Disclaimer: For those concerned.... yadda yadda yadda.... characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.... yadda yadda yadda.... Blah blah, yakity shmakity. You get the idea. Any weirdo's I attempt to introduce are property of my own genre of insanity, so don't steal em', Kay?

*Author's Note: Okay, this was a brainer for me. I had to get "AWAY" from Venus Connection, I had been recently revising the story, and although I was not finished, I felt I needed a break from the Story-line. I will not bring in more than one new character... if even that. This story concentrates on the Understated, Unappreciated, Fabulously Nice, but forgotten characters. Yup, it's a Ranma/Hiroshi/Daisuke story. Actually, more a Ranma/Hiroshi story. I've always felt that Her "Lordship of Ranma 1/2: The Irrepressible Rumiko" had done these two an injustice (Moreso towards Hiroshi). She left them superficial, the cannon fodder of the Ranmaverse. They were "The Guys" and that's it... don'tcha feel just a little peeved? I mean, these are practically Ranma's best friends. Oh well, Here's to you, Hiroshi!

Ranma 1/2

Fragile Clay

A story Written by Story-Weaver

(Fragile Clay, the Poem-by Marcus Phillips)

Rise, awaken from bitter ashes,

Thrust upon this mortal coil,

Up in heaven, Icarus crashes,

Into cruel besotten soil.

Formless mass... Eternal still...

Wating for a dreamer's touch.

Spoiled soul by Pandora's ill,

Wishing that it were not such.

Path is hammered, tooth and nail,

Might we yet change the course ordained?

Shape takes form, of beauty pale,

A fae's cruel touch, in matter's plain.

Form is tainted, folded wrong,

Changing shape from Angel's tears.

Voice confused at misplaced song,

Love misplaced, confirming fears.

Strove towards light, and found an errant,

Showed the road, yet it is long.

Angel's voice shows his Love apparent,

Could it be, line chosen wrong?

A man... yet so defined is odd,

To chose a path between two fates,

Could this yet be an act of God?

Has this path been chosen... Late?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

        Icy raindrops fell from the clouded sky, soaking the streets of Nerima with the tears of angels. Never had been a more peaceful night... never more serene and lovely. The rain spattered on the stone road, the gentle trickling of what seemed like silver touched every ear as the soft water droplets landed on each rooftop.

        A yell broke through the calm, and then the smash of a mighty hammer striking stone. Two young girls ran down the street from the Tendo Dojo, one a beautiful red haired blossom of a woman dressed in Chinese slacks and a red vest, the other garbed in a sky-blue dress with shortcropped black hair. It was the latter which wielded the hammer, flailing it angrily at the young red-head.

        "RANMA NO BAAAKAAAA!" Akane yelled as she chased after Ranma-chan. Ranma was keeping barely out of reach. Ranma dodged and leaped, desperately avoiding the huge mallet her iinazuke swung. Akane whispered a prayer that something slow her fiancee down so she might righteously whack him one.

        Ranma ran through a puddle... and slipped, straining to catch her balance, she stopped running. Akane's hammer connected with the red-haired girl's head, throwing her into the stone wall. Akane "Hmphed" satisfied, and walked back towards the Dojo with a smile on her face.

        Suddenly, a man's shout rang through the night. It was a familiar voice to Ranma, and if everything would stop spinning she would bunt her enemy into the atmosphere.

        "RANMAAAA! PREPARE TO DIE!" Ryouga ran at Ranma, as she peeled herself off the wall. Ryouga punched eight times, each time missing Ranma by a hair. Ryouga was strong, Ranma knew not to let the Lost Boy touch her... and Ranma was fast as a girl, which began to get on Ryouga's nerves as she dodged all his strikes.

        Ranma's vision cleared, and she looked at Ryouga, trying to control her laughter. Ryouga had an insane color of blue for hair, obviously a side effect from Shampoo's 'Cure'. Unfortunately, Ranma couldn't hold her mirth in.

        The girl pointed as Ryouga paused, "Ry..Ha... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ryouga's face turned a bright shade of red.

        Ryouga was angry with Ranma, moreso since Ranma said she didn't want Shampoo's 'Cure' and had offered it to him, the effect was not what he had hoped, he had been cured for only a day, then his hair changed color.

        All the problems in his life were Ranma's fault, and now this embarrassing situation to top it all off.

        "This is all your fault Ranma! Once again you've humiliated me! We finish this, Ranma! NOW!" Ryouga kicked at Ranma, catching her lightly in the stomach, and causing her to stop laughing.

        Ranma took a defensive stance, ready for battle, "Gimme a break, Ryouga! It's not like I TOLD you to put yourself in Shampoo's 'Cure'... I knew it wouldn't work, Why the heck did you chance it? Hehe.... I was wondering why you were wearing that hat at Dinner..." Ranma dodged several more kicks, two low and one high... Ryouga held his umbrella like a lifeline, opened and protecting him from the change brought on by the cool Nerima rain.

        Ranma had always wondered how the hell he could lift the thing, it was heavier than lead.

        "All the pain I've had to endure... all the suffering I've had to overcome... is all-you're- FAULT! I tried the 'Cure' to get an upper hand! One day, Ranma, I'll make your life a living-BWEEEE!" Ryouga's ranting was cut short as Ranma kicked his umbrella out of his hand. Ryouga melted away into the small form of a blue piglet.

        "Saying something, P-chan?" Ranma chuckled as Ryouga glared daggers from his little piggy eyes. Ranma laughed harder when she realized that P-Chan was blue.

        "See you in a week, ya porker," Ranma muttered as she ran back to the dojo, laughing at Ryouga all the way.

        Ryouga squealed and tried to follow. *Come back here-! Huhn? Which way did Ranma go? Geez... not again* Ryouga started in one direction... looking vainly for hot water.

========>Back at the Dojo....

        Nabiki sat, reading her balance books. She quickly scribbled something down on her notepad then looked over at her father and Mr. Saotome. They were busy playing Shogi, while Kasumi cleared the table.

        "Hey Kasumi... could I bother you for a cup of tea?" Nabiki stopped her writing and looked up at her sister.

        "Why, of course Nabiki! You need only ask," Kasumi always had a steady smile, and a cheery attitude. Sometimes it was contagious. Even after Ranma's usual bout with Akane's cooking, Nabiki felt slightly better. Kasumi walked back to the kitchen, carrying the dinner plates with the deadly food with her.

        Nabiki growled as she thought of the repairs she would have to pay for. Ranma had run through the door this time, not bothering to open it to escape, and Akane had smashed several things in her mindless flailing.

        Not to mention when Ryouga had confronted Ranma about Akane's cooking... again... and Ranma had booted Ryouga through the ceiling. Nabiki was beginning to get irritated... sure Ranma helped with the finances, with Nabiki always selling pictures to Kuno, but Nabiki was beginning to wonder if Ranma was _Destroying_ more than he _Contributed_ to the household.

        Kasumi returned with a teacup, a saucer, and a kettle. She set these on the table, Nabiki mumbled a thank you to her sister as she went back to her writing and figuring. Kasumi obligingly smiled and replied, "Anytime, Nabiki! I'll be in the Kitchen if you, Father, or Mr. Saotome need anything!" Kasumi hustled back into the kitchen.

        Nabiki wondered if anything could faze Kasumi... if nothing had with Ranma here, then nothing ever would. Everywhere Ranma went, utter chaos and insanity seemed to follow. Nabiki couldn't complain, she had made money from practically everything Ranma did.

        It had just gotten to the point where _Nabiki_ was beginning to have trouble counting up the repairs. The _last_ hole in the ceiling hadn't been repaired since Ranma had booted Happosai out of her room.

        *Speaking of Ranma...* Nabiki thought as she looked up at the soaked figure staring at the now absent door.

        "Next time, use the knob," Nabiki was not happy, but she put on her best poker-face and tried to relax.

        Ranma's face lit up as she saw the kettle, and she rushed over to the table, Nabiki lifted the kettle before Ranma could get to it. Ranma gave Nabiki a scowl.

        "1,000 yen, Ranma," Nabiki smiled. Ranma glared.

        "WHAT?! You gotta be KIDDIN' ME?!" Ranma tried snatching the Kettle from Nabiki, and became frustrated at the fact that she just couldn't seem to.

        "All right, 1,500. Point one, this is my tea... Point two, never argue with me," Nabiki smiled as Ranma rummaged through her pockets with a grumble.

        After a few moments of Counting, Ranma took the money out of her wallet and dropped it on Nabiki's notepad. Nabiki smiled and dropped the kettle.

        Ranma hastily snatched it out of the air and poured it over her head. Ranma's form changed shape, growing taller, broader in the shoulders, his chest shrunk flat. Nabiki had always thought that the change was interesting... Ranma looked remarkably like Ranma-Chan, yet infinitely different. *Maybe I'll find out exactly what causes the change some day and market it...* Nabiki smiled at her own thought.

        "One of these day's, Nabiki..." Ranma's masculine voice threatened.

        "You'll be out of money. I know," Ranma scowled as Nabiki chuckled.

        "Look Soun! The lawn is on fire!" Genma suddenly yelled, pointing out to the Koi pond in mock fear.

        Soun jumped up and started running around screaming 'We're all going to die!' at the top of his lungs. Genma snatched several of the Shogi playing pieces and put them in his pocket.

        Soun paused as he looked out at the pouring rain, "Hey! It's not on fire! It's soaking wet! Wh-wh-what?!" Soun stammered as he looked down at the board.

        Genma smiled with his eyes closed, "Your Move, Tendo!" Soun, a bit flustered sat down and stared at the board.

        Ranma shook his head, having watched the whole thing. "Another day at the wonderful Tendo Dojo, Goodnight Nabiki," Ranma began to walk upstairs.

        "2,500 for the key to your room," Nabiki piped. Ranma gave Nabiki a startled look, and then an angry one.

        "Or... you COULD sleep with Happosai. I'm sure Genma wouldn't mind more room to himself," Nabiki smiled as Ranma shambled over and dropped the money in her hand. She gave him the key, a wide grin on her face. He stared at her with sheer contempt.

        "I hate you," Ranma muttered as he walked upstairs.

        "I'm glad I've made an impression," Nabiki whispered under her breath. Nabiki crossed out her previous calculations and began again. *I guess tonight wasn't  so bad after all...*

========>To Ranma's room

        Ranma stumbled into his room, falling on the futon. *Sheesh, getting beaten up by Akane can really make a man tired* Ranma thought to himself. *Jus' lucky I didn't get poisoned tonight, I would be up all night Dyin'...*

        Ranma lay there for an hour, slowly drifting off to sleep when a soft voice snapped him back into the waking world. "Ranma?" Akane's voice always caused Ranma some discomfort... he wasn't sure how he felt about her, but he felt strongly.

        "Are you okay?" Akane asked, a bit of unsurety in her voice.

        "Yeah, I 'spose. It's not like I ate nothin'," Ranma always found himself saying his mind instead of just thinking it. It had always been a problem for him to control his mouth, it's not like he wanted to hurt Akane.

        Akane fumed, her face changing from concern to a similar look Ranma had given Nabiki. She suddenly pulled out that hammer again. She began to emphasize her words...

        "BAKA! I-DIDN'T-ASK-YOU-ANYWAY! WHY-CAN'T-YOU-BE-POLITE-JUST-FOR-ONCE?!"

        Managing to dodge the last few blows. "If you WEREN'T such a kawaiikune TOMBOY I WOULD!" Something snapped in Akane, and she paused in her hammering.

        Ranma winced, prepared for another attack, and unprepared for what would happen next.

        The hammer dropped from Akane's nerveless fingers as she smiled. It wasn't the dropping hammer which unnerved Ranma as it thumped against the ground, but the strange sorrowful expression on Akane's face.

        "Ranma. We are no longer engaged. I renounce it, and I wish I had never met you," Akane walked out of the room with a sad smile. Ranma stood in shocked disbelief.

        "Akane?" Ranma muttered to himself, trying to fathom what had just happened... and failed.

        "Akane!? Akane! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry! Hit me some more!" Ranma cried as he tried to follow Akane, he found her door slammed in his face.

        Ranma was aware of a figure standing behind him, so he looked over his shoulder, and saw Kasumi, "Oh my, Ranma, what happened?" Kasumi stood at her door in her PJ's, looking with concern at Ranma's haggard form.

        "She... She renounced me... the fiancee thing...," Ranma looked at Kasumi a moment, then got an angry look on his face.

        Kasumi walked over and put a hand on Ranma's shoulder, calming the boy a bit. Many people didn't understand the strange power Kasumi seemed to wield, but it sometimes seemed she could calm the world with her gentle voice and soft touch.

        "Now Ranma, she's done this before, You know that! Just let her calm down, then everything will be fine," Kasumi's smile seemed to affect Ranma, and one appeared on his face after a moment. No matter how much Ranma tried, he would always smile when Kasumi did.

        "(Sigh) I guess you're right, Kasumi... but I really didn't do anything this time... she just got this distant, calm look on her face," Ranma's smile disappeared with uncertainty as he recalled the shocked realization which seemed to play over Akane's face, then the anger seemed to melt to sorrow. It was as if she didn't like a choice which had been given to her.

        "I'm sure she's just... thinking right now, Ranma. Don't you worry, everything will turn out all right, it always does!" Kasumi laughed a little then walked back to her room.

        Ranma looked after her for a second, unsure why Kasumi could keep a cool head... especially after all that had happened since he had come to the dojo. His constant fights, the weirdos who always showed up, but most of all, His iinazukes.

        Ranma looked back at Akane's door, knocking lightly.

        "Go away, Ranma. I'm not talking to you," Akane's voice had a chillingly calm tone to it. Ranma walked back to his room, but couldn't shake the feeling that Akane was genuinely angry this time. Ranma's thoughts were eased by the sweet oblivion of a dreamless sleep.

* * * * * *

        The next morning followed the norm, except that Akane said nothing at all to Ranma. Kasumi looked worriedly at her sister as she set the table, then replaced her worried expression with a smile.

        Ranma saw Kasumi trying to speak with Akane before they left for school, and she seemed to be getting through to her for a minute. Ranma felt hope... which plummeted when Akane fell into silent, angry mode again.

        Ranma hopped up onto the fence and began walking, looking over at Akane every few minutes.

        "C'mon Akane... throw me in the water, hit me, call me a Baka, do SOMETHING!" Ranma pleaded, and Akane gave him a glare that would freeze the Bahamas.

        Ranma flinched, and continued walking in silence.

        *I don't get it... what'd I do wrong? It's not like I said anything that I hadn't said before. Why is she so angry?* The wind picked up a bit, softly blowing Ranma's hair in the wind, Akane seemed to be thinking to herself. Ranma stopped, and stared at her for a moment.

        Akane stopped. She looked back at Ranma, turned around and approached the fence.

        "Akane... Whatever I did, I'm sorry," Ranma sincerely meant it, Akane looked at him sadly for a moment, then anger flashed in her eyes and she pushed Ranma.

        Ranma twirled his arms, trying to keep his balance, but eventually fell into the water on the other side of the fence.

        Ranma-chan swam to the surface, looking up at Akane with a hurt expression. Akane flinched, then turned and walked away. Ranma-chan pulled herself out of the water and jumped down onto the sidewalk. Akane seemed a fair distance away, and Ranma was now angry herself. *Fine, sulk if you want! You ain't gettin' no more sympathy from me!* Ranma stayed a fair distance away from Akane, grumbling to herself about how stupid Akane was acting.

        As usual, Kuno was standing at the doors to the school, Bokken in hand.

        "Ahhh, the early morning dove of my heart. Akane Tendo, so we meet again... perhaps today will be the day we shall date. What is this? Hath the lecherous Saotome finally lifted his spell on you, and let you come here without aid of his misbegotten hand?" Akane glared up at Kuno, causing the Kendoist to flinch, right before the hammer connected with his head and sent him flying into the tree. Ranma watched this in amazement.

        "Leave me alone, Kuno. I mean it this time," Akane pointed her hammer at Kuno as she said this, then walked into the school.

        Ranma approached Kuno, looking down at the Kendoist. "I think Akane made a rather _Blunt_ point, Kuno. She seems pretty angry, I would do what she say's,"

        Kuno looks up at Ranma, then jumps to his feet.

        "Hath that wretched Saotome done something to turn her heart as black as his?! I shall search out the devil and right this wrong! But first... My Pig Tailed-Girl, Would you Date with-*SMACK!*" Kuno crumpled once more beneath the tree.

        Ranma had thought that hitting Kuno would make her feel better. It didn't. Usually Kuno was an outlet for her own pent up frustrations, with the iinazukes and all. It was just the fact that the event's of the previous night had left some frustration Ranma couldn't get rid of.

        Ranma looked down at Kuno and sighed, then she walked into the school after Akane.

        Ranma caught up slightly and saw Akane already opening the door to Miss Tanaka's room. Ranma groaned at the thought of more Contemporary literature, but decided that it was best to suffer through dry text than stay home and let Chaos take it's course.

        Miss Tanaka was surprised to see Ranma early for class, as well as Akane, and she blinked to make sure she was seeing correctly. The teacher mentioned something about, "There may be hope for you two yet! Since you both are so early to class, You may leave five minutes early!" Miss Tanaka added a very Kasumi-like smile to the end. Akane murmured something about "Staying the whole class," which Ranma barely made out.

        He'd be damned if HE was gonna be saddled with extra time just because Akane was angry. Although she enjoyed Miss Tanaka's class, Ranma couldn't help but think Miss Tanaka was partially oblivious to the events around her. Ranma couldn't blame her, Ranma herself hadn't been in Nerima that long, but she wished she was _COMPLETELY_ oblivious to everything that went on. All in all, though, Tanaka was a fairly nice teacher.

        "Thanks, Miss Tanaka. That'll gimme some time to change back," Ranma shot Akane an accusatory glance, and Miss Tanaka laughed uneasily, like she always did when Ranma mentioned the curse. *Oblivious...* Ranma thought to herself. Akane glared at Ranma for a moment before she sat down.

        Ranma seated herself in the corner, as far away from Akane as possible. She threw her backpack on the ground and opened it up. Rummaging around, she got out a pencil and paper. She began scribbling on the paper, sketching things like Kunou with a hollow head, Nabiki devouring the world, Akane burning Ranma-chan with her dragon-breath and smashing her with a rather large hammer.

        "Ohiyo, Bud!" Came a familiar voice. Ranma-chan looked up at Daisuke, a wide grin was displayed across her friend's face, she was forced to smile at her friend until she noticed a big bruise around his eye. The smile melted under a tint of rage.

        "Daisuke! What the hell happened to your face?!" Ranma was genuinely shocked... Daisuke, to his memory, had never been in a fight before. True, he was fit because of various sports he "Suddenly" took a liking to, but he was far from violently competitive.

        "Kuno and I got into an argument about Shakespeare, I told him it was a load of bull. I tell ya, I heard from somewhere that those stories are a bunch of hogwash, I bet old Will didn't even write them himself!" Daisuke chuckled at his own remark. Ranma had to smile again, even though it was a strained smile... Daisuke's laughter was intensely contagious.

        "I take it you told Kuno what you thought?" Ranma looked again at her friends eye, a bit angry that Kuno would dare pick on a friend of his. Of course, Ranma had also dealt Daisuke a few blows, but none on such a degree. Just friendly punches in the arm or such. Ranma couldn't help but think Kuno was pressing his luck.

        "Uhm... Yeah. He ranted and raved, like he usually does, and then- Pow! He socks me one right in the face. We got into a scuffle right then and there, I had to go have my arm fixed, Kuno almost crushed it!" Daisuke held his arm up, showing Ranma it was in a sling, as well as a cast. Several things were written on the cast, as is usual with most casts.

        Ranma scolded herself for not noticing his arm before, but reminded herself that she usually met Daisuke eye to eye as a girl, and that Daisuke's face was too commanding to look away from. *He should get into debate... or Drama...* Ranma strayed. She brought her mind back to the current subject after a moment.

        "... So the doctor said, 'You should be able to go back to school in a couple of days. You do need some rest though,' Like hell I do. He thought I should stay home till next week!" Daisuke had an offended look on his face when he mentioned this. Then again, Daisuke was easily offended. Ranma sighed, she sometimes felt sorry for Daisuke. Although Ranma was more into the physical world than her friend, Daisuke couldn't seem to stop verbally sparring with people.

        There was a lot of people around school that sat at Daisuke's table during lunch, just for the fact that they, "Wanted to see what would come out of his mouth!" and most of the student body had gotten used to Daisuke's blunt honesty. Obviously, Kuno was not one of these people.

        Ranma thought for a moment, recalling that she hadn't seen Daisuke in a while, and now realizing why.

        "I was wonderin' why I hadn't seen you in the past week," Ranma mentioned. Ranma looked around the room, several more people had come in. One being Hiroshi.

        Oddly enough, though, Hiroshi was also sitting alone, and on the other side of the room. Hiroshi was upset... Ranma could tell by the slump of his shoulders, the shuffling of his footsteps.

        "Hey! Cool sketches! Is that supposed to be Akane?" Daisuke pointed at the dragon-Akane, Ranma turned a bit red. Daisuke laughed for a moment.

        "I take it you guy's had another fight?" Daisuke suggested with a sympathetic tone.

        "Yeah... she seems pretty angry about somethin'," Ranma looked over at Akane, who was busy writing in her notebook. A moment later, a familiar Okonomiyaki chef entered the room.

        "Hiya, Ranchan!" Ukyou plopped down beside Ranma. Looking at her Fiancee carefully, she produced an uneasy, nervous smile. Ranma failed to catch this.

        "Hey, Ukyou, take a look at this! I think it's supposed to be you!" Daisuke snatched a paper from Ranma's desk, Ranma tried grabbing it away from Daisuke, but his friend quickly handed it to Ukyou. "Dang it, Daisuke! Why can't you mind your own-"

        "This is good, Ranchan! You really do like my cooking!" Ukyou looked down at the paper. It pictured Ukyou handing Ranma a plate of Okonomiyaki, and a small heart was portrayed above Ranma's and Ukyou's head.

        "Yeah...," Ranma rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.

        Miss Tanaka wrote the 'Assignment of the Day' on the board then sat down at her desk. Most of the people, Daisuke included, turned and pulled out their notebooks.

        Ranma whispered at Ukyou, "Ucchan... Akane seems pretty angry with me today, I don't know what I did..." Ukyou considered Ranma for a moment with a concerned look, then took his hand.

        "Ranchan... I want to talk to you about something...," Ukyou had a determined look on her face, which was wasted on Ranma.

        "... I didn't even do anything wrong! I mean, nothing that would make her...,"

        Ukyou tried again, "I need to ask you something, Ranchan!" yet again Ranma ignored Ukyou.

        "... I mean, I haven't said an unkind word to her since last night, and she still acts like..." Ranma felt Ukyou squeeze her hand impatiently.

        "Huhn? What Ucchan?" Ranma gave her attention to Ukyou, Ukyou had a slightly annoyed look on her face.

        "Ranchan... I want you to come to the Diner tonight, there is someone I want you to-" Ranma's eyes widened as he looked at Ukyou before he cut her off.

        "No! I-I can't! I don't want Akane getting even more angry with me! I mean, she might be a Kawaiikune Tomboy sometimes, but that doesn't mean I should purposely make her angry..." Ukyou stared at Ranma with pleading eyes. Ranma felt very badly about this... but Ranma was sure Akane would get mad if she went to Ukyou' s tonight.

        "Ranchan... please, you don't know how important-,"

        "No... I'm sorry, not tonight! I-I gotta figure out why Akane's so angry before I come over, and I have a feeling she won't tell me straight out," Ukyou gave     Ranma an angry look, then stood up. *He didn't listen to a word I said...* ran through Ukyou's mind.

        "Fine, RanMA. When you're done thinking, I'll be waiting," Ukyou walked over and sat down behind Akane, Ranma was shocked and stunned again.

        "Ya'know, Ranma... it's not smart getting all your Fiancees angry like that," Daisuke had turned around in his seat and was looking back at Ranma. "You know that old saying? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... or at least I think that's it..." Daisuke began puzzling out if he was right or not, not quite sure.

        Ranma looked over at Ukyou and Akane, not sure what he had done to offend either of them. *Ukyou usually is so open and honest with me, and she always listens to what I have to say... what'd I do?* Ranma blinks and then looks over at Hiroshi. *Funny, I thought I saw something... Huh?* Ranma see's Hiroshi fiddling around with a key hanging from his neck, the reflection from the sun glinting off the metal.

        "Hey Daisuke, why is Hiroshi sittin' on the other side of the room?" Ranma poked his friend in the back when he didn't answer, Daisuke looked back at Ranma.

        "How the heck am I supposed to know?! I've been gone for a week!"

        "Daisuke, stand outside," Miss Tanaka piped. Daisuke groaned.

        "Thanks a lot, Ranma!" Daisuke gave his friend a grin, showing Ranma he wasn't entirely angry with him. Ranma was a bit relieved by this, but she still was confused as to why Ukyou and Akane were so distant all of a sudden.

>>>Ukyou & Akane>>>

        "Akane-chan, Ranma is a jackass," Ukyou murmured as she sat behind her friend. *He didn't even care that I had something to ask...* it upset Ukyou, usually Ranma was more perceptive to her needs, as she was to his.

        Akane looked back at Ukyou with an unnervingly calm attitude, a cold sadness in her eyes. Ukyou flinched. *Maybe Ranchan was right...*

        "You only now figured that out?" Akane went back to her work. Ukyou stared at Akane for a second, *Hmmm... she is acting funny. I can see why Ranma is concerned.*

        "Akane?" Ukyou whispered.

        "What?!" Akane practically snapped back, there was the familiar fiery anger in her voice, but now it seemed as if she wasn't trying to reign it in.

        "What's wrong? You seem awfully angry... was it something Ranchan did?" Ukyou wondered what Ranma could do to cause such a reaction, Akane seemed... different.

        "Nothing. He-Did-Nothing! I'm sick of him and his petty excuses, insults, and childish behavior! You can have him for all I care!" Akane was now standing while yelling. All the students were looking at her oddly. Miss Tanaka was flabbergasted. Ukyou was both shocked and frightened, she got the feeling that Akane was about to hit her.

        "Akane, never have you ever acted so irresponsibly! Stand outside for the rest of class with Daisuke!" Miss Tanaka had an adamantly furious look on her face. Akane fell back into the cool-calm attitude and strode out the door.

        Murmurs began among the class after the door shut.

        "What was that all about?"

        "Something about Ranma, again..."

        "I've never seen Akane act like that..."

        "Kinda a turn on..."

        "Hey! I heard Akane and Ranma Broke up!" everyone stared at the student who made this comment. He seemed to melt back down into his chair, trying to disappear from all those gazes.

        Ukyou looked over at Ranma, who was covering her face with her hands. Ukyou got the feeling that her Ranchan had never been more embarrassed in all his life. But... she had to ask that question.

        "Ranchan... is.... is what he said true?" Ukyou paused, afraid of the answer, yet at the same time excited.

        Ranma nodded her head in reply. All the men in the room jumped up, screaming, "Yatta!" simultaneously. Miss Tanaka sent all of them out to stand in the     hallway.

        Oddly enough, though, Ranma looked over at Hiroshi... who was the only man still in the room. His hands seemed to be covering his face... and were those tears?

        *Hiroshi doesn't cry... what the heck is goin' on today?!* Ranma looked back up at the blackboard, deciding if she should finish, or if she should find out what was going on.

        She sighed and switched to a clean sheet of paper. She flipped her book open and started on the assignment. After several minutes, her mind was in overdrive, the words came to her like second nature.

        Ranma's writing was interrupted by a nudge in the ribs.

        A girl with black hair and brown eyes handed him a note from Ukyou.

        Ranma unfolded it, a curious expression on her face.

        "Ranchan. Sorry. Come to Diner Tonight, Please?"

        Ranma sighed... well if Akane was mad at him, he could at least oblige Ukyou. *Besides, it's not like me and Akane are engaged anymore...*. Ranma looked up at Ukyou, seeing her equally as busy as Ranma had been. Ranma shoved the note into her pocket and went back to writing.

        The assignment was to answer various questions about the Contemporary American author which they had been reading about for the last few weeks. Some guy Ranma had never heard of, James Orwell.

        Ranma had enjoyed both the Animal House story and the 1984 story... though she agreed with herself that the 1984 tale really creeped her out. *They could be watching... they could be anywhere... they could be in that poster... Neh? Poster?!* Ranma flung herself at the poster, clobbering Tsubasa with her fists.

        "RANMA!" Miss Tanaka yelled, bringing Ranma back to her senses. "What are you doing?!"

        "Sorry, Tanaka-Sensei, but Tsubasa does not attend High School Here. He has been harassing Ukyou," Ranma stood back up, dropping Tsubasa to the ground with a thump.

        "U...kyooou...." Tsubasa groaned. The Okonomiyaki chef picked up Tsubasa.

        Miss Tanaka looked at the oddly dressed boy, "He? This is a boy? Oh dear..." Miss Tanaka fainted.

        "Ranma! You should know that Miss Tanaka can't handle crossdressers!" Ukyou threw Tsubasa out the closed window, and he plummeted into a series of bushes.

        "S...sorry," Ranma stuttered. Ukyou knelt down and tried waking the English teacher up. After a moment, Tanaka sat bolt upright.

        "Wha... What happened?" Tanaka muttered as she looked around.

        "You fainted, Tanaka-Sensei," Ranma rubbed the back of her neck nervously as she said this.

        "Ahh... well, back to work students! Everything's all right!" Miss Tanaka went back to her desk, completely oblivious to the broken window-pane.

        Ranma sat back down in her seat, and finished her assignment on 1984. When she looked back up at the clock, there was fifteen minutes left in class. She sighed and stood up, *Might as well find out now...* Ranma thought to herself as she walked over to the desk on Hiroshi's right. She sat down quietly next to a glum looking Hiroshi, a reflective brooding seemed to be in his attitude.

        She and Hiroshi had been friends for a while now, and she had come to realize when something was bothering him. Not that the way he was acting tried to hide the fact that he was troubled.

        "Yo, Hiroshi! You seem pretty distant today, Somethin' up?" Ranma had a silly smile on her face, the way Hiroshi looked there HAD to be something wrong. Sometimes Ranma saw this mood in Ryouga... but it was always when Ryouga thought he wasn't being watched.

        "I... I don't want to talk about it Ranma... I guess I'm just having a bad day," Hiroshi fingered the key again, it was a bright blue key of antique design. A glimmer of excitement and thought passed over Hiroshi's face as he stared at the key. Ranma wondered what made it so special.

        She _DID_ however identify with Hiroshi... especially after the happenings of the previous day.

        "I know watcha mean... Akane seems pretty angry at me for somethin'. She called off our wedding," Ranma fell into her own depression after those words left her mouth. She was startled when she realized that the recent events had gotten to her.

        "Hasn't she done that before? I mean repeatedly before?" Hiroshi had a faint smile on his face, one that seemed forced. This caused Ranma to flinch. *I've never seen him like this, usually Hiroshi has a smile for the world, regardless of all the bad things that happen*.

        "Yeah... she had. But, she's been actin' funny since last night," Ranma scratched her head as she looked at Hiroshi. *What could I have done? It seems like all my friends are either angry at me, hurt, or sad for some reason. Talk about a bad week*.

        "C'mon, something's gotta be wrong. You're usually happy go lucky! I'm your friend, you know..." Ranma patted Hiroshi on the back, which only got a ragged sigh from her friend.

        "Okay... Mihoko dumped me...," Hiroshi wiped a stray tear from his face.

        "Sorry, man... I know how much she meant to you. You'll get over her, though. Be optimistic! I mean, you're life couldn't get worse than mine... right?" Ranma tried comforting Hiroshi with her words, but they didn't seem to help. Ranma felt bad for her friend... she was going through relationship problems as well.

        "Ranma... jus' leave me alone for right now. No offense, I just want to think," Ranma looked at Hiroshi, then back up at the clock. It was five minutes till the bell would ring.

        Ranma's mind conflicted. Should she stay and find out what's wrong with her friend? Or should she leave and go get some hot water? In the end, Ranma didn't have to decide. Hiroshi asked her to leave him alone again. A bit hurt and a bit concerned, Ranma stood up, grabbed her books, and left the room.

        Out in the hall, all the boys had been knocked unconscious and tossed around... except Daisuke. Akane seemed to be gone.

        "What the hell-?"

        "Well, all the guys said something about Akane being available and started asking her out and other such things. Akane never answered any of them, she just whacked em' with that mallet of hers. Fortunately, I don't have a death wish," Daisuke chuckled a bit.

        "Where'd she go?" Ranma asked, not seeing Akane at either end of the hallway.

        "I guess she went home... in tears," The last words were a reluctant admission from Daisuke. Ranma eyes widened, and she grabbed Daisuke by the shirt lifting him up. Not easy, considering he was taller.

        "What-Did-You-Say?!" Ranma asked, her voice quivering in anger and fear.

        Daisuke had a calm, sad look on his face, which caused Ranma to flinch. It reminded her too much of how Akane looked when she had called off the engagement.

        "I will tell you, Ranma, if you put me down," Ranma realized what she was doing, and quickly dropped Daisuke.

        Daisuke brushed himself off with his one good arm, then spoke, "I told her this. 'You shouldn't be so harsh on Ranma, I admit he can be a handful sometimes, but he's also a great friend,' and she said, 'Daisuke... I've lived with him for several months now. Our relationship has never changed, he insults me day in and day out, and I get angry... I don't want a relationship like that, I never did,' And then she ran off crying. If you ask me, Ranma, she was telling the Gods honest truth. I stood there for a moment, playing those words over in my mind. I'm not sure what I could have said to make her think otherwise... if Hiroshi had been out here..." Daisuke trailed off, looking around at all the guys who were unconscious.

        Daisuke had a point, he might be great with mental battles, as well as verbally sparring with the best. But when it came to the natural and basic elements of life, Hiroshi surpassed him on both counts.

        Ranma dropped to her knees, stunned by Daisuke's words. Had she lost Akane? Was it her fault? True, she had been somewhat cruel in their relationship, always insulting Akane's looks and her cooking... but she had never thought that it could drive away the woman she loved.

        They had fallen into a routine, she had been sure it was something they both enjoyed. Ranma made a comment, Akane whacked her/him one.

        No matter how much her mind thought about it, Ranma could not see what had gone wrong that night. What had happened differently to produce such a reaction? She didn't understand... she wished she did.

        "Ranma, did you get out early for a reason?" Daisuke's words snapped Ranma out of her reverie, and she stood back up. Hot water seemed to be the least of her worries at the moment, and she found she cared more about Akane than getting back to being a man. *When did that happen?* Ranma thought.

        "Uh... thanks for your help Daisuke," Ranma said to her friend, in a solemn tone of voice. Daisuke looked at her with a smile.

        "Anytime, bud. Good luck with Akane, and I'll see _You_ at lunch," Daisuke chuckled, which raised Ranma's spirit's a bit. *He really _does_ have a contagious laugh* Ranma thought, as she walked away with a smile.

========>To storage room

        Ranma poured the kettle of hot water over her head, feeling the change spread over her body. It always caused Ranma to shudder, the way it felt to change from man to woman, knowing that he was no longer what he was born as. It unnerved him and caused more problems in his life than he could count.

        Ranma sighed as he looked down at his now masculine body. Why did it bother him so much? *It could have been much worse...* Ranma thought, recalling Ryouga's words. Ranma didn't know exactly why he hated the fact he turned into a girl. True, his Father's promise to his Mother might have something to do with it, but there was something that unsettled him each time he changed.

        Yet, over some time Ranma had gotten used to his cursed form. It didn't seem so much of a curse, nowadays. In fact, in some situations it had helped him out. Like when he needed more speed, it was just a splash away.

        Ranma looked up at the clock, sighing gently to himself. *Two minutes till class, guess I'd better run...* Ranma slid open the door and started running back into the school. He paused in his haste when he saw someone out of the corner of his eye. Stopping suddenly, he looked to where he thought he had seen...

        Hiroshi was leaning up against a tree, an immensely sad expression on his face. He nonchalantly tossed the key he carried up in the air, and caught it. He considered the key a moment and then nodded. He began to walk away from the school, and Ranma watched as he disappeared down the road.

        Then the bell rang, and Ranma cursed himself. He began running as fast as he could to Hinako's classroom. *Did I have to be late for _Her_ class?! Ranma, you are definitely a Baka...*

* * * * * *

        After some scolding by Hinako, as well as problems in his other classes, Ranma let out a relieved breath when the bell rang for lunch. Everyone leapt up and ran for the door. Ranma sat for a moment thinking, he hadn't had time to do that since last night.

        It had been a horrible day for Ranma, starting with Akane's attitude, followed by Ukyou getting angry with him, and then there was Hiroshi.

        *What was with Hiroshi? And what the heck is that key he was carryin' for?* Ranma remembered the look on Hiroshi's face when they had been talking in Tanaka's class, and the look he had when he had been standing outside.

        He understood how Hiroshi felt, he had seen Mihoko and him together more than once. They looked well together, and Hiroshi seemed ten times happier than usual in her presence.

        Ranma could also understand how depressed it made Hiroshi to be dumped by a girl... Ranma had felt that way for the entire day. Yet, he'd never seen Hiroshi so down on luck...

        Then something clicked, he hadn't seen Hiroshi since he had changed back to a man. He remembered him considering that key, and wondered again what the key opened.

        Mr. Umoto passed his hands in front of Ranma's face. "Are you all right, Ranma? Don't you know it's lunch-time?" Mr. Umoto was a small, rotund man in his mid-forties. He was balding and wore glasses that reminded Ranma of Mousse.

        Ranma blinked when he realized what Mr. Umoto had said. "Uh, sorry, my mind was kinda elsewhere," Ranma laughed nervously. Mr. Umoto smiled.

        "When is it not, Saotome? Just remember your homework on Monday and I won't hassle you," Mr. Umoto left the room, Ranma followed in stride, going as quickly as possible to the lunch-room.

        He shook his mind off Hiroshi and recalled the rest of the day... it had started bad from the first moment he had sat down in Miss Tanaka's room.

        He had managed to get his assignment in that class done, only to find he had forgotten his math notebook back at the Dojo, as well as the fact that there was a math test that day.

        Then there was science, which he almost started the teacher on fire when he had been trying to get the Bunsen burner to work.

        Then there was Phys. ed., which he usually had no problem with. Unfortunately, some of the men in the locker room had rigged the showers to cold water, and laughed when Ranma screamed and ran around looking for clothes.

        She had beat up practically everyone in the locker room for that stunt. Of course, she had to attend the girls P.E. class that day, which actually wasn't so bad.

        She had fun playing baseball with some of Akane's friends, who she had asked if Akane had mentioned anything. Akane had, and they were very sympathetic to Ranma, but basically said what Akane had. That Ranma should have stopped picking at her while she had been ahead.

        The girls were nice enough, though, to bring Ranma some hot water after class. He had learned that being a girl had another advantage... girls were not so cruel to their friends, and many of Akane's friends also considered Ranma as a friend.

        Ranma sighed as he pushed the cafeteria doors open.

        He looked around until he saw Akane, and slowly walked up to the table. "Akane? Could I talk to you?" Ranma said, his voice quivered uneasily.

        Akane looked up at Ranma with fire in her eyes. "What do you want to say to me Ranma?" Akane's voice contradicted her eyes, as it was serene and calm as it could ever be.

        "Prithee, Saotome, why dost you spar words with my Date? Do you wish to enscorcell her once more with thine evil spell?! I will not let such an insult take place!" Ranma wheeled around, dropping into an offensive stance as he saw Kuno Tatewake. Ranma began his attack with a punch, as Kuno's words sunk in.

        Kuno caught Ranma's fist in his hand, Ranma's face was frozen in shock. Had Kuno said that Akane...?

        "Ahh, I see you hesitate... As I am an honorable fellow, I shall not attack you for this day, for I have promised fair Tendo Akane that I twould not harm you in any malicious way," Ranma dropped his fist, and took a step back. He couldn't believe his ears, Kuno was going out with Akane!

        "Akane? Did... Did you tell Kuno that you would go out with him?" Ranma bit his lip as he looked at Akane. The fire had left her eyes, and they were filled with an unimaginable sorrow.

        "Of course fair maiden hath chosen me to-!" Kuno paused when Akane stood up, Akane held up her hand for Kuno to stop, which he did obligingly.

        "Yes, Ranma. I told Kuno I would go out on a date with him, but only one, Kuno-sama," Akane said menacingly to Kuno. Ranma couldn't believe what he was hearing. In stunned silence he walked away from Akane's table. Akane stared after him for a moment then sat back down. Kuno glared at Ranma as he walked away, but sat down next to Akane after a moment.

        What had gone wrong... *It must be my fault, It always is...* Ranma couldn't understand what he had done though. No matter how much he thought about it, he didn't see how Akane could suddenly hate him so much.

        He bought his lunch and sat down at his usual table.

        "Hey Ranma! Good form in the locker-room, buddy!" One of the guys yelled. Half the cafeteria laughed. Ranma turned a bright shade of red. He was angry beyond belief, but as a martial artist he could not attack someone weaker than he was. He desperately wanted to kill the guy who had yelled.

        Everyone stopped laughing when Daisuke flew through the air, landing on Ranma's lunch.

        Daisuke looked up at Ranma with a wide grin. Ranma looked down at Daisuke with a stunned look on his face.

        Daisuke stood up on the table and spoke loudly, "Hey! Kuno-Sempai! Thanks for proving you could kick the farthest of any Ass!" The entire lunch room broke into laughter, Ranma chuckled slightly. He couldn't seem to shake his humiliation or anger though, he wished Ukyou would talk to him, but she seemed just as angry as Akane was.

        Then he thought of Hiroshi, his second outlet. Hiroshi was great at listening to people and solving problems... but Ranma hadn't seen him since that morning.

        Daisuke jumped off the table, and sat next to Ranma. "Hey beautiful! Why so glum chum?" Daisuke grinned. Ranma blinked for a moment, then realized she had been splashed with several liquids when Daisuke had landed, including a milk-shake. Ranma growled in anger at Kuno... then looked over at Daisuke.

        "Don't call me beautiful. You wanna know why I'm angry Daisuke?!" Ranma paused, and brought his voice level down to a respectable level.

        "Well, I forgot my math-notebook on test day, I almost set Mister Muroto on fire, I was seen as a female completely naked in front of half the guy's in school-"

        "And such nice tits they were!" Said one guy, before Daisuke pegged him with a brick, who knows where he got that from. Everyone had started laughing until the guy had been pegged. They all shut up as soon as they saw the look on Daisuke's face, one of malicious intent. Daisuke was a protector of Ranma, so to speak. Though Ranma could normally take any of the men in the school on by herself, Ranma was quite reluctant to attack those weaker than she was. That's why Daisuke put those weaklings through hell for comments like that.

        Daisuke knew Ranma's problem, he also knew Ranma didn't need these type of problem's in his life. Daisuke felt that no man should have to live through a change like that, much less Ranma.

        Daisuke had learned, after some observation, two things about Ranma. One, he was as insecure about his masculinity as most girls were about their looks. And two, he was partially homophobic.

        He didn't exactly hate guys, but some of the things that the guys did to him made Ranma despise men. It also made Daisuke despise them.

        "Thanks, and then... to top it all off... Akane's going out with Kuno!" Several of the men's eyes widened when they heard this, and several of them began to sob.

        "Our only chance... ruined by Kuno-sempai!" One man yelled. Whispers began to travel around the cafeteria, and Daisuke looked at Ranma with understanding.

        "Wow... what a sucky day. This almost adds up to how Hiroshi feels about what happened with Mihoko," Daisuke vainly tried wiping himself off, only smearing stains into his clothing. He brought out a paper sack and reached in, pulling out five sandwiches and two sodas.

        He handed Ranma three of the sandwiches and one of the sodas, murmuring an apology about Ranma's lunch. He served the offer with his wide grin, making Ranma chuckle at the contrast with his healing black eye.

        "How did you know you'd land in my lunch?" Ranma asked, as she looked over at the mess on the table. Daisuke laughed a bit, making several other people laugh.

        "Well, Kuno-sempai might not be the best of fighters, but his accuracy is among the best in the school's," Several people nodded their heads while chuckling, Daisuke just tapped his forefinger on his temple.

        Ranma shook her head, laughing a bit herself. Then she blinked... *How did Daisuke know about Mihoko?* Ranma looked up at her friend with suspicion. Daisuke was drumming his fingers on the table, as if he was waiting for something. He slowly ate his sandwich while he looked around the table, smiling and saying   hello to people.

        "What do you know about Mihoko?" Ranma finally asked, after debating whether or not that was what Daisuke was waiting for. Daisuke frowned as he looked at Ranma. Conflict was written clearly in Daisuke's eyes, his mind warring over whether he should tell what he knew or not. Flickers of concern and unsurety passed along his face as he thought.

        Ranma waited for Daisuke to make up his mind.

        "Ranma. I take it Hiroshi was reluctant to talk to you today?" Daisuke put his hand on his forehead while his elbow leaned against the table.

        Ranma remembered how unreceptive Hiroshi had been to her questions, the only thing Hiroshi would tell Ranma was that Mihoko had broken up with him. "You could say he didn't want to talk to me... but he did tell me Mihoko had dumped him. I wonder why? They seemed happy together..." Ranma remembered Hiroshi and Mihoko walking in the park, remembered them eating lunch together, remembered them at the movies. They seemed like the perfect match.

        "Well, Mihoko was not satisfied with Hiroshi... she told him there was another man, Ranma," Daisuke looked at Ranma, thinking that she would get the gist. She didn't.

        "That... Harlot! Who the heck is this guy?! I'm gonna beat the crap outta him!" Ranma looked around the table, seeing several nervous guys try and hide from his burning gaze. She was angry that someone would lead one of her friends on like that, and then dump him for some two-bit macho jerk.

        Ranma was startled when Daisuke began laughing. She looked angrily at Daisuke, which jerked her friend back into serious mode.

        "Ranma, I think if you beat yourself up you'd be very angry with yourself," Daisuke frowned after he made the comment, seeing Ranma face fault.

        "You mean... ME?!" Ranma panicked. He was the cause of Hiroshi's suffering... He had made Hiroshi's girlfriend dump him.

        "Sorry Ranma... She told Hiroshi that, 'Ranma is the only Man for me!'" Daisuke's imitation of Mihoko was terrible, causing everyone at the table to laugh. Everyone, that is, except Ranma.

        Ranma couldn't handle it, her depression was getting the best of her... throwing her down into an endless pit of sorrow. She had been the cause of Hiroshi's pain, she had been the Cause of Akane's suffering, she had been the cause of Ukyou's anger, she had been the cause of driving Akane to Kuno...

        Daisuke stopped laughing when Ranma dropped her food and ran out the school doors. Daisuke couldn't help but feel he had just caused his friend to have a nervous breakdown. He would have gone after her... if he had known where she had gone.

========> Outside the school, on the Road back to the Dojo.

        Ranma ran, she heard Hiroshi's words that morning, and saw his face full of sorrow... She remembered Akane's face, and those dreaded words when she had called off the engagement... She saw Kuno's face as he announced Akane's date... She heard all the men laughing at her naked body... She saw the Nyannichuan rushing up to meet her.

        She closed her eyes, trying to keep back the tears, and collapsed into someone's strong arms. The tears overwhelmed her. All her fault... everything that had gone wrong in her life was her fault, she was even partially responsible for Ryouga's problems. She had begun to hate herself.

        She didn't realize she had fallen into someone's arms, or that they had wrapped their arms around her. She noticed when she felt someone patting her on the back.

        She blinked her tears away, letting her senses explore. Whoever held her was definitely a man, but he didn't seem attracted to her... she would know if he was. His presence seemed familiar, and she realized who it was when he spoke.

        "What's wrong, Ranma?" Hiroshi's voice was calm and thoughtful, just like she remembered Hiroshi to be.

        Hiroshi let Ranma go, knowing she would feel uncomfortable in his arms. Ranma did look a bit shocked, as she looked around nervously, making sure nobody had seen. She sighed as she realized nobody but Hiroshi and her were on the street.

        "N-Nothing Hiroshi. Sorry about running into you," Ranma noticed her friend smelled of wet earth, and saw his arms were covered in what looked like mud. She looked at herself, confirming that she too was now dirty.

        Ranma looked back at Hiroshi, wiping her eyes as she wondered something.

        "Hiroshi... where have you been? You disappeared after Miss Tanaka's class," Hiroshi looked at her for a second, then brushed a strand of his wavy hair out of his face.

        "Damn where I've been, what could make you cry?" Hiroshi walked past Ranma, who was a bit red-faced and slightly angry. Hiroshi turned on a hose and washed his arms off.

        "I was not crying..." Ranma lied, knowing that she had been bawling her head off.

        "My shirt say's otherwise, it was soaked by you for five minutes," Hiroshi took his shirt off, wringing it dry. Hiroshi had never seen someone with so many tears, and this was one of his friends. "Now tell me, Ranma, who caused you to do this? Run from school and start weeping like there was no tomorrow," Hiroshi jerked his shirt back on, and then turned the hose off.

        Ranma flinched. *I was crying for five straight minutes?* Ranma fiddled with her fingers, then decided to be straight with Hiroshi.

        "Daisuke did it... but not on purpose. I've had a bad day, Akane is going out with Kuno, Ukyou is mad at me, I almost torched Mister Muroto, I left my math-notebook at home when there was a test today, and- and-," Ranma felt somehow nervous about the last thing. She didn't know why.

        "Well?" Hiroshi asked. Ranma looked at Hiroshi again. His face was slightly smudged with dirt.

        "The guys wrigged the showers... and all of em' saw me... the whole school... they were laughin'...," Ranma muddled out. Hiroshi blinked for a moment. Ranma noticed where she was now, she was back at Hiroshi's house... not but two blocks from the Dojo.

        "I see. And what did Daisuke do?" Hiroshi folded his arms, waiting for Ranma to answer. He had a thoughtful look on his face, as if he were sizing up Ranma's problems.

        Ranma fidgeted again, but finally managed to speak, "He told me that Mihoko dumped you 'cuza me," Ranma looked at the ground as she said this, then looked up at Hiroshi.

        Hiroshi was frowning, but he didn't seem all that upset to Ranma's surprise.

        "Hm. I take it your mind overloaded, after everything you've gone through today... must have been a slap in the face, all that happening at the same time," Hiroshi walked back by Ranma and up the trail which led to his house.

        Hiroshi's house was twice as large as the Tendo's, and was one of those houses which was just great to look at. It even had a large pond in the back yard.

        Ranma blinked then followed Hiroshi.

        "I'll get you some hot water, then we'll talk," Hiroshi walked up to the front door, and ran into it.

        He shook his head to stop the world from spinning and then tried turning the knob.

        He looked slightly angry, but he composed himself and softly knocked on the door.

        "Kaehmi, open the door," Hiroshi said in a sweet tone of voice. Ranma chuckled. Hiroshi smiled and winked at Ranma, causing Ranma to kick him in the shin. Hiroshi grunted with pain, but otherwise said nothing. A moment later, someone answered via a intercom placed next to the door.

        "Uh uh, Mama said no girl's in the house," A small girl's voice echoed from the small black box.

        "Ranma's not a girl, Kaehmi, he's a friend of mine," Hiroshi banged a bit harder on the door. Ranma looked a bit offended at the girl's words, but decided that the little girl didn't know any better. Besides, she sounded positively cute.

        "Who's Kaehmi?" Ranma asked Hiroshi. Her friend turned to her with a grin.

        "Kaehmi's my Kawaii little niece... which can be a pain in the butt when she figures out how to lock Uncle-Hiro-chan's door!" The little girl could be heard laughing through the intercom box. Ranma smiled despite herself. *Cute kid, reminds me of me...*

        "Here, let me try talking to her," Ranma pushed Hiroshi out of the way, going into ultracute mode in the process. Hiroshi looked at Ranma and shrugged, not exactly sure what his friend had in mind.

        "Kaehmi-chan, you're a nice little girl, aren't you?" Ranma's voice dripped sugar. Hiroshi began laughing before Ranma kicked him in his shin... hard this time. Then he started 'Owching' as he hopped around.

        "Uh huh, I'm a Kawaii nice little princess! Momma say's so!" The little girl's voice was equally as cute, causing Hiroshi to chuckle through his pain at the similarity.

        "Well, since you're such a kawaii lil' girl, do you like candy?" Ranma smiled, Hiroshi stared, then began laughing again. Which earned him another blow to the leg, his other one this time, he started doing a funny jig which could make Soun laugh.

        "Yeah, Miss Ranma! I like chocolate 'specially! So does Ralph!" Ranma blinked then looked up at Hiroshi with a questioning glance. Hiroshi paused for a moment to answer Ranma's unasked question.

        "Ralph is Memeko's dog, and Memeko is my Oniichan," Ranma stared at Hiroshi for a second. He smiled a wide grin while she just stared.

        "You never told me you had a sister!" Ranma yelled, then she lowered her voice.

        "She just moved back in, Ranma!" Hiroshi tapped his foot, impatiently waiting for Ranma to convince his Niece to open the door. Ranma 'Hmphed' and then turned back to the intercom system.

        "Tell you what, Kaehmi-chan, if you let Hiro-chan and Ran-chan in the house, Auntie Ranma will give you some candy, Kay?" Ranma flinched when she said Auntie, Hiroshi noticed.

        Hiroshi knew of Ranma's problems from Daisuke. Daisuke was great at observing things, and had observed Ranma's adverse reaction to anything that questioned her Manliness, or when she was set upon by men. The latter was much worse than the former.

        By then, though, Hiroshi and Daisuke had come to a point of reconciliation with Ranma. She was one of the guy's to them.

        A moment later the door opened, and a small girl with reddish-brown hair and green eyes stepped out. She was dressed in a frilly green spring-dress, and was _very_ Kawaii.

        Ranma smiled and then opened her backpack. After a moment she pulled out a candy-bar, and handed it to Kaehmi.

        "Gee, Arigato Auntie-Ranma!" Kaehmi smiled a kawaii smile. Hiroshi noticed that Ranma hadn't flinched when Kaehmi had called her 'Auntie-Ranma', but in fact smiled.

        "Well handled, child. You're very good with children... do you have any?" Ranma's face froze, the blood draining from it rapidly from those words.

        She blinked and looked at who spoke, still not over the shock of the thought that had run through her head.

        A tall woman dressed in a black gi looked back at Ranma, her eyes were a stunning green, her hair was a luxurious brown, and her face had a statuesque beauty to it.

        "N...no... I- I- I d-d-don't have... chil-dren," Ranma's speech was broken with a tint of fear, Hiroshi had seen his friends attitude change when Memeko had mentioned children, and was not surprised.

        Memeko laughed and offered her hand, "You don't have to be so nervous, child. Forgive my inane question, I am Memeko, Hiroshi's sister," Ranma blinked and smiled uneasily. She was aware that she had shaken the woman's hand, but after that her nightmare caught up with her.

        Ranma's mind was still stuck on a nightmare she had had. There had been a point where Tofu's mother had come to see who would bear the best children to her son, and had found 'Ranko' had the best child-bearing hips.

        For weeks after, Ranma had had nightmares of being pregnant, of going into labor and of marrying men. It had caused her much mental trauma.

        Ranma blinked as she realized she was now sitting in a living room, well furnished and very beautiful in decoration.

        Memeko, Hiroshi's sister sat across from Ranma, sipping on a cup of tea.

        *How did I get in here?* Ranma wondered. After a moment, she remembered being dragged in by Hiroshi after she had mentally phased from his Sister's comment.

        "I see you are back with the rest of us, Ranma. Forgive me for my casual ignorance, if I had realized you would become lost in thought at my question I would not have asked. Pardon, but why did you seem so shocked about the topic? Are you unable to have children? Or does the thought scare you?" Ranma shuddered again at the mention of the idea.

        "I... I don't know if I could... I mean... yes, it- it does scare me," Ranma stuttered out. She never had liked to give the idea much thought, it made her nervous and jumpy.

        She jumped when Kaehmi ran into the room, and Kaehmi leaped onto her mother's lap.

        "Ralph said to say Arigato, Auntie-Ranma! I want to too!" Memeko wrapped her arms around Kaehmi, looking down at her child she kissed her on the forehead.

        Hiroshi walked in, which caused Ranma to jump. He held a tea kettle out to Ranma, while he looked menacingly at his sister.

        "I told you not to bother him, Memeko. You know very damn well Ranma is a man!" Ranma flinched when she saw the wry smile pass across Memeko's lips. Ranma narrowed her eyes, fueling the fire in her mind.

        "You... You knew?" Ranma's anger was rising, the woman had known and had still bothered Ranma with those questions.

        "Of course I knew, why would I... Oh my, you thought I was referring to child birth?" Ranma flinched again at the question, then let her anger drop. The grotesque image clung to her, though, like white on rice.

        Then her curiosity piqued as Memeko looked at Hiroshi, conflict seemed to pass between them, and then Memeko spoke.

        "Little Brother, could you take Kaehmi upstairs to her room? I would like to talk to this... Ranma of yours," Hiroshi glared at his sister, then let his anger melt away as if it were a snowstorm in the summer heat. He smiled then and picked Kaehmi up, then left the kettle on the table in front of Ranma. Hiroshi had always prided himself on his ability to put on a happy face in threatening situations, so this did not surprise Ranma

        Ranma took a moment to notice her surroundings, Memeko sat on a lavish couch of dark purple, Ranma sat on a love-seat of the same color. A small coffee table sat between the two, which had the kettle sitting on it of course. The table had been placed so the sun from the window to Ranma's right would shine directly upon it, and the curtains were a light blue. Various other decorations adorned the walls, family pictures among other things, and several plants hung from the ceiling.

        Ranma reached for the kettle, but Memeko grabbed it before she could.

        "Hey! Gimme that!" Ranma had stood up, angry that the woman would do such a thing. After everything she had been through today, she wasn't about to put up with a simple woman's B.S.

        Memeko considered the girl in front of her for a moment, then handed Ranma the kettle. Ranma glared at her then dumped the contents over her, feeling the change coarse over her body, the shifting of muscle, the shrinking of breasts.

        Memeko blinked and then smiled at Ranma. "I can see that you are a fabulous example in either form, Ranma," Memeko complemented Ranma with a smile, which didn't lighten Ranma's mood at all.

        "Can it, why were you askin' me all those questions?!" Ranma was angry both at the fact that she had asked the questions, and that she had been oblivious to their underlying meaning. *I am a man...* Ranma reminded himself, just for the sake of doing so. The image stuck in his mind argued with that, though. Ranma resisted a shudder.

        Memeko stood up. She took several steps to the window, which provided for a beautiful view of Hiroshi's huge back yard, complete with large pond. "Hiroshi's talked about you ever since I got here, he's said that wherever Ranma is, action soon follows. I prefer to think you start it yourself," Memeko looked at one of the potted plants sitting on the window sill. The window was actually quite large, about six feet by six feet, the plants added a nice, relaxed, feel to the room.

        "Are you sayin' that I get into fights for no good reason?!" Ranma was starting not to like Memeko, she seemed... different from Hiroshi.

        "Forgive me... but is that truly what you think I said?" Memeko had a strangely calm and observant look about her, which Ranma only now took notice of. It reminded Ranma of his mother, except without the katana. She ran her hands through her hair as she stood in the sunlight, making it seem as if she was washing herself with the beautiful rays.

        Ranma shook off the odd uneasiness he felt, and looked out at the back yard. It really was a nice place Hiroshi had, the lawn was neatly trimmed, and flowers of all sorts grew around the pond. It made Ranma feel... peaceful.

        "You sleep at the Tendo's, Ranma?" Memeko snapped Ranma out of his deep thought as she crossed his line of sight and sat back down on the couch, crossing her legs and placing her hand in her lap.

        Ranma looked at her oddly, then nodded slowly, unsure of where she was going with this.

        "My Brother told me you had a terrible falling out with Tendo Akane... and that you were Iinazukes. I trust that the rest of your day was not at all pleasant?" Memeko leaned back, stretching her arms along the back of the couch. Ranma blinked, and then wondered exactly how she had known. Then he felt angry that she would bring up Akane, after what had recently happened. Ranma, with a very angry expression and a set jaw, nodded an affirmative to Memeko.

        Memeko stood and walked over to the love-seat, she gently sat down beside Ranma, crossing her legs again.

        "Tell me Ranma... do you like being female?" Ranma looked at Memeko in surprise and confusion. He thought about it for a moment, thinking about all the times his female half had been his only chance in fights, and it had also been useful in other circumstances.

        *... It's useful sometimes, but do I really like being a girl? Not to my knowledge, it's just kinda annoying. I guess I don't hate being a girl, I mean more speed, free food, and I can jump higher... I guess it's okay sometimes...* Ranma ran his answer through his mind, then spoke.

        "I don't exactly hate being a girl sometimes, but it can become annoying, I mean being born a guy and all," Memeko listened to Ranma's words, seeming to take it all in stride. Hiroshi's sister seemed to be considering him now, and deciding what she thought.

        "I understand. Do you have any friends that change forms?" Memeko looked back out the window, she seemed to be giving Ranma time to think... which unsettled the boy. He really didn't get much time to contemplate.

        He did, however, find Memeko's question quite odd. Why would she want to know if anyone else was cursed? Was she plotting something? Ranma blinked and looked at the woman again... she didn't seem like the type that had background plans for everything, like Nabiki was. In fact, she seemed like the type who would be more openly honest than anything else.

        Which made Ranma wonder where exactly she was going with this.

        "Uhh... yes. There are a few, Why?" Ranma looked around again, and suddenly wondered where Hiroshi was. *He could be having trouble getting his niece to sleep, you dummy...* Ranma said to himself.

        "Tell me... what is the difference between a curse and a blessing?" Memeko turned her eyes away from the window and looked Ranma dead in the eyes. Her eyes seemed to see through Ranma as if he were transparent. Ranma felt as though his naked soul was bared to her examination.

        Ranma thought about it, figuring several things. It practically depended on how you looked at the situation, and what you believed. *Take pop for example...* Ranma's father used his Panda's form for several reasons. One, it was much stronger, as well as the fact that it couldn't be toppled easily, which made it a prime form for sheer force in the martial arts. Another was the fact that he seemed to get more food and eat more when he was in Panda form. The last was the fact that not a lot of people bugged him when he was in panda-form... he couldn't talk being the basic reason. Not a lot of people have conversations with Panda's.

        Ranma gulped... he had just realized something. Shampoo used her cat form too. She could cling to things better with it, as well as the fact that if she was angry with Ranma... she would just change and run after him.

        *Waitasec...* Ryouga also used his form more often than not. He was not likely to be lost while as P-Chan, basically because Akane kept him under tight wraps... *Wraps indeed...* That was another thing he used his form for... Akane thought he was the coolest thing since sliced bread when he was P-Chan. He was also damn fast in piggy form, much more so than usual. The last thing Ryouga exploited his form for was spying... he was practically invisible when he was P-Chan... who knows what Ryouga had seen while living at the dojo... and when people thought that they were alone.

        Come to think of it, Ranma got the feeling Ryouga should be thanking him. The only thing Ryouga complained about was that he was afraid someone might eat him.

        *Mousse too?!* Mousse used his cursed form more than anyone. He used it to fly, he also used it to spy like Ryouga. Whenever Mousse wanted to get somewhere quick, he would just change. *It's funny though... when Mousse changes back, he's still wearing his clothes with all those things up the sleeves... weird.*

        Mousse also acted quite harmless in "Ducky" form. He'd just quack and act like any other duck, unless there was something important at hand.

        Ranma's heart plummeted. His friends had better forms than his! True the speed was a benefit, but he was also weaker when a girl. And free food wasn't as much of a plus as flying through the air, and Ranma couldn't spy very well at all.

        Memeko was still looking at him, waiting for a question it seemed... or an answer.

        She stopped waiting, "Jusenkyo happened for a reason, Ranma. Remember, your Yin is as much a part of you as your Yang... if you hate your female half, don't you hate yourself a little?" Ranma looked at her in shock, then got quite angry. Ranma had put most of his energy into finding a cure for the curse, as well as fending off all the strange beings and people that seemed to be after him... and here this woman was telling him that it was Foolish!!!

        "You got no idea what it's like, Memeko! Every day wonderin' when you're gonna change. Every day spent steering clear of water... and that doesn't even work! How do you think it is, being a girl half the time when you were born a guy?!?!" Ranma was fuming. He was surprised at how much _Gall_ the woman had to confront him like this... he was more angry than surprised, though. He recalled the Nyannichuan rushing up to meet him... the nightmare had begun with the splash of a pool, and suddenly Ranma's life was in eternal torment.

        "No, I don't know what it's like. But now I'm _SURE_ you don't either," Ranma's eyes widened in amazement... then his mind became utterly confused. He wasn't sure what she meant, but he _WAS_ sure he was offended by the insult.

        "'Scuse?! I'm a girl half the time, I got a much better idea than most guy's!" Ranma stared at the calm Memeko, who had a slightly impatient flicker in her eyes. Ranma was more than a little angry, he had realized his form was much less a benefit than his friend's forms, and then Memeko was questioning his experience!

        "No, you don't. You've cut yourself off... You have to be 'The Man!' so much that you've never learned to deal with women. By making yourself so completely oblivious to true femininity and gentleness, you've become less of a man than most," Ranma stood up and faced her, then he lifted her up by her gi. She had a calm serene look on her face while she dangled inches off the ground, but Ranma was definitely angry. Memeko had just flat out said that Ranma was less than a man!

        "Take that back!!!" Ranma had heard the rest, but it all fell from his mind when Memeko had questioned his manhood. Memeko's calm air seemed to enshroud her and protect her from Ranma's anger as she considered his demand.

        "No, I don't think I will. You are afraid of what the Change means, you are afraid that it will change you. Do you know, Ranma... that you can't escape it? It will change you... and if you're not willing to face that... then it will force you to. If you can't face it, then you are no man," Memeko smiled a very Kasumi-like smile... the oddly out of place emotion written on her face phazed Ranma. Memeko's words finally penetrated and he dropped her, taking a step back.

        "Wh... What do you mean?" Ranma asked, fear written slightly on his words, "What do you mean, the curse'll force me?" Ranma realized he was backing up and stopped, he stood stock still, then straightened to where he was standing in one place.

        "I don't know that much about Jusenkyo... but I do know this, Ranma sama. These things happen for a reason, and magic has a way of changing people... willingly or not," Memeko walked from the living room, leaving a very stunned Ranma. He replayed Memeko's words over and over in his mind, finally grasping a hint of meaning from them.

        She wasn't trying to insult him... she had tried to tell him something the rest of his friends learned a long time ago. The lesson, unfortunately, had gone over his head.

        *...Is she tryin' to say I turn into a girl for a reason?* Ranma couldn't fathom it. He turned the thoughts over and over in his mind, till he finally caught something. *Ryouga... Mousse... Shampoo... Pop... even Herb, they all learned something from their curse... I've tried to avoid that. Is that what Memeko was saying?* Ranma's hackles rised a bit at the thought, finding it offensive and rude. He walked after Memeko, finding her in the kitchen.

        Ranma opened his mouth to speak, but before he could Memeko interjected.

        "Catch," Several kitchen ingredients started flying at Ranma, he caught most of them, but two things connected with his head. He looked down to see two bottles, one of garlic salt and one of aregano.

        Ranma looked back up at Memeko in puzzlement. "What the heck was that for?!" Ranma had meant to ask Memeko what she had meant by her previously obscure phrase, but hadn't gotten the chance when Memeko had started throwing Ingredients at him.

        "Do you wish to learn from me, Ranma-sama?" Memeko's lips turned up in a smile. *This is going to be fun...*

        "Why the heck would I want to?! I can already cook," Ranma put the ingredients back on the counter and started to walk to the front door.

        "I was not speaking of only cooking," Memeko's voice was barely tangible, but Ranma seemed to hear it fairly well. Memeko had been waiting for a challenge to arrive, something she could focus all her talents on... Ranma seemed to be the right choice. She had heard about the boy from Hiroshi more than once over the past few weeks. Yet, she had never thought the opportunity would arise that she would be able to meet him.

        "What? Do you know martial arts er' somethin?" Ranma turned around and looked at Memeko. *Guess I should give her the benefit of the doubt... but I ain't stayin' long.*

        "Yes. My Father grew up with Tendo Soun, but he taught me his own style of Anything-Goes. It relies on the basic fact that the best way to fight is to fight without fighting," Ranma blinked at Memeko's words. They were confusing to say the least. Yet, if she could teach him anything he didn't already know...

        "I guess so. When do we start?" Memeko looked at him for a moment after Ranma had spoken, and then started chopping vegetables for lunch. Ranma waited for his answer, but none ever came. He was a bit riled, but he refused to let himself stand there and wait for an answer.

        "Fine. If you won't answer, where's Hiroshi?" Ranma got the feeling Memeko had been listening, and that she didn't have an answer to his previous question, but he was sure she knew where her brother was.

        Ranma was wondering that himself. Hiroshi couldn't be upstairs, it was too silent, which would mean Kaehmi was asleep. Ranma liked the little girl, she seemed innocent and playful... Something Ranma had ceased to be on his sixth birthday.

        Ranma flinched at the memory... as it flooded back to him.

        Genma looked down at his son. He had been proud on the day he had been born... Genma had been very hopeful for his son. He had great expectations for his little Ranma.

        Genma watched as Ranma played with a colorful ball, such innocence sometimes made Genma uneasy.

        "Dear, how is Ranma doing? Dinner will be done in a moment," Nodoka's voice was alway's a pleasure to listen to. That was one of the many reasons Genma had married her.

        "He's doing fine, Honey. I would like to talk to you about something after dinner, if you aren't too busy," Genma pulled out the paper he had kept well hidden for the past five years. He looked at it once more... considering. *Hmmm... if I don't do it now, he'll never learn... besides, I started at his age. Just seems right.* Genma pulled out the ink pad. He carefully opened it and pressed his thumb on the surface, getting it wet with ink. He pressed his thumb on the paper, then looked at his son.

        Ranma was playing with Nodoka's cat, stroking it's fur and laughing at how furry the thing was. His laughter was one of peace, Ranma had a happy life, living with his parents. He practically enjoyed everything, including the presence of other people. He socialized adeptly with the other children, and all of the other children seemed to like him very much.

        Genma looked again at the cat, he had always despised the filthy hairball, it was always clawing the furniture and ripping up his best shirts. Besides, cats were the pets of girls. Any real man owned a dog.

        "Ranma, son, Come over here for a moment," Ranma looked up at his Otoosan, laughter and happiness filled his eyes as he rushed over and jumped on Genma's lap.

        "Yes, Otoosan?" Ranma looked at the paper his father had. He liked paper, it was fun to draw on, and it made a neat crinkly sound.

        Genma noticed his interest, and put the ink-pad in front of Ranma. "Would you like to put your hand-print on the paper, Ranma?" Genma smiled down at his son. Ranma's eyes lit up when he heard this.

        "Really? I won't get in trouble? Mama doesn't like me playing with ink," Ranma looked over at the kitchen, wondering when dinner would be done.

        "No, Ranma! It's perfectly fine. Just put your hand there, okay?" Genma pointed to a piece of the paper which was largely blank. Ranma beamed as he stuck his hand in the ink and splatted his hand across the empty spot. Genma smiled. *Now, all I have to do is talk to Nodoka...*

        Ranma blinked again, as he came back to the real world. He realized Memeko had answered, but his mind had been on something else... a very unpleasant memory. He had thought he had forgotten... he had hoped he had. He sighed a weary breath then spoke.

        "What was that, again?" Ranma smiled uneasily, embarrassed that he would have to ask again. Fortunately, Memeko was more than kind to ablige, and she paused in her work to answer him.

        "I said he's in the vault. Go down the hallway, into the second door on the left. Climb down the ladder there and walk down the hallway... there will be a large door which should be unlocked and open," Memeko went back to her cooking, giving Ranma only a second glance before concentrating completely on the kitchen.

        Ranma looked at Memeko, thinking that Hiroshi's sister was a bit odd, though not too bad. Yet she had insulted Ranma several times that day, and questioned his manhood, albeit though not on purpose. Ranma simply shrugged and walked down the hall, making sure he had gotten the directions right.

        He found the room, just like Memeko had said, and climbed down the ladder. The hallway was damp in places, and several times Ranma got caught in a stream of water falling from cracks in the ceiling. He cursed as he felt the change, a bit slower than usual, but the change nonetheless.

* * * * * *

        Hiroshi looked at the statue he had been working on, he criticized it carefully, trying to find any flaw in it. He caught a slight imperfection, hard for anyone to see, and chipped away at the statue with his chisel.

        Hiroshi had remembered the time he had first come down here, his Father had brought him. He remembered his Father fondly, and a sad smile stretched slowly over his face. His Mother and Father had moved away recently... and although Memeko was the best sister a guy could have, Hiroshi missed his parents.

        Hiroshi finished chipping away at the statue and took a step back to admire his work. Under normal circumstances, he would never have carved the thing... but the Kuno's payed vivid amounts of cash.

        Hiroshi found himself shuddering when he looked at the stone visage of Kuno Tatewake. He had done himself some justice... it was so lifelike it caused people to shudder.

        *Of course, it could be that this place is a damp, cold, wet pit of a place, Hiroshi.* He said to himself. The truth of the matter was, the humidity was very high in the Vault, and the temperature was approximately 40 degrees Farenheit. Somewhat cool.

        Hiroshi sighed... his anger and frustration always seemed to leave when he came down to the Vault. His mind was eased by the act of creating, and he loved what he created... whether it be clay, granite, or marble... he always enjoyed finding the form to fit the shape.

        Hiroshi frowned as he looked over at a white tablecloth, covering up a statue he had been working on. He walked over to it, a heavy breath in his lungs, and drew the sheet aside.

        He smiled as he stared up at the stone likeness of Mihoko. He had loved her... more than most would have. *But that is me... you see? How can I not love such wonderful people? Everyone has their own spirit... hidden away from the rest of the world. If only I could see them... If only they could see me...* Hiroshi let out a shuddering sigh, and then wiped a tear from his face. He looked back up at the statue, it towered a good two feet above him. *Well... Mihoko is gone. I can't say I blame Ranma... that would be unfair. He's not the one who always get's chicks to fall for him... it's usually their own fault. Then why am I trying to convince myself I'm still angry?* Hiroshi thought about that, then laughed. He found his heart was not as heavy as it had been when Mihoko had called him. *Actually, that was kinda cruel... over the phone and such. Didn't even have the courage to tell me to my face.* Hiroshi told himself it would most likely be best to scrap the statue. Use the stone for a smaller cutting, and destroy this visage of Mihoko.

        "Dammit!" Came a female voice from the doorway. Hiroshi's eyes widened and he threw the sheet back over the statue, and wheeled around. He saw a familiar red-head, who seemed more than a bit angry.

        "R-Ranma! What are you doing here?! This is... this is my place..." Hiroshi felt a bit betrayed... but he couldn't just throw his friend out. Ranma hadn't known what she was doing coming down here.

        "Dammit! I go through all that trouble to find hot water... then I start lookin' for you, and what happens?! I end up a girl 'cuz you can't find someplace dry to hang out!" Ranma looked down at herself, mumbling curses about her curse.

        "Shutup, Ranma! You're not even supposed to be down here! This is my place..." Hiroshi walked up to his friend. He desperately wanted Ranma to go... the one reason Hiroshi came down to the Vault was to be alone. To cool his anger, calm his depression, dismiss his sadness, and conquer his loneliness. His carving allowed him to relax his mind, and let the worries of life slip away from his memory.

        "What is this place anyway? GAH! KUNO!" Ranma jumped and dropped into a defensive stance before she realized that Kuno wasn't moving. She relaxed and walked over to the statue, knocking on it with her knuckle.

        "Do you... like it Ranma?" Hiroshi asked, afraid of the critisism from his best friend. Hiroshi had never liked people who critisized other peoples work, it always made the artist feel bad.

        Hiroshi watched as Ranma's face changed from a silent wonder, to a smile, then Ranma began laughing hysterically.

        "You... you think it's funny? I worked for three months on that thing!!!" Hiroshi was fuming, and Ranma paused long enough to wheeze out an answer.

        "N-No!!! It's that... Kuno.... as dense as a rock! BWAHAHAHAHA!" Ranma keeled over, laughing as hard as she could.

        Hiroshi thought for a moment, then started laughing himself when he caught the dramatic irony. They both ended up on the ground, straining for a breath whenever possible.

        After about ten minutes of laughing, they managed to sit up, Ranma wiped the tears off her face.

        "I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life!" She looked around the room as she stood up. There were small figurines and ornaments of all shapes and sizes, some of people Ranma didn't recognize, but many of people Ranma had seen regularly at school. Of course, some of them looked younger in a few of the figurines or statues, as if they had been made several years ago. The room was quite large, about twice the size of the pond, and had several supporting stone columns holding the roof up.

        Hiroshi watched as Ranma examined his work, some of the things he had made years ago made Ranma smile in recognition of a younger Kasumi, or a younger Gosunkugi. Some of the newer things caused Ranma to either smile, emit a chuckle, or get an odd, sad look in her eyes.

        "These are good, Hiroshi. Why didn't you tell anyone you were an artist?" Ranma looked back at her friend. She questioned whether she knew Hiroshi or not, if he had been hiding something like this who knows what he hadn't told Ranma.

        "Everyone's an artist, for we paint our lives with tears, laughter, sorrow, and happiness. What a brilliant collage it makes," Hiroshi smiled at his own thought, and then pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil, quickly scribbling down his words.

        "Well, gee, aren't we the poetic one. Seriously, Hiroshi, how come you never told me or Daisuke you liked things like this?" Ranma waved her hand around at the various masterpieces, and finally pointed at the Statue-Kuno with a smile.

        "Ranma... do you have anywhere you can really be alone? Somewhere where you can-" Ranma begins speaking with Hiroshi, and there words are synchronous.

        "-Be left to your thoughts. Where the world just seem's to melt away under the stray peace you have finally conquered, and you have a moment to live life, not fear it..."

        They both fell silent. Ranma grinning just as widely as Hiroshi.

        "Yeah... the roof at the Dojo. It's the only place that I can get away from Akane and all the insanity that seems to follow me, are ya saying that this place is kind of your own private shrine?" Ranma looked around at the statues, a new meaning dawning on her. She had invaded his personal space, she had entered without asking first.

        Hiroshi's silence was an answer enough for Ranma, She began to walk back to the large door. She wasn't supposed to be in the Vault, nobody but Hiroshi was supposed to be down there. Ranma thought she understood.

        "Wait!" Ranma stopped in mid-stride, somewhat shocked at the voice who commanded her to halt. Hiroshi had asked her to stop? *Oh well, might as well oblige.*

        "Yeah?" Ranma said, turning around to face Hiroshi. Strangely enough, Hiroshi had a faint smile on his face.

        "You can stay Ranma. I mean, you obviously came down here to ask me something. The least I could do is listen, and besides... it's kind of dreary down here. It feels damp, depressing, and not to mention boring being alone down here. Besides, it's not so bad talking to you. Now if Daisuke had come down here..."

        They both looked at eachother and started to laugh.

        "Daisuke would have driven me insane! Admit it Ranma, Daisuke talks to much," Hiroshi slapped Ranma nicely on the back, while he chuckled.

        "Normally I would tend to... ahh hell! He's alway's been wordy, but sometimes it's good to hear ol' Daisuke's opinion on things. Don't worry, I'll be long in my grave till Daisuke finds out about this place! I mean, he would probably try to throw a party down here er' somethin!" Ranma looked around, visualizing the people all hanging around the statues, drinking beer and listening to loud music. She started laughing again, when she was done she looked back at Hiroshi.

        "Ranma... since you do know about this place... theres a rule I have always tried to keep while down here. Basically... while you're down here, tell no lies to yourself or anyone else, which would most likely be me or Memeko,"

        "Memeko comes down here?" Ranma asked. Ranma hadn't hit it off with the woman, she was too odd and obscure with Ranma. But her daughter was very Kawaii, and Ranma didn't really mind the little girl.

        "Yeah... she brings me food when I forget to eat. I can get lost in my work sometimes..." Hiroshi unconciously looked over at the covered statue of his ex-girlfriend... thinking about how much time he had wasted on bringing her likeness into the stone... the stone had bothered Hiroshi. It seemed like the stone had wanted to be something else... some form Hiroshi had not yet seen. Maybe he wouldn't scrap the statue, maybe he would continue until he found what Shape the Form wanted.

        "I've always wondered why you would disappear from school for a few days, I mean I knew you weren't lost, that's Ryouga's job. I guess you care a lot about these statues, huh?" Hiroshi walked past Ranma, to a cube of Clay he had bought the day before. He was always either buying stone from various places, or buying huge cubes of clay. He found the clay more manageable basically because the clay seemed to demand a form more than the Stone did. Usually stone was fine the way it was, no matter how unhappy the spirit inside... but it still wished to be formed from the shapeless mass. Clay was just more mallable.

        "Yes... I do. Would you like to join me, this evening? It's great for stress," Hiroshi looked down at the clay, then considered Ranma. Ranma most likely had never carved or shaped in her life, so clay would be an easier task. If Ranma messed up, all she had to do was start over with the clay.

        The process was much harder with stone, because stone was not easily shaped.

        Ranma looked at the clay with unsurety written on her face. She was sure she couldn't do Hiroshi justice, he was just so much better than her at this type of thing.

        "Come here Ranma, give me your hand..." Hiroshi offered his hand out to the girl, all the while staring intently at the clay. Ranma looked back at the door and then back at Hiroshi. She shook her head with a sigh and offered her hand.

        Hiroshi pressed her hand to the clay, getting it filthy. The moist air in the room had worked to make the clay wet. Ranma experimentally pushed on the clay, and it moved quite easily.

        Hiroshi looked at the clay, then back at Ranma. He looked back at the clay. He saw Ranma poke the clay, and then push some of it.

        "Here, Ranma, you work on that and I'll start on another block. You can tell me what's bugging you," Hiroshi moved to one of the other blocks of clay he had bought, looking at it carefully he began to push and pull, reshaping the clay itself.

        "Well... Ahhh... The thing is... I needed to ask you, are you angry about what happened with Mihoko?" Ranma tensed, unsure of Hiroshi's answer. She didn't want her friend to be angry with her, but she felt that he had been. *Who wouldn't be angry?*

        Hiroshi thought about the question, never halting in his endevour. True, Mihoko had meant much to him... but she was just another person he would have to get over. It _HAD_ hurt more when he had learned she had fallen for Ranma, but now that he reflected with a clear mind, he felt silly about the way he had acted. Truth be told, he wasn't angry with Ranma at all.

        "No Ranma. It wasn't your fault. You just seem to attract trouble, and I'll be damned if I'm going to hate my best friend 'cause of something some girl did. I'll get over her, that's the way life works," Ranma was surprised at Hiroshi's response, to say the least. She paused and looked at him for a moment, then went back to her work.

        "Ack! Damn this stuff is messy! Don'tcha ever get a cold from being wet all the time, Hiroshi?" Ranma tried wiping her hands on her vest, only succeeding in getting it even dirtier. Ranma couldn't understand how any normal person could stand the humidity and temperature in the room. She, of course, didn't get colds. Her fit physique and martial arts training somehow fended off illness.

        "Nope. I'm immune to colds, Flu's, and Pneumonia. It's a genetic thing, which I'm sure Daisuke could explain," Hiroshi smiled as he thought of Daisuke. Hiroshi and Daisuke had grown up together, and had known eachother ever since the first grade. Daisuke was always taking things apart, and analyzing all the answers adults gave him, then asking more questions.

        Hiroshi had been content to watch Daisuke in his pursuits of knowledge, learning a bit on the way. Hiroshi felt more relaxed in his own world of fantasy and art-work. Hiroshi remembered that the first toy to actually grasp his attention had been a lump of clay his uncle had given him. He was fascinated by the prospect that it could be anything that the shaper wanted.

        Later, Hiroshi found that he could start to work on something, and not know what it was until he was finished... as if the clay itself had given his mind a shape to work on.

        "Hey Hiroshi, You hear about Makari and Keiko?" Ranma seemed to be intent upon the clay, but glanced up at Hiroshi when she spoke.

        "Nah... so what's Makari gotten into this time?" Hiroshi smiled to think what the large man could have done to get into trouble.

        "Actually, he was the guy that stopped it. Yoruma was picking on Keiko almost to the point where she was crying, and Makari just stepped in and tossed Yaruma aside like he wasn't nothin," Ranma frowned at the clay for a moment. *What am I making?* Ranma had no idea why the block of clay, which was both taller and wider than her, kept her attention.

        "A big guy like Makari? I feel sorry for Yaruma," Hiroshi was feeling... better. His angst was almost completely gone, and he was having fun with his friend. What more could one ask?

        "Yeah, especially since Makari threw him into Kodachi, who was visiting her Brother!" Ranma and Hiroshi laughed, imagining exactly what had happened to Yaruma.

        "Hey, didja hear about Hushiro and Kinaka?" Hiroshi began shaving sections of clay off with his hand while he spoke.

        "Yeah, someone told me about that. Principle Kuno wasn't happy that they trashed the math department, as well as putting that stink-bomb in his son's locker!" Ranma grinned as she recalled the several days where everyone had steered clear of Kuno... for an entirely different reason. His Kendo outfit had wreaked of rotten fish for three days. Ranma saw what Hiroshi was doing, and started mimicking... after about fifteen minutes of normal talk, Ranma felt quite a bit more relieved.     *Huh... must be therapeutic...* Ranma thought as she held a ball of clay in her hand.

        Then Ranma got an idea.

        Hefting the lump of clay in her hands, Ranma turned to Hiroshi. "Yo, Hiroshi!" When her friend looked at her she caught him square in the face. Ranma laughed, and Hiroshi grinned as he brought his own ball of clay to bear, and launched it at Ranma.

        This continued for hours on end, they both spoke of some of the things bothering them, some of the events happening in school that week, and most of the time they were either playing around or molding the clay. Through the course of it all, Ranma had forgotten about her terrible day and about Akane.

        At one point, Hiroshi was calmly working on his clay, shaping it and thinking. The room had been silent for the last half hour, and Hiroshi looked over at Ranma, then back down at the clay. He was thinking about how much he missed his Mother and Father. *Maybe I should visit them, someday...*

        Then Hiroshi looked again at Ranma. Hiroshi sighed a weary breath as he stared at his friend. She had fallen asleep in the chair, and had fallen forward so her face was planted in the clay. Hiroshi looked at his wristwatch, seeing that it was 2:38 a.m.

        He stood and strode to the wash bucket next to the door and rinsed his arms off. He hung his black apron on the hanger inlaid on the wall.

        He walked over to Ranma's inert form, looking down at his friend. She had had a rough day, and Hiroshi couldn't blame her if she was tired. *In fact I'm pretty tired myself...* Hiroshi yawned to accompany the thought.

        He carefully pulled Ranma back, letting her fall into his arms. *Ranma is so slight as a girl... she's even smaller than Memeko.* Hiroshi felt sorry for his friend... her life and been tough on her, and it didn't seem to be getting any better. Maybe if he were to help, Ranma could patch up her torn existence.

        *Maybe I'll try tomorrow...* Hiroshi looked down at Ranma as the girl let out a soft sigh and snuggled closer to Hiroshi. He smiled a bit, thinking about when he had put Kaehmi to bed, and finding a similararity between the two. Hiroshi walked out of the Vault, and saw the glow of a lamp waiting for him. He avoided the leaks in the ceiling and walked to the soft illumination. As he approached, he could see his sister waiting at the bottom of the ladder.

        "Been down here a while, haven't you?" Memeko looked at Ranma with a bit of compassion. She adjusted the ladder so that Hiroshi could walk up it like stairs, and then went up herself, lamp in hand.

Hiroshi was either too tired, or unconcerned to answer his Sister's unimportant questions. He tightened his grip on Ranma and carefully walked up the ladder/stairs.

"...mhmmmm... Akane..." Hiroshi unconciously stroked Ranma's head, putting her back to sleep. Her hair felt... like silk. Red silk.

        Hiroshi took Ranma to his room. Posters adorned the walls, as well as drawings. Flowers sat on a vase on Hiroshi's desk, memento's from Mihoko... and his bed was large and soft.

        He carefully sat Ranma upright on his bed. Ranma's eyes were barely opened, verifying that she was, indeed, three-quarters asleep.

        "...Hnnnn... Form tainted... Folded wrong..." Ranma muttered. Hiroshi left the room and came back moments later with a pair of PJ's, those of which had once belonged to his sister. Little fish and bubbles were printed all over the sky blue PJ's.

        He pulled Ranma's filthy red chinese shirt off. He looked at it for a moment, then threw it into the dirty clothes bin. He quickly pulled the PJ's top over Ranma's head, and slid it over the rest of her voluptuous figure. He pulled Ranma's chinese slippers off and put them beside the bed. Ranma fell back asleep, plopping down onto the soft bed. Hiroshi pulled her pants off, and slid the PJ bottoms on, then threw the chinese slacks into the dirty clothes. His mind was running through how he could help Ranma. He turned away, and at the door looked back at his friend, lying peacefully on the bed.

        "Guess it's the couch tonight, Hiroshi," He murmured to himself as he closed the door.

        Ranma dreamt sweet dreams of clay and dancing the katas she had been taught. Ranma began to wonder where all the clay came from, and why it seemed to be trying to trap him.

        In the dirty clothes bin, within the pocket of some chinese slacks, sits a piece of paper which could have changed the course of Ranma's life.

        "Ranchan. Sorry. Come to Diner Tonight, Please?"

* * * * * *

        Ranma stirred in bed. Her dreams melted away, forming into a new shape. Ranma was silently walking down a glowing path, the starlit sky seemed to surround her. She saw a tree and unconciously climbed into it. She looked out over the world, a peaceful rain spattered on the leaves.

        Strangely she was not afraid of the water, and looking down she saw that she was indeed female. She looked back out over what now appeared to be water, and she was floating by on a raft. There were images filling her mind as she stared up at the starlit sky.

        She saw Akane and the male Ranma. Akane was digging a pit, and Ranma was gazing at it with exaltation. After a moment, Ranma kissed Akane on the cheek and jumped into the hole. Akane started filling the hole in, all the while with tears in her eyes.

        Ranma stirred again in bed, slightly uncomfortable with the image being offered. Then she relaxed, and she felt like she was sitting in the tree again.

        She was watching a beautiful procession with all her friends and family... as Ranma waited at an altar. Akane was suddenly there with him, and they were wed. Mousse, Shampoo, Kuno, Cologne, and Kodachi all disappeared. Ryouga stood by Akari, offering her a peach.

        Soun and Genma were dancing a waltz together, and Nodoka was quietly demolishing a marble obelisk.

        Ranma and Akane walked toward the sun, their feet crunching loudly over marble chips. The sun turned black, and then it was night again.

        Ranma saw her mother cleaving her in two while a silent Panda watched. Suddenly their was two Ranma's, and both fought eachother... then one seemed to engulf the other...

        The image changed. Ranma saw Daisuke staring at a blackboard, and finally he wrote- RANMA=^_^- and something after it Ranma couldn't understand.

        Ranma saw herself sitting at a dining table, holding crushed rose petals in her hand. Suddenly they turned to glass and cut her deeply when she clenched her fists.

        Blood fell onto the bare ground and a garden sprang up. She saw two children playing in the flowers, one reminded her of Hiroshi, the other of herself. They were pretending martial arts, when suddenly a dark shadow rose over them.

        A man with a mask asked if a small porcelain figurine was Ranko's, referring to the little girl.

        The image shifted again. A green landscape with high hills surrounded an older Ranma, her hair unbound. She wore a dress of white, the sun reflected off of it with a glare.

        Ryouga and Akane stood to her left, Nodoka and a man masked with a porcelain facemask to her right. They all looked down on an enormous palace, sparkling in the beautiful day.

        Suddenly Ranma was not in the tree, she was walking down the glowing path again. But now she was surrounded by the hilly landscape, and she came to a fork in the road. Down one way was a man with a similar mask. The other held Akane and a long sought answer. Then the man took off his mask... and Ranma made a choice.

========>To Hiroshi's room.

        Sunlight shone into the room, illuminating the white walls and causing Ranma to squint her eyes shut. She unconciously put the pillow over her head, shading her sensitive eyes from the blinding sunlight. She drifted back to sleep for several hours. When she rolled back over, the sunlight hit her eyes again and she opened one a bit.

        She sighed heavily as she sat up. She looked around, and t