“Huh-huh-huh!” Akane stood in a defensive stance, panting out of breath. She could barely contain her excitement through the aching pain that racked every muscle in her body. She did it, Ranma was winded. Granted she’d probably fall over from exhaustion if the wind picked up, and he’d be fully recovered in a matter of minutes, not to mention he probably wasn’t fighting all out, but still this was Ranma. It was no small feat to give him a run for his money.

“Not bad.” He smirked at her. She felt the urge to wipe the grin off his face. Her gaze froze as she made her decision, slowly she closed her eyes and started to concentrate. ‘Focus.’ She tried as hard as she could to feel the power inside her, but something was missing. ‘Great I can just see that arrogant smile on Ranma’s face.’ The anger started to fill her soul as she stood, her arms extended, hands out.

“Ugh.” A small sphere started to form, but quickly vanished as Akane collapsed to her knees. Her head started to pound matching the racing of her heart. Ranma squatted down in front of her.

“Problem?” She looked up at him, unable to speak through her gasps for air. He looked down at her with a puzzled look on his face. He picked up her arm by the wrist, the sleeve of her gi was singed off to the elbow.

“Jeez, that dragon bullet musta been real hard to learn.”

“Actually, I don’t remember it being that tough at all.” She said examining her gi.

“Woe what a haul, what a haul!”

Ranma raced out of the dojo to find Happosai, and a bag full of goodies, hoping across the backyard.

“Hold it right there, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Ho, Ranma my boy, having some fun with Akane while I was away.” Akane followed Ranma out to the yard.

“Hmm, don’t mind if I do.” The old man dived for Akane’s chest. As she screamed out in horror Ranma nailed him with a foot to the head snatching his lovelies from his arms.

“Now old man let’s distribute the wealth shall we.” Ranma shifted his foot placing it under the old man and propelled him into the heavens.

“Happosai is going to be really upset this time Ranma.”

“Serves him right, the little freak.” Ranma held his arms behind his head looking out into the distance from atop the fence.

“Did you really give back his entire collection?” Akane stared up at him astonished.

“Yup, sure did-his entire life’s work.”

“Ranma!” A high-pitched female voice cooed, he froze instinctively like a dear caught in headlights, right before her bike came crashing down on top of him. She giggled as she dislodged the bicycle from his face and excitedly hugged him.

“Shampoo no see you in days, why you no come and take Shampoo for date?”

Akane fumed at the spectacle before her.

“Hey, get offa me! Gah!” Suddenly a rope tied around Ranma’s legs dragged him from Shampoo’s embrace.

“First you take her off on some sleazy weekend get-away and now you are physically assaulting her in public. Saotome you are disgraceful.” Ranma slipped out from the rope and encircled it around Mousse’s chest pinning his arms to his side.

“It was no holiday and the others were with us the whole time. So-BACK OFF!” Ranma swung the rope and sent Mousse soaring through the fence and into the drainage ditch below.

“Quack! Quack!”

“Let’s go Akane.”

“Ho-ho-ho. Finally Ranma, you will learn to respect your elders.” The old man stopped riffling through various items of junk stored in his drawer turning his expression to one of joy. His eyes becoming as bright as stars and the space around him seemed to change to a delicate pink. “Oh and my darling Ranma-chan will finally wear that perfect little number I picked out.

“Now where did that damned pendant get off to? I know it was in here somewhere.” The riffling continued at a much greater rate then before, the old man now possessed by more than revenge.

With great skill Ranma leapt from the fence landing lightly on the balls of his feet in front of Akane. “Well aside from the incident with Shampoo and Mousse this morning today has gone off rather well dontcha think Akane?”

“Mmm.” She agreed while searching in her school bag.

“No drainage from Ms. Hinako, no near head shaves from the Principal, I only had to knock Kuno out once today and NO visit from the freak.” Ranma beamed with pride.

“I don’t know Ranma, don’t you think it’s strange that grandfather Happosai didn’t come on his usual raid on the girl’s locker room?”

“Maybe he finally got the point and stopped messing with me.”

“Somehow I just don’t think so.”

“Jeez Akane don’t be such a drag.” When she finally raised her head from her bag Ranma’s face was mere inches from her own. His eyes gleaming in the afternoon sunlight as he looked down at her. “Well no matter what you say it is a perfect day and I’m staying in a good mood.”

With his index finger he poked her lightly on the forehead. She stumbled backward a slight flush filling her cheeks. A pigtailed blur flew off in front of her shouting back. “Come on Akane, I’ll race you home!”

Momentarily stunned she watched his retreating from before she snapped back to reality and started to make her own dust trail through his wake.

“No fair Ranma, you had a head start!”

Kasumi busied herself with cleaning, after the lecherous Happosai turned the whole house on its side looking some necklace. She had offered him one of her own, but he had responded politely that it was a special necklace intended for Ranma.

The surprising sound of laughter filled the entrance of the Tendo home. Both children slumped over out of breath Ranma still laughing, Akane frowning at him.

“You didn’t beat me, you were cheating.”

“And I suppose all those rocks aimed at my head would be considered legal?” Standing up straight smirking down at her the same gleam in his eyes.

“I was only trying to give you a handicap.” Folding her arms before her, she turned away with an annoyed expression. Ranma’s good mood remained undaunted, pestering Akane made things all the better. He laughed to himself before turning toward the kitchen.

“Kasumi we’re home!”

Proceeding into the hallway, Akane abruptly tripped over a small rubber object that cried out in disapproval. Her body was sent flying forward into Ranma’s back, her arms encircling his chest for support, hugging herself to him. Looking down Ranma found the petite hands grasping him tightly and froze more out of habit than anything else. Kasumi walked through the kitchen doorway to greet the two, a smile lighting up her face.

“My its good to see the two of you getting along.” Ranma quickly flushed, he could feel Akane’s breath coming in and out against his back and she quickly detached herself.

“Sorry, I tripped.” Akane said turning her side to him while straightening her dress as he turned to look at her a surprised expression on his face. ‘Things just keep getting better and better.’ He thought to himself.

“Um Kasumi, what is all this stuff?” Akane said trying to cover her embarrassment.

“Oh Grandfather Happosai was going through some of his belongings. It seems he has a present for you Ranma, isn’t that sweet?” Ranma and Akane looked intently at each other as Kasumi walked back into the kitchen. “He said he was really going to give it to you.”

“Anything Happosai has can’t be good.” Ranma said thoughtfully.

“Are you still having a good day?” Akane scowled at him, peering out of the corner of her eyes.

“Of course, we’ve got a chance to stop him before he even does anything.”

“Haha! Found it!” The elder man’s voice echoed throughout the house.

“Quick hide.” Ranma whispered, grabbing Akane around the waist and running outside to hide in the bushes. Peering around the corner, they spied Happosai dancing into the room a sliver necklace in hand.

“With this I will command Ranma to do as I please. Hmm, but first I will need some supplies. Kasumi, did you wash that darling little brassiere for me?” The old man ran from the room leaving the pendant on the table.

Ranma rushed to the table Akane close at his side, they both stared down at the simple silver chain necklace with a pendant of metal twisted into an odd symbol.

“Maybe we should bury it.” Akane suggested.

“Are you kidding me, now is my chance! Wearin’ this I’ll be able to make the little runt pay.” With that he picked up the pendant placing the silver chain around his neck. “Give me a hand will yah.”

Ranma turned his back to her and Akane took the short chain and firmly fastened it around his neck. As soon as the clasp was closed it disappeared before her eyes, leaving only the links in the chain.

“Where did it go?!” Akane frantically pulled on the chain choking Ranma in the process.

“What the heck are you doing?” Ranma said in a raspy voice.

“The clasp disappeared!”

“No problem, we can cut it off if we have to, I could probably just rip it off.” They stared at each other for a few quiet moments waiting for something to happen.

“Well now what?” Akane asked.

“I don’t know.” Ranma answered a blank expression on his face.

“Try ordering me around and see what happens. Just don’t get any ideas.” Akane added eyeing him carefully. His eyebrow crinkled in thought, but not a single word escaped his lips.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I can’t think of anything.”

“What? Are you feeling ok?”

“I think so.”

“Hm? Well tell me to do your homework or to be more like cute girls, that’s what you always say.”

“I-I can’t!” He dropped to his knees hunched over. “What’s wrong with me, I should be saying those things.”

Akane kneeled across from him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ranma? Are you alright?”

“I’m-I’m ok. Is there anything I can do for you?” He raised his head the pain washing from his face.

“Huh?”

“Oh Akane how could you! Ranma was supposed to be my slave!”

“What?” Happosai stood on the table looking down at the kneeling children.

“How cruel, how cruel!” He bellowed bouncing around the room before stopping in front of the two. “Since he’s your slave, make him slip into this lil’ lovely will yah.”

He pulled a silk bra from his clothing and dangled it before them both. “No way, you lecher!” Akane yelled bunting him into the air, huffing out of breath. When she looked back at her companion he sat very still awaiting orders.

“So Ranma is really your love slave, huh Akane?” Nabiki asked over dinner a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“He is NOT my LOVE slave!” Akane crossed her arms over her chest as Ranma served her food. “What the heck am I supposed to do with him like this?”

Dollar signs suddenly appeared before Nabiki’s eyes. “There are endless possibilities.”

“Honestly you are almost as bad as Happosai.” That comment sobered Nabiki and she regained her sarcastic tone.

“I’m sure, after all the trouble that Ranma has given you, you’ll be able to think of something.”

“Hmm.” Akane thought holding her chopsticks between her teeth.

“Akane dear, you could always ask him to marry you.” Her father appeared beside her his arm around her shoulder a munching panda nodding his head in the background behind him.

“And why in the world would I want to do that.” Akane continued to mull over her options until dinner was finished and Kasumi stood up to clear the table.

“No Kasumi wait. Ranma bring the dishes into the kitchen and start cleaning.” Ranma immediately obeyed and started toward the kitchen door, balancing every dish in his arms with great skill.

“Wait.” Akane took Kasumi’s apron off and threw it over Ranma’s shoulder. After giggling profusely for five minutes the two younger Tendo girls poked their heads into the kitchen and found Ranma, apron and all, doing the dishes. Using only warm water of course.

“May I?” Nabiki looked up at Akane and received a giggling nod of approval. She ran from the doorway and was back in a flash taking dozens of pictures. “Oh Saotome, you are going to pay dearly for these.”

Soun and Genma were seated in their usual spots at the shoji board, the three girls sipped tea watching Ranma vacuum the living room.

“My this is so nice of you Ranma, it is good to relax for once.”

“No problem.” He said vigorously dusting the vase on top of the TV.

“Man I got to get another roll of film. So what are you planning to have him do next?”

“The toilet.”

“Definitely need more film.”

“Hehehehe!” ‘Now is my chance he is completely at my mercy!’ Akane continued her maniacal laughter as the unnatural liquid bubbled ominously, thickening the questionable substance. The Tendo kitchen resembled a battlefield and Akane stood in a pile of remains. Flour covered most of the floor. The curtains above the sink were scorched from a short-lived grease fire. All along the counter tops lay mutilated vegetables and the discarded remnants of her ‘ingredients.’

“Ranma!” Akane bellowed through the halls, upstairs into his room. Ranma immediately snapped awake and busied himself getting dressed, then rush down the stairs to the kitchen and to Akane’s side.

“What can I do for yah?”

“Try this.” Akane shoved a bowl of congealed rice tinted a dark green. “Its my own recipe.”

Ranma swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving the dish displayed before him. Taking a pair of chopsticks he attempted to remove a mouthful of rice. Not a single grain would budge. His brow furrowed in disbelief. Making one final attempt the entire glob of rice rose with his chopsticks leaving his bowl bare. Akane’s frustration began to rise. ‘How did that happen?’ Placing the rice block in his mouth as best as he could, Ranma bit down, gnawing at the food trying to get a small piece to break off, but it was too well cemented.

“Oh never mind, try this one instead.” Akane snatched the rice from his hand and shoved a plate of the black substance into his palm. It continued to bubble away from the heat, but vigilantly Ranma grabbed a spoon and began to eat. His face turned a rainbow of colors, while he made gagging noises between bites.

“Well how is it?” Akane asked expectantly.

“I think it is burnt, or maybe undercook.” He suggested as it continued to churn on his plate.

“Huh?” Akane asked, pulling the food from his hand and replacing it with an equally appetizing dish. “Well how about this?”

“Blewk!”

“Um, ok this then.”

“Water! Water! Ha-ha-hot!”

“I’m not done yet!” Akane’s cries echoed throughout the Tendo home, as did the sound of Ranma’s unconscious body hitting the floor.

Feeling defeated, Akane sat slumped over, her head resting on both her hands, elbows resting on the hard wood table. Ranma was the last to take his place at the table for dinner. The green color from the morning’s cooking session was all but gone from his features.

“Well it looks like you didn’t kill him after all Akane.” Nabiki deadpanned. Akane’s frown deepened, but otherwise remained motionless. The others ate while Akane stared at her food uninterested.

“I-Is there anything I can do for you?” Ranma asked hesitantly. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Go fix up the dojo, after dinner.” She shifted her weight onto her right hand looking away from him.

“It seems that things will finally be settling down a bit around here, eh Saotome?”
“Right as always Tendo. This plan of the master has transformed that good for nothing son of mine.” Genma said thoughtfully, shoveling rice into his mouth.

“Mmhm, mmhm. He has turned into a real dutiful fiancé.” Soon nodded reading his paper and smoking a cigarette.

With an empty sigh Akane pushed her food away from her and excused herself from the table.

Akane was unusually silent at lunch the next day at school, still feeling discouraged by her cooking experience from the day before. Ranma was sitting by her side waiting to be needed, barely listening to his friends. Of course, Akane’s friends had to comment on Ranma’s dutiful behavior. She just ignored them and continued to eat her lunch prepared by Kasumi.

With a loud crash the stone wall behind them exploded into dust. There stood a purple haired beauty carrying a metal delivery box.

“Yo, Shampoo.” Ranma said dumbfounded as Akane fumed beside him.

“Nihao, Shampoo bring husband lunch.”

“Ah, that’s really nice of you and all but-”

“Open wide.” Shampoo was suddenly in front of him chopsticks extended with a length of ramen dangling over a bowl of broth.

“Grr.” Akane started to glow a soft blue flickering into a greenish tint.

“Shampoo I’m sorry I can’t.” Ranma jumped up pain etched on his features, stomach grumbling behind his hands. “Even if it kills me, I must eat Akane’s cooking!” He shouted dramatically with a stricken pose.

“Don’t do me any favors!’ She raised her mighty mallet and brought it down upon his skull.

“Oh! Airen ok?” Shampoo dropped to Ranma’s side cradling his semiconscious form in her arms. Akane fumed looking down at the couple, the fire in her soul blazing.

“Can I do something for you Akane?” Ranma croaked groggily, bringing himself up to rest on his elbows.

“No! I want nothing to do with you!” She proceeded to turn on her heal and storm off into the direction of school.

“Hmph, stupid Akane she get to live with Airen and she still no happy-what she want?!” Shampoo said from her position on Ranma’s lap.

“I have no idea…” ‘But I’ll find out.”