Here is part 3 titled Calm...
C&C welcome. 25k of text.

"The Yin, The Yang, and the Thin Line between."

Part three

:::::Calm....:::

======================
"Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the futher we make
it go."
	-josh billings
======================
Sunday.

Mildly early. 

Nabiki stretched gingerly, feeling far more energetic than she should
have. She noticed that Koriko was already awake, making her bed. "You
are the early bird, aren't you?"

"Oh cork it." The other girl said dryly, flicking her long black hair
around to her back. 

"Aren't we cheery."

"Sorry." Koriko sat down on her bed after she had made it. "Wadda you
wanna do today?"

"I don't know. I haven't slept this good at my house in a long time."
Which was entirely true. Ever since the Saotomes decided to bless the
Tendos with their presence, quiet nights were few and far between Nabiki
stretched again. "I'm kinda low right now."

"Yeah, me too. You like jogging?"

Nabiki was looking around at her friends furnishing. Mostly old western
wood type furniture. Nice, but not much to her taste. "Not really."

"Too bad." Koriko stated. "I've got sweats long enough to fit you."

ugh. Nabiki was started by her friends blunt and commanding personalty,
probably why she was a friend. She studied her more. She was short,
shorter than Ranma as a girl. Almost as well built, but slightly bulkier
than what would be considered slim. Her face was pretty, but nothing
unusually outstanding about her. She stretched her legs. (I can keep up
with whatever she does.)

Koriko threw some material out of her dresser at Nabiki, which she
caught. Then she sat down with her back to Nabiki, where anyone from
school would have told her not to be. Nabiki read her friend's intent
and began to braid her hair. 

(Why long hair? I never understood why Akane or Kasumi....or even Ranma
or daddy) she trailed off as she finished her hair.

===

They were jogging towards the town square.

Slight overcast.

"[[[She works hard for the money]]]"

68 degrees.

Nabiki was keeping up with Koriko, but she was surprised at her friend's
stamina. Yuka didn't take physical activity this seriously.

"So, whats up with you and Makoto?" Nabiki said between breaths, trying
to get her to open up. 

Koriko turned her head. Despite the reputation she had earned, she felt
she could trust Nabiki. "Well, he was with Katsumi last time I knew,"
Koriko wheezed, and not from jogging.

"Katsumi... I told you that was just a rumor."

"It was? She was clinging to him on Friday. He didn't look all too
unhappy about it either." Nabiki silently considered what she was
saying. Nabiki prized herself on obtaining accurate information. Could
she have been fed bad info?

Then she considered Ranma. Girls were always clinging to him but that
didn't mean he enjoyed it. He was just trying to be subtle and not hurt
anyone, which never really solved anything. He was such a wimp.

"I wouldn't think to much about it. Keep at him. He likes you, you
know." She outta know, she had extorted some cash for his slip up.

"Yeah." Her friends pessimism closely resembled her own. "How about you?
You hooked up with anyone lately?"

"Not really." Her breathing was starting to get hard and heavy. "Let's
rest."

"Okay." They came to a halt on a bench, both sitting heavily. "Kuno?"

"Yeah, right," Nabiki said, sarcasm dripping like molasses. She couldn't
understand why everyone thought that. She was always conducting
business. While she admitted that he was handsome, and that her visits
were pleasureful, that meant nothing. After all, anything involving
money was considered pleasureful to her. "I'm sick of you..."

"Hey, Biki-chan. Just a joke...I know you hate that." She smiled
devilishly.

Nabiki was becoming like Ranma, baited so easily. She hid the flush on
her face.

They both couldn't help but notice the guy carrying a smaller girl on
his shoulders as he walked through the square. One since he was very
tall to them, the other was the girl's blonde hair. 

He looked directly at Nabiki, as if she spoke his name.

She couldn't look away, watching his expressive eyes follow hers. (Wow.)
His face was drawn and very calm, partly because of his darker skin
tone, but bright at the same time. The girl's tone was the same, but a
great deal brighter.

He turned away to check where he was going, disappearing around a
building. "Hello? Nabiki?"

(I hope I bump into him again. I wonder....)

"Naaaa-Biki!"

(He must be new, I'm sure I would have known about someone so
different.)


=====

Akane was looking out her window at the sparring Saotomes. It was the
first time she ever saw Auntie spar, but most of her attention was on
Ranma. He seemed so relaxed, even under his parents attacks. She sighed
in awe. (He makes it look so easy...he really is the best.) She found
herself becoming strangely drawn to him, watching him move and express
such control and skill, another silly grin forming on her face.

Ranma looked up at her, and noticing her awake he stopped a moment to
smile at her. Where upon she blushed.

"Eyes forward, Boy!" Genma delivered a savage uppercut that saw Ranma to
the other side of the yard and into the pond.

"aaaa,"  splash.

"Great." she sputtered. "Well, I need to get ready for today anyway."

====

Ukyou had an unexpected visit from Tsubasa. She was afraid at what was
about to happen.

But Tsubasa had a problem. He needed Ukyou's help.

Ukyou flipped an okonomiyaki at his plate. She looked up from her grill
to the cross-dresser in a schoolgirl's uniform. A surprisingly
convincing cross-desser. She had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He hadn't asked her to marry him.

He hadn't dressed up as anything or even crashed through the door.

He was depressed. "So, now what sugar? You look like hell, kid."

(Kid...) Tsubasa thought dryly. Tsubasa was only barely 15.  "I need
your help, Ukyou."

(Ukyou? Not...my dear Ukyou? not ukyouchan?) "What is it Tsubasa?" Ukyou
made a gesture for Konatsu to leave them alone. Konatsu silently walked
into the back.

"I've met someone..."

=====

Akane was humming mildly to herself. (What should I wear?) She was going
through her closet. She had no idea what Ranma might have had planned
for the day. (Jeeze, he could have given me some kind of clue. Here I've
been waiting for this day and I'm not even dressed.) Though she would
never had admitted to her little dream.

A knock issued. "Uh, come in."

Nodoka lightly stepped in. "Hello Akane-chan. Are you well?" Akane
watched her shut the door behind her. "You have not yet come
downstairs." She took a seat gingerly at her desk chair.

 (She's always so calm..) Akane appraised the woman before her, still in
a traditional kimono with blue and black orchid designs.

She hid the look by turning around sharply. "Yeah, I'm....going out."

"Oh really? How wonderful! Are you going anywhere particular?" 

"Ask Ranma. I'm...going with him."

The Mother sat down on the bed to look at a standing Akane, who hid her
face. (I wonder if he finally asked her? Well, I sent him straight to
bed...when would he...) "And he hasn't bothered to tell you? No wonder
your not dressed yet. Come child..."

Akane braced for the oncoming bundle of energy she expected from her
second surrogate mother..

None came. "Well. Akane, when are you 2 leaving?"

(What? No proclamations of the 2 families becoming one ?) "Uh...When he
comes to get me...," she said flushing. (Why did that sound so
embarrassing?)

"Well, then, dear, my son was never one to know much about the little
points so we best hurry.

Akane visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Saotome-obasan." Nodoka stood up and
ushered her to her open closet.

"Oh, hush girl. I could do no less....Now then..," Nodoka was operating
on 2 levels, one was helping Akane, the other in her head trying to keep
calm. (This is so wonderful! I wonder if he finally asked her? I know
that Genma didn't have anything planned.) She looked through the various
sweat shirts she had, passing a couple of hand-me-downs that Nabiki
didn't care for. She always liked her daughter- inlaw's taste in
clothes. (She must be looking forward to this. I haven't seen her this
confused. I'll have to keep calm so I don't embarrass her.) She was
debating weather or not to say anything, fearing Akane's tight guard
would be triggered. She pulled out a deep royal blue sweat shirt,
noticed Akane's sharp inhale, and put it back as quickly. (I wonder
where he'll take her? I hope he knows what he's doing. I feel sorry for
him. A lot of weight on one day, my son.) She finally fished out a light
airy green sweatshirt with darker green zigzag stitching across the
bust. "Perfect!" She handed it to Akane, who had sat down on the bed.

"This one?" Akane said, the tension she felt easily breaking her voice.
Nodoka handed her a short skirt, very black. "And this? It'll be
cold..."

Nodoka smiled to herself as she handed her heavy black  stockings before
she could finish her protest. Akane sighed with a soft smile."Give
Auntie more credit than that...," she said kindly. (She really should
try to enjoy herself. Maybe I should have a talk with Ranma.) Something
in her closet caught her eye before she closed it.

"Uh, Saotome-obasan? This sweater is a little small now...." The mother
didn't hear. She opened the door and began to look for the object. She
found it.

A thick red band that was a functional ribbon. The tone of scarlet was
perfect. "Here," she said with a cheery expression.

Akane gasped. (This is...) she took the ribbon stupidly. Memories
flooding back rocked her as she slowly reached back to touch her long
hair, which of course wasn't that long anymore. She chocked down the bug
in her throat.

(Dear me...,) Nodoka thought, fighting with the obvious posotive effect
the ribbon had on her appearance, and the adverse effect on face. She
stood behind Akane and began tying up the ribbon in her short hair
making a couple of layers in the material. After she detected no further
movement, she shakily spared a glance in the mirror.

She did look good, but the pattern of the tie reminded her of Kurumi's
hair. That also choked in a few things she really didn't care to think
about. "Wonderful," Mrs. Saotome said relieved. "I'll leave you alone
now..." (Best not to tell her where I'm heading.) 

"Thank you, Auntie..." she said somewhat sadly.

"Come now, Akane-chan," Nodoka said, then she decided to pull a Kasumi.
"My what a wonderful day it will be," she said as she stood towards her
window. "My son is lucky to have such a nice day to take you around!"
She began to walk towards the door. "Well, have fun, Akane-chan."

The door silently closed, not even clicking parts were heard. Not that
Akane really noticed. The events were beginning to sink in. (I'm going
on a date with Ranma.) She sat down wearily in her desk chair, feeling
scared and anxious at the same time. She began to think of all the time
she had spent with Ranma, weather forced or not. A lot came back to Higo
Forest in Ryugenzawa, the roof, the bridge.

After some time, she stood up sizing herself up in her mirror. (I wonder
if he'll come and get me...)

knock knock

====

Ranma was drying himself off. He hadn't worked out this hard in a while,
what with his mom staying for a while. (They're rough...but they're my
family.) He smiled at himself. 

Then he frowned. He had no idea where he would take her. He had maybe 5
bucks(500 yen) to his name, and he wasn't to imaginative on this sorta
thing. (I need help...) 

There was that phrase again, the phrase he hated saying. 

Who could he ask? Mom? No, she was going to be gone again, leaving to
secure a booth for the festival with Pop. Kasumi?

Uh, no.

Nabiki? Usually that was the best, if not most costly, way to go. He
wrung his braid, the water dripping down the drain easily. He couldn't
think of anyone else. He jumped back into his shorts and draped the
towel over his shoulders. Walking into the hall he smelled Kasumi
finishing breakfast. (Ahh..) he inhaled the fragrance deeply.

He entered the loft quickly, hoping not to attract attention to himself.
He looked through his temporary dresser. (I hope Nabiki gets back as
early as she said she would...I need her cash.). He settled for a set of
tunics he hadn't worn in some time. Thick grey long-sleeve tunic, and
his regular black pants. He began straightening himself.

"What are you tryin' to look all snazzy for?" Ranma turned to see
Happosai taking a long drag on his pipe.

"Nothin. Its none of your business..."

"Ah, Finally gonna take her around, eh my boy?"

"Who!?" Ranma said viciously. "Who's taken who around, huh?"

"Who indeed. Of course you and your lusciously figured Akane!!" With
that he whipped out a brazier.

Ranma was mad and embarrassed at the same time. Mad because it was
Akane's bra. Embarrassed because of how he knew it was her bra. "Why
you....!" He leaped at the old man, only to receive the redirection
pipe.

"HA!"

Ranma went through the roof, literally. "Why!?" was his last heard cry
as he came into LEO.

"Fool."

"Excuse me?" Nodoka entered the room lightly, now holding her weapon in
its cloth resting place.

"Ah. Mrs. Saotome. Always a pleasure to behold your presence," Happosai
bowed deeply to the determined looking woman before him. 

"If I may, when Ranma returns, have a private moment, -please-?"
Happosai became nervous at the way she said 'please'.

"Certainly my dear, I'm not even here now." As she blinked, he wasn't.
She cast about but somehow she knew Happy wouldn't want to face the
family sword.


=====

The boy looked around as he got off of the train, his large trail pack
causing those in his way to think about relocating. (No its not who you
think.) "Hmmm." He walked up to the terminus map as he passed through
the mid morning crowd. He placed his entire hand on it as he examined
the text of the map. He scratched his head. (Going through downtown
Tokyo in the weekend morning, isn't smart, but...) He looked around
several times before reaching over to the cop. "Hey!"

"Yes? Can I help you, pal?" The boy drug the man over to the map. 

"Yeah, whats the best way to get to Nerima district without having to go
through downtown?"

The officer straightened his uniform from the boy's grip. He looked at
the service map. "Well..., I guess the easiest this is to follow the
river up the west side. That help?"

"Yeah, sir. Thanks." The boy adjusted his communist china hat, which was
olive drab. With a renewed vigor, he set off out of the Eki.

The officer simply returned to his post, then did a doubletake. Where
the boy's pal had been there was now a 3 inch hand impression that also
had no ink or paint.

=====

"AAAAAAHHHH!!"

crunch.

"Welcome back Ranma." Nodoka said smoothly. Ranma peeled himself off of
the hardwood floor.

"Unngh. Mom? I thought you were..."

She walked over and helped her son stand. "I will be leaving shortly to
join Soun-san. He left earlier than our practise to make sure we have a
chance."

(oh.) "Well," he twisted his shoulder back into place. ::POP:: "AOW. I
was just about to go and see Nabiki."

"Yes! I hear you have a date with Akane today!" She embrace her son.

"With that...!" (tomboy?....uh wait a minute....oh jeeze. I asked HER
out...) "Well, yeah." Ranma scratched his head dumbly while his mother
squeezed. "But I was going to go borrow some money." 

"Well, Nabiki won't be home before you have to leave," she said letting
go.

(..'have to leave?') 

"Besides, I need to talk to you Ranma."

(gulp)

"Sit." He did, as did she. "Ranma."

(Here it comes.)

"It's time to come home...," she watched with pleasure as her son
started, "...for a time. You and your father have much reckoning coming.
Well, your father more than you." She grimaced. 

Ranma was taken aback. He had started to protest, but for some reason he
had very mixed feelings. For the first time in a long time, he had felt
like he was home, but he had missed his ancestral home and the thought
of going to see it again sounded somewhat appealing. (Wait a
minute...'for a time?')

"You have been here imposing on the Tendo's for far too long, son. And
so has your father. Especially with this engagement nonsense he came
ranting and raving about." She watched him blanch again, (Just making
sure you care, Ranma.) She smiled to him. "But I know where you pursuits
lie. It will only be for a few weeks."

He relaxed visibly. (Jeeze, nothing doing from Mom...) "Well okay, but
when?"

"That's not important, my son," she said very flatly as she brought the
cloth wrapped object from her back. Ranma began to sweat. "There is
something I must give you that's been long time coming, my son." He
watched in terror as she began to unravel the material.

======


Genma had watched his son go flying over the dojo to the other side of
the yard almost an hour ago. He was quite contented at his own
performance, being able to still match wits with his wife's large Tachi.
(ed note: as far as I know, the family edges are usually tachis which
are larger than a katana. Someone prove me wrong please.) He was also
quite contented at nailing his son. Not that he had an ego, but what had
distracted him long enough for him to get hit.

Well. Okay. He had an ego. He had one-upped the boy.

He chuckled to himself as he sat looking out at the garden. . "What a
peace-" Genma covered his mouth. "Don't say it, just enjoy it." He
watched the koi jump occasionally from the pond.

::Crash::

"AAA!"

He watched his son go flying from the loft and come down where he had
left. "Didn't take long..."

Genma's thoughts drifted back to the morning workout. He wondered how
sincere Nodoka's sword strokes were when they were fighting. She seemed
to, for the most part, ignore her husband. Only when Ranma's engagement
became an issue did she directly approach him anymore. Genma was
beginning to feel the blackness clutch his throat over the last month.
(I wonder...)He swallowed hard. (I suppose I should seriously speak with
her.) Genma wanted to carry this fight to her, on his terms.

(It will wait, we have to make good in the festival this season...) he
stretched gingerly as his thought drifted to what he and Soun would run
at the festival.

====

"So this is modernized Japan, huh?" The tall boy(man?) looked around the
airport as he wrapped and arm around a smaller girl. Both were
distinctly not Japanese, and barely Asian.

"It would seem so, and talk in Japanese, brother. We don't want to
attract suspicion." She giggled. "At least, no more than necessary. Now
then, what names have you chosen for us?"

"I tried to keep it as close to our real names as possible. Let's
see..," he reached into his jeans pocket, pulling out an elegant
business, but quite small, note pad. "I'm Shagusuke Kyondo....and your
um,  Shaoko Kyondo."

"Shaoko?" She said appraisingly as they exited the terminal together.

"Yes, and I'm...," He grumbled for a moment. "Shagusuke."

"Shagusuke?"

"Yes, but they would say Shagske when they pronounce it...."

"Is that why your strangling the notepad?"

The guy looked down to his left hand where he held the remnants of a
mangled ledger book. "Oops." He deposited in a waste basket. "They have
arranged for us to live near enough to observe all of the individuals,
however..."

"Yes?" the girl questioned in a beautiful alto.

"The individuals are almost all under 20 years of age, so we will be
attending a local High School."

"Oh?" This intrigued the girl now known as Shaoko. "Hmmm, sounds
entertaining."

"Sister, we are here to..."

"I know what were here for, brother, however I will entertain myself as
I see fit. I never leave the boundaries and the only way I did this time
was to force my word on everyone." She took a deep breath. "I will have
my fun, as should you." she elbowed him sharply. "I wonder what other
clothes I can wear while I'm out....You know those ceremonial robes get
quite dull."

=====

Cologne's chopsticks snap as she tries to slurp some ramen. She looks at
them with a noodle hanging from her lips, a look of calm indignation
forming. "Uh,oh."

Mousse finishes his wild flailing as he thought the wall beam was
Shampoo. He notices the snap in is hearing. "Eh?"

Cologne shot Mousse a glance. "Find Shampoo, Mousse. Put your glasses on
and don't take them off, if you value her life."

(If I value her life? What's...?)

<Find her and bring her here at once. GO!!!>

Mousse nods soundlessly as he sets on his glasses. (What could be...why
would I need...whats she so worried....) Mousse's imagination quickly
took over. (Whatever could dare to threaten my beloved angel!?) he
bolted out the door on his unicycle. "I WILL FIND YOU SHAMPOO!!!!"

(I hope you succeed, and quickly Mousse.) Cologne thought dryly as she
went to the back without her staff.

=====

As Ranma's mother unwrapped the cloth, his mind went into deadlock.
(What is she...she wouldn't..I can't...)

Nodoka handed Ranma a wad of yen. "Here, and enjoy yourself." She smiled
gingerly.

Ranma stared at the handful of money in front of him. (Where did
she...?) He slowly took the money, curios as to the sum. "Mom, this
is..."

"For your -date-." she said sweetly, but Ranma didn't like the way she
said date.

"This is over 15000 yen!"(150 $$)

She embraced her son lovingly. "Have a good time, my son. Show her a
good time, if you value her smiles."

Ranma choked. He carefully hugged his mother. They separated, his mother
appraising him one last time, and departed the room.

Never had he expected things to come together in this way. A wry smile
creased his face. It was almost too perfect. He began to dig for the
wallet that he rarely ever used when he realised he only had one pocket.
Then he realised the other complications that would probably thwart him.
He hoped that he would miss those complications. He didn't want anything
getting in the way of his project he undertook.

He set the bills into his wallet. (At least I don't have to pay her
back....at least not in that way. Not like Nabiki.) Over the last
several months of his stay he had accumulated quite a long list of debts
to his would be sister in law, nearly all of them against his will.
Various and sundry memories of the last six months with Nabiki filled
his head. 

He came to Akane's door. Again.

Now or never...

-- 
__________________________________________
|"I'm getting paid how much?             |
|           -Michael Jordan              |
|________________________________________|
|http://www.abraxis.com/ryougaecho/ranma |
|________________________________________|
|Ding and Dong productions.    \  Space  |
|"Quit playin` with your dingy."|  for   |
|______________________________/__Rent___|