Chp 6 part 2


	In another part of the city, a female doctor looked into the room that held
someone she would call a friend.  Shaking her head, "I've never seen a patient
recover from a wound that fast, especially from a gun shot wound," Aileen
voiced to herself.

	Suddenly, the woman in the bed in front of her began to stir.  Aileen watched
in surprise, as the woman opened her eyes and to look around the room. "Where
am I?" She murmured sleepily 

	"You're in Juuban hospital, Nodoka. You had a run-in with some thugs. The
police are looking for them.  How do you feel?" Aileen asked.

	"Tired."

	"You just get some rest.  I'll look in on you again in the morning." Aileen
promised her.

	"Ranma?"

	"Is fine, though he is a bit concerned about his mother.  I told him not to
worry, as a little wound wasn't going to slow you down but he has been
maintaining a vigil over your bedside since the attack.  Everyday, during
visiting hours, he comes by and hold your hand and ..."  She looked down to
see Nodoka had fallen asleep again but though it was probably a trick of the
light, Aileen could have sworn that she saw a smile on Nodoka's face.

* * * * *

	While people dreamt of the past, present and future, one individual knew them
all and did not dream but guarded them.  

* * * * *

	Yet another person was out this night.  He too did not feel the pull of the
Sandman.  In truth, he did not wish to dream.

       Ranma had resumed his nightly patrols.  One more week until the
tournament and his mother would not be there to see him.  She was still in a
coma.  There was nothing he could do for her but he could make the nights
safer.  Ranma so wanted to find the men responsible but so far, but there were
no traces of them anywhere.  Leaping to the next rooftop, Ranma heard someone
shout in terror.

      Racing to the source of the disturbance, Ranma saw a man wearing what
seems to be a gray uniform, cape,  and carrying a sword.  He was stalking a
man.  A woman was on the floor looking at the two individuals.  

      "What is going on here?" Ranma shouted, leaping down.

      Without even looking at him, "Stay out of this boy.  This is my affair.
This man will be punished for what he has done in the past and what he tried
to do today." the man in the gray uniform spoke.

      "Help me, please!  Call the police or something.  He's trying to kill
me." the other man pleaded.   

      "You tried to rape me you bastard.  I hope you rot in Hell!" the woman
shouted at the man.  

      Taking the situation in hand, "I can't let you do that," Ranma replied.
Thinking of his mother, "I despise those who hurt people weaker than
themselves but I will not allow you to kill this man in cold blood."      

      "How will you stop me?" the man asked.

	"Painfully," was Ranma's reply.

	Seeing that his prey had disappeared, "I don't pick on weaklings or men
without a weapon."  Looking at the sword in his hand, Ran tossed it to Ranma.
"Practice with that and next time we meet, I'll see what kind of opponent you
are." Ran said, disappearing into the night, racing after the fleeing
individual.

	Before Ranma could follow, he went to check the lady.  "Are you alright?"

	"Yes I am, no thanks to you.  That thug deserves whatever was coming to him.
He tried to rape me that %@##@$  !#%#@!  @%!#$@#!."

	Seeing that there was not reasoning with her, Ranma started walking away
until he got a clear look at the sword he was carrying.  Shocked that the man
had just given him his family sword which he had forgot the night of the
shooting, he was soon determined to find out more about the mysterious
stranger.

* * * * *

	The next day at school, the Inner Senshi were chatting when Haruka and
Michiru joined them.    

	Makoto gave Uranus an evil eye, which spoke volumes.  *Just you wait till the
tournament,* she thought.

	Acting as if she didn't see it, "The most amazing thing happened last night,"
Haruka informed the Inners.  "Hotaru is alright.  It's as if she healed
herself but that's not possible.  What's more, she seems to be healthier this
morning than in the past year.  It's as if someone just decided that she
shouldn't be so sick anymore."

	"How?" Ami asked.  *Whatever cured Hotaru might be able to cure other people
considering the condition she was in after the battle.*

	"We don't know and Setsuna won't tell.  All I got from Hotaru was that her
big brother helped heal her.  I know for a fact that Hotaru didn't have a
brother during the Silver Millennium or present day." Michiru answered.

	"Brother?" Minako asked.

	"That's what she told me.  The funny thing was that as Setsuna was leaving I
could have sworn she was crying." Michiru said.

	"Crying?" Rei asked.

	"You didn't tell me about this part," Haruka said, a little hurt. 

	"I was caught up with Hotaru.  Sorry." Michiru said.

	"You said Setsuna was crying?  What would cause her to cry?  What did she see
in our future that would cause her to shed tears?" Rei asked.

	"The monsters have been getting more powerful while we've stayed the same,"
Ami added.  

	"I want new powers!" Usagi said.

	"Quiet, Meatball Head.  Do you want everyone to hear?" Rei shouted to Usagi.

	"Hey look.  It's Ranma.  Is it me or does he seem more depressed than usual."
Makoto said.

	"Ranma?" Haruka and Michiru asked.

	"He's a new transfer student from the Nerima District.  He lost his fianc�e
under some kind of mysterious circumstances that no one knows about and he
wouldn't explain, even when I asked him about it." Ami spoke, staring at the
figure heading into the school.

	"You haven't heard anything about him?" Minako wondered, "He's been the talk
of the school for the past few weeks."

	"Sorry, we don't listen to gossip.  We have more important things to do."
Haruka said.  

	"What may I ask have you been doing?" Makoto asked.

	"Training for the tournament so that I can show you who really is the best,"
Haruka stated.

	"Why you!"

	"Quit it guys or we'll be late for school," Ami said, hurrying inside.

	"Just you wait!" Makoto smiled, "We'll see who is better."

	"Anytime," Haruka replied.

	As everyone was heading to their individual classes and school, "Do you think
that was a bit much?" Michiru asked Haruka.

	"What?"

	"I'm talking about the way you tease Makoto."

	"But love," began Haruka, trying to defend herself.

	"None of that.  Competitiveness is one thing but you two might have crossed
the line.  Remember, we'll all Senshi here and our duty is to protect the
Princess."	

	"This will just make us better," Haruka gave Michiru a sad look, hoping for
pity.

	"No.  I want you both to calm down or you won't have me to keep you warm on
those cold nights."

	"Aww, won't you recon�" seeing the stare her love was sending to her, Haruka
shut up.  

* * * * *

	Later that day at lunch, Ranma was sitting down under the shade of a tree,
alone.  *Why me?  Stuff like this never happens to anyone else, not: Ukyou,
Ryouga, Shampoo, or anyone else I know.  Why do things have to revolve around
me?  Everywhere I go, something seems to happen.  Someone always get hurt and
recently the injuries were even life threatening.  Akane was dead and his
mother in a coma.  I'm sorry Akane.  Mom.  Why can't  I protect those I love?*
"Why!" Ranma shouted out the last part, unaware of the stares that he got.  

	"Man, Ranma is really depressed.  I thought it was just my imagination."
Makoto said to Minako.

	"I wish we could help," Usagi spoke.

	"We should leave him alone," Ami added her  voice into the conversation.  

	"Yeah.  He'll come out of it soon." Usagi agreed, thinking happy thoughts.

	"He's been like that for over a few weeks now.  I think what he needs is a
girl in his life." Minako stated.

	All five of the Inners were sitting near the tree Ranma was contemplation
under.  

	"You just want to date the most popular guy at this school," Makoto said.

	"So?" Minako asked.

	"I want a chance at him too.  He's supposed to be a great martial artist,
right Ami?" Makoto asked.

	"He's a great teacher.  I'm not sure how good he really is though.  Compared
to you and Haruka, I would say that he is at the same skill level as both of
you.  All I've seen from him are some simple katas, never a real fight.
Really though, we should give him some time." Ami answered.

	Feeling uneasy at the amount of attention he was receiving, Ranma decided to
move to some place with less people.  After last night, he really didn't want
to talk to anyone.  Walking past the baseball field, he remembered the first
week after he arrived at the Tendou's.  That was when Akane had hit a homerun
which impacted him beside the head.  Smiling at the memory.  The bump he got
taught him to pay more attention to things around him, though that did little
good around Nerima.  *What would I give for everything to be as they use to
be.  I really wouldn't care if I had four fianc�es again.* he thought.  

	<Crack>  The batter had swung and delivered a line drive, down towards the
third base.  Ricocheting off of the base, it headed straight towards Ranma's
face.

	"Ranma!  Watch out!" Ami yelled, having followed the retreating figure.

	Hearing Ami's shout, everyone turned towards Ranma.

	Without looking up or breaking stride, Ranma stuck his right hand up at the
last moment, catching the hardball.  Still walking away from the crowd, Ranma
raised the hand that was holding the ball and cocked it.  Moving only his
right arm and a flick of his wrist, he tossed it back at such speed that would
have made any pitcher envious before turning around a corner to a more
secluded spot, ignoring what everyone was saying about the display.  

	"Did you see that?" Makoto said.
	
	"I didn't think anyone could move that fast except maybe Haruka," Rei's eyes
were a bit wide.

	"He would be a great pitcher with an arm like that.  Wonder how fast he could
pitch if he had used his entire body and what a body." Minako voiced.

	Ami and Usagi just nodded their head.

	"Oh by the way, my grandfather was going to visit a fellow priest who resides
in the mountain.  I was wondering if you guys would like to tag along since
I'm going there with him?"  Seeing as if everyone was about to make an excuse,
"There is a hot spring nearby." Suddenly Rei was swamped with nodding heads.

	"I can't go.  Sorry, guys.  I have to tutor Ranma for the test coming up, in
a few days.  Usagi, you should study too." Ami lectured.

	"I don't wanna!" Usagi whined.

	"Well, hope you all have a nice weekend." Ami said, getting ready for her
last class and later, he tutor session with Ranma.

* * * * *

	"You can do it, Ranma. Just concentrate!" Ami encouraged.

	"I still don't know why I'm bothering with this stuff," Ranma complained.

	"America is one of the leading nations in the world and also if you go
someplace like Europe or a non-Asian country, most likely they will be
speaking English than Japanese.  Come on, Ranma. Think of this as a
challenge." 

	"If you say so," he said.  *She got my number.  A challenge huh?* Ranma
thought.  Taking a deep breath, *Just like when me and Oyaji went hiking
through China.*  Though Ranma did not advertise it, he knew a bit of Chinese.
Who wouldn't with his learning curve.

	[Begin,] came the command from Ami.

	[Good afternoon. I am Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Indiscriminate
Grappling.  My goal is to eventually be the best martial artist in the world.]
Ranma spoke in a thickly accented English

	"Wow!  That was great.  You're picking up this language really fast, Ranma. "
Ami complimented him. "I think you'll do very well on Haruna-sensei's English
test!"

	"I sure hope so. This stuff is hard to remember!" he complained.  *Too many
verbs and stuff keeps changing.*

	"Think of it in terms of a martial arts exercise, only the goal is different.
Next time you do your katas, as you do each move, speak the English word for
it." she suggested.  After one month of tutoring Ranma privately, she
discovered how devoted he was to what he referred as the True Path of the
Fist.

	"Worth a try, I guess." Ranma replied.  Remembering something she said and he
started to smile, "Ami, since you've brought up the subject of katas, it's
time for your lesson."

	Her face became somewhat pale. "Couldn't we just skip today's lesson?" she
asked.  *Ranma is such a taskmaster when it comes to martial arts.*  After the
battle a day ago, she was still very sore.  

	"Martial arts isn't something you do just after school.  It's..." he quoted,
and was joined by Ami with the finish phrase,"...full time"

	He grinned at her again. "Be in the training hall in 10 minutes.  I know how
long it takes you girls to simply change." Winking, Ranma dodged a pillow that
was thrown his way.  

	"Just you wait.  Someday you men will know what's it like to be one of us
females.  You should try walking in our shoes for a day."  

	The smirk Ranma had on his face was lost for a split second before he caught
himself.  *She doesn't know and if I can help it no one in Juuban will.*  "Ha!
Females still take too long."

	"That's just, so we can look good for our man," Ami grinned and suddenly
regretted it as she saw Ranma's cocky grin fade immediately, being replaced by
one of pain.

	*After all this time, I still miss you, Akane.  Never thought that would
happen, but I can admit now that I loved you, though it's a bit late in
coming.*  he thought and smiled a bittersweet smile.

	"I'm sorry, Ranma.  I didn't mean to bring up any unpleasant memories" Ami
apologized.  

	Ranma smiled at Ami, "It's okay.  She'll always be here, " he emphasized his
point by placing one hand over his heart, "and someday..."  He let that
thought complete itself.  His cocky grin returned.  "You have 8 minutes now or
it's double speed katas today!" he threatened.

	She stuck her tongue at him, "Slave-driver!" she teased.

	"Seven minutes and thirty seconds," Ranma continued to count down. 

	Ami hurried off to get changed.

	As soon as she left, the smiled faded once again.  Heading to the bathroom,
Ranma stared into the mirror.  "She's so much like you Akane.  Same hairstyle,
same smile and a desire to be the best at something." he muttered.  Opening
the cabinet, he looked at what was left of the water-proof soap.  It was only
a mere sliver now.  Splashing some cold water on himself to make sure that it
was still working, Ranma toweled off and headed outside to meet Ami.    

* * * * *

	With a cry, Haruka brought the sword down towards the target, all the while
visualizing the power of the blade as a mighty waterfall.  Streaking towards
and across the practice dummy, the second talisman which was in the shape of a
sword apparently passed through the inanimate object, without doing any
damage.

	"It looks like you missed the target, love." a voice from behind the fighter
commented.  

	Spinning around, Haruka Ten'oh came face to face with Michiru, who was
smiling from the doorway of the shrine's living quarters.  Setsuna had
arranged for Haruka to be able to train at the shrine while Rei's grandfather
was away.  Since Rei and most the other Inner Senshi were also spending their
weekend at the resort in the mountains, the shrine was fairly deserted.

     Haruka snorted, as a small smile danced across her face. "Look again!"
she said and tapped the straw dummy with the flat of her blade.  Lines started
to appear across the chest of the dummy as it quickly fell to pieces on the
ground.  Sheathing her sword, Haruka began a series of warm-ups for Kempo.  

	"Aren't you getting into this a bit too much?" Michiru asked.

	"Hmph!  With Makoto acting all tough, I could hardly back down.  On top of
that, the Daimons have been getting tougher to beat, we've got this new Dark
Kingdom general running around and we still don't know who is behind all of
this.  I have to be in tip top condition.  Besides," she added with a wink, "I
have a good feeling about this tournament.  Setsuna is kind of endorsing this
thing and she never does anything on a whim, well at least not that I've seen.
To think I'm finally going to get some decent competition!" she said.

	Michiru just shook her head in amusement, and went back inside.  "Hurry up
and finish.  I made some tea and cookies for you and you'll only get them if
you behave." she called over her shoulders.

	"Yes, mommy."

	"Hahaha, just finish up and go take a shower."

	"Okay! Almost done." 

* * * * *	

	Ami took exactly 7 minutes and 31 seconds to get back.  Ranma knew this
because he had started timing her when she left. He looked at her, but said
nothing. However, Ami had worked closely enough with Ranma over the past month
to sometimes know what he was thinking. She silently cursed her ill fortune,
but all she said was "Hai, Sensei." And she began her workout at double speed.
After she had warmed up, the two sparred for a while. 

	Taking Ami's advice, he decided to show the holes in her defense, by
announcing, in English, where he had struck, and with what attack.

	Ami had gotten a lot better over the past month, but, she still had room to
improve. This was all done at an accelerated rate of speed. Finally, it was
time to end the lesson, and Ranma called for a break.  Ami was very winded
from the workout, but, felt she was making progress.

	As she watched, Ranma pulled a Kendo sword from a nearby rack, and
began practicing forms. They were, however, unlike any Kendo forms she
had seen.  There were huge difference between Ranma's and Haruka's form that
she didn't know where to start.  "What are you doing" she asked him.

	Ranma shrugged. "Just practicing for the local tournament next
week."  Ami 's eyes widened slightly,  *That's the same one that Haruka
and Makoto will be entering in,*  she thought and suddenly and idea came to
her
mind as to how to determine how good she had really gotten over the past
month, training under Ranma's tutorage.  As she watched Ranma continue his
training, a thought occurred to her about her training and she decided to ask
him about it.

	"Ranma?"
	
	"Hmmm?" he replied, still continuing his unusual kata.
	
	"Why have you been placing so much importance on speed in my
training?" she inquired.
     
	Ranma looked over to Ami, who was slumped on the ground, resting.  He saw
that it was time to show Ami the reason behind why he was emphasizing the
speed aspect of the training he had been giving her.  * She has come quite a
way in her efforts.  Maybe it's time to show her what her training has been
all about.* he thought, and laid the bokken down.  
     
	Walking over to one of the various practice dummies on the wall.  Ranma had
held back from revealing anything special since teaching Ami.  He did not want
people to think there was anything was out of the ordinary about him like they
did back in Nerima. 

	"Watch," he said and turned his back to her.  

	Ami was curious as to what Ranma was up to.  Undoubtedly, Ranma was one of
the best martial artist she had ever seen.  He moved with grace that Makoto
lacked and she wondered many times what would happen if Ranma ever faced
Haruka.  Returning her attention back to Ranma, she wondered what he was up
to.  She couldn't wait until the tournament.  
	
	Coming up onto the straw dummy, Ranma placed his left hand in front of him to
gauge distance and to signify his target.  Getting ready, he cocked his right
hand back. "This was the first special technique that I'd ever learned.  An
old woman taught it to me.  This particular training is known by the name,
'Kach� Tenshin Amaguriken.'"  

	"Chest Nut Roasting Over an Open Flame?" Ami asked puzzled.

	"It's a speed technique."  To make his point, Ranma's right hand blurred for
about 3 seconds until the straw dummy had turned to dust.  He turned back to a
stunned Ami, and smiled. "I'm trying to teach you this technique.  It seems
suited to you for some reason."  Looking down at the pile of dust, "I was also
holding back.  If I had went at full power, all you would have seen was one
punch for a split second, not a blur for 3 seconds.  It took me less than a
week to master.  I think you can learn it in about another 2 weeks maybe, 1
month max." Ranma couldn't help but boast a little.  

	Had she seen Makoto or Haruka doing something remotely close to this, she
might have wondered how they had achieved such speed but seeing a non-Senshi
doing something that not any of the Senshi could even come close to
replicating shocked Ami.  *How?  First technique?  How many does he know?  Who
is he really?* Questions started to surface within Ami's head as she got up
and went to change.  Nodding her head.  *I wish I had my computer with me.  I
want to see what it says about Ranma while he did that.  Does he have any
special power like Mamoru?*

	"Anyways, that's all for now."

	"See you later, Ranma." Ami said, walking out, still in a half daze.

* * * * *

	"Ahhh! This is the life!" murmured Usagi.

	"I know!" added Rei.  "Coming here was a really good idea.  Especially after
all the battles lately."

	"Hey Rei?  Where's Yuuchiro?  I haven't seen him since we came up here."
Minako stated.

	"You can thank Mako-chan for that!  She is so determined to beat Haruka in
the Tournament, she has dragged him into being her sparring partner whenever
he gets a free moment.  He now spends his mornings with Grandpa, his afternoon
with Makoto, and at night, he just sleeps.  Honestly, why is Makoto doing this
to him?" she demanded.

	Minako leaned over to Usagi, and theatrically whispered, "Looks like Rei-chan
is getting jealous!"

	"I am not jealous!" Rei declared.

	"Perhaps, but, Methinks she doth protest a truffle much." Minako intoned.

	"MINAKO!"

	Both Usagi and Minako were stuck in a giggle fit at Rei's antics, when Makoto
wandered in.

	"Hey guys, how's the water?" she inquired.

	"Just fine Mako-chan," said Usagi. "Come on in!" 

	"All right."  With that, Makoto entered the pool that her three friends were
currently lounging in.  For a while, nothing was said, save for the small
sighs of comfort that the hot water brought.

	Makoto was the first to break the silence. "This hot spring is perfect for my
sore muscles.  I feel like I've pulled every muscle in my body, and a few that
aren't!" she said with a smile.  Makoto had taken advantage of the remote
location to do some rigorous training and sharpen her Karate and Judo skills.
She had been working out with some improvised weights and she went jogging
every morning.  All this in an effort to best Haruka at the tournament.  It
was about at this time, Makoto noticed the glare being sent her way by Rei.
"What's wrong Rei?" she asked.

	"Oh, don't worry about her, Mako-chan.  Rei's just upset because you're
spending so much time with her boyfriend." Usagi told her.

	"USAGI!" Rei growled at her, which caused Usagi and Minako to giggle all over
again.

	"Chill out, Rei.  Yuuchiro's a nice guy but all he's doing is practicing with
me.  He's just my sparring partner, Rei.  Nothing more!" she promised her
friend. 

	"Like I would care what that idiot does!" she complained but the glare she
had aimed at Makoto seemed soften quite a bit.  

	"Now, if I was going after someone, it would have to be Ranma.  He's one cute
guy.  In fact, he kinda looks like..." she began, and was joined by her
friends "...your old boyfriend."  they chorused, and they all shared a laugh.

	After the laughter had subsided, Minako said "In any case, he is handsome.
I'd like to get to know him better myself."

	"Me too!" agreed Makoto.  Even Usagi nodded, though she reassured everyone
that her Mamo-chan was much better looking, just not a lot.

	Each was lost in their thoughts of Ranma when suddenly Rei spoke up.  "Hey
guys!  I was just wondering, but have you noticed that all the new monster
attacks have started to happen when Ranma arrived?" Rei said.  

	"What are you saying, Rei?" Makoto asked.

	"That Ranma might be the general in disguise."

	"No way! Ranma is not a part of the Dark Kingdom." Usagi declared.  "The
General was also a lot older than Ranma."

	"It might have been a disguise like what you do with your Luna Pen," Rei
countered.

	"I have felt some negative energy from him." Minako said.

	"How would you feel if your fianc�e died in your arms?" Makoto demanded. 

	"I'm just saying that it's too convenient." Rei stated.

	"Oh sure! Rei, you worry too much!" Makoto stated and splashed her.  Rei
followed suit, and soon all four girls were engaged in the four way water war,
the topic long forgotten.

* * * * *

	As the time grew closer to the Tournament, Haruka and Makoto doubled their
efforts in training.  Haruka added Tai-chi katas to her workouts, and Makoto
started speed training.  All the while, Ranma kept up  his normal routine.
Finally, the day arrived, and all the Senshi got tickets to watch their
teammates in action.

To be continued:

Special thanks to my pre readers: Murmur the Fallen, Anand Rao, Octavian,
David Johnston, Thomas Scroggs, TonyLoco, Jason Liao, EricMcGinnis

The mention of the True Path of the Fist was taken from Rain Man's Winner.
Hope he continues it.

Started November 21, 1998
January 8, 1999