The Legacy Part I: Homecoming A Ranma Nibunnoichi fanfic by Joseph "Ashira" Kohle All characters of the Ranma series are the products of Rumiko Takahashi's imagination and are used without the permission of her or the innumerable companies that have rights to her creations. This is not intended for sale and all creative rights and copyright privileges belong to the author and Rumiko Takahashi. ************************* The man walked steadily through the deepening twilight. Although he had never been in this place before, his movements betrayed no hesita- tion as he took turns and intersections with an easy grace. Need and anticipation drove him on. His goal was so close. He had worked so hard for this day. It took all of his control to not break into a run. An average sized man, he was dressed in loose fitting clothing that gave him a non-nonchalant appearance. The fluidity of his movements belied the great strength and dexterity of a fighter. Carelessly slung over his broad shoulders was a knapsack. His only other burden was a small, dark bundle, which he delicately cradled against his chest. The bundle in the man's arms stirred as the man walked. Pushing away from the man's chest, the face of a small child glanced up into the man's face and yawned. With one hand, the child rubbed a half-closed eye and yawned again. The child glanced around the street curiously and then returned to watching the man. "We there yet, Otoosan?" the child asked. "Hai, musume," the father said quietly, his hand gently stroking the small girl's cheek. "We will be there soon." "Good," the daughter said and snuggled back into position against his chest. Smiling, the father patted the girl's hair lovingly as he continued his journey. He took several more turns, finally walking onto a nice street with homes and apartments lining the road. Light poured from many windows giving the block a comfortable, safe feeling for the weary traveler. Most of them he ignored as he walked down the street. A few people who had stepped outside to catch a breath of the crisp evening air watched him curiously. A few nodded their heads courteously, but none attempted to strike up a conversation. There was nothing extraordinary about a man and his child to illicit comment. Seemingly at random, he turned into a walk leading up to a four story apartment. Light spilled from all of the front windows, illumi- nating the walk. The man traversed the walk to the front door and checked the names of the residents. Finding the name and the apartment number he wanted, he entered and made his way to the stairwell which he took to the second floor. As he walked into the hallway, the floor creaked under his weight. The young girl stirred once again. Lifting her head she looked around. "We're here," she stated softly. "Hai," the father answered. "We're here." He patted the girl's cheek lightly with his free hand and walked down the hall to the second door and turned to it. Raising his hand, he knocked twice and waited. "Just a minute." A familiar female voice reached him through the door, bringing back memories. Six years was too long. He had missed her but waited impatiently despite the desire to rush into the apartment. The girl, sensing her father's impatience, wiggled around until he put her down next to him. He then grasped her hand before she could wander off. Suddenly he heard the click of the bolt and the knob twisted. The door opened inward. I'm home, he thought as a smile crept across his lips. Akane was quietly putting away the dishes from her dinner when she heard the knock at the door. "Just a minute," she called out as she put the last of the dishes away, and dried her hands. As she turned off the kitchen light and walked into the main room, she idly wondered who was at her door. She was not expecting anyone, and most of her friends were out at a party. Everyone but her had finished their last final today. Still having one more to take the next afternoon, she had declined the invitation, excusing herself by explaining that she wanted to be alone to study. She spent many of her nights alone though, so her friends just took the excuse at face value, instead of pressing the issue. She could not tell them what was really bothering her. She did not feel like enjoying herself. That she wanted to be alone this night. Alone, just her and her memories of Ranma. It still hurt to think of Ranma. Even after four years, the pain was sometimes unbearable, and tonight it hurt even more because this was the anniversary of the day she had been told. She had not seen him for two years prior to that day, and then Ryouga telling her he was dead. It had crushed her more than even her mother's death had. She had curled up into herself for months, refusing to talk to anyone, crying herself to sleep at night. There was not even a grave to go to, not a single shrine to hold his spirit, since no one knew where he was buried. The only thing anyone could discover was that he had died in China, looking for the cure to his curse. "Baka!" she muttered under her breath, wiping a tear from her eye. After four years, it still hurt to think about it. It didn't just hurt, it burned inside her, ripping her apart from the grief. That was the reason, more than any other, that she stayed alone on this night. It did nothing to cheer her up that tomorrow was her last final, and that she would graduated from college in a week. All she could think of was the fact that Ranma could not be here with her because he had not thought himself man enough to be her husband. "Ranma no baka," she whispered, her eyes dewing once more. She hastily wiped her eyes as she became aware that she was at the door. She desperately hoped the person had left, or if not, it had better be important. The only person she would not throw out would be Ukyou or Ryouga. Ryouga was lost, however, and Ukyou was busy. She wanted to be alone. Unlocking the dead bolt, she turned the knob and opened the door. Pulling the door back revealed a familiar man in the doorway. Her breath gasped in her throat. she thought. Then he spoke, his voice soothing and calm. "Akane." The voice struck like a hammer. It was his voice. He was alive! Everything started spinning. she wondered as her world began to fade. Then she was falling, darkness reaching for her. It was just too much. "Ranma." She breathed the name like a prayer and felt strong hands catching her as the darkness enfolded her like a soft blanket. Akane slowly opened her eyes, feeling the morning sun warm her face. She mumbled a bit and then sat up looking out the window, and then down at herself. Suddenly she remembered seeing Ranma at her door, hearing his voice calling her name. She sighed quietly as the tears came again. she thought quietly. She hated having to constantly deal with it. She didn't understand why she could not just put him behind her and go on with her life. Was it fair that she had to live everyday with the pain of not having him alive? She did not think so, but the emptiness was always there despite her attempts to rid herself of it. She hated it. She hated the dream. She hated that it was always the same. Every time it became more real, more insistent and harder to deal with when she woke. And last night, last night had been the worst. It had been so real. She thought she could still smell him, feel his arms. She would've sworn that he had been at her door. "Baka," she muttered, pushing the sheets off of her form, noticing she was still in her clothes. "It was a dream. Ranma is..." "Sitting right here," a voice said from her side. Akane spun around a shriek rising in her throat. She froze as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar as she saw her visitor. He was sitting in a chair next to her bed, watching her quietly with his shining eyes. It was the same face just older, more mature. He still wore his dark hair in the pigtail. The Chinese battle tunic still covered his torso and the waist of the flowing trousers that were tied tightly at his ankles. It could not be anyone else. Her mind went blank and she sank down onto the bed again. "H-how?" she stammered. "Y-y-your su-supposed to be d-dea..." Then she connected name, sight, and heart. With a low cry she rushed to him. "Ranma!" Then she was in his arms. She felt his arms encircle her as she pressed into his warm body. The sweet scent of his skin filling her nose. She could feel the tears coursing down her cheek as she sobbed in his arms. His hands stroked her back and hair as he softly comforted her. "It's alright Akane-chan. I'm back. I won't leave you again. I'll always be here for you." Akane was not listening to the words. She was enjoying the sound of his voice, the feel of his body pressed against hers, the gentle caress of his hands over her body and hair. Nothing mattered accept this moment to her. For four years she had suffered silently, hoping against all hope that Ryouga had been wrong. Dreaming against all dreams that Ranma was alive somewhere, just trying to get back to her. But as the years passed, her hopes slowly grew dim like a lightbulb that held back the darkness eventually did. Reality began to break down her walls. And now, when hope had almost disappeared, Ranma had walked back into her life like she had always hoped. She pressed herself tighter against him, just glad to be with him, hoping it was not a dream. Eventually, her sobs slowed and ceased. Pulling back slightly, she obtained her first good look at her Ranma. It was immediately evident that he had matured. His face was stronger but thinner and leaner. It was almost angular. Two parallel scars adorned his right cheek, running from his temple to jawline. She reached out and lightly ran her fingers over them, wondering where he had received them. His skin was rough under her touch, yet warm and comforting. He smiled at her, and she almost gasped out loud. His eyes were so different. They were the same piercing blue-grey, yet they radiated a differ- ent feeling when she looked into them. Before they had marked his reck- less spirit, his fiery temper, and bold personality. They had flashed as he faced enemy and friend alike. People had been drawn to that Ranma. These vivid pools staring back at Akane, however, were filled with compassion, patience, understanding, and something mysterious, beyond her grasp. She thought she saw a moment of the old Ranma flash through, but it came and went like a waking dream. "Now what is this all about, Akane-chan?" Ranma asked, "I promised I would return to you, and here you're acting like you never expected to see me again. And why aren't you wearing your ring?" he asked as he took her hand in his. The questions stunned Akane with the realization of the situation. He didn't know. But how could she expect him to know? They had heard nothing from him, had not even known where he had gone. There was no way for him to have known, and if he had known, he would have come back and explained everything to her. She was as certain of it as she was of her own existence. A tremour ran through her body as she realized she had to explain everything to him. Akane reluctantly removed herself from Ranma's embrace and walked back over to the bed. Sitting down, she rested her back against the wall and turned to face Ranma, who was waiting expectantly for an answer. For a moment she could do nothing but memorize his face and body, trying to make this Ranma blot out the old, painful memories. Finally, she motioned for Ranma to come and sit on the end of the bed. He nodded and pushed himself out of the chair. Quickly, he took a place at the end of the bed, assuming the lotus position and watching her with questioning eyes. Akane watched him for a moment still fascinated by the sight of him after so many years. Then she sighed and took a breath, intending to get this over with as cleanly as possible. "I-I don't know where to begin. It all seems like some nightmare. Ryouga told us...I mean we were all sure..." Akane stumbled on the words and glanced imploringly at Ranma, searching for help. "Why don't you start at the beginning, Akane?" he suggested in a careful tone. "H-hai. Well, after you left, we waited patiently hoping you would return soon," Akane began. "We all thought you would discover the cure quickly or just realize you could only be cured after the curse was done with you. We got a letter from you two months after you left. You simply told us that the Nannichuan could not cure you and you had to find the reason behind the curse before you could be cured. That was the last we heard from you." "By the time graduation rolled around the next year, we were all worried sick about you. No one had heard anything, not even in rumours. Cologne was even back in town saying she could not discover where you had disappeared. I was distraught and heart-broken from worry. Half the time I cursed you, and the other half I hoped you were all right. The summer passed slowly and I went to the university in the fall. Everyone had convinced me that it was the best way for me to keep my mind off you and keep busy with something. They were really starting to worry about my health, since I was eating less and spent most of my time watching for you to return. The university helped a bit. I got my mind off of you and I started getting back into life again. The school year passed quickly. I finished my last exam and went home to have dinner with our families. While we were eating Ryouga..." Akane stopped as she suddenly remembered what had happened the past week. She quickly glanced at the night table where a ring case sat, unopened. she almost sobbed it out loud. Ranma noticed an anguished expression cross Akane's face as she stopped talking, but thought it was a painful memory of the past. Gently, he touched her knee and asked her to continue. Akane nodded as Ranma's touch brought her out of her own thoughts. She took a deep breath. This was the hard part of the story. "While we were eating, Ryouga came in the door. He looked like he had not slept in several days. His clothing was ripped and stained in many places, like he had been wandering for a long time. A haunted expression covered his face, like he had done something horribly wrong. We offered him a place to sit and eat, but he just shook his said and looked at us. He opened his mouth several times like he was going to say something, and then just stopped and starred at the floor. Finally Kasumi asked what was bothering him. He looked at me with tears in his eyes. He said...He said..." Akane's voice choked up. Even though she knew it was not true, it still hurt, thinking about it wren- ched her heart. She looked at Ranma, pleading for his touch. She could feel the tears in her eyes as he reached out and gripped her hand. At his touch, she found the strength to continue, to face the past. "He said, I'm so sorry Akane. Ranma's dead." Akane saw Ranma start as if slapped, then he began to shake his head as he spoke, his voice near tears, "I didn't know Akane-chan. I didn't know. I was training in the mountains at that time. I had been since that first letter. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to see you hurt, and now...now I find out you have been living with my death," Ranma was crying now as he apologized, his words sometimes lost in his sobs. Akane was shocked out of her own depression by this. She had never seen Ranma come close to this kind of emotion. He had changed, and she wondered how much. Gripping his hand, Akane said, "It doesn't matter anymore. You're here with me, alive again. That is all that matters. That is all I need to know." Ranma nodded at her words, but something was still bothering him. He looked up at Akane and asked, "How did Ryouga find out I died?" Akane shook her head in answer, "I don't really know. I was deva- stated when he said that. I don't remember much of the next few weeks. I spent most of the time curled up on my bed crying for you and cursing you. I never heard how he found out, but everyone believed him, and I... I just did not want to know. I thought if I did not know there could be some hope that you would be alive. I could make up my own story. And afterwards, I never asked Ryouga, even though he was around a lot, just so I could have someone to talk with, or comfort me when I cried. Ryouga became..." She remembered his proposal. It had been sweet, and in a way she did love him, but Ranma was back. She had to tell him. "Ranma?" "Hmm?" he answered. He was lost in thought, trying to come to grips with what Akane had related to him. "About Ryouga," she started, "We, uh-ahhh, I mean he," she was cut off as she heard a child's voice call from the kitchen and living area. "Otoosan?" the voice called. Akane became confused. What was a kid doing in her apartment? And more importantly why was she looking for her father in her apartment? Akane was about to go find out when Ranma raised his voice in answer. "In here, Himechan," he shouted back, his voice filled with love and compassion. Akane's mind was still trying to figure out who the child was when Ranma answered. Now she wondered what his connection with this voice was and was becoming very confused when a red-headed blur shot into her room and quickly climbed onto her bed and into Ranma's lap. Hugging and kissing Ranma, she quickly settled into his lap and starred at Akane cheerfully from out of blue-grey eyes. Ranma wrapped his arms around the young girl and hugged her. She could not have been more than three, maybe four, Akane guessed. She had grey-blue eyes and red hair that hung loosely about her face, brushing her shoulders. As Akane watched Ranma and her she noticed that the two looked a lot alike. A horrible suspicion began to form in her head. It was confirmed as the little girl spoke. "Is this Akane-chan, Otoosan?" the girl asked, her kawaii voice a pipping piccolo as she pointed at Akane, who was staring open-mouthed at Ranma and the girl. "Hai, Himechan," Ranma answered, kissing the top of her head. "This is Akane-chan." Akane watched openmouthed as he turned to face her once more, and then saw his brow furrow. He looked at his daughter. His daughter, the phrase ran through Akane's head. And then he glanced back up at her and smiled nervously. Lifting the girl from his lap, he put her on the floor and said, "Why don't you get ready for breakfast, we'll be out in a minute." "Hmm," the child nodded as she rushed back out of the room, ecsta- tic with the prospect of food. "I guess I should explain," Ranma began lamely. "I..." "Explain!" Akane shouted, her anger flaring. "I mourn you for four years and then find out that you are two-timing me. You DON'T explain THAT, Ranma! Why don't you just get out of my sight, hentai!" She reached over to grab the table to throw at him. Before she could touch the table, Ranma had grasped both of her hands, stopping her in mid- swing. Shock filtered through her anger. She had not even seen Ranma move. She glanced at the place he had been sitting in the lotus position, to where he now stood on the opposite side of the bed, holding her arms in an unbreakable grip. The shock quickly passed though, and her anger resurfaced. She struggled against Ranma's grip shouting at him, "Let me go, baka! I said let me go and get out of my home! Don't you understand Japanese anymore? Get out!" Ranma did not move. Instead he looked at Akane and spoke firmly and evenly. "I did not cheat on you Akane. Why don't you let me explain before you go ballistic and crush my head with one of your mallets?" "What is there to explain?" Akane retorted, her voice dangerous and low. "You have a daughter and she's obviously not mine, so she must be some other woman's child. Therefore you cheated on me." She was actually rather proud of her reasoning until Ranma responded. "Picture her in you mind," he commanded quietly. "Who does she remind you of, that you know?" Akane was about to retort, but she halted for a second when she heard the sincerity in Ranma's voice and actually thought about what Ranma had said. She pictured his daughter in her mind, the face that was so similar to Ranma's, the grey-blue eyes, the kawaii voice, the red hair... She stopped. Red hair? Something clicked on in her mind and the pieces snapped together. "She looks like your cursed form," she answered quietly. "Hai," Ranma said quietly as he released her arms and sat down on her bed again, assuming the lotus position naturally. "But how? I mean...I...don't understand," Akane mumbled. She was completely confused. Too much had happened this morning. There had been to many shocks, and now there was this. She just sat on the bed starring at nothing. She barely felt Ranma guide her to her feet and lead her out of her bedroom to the kitchen table. "Come on," he encouraged softly as he sat her down at the table, "Eat some breakfast, and I'll explain as much as I can." Akane allowed herself to be seated at the table. Ranma quickly disappeared into the kitchen. She heard the sound of dishes being taken out and food being dished out onto them, but her mind was on other matters. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she did not see Ranma's daughter climb up into the seat next to her, positioning herself so she could watch her. "Why were you and Otoosan fighting?" she asked. Akane was startled out of her thoughts by the question. She looked at the child. The small girl's eyes were staring at her full of concern. There were streaks on the girl's cheeks as if she had been crying about something. For some reason, as Akane looked at the girl, she thought that she had been crying for Ranma and her, but that was crazy. She was to young to understand those kind of things. She must have been frigh- tened by Ranma's and her own shouting. "Don't worry, child," Akane said quietly brushing a stray lock of hair from the kid's eyes, "It was a misunderstanding. Besides we are used to fighting. That was all we used to do." For some reason she wanted to explain everything to this child. Her presence felt right, almost comforting to her frayed emotions. Akane smiled at the child, suddenly wanting to hold her and rock her to sleep. Reaching out Akane lifted the girl into her lap. Ranma's daughter did not mind and even seemed to expect it as her due. Once in Akane's lap, she cuddled against Akane, squirming into a comfortable position and resting her head on Akane's breast. Looking down at the child, Akane felt strange emotions fill her heart. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around the girl and gently rocked her, cooing a small harmony her own mother had sung to her. Akane thought silently, then frowned as she wondered where that thought came from. Her musings were cut short as Ranma arrived at the table and placed plates of food on the table. A delicious smell assaulted Akane's senses. Her stomach grumbled hungrily. Ranma's daughter giggled as she heard Akane's response. Ranma smiled at the two females in his life getting along so well. "I see Ranko has already won your heart, Akane-chan," Ranma said sitting down at the table opposite both of them. "Ranko?" Akane asked as she looked down at the girl in her lap who was already picking at Akane's food. Akane smiled, "I see she has your appetite." Ranma smiled back, "She does, and it was the name she deserved." Akane looked at Ranko and took a breath. She had to ask. "Ranma? You said you'd explain her. I just want to know who her mother is." Ranma blushed slightly and looked at his daughter and then at Akane. Coughing once, he cleared his throat and said, "I am." "You are!?" She had thought it might be possible, but hearing it confirmed by Ranma just shocked her. "Were you, ahh, you know...?" She left it hanging with a vague gesture, but Ranma got her idea. "No, Akane-chan, I was not raped," he answered back. Her anger flashed briefly before she could control it, only to have it overcome with the disturbing thought that he had submitted to a man. She had been beaten out by a man for Ranma's affections. She was about to grab one of her mallets and pulverized Ranma when she felt Ranko lightly touch her face. She looked down at the smiling, kawaii face and relaxed a bit. He had said he would explain. She decided to at least listen to him before she killed him. "So then who is the father?" she asked quietly. This time Ranma blushed very deeply and dropped his head to his chest and mumbled something into his food. "Huh?" Akane asked. Ranma looked back up at her and took a breath, "I am." "What!?" Akane shouted, too shocked to even modulate her voice. "You got yourself pregnant?" She was incredulous. She stared straight at Ranma, her gaze boring into him, her face pleading him for an explanation. Ranma blushed at her stare and nervously picked at his food. He opened his mouth and then closed it quickly. He did this several more times, making him look like a drowning fish. "Ranma." Akane's voice was silent and strained, almost hurt. "Why did you do that?" She watched as Ranma floundered while looking for something to say. Finally, his head sank to the table and he took a breath. "Akane-chan," he started, "the story is a long one, and I need to tell you it. I spent my entire time traveling here trying to decide how to tell you. So far nothing has gone right. You fainted on me, I find out I was thought dead, and then you met Ranko before I could explain. And now, well to be truthful, Akane, I haven't slept in two days. For the last six years I have gone through more than most people will in a lifetime. Can I just ask you one favor?" Akane waited for him to continue, and then she realized he was waiting for her to answer. She did not know what to say. He wanted a favor, but she did not know whether to give him the chance or not. She felt Ranko lean back into her and looked down at her. She was snuggled against Akane, eyes drooping heavily, ready for a nap. Looking at Ranma's child she decided. "Hai," she said. "Arigato," Ranma said, "All I want is some time to sleep and get my thoughts together. It's eleven now. If you could let me get seven hours of sleep and maybe two hours to think, I will be ready to tell you, over dinner tonight. Say around eight or so?" His eyes implored her to con- sent, and then his mouth did the same. "Akane-chan please. You will understand then. I promise I will tell you everything." Akane nodded her assent, and then suddenly snapped her head up as something else he had said registered in her spinning thoughts. "What time did you say it was?" "Eleven in the morning," he responded. "Wh...?" "I'm late!" Akane shouted as she tried to get up only to remember that Ranko was there. Understanding her predicament, Ranma walked over and picked up his daughter. Akane quickly jumped out of her chair and ran into her room. Where Ranma could hear her getting dressed. Putting Ranko down on the couch, Ranma walked over to Akane's bedroom door. "What are you late for Akane?" he asked. "I was supposed to meet Ukyou at eleven for lunch." The muffled reply came from the bedroom. "She was going to help me go over the material for my last exam that I have to take this afternoon." "Ahh," Ranma said, "I understand." He walked back to the table and started cleaning up breakfast. He was almost finished cleaning the table when Akane came out of her room dressed in jeans and a blouse. Ranma watched her quietly as she hurried about the room grabbing her purse and books. Finally, she was ready to leave. Ranma walked up to her as she headed for the door and put his hand on her shoulder. "Akane-chan?" "Hai, Ranma." "Will you please not tell Ukyou or any of the others that I'm back in town?" he asked. "I'm just not ready to face them yet. It has already been hard enough with you." He smiled at her, Akane looked at Ranma and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Hai," she answered, "I will not tell anyone." "Arigato," Ranma said. "Until tonight then." He kissed her forehead softly and walked over to the couch, where he turned and looked back at Akane who was standing still in the doorway. He smiled, "You don't know how much I've missed you, Akane-chan." "Me too," Akane said her mind spinning like a top. Ranma, Ryouga, Ranko, it was all too confusing. Maybe tonight would clear it up; however, she doubted that anything could ever untangle this new mess. "Until tonight then." She disappeared out of the door, closing it behind her. Ranma sighed and picked up his sleeping daughter and went into Akane's bedroom. He placed Ranko on the bed, and then, after closing the shades, he joined her. Wrapping his arms protectively around Ranko, he closed his eyes. Soon his breathing slowed, and he slipped into his first dreamless slumber in years. Author's Notes: It has been a while. I promised to rewrite this one and get it posted, although it should've been reposted nearly three months ago, I got so busy with MASN (shameless plug) that I was either too tired to work on this fic or just not interested in it. Well as I said, I hit a writing block with MASN, and I'm slowly working through Ch 5. So while I do that I'm going to be finishing and rereleasing The Legacy while I also get my future homepage up and running. There is one thing I would like to ask. I know someone has The Legacy out there on a homepage. I really don't care if you have it, I just ask two things. One that you send me the address to your homepage, and two that the old copy of The Legacy is deleted and replaced with this one as it comes out. If this person is no longer on the ML, I would appreciate it if someone who knows this webpage tells me where it is. Thank you. Okay onto normal Author's Notes. As some of you might remember this story was started by one or our annual debates about whether Ranma could get pregnant. This was my answer to that thread, well not really answer, but it was the spark that started this story. I had been working on something else at the time, it has long since been relegated to the depths of my mind, and this one took its place. This is my first full fiction piece, and the first fanfic I ever wrote, that I'm slightly pleased with. One thing you will notice is, that like MASN, I deal with the characters more on a personal scale. I don't believe in the Ranma saving the world theory. Although this is not as deep and introspective as MASN, it has the glimmerings of my present style in it. In other words this is not that long. Originally, it was only 10 Parts and none of the parts ever got above 50k. Well, I'm rambling so I'll get on with it. This revised fic is a little longer. I don't know how much longer cause I've only edited the first five chapters. Expect 13 at most. So why am I reposting this? Well it is really simple. I never liked the first one's ending. I was rushed. This entire fic was written like within three weeks because I was going to lose my internet connection at that point. Any way I rushed the ending so you guys wouldn't be left three months waiting for one part. Instead I finished it and decided to rewrite after a vacation. Vacation's over and here is the new and improved Legacy. Joseph Kohle Note this story is not archived yet. Give me some time people. ----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*----*---- All rights and priveleges to Ranma Nibunnoichi belong to Takahashi Rumiko. The characters of her series are used without her permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. All original characters are the creation of the author. All copyright privileges to these chara- cters are reserved for the author. This story is a product of the author's hard work and imagination. Do not modify, add to, or make use of any part of this work without the author's knowledge and consent. Please feel free to archive this work. Comments and criticism are welcome. Written by Joseph A. Kohle, (c) 1997. Send all comments to Ashira@worldnet.att.net