiting, doing his 
best impression of a fixed object. Akane stops and Ranma catches up.]

Kunou: (sniffs rose) Today is such a fine morning... It is fate that I should
       free you from the clutches of the villianous Saotome on such a day,
       Akane... 
       
[He grabs Akane and picks her up.]

Kunou: Then the flower of our love can bloom!

[Akane punches him and Ranma jumps on his head.]

Akane: Hey! Let go of me!

Ranma: I'm not clutching her! Grose!

Akane: (to Ranma) What's that supposed to mean?!

Ranma: Nothing. Forget it.

[Akane tries to punch Ranma, who ducks. Her blows swings wide and connects 
soundly with Kunou's jaw. He reels for a moment and then falls over.]

Kunou: Ouch.

Ranma: Good one, Akane. You KO'ed, Kunou!

Akane: I...er... 

Ranma: Yep. With your macho muscles, he never had a chance!

Akane: Ranma no baka!

[Akane grabs Ranma and punts him into the sky. He arcs high into the air and
flies through a window, into a classroom. He sails through the room and 
lands on someone.]

Person: Kiyaaaa!

[Ranma looks up to find his face right between Miss Hinako's breasts. She has
obviously just been diciplining someone, because she is in Amazon form.]

Ranma: Er...Hi.

Miss Hinako: You are such a delinquent, Mr. Saotome

Ranma: Umm...

[At this moment Akane comes into the room and sees Ranma in the teacher's 
chest.]

Akane: What are you doing, Ranma?!

[Ranma turns, pulling his head up.]

Ranma: Akane! It's not- It's not what it looks like!

Miss Hinako: Isn't it?

Ranma: Er... Well... Umm...

Akane: (tapping foot) Well?!

Ranma: Hey! You kicked me here!

Akane: Don't pin this on me! Jerk!

Ranma: Er..listen...

Miss Hinako: Enough! You're both on detention!

Ranma: WHAT?!

Akane: Why?!

Miss Hinako: For fighting in class! Happou Change Exchange!

[Miss Hinako fires her power blast at Ranma and Akane. Ranma dives at Akane
and knockes her out of the way. They slide out into the hallway with Ranma  
lying on top Akane. At this moment, another teacher walks past.]

Sensei: Hey! No making out in the hall!

Ranma & Akane: Yes, Sensei. We're sorry.

[The teacher walks off and they then notice where they are.]

Ranma: ...

Akane: HENTAI! GET OFF ME!

[Everyone in the adjacent classrooms pokes their heads out doors and windows.]

Students: Hey! What's happening? Dunno! Wow! Look! Ranma and Akane! Who'd 
          have thought it?! Yeah, but in the hall?! Baka! Oi! Quit stepping 
          on me! Get off! (WHAK!) OW!

[A minor brawl breaks out among the students trying to see. This distracts 
Miss Hinako as she comes out of the classroom. Akane shoves Ranma off and 
glares at him.]

Akane: What were you doing?!

Ranma: Stopping you from getting blasted! What do you think?!

Akane: ... (pause) Thanks, Ranma.

Ranma: No problem...

Akane: Let's get into class now.

Ranma: Good idea. 

[They get up and go into class while Miss Hinako drains several classes of 
students. Ranma and Akane sit down and are besieged by questions. They stare
for a moment and then Ranma threatens to thump the nosey classmembers. This  
dire warning immediatly causes them to subside.]

[At the end of the day, Ranma and Akane walk out of the school and head back 
to the dojo.]

Akane: Hurry up, Ranma!

Ranma: (bored) Why?

Akane: If I get home early, I can help Kasumi-oneechan to cook dinner!

[Ranma starts gagging on reflex. Akane turns and glares at him. He smiles
weakly.]

Akane: Did you say something?

Ranma: (points at himself) Me? (shakes head) No. Nothing at all...

Akane: Hmm...

[She shrugs and walks off. Ranma follows behind, trying to think of a way to 
delay her. Suddenly a solution appears in the form of Ryouga.]

Ryouga: Akane-san! I've been looking for you!

Ranma: You have, have you?

Ryouga: That's none of your business, Ranma!

Ranma: Akane's my fiancee. That makes it my business!

Akane: Ranma! Don't be so mean!

Ranma: (still looking at Ryouga) He started it.

Ryouga: And now I'll finish it!

[Ryouga throws his pack down and jumps back in a fighting stance.]

Ryouga: I was coming to defeat you, Ranma!  I wanted to see Akane-san first...
        But I'll do it now!

Ranma: (shrugs) Do your worst!

Akane: (sighs) I'll see you later, Ranma! Later, Ryouga-kun!

[Akane walks off, leaving them to fight.]

[Ryouga jumps and attempts to punch Ranma. Ranma dodges and jams his elbow
into Ryouga's neck, sending his face slamming into the ground.]

Ranma: That was a major face plant, Ryouga!

Ryouga: ...

Ranma: Well said.

[Ranma rubs Ryouga's face in the dirt a little. Then Ryouga leaps up, throwing 
Ranma off.]

Ryouga: Get off me!

Ranma: GUWAA!

[Ryouga thrust kicks Ranma, who dodges and counter kicks Ryouga. Ryouga falls
back and throws some bandannas. Ranma dodges and weaves, avoiding all the 
projectiles. He then steps up to Ryouga and uppercuts him in the face. Ryouga
goes flying and slides across the ground. Ranma leaps and tries to step on 
Ryouga's face, but Ryouga rolls and then kicks Ranma in the back. Ranma flips
away and faces Ryouga, they are both puffing.]

Ranma: Not bad, Ryouga. You should be unconscious by now!

Ryouga: It is you who will be unconscious, Ranma! My love for Akane will 
        inspire me!

Ranma: NOT!

[Ranma jumps and kicks Ryouga in the face. Ryouga reels as Ranma pivots midair
and back kicks him in the face. Ranma then flips over and reverse somersault 
kicks him in the face. He falls to the ground, stunned. He attempts to get up, 
but it too stunned to rise.]

Ranma: Guess you don't love Akane after all. It didn't inspire you much!

Ryouga: ...

[Ranma walks off as Ryouga finally regains his senses.]

Ryouga: Dammit! Defeated again! (glares at Ranma'a receeding form) You wait, 
        Ranma! I'll show you who loves Akane more!

[Ranma walks into the house to find Soun and Genma crying over their Shogi 
board.]

Ranma: What's with you?

Souun: We are afraid, Ranma. A cloud of doom hangs over us!

Ranma: Oh? Why's that?

Genma: At this very moment, Akane is in the kitchen with Kasumi. If she cooks
       dinner, it is the end of all of us!

Ranma: You're tellin' me! So why make me marry her?!

Genma: That's a different matter.

Ranma: Not!

[Ranma walks cautiously to the kitchen door. He looks in and sees Akane 
fighting a large bowl of something.]

Kasumi: What are you putting in there, Akane?

Akane: Just some of this. 

[Akane holds up a bag.]

Kasumi: Oh... Akane... That's tiling mortar.

[Ranma walks in.]

Ranma: Yo, Akane. How's it going?

Akane: (turns, with a slightly wild look) Fine! Perfect! Couldn't be better!

Ranma: That's a miracle!

Akane: Ranma no baka!

[Akane grabs the bowl of now set mortar and hammers Ranma into the floor with 
it.]

Ranma: ...

Akane: Ungrateful jerk!

[A while later Ranma wakes up and finds himself on the couch. He rubs a 
bruise.]

Ranma: Ow... Dammit! Akane no baka.

[He gets up and goes out to the dojo. Inside, he practices for a while, 
venting a bit of spleen on the training tools. Suddenly he hears a shout from 
inside.]

Voice: OH! AKANE! HELP!

[Ranma runs flat out towards the house. He slams the door down and runs in to
find everone looking at Akane. She is lying on the floor, unconscious.]

Ranma: Akane! What happened?!

Kasumi: She was tasting something she made when she passed out.

Ranma: (snorts) Hah! Figures. 

Nabiki: Shouldn't she be breathing?

Ranma: Ack!

Soun: Quickly! We must get a doctor!

Ranma: I'll go!

Kasumi: Thank goodness I took that CPR class...

[Kasumi goes to work as Ranma runs out. He dashes down the street, wracked 
with worry.]

Ranma: Akane no baka! You'd better not die!

[Ranma speeds along, rocketing past the Nekohanten. Mousse leaps out in front 
of Ranma.]

Mousse: STOP, Saotome! You cannot have-

[He is cut off as Ranma knocks him for a loop. Ranma soon arrives at Dr. 
Toufuu's Clinic. He runs in and slams the door open, before sliding to a 
stop.]

Ranma: Hello! Sensei! Where are you?!

Tofuu: (walks in) Right here. What can I do for you, Ranma?

Ranma: Akane's really sick! You gotta come to the Tendou's place! And hurry!

Tofuu: Goodness. We'd better go then.

Ranma: ...

[They run out and head back to the dojo. When they arrive, they find Akane
layed out on the couch, still unconscious. Dr. Tofuu looks her over and then
gets up.]

Soun: Well, Doctor?

Ranma: What is it?!

Tofuu: She seems to have ingested some sort of powerful poison. She's in a 
       coma right now.

Ranma: You can cure her, right?!

Tofuu: I don't know...

[They take Akane to the Clinic and keep an all night vidual. Morning comes
and there is no change. Ranma arrives, his shift having ended hours earlier.]

Ranma: Oi, Sensei! Is Akane any better?!

Tofuu: I'm afraid not. Her condition has not changed. In fact... She's weakening.

Ranma: What?

Tofuu: She's dying, Ranma. And I can't do a thing to stop it!

Ranma: WHAAT?! You've got to be able to do something!

Tofuu: I've already tried everying I can think of. I've called several 
       associates of mine, but to no avail.

Ranma: So what happens now?

Tofuu: We hope for a miracle. She's past medical help now.

[Ranma collapses in shock.]

Ranma: (thought) Akane can't die! She has to stay around to drive me crazy!
       I need her! (pause) I need her. I won't let her die!

[Ranma slams his fist into his palm.]

Ranma: Sensei, I've got an idea!

Tofuu: Oh? What is it?

Ranma: Magic.

Tofuu: Hmm... I wonder where Happousai is...

Ranma: NO! Not that kind of magic. Real magic.

Tofuu: Like?

Ranma: The Water of Life. It's at Ryugenzawa. It can cure anything!

Tofuu: You'd better go, then. It might be her last chance!

Ranma: I'm gone...

[Ryouga storms in.]

Ryouga: I will go, too!

Ranma: Whatever... I haven't got time to argue about it.

[Ranma runs out and heads to the dojo. He grabs his pack and throws a few 
items in and runs out.]

[Ranma runs down the street and out of town.]

Ranma: It'll take hours to get to Ryugenzawa... I hope that fool Shinnosuke
       is feeling co-operative! If not... (cracks knuckles)

[He runs on through the night. He fails to notice Ryouga following some
distance behind.]

Ryouga: If I follow Ranma, I won't get lost. Then I can find the Water of Life
        for Akane-san. She'll be so thankful that she'll leave Ranma! Then
        she'll be mine as she should be... Ranma doesn't deserve her. My time 
        is coming. I can feel it. Hahahahaha! Soon! 

[Just as the sun rises, Ranma reaches a sign.]

Ranma: (reading) Ryugenzawa National Park. Enter at own risk. (Shrugs) Fine.
       Figures... Time to go.

[Ranma walks into the woods just as Ryouga arrives.]

Ryouga: (panting) Where did Ranma go? He must have come by here... Oh! A sign.

[Ryouga reads the sign and moves off after Ranma.]

Ryouga: I shall risk any danger for Akane-san.

[Sometime later Ranma wanders into a clearing. By pure chance, he sees a 
fimiliar brush weilding figure fighting a giant platypus.]

Ranma: He's still doing that?!

[Shinnosuke belts the platypus over the head and somersaults away. The 
offending beast collapses unconscious with a large bruise on its head. Ranma
observes this, then walks over to Shinnosuke, who has his back turned.]

Ranma: Yo. Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke: Huh?

[Shinnosuke spins around and swipes at Ranma. Ranma ducks and jumps back in a 
fighting stance.]

Ranma: Hey! Waitasec! What's your beef?!

Shinnosuke: Who are you?! What are you doing at Ryugenzawa?!

Ranma: (flatly) Guess your memory hasn't improved.

Shinnosuke: What? How do you know about my...my... Thingy...

Ranma: Memory?

Shinnosuke: Yes! My memory! Who are you?!

Ranma: Guess you don't remember me. I'm Saotome Ranma. 

Shinnosuke: Never heard of you.

Ranma: (cracks knuckles) Let me remind you...

[He walks up to Shinnosuke and holds up a picture.]

Ranma: This ring any bells?

[Shinnosuke takes the picture and looks at it. It is a photo of Akane.]

Shinnosuke: I... I've...seen her before...

Ranma: Of course you have!

Shinnosuke: Where? I can't remember.

Ranma: That figures.

Shinnosuke: Who is she? 

Ranma: Tendou Akane! You challenged me for her, remember?!

Shinnosuke: No. I have a bad memory.

Ranma: (rolls his eyes) Don't I know it!

Shinnosuke: Why have you brought this here?

Ranma: Akane is really sick. She needs the Water of Life or she'll...die.

Shinnosuke: Akane?! Die?! Wait! I remember!

Ranma: (flatly) Hoooray.

Shinnosuke: Akane can't die. She's too good..and kind..and beautiful!

Ranma: That's not quite how I'd have put it...but, yeah... We can't.

Shinnosuke: The Water of Life can cure any ill. 

Ranma: That's why I'm here, lame brain!

Shinnosuke: There's no water in the pool at the moment. I guess we'll have to
            get it from the Aroachi's cave.

Ranma: AGAIN?! What is it with that pool?

Shinnosuke: I drained it. I just got some new pool cleaner. (picks up a large
            plastic bottle and makes like a salesman) See?! NEW SUPER BLUE! 
            Pool detergent! I was going to try it out...

Ranma: (face faults) ...

Shinnosuke: Come! (walks off) We haven't a moment to waste! We must save...
            (stops) Er...

Ranma: (flatly) Akane?

Shinnosuke: Yes! Of course!

[At this point Ryouga enters the clearing, looking somewhat the worse for 
wear.]

Ryouga: Ranma! You can't get away that easily!

Ranma: (turns) Huh? Ryouga? 

Ryouga: (runs up) I will get the water for Akane-san!

Ranma: (cracks knuckles) You wish.

Shinnosuke: Who's he?

Ranma: P-chan.

Ryouga: Why you-

Shinnosuke: What a strange name...

Ryouga: Die, Ranma! Akane is mine!

Shinnosuke: His?

Ranma: No, she's not!

Ryouga: She is not yours!

Ranma: Here, here!

Shinnosuke: Stop it! We must get the water for... Er...

Ranma & Ryouga: Akane!

Ranma: Here! Take this!

[He puts the picture on his hand and punches Shinnosuke in the face. 
Shinnosuke reels back and grabs it.]

Shinnosuke: (looking at picture) Yes. Tendou Akane. I must save her. I 
            remember how much I love her...

Ranma & Ryouga: (to Shinnosuke) Hey! (to each other) Die!

[Ranma and Ryouga clash. They lock arms and strain against each other, 
glaring.]

Ryouga: You've gotten stronger, Ranma.

Ranma: (rolls back and throws Ryouga) And you've gotten sloppier!

[Ryouga lands some distance away and turns to scowl at Ranma.]

Ryouga: I've just begun.

Ranma: Me, too.

[Ryouga dashes at Ranma and tries to kick him. Ranma jumps the kick and 
delivers a leg clothesline as Ryouga goes past. Ryouga is knocked down and
slides across the grass on his back.]

Ryouga: Oof!

Ranma: Well put.

[Ranma moves in and tries to step on Ryouga. Ranma is suddenly hit in the back
and sent flying some distance. He flips over midair and lands on his feet.]

Ranma: Et tu, Shinnosuke?

Shinosuke: We must save... 

Ranma & Ryouga: AKANE!

Shinnosuke: ...Akane. I know. You can fight afterwards.

Ranma: Fine. I'll trash him then.

Ryouga: I don't think so, Ranma. Remember last time?

Ranma: ...

Shinnosuke: Come. We should ask my grandfather where we have to go.

Ranma: Oi! This is my job. Who invited you two?!

Shinnosuke & Ryouga: I did!

Ranma: Oh, no. Akane is my fiancee. I'll cure her.

Ryouga: I love Akane! I will cure her!

Shinnosuke: No! I love Akane more! When I can remember...

Ranma: Exactly. You point me in the right direction and I'll handle it. Can't
       have ammatuers doing a professional's job.

Ryouga: Why you-

Shinnosuke: STOP IT! We must hurry! If Akane is ill, we should go!

Ranma: Right.

Ryouga: But-

[Ranma and Shinnosuke wander off, leaving Ryouga no choice but to follow or 
become irretrievably lost. A short while later they arrive at a small house.
Going in, they find Shinnosuke's aged grandfather.]

Grandfather: Who is this, Shinnosuke?

Shinnosuke: They're... I forget.

Grandfather: (sighs) Who are you people?

Ranma: We were here once before. We helped get the magic moss to cure 
       Shinnosuke.

Grandfather: Of course. No wonder you looked familiar. There was a pretty 
             girl, too... Had short black hair... Name was... Akari? Akemi? 
             I don't quite recall.

Ranma: Akane. That's why we're here.

Grandfather: Oh?

Ranma: Akane is very sick. She'll die if I don't get some of the Water of Life
       to cure her.

Grandfather: Oh... Didn't you drain that pool yesterday, Shinnosuke?

Shinnosuke: I can't remember.

Grandfather: Foolish boy! Pay attention. MEGATON PUNCH!

[The seemingly weak and feeble grandfather leaps up and punches Shinnosuke in
the head, then falls back to his bed.]

Ranma: No wonder he can't remember anything. You got any relatives like that,
       Ryouga?

Ryouga: (stews) ...

Grandfather: Now... About the water....

Ranma: Yeah! Hurry up!

Ryouga: Where is it?!

Grandfather: If you remember your last visit, there was the matter of Yamata
             no Aroachi...

Ranma: How could I forget?

Shinnosuke: I forget.

Ranma: Shut up.

Grandfather: With the pool empty, you will have to risk the cave of the 
             aroachi.

Ranma: No sweat. We beat it last time.

Grandfather: It has grown stronger since then...and grown more heads.

Ranma: Great! Well... I don't have a choice. I can't let Akane die.

Ryouga: Nor can I.

Grandfather: Shinnosuke?

Shinnosuke: Yes?

Grandfather: Are you going to help Akane?

Shinnosuke: Who?

[Ranma grabs the picture from behind Shinnosuke's ear and duct tapes it in 
front of his eyes.]

Ranma: Remember now?!

Shinnosuke: Ah! Of course! I will get the water for Akane!

Grandfather: Good.

Ranma: So lets go!

[Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke walk out of the house. As the go, Shinnosuke's
grandfather shakes his head.]

Grandfather: I hope they can get it. That Akane's such a nice girl. Just what 
             Shinnosuke needs...

[Ranma and Ryouga walk quickly, following Shinnosuke.]

Ranma: You do know where we're going, don't you?

Shinnosuke: Me? Er...

Ranma: Great. We're going to the aroachi's cave.

Shinnosuke: Oh! The aroachi lives there.

Ranma: No kidding.

Shinnosuke: Grandfather said I shouldn't go there... I can't remember why...

Ranma: The aroachi, maybe?

Shinnosuke: What aroachi?

Ranma: (sighs) Don't worry...

[They walk on and soon reach a sign.]

Ranma: (reading) Warning. Beware of aroachi. Do not enter.

Shinnosuke: We're near the aroachi's cave.

Ranma: Good. Where do we go from here?

Shinnosuke: I forget.

Ranma: (sighs) You're as bad as Ryouga. Guess I'll have to find it myself.

[Ranma takes the lead and brings them down a winding trail into the valley.]

Ranma: (looks around) It must be around here somewhere...

Ryouga: Face it, Ranma. You're not smart enough to find it!

Ranma: Hah! You can't even find your own house! How would you find it?!

Ryouga: (points) I'd go that way.

Ranma: Oh? Why?

[Ryouga points again and Ranma turns. There is a large cave opening with
a sign above it that says: Warning! Aroachi inside.]

Ryouga: Just a hunch. 

Ranma: Is that why you walk so funny?

Ryouga: Haha.

Ranma: Okay, then. Let's go and get the water.

Ryouga: Very well.

[Ranma and Ryouga enter the cave, but stop when Shinnosuke does not follow.]

Ranma: Oi! You comin'?!

Shinnosuke: Huh?

Ranma: Just follow me, okay?!

[They walk into the cave, which is lit by glowing moss on the roof.]

Shinnosuke: Where are we going now?

Ranma: To find the water.

Shinnosuke: The aroachi won't like that.

Ranma: So what?

Shinnosuke: The aroachi is very powerful.

Ranma: (smiles) So am I.

[They walk on for a while and eventually enter a large chamber. It is filled
with ornate furniture and has a large font in the middle.]

Ryouga: There it is!

Ranma: No kidding.

[They walk carefully across the room and move up the steps to the font.]

Ranma: This has to be it.

[Ranma pulls out a canteen bottle and fills it with the water. Meanwhile 
Ryouga is looking around.]

Ryouga: I wonder why all this furniture is here? The aroachi is too big to 
        use it.  
        
Ranma: (looks around) Dunno...

[Suddenly there is the sound of footsteps and a voice it heard.]

Voice: Allow me to explain for you. After all... It's the least I can do... 
       Before I kill you.

[Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke turn and see a man in long flowing robes 
walking towards them. He stops a few feet away and bows.]

Man: Greetings, theives. Might I enquire as to why you have stolen my magic 
     water?

Ranma: My fiancee will die if I don't get this for her.

Man: So? A mercy mission is it? No matter. Theives are theives...

Ranma: Hey! Wait! Are you... the...

Man: "The Seven Headed Aroachi of Ryugenzawa"? Sometimes. I am known by many
     names... That is as good as any other...  I am, however, a sorcerer by 
     trade... (bows)

Ranma: Do you make the Water of Life?

Aroachi: I created all of the magic of Ryugenzawa and everything here is mine.

Ranma: Whatever. I just want this bottle of water. You can have the rest of 
       it.

Aroachi: Well... That's all very nice. But you have invaded my home and stolen 
         my water. Then penalty for that crime is death!

[He gestures and Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke are slammed into the walls, then
dumped on the floor.]

Ranma, Ryouga & Shinnosuke: Oww!

Aroachi: Do not resist and it will be quick. You cannot defeat my powers.

[Ranma stumbles to his feet and wipes blood from a cut above his eye.]

Ranma: Wanna bet?!

Aroachi: No.

[Ranma and the other are slammed into the wall again. They slowly struggle to
their feet and face the aroachi man.]

Ranma: Let's take 'im.

Ryouga: Yeah...

Shinnosuke: I wonder where the aroachi is...

Ranma: Let's go!

[Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke attack the human aroachi, but he blasts them 
back with the same unseen force as before.]

Ryouga: How can we beat him? His powers stop us from get close!

Ranma: We distract him. Ryouga. You and I will Chi blast him. When we do,
       Shinnosuke will smash the roof down on him. Got it?

Ryouga & Shinnosuke: Yeah.

Ranma: Okay...

[Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke break their huddle and face the aroachi.]

Aroachi: Ready to try again?

Ranma: Anytime!

[Ranma and Ryouga step forward and throw their power blasts.]

Ranma & Ryouga: SHISHIHOUKOUDAN! MOUKO TAKABISHA!

[The aroachi laughs as the blasts are deflected away. At that moment, 
Shinnosuke throws his brush with all his strength. It flies like a spear and 
smashes into the roof, causing a large chunk of rock to fall from the ceiling. 
The  aroachi looks up in surprise as it comes down on him. He makes a feeble 
attempt to cover his head with his arms as the massive stones crush him into 
the floor. Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke stare for a moment and then are forced 
to run as more of the roof caves in. A massive rock falls like a guilottine 
blade and slices the font in two. There is a sudden explosion of water and 
Ranma and the others are washed down the tunnel and out into the valley. The 
flow of water finally deposits them in the valley, some distance from the now 
collapsed cave. Ranma slowly gets up and shakes the water off. She then 
trudges out of the valley carrying an unconscious P-chan and Shinnosuke.]

[A little while later, Ranma, Ryouga and Shinnosuke are all sitting in the 
clearing, glaring at each other. The bottle of magic water is sitting on the 
ground between them.]

Ranma: Well... That's that. I don't think the sorcerer will be back any
       time soon.

Ryouga: Good. Now I can take the water to Akane-san.

Shinnosuke: I must take the water to her.

Ranma: No way! Akane is my fiancee! I'm taking the water! Besides... You two
       would get lost or forget where you're going. I'm the only one who can 
       get it there on time!

Ryouga: We shall see...

Shinnosuke: I am taking the water.

Ranma: Want a fight? (shrugs) Suits me.

[Ranma jumps back in a fighting stance. Ryouga and Shinnosuke do likewise. 
Ryouga pulls him umbrella and Shinnosuke raises his brush.]

Ranma: Come on!

[Ryouga and Shinnosuke both rush at Ranma and try to hit him. He ducks and 
then uppercuts them both. They reel back and then come at him again. They both 
swipe at him and he does the splits (Van Damme style), causing them miss him 
and hit each other. Ranma then jumps up on his hands and kicks them both in 
the face.]

Ranma: What're you-

[Ranma stops as he sees Ryouga swipe Shinnosuke's feet out from under him.
Shinnosuke uses the brush like a vaulters pole and spin kicks Ryouga. Ryouga 
stumbles and knocks the brush out, felling Shinnosuke. Ryouga jumps and tries 
to crush Shinnosuke with his umbrella. At this moment, Ranma leaps in and 
flying kicks Ryouga, who reels as Ranma moves in, only to be knocked flat
from behind by Shinnosuke. Ranma rolls and trips Shinnosuke, who catches 
Ryouga on the back of the head at the same time as Ryouga pokes Ranma in the
ribs.]

Ranma, Ryouga & Shinnosuke: OWW!

[The all jump back and glare at each other.]

Ranma: We're not getting anywhere... And times awasting.

Ryouga: No matter. I will defeat you soon.

Shinnosuke: The time for playing is over.

Ranma: My thoughts exactly...

[The three rush each other at the same moment. Ranma ducks under Ryouga's 
umbrella srike and smashes Shinnosuke's brush just as he vault kicks Ryouga.
The three fall on the ground and immediatly jump to their feet. Ryouga slashes 
at Ranma, who dodges and kicks the umbrella away.]

Ranma: Now we're all unarmed.

Ryouga: Speak for yourself!

[Ryouga pulls a motherload of bandannas and throws them everywhere.]

Ranma: Huh?

Shinnosuke: Oh!

[Ryouga takes his advantage as Ranma and Shinnosuke try to block his bandanas.
He leaps in and tries to punch Ranma and kick Shinnosuke at the same time. 
Ranma sees him coming and counters.]

Ranma: HIRYUUSHOUTENHA!

[Ranma's wind pillar bursts forth, obliterating the bandannas and slamming
Ryouga and Shinnosuke into several large and sturdy trees.]

Ryouga & Shinnosuke: OW! That hurt...

[They collapse to the ground, out cold.]

Ranma: Couldn't have said it better myself...

[Ranma walks over and picks up the bottle of water. He puts it in his pack and
runs out of the clearing.]

Ranma: See you guys later. I've got a fiancee to save! (thought) Hang on, 
       Akane... I'm comin'...

==============================================================================
Return to Ryugenzawa                                             - Epilogue -
______________________________________________________________________________

[Many hours later, Ranma runs into Dr. Tofuu's Clinic to find it empty.]

Ranma: WHAT?! NO! I'm too late!

[He turns and sees a note. He rips it off the wall and reads it.]

Ranma: (reading) Ranma. Taken Akane to hospital. Meet us there. Toufuu.

[Ranma throws the note away and runs out. He dashes across town and runs into 
the hospital. He finds Dr. Tofuu waiting inside.] 

Toufuu: Do you have the water, Ranma?! She's very weak!

Ranma: Yeah! Here!

[Ranma hands the bottle to Dr. Toufuu, who walks away with it.]

[A while later he returns to find the entire family in the waiting room. Ranma
is asleep. Everone gets up, asking questions.]

Souun: How is my daughter? Is she better?

Genma: Is she alright?

Ranma: Let me see her!

Toufuu: Well... I guess it doesn't matter, now...

Ranma: What?!

Tofuu: Room 4.

[Ranma runs down the hall and slides through the door. He walks in and sees
a bed with a body in it. There is a sheet over it. Ranma walks over and sinks 
to his knees. He leans on the bed and sobs a little.]

Ranma: Akane... You can't be dead... I need you... Don't leave me...

[He starts to cry a little. He feels movement and looks up. Akane is smiling
at him.]

Akane: It's nice to know you care, Ranma.

Ranma: Akane! You're alright!

[Ranma hugs her tightly. She hugs him back.]

Ranma: I thought you were dead!

Akane: (smiles) I know. (pause) Thank you, Ranma. I wouldn't be here without 
       you.

Ranma: (embarresed) I couldn't let you die. You're my fiancee!

Akane: Ranma... Did you really mean what you said before? (pause) About 
       needing me?

Ranma: (nods) Yeah. I need someone to make me crazy. (pause) I want it to be 
       you.

Akane: (smiles) I like you too, Ranma... Although you have a funny way of 
       saying it...

[They laugh and hug again. The rest of the family files quietly into the 
room. Genma is armed with a video camera.]

Soun: (loud whisper) Saotome-kun. Are you getting all this?

Genma: Yes, Tendou-kun. All on tape.

[Ranma and Akane pull apart and stare in shock and embarresment.]

Ranma: Wh- Why you-

Akane: E- Er- Wha...

Ranma: Mouko Takabisha!

[There is a flash of light and an explosion in the hospital room. The family
all run out into the hall, smoke billowing around them.]

Nabiki: I guess visiting hours are over!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   - Fin -
plunger@yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au