Ranko's Bet: The Silent Master

Disclaimer: Ranma doesn't belong to me, Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me and El Hazard doesn't belong to me either. Sucks kind of.

Ranko's Bet is a FanFiction award by Duct Tape from the Temple of Ranma's Senshi Seifuku.

Warnings: If you think Ranma and Akane are the one and only pairing, think again or go away. This story is hopefully a first and it's a first time for me featuring anything with Sailor Moon inside. So you have been warned.

Ranma sighed, he did that a lot recently, again as he kept pace with his father, Akane and the old pervert. Happosai had found, had stolen, a treasure map in his collection of scrolls. What Happosai had translated was about a Demon Goddess, a beautiful female, great power, and a key of treasure. When they set out each of them had their own plans in mind. Ranma thought about getting out before the Daemon Goddess tried to kill him and marrying him once he survived, Akane wanted to proof that she was a god slayer too, Genma was there for the treasure and Happosai for the beautiful woman. Ranma was there to keep the Demon Goddess away or at least busy.

After two days of walking, since they didn't have enough money for the trains, they arrived at the place the map probably indicated. It was in front of a small hill. Akane volunteered to cook, while the males were supposed to search, since they were at their target.

"No, we survived coming here and I don't intend to die because of your cooking before the mess starts." Open mouth, insert foot, chew, all in one package deal by Ranma Saotome.

"Ranma no baka, my cooking tastes great!" The offended female screamed and pulled her mallet out to smash Ranma.

Ranma's usual luck, or was it his Chaos factor?, decided to visit and by sheer coincidence Ranma managed to be at the right place at the wrong time, wrong place on the right time, right place right time or was it wrong place wrong time? Whatever it was, it meant that he was standing on top of the a weakest part of the ceiling of the tunnel they were looking for, weak considering the power of the mallet, it caused the earth to crumble away beneath him and dropped him into an underground stream that whisked her away while the others stared at the hole in the ground.

"Groaf" [He wants the treasure!]

"Ranma you ungrateful boy, how dare you go for the girl without me?" Happosai whined.

"You pervert, I won't let you add them to your harem" Akane fumed and prepared herself to follow her runaway fiancée. Nobody wondered that she used plural and seemed to think of the Demon Goddess and the beautiful women of the scroll in the combination with Ranma.

"Grof!" [Remember you can't swim!]

"Damn that pervert" the ever unhappy, jealous tomboy fumed.

---

Ranma-chan would have fumed if she could but the cold water and the fast current kept her occupied. She went down a slope into what she thought was a spiral down, it reminded her of those slides in the water parks. Only that it felt really long, and it was dark. She doubted that it was natural since it felt regular and the walls seemed carved and very smooth. After ages of trying to get a grip on the wall she saw a small light at the end of the tunnel, and it was approaching very fast. Thanks to her battles she learnt a few nice tricks in water. First a Mouko Tabashia to damage the ceiling, next was a shark fist, that did another good deal of damage, now that the texture was roughed up Ranma-chan started on digging her hands and feat into the craters, more stones turned loose and she didn't stop but it slowed her down with the water pushing at her back. Uncoiling muscles shot her from the water to the ceiling that bore a good deal of damage too, slipping fingers and toes into cracks made it possible to stick to it. Like a Spider, or rather a Gecko Ranma-chan made her way towards the end of the tunnel, peeking out she looked into a great cave with no obvious light source. And then Ranma-chan saw it, a ledge camouflaged against the roof of the cave. Hidden from prying eyes that dared to come here, the end of the tunnel was probably the only place where you could see it from. At least that was the logical conclusion considering the amount of bones covering the ground of the cave, both in and out of water.

Ranma-chan pulled herself out of the tunnel and smashed a few holes into the wall, it was a complicated jump in these conditions, but she tried it. Her Ki started flaring outside her body while it was surging inside her veins following meridians and pathways preparing the body for what was to come, muscles compacted and tensed, than one last fast move, Ki flared, the wall caved in, muscles uncoiled and stretched in a moment that was to fast for normal people to witness and she was flying, at least it seemed like it, the apex of her flight would be a bit above the ledge.

Ranma-chan had expected another wall and having to follow another piece of ledge for while, she never expected another tunnel and went right inside, making a few rolls to take away speed and power she managed to stop pretty soon.

Ranma-chan got to her feet and looked around, symbols on the walls, what looked like a temple in the middle with a staff hovering above a pool with something glowing inside. Curiosity killed the cat was a very common saying, not that Ranma-chan would ever use it since she had a highly allergic reaction to felines, not that he knew what the word feline meant. So he went on not knowing that the saying applied to her cat side. Slowly the wet redhead approached the temple and looked into the pool. Finding the beautiful women in there seemingly sleeping was a surprise. He had expected the Demon Goddess first. Thinking back at what he heard from Happosai about the scroll the floating Staff would probably be the key. That left still the power and the Demon Goddess unaccounted for.

"To the hell, one thing at a time" she grumbled and took the staff, blue arks of what looked like electricity arched all over her, but without the usual effect of being zapped. Ranma once again had the feeling that she did something that she shouldn't have done. Especially when the blue haired female rose from the pool, completely dry. She didn't move and seemed only to float there. "Uhm, hello?" Ranma-chan tentatively asked.

Ranma-chan looked the figure over, enough Chi to blow cities and make Saffron hide, but all dormant, no traces of Ki, a well-built women, a bit taller than he was. She was dressed in some kind of a bodysuit, the material reminded Ranma-chan of rubber, the veils looked like silk. Ranma-chan walked around her, the clothes were kept in white and lighter shades of blue with a touch of grey. He decided that there was something missing. Waling around her Ranma saw her backside and on her backside and a bit above it, a metallic hole.

A thought crossed her mind "She is a wind up doll?" but to Ranma-chan it made sense in a weird kind of way. The staff was the key to the women, the women was therefore the treasure. All that was left was the power and the Demon Goddess. So Ranma-chan lifted the Staff and inserted the end into the hole, turning it clockwise again the blue arks of energy raced all over her body as she kept on turning. "Next thing I'll find out that I just powered the Demon Goddess" Ranma-chan giggled before her statement registered in her brain. "Oh shit!"

Ifurita-22 woke, the feeling of a new Master registering in her mind, she had fought battles before she became the stationary unit inside of the Eye of Terror, the greatest of all weapons of El Hazard. A quick check told her that it was 10.156 local years, and 286 days since she went to sleep after creating this shrine for herself. Now it was once again time to walk the path of destruction and obey her new Master, or to be specifically correct, Mistress.

"Welcome Mistress," she saw her Mistress wince "I am Ifurita-22, the most powerful kind of demon Goddesses. What are your orders"

"Oh no" Ranma registered a few thing that were very wrong to her. First, this was the Demon Goddess and therefore the power from the scroll, next was the fact that she was called 'Mistress' and finally that Akane was going to kill her for getting another beautiful women.

Ifurita stepped closer and saw her Mistress cringe away, she stopped contemplating this unexpected reaction. "Mistress I need my staff"

"Oh, sure, sorry, and call me Ranma" She handed the staff over and watched fascinated the small arcs of lightning inside the big crystal balls. "So I'm your Master? And what are you?"

"I am Ifurita-22, an android of the Ifurita series, called the most powerful of the Demon Goddesses, build by an ancient civilisation thousands of years ago in a different dimension. I was built to copy any technique that is used against me once my body experiences it"

Ranma-chan took a few moments to adsorb the information. "So you aren't from around here and stuck with me until you find someone else." Ranma-chan nodded to herself. "You wanna spar after we get out of here? I would love to learn techniques from a different dimension" At least this time there was no danger of being killed unless Ifurita had enemies and she survived Akane's first temper tantrum, marriage was also out unless... "Say you want to marry me?"

Ifurita would have facefaulted if she knew how, now she choose to to answer "If it is your wish, my body was created in similar functionality to the ancient ones who resembled your species very closely"

Ranma-chan jumped up and waved frantically with her hands "No, no, it's just that most girls want either to kill me, to marry me or both for one reason or another. I never asked for any of them." Ranma-chan said sullenly.

Ifurita wondered what to say, her Mistress was showing obvious signs of distress "Shall I destroy them?"

"What? No, no killing unless it is absolutely necessary to save lives!" Ranma-chan said far more forcefully than necessary.

Ifurita considered what her Mistress told her and made a rule out of it: Kill only if necessary to save more lives than are lost. "I shall not kill unless it is needed"

"Why are ya so casual about it?"

"I am a weapon of great power"

"I know but how much? I know it's a lot, but how strong are you?"

"I was used to race cities, destroy countries and eliminate opposing armies."

"Wow, that reminds me of Saffron" Ranma-chan exclaimed surprised. "Saffron, immortal Phoenix God, regenerated damage without blinking, we destroyed a mountain together."

"You seem to be strong Ranma if you erased him."

"Naw, he got reborn as a child later, I didn't want to kill him but I had to, to save everyone."

Ifurita's rules were a bit updated since the story gave her more information on the 'no killing unless necessary' rule "I will be glad to serve you Ranma, anything else I should know immediately?"

"You have some hot water?"

Ifurita walked over to her shrine and cupped some water into her hand to heat it, Ranma looked interested, If he could use his Ki to heat water it would make things a lot easier, he just knew that it was going to be good having Ifurita around. "Pour it over my head and observe me"

Ifurita did and responded at once "Dual Mastership accepted, welcome Master Ranma"

"Only Ranma! What do ya mean, 'dual Mastership'?" Ranma now male and confused asked.

"Ifurita units may have more than one Master, to accept a new Master all Masters must be present and accept, to remove Mastership death or agreement of all Masters is needed."

Ranma mulled over the words for a moment "So we are stuck tighter till one of us dies since my girl- and my boyside are different"

"Yes Ranma"

"Great" Ranma had the feeling that he would keep her for ever and than some more. "How old are you anyway?"

"Describe local time units"

"Huch?"

Ifurita was a very patient android, and she just added two new rules: Explain and ask Masters in the most uncomplicated manner possible. Educate Master. "How do you measure time on this world in this age. I relate a year to one circle around the resident sun, is this correct?"

"Ah yes, we have 365 day in a year, twelve months, but the are mostly 30 or 31 days long, a week is seven days, a day has 24 hours, one hour 60 minutes and a minute 60 seconds."

"First activation of Ifurita-22 happened 14.035 years, 6 months of 30 days, two weeks, three days, 14 hours, 56 minutes and 12 seconds ago. Total activation time was one year, two months, 3 weeks, one day, five hours and 16 minutes. Last activation was 10.129 years ..."

"Enough, I don't need the minutes, days and so on, wow, you slept really long. So how do we get out?"

Ifurita stepped to Ranma and pulled the martial artist to herself "We fly"

Energy arched all over her staff as she lifted it and pointed it the ceiling, a bluish ray of light shot from the tip and tore through the ceiling, moments later Ranma felt and heard the explosion before he lost the ground beneath his feet and flew out of the new opening to the surface.

---

"He has been gone for half an hour, the ungrateful boy"

"That baka, always getting into trouble, or he is doing something perverted to the woman down there" Akane growled.

Happosai made a shocked sound before he came bouncing over "Don't worry Akane-chan I will save her from Ranma"

Anything anyone would have said was forgotten since a little further the ground exploded and the explosion threw all but Happosai of their feet, he just kept on snuggling into Akane's bosom.

When they looked up again the saw something flash through the dust and disappear high in the sky where it accelerated even more and created a visible white streak that went towards Tokyo.

"He must have released the Demon Goddess, why did I have to have such an inexperienced son?" Genma moaned.

Happosai wept too, "No more Ranma-chan, I will make her pay for that"

Akane was torn between crying and being angry "That jerk, always doing everything on his own"

"We have to see if he is still alive" Genma said eyeing the hole.

"You go first Genma"

"Bur Master..."

Again all talk was interrupted, this time by a wet explosion coming from underground, Ifurita completely destroyed her long time sanctuary. The geyser of water and stone blasted the little group to all sides and turned Genma into a panda, Happosai avoided much damage but Akane and Genma were both knocked out. He pulled them from ground zero and came to the conclusion that returning to Nerima today was impossible.

---

High up in the air Ranma was flaring his battle aura to lessen the stress on his body from the fast air current.

Ifurita's speciality was adaptation, she could basically learn anything that was used and came into contact with her body. Ranma's battle aura was in direct contact with her and got analysed, strengthening of the body, damage adsorption and high end senses were the first things she found out, Ranma's aura was blue, Ifurita's first try at generating a aura turned white and blinded Ranma who felt clearly overwhelmed by the power.

---

At the Nekohaten Khu Lon looked up and shivered, the pure great power she felt just now should be impossible, pure Ki, the merging with Chi, pure power, untainted. "Oh Yes Son-in-law will find himself pressed this time" The cackle sent shivers down everyone's spine in the restaurant.

"Great great Grandmother scary" Xian Pu exclaimed from behind a corner.

"Quack" agreed Mu Tsu.

---

Herb blinked, that felt dangerous, but luckily, for her, Ranma was somewhere in that area. Too bad for him.

---

Saffron woke with a loud wail from his nap, Kiima came literally flying and tried too soothe him. After a few frantic minutes Saffron was calmer. "Maybe I should make Ranma help in raising Saffron. After all it is partly his fault" Thinking of a about six year old saffron in Chinese clothes doing a kata made her giggle, the picture of Ranma watching Saffron while having her in his lap, made her blush.

---

Setsuna Meiou was trying to keep a linear unbranched timeline, mostly unbranched. The great power that rippled above Japan caused a powerful backlash, that caused a powerful migraine, which caused her knock-out.

---

Amy Mizuno had her Mercury computer on permanent scan on Juuban, reading on a great power source outside Tokyo high in the air incoming at a speed that was greater than military hardware was capable off made her frown if she could call all the Senshi before they would get attacked.

---

The sudden burst off speed made even Ifurita wonder, very fast she pulled her aura into tight control, Ranma was barely conscious, such an aura should have killed, even evaporated him at once, but for some reason it felt familiar and he survived. The truth was that Ifurita Units were keyed to the Ki signature of a individual, this would be a small taint in the otherwise completely pure power of the Demon Goddesses and they were not allowed to endanger a Master unless directly ordered too. That made Ifurita unconsciously adjust her Aura to Ranma's so that the boy could survive.

Ifurita stopped, she was on the border of Tokyo, she felt that it took a lot of power but than again she had more power than she could usually use, maybe her new Master was capable of teaching her, in exchange she might try to teach him, he had a energy supply that was big enough to try some techniques that were usually only possible with technical help beyond the standard on this world. She decided that she liked her new Master.

"Where now?" she asked.

"Huch? Oh, over there, and Ifurita"

"Yes?"

"Never use your full battle aura unless you really have, I bet people all over the world felt that." Ranma explained.

"I shall learn to control it, Ranma" she agreed.

"Good, besides I want to learn about that pure Ki you have. It's damn powerful"

Ifurita allowed herself a small smile, a Master that that wanted her help and didn't see her as a tool of power, he/she wanted to learn from HER and would teach her. Yes she really liked him/her and would keep him/her alive as long as she could. If he/she would get killed, she decided to put his/her knowledge to good use and avenge him/her.

It wasn't love but the fiancées had just gotten a rival they could never even dream to defeat, not only in terms of power but also in devotion and in not accepting Ranma the way he/she was.

---

Nabiki Tendou liked to be on top and knowing everything, seeing Soun turned into a statue was not new, seeing Kasumi greet Ranma who was in the arms of a blue haired women was new. She took of for information and fun.

Kasumi had been hanging the laundry when she saw Ranma in the arms of a woman she didn't know, the interesting part was that the woman and Ranma were flying, they landed softly beside her. "Hello Ranma, who is new girlfriend here?"

Ranma blinked "She is not my girlfriend, she is a friend. Kasumi this is Ifurita, she will live with us from now on, Ifurita, this is Kasumi, she is the best cook I know and keeps the household here, I'm sure you will like, she can teach you how everything at home works." Ranma looked around "The statue over there is Mr. Tendou, he is Kasumi's, Nabiki's and Akane's father and this is his house. The girl coming is Nabiki, don't ask her anything, she will charge you for it, look out she makes pictures and sells them for money"

Nabiki looked at Ranma with interest "So who is she, another fiancée?"

"This is Ifurita Nabiki, I woke her at the place pops and the Perv dragged me to"

Nabiki glanced at Ifurita "Any reason why she is clothed in such a futuristic outfit?"

Ranma hesitated "She is from another time and world"

Nabiki looked at Ranma in an unbelieving way.

"Naaban Mirror?"

"Oh right ..." Nabiki thought about new ways to make money since there was another head in the house. "Martial Artist? Eat a lot of food?"

"I do not require food" Ifurita answered and followed Kasumi who invited her.

Nabiki eyed the Staff with interest.

Ranma interjected "No selling, she needs it"

Nabiki grinned, that was an interesting part of information.

Kasumi called out to Ranma "Ranma when may we expect Akane and your father?"

"Tomorrow I think, not before dinner probably, unless they take the train"

Nabiki shook her head "They don't have the money"

"You can always ride on the train" Ranma explained her

Nabiki just shook her head.

---

Ranma was explaining Japanese sitting customs to Ifurita when Soun woke up "What is the meaning of this?" Soun went into full demon head mode.

To Ranma it wasn't really threatening after facing Saffron but the Ki Soun was radiating was unpleasant.

Ifurita felt the fear aura Soun was giving of and went into a Demon Head herself, with her seemingly endless supply of Ki and and her not perfect control of the needed amount of pure Ki, she went overboard.

She released the technique after second but found Kasumi and Nabiki on top of Ranma who was blinking at at her. "Ifurita"

"Yes Ranma?"

"We need to start training, best now"

Ifurita nodded as she saw Nabiki jump of Ranma with an unsure look on her face, Kasumi had a healthy blush on her face and left Ranma's lap with a lot more dignity.

Ranma got up and showed Ifurita the way to the dojo.

---

Nabiki asked Kasumi the million Yen question "Do you think she really isn't a fiancée? She is a fighter and pretty, Heck Ranma seems to like her"

Kasumi nodded absently as she went into the kitchen "Nabiki do you think that she drinks tea if she doesn't eat?"

Nabiki sweatdropped "Ahm, ask her"

"I shouldn't disturb them now, Ranma-kun seemed so eager to teach her"

Nabiki considered, this WAS the first time Ranma ever seemed eager to teach a girl, she had to find out her secret, maybe it was because she was from a different world. But how to make money from someone who didn't have any, or at least none in the local currency.

---

"All right, first we will meditate, even though I can't really help you since every time I try to meditate something goes wrong" Ranma started his lesson.

"Really? Meditation is a lesson in relaxation, calming and concentration on certain aspects of life. Why would something go wrong there?" Ifurita asked calmly.

Ranma snorted "You'd wonder, wanna see?"

Ifurita nodded.

Ranma took a seat and Ifurita copied him as he sat down cross-legged "Meditation is about controlling your power, making a full battle aura drains your power pretty fast, not that you really have worry about that part, after all you have so much that Saffron would piss himself"

Ifurita decided that Ranma really needed lessons in proper speech. But whoever Saffron was, he seemed to be powerful. She also understood the drain due to the aura, while it increased her power greatly it used a lot of power.

Ranma started to glow softly, between his hands a pale glow started "This is a Mouko Tabashita. It is a Ki blast, I don't use all my power or it could blow the dojo. The same goes for my battle aura I control the amount of energy I put into it, the more the stronger, faster I get, but it takes more energy"

Ifurita nodded, it was a vague explanation but it worked for her. "When summoning the energy wants to flow, how do control that?"

Ranma nodded "Yes it wants to burst, that's why we have to control the rush, in my case I have to summon it, a little energy goes easily, if I want more power I have to push it into my aura"

Ifurita nodded again, she measured the Ki she had at her spontaneous disposal and compared it to the power she had felt from Ranma, it was almost what she thought to be his total power. She considered it to the power she felt from other people and decided that her Master was truly powerful.

Carefully she drew upon a little power and summoned a pure white ball of Ki in her hand. She knew that it wasn't completely as it should "Shoot me"

"What?" Ranma looked at her like crazy.

"Once you hit me I can analyse it"

"Why don't you just touch it?"

"That will enable me to feel it" Ifurita touched the ball and was surprised at the density, it was a good blast, nothing she was capable of, but she felt that his energy was different from hers, it felt more personal, it was his. She couldn't figure it out, but it filled her with confidence, she simply knew that she could handle it and that she could master it all easily. Being the most powerful being around didn't hurt either.

Ifurita shook her head.

"It's a rush, that's why I try for the pure stuff you use, no such side effects" Ranma told her after Ifurita had collected her thoughts.

Ifurita summoned a Ki sphere in close size to Ranma's, but Ranma looked at it in awe. "Make it smaller, If mine could blow a wall out, your takes the whole dojo apart"

Ifurita blinked and complied. She tried for the smallest still stable Ki projectile and summoned one in the size of a marble, a very deadly marble. Ranma felt reminded of the martial artist he had to fight. The little girl and her goons with the toys.

This time it was Ranma that went for a feel and he felt, pure power, untainted Ki, power, the real thing. To Ranma it was a humbling experience, after all the time he was training he had to find out that there was a android, or was it synthetic life form? Made to fight, that had so much pure power that it could basically do what it wanted and nobody would be able to do a thing, what hurt him personally was, she was untrained, that he could remedy, if he managed to learn to control pure Ki, even better, but at the moment he felt the joy of having a pupil that could learn as fast as him or even faster.

---

Shampoo was on a mission, she had to find out where Ranma had gone to, and later go there and warn him of the danger unless it was Happosai's fault that it escaped, in that case it was finding out what the evil little gnome unleashed.

After handing Mercenary Girl 2000 Yen, Shampoo got directed towards the dojo.

When she broke through the dojo door she saw Ranma sitting there while a blue haired woman was standing beside him with a white ball of Ki pointed at him.

"Enemy Blue Haired girl die!" Shampoo exclaimed and jumped at the new woman.

---

Ifurita had the sphere stable she wanted to ask Ranma for a target to test it's power but hesitated since he always complained about getting disturbed. He had explained her that he wanted to learn pure Ki. Now that he knew what he was looking for it should be easier.

The exploding wall made her wonder if there really was something to his story about not being able to meditate.

The girl coming in and aiming for her was more familiar ground, the little Ki marble hit Shampoo straight on and the explosion shook the dojo. Shampoo left the way she came, the hole she made in the dojo wall, but this time flying at high speeds due to being ground zero from the explosion of Ifurita' highly dense Ki marble. The Amazon ended her flight in the Koi pond.

The Koi were affected by the Tendou's and Saotome's. Now that an enemy in a reasonable size was dropped into their pond they attacked. Shampoo-neko found herself hit with fins, bitten, tackled and drowned.

Kasumi stepped to the pond that looked like hundreds piranhas in a feeding frenzy came for a visit and lowered her arm into the mess. After only a few moment she pulled her hand out and in her hand a twitching purple cat.

Nabiki fell over laughing and wondering if kiss of death applied to fish.

---

Ranma opened an eye and asked "Do you believe me now?"

Ifurita wanted too but such things were highly improbable "Coincidence?"

Ranma snorted "Just wait" He went back to meditating.

Several minutes into the meditation Kasumi opened the door and entered with a tea set. "I brought some refreshments, I know you don't eat Ifurita-san but would you like some tea?"

Ifurita saw Ranma's smirk as he gave her the 'I told you so' look. "Thank you, I shall enjoy the tea. I can eat, but it is not required"

Kasumi nodded "I made the cookies myself, if you will excuse me" She bowed and left.

"Third time's a charm?" Ranma asked the blue haired female super weapon.

She only nodded absently as she tried tasting a cookie, it was a first for her since she never required it and they were never offered to her before, she knew liquids, but solid food was something new, and she liked the taste.

Ranma's aura was flaring up and down, the colours were shifting but they were there, he even found a new way to increase the density of his aura and thought that he was close to finding a new way to hide his presence.

"Ranma Saotome prepare to die!" came a scream.

Not even a tenth second later Ifurita's staff was in her hand and she was aiming for the boy in the brown clothes with the bandanna on his head. Ranma registered the threat.

A tenth second and a bit, Ifurita fires while Ranma's brain decides that a sigh was a proper response.

Two tenth seconds, Ryoga gets hit by a strong, for normal humans lethal attack. Ifurita starts to rise. Ranma starts to sigh.

One second after Ryoga's trademark entrance, Ranma finished his sigh and wonders if Ifurita's presence is calming on his instincts. Ryoga has landed like Shampoo before him in the pond, he is left alone by the Koi since they didn't want to anger the tomboy with the mallet. All wood splinters and wall parts have fallen to the ground.

One minute after the attack, Ifurita blinked. "Did he turn into the pig?"

"Yes that was Ryoga, he is one of the best around, not as good as me, but nobody normal is, you believe me now?"

Ifurita blinked again, she decided to accept defeat "Yes, you want some tea?"

"I would love to" Ranma responded and Ifurita filled a cup and handed it to him.

"Ranma, why did you blow a hole into the wall?" Nabiki entered in a bad mood due to the new financial problem.

"She did it," Ranma said pointing to Ifurita "she blew Ryoga into the pond when he attacked me"

Nabiki shook her head "What are you talking about, there is only P-chan there"

Ifurita interrupted "But what Ranma said is true, I shot the boy with the bandanna into the pond where he turned into the pig with the bandanna"

Nabiki paled "He is P-chan?"

Ranma gaped "I thought you knew, hell you all teased me often enough about it"

Nabiki analysed a few situations from the past "Let me guess, daddy knows"

Ranma nodded.

"Why couldn't you tell her who P-chan is?"

"I promised"

Nabiki nodded, things made more sense now. "We are not finished Ranma, right now I got a pig to talk to"

Ifurita observed Nabiki "She was threatening you"

"Yes, can't do anything about it, we will see what happens later"

---

After a little sparring, which Ranma took seriously after Ifurita got her first ten hits in, Ranma felt the way he looked, beaten. She had taken more than a few hits, but adapted the striking techniques at once into her battle style, the Amaguriken she used was dangerous, it was worse than anything that Ranma got ever hit with, each strike easily as hard as Ryoga's but faster than his own. Oh he was happy to have an almost unbeatable sparring partner, or he would be once his ribs were back in one piece and his brain stopped killing him.

Ranma dragged himself up the stairs and undressed on the way, putting the clothes into the wash had to wait, as he stumbled into the bathroom he passed a naked Nabiki who had difficulty remembering seeing Ranma that beat up from a sparring since ages.

Ifurita followed Ranma wondering if she had went to hard on him, collecting the clothes on the way she came upon Nabiki who was dressing herself "Oh, Ifurita, put the his clothes in the hamper, he will be out in a bit, or you can try to join him, we have enough space for more than one person in the furo"

Nabiki left smirking, a camera was installed and would get a few good shots of Ifurita and Ranma together, it would be perfect.

---

Inside Ranma-chan had finished scrubbing herself and decided to step into the furo when the door opened and the newest household member stepped in, naked but armed with her staff.

"Eeep!" Ranma exclaimed and waited for the hit.

"Do you require anything Ranma?" Ifurita asked wondering about her Mistresses response.

"Aren't you going to hit me?" Ranma asked cautiously.

"Am I required to do that?" Ifurita asked puzzling "My knowledge of interaction indicates nothing of that kind, usually thing like this situation may lead to sexual activity or one leaving the bath. Do you wish me to do any of these?"

Ranma's brain overloaded, girl walking in wanted sex unless they left. Than what was it with Akane? Did she think of hitting with a mallet as sex? Ranma really had to wonder. Ifurita said that she would do both, or something like that. "No you can stay, guess I'll have to show you how to use this kind of baths ..." Open mouth, insert foot, chew.

"It would be appropriate Ranma" Ifurita nodded and observed as the redhead turned to the small stools on the floor. She had a fully functional body, only she had never used anything beyond her combat abilities, if her Mistresses rising body temperature was any clue, Ifurita had the feeling that this time might be a bit different. Even though she wasn't thinking that her Mistress was interested in that, unless she got rid of the nervousness.

Ranma was scrubbing Ifurita's back Ifurita was visibly relaxing, the only thing on her that made him wonder if she wasn't really human was the hole above the tail bone where the Staff was to be inserted. After are quick question knew that it was waterproof.

Rinsing was easy as Ifurita ignored the water temperature, getting into the furo made Ranma twitchy since he was now a male with a pretty woman that obeyed him in a bath. He really had to watch his mouth with her.

---

Nabiki waited for Ranma-chan and Ifurita to stop bathing and for the first chance to collect her pictures. When the two left the bath in conversation, Ranma's expression was one of confusion. Nabiki entered the bath and went for her special camera, she took it and saw it lying broken, shattered and burned. Nabiki twitched, she couldn't really ask Ranma for money for the replacement since that would be admitting making pictures of the family. She kept the copies and never had had to sell them, until now.

She even kept a few nice snapshots of herself, for entertainment value. The saucy pictures of Ranma-kun and Ranma-chan were part of her private collection and were kept for personal entertainment. Kasumi's pictures were kept too, Nabiki never understood why. Akane's pictures were financial backup. She never had intended to sell those, after all that was what Ranma was for.

So she controlled her collection if everything was still there.

---

Ranma and Ifurita were talking with Kasumi and enjoying the evening tea. Soun was fidgeting around Ifurita since he considered her more dangerous than the Master himself.

"Ranma-kun, will Ifurita-san accompany you to school?" Kasumi asked as oblivious as usually.

Ranma stopped moving for a moment. He seemed to consider it. "Hey Ifurita, ya have been active for a year or so, wanna go to school with me? If you think this afternoon was weird, school's far worse" Ranma snorted and mumbled something about insane principals, stupid kendoists and perverted students that not even Ifurita managed to understand with her superior hearing.

"I would like that, I understand that this school is your educational centre, do I need any information to enter?"

Ranma blinked and tried to decode the sentence.

Kasumi giggled and answered "I can borrow you my old school books, they should contain everything you might need"

Ranma decided to agree with Kasumi "Yup, Kasumi never tells something wrong"

Kasumi blushed "Ranma-kun that's sweet of you"

Now it was Ranma's turn to blush.

Ifurita watched the interaction and briefly wondered just how many women were after her Master. She made a note to herself to ask him for his life story later.

---

As night descended onto the Tendou-ke Ranma lay on the roof and watched the stars, Ifurita landed gently beside him and decided to break the silence "Ranma, I need to know your past, the interaction with the environment seems to based on that past and it is critical information"

Ranma blinked.

"Tell me your past"

Ranma nodded, he had forgotten that Ifurita was new to the bunch and didn't yet know what had happened.

"It all started about twelve years ago when ..." Ranma started talking, feelings started bursting forwards hidden thought, things he had told nobody before, he felt and knew that he could trust Ifurita, that she wasn't doing this only because he was her Master, he knew she wanted to know, and he realized that she would in turn tell him her story. So Ranma went over Ukyo, to insane training methods like the Neko-ken, the pain, nights full of silent tears and pain in body and soul, the loneliness, the hate, the fear, later being sold and not knowing it. The arrangements and all the fiancées, his stupid panda and the insane mother, the old pervert and the old ghoul. Enemies, one stronger than the other, Taro, Kiima, Saffron, Toma, The Seven Lucky Gods, Ryoga, Mousse, the Kuno's, the random challengers, new fiancées everywhere, the guys wanting and lusting after his girl side, the girls wanting and lusting after his guy side, the eternal chaos without a chance to relax. And now her, another girl/women by his side, but also a chance for peace since she knew new things, things that he wanted to learn and use, teach and being taught, to him most importantly, she wasn't out to get him or his blood.

Ifurita watched Ranma weep openly, laugh, frown, smile and much more. Deeply underlining was something she couldn't fully understand, emotional pain. She was old yet young, so she had no possible reference to his problems since they were not something military in nature. She found herself telling of wars, raced cities, destroyed homes, murdered people and destruction and more destruction. She realized that her life was monotone and Ranma was a hope for her too, the hope for a life more peaceful than the last. He was her Master, she corrected as a small rain changed him into a girl, Mistress and while not peaceful life it wasn't centred on destruction. Like him she had hope on leading a life better than before, he wasn't going to control her every step and wanted her to act independently. She understood the principals but decided to ask him for his input on what to do if she wasn't sure.

---

The Fates fell over laughing, basically Ifurita just promised to become an even more powerful, but more balanced and less hotheaded, Ranma. In their opinion the universe now promised never to become dull. Considering it was Fates talking or rather laughing, all but L-sama felt a shiver going down their spines or something like that if they had none.

---

Morning found Ranma being woken by Ifurita who had been asked to do that by Kasumi. After a quick and peaceful breakfast, Nabiki, Ifurita and Ranma got up to go to school together.

"Ranma-kun, Ifurita-san would you be so kind take Akane's papers with you?" Kasumi asked them with a soft voice.

They looked at each other and Ranma shrugged, Ifurita nodded.

"Ifurita-san since you like the tea I made you a thermos with it. Ranma-kun here is your bento. Have a nice day you two. Lunch will be waiting since Akane and Grandfather aren't back yet" Kasumi's voice never betrayed that she forgot to mention Genma.

---

School, Furikan High, home to loons, insane people, perverts and martial artists with a few completely normal in between.

Seeing Ranma come to school wasn't anything new. Seeing Ranma with a new girl wasn't new either. Seeing Ranma come to school with a new girl and Nabiki was weird.

"So the foul Sorcerer hath enslaved a new fair women by using demons from hell. I shall free this beauty, the pigtailed goddess and the fair tigress from his hold, for I am the Blue Thunder of Furikan, undefeated champion of justice!" Thunder struck.

Ifurita looked at Ranma "Sorcerer? Pigtailed Goddess?"

"He thinks I'm keeping her as a pet or somethin'"

Ifurita smiled "I am Ifurita, called the Demon Goddess, Ranma is my Master by fate and I pledge my life to him of my free will. Flee or die" using a greater version of Soun's demon head technique was overkill but it served the image.

The fainted and cowering students were prove enough.

Ranma was twitchy but pulled Nabiki and Ifurita into the school building, by the hands.

---

Ifurita calmly started filling out the entering exam, starting with the personal data.

Name: Ifurita-22

Born: ~12.047 B.C

Age: 1

Place of Birth: El Hazard, Neria, Nyrie

Sex: Female

Parents: none

Former schooling: none

The test itself wasn't that different in the topics, until the special questions came.

124: Are you a martial artist?

Ifurita considered for a moment, her master was one, or maybe a warrior, she was learning the art, as he called it, from him, so yes.

124: yes

125: Do you have more than one Dan ranking? Yes (she considered it probable since Ranma was good and she was learning fast, if not she would by the end of the week)

126: Are you engaged to Ranma Saotome? No

127: Do your actions cause property damage? Yes

128: Have you ever been attacked without apparent reason? Yes

129: Do you like coconuts? (Ifurita considered for a moment, her only indication was a coconut bomb thrown at Ranma) No

130: Do you think short hair should be required at school? No

131: Do you like pineapples? No

132: Do you know how to dance the Hula? No (Ifurita had no idea what that meant)

133: Why are you trying for this school? Ranma is here

134: What do you want to do after school? (Ifurita wondered, she was supposed to serve her Master, Ranma seemed to give her pretty free reign, she didn't know) unknown

...

After two more pages of such questions the clerk looked the answers over, since she was associated with Ranma the answers were simply accepted.

"Do you want to go into Ranma's class or Nabiki's?" better let someone that dangerous decide for herself.

Ifurita looked at the man in front of her.

"Your grades are almost perfect, present history is lacking, but your age indicates that you are young" the man stretched the word but got no reaction "So we are letting you decide were you want to go, you seem to know them both"

Ifurita wondered for a moment and decided that Ranma's class would do "I shall accompany Ranma"

"Here is your schedule, do you have a reason why a usual uniform won't work for you?"

Ifurita had realized that only Ranma, the teachers and her were using something else than the uniform. "I need free access to my back on the heigh of the lower spine upper tail bone, and the staff is a part of me"

The poor man wondered what to do, he went for the easy way out "Here is a paper that frees you from the clothing regulation"

Ifurita got up and left, not yet used to the custom Japanese bows.

---

Ranma wondered if he should drop dead or fall over laughing. He had resisted screaming like a girl at Ifurita's Demon Head, he had even brought the shivering Nabiki to her class, a fact that caused a lot of talk, than he had brought Ifurita to the principal and fought the fat weirdo of. Ifurita had learned to to make pineapples appear and he got blasted once.

In class everyone wanted to know about the new fiancée, Ukyo hit him once before he managed to explain that she wasn't a fiancée but he was still responsible for her since he woke her up. The girl went into fairy tale mode, talking about princesses woken by a kiss. The boys were perverted as usual, unless they were avoiding him since Ifurita seemed protective of him. Gosunki was preparing demon ward and researching a summoning circle, after all if Ranma managed controlling a Demon Goddess, he should at least get an imp.

At the middle of the second period Ifurita entered the classroom. Hinako who had drained Hiroshi and Daisuke for talking in class accepted the papers and looked the new girl in town over. "Class this is Ifurita, she is new in town and seems to be close to Ranma. I'm reading something about treat with caution here, any more questions?"

"Are you free?" a boy asked leering.

"No" the response was cold and efficient.

"What are your hobbies?" a girl asked.

"I never had the time to develop any, I find satisfaction in martial arts since Ranma started teaching me and in return learning from me"

Those words screamed dangerous, Ranma took Ifurita as a student, something that was a first in Nerima, that Ranma still had things to learn from her, the newcomer was even worse. Asking Nabiki seemed the best thing to do.

Class resumed with Ifurita sitting and holding her staff in one hand.

---

In the break Ranma decided to talk to Ifurita, the staff seemed impractical, he understood it's use but always looking after it an carrying it around wasn't practical.

"Ifurita, follow me to the roof please" Ranma jumped out of the window and down on the ground, a powerfully jump later he landed on the roof.

Ifurita followed flying, she landed softly and waited for Ranma to talk.

"Since you always carry the staff around and you need it, I decided to teach ya the Hidden Weapons Technique. Mousse is master in it but I know some, but now how to teach it the fast way ..."

"My staff is a part of my body, hide it and I shall learn it"

Ranma blinked, it was cheap, but it worked. He accepted the staff and hid it, he felt the energy boiling inside it. He took it out again and hid it again.

Ifurita reached out to Ranma and pulled her staff out, a fact that made Ranma stare at her with his jaw hanging. She hid it a few times to retrieve it again. "Ranma please try to take it out"

Ranma decided to humour her, if she could take stuff from his pocket, why not the other way around too? He was still shocked when it worked, without thinking he hid it in her pocket again and froze when he processed the fact that he could hide things in the pockets of other people as well as take things from them.

"I really like working with ya!" he told his partner in training.

"Thank you" it wasn't a necessary response but it felt right.

---

As school ended Kuno was lying around in a blasted heap, caused by both, Ifurita and Ranma. Nabiki was walking with a happy bounce in her step and Ifurita had learned Kuno's Strike Technique as her had tried to vanquish the demon summoned by the foul sorcerer Saotome back to hell. Things were looking up since Ranma promised her that he had something far better than air pressure waves as a technique that was too deadly to be taught around. Since he considered Ifurita as reliable he thought that teaching her the Saotome Forbidden Techniques should work great and probably make her remember something worth learning. Know if he only could figure out how the pure Ki worked.

The two wanted to leave for home when Ukyo appeared. "So Ranma is teaching you to adapt to this world?"

Ifurita nodded

"I'm Ukyo Kuonji, Ranma's cute fiancée" Ukyo was trying to make her point, but she failed as Ifurita turned to Ranma and asked him "The girl you thought was a boy and best friend before she started haunting you and bombing the wedding?"

Ranma nodded as he saw Kuno get dragged of by Sasuke, it sounded correct so he reacted without thinking. He didn't see the brown haired girl get mad and pale at the same time.

Ifurita did and to her it was more information on how to help her Master. While it wasn't a real combat situation the expected rates of losses in the worst case scenario were most of Nerima and some deaths. So she considered it more like a stealth operation in manipulation, not her area of expertise but Nabiki Tendou seemed to make to much money of the situation to want a change of pace. So it was all left to her. A small price considering that she really liked her new Master and was mostly free even if he wanted her for training. She went to school because she wanted, she trained with him and learned new things without real combat. It wasn't love but she would sacrifice herself eagerly in a moment if need be. She briefly wondered if she had ever done anything eagerly. After digging in her memory nothing was remembered.

"Taidama" Ranma called out as Ifurita and he entered the house. Ifurita couldn't take of her shoes like Ranma did so she entered after whipping her feet. Kasumi nodded to them as she looked out of the kitchen and answered them "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Ranma if you want to change, you should still have time"

Ranma snorted as Ifurita silently wondered when Ranma was hit with water. "The old fart and Akane ain't here, so nobody is here to bug me about staying a girl"

Kasumi nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Ranma and Ifurita sat down and Ifurita asked Ranma about a few things that she didn't understand. "Why is Kuno so set up on you?"

"He's nuts, the family is, and they all are after me one way or another. His sister wants ta marry me. The old one wants to shave my head. Nuts the whole family"

Ifurita nodded and accepted the information "What about the teacher?"

"Don't know, when she's small she likes ta cuddle me, and when old she seems to hate my guts and always blasts me"

This bit of information was weird but nothing Ifurita was truly worried about.

Kasumi came with lunch when Nabiki entered the house with a small bounce in her step. She made a lot of money and it showed in her smile. Ifurita took that part as important and decided that having some money would be nice, even if only to keep the girl occupied. But that would mean having to work or earn it since her Master didn't really seem to want to steal it. She knew that she didn't have the necessary knowledge to do that yet, so that left talking to her Master. But that would have to wait until after lunch when they were alone training.

Lunch was very different to usual, the food was eaten at a more leisurely rate and Ifurita clearly enjoyed her tea what in turn pleased Kasumi what was rewarded with a pleasant smile and set everyone at the table at ease.

Afterwards Soun went to sit by the Koi to feed them and Nabiki disappeared in her room. Kasumi went to do the dishes and Ranma joined her with Ifurita on their tails. It turned into a lesson of teaching the newest addition to the Saotome home to find her way in the kitchen, contrary to Akane it was working fine. Learning the necessary skills with the knife was easy once Ranma showed her and she had Kasumi guide her hands once. Copying Ranma's exotic methods would take a while but she decided to work on it. Besides it looked much ore interesting than just cutting on the board.

Ranma was clearly enjoying himself, getting splashed while washing the dishes didn't change much but the gender, since neither the Panda nor Akane were home yet there was no need to keep up appearances. Ifurita was showing that she wasn't only able to learn by touch but by seeing too, sure it was taking longer but it was clear that she was close to the speed Ranma was using in learning new things that were interesting to him, or rather her, since there was a small accident with the water needed for the rice cooker.

Ifurita was enjoying herself at her first taste what normal life was about. True, cooking wasn't a necessity but it beat just blowing things up in a war she was a soldier in. After washing up she went to help Kasumi do the laundry and hang it while watching Ranma perform a kata. He was in her opinion as close to being human as she was compared to an combat android, basically worlds apart.

"Do you want me to wash your clothes?"

Ifurita was caught by surprise, that didn't truly wonder her since Ranma had told her that Kasumi seemed to appear from thin air sometimes, she didn't understand what he had meant about Kasumi being one with the house yet, but right now she was working on detecting Ki signatures. Feeling Ranma was interesting since he was flickering between hiding his aura and pushing it in the span of a single second. She went usually with the flow using her power when needed, but he was using it and tightly controlling it all the time. The way he did it increased his resistance to damage a lot, she was already tough but if she managed to copy it without going to far into the visible spectrum she might increase her chances of avoiding damage to her body, after all repairing it would probably impossible for the native technology for the next few millennia. Even if this planet would learn on an accelerated pace it would be at least centuries. She sighed softly. She really liked the peace.

She didn't know that such a thing as peace was often rare even in times of peace.

Akane, Genma and Happosai entering broke any chance for once that might have existed. They ignored the peaceful auras Kasumi and Ifurita were extending and went straight for Ranma.

"Ranma no baka!" the mallet hit him full strength "How dare you leave me behind and fly away with some demon bitch to have your perverted fun to take advantage of a innocent woman?"

Ranma sat up and avoided the kick by Genma. Happosai was looking at Ranma with teary eyes "You will share with your Master, will you?"

Ranma's instincts were doing the right thing when the made him answer without thinking "No way old fart! She isn't a toy for you" He jumped up to avoid Happosai's angry lounge.

"So you have found her? What about the treasures?" Genma asked.

"Pop, there was nothing down there other than Ifurita"

Akane glowered "So so seduced the poor woman you pervert"

Ifurita decided to step in "I am Ifurita, the Demon Goddess, Ranma is my Master, pleased to meet you"

"Sweeto!" Happosai explained and jumped the most advanced weapon on the planet. He nuzzled her breasts and mumbled "Ranma I command you to share her with me"

Ifurita felt his aura try to enter her and defile her, automatic systems and the little bits of knowledge from Ranma helped her avoid such a fate. But being touched by that, she considered calling him a human for a tenth second, thing made her uneasy, she looked to Ranma for advice.

Ranma just sighed "Pound him but don't kill him, he ain't my Master and he's an annoying old pervert. Don't do what he says, it only leads to trouble"

Ifurita didn't even nod. Happosai who had started to try to suck her Ki with more force found himself in a grip that was tight and more unrelenting than anything he had ever felt. When she started sparkling and set him under lightning he knew he had no choice.

"Happo Daikirin" He hated blowing up beauties but it was necessary to survive.

The explosion made Akane gape, it was stronger than most.

Ranma smirked when Ifurita came out of it unscathed and only looking worse for wear, he should probably buy her some clothes.

Ifurita pulled her fist back as she lifted the old pervert up. The hit was loud and sent the perverted grandmaster sailing. Without hesitation she pulled out her staff and shot him for good measure.

Genma was immediately by her feet and was thanking her for taking care of Happosai.

"He will be back tomorrow" Ifurita said.

"Unless distracted by some panties and girls" Ranma remarked.

"He tried to drain me" Ifurita said with some emphasis on drain.

"He's powering himself with female Ki" Ranma answered the unsaid question "He is over 300 years old and he is staying alive by taking in female Ki from panties, bras and girls"

Ifurita nodded "He is to be kept from those actions"

Ranma nodded "Sometimes when he is acting up to much"

Akane was feeling mad, that is if a nuclear explosion was defined as a explosion. She had to endure Happosai crawling all over her for far to long since Genma wasn't a help at all. She had found herself touched in places where boys were not allowed. And Ranma wasn't there to help her or distract the old pervert, now he was safe with a woman, a beautiful woman at that, and one that seemed to be close to Ranma. Ranma was her Master, that meant that she was his slave, that meant that they probably were busy all night and doing the perverted things that he always did with the other girls. Probably even while being girls. Define mad as a the equivalent of a hydrogen bomb.

"Ranma no hentai"

#BBOOOOMMM#

Ifurita had whipped out her staff and shot the mallet, the explosion had made Akane stumble and fall into the Koi pond.

That was when Cologne appeared with Mousse and Shampoo in tow. After all in Nerima when it rains, it pours.

"That is demon woman who blasted Shampoo to angry fish!" the perky Amazon told her great great grandmother.

Cologne saw Ranma relaxed standing beside the powerful woman, if she wanted to have him in the tribe the woman had to go, but Ranma would probably protect her, that left a sneak attack. As to assessing the power she would get a display soon as Mousse attacked her.

Ifurita found herself attacked by a male with glasses that used hidden weapons technique to pull out chains and more and throw them at her. Moving to the side she mirrored Ranma as he did the same.

Mousse was fast for a normal human, Ifurita was neither human nor normal, she wasn't even close to it. So the attack by Mousse was nothing special as she had sparred with Ranma and was used to his speed. So it was easy to evade the chains without resorting to the new, for her, battle aura, and blocking the sword with her near indestructible staff.

Mousse found himself facing a open palm with a Ki ball at the size of a marble. Same Ki ball hurt a lot and sent him flying into the Koi pond, the Koi had already identified the duck as mostly harmless and attacked with abandon.

Cologne blinked, seeing usually harmless fish attack a martial arts duck was unusual, seing normal fish win against Mousse made her wonder if she didn't give him more credit than he deserved, but than again the fish had won against her great great granddaughter too, maybe some kind of fighting fish.

Akane meanwhile went for attacking Ranma who was jumping all over the garden evading the soaked girl. Soun seemed back alive and was following the two in demon head screaming about Ranma betraying his fiancée.

Cologne briefly wondered if getting Ranma into the tribe would help them or if it would destroy them in less than a year. She suspected that Ranma had something that pulled chaos to him, attracted wasn't a strong enough word. She knew that while he was still undecided the games could continue, but there would be hell to pay if they forced him. Tome owned him, Herb owed him, he killed Saffron and might as well be emperor of the phoenix and finally, force him and slip one moment and the village might just as well have never existed.

Ranma himself was getting annoyed, Ifurita was female and she hadn't hit him a single time. So what was wrong with Akane? Maybe it was really doomed from the beginning when he was forced into it. Sometimes Seppuku looked really great. But he had to look after Ifurita, so that was out, he needed to do something surprising.

Akane's mind froze the moment she felt Ranma hit her. It was new, it was surprising, it was what she had always wanted. So why did it feel like she lost something more important.

"Able to dish out but can't take?" Ranma asked the crumpled form before shooting Mr. Tendou.

Genma was back in action and accused Ranma "How dare you hit your Fiancée?"

Ranma asked "She always asks me for it"

Nabiki glanced at Akane "I always thought that she was a kinky one"

Kasumi blushed "Akane, that isn't proper, at least not before the wedding"

Shampoo who had avoided having a direct line of sight to Ifurita since the woman with the staff was aiming her way spoke up "So Shampoo call violent girl, pervert girl now, always thought that violent girl like hitting too too much"

Cologne reached boiling point and fell of her staff giggling madly.

Akane was sputtering denials between heavy breaths but it didn't seem like anyone was really listening to them, or believing them.

Ifurita had the feeling that there was something going on that she didn't understand and looked to Ranma for advice.

Ranma saw Ifurita's look and answered her plea for advice the only way he could "Welcome to Nerima, if you don't understand what's going on ask Nabiki if you can afford it or ignore it until it comes back to bite your ass" Crude but very efficient.

Kasumi who heard that told Ranma "That's not a nice thing to say"

"It's true, isn't it?"

"But that doesn't make it wrong does it?" Ranma replied.

"True, but you could still find a better way to express yourself Ranma-kun"

"'Kay Kasumi" he turned to Ifurita "Another rule, you can never win against Kasumi"

"Thank you Ranma-kun, that's nice to say"

Genma meanwhile felt ignored, his brain had shown some very disturbing pictures of Akane and her requests, the was she was always eyeing his panda from was disturbing. "That is not the point son!"

"So I should ignore her?"

"No, you have to listen to your fiancée"

"Then I'll just have to hit her again next time"

Genma realised that something had gone wrong.

Ifurita nodded since it was logical, if her Master was supposed to listen to than he was supposed to act on it, otherwise the command was incorrect and to be ignored together with the complete chain. She had experienced a faulty chain once, one command had been protect a city the other to erase the same city, since a Master was in the specified city identifying the faulty chain of commands was easy.

"You must not hit my little girl!" Soun exclaimed completely weepy and begging.

Ranma nodded, he wasn't supposed to take her seriously after all, or he wasn't supposed to take Genma seriously, decisions, his brain was working overtime, he would have to sort it all out later.

Meanwhile Mousse had been saved by Kasumi who was right now scolding the fish for excessive use of violence. Everybody would have called the frown on her face cute since it looked more like a pout. The most dangerous thing she said was that she wasn't going to feed them or protect them from Genma any more. That surely got their attention since they had seemed to disappear.

Cologne had collected herself meanwhile and was sitting on the porch with Shampoo beside her, the young Amazon was still keeping the elder between herself and Ifurita, even though she was scowling at the blue grey haired woman since she standing next to Ranma. "Son-in- Law would you please explain who this new woman in your life is?" she asked the pigtailed boy.

Ranma looked at Ifurita and shrugged "She's Ifurita, from some other world and I found her, woke and am now taking care of her" It was all true and he only left out the fact that he was her Master.

Ifurita nodded in agreement and decided to add "We are bonded in a special way, I am only going to accept those he accepts"

Cologne stared at Ifurita, she felt Ki in amounts she had never felt before and it felt of in some ways, it was weird, but it made her dangerous since she was totally devoted to Ranma and didn't seem to be after him like most other females. Than Ranma trusted her and treated her like an equal, Ranma treating a female as an equal gave Cologne another pause, it meant that he knew of her true powers and wasn't really concerned for her safety, he completely trusted her since he didn't mind her standing close to him, or her handing him some tea. Cologne added Ifurita to the list of overly powerful people to be aware of when handling Ranma. She has to get him into the tribe, even if it was only temporal, but he had to agree, without poisons or persuasion. Maybe it was time for her to really step in, but first she would observe Ifurita a bit more, after all nothing ever resolved itself in Nerima.

---

Chaos, Lilith and L-sama shared a laugh when they herd Khu Lon's thoughts.

Chaos snorted and fluttered with her wings. "Well getting Ifurita and Ranma together was fun, the mummy is going to get hers. Unchangeable rules, 3000 years is far to long to go without changes."

Lilith nodded "I made them a dynamic race, the humans they can't life in unchanging conditions since it's digression to them, to bad not many found the true way of changing, without destroying the rest of the world"

L-sama spoke "Soon Ranma will cast away everything unimportant and will truly be himself, herself, whatever"

The other two laughed at L-sama's weird ending.

"Oh shut up and watch"

---

The unwanted guests had left or had been forced to leave and a relative peace came down on the Tendou household. Ifurita helped Kasumi make dinner while Ranma was doing homework with one hand and was busy chopping vegetables with the other one. Whenever Ranma had a question Ifurita or Kasumi helped him with a gentle nudge and a few kind words. Ranma liked, it was for free, he didn't get bashed with a mallet, nobody insulted his intelligence or lack of attention. All it took was helping in the kitchen and he got free help for it, he wondered if it would work in other situations as well.

---

Akane was fuming in her room and working on some problems, she had just heard about the homework from Ifurita who said she had already made it, at school. Akane came to the correct conclusion that Ifurita was in their class but jumped to the wrong idea that it was Ranma's fault so that he had more time to control her. She shivered when she realised that she sounded like Kuno, Ranma wasn't smart enough to control somebody, but still Ifurita did what he wanted and he liked her, probably couldn't wait till the night who jump her.

With a low growl she rose and went for her wallet and pulled 2500 Yen out. Next she went straight for Nabiki's room. "Nabiki, I want to know everything that happened since Ranma came with the tramp, and I mean everything"

Nabiki blinked, looked at the money and sighed. "Sit down this will take a while. It started with the two of the landing in the garden with out making a whole or causing destruction. He was in her arms not the other way around. He introduced her a the girl he found where Genma and Happosai dragged you of to and that he was taking care of her. Daddy woke up and tried to scare Ranma with his Demon Head but she went into one herself, oh boy I almost pissed my pants. Ranma started training her and he was talking about teaching her more control"

Akane started growling, Ranma was teaching the tramp from another world, and he seemed to take her seriously, something he never did with her. She was going to smack that baka-hentai.

"While training she blasted Shampoo and Ryoga" Nabiki considered telling Akane about P-chan, but she decided to have a nice chat with Ranma first about the true story she knew bits and pieces and had a good idea of the whole but she wanted to hear it from him first. "Ranma wasn't picking on Ryoga, put the mallet away Akane, it was Ryoga that attacked while Ranma was teaching Ifurita, and he was teaching her, Kasumi can tell since she interrupted them and brought them tea"

Akane calmed, a little bit, just enough so that the floor wasn't starting to smoulder and smoke.

"They made dinner and before Ranma taught her how to use a bath, seems she never used baths before. But they weren't long in there. Dinner was great and without Genma it's really nice. At night they spent hours talking on the top, I think Ranma told her his life, she told him hers too probably, I didn't really listen. Next day we went to school And Ifurita told Kuno that she was a Demon Goddess and that Ranma was her Master, now he is after her, especially since she used Demon head when talking to Kuno. Oh man, I think half the school fainted. Oh and she wanted to be in Ranma's class, so you will meet her a lot. She met Ukyo later but nothing happened. That's about it, and she helping Kasumi in the house"

"That pervert, using her to do what he wants, forcing himself as her Master, making her do such things, I will kill him"

Nabiki blinked, that was surprising, she was honest and made it that Ifurita was dangerous, Ifurita probably called herself a Demon Goddess to make Kuno back of or something since it fit Ranma role as sorcerer, it even fit the Master bit, nope that wasn't really relevant information, besides, the cosplay part of it was wrong, she was dressed more like someone from a sci-fi film.

Nabiki shook her head as Akane left Mallet in hand in search for Ranma. Sometimes being honest was worse than telling the half truth. She briefly considered asking Akane what it was about but than again Ifurita had yet to use lethal force against Ranma's enemies, Akane would maybe get a lesson in humility. Nabiki shook her head, she was a realist so that wasn't going to happen. But, maybe she would learn to keep her temper in check around Ifurita and Ranma, not realistic but all she could hope for, maybe less attacks and less damage to the home.

---

Ranma was brooding, more correctly, he was brooding over a serious case of mathematics, why should he care what coordinates a point on circle would have if it was in intersection with the line cutting it had? Nope didn't make sense, he wouldn't need it anyway, but it reminded him of the way Ryoga's bandanas cut through things. It looked like a straight line there, maybe there was a point, he only needed to find it.

Kasumi looked at Ranma with a smile on her face. It was fascinating seeing Ranma concentrate so much, right now she was changing vegetables right under his other hand and he didn't even realise it and he didn't even try to cut her. He waited until her hand was out of reach before the hand with the knife blurred and the vegetables were cut, cleanly and perfectly. She still didn't know how he could do all this while balancing the two pencils on his lower lip.

Ifurita stirred the soup. "I think it's time for the main dish to be started" she had, thanks to her internal chronometers, a really good check on time, unless it involved Ranma. Twice already she she had tried to recreate the happenings of 5.63 minutes in once case and 32.71 minutes in the other case. She simply couldn't find anything she really did in that time or any awareness of the time, she had been talking to Ranma or doing a kata, but it still didn't fit the case of linear time, she hadn't moved at speed that bent time, so it was a mystery to her.

Kasumi took the last vegetables and threw them at Ranma holding a bowl beneath his arm. The effect was almost instantaneous and everything came down cut cleanly.

As she took Ranma's hand the door opened.

Akane came inside in a rage, there he was, the pervert, holding a knife while Kasumi was holding his hand. Akane's mind went into overdrive. Ranma holding knife, he is attacking or threatening someone, Kasumi holding his hand, trying to take the knife, he is attacking Kasumi and she was trying to disarm him. "Ranma ..." Mallet high in the air she jumped forward.

Ifurita acted as usual, faster than most would realise, Akane, the one with the unstable psyche and incorrect reception of reality was attacking Ranma, that wasn't a problem since he was capable of self-defence, but he was preoccupied and Kasumi was an innocent in close range to Ranma who was point of attack. Easier that alerting Ranma, removing Kasumi was eliminating the threat, this meant Akane. Originally this would have been Akane's death sentence, this time it wasn't since Ranma was her Master and he didn't like killing. Ifurita moved fast with a small application of battleaura and appeared before Akane, the mallet was still at the lowest point and was just about to start it's journey to Ranma as she tightened the grip on it to superhuman levels. Ifurita moved in and took hold of the mallet, a simple pull and Akane would be falling down due to overextension and weigh displacement. Ifurita went further she pushed the mallet with some power, as Akane had a death grip on the thing it caused Akane to go along, and sent it flying, with Akane in tow, to the Koi pond.

Ifurita closed the door to the kitchen and turned around, she found herself staring at Ranma and Kasumi who were both looking at her. Kasumi was holding the knife in hand and Ranma was right now balancing the pencils from his lower lip on his finger of his know freed hand. "Need help Ranma?" she asked calmly. Having seen some of the chaos mentioning that she just sent Akane into the pond didn't seem important. Higher in priority was getting her Master make his homework.

Ranma had the feeling he missed something but well, if it had been important it would come back to haunt him later. "Well I wanted to know if you knew a real life application of this here, it might help me get the feeling for it, and please explain it, I know what they want me to do, but how do I do it?"

Ifurita nodded and went to Ranma while handing Kasumi the spoon with the now cool soup. She registered that Kasumi tasted the soup and nodded before heading of to start on the next part of dinner. Yes, working in the kitchen required planning and some interesting skills, if seeing Ranma cut vegetables was any indication. Ifurita decided to train on wood first.

---

Dinner was different. That was best way to describe it. Nobody was acting completely different but the details made it very different.

Kasumi was smiling as she was sitting next to Ranma.

Ranma was enjoying the food since Kasumi told him that it tasted better when eaten slowly.

Ifurita was sitting on Ranma's other side and acting as a buffer for Genma. She was sipping some tea with one hand.

Genma was always wondering about the broken chopsticks as he was aiming for what was supposed to be his, namely Ranma's food.

Soun was feeling very insecure, whether due to Akane next to him or Ifurita wasn't obvious.

Akane was steaming, literally since her anger aura was quick drying her clothes.

Nabiki was watching the Kasumi, Ranma, Ifurita interaction with interest. It seemed that the girl from another world only approved of Kasumi.

Kasumi was giving Ranma a second helping.

Ranma smiled at Kasumi.

Kasumi blushed.

Ifurita broke another pair of chopstick and noted Akane's rise in temperature with a calm eye. She decided to ask Kasumi for more tea a bit later since the girl seemed a bit out of it at the moment.

Genma attacked with more force this time and found himself flying, he knew it wasn't Ranma that threw him since Ranma aimed for the pond, this time he was aimed over the wall.

Soun cringed when he heard Genma land hard on the pavement.

Nabiki noted that Akane was getting ready to attack and inched a bit closer to Kasumi.

Ranma had a feeling of impending doom and took a look at Akane. He choked on a pickle when he saw her glowing.

Kasumi helpfully slapped Ranma's back. She blushed again when he thanked her.

Akane pulled the mallet of doom "Ranma ..."

Ifurita pullet out a futuristic mallet and nailed Akane.

Ranma's eyes bugged out when he saw Akane fly for the pond. "She didn't hit you? Did she?" He asked Ifurita full of concern.

Ifurita felt unfamiliar with concern aimed at her but decided that she liked it. "No I came into contact with the technique when protecting innocents" She looked at Kasumi, but it was lost to all to Nabiki who spew her tea over the table.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi frowned.

"Sorry Nee-chan, I just saw something that surprised me" Nabiki told her.

"Starting to see things?" Ranma asked calmly.

Nabiki nodded.

"Happens all the time to me, as long as it doesn't concern anyone important I ignore it" Ranma went on.

Nabiki considered for a moment "You know Ranma, that actually makes kind of sense"

"Hey"

Kasumi giggled.

Akane returned steaming even more.

Ranma was preoccupied helping Kasumi clean the table so he missed it.

Ifurita didn't, and fixed the girl with a look that probably could freeze suns.

Akane growled and charged.

Ifurita caught a fist and sent the girl back for the pond.

Ranma and Kasumi looked up wondering why the had again the feeling that they had missed something.

Soun was bowling his eyes out about his daughter being attacked by some alien and was completely ignored.

Nabiki wondered if switching the engagement to Kasumi wouldn't be better. She knew that that the two of them would fit together, and she knew that that forcing Ranma with Ifurita around was suicide. She wasn't suicidal, but she liked the hunk, only the other dangerous competition disturbed her, but now Ifurita would protect Ranma's chosen one, it was almost better than being protected by Ranma himself, herself. It was safer. She had lost her chance, but Kasumi still had a chance at him, she would have talk to Ranma first and than with daddy.

---

Dinner was finished.

Akane took her portion and told that she would eat in her room. Ifurita was helping Kasumi. Nabiki saw her chance coming "Ranma we need to talk!"

Ranma froze like rabbit caught in the headlights. He knew that this moment would come since Nabiki had been surprisingly nice since Ifurita came to live with them. He decided to turn around and face it like a man.

Nabiki liked keeping people on their toes, but the way Ranma eyed her warily was a bit much. "We need to talk, without interruptions" She pointed at the stair and a bit across them. Ranma knew she meant Akane. And next at the kitchen, it indicated Ifurita and Kasumi.

Ranma nodded and scooped her into his arms before bouncing out of the house and jumping on the roof. There he tried to release Nabiki who had a death grip on him and seemed perfectly content where she was.

He sighed and sat down with the girl in his lap.

Nabiki looked up when they didn't move for a minute or so, and saw into Ranma's eyes. She saw a bit of fright, nervousness and maybe for the first time in very long happiness. She slowly crawled out of his lap and sat opposite him. "First I need to know the whole story about P-chan."

Ranma swallowed, it wasn't a request, it was an order. "Remember how I told you that I chased the panda around after getting dunked? He toppled Ryoga over and made him loose the footing, I used him as springboard and made him fall into Jusenkyo. I found out after the fight with him where Akane lost her hair. I thought he was the dog but then Akane gave me the pig. I found out what had happened and promised as martial artist that I wouldn't betray his secret. Then he started being Akane's pig and I started dropping hints, I did all I could without outright spelling it out and splashing him in front of her, but it happened often enough. It's always don't pick on Ryoga, be more like Ryoga. I've had enough of it. There are nice girls out there, Ifurita hasn't hit me once, she explains things, listens instead of jumping to conclusions and she doesn't hit me. Kasumi is starting to listen to me and doesn't act as air headed any more. Heck, even you are listening without charging me for it"

Nabiki frowned "True, daddy and Genma know?"

"Yep, they seem to want to make me jealous, it worked, but not any more. She can keep him" Ranma exclaimed with a very strained voice.

"So you were forced to swear on your already strained honour not to betray the pig. Good move, didn't thing he had the brains to pull it off" Nabiki had to admit.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Ranma asked.

"I'm going to talk to daddy, at least I'll try, could you keep Genma occupied?" Nabiki planned.

"He hasn't been sparring with me lately and the sun is still out. I can do it" Ranma said, grabbed Nabiki and let himself fall of the roof.

---

"Pops ya lazy panda, you haven't been sparring with me ever since we moved out to find Ifurita, so get up" Ranma taunted his father.

Genma got up and as he wasn't looking Soun quickly rearranged the pieces on the board. Soun was smiling but it disappeared as Nabiki sat down opposite him.

"Daddy we need to talk" Nabiki said the words father all over the world feared more than anything.

Soun swallowed and looked for some excuse.

"Now tell me why you allow your youngest daughters honour to be tarnished and instead of helping Ranma you put stones in his way by allowing that pig in our house?" Nabiki was working herself into an anger "And if start crying I'll tell Akane, Kasumi and Ifurita about it and I'll explain Ifurita in detail what such a betrayal means, and you know that she would do everything for Ranma, even thing Ranma himself wouldn't do" Nabiki lay on thick, she knew it, but the idea with Ifurita came suddenly.

Soun whimpered before he collected himself "I forbid you telling Akane and Ifurita, as head of the house and your father ..."

"So Kasumi knows, you forbid her too, oh mom would weep in her grave I bet" Nabiki spat out "I don't have to listen to you."

Soun's eyes grew hard as he raised his hand to slap Nabiki.

Nabiki's eyes grew wide as she saw that her father was about to strike her, all she could do was close eyes and brace for impact.

Than she heard something shatter and splash. Nabiki opened her eyes and saw Ifurita standing there looking at Soun who was weeping since he shattered the teaset the alien had been holding and burnt his hand badly with the scalding water.

Ifurita had come to serve tea but the escalating situation caused her to act. She had heard everything from the roof and had listened in on Nabiki's and Soun's talk. She didn't understand honour fully but letting someone sleep with someone else's promised seemed wrong. Ranma didn't fully trust Nabiki but he was honest to her and she had the feeling that helping the mercenary would help her Master. So bringing the teaset down in the moment where Soun could hit it was the easiest way to scoring points with the brown haired girl.

Kasumi entered as she heard the teaset shatter "Oh my! What happened?"

Ifurita gave a brief review "Your father broke it when he quarrelled with Nabiki over the identity of P-chan"

Kasumi frowned at Soun "I told you that I don't approve of keeping it a secret"

Soun rose "I am the head of the house and what I decide must be done!" He even made a demon head.

Ifurita pulled out her staff and let energy arch all over it "I am not bound by your words, as I understand what you are doing is wrong, it creates problems for Ranma, that is all I care about"

It was a funny sight seeing the Demon Head focus on the tip of the staff right in front of it's nose. Before it dispelled and the Tendou Water Works went into action.

Ifurita looked at Nabiki and Kasumi "I am not bound by his words, I shall go and explain it to your sister."

She took two steps without waiting for a reaction when she found her way barred by Soun on his knees. "If you do this I shall have to commit Seppuku"

Ifurita remembered as Ranma explained his entanglements of honour and how the ritual of Seppuku was the only true solution unless something special happened. "Do you wish me to be your second?"

Soun turned, seemingly, into stone.

Ifurita waited for a reply before stepping around him and heading towards the stairs.

"Ifurita where you going?" asked Ranma-chan as she entered the house and looked at Soun.

"To tell Akane about P-chan"

"Naw, let her find out by herself, she will just hate everyone here since they kept it from her, or she won't believe it, besides I want to see their faces when she finds out"

It might not be an order except for the not telling part but Ifurita took notice of Ranma's wish and decided that realizing it would be a good punishment for Ryoga if she predicted Akane's reactions to that correctly. Yes it could be interesting.

Nabiki was still glaring at Soun who was returning to the world of the living "No daddy you are not of the hook, trying to hit me because I was trying to do the right thing wasn't nice"

The temperature dropped abruptly, Ifurita gave Ranma a look as water around her seemed to condense and form ice at her feet "You tried to hit Nabiki, your daughter because she wanted to do the honourable thing?"

Soun whimpered but the frown directed at him by Kasumi, the hateful look by Nabiki and the powered up staff from Ifurita made lying suicide, but than again telling the truth would have the same ending. He nodded.

The Soul of Ice dissipated and a blazing hurricane of energy burst into life, Ranma Saotome was pissed. Her voice was soft "If I ever hear that you even try to harm as much as an hair on the heads of Kasumi or Nabiki I'll take care of you, even Nabiki knows more about honour than you do, if she tells you something you better listen. Maybe telling Akane that you wanted to hit her sister and kept important news from her is a good idea. That reminds me, who did you engage the girls too? I know you did it!"

Soun tried crawling backwards but Ifurita stopped the attempt.

Kasumi and Nabiki looked at their father with interest, yes they wouldn't wonder if he did.

"The Sagara's, the Kanazaki's, that's all I can remember!" Soun screamed.

Nabiki looked away with disgust. "Sometimes I really wonder if you are my father"

Soun looked up to Kasumi in hope but she was busy trying to calm Ranma down with the promise of making some cookies only for him.

Soun found himself alone in the living room a few moments later as Genma dragged himself inside.

Genma watched in wonder as he saw his friend sobbing "What have I done" over and over again.

---

Night found Ifurita and Ranma lying side by side silently watching the stars. It was comfortable and they both felt relaxed in each others presence. Ranma wasn't afraid of Ifurita wanting something from him, poisoning him, forcing him, attacking him, marrying him or trying to kill him. If she wanted something she asked calmly and told him why she wanted it. Ifurita on the other hand felt relaxed around Ranma, he didn't ask her to do things he wasn't willing to do himself, he wasn't for destruction or killing, he only wanted a peaceful life. She had never had a chance to choose for herself, but she liked the life without killing. So making his wish come true became her goal. It would help her achieve her own peace.

After what seemed like ever Kasumi came up having used a ladder and lay down on Ranma's other side. Some time later Nabiki came and lay down beside Kasumi. Once again silence reigned over the roof.

"Things are changing."

Nobody, not even Ifurita could tell afterwards who had said it, but it was said and there was the need to reply.

"If it had gone on like now somebody would have died, probably me or some innocent" Ranma continued "The wedding was the first step to the next stage"

Nabiki silently said "Gomen"

Ranma shook his head what nobody saw "It would have happened anyway, after Jusenkyo I became too powerful"

Kasumi asked what most in Nerima wanted to know "What happened there?"

"I killed a Phoenix God. Even if not fully formed he regrew wings, took everything I threw at him and shoot balls of fire larger than cars. Akane almost sacrificed herself to give me a chance. I saved her but she still hits me and doesn't trust me, why can't she trust me? I killed for her, and it meant nothing." Ranma felt tears in his eyes, men didn't cry, but than he felt them. Kasumi and Ifurita, both of them took one of his hands.

"Shampoo is pressed now more than ever to make me hers, after all I'm one of the most powerful people alive" it was a statement, they felt it, no pride or boasting, it was a fact.

"Ryoga can't win as a human unless he cheats and so he stays near her as a pig" Nabiki summed the lost boy's situation.

Kasumi continued "Ukyo has to marry you or she is ronnin, not even registered as a male any more and she is getting desperate since you seemed to collect more and more girls" she blushed. "I was to direct, was I?"

"It's true, Kodachi and Kuno are loons as usual" Ranma said "Taro hasn't shown up lately. Mum is pushing it with the manly crap. She doesn't even make sense!" Ranma complained.

Kasumi realised something "Oh my! Ranma-kun how do you think will she react when she sees Ifurita-chan?"

Nabiki did a good imitation of Nodoka's voice "My son is so Manly!, she will want you to make her a mistress after you marry little princess"

"I do not wish to be near Akane" Ifurita interjected.

"You won't" it came from Ranma and sounded like I promise "I can't marry her or anyone unless the others give up. That won't happen as long as I'm alive"

Ranma felt Kasumi squeeze his hand a bit stronger for a moment. He returned it softly.

---

Later that night Ranma was back in the room with Genma and trying to block out the snoring. He had asked Ifurita if she wanted to join him but she declined. He had congratulated her on avoiding the snores. Somehow he knew even without feeling for her that she was lying on the roof watching stars.

An hour later Ranma rose, he went to the bathroom and splashed himself with cold water. Than she went downstairs and left the house. She considered telling Ifurita her plans but than decided against it, it would be more fun if she followed her.

Ranma-chan jumped the wall and started heading for one of the other districts of Tokyo, moments later she could already feel Ifurita following her. She increased her speed by using Ki and felt Ifurita starting to increase her pace even more, seemed like she wanted to corner Ranma.

Ifurita knew that Ranma knew that she was following her, it seemed like Ranma had a certain destination in mind, she was moving faster than usual and Ifurita wanted offer her help in getting there. But her Mistress didn't seem to want it so Ifurita was a loss, she decided to ignore the changes in pace and increased her speed to non-human amounts.

Ranma stopped in front of a place and grinned as she felt Ifurita settle down softly beside her. "Well since you came, you are welcome to join" And she kicked open a door, which got her more than a few screams. Ranma entered without hesitation "I'm here for the matches tonight, how much is admission?"

A big guy looked at the petite redhead for a moment before laughing "Oh, you don't have to pay, I know enough who would pay for a go with you or your friend"

Crack

"Where do I sign up?" Ranma-chan asked after she broke the ape's arm.

After one of the other pointed towards a man with a table in front of him she went over.

The man looked her over "Name for the evening?"

Ranma-chan smile "Dark Sorceress"

"Your friend?"

"My helper in the back"

"Groupie or lover?"

"My summoned Demon Goddess"

"50.000 for you girl, you'll have to fight from the beginning, 100.000 and you'll enter in the middle"

Ranma forked over the 100.000 and turned away before hesitating. She pulled another 100.000 and told him "Always on me, including all winnings, no final bet now only the turn ones"

Ifurita had the feeling this was all half serious half a game, she really needed to ask Ranma a few questions. She understood summoning and after Kuno understood that sorcerers summoned demons. As she followed Ranma down a corridor she asked "Mistress, please explain"

Ranma smiled as Ifurita played her role "This is the fastest way to make money, pit fighting, you enter, bet on yourself and ear if you win, win them all and you get the price money, most don't use their real name, I took Kuno's nick and your name and became the Dark Sorceress"

Ifurita nodded "As the Demon Goddess I am a demon summoned by you and you are my Mistress"

Ranma grinned "Scary how much fiction fits reality, isn't it?"

Ifurita asked Ranma "Why can't I fight tonight?"

"Because even though there are told to be no rules there are some if you are strong, and we are probably the best here, the money I bet on me we get more with every win and will keep increasing, I could score by betting that I'll win the big one, but I don't know how long we will stay, after all we got school tomorrow and some shopping to be done"

Ifurita nodded and followed into the fighter area, she saw that there were very few women around and that Ranma was the youngest by far.

"Oh a little girly, hope I get her, I would love to show her real life. Maybe some fun before?" A muscled guy approached them "Oh another one, how about a two on one"

Ranma-chan ignored him "Get lost" and turned to a corner where a scarred man was sitting.

The guy put a hand on her shoulder "Not so fast cute one" he whispered and aimed for a grope.

Ranma-chan hated perverts, and losers. A simple movement of her hand and the hand on the way to the valley between her legs was caught. A flick and most of the fighters were looking towards her as the noise of breaking bones was recognized. "No means no" When he started screaming she gave him an open palm strike that sent him flying to a wall where he impacted with a sickening noise.

Ranma-chan looked around "Anyone else?" she challenged.

Silence ensued.

Ifurita noted how different Ranma was acting, it was like war, show a weakness and you were doomed. She saw a male approach her with a knife in hand. Ranma's nod told her to take care of him.

Ifurita waited for the last moment before striking. Rather she caught the knife and pulled it out of the hand, she twisted the knife and broke it. A casual backhand she saw Ranma use against her father when he was annoying was put to use.

To all others it looked like Ifurita was absently swatting a fly behind her. The blood spraying and teeth flying belied the simple move and gave most of them a pause.

The girl sat down beside the scarred one without further interruptions. "Watch closely, no killing blows unless the other is a killer, no permanent damage unless the opponent attacks with intend to kill or cripples others. Don't overpower them immediately, the people want a show, play with them before showing them what it should be like, never show your full strength unless really necessary to safe your life"

Ifurita nodded and watched.

"I'm Old One" the scarred man said.

"Dark Sorceress" Ranma-chan said "She's Demon Goddess, my student"

Old One nodded "It'll be a good fight tonight, why?"

Ranma-chan looked at him for a moment before answering "I need some money, besides she has to learn all kinds of fighting, next time it will be her"

The man laughed "Next time? There is a nice one near Kyoto next week, Friday it was, interested? Good money, and good fighters, only the best. Why don't you both play?"

Ranma-chan looked at Ifurita who looked back "We'll decide right before if we want to"

Old one nodded as if he expected it "You'll find the place, tell them Old One told you"

"Dark Sorceress against Pitbull"

Ranma-chan got up and stretched "The fun is starting"

Ifurita watched her Mistress go and tried to follow but the Old One called her back.

"No need to watch, she'll win, easily the way I see it. Watch the screens, it's enough for this fight"

Ifurita turned to a screen and watched how money changed hands, bets under the fighters themselves, most bet against Ranma-chan.

"Be a dear and place that on your Mistress" he handed her a nice stack.

Ifurita considered and got up, one male didn't seem to want to move so she moved him, into a wall. "All on my Mistress."

Her display of power and the sum changed the odds a good deal. After all if that was her Mistress she had to be stronger.

None of this mattered to Ifurita as she returned to her place and went to watching the introduction to the fight.

---

Ranma-chan was bored, she was introduced, she entered and got a lot of whistles and catcalls.

The arena was a bit like a medieval coliseum. The watchers were seated higher, above them were nets so nobody could jump in, and screens that showed what was going on from every angle.

"And here we have Pitbull! We all know him and his brutal ways, what will he do with the petite newcomer? Remember the last time he faced a women" the speakers introduced her opponent.

It was a male, not overly large, looked like he had muscles and had a face that was ugly as sin. It was showing of it's body and making rude gestures at her. Time to kick as.

Pitbull charged intending to knock the girl of her feet and pin her to the ground. He saw her flip him the bird, jump up and he felt as she used his head as a springboard to jump over him.

Ranma-chan was bored and angry, the guy wanted her and didn't treat her seriously. Time to show him some action. As he overextended a punch she moved her body into a rotation before grabbing the offending appendage, continuing her spin she pulled more strength to throw her opponent into the walls of the arena. The impact made a sickening sound but the fans seemed to love it.

Pitbull growled, he had understiminated his enemy, she was dangerous, strong, and was able to kick ass. No more Mister nice guy, she was going down. He charged low while waiting for her jump to grab her.

Ranma-chan met the charge head on, more like fist to head, moving past the meagre defences she hit her elbow into the back of Pitbulls head before making a small jump, for her, and ramming her feet into his back.

A she stepped off the downed fighter the crowd cheered. A small girl kicked ass while bouncing around and without getting hit. It was different, and she was brutal.

As she left through her gate a few of the assembled fighter gave way, seeing her defeat Pitbull without breaking a sweat made most of them nervous.

---

"She's good" Old One remarked.

"She is restricting herself to basic moves and low speed and strength" Ifurita replied.

The man smiled, yes, he found two jewels, while not interested in such fighting they were needed to show the upstarts what young fighters should be like.

Ifurita rose and stepped to the one running the betting pools.

He grinned at her "Any tips?"

Ifurita remembered what Ranma-chan told the guy running the show "Always bet on her" She held out her hand.

The man nodded and gave her pile about twice as high as before. "Have fun"

Ifurita turned around and joined Ranma-chan as she went to sit down, before taking her seat she handed Old One his money who calmly took it.

---

The fights came and went, Old One and Dark Sorceress didn't face each other, both were giving the others no chance and Ifurita watched many different fighting styles.

"Crusher against Dark Sorceress"

"Here we have Dark Sorceress, the beautiful newcomer, fast and strong she hasn't been hit once until now. On the other side, Crusher, the destroyer of Bones and futures, he killed two in the ring and many were never again able to walk, who will win this fight?"

The crowd went into a frenzy as Ranma-chan faced her opponent and gave him the thumb down.

---

Old One got up "This is a fight worth watching from close up"

Ifurita stood up and went for the gate to watch through the bars, the man followed her and smiled when he saw how most of the fighters made way for her. The few that didn't were moved. Finally she stopped next to a woman at the bars.

"Little Dragon, you're not fighting?" the black haired woman asked.

"Demon Goddess, I'm watching my Mistress." Ifurita replied.

"Oh, she is going to have a hard time."

"She will win."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

Old One grinned "She will have a hard time."

"No. She won't be hit by him unless she wants to."

"He'll try to destroy her." Little Dragon interjected.

"She will destroy him for unnecessary use of violence." Ifurita said confidently.

Old One shook his head "It's starting, we will see how it'll go"

---

Ranma-chan was surprised at the speed her opponent had, he almost managed to tag her but she went with the blow and took no contact. As he jumped after her expecting her to lie still on the ground, she rolled on her back and trust her feet into his jaw. The hit from below made a snapping sound as his jaw was closed forcefully and it crunched as a few teeth gave way to the pressure, he staggered back spitting a few bloody and broken teeth out.

Ranma-chan re-evaluated her enemy, he had the strength to break bones, and the speed to be dangerous, he would survive as a combatant in Nerima, but he was facing one of Nerima's top five, rather top three. Some would call Ranma the best, but Happosai and Khu Lon were top too.

For the first time since entering the ring Ranma-chan spoke up "Since this is my final fight for tonight I will show you why I am the Dark Sorceress, feel the power and be humbled" Ranma-chan blurred as Crusher attacked and faded back into view right behind him. A kick to his butt lifted him of his feet and made the crowd roar in laughter.

Crusher waved to his entry gate and the threw him a club, covered in nails and old blood. He grinned.

Ranma-chan gave a disgusted wave.

He swung the club at her with full strength.

Ranma-chan finger met the tip of the club and it exploded but she deflected all pieces that would have hit her with a Amaguriken.

"Feel the power."

Ranma-chan glowed and raised one hand, she couldn't make a strong Ki blast since it would kill him, but a small one would suffice.

The people stared as the orb of Ki formed above her hand.

Crusher had a bad feeling when he saw it, it looked like magic to him, when the girl flicked her hand and threw the glowing ball at him he felt frozen to the spot, he started to scream right before he was hit.

The explosion sent a wave of sand into the air.

When the dusk settled Crushed was lying bloody and twisted huddled against the wall under the place the blast had flung him. Ranma stood defiantly in the middle of the arena and faded from view as the crowd started chanting her battle name.

---

Ifurita turned while all the other were still gaping into the ring.

Old One couldn't believe his eyes, he had heard of fighters like that, but to see one himself was great, and he suspected that this was the only time the blue haired one would be shown this, next time it would be her fighting, he had the feeling that those two might even show the old fighters a new level. Yes he truly hoped that they would come to Kyoto.

Ifurita came to the entrance and saw that the door had been repaired.

"The winnings, it was the final fight"

The man behind the desk paled, than he gave Ifurita a good sum.

Ifurita frowned "The odds were displayed in the fighters area, this is not sufficient"

The man sweatdropped, an ape pulled a gun.

Ifurita knew that this was a lesson by Ranma, she was supposed to handle herself since she stated it, she could feel her Mistress ready to jump into action but decided to act as Ranma-chan had done in the beginning. Efficient and brutal. A fast move ripped a bit off the desk and she tossed it without looking at the goon. The gun was knocked out of his hand by the force of the throw and he saw Ifurita palm pointed at him with a small glowing ball in the middle.

He was the boss, he watched the fights, he knew the fighters, he had understiminated those two, like Mistress like Student. The glow in the palm told him that cheating those two could be fatal, he had no intention on trying to take a hit that took out Crusher. So forking over the full amount seemed reasonable.

Ifurita took the money and quick counted it, a few bills got tossed aside since she recognized them as false, they were replaced without complaint.

The door wasn't opened for her so she ripped it off. She stepped through calmly since she felt Ranma go through the moment the way was free.

---

"Why didn't we try to stop them?" a goon asked.

"Her Mistress, she said it was the first time, I bet she was watching from somewhere, one of them we might have handled with big losses, two, we'd be dead" The head guy answered "I'm the boss and I want to stay the boss. Don't mess with those two, they'd kill you given reason and wouldn't even strain to do it, they are weapons made flesh. Deadly and dangerous" He pointed outside "See, the Sorceress has appeared next to the Demon. Wouldn't wonder if we'll see them again."

---

"So how did ya like it?" Ranma-chan asked Ifurita.

Ifurita considered for a moment "It was a new experience but the place wasn't pleasant.

"I agree, but now we got some money. Here is some for tomorrow, if you need anything ask Nabiki, she tells the truth as long as she gets money or something for it, we will go shopping in the afternoon, after school"

"I require new clothing" Ifurita deducted "and it would be today since dawn is one hour 39 minutes away"

"Yup, right, I need some new stuff too. Maybe we can get Kasumi come along. But than again she has a taste that wouldn't fit you." Ranma-chan frowned "It's always dresses, that's not perfect for fighters. I'll offer Nabiki a new blouse and a skirt, maybe that will get her help us. Just never show her how much money you really have, she will find ways to get it"

Ifurita nodded while Ranma-chan yawned, after a moment of brief hesitation she scoped Ranma-chan into her arms and flew of for Nerima.

Ranma-chan blinked before shrugging it off and snuggling into the embrace. Moments later she was fast asleep.

---

Kasumi woke up because she felt something off, hesitantly she stepped down into the living room, burglars weren't stupid enough to try their luck any more but she was afraid. She never expected what she saw when she turned on the light switch. "Oh my"

Ifurita was trying unsuccessfully to transfer a sleeping Ranma-chan out of her arms and into the couch.

Kasumi giggled, than laughed when the android gave her a look. Whenever Ifurita got rid of one hand it would immediately latched back on her.

"Sit down and let her sleep it off, she did it to me a few times. Ranma-kun was always so embarrassed in the morning. I will get you a blanket" Kasumi headed off.

Ifurita looked after Kasumi and contemplated, Ranma had told her that Kasumi was usually right, so listening to her should be correct. She settled into the couch and laid back in a loose way. Ranma-chan adjusted to the new space and made herself comfortable while making it as comfortable for Ifurita as possible.

Kasumi returned with two blankets and a pillow, One blanket got wrapped around Ifurita's legs and the other was used to tuck Ranma-chan in. The pillow was positioned under Ifurita's head.

Ifurita was surprised at the gentleness with which Kasumi did everything "Arigatou"

Kasumi straightened "Thank you for caring for him." than she turned and disappeared up the stairs.

Silence settled around Ifurita and the only regular sound was Ranma-chan's breathing.

Ifurita closed her eyes and decided to try meditating.

---

Ifurita's eyes snapped open when she felt Kasumi's presence, being around Ranma truly screwed her time senses, Kasumi nodded at her her as she sleepily stumbled into the kitchen. This was a surprise for Ifurita but was noted and added to the growing amounts of information about the people she was living with.

Slowly she managed to free herself from Ranma-chan's grip now that it was morning and moved to help Kasumi in the kitchen. After all, she hadn't yet learned how to make breakfast, and she had to stop herself from weighing the spices in milligrams. So much to adjust too.

Half an hour later Ifurita woke Ranma, for some light sparring, she realised that Ranma was tired and went easy on her, when Genma decided to interrupt she didn't go as easy on him, connecting a few solid blows to head and ribs before Ranma-chan took him and tossed him into the pond.

After the sparring Ranma-chan almost walked in on Nabiki, Nabiki walked in on him when he was in the furo but somehow it didn't get through her sleepy brain.

Akane was in a foul mood and glared at Ranma and Ifurita the whole time.

Ifurita decided to add more lemon grass to her next tea.

Ranma was busy eating and dispelling the image burned into his brain, a naked Nabiki.

Genma was an panda at the moment and still trying to get his son's food.

Soun was watching fascinated the way his food was disappearing.

Nabiki had the feeling she was missing something or something happened she should know about.

Kasumi was planning too get up 15 minutes later tomorrow since Ifurita's help was saving time, maybe she could make it half an hour?

---

The four were walking the way to school together, Nabiki excused herself a bit before Furikan since she had to set the betting pools.

Akane was still growling and angry.

Ifurita pulled out her staff.

Ranma wondered why "What do you need it for?"

"High electricity charge"

Ranma had a blank look on his face.

"Like lightning"

"Ah, fried Kuno, is it loud?"

"No"

"Good"

Akane growled some more Ranma was flirting in front of her with his bitch. She hated it, he was hers, wasn't he?

"The foul Sorcerer and his demon slave from hell have come to be vanquished by ..."

ZAPP

Ranma gagged "He stinks"

Ifurita wondered if blowing Kuno up wasn't more humane, to the others.

---

Nabiki fell over laughing as she saw a student wretch, things were never dull with Ranma around, now that Ifurita was becoming more and more like Ranma with each passing day things were going to get even weirder.

---

Akane gagged, Kuno smelt awful, she decided to do something good for humanity and took out her mallet, taking aim she hit and sent Kuno for the canal.

Then she hurried into school, she didn't want to be late.

---

Mrs. Hinako liked Ifurita, she was smart and she helped Ranma staying awake. Today Ranma seemed even more tired than usually. As she tried teaching class from his lap she was poking his ribs to keep him awake.

Ifurita was looking as the teacher was enjoying Ranma's lap, when Akane flipped and attacked she was drained, the sigh as Hinako had to leave Ranma's lap was clearly noted and stored for later reference.

Ifurita wondered if there were any women around not affected by Ranma.

Akane found herself standing outside while holding buckets while Ranma and his Hussy were inside. Probably he was now taking advantage of the adult teacher. Akane's logic was once again defying reality, but it happened to everyone from time to time.

Inside Ranma was currently trying to stay awake, it wasn't easy since he wasn't distracted by Hinako any more. Ifurita was unsuccessfully trying to keep Ranma awake but he fell asleep soon. Luckily for him Hinako ignored it, after grinning at him and continuing class. Ifurita calmly started to make an extra set of notes for Ranma.

Ukyo was watching Ranma and Ifurita, it angered her that Hinako used Ranma like a stuffed toy. Ifurita seemed to be the only one Ranma wasn't feeling awkward having around for longer. It made her sigh, she couldn't believe it, a new girl appeared, while she doubted from another world it was possible. And Ranma spent more time with her in one day than he did usually with all other fiancées together. It was a bad sign, that was something she was sure of, but only for whom? Ifurita treated people around with various degrees of friendliness, she seemed to make her own opinion, Akane had already lost. So it was time for her to enter the gap, now only how to get close to them.

---

As break came Ifurita and Ranma sat on the roof, rather Ranma was sleeping after he had inhaled his bento and Ifurita was making her homework so she had more time to do other things later, that was when she remembered that they had to talk to Nabiki, since Ranma was out of it she decided to do it herself.

As she looked over the Furikan she spotted Nabiki sitting near on a bench and surrounded by more than a few students. Without hesitation she took of to land close to them and get Nabiki for a one on one talk. That was until she spotted that the girl was selling pictures of her, fully clothed, Ranma, not so clothed, and Akane, clothed again. She wasn't happy with that and entered the mob who made place for her eagerly.

Nabiki knew something was wrong when the boys around her fell silent. When she looked up she saw Ifurita's expressionless face. Yes, this was very wrong. "Can I help you?"

"Meet us after school, alone and don't plan anything" Ifurita said completely expressionless.

Nabiki swallowed as she felt cold sweat grow on her back. Ifurita didn't have problems with harming people, and she was very efficient. Things were not looking good for her. She realised that there was no need to dig a deeper grave.

Ifurita allowed herself a smile, it seemed that Ranma would get Nabiki's help without having to buy her anything. Now if she only understood what the sense of translating that text was, after all it didn't make sense in any language.

Ranma awoke later with his head in Ifurita's lap. He blinked several times before realising that he was calm. This was something rare, especially at school. Looking at Ifurita he was briefly wondering how far she was supposed to take after her Masters.

Ifurita had finished homework and was now reading and learning ahead, especially in biology, at the same time she was balancing four pencils on their tips on her shoes. She understood why Ranma did it, it was distracting her from being too focused on one thing.

---

After school Nabiki was awaiting Ranma's and Ifurita's arrival with slight anticipation. She didn't know what awaited her and that made her feel a slight fear, not that she would ever tell that anyone.

"You did that?" Ranma asked Ifurita.

His companion nodded.

"Okay" he looked at Nabiki.

"You wanna take care of her?" he asked his partner.

Ifurita looked at Nabiki and nodded "I will"

"Good let's do it"

Before Nabiki had the chance to ask she found herself in Ifurita's arms and they were flying, as opposed to Ranma who was jumping rooftops at speeds that made her wonder how much she really knew about him.

In half an hour they had left Nerima and were in the middle of some shopping district that she couldn't identify. Nabiki groaned "Why didn't you say so?"

"You had no plans" Ranma countered "and Ifurita needs new clothes, even if they repair themselves it's not good if she's always running around in the same stuff"

Nabiki looked the tall woman over. "Well she has a rather unique hair colour, okay I'll do it"

Two hours later knew why he hated shopping, he was buried under a dozen bags and following by using his Ki senses.

Ifurita was dressed in a dress, it wasn't tight but hugging her nicely, the bluish colour almost matched her hair. The shoes were white and flat, lingerie was skimpy and white. After a short lesson from Nabiki she had even adapted a certain sway into her casual walking style.

Things were never this easy with Ranma around and so a group of bandits, terrorists jumped out and one of the went for Nabiki. He never made it as Ifurita took him out with a well aimed blow to the head. Ranma tossed the bags at three others and took two of them out after charging his projectiles with Ki. A fired shot was caught by Ifurita who kept a man from being killed, five shots at Ranma were dodged and the ones who did them were rewarded with broken arms. Ranma hated firearms. Another group was taken down by Ifurita when she electrocuted them.

"They smell." Nabiki complained.

"It's effective." Ranma said.

"Wasn't there a better way?" Nabiki asked holding her nose.

"Elimination was deemed unnecessary and this was the best method for eliminating the threat spread over such an area. No permanent damage nor broken bones were inflicted" Ifurita summed up.

Nabiki nodded, it was better than killing them.

Ranma groaned when they were allowed more or less free access to the stores and got their money back for what they already bought.

Hours later they returned with so much stuff that it wasn't even funny, in the and even Ranma started shopping for himself, and herself. Why he had bought stuff for his girl side he didn't know, but it seemed right, besides he had to teach Ifurita some things so it couldn't really be helped.

---

Akane was seething, Ranma had taken Nabiki and Ifurita on a shopping trip and bought lots of stuff, every time she asked where they got the money from Ranma said"Sore wa ... himitsu desu." and Nabiki wanted 100.000 Yen. She didn't even think about asking the violent tramp that always hit her.

Nabiki grinned, finally she had a full dresser and she had no more space for clothes. It was a nice feeling, the free food had been good too. Next time she decided she would invite them on a small shopping trip. Just a few things, not a complete wardrobe.

Kasumi offered closet space in her room to Ifurita which the synthoid accepted. Ranma realised that it was the first time that he was in Kasumi's room. Or at least he couldn't remember any other time. He decided that he could leave unpacking to Kasumi and Ifurita so that he could take care of his own stuff, finally he had something to fill the closet with, it was a rare occasion and he blushed when he put the new panties and bras next to the boxers he usually used. What Ranma really wondered about was, why did he buy that silk dress, sure it fit like a glove and she looked good enough to make males drool, but it just didn't make sense.

At least the other clothes were normal, he liked the black jeans, he would have liked them more if they had better movement capacities. They were not tight but they didn't offer full leg movement.

After looking into the dresser Ranma found it it not yet full but fuller than ever before.

---

Dinner was quiet, Akane was growling, Genma was a panda that was half conscious, he had tried to get rid of the girl clothes Ranma bought. Soun was eyeing fearfully the way Kasumi and Ifurita were making the shopping lists for the next few days while discussing various recipes, Kasumi wasn't the problem, it was Ifurita with her questing for panda, pig, cat and duck based dishes. Nabiki was contemplating how much she would fee those four for the information that they were in danger, the combination of animal kinds of gave it away.

Kasumi explained two nice ways for duck and pork.

Ranma chocked on his food a few times.

Genma still hadn't learned that stealing food was a no-no nowadays.

Ifurita talked with Kasumi across the table and kept Genma in check.

Ranma ate slower and with more manners than ever before, it didn't keep him from chocking again when Ifurita mentioned that she had read that panda parts were much worth on the black market.

Soun started weeping at the thought of his training partner being killed, dissected and sold of in pieces.

Ifurita asked why he needed to be dead for being taken apart.

Akane grew green and left for the bathroom.

Kasumi mentioned that the noise would lead them into trouble with the neighbours, besides he would bleed all over the place while trying to escape.

Genma fainted.

Nabiki asked Ifurita how much she thought Genma was worth.

Ifurita gave a rough estimation based on a program she had seen and an article from a newspaper she had read.

Nabiki grinned.

Soun followed Genma.

Ranma broke down laughing.

---

Ifurita was spending the night in Ranma's room. Genma had drunk himself unconscious downstairs with Soun and Ranma had dragged him and Soun into Soun's room later, he had never been able to sleep beside the fleabag when he was wreaking of sake, which was quiet often unfortunately. Having Ifurita here was relaxing, she didn't snore and he felt relaxing himself next to her.

Akane was seething, as usual, this time the reason was that Ranma was sleeping with Ifurita in the same room.

Nabiki mentioned that she should keep quiet since she couldn't do anything about it, after all if she disturbed them they could very well kill her, maybe not Ranma but Ifurita had in Nabiki's opinion no qualms and it was only a matter of time until someone was killed. Basically Nabiki wondered why nobody hadn't died yet. Ryoga was number one suspect for the first kill, now Ifurita had taken that place. She wouldn't kill an innocent Nabiki suspected, but a martial artist on a rampage, like Kuno and Ryoga, had a high chance of being killed in her presence. Nabiki shuddered, would the alien start cleaning out Yakuza, what if they found out how much Nabiki was doing. Nabiki considered making a change in her life, but she would watch first. So she set her alarm clock for earlier, she really wanted to be the one to see wake Ranma and Ifurita in the morning.

Kasumi smiled in her room, a she corrected her alarm clock and set it to wake her half an hour later than usual. She hadn't talked to Ifurita but had the feeling that she would still get help in the morning.

---

Ifurita opened her eyes, she felt Kasumi enter the bath and start washing herself, it was later than the last two times. Ifurita rose, dressed in something called jeans and a blouse, underwear not withstanding, and made her futon. Suddenly she felt herself being watched.

"Morning" Ranma mumbled, finally a night without those damn nightmares and after the last few more or less relaxing days Ranma finally felt at the top of his powers, fully rested. Ranma couldn't remember feeling like this since ... ever. "You goin' to help Kasumi in the Kitchen?"

Ifurita nodded.

Ranma stretched "I'll join you two after I wash up"

Ifurita left the room and went downstairs directly heading for the kitchen to start the preparations, she decided not to start real cooking alone, yet.

Kasumi stumbled yawning wide out of the bathroom and into Ranma, who caught her awkwardly before she fell down. As he pulled her up she leant into him not yet fully conscious, Ranma blushed, having the shapely girl pressed against himself was something he wasn't used to. Shrugging he carried her downstairs and into the kitchen, on the way she snuggled into him.

"Ifurita can you take her? She likes the Ceylon tea, maybe she uses it to wake up, sleeping longer than usual seems to disagree with her" Ranma said while seating the not very responsive girl into a chair.

Twenty minutes later Ranma came back after a fast kata and washing up. By this time Kasumi was already awake and cooking, soon all three were cooking synchronised. The leader was Kasumi, she was dictating the other two what to do.

When Nabiki woke and silenced her alarm clock she wondered why she had set it early, while her brain was still out of it she still managed to see the little note she had taped to the clock. "Wake Ranma and watch him and Ifurita" Slowly her brain started working. Then she smiled and started walking towards their room. Maybe stumbling was a better description, but when she entered she saw, the futons rolled up and no evidence. Shrugging it of the girl went to the bathroom, it was still better than being woken by a fight.

When she came down she heard animated chatter from the kitchen. Being early she decided she couldn't wait for the coffee to arrive at the usual time and entered the kitchen.

There Ranma was balancing several plates while Kasumi and Ifurita were loading them with whatever they had. After a moment he passed her, with a smile directed at her, and was gone. Nabiki blinked, her brain was screaming at her that something was really weird about this, but she couldn't figure it out.

Ranma unloaded the food and went back to the kitchen, he pulled Nabiki into the chair that Kasumi had used before and took the mug Ifurita handed him. Ifurita moved over and left with further dishes and Ranma took her place by Kasumi's side. Nabiki had the feeling she was watching a well oiled machine. She shook her head and found herself handed a cookie. She blinked but accepted.

Ifurita returned and sat opposite Nabiki, sipping a tea, after moment she got up to add another leaf of lemon grass.

Breakfast preparations were complete and Kasumi looked at her two helpers "How about trying to bake something? And you have to tell me how you made the food cook so fast."

Ranma smiled and lifted a glowing hand "Just add some Ki, you do it already, so I decided to do it as well."

Ifurita nodded "I added power and made the pots heat constantly" Ifurita showed her hand glowing, not with Ki but with something else, small electric sparks, heat in almost visible spectrum and something else.

Ranma and Kasumi looked very interested, Nabiki was by now convinced that Ifurita was not human. She looked relatively young and had enough knowledge to beat Happosai and Khu Lon without use of her hands. And the powers she had, the knowledge, not normal. "Should I wake nee-chan?"

Kasumi nodded.

Ifurita walked back into the kitchen and set a kettle on the stove.

Ranma went into the garden to do a kata.

---

Breakfast was a pleasant affair since Nabiki had forgotten to wake the fathers and no one else had bothered. Only Akane's battleaura and her growling were disturbing this from being a perfectly pleasant breakfast. Bits of small talk were going this and that way, even Ranma responded and participated, without sticking his foot into his mouth.

The way to school was bothering Akane more than ever, Nabiki was with them, Ifurita and Ranma were both walking on the fence and Ranma didn't bother changing gender after being turned Ranma-chan by ladle-lady.

Kuno was shot by Ranma and knocked into a tree.

In school things weren't much better, Ranma found herself faced by the pervert duo, Hiroshi and Daisuke. "And how is she?" "The blue haired chick, she is and adult so she must have taught you something."

Ranma shook her head, causing her breasts to bounce a bit "No, but we are getting there, there are a few really interesting things she can do and I want to learn them."

Hiroshi and Daisuke looked at each other, that was unexpected, but if they were getting at chance at Ranma-chan. "Just promise us to be the first one you test those techniques on." Daisuke said and Hiroshi nodded.

The sometimes girl blinked "You sure?"

The pervert duo nodded.

"Sure, I'll try not to kill ya with it."

The boys paled "You were talking about Martial Arts?" Hiroshi asked.

Ranma-chan nodded "Sure, what else?"

Daisuke answered "Marital Arts"

---

Ifurita had heard something interesting and was watching a girl lay cards and use them to interpret a possible future. Prophecies were something Ifurita didn't believe in, simulations were something good, but them had to be based of facts, not cards.

"Perverts!" she heard her Mistress scream before sensing two males fall unconscious. She seemed to have a little time. She approached the girl that was named Miyu.

"How does this work?" Ifurita asked the startled girl.

"You are the ... alien that Ranma has found?" the school girl asked.

Ifurita nodded "I prefer being called Ifurita or Demon Goddess."

Miyu's eyes widened but she kept quiet, before pulling out a book. "Tarot, is a practise of divination, by laying the card in certain patterns you answer questions. We take something like What will happen today? We use two cards. Pick them and lay them down."

Ifurita did and laid them face down before taking the book. Seconds later she had read it and looked at Miyu who was watching her wide eyed. She turned the first card "Circle of Fortune, facing normal" Ifurita retrieved the data "Strengthens the surrounding cards in a positive manner" Ifurita turned the other card. "The Tower, usually a bad aspect, but since it's an ending it could mean that something is being resolved in a positive manner."

Miyu blinked "Not quite how I would say it but basically true."

Ifurita got up "There is a high probability for armed conflict today, a peaceful resolution is improbable but a positive ending is highly probable."

Miyu blinked again "You are working with numeric probability?"

Ifurita turned away "Yes, we will talk again tomorrow"

Miyu allowed herself a tiny smile "Demon Goddess, no need to guess who your Master is."

---

Classes went normally, Ranma sleeping unless Ifurita kept her from sleeping, Hinako drained her and Ifurita got a perfect score on a test, Ranma managed to do more than just pass for once.

Kuno attacked Ifurita in a small break and got tossed into the pool from the forth floor.

Ranma had to pound Hiroshi and Daisuke after they went for Ifurita, she told Ifurita to pound perverts which was overheard by most males.

Lunch was relaxing since Ifurita drank her cinnamon something tea, Ranma couldn't figure the taste out, only that it was great. She cleaned her bento in record time and they went for a look around. Nabiki seemed to have stopped distribution of Ifurita pictures and the more risqué Ranma-chan pictures. Ranma knew that the day was to good, something was bound to happen.

After break it was PE and Ranma got sent to the girls, she had forgotten to change back. Yuka and Sayuri were unsure what to do, Ifurita welcomed the company, Akane was mumbling about peeping perverts. The teacher decided to ignore it since Ranma was registered both, male and female. Ukyo hoped that she had another chance to get close to Ranma.

Today's game was softball, Ranma-chan and Ifurita were on the same team that Yuka was, Akane, Sayuri and Ukyo were opponents. Kaori had been one captain and the other one had been Akane. Kaori had picked Ranma-chan as the first one and Akane went for Ukyo, she would not allow that floozy to be on the same team as Ranma. Ifurita was next followed by Sayuri, the rest went to the usual patter.

Ranma-chan found herself explaining the rules and decided to ask Yuka about a few things "Should we catch balls higher than five meters or would that be unfair?"

Yuka blinked since both Ifurita and Ranma-chan "If you want a fair fight you should restrict yourself for once and not show off."

Ranma-chan blinked "What do you mean by show of?"

Yuka looked at Ranma-chan as if it was obvious "You are fast, strong and can do everything you want, you are showing off, so we normal ones want to be like you or are afraid."

Ranma-chan looked at Ifurita "Superpowers frighten people?"

Ifurita answered "Yes, power needs respect, but so does authority, you respect neither power nor authority."

Ranma-chan snorted "Sure I should respect panda and be a thief, respect the pervert and he would be all over my girl side, respect the old ghoul and I'd be a slave in china. Heck I can't respect the panda since I would have to marry 12 girls that I know of."

Yuka was a bit surprised Ranma-chan made respect sound so wrong "Authority should be respected."

"Should I tell Da Big Kahuna that you want a haircut?" Ranma-chan asked.

"No" Yuka all but screeched.

"But he s authority and authority should be obeyed you said." Ranma-chan defended.

Ifurita nodded to herself "So authority should be obeyed unless it's ridiculous."

Yuka nodded "Yes."

"That means that I don't listen to any Kuno's, parents or far to old Martial Arts Masters, who should I listen to?" Ranma-chan asked.

Yuka frowned "Akane your fiancée?"

Ifurita knew the history and defended "Akane Tendou was a fiancée by Genma Saotome, since he did things that are not allowed any deeds by him are not considered worth being taken into account."

Ranma-chan had to leave and play, Ifurita followed her with her eyes.

Yuka considered "Ranma's mother seems to like Akane."

"His mother want Ranma to bed all fiancées and marry them all, which is not possible due to law, marrying only one is not possible due to the honour entanglements in your society."

Yuka had a bad feeling but decided to ask anyway "What would you do?"

Ifurita gave a truthful answer "Remove all fiancées from existence as well as most enemies and faulty authorities."

Yuka gasped "You would kill them all?"

Ifurita replied with one word "Yes"

Yuka was happy that it was her turn to enter the play field.

---

As neither Ranma-chan nor Ifurita had worked up a sweat they ignored the showers, dressed and left, much to the obvious joy of the others. The team with the two had won by far even though they had severely restricted themselves.

The unlike pair walked home leaving a fuming Akane and a thoughfull Yuka behind.

Upon entry Ranma-chan had a bad feeling, since he had never learned to hide emotions this was registered immediately by Ifurita and she readied herself.

When Ranma-chan the living room he knew why he had a feeling of doom wash over him "Mom?"

"Ranma, there should be hot water on the stove" the red haired woman said while fingering her katana.

Ranma-chan hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite his mother, Ifurita sat beside her Mistress, she observed the interaction with the second parental unit closely. Until now Nodoka wasn't in the list of trusted persons.

"Who is your new friend?" Nodoka asked with a frown, still playing with the katana.

"She is Ifurita, she's from another world and I'm teaching her as she is teaching me." Ranma-chan replied.

"Shouldn't you plan a wedding instead of taking new responsibilities?" his mother asked.

Nabiki looked at the exchange with interest, maybe Nodoka could make the alien leave or at least step back.

"As I understand a honourable marriage is impossible and resolving the engagements without the loss of honour not possible for Ranma, as such outside help is required. As from parents." Ifurita said calmly.

Nodoka glared at the woman "Who are you to judge the situation."

"I am Ifurita, I have bonded with Ranma and his future is my future."

Nodoka unsheathed her katana "You are overstepping your bounds girl"

Ranma-chan felt very uncomfortable "Uh, I ... could you ... calm down ..." she started sweating like hell.

"You are disregarding the facts, if Ranma marries one girl the other girls are dishonoured witch would lead to destruction and probable death of the bride in question, this would cause the death of all involved and lots of innocents." Ifurita listed calmly.

Nabiki blinked, only a few days here and the new girl in town already knew what was going on.

"He could take the others as mistresses" Nodoka defended.

Ifurita looked through her database "This conflicts with being faithful to the bride, as well that this doesn't solve the legitimate bride."

Ranma-chan nodded absently while looking at his mother.

"Hiding behind a woman as well as being a girl isn't a manly" Nodoka said directed at Ifurita.

Ranma-chan sighed "You want me to commit Seppuku? Say so, I'm tired of this, there is no cure for this and I have to get used to it, hell being a panda isn't manly either, and you are only egging me."

"You will not talk to me like this, do you understand child." Nodoka pointed her katana at Ranma-chan.

Ranma-chan looked at her mother and said in a dead voice "I just don't care any more, disown me, I don't care, in fact I'd be grateful but I am the one to take care of Ifurita, so I can't die yet. Not before I find someone else." she got up and went into the kitchen.

Ifurita looked after her Mistress "You have alienated her, responsibility should be taken by the parties at fault, not used to force others." Ifurita got up too and went after her Mistress into the kitchen.

Nodoka sat disturbed, she had a bad feeling about this, but honour had to be maintained, if Ranma would finally choose everything would be easier.

In the kitchen Kasumi asked Ifurita and Ranma a favour "Ifurita-chan, Ranma-kun I would like you two to run an errand for me, I know that you can fly and I want you to go to a certain teashop, they have wonderful tea, but it's in Juuban and further away, could you two please?" besides it would get Ranma-chan's mind of the situation.

Ranma looked at Ifurita who nodded.

"I already called them and the order is waiting." Kasumi gave Ranma-chan a generous amount of money that Ranma-chan refused, before she jumped out of the kitchen quickly followed by Ifurita.

---

Somewhere a few chaos gods screamed "Strike" and lovers of order shivered.

---

Somewhere else, a green haired woman felt something Ranma felt regularly, someone walking over her grave.

---

Kasumi had followed and said "I said a boy would come with a blue haired girl." Ranma-chan grumbled but went back inside to change into a male. After Ranma returned Kasumi waved goodbye as Ifurita gathered Ranma-chan into her arms and took of towards Juuban.

---

The Senshi in Juuban were on the hunt, a Youma was prowling the streets, it was one of those 'I am hungry' things that worked without higher cause. But that one was a bit annoying. It was running down a street, bouncing all over the place avoiding blasts, to bad it was running straight towards the real danger.

"No, you won't endanger Kasumi's favourite tea shop!" came the exclamation from above as a blast hit beside is and caused it to slam into a car.

Ranma glared at the thing as he jumped out of Ifurita's arms who took down beside him.

Down the street the inner Senshi had seen the exchange and were wondering who the newcomers were.

"Are they friends?" Usagi asked.

"Whoever they are they have a good taste in tea" Rei realized, seeing the shop they protected.

"He's a hunk" Minako chirped dreamily.

"I got dibs!" Makoto grinned.

Ranma shuddered.

"Oh my" Amy gasped.

"I don't want to die" "Is he possessed?" "Is he married?" "Why is it always the cute ones?" Guess who said what.

"No, he is as strong as we are, I think" Amy explained.

Rei pulled out a ward "What is he."

"Human I think, he has some weird readings, so I'm not sure."

"What is she?" Minako wanted to know on the lookout for rivals.

They looked over to Ranma and Ifurita, Ranma just kicked the Youma trough a wall and started talking to Ifurita about something the Senshi didn't hear. Ifurita's reaction was pulling out a weird looking staff and shooting the emerging creature. After a blinking flash and a strong gust of wind all left was a hole in the ground.

The Senshi gaped, Amy gaped at the computer "She could easily destroy the city."

"WHAT?" was the scream.

"She is below Saturn in power, and not much" The Senshi shivered.

"We have to talk to them" Moon decided.

Makoto nodded "I'm out of tea, besides he is cute"

Rei glared "What, you want to go there and ask them, 'are you enemies?'?"

Amy nodded "I think it's the best, I never saw them before and they seemed to come here for the tea"

Minako nodded happily "Do you think she is his girlfriend?"

"Where are they?" all further talk was interrupted by Setsuna with the Outers.

Usagi wailed "I know you are going to say they are a threat to crystal Tokyo.

"Yes they are!" Setsuna nodded "Where did they go?"

The answer came as Ifurita came out with a perplexed looking Ranma.

"Deep Submerge" "World Shaking" "Dead Scream"

Ifurita got hit by three powerful projectiles, she went through a few walls and had a house collapse on her. Ranma got hit by the shock wave and thrown into a soda dispenser. The cold liquid turned him into a girl immediately.

Hotaru had had a feeling of familiarity when she first saw the boy now that he was a girl the feelings increased and her head started to hurt, badly.

She saw the way he jumped to avoid the blast and call out to them. Usagi seemed to try to calm the situation, Setsuna, Michiru and Haruka called out to her to shoot.

She shot through the pain, she didn't want to but something forced her.

Ranma had avoided being hit, he was angry but he still felt Ifurita under the rubble. Avoiding the shots was child's play, but he wanted to know why they were attacking her this time. At least some of them seemed to try to calm others. Then she saw her and stopped dead in her tracks. Purple eyes locked with hers and she knew that the girl didn't want to shoot her but that she was forced too. Ranma felt peace and security, the blast travelled for her but she wasn't afraid, it felt familiar.

The Silence Glaive Surprise hit.

Ranma Saotome ceased to be.

---

She was a child, a child that grew up in moments, she had knowledge and power. Her mother was Guardian of the Silence Glaive. She daughter of her and incarnation of the Silence itself. Her Mother had been lonely, being feared for power that dwarfed the power of the queen.

The Silence had been lonely, being feared by all as the end of everything. Everyone came from the silence into the noise and ended again in silence. But they only saw the end.

So the two of them were together in loneliness, in silence. They decided to bring noise into the silence. A child, a host for the silence in the world of noise, a child to mother for the Senshi of Silence.

The first years sheltered from a world that would fear her as she grew up faster than should be possible.

Than small trips into the world beyond Saturn, seeing the good and the bad.

Finally death, at the hands of those who her mother trusted, than back as the silence seeing her mother enslaved by her murderers. She waited for a long time for a body that could hold her essence, than she was born, born under darkness, born under the stars of chaos, a body that could grow powerful enough to hold the essence of the silence she waited for years as the mortal shell struggled.

And than finally the moment of truth, the awakening, the touch of the silence upon the body, now the choice was his, was hers.

---

I am Ranma Saotome, Martial Artist supreme.

I am Cisza [read Chisha, polish for silence], the Silence in a immortal body.

I am a boy, cursed to be a girl.

I am nothing, chosen to be a girl.

I want to be the best.

I want to live.

Who am I?

I am Ranma, the Silence reborn, Protector of the solar system, cursed to be a girl, immortal, child of Hotaru, Sailor Saturn.

What do I want to do?

Protect the weak, protect the world, be the best, even if it means being someone else than before.

---

Dark lightning and Silence were physical manifestations of the change.

Gone was the girl in Chinese clothes. In her place stood a girl, a girl in a Fuku, that was if Fuku's were pitch black and adsorbed all light.

She blinked and ran her hands over her new clothes. A black choker with an obsidian, the bright red hair tied by a black string, on her head a silver tiara with another obsidian. The gloves were black and reminded Ranma of leather, only that there were no seams. The boots were made of the same material, while they had higher heels they were by no means really girly, they were something a vampire would take pride in. Next was the Fuku, did they actually make any with mesh sleeves, if you could that a sleeve, it was covered by a net, all black in different shades of black. Especially the net seemed to suck up the light.

Ranma sighed, such things always seemed to happen to her ... him ... whatever.

Ranma remembered something in the past life her hair had been black, now it was red, she pulled a strand forward and sighed again, the hair was longer, past her shoulder blades, tied in a low ponytail.

"Dead Scream."

"Nnnnooooo!" screamed a voice

Instincts toned by a new life kicked in, shifting a bit the energy ball sailed past an tore through the rubble containing Ifurita.

A bigger explosion followed. Debris was caught in winds flowing around the dirtied form of the female synthoid. Her eyes scanned the battlefield.

Ranma jumped up and floated beside the weapon "You are dirty."

Ifurita decided to make an obvious remark too "You are different."

Ranma sighed "Seems I'm a reborn magical girl from a past long gone, or something like that. I still can't think straight."

"Deep Submerge"

Ranma held her hand out "Silence Wall" and the projectile blew up without any damage.

Ifurita nodded "Mistress identified, new psychic and energy imprint accepted!" Ranma opened her mouth when Ifurita continued "Each Master is identified by his energy matrix, Ki frequencies, yours changed a lot so I had to make sure it was really you Ranma."

"World Shaking"

Again the barrier held.

---

Meanwhile Hotaru was on her knees, her head felt like exploding and she was screaming in pain. The Inners were surrounding her as Usagi and Makoto held her and Amy scanned her.

Amy came to a conclusion "She is fighting some seals, very powerful and from Silver Millennium. They are hurting her and seem to control her."

Usagi seemed composed for once "Why?"

"I don't know." came the reply.

---

"Ifurita, we will help my mother, can you take care of those three?" Ranma requested.

Ifurita smiled, her Mistress asked her to, not commanded "Yes, I can't copy their powers since they are as you said magical, but I can distract them if it is your wish."

"Let's go."

Ifurita summoned her battle aura, the full one and blurred into action the moment Ranma let the force field dissipate. She reappeared beside Sailor Neptune and did an open palm strike to the face. A full blow meant to be finishing, based on the attacking power and frequency the woman in the Fuku had displayed, as it caused her to fly through a few walls and buried her under some rubble, Ifurita considered this threat dealt with. It was doubtful that she would be fit enough for action any time soon if she survived it. While Neptune was still flying the staff spew forward a compact shot, that was just as powered up as the hit with the hand, after all her staff was a part of her body.

Pluto saw her chances weaken, only the Inners and her were standing and the Inners were preoccupied with Hotaru. Seeing the Silence appear next to the thing the time gates warned her about made he worry. She opened her mouth to warn the Senshi when the blue haired woman appeared before her, Pluto only had time to contemplate the Time Stop when darkness fell upon her.

---

"Move!" Ranma told Minako and Makoto who stood in her way.

Usagi sniffed at he newcomer as the other Senshi complied the commanding and quite voice. Ranma knelt beside her mother from the past and put her hands on Hotaru's chest. "Those blessed by me are mine, may the seals be broken and your true form and powers came forth again."

Black lightning surged all over Hotaru who relaxed suddenly and went limp in Usagi's arms. Than her eyes opened and she saw Ranma "Cisza" it was a hopeful whisper.

Ranma smiled "Hi mom."

The silence was deafening, the loudest noise was a car somewhere not really close by and some shouting.

Minako squeaked first "Mom?" while looking from Hotaru to Ranma and back.

"Mission accomplished, Two seriously injured, one injured" Ifurita dropped the broken body of Neptune to the ground next to Uranus who had a bleeding hole in her stomach. Pluto looked better off, her Fuku was ripped and she was heavily bruised. "Power drainage beyond expected parameter as well as performance increase, medical attention for two of them needed before they die"

Ranma nodded and grinned "So my killers from the past need my help know after they decided I was to uncontrollable to be let alive they are at my mercy. How fitting. Mom, they controlled you with some gees, shall I heal they or let them die and rot in hell for the crimes they did?"

Rei decided to defend the outers, she didn't like them but they belonged to the team "Heal them, I'm sure they had their reasons."

Hotaru spoke up "Killing scientists since they could stop the great cold, removing people from our paths that could turn us from Crystal Tokyo, bending future so this was the only path. Walking over corpses and attacking innocents not fitting into the plans. Shooting first, asking questions later, Good reasons, ne?"

Usagi shivered while Amy swallowed, she always had had feeling that Setsuna was keeping secrets and not telling them a lot, but this was worse than she expected "Are you sure?"

Ranma and Hotaru nodded "Yes"

Makoto and Minako looked at each other "The reason why ..." Minako started "... why never got any boys ..." Makoto continued "... is her?" Minako ended pointing at Setsuna.

Amy answered "Probably, I didn't think she manipulated everything up to this point but it's possible."

Usagi looked at the downed figures "Heal them so no lasting damage remains."

She smiled at Ranma and Ifurita "I'm Sailor Moon, pleased to meet you."

Minako grinned at Ranma "Thanks for giving me a chance at love, I'm Sailor Venus, want to go boy hunting sometime?"

Ranma declined.

Makoto nodded "I'm Sailor Jupiter, you have some really nice moves if you took them out that fast, can you teach me?"

Ifurita pointed to Ranma "This is my sensei in the Art."

Ranma blushed "Ahm, can I talk to mom first?"

Makoto nodded.

Amy bowed lightly "I'm Sailor Mercury, what sort of energy are you using and you don't seem to be human, what are you?"

Ifurita looked to Ranma who shrugged "I will talk to you later and maybe explain in exchange for knowledge about you and the technology you are using." She thought it would be nice to have someone who might be able to repair her if her regenerative capacities were overpowered.

"I'm Sailor Mars and I think they are dying." Rei pointed out.

"Oh crap." Ranma exclaimed and went to healing.

Hotaru was by her side and healing Michiru while resetting an arm. Ranma was watching fascinated as the hole in Haruka's body was closing under her supervision.

Ifurita let her staff disappear and decided to introduce herself first since Ranma and his Mother were working on saving the two she had damaged more than wanted. "I am Ifurita-22, of the Ifurita series from El Hazard, a world far away and possibly in another dimension. I am one of the most powerful Demon Goddesses ever produced. My Master is Ranma and I am his weapon, friend or whatever he wants me to be. Call me Ifurita since that is what Ranma calls me"

Ranma straightened herself "I am Ranma, the Silence turned flesh, I strife to be the best and I am Sailor Silence, protector of this solar system."

The oat was sworn, the promise made, the point of no return passed. Ranma Saotome was Sailor Silence, Ranma the Silence now.

Hotaru spoke up "My name is Hotaru this time, we will meet you at the Hikawa shrine, I need to talk to Ranma before I can decide anything."

Usagi nodded "Very well, we will take them with us."

The Inners gathered round the three Outers "Sailor Teleport!"

Hotaru, Ifurita and Ranma were left behind. "Mom, where can we talk?"

Hotaru looked around and said "How about a tea house? We can use our civilian clothing."

Ranma nodded and dispelled her Fuku. "Mom, the powers should be gone after I detransform, right?"

Hotaru nodded.

"Ain't happening"

"Huch?" the small girl looked confused.

"Ranma registers as a multidimensional being, as such it is possible that the powers are a part of her mutating genetic make-up. They are inherent and cannot be removed since she is not fully human."

Hotaru and Ranma looked at each other and Hotaru asked "Ranma is changing?"

Ifurita nodded "Her DNA is mutating and approaching a relation to your very fast. A mother daughter relation will be reached in approximately four hours 23 minutes."

"Approximately?"

"Don't ask" Ranma advised.

"I would recommend a gender shift to register any differences in the DNA, energy reading, psychic waveform and astral patterns." Ifurita requested.

Hotaru blinked.

"I got a curse, I was born male this time. Cold water makes me a girl and hot water a boy. I'm a water magnet by the way."

While hardly the weirdest Hotaru had seem, it still sounded interesting.

"Ifurita, I remembered five new combat styles, or rather forgotten styles, want to learn?"

Ifurita nodded as she led them into the tea house and claimed a table for them.

Hotaru sat and Ranma sat opposite her.

Ranma started of "Well, mom, or however you me to call you, I am, was, Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. My parents are bakas and if you enter my life you might as well stay transformed full time." Ifurita nodded.

Hotaru looked sceptical.

"I have people as strong as Youma after me."

"In the small time that I accompanied Ranma there were about ten attacks on him or her. My presence has reduced the attacks but it is a decaying effect." Ifurita explained.

"Heck, I got hit everyday before Ifurita came around, now the guys are wary. But it won't last. Soon someone is gonna die and than everyone will blame me like they always do, or I'll kill them all." Ranma was still Ranma at heart but being part of a multidimensional being helped seeing life as it was. After all it was what Ranma always knew but hoped that would never happen, now Ranma could admit it and it was true. "I only know one person from those I'm usually around that I know that I would never harm. The others, well some will die, some will be crippled, some badly hurt and the rest out of it."

The waitress interrupted them to take their orders, the additional glass of hot water confused her but she noted it, Ifurita spent several minutes describing a tea that she wanted and the waitress seemed a bit overwhelmed, help from the other waitress was needed.

"I was artificially created in another dimension, I'm required to have a Master and Ranma is mine, I obey him but he gives me almost free reign." the synthoid explained.

Hotaru nodded "I am a reborn magical girl from about 10.000 years ago. My new father was taken over by a Youma as was I, later I died, than I was killed and killed again, I lived with those that attacked you. Pluto was the one to control me with the others. Do you want to live with me?" the hope in Hotaru's voice was obvious.

"I would love to mum, I'll tell you my life story later." Ranma sighed "I'll have to tie up loose ends, since I can't commit Seppuku I'll go ronnin. Hell, most of the shit ain't even my fault. Some of it sure, but far to little to really matter." Ranma said with some exasperation in his voice.

Hotaru looked at Ifurita who nodded. "I could adopt you into the clan, in turn you would have to be my legal guardian, I'll adopt Ifurita too. But first we will need a home, living on Saturn should be possible but I don't recommend it, it would make mail delivery a bit hard."

"I would recommend meeting the others. It is of primary importance that they are told the truth about the past." Ifurita interrupted.

"We will have to go before Pluto awakens." Ranma said.

"Let's go, I'll show the way." Hotaru agreed.

After paying they left, still talking.

------

"So what do you think?" Rei asked.

Usagi swallowed and answered "We have a new Senshi, but she looks scary."

Minako wondered "Do you think she'll go shopping with us?"

Makoto had already planned something "You remember, the tall woman said that she was teaching her Martial Arts, I'll ask her if she could teach me."

Amy asked Rei "Should I remind them that she is the silence?"

Rei shook her head "It's hopeless, any idea what to do?"

Amy sighed "It's hard to say, but I think I'll stick to Usagi, I had the feeling that Pluto was meddling, but killing innocents."

"True, but something about them is weird." Rei answered.

"Like the fact that she was a he before the Youma appeared?" Amy asked.

"Yes like that ... What?" Rei asked surprised.

Makoto nodded "True, I wondered where the hunk had gone."

Minako looked thoughtful, which meant that she made a really ridiculous face. "Like a starlight?"

Usagi swallowed a cookie and looked up from her manga "The Silence is a starlight?"

"We will have to wait, I think he turned girl before turning Sailor Silence." Amy said, replaying the scene on her Mercury Computer.

"He looks great." "I got dibs."

"Are you sure he, she, it, whatever, is on our side?" Rei asked.

Usagi looked at the screen "I think it's okay, she helped Hotaru and the blue one didn't kill anyone."

Rei looked at Usagi "They almost died?"

"They were healed, as usual the Outer attacked first as Pluto told them too, by the way, she should be waking any moment." Amy said.

Just then the door opened "Here we are." Ranma called, once again male.

Hotaru stepped in first, glaring at the place where Setsuna was draped over a pillow. Next was Ranma, who flinched as he saw the looks from Minako, Makoto, Amy and oddly enough Rei. Ifurita entered and moved behind the Outers in a ready stance. The message was clear "They make trouble, they go down. Hard."

"I would like to present you Ranma, Cisza in Silver Millennium, my reincarnated daughter, or rather half-time daughter, half-time son."

Usagi and Minako summed it up perfectly "Hheeehhh?"

Amy blinked and scanned Ranma, who looked uncomfortable with all the girls staring at him.

"Can I have three glasses of hot water and two of cold please?" Ranma asked.

Makoto got up and went for the liquid.

Ranma bowed "I'm Ranma, not really sure about the second name at the moment. But I'm a Master of several Martial Arts styles. I am also the Silence and I'm not going to destroy the planet. Not like green hair over there always preached, it's just that she can't control me."

The Senshi looked at Setsuna, Pluto was a control freak, no question there.

"So what happened?" Rei asked.

"She killed me the first time around and took control of mom."

Mom, Hotaru, blushed as she was mentioned before steeling herself and glaring at Setsuna again. "The other two were informed of the plan and even aided her." Hotaru explained.

This drew a few gasps. "But ... but that's mean." Usagi said with some difficulty.

"Protect Crystal Tokyo, create it, erase all other paths." Hotaru said.

Amy nodded "There are murders that can't explained now and then, accidents happen. Who knows what she is planning."

Makoto came back with the glasses.

"She took my free will, I had to serve you, protect you and do your and their bidding."

Rei wanted to defend "She did it for the safety ..."

Ranma snorted "What's wrong with a different future as long as humanity lives? I can feel the scars that the earth has suffered, What she does is not aiding a existing future, not she is creating one against all odds."

Usagi looked insecure, her dream had just been ripped open and she wondered if it was worth walking over bodies. From what she understood Setsuna's methods were even worse than what the other two Outer Senshi did in the beginning. "I distrust Pluto as the Guardian of the Time Gate." she said.

"Voting accepted. One Vote by an Artefact User, One Senshi Vote."

Hotaru blinked "I Sailor Saturn, vote for distrust."

"Voting accepted. Two Votes by Artefact Users, Two Senshi Votes."

Amy added "I Sailor Mercury, distrust Pluto as the Time Senshi."

"Voting accepted. Two Votes by Artefact Users, Three Senshi Votes."

"Count me in" "I never liked her" "She always knew everything better."

"Sailor Venus, distrust"

"Sailor Mars, distrust"

"Sailor Jupiter, distrust"

"Voting accepted. Two Votes by Artefact Users, Six Senshi Votes."

"Sailor Silence, distrust."

"Voting accepted. Three Votes by Artefact Users, Seven Senshi Votes."

"Voting finished, removal of Sailor Pluto as Guardian of the Time Gate."

The Time Key appeared between the Senshi.

"Please specify new Time Guardian"

Hotaru looked at Ranma "That reminds me, the Glaive is yours." she summoned it "As acting Guardian of the Silence, I return the Glaive of Silence to Ranma, Sailor Silence, the Silence."

"I accept." Ranma answered and smiled, before kissing Hotaru's brow.

Minako looked at the interplay "Hotaru is free, she can take the position."

Amy looked at Ranma and Hotaru "She would do everything to keep the planet safe and Ranma could help her."

Usagi nodded "I want Hotaru as the Guardian for the Time Gate."

"Voting Started, One Artefact User, One Senshi for Sailor Saturn as the Time Guardian."

"Sailor Silence agrees."

"Voting Started, Two Artefact Users, Two Senshi for Sailor Saturn as the Time Guardian."

"She can do it." "I'm for it, Hotaru fix us some nice boyfriends." "Do it but tell us more than she did." "You can do it Hotaru."

"Voting Started, Two Artefact Users, Six Senshi for Sailor Saturn as the Time Guardian."

"Sailor Saturn as new Time Guardian accepted."

The time key floated over and Hotaru touched it. She faded away with it.

"What?"

"The initiation, she is given the powers of the Gate and given the link."

Minako "Does that mean that it will be on Saturn now?"

Ranma shook his head "No, they exist outside of reality, as do I, we exist in more dimensions than you can use. So while she is gone I will show you something."

Ranma took a glass of cold water and upped it over himself.

Seeing him shrink, get big assets and red hair was a surprise.

"What?" "How?" "I thought she was a boy" "Why is it always the cute ones?" "A Starlight?" "Without transforming?" "Please explain"

"I am a guy, I picked up the girl curse in China, cold water makes me a girl, hot water a boy. I am always a guy inside and only like girls, so no boy hunting."

Minako pouted for a moment "You said you are a boy?"

"Yes" Ranma took a glass and splashed himself with hot water.

"May I try?" Amy asked and blushed when Ranma looked at her.

"Sure, everyone gets a kick out of this for some reason." Ranma sighed.

Amy turned him into a girl again.

Hotaru came back, saw Ranma wet and as a girl and understood. The next things were a bit out of control.

"May I date your son?" Minako.

"Hotaru I want to date Ranma" Makoto.

"May I date your child?" Amy.

"I want to date your daughter." Rei.

Everyone stared at Rei, including Ifurita.

"I mean, he is a girl right now, she is a girl. You know what I mean." Rei stammered and blushed.

"You know that would explain why she always goes after Usagi." Minako said.

"I don't swing that way."

"Not another sexually repressed tomboy." Ranma mumbled.

Makoto teased "If it makes you happy."

Unfortunately Usagi seemed to take it seriously "Rei it's okay, now that you have found someone else who doesn't mind."

"I'm not homosexual!"

Amy had turned Ranma male again, he had a really nice chest, very visible with the water plastering the shirt to it. "I believe Ranma wouldn't mind bisexuality."

Ranma blinked and deciphered it they as someone whose tastes run both ways "Well I turn into a girl at the weirdest occasions."

Rei screamed at the heavens "Why doesn't anyone listen to me"

"We all do Rei, we will support you no matter what." Usagi said trying to calm Rei down, only that Rei seemed ready to explode.

Fortunately they were interrupted. "What hit me?" Haruka asked.

"Ifurita did." Hotaru answered.

"What? Who?" Haruka looked around and saw all Senshi plus one boy pointing behind her. She swallowed and looked over her shoulder.

The tip of the Staff that the woman had was pointed at her face and sparkling electricity. "Will you listen or do I have to incapacitate you again?" Ifurita asked calmly.

"You know, we don't know who she really is yet." Usagi mentioned.

Ranma decided not to beat around the bush "She is Ifurita-22 a Demon Goddess produced as a weapon in a different dimension. She is staying with me."

Ifurita decided to clarify "Ranma is my Master and I obey nobody else."

Every one looked at the woman "A Weapon?"

"Hotaru?" Ranma said, casting his mum an apologizing glance.

"True. You said Ranma was your teacher?" Makoto remembered.

That drew a gasp from Haruka. The boy was that monsters Master and Teacher?

The look was seen by Usagi and a few others "Haruka, you will NOT attack Ranma, Ifurita or Hotaru no matter what, that is an order, do you understand."

"But Pluto ..." Haruka didn't finish the sentence as Usagi flared up.

Seeing Usagi go from zero to full Princess form in a flash of power was awe inspiring, if you were that type. Ifurita and Ranma were not. Hotaru was preoccupied glaring at her former parents.

Haruka found herself on the receiving end of Neo-Princess Serenity's ire. "I said they are to be left alone, do you understand or is Setsuna the Princess?"

Haruka swallowed and nodded frantically. "I understand, Order, leave alone."

"Good" Usagi turned back. "Do we have any cookies left?"

Some facefaulted, some stared, Rei ranted, Hotaru giggled, Ranma held up the plate.

Ifurita found Michiru awakening "What hit me?"

"I did" Ifurita answered.

Amy decided to explain "She took you out and we are gathering information."

Michiru looked alarmed at seeing the enemy so close, but Haruka put a hand on her arm and shook the head. "Princess Orders."

Michiru looked uncomfortable with that order, but she couldn't do anything about it.

"Who is he?"

"He is Ranma and Sailor Silence" Minako said with a grin.

Haruka and Michiru looked at Ranma "A Starlight?"

"Nope, curse, cold water makes me girl, hot a boy. I am a boy inside, no matter what body it is."

"Yes sure. Like I believe that."

"Who wants to do the honours?"

Minako, Makoto and Usagi jumped up.

"All right we will have to do it a few times. So each get a glass of hot or cold water."

A few minutes later the splashing began.

It became obvious that Haruka and Michiru appreciated the female Ranma more.

Titbits of information were exchanged. The two were downcast as Hotaru explained that she was moving out, after an explanation of the past they didn't blame her.

------

Finally the main event started, Setsuna woke up.

"So Pluto, you have some explaining to do."

"It's the abomination!" Setsuna screamed as she saw female Ranma.

#zapp#

Setsuna was twitching, her muscles out of control.

Usagi turned Princess for the second time, only this time she was more than just irritated. The fact that she lifted Setsuna's face from the ground by using the green hair was a good indication. "So I understand that you kill children if the don't fit the future that you suppose is the best?"

"Crystal Tokyo ..."

"... must die if we walk over dead children." Princess Neo-Serenity finished.

"The path to heaven is littered with good bodies" Minako said.

Silence.

"She means 'The path to hell is plastered with good intentions'." Amy explained.

"That's true." Ranma-chan said "Keeping a word of honour when it's unhonourable is a loss of honour."

"But ..." Setsuna started.

Michiru looked uncertain, Usagi was on the newcomers side. The Inners seemed to agree with Usagi. Hotaru was the supposed mother of the new girl. Michiru wondered if she should get something for her pains. "So we abandon Crystal Tokyo because we would have to kill people and destroy the world?"

Usagi nodded.

"The Great Ice will come." Setsuna said "The only difference is if we have anarchy or leadership afterwards."

"You were killing everyone that could have created technology that would make the Great Ice less drastic. I know of at least two scientists, makes one wonder what else you did."

Setsuna swallowed.

Usagi looked alarmed "You didn't."

"It was all for Crystal Tokyo." Setsuna defended herself weakly.

Hotaru glared at Setsuna "The Primary Law of the Guardians, don't use your powers casually. The continued integrity of the time space continuum is our primary assignment."

"I was ordered to ..." Setsuna tried again.

"... to keep the Time Stream free of manipulation, defend it against paradoxes, enforce it's continued existence in this sector." Hotaru reminded Setsuna. "It is your highest law as Guardian of the Time Stream, it's higher than any obligations as a Senshi."

Amy adsorbed this information like a sponge. She had expected something like that, but it was even worse than she had suspected. "So basically Setsuna broke most of her rules as a Time Guardian, which is her primary mission, and used it as a tool as a Senshi."

Ranma "Yup, and she did it casually, it started back then in Silver Millennium I suspect, when she fell under Queen Serenity's influence. I never liked the old hag."

Multiple gasps sounded.

"She was a slave driver, manipulator and dictator. The lower castes suffered day for day." Hotaru explained.

Usagi looked shocked.

Rei looked at Setsuna who alternatively glared at Ranma and Hotaru. "What do we do about Setsuna? I'm not sure who has her loyalty, the Princess or the dead Queen."

Hotaru remembered something "We took her ability to manipulate time, now we need try to fix it, I'll look up if the Great Ice is man-made or a natural disaster, we can work from there."

Setsuna looked resigned "There is no other way, I made sure of it."

Ranma gave one of her rather roughish grins "I'm on the team now, and I did so many things impossible as a human, I wonder what impossible things I can do now."

Hotaru looked at Ranma "We will have to talk, want to accompany me to the Time Gate? We can talk there while I start working on our problems."

Ranma nodded "Sure, why not, I'll deliver the tea to Kasumi first, we will take Ifurita with us, she'll learn of it sooner or later anyway."

Usagi let her transformation fade away and dropped Pluto to the ground. "We will take care of this, if there is a way to stop this even at the cost of Crystal Tokyo, do it!"

Ranma smiled "I will support you within reason little princess."

"He is making fun of me" Usagi pouted.

Rei started laughing, Minako giggled.

Makoto mumbled "I want him as a guy."

Amy blushed.

"See ya!" Ranma said as he and Ifurita laid their hands on Hotaru's shoulders.

"Time Teleport" they faded away.

---

Ranma wasn't sure how to describe the Time Gate, but than again he was sure that he saw it in it's true multidimensional form. Hotaru was busy waving at it and frowned "Ranma do you mind if I watch your life while you comment on it?"

"No I don't it's easier than trying to remember it all, besides it would be nice remembering how much pain I owe the panda." Ranma said as he moved to Hotaru.

Ifurita followed, it would be good to know more.

They started on a fast forward, the first years were a surprise to Ranma. To think that he had ever loved those nasty critters was a surprise. One more thing that reminded him to hurt Genma. The first two years were shocking, child abuse was putting it mildly, Ranma was happy that he had forgotten it all, Ukyo was seen and left behind, than the Neko-ken. Ranma stared as he saw that he had ended in hospital for two times, intensive care both times, the panda had always stolen him back. The lack of legal action baffled him.

Years went by and the torture in the name of the art continued, Ranma wondered how he had managed to repress such acts of cruelty. At least he knew his nightmares made sense.

Than came the Tendou's "Oh shit I forgot the tea! I'll be right back" the Glaive appeared and he called out "Silence Teleport" and gone he was.

Kasumi frowned, it looked cute on her but that didn't make it any less disturbing. She was worried about Ranma, sure he had Ifurita with him but if something took so much time it was probably Genma's fault. Probably another fiancée. At least that was what she thought until she saw Ranma appear out of thin air before her, armed with a weirdly looking Glaive. "Oh Sumi, sorry I kind of forgot the time. Here is your tea, I have to get back, I'll probably be back tomorrow morning. Don't worry Ifurita and I will make breakfast. Thanks for caring, bye sleep well." with a wave of the Glaive he faded away.

Kasumi blinked. Then she nodded and decided to think about it in the morning, Ranma had allowed her to sleep in, which was fine by her. Now maybe she should get something to drink before going to bed.

"I'm back" Ranma called out and walked back up.

"Ranma you know that you are engaged to Amy and Makoto?"

"Huch?"

"We were not really introduced." Ifurita noted.

"Oh, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter. We found 48 engagements total and 5 Amazons." Hotaru stated.

"Aw crap." Ranma sighed.

"They have a clause for immortals for some reason" Hotaru continued, "so breaking with the Amazons is possible, you need to defeat three elders and it's over. As an immortal you are trusted to have an important destiny and are bound to protect the world." Hotaru explained.

Ranma nodded "So I go there and challenge the village?"

Ifurita interjected "It would not be wise to do so, having an immortal bound to their laws would make the village last for eternity in their opinion, the law has a few loopholes that allow the Amazons to attack if the elders are close to being beaten."

"So all about honour but once it's interfering with the village everything is honourable?" Ranma asked.

"That's about it." Hotaru nodded.

Ifurita looked at a moment where Ranma got once again hit. "Revoking your name is the only way to act with acceptable losses. Challenging the elders in the village should be a priority. Removing your name from the Saotome's and a new name should be next."

Ranma didn't look happy, he sighed "I suppose it wasn't meant to be, mom may I move in with you?"

Hotaru beamed at Ranma and pulled him into a gentle yet affectionate hug. "I would love to, want to become a Tomoe?"

Ranma nodded, Cisza Tomoe had a ring to itself, and nobody knew what it meant anyway. "Cisza Tomoe, you want to be Ifurita Tomoe?"

Ifurita nodded.

"Ifurita will be both our guardian" Hotaru decided

"Must be weird being the youngest and still the mother."

"True, but no one would believe us anyway."

Ranma had to admit that she had a point "True, I'll break with the panda and Nodoka tomorrow, maybe I'll challenge the Amazons later. They need time to prepare anyway, Oh before I forget, Ifurita, I promised Kasumi that we would make breakfast.

Ifurita nodded, concentrating on the time Gates. Hotaru was meanwhile poking around in the swirls of energy and watching the probable future.

"Woah, Setsuna screwed up big time." Hotaru found two pairs of interested eyes on her. "She killed most people who could do something against the Great Ice or at least lessen it. Those that are alive are probable to get killed in the next ten years either by elimination or elimination of their ancestors."

Ranma nodded while Ifurita considered and analysed all accessible data "Who should we protect first?"

Hotaru and Ranma smiled, Hotaru because Ifurita seemed to be ready for action and Ranma because Ifurita was showing signs of independent activity.

"Key personal are two scientists, one is living here the other in Europe. they will be both assaulted within 24 hours. The first one in one hour, the other one in about 18 hours 12 minutes by a sniper." Hotaru told them.

"Which one do you want?" Ranma asked Ifurita.

"I require more data on the first target."

"Gang attack on his house, someone spread the tale that there are valuables in the house."

"Ranma is better suited for non lethal combat. My control against human targets is still ... lacking."

Ranma grinned. "Okay, the sniper can be taken down easily, don't give him a second chance but try to find out who is behind it." Ranma turned to Hotaru "Where am I needed?"

------

Ranma patiently waited cloaked in shadows combined with the Umisenken. the scientist was at home with his wife and daughter, a cute daughter, darker skin, long legs, nice rack and almost black eyes.

Ranma derailed this course of thought as it would not do him any good. especially since the enemy was approaching.

Ranma waited till they were entering the apartment complex. Then he slipped into the scientists flat through the window. "Evening! Sorry but please go into your bedroom, you will be attacked by a gang in a few moments."

Them paling and obeying had probably something to do with the Silence Glaive. As they scrambled away Ranma headed for the door. Well he was supposed to be non-lethal, but nobody said he couldn't hurt them, or cut them, or slice them.

The door was kicked in, Ranma smiled, evilly. "Leave and live to die another day."

The gun drawn was a surprise.

"Silence Wall"

The bullet not reaching him wasn't. Ranma idly considered the excessive use of violence when he chopped the hand holding the gun off. Maybe he should keep to non bleeding wounds, after somebody had to clean up later. Ranma dropped the Glaive which faded away and started using his fists and feet. Or course those dealt enough damage. Since the one with the lost hand started screaming Ranma knocked him out by knocking him into the wall. sliding around a stab with a knife, Ranma hit the hand holding said knife with enough speed to shatter the bones. A fast kick shattered the right knee. a casual swipe with the hand pushed the thug into another one and they ended against the wall. An open palm strike to the stomach bowled another one over and left him hurling anything inside and some more.

Ranma sidestepped that and kicked a tall rather brutish looking guy, into the balls. When he came down a quick touch and the unconsciousness shiatsu took him down. A bullet was dodged and hit someone trying to sneak up behind Ranma, Ranma's hand closed around the gun deforming it, the thug still tried to shoot with the result of blowing up said gun in his hand.

A quick glance around told him that there was only one more enemy standing, and that one was clearly scared out of his mind.

Letting the Glaive fade back into reality Ranma entered the house and went for the bedroom. He politely knocked, "Please the danger is over now, Could you call the police?" When the door opened He was looking into a gun, being held by shaking hands, those belonging to the wife. This was different. He pointed down the hall.

The woman watched Ranma as he calmly stepped back to the window he entered through, and gasped as she saw the groaning mess in the hall and in front of the door. There was something between admiring and being afraid in the daughters eyes. A fact that made Ranma remember that he was supposed to make breakfast soon.

"Excuse me, I have to leave." The slightly pouty look on the girls face hastened this decision.

Ranma faded from Africa.

------

After some long talking with Hotaru and the decision to help her create an official identity for them tomorrow as well as organizing the adoption, Ifurita faded into the mists, teleporting away to start with breakfast.

------

Hours later Ifurita and Ranma had cooked up a feast, maybe their quality wasn't yet up to Kasumi's but the amount they made made up for it easily, as well as the variety, or the FRESH ingredients from all around the world.

Kasumi still managed to be the first one down, years of getting up early being burned into her being. No thinks were interesting to watch. The two chefs were not perfectly coordinated but still interesting enough. Discussing some steps in some recipe, fading away when they found out something was missing and coming moments back later with the fresh item. Kasumi had never actually used fish that was still twitching or vegetables that were still covered with greens and earth ... she was actually feeling jealousy. So she joined in, starting on some rather extravagant dishes that would normally never appear on the breakfast table. Or at least not a Japanese one.

------

Nabiki was staring, the cappuccino had woken her, it tasted great, perfect, not too sweet and it had that milder taste then her coffee usually had ... this was heaven. The breakfast looked like an all you can eat buffet. Those long breads were baguettes if she remembered correctly, they were still warm, where the hell did they get those? Ham and eggs was English, cake was something else, there was maple syrup and pancakes, this was pizza, there was ... some soup. Here lay some sausages that seemed to ooze cheese and there some salad.

Let the carnage begin.

Nodoka was not amused. Her son had cooked, he had invited her to breakfast, he was a great cook, even if Kasumi had helped, he had made a feast, he had just kicked Genma out of the room when he had tried to take some bacon from Kasumi. Her son was so manly.

"No stealing, and until you learn that you will not be allowed at the table!" Ranma was not amused.

"Now see here, this is all for the sake of training." Genma started.

"Stealing from Kasumi is training?" Ranma asked sweetly.

"Everything is training." Genma said, all instincts to cover in a corner and whimper for his life were bravely ignored.

There was a boom as the sound barrier got broken. Where once a fat glutton had been standing Ranma and Ifurita were standing, their fists extended.

Outtake:

In v1 Setsuna was the first one to awake.:

"... you must be nuts if you ever thought that Usagi would agree to that." Makoto said.

Rei glared at the woman "Or any of us."

Haruka moaned "Lemme sleep."

Ranma-chan glared at the woman, a hiss left her and her demeanour reminded Setsuna of a cat ready to attack. An attack she knew she would probably not survive.

Haruka opened her eyes, she felt sore, and not in a pleasant way. "What happened?"

Hotaru was the first one to answer that question "Ifurita and Ranma happened."

"Who?" Haruka was piecing the facts together "Where are they I'm going to kick their asses ..."

She saw the inner Senshi plus Hotaru pointing at Ranma-chan and Ifurita. More of them pointing at the demon Goddess, after all she took the three out.

"You!" Haruka tried to get to her feet and attack, tried because as soon as she made an aggressive movement Ranma-chan intercepted and knocked her out with a well aimed blow.

"Damn tomboys, always acting before listening or thinking." Ranma-chan said once more before thinking.

Laughter was her answer, the Senshi agreed wholeheartedly, Haruka was always one to shoot first and try to kill the survivors. A little lesson in humility might do her well, even if the chance of it sticking to her were close to none.

Michiru started moving while Setsuna wondered how the future had moved beyond her control, nothing short of a time stop might remove the two main dangers to the future, even than their influence had already spread upon the Inners. A trip through time might get rid of them, if she found the proper moment Ranma and Ifurita, she wasn't sure who was who, would never cross their paths with the Senshi.

"What hit me?" asked Michiru, raising her upper body slowly.

Amy answered "A Demon Goddess." pointing at Ifurita.

Michiru looked alerted and frowned "Why am I alive? I know I fractured my spine and probably my neck amongst other things." She looked at Usagi.

Usagi pointed at Ranma-chan "I think she healed you."

Omake:

<migi-chan> once again you are evil

* Yarrow grins.

<migi-chan> konatsu Shampoo, soun-Azusa

<migi-chan> other recomandation?

<Yarrow> Hikaru-Rouge.

<migi-chan> I thought of that combination, it might actually work

<migi-chan> he is interessted in such things

<Yarrow> He'd probably be terrified, too.

<migi-chan> all the better.

<migi-chan> Ryoga?

<Yarrow> "Hikaru! Get back over here and tend to my needs!" "Again??? I'm so tired... please, give me some time to rest..." "Shut up and come here! Oooohhhh... Ahhhhh.... so good.... Yes! Yes, that's it! Ohhhhhhhhhh. Mmmmmmmm..." "There. Are you *finally* satisfied?" "No. Give me another back massage."

<migi-chan> *lol* wasn't that being taken care off by the magnets?

<Yarrow> Magnets are all well and good, but I'm sure they don't compare to a real massage.

<Yarrow> Hmm... Ryouga...

<Yarrow> Let me call up a list of characters.

<Yarrow> Well, there's always Nabiki.

<migi-chan> been done to often

<Yarrow> We're running out of girls who are normally in the area.

<Yarrow> I suppose there's Mariko, but I'm not really familiar with her.

<Yarrow> Pink & Link would be off in China.

<migi-chan> getting them down would be easy for this Ranma (Sailor Silence)

<Yarrow> Maybe, but the only came around once, so I doubt he'd bother.

<Yarrow> I mean, you know how many people he'd have to punish if he went after everyone who tangled with him just once? :)

<migi-chan> He is out for the amazons anyway, to get rid of the kisses you have to defeat three elders

<Yarrow> If amazons (or even just the elders) can have more than one husband, he can marry Ryouga to her also.

<migi-chan> might work, him passing out or getting lost would make that a job for more than one wife...

<Yarrow> He'd only have one wife. He'd have a co-husband, though.

<Yarrow> It'd be a nice switch from all the stories where multiple amazon women share one husband.

<migi-chan> hmm marry all the guys to shampoo, or most of them ...

<migi-chan> Kuno, Soun, hikaru. reducing this to the nerima regulars....

<migi-chan> Happosai

<Yarrow> I like the Hikaru-Rouge pairing.

<migi-chan> true, but dumping Kuno, soun and Happy on Shampoo sounds fun.