Ranko 2/2: Cascaded Universe Episode 0 Akane's Wish: Wake of the Future v 00 The second story in the "Ranma's Birthday Wish" Continuum. By Kevin D. Hammel This tale follows Bryan Neef's Ranma's Birthday and Kevin D. Hammel's Roses for Kunou... Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing rights are held by Viz in The US and Shogakukan in Japan. My purpose is to honor the creator and her works. No infringement intended. ------------------------------------------------------------ Ranko was home in much less time than she had expected. Her mom greeted her. "So, dear, how did it go?" "Really well, I think I convinced Kunou to leave his hands off Akane AND myself. I need to change, I'll be back in a down in a few moments." Well, it was now or never. That Ranko was a girl was a fact proven by the lack of change in hot water. The only question which remained was, did the curse still exist? Did it EVER exist? She hoped it had, and wished it hadn't. Ranko took off her clothes, carefully sorting them as she always did, then put on a robe. Now was the time to cross her Rubicon. She ran the hot water tap for a minute, filling a glass with hot water and set it on the floor. If she was cursed, she should be able to reach the glass on the floor, no matter what form she took. Ranko then ran the cold water tap until she was sure it was cold. She splashed her face with cold water, and, changed. Ranma saw a familiar face in the mirror. But how could this happen? It appeared that a cursed, female Ranma had been placed in this timestream. Ranma sat down on the floor and knew that NOTHING had improved from yesterday, unless he BECAME Ranko. Ranko was happy, she had a loving mother, and loved her sisters. But Ranma wanted to MARRY Akane, not have her as a sister. His wish had been fulfilled, but not as he had desired. What about his parents? His mother, who spent a decade hoping to see him, his father, who taught him to love the Art, lost forever. With conscious effort , he picked up the glass on the floor, and used it to reverse the change. What was she to do? Cry, Ranko buried her face in her hands. Keiko heard the sobs coming from upstairs. It seemed her daughter was still troubled by events of the day. She went upstairs to comfort her. ------- Ranko felt her mother's arms around her. "Mother, who am I?" Ranko asked as she got up, ran the cold water, and changed. "Yesterday was not a dream, " Ranma concluded. Keiko looked at the boy in shock. Here was evidence that the dream HAD been reality yesterday. But Ranko had never reacted this way to cold water before. "What have you done to Ranko?" Ranma looked at Mrs. Tendou. "What have YOU done to my parents? There are no answers, only pain." Keiko got up, and started down the stairs. "Try to find something to wear in public. We need to talk." ------- Ranma came down wearing a warm-up suit he had found in Kasumi's closet. It was close enough to a fit that it looked alright, actually. He didn't particularly like the pink color, but it would have to do. "Why does Kasumi have to have a pink warm-up suit? Because she's Kasumi!" He answered himself. "Oh my!, we're going to have to get you some clothes, Ranko." "Yeah, I guess you're right. My name used to be Ranma, but my mom always called me Ranko. I had to be Ranko for her because of pop's stupid promise. I guess I'm Ranko forever, now." "I cannot imagine how much it must hurt you, Ranma, but let's TRY to make the best of it. Let's get you some clothes, though I must say pink IS your color." She couldn't help but giggle. Ranma flushed. Guys didn't wear pink. He knew Ranko wasn't a guy, but she wasn't a girl right now either... "And I still owe you that Ice Cream I promised earlier," a lifetime ago, Keiko concluded to herself. The two left the house and headed downtown. ------- "Excuse me!" Keiko asked a saleswoman who was staring at Ranma. "My son is visiting me and the clothes he was wearing were...soiled. He needs to find an inexpensive pair of pants and a shirt, as he is somewhat embarrassed by his current attire." The clerk took a few measurements of Ranma, then left. Five minutes later, she returned with a pair of pants and a plain white shirt. "May I try them on?" "Certainly." Ranma when to the changing room and emerged wearing the much more comfortable clothes. Keiko asked the saleslady, "Can you ring us up?" "Sure, and you can wear the clothes, let me take the tags off." Keiko paid for the clothes, the left the store with Ranko. "Would you like the ice cream now?" Keiko asked. "Could we go home first? I think the shop is near our home isn't it? I'd like to change into something more appropriate." "But you are wearing the only clothes you have...I see! Yes, it is, alright Ranko, I mean Ranma." "Mrs. Tendou, Ranko is fine with me." Ranko said, looking over at his mother. Keiko smiled. "Thank you. Ranko is fine with me, too." ------- A quick change and a short walk later, Ranko and her mom finally made it to the ice cream shop. Ranko was wearing the same pair of overalls and pink shirt she had worn earlier. Neither woman spoke until the sundaes were delivered. Ranko broke the silence. "Mrs. Tendou, I have to ask you two questions. They are very important to me, and will decide what I chose to do in the future." "Go ahead, Ranko, but PLEASE call me mom, OK?" "The answer to the first question will DETERMINE whether I call you mom or not. Neither my parents nor Akane ever really accepted me as a boy and girl. Will you accept me as your daughter AND son?" Keiko thought for a few moments, looking at her daughter. "Yes, I will, Ranko." Ranko's face filled with joy. She got up and hugged her mother. "Thanks mom, I'll need your help to let go of my old parents, but now I know I'm home." She hugged Keiko for a few more moments, then let go and sat back down. Her expression became more serious. "As I told you before, Akane and I WERE engaged and, even though I broke the engagement in my depression yesterday, I now have a second chance. Before I do anything, I will ask Akane, but do you think I would be able to go out with her?" Keiko looked like she had taken a blow. "Could I think about it please, Ranko. I don't want to make a mistake." "But I'm the one who made the mistake, I never let Akane know how I really felt until it was too late, please don't take her away, too!" "Ranko, I said let me think about it. You, Akane, and I need to sit down and discuss it. But I promise you, if it looks like it will be a good thing for you AND Akane, I will not stand in your way." "Thank you, Akane is lucky to have such a fine mother." "Don't forget, I'm your mom too." "Yeah!" Ranko said, resuming her enjoyment of the ice cream in earnest. ------- Ranko waited patiently for her sister to return from school. Her mother had brought down a blanket so she could rest on the couch and forget some of the strains of the day. The door burst open, and Akane ran in. Ranko jumped up and grabbed her sister. "Akane, you'll never guess what happened!" "What, Ranko?" Keiko looked with concern at Ranko. She was about to say something when her faith in her daughter told her not to. "I visited Kunou in the Hospital, and told him you and I don't love him, and he accepted it!" "That's great news, Ranko!" Akane said with joy. "I told him you'd visit. I'd suggest bringing him a dark-blue rose in a vase. When he sees you, he should start right in with the apology. I'll go with you and wait in the lobby, if you'd like, Akane." "Let's go, Ranko!" The two raced out the still open door, dodged Nabiki, and ran down the street. ------- Akane entered Kunou's room holding the single dark-blue flower in a vase. Kunou cast a glance her direction. "Good Evening, fair Akane." "Good Evening, upperclassman." "You must have met Ranko. As I did her, I offer you a full apology for my actions. I acknowledge that you do not love me." "I accept your apologies, thank you." Akane bent down and gave Kunou a peck on the cheek. She got up and left her vase next to Ranko's. "Good day to you. Know that my broken heart will be quickly mended when Lady Ukyou responds to my attentions." Yeah, right. Akane thought. "Good day, upperclassman," Akane said. "Good day Akane." She left the room. ------- Ranko was waiting for her. "So, how did it go?" Akane smiled, "it seems that he realizes we don't love him!" Her expression darkened a little. "Akane, what's wrong?" "He now awaits Lady Ukyou to respond to his attentions." "Oh...well, he graduates this year, so Ucchan won't have to put up with the idiot nearly as long as we did!" "Yeah, let's go home." Akane was smiling again. ------- After dinner, Ranko gave her mother a pleading glance. Keiko was proud of how Ranko had handled herself since Akane had returned, but knew any further delays would only hurt her...son. "Akane, Ranko, could you come to my room after dinner?" Ranko tried hard to suppress a smile, responding "yes." Akane wanted to be let in on the secret too, saying "sure". "Kasumi, could you put your homework aside long enough to clean up tonight?" "Certainly, mother." "Thank you, Kasumi. I know it's Akane's night, but Ranko and I need to talk to her." ------- Ranko was the last to arrive in her mother's room, probably because she had changed into a boy's shirt and pants which didn't fit her, and brought a couple of glasses of water, which she set down on the dresser. Before she sat down, she shut the door. Keiko spoke first. "Akane, Ranko got up this morning depressed, though she had a wonderful time at the party last night." "Yes, I noticed, mom." Akane looked at Ranko with concern. "It seems that her depression was due to what I called at the time a 'vivid dream'. When she awoke she didn't even remember...me." Keiko choked back tears, knowing full well why Ranko had not recognized her. "When she returned home from the hospital, she, then I discovered it was not a dream. Could you repeat the story of your 'dream', Ranko." "Yes, mother" Ranko recounted the whole story, sparing no details. When she was done, Akane was in shock. Her mother dead eleven years? Ranko's parents alive along with her father? Akane and Ranko, who had been born male with the name Ranma, stuck in an arranged marriage? Ranko loved her? Ranko changing gender using water? Her glance went to the glasses, she inhaled sharply, her eyes alight with realization. Ranko looked at Akane. "I asked mother if I could go out with you, to give me a chance to show you how much I love you." Ranko's face was awash with tears. Akane looked at her sister, feeling some of the pain she knew the girl was experiencing. But could she do this? This was her sister, not Kunou Tatewaki, But yesterday, this 'sister' had been in love with her, and had not expressed it very well, as usual. It was obvious that there were misunderstandings on both sides, but she and Ranma had loved each other. His wish had given back Akane her mother, but cost him everything. She knew what she had to say. "Yes, Ranko, but please don't take it too fast, OK?" Ranko beamed. "OK, Akane." she got up and poured the glass of water over herself, changing. He cast a glance at his mother. "Could we go out for a few minutes?" "Certainly." Keiko was a little concerned, but had seen nothing in this boy which gave here concerns any justification. Ranko turned to Akane. "Would you go out to the dojo with me?" "Sure." The two left the room. Keiko took the glasses back downstairs, filling Nabiki and Kasumi in. The two elder daughters had been shocked to see a slightly soggy boy escort Akane out the door, and were greatful for an explanation. ------- Ranko grasped Akane's waist, and jumped to the top of the roof, like he always did. Akane looked at Ranko "There's a better way!" She jumped down, waiting for Ranko. This time it was Akane who did the jumping for both. "You forget, THIS Akane is every bit as accomplished in the Art as you, Ranko!" She smiled. Ranko was pleased with the way things were turning out. He turned to Akane. "I always called you an 'uncute tomboy' perhaps I should call you a cute tomboy." He looked at her expectantly. Akane had never been on a date where she was given the lead, that's why she hated boys...perhaps this wasn't a boy. She hugged Ranko, who embraced her as well. They embraced for several minutes, just enjoying each other's company. Akane finally let go, and found that Ranko responded instantly to her change in mood. "Thanks, Akane. I think that's enough for tonight." He jumped down, waiting for her to follow. Akane jumped down, then gave Ranko a little peck on the cheek before running back inside. Ranko followed at a slower pace, savoring the moment. ------- Ranko sat that night on the edge of her bed, and tears came unbidden. She still really couldn't deal with losing her parents. She knew she already loved Keiko, that Keiko was very much like what Nodoka would have been if she had known, but now she would NEVER know. Ranko was now shaking with sobs. Ranko felt her mothers arms embracing her. "Let go, Ranko, tears will not bring them back. I'm your mother, I love you." The tears still would not stop. "Ranko, lets sleep in my bed tonight, OK?" The tears slowed a little. Ranko was NOT going to sleep in her mother's bed, "OK mom, thanks!" Ranko sniffled a little as she followed her mother to the bedroom. The first few hours were horrible, full of pain for Ranko, but whenever she cried out or screamed, her mother was there, stroking her back, or embracing her. Eventually, Ranko drifted off to a peaceful sleep. Mom was there to protect her, everything would be OK. ------- Ranko awoke to see her mother's smiling face. Keiko spoke first "Good morning! See, the morning always comes, no matter how long the night seems." "Good morning, mom, thanks!" Ranko gave her mom a quick hug, then raced back to her room. She had to get ready for morning workout. Keiko watched her daughter as she raced out of her room, youthful energy restored by the peaceful sleep which came after the pain. She didn't expect her daughter would need her company tonight, but was always ready regardless. ------- On the way to school, Akane couldn't help but notice Ranko looking wistfully at the fence. "You know, Akane, I used to run to school on top of that fence while you walked." "Why not try it now?" "You showed me last night that almost anything I can do, you can too. Would you like to run on the fence?" "Well, I haven't practiced, perhaps if we practice this weekend, we can start next week." Akane decided that she wanted to do anything she could to make Ranko happy, besides she thought this sounded like FUN. ------- That night, Akane and Ranko visited Dr. Tofu. "Hello Akane and Ranko, what brings you by tonight?" Ranko spoke first, "it's a long story..." She told him everything. "I see, let me call a friend, then I need to take some readings, Ranko." The doctor made his phone call, then began to systematically trigger Ranko's transformations. He was able to pinpoint the temperature within a tenth of a degree. He concluded his testing with "Oh dear." "What, doctor?" Ranko asked. "It seems that your transformation temperature is a degree below normal. I would expect it to be normal or about half normal. I hope the guest I have invited can solve the problem." A new person had entered the room. She was a middle-aged woman wearing a silk robe. She reminded Ranko of Cologne. "Hello, my name is Par'foo-mu, I an a scholar on Mystical lore, Jusenkyo, and Chinese Amazons. Dr Tofu has told me of your troubles. Which of you is Ranko?" Ranko raised her hand "Guilty, Madam." Parfum smiled. Dr Tofu showed the curse activation temperature he had measured. Parfum looked concerned, then spoke "it seems you are the victim of the wake of a wish further up the timestream. It is not normal for a curse or memories to persist for long after a wish, as they cause a contradiction in the altered reality. I would have expected your curse to activate at a much lower temperature. The one thing which does not surprise me is that the curse has become reversed, since your birth gender, and core identity is now female, the curse was reversed in this reality." "Could you explain?" "Certainly. Normally, when reality is modified by a wish, any curses or memories foreign to the new reality are adjusted to the new reality, then quickly removed, as the new reality 'heals itself' of foreign elements. In the case of memories, they fade to nothing, in the case of a Jusenkyo curse, the activation temperature will decrease until it reaches zero, at which time the curse is lifted, as liquid water cannot exist at 0 C. As you are a strong practitioner of the Art, and are strong in spirit, Ranko, you would normally retain yours for a few days, then you and everyone else would forget they ever existed." "No!" Ranko shouted. "That's not fair!" "It is perfectly 'fair' it plays no favorites, everyone is treated equally. Back to your problem. Under normal circumstances, the activation temperature of your curse would be one half of normal, if it was to decay in three days, but it has gone down only a bit more that 1 degree in a little over a day. I speculate it must be a "wake effect" from a wish further up the timestream, another wish will occur in the future which is modifying this reality as part of its effect. Who knows about your curse?" "Akane, her mother, sisters, and you two." "One of these people will make a wish in about a month. If you return in a week, we might be able to pinpoint the day." Akane looked very excited. "My birthday is in a month!" "It may very well be your wish which is affecting our reality, Akane. I will return in one week's time. Thank you." "Well, girls, I guess that explains the situation." Tofu looked at Ranko "after hearing your story, I feel really sorry for you, but you have a wonderful mother and sisters who love you. You'll be fine, Ranko." Ranko thought, in horror, of herself as a happy housewife, then thought of her mother. She might be married someday, but she would always have the Art, she would always be something more. Besides, Akane had her wish... ------- Things progressed well in the week before Akane and Ranko returned to Dr. Tofu's...until the last night. Ranko taught Akane how to run on the fence to school, which Akane soon learned to enjoy. Each day the two girls tried to outdo each other on their dismount, with Ukyou and other friends providing scores on a one to ten scale. Ranko always let Akane lead, of course. Their dates became a thing each of them anticipated. Both of them became fairly passionate at kissing until, the day before the appointment... Ranko broke off the kiss in tears. "I'm sorry Akane, I can't kiss another girl like that." "But you're a boy right now, Ranko!" "That amazon quack was right, I'm losing myself to Ranko. I wonder how long before I'll want to kiss boys?" Akane looked at her friend through tears. "Don't say that, I still love you, Ranko! Please don't leave me!" "I'm sorry Akane! Please don't forget me! By your birthday I'll be gone, please bring me back." Ranko could talk no more. he leapt down from the roof and went inside. ------- Ranko and Akane were at Tofu's office again, and the doctor had measured the activation temperature again. He plotted temperature versus time, and connected the two points with a line. "Now this crosses zero at..." "My birthday," Akane said with joy. It WAS her wish, what would it be? "Parfum?" "Yes, child." "I was wondering. Ranko and myself went out on several dates, with our kissing becoming quite passionate. Last night, she said she doesn't like kissing girls. Can you explain?" "Of course, dear. The two wishes interact with each other because they are so close in the timestream. This interaction causes a constantly shifting reality which affects all save you, as you will make the second wish. To use a metaphor, you surf the rapids cascading between the two wishes, unaffected. On your birthday, you alone will remember what has happened, and your sister's curse will be lifted." "So, Ranko's memories of life as Ranma will gradually fade away?" "Yes, child. At some time on your birthday, your sister will have lost all memories of her previous existance. She will be a girl with no memories of ever being a boy, except in her 'dream'." Thank you," Akane said sadly, turning to leave. "Let's go Ranko." "Yeah, sis." Ranko wasn't sure what was going on anymore. She KNEW she wasn't a guy, and didn't like becoming one. She did know that, on Akane's birthday, that water would have to be near freezing to change her. She did intend to change on that day, but not before. She owed Ranma and Akane one last moment together. ------- Akane felt like a prisoner, marking off days until release. Some things were changed, and each reminded her of what they had for that fleeting time. They still ran on the fences to school, having a great time twice a day. For a while, Ranko still liked to jump on the roof and talk, but then became a bit boy-crazy and stopped their rooftop rendezvous. It pained Akane to see Ranko going out with boys, but she looked so happy. At last, it was Akane's seventeenth birthday. ------- The clock read five, and it was Akane's birthday. Ranko had been dreading and anticipating this day for weeks. In preparation of what she was to do this morning, she had borrowed Kasumi's warm-up suit, and was now wearing the pink warm-up. One last duty had to be performed for a boy she never met, except in a mirror. --- Ranko went downstairs to the freezer and removed several ice cubes, putting them in a bowl, with a little water. She waited for a few minutes, hoping the water was zero degrees or close to it. She upended the bowl over her head, pleased the water was cold enough to effect one last change. He went up to Akane's bedroom. ------- Akane woke up to see Ranma, the male aspect of Ranko she had grown to love. "Don't forget Ranma, Akane. I had to do this for him, and for you. If he were here he would propose to you, I know it! And Akane, I will speak as Ranko now, don't forget me, either. I love you, too!" A tear rolled down Ranko's cheek. It seemed that the curse's time had expired. To Akane's shock, Ranma melted back to Ranko. Akane was in tears again. "C'mon, sis it's your birthday, cheer up! Why so sad today?" "Thank you for everything, Ranko!" Ranma had now joined his parents in oblivion, but he lived on in her mind. She WOULD bring him back. ------- Finally, what she had waited for. The tension was almost unbearable. She blew out all seventeen candles, then made her wish. Akane enjoyed the cake, her mom had outdone herself this time. As she finished, something crept into her mind. She had mentioned 'Ranko' and 'her' not 'Ranma' and 'his' in her wish. Would he come back? She didn't know. Akane began to cry. Ignoring concerned questions and comments from her family and friends, she ran upstairs in tears. ------- After crying herself out, Akane prepared herself for bed, and was soon asleep. ------- Akane's alarm clock went off. Funny, she didn't feel any different. She DID notice that she was wearing a beautiful ring on a gold chain around her neck. Perhaps Ranko had proposed last night here, like Ranko had said Ranma would... Her room looked the same as it always had. She opened her closet, and saw a few changes. There was a boy's uniform next to her girl's jumper. Boys clothes also took up nearly one half of the closet, though the girls clothes which remained were all favorites. Uncertain what to do, she put on a robe, and went to the bathroom. ------- She wasn't in the tub too long when a male Ranko came into the bathroom, soaking wet, wearing a gi. "Sorry, Akane, my mom knocked me into the pond today." He went to the sink and ran some warm water then splashed his face to allow him to change. She joined Akane in the tub. Akane noticed that Ranko also was wearing a ring on a chain. "Akane, Ukyou landed a REALLY solid blow on you last night, are you OK?" "Well, my memory seems a little jumbled right now. Why do you change like you do." "You do too, you know, Akane. It all started when we were five years old..." ------- Jusenkyo, China, 12 years ago SD Guide "Welcome sirs and children to cursed training ground Jusenkyo." SD Genma and SD Soun argue "My daughter will be the son." "No, MY daughter!" "NO, MY DAUGHTER!" They both shout at each other "OK, BE THAT WAY!" Genma throws SD chibi Ranko-chan and Soun throws SD chibi Akane-chan into a pool. SD chibi Ranko-kun and SD chibi Akane-kun emerge from the pool, and both begin to cry. "Sirs, your daughters have fallen into spring of drowned young man. Very tragic story of young man drown there. Whoever fall in spring become young man. SD Genma and SD Soun give each other a victory sign. Each comforts his son. Soon the two boys are smiling and walk out with their fathers. ------- Nerima, Tokyo, a few days less than 12 years ago SD Genma and SD Soun lead their sons to the Tendou home. SD Nodoka, brandishing a katana, and SD Keiko chase the fathers down street, generating dust clouds. Meanwhile, on the porch, SD chibi Kasumi-chan says "Oh my!", and SD chibi Nabiki-chan takes the two SD boys' pictures with a toy camera. ------- Bathtub, Nerima, Tokyo, present "So, that's why we are cursed. Shortly thereafter, our fathers went on a training trip and never returned. We don't know what happened to them, but they were declared legally dead five years ago," Ranko told Akane. She continued: "We attend school in the morning as boys, then change for PE, and return as girls. Since we have been this way almost as long as we can remember, I don't really think it is a curse, do you?" "No," Akane replied. "Why do you want to marry me?" "Well, you are the only guy who will have anything to do with me, and I am the only guy will have anything to do with you. All the guys at school think we're perverts, but the girls accept us. But who wants to marry a girl?" "I know what you mean." It did feel right, she had been changing daily for as long as she could remember. "Well, we'd better get ready for school." "Yeah!" ------- The two boys hurried to their places at the table. Nabiki looked at them with a smile. "So, how is the two by foursome today?" "Fine!" Ranko and Akane answered as one. They then, very politely, ate their food as fast as they could. Using their martial arts housekeeping skills they cleaned all the pans and utensils used in preparing breakfast in thirty seconds. "Bye!" They both shouted and, grabbing their books, ran out the door to school. Kasumi smiled, and shook her head. It was like this every day, but it still never ceased to amaze her. Nodoka looked at Keiko with an odd smile on her face. "It's strange that our husbands' bizarre plan to unite our families will actually come to fruition." "Yes, but I can't help but love those two wonderful children. I'm proud of how well Akane has turned out, as I know you are of Ranko. They have had to put up with so much horror due to their father's plan." "But is it horror anymore, Keiko-san? It might have been twelve years ago, but they have grown so much. You know that they love each other, and how much they need each other. I cannot think of a more wonderful person for Ranko to marry than Akane." ------- "You lead, Ranko!" Akane shouted as the black-haired boy vaulted to the top of the fence, with Akane running behind. "We should be early enough to watch Ukyou run the gauntlet." ------- Sure enough, they got there in plenty of time to watch their friend Ukyou fight her way into school, with her final opponent being Kunou. "Fair Ukyou, I bid thee good morning, and challenge thee to combat for the honor" CLANG! Kunou did not get a chance to conclude his stanza, as his face met with a giant spatula. He sat down and looked dumbly, a feat EXCEEDINGLY easy for Kunou Tatewaki, at the swiftly retreating Ukyou. He regained his senses in time to shout at Akane and Ranko. "So the sorcerous knaves, Saotome Ranko and Tendou Akane, return for another day of subjecting the fair maidens who share their names to abject slavery! I know they do not love me but, yea verily, I am concerned for them." By the time Kunou had finished his speech, both Ranko and Akane had entered the school building. ------- That evening, Akane took the lead running on the fence. There was more on the line in the evening, as a dunking in the canal would almost surely ruin the girl's uniform they wore on the way home. Their mothers had made it clear that if a daughters' antics resulted in a damaged uniform, that the offending daughter would have to pay for it. So far this year, no uniforms had been damaged. Akane performed her dismount from the fence as a double somersault, and landed perfectly, while Ranko had a perfect landing after her somersault-twist combo. "Ranko, you are a modest showoff!" "Akane, you are a sensitive jerk!" "You cute tomboy!" Both said to each other, then laughed. They held hands as they returned home to the Tendou-Saotome Family Center. Akane looked at Ranko, and smiled. Her wish turned out a LOT better than Ranma's! (END)