Hey, you're still here!  Somebody actually reads my works!

	I'm actually having fun writing this thing.  It just took me a 
couple of days to write the last chapter, and I think I might do the same 
with this one.  If this keeps up, I'll set a new record for me.  I wonder 
if I'm gonna write lemons again?  But that's another story.


---------------

                                 The Leper
                                  Part 3
                             "Family Secrets"

                      by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo


	Ranma 1/2 is the property of Kitty, VIZ and the omnipotent Rumiko 
Takahashi.  I am a property of Switch (so you know who to sue).

	Douglas Adams characters are also mentioned in this fic.

	I am NomaD... I am coming... I am near...

	Don't expect any summaries...
	
	Names and spellings have been explained in part 1...

-----------
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! 
Breast milk is still best for babies.
-----------

	"So, how was it?"

	"Okay, I guess... lot's of talking, you know, yadayadayada... I 
didn't know transferring would be this tedious.  Too bad I didn't get 
your class."

	"Wait!  What did you tell them?"

	"Don't worry, Ucchan, I kept quiet this time..."

	"Except?"

	"... except... that I happened to mention that I'm good friends 
with you and Ranma... which is so very true!"

	"Okay, that's forgivable.  That'll keep you safe enough..."

	"Hey, Kii!  Ucchan!"

	The two turned in sync.  Ranma twitched at the uncanny likeness.  
Kii saw two other guys coming up behind Ranma - one had black hair, while 
the other had orange.

	"Kiiroi, I'd like you to meet my two buddies, Hiroshi and Daisuke.  
If we're gonna be buddies and all, then you better know the rest of the 
guys."

	Hiroshi and Daisuke fumbled with each other, each trying to shake 
Kiiroi's hand first.

	"How are ya?"

	"Heard you knew martial arts..."

	"So, what can you do?"

	"Can you beat Ranma up, for a change?"

	"Heard you were from China..."

	"Anything happens if you get wet?"

	"You a real guy, or a cross-dresser?"

	"Got any fianc�es you wanna tell us about?"

	Ukyou gulped in sudden alarm.  She managed to snatch Kiiroi from 
the grasp of the two.

	"Okay, that's enough.  Stop harassing the guy:  this is his first 
day, for goodness' sake."

	"Ranma, Ucchan, can we eat now?  I'm starved.  We better find...  
RANMA, LOOK OUT - THERE'S A GUY WITH A BOKKEN COMING AT YOU!!!"

	Ranma just leaned to his left a bit.  The sword missed his ear by a 
mere inch.  Kuno still had momentum, enough to trip over Ranma's stuck-
out leg.  Kuno fell flat on his face, still thrusting the sword forward.

	"Kuno!  Where've you been this morning?  I almost thought you 
wouldn't attack me this day - I'd hate to break a routine."

	Kuno immediately got up and pointed his bokken at Ranma.

	"Curse you, Ranma Saotome.  Once again, you cower among your 
henchmen to aid you in our daily battle of honor.  But, beware, you vile 
cur, when you are at your most vulnerable and most unsuspecting, then I 
shall smite you with the wrath and the vengeance, for luring away my pig-
tailed goddess and..."

	Ranma plugged the yammering with his foot.

	"Quit it, Kuno... let's tango later - right now, I'm 
entertainin'..."

	Ranma pushed Kuno's face away with a slight kick, which sent Kuno 
flying over a bunch of students.  Ranma waited for a resounding 'THUD'.  
Ranma then turned to his four companions.

	"C'mon, let the five of us get some grub."

	"What about Akane?"

	"Ah, leave that tomboy with all her GUHURL friends!"

	"No, that's not what I mean..."

	"Don't worry, Kii, she'll be okay with those bunch of sissies.  
They'll probably be talking about cutesy-wootsy stuff, like dresses and 
actors..."

	"Ranma, it's just that she's..."

	"I know, she's a bit of a tomboy with all her brute strength.  You 
know, no matter how uncute she is, she's actually a real girl.  Believe 
me <wink>, I know... <pause> ... uh oh... she's behind me, isn't she?"

	<WHAAAM!!!>

	Akane rammed Ranma down to the ground like a nail with her enormous 
mallet.

	"Hi, Akane."

	"Hi, Kiiroi... c'mon, I'm getting hungry, too."

	The six went to the cafeteria with Ranma lagging behind, being 
carried by Hiroshi and Daisuke.

----------

	"So, Kiiroi, wanna try these muffins I baked in class?"

	"Sure, I'd lo..."

	"NOOOOOOO!!!  It's pois- <oomph!>"

	Ranma tried vainly to remove Akane's headlock.  He just met Kiiroi, 
and was starting to like him already - it would be sad to see him die 
like this...

	Kiiroi took a muffin while Akane smiled at him like an angel, 
despite of the headlock she was currently applying.  He scanned the 
entire cafeteria.  Everybody was strangely quiet and staring in their 
general direction.  The muffin made the slow approach to his mouth... 
everybody seemed to hold their breaths at the same time.  Kiiroi started 
feeling uneasy.  He heard somebody in the back say 'what a way to go...'  
Kiiroi decided not to take the unknown risk.  Akane's eyes became watery 
and sparkled.  Ranma sighed beneath her arm.

	"That's so pathet... ack! k-k-khanth buh-reeeeth..."

	Kiiroi got out his handkerchief and wrapped the muffin inside.

	"Tell you what, I don't want to spoil my appetite..."

	"... or his life... <grip, krak> hu-help..."

	"... s-so, I'll eat lunch first and save this for dessert, okay?"

	Akane pushed Ranma away and smiled childishly at Kiiroi.

	"Promise?  I'll make you some more tomorrow, if you like it."

	Kiiroi look past Akane where Ukyou sat.  Ukyou mouthed the words 
'DON'T EAT IT'.

	"T-that'll be nice."

	Kiiroi turned to Hiroshi and whispered in his ear.

	"Is it really that bad?"

	Hiroshi whispered back.

	"You know, they used to have a dog..."

	Akane fixed Hiroshi a cold stare...

	"Did YOU say something Hiroshi?"

	<How the hell did she hear me?>  "N-nothin', Akane, nothin' to do 
with you... forget I said anything, Kii, I still wanna live."

	The six talked the entire hour about Kiiroi's life and Ranma's day 
and the usual.  Ukyou silently observed the flow of the conversation, 
making sure nobody mentioned anything about engagements.  Then Akane's 
eyes lit up.

	"Hey, Kiiroi, if you'd like, you and Ukyou could stay over for 
dinner later.  My sister's a great cook and my family's great with 
guests."

	Kiiroi looked at Ukyou for a response.

	"I don't know, there's the restaurant, and Kiiroi and I worked off 
our butts yesterday, with all the cooking..."

	"Aw, c'mon, Ucchan, don't be so stingy.  Close that thing for today 
- tomorrow's a weekend, anyway, so you'll make up for today.  Please, 
Ucchan..."

	Kiiroi decided to play along.

	"Yeah, Ucchan, pretty please?"

	Ukyou gave an exasperated sigh.

	"You guys are pathetic... okay, fine.  We'll just go home and lock 
the place up..."

	"Thanks, Ucchan.  There, Kii, I'll introduce you to the whole 
family.  There's Akane's CUTE sisters, and our dads, and you might even 
meet Ryouga..."

	Ukyou blushed unnoticed, except by Ranma and Akane, but they 
decided to keep it to themselves.

	"Ryouga?  Ryouga Hibiki?  I've met him, actually.  Really nice guy, 
but he seemed to be having trouble with directions..."

	<smirk> "... isn't he always..."

	"So, how is the guy?"

	"Actually, he arrived just this morning.  The guy didn't get much 
sleep.  Said he had something important to do in the sewers.  Kept 
babbling about turtles, I don't know..."

	Hiroshi and Daisuke's gaze went elsewhere.

	"Hey, Daisuke, isn't that...?"

	"It's that girl who's a guy who likes girls to be guys..."

	Kiiroi froze in his seat.  Ukyou panicked - she knew who it was.  
All of the boys were looking in the general direction.  Kiiroi started 
beading sweat.

	"Hey, Ranma, didn't you try to date him once?"

	"Aw, shut up, Hiroshi..."

	Ranma turned as he said this.  And sure enough, there he was.  His 
brown hair flowing in the air in the most feminine manner.  He had a blue 
motif with a ribboned hat to match.  He was carrying a bunch of items, 
mostly labeled 'Okinawa'.  Souvenirs no doubt.  Kiiroi was still seated 
the other way, not moving, so Tsubasa didn't recognize him.  He just 
waved at Ukyou and the others.  Ranma cracked his knuckles and smiled 
arrogantly.

	"Looks like the day ain't over yet... hey, Tsu..."

	"TSUBASA KURENAI!"

	But it wasn't Ranma who spoke.  Tsubasa stopped on his tracks and 
dropped the gift items.  A scowl and a smirk appeared simultaneously on 
his face.

	"Kiiroi, I almost thought you wouldn't come... you're ready to get 
your butt kicked again?"

	Kiiroi just stood his ground.  The two slowly approached each 
other.  Kiiroi spoke first.

	"I'll take my place..."

	"And I'll beat you up again, and I don't even need to meld..."

	"You can't take Ukyou."

	"And you can't stop me."

	Kiiroi stepped forward once, but he suddenly appeared behind 
Tsubasa.  Everybody gasped, for he covered a considerable distance in a 
blink of an eye.  He brought his fist back, but Tsubasa just brought out 
a backfist without even turning around.  Kiiroi stumbled back on the 
floor.  Everybody moaned, then cheered Kiiroi on.  At the back of the 
crowd, betting had already started, with Nabiki officiating.  The odds 
were now five to one, against the newcomer.  

	Kiiroi got up;  he touched his reddening lip.  He rushed onward.  
Tsubasa turned, getting ready to block.  But Kiiroi sidestepped and 
disappeared.  He reappeared on Tsubasa's blindside and struck him on the 
face.  But Tsubasa's head didn't even flinch.  He grabbed Kiiroi on the 
throat.  He drew back a punch, but saw that Kiiroi was wearing his 
glasses, so he just gutted him.  Kiiroi felt his lunch jump in his 
stomach.  Tsubasa then punched him twice on the face.  Kiiroi's started 
leaking blood, his face now bruised.

	"That's enough, Tsubasa!"

	Ukyou stared at Ranma as they said the same words.  Ranma pushed 
Tsubasa away and took Kiiroi in his arms.  Tsubasa glared at the two.

	"This isn't your fight, Ranma - you should know better."

	Ukyou went to Kiiroi's other side and aided him.

	"Tsubasa, stop picking on him.  How many times do you have to beat 
him?  Please, stop this!"

	"He's the one who keeps getting in my way.  But tell you what...  
LET EVERYONE HERE BEAR WITNESS TO MY PROCLAMATION!  I, TSUBASA KURENAI, 
CHALLENGE KIIROI NIWATORI TO A DUEL THREE DAYS FROM NOW!  THE LOSER WILL 
LEAVE THE COMPANY OF UKYOU KUONJI FOREVER!  So, Kii, do you accept? Or 
just live up to your name?"

	Kii, hanging between Ranma and Ukyou, was about to answer, but he 
felt a nudge.  He stared at Ukyou, who stared back with pleading eyes and 
shaking his head.

	"Yes, he will accept your challenge!  And he'll kick your butt all 
the way to the moon on Monday, you freak!"

	Kiiroi and Ukyou stared at Ranma.  Ranma was currently matching 
gazes with Tsubasa.  

	"I'll take your answer, Ranma, but Kiiroi's the one I'm fighting, 
don't you forget that.  You just signed your friend's own death 
certificate, Ranma."

	Tsubasa, satisfied, went for the exit.  Nabiki emerged from the 
crowd and went over to Kiiroi.  She slapped Kiiroi with her now empty 
wallet.

	"I hope you're happy..."

	Ranma and Ukyou brought Kiiroi to their seat and rested him there.

	"Ranma, are you crazy?  You saw how he did, he can't fight him, 
okay?"

	"Shut up, Ucchan!"

	Ukyou was startled at Ranma's reply.  Never has she seen Ranma 
acting in this behavior.

	"I can't let Kii be beaten by a stupid clod who's got no skill and 
technique.  All he's got working for him is his brute strength and that 
stupid thing he does with other things.  He's not even a martial artist!"

	He then turned to face Kiiroi.

	"And you!  You have the guts to call yourself a martial artist.  
Four hits and you're already down?  You didn't even hurt the guy!"

	Ukyou was beginning to tear up.

	"He tried, Ranma, isn't that enough?"

	"No, it isn't.  Hell will freeze over first before I see a fellow 
martial artist be beaten by some poor excuse for a fighter."

	Nobody spoke to Ranma during the rest of the day.  Kiiroi went to 
his class with what was left of his dignity.  The cafeteria crowd 
departed in silent murmurs.

----------

	Ukyou finally shut the lights and locked the door.  She walked 
beside Kiiroi, the sun looming to their left.  Kiiroi's face was still 
swollen with bruises and cuts.  He just walked staring downward, not 
caring what lied ahead of him.  Ukyou just stared with pity in her eyes.  
She wanted everything to be all right, but it seems that even though dusk 
had settled, the day was telling her that it has just begun and it still 
had a few more surprises up its sleeve.

	"So, what'll you do now?"

	Ukyou finally broke the silence.

	"I'll do what I have to do."

	"You can still back out, it's okay.  You don't have to do this."

	"No, I can't.  I will fight him, and I'll finish this once, and for 
all."

	Ukyou grabbed Kiiroi by the shoulder and whirled him towards her.

	"AND HOW THE HELL ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?  I know you, Kii, 
too well.  You can't fight and you know that!  I know your secret, so 
stop living those stupid lies of yours!  I'm telling you, YOU DON'T HAVE 
TO DO THIS!  I can make it on my own now, I don't need you blocking every 
guy that tries to come after me."

	"I am your fianc�, I have made this my oblig..."

	"Shut the hell up!  You are not my fianc�!  Why the hell did you 
have to fall in love with me, you big jerk!  I hate you!"

	Ukyou flailed her arms at Kiiroi's chest until she broke down and 
cried her heart.  Kiiroi just held her when she couldn't hold herself up.

	"... I hate you... I hate you... why did you do this, why did you 
have to ruin everything... you were my best friend..."

	"I still am.  Hush, now.  Forgive me for learning to love you.  
I'll leave after I lose.  I'll let you go, I promise.  I'll call my 
mom..."

	Kiiroi managed to calm down Ukyou's sobs.  He gave her a hanky and 
held her close one last time.

	<Why does it hurt so much?>

	Ukyou was leading, holding Kiiroi by the hand.  They arrived at a 
building on an intersection.  It was far from what Kiiroi imagined as the 
home of Akane Tendo.

	"Is this where..."

	"No, this is Doctor Tofu's clinic.  Let him take a look at your 
face before we go to the Tendo's."

	<Kling, kling>

	"Good evening, Dr. Tofu."

	"Ukyou, I haven't seen you for a long time now."

	"My friend here needs treatment."

	"Let me see what I can do..."

	The good doctor got Kiiroi on the bed and examined his face.  He 
went to the next room for a moment.  When he got out, he was carrying a 
clear bottle of oil.  He got some cotton and rubbed on Kiiroi's face.  
Ukyou stood up in alarm in the waiting room when he heard Kiiroi cry out 
in pain.  She peeked inside and saw Dr. Tofu pulling Kiiroi's nose while 
holding his head back with one hand.  Kiiroi was red in the face and 
brimming with tears from the pain.  Ukyou stifled a giggle at the 
ridiculous sight.  Tofu gave a slight twist and then let go.  At the same 
time, Kiiroi stopped shouting.  Curiosity was all over his face.  He 
touched his nose, as if testing if it was still there.

	"There, all done."

	"Wow, thanks!  It's straight now."

	"No problem.  Now, you kids run along - I'm gonna close the clinic 
for the night."

	The two waved their good-byes and left the clinic.  Doctor Tofu 
went in the other room and started fixing up his things.  A shadow crept 
behind him.  He turned and saw her standing on a table.  Her large eyes 
showed the fear she felt.

	"Well?"

	"You were right.  His fingers were well-adapted, long and thin, 
like you described.  They were wrapped in some sort of animal skin 
bandage."

	"Yes.  That's for safety reasons."

	"Cologne, why are concerned about this boy?"

	"He's Niwatori.  He's not a threat, though... he probably won't 
even harm a mosquito.  But still, it would be well to be careful."

	"Have you encountered his family?"

	"Let's just say that the past holds great secrets.  But it seems 
that those secrets and others like it will be revealed tonight."

	Cologne leapt out from an open window and into the night.  Tofu 
stared as the bouncing figure with the cane disappeared in the darkness.  
He closed the window when a wind started chilling him.

----------

	"So, what are you gonna do about it?"

	"That's for me to know."

	Akane was starting to fear this manner that Ranma was displaying.  
Since the incident during lunch, Ranma never spoke to anyone, even her.  
He never even insulted her when he had the chance.  Ranma was serious, 
and... Akane wasn't sure, but Ranma seemed determined.

	<Determined?  To do what?>

	Akane's thought was interrupted by knocks at the gate.  Kasumi 
leaned her broom on the wall and went outside.

	"Is our guest here, Akane?"

	"Yeah, dad.  I hope Master Happosai won't be bugging us tonight."

	"Oh, don't worry, Akane.  He wasn't interested when he learned that 
the guest was a man.  He contented himself with ironing his collections.  
Well, you better greet our guest!  I'll go call Genma."

	Akane fixed herself up, trying to look presentable.  She gave one 
last look at Ranma.  He barely moved from where he sat.  He just sat 
there, staring in the night sky.

----------

	"... and, remember..."

	"Yes, Ukyou, I will!  No mentions of engagements!  Fine!  Can you 
just relax?  I'm here for dinner and idle chitchat."

	Ukyou was about to remind him again when the gate creaked open.  A 
calm, smiling face greeted them.  Kiiroi had never seen the likes of this 
girl.  She had the features of an angel, and he was being literal.

	"Hello, Ukyou, please come in... Akane's been waiting for you."

	"Good evening, Kasumi - this is my friend, Kiiroi."

	"Hey, there you are!"

	Akane emerged from the door and gestured the two to enter.  Kasumi 
followed from behind and immediately proceeded to the kitchen.  Akane sat 
the two in the dining area.  Kiiroi saw Ranma sitting at the edge of the 
patio.

	"Hey, Ranma."

	"Kii."

	That was all he said.  Nobody contested this.

	"Dad!  Mr. Saotome!  Our guests are here!"

	"Hello there, young..."

	Soun and Genma paused and stared at the figure in front of them.  
They immediately recognized him as the blind hidden weapons master/duck.  
Kiiroi, for his part, jumped back, startled to see the familiar faces.

	"Ukyou!  That man!  He's a... a p-p-p-p-p-phan... p-pand..."

	Genma immediately approached Kiiroi and caught him in the arm 
before he could back out.  Genma's eyes seemed full of emotion.

	"Listen, son, I know that ghoul and that Amazon girl had been 
working you to exhaustion in that restaurant of theirs.  But, please, 
drugs are not the answer!  There are people who can he..."  <WHAP!>

	Ranma kicked his father away from Kiiroi.

	"What the hell are you tryin' to do, pop?  Scare our guest?  He's 
not Mousse, okay?  This is Kiiroi... Niwatori."

	Kiiroi waited for the boisterous barrel of laughs that people 
seemed to do at the mention of his name.  He stared at their faces and 
waited for their eyes to tear up and their smiles to appear.  It never 
did.  Everybody froze for an awkward moment, then Kasumi strode in with a 
tray of food.

	"Oh, my.  What a pretty name."

	Then the two men started moving.  They cringed away from Kiiroi.  
They lowered their heads, trying to show as much respect as possible.  
Genma spoke first.

	"Niwatori-sama, forgive me for my errors."

	The situation felt ridiculous, so Kiiroi forgave him, forgetting 
that he remembered the man as a panda.

	Just then, Nabiki came down from her room.  She scanned the people 
around the table.  She saw Kiiroi and stared for a moment with a look of 
disgust.

	"Hello... loser."

	Soun Tendo stared at his daughter with great alarm.

	"Hold your tongue, Nabiki!"

	Akane and Ranma stared at their parents, ignorance lining their 
faces.

	"Hey, pops, can you please tell me what the hell is going on?"

	Ukyou interrupted them.  She didn't want anymore of this;  she just 
came here for dinner.

	"Look, guys.  Can we please discuss this after dinner?"

	Everybody had a quiet dinner.  Genma and Soun were particularly in 
a hurry finishing their meal.  Their excitement couldn't be suppressed.  
When dinner ended, Kasumi took the dishes away.  Nabiki left the group, 
disinterested with what they had to talk about.  The two fatherly figures 
began.

	"The Niwatori school of martial arts is one of the oldest schools 
that ever practiced in Japan.  There was no exact date on when the school 
came about, but they believe it came after the introduction of Sumo."

	"But they did not only boast of being one the oldest, they also are 
the one of the most secretive.  Up to now, there is no known record of 
anybody using the family's special techniques, except for the family 
themselves.  They have kept their technique pure and familial."

	"Then, when the Shogunate wars erupted, the Niwatori clan was 
exiled for some unknown reason.  They went to China and lived peacefully 
from then on.  But even up to now, the Niwatori school is still one of 
the most feared kinds of martial arts.  Their technique is so powerful 
that some even say that their strength was unmatched, that they could 
bring down whole mountains..."

	"... and their speed was unequaled.  Able to move faster than the 
four winds.  Some say that ants make more noise than a Niwatori sneaking 
up behind you."

	"Which is all a bunch of crock!"

	Everybody jolted in surprise as a new figure emerged from the 
courtyard.  With one hop of her cane, she immediately seated herself with 
the others around the table.

	"What are you doin' here you old ghoul?"

	"Hush, son-in-law, I am here to speak... of my own version of 
history..."

	Kiiroi stared at the shriveled-up individual.  He gulped, but not 
at her sight but of her speech.  Ukyou saw his fear and her pity grew 
even more.  Cologne began.

	"The Niwatori school started out as a bunch of thieves and 
cutpurses."

	Everyone gasped, except for Ukyou and Kiiroi who sighed.

	"Not only that, they were also known as a family of cowards, hence 
their name.  The clan was of weaklings who knew nothing of martial arts.  
They worked as an underground organization specializing in information 
gathering and sabotage."

	Akane blinked, not believing what she was hearing.

	"You mean they were...?"

	"Yes, my child, they were spies.  They were among the best, too.  
They were gifted with the silence of their movements and their incredible 
speed.  And they have kept their secrets well hidden.  Even up to now, 
most believe that the family practiced an ancient form of martial arts 
and has lived honorably and undefeated."

	Akane spoke again.

	"But how did they end up in China?"

	"Aah, good question, young Akane.  This is where my Amazon tribe 
comes in.  The Niwatori clan was particularly active during the Shogunate 
wars.  In order to turn in more profit, they started working as double 
agents.  When the shoguns found out, they started executing all of the 
clan members they found.  Only a few managed to survive.  These handful 
escaped to China, where they met my people.  They declared themselves as 
great martial artists and that we, the Amazons, should pay tribute to 
them.  That was their greatest mistake.  The Amazons fought fiercely for 
being insulted.  The Niwatori clan members begged for forgiveness and 
told the Amazons of their plight.  In exchange for their lives, the 
Niwatori clan shared their only secret technique to the Amazon tribe.  
Seeing the technique as beneficial to them, the Amazons made a vow to 
keep the Niwatori secret technique safe with them.  As the Amazons grew 
in strength, the Niwatori's grew in profit from planting tea.  Have I 
missed anything, young Niwatori?"

	Kiiroi shook his head.  He avoided everybody's eyes, too ashamed to 
face them.

	"Yes, all she said was true.  It is only now that our family has 
began to migrate back to Japan again..."

	Cologne stared at the young man for a moment.

	"Now tell them why you have come to Nerima."

	Kiiroi's fear started setting in.  He tried to hide his reddening 
face.

	"I... I came here to continue my education..."

	"And?"

	There was no way Kiiroi could avoid the old woman's bulging eyes.  
His heart was pounding heavily in his rib cage.

	<How could she know?>

	Kiiroi stared at Ukyou who just stared at her hands resting on her 
lap.  He didn't know what to do.

	"Kiiroi..."

	"All right!  I came here because of my engagement to Ukyou!"

	Everybody backed away in surprise.  A splash echoed from the pond 
as something sizable fell in.  Cologne just smiled in satisfaction.  
Akane turned to the waters and saw a small, black figure emerge.

	"P-chan!"

	The black pig swayed groggily for a moment.  But when he regained 
his composure, gave Kiiroi a cold stare.  Akane brought him to the 
others.  Her blouse took in most of the water, drying the pig.

	"Kii, this is P-chan."

	"They've met."

	Akane looked at Ranma questioningly while Ukyou and P-chan glared.  
Realization slowly dawned over Ranma.

	"Uhm, I mean... forget it."

	They looked back to where Kiiroi sat to find he wasn't there 
anymore.  Everybody looked around to see if they could find the shamed 
Niwatori.  Ranma jumped out into the garden.  P-chan struggled out of 
Akane's grasp and ran into the kitchen.

	"P-chan, where are you...?  Oh, never mind."

----------

	On the rooftop, two figures stood.  One was facing the moon while 
the other stood behind him.  A brief silence passed with the evening 
breeze.

	"Kiiroi..."

	"..."

	Ranma prepared himself.  He's the one responsible for Kiiroi's 
fight three days from now.  Since he found out of his past, he felt 
somewhat responsible.  He took in the night air and exhaled his worries.

	"Let me train you."

--------------
end of part 3
--------------

	Disappointed yet?  Well, the secret's out.  Will Kiiroi win the big 
match on Monday?  Who knows?  Besides, there are still a few mysteries 
left hidden.  But now, I have to post all three parts today, so thank you 
for your wonderful participation.  For more questions, comments and 
general criticisms, send me a mail... "Nikholas F. Toledo Zu" at 
niftol@i-manila.com.ph, care of NomaD.
 
	Anyway, that's about it.  I'd like to thank the following people:

Switch, the official Deputy Bastard Taskmaster from Hell, may he out live 
the rest of us bastards.

Nomadess, she's fuming right about now (I stood her up trying to finish 
this part).

Elf, coincidence, we're posting chapter three.

	For all of you who managed to stay on even though this Ranma fic 
has become a great disappointment.  I'm sorry for focusing on Kiiroi too 
much.  Thank you for bearing with me, ciao!

-NomaD-
=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)